I am underwhelmed by the acquisition of Gregg from the fishies. Don't get me wrong, he's a decent middle of the road set up guy -- certainly better than the '08 version of Bobby Howry that we suffered through -- but he's no Carlos Marmol, and THAT'S the guy he's being asked to replaced if we get rid of (i.e. don't sign) Kerry Wood.
In this era -- starters are going six innings more often than not. Unless they are Rich Harden, and then five is good. Which means you have to GET the game to the closer in the ninth for the closer to matter. We gave away Eyre last year. Fine. Marshall did pretty well handling the lefty specialist job, as well as some much needed long relief. And some good starts. His reward? He'll be traded. Another time on that. I think the strength of our pen these last two years has been Marmol in the set up role, not the closing. A great set up guy is critical...especially since he's the one that comes in with 2 on and 1 out most of the time. Marmol does that really well. I like the Gregg acquisition only if it comes for one of two reasons: 1.) precursor to a trade in which he is involved, or 2.) we still re-sign Wood and the bullpen is that much stronger in innings 7-8-9.
Just a thought. We should re-sign Wood for the ninth inning duties. Keep Marmol for the 8th. Find a reliever (a good one) whose last name starts with the letter B. Maybe Jonathan Broxton?) That way, they could say on TV "here comes the BMW" -- and BMW could sponsor the final three innings of the games. It's a money maker, trust me. Gregg won't work, because GMW makes no sense.
Sorry, sometimes I digress. Where was I? Oh, yes, the bullpen. I suppose Marshall - Gregg - Marmol could be the MGM boys, but I like the car reference better. Anyhoo...
I am starting to think that Peavy is this year's Brian Roberts. All talk, no get. Lou said he didn't think we were pursuing Peavy that hard. Either he's out of touch, or lying. He said as far as he knew, our only interest this off season was a left handed bat. I think he means "batter" because the bats are pretty much good either way. Rumors I hear? Ibanez, Hermida or Dunn. I like Hermida best of the three...but am underwhelmed by them all in general.
Enough for today. Imaginary postseason Shermies to all my loyal readers.
best to cb
Sherm
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Postseason Awards
All right. You wanted to know my thoughts on postseason awards? Here it is: they are not worth the newspaper they are printed on.
Congratulations to Geo Blanco, aka, Hank White's "Mini Me." Soto said recently that the Cubs "need" to re-sign Blanco. Geo "needs" to work on plate discipline and learn more about national league hitters and their tendencies. (Like, they "tend" to hit flat fastballs in fastball situations a long way. That kind of stuff.) He needs to let Hendry manage the roster.
Congratulations to Lou for winning the NL Manager of the Year. How did THAT happen? We spend a ton of money and load the roster for him. Trade for Harden. Add Edmonds and Johnson. All that's on Hendry. And Lou "manages" to do what everyone in baseball EXPECTED him to do. Win the central. That was what he did. He met expectations for the regular season. Nothing more. And we all know of his postseason managerial success in recent years. Six and out.
They say that a manager, a good one, anyhow, can account for up to seven wins in a season that the team would not have had otherwise. I don't know if I can give Lou that many...where his decisions helped snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Yes, Smitty, I said snatch. Quit the giggling. Maybe May 30. When we were down to the Rockies 9 - 1 in the sixth and we scored nine unanswered runs to win the game. That was the day Lou said "thems has lots of points, Larry. You play manager man and me go get pizza." We won that day. Why? Because Larry went with him, that's why. Daryl Ward managed the team to victory that day.
Speaking of postseason awards -- Lincecum deserved the NL Cy Young. Good call for a change. He was great on a shitty team.
The Peavy sweepstakes continue. Now the Braves are the frontrunners. They are offering pretty much everyone they have, plus a Jane Fonda "Klute" poster. Peavy wants an extension, too -- which could make him a 5/80 guy. Now I know he's a great pitcher, but at some point it makes sense to keep the farm system and just go get a free agent pitcher who is as good, or close to it, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong -- I'd take the guy in a minute, but at some point the cost is TOO much...what's that point? Let's hope Hendry knows.
I think we should re-sign Wood and Dempster and THEN pursue these other guys. Not the other way around, or you risk losing them all. This tells them (W & D) that they only fit if we can't find anyone better...which might piss them off to seek employment elsewhere. Baseball players are sensitive. It's only money. Sign them. Let Lou do it. He's the manager of the year, after all.
Well, I have stuff to do. Looking forward to reading your pithy comments. No I don't lisp. I meant pithy. Why did they put an "s" in lisp? That's just wrong.
I leave Jim Hendry with this sage advice: Big money, no whammies.
best to cb
js
Congratulations to Geo Blanco, aka, Hank White's "Mini Me." Soto said recently that the Cubs "need" to re-sign Blanco. Geo "needs" to work on plate discipline and learn more about national league hitters and their tendencies. (Like, they "tend" to hit flat fastballs in fastball situations a long way. That kind of stuff.) He needs to let Hendry manage the roster.
Congratulations to Lou for winning the NL Manager of the Year. How did THAT happen? We spend a ton of money and load the roster for him. Trade for Harden. Add Edmonds and Johnson. All that's on Hendry. And Lou "manages" to do what everyone in baseball EXPECTED him to do. Win the central. That was what he did. He met expectations for the regular season. Nothing more. And we all know of his postseason managerial success in recent years. Six and out.
They say that a manager, a good one, anyhow, can account for up to seven wins in a season that the team would not have had otherwise. I don't know if I can give Lou that many...where his decisions helped snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Yes, Smitty, I said snatch. Quit the giggling. Maybe May 30. When we were down to the Rockies 9 - 1 in the sixth and we scored nine unanswered runs to win the game. That was the day Lou said "thems has lots of points, Larry. You play manager man and me go get pizza." We won that day. Why? Because Larry went with him, that's why. Daryl Ward managed the team to victory that day.
Speaking of postseason awards -- Lincecum deserved the NL Cy Young. Good call for a change. He was great on a shitty team.
The Peavy sweepstakes continue. Now the Braves are the frontrunners. They are offering pretty much everyone they have, plus a Jane Fonda "Klute" poster. Peavy wants an extension, too -- which could make him a 5/80 guy. Now I know he's a great pitcher, but at some point it makes sense to keep the farm system and just go get a free agent pitcher who is as good, or close to it, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong -- I'd take the guy in a minute, but at some point the cost is TOO much...what's that point? Let's hope Hendry knows.
I think we should re-sign Wood and Dempster and THEN pursue these other guys. Not the other way around, or you risk losing them all. This tells them (W & D) that they only fit if we can't find anyone better...which might piss them off to seek employment elsewhere. Baseball players are sensitive. It's only money. Sign them. Let Lou do it. He's the manager of the year, after all.
Well, I have stuff to do. Looking forward to reading your pithy comments. No I don't lisp. I meant pithy. Why did they put an "s" in lisp? That's just wrong.
I leave Jim Hendry with this sage advice: Big money, no whammies.
best to cb
js
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Rakerus Bloggicus
Doc Raker makes a good point in his latest "blog." (He still thinks that an email with more than two recipients is a blog. Don't tell him. What's the point? It pumps up that resume of his: Eye Doc, Raker, T-Ball coach, "blogger.")
His aforementioned point? That next year's World Series, if played in Chicago at the end of October/early November could be berry, berry cold. Freezing, with snow, even. Because the brilliants powers that be in baseball are led around by the nose by that evil mistress, money. So a team could earn the right to get into the World Series and have the whole thing tainted by the weather. You can't play the same way you do all summer in November. They are called the Boys of Summer, remember? Not the boys of Spring, Summer and now much of Winter, too. Why not just play year around? At least that way, we could GET BACK to the warmer weather for the World Series. Play a 300 game schedule. Give the players a "Winter Break" from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15. Expand the rosters to maybe 40 - 45 players. Institute a salary cap to keep the rich teams from stockpiling players. Throw out the old record books. Why not? Think of the money!
Or mandate domes! Yes, that's it. Domes for everyone! By 2010, or else.
Baseball question for the day: Setting aside that we might get Jake Peavy in the deal...would you be upset to lose Mike Fontenot? Anyone think that he'll turn into a very good 2b someday? I'm talking a .300/25/90 good, not a .265/10/55 good. He's compact...I think he's going to bring some power and consistency to a team who gives me a fair shot to play everyday. Thoughts?
Holliday is an Oakland A. Better than a Card or Girl Horse (Filly) -- let the AL west worry about him.
Who thinks we re-sign Wood?
Who thinks we re-sign Dempster?
Congrats to Soto for NL ROY honors. A little more plate discipline and he'll be a great one someday.
Blanco's tattoo man. Good one, Raker.
best to cb
js
His aforementioned point? That next year's World Series, if played in Chicago at the end of October/early November could be berry, berry cold. Freezing, with snow, even. Because the brilliants powers that be in baseball are led around by the nose by that evil mistress, money. So a team could earn the right to get into the World Series and have the whole thing tainted by the weather. You can't play the same way you do all summer in November. They are called the Boys of Summer, remember? Not the boys of Spring, Summer and now much of Winter, too. Why not just play year around? At least that way, we could GET BACK to the warmer weather for the World Series. Play a 300 game schedule. Give the players a "Winter Break" from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15. Expand the rosters to maybe 40 - 45 players. Institute a salary cap to keep the rich teams from stockpiling players. Throw out the old record books. Why not? Think of the money!
Or mandate domes! Yes, that's it. Domes for everyone! By 2010, or else.
Baseball question for the day: Setting aside that we might get Jake Peavy in the deal...would you be upset to lose Mike Fontenot? Anyone think that he'll turn into a very good 2b someday? I'm talking a .300/25/90 good, not a .265/10/55 good. He's compact...I think he's going to bring some power and consistency to a team who gives me a fair shot to play everyday. Thoughts?
Holliday is an Oakland A. Better than a Card or Girl Horse (Filly) -- let the AL west worry about him.
Who thinks we re-sign Wood?
Who thinks we re-sign Dempster?
Congrats to Soto for NL ROY honors. A little more plate discipline and he'll be a great one someday.
Blanco's tattoo man. Good one, Raker.
best to cb
js
Monday, November 10, 2008
Adam Dunn? Not my choice
Rumors are swirling that Adam Dunn will end up in right field for the Cubs. That wouldn't suit my taste at all -- sure the 40 homers are nice, but the 150 strike outs and below average defense don't help us. I'd rather have a contact hitter that can hit 20 hr and play great defense. (Wasn't that supposed to be Kosuke?) If the plan is to overpay for an outfielder, why does it HAVE to be a lefty? Isn't that lefty/righty thing overrated anyway?
Spend the money elsewhere (leadoff? bullpen? Keeping Dempster and Wood?) and let Hoffpauir have a shot at right. His defense can't be worse than Dunn. Anyone want to see Griffey out there? Too old?
How about Fontenot full time at second (LH bat) and let DeRosa play right all year?
If we get Peavy -- and I'm hopeful we do -- we'll need a solid defense. You got Zambrano, Peavy, Harden, Lilly and either Dempster, Marquis, Hill, Guzman, Marshall, whoever...and you have one of the best staffs in MLB. Yankees want Sabathia and Derek Lowe -- which could give them a good staff, too.
What we need most offensively? A full production season from Soriano. 40 homers, 40 doubles and 40 steals.
I'd still work a deal for Teixiera if I could, but I am hearing it'll take ten years and $200M...and that's just too much to tie up. I hear that he could end up as a National.
Monday's are not the same this time of year. Football box scores don't do it for me the way baseball box scores do.
I am officially opting out of baseball camp this year. I might come down for big game weekend again, though, if some of my friends are playing. Unless the Monk marathon is the same weekend.
Have a great week.
best to cb
Sherm
Spend the money elsewhere (leadoff? bullpen? Keeping Dempster and Wood?) and let Hoffpauir have a shot at right. His defense can't be worse than Dunn. Anyone want to see Griffey out there? Too old?
How about Fontenot full time at second (LH bat) and let DeRosa play right all year?
If we get Peavy -- and I'm hopeful we do -- we'll need a solid defense. You got Zambrano, Peavy, Harden, Lilly and either Dempster, Marquis, Hill, Guzman, Marshall, whoever...and you have one of the best staffs in MLB. Yankees want Sabathia and Derek Lowe -- which could give them a good staff, too.
What we need most offensively? A full production season from Soriano. 40 homers, 40 doubles and 40 steals.
I'd still work a deal for Teixiera if I could, but I am hearing it'll take ten years and $200M...and that's just too much to tie up. I hear that he could end up as a National.
Monday's are not the same this time of year. Football box scores don't do it for me the way baseball box scores do.
I am officially opting out of baseball camp this year. I might come down for big game weekend again, though, if some of my friends are playing. Unless the Monk marathon is the same weekend.
Have a great week.
best to cb
Sherm
Thursday, November 6, 2008
What's Peavy worth?
I am hearing different things in the Jake Peavy sweepstakes. I heard that they want pitching, and that the Cubs are considering one of the following being included in the deal: Harden, Marshall or Samardzija. I think we'd be nuts to give up Harden or the Shark, and I'm not convinced that Marshall isn't going to be a very good pitcher someday. Much as I'd love Peavy in Cubbie blue, I'd prefer to get a free agent pitcher and keep our existing talent.
Dempster apparently wants a 5/$75M deal. Is he nuts? I'd rather go give Sabathia a 7/$130M deal. Of course, it isn't my money. I would offer Dempster a lucrative 3 year deal -- maybe $40M. I've heard the Mets are real hot on him, however...so we'll see what happens.
I'd go get Holliday from the Rockies if he can be had. Them I'd give some young pitching -- not Harden or Samardzija, but certainly Marshall and more for a hitter like that. Stick him in right field and forget about that position for a while.
I think the answer is a $350M payroll.
I'm still on the road and my laptop is broken, so this post is coming to you courtesy of a hobby lobby computer while I wait for my ride. More later...when I can think about whatever it is I am saying. And who knows? Maybe more Man of La Mancha references.
best to cb
js
Dempster apparently wants a 5/$75M deal. Is he nuts? I'd rather go give Sabathia a 7/$130M deal. Of course, it isn't my money. I would offer Dempster a lucrative 3 year deal -- maybe $40M. I've heard the Mets are real hot on him, however...so we'll see what happens.
I'd go get Holliday from the Rockies if he can be had. Them I'd give some young pitching -- not Harden or Samardzija, but certainly Marshall and more for a hitter like that. Stick him in right field and forget about that position for a while.
I think the answer is a $350M payroll.
I'm still on the road and my laptop is broken, so this post is coming to you courtesy of a hobby lobby computer while I wait for my ride. More later...when I can think about whatever it is I am saying. And who knows? Maybe more Man of La Mancha references.
best to cb
js
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Baseball, Baseball, Baseball
I was going to do a political rant. Suffice to say, I decided against it to spare you the diatribe. The oversaturation of politics this year has numbed me...probably all of us -- which I believe was the point -- specifically to take us all OFF POINT when we vote. I voted already, always vote early...not like it matters much in California since they'll call the state by noon.
Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday. Wouldn't mind seeing him in Wrigley -- can he play right?
I think we need to resign Dempster and go get Peavy. Letting Dempster go and signing Peavy is only a marginal improvement -- how much better than 17 - 6 would Peavy be? Anyone think that Demp can do that again? I do.
Short blog today -- have to leave early. Spent too much time on a comment from yesterday...
best to cb
Sherm
Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday. Wouldn't mind seeing him in Wrigley -- can he play right?
I think we need to resign Dempster and go get Peavy. Letting Dempster go and signing Peavy is only a marginal improvement -- how much better than 17 - 6 would Peavy be? Anyone think that Demp can do that again? I do.
Short blog today -- have to leave early. Spent too much time on a comment from yesterday...
best to cb
Sherm
Monday, November 3, 2008
Random notes and thoughts
1. They are happy in Tampa. Proud to have "gotten" to the world series. That's what wrong with that city as a baseball city. If you don't win your last game of the year (even if it takes three days in the pouring rain) then your year was not a complete success. Maybe I'm too cynical. Maybe I should be happy that we made it to the playoffs. Yeah. That's it. I'm esctatic.
2. There is no actual award, Smitty. The Shermies are chimerical. You know, quixotic. That should clear that up.
3. Dempster filed for free agency, and says he won't sign with the Cubs during their exclusive negotiating period -- wants to see what other teams offer. That's loyalty for you. After all the nice things I've said about him.
4. Look for a three way deal to get Peavy. We'll lose a bunch -- probably Pie, Marshall and couple others (Hart, Guzman, ??) I'd say it's worth it -- especially if we keep Demp.
5. I hate to lose Marshall because I think he's going to be real good.
6. Lou says he wants to platoon centerfield again next year -- ready for this? Johnson and Fukudome. So, Edmonds is off the board and where does that leave Pie? I think San Diego.
7. I still can't believe that we got swept so easily by the Dodderers.
8. I'll be glad when the election is over, but I think I'm going to hate the result. Oh well, socialism has its upside, right?
9. Texas - Texas Tech was a great football game.
10. Here's an idea. Lots of players go play in Latin America during the offseason. Send Soriano to England and get him in a cricket league. If he's going to swing at balls that bounce, he should at least learn to hit them.
I gotta go...
best to cb
JS
2. There is no actual award, Smitty. The Shermies are chimerical. You know, quixotic. That should clear that up.
3. Dempster filed for free agency, and says he won't sign with the Cubs during their exclusive negotiating period -- wants to see what other teams offer. That's loyalty for you. After all the nice things I've said about him.
4. Look for a three way deal to get Peavy. We'll lose a bunch -- probably Pie, Marshall and couple others (Hart, Guzman, ??) I'd say it's worth it -- especially if we keep Demp.
5. I hate to lose Marshall because I think he's going to be real good.
6. Lou says he wants to platoon centerfield again next year -- ready for this? Johnson and Fukudome. So, Edmonds is off the board and where does that leave Pie? I think San Diego.
7. I still can't believe that we got swept so easily by the Dodderers.
8. I'll be glad when the election is over, but I think I'm going to hate the result. Oh well, socialism has its upside, right?
9. Texas - Texas Tech was a great football game.
10. Here's an idea. Lots of players go play in Latin America during the offseason. Send Soriano to England and get him in a cricket league. If he's going to swing at balls that bounce, he should at least learn to hit them.
I gotta go...
best to cb
JS
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