RockRaines

Larry Rothschild is fed up with the excuses and the lack of foresight regarding recurring Cubs injury problems. For the organization to count on Kerry Wood being fully healthy next spring, for instance, would be "stupid," the Cubs' pitching coach said. One of the reasons Rothschild turned down an offer to move to the Detroit Tigers to be Jim Leyland's pitching coach is he wants to see his starters fulfill their potential under his watch. "I don't like to use excuses," he said. "It's time for us to look at it that whoever is healthy and on the field needs to play the game right and play the game well. I don't know that that happened all the time last year. "When you keep having to shift guys because of injuries, you don't always get the performances you want. Whoever is on the field, we need to play the game well. If we do, we will win games. Dusty [baker] is a big believer in fundamentals and we need to get to the point where we execute on the field day in and day out. Any excuses that are out there . . . it really doesn't matter." The marquee members of the starting staff, Wood and Mark Prior, have been slowed by significant injuries over the last two seasons. Wood landed on the disabled list three times with arm and shoulder-related problems. He underwent surgery in September and said he is on schedule with his rehabilitation. "I think, as an organization, we look at it that if Kerry comes back, when he comes back, it's going to be a bonus," Rothschild said. "We have to plan that he's not going to be back at any certain level we can predict. "The surgery indicates that everything is very positive. But if we sit here and say we're going to depend on him going into spring training . . . it's just stupid on our part. I think we go in thinking we're going to build that staff as strong as we can. If Kerry is back, we're that much stronger. I believe he will be [back], but I'm not going to depend on it." After Wood was sidelined and Prior went on the disabled list after being hit on the elbow with a line drive, the Cubs scrambled for starters and finished four games under .500. "I would much prefer having a couple of extra guys going into camp than getting caught light," general manager Jim Hendry said. "The possibility of adding another starter . . . it would have to be the right fit Since when does Dusty baker teach fundamentals?

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 08:27 PM) I agree. That "dance" really sucked. It was like watching rhythmic gymnastics, horrible.

Hendry is one of the most overrated GM's. The guy have pretty much made 2 good move trading with the cubs minor league affiliate the Pirates, and aquiring D Lee. The rest of his moves have been terrible. Look at what he has done to a team that had pretty decent chemistry, an OK bullpen, and a good shot at the playoffs. The cubs have been in free fall for the last two years, and I see the trend continuing. He carries much of the blame. Until he adresses his real weaknesses-fundamentals, BULLPEN, Starting rotation, defense, the team will continue to struggle.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 11:57 AM) So just let me get this STRAIGHT. You are equating obesity or what you think of as a "huge slap in the face" with being gay? I don't see it. Maybe you should look into why you think that. You should look into why you think that it is such an insult to be homosexual. Evaluate yourself. It is not good to think so low of a certain group of people as you do. Because not everyone agrees with being gay, and some people think of it as being morally wrong, as I do. Seriously, just drop it, and ignore this thread. It will only lead to bad things if you continue this argument, and the insults.

QUOTE(GasHeGone @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 12:41 AM) i think ill be going to tucson while all the other college coeds go to mtv spring break in bumblef***, florida Ha! Guess we know whos not getting any........

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 08:18 PM) I don't think there is that much. If your going by what Bighurt2283294 said, I feel sorry for you. Damon is going to get alot of money somewhere, money that we can spend elsewhere. However, I do still think he is an attractive hitter. He probably has 3, maybe 4 solid years left in him, so I would think you could expect .280-.300, and around a .350-.370 OBP. Ozzie has said he wants more speed, and they have also talked about moving Tad down in the order. Damon in the 2 hole could be pretty nice. The money is the issue, and for good reason. Gross. Can you imagine an OF of Rowand Pods and Damon. Talk about the least productive OF in the MLB. That would absolutley kill this team, and its offense. If you all are thinking this team does not rely on power and HR's think again. Replacing a power position with the weak hitting and equally weak-armed Damon would not only make the defense WORSE in RF, especially with assists, but the offense would struggle immensely.

Abreu career .303 avg .411 OBP .512 SLG .923 OPS 23 Hr 95 RBI 29 SB 107 BB .982 F PCT AVG GIDP 10 BB/SO .84 Dye Career .272 BA .334 OBP .469 SLG .803 OPS 26 HR 95 RBI 5 SB 53 BB .980 F PCT AVG GIDP 16 .44 BB/SO Looks to me like Abreu is an upgrade and actually fits our mold as a player better. I think his production is worth the extra cost IMO.

IM going to go for a weekend. It should be a blast.

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 09:18 AM) Man, I never got molested when I was 15. Lucky kid. Some my childhood feels unfulfilled......

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 06:26 AM) compared to this season, the new girls look like 14. No thanks. you have to draw a line on the underaged girls somewhere, right? says who? Im in for sure. Love those shows.

QUOTE(wilmot825 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 05:52 PM) trade AROW...lol...R U serious, hell no. AROW is the man in center....Keep Aaron, Yes trade A-row. Would you might enlightening me on why you believe he is so untouchable?

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 07:39 AM) I'd much rather have Myers at this point. You know exactly what you're getting from him and he'd be such a perfect fit here. I really want Myers here in 06. Im not really sold on myers either. Its hard to believe that we dont have ANYONE within our org that can step up and take over Marte's role. Cotts is already the left set up guy that Marte was a couple of years ago, is it really out of the question to break camp with someone from within who could eat a few LH innings.

QUOTE(knightni @ Nov 15, 2005 -> 04:41 AM) Dye - .274 31HR 86RBI 11SB - $5 mill salary. Abreu - .286 24HR 102RBI 31 SB - $15 Mill salary. Are a loss in power, a gain of a few pts in average, +16RBI and +20 steals worth the extra $10 mill? Can you please expand on this theory that Dye and Abreu are close to having the same production? I would also like to call in career numbers and trends as well, because as we all know, those are a factor.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 05:01 PM) Better question is whether anyone would care? Throw out 1 year out of the last 5, hell, throw out 2, take your pick -- and tell me what's left isn't one hell of a great hitter. Not that he's moving, but... Dont get me all jazzed up about that, cause this site will turn to Abreutalk.com in a jiffy. But honestly, he is one player who doesnt get much media coverage, and totally deserves it. He is one of the best hitters in the game. There are few who match his OBP and OPS. In essence he is Magglio with more speed and a better arm.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 05:00 PM) Durazo can be the "safety valve" if Frank gets hurt! Damon would be a gross RF. Too expensive for little production from a power position.

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 04:54 PM) Exactly the kind of stuff I want to know. Thanks. is there a good site to get scouting reports on players? www.randar.com

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 04:52 PM) I like the way that sounds....lets get him and Kong... Oh man, dont tease me. If they were to do a trade for Abreu. You could debate whether to DH him or put him the field. If they kept everyone the same, resigned Kong but got rid of A-row and subed Anderson. Pods Gooch Abreu kong Dye AJP Crede Anderson Uribe Thats a better lineup than this year's folks.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 04:55 PM) Hey, if last year was a fluke and he's about to revert to 2004 form...I could handle that. I cant figure out which year was a fluke. This year, where he produced better than pretty much all of OUR hitters, or the years before that, where he is one of the most consistent elite hitters in the game. I wouldnt mind his .411 OBP let me tell you.

QUOTE(bighurt2719 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 04:48 PM) i dont have numbers, but i surely do not think that replacing Arow with anderson is a good idea. It has been said Anderson has a better arm and more range in CF. And should hit for more avg and with more pop.

QUOTE(bighurt2719 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 04:50 PM) i like what we have. we obviously arent going to agree. there is always the chance that abreu had a fluke year. it wouldnt be the last time something like this happened in baseball. then again i could be wrong. Please tell me which year was a fluke?

QUOTE(bighurt2719 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 04:29 PM) if and only if we lose PK do i consent to this deal Ummm, if the Phils were stupid enough to want A-row for Abreu I would hope KW pulls the trigger that instant. Abreu is a superior baseball player. He has a career .411 OBP .303 BA and an OPS of .923. He is a superior hitter compared to Kong as well. With Abreu as a DH and Anderson in CF. Even with Kong gone I consider this an improvement on this team, offensively especially. He is a five tool player in his prime right now. Heres and ESPN scouting report for those who want other opinions. 2004 Season Bobby Abreu has begun to receive the national recognition that has eluded him for so much of his career. He made his first All-Star team and became the first Phillies player in more than a decade to win a Silver Slugger Award. He had the second 30-30 season of his career and batted over .300 for the sixth time in his last seven seasons. And yet there are still those who believe he has batting champion or Most Valuable Player-type potential that he still hasn't begun to tap. Hitting Part of the puzzle of Bobby Abreu is that he is such a talented hitter that he's hard to categorize. He can hit for power and probably could hit 40 homers if he was willing to sacrifice his batting average. He has said repeatedly, though, that his goal is to win a batting title. He's patient, walking 127 times in 2004 and boasting a .412 lifetime on-base percentage. He has a good knowledge of the strike zone with no obvious weaknesses. He hits fastballs and breaking balls equally well and doesn't give in against lefthanders. Baserunning & Defense Abreu made his greatest strides in the field in 2004. He'd always had a rap as a player who was an indifferent fielder at best, especially going toward the wall. But he worked on that aspect of his game and made several catches on the warning track. His 13 outfield assists attest to his strong throwing arm. His above-average speed helps him both in the field and on the basepaths. He employs a quick popup slide that sometimes fools umpires into calling him out when he's actually beaten the throw. 2005 Outlook Abreu is entering the third season of a five-year, $64 million extension and has firmly established himself as one of the league's best all-around hitters. What's interesting is that some club officials, primarily general manager Ed Wade, still believe he can be even better.

QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 03:24 PM) this coming from a guy who is closing in on 5,000 posts in less than a year! No, that's not about right and if you bothered to read before you post you would know that. Well, thats why I said i wasnt going to read every page. And my thoughts were basically echoed as you are the only person who thinks this is doable. So I will stop at that fact. Only in xbox world would someone trade A-row for Abreu.

Pods and the Count with votes??

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Nov 14, 2005 -> 02:08 PM) It isnt so bad to have a running back who was the top 1-AA rusher in history. After reading this story, it looks like Adrian Peterson was supposed to be a bigtime back at a bigtime school, but his qualifying scores came in late. http://archive.profootballweekly.com/conte...rson_121701.asp Walter Payton award winner. He has been a solid back for us for years.

They did x-rays and it was negative, how could he have a broken leg? I call BS