They're unproven? So what? That's a weak argument. Fukodome figures to be a good bat, "proven" or not. I'd really like for Soto to prove that last year was a fluke, but most projection systems don't seem to think so. Why is DeRosa a bad second baseman? He's pretty average, actually -- his last 1000 at-bats have been as a league average hitter, which is better-than-average for a second-baseman. He gives some of that away on defense, but overall he's average.

 

And they're not relying on Soto and Fukodome to have "big" years. They figure to be better than average or average at every offensive spot except SS.

The Brewers are looking really good. The cubs are struggling to beat anyone which is exactly like last season. Once Gallardo is back I think the Brewers will be the team to beat.

 

I would say watch out for St. Louis but they have played San Fran and Washington.

 

 

If Soto and Fukudome aren't good, their offense will be bad. Soto has a 7 year OPS of .780 in the minors and isn't a great fielder, and you can go ahead and like Mark DeRosa, but he's just a guy. And you think they will be better than average on offense in CF? They just aren't all that good, they are going to have to rely on injuries from Milwaukee to win that division. Now that's more than possible, but when you need that to even get to the playoffs, you aren't a very scary team.

Edited April 14, 200818 yr by whitesoxfan101

Utley misses a game tying homer by a foot, and the Phillies eventually lose. Cubs are playing just awful right now, and somehow still have a winning record.

Just saw the highlights on the news, DeRosa's home run was a foul ball

The Cubs are good only by NL central standards. Nothing more or less. The D-backs, Rockies, Phillies, Mets and Braves are unquestionably better, IMO. You could make an argument, although to a lesser degree, for the Dodgers and Padres.

The 1908 might be getting to them. Check out the kid with the cubs hat who is under 9 years old with the automatic gun.

 

Yikes

Edited April 14, 200818 yr by southsideirish71

can we pin this thread? i think its likely to be a thread that people post in for the remainder of the year

The 1908 might be getting to them. Check out the kid with the cubs hat who is under 9 years old with the automatic gun.

 

Yikes

That video is all kinds of funny.

Soriano got hurt doing his stupid hop. Sad to see that they'll miss Santana next week at Wrigley. I always wanted to see how he'd fare against the Cubs.

If there was ever a player meant for the DH spot, it's Adam Dunn.

 

Ryan Braun makes Adam Dunn look like a Gold Glover out there

Soriano got hurt doing his stupid hop. Sad to see that they'll miss Santana next week at Wrigley. I always wanted to see how he'd fare against the Cubs.

That hop finally got him like Gramatica.

Ryan Braun makes Adam Dunn look like a Gold Glover out there

 

There was quite a discussion on boers and bernstein about the NL Central having the worst collection of defensive left fielders in the history of the game.

 

Cincinatti- Adam Dunn

Houston- Carlos Lee

Cubs- Alfonso Soriano

Pittsburgh- Jason Bay

Milwaukee- Ryan Braun

St Louis- Chris Duncan

 

Other than Jason Bay, those are all converted infielders who really have no idea what is going on. Funny how they all ended up in the NL Central

There was quite a discussion on boers and bernstein about the NL Central having the worst collection of defensive left fielders in the history of the game.

 

Cincinatti- Adam Dunn

Houston- Carlos Lee

Cubs- Alfonso Soriano

Pittsburgh- Jason Bay

Milwaukee- Ryan Braun

St Louis- Chris Duncan

 

Other than Jason Bay, those are all converted infielders who really have no idea what is going on. Funny how they all ended up in the NL Central

 

Atleast all the managers/GMs realize that LF is the least important spot defensively on the field, so they do what they can to get some offense there. It's not like starting Podsednik there for 3 straight years.

There was quite a discussion on boers and bernstein about the NL Central having the worst collection of defensive left fielders in the history of the game.

 

Cincinatti- Adam Dunn

Houston- Carlos Lee

Cubs- Alfonso Soriano

Pittsburgh- Jason Bay

Milwaukee- Ryan Braun

St Louis- Chris Duncan

 

Other than Jason Bay, those are all converted infielders who really have no idea what is going on. Funny how they all ended up in the NL Central

I still contend Carlos has got himself to average at worst. In that group he is a gold glover.

Soriano is a fine left-fielder -- I don't know why he's on that list...

Soriano is a fine left-fielder -- I don't know why he's on that list...

Maybe because he is the only player in the league who can injure himself doing a stupid hop when catching the ball?

Maybe because he is the only player in the league who can injure himself doing a stupid hop when catching the ball?

 

or because the only thing he does well defensively is throw the ball. His reads and angles are atrocious, he is afraid of the wall, if he thinks it is past him he doesnt sprint all out for the ball. to think last year that the Cubs REALLY wanted him to play center is laughable

Officially to the 15 day DL for Soriano.

haha sucks for the cubs...

is there a good reason why josh fogg is still not only a major league pitcher, but a starter? oh yeah the national league, thats right

Maybe because he is the only player in the league who can injure himself doing a stupid hop when catching the ball?

 

That's irrelevant, but go ahead and try to argue it.

 

He's got a strong arm -- probably one of the best LF arms in baseball (top five I'd guess without putting a whole lot of thought into it -- I could certainly be wrong, though). Even if his reads are bad, his speed and athleticism does a lot to make up for that. He's rated above average in LF in Tango's Fan Scouting Report amongst both National and Cub fans, and I'm fairly certain John Dewan has him above average in LF.

 

He's not someone I think as one of the 'best' LFers (defensively) in baseball, but he's far from belonging on a list of the worst.

you would think the reds would get some pitching one of these years

That's irrelevant, but go ahead and try to argue it.

 

He's got a strong arm -- probably one of the best LF arms in baseball (top five I'd guess without putting a whole lot of thought into it -- I could certainly be wrong, though). Even if his reads are bad, his speed and athleticism does a lot to make up for that. He's rated above average in LF in Tango's Fan Scouting Report amongst both National and Cub fans, and I'm fairly certain John Dewan has him above average in LF.

 

He's not someone I think as one of the 'best' LFers (defensively) in baseball, but he's far from belonging on a list of the worst.

 

He has one of the quickest, most accurate releases I've seen in a long time.

you would think the reds would get some pitching one of these years

Between Volquez, Harang, Cueto, Arroyo, and maybe eventually Bailey...they're working on it. Seriously.

This umpire in the Cubs game is horrible. I guess Ted Lilly at the plate deserves more respect than Jim Thome.

Edited April 17, 200818 yr by fathom