With spring training winding down and both teams set to open their seasons (in America!) on March 31, the Cubs and White Sox are putting the finishing touches on their rosters.
Tuesday was a busy one for the Cubs as they agreed to a one-year contract with Reed Johnson, and officially named their starting rotation. Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis got the two final slots in the rotation, while Jon Leiber was banished, for now, to the bullpen.
The Cubs other big decision came days earlier when Kerry Wood was named the closer over Carlos Marmol. Most of you agreed with Roman that this was the correct decision, though my fantasy team disagrees, because I was counting on Marmol to rack up saves. Looks like it time to pick up Matt Capps.
Things on the South Side were a little more problematic as Ken Williams officially sent Josh Fields down to AAA. As Joe Cowley notes today, the move surprised no one, but it was still a difficult one for Williams to make.
This may be a minority opinion, but I feel the Sox would be a better ball club with Fields as the starting third baseman instead of Crede. Everyone loves Crede for what he did in 2005, but his back injury appears to be chronic, and it’s curious to have a 25-year old who could be penciled in for 30 home runs in the minors. Sure Fields isn’t perfect, he strikes out a lot, doesn’t walk enough, and isn’t nearly the defender Crede is, but he can only improve in every area. It’s clear Crede will not be on the Sox next season- and it isn’t like Fields is unproven at the major league level- so why not just speed up the process and make Fields the starter a year sooner?
In other Sox news, Juan Uribe will be the everyday second baseman which will make people wonder why the Sox didn’t just match the one-year deal the Padres gave to Tad Iguchi. Hopefully Alexei Ramirez is legit, though it would be foolish to put too much stock in his spring numbers, because watching Uribe for year will be a nightmare.
The Blog has spoken!!
The fact Williams couldn't find a better second baseman than Uribe says it all...I eagerly await his first swing at a 2-0 fastball over his head and his non-chalant play in the field.
Is he married to Ozzie's sister?
Ricky, do you write for the TR*****? The Cubs have NO rotation outside of Zambrano, their offense if iffy at best and non-clutch, there is no defense there, and you say the White Sox have problems???
Fields IS NOT the player of the caliber of Joe Crede at this point, and isn't the name of the game putting the best players on the field all the time, they are not trying the win the 2009 world series in 2008.
Iguchi was a 1 hit wonder, limited range, although good defensive skills, and erratic at the plate, traded and not re-signed. Although Uribe is INSANE(useless) at the plate, completely crazy, but his range is better, and his defense is about a little better. Iguchi also fades defensively at the end of games.
The final comment, there are so many problems with the Cubs, they just hired some bum to platoon in the outfield, and the media treats it like it is the pickup of the season. The Sox WILL have the better record of the two teams, no ifs, ands, or buts. You can count on that.
Ricky, do you write for the TR*****? The Cubs have NO rotation outside of Zambrano, their offense if iffy at best and non-clutch, there is no defense there, and you say the White Sox have problems???
Fields IS NOT the player of the caliber of Joe Crede at this point, and isn't the name of the game putting the best players on the field all the time, they are not trying the win the 2009 world series in 2008.
Iguchi was a 1 hit wonder, limited range, although good defensive skills, and erratic at the plate, traded and not re-signed. Although Uribe is INSANE(useless) at the plate, completely crazy, but his range is better, and his defense is about a little better. Iguchi also fades defensively at the end of games.
The final comment, there are so many problems with the Cubs, they just hired some bum to platoon in the outfield, and the media treats it like it is the pickup of the season. The Sox WILL have the better record of the two teams, no ifs, ands, or buts. You can count on that.
These are the things I am concerned about as a new Cubs season approaches; 1) Where's Bip Roberts? 2)Why do I have this feeling that Dusty Baker will win the Division with the Reds? It would be a sick form of poetic justice and an agonizing occurrence for Cubs fans. 3) Why do I have this sickening feeling that Mark Prior will win 12 games for the Padres and lead them to a pennant? 4) I don't care what Sports Illustrated says, any team with Dempster and Marquis in their starting rotation, with Jon Lieber ready if needed does not translate into a baseball championship 5) Marmol should be the closer, he will be by mid May. 6) Banko hitter Felix Pie and journeyman deluxe Reed Johnson in center? Yikes! I hope I'm wrong, as I usually am, but I fear no pennant this year.
Ricky responds: Cubs fans could not have been more fortunate when the Reds hired Dusty. Do you realize how many awesome young players they have? Jay Bruce, Homer Bailey, Joey Votto, the Cuerto guy: Dusty won't play any of them because of his affinity for vets. If I was a Reds fan I'd be pulling out my hair.
For more Dusty bashing, go here: http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2008/03/theres-war-brewing.html
Yo Tommy ... He isn't married to Ozzie's sister, but I heard he tried to sign her to a minor league contract.
I was listening to a talk show earlier, and one of the hosts made mention of the fact that Williams is fond of acquiring players, trading them away, and then trading to get them back. He's done this on numerous occasions, and attempted to do it again with Rowand.
Joe Crede will win you more games than Josh Fields, with the glove and the bat. Nothing wrong with Fields going down and getting his bats while the better man sees if the old back holds out. Personally, I like Juan Uribe as a fielder. It's his erratic bat that gets me. Gotta admit though, when he gets on a streak he's comes up with some big hits.
Come on folks, this is Chicago, not Boston or New York. We can't have a solid player at EVERY position. Right Jerry?
It's amazing how many diehard Sox fans always seem to have a chip on their shoulder when it comes to their team and comparing it with the Cubs. Quit living in a box already, both Cubs and White Sox are CHICAGO teams!
No one said that the Reed Johnson signing was the best acquisition of the season. The guy is a decent player. His only knock is that he gets injured quite a bit, but surely, it didn't hurt to acquire him, no more than it brings the Cubs over the top. Sure, outside of Zambrano, the rest of the rotation is still a question mark, but it's a heckuva lot better than the White Sox rotation for sure.
Sending Josh Fields down after a 27-home run rookie season is mind boggling, but I don't think his stay in the Minors will last long. As for Uribe, he's just insurance for both Cabrera at SS or Ramirez at 2nd. He'll probably get the nod to start the season at 2nd, but if the Sox start slow, then Ramirez or the Richar kid will gradually take over 2nd, leaving Uribe in a backup role.
As for Kerry Wood, I actually preferred Marmol to be the closer, but somehow, I think there was more to that decision than it seems. Wood had a better Spring overall, but Marmol wasn't terrible and he had more experience closing games from last season than Wood. Either way, it's not a huge issue, nor should it be. Let's just see how it goes and then if Wood blows a couple of saves, then move up Howry or Marmol immediately, simple as that. It's a long season to iron that out. I'm more concerned that the Cubs don't have more left handers out of the bullpen, especially with Scott Eyre out.
With regards to Crede. . .
The Sox just need to take whatever they can get and move on with Fields.
He is not staying next year (Crede). And in all honesty, if I was a GM on another team, I wouldn't take Crede for what Williams want anyway. He's a one-year rental with a back problem.
That said, since Fields can't play any other position, it's tough to keep him in the mix.
Williams should have a one month trade deadline for Crede, then take what he can get.
As fars as Guch, I have a question.
Did he want to return?
Since 1907 and 1908 have the Cubs had back to back seasons in which they made the playoffs?
Re the Sox, I like Crede. I would stick with him and figure the balky back is part of the deal. How many great fielding, clutch hitting third basemen have the Sox had in the past 30 years? Fields may hit the long ball, if so, then dump Thome and insert Fields as your DH. Nothing against Thome, but if you want Fields bat in the lineup, that's the place to put him. Defense wins championships and Crede makes the difficult plays look easy. I think the Sox should have enough offense to be a contender, it's the pitching staff that will hold them back.
Of course, what do I know? I'm a Cardinals fan who watched Scott Rolen play through an entire season with a bad shoulder, back, neck, leg, etc., etc. Of course they did win the World Series against the allegedly mighty Tigers -- and Rolen played a big role.
Oh Seedy, you are just a hater. Not a Sox fan like I am, but a hater none the less, that's all. Or rather, since you haven't bought into the garbage the Cubs are selling, and that team lacks fundamentals like...situational hitting, drawing walks to extend innings, limiting the strikeouts in critical times, DEFENSE, etc., that makes you a hater like me. Rolen played a big role for St. Louis winning their World Series, Crede played a big role for the White Sox in winning THEIR world series.
Of course that does not matter, the only thing that matters, is where do we bat Soriano, can we get Brian Roberts, oh and my favorite, will we have 3 million fans this year!!! NEVER! NEVER is it do we have the best mix of offense, defense, and team chemistry to win a world series.
It all starts from the top, and that is why I try not to get too mad at K.W. when he makes mistakes, at least he is trying to improve his overall team, not just to sell seats.
Read Ricky's "Things on the South Side were a little more problematic as Ken Williams officially sent Josh Fields down to AAA. As Joe Cowley notes today, the move surprised no one, but it was still a difficult one for Williams to make."
Cubs haven't won a World Series in 99 years, and the White Sox have problems....sure RO'D, just think you coulda worded that a little better, the White Sox do still have a nice team, and the Cubs do have weaknesses. That is why I predicted the White Sox will win more games than the Cubs...not as an opinion, but as a wake up call to Cub fans, they think since last year they won the division, they are playing from strength, ask the Bears.
Ricky! How dare you link Fire Joe Morgan and never Fire Jay Mariotti??? Haha...anyway, back to that stuff you said.
The Reed Johnson signing was inspired. I'm a Sox fan, and I'm very impressed with Hendry on this one. Reed Johnson is pretty much your ideal 4th outfielder. He can handle all 3 outfield spots and can hit ok enough so that he doesn't drag you down when you start him.
Ricky, are you telling me that you could have picked up Matt Capps, but instead got Marmol? Capps is going to be awesome.
I agree with you in re: Fields vs Crede. Crede looks awful right now. Kenny should have acknowledged Crede as a sunk cost. If he's going for broke in 2008, then he needs to put the best man for the job at third, and that's Fields.
And yes, Uribe is a complete black hole in the lineup, and the decision to start him over people with upside is completely mind-boggling. OK sure, if you start Alexei Ramirez and he hits poorly (like Juan Uribe does), at least you ran the risk of possibly having a decent offensive 2B. Personally, I'd be a fan of Richar starting there the whole year, but since that can't happen now, I'd rather let Ramirez try it.
I can't wait to see what happens when Dusty Baker tries to get Adam Dunn to swing more!
From what I hear Uribe was tearing up Spring Training. Josh Fields has been told - he is the future, and the Sox are simply showcasing Crede for a trade. And we need another bonefide 15 game winning starter. I think Richar will replace Uribe, but we need to get his stock up for a trade. And please Kenny...for the love of the game....dump McDougal!!!!!
Chuck
You make too much sense to be a Cubs fan. I can still remember watching a Cubs game when Shawon Dunston hit a fly ball and all the fans -- emerging from a drunken stupor -- started screaming, urging the ball ever deeper into the outfield. But alas, it was a pop up and caught by the shortstop five feet into the grass. Yes, Cub fans can neither tell the difference between a hit and a pop up nor a contender and a pretender.
The Cubs' clubhouse requires a lot of mirrors so all the pretty boys can carefully craft their costly coifs. It's a team with 25 players arriving at the ballpark in 26 different limos (Zambrano requires 2 -- one for him and one for his ego).
We'll see where they land in the incredibly weak NL Central Division, but I won't be surprised if their landing is heralded by a resounding thud. Dusty Baker won't be surprised either.
Have a good day Cubs fans. Now is the time for dreaming about the impossible (like cheaper beer prices at Wrigley -- forget about pennants and serious stuff) because the season starts soon -- and reality, like truth, hurts.
Seedy sez: "Chuck
You make too much sense to be a Cubs fan. I can still remember watching a Cubs game when Shawon Dunston hit a fly ball and all the fans -- emerging from a drunken stupor -- started screaming, urging the ball ever deeper into the outfield. But alas, it was a pop up and caught by the shortstop five feet into the grass. Yes, Cub fans can neither tell the difference between a hit and a pop up nor a contender and a pretender."
Maybe that's why Harry Caray used to say:
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee ............. popped it up!"
I used to attribute that pregnant pause to the fact that he was trying to see the ball while looking through the pair of 19 inch television screens that rested on the bridge of his nose. I figured it was either that, or the alcohol.
Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Seedy, along with your story, what is the deal with standing up after 2 strikes??? Does that give the pitcher extra energy? Or the throwing the ball back on the field, does it take a homerun away?? It's all about their perception, and copycat syndrome.
A fly ball, deep left center field....caught by the shortstop.
Cubs fans are incredibly gassy. They stand at two strikes to pass their gas.
The throwing the ball back on the field - those are Cubs fans trying out for the team.
Went to the Spring Training Game yesterday....
I saw a good game, a bit of a shootout.
No Kerry Wood in the PullPen..Soriano caught a looping fly ball that woulda been a hit to a thunderous applause.
A kid did throw a Brewer Homer back...although you could tell he wanted to keep it.
Lots of Bikini's
ummm...what else can I tell you?