The CCO Radio returns for a President's Day edition with Brian and Shaun discussing a variety of Cubs topics from pitchers and catchers reporting to the latest on the Brian Roberts trade rumors to Kosuke Fukudome's arrival in Mesa. Despite a few technical difficulties, the theme of the third installment of the CCO Radio can simply be described with one word....excitement.
The remainder of the position players are set to report to camp today while two of the Cubs big three reported on Sunday. Alfonso Soriano made an early appearance for the second year in a row and Derrek Lee also reported a day early. Read on for the latest from Day Four of Camp Lou and the third episode of the CCO Radio.
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"The Rites of Spring - Installment 3"
Length - 33:04
Download - The Rites of Spring - Installment 3
If you have topics you would like discussed in the next edition of the CCO Radio, leave a comment or send an email to Brian (brian@chicagocubsonline.com) or Shaun (shaun@chicagocubsonline.com).
News from Day Four of Camp Lou
- Alfonso Soriano's health has been questioned over the recent weeks. He told reporters on Sunday afternoon he thinks his "legs are good."
- According to a report from Cubs.com, Lou Piniella would like to leave Mesa with two lefties in his bullpen. Neal Cotts could join Scott Eyre if he is able to return to form from 2005.
- Piniella is projecting Geovany Soto to catch between 120 to 125 games this year.
- Kerry Wood is in camp and healthy, he says. Despite being very successful in the bullpen at the end of last season, Wood does not have a save in the big leagues.
- Not a Rookie: Felix Pie by John Sickels at Minor League Ball.com is a very good read and provides optimism....plus a little advice.
- Photos of Day Four of Camp Lou from Yahoo Sports
The first full squad workout is scheduled for Tuesday
Enjoy the podcast and as before....remember to bring your sense of humor.
I read a bunch of baseball publications and it seems like the rest of the country is much higher on Pie than those of us in Chicago. Very odd since we typically fall into the trap of overrating our prospects. Perhaps it's that Pie has the same tools and plays the same position as C-Patt so we're drawing, perhaps unfair, comparisons.
Just saw on mlbtraderumors.com we signed Alex Cintron.
that article made a good point about having Ronny Cedeno expendable now for a trade...for Brian Roberts...maybe
...someday...
soon....
I was thinking the same thing, could this be a precursor to soemthing bigger??
Seems to me it's another move by JH to keep all his options open. The moves makes a lot of sense.
The markets are closed, so what passes for work is on hold. The to do list isn't done, but the chief of staff is out of the house. So public service for the Faithful is my mission as I enjoy retirement. And that service is my take on what did Shawn and Bryan say in their radiocast.
In no particular order:
1. There was no particular order--but there was substance on a number of important points. (And not much substance abuse.) Most clear, like all of us, they are excited, excited, excited!
2. They want Alfonso to hit lower in the order--deploring his lack of run production--but figure that if Lou says no, Lou knows what he's doing. (A check of Alfonso's success with RISP says leave him at the top of the order.)
3. They note that Soto gets less pre-season pub than he deseves, and that he will be either great or very good. Advantage Soto. (Hopefully Soto remains the "forgotten man" and is able to focus on his work.)
4. They decry the Cubs' power rankings behind D-backs, Dodgers, Mets, (?) Brewers and Phils. They dis the Brewers (and I agree that they will falter in 2008.) They predict the Cubs will win the Central and the Reds will finish second. One of the lads has a lapse of sanity and says that Braun may be as good a hitter as Ted Williams. The other lad sees that the PEDs police are on the way and gets lad #1 to say he was misquoted.
5. D. Lee is our MVP and Z wins 21 or 22 in 2008. (Both seem reasonable predictions to me. If Rameriz, Lee and Soriano can get to 100 HR and 300 RBI's among themselves and Lily, Hill and another starter win 45 games, the Cubs will play in the NLCS and maybe the Series.)
6. One way or the other, they want the Roberts saga to end this week--as do we all.
7. They think Marmol should remain in his non-closer role--seeming to favor Wood as the closer.
With the Cintron announcement you really sense something is still up with the Roberts deal. I also find it interesting that Pinella really hasn't mentioned Gallagher or Marshall in any discussion relative to the two potential starting rotation spots. I personally hope we don't give both, along with Cedeno, to the O's.
David, I feel the same way...JH is being safe but lets hope a BR welcome home comitee can be arranged soon. Bryan, I do think Marshall has been mentioned by Lou as a possible 5th starter.
theriot
lee
soto
ramirez
fukudome
soriano
derosa
pie
how about that as a lineup?
I will explain further if anyone has problems with it.
Sean, What is your reasoning behind the lineup? It seems as though soriano is most comfortable at the top of the order, much less in the 6th spot. Also putting soto with the little experience he has at such a high spot in the order seems risky.
Although I do agree that putting soriano right after the supposed on-base machine fukudome is a decent idea, just not sure if the 6th spot is right for him.
Points for creativity for sure though!
Sean, A lot of us would wonder if the Cubs want Lee, who doesn't bunt well, batting second and Soto who is the slowest guy of those listed batting third. The two spot typically calls for a guy who can get on base a lot of ways and also can bunt a leadoff man to second for an RBI opportunity. The three spot is typically your best all around hitter (average and power combination with some speed) to drive in runs and get on base too.
Soto is much better suited for 6th or 7th in the order where his expected power will be effective and his lack of speed won't result in too many double plays (before Aram gets to bat). He has enough to worry about as a rookie catcher handling the pitchers and throwing out base runners. He doesn't need the added pressure of batting in the spot that calls for the teams best hitter.
With your 8 players, I would say Soriano almost has to move up to first or second--joined by either Pie or Theriot, depending who earns the spot during spring training. The loser likely bats 8th. Lee likely bats third (or maybe Fukudome).
Hey Brian/Shaun......... I got to tell you men...
I'm Excited! Really… Very excited…really! LOL!
You guys rock!!! Great radio.
LOL, you guys should go live and include cameras in the CCO PODCAST like MIKE and MIKE...only that they have nothing on you!