Installment 8 - Managers, Men and More Lip Service
The CCO Radio returns for the latest edition on a much needed off day for the Cubs. Brian and Shaun, along with a special guest, discuss the latest from Carlos Zambrano's great start to Ronny Cedeno to Ryan Theriot as well as the return of Alfonso Soriano. There is even a mention of Brian Roberts and discussion about Lou Piniella's use of his bench over the weekend. Plus a couple of well-timed impersonations, the reminder to 'Fear the Blanco' and after the first month....believe it or not, they are still excited.
After you are done listening, read on for twenty-five thoughts on the 25-man roster after 25 games....
"Managers, Men and More Lip Service - Installment 8"
Length - 44:57
Download - Managers, Men and More Lip Service - Installment 8
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- Brian - brian@chicagocubsonline.com
- Shaun - shaun@chicagocubsonline.com
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Enjoy the podcast and as always…remember to bring your sense of humor as well as your knowledge of Pop Culture and bands from the ‘80s and the ‘90s.
Twenty-Five Thoughts on the 25-man Roster after 25 games
Pitchers
- Ryan Dempster - Better than expected, big start coming up on Wednesday, Lou Piniella's second best pitcher over the first month.
- Kevin Hart - First ball strike is the best pitch in baseball. When he does not fall behind in the count very effective, when he does very hittable.
- Rich Hill - Stop thinking and start pitching. Too much talent to have his turn in the rotation skipped.
- Bobby Howry - Thank goodness it's almost May.
- Jon Lieber - The best insurance policy in baseball over the first month.
- Ted Lilly - Horrible start, decent finish....see Bobby Howry.
- Carlos Marmol - Give him whatever nickname you would like....but his stuff is just plain nasty.
- Jason Marquis - It is still early in the season and the Cubs are 3-1 in his starts.
- Sean Marshall - Very effective out of the pen but if Rich Hill does not turn it around, could be back in the rotation by the end of May.
- Kerry Wood - Dominating despite the two blown saves....Cubs won both games by the way.
- Michael Wuertz - Good outing Sunday probably another bad stretch away from a temporary relocation.
- Carlos Zambrano - Making good on at least one promise....just a year later.
Catchers
- Geovany Soto - Despite striking out 8 times in a row in 2 games, caught a shutout and if he could stay on track figures to get plenty of votes for NL Rookie of the Year. Jody who?
- Henry Blanco - Ted Lilly's personal catcher.
Infielders
- Ronny Cedeno - Finally starting to click. Has the ability to push Theriot. Question remains, will he?
- Mark DeRosa - His value to the Cubs cannot be measured. Played 5 different positions in the first 25 games....and he can hit too.
- Mike Fontenot - Has to pick it up or risk being replaced in Chicago by Eric Patterson.
- Derrek Lee - MVP
- Aramis Ramirez - Shown patience and hustle not known for this year. Continues to come up with the big swing. Better in the field of late.
- Ryan Theriot - Great start, trying to hard of late. Off day should help let go of the last 4 games.
- Daryle Ward - One hit, a big one....but just one hit.
Outfielders
- Kosuke Fukudome - As advertised. Complete player, patient....and it is rubbing off on his teammates.
- Reed Johnson - Unbelievable Catch and great pickup by Jim Hendry. Johnson and Fukudome have made a big difference in the first month.
- Matt Murton - Looks like Murton will be the odd man out on Thursday when Soriano is activated. Has not taken advantage of the limited opportunity.
- Felix Pie - What a throw on Saturday night. Great defense, if he could just hit. Patience.
The 26th Man
- Alfonso Soriano - Hopefully time off will help his offense. Defense in left has been missed....but where does he hit?
On ur RC analysis, "has the ability to push Theriot"
LOL, no.
RC was better than current day Theriot in 7th grade.
With the Wrigley Company's Board having accepted a $23 billion sale to the Mars family's Mars Candy Company (Snickers +) and Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway Corp.(which owns Dairy Queen and a big chunk of Coke), the Cubs circumstances get more interesting. (A couple of months may be needed to see if there are anti-trust regulatory issues over too much concentration in the gum and candy businesses).
Buffet, especially, likes tradition and "old fashioned" business practices, and the Mars family too will likely see the considerable advantages of keeping the Wrigley name associated with the ball park. Mars Candy may want to join in the association.
I don't think Mars--Buffet would be buyers of the team because they wouldn't like the value proposition (marginal return on a $600-700 million (more or less) investment for the team, but they could see a good value added investment in expanded naming rights. Something like Wrigley Field at Mars Plaza might work and yield the new owner or the Trib $250 million (more or less depending on whether it's cash now or annual paymnts for a lot of years).
Reportedly, Zell/Trib has or will very soon make the detailed Cubs info available to the several interested potential acquirers. The sooner the better in my view and hopefully to a very deep pockets owner willing to spend to compete as an elite team. I say "sooner" because there are indications that Zell has the Trib on a serious budget tightening regimen that may well limit Jim Hendry's options for improving the Cubs roster. I'm guessing that now JH would have to trade a big contract ($10 million + per year) to bring in another big contract.
Well, thank you. I have that stupid Color Me Badd song stuck in my head.
Great podcast though. I sure do miss you guys.
Hey Shaunnie - GFY
Did Abby just throw a GFY towards Shaunnie?
LOVE IT!
Yea, Theriot sucks!!!!! He's only batting .326. We migth as well bench the whole starting lineup. If you cant bat .350 you don't deserve to be in the lineup.
S and B on the podcast said Soriano needs a fixed line up spot and figured lead-off is it. They say R.J. plays and bats 2nd with Theriot (or Cedeno)moving to the back of the order. When Pie plays instead of R.J., Pie goes to back of order and T or C move up. I agree, but ask a question (on a slow news day).
If the unlikely were to happen, and Soriano told Lou he would be fine batting 6th behind Fukudome, how many of the Faithful would like that move? How about some quick or not so quick Yea's or Nay's on this?
Sarcasticly said of course.
I would say yea on Soriano because he doesn't need the protection behind him that the other players might need because of his ability to hit bad pitches.
Abby - right back at ya sweetheart. Miss you too.
Jim, I love the move but it would never happen.
Shawn, I agree it won't happen. It will be interestng to the Yea's and Nay's though.
Yea and yes, it will happen... probably before June. This is not Dusty "players coach" Baker managing us boys... this is Lou "GFY" Pineilla. He runs this ballclub... not the GM and especially not a player (even a veteran).
A very adament YES!
Jim, have you hacked into my computer? I have an entire article ready about Soriano hitting in the 6th spot. I was planning on running later in the week, but I might have to send it out a little early.
The idea of the middle of the lineup consisting of Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome and Soriano is very intriging to me.
During the Big Red Machine era George Foster won an MVP Award in 1977 while batting mostly 6th. He hit 52 Home runs.
My lineup would be:
Johnson CF
Theriot/Cedeno SS
Lee 1b
Ramirez 3b
Fukudome RF
Soriano LF
Soto C
Derosa 2b
Pitcher
Sorry Neil, Great minds often think alike. We could have a landslide the way the vote looks so far.
I'm helping the Cubs right now because I'm scouting the Reds and Cards who just started on Fox Midwest here in Indy. No score after one. The former Cub, Wellemeyer, is throwing his 93 mph and 79 mile slider for the Cards.
To jeljr: "Yea, Theriot sucks!!!!! He's only batting .326. We migth as well bench the whole starting lineup. If you cant bat .350 you don't deserve to be in the lineup."
Absolutely. Because Cedeno is only batting .364 with an OBP at .417. Even moreso, avg is a bad statistic, but if you take a look at it, look at what Cedeno does with his hits. There are way more XBH's under Cedeno as opposed to Theriot's slap singles.
Cedeno's .545 SLG vs. Theriot's .440 SLG...
Cedeno has a 2:1 advantage in terms of RBI...
Well...yes, Cedeno is owning Theriot.
And you = PWNED.