It would be quite a kick if Theriot started the season on the DL.

So far, it appears some of my biggest fears have already been realized:

1) Silva shows up completely out of shape, and doesn't appear ready

2) Guzman really was injured, more than they were letting on

3) Soriano isn't even close to being ready, having not even run during the offseason to test his knee (I didn't exactly call this directly...but said that Soriano would be injured)

4) Piniella has already "given" roster spots to Fuld and Fontenot without letting things play out in Spring Training like every other successful team does

5) Lilly has already had 2 setbacks, one being the recent illness (though I never called this one, I did say he, like Soriano, would miss more time than the Cubs were letting on)

so...

The rotation looks like this:

Z

Dempster

Wells

***the only names being bantered about for the 4th and 5th spots are: Samardzija, Gorzelanny, Silva, and Marshall...this is extremely disappointing, considering we also have Diamond, Cashner, Coleman, and Jay Jackson that are very deserving of consideration

pen: aside from Grabow, Guzman (though he'll almost certainly open on the DL), and Marmol, there are a bunch of question marks. If Marshall doesn't make the rotation, the rumor is, he and his agent will be seeking a trade. Caridad just today was "guaranteed" a spot by Piniella, so I guess we have 4 sure things in the pen. Who fills in the rest? Candidates are: Stevens, Patton, Gaub, Berg, Dolis, Gray, Parker, Parisi, and Atkins (along with whomever loses out on the 4th/5th roster spots)

bench: Hill, Nady, and one of Baker/Fontenot have been "guaranteed spots by Piniella thus far. He's also "guaranteed" Fuld a spot already, which means there's just one spot left to be split amongst: Tracy, Blanco, Millar, Snyder, LaHair, Colvin, Adduci, Castro, Camp, Scales (among any other surprises).

Our lineup is virtually set with:

Fukudome-RF

Theriot-SS

Lee-1B

ARAM-3B

Byrd-CF

Soriano-LF

Soto-C

Baker/Fontenot-2B

As I've said before...how exactly are we a better team with those options? There's really no difference if you think about it. Sure, we get rid of Bradley's piss poor attitude, but we also lose Harden's quality starts, Lilly to start the season and possibly even Guzman. We add a recovering slugger Nady to the bench, but the problem is he might not even be ready for the start of the season.

I just hope and pray that the Ricketts wise up, and call a meeting prior to the start of spring training games, and tell Piniella and Hendry that NOBODY is guaranteed a spot on the team. They should say exactly this (ironically using Piniella's own words when he took over): "we're in the earn it business. If a player doesn't earn it, he can't play for us."

Now, does that mean that players like Lee, ARAM, etc. that might have a bad spring get cut from the team? NO! That is not what I'm saying, but it is a little bit. If they are not a 100%, they start on the DL. If they have really, really bad springs, then even the ones with HUGE commitments like them get benched in favor of whomever earns it to start the season. That will truly show the players what a winning organization looks like. Had the Cubs shut down Soriano in June when he was clearly toast, he could've had surgery then, and be at full strength now. Had the Cubs sat Bradley and Fontenot who had dismal showings at the start of the season, we probably would've had an entirely different outcome...or in Bradley, Soto, Lee, and Soriano's cases, if they'd forced them to go on the DL because they were hurting the team early on, it probably also would've been a different outcome.

So, if you were constructing a winning team, who would you bring on board to give the Cubs the best chance to win this year in terms of pitching and bench help?

I have stated some of this in the past, I realize, but here's what I would do:

pitching: I'd open with Gorzelanny and whomever wins between Samardzija, Diamond, Jackson, and Cashner in the spring (notice I left out Marshall, Silva, etc.). In the pen, I ask Marshall to be a team player and go back there. If he balks, then I trade him, and hope I get a reliever, or I go with Gaub. I'd go with Marshall, Grabow, Caridad, Gray (because we might as well have something to show for the Fox trade), Guzman, Dolis, and Marmol

bench: Hill, Nady, Tracy, Castro, and LaHair or Snyder (whichever has the best spring)

Reasoning-Hill is a given. Nady is a given (but he also provides depth at 3B and 1B in addition to the OF). Tracy provides depth at 3B, 1B, and corner OF (which he played in the past). Castro provides depth at SS, 2B, and LaHair would provide depth at 1B, and corner OF, while Snyder would provide depth at all 3 OF positions.

I'd trade Fontenot, Hoffpauir, Adduci, Stevens, Blanco, and Marshall (if he wants a trade) for whatever I could get, then I'd flat out dump Silva's contract. Overall savings would be about $3 million. If Castro doesn't impress, and Felipe Lopez is still available, then I trade Fontenot, and go after Lopez.

I don't know about all of you, but that seems like the most logical team in my mind. It's doubtful LaHair makes the team for the simple fact that he can't play CF and Snyder can (and so can the "guaranteed" Fuld), but if his bat is there, can you really afford not to take him if Nady is an injury question mark and Lee's neck flares up?!? Yes, Tracy could play 1B, but he's more valuable off the bench for us.

Aaron...only a couple of things.

1)When Castro comes up...I don't want him languishing on the bench...he needs to play...nor do I want him starting out against mlb pitching in cold weather...which he's never really played in.

So Blanco gets the nod for a few months over Castro...

Whats the rule re mlb service time?

Whenever we can bring Castro up and save another year's arbitration...that's when we bring Castro up.

Silva gets his shot to perform...if he's not any good, then dump him.

Nady only breaks campand comes north if he can field his position and his arm is strong enough to make throws...otherwise

he starts on the 15 day DL...also not a bad idea to keep him out of the cold weather start with.

Other than that...I agree.

I still see some trades coming to open things up.

I agree with Brian....let Lou & over-rated Larry ride out in the sunset. Let Hendry sing the 7th inning stretch to 40,000 boos heard to Gary, Indiana.

Hopefully Jaramillo can add extra spice to the offense. Define power hitters & spray-hits hitters.

Realistically we have another Gregg-Marmol scenario from last year. wait to July to find out you made a mistake.

Give castro a shot at ss now & if he hits & shine on defense give him the job.

Don't compare him to failures of the past. Theriot should play 2nd base over Fontenot & Baker. Let Maddux work with Big Z mentality & Marmol's control issues. Both could be an "awesome" piece of the puzzle. Fukodome is at home defensively in RF. Why we need another releiver is beyond my mind. What is wrong with Grabow, Guzman (w/o injury), Caridad, Berg,Cashner and the other non-starters. This regime cannot accept young talent & its plain laziness not to want to coach them. Laziness is part of some vets that our staff seems to have a "lovefest" with....ala Bobby Scales.

filling in.

Let's try again...

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/3517

A little more info than tweets...re

Theriot/Guzman.

http://blogs.dailyheral.com/node/3517

Lou says Caridad has made the pen...

"He almost has to pitch his way out of a job."

According to the Sun-Times, Angel Guzman has been shut down with shoulder discomfort.

The team is hoping just a minor setback and he will be back soon.

Not scheduled to see a doctor.

Neil...you're just full of good news today.

Sorry...

Here we go...see Neil's twitter...Theriot hit the wrist by high heat/low control specialist Dolis.

Blanco just made the team.

Rip...I should have qualified that list

with guys that would fit on this team...

now...without disrupting current chemistry or blocking upcoming prospects.

I think only Wood/Nolasco fit the bill.

McGehee would be a good bat of the bench...and for the inevitable visit to the DL ARAM will make.

As a team...we require too many platoons

and age related back-ups right now...it creates the uneven bench problems we have.

Cmon Cloy...arguing about this player or that is what makes this site interesting.

Overall, I'm cautiously optimistic on this team...not that we go to the World Series this year...but that finally we seem to be on our way to becoming a good

organization...with true opportunity to compete on a year in/year out basis.

Watching the development of our players is exciting...last year...I did not like the team at all...it was hard to root for Soriano/Bradley/Miles/Gregg etc....

This year...I like this team...whether we win or lose...it's full of guys worth

rooting for.

Go Cubs !!!

Agreed. on all points.

I plan on re-engaging in the player discussion after I have actually watched some games. Not like ST really tells you anything...

Zach Grienke, He of breakout sick Cy Young 2009, had a 9.00 ERA last Spring.

Wow, the mood has changed in here thanks to one post that brought up our old prospects...COME ON! Reading these posts I feel a weight of negativity, almost as if Silva sat on my neck. It's like reading my posts about Hendry over and over again.

I am done listening to well we had all of these prospects and they failed, ENOUGH! Year one baby! The drafting of Brett Jackson actually made me start to have faith in our system again...WHY? Well he fits a SERIOUS need. CF has sucked for us with the exception of 1/2 of 2003 with Kenny "The Jet" Lofton. I am sure that Jackson is the CF of the future, and I feel it is not that far away. No slight against Marlon, just think I might like him better in the one of the corners.

Castro-Stop dumping prospect failures on his plate, he is not them. It is like dumping 100 years of failure on each and every team and player that dons Cubby Blue. It is not productive.

And finally, I am also done speculating on who will make it and who won't. It rarely makes sense to me under this current regime, I often disagree and that is the main reason I have lost faith in Lou and JH. (Patton, REALLY!!!) Let it play out...I certainly know that I have 0 clue as to what they are thinking, and they do not listen to me anyway :) (I want Lahair as the lefty power bat off the bench, I know it ain't gonna happen, that just proves my point)

Personally, I am trying to look at 2010 for what it is. IF. If lightening flashes, the Gods smile, we get runners in with RISP, play good fundamental defense, have SOLID starting pitching (IE: Z is really an ACE, Demp is 08 Demp, Lilly comes back, Wells avoids Sophomore slump, and whoever the heck #5 is shocks us like Wells), and the bullpen does not have Gregg-esque meltdowns than we will be OK. See I said OK.

My fan goggles got broke last year. My realist goggles say that this team will be in transition and IF all goes right they have a chance...Maybe next year is now, and maybe just maybe the reduced expectations for this team are a good thing. Like Suzy so eloquently put it, when it happens noone is gonna see it coming...add me to the list that doesn't see it coming this year, that may not be a bad thing.

Sorry for the long post, but had to inject some sunshine on this bitter February day. Let's play some baseball I would much rather talk about that at this point :)

And I will stop bringing up Felipe Lopez..EY Jr. anyone ha ha ha ha.

Go Cubs Go!

Agree with cubs1967.

The marginal difference in overall team performance by keeping fuld appears to be notably greater than keeping blanco.

As for fotnenot seriously playing shortstop his performance (or lack of) at that position will settle that argument quickly. What you might tolerate randomly for one or two innings will not be acceptable on any routine schedule as a relief for theriot. Further if 2009 fotenot is the real fotenot than he will be replaced. If its closer to 2008, than his bat will make him a valuable contributor and we'll all be glad he's there.

Finally, the 25 that leave ST on the major league roster will likely have 20% turnover by August 1. So attempting to define who should be on the major league roster is a moving target. Personnel strategy (i.e., season Castro in the minors, keep offense on the bench vs defense, carry 12 pitchers versus 11, etc.) will change as the season progresses.

sammy fuld vs andres blanco.......who makes more sense for the cubs?:

i know this site loves blanco; he should start, blah, blah, gonna hit .280 etc, but really.......his lifetime ML avg is .252 in less than 400 at-bats.

in 8 seasons of minors he hit .256.

not sure how this translates to .280 or even .260.......

so how does it hurt to see if fontenot can play SS?

baker or fontenot won't come out of games late for DEF....

now let's talk about fuld.....he of the .287 avg in the minors.

better hitter than blanco, better pinch runner and helps the team more by replacing soriano in LF late in games than would blanco replacing the 2 2b.

keeping fuld would ensure he could back-up CF and not force fukunuts over there either.

(plus tracy or Hoff could make the team and provide LH pop off bench,)

granted, fontenot does worry me as the back-up SS, but there is some sense to it.

(in the end though, fuld has 1 more option, blanco does not...........but as lou said castro would play if theriot on DL............)

and as much as everyone assumes blanco gets picked up off waivers........who says.........

just sayin.

Cubs1967...saw your same post last night...was going to reply but was tired.

I'm not sure the comparison is Fuld vs Blanco....Both represent defensive shortcomings in our starters....at different positions.

It's easy to look at past stats and say...they never did this (.270/.280)(Blanco) It's not so easy to see the consistancy and maturity finally jelling

and making a projection.

While it's true Blanco has a history of a light bat...it's also true that over the last year (beginning late summer)...he has hit with much more consistancy...over the winter he hovered around a .300 ave. and finished winter ball with a .291 ave...(without looking up OBP/SLG/OPS.)

With famiarity of a back-up role and Rudy's work with him...it's not unrealistic to expect a .265 -.275 ave

out of Blanco (with admittedly little pop).

That's enough for a back-up with excellent defense to contribute to the team.

The main reason for either of these guys

is because they have young legs/excellent

defense and speed on a team that is lacking both...(their bats are an afterthought...and need only be adequate

which I believe both will be.)

The real problem is a second base plattoon of Fontenot/Baker....and

continued lack of backup to Theriot

that usually leads to him wearing down in August/September.

We screwed up a lot of DP's last year...

and that just won't do with the type of

pitchers we have this year.

The real solution is Theriot at 2nd/Blanco at ss/Baker at super sub.

Theriot swings at both ss and 2nd until Castro arrives mid-season.

There's still room for Fuld...and either

Tracy/Lahair for added pop.

A more valid comparison would be Fuld/Snyder...since both offer high defensive skills at all 3 spots in the outfield...but Fuld is a top/bottom of the order guy...while Snyder offers more

of a power hitter option.

SS is a coveted, hard to fill position.

It's not unreasonable to expect Blanco

to be picked up on waivers considering

the defensive show he put on last year.

it is fuld vs blanco for last spot on team; if the goal is to have 1 LH bat w/ pop.

i.e.:

nady and baker are in plus hill so 2 spot left.

group a: fuld, blanco (great D, no OFF and no HR power)

group b: blanco, tracy/hoff( SS covered plus LH pop)

group C: fuld, tracy/hoff (CF covered plus LH Pop)

i don't beleive uncle lou could live w/ fuld and blanco so the debate is which helps the team more: blanco covering SS or fuld covering CF, pinch-runner and DEF replacement for sori.

anyway, that was my point.........fuld/synder are the same position OF, but i don't think synder can play CF???........if he could he could be the LH pop to keep blanco.....

(but tracy provides great ins at 3b assuming he hits in the spring).

in the end the winner of these battles could come down to who has options (fuld/hoff).......just like last year where the cubs basically used a 30 man roster depending on who was hurt......or slumping.

the april./may roster is always diff by july/aug.

Cubs1967...don't forget...all of our AAA

OF offer a LH bat...Snyder/Colvin/Adduci.

Adduci is more like Fuld.

Snyder has pop AND defense....and can play all three OF positions

Colvin offers average defense...less ko's

than Snyder and pop.

But all are longshots...right now at least.

If the choice is Blanco/Fuld...to start

with...I have to go Fuld...because we just can't trust Soriano....and Nady's

injury makes his defense suspect.

But I hate our infield defense in that case.

Best case...Nady starts in AAA to strenthen his arm...and both Blanco

Fuld open with us.

You're absolutely right that the roster will change over the course of the year.

According to Baseball Reference...the Cubs have used Snyder primarily as a RF last season at AAA - 63 games (RF)...8 gms (C) 1 gm (LF)...recovering from his injury.

In 2008 with Cleveland...he played 113 games at CF.

He's been listed as above average at all 3 OF spots defensively.

No question...He CAN play center.

Forgot to add Hoffpauir in the mix with Tracy/LaHair. in my post.

I remember the last game they started Font at SS... He was so bad, they had to switch DeRosa to SS and Font to 2B in the third inning. Do guys remember that game? What's odd is, Font was the SS and Theriot was 2B at LSU. - Go figure.

I find it interesting to note:

Ronny Cedano - in mix for starting ss at

Pittsburgh

McGehee - 3B Milwaukee

Pie - OF Baltimore

Hinske - played on 3 consecutive

WS teams

Fox - Starting DH, Oakland

Wood - wishes he could come back.

Pagan - starting OF ??? Mets

(thanks Rip for that tidbit...I always liked Pagan...but as a back-up)

Other than Pagan...all are products of the Cubs minors.

just sayin

Don't forget, Suzy, that Pagan also plays 2B. And he's better offensively at 2B than what we've got right now.

Are you sure about this? I don't ever remember Pagan playing second base.

Duh! You're right! I confused Angel with Freddie Bynum! I apologize!

Freddie played 2B from 2005-2008 for the A's, Cubs and Orioles, as well as SS and all 3 OF positions.

My bad.

Here's Freddie's link:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=bynumfr01

just my opinion Suzy...But I just do not miss Felix Pie or Ronny Cedeño a bit. They are simply mediocre ofensive players. Wood, I miss and I hope we had but his contract would'nt have been matched even by the Yankees and who knows....he will be shipped this year to a contender at mid season, he could be back. [It could be quite painfull if LaRussa traded for him to boost his bullpen near the break] Let's hope not.

McGehee was a real oops but Lou gave him a shot and he sucked bad. [but is in this guy or guys like theese where our organization has blown it like forever] You have a good guy in the minors and when you bring him up you expect him to deliver in 10ABS spreaded out in 10 difrent games. It just not work like like that...ask Francona and Pedroija

Fox is a guy I would have kept; worked hard with him this Spring as a Back up catcher and corner infield and let him play...but we have Tracy now who is better and is not an experiment.

Pagan, everybody here knows he's my boy...he has all the talent in the world but can't stay healthy. I wish him well with the Mets and good luck dealing with Beltran who absolutley hates his guts.[Pagan called him out last year saying he was laid back because he had the big contract and now they have a war.]

Hinske is a platoon player at best.

Pie is one of the best OFs I have ever seen. He has a cannon for an arm and covers a ton of ground.

Agustin...just said it was interesting...

Of those guys...

Only Pie and Wood are guys I'd consider bringing back.

I expect Wood to be better this year...

but his contract is prohibitive.

Pie might finally have a breakout year...

and has excellent defense....but it's really time to move on.

I know, just got me thinking!

I'd take Fox back and forget Pie. And what's wrong with McGahee? .300 16 hr is limited duty. Remember, that's better than Fontenot. lol

TSN link on Angel Pagan:

http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20100225?sub_id=CYmp0bX8JP9VK&folio=CGI#pg15

The 2 paragraph article is below the picture of Russell Martin.

"

Forgot to say it is an interesting note and throw Rich Hill, Gallagher and Wellemeyer to that mix! Um actually this list could go on forever if we try. lol

Augustin...Nolasco/Mitre etc.?

Cool. Thanks for the link. Since I can catch it on the radio now though, I will be able to listen to all the games, instead of watching that gameday thing.

Hi! I am an everyday reader but never really post, which will change with baseball season finally here. Just wanted to let you know last night I was listening to AM radio here in New York and I got WGN! I thought WGN was only on the radio on the Chicagoland area. Does anyone else get WGN in other areas? I know I didn't get WGN in the past.

Craig ... Welcome to the CCO!

You should be able to catch WGN online at this link all the time. The negative is that the Cubs' broadcasts are not available due to an agreement with MLB.

:(

http://www.wgnradio.com/about/listen/

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/2496/more-seasoning-for-cubs-top-prospect

good read on not bring him up, its not worth it unless were far out of contention, hes KILLING the ball or its a september call up

Grant, thank you for posting.

I linked to Rob Neyer's article above and the original from Fangraphs ... in the Castro section. You should read that one as well.

Compared Castro to Garry Templeton.

no provlem neil

Ex-Cub Angel Pagan looks to be the starting CF for the NY Mets, so says TSN.

It's the same 'ol/same 'ol with Pinella. The proper move would be to immediately tell Theriot how much they value him (as they should) but that 2B is his new home, and then let the real competition begin between Castro and Blanco for the SS spot. Fontentot then becomes a trading chip. I just don't like the Lou mentality of "Castro's the guy IF Theriot gets hurt". C'mon.

What's always disturbing when you hear Lou and Hendry speak is that they never reference the young players, and open competition for roster spots. They just wish and pray that the team stays healthy and that several players have bounceback years. While I have some faith in Soto (only based on his age and humbling 2009), I have little confidence that our corner OF disasters will produce anything of significance.

Even in the rotation, it's the predictable story that Samardzjia, Gorzellany, Silva and Marshall are all on equal status (sure, Lou) for the two available spots. Excuse me, but there's a lot more young (and hungry) talent to be assessed.

While I hope we have a very successful 2010 season, my biggest hope is that the organization does not for a moment consider an extension for Pinella. He and his buddy Larry just need to ride quietly into the sunset.

Bryan...while I basically agree with you...Somehow...I don't see Pinella riding quietly anywhere. "I really don't". :)

But I would like to see a younger more vital manager next year.

But to be honest, baseball aside, I enjoy

Lou's colorful miscues...(Nagy vs Nady).

-Reminds me of Harry.

1. Wonder if the Cubs are having Soto add a few pounds by following Hendry around for a few days and have him eat what eats or do you think they have Mark O'Neal or similar in on this process?

2. Do you think Lou is the only person probably other than his mother allowed to call Lilly -Theodore?

3. If Castro is always the first guy to the park, why did he wait to get into camp at the last moment??

4. Reading articles the past few days, Lee prefers not to talk extension during the season and the Cubs do not plan on giving extensions during the spring. Add to that, Mr Ramirez will not talk about his option extension until the end of the year. Doesn't that seem to play up next offseason a little bit? There will be three huge holes to fill next offseason for this team to further succeed.

Rip, I agree that Nady makes the most sense down in AAA as DH for Ryno. Sitting next to Ryno on the bench couldn't hurt his career either.

Woody 34... (#4 point)kind of reminds you of the Yankees...

re Jeter/Rivera et al, doesn't it?

We must be on the right track...lol.

I posted before...but don't know if you saw it...did you see Gray will be wearing #34 this season.

-kinda seems like a sacriledge.

What does the time of day you like to get up and moving and arrive at work, have anything to do with arriving to a 7 month job, away from your home and in his case country, early.

He arrived On Time.

Give people the benefit of the doubt. You don't know what is going on in his life and family.

I hope they don't talk extentions with anyone this year.

Suzy, Tony, et al:

Looking at the Cubs realistically (do ya mind?), here's what I see:

1. Hendry has no confidence in Colvin, Synder, LaHair, Hoffpauir, or any AA or AAA outfielder to hit enough to make the team in 2010. Otherwise they'd not have signed Nady & Byrd. In short I think these men have no chance to make the team short of an injury to some outfielder. And that doesn't mean these guys can't hit. They released McGahee, a .300 hitting 3B who is the starting 3B for the Brewers, didn't they? Okay, so they can't judge talent. They've just already made up their minds.

2. Blanco MUST and will make the team or be traded. He'll not be released since he's out of options. Remember Cedeno from ST 2008? Either Cedeno or Fontenot had to go. Fontenot hit enough; Cedeno didn't but was out of options. So they kept them both and cut an outfielder. I think Blanco makes the team or is traded in late ST because they are not going to throw him away for nothing. Now they'd pay to get rid of Fox, but Blanco . . . .

So I think ya'll are fretting about losing Blanco for nothing. He's made the team without even breaking a sweat. And if he hits .275+, then I have to apologize on this site to you. And I'm not sweating that. Who do you think is the better hitter: Cedeno or Blanco? See why I'm not sweating?

3. I don't see how Nady makes the team out of ST--I mean, if we had a real manager. No wing = no outfield position. That means DH in AAA for 2 months if you ask me. Why plug up a roster spot for a pinch hitter who won't be given the opportunity to play 2B? And if Lou puts him--bad wing and all--on the roster for opening day, Suzy, that means Lou is the same sleepy manager from last year who favored the big contract guys over the hot hand and winning. That's exactly what that means. I call it Lou's politics: favor the big contract guys over the hot hand. Refuse to give someone else a shot. You watch and see what happens. I think that will be a sure test of how Lou will manage in 2010.

4. Nice big post by Neil today! Good work.

Re Nady...I agree...it makes more sense to start him at AAA to strengthen is throwing arm...especially in the cold weather...but I would be surprised if he wasn't up by Mother's Day.

About Cedeno in ST 2008. If I recall, he hit .199 and Hoffpauir hit .429. They cut Hoffpauir and kept Cedeno.

Rip you can speak your opinions all you want. My Cubs Goggles got shattered yesterday, when you said that all our top prospects wouldn't be major leaguers. I am seeing much clearer today.

I agree with you that Lou has no confidence in young guys. His comment about not having depth in the bullpen, tells you that he is only looking at the vets.

I like Blanco's versatility and would rather have his Defense and Offense than Fontenot and prefer Baker as the Super Sub. I am not expecting him to be anything more than a utility player, if he is with the team still next year. Can you see having to have Baker/Fontenot at 2B/SS for a few games, because Theriot wakes up with a stiff neck and they don't want to DL him. I wouldn't want to be the one that tells the Starting Pitcher that day!

I agree with you on Nady. If he can't throw, he can't take a roster spot, especially in April. We have many options to make the team and there is no room for a wasted spot like Patton was last year.

I also know that it will take Theriot getting hurt for Castro to get a chance with Lou, this year. (I did catch part of Lou with Kaplan last night)

Tony,

I agree with you concerning Lou and his view of the bullpen: he hasn't much confidence in it. Personally I'd go with what we have. I think we have enough arms in the pen to make it to July 31. I have much more confidence in our current pen than the expensive junk we ran out there last year (Gregg & Heilman & Vizcaino & Fox & Cotts). But we'll see how they pitch in ST.

Baker/Fontenot: unlike most on this board, I am not ready to dump Fontenot. I think he bounces back this year. He's a career .266 (that accounts for last year's .236) OBS .761. His only two previous years were .278 and .305. He had a .909 OBS in 2009 (outstanding!). No, I am not ready to throw him out via DFA. I'd trade him for the right guy, or keep him. IMO He bounces back in 2010.

Baker: Career .270 and .782 OBS. Basically Fontenot and Baker are the same players. They both have some trouble with the opposite hand pitchers. Platoon looks like a wise decision here. In a platoon perhaps Fontenot can replicate 2008 numbers, and Baker his 2008 (12 HR, .791 OBS) or 2009 Cubs year. I like the platoon.

Comparo Theriot: career .286 and .726 OBS. Hey, Baker AND Fontenot are both better offensively (I judge OBS as THE most valuable stat to indicate value to the team's offense). Now I realize most look at BA, but Theriot's slugging is a mere .356 for his career, and 2009 .369 and 2008 .359 (when he hit .307). I think he has a SS bat, but for me he doesn't hit with enough power at 2B. I'd rather see Nady and sub Theriot late in the game. Go ahead and laugh: it's okay by me. He's not a real good leadoff man since he's not a good SB threat, he K'd almost 100 times last year, and his on-base percentage was .343 (cf. Funko at .375 on-base). IF Theriot doesn't start at SS, he's traded and gone because he costs too much money for the little power numbers he produces.

I am ready for the games to start! But we have to wait until March 4.

I am not ready to cast aside Fontenot...yet. I have no problem going until the last week of March. But if he isn't swinging the bat, he has no spot on this team. If he makes the team, I would keep him on a short leash as well. The platoon could work, I just don't think we have the rosters spots for more platoons. If Fuld makes the team as the 5th OF, we can't have a platoon at 2B, with neither of them really able to play SS good enough.

I agree on Theriot. He is a singles hitter. The "power" that he should be working on, his doubles power when he hits the ball to the gap. Almost all of his hits get cut off, easily by the outfielders. What I and others like about him is his maximum effort. The youth team I coach, I talk about effort everytime we practice or play a game. It is truly the only part of this game, that you control. But effort only takes you as far as your maximum level of your skills. I want Theriot for this year and maybe next year.

I also don't like Therito leading off. It will make him think he is good at stealing bases, which he is not.

Rip, I've never minded your posts...and have always enjoyed them. So post away...

I agree that Hendry got Byrd/Nady (or Nagy as Lou calls him) because he didn't have confidence in our home-growns...and I'm OK with that because they are more seasoned and developed...It doesn't mean

some of our prospects COULDN'T have a better season...they are just young and unproven....but before the season is over...we will see some of the "young guns" come up and probably do some damage. Our team just has too much age on it...that some won't hit the DL and give the youngsters an opportunity.

Rip...Mr. Realistic lol...I've always enjoyed your posts.

Re Theriot's 100 ko's last year...I really believe that was a function of the Cubs messing with his swing to generate that whopping 7HR's.

If he stays within himself and plays to

his strength...the ko's drop and walks increase.

-Valid points all re Nady/Blanco and JH's

confidence in the young guns...(it doesn't mean they can't play better...they just havn't been tested by fire.

On Blanco, personally I believe he has finally found his swing and comfort zone

in the last year with the bat...enough

that he's not a black hole in the order.

I believe he's ready for a career year...

but I'm not going to argue specific numbers on him anymore.

The main reason he Should make the team

is his defense...period.

Defensively, a DP combo of Theriot/Fontenot gives me nightmares...

(Remember how many DP's we screwed up last season?)

I'd much rather see Theriot at second,

Blanco at ss...(with Castro coming up mid season) and Baker in the DeRo role.)

But it doesn't appear that's going to happen just now.

LOL...started a post and thought I scrapped it...and restarted again...with both appearing together....my bad.

oh no another ominous spring training prediction....

according to carrie muskat lou will refuse to do twitter.

what do yo think about this? soriano is a mad dreamer:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/2066756,CST-SPT-cub24.article