Has anyone heard any news on that Hechevarria kid? im hoping the Cubs sign him soon...

Adeiny Hechevarria?

ys thats him

Why is nobody talking about this guy?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-cubs-millar&prov=ap&type=lgns

I like his attitude. I hope he makes the team because he could prove to be a very positive influence, not only in the locker room, but on the field and among the fans as well.

I think people are selling this team short. I have a much better feeling than I did a month or two ago. But of course I always feel this way at this time of year.

While I put little stock in early Spring training games...Colvin needs a good showing...with his added 25 lbs. of muscle....If he starts hitting dingers...

we could see him sooner rather than later...But I still think Snyder is the better player. Right now...they are both AAAA guys.

Here is the starting lineup for Thursday:

Theriot - SS

Fukudome - RF

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Byrd - CF

Colvin - LF

Fontenot - 2B

Soto - C

Wells - P

Castro will go in for Theriot after three or four innings.

I realize that it's a minor thing, but didn't Piniella say Castro would get the start?

If that's the case, then we're in for another long year, as Piniella tells us he's going to "get young guys in", then does an about-face.

I also realize that aside from Soriano, who will be limited in the field, this is our projected everyday lineup, so I can't complain a whole lot (other than the fact that I think the whole lineup sucks a$$, is old, and will be injured a majority of the year).

I also seem to recall reports of Fukudome's bat looking really good last year, and sucked. Ditto for ARAM. We've also heard that "this is the year Soriano puts it together"...or "....Z puts it together", or Lee shows he's recovered from his wrist injury (remember those reports in 2007 and 2008?...and yes, I realize he finally "broke through" last year, but still...)

This is the Cubs PR machine at its best. And while I appreciate reports from AZ Phil, and other bloggers that are there, and especially you Neil, as you have a wonderful site...I still take every report of a "break out" player in camp with a grain of salt, because frankly, it doesn't mean anything until the season starts.

In general, the pitchers are ahead of the hitters to start camp, then the hitters start catching up, and most veteran pitchers that are locked into spots do not showcase their best stuff, as some work on different pitches in Spring Training, and still, some of them also do not want to showcase their best stuff to teams they play a lot (inter-division or same league), so you have to put everything into context.

I used to get so excited about players based on how they did in Spring Training with us, then I became flabbergasted when they sucked out of the gate when the season started. Therefore, not only do Spring Training nuances need to be factored in, but also the context of what that players has done in the past.

For instance, if a Scott McClain has a .400 avg, 10 hr, 30 RBI in Spring Training, and ARAM has a .250 avg, 2 hr, 10 RBI in Spring Training, does that mean that McClain earns a spot? It sure depends on the context, doesn't it? If he faced elite pitchers, then it sure seems that way, but if he subs in for ARAM against players that don't have a prayer of making the team (or any other MLB team for that matter), then we're talking apples and oranges.

This is precisely why I like to see fringe players facing elite pitchers, playing in the first few innings, as that's the only way to get a decent read on how they'll handle it if they end up earning a spot on the team.

These are the only players I'm interested in learning about this spring: Snyder, Camp, Chirinos, B. Jackson, Vitters, LaHair, Castro, W. Castillo, Colvin, Dolis, Gray, Cashner, Gaub, Coleman, Diamond, and Russell. Why? Because all the other players have more service time at the MLB level, or minors, and we already know a lot about them. The way I see it, these 16 players that are 40-man or NRI players, are the future of the Cubs. We stand to gain the most by letting them play a ton this spring against top flight talent.

We already know the type of players K. Hill, Tracy, Nady, Fontenot, Blanco, Fuld, Stevens, Patton, Samardzija, Silva, and Hoffpauir are. We have a good amount of data in both MiLB and MLB from these players, so why would you spend a lot of time on players you already know what they can do? Yes, I know you want to give them a fair shake, but players that have no MLB experience, or just a cup of coffee of experience, you really have no idea what their capabilities are, and thus, you might have a pleasant surprise with their production, right?

If I were making the decisions, and I had a couple veterans like Grabow, Nady, Tracy, Soriano, etc., and the were all coming back from injuries, and they all struggled badly in Spring Training, and I had the likes of Gaub, Colvin, LaHair, Castro, and Snyder having outstanding springs, I'd start the others in EXST on the DL, then send them on rehab assignments, and once they're better, if the players I just mentioned did well, I'm looking to trade the veterans or just DFA them outright.

Do you realize that's precisely how the Cubs got Baker last year? The Rockies were getting great production at the time from Barmes, and with Seth Smith, Carlos Gonzalez, and Fowler coming on strong, they didn't have the room for Baker on the roster, so they made the trade with us.

What the Cubs organization as a whole needs to realize is that just because you're a veteran player (and maybe injured), and a player takes your spot, and comes on strong, you are NOT guaranteed your job when you come back.

Does Drew Bledsoe ring a bell? Remember when he went down, all Tom Brady did was come in and lead them to championships, and now is considered one of the best QB's ever in the NFL. How about Wally Pipp? Remember the phrase, "he might get Wally Pipped"? That came from him going down with injury, and a young guy by the name of Lou Gehrig coming on to replace him. How about Randy Wells last year?

The thing that frustrates me most about the organization, and leaves me with a vote of no confidence for this regime, is that fact that when ARAM went down, they didn't call up the hot hitting Fox at the time, then when they did, we saw him just a few times a week, and mostly pinch hitting. If you'll recall a few years ago, Hendry failed to replace D Lee until it was too late, and we were long out of the race, and the best he could muster was Phil Nevin.

It seems this organization is VERY small-minded, and not forward thinking/proactive whatsoever. If we're worried about health (ARAM, Lee, Soriano, Lilly), what do they do? Why they go after Tracy, Nady, Silva (who had both injury and conditioning issues), didn't they? All of whom are coming off injury issues, missing significant time (in Tracy and Nady's cases). So rather than go after someone like Lopez, Garland, etc., we're stuck with a bunch of injury questions, which is PRECISELY what we started the offseason off with. What's more? Essentially we've doubled our injury question marks, haven't we? How does that accomplish anything?

And yet, when injuries creep up, you'll hear Hendry and others claim that they couldn't see it coming. I'm telling you that it's NOT rocket science. It's VERY easy to predict these things, especially when you're a lifelong Cubs fan and have pretty much seen it all anyhow. I hope I'm wrong, but history says Hendry's wrong for his decisions.

Here's a story on Alonso:

http://mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=2010031&content_id=06400328vkey=news_cin&partnerId=rss_cin

I have to apologize...the link doesn't work tothe Alonso story...my aging eyes are getting bad...just tried rereading the link character's to no avail.

The story appeared at mlb.comyesterday (03/01)...written by Mark Sheldon.

The title is "Red's Alonso Trying Other Positions"...forthose of you that would like to educate yourself on a very longshot to replace DLee in 2011.

My thought was since we are deep at ss in young talent...perhaps we should consider trading for an area we are not deep in.

Aaron,I meant toask your opinion of something...mlbtrade rumors had an arcticle about how the Reds Top prospect,

Yonder Alonso is blocked by Joey Votto at 1rst base.

Originally the plan was to move Votto when Alonso was ready...But now Votto doesn't want to move.

mlbtraderumors speculates that one or the other mught be a candidate for trade....probably not Votto.

The easy answer for us is that Cincy wouldn'ttrade within their division.

Question A...what are your thoughts on Alonso?

Question B...it's early now...but would you consider trading for Alonso to replace DLee?

A: Alonso has about 90 games of pro ball experience, and while he hit 9 hr, 54 RBI in 365 AB's, along with a .304 avg, .407 OBP (combined), I just don't think he's quite the player Votto was at a similar age (22).

B: Honestly, between Vitters, Flaherty, LaHair, and Ridling, we have better and cheaper (in terms of trade cost) than Alonso. On the other hand, we have NOBODY that can compare to Votto...not even D Lee. Problem is, Votto missed time last year with an anxiety problem, which is similar to what has likely ended Khalil Greene's career. I also read the recent suntimes article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/2078901,starlin-castro-cubs-prospects-02.article

But unlike previous busts like Patterson, Kelton, Cunningham, Griffin, Harvey, etc., our recent prospects, in general have good stats, and do everything pretty well.

If you look at previous busts, they were usually one-dimensional players....either they had power, and struck out a ton, or had a high average, low OBP, and no power, or speed only. Just look at big names like Harvey, Patterson, Pie, etc.

But you look at players like Flaherty, Castro, Hak Ju Lee, B. Jackson (although limited), LeMahieu (although limited), Burke, etc., they have a little bit of everything (versatility, power, speed, etc.). But I have to say, that if the Reds wanted one or two of those guys, plus others for Votto, I'd definitely do the trade, even with the uncertainty of his anxiety

Aaron...that article really says it all.

From Cincy's perspective, I think Votto is untradeable...Thanks for your take.

Aaron, most of the reports I read used words as "likely" and "probably" in reference to Castro starting ... Levine is the only one that said he would start.

Dan Roan on the 670Score this morning said "That there is no way Castro makes the opening day roster unless theriot is injured."

A very possible opening day lineup sans Soriano.

Jim C...possibly...but if I were manager I'd switch Theriot with Fukodome...for lead-off...Fuko can coax more walks.

John. Millar has a great attitude...but He's 38.

Last year...251 abs/7HR/.234Av/.311 OBP.(Tor)

The year before:

251 abs/20HR/.223av/.323 OBP (Bal).

He's slow...and 2004 was just about his best year...with a .297 ave.

For his career...he's a .274 hitter.

Absolutely love the guy...but we should hope for better performance out of our 25th guy.

How old was Roy Hobbs?

Okay, I know that was a stretch. But, hey!! I'm a Cub Fan, I can dream can't I?

If Millar turns into Hobbs...by all means we keep him...and I'll trat everyone to lemonade at that soda fountain!!!,

btw...I have a tradition I keep every year to gear up for the baseball season...

3 movies in a row consecutively.

1) A 50's movie..."It Happen's Every

Spring" with Ray Milland.

Milland plays a dorky college Prof...that accidently comes across a chemical formula that makes a ball

avoid wood. He tries out for the St Louis

Browns...and transforms from mild mannered professor into "King Kelly"...unhittable ace pitcher.

It's great Hollywood sap.

2) Field of Dreams

3) The Natural

There's a lot of 0ther great baseball

movies...but I'm ready for the season

when I see all three!!!

There are more baseball movies than any other sport, for obvious reasons. I found this list on line.

http://www.baseballmovie.com/baseball-movies.php

But they left off one of my favs. "Take me Out to the Ballgame" with Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.

"From O'Brien to Ryan to Glodberg. What a great double play."

Yes, Yes, Spring is here.

John, you're right...there's a ton of bb movies...Somehow I missed the Frank Sinatra/Gene Kelly one...but I'll look it up.

For each of us...I'm sure baseball has intertwined itself into our daily family

life.

Sometimes, favorite family memories revolve around it. (Since I have 5 younger siblings...all Cubs fans...there are many of those.)

The Ray Milland movie was one we watched every year together on WGN...shortly after...the voice of Jack Brickhouse would permeate our household...(if we got home from school early enough).

...Simple pleasures!!!

I agree, thought so when I saw it.

Also of note...Grabow was hit hard...but this is all early ST stuff...maybe it's just me...but my main concern with him is the reported "floating bone chips"

in his arm.

Byrd is supposed to look pretty good afield.

Also A. Phil says Soriano's swing looks really good...while the Cubs are liniting his baserunning....A good omen at least.

OK...somebody else's turn to say "Hello".

Hello!

I would be thrilled if (a) Fukodome could finally have a breakout year in the U.S., and (b) that Castro continues to impress and grabs the starting SS role, pushing Theriot to 2B.

Hello.

HELLO.

HELLO! ANYBODY HOME??

Rip...I believetday is Neil's "transit day."

Arizona Phil just posted a report on the Cub Reporter on the doings in Mesa.

Interesting enough...he reports that Fukodome's bat is the most impressive in camp to date...and speculates this could be Fuko's breakout year..."If you recall

last week, Fuko said his goal this year

was tohit ast orover .300 for the season.

-Several years ago he earned a Japanese batting championship at .359 BA.

I'm not sold yet...but it would be huge if he did that.

- Trammel worked out with Castro and was extremely impressed.

- Silva was agile but got hit...he's supposed to start against the White Sox.

-Dempster looked good.

I'm just regurgetating Phil's post...and he does it better...again...

Neil's supplied a link bottom right "TCR".

Funny,thought I'd see a day when everyone was talked out.

Let the games begin.

Hello!

Suzy, a day early ... but I will be there soon. Just very limited time the past two days.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/03/02/cubs-get-ready-cactus-league-play

There is the link.

Traffic on the site is very good today, just not the banter. I think you are right, the calm before.

Let the games begin!

Pregnant Pause before the storm.

It was quiet in Mesa yesterday and quiet here today..