I don’t typically listen to sports talk on the radio. Most of these guys make my head spin, with their over opinionated blather. I still picture the guys back in high school that would sit around the lunch table yapping on and on about athletes and whether they worth a lick or not. Not a one of them had a shred of athletic ability, but felt they were experts on every sport because they “studied the game.” Yeah, whatever.
Last night on my way to my softball game, I turned on “The Show” on ESPN 1000. Really, it was this or listening to overplayed pop tunes on the Mix, and don’t get me started on that craptastic radio station. So our entrepid hosts, started discussing the signing of Edmonds. Jonathon Hood led off with this nugget, the Cubs should of been signing Kenny Lofton, if they needed some left handed pop in their lineup, not the 38 year old Edmonds.
Let me let you guys and gals have that sink in for a few minutes.
Yeah, exactly. WHAT? Kenny Lofton has pop? You’ve got to be kidding me. Oh yes, his next reasoning? Kenny’s been at home working out getting ready for a team to call his number. OK. So the guy that’s been playing since February is a worse pickup because Kenny’s been at HOME working out. Brillant. He then went on to say that the Cubs need to get Lofton before the Cards or the Brewers do, because he can turn the tide of the Central race. And that Edmonds has been known to be aloof in the clubhouse. I’ve heard the same about Lofton, so what does that mean? He then went on to discuss how this was hurting Pie’s development, by not getting him regular Major League at bats. Call me carzy, but I’m not seeing how signing Kenny Lofton would help him with that either. No offense Mr. Hood, but I believe the hamburger I ate last night, had more intelligence than you in this matter.
I’m a Kenny Lofton fanboy, I’ve stated it before. But this ridiculous offering of baseball knowledge hurt my head. There’s a reason Kenny’s still at home. He’s, what 41 or 42? His run is probably over, as should Mr. Edmond’s career too, but Edmonds is a much cheaper alternative at this point. I’ve said all week, and I did change my tune after first word broke, that this is a good move. Edmonds will be here either the rest of the year because he plays like his old form, or he’s gone within a month. It’s that simple. Meanwhile Pie gets regular at bats in AAA, which he needs desperately.
Once again, I question my sanity after listening to sports radio.
Tags: Jim Edmonds, Jonathon Hood, Kenny Lofton
May 16th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Matt, I am not so sure about this. I believe Lofton would have been a great pickup. Yeah, he’ll be 41 next week, however, he hit .303 with 39walks and 28k’s and 21sb/4cs in 84games with an 818ops last year. Me thinks that he could fit that 1spot a helluva lot better than anyone we have on the roster.
May 16th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I brought Lofton up during Spring Training and everyone beat me to a pulp. So I hears ya!
I just thought Hood’s reasoning was horrendously poor. Lofton would cost them a couple mil, whereas Edmonds is only going for chump change. And to say Edmonds signing is hurting Pie, but Lofton would not was ridiculous.
Think it through before you talk. This how Cubs fans get themselves worked up over stupid ideas.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Lofton (and I have always liked him) has made a living on his legs. They were his only attribute. They are pretty much gone and he would serve the cubs no use at all. To even consider putting him in this lineup (esp at leadoff!) OMG why!
Pie is the better option and well…you all know my opinion of Felix at the present time.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
And to get back on message of your fine blog Matt…I personally think the writers of this website have more baseball knowledge than most of the id-ji-iots on ESPN radio.
FRUNKISSS!
May 16th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Regarding Lofton, I loved his work in CF in Chicago in 2003 and I would have kept him (I never thought Corey Patterson was much of a big league player and he hes proven that!) and played him there for at least 2 or 3 seasons. But his time is gone and so are his legs. Now edmonds is ours, like him or not, so let’s get used to it and root for him. Either we win wtih him or he will be gone.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Neither Edmonds or Lofton is a good fit for the Cubs right now. Johnson and Pie are… and without the addition of Edmonds those two would be getting valuable experience, on a good team, and winning. The Cubs don’t need Edmonds to win this division, and sending Pie down is a curious choice… perhaps hurting his development a bit.
This Cards fan loved Edmonds, and wishes him well, but the Cubs pulled a head scratcher with this one, imo.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Lofton over Edmonds is a bad decision. Edmonds is cheaper and fresher. Remember this is a low cost risk. It will either work out and Edmonds plays well for us or it buys us time for Pie to fix things in the minors. Both players might be washed up, but I would rather take my chances on the cheaper version. The only knock against Edmonds is that he can be trouble in the clubhouse. I do not think that will be an issue for two reasons (1) Lou - he won’t allow it and (2) we are winning - that has a way of keeping everyone fat, dumb, and happy.
By the way, I have to confess I have always like Edmonds. Perhaps because I live in Southern California now and my favorite AL team is the Angels.
May 17th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Having been around the bigs…I’ve eheard nothing but good things about Jim from other players ie clubhouse wise.
May 18th, 2008 at 10:09 am
NICE Matt I could not agree with you more…and I had tuna fish last night.