Comments on: Trade Carlos Zambrano – My Offseason Plan for the World Series http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/ A Chicago Cubs Blog and Fan Site Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:27:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: dave l http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12889 dave l Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:03:24 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12889 <blockquote>My original conviction was that he is not a premier defensive shortstop.</blockquote>That is an understatement.<blockquote>In fact, he’s good, at best.</blockquote>No... he not even good. In fact, he is average, at best, defensively, though I would argue that he is bad.

My original conviction was that he is not a premier defensive shortstop.

That is an understatement.

In fact, he’s good, at best.

No… he not even good. In fact, he is average, at best, defensively, though I would argue that he is bad.

]]> By: Kevin http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12887 Kevin Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:39:04 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12887 I ain't hatin on Theriot. My original conviction was that he is not a premier defensive shortstop. In fact, he's good, at best. I wonder if they might be served by getting Furcal to play short and move Theriot to 2B where his arm is more suited. Assuming they can't get Roberts that is. My arguments against Lee as a prime 3rd spot hitter are not silly. Pitchers respect him, they do no fear him. It's pretty obvious. If Stoney says the Cubs might trade Lee, don't take that as anything fact-based. I didn't hear the broadcast, so if he says that he heard from sources that that was the case, then I will stand corrected; but he often present opinions as to what a team will do as fact. I listened to him on post game shows for years when he was working for the Cubs. Hendry also made a comment today about the club "exploring options in the free agent market" regarding a right fielder. Fukudome's reaction to potential competition was, "I could care less." In context, I believe he stated that he will be prepared for competition this spring no matter what. Whether that exploration involves Ibanez or not I have not seen. Marmol was injured in a car accident early this morning too, took some stitches. Harden is being examined by an ortho in preparation for the Cubs' picking up his option. I ain’t hatin on Theriot. My original conviction was that he is not a premier defensive shortstop. In fact, he’s good, at best. I wonder if they might be served by getting Furcal to play short and move Theriot to 2B where his arm is more suited. Assuming they can’t get Roberts that is. My arguments against Lee as a prime 3rd spot hitter are not silly. Pitchers respect him, they do no fear him. It’s pretty obvious. If Stoney says the Cubs might trade Lee, don’t take that as anything fact-based. I didn’t hear the broadcast, so if he says that he heard from sources that that was the case, then I will stand corrected; but he often present opinions as to what a team will do as fact. I listened to him on post game shows for years when he was working for the Cubs. Hendry also made a comment today about the club “exploring options in the free agent market” regarding a right fielder. Fukudome’s reaction to potential competition was, “I could care less.” In context, I believe he stated that he will be prepared for competition this spring no matter what. Whether that exploration involves Ibanez or not I have not seen. Marmol was injured in a car accident early this morning too, took some stitches. Harden is being examined by an ortho in preparation for the Cubs’ picking up his option.

]]> By: jose http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12886 jose Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:02:21 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12886 Nbad this is the same point I made when we discussed Jimmy Rollins and Theriot. Theriot is one of the most valuable/cost effective players on this team. He hit 300, can steals bases (his selection needs to be better), and plays SS well all at a great price. He is pretty close to Jimmy Rollins on defense and hit for better average this year. Jimmy Rollins makes $8MM and Theriot makes $428K. He is scrappy. The fact that he is productive and makes so little, frees salary that can be spent in higher priced clutch players like Soriano. Nbad this is the same point I made when we discussed Jimmy Rollins and Theriot. Theriot is one of the most valuable/cost effective players on this team. He hit 300, can steals bases (his selection needs to be better), and plays SS well all at a great price. He is pretty close to Jimmy Rollins on defense and hit for better average this year. Jimmy Rollins makes $8MM and Theriot makes $428K. He is scrappy. The fact that he is productive and makes so little, frees salary that can be spent in higher priced clutch players like Soriano.

]]> By: Nbad http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12882 Nbad Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:53:30 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12882 Yes Jose, but my other point with Theriot, is that he fills an important role on the team, that we saw with Lofton, Grudz, and Todd Walker, and that is a great on base percentage. AND, Theriot is very valuable because he costs so little, therefore rather than getting a table-setter like Brian Roberts and paying $6.3 Million for 2008 or $9 Million for 2009 and then having $10 Million to spend on another position, you can now spend $16-$18 Million and get someone closer to Superstar Status at the other position. By NO means am I saying Theriot is better statistically than Brian Roberts. But dollar for dollar he is much better, and the little bit that Roberts is better can be more than made up for by getting a CF or RF or Starting Pitcher that is much better. Yes Jose, but my other point with Theriot, is that he fills an important role on the team, that we saw with Lofton, Grudz, and Todd Walker, and that is a great on base percentage. AND, Theriot is very valuable because he costs so little, therefore rather than getting a table-setter like Brian Roberts and paying $6.3 Million for 2008 or $9 Million for 2009 and then having $10 Million to spend on another position, you can now spend $16-$18 Million and get someone closer to Superstar Status at the other position.

By NO means am I saying Theriot is better statistically than Brian Roberts. But dollar for dollar he is much better, and the little bit that Roberts is better can be more than made up for by getting a CF or RF or Starting Pitcher that is much better.

]]> By: Nbad http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12881 Nbad Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:37:19 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12881 As I said in that paragraph since 2001 his post season stats have been terrible, and then I gave supporting information. I didn't say something stupid like subtract all his hits. I said take away 1 good post season, and the other 4 post seasons don't even warrant a starting role. Another point that can be taken from my statement, is that in 2001 when Soriano was a rookie, and hit where the coach told him he did well in the post season. Since then he's become more of a superstar and demands where he hits in the line-up, and the whole superstar mentallity is the biggest hole in Soriano's swing. And since he's been doing things on his terms, swinging how he wants, probably not taking advice from batting coaches, he's been even less productive. As I said in that paragraph since 2001 his post season stats have been terrible, and then I gave supporting information. I didn’t say something stupid like subtract all his hits. I said take away 1 good post season, and the other 4 post seasons don’t even warrant a starting role.

Another point that can be taken from my statement, is that in 2001 when Soriano was a rookie, and hit where the coach told him he did well in the post season. Since then he’s become more of a superstar and demands where he hits in the line-up, and the whole superstar mentallity is the biggest hole in Soriano’s swing. And since he’s been doing things on his terms, swinging how he wants, probably not taking advice from batting coaches, he’s been even less productive.

]]> By: cubbiedude http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12880 cubbiedude Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:33:02 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12880 //You know, if you subtract Albert Pujols’ games where he gets hits, he sucks.// Oh, I like that line!! +1 //You know, if you subtract Albert Pujols’ games where he gets hits, he sucks.// Oh, I like that line!! +1

]]> By: dave L http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12879 dave L Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:38:28 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12879 <blockquote>that will be a lot of substracting.</blockquote>That is my point. Yet NBAD wants to subtract almost 1/3 of Soriano's playoff at-bats in order to make his point stronger. That is bad statistics.

that will be a lot of substracting.

That is my point.

Yet NBAD wants to subtract almost 1/3 of Soriano’s playoff at-bats in order to make his point stronger. That is bad statistics.

]]> By: jose http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12878 jose Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:30:14 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12878 My bad. When I am wrong I will admit it. I did not look as far back as Dave did (kudos to Dave) when I reviewed Soriano's stats. But he still SUCKS in the post season. Ask your self this question - with a key playoff game on the line, Cubs are trailing by one run, two outs, runners in scoring positon- do you want Soriano batting? The answer is no - never. Would I want Albert Pujols - yes always. If you were to subtract games that AB gets hits, that will be a lot of substracting. The guy is a baseball monster. His post season career BA mirrors his regular season stats. He can handle the pressure. I do not understand how people can be defending Soriano right now. He SUCKS. NBAD - Amen on Theriot. Finally some one gets it. The guy is valuable to this team. FYI, a #2 righthanded batter that can only hit opposite field singles is very valuable bacause that is what he is supposed to be doing. Hit it through the hole. If the leadoff runner is good, he should be on third base when the scrappy #2 hitter hits the opposite field single. First and third less than two outs is a good thing with a dependable #3 hitter. My bad. When I am wrong I will admit it. I did not look as far back as Dave did (kudos to Dave) when I reviewed Soriano’s stats. But he still SUCKS in the post season. Ask your self this question – with a key playoff game on the line, Cubs are trailing by one run, two outs, runners in scoring positon- do you want Soriano batting? The answer is no – never. Would I want Albert Pujols – yes always. If you were to subtract games that AB gets hits, that will be a lot of substracting. The guy is a baseball monster. His post season career BA mirrors his regular season stats. He can handle the pressure. I do not understand how people can be defending Soriano right now. He SUCKS.

NBAD – Amen on Theriot. Finally some one gets it. The guy is valuable to this team. FYI, a #2 righthanded batter that can only hit opposite field singles is very valuable bacause that is what he is supposed to be doing. Hit it through the hole. If the leadoff runner is good, he should be on third base when the scrappy #2 hitter hits the opposite field single. First and third less than two outs is a good thing with a dependable #3 hitter.

]]> By: dave L http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12877 dave L Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:22:36 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12877 <blockquote>Blalock is the only other 1B that’d I’d look at. But he’s got a history of being hurt.</blockquote>Not only does he have a history of being hurt, he also isn't an upgrade over Derrek Lee. He, MAYBE, has slightly more power, and significantly less ability to get on base. In reality, over his career, Blalock has been a pretty average hitter. And his last seasons in which he actually played more than 65 games, here are his numbers: 2005: .263/.318/.431 OPS: 749 OPS+: 93 2006: .266/.325/.401 OPS: 726 OPS+: 86 No thanks.

Blalock is the only other 1B that’d I’d look at. But he’s got a history of being hurt.

Not only does he have a history of being hurt, he also isn’t an upgrade over Derrek Lee. He, MAYBE, has slightly more power, and significantly less ability to get on base.

In reality, over his career, Blalock has been a pretty average hitter. And his last seasons in which he actually played more than 65 games, here are his numbers:
2005: .263/.318/.431 OPS: 749 OPS+: 93
2006: .266/.325/.401 OPS: 726 OPS+: 86

No thanks.

]]> By: Matt Jacobs http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12875 Matt Jacobs Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:15:09 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2008/10/05/trade-carlos-zambrano-my-offseason-plan-for-the-world-series/#comment-12875 Blalock is the only other 1B that'd I'd look at. But he's got a history of being hurt. Blalock is the only other 1B that’d I’d look at. But he’s got a history of being hurt.

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