View From The Bleachers - Latest Comments

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Joe Aiello — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:31:03 -0000

So with that said, what if his 2012 numbers are a more accurate represenentation. What if he just doesn't stop hitting? What would you do with him?

Re: The Post I Didn’t Write

Lizzie — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:09:34 -0000

spittin' image!

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Norm Bothwell — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:49:12 -0000

On the bench and used as a pinch runner.
I think his 2011 numbers are a more accurate representation of his talent.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

BLPCB — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:47:54 -0000

We ought to just give him his dough and tell him to pack his bags.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Joe Aiello — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:23:23 -0000

Norm,

I've heard you suggest that a few times now. Where does that leave Campana in the picture? Just curious on your thoughts on him.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Dusty Baylor — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:47:37 -0000

This might work, although I'd like to see them wait until Campana cools off. If Soriano is still putting up .258/.295/.342 in a month, we'll see.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Cubs Future — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:29:28 -0000

No problem on that as I figured somebody would. I just was hoping we could do something with Rodrigo like trade or even bring up to build up trade value. I know it won't be much of anything, but he is doing decent and obviously not in the long term plans as to why I brought his name up.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Cubs Future — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:26:05 -0000

P.S. Soriano is starting to find doubles instead of just singles as he is up to 7. Not great, but 5 in the past 10 games sounds much better. And getting a couple of key hits as well.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Norm Bothwell — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:24:48 -0000

Like Joe said, a spot will need to be made. Perhaps DeJesus tries to slide to CF with LaHair moved to right.
Rizzo is also a lefty and hitting left handed pitching is his biggest weakness, so a platoon with LaHair wouldn't make sense.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Norm Bothwell — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:20:00 -0000

Yeah I think I'm going to look into some of the better performers who were left off the prospect lists next week. Guys like Zeke DeVoss, but not so much the minor leaguers like Rodrigo, because he's just not a prospect.
Anyone who isn't eligible to be Rookie of the Year will most likely be left out.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Cubs Future — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:19:54 -0000

Some solace with Soriano, he has the same homers as Albert and a higher batting average. Won't last, but at least he has something. Now if he can find some of the youth/better times buried deep to get us some trade value, any at all. Probably won't happen until next year or at least the offseason unless really steps it up. So Rizzo will be down there for awhile. I think it will also help LaHair to prepare the offseason for playing outfield instead of mid year at major league level. Just a thought though. Just hoping everything plays out well as we got rid of Byrd but could have more if played better to start the year.

Re: Game 36: Wave Goodbye to Another Winnable Game

Jedi — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:06:59 -0000

I'm not sure 'Bullpen' & 'Strikes' should ever find their way into the same sentence when talking about the Cubs...but if so, BSA is the only instance.

Re: Game 36: Wave Goodbye to Another Winnable Game

Seymour Butts — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:52:58 -0000

IHL or BSA (Bullpen Strikes Again)?
If Carlos comes off of the DL and does not take advantage of an extended rehab assignment, we could have Another Marmol Flame Up, Cubs Killed by Errant Deliverys.
I will defer to CAPS on the appropriate acronym.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Norm Bothwell — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:44:21 -0000

I tend not to ignore history in favor of 148 plate appearances.

Re: The Post I Didn’t Write

Smitty — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:25:46 -0000

Long story short, athletes are held to a higher standard but in reality they are human. Kerry had a bad game (most of his career?) and his emotions got him. Oh well. These "journalists"just dip whatever it takes to get a story, I say screw em.

Re: Interview with Anthony Rizzo

jswanson — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:04:38 -0000

Something about the Pink Ladies. I don't know...I'm tired.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Jedi — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:03:11 -0000

Maybe we just need to slap it as a banner on the VFTB homepage "Rizzo will not come up until someone is injured, traded, or LaHair suffers through an ugly and prolonged slump. Maybe not even then. Patience."

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Cubs Future — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:26 -0000

I know this is from the list to start the year. I'm sure I am jumping the gun of an updated list of some others in the minors that have stepped up as I am far far from an expert. Hard to tell because minors are well minors. But some that look alright numbers wise (have no scouting info or advanced numbers or even seeing them play) that aren't on that list just in AAA since I can look there are Luis Valbuena and hoping Cardenas can step it up in the majors as was doing fine in AAA and also Amezaga. They are all listed as 2nd basemen or play there some as I can't tell, but a definite weak link for the Cubs.

As for pitchers, I know Rodrigo is not a prospect, but he has been stepping up somewhat. Blake Parker has been having a couple of bad performances lately. Chris Rusin was named PCL pitcher recently. Frankie De La Cruz is walking too many. Casey Coleman had been improving lately in AAA, so we'll see how well it holds in the majors. Jeff Beliveau and Scott Maine have been slipping as well of late. Travis Wood and Randy Wells are stinking it up, but hoping they can turn things around even with AAA being more for hitters.

Re: Game 36: Wave Goodbye to Another Winnable Game

Jedi — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:59:58 -0000

It's not really fair to say Jeff Baker is hitting...he'd miss the bat rack if he chucked his bat at it.

He'd strike out with a slumpbuster right now.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Joe Aiello — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:53:56 -0000

Rizzo will not be coming up until a spot is made. Soriano will not be benched.

Re: Game 36: Wave Goodbye to Another Winnable Game

Jedi — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:49:52 -0000

CAPS the acronym police!

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Verncrowe5 — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:49:45 -0000

What is our best option for Rizzo? He is making a name for himself in AAA, but I'm all for keeping him in the minors until at least the All-Star Break. However, when he does come to the majors, what do we do with him? Do we put Lahair in LF and sit Soriano? Do we start Rizzo over Lahair against left-handed pitching? Lahair is batting fairly similar numbers at 1B and seemingly will keep above average numbers all season, so I would hate for him to sit out games.

Re: Top 20 Prospects Update

Jedi — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:48:39 -0000

Maybe we can finally put a fork in Dave Sappelt - the guy who will never be an MLB utility outfielder. .338 SLG in the PCL means you really can't worth a crap.

Re: Game 36: Wave Goodbye to Another Winnable Game

BLPCB — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:27:46 -0000

Wouldn't it be WAMYPWRO?

Re: Game 36: Wave Goodbye to Another Winnable Game

Doc Raker — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:03:59 -0000

FWS- the man who crushes lefties, Jeff Baker, is hitting .182 off lefties and 235 off righties.
* The bullpen strikes again.