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I am going to write a new article about the Cubs every month of the 2006 Cubs season. Here is issue #1. September 2006 |
Young Pitchers
The easy thing to write about is all of the injured players that the
Cubs have but I am not going to go there. That is too easy. All teams
have injuries. The good teams have capable backups that fill in when
your #1 guys are hurt. This season for the Cubs can be called the
season
of the young arms. The Cubs have had something like 8 different rookie
starters. Some have looked decent but they all have been very
inconsistent. The most inconsistent has been Rich Hill. Beween him,
Marmol, and Marshall - I think those are the only guys that might be
legit big league starters. The other guys are going to be relievers at
best.
Young Position Players
Cedeno Murton and Pagan
This has been an interesting year for the young Cubs position players.
It has been a roller coaster. Murton started out great, had a rough
month or so and now is tearing it up. Cedeno started out decent and has
been in steady decline. Some say that these guys have never had this
many at bats and they play all year round with Winter Ball. Is that an
excuse? They are pro athletes in top shape. This is baseball. They
should be in enough shape to play year round. Pagan has been fun to
watch. The ball jumps off his bat, he can run and throw. If I had to
pick my favorite of these 3 I would say that Murton has had the best
year. He has a great eye. He should be our #2 hitter next year. Now go
trade Jones and get a home run hitting right fielder. Does Sosa want to
come back?
Lee
I love that Derrek Lee returned to the lineup this year instead of just
hanging it up to recover from his wrist injury. That shows what kind of
player he is. Even though the Cubs are out of the playoff picture, Lee
wants to compete and help the team win some games. And he has looked
solid in his return. He can flat out hit and defend first base. The
Cubs
need 24 more Derrek Lees. He is the model citizen and model player.
Baker and Girardi
In all likelihood, Cubs management will try and find another manager at
the end of this season. I want to directly compare Dusty Baker and Joe
Girardi and their styles. They are pretty much opposite personalities.
Baker is a players manager which pretty much means that he lets the
players do whatever they want. Girardi is more strict and he demands
respect from his players. So far in Florida it seems to work. If the
Marlins had the Yankees payroll, they would have 966 wins right now
based on my calculations. I have been a Dusty backer pretty much since
the day he was hired. I would be in the minority and say that I would
be
fine if they gave him an extension. I like Dusty. I would want to work
for him. I would also be all for hiring Girardi. People keep failing to
note that Girardi is under contract with the Marlins. But if they fire
him, lets grab him and overpay him.
Wrigley Expansion
I have a strange fascination with the Wrigley expansion. To date, I
think they have done a super job. The new bleachers and 3 new rows
behind home plate really fit in well. The Cubs originally had a plan to
erect a building in between Clark and Wrigley where the old hot dog
stand and car wash are currently located. Recently they said rising
costs have put this project on hold. I am really interested to see what
this building is going to end up looking like. and how it fits in that
spot. I realize that the Cubs are in dire need for parking and players
facilities but this whole them restaurant sounds lame. I have been to
the Fridays in Chase Field and walked through the one in Rogers Centre.
They are boring tourist traps. Wrigleyville is loaded with unique bars
and restaurants. Who would want to go to The Wrigley Bennigan's. Not
me.