The I [for Invisible] Cub

A healthy Nady is a good back-up OF and 1B, pinch hitter, and DH in IL play for a competitive NL team. But if the Cubs are out of it, there is no need to keep him on the roster. You can find someone new to fit that role any off-season. Save the money and play someone young to find out what they can do.

I'd be happy to see Fuld get a half season as the 5th OF. He plays great defense, draws walks, can lay down a bunt, can pinch run and steal bases - if he shows he can hit .270 with sporadic at-bats in that role, then keep him.

To me, Derrek Lee just looks old this year. He is slower running than I have ever seen him. His defense has slipped a lot. And his bat just seems slower. Of course, this happens all the time that a guy this age has a bad season, then changes his off-season program and comes back revived the next year and puts up nice numbers. So it is certainly possible that Lee has a couple of good years left in him still, but it's not worth the risk for a major market team like the Cubs, and so if I were GM I would have already decided that I am not re-signing him and be trying to trade him now to save some money.

And I'd agree that Fukudome should be shipped out as well. He is overpaid for what he is, and he blocks Colvin. We need to see what he can do for an extended period. The Cubs always do this. A guy will do well in 250 ABs and they anoint him the starter next year and then the league adjusts and the guy tanks and there is a huge hole in the lineup and roster. I can see the same thing happening here. Colvin needs to start in RF everyday for the next 3 months so we can find out what he can do.

As much as I am a fan of Theriot, I would not be particularly upset to see him go at this point either. My main contention all along is that Theriot is an average shorstop who gets on-base and can steal and he was making $500K. On a roster where money is tight, you need a few cheap guys who can put up average to above average numbers. I still think he did that well the last couple of years. But now Castro fills that role and has the potential to be much better. And Theriot's numbers have dropped, his pay went up 5-fold this year, and now he is at 2B. The Cubs could still do a lot worse at 2B (I don't want an overpriced Mark Bellhorn type guy there), so I won't be upset if he is the 2B next year with Castro at short, but if the Cubs can get something for him then go for it. But again I would like to see the at-bats go to someone younger, not Fontenot or Baker.

Baker also needs to be traded. I don't see any real value in a guy who is a career .267 and can't play defense well at 2B or 3B, of all positions.

If Hendry can get anyone to take Grabow, he needs to be out the door.

And a starter should be moved so Gorzelanny can take the 5 spot in the rotation. (I'd prefer Zambrano, but that is not going to happen.) It is silly for him to have pitched THREE innings since May 26!! A) He needs to start, and B) either he is taking up a bench spot or a bullpen spot of someone who would be used more. It makes no sense. I think he'd be an adequate ML 5th starter. He's lefthanded, Ks more than a batter an inning, and has shown success in starting.

Anyway, that's just me. Their 8 games out and have shown no real sign of coming out of it. I gut the team - Lee, Nady, Baker, Fontenot, Theriot, Tracy, Fukudome, Zambrano or Lilly, Grabow, Howry can all go.

What exactly do you like about Adduci's bat? He hits for less power than Fuld (it's true now and throughout their careers), walks less, and strikes out more... And plays inferior defense on top of that.

Here's a bit more detailed bio on him:

http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/reisep...

This does in fact attribute the introduction of warning tracks and padded walls to him.

Also says he stole home SEVEN times in one year.

Maybe he's nostalgic for the days when TCR didn't have threads with replies that showed up underneath the original comment.

What are his HUGE shortcomings at the plate? He hits for average and gets on base better than just about anyone on any team he's ever played on. His plate discipline has been the best in the entire Cubs system for several consecutive years. He hit .299 in the big leagues last year (albeit in only 120 or so PAs). Frankly, I think he's a good leadoff hitter. Not going to hit many homeruns, but that doesn't make him a bad offensive player. I'd love to hear AZ Phil's thoughts on Fuld's future (which clearly isn't very promising with the Cubs).

The break even point on stealing bases depends on the offensive environment. I've never seen anyone suggest it's 75%, though. Typically the number thrown around is 66%.

It's so context sensitive, however, that any flat % is inherently incorrect.

*EDIT - well I could be wrong. A lot of people think 75% is the break even point. That's from a study that is not context sensitive, however.

Lou must have been napping yesterday.

If we lose to a team batting Pierre and Vizquel 1-2 with Kotsay as the DH, the 2010 Cubs should probably be put down.

In summation, yes.

Well played.