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Last updated 3-26-2024
 
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PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
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Miguel Amaya
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Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

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* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
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Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

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Scouting Craig Monroe

By all accounts, Craig Monroe was having an off-season with the Tigers, who asked Monroe to turn in his uniform and his pass to the players' parking lot last Friday, when he was designated for assignment. Here's what Rotoworld had to say at the time of the move:
The Tigers are cutting a guy with 59 homers and 236 RBI since the start of 2005. He's even a pretty good defender in a corner outfield spot. The big negative is that he carries poor OBPs even when he's swinging well. Still, there are more than a few teams that would like to have him around and some would probably even play him regularly. Expect him to be traded before he can become a free agent.
So how far off was Monroe with Detroit this year?
  '01-'06 '07
AVG .263 .222
OBP .312 .264
SLG .461 .373
OPS 773 637
AB/HR 22.4 31.2
AB/K 5.0 3.6
AB/BB 14.8 17.2
The picture painted by the Inside Edge Scouting Service in their mid-season report on Monroe was no prettier than those numbers. The 30-year-old earned a B for plate discipline--with an A+ for his ability to lay off bad pitches with two strikes!--but that was the highlight. His fastball-hitting, performance in the clutch, and overall effectiveness were all graded D+; in a couple sub-categories, he pulled F's. Still, to paraphrase Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Monroe and the Tigers will always have Paris...er, that is, the 2006 post-season, when Monroe hit five home runs, a franchise post-season record. Here's what Tigers GM David Dombrowski had to say at the time he officially excised Monroe from his roster:
"He had a lot of big moments for us. Craig has scuffled a little bit over the last couple of months. I think probably for him a change of scenery will be beneficial at this time. That's why it's with mixed emotions, because we like Craig and what he did for us."
If Monroe can offer any support to the Cubs' wobbly offense, represent an improvement over Matt Murton, and maybe help punch up the team's 12-19 record against lefties, he will be liked in Chicago as well.

Comments

At the very least, he's a better 30th guy on the expanded September roster than Buck Coats, and he's probably a better 15th position player option on a playoff roster than Ronnie Cedeno. And the PTBNL is probably an middling "prospect" from Peoria or Daytona. Dopirak, for example.

Jeff Kent! OK not happening but that would be AWESOME! Soriano FL Jones CF Lee 1B ARam 3B Floyd/Murton RF Jeff Kent 2B Theriot SS Kendall C schpilkis!

I meant veteran backup middle infielder. If only Neifi wasn't doped up. Also says Lou not ruling out that Soriano will be back for the Brewers series.

Craig Monroe is an improvement over Murton? Monroe is like a shittier version of Jones and is age 30. But hey lets give up on the 25 year-old Murton and replace him with a guy who hits .250 gets on base at a .300 clip and even in his best year can't even get his OPS over .800. Thats just soooo Cub like to bring on the garbage that is Monroe.

this should bring a smile to VA Phil and a Cy Young to Jeff Samardzija http://cubs.scout.com/2/669755.html But for this year, Samardzija was assigned to Class High A Daytona, where he was under orders to develop a changeup to go with his blazing fastball. “That’s one thing when he left Spring Training that he was mandated to do ... develop a changeup. Part of that came from refining his delivery a little bit. Now he’s got a better delivery,” Lewallyn observed. (Lewallyn is the Smokies pitching coach) pretty in-depth article about Samardzija and what's he's been up to this year.

Mike, Get over yourself. Murton is garbage off the bench. Monroe is a right handed ph. Murton is not the right option for late inning ph. Monroe is there to be a veteran righty. Murton is not that guy.

And furthermore mike, they are not giving up on murton. if they wanted to give up on him they could have just traded him. they see a future for him, just in the future. Murton adds very little to this current team this year.

I still think Monroe is here to replace Angel Pagan more than anything. Murton to a lesser degree.....

Samardzija was assigned to Class High A Daytona, where he was under orders to develop a changeup to go with his blazing fastball. If (key word in this post is if) he can do that and do it well, he's going to be great. Really something special. If he can find an plus changeup around 83-85 somewhere in that arm to with the hard cheese and that nasty slidepiece, he'll be a superstar. I highly doubt he'll ever throw a plus change, but he could sure use another pitch, anyways.

let's just be happy we're making moves to bolster up our 40 man roster this late in the season. Cubs management of old would have just let our current roster ride...We have trouble against lefties, Monroe doesn't, so he's a good pick up. Also, we all grumbled about how miserable a hitter Kendall was when we got him, and the man's batting around .300 since he got here...

Wes, Hell, I would settle for a Samardzija change-up that graded out around 48-50. Also, Monroe is a RH improvement over Fox, Murton, or Pagan on a playoff roster. However, I would expect the Cubs to keep 14 position players anyway and move Marshall to the bullpen.

Andy in the last thread posted the link to Ankiel's throw last night. I don't see what the big deal is. That's exactly what he looked like as a pitcher.

Murton is garbage off the bench. Monroe is a right handed ph. Murton is not the right option for late inning ph. Monroe is there to be a veteran righty. And what makes you think that Monroe will be better than "garbage" off of the bench? While it is in very limited numbers, Monroe has been "garbage" off of the bench also. Ironically you got upset with me yesterday for pointing on Monroe's poor performance as a PH because it was a small sample size (17 plate appearances), yet you say Murton is "garbage" off the bench based on 50 career plate appearances. 50 at-bats is also a really small sample size. You know that, right?

Monroe can supposedly play Cf. At the very least he can platoon with Jack Jones against lefties. As horrid as Monroe has been this year. I still rather see him against lefties than the frenchman.

DetroitNews.com is hinting at Rapada as the PTBNL in the Monroe deal: "Leyland stopped short of disclosing the traded player, but speculation is centered on Clay Rapada, who is 6-2 with a 3.74 ERA at Triple-A Iowa." http://tinyurl.com/2ccyz9

I would think it would be a lesser prospect. The Tigers DF'd him so we shouldn't required to trade anything of value to them for him. I'm saying some low-level spare part, but who knows what the Cubs have in mind.

I agree, why pick Monroe up? I just don't see the need in it. Murton has done some clutch hitting this year and I'm not sure his numbers necessarily speak for his ability. Monroe's age definitely runs against him. Maybe he'll hit NL pitching better?

Right now I'm wondering (if I can justify the time it will take to find out) just WHO the LHPs were that CRAIG MONROE managed to hit .300 against this year-- and if any of them are still in organized sports. Why? Well, because Monroe isn't a Felix Pie-type hitter with dramatic splits LHPvsRHP. Here, again, are his splits for the last three years combined. vs. Left 422AB .275 .323 .457 .780 vs. Right 1133AB .274 .317 .476 .793 When I see splits like that for a post-season star who just got unceremoniously DFA'd, the first thing that comes to my mind, unlike Hendry's mind, is NOT "this is just the player we need to start winning games against Left handed starting pitching." Nope, what comes to my mind is what was this guy using the last three years that he stopped using this year?

George, Just for clarity, I meant 83-85 mph. Since he throws 96, if he can get that change up there at 85 or less, it will be very effective.

Wes or anyone else who knows: Why is a changeup so much harder to develop than other pitches? Just curious, thanks.

Speaking of Soto and Murton, maybe Murt should dump the HGH burgers and go on a diet like Geo. Soto did. Losing 30 sure worked for him. Both guys are similar in height and body type but Murton is a lumbering hulk. The 11-15 lbs he's put on make him look and play like he's wearing a muscle suit.

Ah, there’s the steroid accusation. Great stuff, cwtp. Don't put words in my mouth, Wes. Look at his performance over the last three years and tell me it fits the profile of a star player who gets dumped in the middle of the season.

Wes, I understand.....I was speaking of grading the change on the 20-80 scouting scale (i.e. 50 solid average, 60 being plus). T-Dubs.......It seems in youth baseball (11-14), they have trouble finding the right grip and throwing with the same arm movement as their 2 and 4 seamers. Locating it then in a place the hitter doesn't cream it into the gaps also takes time.

T-Dubs, I can only speak from personal experience, but I found that the change-up is much harder to locate than other pitches because of the way it rolls off your hand. If you throw a circle change (basically make the A-Ok sign with your hand and put a baseball in it), the ball will tail down and in to a right-handed hitter (throwing righty). If thrown where you want it, it's amazingly effective. Unfortunately, that grip (again, in my experience), makes throwing it where you want it fairly difficult.

After the recent acquistion of Craig Monroe, Cub manager Lou does say that there is one more move left. Looking at the players that have already cleared waivers are: Jose Contreras, Kyle Farnsworth, Jason Lane, Odalis Perez, Josh Towers, Steve Trachsel, Jack Wilson, and others. But what do the Cubs need? You never have enough pitchng, Contreras? Trachsel? Hmmmm.....someone has mentioned Jeff Kent, I don't see that happening.

Nope, what comes to my mind is what was this guy using the last three years that he stopped using this year? Tell me you didn't imply that there, cwtp. Come on. Get real.

Had a nice long post about the change that went to moderation. I'll sum it up. Doug's right because it's hard to locate with a change grip. It's also hard to see a 8-10+ mph drop in velocity with an identical arm action to your fastball. That's what makes it a good change. Rich Hill would have a great 84 mph changeup if he threw 96, but he doesn't. He throws 89, which makes his change not so good.

Why would Monroe stop using something this year? And who the hell ever considered Monroe a star player? cwtp's splits btw are from 2004-2006, they don't include 2007.

aw crud, I hit the wrong button and deleted your post Wes. Damnit! I shall fall on a sword as penance.

I'll decide whether or not I like Monroe after I see him in Cubbie blue. You stat heads will not prejudice me. :-)

I just don't see the downside in picking up Monroe. Pagan might not be strong enough to come back any time soon, and Murton just hasn't been productive enough. Fine, maybe Murton should have played more and, if he had, he might be doing bettter, but the reality is that he's not going to suddenly start raking lefties this year, even if he was to start playing more. That doesn't mean Murton might not warrant a better chance next year - he probably does. But to take a flyer on Monroe in an attempt to get better against lefties makes sense in terms of cost/benefit. Even if it means giving up Rapada - it's not like the Cubs don't have other guys in the system that have good lefty reliever potential for the future.

Tell me you didn’t imply that there, cwtp. Come on. Get real. You're really naive if you think anabolic steroids are the only PED out there. It's been a veritable smorgasbord of stuff to choose from. For example, By far the most abused drug was amphetamines which used to be gobbled up by the bowl in clubhouses. And it's not like Hendry hasn't picked up late season additions who turned out to sooner or later to be users of one PED or another. But getting back to Monroe's stats for the last three years. He also hit 64 HRs over that period. In other words .~.275 ~.786 and 21 HRs per year got him DFA'd. On the other hand, .266 .765 21HRs per year over the prior three years got Jacque Jones a 3 year deal with the Cubs. Hmm, just looking at performance, Monroe gets the edge over JJ. But theTigers said they were letting him go, reluctantly because they "like him" so much, BECAUSE they don't see him capable of improving this year. They have looked at his future and see zippo. So, what are they getting at? Why would he suddenly be incapable of improving his performance?? He's not old. He's always run hot and cold. Is he hurt? Washed up? or Off whatever it was that was giving him an edge? What's really going on with Monroe?

Why such a big ass fuss? The guy is probably going to be a 4th (or 5th) outfielder, or a platoon partner for JJ. Yeah... definitely worth getting upset about.

I assume Monroe was out of options and the Tigers just didn't want him wasting roster space this year while he did figure it out. And also, why would Monroe stop using this year?

Even if it means giving up Rapada - it’s not like the Cubs don’t have other guys in the system that have good lefty reliever potential for the future. Like who? Piggy and ... ... ?? Maybe Veal. Maybe Papelbon, but he is pretty far away right now. Maybe Pawelek, but again, very far from being ready. It isn't like the Cubs have an over-abundance of left handed pitching prospects.

You’re really naive if you think anabolic steroids are the only PED out there. What? Who said that anabolic steroids were the only PED? You do know that the term "steroids," in casual conversations such as this one, typically refer to most/all PEDs, right? Not just "anabolic steroids." And it’s not like Hendry hasn’t picked up late season additions who turned out to sooner or later to be users of one PED or another. And what the hell does that have to do with Craig Monroe? Lets see... CWTP Logic: Proposition A: Hendry picked up Matt Lawton in a late season move, and was later found to have used PEDs. Proposition B: Hendry picked up Craig Monroe in a late season move. Therefore, PED accusations with Craig Monroe are legitimate based on a former trade that Hendry made.

If the Cubs choose the LOOGY route, their pretty cheap on the open market, unless Hendry's handing out the deals. :) Rapada or Ohman, one goes, the other stays. We'll be fine although I do think it's a bit of a hefty price. And personally I'm fine with the Angels bullpen method, power arms that can get both sides of the plate out. Less specialists means less manager tinkering. Next year we already have (barring a trade): Eyre, Howry, Dempster, Marmol in the mix. I'd be surprised if Wood doesn't resign. That leaves 2 spots for Ohman or Rapada or Tiggy and one guy for the bullpen shuffle.

And personally I’m fine with the Angels bullpen method, power arms that can get both sides of the plate out. Less specialists means less manager tinkering. Yea... I agree with this. I don't need a lefty in the bullpen for the sake of having a lefty. But I am not sure that LouPa/Hendry agree - why is why trading Rapada would surprise me. Because the options after Rapada/Ohman don't seem to be there, at least in the Cubs system and for the short term.

I'm the guy who thinks most of baseball is on steroids, cwtp. But make up your damn mind, will ya? First you accuse me of being incorrect about you stating that he did steroids, and then you call me ignorant because I don't see the steroid problem and say that Monroe's on 'em. Which one is it?

"dave — August 24, 2007 @ 8:04 am And what makes you think that Monroe will be better than “garbage” off of the bench? While it is in very limited numbers, Monroe has been “garbage” off of the bench also." Pure and simple that Monroe is a veteran who understands major league pitchers better than Matt Murton. Experience is king when it comes to pinch hitting and Murton doesn't really have any. I'm talking all over baseball experience that can be applied to one individual at-bat. Murton may learn these skills but you watch him at the plate, he looks lost when he comes to pinch hit. If this was a question of a long term answer the guy would be Murton. But late in the game and we need a righthanded ph, I want Monroe.

Great match up tonight in Philly... Jamie Moyer vs. Greg Maddux I think they will just turn the radar guns off and use a stopwatch instead tonight.

$20 bucks to the grounds crew member who puts a rocker out on the pitcher's mound!!!

Maddux ERA's by month 3.86 3.96 3.41 5.57 2.25 Rough July, but still pretty decent. 3.90 for the year. 30.2 VORP would be 4th best on the Cubs. The Cubs Cy Young continues btw, I mentioned ERA yesteday. Here's the current VORP numbers Hill 33.9 Lilly 33.9 Z 33.5 Marquis 19.6 Marshall 14.6

Why such a big ass fuss? Ask the writers. This is at least the second thread they've put up about Monroe who, just one year ago, was the Tiger's Player of the Month.

The Tigers selected LHP Edward Campusano from the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft last December. He had an impressive Spring Training with the Tigers and earned a spot in Detroit's bullpen, before suffering an elbow injury that required TJ surgery, so that he ended up getting placed on the 60-day DL while missing the entire 2007 season. In order for the Tigers to keep Campusano in 2008, he would have to spend the first 90 days of the 2008 season on the Tigers 25-man roster. If he is still rehabbing from TJ surgery and unable to pitch, the Tigers would have to place him on Outright Waivers at the end of ST 2008, and then once he clears waivers, offer him back to the Cubs for half the Rule 5 Draft price and hope that the Cubs decline. Note that the Tigers must decide the PTBNL in the Craig Monroe deal by October 15th. That's an important date, because since he's on the 60-day DL (and is defined as an "injured player"), the Tigers can't place Campusano on Outright Waivers until the regular season is over in October. So perhaps the reason the PTBNL remains up in the air until 10/15 is because the Cubs have agreed to give up their Rule 5 rights to Campusano and will allow the Tigers to keep him if he clears Outright Waivers, but they can't make that transaction until after the 2007 regular season is over, because Campusano is on the 60-day DL. And if Campusano is claimed off Outright Waivers by another MLB club before he can be offered back to the Cubs, then maybe the PTBNL will be Rapada.

I’m the guy who thinks most of baseball is on steroids, cwtp. But make up your damn mind, will ya? First you accuse me of being incorrect about you stating that he did steroids, and then you call me ignorant because I don’t see the steroid problem and say that Monroe’s on ‘em. Which one is it? You keep putting words in my mouth. I never said he did steroids. Who knows?? His numbers have dropped off so dramatically and uncharacteristically that they imply an underlying problem. Ankle again? Back spasms again? Flu? No more greenies?? Something's up. This is the guy who led the 2006 Tigers in Home Runs and hit 5 more in post season play.

Ask the writers. Do you mean the TCR writers? Are you really asking why there are postings on a Cubs acquisition? And sorry Dave, totally missed that one.

Rob G. — August 24, 2007 @ 11:03 am If the Cubs choose the LOOGY route, their pretty cheap on the open market, unless Hendry’s handing out the deals. :) Rapada or Ohman, one goes, the other stays. We’ll be fine although I do think it’s a bit of a hefty price. And personally I’m fine with the Angels bullpen method, power arms that can get both sides of the plate out. Less specialists means less manager tinkering. Next year we already have (barring a trade): Eyre, Howry, Dempster, Marmol in the mix. ======================== ROB G: And Wuertz.

give it up cwtp, Wes didn't put any words in your mouth, you clearly insinuated that Monroe was on some sort of PED's. Nope, what comes to my mind is what was this guy using the last three years that he stopped using this year? You also mentioned it yesterday... But Monroe didn’t turn it around post All-Star game this year. The quesion is why? Is he hurtin’? Finished? Suffering supplement withdrawal??

thank AZ Phil, I did miss Wuertz. I do think that Hendry won't have any $$$ this offseason and his 2-3 best trading chips are going to be: Marshall Dempster Wuertz

But Rob... our starters are really questionable, and the bullpen sucks. Why would ANYONE be interested in Marshal, Dempster, or Wuertz? And no prob on missing the vorp - just giving you a hard time.

ive kinda lost it in all the posts/news, so forgive (or not..hell hold a grudge...hunt me down...whatever...bring it!!!) if its been gone through, but where is monroe assigned and when? majors, AAA, tbd?

All the broadcasts said he'd report to the team today for the Dbacks series. The major news outlets seem to all speculate that Fox would get sent down.

soto article is interesting...its all just a buncha fluff unless you've not heard about his accomplishments and weight loss, but there is some good stuff in there such as hatred of playing 1st that's new to me. “I don’t like it at all. I hate it,” he said of playing first. “It’s a strange position to be in. If you make a mistake, you feel really weird.” spoken like a true defensive catcher. hehe...

Interesting thought from AZ Phil on Campusano as being the PTBNL for Monroe, and it makes sense. What do you think the odds of Campusano being claimed off outright waivers by another team in early October? I would think it would be rather slim, as any claiming team would need to have space for him on the 40-man roster and Oct-Nov is usually when teams will want to use any free spaces to protect players from the Rule 5 draft.

but where is monroe assigned and when? ... majors, AAA, tbd? Monroe will be with the Cubs tonight in AZ. And Fox is going down. From Paul Sullivan (I believe Rob posted this earlier somewhere):
The Cubs designated Triple-A Iowa outfielder Buck Coats for assignment, giving them room on the 40-man roster to add Monroe, who will join the team in Arizona on Friday. Jake Fox is likely to be sent to Iowa on Friday, and probably will be recalled after Sept. 1, when the rosters expand.
Did you really think that they Cubs would make this trade and send him to AAA?

"Did you really think that they Cubs would make this trade and send him to AAA?" this close to sept i have no f'n 100% idea where/when monroe would land. all i know is, come sept, esp. if soriano is back...lou's gonna be in expanded roster player-shuffling heaven. thanks for the info guys.

I don't think anyone knows how much money the Cubs will have to spend this offseason, or even if Hendry will be GM. We all just have to wait and see. For instance if the near impossible happens and Cuban is the owner do you think it is likely he will not spend money? My realistic hope is that we get an owner who does not roll back the payroll, but allows for a nice increase.

Juan Mateo got nailed with a liner off his right wrist last night, Xrays were negative though.

give it up cwtp, Wes didn’t put any words in your mouth, you clearly insinuated that Monroe was on some sort of PED’s. B effing S You give it up. I never claimed he took steroids. And there's something seriously daft about saying I did. Just goofy. I have lots of questions about Monroe because nothing said here or by Hendry has been anything but cherry pickin time or just plain wrong. Like that bullshit about him being a LHP killer. Go look at his 2004 splits!. One thing's for sure, his performance this year and DFA are totally out of character and need an explanation. Last year he had serious leg (so bad in ST they said they might put him on the DL) and ankle problems that had him sitting in pain....or so we're led to bellieve. However, NONE of those problems seemed to hurt his performance. Now, this year's a different story. He's blamed his year on his sore ankle and flu-like symptoms, among other things, My question is not what brand of steroids did he stop using. My question is, what's wrong with him?----insert list of possibilities--- because something sure is. And it's not like you don't have a doctor in the house who's invited to speculate.

My question is, what’s wrong with him?—-insert list of possibilities— because something sure is. That is a fair question... but your original question was "what was this guy using?" which clearly implies that you think he was taking PEDs. Stop pretending we are making things up. Then again... you think it is legitimate to ask about PEDs because Hendry once acquired Matt Lawton, so I guess we should just take it with a grain of salt, eh?

Do you have Alzheimer's cwtp? If so, my deepest apologies, it's a serious problem. But you have 3 or 4 posts all suggesting that Monroe took some sort of PED's. Everyone who thought cwtp was suggesting that Monroe might have been on some sort of sauce, say yay! Yay!

TJ, I don't see how a new owner will be in place by the time FA opens. Heck, the whole Trib deal might fall through by then.

*But hey lets give up on the 25 year-old Murton and replace him with a guy who hits .250 gets on base at a .300 clip and even in his best year can’t even get his OPS over .800. Thats just soooo Cub like to bring on the garbage that is Monroe.* Craig Monroe, welcome to Wrigley Field, where outfielder's careers go to die [welcoming committee includes Howard Johnson, Willie Wilson, Candy Maldonado, Kal Daniels...]

Maybe Monroe is just having a bad season, like Kendall did in Oakland. If Monroe turns it around, I hope he throws out a few more baserunners than Kendall has

*Now, this year’s a different story. He’s blamed his year on his sore ankle and flu-like symptoms, among other things,* Flu-like, eh? Looks like Monroe, Daryl Ward and Mark Prior were all getting the same tainted Jenny Craig meals. They should ask Kerry Wood where he gets his, because he's skinny without symptoms. Wink wink, nudge nudge, etc.

Yay!

Does anyone buy Eric Young's theory (as he offered on "Baseball Tonight") about Zambrano having a dead arm? Normally I would blow off most of the commentators on BT, especially Cardinal homer Young, but perhaps that explains his crappy outings and fewer strikeouts. Another note, I think Rothschild should be given his walking papers after the season. Has anyone seen a postive progression with Zambrano? He really should be doing better overall at this point. He is too talented to be floundering the way he seems to be.

Rob, I agree, that would be a bad scenario as they mostly likely would be in holding pattern. Hopefully they can choose a new owner quickly. I own Tribune stock and I should know, but don't, what is going on with the sale of the Trib. I received many calls, e-mails, and letters to vote, but haven't paid attention.

a strong armed Monroe - who i forsee platooning with Jacque / Cliff in right field makes us more complete come playoff time. Murton & Fontenot are the men left out - assuming derosa plays 2b. This also allows Lou to play a left handed lineup (with Floyd and Fontenot), or a right handed lineup with Monroe and DeRosa. Our bench definitely has some pop....

a strong armed Monroe - who i forsee platooning with Jacque / Cliff in right field makes us more complete come playoff time. Murton & Fontenot are the men left out - assuming derosa plays 2b. This also allows Lou to play a left handed lineup (with Floyd and Fontenot), or a right handed lineup with Monroe and DeRosa. Our bench definitely has some pop....

Rob: regarding Owens, I hate when my fantasy and real rooting interests interfere with one another. While the Cubs have not been knocking the cover off of the ball on this trip, I'd sit him.

yeah, I'm leaning that way plus the Cubs have hit righties for the most part this year.

"Nope, what comes to my mind is what was this guy using the last three years that he stopped using this year?" Yay "The quesion is why? Is he hurtin’? Finished? Suffering supplement withdrawal??" Yay........again

Stay hot, cwtp. You’re in about an 0-11 slump right now, big guy. are you retarded, wes? seriously

the first thing you do when you've discovered you've dug yourself into a hole is to stop digging.

Braves just DFA'd Bob Wickman, apparently because Bobby Cox thought he was a whiny jerk http://tinyurl.com/22bcut "I just want to try something else," said Braves manager Bobby Cox. While Cox was diplomatic, Andruw Jones provided an indication that Wickman sometimes complained about pitching in non-save situations, like the one he entered in Thursday night's extra-inning loss to the Reds. "We need guys who want to pitch," Jones said. "If you don't want to pitch you shouldn't be here."

and Prince Fielder's suspension is decreased from 3 to 2 games, to begin serving tonight vs Giants. Obviously they weren't going to delay this to next week...Buddy boy Selig put it in the fast lane file for his brewer buddies (his alternative play was to wait till 2008) http://tinyurl.com/2c7r5y

and the iPhone has nice radar pictures too (very helpful in this city of late)

Do you have Alzheimer’s cwtp? If so, my deepest apologies, it’s a serious problem. Wow. What brought that on? So why is this side issue so important to you that you have to be an ass about it? It's not like you and I were having a discussion. And because you wrongly infer (with an assist from wes) ---and even misstate--- something from my posts doesn't mean I implied it much less averred it ESPECIALLY when I tell you I did not. Are you saying that in a thread about "scouting" Monroe we can't ask for speculation on the possible reasons for the near total collapse of this ballplayer's career in less than one season? Because that's the message you're sending. just weird

Hmmm...so are we speculating that Monroe fell apart after the Neifi suspension? Cause if it's ADD rx issues he can share with Stevie Eyre.

DC Tom — August 24, 2007 @ 12:48 pm What do you think the odds of Campusano being claimed off outright waivers by another team in early October? I would think it would be rather slim, as any claiming team would need to have space for him on the 40-man roster and Oct-Nov is usually when teams will want to use any free spaces to protect players from the Rule 5 draft. ============================ DC TOM: With Campusano still under Rule 5 restrictions going into next season, it's unlikely coming off TJ surgery that anybody will claim him off Outright Waivers in October, since he might not be ready on Opening Day. That's why it was almost a sure thing that the Cubs were going to get him back at the end of Spring Training 2008, even though the Tigers probably want to keep him if they can.

Uh dude, I've pointed out the statements you made where you suggested that Monroe is on PED's. I don't care that you brought up the topic. But don't act like you didn't - numerous times. You keep saying "I'm not saying that" and yet you keep saying it. So don't get all defensive when people call you on it. Whatever message your trying to get across about Craig Monroe's drop this year isn't getting through. And here's the big hint - it's not us making the mistake. Good day sir!

I'm not going to get to the series preview tonight fellas, the game thread is sketchy too at the moment. This is one of the 3 Cubs series left vs above .500 teams though unless the Cards get back over by the time we play them.

C'mon! I was fully expecting a game thread to me titled "SNAKE WHACKING DAY"

If cwtp wasn't saying Monroe was taking something, we need a cwtp to English dictionary, because my grasp of the language is obviously weak. And Monroe, eh, he is just nothing, so we better give up nothing for him.

If cwtp wasn’t saying Monroe was taking something, we need a cwtp to English dictionary, because my grasp of the language is obviously weak. Well... you are French...

Snake Whacking Day most famous quotes: "I am evil Homer" "Look Marge, A New Whacking Stick; whack, whack, whack." Barney: (whacking invisible snakes) Snakes! Snakes everywhere! Lenny: You gettin' ready for Whacking Day? Barney: What's Whacking Day? Homer: Well Marge, should I whack slow or fast? Marge: Slow, then fast. Miss Springfield: Gentlemen, start your whacking!

Pure and simple that Monroe is a veteran who understands major league pitchers better than Matt Murton. That's a classic. Rob G, can we put that in the TCR HoF? Therefore Neifi Perez would be a better pinch hitter than David Wright. I mean, he has more PA's right?

re #112 I stand by it. I didn't compare Neifi to David Wright you pinhead. I compared Murton to Monroe. Stick to the example.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • crunch (view)

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  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...