Hoffpauir, The Sequel

Paul Sullivan writes in the Tribune that the Cubs will recall Micah Hoffpauir from Iowa as the team begins its interleague schedule with three games at SkyDome this weekend. Lou Piniella's plan is to let Hoffpauir play first base and left field, which will alternately allow Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano to "rest" as they see DH duty.

Daryle Ward, still on the DL, took batting practice Tuesday and according to Sullivan "will report to the Cubs' complex in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday to get
some at-bats before going on a minor-league rehab stint at Iowa."

Tags: 
Micah Hoffpauir
Derrek Lee
Daryle Ward
Cubs Interleague Play
Alfonso Soriano
Submitted by Cubnut on Tue, 06/10/2008 - 11:22pm
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Comments

Submitted by billybucks
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 8:45am

EPat is tearing it up at Iowa -- .333BA, 10-for-10 in SB.

Pie continues to flail -- .178 in 101 AB.

Gotta believe they will try EPat in the OF at some point, but with Pie, Fuld and Colvin playing CF at AAA and AA, where can he get the chance? Moving Pie out of CF would further crush his confidence, and Colvin (although very disappointing this year) is a #1 pick who needs to play.

Maybe winter ball and spring training?

Submitted by Sonicwind75
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 9:15am

Maybe the Cubs could try to trade a prospect when their value is high instead of after they have proven they can't hit in the majors. I hope Epat keeps playing great all the way to the trading deadline.

Submitted by joshb
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 10:49am

why? so we can then have long posts with everyone bitching about how we let another stud get away from us?

I for one would rather try and develop the talent and see what we get. I know sometimes you gotta make a trade, but there are times when you are better for trades you don't make.

you wouldn't be asking this if Pie had worked out.

Submitted by Sonicwind75
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 11:11am

What studs has the current Cubs management traded away? Hee Seop Choi for Derrek Lee turned out pretty well. Bobby Hill hasn't come back to bite us.

Submitted by joshb
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 11:38am

ya you are right. there have been some that worked great. some that didn't though. i shoulda let it be though. no reason to dig up old arguments.

its a gamble either way. I just hate it when old cub farm hands end up gold on other teams. via trade, free agency, whatever. I think my memory is being one sided though. I am forgetting some of our recent successes with Marmol, Soto, Hill, Marshall. Though a couple those names are having problems. I just remember the Willis's, Wellemeyer's (ya he sure looked like a dud with us) and others. Of course, I am also forgetting that sometimes it takes these players a change of scenery in order to turn a corner.

I definitely want to see this team make a trade though. I would like to see a reliable starter added. I for one am happy with our offense as is. And of course a trade to get said reliable starter will obviously cost us.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 12:37pm

I don't blame the Cubs at all for getting rid of Wellemeyer, Florida and Kansas City also gave up on him. I'm still not convinced he will perform as well all season as he had in his start.

There is always waaay too much griping that goes on about losing 'prospects' that never turn out to be much.

Andy Sisco had one decent ERA with the Royals and everyone thought he was going to be great, didn't turn out.

Dontrelle is the only player that the Cubs traded in the low minors who really turned out to be a major league stud, and his run seems to have only lasted about 4 seasons. If we had kept him chances are it would be us not the Tigers fan griping about the $30 million dollars we are paying him.

The Cubs orginization outside of the recent examples (Marmol, Soto) has been really bad at actually getting promosing prospects to perform at the actual major league level, I will shed no tears over lost prospects or 'could have beens'.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:13pm

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080610&c...

Elbow inflamation after last start

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 12:42pm

Presenting the June 11, 2008 Cubs

Soto Farm
Ramirez Trade
Theriot Farm
DeRosa FA
Lee Trade
Soriano FA
Johnson/Edmonds FA/FA
Fukudome FA

Blanco FA
Cedeno Farm
Fontenot Farm
Hoffpauir Farm

Pitching Staff

Cotts FA
Dempster FA
Eyre FA
Gallagher Farm
Hart Farm
Howry FA
Lieber FA
Lilly FA
Marmol Farm
Wood Farm
Wuertz Farm
Zambrano Farm

Totals:
Farm 11
Free Agent 12
Trade 2*

*yep, only two have stuck.

Submitted by nohit
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 12:56pm

It would be interesting to see that breakdown for other clubs as well. I wonder how typical the Cubs are.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 12:57pm

This would obviously take a long time to complete, but it would be interesting to see how this breakdown compares to the other teams in the league with an analysis on what mix of Farm/FA/Trades generally leads to a higher WP.

This will likely remain an interesting hypothetical though, because that would a TON of work.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:07pm

Fontenot should not be farm, but Trade since he came over for Sosa. Hart should also be Trade and not farm since he came over as the PTBN for Freddie Bynum. Cotts was not a Free Agent, but came to the Cubs via a Trade for David Aardsma and Carlos Vasquez.

That makes the breakdown 9-11-5, 1/5 of the roster aquired via trade.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:16pm

Cotts was an error

But by Farm, I mean the player was developed in our farm system, not that he was drafted by the Cubs. e.g. Matt Murton is Farm.

Unfortunately, for some reason the edit feature has been taken from us, so I can't fix the Cotts error.

But the edited breakdown (by my reckoning) is 11:11:3

Submitted by Stevens
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:20pm

I mean the player was developed in our farm system, not that he was drafted by the Cubs. e.g. Matt Murton is Farm.

I don't buy this. What does "developed" mean? Is Ryan Dempster "Farm"? He rehabbed in our system. I think Wiscgrad's breakdown makes more sense.

And Matt Murton was tough for Theo to give up, by the accounts I read. He's the last part of that trade the Cubs can hope to get any productivity from. Clearly a "trade".

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:40pm

Now, for some damn reason, you're being disingenuous. I don't believe you don't know the difference between rehabbed and developed.

It's my list, my rules. For simplicity (and sanity's sake), players developed in our minor league system are Farm. And by developed I don't mean MLB players who have regressed to the minors or are assigned there for rehab.

But there always will be grey areas. e.g, if the Cubs lose their minds, obtain the contract of Dontrelle Willis, assign him to his present level (A+ Florida State League), and after a year or two in our system he reemerges as a major league arm, he would defy categorization.

Submitted by Sonicwind75
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:54pm

By that same arguement, the Cubs didn't trade Dontrelle away but the Marlins developed him.

Submitted by Stevens
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:57pm

It's my list, my rules.

Er, okay. I'll take my ball and go home then.

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:21pm

The Edit feature is only available for a certain number of minutes I believe.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:24pm

I guess it depends on how you define "developed." Fontenot played 2002-2004 in the Orioles system, advancing from A, to AA, to AAA. He was then acquired over the winter made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2005. He spent part of 2005, all of 2006 and parts of last season in AAA Iowa. By my reckoning his development was accomplished in his first 3 years in the minors to the point that the Cubs were willing to give him time on the major league roster the year they acquired him.

Similarly Kevin Hart spent 2004-2006 in the Orioles system and spent only part of 2007 in the minors with the Cubs before being called up to the big league team. Again, we can agree to disagree on "development" but by my reckoning I would not consider either of these two players to be complete flyers that the Cubs traded for earlier in their careers and developed into big league talent. I would instead consider them major-league-ready, or near-ready talent that the Cubs acquired via trade.

Submitted by Stevens
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:17pm

Also, Lieber used to be a trade. : )

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 9:51am

"The Daily News in New York reported Tuesday that Viagra has become a popular pick-me-up for athletes looking for an edge on the field and perhaps some frisky behavior off of it."

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8228928

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 10:01am

Oh how I miss the Palmeiro commercials...

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 10:31am

Palemeiro -

"When your testicles shrink to the size of California raisins, you are going to need a little help..."

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 10:02am

Hey, DHing our regulars and putting Hoffpauir in the field. I like that. Good idea, Lou. I hadn't thought of that.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 10:03am

Orioles signed LHP Randy Keisler to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Keisler had been pitching for the Cubs at Triple-A Iowa, posting a 3.14 ERA and 65/26 K/BB in 66 innings before being let go. (Rotoworld)

Submitted by Ross_Barnes
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 10:37am

Speaking of Iowa, it looks like Randy Wells has made a lot of progress over the past year and is a viable option for the rotation if someone breaks down or Marquis implodes. In his 7 starts at Iowa he as put up a line of 38 IP, 26 H, 5 ER, 10 BB, and 33 SO, with an ERA of 1.18. I'd have to imagine that if Hill doesn't put things together soon, and if Marshall doesn't get healthy, Wells becomes option #1.

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 10:42am

Does anyone know if the Cubs have actually mentioned Wells as a possibility? Or if he has the stuff to compete in the bigs?

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 10:41am

Couple of interesting notes from Ken Rosenthal this morning.

The Cubs not only will pursue the best available starting pitcher — C.C. Sabathia? — but they also have shown interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, a left-hander who would help reduce the late-inning load on righties Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood. Fuentes, a free agent at the end of the season, could fill a variety of roles — matchup specialist, setup man, closer — making him appealing to virtually every contender..

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8233548/Win-now...

(under the Around the Horn section)

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 11:44am

Trib believes Wrigley in top shape

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/998541,wrig0610...

According to source Trib on book conveys-
"If we didn’t put a penny into the stadium, it would be fine for 20 years.”

Those must be some strong nets holding that concrete.

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 12:16pm

Those must be some strong nets holding that concrete.
==========
...and strong troughs

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:00pm

The new SORIANO?!

Dusty Baker used him as his leadoff hitter yesterday.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:16pm

Jair Jurrjens will miss Wednesday's scheduled start after twisting his ankle walking down the dugout stairs on Tuesday night.

Jurrjens' ankle didn't improve overnight, and now the Braves are hoping that he doesn't become the fourth member of their starting rotation to head to the disabled list. Jeff Bennett will start the game in Jurrjen's place on Wednesday night.

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:21pm

I'd really feel sorry for these guys if we weren't playing them right now.

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:24pm

Oh we can go ahead and feel sorry for them anyway. We will just root for them to lose at the same time.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:27pm

Luckly he wasn't hurt pinch hitting.

:-)

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 1:29pm

Wow yeah this is like the 85 Cubs all over again, luckily it happens while they are playing us :) but I guess we shouldn't get too overconfident but I'd rather face Bennet than Jurrjens. I do remember Bennet won a big game against the Brewers last year in September that helped us out alot.

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 2:11pm

Voodoo doll attacks again...now it's attacking beyond the ex-cub factor.

I'm going to have to use a spreadsheet to track this.

It's like a buzzsaw chewing through the teams who are about to face the Cubs.

Dodgers (Furcal, AJones, Garciaparra, 3/44)
Padres (S. Estes, G Rusch, CYoung, JPeavey, #22)
Rockies (Tulowitzki, Haupe, Barmes)
Braves (C. Jones, Glavine, Jurrjens, Smoltz, Kotsay)

In the division...
Reds (J. Hairston, JR, Keppinger, A. Gonzales, R. Freel)
Brewers (Gallardo, Weeks, Gagne, Cappuano, Riske)
Cardinals (Pujols, Wainwright, Isringhausen, Wellemeyer, Carpenter, Muldur, Clement)

and we play Tampa next week and I'm hearing Carl Crawford has a hamstring problem and is facing a 4 day suspension too (not sure when that happens). Carlos Pena and Troy Percival are also on their DL

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/injuries.aspx?spo...

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 2:31pm

Didn't MLB announce the date each guy would take his suspension? I don't remember what they are but I think the dates are out there and known somewhere.

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 06/11/2008 - 2:36pm

yes, sorry...the Crawford suspension got reduced to 2 games and won't impact the cub series. He's dealing with a sore hamstring but the suspension will probably be to his benefit regarding the leg.

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