Ramirez to the DL, Nomar to the Hot Corner

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 8:13am
Aramis Ramirez has been placed on the DL, and Ronny Cedeno has been recalled to take his spot on the roster. Of course, with the Cubs a mere 7 1/2 games out of the wildcard with five whole weeks of the season left, we can't expect Cedeno to actually play! This also explains why a third baseman (like, I don't know, Mike Fontenot, who's sporting a .374 OBP in Iowa) wasn't called up to replace A-Ram; we're going to need the veteran presence of Neifi Perez and Jose Macias at third in order to jump past Philadelphia, Florida, Houston, New York, Washington, and Milwaukee and make the post-season. Ramirez will be replaced, at least for today, by Nomar Garciaparra, making his first-ever appearance at third base. Iiiinteresting. Is it a one-off thing, or is it a way for Nomar to make himself a little more desireable on the free-agent market? Once the game starts, he will become the 103rd player to man third base for the Cubs since the Ron Santo trade.
  • Post to Twitter

Comments

Submitted by michaelweaselo  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 8:40am  
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain...

Submitted by Adam  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 8:52am  
Hey...if we didn't have Neifi or Macias, the Cubs would have a record of 0-125. You gotta reward their hard work in keeping us in the race, and still a few games ahead of the Pirates. They don't get paid as much as they do to sit on the bench, they've earned their shot. Furthermore, it's essential that we know what Macias and Neifi can do as starters next year...If Macias can transition to short, and Nefi to 2nd...then we have a playoff nucleus infield with a lot of dough to spend on an entire new outfield, a starting pitcher and a couple relievers. "Macias, to Perez, to Lee Double Play." Got a nice ring to it. And the young kids will get a chance to watch and learn from the grinders...Neifi and Macias have a lot to teach the kids.

Submitted by Sachmet  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 8:53am  
The sad thing is that we're 7.5 back in the wild card at the same time we're 5 under .500. With 35 games to go, the Cubs would have to go 20-15 to just hit .500 on the season (a .571 tear), and 28-7 (.800) to get back to 89 wins. I doubt the wild card victor will have less than 90 wins, but I've been wrong before. I don't see this happening realistically.

Submitted by Tom  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 8:55am  
I couldn't agree more with your comment. Macias should be nowhere near third base. I actually thought Ramieriz being hurt was going to be beneficial to Cedeno in that Dusty could play his beloved Perez at third and Cedeno could play SS. However, I was afraid of his beloved Macias playing third which is what I think will happen. The Cubs should be spending every game getting ready for next year: Wood to have his surgery, Hill and maybe even Mitre in the rotation, Murton in the OF, Van Buren in the bullpen, Hairston playing every day. These are absolute minimums.

Submitted by Sachmet  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 8:56am  
Adam: 0-125? No player can swing 61 victories, no matter how good they are. I will give you that they've helped more than they've hurt to this point, but you can't put any success to this point on them. I do agree that the kids should play at this point, though - let's start shoring up what we have.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:01am  
If you must start Nomar, why not second base? And let Neifie play third. If Cubs are just putting him at third to limit him from getting more hurt(if possible), just DL is his ass and wipe your hands of him.

Submitted by MikeC  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:04am  
Your post makes no sense Jacos.

Submitted by big john stud  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:06am  
The Cubs make no sense. It's just a fuckin' joke that they still think they have any shot whatsoever.

Submitted by Christian  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:07am  
Nomar will be starting at third today. Interesting.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:13am  
I'll try to be clearer. Putting Nomar at a position(3rd)that will do the Cubs no good for the future(2006)makes no sense. Start him second(remainder of season), see if he can peform there and evaluate him to see if you want him for second base next year. If he's at third, because he does not have to move alot because he would get hurt at another position(ss or 2b) put him on the DL. Then you start Neifi every day at 3rd, Cedeno at ss, and walker/fotenot at second. Lets look to 2006.

Submitted by vorare  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:18am  
Interesting: Hairston Lawton Lee Barrett Garciaparra Burnitz Perez Cedeno Rusch

Submitted by Christian  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:32am  
I see where you're going, Jacos, but I don't agree. If you're going to move Nomar off of short and have him play a brand-new position, third is much smarter than second. As a short-term fix, I don't mind it. In fact, it's creative thinking. Long-term, (ie the rest of the season) it might actually work. Nomar plays third, Cedeno plays short, and Fontenot splits time at second with Walker. That makes more defensive sense.

Submitted by Adam  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:39am  
"Adam: 0-125? No player can swing 61 victories, no matter how good they are. I will give you that they've helped more than they've hurt to this point, but you can't put any success to this point on them." Sachmet...could you really not tell that my whole post reaked of sarcasm? come on now. We could probably through our A minor league team out there and still come up with a win or two here or there.

Submitted by J-Rod  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:39am  
Adam... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE NEVER give compliments to Neffi and Jose. They are both illusions. Neffi is off and on, and has had one big hit all year (the GS in St. Louis). Jose only gets hits with no one on base. He is a defensive liability and should not even be in the MLB. Your statement is rediculous! If those two start next year I will stop being a Cubs fan and Jim Hendry should be fired. You are insane.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:40am  
I think that Jacos' point is that Nomar will not replace Ramirez at 3rd next year, so playing him there this year is pointless. At 2nd, he might play next year...

Submitted by chifan3887  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:41am  
I guess this answers the question of is Nomar going to back next year and the answer is no. Playing 3rd helps his value as FA and let the Cubs try out Cedeno at SS to see if they need to go after Furcal. No Nomar also means no Walker for next year as from what i have read suggest the Cubs hate his defense and the only reason they signed him was to get Nomar. Finally there doing what they should have done at the trade deadline give up on the season and see which kids can help next year.

Submitted by jacos  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:42am  
Dusty Baylor- I owe you a dollar for being my interperter.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:42am  
that's cute Christian.... Nomar plays third, Cedeno plays short, and Fontenot splits time at second with Walker In reality, it's more like Nomar at third, Neifi at SS and Walker at second versus righties and Cedeno at SS, Neifi at 2b against lefties. Dusty Baker is still our manager and Neifi is his love-child this season.

Submitted by Adam  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:42am  
Perez 2nd, Hairy Center, Cedeno 3rd?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:43am  
No Nomar also means no Walker for next year as from what i have read suggest the Cubs hate his defense and the only reason they signed him was to get Nomar You got a link? Where did you read that?

Submitted by Adam  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:48am  
Will people read my post again with this in mind. I'M KIDDING!!!! Clue #1: The Cubs would be 0-125 without Neifi & Macias. Clue #2: Reward them for keeping us a few games ahead of the Pirates. Clue #3: It's essential to know what Macias and Neifi can do as STARTERS next year. Clue #4: "then we have a playoff nucleus infield" with Neifi and Macias. Clue #5: "Macias, to Perez, to Lee Double Play." Got a nice ring to it" Clue #6: "Neifi and Macias have a lot to teach the kids."

Submitted by vorare  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:49am  
Nomar is playing third. Hairston is playing center field. Kerry Wood is in the bullpen, Glendon Rusch is in the rotation, Dempster is our closer. What a season.

Submitted by RichK  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 9:55am  
I really expected to see: 3b Macias ss Neifi! 1B Lee rf Burnitz 2b Nomah lf Holly cf Patterson c Blanco P Rusch Rusch goes 3 innings, throws 68 pitches and quits after our batters see 17. He doesn't even bother sitting down.

Submitted by big lowitzki  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 10:59am  
We may see that three inning, 68 pitch outing from Rusch!

Submitted by Bleeding Blue  on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 8:33pm  
Adam, You idiot, surely you can't be serious saying DLee is our first baseman of the future. Macias to Neifi to HOLLANDSWORTH... now that's a double play. ---