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Analysis, News & Rumors
Archives
August 2006 Headlines
Would Girardi Fit with Cubs? - 8/29/06 7:14pm
Plenty of Cash and a New Look for 07 - 8/24/06 10:41pm
Zambrano and Cy Young - 8/15/06 8:01pm
Outfield Concerns and Questions that Need Answers - 8/8/06 10:30pm
8/29/06 7:14pm - Would Girardi Fit with Cubs?
With the tension between Marlin's manager, Joe Girardi, and Florida's front office, chances are good he will be available when the season is over. The question is, will he be a good fit for the Cubs?
Most experts agree, Dusty Baker is in his last year as Cubs manager. They will likely look to a new direction for 2007. If Girardi is available, would the Cubs jump at the chance? Girardi is a leading candidate for the Manager of the Year award because of his excellent leadership of the Marlins, who were expected to drop at least 100 games this season.
Girardi is loved and respected by his players because of his 'hands on' approach. In 2001, Girardi received the most votes in a poll asking what active player would be most likely to be a future manager. The poll's audience was other MLB players, managers, and front office executives. The difference between Girardi and other first year managers is that his team was essentially a bunch of rookies. Girardi has not only had to guide these players on the field, but has also had to help mold them off the field.
Managing the Cubs could be quite different. Could Girardi thrive as the Cubs manager? Would players like Prior, Lee, and Ramirez like his approach? Since the look of the 2007 Cubs could be very different than the current team, it may be the best time to bring in a manager like Girardi. He would definitely bring a different approach than Dusty Baker has.
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8/24/06 10:41pm - Plenty of Cash and a New Look for 07
Looking at the Cubs right now, its easy to say there will be plenty of cash for the 2007 free-agent market.
Between under performing players, injury prone stars, and the fact that the rookies are seeing quite a bit of playing time means things will look quite different next year, or will they?
For 2007, the Cubs are committed to Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Michael Barrett, Jacque Jones, Cesar Izturis, Scott Eyre, Ryan Dempster, Bob Howry, and Glendon Rusch. The total salary for these players will be only $55 million. Of these players, you can be sure the Cubs will bid Rusch a fond farewell. Aside of any trades, we will see Lee at first, Ramirez at third, Barrett behind the plate, Izturis at short stop, and Jones in right. Eyre, Howry, and Dempster will anchor the bullpen. This leaves openings at center field, left field, second base, and a bevy of starting pitching spots.
The Cubs will be sure to keep players like Zambrano and Prior, but will probably say goodbye to Wood. Players like Cedeno and Murton will be given every chance to shine through the remainder of the season. Their performance will determine what Jim Hendry does in the off-season. At this point, he is sure to bring in some starters. He would also be smart to keep Juan Pierre.
Now is the time for our rookie pitchers to step up and prove they deserve spot(s) in the 07 starting rotation. Currently, we are only sure about Carlos Zambrano for next year.
As the season rolls on, its becoming more and more clear that the team has to move on without Dusty Baker next season. Could they be setting the table for the return of Joe Giardi? Giardi, a candidate for Manager of the Year may not last the season with Florida due to some rifts with Marlins' management.
With a new management, rookie development, and the free-agent market, Cubs fans can look forward to a much different 2007. Whether or not the team wins and stays healthy is another story.
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8/15/06 8:01pm - Zambrano and Cy Young
Though Carlos Zambrano is a front-runner for the 2006 NL Cy Young award, he'd probably be more interested in talking about
his hitting or the possibility of playing in the outfield during his off-days.
Carlos has posted an impressive 13-5 record with a 3.38 ERA. Not only
does he lead the NL in strikeouts (167), he's tied for second with a .722 win percentage, tied for 2nd
with 13 wins, and 6th with a 3.27 ERA. These are impressive stats from a guy who was 0-2 with a 5.35 ERA in the month
of April. One of the most impressive stats is that he has only allowed 126 hits through this week, for a 6.64 hits per nine
innings average.
It will be tough for Zambrano to sway the voters in his favor for two reasons. 1) He plays for the Cubs and 2) he has walked
96 batters so far. Playing for the Cubs, who are essentially out of the playoffs, will shed little light on Zambrano's games in
late August and September. On the other hand, if Brandon Webb or Brad Penny continue to pitch well and their teams
are in playoff contention, they will have more visibility.
With the losses of Prior and Wood this year, its good to see Zambrano continue to step up to be the true leader of the
starting rotation. Now if only the Cubs had a team of Zambrano's who played with as much emotion as he does.
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8/8/06 10:30pm - Outfield Concerns and Questions that Need Answers
Jacque Jones, Juan Pierre, and Matt Murton. Does this sound like a solid outfield that we want to take into 2007? Right now,
the answer is: Yes.
Jones is signed for the next few years and the Cubs seem like they want to keep Juan Pierre around. Wouldn't they want to go
for a power hitting left fielder? Right now, they may be willing to see a battle between Matt Murton and Felix Pie.
Pie is currently hitting .274 in triple-A Iowa. Meanwhile, Matt Murton has raised his batting average to .295 after hitting .360 in July and
.533 in August. The only problem with Murton is that he only has 6 homers and 39 RBI's.
Jacque Jones is hitting a decent .285 with 17 homers and 53 RBI's. After a disaster of a start for Juan Pierre, he hit .345 in July and has
raised his average to .276. He is currently third in the league with 39 stolen bases.
Can the team move forward with a Pierre, Jones, and Murton combination in 2007? The Cubs will likely bring up Felix Pie, who will likely
split some time in left field with Matt Murton. Pierre will probably be demanding a higher salary in 2007, but by not offering Pierre in any
trades, the Cubs seem interested in keeping him.
What will the Cubs try to fix next year? The team is interested in solidifying second base, left field, and the starting rotation. Each of these
positions will have a long period of review for the remainder of the season. Will Ronny Cedeno survive at second? Will Murton keep his
hot hitting? Will the Cubs bring up Felix Pie to battle Murton? Will Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, or any of the other rookies prove they should
stay in the rotation? These questions have to be answered by the end of the season.
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