 |
View Old Forum Thread
ZachMan1144511
Thirty four games into the season the Chicago Cubs of the American League decided to can their manager after getting the team off to an 11-23 start. This is on pace for the top pick in the upcoming amatuer draft.Ownership said the fan base was dwindling and and revenue was going down as well as team morale. So insert new manager Zach Green a firey man with knack for turning teams around. With him comes his offensive system known for manufacturing runs quickly. Previous teams he has managed have averaged a .305 batting average. Green was quoted saying this "I'm excited about this new opportunity we got some pieces in place that I like and maybe we can turn our year around and compete." Okay so lets have a look see at these peices.
The previous manager was not managing the order right at all. He was trying to convert players from their natural positions into completely different situations. This is why Chicago ranks last in batting average, on base percentage, stolen bases, RBI's, doubles, hits, runs, and at bats. The pitching staff is mediocre at best too they lead the league in Blown Saves and have an awful ERA and WHIP. So heres breakdowns of each position:
Starting Pitchers:
The top of the rotation is actually pretty solid. But what kills this rotation is the number 4 and 5 pitchers who have ERA's of 8.10 and 5.53 respectively. Tony Klaus could be an ace in the making but he has an awful record due to the anemic offense and awful bullpen. Luke Sarmiento is a good pitcher who is pretty balanced. Ed Hannifin has been a little bit of a surprise they knew he had a powerfull arm but he as surprised with little bit better control people have expected. Fagan and Thompson will need to be more consistent or next year they may be on a new team when the Cubs decide to bring up Lee Reese. Overall this rotation has potential to be alright but they need the Bullpen to stop giving up leads or letting games get to far out of hand. Grade: C+
Bullpen:
The Bullpen for the Cubs has simply been awful. They have a decent Long Reliever in Earl Rose but everything else has been just downright bad. The fact is the Farm System doesn't have much depth either in terms of relief pitching. Ideally Manager Green would like to keep 20 year old Rudy Lazzeri in the Minors but with no one to take the Closer role they have moved him to that role. The entire Bullpen is bvey young and probably should be in the Minors.He already leads the team in saves anyway. This Bullpen needs help and the Manager is ready to trade to get help. Grade: D-
Catcher:
The two catchers on the roster are Ken Kelly and Tike Jay players who still have multiple option years between them. Both are yound and exhibit pretty good power. But both are slow. Kelly is the better contact hitter and is the better overall defender even though Jay has the better arm. Ideally both would be in the minors developing but with no veteren catchers worth taking on the Waiver Wire they are the only two options. This postion is average at the best thought but in two years watch out Kelly could become a real force. Grade: B-
First Base:
Also a relatively young postition on a relatively young team is first base. The two players on the roster are Barney McDaniel and John Kuiper. This again is a battle of two very similar players. Kuiper is younger and still has some option years so if they can find a veteren they will send him to the minors to develop. They are both average defenders and average hitters too. Kuiper could turn into something with some development. Grade: C
Second Base:
This is the second biggest strength on the team after the outfield. Although Bartley is hurt he is an amazing player eventhough his early number don't show that. Oglesby is an excellent hitting backup and will probably serve as the teams top pinch hitter after Bartley gets back. No option years on either of these two but there is a good hitting prospect at second base by the name of Willie Gornicki who could come in next or two years from now. This is a strength but based on recent production its not. Grade: B+
Shortstop:
Another solid positon of the Cubs albeit the most elderly one too with Matt May one of the oldest players in the league and starter Geoff Coscarart being 33 as well. But these two are great mentors along with being solid hitters. As the old saying goes Age comes with Wisdom and these two have it. The knock on this postition is the age and the fact that one of them will probably retire and if both do there is going to be a problem for a few years. But both are solid leaders and solid players. Grade: B
Third Base:
At the hot corner the Cubs have Frank Holdsworth a power hitter and Johnny Martina whose more of a contact hitter. Both of them are under 30 years of age but neither has any more option years left. This is not the greatest position but its not the worst and both have their qualities. Grade: B-
Outfield:
Now this is the strength of the Cubs and once these guys get their bats warmed up the offense will take off. Under previous coaching none of the present starters started which led to the awful percentages. The starters at LF is Michael Naragon, at CF we have Julio Ennis, and at RF we have Eddie Olson. Each brings something to the table they all have speed with exemplerary power. They have some big swing backups in Al Stellberger and Walter Thomas. But watch out in a couple years thier are two good corner outfield prospects by the names of Brook Johnson and Harry Quelich. Another prospect by the name is a little farther back in the development stage but he is a good contact hitter but not much of a power guy. This a deep and good outfield that may have to carry the Cubs. Grade: A-
So will Green jumpstart the Cubs offense and is he going to upgrade the bullpen. And is anyone safe because he has said he will listen to any trade offers and consider them.
Hope in Chicago
April 03, 2009 at 11:09PM View BBCode
The Chicago GazetteThirty four games into the season the Chicago Cubs of the American League decided to can their manager after getting the team off to an 11-23 start. This is on pace for the top pick in the upcoming amatuer draft.Ownership said the fan base was dwindling and and revenue was going down as well as team morale. So insert new manager Zach Green a firey man with knack for turning teams around. With him comes his offensive system known for manufacturing runs quickly. Previous teams he has managed have averaged a .305 batting average. Green was quoted saying this "I'm excited about this new opportunity we got some pieces in place that I like and maybe we can turn our year around and compete." Okay so lets have a look see at these peices.
The previous manager was not managing the order right at all. He was trying to convert players from their natural positions into completely different situations. This is why Chicago ranks last in batting average, on base percentage, stolen bases, RBI's, doubles, hits, runs, and at bats. The pitching staff is mediocre at best too they lead the league in Blown Saves and have an awful ERA and WHIP. So heres breakdowns of each position:
Starting Pitchers:
The top of the rotation is actually pretty solid. But what kills this rotation is the number 4 and 5 pitchers who have ERA's of 8.10 and 5.53 respectively. Tony Klaus could be an ace in the making but he has an awful record due to the anemic offense and awful bullpen. Luke Sarmiento is a good pitcher who is pretty balanced. Ed Hannifin has been a little bit of a surprise they knew he had a powerfull arm but he as surprised with little bit better control people have expected. Fagan and Thompson will need to be more consistent or next year they may be on a new team when the Cubs decide to bring up Lee Reese. Overall this rotation has potential to be alright but they need the Bullpen to stop giving up leads or letting games get to far out of hand. Grade: C+
Bullpen:
The Bullpen for the Cubs has simply been awful. They have a decent Long Reliever in Earl Rose but everything else has been just downright bad. The fact is the Farm System doesn't have much depth either in terms of relief pitching. Ideally Manager Green would like to keep 20 year old Rudy Lazzeri in the Minors but with no one to take the Closer role they have moved him to that role. The entire Bullpen is bvey young and probably should be in the Minors.He already leads the team in saves anyway. This Bullpen needs help and the Manager is ready to trade to get help. Grade: D-
Catcher:
The two catchers on the roster are Ken Kelly and Tike Jay players who still have multiple option years between them. Both are yound and exhibit pretty good power. But both are slow. Kelly is the better contact hitter and is the better overall defender even though Jay has the better arm. Ideally both would be in the minors developing but with no veteren catchers worth taking on the Waiver Wire they are the only two options. This postion is average at the best thought but in two years watch out Kelly could become a real force. Grade: B-
First Base:
Also a relatively young postition on a relatively young team is first base. The two players on the roster are Barney McDaniel and John Kuiper. This again is a battle of two very similar players. Kuiper is younger and still has some option years so if they can find a veteren they will send him to the minors to develop. They are both average defenders and average hitters too. Kuiper could turn into something with some development. Grade: C
Second Base:
This is the second biggest strength on the team after the outfield. Although Bartley is hurt he is an amazing player eventhough his early number don't show that. Oglesby is an excellent hitting backup and will probably serve as the teams top pinch hitter after Bartley gets back. No option years on either of these two but there is a good hitting prospect at second base by the name of Willie Gornicki who could come in next or two years from now. This is a strength but based on recent production its not. Grade: B+
Shortstop:
Another solid positon of the Cubs albeit the most elderly one too with Matt May one of the oldest players in the league and starter Geoff Coscarart being 33 as well. But these two are great mentors along with being solid hitters. As the old saying goes Age comes with Wisdom and these two have it. The knock on this postition is the age and the fact that one of them will probably retire and if both do there is going to be a problem for a few years. But both are solid leaders and solid players. Grade: B
Third Base:
At the hot corner the Cubs have Frank Holdsworth a power hitter and Johnny Martina whose more of a contact hitter. Both of them are under 30 years of age but neither has any more option years left. This is not the greatest position but its not the worst and both have their qualities. Grade: B-
Outfield:
Now this is the strength of the Cubs and once these guys get their bats warmed up the offense will take off. Under previous coaching none of the present starters started which led to the awful percentages. The starters at LF is Michael Naragon, at CF we have Julio Ennis, and at RF we have Eddie Olson. Each brings something to the table they all have speed with exemplerary power. They have some big swing backups in Al Stellberger and Walter Thomas. But watch out in a couple years thier are two good corner outfield prospects by the names of Brook Johnson and Harry Quelich. Another prospect by the name is a little farther back in the development stage but he is a good contact hitter but not much of a power guy. This a deep and good outfield that may have to carry the Cubs. Grade: A-
So will Green jumpstart the Cubs offense and is he going to upgrade the bullpen. And is anyone safe because he has said he will listen to any trade offers and consider them.
Pages: 1