Cubs fans may have an excellent reason to watch games until the end of the season. Rich Hill.
Last night Hill had his best start, a dominating 7 1/3 innings with 11 Ks and only 4 hits allowed. His last 4 starts have given Cubs fans a glimpse of what Hill can do.
The numbers for his last 4 starts:
28 1/3 IP, 18 hits, 5 ER, 25 K, 6 BB.
Earlier this year Baker was quoted as saying something to the extent of there being no good reason to bring Hill back up. Earlier I have referred to him as "The Great Rich Hill", because of Hendry's steadfast refusal to include him in any deals.
Hill is a rare find--a big lefty that can strike guys out. Maybe, just maybe, the Cubs have a #2 or #3 pitcher for next year. Yes it's September, but you can't help but be impressed by Hill. And next year he goes into the season knowing he can be successful in the bigs. And that is huge.
Closer, of course, is a totally different story. But for now, rejoice!
Showing posts with label Dusty Baker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dusty Baker. Show all posts
9/07/2006
8/30/2006
DUSTY'S FUZZY MATH
Phil Rogers heaps another shovel of coal on top of Dusty Baker today, clearly refuting Baker's claim that a healthy DLee would "make up 10, 12, 15 games by himself."
Rogers calls upon the services of Rob Neyer and Will Carroll to shoot down Baker's theory. Carroll said "That's impossible" and Rob Neyer called it "absurd".
Of course, knowing that Baker is a manager who cares not about OBP and thinks walks clog up the bases, it should hardly come as a surprise that he thinks one player is worth that much. Snobs vs. Slobs details precisely why Baker is conceptually challenged in an article called "Dusty Baker has seen the world from outer space, and it is definitely flat". I wish Baker would read it.
The Rogers article is worth reading as it gets into Win Shares and VORP, Value Over Replacement Player. And Rogers has his own take on it as well, mentioning how many at-bats Baker wasted on Neifi Perez and the like.
Meanwhile, Baker refuses to get it. He had Freddie Bynum play 2nd base last night and Theriot at SS. Cedeno pinch-hit. Why the lineup card is not stenciled with Cedeno, Murton and Theriot for the remainder of the season is anyone's guess.
And on top of all of this the Cubs can add closer to the list of needs for next year. Dempster has been brutal and took the loss last night. He blew his 7th save opportunity last night, after blowing it Saturday against STL. He's always walked too many batters and this year is no exception. A closer simply can't do that. At this rate maybe they can make him a starter again. I'd rather see Howry close games next year.
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8/28/2006
DUSTY TALKS ABOUT FUTURE
A revealing column in the Trib today by Paul Sullivan on the future of Dusty Baker. Baker has softened some of his defiance in recent days, and even stunned me with his declaration that he "always wanted a team of young players".
It's natural for someone in a state of flux to be emotional. Baker has certainly been that and pensive about his stay here and beyond.
"You always want to be where you're wanted."
And has he felt that?
Baker paused before answering. "Sometimes," he said. "But I guess that's better than not at all."
Told Sunday the comment had left the impression the Cubs had not made him feel wanted, Baker stood by his cryptic answer.
"That's how you feel—'sometimes,'" he said. "That was the best answer I could come up with at the time. You put yourself in my position. What would your answer be?"
Hendry said last month he would decide on Baker at the end of the season. Has Hendry said anything since then to make Baker think the Cubs did not want him?"
No, it's not only Jim," Baker said. "It's the whole picture, the whole thing."
By the whole thing, does he mean the city of Chicago?"
Yeah, just [the whole thing], period," he said. "Sometimes. I'm not the overwhelming favorite. You hear about who's available, who's going to take the job. That leads to [the answer] 'sometimes.'"
Media have speculated about who would replace Baker if he leaves. Names from Joe Girardi to Bruce Bochy to Bob Brenly to Fredi Gonzalez have surfaced in the last month, though Girardi is under contract with Florida through 2008 and Bochy with San Diego through 2007.
Presumably, none of the speculation has come from conversations with Baker's boss.
"No, but my boss said he'll wait until the end," Baker said. "That's why I said 'sometimes.'"
My question is this: What strong points, traits or successes do you point to in favor of rehiring Baker?
More here:Dusty+Baker Cubs
It's natural for someone in a state of flux to be emotional. Baker has certainly been that and pensive about his stay here and beyond.
"You always want to be where you're wanted."
And has he felt that?
Baker paused before answering. "Sometimes," he said. "But I guess that's better than not at all."
Told Sunday the comment had left the impression the Cubs had not made him feel wanted, Baker stood by his cryptic answer.
"That's how you feel—'sometimes,'" he said. "That was the best answer I could come up with at the time. You put yourself in my position. What would your answer be?"
Hendry said last month he would decide on Baker at the end of the season. Has Hendry said anything since then to make Baker think the Cubs did not want him?"
No, it's not only Jim," Baker said. "It's the whole picture, the whole thing."
By the whole thing, does he mean the city of Chicago?"
Yeah, just [the whole thing], period," he said. "Sometimes. I'm not the overwhelming favorite. You hear about who's available, who's going to take the job. That leads to [the answer] 'sometimes.'"
Media have speculated about who would replace Baker if he leaves. Names from Joe Girardi to Bruce Bochy to Bob Brenly to Fredi Gonzalez have surfaced in the last month, though Girardi is under contract with Florida through 2008 and Bochy with San Diego through 2007.
Presumably, none of the speculation has come from conversations with Baker's boss.
"No, but my boss said he'll wait until the end," Baker said. "That's why I said 'sometimes.'"
My question is this: What strong points, traits or successes do you point to in favor of rehiring Baker?
More here:Dusty+Baker Cubs
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