SB Nation User Blog: Ivy Walls

Bradley something more under the surface

Ivy Walls — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:48:46 -0000

Bradley something more under the surface

Having been around a couple of a serious mental or emotional disorders in my life I think Bradley is showing signs of mild Bi-Polar Disorder. Impossible to diagnose from this distance of course, but the signs are all there from impulsiveness and irritability, impaired judgment, recklessness W/O thinking of the consequences, even forms of social helplessness and rejection, paranoia et cetera. Being on a team in close company one cannot hide things, in fact it is like a family or college frat/dorm. Couple this with the pressure to succeed and things are often exaggerated. My overall thinking is that the Cubs need a huge addition by subtraction no different than what happened with Hundley. Dump and the idea of Winn for Bradley with a possible sweetener is a good one.

5 games behind the Cardinals in games played---a developing subplot to the season

Ivy Walls — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:11:33 -0000

Cubs are tied with the Cards in the loss column, and for those old-timers the real thing you view in the standings since a team can control its destiny by winning games to be played but never make up losses. But this is one of the biggest differences in games played I have seen in my lifetime following MLB. In some respects it is caused by the Cubs having 2 more make up games than the Cards right now, but then that means the Cubs are three games behind them in the schedule over 40% into the season.

My count is that the Cards have 10 off days July through Sept/Oct to the Cubs 7 off days. It also appears that the make up games after the season is over are the Cards have the Nat's while the Cubs have the Chi Sox. All this could have a bearing as the season unwinds.

Crossroads

Ivy Walls — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:33:46 -0000

Cubs have essentially tredded water through almost the first third of the season, currently only 3 games back in the loss column to Milw and StL. Their starting pitching is pretty much in tact if Zambrano can start consistently in the rotation. Wells is nice surprise,, Guzman is beginning to show his potential. The problem is the offense which was last year's run scoring strength coupled with injuries.

Cubs need a trade to change their everyday lineup with or without Ramirez. A few weeks back before my travels I advocated a trade that many found fault with but now seem to more inclined. To me it is obvious that adding someone to the middle infield with offense and pop would put this club in better position for the next 120 plus and playoffs.

There are two players of note: Tejeda and Uggla that could fit the bill. Tejeda is my choice since he is also a leader on the field that the club needs right now. He could bat 2nd or 3rd and allow Piniella to use Theriot at 2B instead and then platoon him with Fontenot when Ramirez returns. Uggla is also an interesting choice that could be made.

The question is not so much what the Cubs might have to give up but whether Hendry has the corporate capital to make the trade now that the sale of the club is hung up with devilish detail negotiations between financial titans.

Go for it Jim....make the trade....save the season and put the club over the top!

Where to look to salvage this season

Ivy Walls — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:15:21 -0000

Often difficulties bring about opportunities and I see that Ramirez and DLee are not going to be productive for the first half of the season and that could be a blessing. That said Hendry must earn his GM of the year by working the market place opportunities and add to this club where it could be stronger for the playoffs. Let us start with 3B and then go to the bullpen through the starting rotation.

There are a number of clubs who have stumbled out of the gate that offer some interesting player acquisitions. (Some of you ask why Ascanio today and to me he is being auditioned, but let us look at what could help and the relative cost.

Remember the Cubs do have an estimated $7-8M in the budget reserve and with the expected sale Ricketts could offer another $5-8M as a welcoming present to the fans.

Teams to look at, first is Cleveland whom the Cubs already dealt with this winter, they have Cliff Lee in the rotation who is up for FA and not having his Cy Young year the other is ironically Mark DeRosa. Making an early season trade for these two would make for an immediate impact since Mark could spell effectively 3B until Ramirez is fully healed and then back that up so Ramirez is the best for the playoffs. Lee could push Marshall to the pen which needs a lefty and middle reliever.DeRosa has not adjusted well on Lake Erie so I bet the respective cost would not be too much,

Other teams of note; Colorado has stumbled badly and their attendance will be soft in the summer, they have Atkins who can play 1B and 3B who also has started out slow where the Rox would like to get Stewart on the field.

One could look at Arizona, Baltimore again or Houston but they might be too expensive. Then there is Oakland who might be willing to rethink their strategy. Utlimately it appears that Cleveland offers the quick fix and the question is can the Cubs make an offer to get a lefty starter and another versatile player?

Piniella: "I think we're going to change the combination a little bit when we do get [everybody]...

Ivy Walls — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:31:43 -0000

Piniella: "I think we're going to change the combination a little bit when we do get [everybody] back,"--- refusing to tip his hand. "It'll be nice to get everybody in the lineup and playing."

MLB's Carrie Muskat My speculation; It appears that Soriano is the lead off with .354 OBP (wild card), where Theriot has earned the #2 hole actually as much a lead off hitter as .371 OBP, where also Fukudome has earned his spot as the #3 hitter (.443 OBP-.988-SLG)...but when Ramirez returns I think Piniella installs him as the cleanup hitter. The question then is who follows Ramirez? Bradley or DLee...based on Piniella's desire to go righty lefty...Milton is #5 and Lee drops to #6 with the powerful Fontenot at #7 and Soto in the 8th spot.

Options for the DL and roster moves

Ivy Walls — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:02:52 -0000

Options for the DL and roster moves

Bradley has been down since 4/24 (today is 4/27) 15 days takes him to May 10th or 11th (Milwaukee series) missing travel to AZ, FLA, SF, Hou and then MIL. They could leave Milton to in AZ at the training facility. Groins and I have had them are often a month long ordeal if not treated. DLee he was out for a week, in '07 with the same thing (he says) he could be out until May 12th as well against SD. Options are to bring up Jake Fox who is tearing up AAA and have him take Hoffpauir's role in the OF or 1B, your poison but still the Cubs probably need another OF'er or IF'er (well they don't have another IF'er) on the 40-man and only have Sam Fuld.... meaning they would have to drop someone from the 40-man if they sign someone.

Cubs.com 40-man

Harden: "has to be done..." Alfonso Soriano, was hit in the back of the helmet by an errant pitch...

Ivy Walls — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:07:08 -0000

Harden: "has to be done..." Alfonso Soriano, was hit in the back of the helmet by an errant pitch from Todd Wellemeyer, Harden responded by throwing close, but not at the head, of the other team's star. Harden tossed two near the legs of Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols on one at-bat and hit him, but in the lower back, on the next one.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella, asked if he thought Harden had handled the situation properly, said, "Well, I just think he was going to try to come inside and the ball got away from him. Twice." Harden said after Soriano had been hit in the head, something "has to be done. You want to go in on him anyway, just challenge (Pujols). We were just going in there and if something happens, it happens."

StL Post Dispatch The game within the game. Somehow, someway the Cardinals always seem to hit a Cub first with LaRussa at the helm and the Cubs have to come inside to their big guy. I vote for coming inside the remainder of the season with Albert

LaRussa: keeping the bullpen to the last third of the game--When that doesn't happen, it's a...

Ivy Walls — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:38:19 -0000

LaRussa: keeping the bullpen to the last third of the game--When that doesn't happen, it's a problem.

STL Post Dispatch Stress on the bullpen means the Cardinals will likely recall their fourth pitcher this week from Class AAA Memphis before Sunday's series finale. Saturday left the bullpen with 25 innings in the last five games. Of their five defeats, the Cardinals have lost once in the ninth inning and another time after dropping a pair of two-run leads. Saturday marked the second instance within a six-game-old road trip they have fallen after taking a three-run lead. Four of the losses have occurred when leading or tied after seven innings.

MLB.com: Bradley correct in protest of BAD CALL

Ivy Walls — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:12:20 -0000

MLB.com: Bradley correct in protest of BAD CALL

"In the official announcement of the penalty, the reason for the suspension is explained in this way: "Bradley aggressively argued balls and strikes and made contact with Umpire Larry Vanover."

That is not an inaccurate portrayal of what occurred, but it does not offer a comprehensive context. Bradley did certainly and aggressively argue balls and strikes. The contact that occurred between the umpire and the outfielder appeared to be both slight and incidental, although even that sort of thing is punishable.

But Milton Bradley was right. The pitch in question was not a strike. There ought to be some sort of defense that works for Bradley here. How about the truth? What a novel concept.

The stereotypical "he-needs-anger-management-training" response to a Milton Bradley episode does not fit here, does not work here. This is more like: "Hey, he had a valid point there."

Milton Bradley's personal history should not be any kind of factor in the disposition of this case. All he is guilty of here is vehemently arguing a demonstrably bad call."

Surprising HOT starts and stumbling & bumbling

Ivy Walls — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:50:14 -0000

Surprising HOT starts and stumbling & bumbling

NL-good: Marlins are 10-1 WOW, 5-0 on the road! LAD & SD are 9-3 Solid & hmmm 4-0 1-Run games CHC & STL are 7-4 & 8-5, expected
NL stumbles: NAT's are 1-9, ouch! SF & Milw are 3-8; digging holes HOU & AZ are 4-7, troubling
AL fast starts: TOR & SEA, are 9-4 & 8-4, eye brow raising especially being 5-2 on the road
AL bumblings: , CLEV, LAA, TEX & TB are 4-8, 4-7 & 5-7---ooops They say to access the team after 20 games Cards and Cubs will know a lot by April 26th. The truth is never good to stumble out of the gate and you don't win the pennant in April.

MLB Standings