SB Nation User Blog: Nibbles

Nice Story on Matthew Cerda on ESPN today

Nibbles — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:37:18 -0000

ESPN was doing their, "Where Are They Now", segment. We probably all remember Danny Almonte from the Little League World Series a few years ago. What I didn't know was that the last player to face Almonte was a four foot nothing eleven year old Matthew Cerda. He was barely old enough to play, having just turned old enough. Cerda struck out three times against Almonte. Making contact just once, fouling a pitch off.

Cerda put some muscle on his small frame and developed into a pretty good shortstop. Good enough to be picked in the fourth round by the Cubs this June. Almonte wasn't drafted last year. He is pitching for a JUCO in Oklahoma and will return for another year in hopes of being picked next year.

The Cubs have moved Cerda to catcher in rookie ball. A position he hadn't played since Little League. Not sure if he has enough pop in his bat. He seemed like a Fontenot clone. Best wishes to him. He'll have to really fight his way through the system with the challenge of moving positions, but the Cubs do seem weak at this position besides Welington Castillo.

Sick of the Jones bashing

Nibbles — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:44:17 -0000

I sat in the right field bleachers today to avoid the wind. It turned out to be a wonderful day, at least as far as the weather was concerned. However, today was the first day I experienced what Jacque Jones has to put up with. Cheap garbage from the stands. In a game featuring three errors by the shortstop, and a rocky first inning by the starter, I was really ticked off by some of the clowns yelling at him. Now, I'm not afraid to boo, but I reserve that for very special occaisions. The chants of "You suck" to our starting right fielder need to end. Jones is what he is, a decent major league outfielder. He'll probably end up with about 25 homers and 85 rbi's. I can live with that if nothing better comes up in trade talks. I'm not sure what Jones could have done today short of going 4-4 with four home runs that would have shut them up. I know this isn't the choir to be preaching to, but I had a four hour drive back home to Iowa City to stew about this.

Roster intrigue

Nibbles — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:37:30 -0000

I love that for the first time in many years it seems that a bunch of spots were truly up for competition. One of the things the Cubs can be faulted for the last few years is showing up for Spring Training with a set roster. Injuries or not, it seems that Lou is setting a tone that you play hard and prove yourself to break camp with the big league team. Such a pleasant departure from waiting for Wood or Prior to get healthy and then they assume their spot on the roster. Coats is really pushing hard, and Theriot has proven his versatility and attitude. Too many times the reserve roster spots were simply awarded to the off season signee's. And, when the season ended last year who of us would have thought Rocky Cherry would stand a chance of making the team?

Getting back to the basics.

Nibbles — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 03:00:24 -0000

I know it is early, and every manager says they will work on the fundamentals. But, I am really buying into Lou working on them this spring. Hey, I'm a Cub fan, I have to believe. I simply don't see him tolerating the same guy getting picked off several times in nearly the same circumstances, outfielders airmailing in throws, or just plain lack of hustle.
I've also been impressed with the two radio interviews I've heard from Ryno about managing in Peoria. Both times he talked about the way he learned things in the Phillies organization. Everybody will approach the game the same way. Hats on straight, everyone dressed the same. Maybe I am reaching the crumudgeon stage of life, but nothing get's me going than 25 guys wandering around the field with no direction. If they can't dress the same, if they don't all learn to run the bases and bunt, they can't be expected to win.
Which brought me to the February issue of the Vineline, and the picture of Cliff Anderson with his hat on sideways. He is probably slated for A-ball. We'll see how long it takes him learn how to show the game respect. And I read in the paper today Samardzija got a haircut.
The malaise is over Cubs fans. I hope we are seeing a bottom / up organizational change.

Does Bonds and Drew affect the Cubs, and Jones?

Nibbles — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 23:58:35 -0000

As far as I've seen the actual contracts have not been signed for either Bonds or Drew. There has to be a lawyer or two on this board, what is the chances of these deals not getting done once there supposedly has been an agreement in principal. I find it odd Boras has been so quiet regarding his client, the Red Sox were the only team offering anywhere near the money he was demanding. And Bonds just seems to be inching his way towards an indictment. Unless I am wrong, ink hasn't been put to paper on either guys contract, which means the teams can still back out. Which affects the Cubs as both teams would be searching for outfield help, and we've got a reasonably priced, but disgruntled Jones on the bench.
I also can't help but wonder if the Red Sox/Drew deal does collapse, do the Cubs take a flier on a one year deal as Boras tries to re-establish value, for a big contract next year?
Just random thoughts as I watch the Colts and Ravens on a snowy Iowa night, and dream of spring training.

Murton vs. Moreland

Nibbles — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:06:40 -0000

I've been drawing this comparison ever since the season ended. Hair color aside, and Murton being faster, I've wondered why so many people are down on Murton? Defensively he isn't the best, but neither was Moreland, and he has a solid place in Cubs lore. I view both guys as solid players that love the game, and always seem to do the things a team needs to win. Murton will develop more power as he gains experience. Give Murton a chance.
And, as a side note, though I am generally against fights in baseball, Moreland was one of the best mound chargers. It would just go off in his head and he'd back in pads thinking he was a linebacker.

Does Dusty speak French?

Nibbles — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:50:30 -0000

This is the longest into a season I can remember that a manager hasn't been fired. I know Dusty made a deal of him being able to speak a little Spanish, but maybe he should dust up on his French for a move to Canada. He might land there in the off-season, and a portion of the media does cover the Jays from Quebec'. The Manager of the Bluejays is heading for the exit in the off-season. Bizarre. He had an altercation w/Shea Hillenbrand earlier this year. That got blamed on Hillenbrand, then last night he went looking for Ted Lilly in the clubhouse after a heated exchange on the mound when Gibbons went out to pull Lilly. If Ozzie needs to attend sensitivity training, this guy is also in desparate need of some help.
Despite Dust's comments last week about him having a say in what happens at the end of the season, read that to mean maybe he decides to go somewhere else, there haven't been any openings, and his options are limited if he doesn't return to the Cubs. He may prefer the West Coast, but it really looks like the only opening may be in Seattle. He certainly wouldn't be able to handle a youthful team like the Marlins if Girardi gets canned in Florida. If Torre leaves the Yankees would you realistically see him lasting in the spotlight the New York media shines? Point being, he would want a big time team, and a big time check. His best option is to make nice and hope for an extension.

Pulling Mateo last night

Nibbles — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 01:51:25 -0000

On the pregame show Dusty told Ron it was his plan all along to pull Mateo when he did. It had nothing to do with him drilling Clemens the inning before. I wish I could buy that.
Look, I'm not into machismo, and beanball wars, but for once this year a guy showed he had a pair for the Cubs. Dusty yanking him was like running the white flag up the pole. Like rolling over and raising your leg in submission. Winning in sports sometimes involves drilling a guy and sending a message. To his credit Clemens didn't make a big deal of it, he's certainly hit a lot of guys on purpose, he took it like a man and walked down to first. Hard nosed baseball, something rarely seen from a team managed by an ex-player who so frequently talks about how things were done in his day.