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#Post#: 35053--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: ben
Date: September 26, 2011, 12:28 pm
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Makes sense, Reb...it sure will be interesting to see what moves
get made in the shorter term and in the longer term!
#Post#: 35055--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: Jes Beard
Date: September 26, 2011, 12:55 pm
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--- Quote from: ben link ---
>
> Jes, better results can result from better execution of the
approach (rather than thinking differently).
>
> And better execution can result from thinking differently (and
better) about the approach.
>
--- End Quote ---
Yes, better thinking and execution (and luck) can, and often
does, bring a better result.
Our real difference is that you have pointed to Boston as an
example of the kind of "better thinking" needed. I have not
really disagreed about that, because I have (and remain)
sincerely interested in knowing what "better thinking" you
believe Boston might illustrate. The only example you have
given is sabermetrics, despite my repeated requests, and
sabermetrics to me is no longer really different. Anyone
Rickets will consider is going to embrace sabermetrics. I
suspect that nearly all GM's in the near future around MLB will.
#Post#: 35056--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: Jes Beard
Date: September 26, 2011, 12:56 pm
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--- Quote from: Cubsin link ---
>
> Two points not yet mentioned. Looking at the long history of
baseball, it occurs to me there's a chance that Barney might
actually improve on his rookie year stats at some point in the
future.
>
--- End Quote ---
That's a crazy idea....
A rookie might get better?
#Post#: 35057--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: StrikeZone
Date: September 26, 2011, 1:03 pm
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--- Quote from: Clarkaddison link ---
>
> I think the problem is that everybody looks at Barney as
Theriot lite. The difference is Theriot was a second baseman
playing shortstop. Barney is a shortstop playing second base.
Better speed, better range, more athleticism.
>
--- End Quote ---
Darwin Barney is not faster than Ryan Theriot.
In 2007, Theriot had 28 steals in 32 attempts.
Barney's best stolen base total in the minors was 11.
Barney is certainly a better defender than Theriot and probably
a better base runner (base stealing and base running are two
different things) but he most definitely isn't faster.
#Post#: 35060--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: brjones
Date: September 26, 2011, 1:14 pm
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I guess one place I differ with a lot of Barney supporters is
that I don't think he's a high .600s OPS guy. I think his April
was a complete and total fluke brought on by the fact that he
was a fringe prospect who no one expected to have a significant
role in the major leagues. No one had bothered scouting him
much, so he was able to surprise pitchers for a while...he was
the Cubs' version of Sam Fuld. Once the league got a real look
at him, though, it took them no time to figure out how to
dominate him.
In my mind, we can expect more of the Barney we saw after May 1
in the future. That's a low-.600s OPS guy who just doesn't
provide enough to play regularly.
I guess it doesn't matter too much if the Cubs try to
aggressively replace him this offseason...I suspect we'll see a
Colvin-like collapse next April and he'll be out of the regular
lineup by June 1 at the latest. It may even do LeMahieu or
Flaherty good to spend a couple extra months in the minors/on
the major league bench. But it would be nice if the Cubs could
be proactive with him and see if there is any other team that
buys Barney as an everyday player this offseason. Who knows,
maybe he could be the second player in a deal for a mid-rotation
starter or something.
#Post#: 35063--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: ben
Date: September 26, 2011, 1:24 pm
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While neither sabermetrics nor allowing young, Ivy-League guys
to have significant input into front-office decisions may be
news today, 9 years ago it took VERY different thinking for Red
Sox to hire 28-year old Epstein to LEAD the decision making
process based on sabermetric principles (particularly after a
90+ win season).
In scouting/traditional baseball circles, that move was heresy!
One can imagine what Cub "leadership" was then saying behind
closed doors about the Red Sox new direction.
Don't have time for research, but my recollection is that
Epstein brought in some guys (including Big Popi) following
sabermetric principles and his 28-year old instincts.
#Post#: 35090--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: Deeg
Date: September 26, 2011, 2:54 pm
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You guys who are saying "no internal upgrade" are that sure that
Flaherty or LeMaheiu couldn't provide one? Wouldn't you like to
at least find out?
#Post#: 35098--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: Reb
Date: September 26, 2011, 3:33 pm
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Ron mentioned this about 2B and Barney---defense. This is a
factor, especially when talking about LeMahieu and Flaherty in
comparison.
Seems to me that 3B is LeMahieu's natural defensive position,
not 2B. A tall guy who doesn't seem that quick or with great
footwork for 2B. I would not be against giving him a shot at 2B
but I'm skeptical.
I've never seen Flaherty at 2B but, as I've said before, hard
for me to believe that a guy that big can play 2B regularly in
the major leagues.
I don't see DeWitt as a 2B regular either. He is, at best, a
passable defensive 2B and, incidentally, DeWitt has looked
terrible at 3B in Aramis' absence last week. Quade has been
replacing him defensively late innings with LeMahieu.
Not sure who would replace Barney. Also, Barney as the 2B
regular means that Cubs don't have to carry a utility SS on the
25-man roster, which opens up a spot for somebody else. Still,
I'd like to see what's out there via trade with Barney coming
off a decent rookie season.
#Post#: 35112--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: Cubsin
Date: September 26, 2011, 4:46 pm
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If we could trade Barney to a team that values him as a SS and
get back a better prospect, I'd be fine with that. But then, as
Reb pointed out, we'd need to find and carry a utility infielder
who could play SS (and I don't mean Flaherty or LeMahieu).
The new GM is going to be very busy learning about his new
organization and making important decisions about Soriano,
Zambrano, ARam's option and the fate of Quade and his coaches.
It may be a while before upgrading 2B moves to the top of his
priority list.
#Post#: 35120--------------------------------------------------
Re: Next GM for the Cubs
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: September 26, 2011, 4:55 pm
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Ron, some of this is groupthink, especially when you can come up
with a blogger, "expert," or columnist who agrees. Several
boards I've seen Barney dismissed as the least of the Cubs'
problems and posters scoffed at who press it. Maybe it has to
do with what the Cubs can control; Barney is an easy target over
the real disasters dooming the Cubs to many more years of
frustration.
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