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September 27, 2005
a new look
True to form, Drew has provided inspiration where before none existed. Well, maybe not inspiration. More like talking points. Nevertheless, I shall attempt to address his questions over the next few days, as time permits. I really don't know how time wouldn't permit. Time permits me to do most things these days. Anyways...
The Cubs. I haven't written about them because nothing much has changed in their standing, personnel, or performance since, well, March. The highlight of the season: Ryan Dempster. He established himself as a quality closer. As Peter Gammons said when the Cubs moved him to the pen, he's crazy enough that he just might be great at this. If the Cubs have any sense at all, they'll sign Demp for at least a couple of years. He can anchor a bullpen that otherwise could use a good gutting. Next year they'll have Scott Williamson, but he is yet to regain form on his slider, which was his bread and butter when he had some success in Boston and Cincinnati. Ohman is becoming a somewhat reliable lefty specialist, but they need another lefty big time. Ultimately, they need two reliable veterans in the pen that can help them get to Dempster. If Williamson regains his form, I think he and Dempster could be very effective as an eighth-and-ninth inning combination. But you gotta make it to the eighth. If Kerry Wood can actually pitch 200 innings next season, they'll be alright. That would give them Wood, Prior, Zambrano, and Maddux as their top four. Jerome Williams has made a strong case for the fifth spot in next year's rotation, but they really could use a lefty that can eat up some innings. I think Glendon Rusch is terrible. When he wins, it seems like it's because he's lucky. Maybe he'd be okay as a long-man and a third lefty out of the pen, but that's all. If this year has shown us anything, it's that bullpens help good teams win close games. Just look at the Yankees. Without the Gordon-Rivera combination, they'd be battling to stay about .500 instead of fighting for the AL East title. Same goes for the Indians, Cardinals, and recently the Angels.
As far as their starting lineup is concerned, writers here in Chicago have been talking up the possibility of Garciaparra resigning with the Cubs to play to left field, which would allow blossoming prospect Ronny Cedeno to take the starting shortstop job. I like it for two reasons. Left field is a clear weakness, not to mention the rest of the Cubs' outfield. Nomar's playing time at third base this season has proved that he's got some versatility. He ain't just a shortstop any more. In case of injury, he'd be a great guy to pull in from left field to play short or third. I don't really think the Cubs have room for him in the infield unless Cedeno moves to second, but it appears the Cubs want to exercise their option on Todd Walker, otherwise they would've traded him before September 1. I think Nomar would be a great left fielder if only because defense is secondary in that position. He's got a good arm, and he's been hitting really well. An incentive-laden deal based on games played or at-bats would be a great idea. I like Matt Murton, but I don't think he's quite ready to take over left field for 160 games. Elsewhere, the infield is pretty set. Barrett-Blanco makes for a good catching combo, and the corners are solid with Lee and Ramirez hitting the hell out of the ball. The outfield is up for grabs. I think it'd be great if the Cubs made a strong run at Johnny Damon. He'd fill in the center field and lead-off voids. Burnitz must go. I don't know who's available, but his bat just doesn't cut it for right field. Who plays right should depend on who's available this winter. Right field may be a hole when we're approaching the non-waiver trade deadline next July, and that's probably okay if there's nothing cost-effective on the market. Overall, they should work on putting together a team that is a little faster and much, much healthier.
So, you see, when I think about the Cubs, I think about the future. And I hope that nobody gets injured, cause that's what has killed them the past two years.
I'm not sure quite yet what to say about the Bears. Two weeks ago, they dismantled what appeared to be a decent Detroit Lions team. But in Week 1 and last week, they looked like the Bears I've become used to over the past few years. Make no mistake -- their defense is fantastic. But the offense is sort of a mess. Justin Gage needs to step up and take some pressure off of both Muhsin Muhammad and Kyle Orton. Orton's a rookie, and should be forgiven mistakes -- to a point. Five interceptions in one game is terrible. Though it's far more terrible for Daunte Culpepper (who performed that feat in week one, I believe) than it is for Kyle Orton, who didn't even play with the first-stringers until the end of training camp. Regardless, the defense is and will be their bread and butter. If the offense can stay on the field long enough to rest the defense, the Bears will be at least competitive in most games, and should have a chance to win quite a few of them, at least until the fourth quarter.
In my opinion, the lessons of this season will be these:
1. A veteran back-up quarterback is a necessity, not a luxury; and
2. Teams with one excellent receiver need a second receiver that is at least above average in order to succeed. The St. Louis Rams have been winning off of the Holt-Bruce combination for years. Keyshawn Johnson couldn't carry Tampa Bay. Nor could Randy Moss complete that feat in Minnesota, even with Culpepper throwing to him.
Topics left to address: Law and Order, Madden 2006, and auto repair (though this one doesn't appear on Drew's talking points).
Posted by ben at September 27, 2005 4:06 PM
Comments
I agree with you on most things about the Cubs. Two things that scare me about Nomar: (1) he is injury prone, and running around left field isn't going to help him much. That's not to say that SS isn't a demanding position, but you range of motion is limited. (2) He isn't exactly blessed with a cannon arm. For proof on why this is important see Barry Bonds not being able to throw out Sid Bream (and I'm faster than him) in 1992 and Jeff Conine gunning down JT Snow to clinch the series in 2003.
Also, I think it's time to give up on Kerry Wood -- you'll at the very least save yourself some heartache. Every team has bad contracts and players they wish they could move. Wood has all the ability in the world. But, when push comes to shove he either can't stay healthy or can't find the strike zone. Plus, he's never won more than 13 games, even when was healthy. And having thaty ability on a 90 win team (see 2003) is shameful. Concentrate on Prior's dominance, Maddux's graceful ride into the sunset, and Jerome Williams blossoming. You'll be better off.
Posted by: Ferrario at September 28, 2005 4:27 PM