Derrek Lee, the only Cubs hitter that has shown any consistency from the first half of the season through August, accomplished something yesterday he hasn’t done since 2005.
With his two bombs off Daniel McCutchen, Lee hit a home run against the same pitcher twice in one game for the first time in four years. The last time? July 18, 2005, against the Reds’ Brandon Claussen.
It’s kind of surprising the amount of time that’s elapsed since Lee last accomplished the feat. So I checked his home run log. read more…
ANALYSIS – Cubs
For as bad as Geovany Soto has been in 2009, the recent declaration by Lou Piniella to virtually hand over the reigns to Koyie Hill for the rest of 2009 is an odd move. Considering how patient Piniella has been with Alfonso Soriano, his short leash with Soto throughout the season seems a bit drastic in comparison.
The proverbial sophomore slump seems to be hanging over Soto’s head, and it may have more value than just being a jinx, especially in baseball. More experienced hitters and pitchers can adjust to tendencies and exploit weaknesses of young ballplayers. But even Soto’s teammates have said that his approach hasn’t changed and he seems to be hitting the ball relatively well. If there’s such a thing as “hard outs,” Soto seems to be making plenty of them. Statistical evidence actually backs up this claim. read more…
The following are the White Sox career statistics at the Metrodome entering today’s game (AVG/HR/RBI):
- Gordon Beckham: .452 (14-for-31) / 2 HR / 6 RBI (8 G)
- Ramon Castro: .250 (1-for-4) / 0 HR / 1 RBI (3 G)
- Jermaine Dye: .208 (52-for-250) / 8 HR / 29 RBI (67 G)
- Josh Fields: .294 (10-for-34) / 2 HR / 4 RBI (12 G)
- Chris Getz: .250 (4-for-16) / 0 HR / 2 RBI (5 G)
- Paul Konerko: .251 (82-for-327) / 15 HR / 35 RBI (90 G)
- Mark Kotsay: .200 (10-for-50) / 0 HR / 8 RBI (12 G)
- Jayson Nix: .400 (6-for-15) / 1 HR/ 1 RBI (5 G)
- A.J. Pierzynski: .301 (251-for-833) / 13 HR / 104 RBI (258 G)
- Scott Podsednik: .318 (34-for-107) / 1 HR / 14 RBI (27 G)
- Carlos Quentin: .205 (8-for-39) / 3 HR / 7 RBI (10 G)
- Alexei Ramirez: .339 (19-for-56) / 2 HR / 5 RBI (15 G)
- Alex Rios: .247 (24-for-97) / 2 HR / 7 RBI (22 G)
- Dewayne Wise: .074 (2-for-27) / 0 HR / 1 RBI (11 G)
In our traditional debate style, Steve and I have set out to figure out not which Chicago team has been more disappointing, but which team is just flat-out crappier. Here’s our commentary, which should stir up a commentary or two from you: read more…
NEWS AND NOTES – Cubs
The Cubs were unable to reach a deal last night to trade Rich Harden to the Twins after Minnesota claimed him off waivers. Apparently the Cubs were asking for too much and Hendry never even considered trading Harden, who was acquired last year from the A’s and will be a free agent following the season.
“It was the biggest non-story of that big of magnitude,” Hendry said. “We always run everyone through what we call ‘trade waivers.’ Everyone in Major League Baseball usually runs their whole team through in August. We had 12 people claimed over the course of the month, and for whatever reason, two names (Harden and Aaron Heilman) were made public. read more…
The Trib called the trades of Jim Thome and Jose Contreras “pulling the plug” on the season.
Really?
First, I would argue the players pulled the plug by deciding not to win any games. They’re 1-8 on their road trip so far, and things don’t look to get any better with two more in the Metrodome.
But that aside: will the loss of Thome and Contreras really affect the team that much? Raise your hand if you’re going to miss Contreras at all. That’s what I thought. The “pitcher” was consistently abysmal the last few months – and every start he somehow seemed to get worse.
As for Thome: read more…
Storied designated hitter Jim Thome agreed to a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thome, 39, who has 564 lifetime home runs, and cash were sent to L.A. for Class A infielder Justin Fuller. Jose Contreras and cash were also sent to the Rockies for Triple-A righty Brandon Hynick.
The trades were was announced about an hour after the Sox lost 4-1 to the Twins, their eighth setback in the last nine games. Shortly after the game, Thome declined to comment through a team spokesman while talking briefly to teammates.
This is probably a win-win trade. Neither of these guys could help the Sox, and it’s unlikely these prospects will ever develop into anything significant. So, nothing for nothing. I like it!
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the White Sox are also seeking offers for Jose Contreras and Scott Podsednik, in addition to the aforementioned Jim Thome, Scott Linebrink and Jermeine Dye.
“That’s not a very exciting group at all,” one veteran scout told Rosenthal on Monday night.
You ain’t kidding.
What exactly does Kenny Williams expect to get for these guys who aren’t productive on a sub-.500 team?
It’s funny that, as Rosenthal notes, the White Sox were big-time buyers the last four weeks. And now, at the tail end of the road trip from hell, the White Sox are selling off all their waste.
Will anyone bite?
The team has distributed a memo to a number of teams in the league informing them that a number of Chicago veterans are available in trade. Names on that list include designated hitter Jim Thome, outfielder Jermaine Dye and reliever Scott Linebrink.
After being swept by the Yankees in New York over the weekend, the White Sox entered Monday’s action with a 64-67 record and were 5 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central.
Players must be acquired by midnight ET on Monday to be eligible for postseason play with their new team.
Well, that shows you how much confidence the White Sox front office has in the club’s ability to make the postseason.
Jake Peavy would not talk to the press today about the results of his elbow tests, which I’m thinking is a dubious indication. He’ll be talking after the game, so stay tuned for that.
Combine that news with this team’s current status and it’s hard to be surprised Kenny is giving up.
Spring training is only a few more months away.
P.S. Good luck trying to find any team willing to take on Linebrink’s salary.
Scott Green
David Just
Steve Contorno