Odds And Ends: Cubs, Matsui, Mets

"# This Chicago Sun-Times article blames Jim Hendry for assembling an expensive group of under-performing hitters, but credits him for putting together some solid pitching."

He locked up a core of Zambrano, Ramirez, Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley and Dempster for big money, and I don't think that there's a single Cub fan that is happy about that.

Obviously Zambrano and Dempster have been quite solid this year, but the Soriano deal is going to go down as one of the worst in history.

"But Cubs' Hendry has team in better shape to contend than Sox' Williams"

Actually, I disagree with this. At least the Sox have more ammo in the minors to make a deadline deal. And fewer bad contracts (more payroll flexibility).

1- Aaron Miles is, was, and always will be awful.

2- Dempster was a market aberration. AKA overpayment.

Although I do think the Sox' salary dumps were stupider than the Cubs' dump (and non-dump of Lee).

Here we go again with people...

1. The Cubs starters will not be this good all year, but they will still be a strength

2. The Cubs hitting will get better, maybe even a lot better.

3. Some of Hendry's deals were bad, some are excellent.

4. "Zambrano, Ramirez, Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley and Dempster" Lets add Lee in there as well

Great deal - Ramirez

Good deal - Z, Lee

Average deal - Dempster, Fukudome (remember, Kenny was going to give him MORE! Can't fault the Cubs because Fukudome preferred them)

Bad - Soriano

Bradley - We are like an eighth of the way through his contract. He probably overpaid here though, but I still think Bradley will help a lot more by years end.

And as the author points out, you HAVE to give Hendry some credit for assembling the #1 starting staff in baseball right now

Fukudome has been pretty good this year. .363 wOBA and he has been very good in RF. He has been worth 1.9 WAR for them so far this year.

"Fukudome has been pretty good this year. .363 wOBA and he has been very good in RF. He has been worth 1.9 WAR for them so far this year."

Actually, Fukudome has been the primary everyday center fielder for Chicago, and he's been a really pleasant surprise, although to be fair I kind of expected him to be better than he was last season. His +7.8 UZR/150 in center this year has been really nice.

We could have probably gotten Capps or Lindstrom for much less than Ceda.

And when you factor in what Gregg is making compared to what DeRosa is making...I mean, there is just no way to defend the Ceda trade.

FYI - According to fangraphs, Derrek Lee has outplayed his contract in every year he has been a Cub minus the year he broke his wrist.

What's the word on Aramis? Timetable for a return?

"What's the word on Aramis? Timetable for a return?"

Around the All-Star Break.

"Actually, Fukudome has been the primary everyday center fielder for Chicago, and he's been a really pleasant surprise, although to be fair I kind of expected him to be better than he was last season.

I dont know. Yes, I have loved him being around and so hot to start the season. And I expected him to improve over last year. But on May 14 he was hitting .330/.456/.541. In the month since (23 games played) he has hit .155/.291/.239.

It just seems eerily familiar, you know. And he is once again showing his complete inability to hit when behind in the count, leaving me to question if he will ever produce that well on the whole.

P.S. Why are people questioning Lee? He started slow, but he is pretty close to what we have had and should have expected otherwise. I don’t love his contract, but it isnt Soriano or Zambrano horrible/hindering either. I am glad they didn’t dump just him this past offseason. And I would have much rather had Lee then Bradley if money issues created such a choice.