The Muskbox must be in late-season crunch mode. It appears that all of your stupid questions will be answered in the order in which they are received. If you would just please form an orderly line behind the man in the mask, Carrie will field each question in turn, starting with those in this week’s Muskbox. If you’re wondering, “Is my Josh Vitters question going to be answered?” I can safely say, “YOU BETCHA!”
I believe Castro should win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. I know Buster Posey has been playing solid, too, but who do you think really deserves it?
— Jerry C., Orland Park, Ill.
That is the worst term paper I’ve ever read. Jerry chose a topic and crafted an interesting thesis, but then failed to research, evaluate, and support his thesis. Also, his citation format is all wrong.
CARRIE: For me, the position could be the tiebreaker.
Huh. I assumed most positions with Carrie were backbreakers.
CARRIE: Here are some of the NL’s top rookies numbers through Wednesday:
Castro: 107 games, .317 AVG., 3 homers, 29 doubles, 5 triples, 40 RBIs, .359 OBP
Posey: 87 games, .324 AVG., 11 homers, 20 doubles, 2 triples, 55 RBIs, .369 OBP
Jason Heyward: 120 games, .286 AVG., 16 homers, 27 doubles, 4 triples, 65 RBIs, .394 OBP
Mike Stanton: 78 games, .244 AVG., 18 homers, 18 doubles, 1 triple, 46 RBIs, .312 OBP
Tyler Colvin: 128 games, .255 AVG., 19 homers, 18 doubles, 5 triples, 52 RBIs, .310 OBP
Wait, that’s it? What about the thesis statement about the position being the tiebreaker?
F MINUS for both of you.
You addressed the idea of Sandberg managing the Cubs with the response that “Mike Quade has 17 years of experience as a Minor League manager and seven years as a big league coach.” Sandberg had a short Minor League career as a player, as well as playing in the Majors for 16 years. Now, he has managed in the Minors for four seasons. Should Sandberg be faulted for having the talent to play the game at the Major League level? I think that’s a point in his favor over Quade.
— Rick K., Naperville, Ill.
It’s that sort of progressive logic that inspired me to apply for the position of Justice of the Supreme Court, citing on my resume my extensive hours of viewing L.A. Law and my DVD collection of the extensive works of Judge Reinhold.
CARRIE: There isn’t an automatic correlation between excellence on the playing field and excellence as a manager.
That’s because no one has given Joe Morgan a shot!
CARRIE: Ted Williams was one of the greatest hitters in the game. He compiled a .429 winning percentage in four years as manager and never finished higher than fourth.
And 30 years later, BOOM. He’s decapitated and his head is shoved in a meat locker. DO YOU WANT THE SAME FATE FOR RYNE SANDBERG???
CARRIE: The last Hall of Famer to manage in the big leagues was Frank Robinson in 2006. I’m not disparaging Sandberg here. He’s paid his dues. So has Quade.
So has my dark horse candidate Jody Davis.
Do you think general manager Jim Hendry will consider Bob Brenly for the Cubs’ manager job? I think he’d be a great choice as he already has big league managing experience with the D-backs and has extensive knowledge of every Cubs player, having seen just about every game for the past few years.
— Michael T., Carol Stream, Ill.
I love the idea of Brenly missing some games, particularly ones when he’s actually in the booth.
Here’s an aside for your enjoyment. I don’t think it’s going to matter one lick who manages the Cubs next year. If it is, however, Brenly, you can look forward to the following in the 2011 season:
- The Cubs will finally all wear the stylish and practical flip-down Dwayne Wayne shades.
- Alfonso Soriano’s hamstrings will both explode before Tax Day.
- Every kid in the ballpark will eventually be handed a foul ball by the guilt-ridden fans who catch them.
- Mustache Wednesdays.
- Ryan Dempster coming out of the bullpen to close out a dramatic Game 7 World Series win for Carlos Zambrano.
CARRIE: Brenly also has some insight into the Cubs’ Minor League system, because he’s watched his son, Michael (who, by the way, finished with a .270 average at Class A Daytona).
He used to throw whiffle balls to ONE guy in the minor league system, so that gives him insight?
CARRIE: Brenly also has guided a team to the World Series (2001 D-backs).
That grinding sound you’re hearing is Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson grinding their teeth.
CARRIE: Expect Brenly and Hendry to talk once the season ends.
I thought the season ended some time around the beginning of June.
I think the trade of DeWitt for Ryan Theriot was just plain wrong.
I agree. The Dodgers never should have traded DeWitt for Theriot. Oh, you mean from the Cubs’ side? Well, then, you probably should have said, “I think the trade of Ryan Theriot for DeWitt was just plain wrong.” And then you should have finished with your daily ritual of scraping the skin off the backs of your hands with a cheese grater and screaming obscenities at the moon.
Theriot beats DeWitt in every offensive category…
No, he doesn’t.
…including stolen bases…
That’s a counting statistic, and DeWitt has fewer plate appearances. Theriot is also crushing DeWitt in times caught stealing.
…OBP…
Wrong.
…runs scored…
Considering Theriot was leading off for WAY too long and has a lot more plate appearances, it’s actually pretty sad that he has only scored 20 more runs than DeWitt has.
…total bases…
Again, Theriot has only 29 more total bases than DeWitt in nearly 150 more plate appearances.
…and hits.
Theriot is also better at making fire engine sounds, playing grabass with Ryan Dempster, and talking about the “good old fraternity days” with Mike Fontenot. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS GUY?
The only category DeWitt is superior to Theriot is RBIs.
Also, on base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs, walks, OPS+, HBP, and range factor. And he’s grounded into fewer double plays, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Theriot was a great team player and hard worker, too. You build the nucleus of a team around guys like Theriot.
— John C., Hanford, Calif.
He’s the solid nucleus of a fifth-place team. Fortunately for you, John C., your BFF Ryan is way closer to your hometown of Hanford, California, so now you can see him play more than 81 times a season!
Incidentally, I love the sponsor of Theriot’s Baseball-Reference page.
CARRIE: I would build a team around Castro or Colvin…
Why would you build a team around your fourth outfielder?
…but let’s stick to the second basemen.
Mmm… If only Mark DeRosa were still here!
Here are updated numbers through Wednesday: In 131 games, Theriot is batting .283 with 15 doubles, two triples, two homers, 29 RBIs, 33 walks and a .329 on-base percentage. In 117 games, DeWitt is batting .270, with 18 doubles, four triples, five homers, 47 RBIs, 39 walks and a .344 on-base percentage. Theriot drew one walk in 26 games (106 at-bats) in May when he was the leadoff man. What DeWitt does provide, besides more RBIs, is another left-handed bat in the Cubs’ lineup. I know there are lots of Mike Fontenot fans, but his career splits against left-handed pitching aren’t as good as DeWitt’s — .239 for Fontenot and .278 for DeWitt. Plus, DeWitt is making $410,000 this year; Theriot $2.6 million. Theriot is 30. DeWitt turned 25 in August. DeWitt is a great team player and hard worker, too.
But does he have to take three crow hops to get a throw from shortstop to first base?
I was wondering when you think Josh Vitters will be in the big leagues and where the Cubs will play him with Aramis Ramirez at third.
— Eric L., Plantation, Fla
June 11, 2013. He’ll come out of the bullpen.
CARRIE: Vitters, the Cubs’ No. 1 pick in 2007, was limited to 91 games this year after he was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken hand in late July. He’s been slowed by injuries in his young career, but he will play in the Arizona Fall League, which starts Oct. 12, and that could be a good test. I can’t tell you when Vitters will get a callup.
It’s a secret!
CARRIE: Ramirez, by the way, has a $14.6 million player option for 2011 and the Cubs have a $16 million club option for ’12.
Does he have the option to be really really good again?
Any idea how Angel Guzman is doing these days? Should we expect him back next season?
— James B., Los Angeles
We shouldn’t. Jim Hendry, of course, will. And the bullpen carousel will keep spinning and spinning and spinning out of control until you puke all that cotton candy back up in your lap and even the carnies laugh at you.
CARRIE: Guzman, who had shoulder surgery in Spring Training, has been rehabbing at the Cubs’ complex in Mesa, Ariz., and I’m told is doing well. He hopes to come back next year.
Year Two is looking up already!