questions going into the last stretch of spring training

[nathanKent]

1. Do you find it disconcerting that Lee, Ramirez, and Fukudome are still so cold with the bat? Right now Blanco has a higher avg than any of the three (though Fukodome is still killing on OBP).

2. Who are your picks for the bench right now? What kind of consideration should be given to Patterson and Cintron?

3. Now that the Boston trade seems to be halted, what are your thoughts on Sam Fuld?

4. After another stunningly unimpressive preseason, is it time to cut the cord on the Ronnie Cedeno project?

5. Who are your 4th and 5th starters? By ERA the order is presently Lieber, Marquis, Marshall, and Dempster. By WHIP Marshall has a considerable edge over Marquis.

[rockin500]

1. Do you find it disconcerting that Lee, Ramirez, and Fukudome are still so cold with the bat? Right now Blanco has a higher avg than any of the three (though Fukodome is still killing on OBP). No, especially on Ramirez. he was hurt at the start, so he got off to a slow start. i put almost no stock in actual numbers of star players in the spring.

2. Who are your picks for the bench right now? What kind of consideration should be given to Patterson and Cintron? patterson? is he going to show up on time this year?

3. Now that the Boston trade seems to be halted, what are your thoughts on Scott Fuld? good defensively, not sure on him offensively

4. After another stunningly unimpressive preseason, is it time to cut the cord on the Ronnie Cedeno project? eh, i could live without him

5. Who are your 4th and 5th starters? By ERA the order is presently Lieber, Marquis, Marshall, and Dempster. By WHIP Marshall has a considerable edge over Marquis. marquis and dempster as of now. highly doubtful that marshall gets the nod due to monetary concerns. i dont have any faith in lieber staying healthy

[Cubsfan97]

I get a bit nervous about it, but Im confident they will get into their groove before all is said and done.

Assuming no trades are made, Id like a bench of Blanco, Murton, Ward, Fuld and Cintron...possibly Fontenot.

I think you mean SAM Fuld, and I actually never wanted to see him go. I think hes got lots of potential. He was MVP of the Fall League which I think needs to be considered more than it has.

After being a huge Cedeno fan, I find it sad to say that hes pretty much done. I dont see him being anything more than a journeyman bench player that toggles between AAA and the majors.

My rotation is Zambrano, Lilly, Lieber, Hill (since Piniella want shim fourth) and Dempster. I have a lot of confidence in Dempster and hopefully he doesnt dissapoint me. I think 9-12 wins and a 4.50ish ERA would be nice to expect. Would prolly be more than what Marshall and Marquis give us...and them two might not even be here for Opening Day.

[nathanKent]

I think you mean SAM Fuld

That's what I said.

Presently my answers are as follows (subject to change after seeing Sunday's game, if the wind changes direction, and/or when tonight's dinner finishes digesting):

1. Lee and Ramirez no, but Fukudome a little bit. I know there's an adjustment period, but it seems like a lot of Japanese players never make it out of that adjustment period. I really hope we don't get rid of Murton before we see what Fukudome will actually turn into. It would be a shame to give away that good of a hitter for another Kaz Matsui.

2. Blanco, Murton, Ward, Patterson, and either Cintron or Fontenot. Fuld is making too many mistakes right now, and Patterson has done well enough in limited appearances at CF in AAA to be more valuable (IMO at least) than Fuld.

3. Not sold on him one bit.

4. I just don't see him ever turning into a MLB-caliber player. I don't even see him as that great of a defensive player. I can accept an Izturis-type SS, but right now Cedeno's FP at SS is .960. I've tried my hardest based on Bob's analysis to give the guy another look, but I still have an overwhelming desire to get up and walk out of the room every time he's at bat.

5. If I were Lou I would go with my five best pitchers: Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Lieber, and Marshall. Only I really don't trust Lieber's health either. If it were between Marquis and Dempster.... I don't know.... I think I'd choose neither. I thought Demp did a very good job as a closer and I wish he had stayed put.

[Spazz]

Blanco is going to be an asset this year. What an arm on that guy.

I remember last year after a baserunning blunder by Barrett, Sweet Lou said something like "...these guys are major leaguers and they don't know how to run the bases..." Well, Sweet Lou had the rest of last season and all of spring training this year to drill the guys on baserunning and I noticed in Saturday's Vegas game that they still don't know how to run the bases. I'm tired right now and can't remember the specifics but the baserunning blunder had me shaking my head in wonder. These guys are supposed to be in the hunt! Get the basics down! Monday is game day. Sheesh.