Dempster Is No Dumpster

Maybe the Cubs have found a key to another successful season. No, they are not planning to start Mike Fontenot but there has been talk of using Ryan Dempster as a starting pitcher. Dempster was the Cubs' main closer these past three seasons and while he didn't do a bad job at the position, he let some games slip away. Would this switch in the pitching department actually help the Cubs? The plan is to move Kerry Wood to the closing position while moving Dempster to a starting position. I don't really see any harm in at least trying this switch.

"We've talked to Dempster about starting," Hendry said Tuesday at the general managers meeting. "Lou [Piniella] talked to him at the end of the year about it. I think Dempster prefers to be a starter. We're talking about a guy who won 15 games as a starter and went to an All-Star Game in that role. We think he will be able to contribute to our rotation."

I think many fans would have better faith in the Cubs bull pen if Dempster was taken out of it. Just take a look at what Cubs' fan, Rob has to say. Personally, I have nothing against Dempster, but fellow bull pen mates Howry and Marmol usually pitch more effectively and in my opinion, could be trusted more with closing duties. And with Wood being added to the pen, this could only mean good things. Last season, Wood allowed .207 average against him. Compare this with Dempster's 4.73 earned-run average in 66 games. If numbers show anything, Wood would be a better closer and help the Cubs hold on to close victories. This move might be one of the smartest things that the team could do at this point.


Hopefully Wood doesn't decide to let go of the Cubs and become a free-agent instead of re-signing. He is obviously an important aspect to the team's pitching and if he left, the Cubs would be forced to find another bull pen arm. Wood has the numbers and the experience which means that Chicago should try very hard to keep him on board for next season. Could this switch between Dempster and Wood be the key to next seasons' success and ultimate victory over every other team in the nation? In my mind I refuse to think otherwise but in reality, it could be a total disaster. But I trust Lou Piniella with the Cubs and am willing to see how this plays out.

Here's some offensive evaluations

Since the White Sox are in the off-season and there is obviously not too much going on with the trading, I think that it is a great time to evaluate the team and see where we could use some possible improvements.

So let’s start off at first base. The White Sox have Paul Konerko there and he is one of the best hitters, it not the best, on the team. He is also a very good defensive player and to be honest, I really think that we need to build the team around him.

At second base, we have Danny Richar. Richar’s first year in the pros was last year and the White Sox had a lot of expectations for him, and at times he showed us why. He contributes to the team with his speed for the top of the order and he is also a pretty good defensive player. However, I really think that second base could improve. He didn’t really show anything too spectacular last year, but it was his rookie year. Like I stated in a previous post, I think that the White Sox really need to work on improving their middle infield, and hopefully we can take a step towards that with a trade this week or one in the near future.

Now let’s move to shortstop. Juan Uribe played shortstop for the Sox last year and he has a good arm, but it really lacks talent offensively. He is a poor hitter and I think the White Sox could definitely get someone better to help improve the middle infield. Uribe had some off-the-field issues last year and is a free agent at the end of next year.

Like I have said in numerous posts, the White Sox have a dilemma at third base. They have two really good players, Crede and Fields, that will be fighting for the position. I really think that Crede will be the starter next year. He is one of the best all around player s that the White Sox have. Without a doubt he will win a gold glove in his career and he is the best clutch hitter for the White Sox. I am pretty confident that the Sox will end up trading Fields. There is no way that he could replace Joe Crede. So third base is a really solid position, and it doesn’t need any improvements at all.

Now let’s take a look at the outfield. In right field we have Jermaine Dye. Two years ago he made a run at the MVP for the American League. This year he struggled and he definitely had his low and high points. As for fielding, he is an average fielder, but he has a pretty good arm. If the White Sox can find a player that is a better power hitter then they could really use it. But if they can’t, the Dye is a good enough player to stay in right field.

Centerfield is in dire need of an improvement. Last season the White Sox had a variety of players there with not one being really that impressive. Rumor has it that the Sox are trying to acquire Tori Hunter from the free agent market. He would be a huge improvement and asset both offensively and defensively.

In left field for part of the 2007 season we had Scott Podsednik. He is another player for the White Sox who was hurt a lot. He is a decent left fielder, but he is a really, really good offensive player. He steals a lot of bases and does a good job scoring runs. If he can stay healthy then the White Sox will be just fine with left field.

Well I think that is enough for now. I will be sure to write a post in the near future that will evaluate the White Sox bullpen.

Monday After

It's the Monday after the bye, and things are looking up a little. We've got the Raiders coming up, who shouldn't be a tough task. The Bears are reporting that they're getting Hester involved in the offense. But in that same article they're making excuses for players, which I hate to see, especially since it's for Benson. He's a sorry excuse for a player.

The playoff hopes are gone. The packers have a good lead in the division, and the Lions keep winning. Even the Vikings are playing pretty well. It seems to be a classic case of first to last, or Super Bowl hangover.

The defense should play well against Oakland. They have had time to heal, and hopefully to get some things straightened out.

I Take It Back

I've been thinking and I hope you all are as terrified as I am. Don't worry, it's not that big of deal. I do it all of the time, I swear. In case you are worrying, I'll let you in on some of the things that have been mulling around in my brain. Mainly, I have been wondering if I would be considered a hypocrite in the eyes of my peers.

This revelation has to do with one of my former posts when I, well, condemned bandwagon fans and those who purchase teams' clothing just because everyone else has them. What, you might ask, does this have to do with me? Well, my birthday is coming up (November 24 in case anyone cares) and of course Christmas so I've been thinking about some stuff I would like. Obviously I am a Cubs fan seeing as I write about the Chicago team and so I asked for a Fontenot jersey. I realized that I don't own any Cubs shirts and that I should probably start a collection sometime soon and what better time to start than my birthday.

And then it hit me. Could I be as bad as those fans who buy jerseys and hats because everyone else has them? The way I answered that question was "mostly no". I do own a Cubs hat and I wear it from time to time when my hair isn't cooperating or on the off chance that a shower was missed. Granted, I do not own any other Cubs merchandise and by asking for some for my birthday, it sort of puts me in the group I expressed my dislike for in my former post. But maybe by declaring my love for the team before I receive my jersey, it will exempt me from the harsh brutalities that other sports followers, including myself, inflict on such "pretend fans". At least I'm hoping that's the case.

So please, if you see me walking around campus in a brand new Fontenot jersey, have mercy. I am now taking back some of the things I said in my earlier post 1. to me more fair and less judgmental and 2. to save my own skin from the hawk-like eyes of fellow sports fans. Hey, I don't want to be called a hypocrite or a fake fan and so I'm saying sorry. Not everyone who goes out and buys new sports apparel are untrue fans or just simply jumping on the bandwagon. It was unfair for me to generalize all fans and I realize that now. So don't call me a hypocrite and don't judge me for wanting a new Cubs jersey. Yes it will be my first one, yes I have loved the Cubs for a while now, and no, I don't think that all Yankees fans are bandwagon riders.

And by I don't, I mean I do.

Aw, I'm just kidding.

I will trade you ..... for ......

So yes, the deal making has started, and like I stated before, the White Sox are off to a pretty slow start. But,according to Chicagosports.com, the White Sox could possibly make a trade as soon as today. Ken Williams stated that he believes he is in a position to do so, especially with the annual general managers’ meetings starting today in Orlando.

The White Sox main concern in my opinion, is to look for players who can help with center field, the middle infield, and pitching. It would also be nice if we could find some players to help with the top of the batting order too.

Some other news that could possibly come out this week are the answers that will ultimately solve the dilemma between third basemens Josh Fields and Joe Crede. We might finally get the answer to question most people have been wondering about. “Who will play third base next season?” The question will probably be solved with either trading Fields or Crede, and probably not keeping both of them. Yes keeping both of them is a possibility, by putting Fields in the outfield and leaving Crede on third, but is unlikely. Since Crede has been cleared to start playing again, team’s who are looking for a third baseman will more than likely come to the Sox because they have two great ones. So hopefully we will have some exciting trades this week and hopefully get some answers.