Im for letting Corey play for a week and see what happens .Could

be a surprise. Whats any body think

I'm frankly tired of the way Cubs management and the way some of you fans think prospects should be treated.  Let him play the week?  What is that going to prove?  In my opinion, he should have been up here on opening day, starting everyday, even against lefties.  He has already shown flashes of brilliance.  However, there needs to be some development at the major league level also.  Patience is the key.  If you give him only a week or two and catch him in  a slump, what do you do?  Trade him?  If my memory serves me correctly, when St. Louis first brought up J.D. Drew, he was nothing too impressive.  But look at him now (before he got hurt).  A prospect can only live up to the expectations put on him if he is given the  opportunity to succeed.  The Cubs have traded too many prospects in the past too early just by giving them a week.  Let's be realistic.  The Cubs are very good.  But, I don't believe they have what it takes yet to bring home a World Series ring.  This was supposed to be a rebuilding year.  They are off to a good start and need to build upon what they've got.  Trading away their top prospect or not giving him the opportunity to succeed are two vital mistakes the Cubs could make right now.

i also say let the kid play.he's needs to gain confidence

Absolutely...

This kid is going to be GREAT.  And I do mean GREAT.  However, as Cub fans we need to be patient.  Corey is going to be a Cub for a very long time, and is going to be extremely impressive for a very long time.  The kid is a ROOKIE!!!!  I guarantee that this kid is going to be a perenial .315/30/60(maybe more) hitter with close to 40 stolen bases a year.  GUARANTEED.

I think the biggest mistake Baylor is making right now is not playing him every day.  Let him learn on the field, playing next to Sammy, soaking it all in.  Besides, it's not like we're sitting Griffrey to let this kid get his starts.  Maybe it's just me, but my heart doesn't skip a beat if Matthews or Tucker isn't in the lineup.  I honestly think Corey is the best center fielder we have.  So Don, if you're reading this, PLAY HIM.

WonderBoy.

OK, Baylor did not make a mistake by not playing him every day he is a rookie, we are in a penneant race and will go to the playoffs. Rookies a lot of the time can't handle the pressure, isn't that right Rick Ankiel?

Fine Pete, but then who do you play?  In the heat of a pennant race, I'll take Corey over ANY of the CF we have now.

Can you say Mark Grace in '89?

Amen Wonderboy, my thoughts exactly.  It's about production, not how many years a player has under his belt.  If only Baylor would end his "love affair" with GM Jr. and give the kid a chance to play every day.  START PATTERSON!  It can't be any worse than who we have in CF right now. 

Play CP. Play Stairs. Play Brown. Platooning never builds cohesive outfields. One step this way or that can determine games. Having Ricky and EY in the middle so many games has surely strengthened our defense up the middle. Let the LH hitters and/or rookies settle in before we throw them to the lions if we must. But they are currently our best shot.

Anyone heard fresh news of No.1 pick/prospect?
peace mybrother

Devil's Advocate:

Mark Grace wasn't a rookie in 1989.

-R.

you're so right - does anyone not think that julio zuleta proved he belongs up here way more than gary matthews, jr.  they might like to say that CP isn't ready, but G-Matt obviously isn't ready - the man strikes out like it's his job. 

Amen and then some!! Corey maybe a rookie, but he has come through more than anybody else we put in CF.  How else can a rookie become a good veteran than to let him play and develop.  I think he would be a good compliment to Sammy if Baylor will only let him play more often.  We need the bats and we have one.....so play him DB why go looking outside of our house?!

Oh yeah, and as far as Zuleta goes, he should have never been sent down!!! Bring him back and send either Hundley back or GM Jr.

GO CUBS 2001!!!!!!!!!!!

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Edited 7/24/2001 10:04:23 AM ET by 4CUBBIES

i couldn't agree more...i'm in st louis...but i'm from chicago and i still love the cubs, which of course is hard enough around here. But i watched JD drew turn from a "wanna be" to a real winner all because of time and fan support. So you are right on, just wanted to say that. have a good one.

go cubbies

They are playing him for experience.    I dont think he will go back down to the minors.   he doesnt need to play everyday but he needs good playing time.   If we keep it up and win the division it will be great give this kid a taste of winning  and he and Sosa will tear it up for the next several years!

  Oh ya, GM Jr. strikes out to much and yet you want ZuDoo up here. They sent Zu down because he was striking out.Thats the only stat they're watching down in AAA. They want him to put the ball in play. G. Matthews is a web gem every game he's in.So nice to see you ready to sell him out. I like both Patterson and GM Jr more then Tucker and DeSheilds, but our guys need time to grow.There is great talent there, but you accountants only see numbers.

Amen!!!  Enough said diehardcf.  I have to agree with you on this one.  Tucker was not the piece of the puzzle we needed.  Anyone remember why Atlanta got rid of him in the first place?  He was the lazy one in the outfield, remember in a playoff game where Cox got onto him for it.

zulu had his SO problems also, i'll give you that.  but he didn't get nearly the chance that matthews is getting. you're also right about matthews defense, but he's only an eyelash better than patterson defensively.  i'm just tired of baylor giving matthews chances, and seeing matthews screw it up - i'm not ready to sell him out, he just needs to fix the holes in his swing in the minors - i don't think patterson has as many holes, and his ceiling is much higher.  i just like Zulu - i think he was a big, big part of that winning streak, not just because of his hitting, but also his clubhouse impact - all that #### about feeding the bats and stuff lightened everyone up and people quit pressing and started  winning.  i really wish we didn't have to bring hundley back - machado should get the most starts from here on out - he's the most solid catcher we have. 

oldie but a goodie!!