Folks, get ready for another year of Theriot at SS. Let's hope Baker doesn't fail like Fontenot did because it's going to be another long year up the middle.

The infamous 2B log jam that JH is so very well known for crafting. Great. Three 2Bman.

I think there was season several years ago where the roster had something like 7-8 players that had played or could play 2B. Just loves to corner the market on 2Bmen. Too bad none of them have been very good.

Tell me one thing you've heard or read that tells you that the Cubs will be any different next season.

2010 is going to be a long, long, long, season.

You might be referring to 1974. I remember convincing one of my teachers that Ron Dunn was going to be very good. Surprisingly, I passed that class. For years, the Cubs could never find a 3B that could match up closely enough against Ron Santo. Finally, they got Aramis, and I think we're over that hump. But now, we have the same problem finding a 2B that can stack up favorably against Ryno. (You don't think Jeff Baker will be that guy, do ya?)

But one guy that I did like in the middle infield last year was Blanco. I would like to see him given a shot at SS, and move Theriot and his limited range to 2B.

Yeah, I see a somewhat unpleasant year next year too. I understand whay Ricketts wants to give it another year though, with all of the money he'll have to eat to rebuild. When you look at how many games they won in 2008, risk versus reward tells you the smart play is to give it one more year and see if Soriano and Soto bounce back, and if you can stay healthy.

Maybe they had a logjam in 74, but thats well before the JH era. My recall was a team "stacked" with 2Bmen that JH had created. Too lazy to look at past rosters, but it was during his time as GM.

<<But one guy that I did like in the middle infield last year was Blanco. I would like to see him given a shot at SS, and move Theriot and his limited range to 2B.>>

I dont know if thats the answer to what ails this team, but I wouldnt object to that experiment. However, that would still put two relatively weak bats in the MI lineup.

Theriot may have a "weak" bat in being that he isn't a power hitter but he is a contact hitter with a good average. However, Blanco's problem is that he can't hit the ball consistently with a less than average AVG.

My friend, I know all about RT and his "bat". If he could punch out a few doubles and triples or steal a few sacks combined with all those singles he hits, then we might have something. But, sadly, even his K ratio exploded this past season, as either he or his manager thought he might be the new power hitting SS this franchise would like to have.

If we move Blanco to SS, we are improving defensively at a crucial position, without giving up much, if anything on offense. By moving Theriot to 2B, that might actually take some pressure off of him, which would enable him to improve offensively. If not, then at least we would be better off at one of the middle IF positions.

I'd sacrifice some offense for some quality defense in the middle IF (key word being "quality"). Of course, the concern over lack of offense could best be directed to our corner OF who drove in a grand total of 40 runs.

I'm not sure I'd start Theriot over Baker to begin the year in your scenario.

i thought it was pretty clear that it should be blanco starting SS and theriot starting 2b when you need D, and theriot at SS and Baker at 2b when you need bats

I would blame the "power" phase on the coaching. Which landed him with a higher K ratio than normal. He does have the most SB on the team, and would probably have more if the coaches were more aggressive in that area.

I agree that more doubles would be welcomed but at least he is getting on base. Players behind him just need to be able to move him over. As well as there needs to be runners on base so when he does get those singles he would be moving people over and hopefully scoring some as well.

I do agree that his range is somewhat limited and he dives/slides for more balls than he should have to (no where near what Cedeno did though), however he is a solid SS, not great but solid. More suited for 2B.

I like Baker a lot-and frankly as much as I like Theriot, I wouldnt mind Ryan getting traded and someone else playing short.

it wouldnt surprise me if Castro starts at short by the all-star break

The only reason Theriot should dive for a goundball would be if a runner where at second base and that prevents the ball from going to the outfield where the runner on second could score. At least Cedeno had a strong arm that he may actually have a chance to throw out the hitter.

Actually the Cubs had a good replacement for Santo right away, but traded him away, because after winning back to back batting titles in 75 & 76 he asked for a raise. The guys name was Bill Madlock he went on to win a total of 4 batting titles. The funny thing was the Cubs traded him for
Bobby Murcer who was making more money then Madlock wanted.

That's a BIG mistake, like I said in the last off season, you can have Fontenot there and expect to get to the playoffs, we need a real 2b.

I heard Piniella sees something in Fontenot.

Hey everyone, shortstop is a defensive position, you better have that first.

Hey, it seems so obvious now huh, the Cubs are doing nothing, gee.

Hardslide-
I am not sure if anyone responded with the year but it was 2006. We had 5 second basemen
1) Ronnie Cedeno
2) Jerry Hairston Jr
3) Good Old Neifi Perez
4) Todd Walker
5) Tony Womack

Gee thanks for reminding us. I just threw up in my mouth.

Don't forget Freddie "boom boom" Bynum. Wasn't he part of that matched set?

Bynum was listed as an Outfielder.