Cubs Spring Training

[bcl20]

it doesnt matter if their defense is better because in wrigley they need dominant pitchers since it is such an easy hitters park. they will not be good because they rely on bottom of the order role players to be stars...for example - barney.

1) reds
2) cardinals
3) brewers
4) pirates
5) cubs
6) astros

very weak division. expect the east to be strongest in nl and have the team playing for the world series.

Less than half the time yes but most of the time no it's not.

[HawkLyfe]

The Cubs.... LOL

[cjhawks]

For the record, Ramirez could not come close to matching Stewart defensively. And this isn't my opinion, it's the opinion of Keith Law at ESPN as well as most everyone at Baseball America.

[MikeDog70]

This is a pretty great move by Sveum. Creative and fun way to preach and teach the fundamentals, plus just lighten the atmosphere a bit.

Chicago Cubs: Bunting tournament to help lighten mood in camp - chicagotribune.com

Here is the bracket, I think I have Barney winning it all.

[woodyk1]

If you are Kerry Wood, do you let Sveum beat you?

Also, Soriano a 15 seed! What?

[bcl20]

Nobody on the Cubs should be practicing bunting aside from the pitchers. Worst ******* play in sports.

[djwoody98]

Yes, God forbid you actually move a runner into scoring position! Swinging for the fences on the first pitch always works for the Cubs.

[bcl20]

Yes, God forbid you actually move a runner into scoring position! Swinging for the fences on the first pitch always works for the Cubs.

You don't give up outs in baseball.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd since when is there no middle ground between the awful bunt and swinging for the fences on the first pitch.

[MikeDog70]

I read where the seedings were completely random. Lahair vs. Rizzo is interesting, too. In the article, Woody says he has a "cakewalk" vs. Sveum, so doesn't sound like he will let him win. Winner gets $2k, each chipped in $50. More than working on bunting, I think this is just fun and will go a long ways toward a positive clubhouse.

[hawks23]

You don't give up outs in baseball.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd since when is there no middle ground between the awful bunt and swinging for the fences on the first pitch.

Double plays aren't a good idea either. Ground ball after a successful bunt has a guy on third with two outs. No bunt and a ground ball and you usually have a double play with two outs. It's all depends on the situation though.

Cubs have grounded into many double plays when a bunt might have helped them. I'm all for small ball.

[hawkfarmer]

I would take a sac bunt over a double play any day. But if you didn't realize there are guys in this leauge that are really good at getting on base by bunting (Campana could be one) and everyone should know how to bunt. It's a good skill to have, and to get the whole team involved in the competition is a great idea. I'm sure he's not going to have all these guys bunting all the time, but how do you say, ok, it's the pitchers and campana in this competition.

It's a team bonding event and competition which is always a great thing to have.

My money is no Dempster.

[MikeDog70]

I would take a sac bunt over a double play any day. But if you didn't realize there are guys in this leauge that are really good at getting on base by bunting (Campana could be one) and everyone should know how to bunt. It's a good skill to have, and to get the whole team involved in the competition is a great idea. I'm sure he's not going to have all these guys bunting all the time, but how do you say, ok, it's the pitchers and campana in this competition.

It's a team bonding event and competition which is always a great thing to have.

My money is no Dempster.

Right on Farmer...the whole team INCLUDING the coaches, which I think is a great team bonding activity. Don't underestimate the team bonding talk.

This started yesterday apparently, but I haven't heard any results or seen an updated bracket yet.

[hawkfarmer]

[QUOTE=MikeDog70;729039]Right on Farmer...the whole team INCLUDING the coaches, which I think is a great team bonding activity. Don't underestimate the team bonding talk.

This started yesterday apparently, but I haven't heard any results or seen an updated bracket yet.[/QUOTE]

Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago

that's all i could find

[DJL]

Nobody on the Cubs should be practicing bunting aside from the pitchers. Worst ******* play in sports.

The Cubs just simply don't have the big RBI slugger types in the lineup this year. They have to find ways to produce runs. Sometimes, that's going to mean bunting a guy over from second to third with one out, or putting a guy in scoring position with the game on the line.

[okeefe4prez]

I would take a sac bunt over a double play any day.

With all due respect, you know nothing about baseball. A double play helps clear the bases so there aren't runners clogging them up. A sac bunt does not.