Re: cubs get Lofton/ Ramirez
I seriously believe Dave Littlefield is the man that convinced McClatchy this was the way to go.
In truth, adding the pieces they added this past off-season didn't work. They still stink. They're inconsistent. There's a lack of leadership. Really, how else are you gonna do it? Kendall's the highest paid guy on the team and he's mediocre, at best. In fact, he's a lousy catcher who can't block the plate, has too many paseed balls, and doesn't throw runners out. He doesn't hit for power nor does he drive in runs. He's got decent speed, but he's not a basestealer. He's costing the team $42 million over the duration of his contract. Ramirez has power and is streaky who can drive in runs, but he's got an attitude and he's lackadaisical in the field. Plus, he becomes a FA after 2004 and you know he's gonna command BIG BUCKS. Those of you who remember Dave Parker will remember once he became baseball's highest paid player (@ $1 mil per year), he became a fat, lazy dog who was injured half the time. He didn't do well until his FA year in 1983. Then, he signed with the Reds.
Littlefield will live and die by putting HIS stamp on the Pittsburgh Pirates. So far, that's pitching, defense, and discipline. The Pirates have had very little of any of them from their "core" guys.
I seriously believe Dave Littlefield is the man that convinced McClatchy this was the way to go.
In truth, adding the pieces they added this past off-season didn't work. They still stink. They're inconsistent. There's a lack of leadership. Really, how else are you gonna do it? Kendall's the highest paid guy on the team and he's mediocre, at best. In fact, he's a lousy catcher who can't block the plate, has too many paseed balls, and doesn't throw runners out. He doesn't hit for power nor does he drive in runs. He's got decent speed, but he's not a basestealer. He's costing the team $42 million over the duration of his contract. Ramirez has power and is streaky who can drive in runs, but he's got an attitude and he's lackadaisical in the field. Plus, he becomes a FA after 2004 and you know he's gonna command BIG BUCKS. Those of you who remember Dave Parker will remember once he became baseball's highest paid player (@ $1 mil per year), he became a fat, lazy dog who was injured half the time. He didn't do well until his FA year in 1983. Then, he signed with the Reds.
Littlefield will live and die by putting HIS stamp on the Pittsburgh Pirates. So far, that's pitching, defense, and discipline. The Pirates have had very little of any of them from their "core" guys.
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