Games are fun. Everybody likes to play games. Let’s play one today. We’ll call it “Who’s more delusional?” The contestants are Cubs.com writer Carrie Muskat and Cubs’ manager Dusty Baker.
Let’s start with the Dustbag:
Remember a few weeks ago when Dusty said that the reason the Cubs were sinking was because he had “all these young guys” on his team?
Yesterday, Dusty tried to be like Superman and fly around the earth backwards to go back in time.
“Everybody keeps talking about all these young guys, but we don’t have a whole bunch of young guys to play,†Baker said. “Probably the only two are Murton and Cedeno. How old are they? How old is Murton? In my mind, Corey is still young.
Wait, wait. It gets better.
“I just can’t take the ball and glove out of Neifi’s hands either,†Baker said. “It’s not fair to just sit him down for what he’s done for us. So I’ve got to find a way, at least for a while, for both of them to play. And I believe in matching young guys up with guys that (they) will most likely have success (against) so you don’t ruin them. I’ve seen young guys get ruined.â€Â
Yes, that’s exactly what you should do. You should take the ball and glove out of Neifi’s hands and tie him up with tape and hide him in the shower during games.
“If you haven’t noticed, I play everybody on my team. I always have. So it’s not going to be any different. They’re going to get at-bats big-time. You guys ask me the same questions every day.”
We haven’t noticed, because it’s not true. You always play old stiffs, now that’s a true statement.
He was asked how often he’ll play Murton and Cedeno and answered:
“Depends on how [much time] I can get Corey [Patterson] and [Jerry] Hairstonâ€â€he’s playing pretty good,” Baker said. “You’ve still got to win games too.
I’ve got news for you Dusty. Playing Corey isn’t trying to win. And if you play Hairston in center that leaves a nice big spot in left for Murton.
But here’s the moment where he tipped his hand about whether the Cubs are going to trade Todd Walker and it was actually in a quote we’ve already highlighted.
So I’ve got to find a way, at least for a while, for both of them (Neifi and Cedeno) to play.
Gee, how would trading Todd accomplish that? Guh.
I’ve got a better idea. Why doesn’t Jim Hendry trade Neifi? I’m sure somebody’s dumb enough to want him. The Yankees are going to sign Mark Bellhorn today, so see, there are lots of dumb teams out there.
Fine. So how is Carrie Muskat possibly going to compete with that flurry of dumbass comments?
Read the subhead for this article. It’s amazing.
For those too lazy to click the headlline and subhead are:
Notes: Cubs consider additional moves
Unfamiliar spot in standings creates deadline uncertainty
Unfamiliar spot? Since 1972 what has been more familiar to the Cubs than being out of it with a month to go? They practically invented it.
OK, that’s not fair to Carrie because she didn’t write the headline. So we’ll let her own words speak for her:
There are only a few days before Wednesday’s deadline by which teams have to determine their playoff rosters. The Chicago Cubs are headed in an unexpected direction and have already dealt outfielder Matt Lawton to the contending New York Yankees. Could someone else be next?
Unexpected? Huh? You didn’t see this coming, Muskrat? Really?
Baker doesn’t say anything to the players. He doesn’t want them worrying unnecessarily.
Worried about what? About being traded to a contender? They’re lucky anybody wants any of these bums. The ones who should be worried are the ones who have to stay.
Baker isn’t used to not being in contention. As a manager, he has not finished with a losing record since 1996, when the San Francisco Giants were 68-94.
Let’s see here. In 1993 his Giants had an unexpectedly good season and won 103 games. Then in 1994 the NL West was just as bad as it is right now. It was the first year of the three division format and the Giants finished second, but they were 55-60. Bad. In 1995 they were dead ass last at 67-77. Then they weren’t just last in ’96, they were 23 games behind the Padres and a whopping 15 games behind second to last place Colorado.
Let’s see. In his first year in Chicago, Dusty’s team had an unexpectedly good season. Then the next year they finished third. This year they are fifth and can still catch the Pirates for last. Judging by Dusty’s trend in San Francisco, things ought to be just grand next year. Maybe they can lose 120 games, if everything goes just right.
Unexpected. My ass.
