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From: tommyo@ihuxw.UUCP (Tom O`Connor)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Cubs Mortgaging Future? (Again??)
Message-ID: <1164@ihuxw.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 17-Dec-85 14:07:00 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxw.1164
Posted: Tue Dec 17 14:07:00 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Dec-85 05:17:50 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 38

I have to stop and wonder about Dallas Green`s latest moves
to bring the Cubbies their 2nd divisional title in 3 years.
WIthin a week he has traded 2 young, exciting and enthusiactic
ballplayers with low salaries for two older veterans, who may
have trouble getting into the starting line-up.  Now I know
a lot of people screamed when Hall and Carter went to Cleveland
for a certain Rick Sutcliffe, and things worked out great,
but being a long-time sufferer, it looks like the Cubs are
doing the old "mortgage the future, win one right now" ploy.

Dave Owen for Cub alumnus Manny Trillo really baffles me.  Manny
has really lost it the last few seasons, at the bat especially.
Owen has never really had a long chance to show all his stuff,
what with Ryno and Dunston holding down the middle of the infield.
Trillo supposedly will give Ryne a day off from time to time,
and be competition for Cey at 3rd.  I hope I`m wrong, but Trillo
may be the latest Larry Bowa (can`t hit their weight, especially
in salary!)

Billy Hatcher for Jerry Mumphrey also surprises me.  The Cubs are
DEEP in the outfield, with Matthews (a big ?? for `86), Dernier
and Moreland starting, and Bosley and Dayette good backups.
Mumphrey can`t hit from the right side well, and doesn`t want to
platoon.  Hatcher is ready for the bigs, and should show the
Dome crowd some excellent speed, (which, according to TSN, they
want to improve on).  But a mere two words make this trade
scary for me --- Lou Brock!

The Cubs REALLY need middle relief.  Look at last year!  Don`t
tell me it was just the loss of the regular starters.  The middle
relief was the pits!  Brusstar, Sorenson, Frazier, Fontenot - ugh!
Maybe some of the youngsters that were up last fall can fill in,
like Merideth, Patterson or Baller.  The Cubs NEVER should`ve
let Bordi go - he DID the middle relief job great in `84, and
got the major screws with the playoffs (left off the roster) and
subsequently traded.

Ah, I do LOVE to talk baseball a week before Christmas!