MIKE OLT!

[BH]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

[SKO]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

[InternetApex]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

[Tonker]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I was just about to write something about how Valbuena isn't terrible, and then thought I'd take a look at the stats first.  Holy shit: it shows how much attention I paid to the second half last year.  Valbuena IS fucking terrible.

[R-V]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

That, and taking it easy on the shoulder, per Dick Renter E. Ah.

Renteria says he still wants to ease Olt in there for now . Maybe take it easy on shoulder. Sighted slick conditions.

Rick's got quite a set of eyes on him, sighting field conditions from the press room.

[Quality Start Machine]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

That, and taking it easy on the shoulder, per Dick Renter E. Ah.

Renteria says he still wants to ease Olt in there for now . Maybe take it easy on shoulder. Sighted slick conditions.

Rick's got quite a set of eyes on him, sighting field conditions from the press room.

Renteria mows my lawn.

[Slaky]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

Agreed.  Right now, he's not even hitting lefties.  I think he'll be fine but--though I was initially as annoyed as BH-- I don't think there's any harm in easing him in.

[Powdered Toast Man]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

Agreed.  Right now, he's not even hitting lefties.  I think he'll be fine but--though I was initially as annoyed as BH-- I don't think there's any harm in easing him in.

Well, let me play the part of the dumb guy like always. Why not play Olt most days? This is how I sees it--Olt is essentially losing AB's to Barney, right? I think the better lineup would be to play Olt at third, and have this kind of triumvirate of evil in Bonerfacio, Ruggiano and Valbuena tackling CF/2B depending on the pitcher.

Against RHP, Bonerfacio at CF, Valbuena at 2B; against LHP, Bonerfacio at 2B and Ruggiano in CF. Or does that accomplish anything because Ruggiano is still kinda hurt and not that great? I don't know...obviously.












MY COLT!

[J. Walter Weatherman]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

Agreed.  Right now, he's not even hitting lefties.  I think he'll be fine but--though I was initially as annoyed as BH-- I don't think there's any harm in easing him in.

Well, let me play the part of the dumb guy like always. Why not play Olt most days? This is how I sees it--Olt is essentially losing AB's to Barney, right? I think the better lineup would be to play Olt at third, and have this kind of triumvirate of evil in Bonerfacio, Ruggiano and Valbuena tackling CF/2B depending on the pitcher.

Against RHP, Bonerfacio at CF, Valbuena at 2B; against LHP, Bonerfacio at 2B and Ruggiano in CF. Or does that accomplish anything because Ruggiano is still kinda hurt and not that great? I don't know...obviously.

I think the idea is that, because Olt is overmatched against LHP, it might be a good idea to ease him into it for his own sake. It shouldn't be about "the better lineup" on any given day. It should be about a) what's best for the players' development and b) what's best in terms of setting up Oopstink to make trades towards more/stiffer futureboners.

[PenFoe]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

Agreed.  Right now, he's not even hitting lefties.  I think he'll be fine but--though I was initially as annoyed as BH-- I don't think there's any harm in easing him in.

Well, let me play the part of the dumb guy like always. Why not play Olt most days? This is how I sees it--Olt is essentially losing AB's to Barney, right? I think the better lineup would be to play Olt at third, and have this kind of triumvirate of evil in Bonerfacio, Ruggiano and Valbuena tackling CF/2B depending on the pitcher.

Against RHP, Bonerfacio at CF, Valbuena at 2B; against LHP, Bonerfacio at 2B and Ruggiano in CF. Or does that accomplish anything because Ruggiano is still kinda hurt and not that great? I don't know...obviously.

I think the idea is that, because Olt is overmatched against LHP, it might be a good idea to ease him into it for his own sake. It shouldn't be about "the better lineup" on any given day. It should be about a) what's best for the players' development and b) what's best in terms of setting up Oopstink to make trades towards more/stiffer futureboners.

IAN - the last guy who wasn't focused on player development got fired.

[Tonker]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

Agreed.  Right now, he's not even hitting lefties.  I think he'll be fine but--though I was initially as annoyed as BH-- I don't think there's any harm in easing him in.

Well, let me play the part of the dumb guy like always. Why not play Olt most days? This is how I sees it--Olt is essentially losing AB's to Barney, right? I think the better lineup would be to play Olt at third, and have this kind of triumvirate of evil in Bonerfacio, Ruggiano and Valbuena tackling CF/2B depending on the pitcher.

Against RHP, Bonerfacio at CF, Valbuena at 2B; against LHP, Bonerfacio at 2B and Ruggiano in CF. Or does that accomplish anything because Ruggiano is still kinda hurt and not that great? I don't know...obviously.

I think the idea is that, because Olt is overmatched against LHP, it might be a good idea to ease him into it for his own sake. It shouldn't be about "the better lineup" on any given day. It should be about a) what's best for the players' development and b) what's best in terms of setting up Oopstink to make trades towards more/stiffer futureboners.

IAN - the last guy who wasn't focused on player development got fired.

Good job you added the picture, because I had no idea who you were talking about.

[Powdered Toast Man]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

Agreed.  Right now, he's not even hitting lefties.  I think he'll be fine but--though I was initially as annoyed as BH-- I don't think there's any harm in easing him in.

Well, let me play the part of the dumb guy like always. Why not play Olt most days? This is how I sees it--Olt is essentially losing AB's to Barney, right? I think the better lineup would be to play Olt at third, and have this kind of triumvirate of evil in Bonerfacio, Ruggiano and Valbuena tackling CF/2B depending on the pitcher.

Against RHP, Bonerfacio at CF, Valbuena at 2B; against LHP, Bonerfacio at 2B and Ruggiano in CF. Or does that accomplish anything because Ruggiano is still kinda hurt and not that great? I don't know...obviously.

I think the idea is that, because Olt is overmatched against LHP, it might be a good idea to ease him into it for his own sake. It shouldn't be about "the better lineup" on any given day. It should be about a) what's best for the players' development and b) what's best in terms of setting up Oopstink to make trades towards more/stiffer futureboners.

I'm all for what's better for his development, but I kind of don't agree that sitting half the time is better for him. Is it totally out of this world to think that the more pitchers he sees the more he learns?

[Quality Start Machine]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

Agreed.  Right now, he's not even hitting lefties.  I think he'll be fine but--though I was initially as annoyed as BH-- I don't think there's any harm in easing him in.

Well, let me play the part of the dumb guy like always. Why not play Olt most days? This is how I sees it--Olt is essentially losing AB's to Barney, right? I think the better lineup would be to play Olt at third, and have this kind of triumvirate of evil in Bonerfacio, Ruggiano and Valbuena tackling CF/2B depending on the pitcher.

Against RHP, Bonerfacio at CF, Valbuena at 2B; against LHP, Bonerfacio at 2B and Ruggiano in CF. Or does that accomplish anything because Ruggiano is still kinda hurt and not that great? I don't know...obviously.

I think the idea is that, because Olt is overmatched against LHP, it might be a good idea to ease him into it for his own sake. It shouldn't be about "the better lineup" on any given day. It should be about a) what's best for the players' development and b) what's best in terms of setting up Oopstink to make trades towards more/stiffer futureboners.

I'm all for what's better for his development, but I kind of don't agree that sitting half the time is better for him. Is it totally out of this world to think that the more pitchers he sees the more he learns?

But if he's getting overmatched while his shoulder heals, what development is going to happen? There's no point in worrying about his growth bring stunted after 6 games. If we get to 60 games, it's a different matter.

[J. Walter Weatherman]

I hope the cubs are trying to trade valbuena soon, if not, I'm confused as to why Renterria is playing him over Olt.

I kind of just assumed they were trying to build up Olt's confidence by batting him only against lefties at first, then easing him in against righties. Given how terrible the last year and half have been for him they might be afraid of him suffering through an early slump if he struggles to catch up against major league right handed pitching to start.

I hope people read what you wrote here, process it, and nod their head in agreement like I just did.

I did. Because it's correct.

Olt's not going to play every day. And if he did he wouldn't single handedly make this lineup good.

Agreed.  Right now, he's not even hitting lefties.  I think he'll be fine but--though I was initially as annoyed as BH-- I don't think there's any harm in easing him in.

Well, let me play the part of the dumb guy like always. Why not play Olt most days? This is how I sees it--Olt is essentially losing AB's to Barney, right? I think the better lineup would be to play Olt at third, and have this kind of triumvirate of evil in Bonerfacio, Ruggiano and Valbuena tackling CF/2B depending on the pitcher.

Against RHP, Bonerfacio at CF, Valbuena at 2B; against LHP, Bonerfacio at 2B and Ruggiano in CF. Or does that accomplish anything because Ruggiano is still kinda hurt and not that great? I don't know...obviously.

I think the idea is that, because Olt is overmatched against LHP, it might be a good idea to ease him into it for his own sake. It shouldn't be about "the better lineup" on any given day. It should be about a) what's best for the players' development and b) what's best in terms of setting up Oopstink to make trades towards more/stiffer futureboners.

I'm all for what's better for his development, but I kind of don't agree that sitting half the time is better for him. Is it totally out of this world to think that the more pitchers he sees the more he learns?

6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season. 6th game of the season.