Iowa Cubs 5 @ Oklahoma City Bombers 1
Your kids will no doubt remember this as the Brian Bogusevic game. He had 2 separate 2-run blasts, and drew a walk for good measure. He was near the entirety of the offense and a Quad-A MVP. Logan Watkins had a walk and a strikeout and nothing else; his line sits at .237/.347/.382 for the season. The Brett Jackson we know and love is back: 1-4, 3 SO. Junior Lake did Junior Lake things: 2-4, run scored, 2 strikeouts, caught stealing, throwing error. The agony and the ecstasy and all that jazz.
I've been banging the drum on DFA'ing Chris Rusin for quite some time now, but credit where it's due. He had another really nice game yesterday, scattering a walk and 5 hits over 7 scoreless innings. He only had 3 strikeouts, but his ERA now sits at 3.38. The problem is he's 26 and sits right around 6 K/9 and 3 BB/9. That's not going to work, and in any case is eminently replaceable. I'd rather have the spot go to someone with genuine upside, like Yoanner Negrin or Guillermo Moscoso. Can anyone really envision Rusin as part of the next good Cubs team, or even trade bait for a piece of it? No way. I'm sure he's a great kid, but he's on his 3rd trip around the PCL and he's never struck out over 17.8% of batters (and doesn't exactly have pinpoint control). It's probably time to part ways. Barret Loux got a relief inning in and allowed a run on a walk and a hit. He also struck out 3 batters. I know dmick89 hates him, but I'm still intrigued by him, he's got some talent that may or may not ever show up after his injury. Brian Schlitter is being groomed for a relief role in Chicago in the mid-near future, and had another solid inning of work.
That's the most I've ever spent on the Iowa Cubs, I think.
Fort Myers Miracle 6 @ Daytona Cubs 3 (7 innings)
I think I've come around on the idea of promoting Javier Baez to AA. He's not going to struggle at A+ anymore, I don't think, because he's just too good for the caliber of pitching in this league. He hasn't "earned" his promotion, per se, because his holes are exactly the same as they were when he was drafted, but he deserves a chance to fix those holes as soon as he can. I think the longer he stays in A+, the more detrimental it is to his development, because he's getting confidence that he really shouldn't be getting. I had a little exchange with the always-excellent Sahadev Sharma, but find it laughable that he insinuates poor 1B and fielding conditions are to blame for his errors, when a) the other fielders around him don't have the same problem and b) poor 1B play would generally be an error on them. I can buy it a little, but I think some of that is just unnecessary fluff. Baez is a great prospect, and we don't need to gloss over his deficiencies for that to be true.
Baez was 0-3 with a walk and no strikeouts this game. John Andreoli had a pair of walks but never scored. Jorge Soler had a double and a single, scroing a run and striking out once. Oddly, he was the only play not to draw a walk in this game. Chadd Krist had a single and a solo shot, and drew a walk to boot. Zeke DeVoss had an RBI and a walk, but no hits. I'll have a piece on him later this week.
Ben Wells had another poor outing, though a Ben Carhart error (fielding, his 5th, undoubtedly poor turf 🙂 ) allowed 2 unearned runs to score. He only last 3.2 innings, allowing a pair of walks and quintet of hits. Sheldon McDonald was knocked around, recording an equal number of outs and baserunners, but allowed only one run. Larry Suarez finished with 1.2 uneventful frames.
Fort Myers Miracle 5 @ Daytona Cubs 4
Javier Baez had a pair of walks in this game, which is good to see. Jorge Soler went 1-4 with 3 strikeouts, so he had a very Brett Jackson-like day. Zeke DeVoss had a two-run shot in the 7th to make a game of it, and had another walk and single as well. John Andreoli, the sort-of forgotten All-Star on this team, had double doubles and a single single, for an RBI and a run. Wes Darvill showed everyone what's up, and drew 3 walks and went 0-1.
Matt Loosen has an excellent chance of being released after this class of draft picks signs. he went 4 innings and allowed a pair of runs, both on a 2-run HR. He struck out 6, walked 3, and gave up 4 hits. Austin Reed gave up a trio of runs in as many innings.
Cincinnati Reds 2 @ Chicago Cubs 1
I hate games like this. Even when we were up, I though we were going to lose. Sure enough, we did. Trade bait Nate Schierholtz continues to do good work, and Ryan Sweeney (who EVER thought he'd be our 4th hitter this year?) had a single as well. Darwin Barney had a single, and I just described everyone who reached base for the Cubs this game (Travis Wood's walk excepted). Everyone else sucked.
Travis Wood had a great game but lost anyway, because this is the Cubs. James Russell pitched a mediocre eighth (and has been worse than his 1.46 ERA would indicate), and Kevin Gregg had a decent ninth (and dropped his ERA to 0.96). I think there's every chance that he's a Detroit Tiger in the very near future, probably for a lottery ticket in the low minors. Fine with me. That trade makes a ton of sense to me; they need a closer in the worst way, but probably don't want to spend a lot for it, the two teams have had an open dialog in the recent past, and Gregg is eminently available and in need of being traded (both to open up space for Shawn Camp and to give Carlos Marmol another opportunity to close). It makes a ton of sense, so it probably won't happen.
DSL Nationals 2 @ DSL Cubs 12 (7 innings)
Adonis Paula was a double away from the cycle.
Cubs scored 9 times in the bottom of the 8th.
- Pitching Change: Jesus Rodriguez replaces Johan Marval.
- Miguel Rico walks.
- With Eufran Vargas batting, wild pitch by Jesus Rodriguez, Miguel Rico to 2nd.
- Eufran Vargas singles on a ground ball to left fielder Manuel Castillo. Miguel Rico to 3rd.
- Leonardo Gonzalez singles on a line drive to center fielder Oscar Rojas. Miguel Rico scores. Eufran Vargas to 2nd.
- Humberto Garcia singles on a line drive to center fielder Oscar Rojas. Eufran Vargas scores. Leonardo Gonzalez to 2nd.
- Martin Hodwalker flies out to center fielder Oscar Rojas.
- Arnaldo Calero singles on a ground ball to left fielder Manuel Castillo. Leonardo Gonzalez to 3rd. Humberto Garcia to 2nd.
- Bryant Flete out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Manuel Castillo. Leonardo Gonzalez scores.
- Roney Alcala singles on a ground ball to left fielder Manuel Castillo. Humberto Garcia scores. Arnaldo Calero to 2nd.
- With Delbis Arcila batting, wild pitch by Jesus Rodriguez, Arnaldo Calero to 3rd. Roney Alcala to 2nd.
- With Delbis Arcila batting, wild pitch by Jesus Rodriguez, Arnaldo Calero scores. Roney Alcala to 3rd.
- Delbis Arcila walks.
- Miguel Rico walks. Delbis Arcila to 2nd.
- Pitching Change: Frehumar Rivas replaces Jesus Rodriguez.
- With Eufran Vargas batting, Roney Alcala scores on a balk. Delbis Arcila advances to 3rd on a balk. Miguel Rico advances to 2nd on a balk.
- Eufran Vargas doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Manuel Castillo. Delbis Arcila scores. Miguel Rico scores.
- Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Roberto Vahlis replaces Leonardo Gonzalez.
- Roberto Vahlis walks.
- Humberto Garcia hit by pitch. Eufran Vargas to 3rd. Roberto Vahlis to 2nd.
- Martin Hodwalker singles on a ground ball to second baseman Jhonnathan Teran. Eufran Vargas scores. Roberto Vahlis to 3rd. Humberto Garcia to 2nd.
- Arnaldo Calero grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Jose Hernandez. Humberto Garcia out at 3rd.
Greyfer Eregua pitched 5 innings of 1-run ball, plunging his ERA to 0.93.
Comments
I thought exhibition season was over.
Srsly tho, I liked this part of the recap 😀
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The trade deadline is basically going to be the highlight of this season.
joshQuote Reply
This. It always happens. I figure this is what we knew about Baez as far back as when he was drafted: he would probably have to move to 3rd or the OF. He made 23 errors in 81 games before this season and didn’t have the same 1st baseman. He’s had more errors this year, but it’s also harder to field at High A.
I don’t think this keeps Baez from sticking at SS, but the idea that his errors are all the fault of another player is, as you say, fluff.
dmick89Quote Reply
The Cubs seem to think he can stick at short despite the errors so I wonder if that’s also fluff from the Cubs’ side (trade bait?) or if they’re serious.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
I mentioned Theo’s comments the other day. If true, the Cubs have a really good prospects who could be successful with a low walk rate. Of course, what else are the Cubs to say?
Where the hell would the Cubs move Castro if Baez did stick at SS? He doesn’t have the bat to play 3rd. He’s never played the outfield. 2nd base? It’s easier to just move Baez to 3rd base.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
It’s a good problem to have.
I’m just kidding, it’s fucking horrible. Maybe have Castro patrol Center? I have almost less confidence in his ability as an outfielder. They’ll have to move one of them to 3rd, surely.
joshQuote Reply
@ dmick89:
@ josh:
I agree, if the bat plays well, they just move the bigger bat to third base and that’s probably Baez if they don’t trade him for Stanton or Price #wishfulthinking
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Theo said what Theo has to say, he’s not going to say “yeah, Baez is struggling”
MylesQuote Reply
Yeah, they could try to trade him. There may be a team that overvalues his potential (or correctly values it, if you want to be an optimist.)
joshQuote Reply
Bogusevic is tearing up AAA. Don’t know why the Cubs won’t let this Young Player have a chance.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Maybe after his cataracts surgery, he’ll get his chance.
joshQuote Reply
good discussion on solving baseball’s bench-clearing brawls. http://tangotiger.com/index.php/site/comments/solving-beanball-wars
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
Has MLB expressed any interest in ending these kinds of conflicts?
joshQuote Reply
josh wrote:
Sure haven’t, the spectre of PEDs still looms too great
MylesQuote Reply
I don’t see the point of trading any of the big 4 anytime soon with the state of the organization, honestly. If they bust, they bust, but is one big-name pitcher or hitter the difference between this being a winning team or not?
sitrickQuote Reply
@ sitrick:
Maybe it staves off utter apathy.
joshQuote Reply
@ Myles:
Kind of what I figured.
joshQuote Reply
gray probably should have told the rockies he wanted an overslot deal just to try to drop to the twins. this guy was considered #1 overall by a lot of people, and now he’s looking at the cal league, texas league, pcl, and coors for the next 8 or 9 years. “took a discount to play for the rockies” might end up on his tombstone.
GWQuote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
Myles wrote:
I’m not so sure about this. I’ve been taken aback at how candid they’ve been more than once.
GWQuote Reply
@ sitrick:
I don’t think they’ll do it just to do it, but that really depends on where they sit at next trade deadline. And it’s something that all GMs have to explore whether they’re Theo/Jed or otherwise. Either way, talking up your prospects doesn’t hurt much so I’m cool with that.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Yeah, if you can move a piece you don’t quite have room for to get something you need in return, I have no problem trading whoever.
joshQuote Reply
@ GW:
I think the Rockies’ AAA affiliate also has a high-altitude, HR-friendly stadium (even by PCL standards).
shawndgoldmanQuote Reply
So who are the Cubs losing to today? Looks like Cincy again.
joshQuote Reply
@ shawndgoldman:
I think they’re in Colorado Springs
BerseliusQuote Reply
GW wrote:
I can definitely be wrong here, but I kind of remember his brutal honesty more towards the MLB team (and players he’s not likely ever to trade) and not towards prospects. Or I could be talking out of my ass, which is likely.
MylesQuote Reply
Sorting through photos of the last Cubs game I went to and found a picture of Carlos Silva.
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
I was sorting through my photos at the walmart one hour machine, and Carlos Silva was running the register.
mikeakaleroyQuote Reply
@ mikeakaleroy:
Hey! That’s a neat coincidence.
joshQuote Reply
@ mikeakaleroy:
that man got paid more to suck than either of us ever will to work our hardest.
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
Didn’t know he was in porn.
mikeakaleroyQuote Reply
BerseliusQuote Reply
I’m not sure it’s for everyone, but Norm McDonald Live is pretty fucking funny on youtube
MylesQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Top 3 minor league systems?
joshQuote Reply
@ Myles:
I tried listening to his last comedy album. It was like 90% homophobia. It was hard to tell if he was joking about it. I eventually just laughed uncomfortably and asked the wife if she wanted to listen to something else.
joshQuote Reply
josh wrote:
Hmm, I’ve never listened to his albums. I really like comedians bullshitting with other comedians, which is what his youtube album is, but I can definitely see him doing shit like that.
MylesQuote Reply
@ Myles:
Gotcha. Some comedians just aren’t that great at standup.
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
indeed.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Not a popular opinion, but I’d be totally okay with trading Spellcheck at the deadline.
sitrickQuote Reply
@ sitrick:
Yep. Anyone who can bring value has to be on the table, I think.
joshQuote Reply
#Cubes
BerseliusQuote Reply
Soriano, trying to get this season the hell over with.
joshQuote Reply
I had to check to make sure that the OKC Bombers wasn’t their real team name (dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
Castro lives!
sitrickQuote Reply
Earlier today Valbuena broke his bat and the barrel went flying into the stands hitting a fan. According to Pat and Keith, Tom Ricketts was the first member of Cubs personnel to get to the guy and make sure he was OK.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Suburban kid wrote:
#Committed
JonKneeVQuote Reply
The Cubs game today and the Blackhawks game last night have both gone into triple overtime, more or less. One was one of the most exciting sports contests I’ve ever witnessed. The other is Cubs baseball.
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
sitrick wrote:
One of the outfield prospects has to go — Scrapple, Sappelt, BJax, Soler and Almora all primarily play center. Kris Bryant and/or Javier Baez may eventually end up in the outfield.
I’d be open to trading anyone on the major league roster.
PezcoreQuote Reply
Len is going to sing the 14th inning stretch.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
I’d look to shop Starlin Castro this upcoming offseason if he recovers. Cubs have a glut of plausible shortstops (Junior Lake/Javier Baez/Alcantara/Amaya/Hernandez/Watkins) and more plausible third basemen (Villanueva, Bryant).
Starlin is worth more in a trade then on a team. His greatest strength is his ability to hit for a high average. He may eventually hit for + power.
Starlin’s deficiencies (low walk rate, poor defence, baserunning) don’t show up as well in the stat sheet. His notable ability to put balls in play would make him attractive to the SABR crowd.
Point is: Starlin is more valuable to some team other than the Cubs. His play style has a massive appeal to the casual fan. There is a GM, probably hiding in a fort of dunkin’ donuts boxes, who would overpay for Starlin Castro in a vain attempt to keep his job.
PezcoreQuote Reply
Too bad Theriot Shirsey hit his breaking point the other day. The Cubs bullpen decided to start their season today.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
There’s no problem trading Castro, because Theriot is a free agent right now.
joshQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
He has a great voice
Not Stationary WaLiQuote Reply
Suburban kidQuote Reply
josh wrote:
It would be entertaining to watch “The Riot” TOOTBlan all over the year, plus it gives a free subject for Obstructed View to write about.
What is 3-4 wins on a team that isn’t going to make the playoffs for 2+ years? It’s dropping your 1st round choice 3-4 spots.
Castro had a “meh” 2012 which saw his average drop twenty points. He’s been worse so far this year. True, Castro could develop a power stroke and become a regular all-star. His performance this year doesn’t suggest a power surge.
Castro has value. If nothing other than he is a big name with two all-star appearances.
Remember all the talk of trading Matt Garza for a good piece? Garza has underwhelmed and spent time on the Disabled List in 2013. What if Castro, as his BABIP suggests, has hit his peak? Wouldn’t the 5-6 Million be spent better elsewhere especially considering Castro can fetch a top-100 prospect?
Why not trade the guys while they are still good, instead of waiting?
PezcoreQuote Reply
Pezcore wrote:
Because evidence suggests it’s incredibly unlikely that a 23 year old has peaked already and odds are you’d be selling very, very low on him.
sitrickQuote Reply
Carlos Gomez is why you don’t trade Castro.
sitrickQuote Reply
I’d be okay with trading Samardzija, but I’d much rather they extend him (and maybe Garza too) and look into flipping some of those bats for pitching.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Wow. 13 K’s to one walk in eight innings by the bullpen today.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=vtp_budweiser&content_id=27997169&c_id=chc
woot
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oh my.
http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2013/6/13/4427840/yankees-chris-stewart-tags-runner-athletics
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m really nervous about extending Spellcheck. He’s already 28, and he wants a big payday. Do we really need to lock that guy up til he’s 34, 35? Ditto Garza. Seems awful risky to me.
sitrickQuote Reply
sitrick wrote:
Starlin’s been a starter for 2+ years now, and was brought up a year earlier than Gomez. He’s already getting paid 5 Million/year and his contract increases 1 mil/year starting in 2015 until it ends in 2019. Gomez only has one year of that many at-bats in his entire career. He costed far less than Castro at the same age.
The same could be said about a number of younger players (Brett Jackson comes to mind with the mind-blowing 142 strikeouts Gomez had), but there are plenty of examples of players who are not able to improve strikeout rates once they hit the majors (again, Brett Jackson).
The key is to get your players to arrive, and produce, at the same, cost-controlled time. Castro is already making 5 Million to make things worse for the Cubs (by playing them out of a #1 pick). As of now, he has considerable value to a contender.
The cubs aren’t a contender, and won’t be one until key prospects pan out (Baez/Soler/Vogelbach/etc).
PezcoreQuote Reply
New shit
sitrickQuote Reply