| Player | IP |
| Matt Garza | 193 |
| Ryan Dempster | 188 |
| Paul Maholm | 165 |
| Chris Volstad | 155 |
| Jeff Samardzija | 122 |
The Cubs opening day rotation is set with news that Randy Wells and Travis Wood have been optioned to AAA. That left Jeff Samardzija and Chris Volstad to join Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza and Paul Maholm. Using our playing time projections and the average projections berselius has posted over the last month or so we can find out just how good (or bad) the opening day rotation is. There are other innings that will be pitched by starters, but these are our projecting innings pitched and we're standing by them. They look pretty decent to me.
- Matt Garza: 3.0 WAR
- Ryan Dempster: 2.4 WAR
- Paul Maholm: 1.8 WAR
- Chris Volstad: 1.1 WAR
- Jeff Samardzija: -0.4 WAR
That's a total of 7.9 WAR from the opening day rotation. It's a projected 823 innings. Over a course of a full season, starters typically pitch around 940 innings while the bullpen chips in around 505. So there's a little over 115 innings remaining to be pitched by the Cubs rotation. Those innings are likely to go to a combination of starter with Randy Wells getting the bulk of them.
To answer the question of how good the rotation is, they're a bottom third rotation. Some will say that WAR projection for Samardzija is unfair, but it's the projection. If you want to make some adjustments, go for it, but there are other things to consider too. Maholm had a terrible season last year. He lost something on his fastball and coming back from injury he may be no better than he was a year ago. Chris Volstad could easily be closer to replacement level.
Last year the Cubs paid roughly $40 million for their opening day rotation. This year they're paying them about $34 million. Considering the decline in production we expect, there's really no difference in the amount they're being paid.
Last season the Cubs got 8.8 fWAR from their opening day starters and two of them went down after their first start. Wells did return and threw 135 innings. The bulk of that WAR was from Garza and he and Dempster combined for 7.8, which is equal to what the 2012 Cubs are expected to get from their rotation.
With the remaining 115+ innings we could probably add up to another 1 WAR. That would give the Cubs a total of 8.9 WAR from their rotation this coming season. Last year they ranked 24th in baseball with 9.5.
re: last thread…
I think it’s fun to make fun of a player here and there but I don’t really bother booing anybody in person. Seems like a waste of effort.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Maholm had a 3.66 era last year. You consider that terrible?
I’m not saying he can duplicate that here. But he could be a nice addition.
The Cubs really need Demp to bounce back.
Tyler SmithQuote Reply
bubblesdachimp wrote:
That’s basically what Tarantino did in Inglourious Basterds.
joshQuote Reply
@ Tyler Smith:
I like the signing. As for a terrible season that probably overstating it, but there are a lot of red flags. His velocity is 2mph slower than a couple years ago. His BABIP was 30 points less than the previous couple of seasons. his LOB% was a little higher and he allowed fewer HR/FB. Considering the injury and the peripherals he could be awful this season. I’m only making a point that if someone wants to add to one player or another you have to consider the downside too.
I think Maholm is the 3rd or 4th best starter on the team (he or Randy Wells).
mb21Quote Reply
@ Tyler Smith:
You mean to bounce back from having a higher WAR in 2011 than your boy Maholm? Dempster’s peripherals in 2011 were in line with his career numbers, across the board. The only aberrations in his line are his BABiP ( .021 over his career mark), and, accordingly his ERA. A lot of that has to do with terrible defense, which is borne out by the fact that Dempster’s 2011 FIP sat at 3.91. So Dempster doesn’t need to bounce back from anything; he just needs to pitch like he has been since the Cubs slotted him into the rotation.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ mb21:
When the trade went down, Brad wrote it up at Fangraphs and IIRC, he said Maholm’s FB velocity has been in decline since 2009.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Yeah, Dempster was essentially the same pitcher last year that he was in 2008-2010. 2008 stood out because of the sparkly ERA, but looking over the peripherals Dempster has been awfully damn consistent over the last 4 seasons. He’s older so I expect some regression, but he’s still a good pitcher.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
Yeah, I dislike him because I think he’s a raging jackass, but he’s undeniably one of the best players in the team. I don’t have a clue why Cubs fans like to dump on the guy, unless they have just been horribly scarred by his terribly unfunny Will-Ferrell-Imitating-Harry-Caray-Imitation.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Because ERA W/L fried chicken beer.
Mobile RiceQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Well that, and opposing hitters hitting 5000 HRs against Dempster last April.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Sunday is coming
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Dempster allowed 39% of his HR total for the year in April. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
The North Remembers.
MishQuote Reply
wrestlemania tomorrow. Be excited!!!!
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ Mish:
I can’t wait for the sexposition.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
You crack me up, bubbles.
mb21Quote Reply
If Marlon Byrd gets traded (and depending on the return), the Cubs will not have an African-American player on the MLB roster for the first time since before Ernie Banks played for the team.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
That’s amazing.
Mobile RiceQuote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGFf1XL9AUU
WaLiQuote Reply
@ Mobile Rice:
If he’s traded before Jackie Robinson Day, both Chicago teams would celebrate JRD without an African-American player on either roster.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
That is probably a function of both bad player development and less African-American kids playing baseball. Sad really.
Mobile RiceQuote Reply
@ Mobile Rice:
Yeah, there’s a lot of factors in play here, but it’s still rather striking.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Maybe if Jay Jackson started pitching better. Still, they have a bunch of Latinos, and one semi-Asian, so that should count for something.
joshQuote Reply
looks like baez is going to start at boise… wtf?
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt36O6KICgg
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Because four guitars isn’t enough on a three chord song….
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Pujols ————> leathery skanksville
Suburban kidQuote Reply
is it too early to offficially official say Cubs Lose?
Oh and
Cubs Lose.
fonteYESQuote Reply
DeJesus is having a hell of a Spring. I’m surprised he’s still in the lineup, let alone leading off.
ACTQuote Reply
Also, if pre-season numbers are any indication, Albert Pujols seems to be a mighty good hitter.
ACTQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
He was drafted last year and played in a handful of games. It would have been surprising if he didn’t start in Boise.
mb21Quote Reply
Nice to see The Spirit of Matt Clement draw a walk. Now to avoid the TOOTBLAN.
SkipVBQuote Reply
Bob Brenly just mentioned WAR and BABIP
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Run scoring TOOTBLAN. Ooof.
SkipVBQuote Reply
Is it a TOOTBLAN if it was intentional?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
I’ve heard them discuss BABIP before (talking about Garza at the beginning of last year). WAR is a new one.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
Len is now explaining “replacement level player”
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Sounds like WGN + DirecTV have a deal in place
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
The ITOOTBLAN.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Did he explain it well?
ACTQuote Reply
I was watching the game for a while, but got bored. Enough with this goddamn Spring Training, already.
ACTQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Yeah. Good question. Clevenger got caught in a run down. If he was trying to steal he got absolutely no jump. I suppose he could have been trying to lure the throw. In that case it worked and the Cubs used up the one time that play will work in spring training.
I’m watching but the broadcast is the Angels or MLB so the vol is down. + my 5yr old is climbing on me so I might have missed a detail.
SkipVBQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
WHA!!??
joshQuote Reply
SkipVBQuote Reply
@ ACT:
x2000
joshQuote Reply
The Gameday has a replay. I guess it was a designed play. If they were going to do something like that they might as well do it when it doesn’t matter if they fail.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
It’s like the play last season when the Bears had the fake fair catch punt return, but it was called back. It will never work again.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Who’s the 12-yr old batting for the Cubs?
SkipVBQuote Reply
@ SkipVB:
He singles. He should be starting on opening day.
SkipVBQuote Reply
@ SkipVB:
Minor League Guy.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ SkipVB:
BerseliusQuote Reply
The projections really hate Dolis, but he’s looked really good in relief.
BerseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Pretty much
BerseliusQuote Reply
Mucker here……just got back from Pittsburgh and saw Van Halen in concert……unfuckingbelievable. On my way out of town, we stopped by PNC Park and that is one very nice ball park. I stood on the bridge behind the stadium and looking into the river and remembering that homer Colvin hit last year. What a fucking bomb that was.
/cool story bro
MuckerQuote Reply
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20330277&c_id=mlb
In retrospect it was a pretty good idea. I’m sure there are plenty of ways to defend against something like that and the risk might not have been justified. Still cool to see, but I’m still annoyed by the giving away of an out (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
It’s a good play in a tight game against a really good pitcher when runs come at a premium, and you’re tied and near the end of the game…….. but otherwise, yeah, I hate giving up the out. Then again, if you pitcher or Joe Mather is on deck, why not?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Bob said he hadn’t always been comfortable with the new stats, but he now recognizes the importance of them and is looking forward to Len teaching him about them this season.
They talked about WAR, so Len had to then explain replacement players. He did an OK job at that.
Bob had a light bulb moment when Len pointed out how you don’t want to spend $5 million on a a guy that is just going to provide replacement level production. For some reason, when money was brought into it, it seemed to make sense for him.
In other SABR news, Darwin Barney said how Sveumy told him to be more aggressive and that he’s not going to be taking pitches routinely in no-ball counts like he did last year.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Suburban kid wrote:
He did use batting average and RBI as his example, though. Baby steps, I guess…
uncle daveQuote Reply
Suburban kid wrote:
I’m sure his conversion is completely unrelated to his change in bosses.
GWQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
This is Bob’s way of auditioning for a manager job.
joshQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
I liked it after having watched the replay. I just wish they’d used the play in a game that mattered. Oh well, I let this team happen to me.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Did Bob, brooding, ask Len if he would have taken him in the 1st round, and when Len admitted he wouldn’t have, did Bob then knowingly tell him that his spreadsheets aren’t so bad after all? I assume that’s how all ex-players come to accept sabermetrics.
joshQuote Reply
One time Len talked about OPS+ and he botched it a bit. He said that it was relative to the positional average, when it actually uses the average of all position players.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
That’s closer than I would have gotten.
joshQuote Reply
Suburban kid wrote:
(dying laughing), somehow I don’t remember Darwin Barney being known for his selectiveness at the plate
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
He did have a low swing% in 2011. Also, both the FG and pitchFX plate discipline #’s (not sure how accurate they are) say he swung at pitches out of zone at a higher-than average rate, while taking strikes at a below-average rate, so maybe Sveum has a point that he was too passive (which is not the same as being selective).
ACTQuote Reply
Kansas! Kentucky!
Just two of the picks I actually got right in the bracket challenge! (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
No WGN deal reached with DirecTV. Station will pull its content.
I think the deadline was midnight tonight. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
My expectations for Samardzija are substantially higher than yours, both on IP and WAR. In my mind, Casey Coleman is an average replacement player (WAR=0). Do you really believe Coleman is a better starting pitcher than Samardzija? Clearly, Dale, Theo and Jed don’t think so.
CubsinQuote Reply
@ ACT:
Funnily enough, Barney used that exact phrase: “maybe I was too passive” last year.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ GW:
I see what you mean, but I think Bob still works for someone on the business or marketing side of the team rather than baseball operations.
The producer of the broadcast probably has something to do with how much new stats is appropriate for their audience. In the past, he likely resisted Len’s attempts to use them, but they probably see the audience getting a little younger and a little more used to this stuff. Also in a down year like this they will have far fewer casual viewers.
Plus, the thing about Bob working on his manager resume for submitting to modern GMs.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Cubsin:
Randy Wells projected to bounce back this season, as did Travis Wood. We’ll probably see one of those two guys up if Samardzija struggles, unless Wells is traded or something.
joshQuote Reply
From Phil Rogers today
Remember Kei Igawa? The little lefty who gave the Yankees two big league victories (and 83 minor league starts) for their $46-million investment is back in Japan after signing with the Orix Buffaloes. He was a model of commitment, if not a triumph for the Yankees’ international scouts. …
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ Cubsin:
K/BB ratio for both pitcher is 1.42 and 1.44. One of them has been as a starter and the other a reliever.
FIP for both is 4.44. and 4.53. Again, one as a starter and one as a reliever.
In the minor leagues…
K/BB 1.88 and 1.63 (both mostly starters)
FIPs of 4.12 and 4.49
In every category above, Coleman’s numbers are the better ones. So yeah, based on what they have done in their careers, Casey Coleman is a better pitcher than Jeff Samardzija. That doesn’t mean he’ll be better going forward. Coleman may have transformed himself into a top of the rotation starting pitcher at which point it won’t even be close.
mb21Quote Reply
Cubsin wrote:
My expectations are higher too (though not *that* much higher). I’d bet a decent amount of money that he’ll beat his projections (at least for FIP/ERA, maybe not IP or value). But we have to make projections on what we know and in a common framework across all players, and this is what we have.
As far as IP goes keep in mind that he’s never thrown more than 120 or so innings in a season. Even if he’s suddenly a much better pitcher there’s only so far he can go.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Cubsin wrote:
I’m curious how many innings you think he’ll throw and I’m wondering if you think that will have a negative impact on his ability to perform after a certain amount of innings. The negative impact could be from the increased risk of injury or just ineffectiveness which we often see from young players in their first 162 game season. Below are his innings pitcher each full season in his career
2007: 141.2
2008: 131
2009: 123.2
2010: 130.2
2011: 88
I see no reason to think he’s going to pitch considerably more than that and if he does, he’s likely to either a) become a huge injury risk this year or next or b) be terribly ineffective over those additional innings. A terribly ineffective Jeff Samardzija scares the shit out me. I picture a guy on the mound not getting any batter out.
mb21Quote Reply
@ Berselius:
I think he’ll beat his projection because it’s going to be difficult to argue someone who pitches as poorly as them belongs in a rotation. You could tell me Koyie Hill’s projected WAR is -.2 and I’d bet he beats it. For that matter, I bet any player with a negative projected value beats their projection.
Pecota has F7 with a 4.91 ERA projection as a starter this year. Does he beat that? If we use that as FIP instead, I will be somewhat surprised if he beats that projection as a starter. I’d be surprised if he is lower than 5.2.
mb21Quote Reply
I guess my point is that there is no reason to think F7 can throw that much more than 122 innings. I’m thinking he’ll throw about 95 fwiw.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
If F7 has turned a corner and stays in the rotation, my best guess is that he would be around a 4.40 ERA/FIP pitcher. Better than he was, but not really a world beater. But that’s purely a wild ass guess, not a capital P Projection.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/01/springtime-storylines-how-will-the-cubs-rebuilding-plan-fly-in-the-friendly-confines/
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
That’s about where I’d put it too, b. If league average is where it’s been the last couple years (4.00, right?), I would think 4.40 out of him in a rotation if he has improved. That’s 1 WAR over 140 innings.
What I realized the other day on twitter is that there are some who think he might not only have improved to the point where he’d be a serviceable starter, but actually a good one. I had been assuming all along the debate was whether or not F7 could even become a serviceable 1 WAR starter. I can’t say anything to those who are thinking 2, 3 or 4 WAR. That would be one of the biggest career turnarounds we’ve seen and I see no evidence to suggest that F7 is going to be among those few.
mb21Quote Reply
I am pretty excited for HHH vs. the Undertaker tonight… Not gonna lie!
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
From the article
3/15 says it all. He wasn’t paid to be a fucking superstar. He was paid to be a 1 WAR per season player and he’s been better than that.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
I was surprised to see that over at HBT. I don’t have any expectation of sabermetric analysis over their but their usual writers (Calcaterra, Gleeman) aren’t dummies (this was written by someone else).
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
Main bitch is not excited
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
B you might need to get a new meme
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
I’m excited for upcoming tractor pulling contest. Not gonna lie.
How’s that for a new meme?
mb21Quote Reply
Hey, if anyone is following our rss feed in your reader or whatever the hell you use, could you change it to this feed location: http://feeds.feedburner.com/obstructedview/iSww
There are also two other feeds on the site. If you click on the little rss icon near your url bar you’ll see the feeds (unobstructed views, forum).
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120331/NEWS06/120339972
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I would guess every Cubs fan who has DirecTV will be switching companies.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
I cant tell if anyone actually likes me here…
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
We like you. You just have some bizarre interests. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Some times Bubbs can never tell
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
No way bubbs, you are one of WaLi’s favorite commenters. Plus you are always good for a laugh.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi wrote:
Meme engaged.
Rice in limboQuote Reply
Per Muskat, the bullpen is down to 8 possibles (though most of these guys have a spot locked up)
Marmol
Wood
Russell
Dolis
Camp
Lopez
Castillo
Corpas
BerseliusQuote Reply
Juan Francisco ———–> traded to Braves
Chance of Marlon Byrd being traded in the next week or so ————-> dropping
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Berselius ——————-> moran, thought Francisco was an OF for some reason. He’s just going to fill-in for Chipper
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Now that you’ve talked about the deal, it will never happen.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I didn’t think Byrd would be traded anyway. Who are the Cubs going to put in CF to start the season? Campana? I don’t see that happening.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
Probably BJax
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I don’t see the Cubs changing their plans to buy that extra year of service time just to acquire a low B or high C prospect. I think Byrd will be traded at some point, but probably not until the trade deadline. I expect he’ll move to LF when Jackson comes up. That way if Jackson struggles they can send him back to the minors and just move Byrd back to CF until he’s traded.
mb21Quote Reply
The Marlins are hosting the Yankees in the new digs today. Gaby Sanchez hit a homer. I wonder if they showed that hideous sculpture going off in the replay.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ mb21:
You think they’d just bench Soriano at that point?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Yeah, I bet DeJesus gets benched/DFA’d before Soriano, and at that point, they either play Jackson in RF or shift Byrd over to RF.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
I’d like to think so. If new management can’t figure out which outfielders should play then there’s no reason to think this organization is in any way better than it was a year ago. If Jackson is called up and assuming the others play to their potential by that point, the decision to not play Soriano is a fairly obvious one in my opinion. I don’t see the Cubs DFA’ing him since it’s a lot of money, but they don’t have to play him that much.
Seriously, if you give anyone a list that includes Brett Jackson, Marlon Byrd, David DeJesus and Alfonso Soriano and Soriano is somehow starting then they’ve failed. I know Sveum doesn’t appear to be the brightest man in any room he’s ever been in, but this is just too easy. Then again, not batting Barney at the top of the order vs righties is also a no-brainer.
mb21Quote Reply
It does seem like the Cubs front office is taking a laissez-faire approach here. I don’t know what Theo’s dynamic with Francona was but then again, Francona actually had good players and it probably didn’t matter how he set up his lineup. They probably figure that the one or two extra wins an optimized lineup will bring won’t matter, so what the fuck ever (dying laughing)
It’s fun to imagine the Superfriends having an epic facepalm session after watching tape of Cubs practice games and reminding themselves that they are punting 2012 to rationalize it all.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I can see Reedz getting CF for a couple months if Byrd gets traded, with Campana on the bench till Jackson is called up in May/June.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Reason ———–> not much diff between Byrd and Reed.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Forgot about Reed, SK. Good point.
mb21Quote Reply
Caveat —————–> I haven’t bothered to look at their actual stats.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
They’re probably equally grindy.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Ah, good thought. Fucking Reed Johnson.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
Career:
Johnson, .753 OPS, 96 OPS+ (96 wRC+) -14.5 UZR/150 in CF, 10.7 fWAR
Byrd, .759 OPS, 100 OPS+ (99 wRC+) -0.7 UZR/150 in CF, 17.3 fWAR
Pretty fucking similar. Good call.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Byrd is better than Reed when you factor in Reed’s shitty ability to hit righties, but he’d be an adequate replacement until they call jackson up.
mb21Quote Reply
Rice Cube wrote:
Mercurial Outfielder wrote:
mb21 wrote:
All of this is moot. We know that it’s impossible to compare players of different races. Clearly Johnson is grindy and Byrd is an athlete and/or a physical specimen.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Not to mention that I’m unaware what each of them has done in their 3 at-bats, which is what we need to focus on to estimate transformed talent level.
mb21Quote Reply
Mercurial Outfielder wrote:
My lying eyes didn’t lie.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
(dying laughing)breu
BerseliusQuote Reply
Who the heck is this Chris Rusin?
ACTQuote Reply
Not sure why they had Garza pitch in a minor league game today instead. It’s not like they need to make sure the Angels don’t gather too much info on him.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Great catch by Darwin
BerseliusQuote Reply
Damn, I missed the daily TOOTBLAN and the comedy of defensive errors.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
I thought it was a pretty good attempt, just a perfect throw from the catcher and a slide that was a little too high.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ mb21:
The OPS gap between the two there is still only .044. I don’t think there is a significant dropoff if Johnson has to play. They’re both pretty run-of-mill MLB OF.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Too lazy to look it up, but I’m guessing a much larger percentage of Byrd’s PAs were against RHP. For what it’s worth.
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Byrd, 2934 PA vs RHP out of 4081 career PA, or 72%
Reed, 2098 PA vs. RHP out of 3343 career PA, or 63%
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rusin-001chr
Less than 300 innings but I can see why they’d want to check this kid out.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
cue cubbiejulie rage stroke
BerseliusQuote Reply
Rusin might make the rotation with today’s outing
BerseliusQuote Reply
Weaver is really falling apart at the end of this inning.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I guess whatever Weaver was working on today didn’t work this inning.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bobby Scales —> Mets
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_20303434/troy-tulowitzki-ubaldo-jimenez-start-bench-clearing-melee
BerseliusQuote Reply
Wait, Reed Fucking Johnson’s picture is on the front of the damn park? Would another fucking franchie use Reed Fucking Johnson as a selling point?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Probably says more about the quality of the Cubs roster
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Wow, Ubaldo Jimenez is a fucking dick.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I suppose, but the Cubs have a part time player underneath the marquee. That’s fucking lame.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Tony Campana doing Tony Campana things
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Not getting on base and overrunning flyballs int he gap?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Getting the Angels feed here. Sounds like Jeff Baker killed a baseball.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Baker hit the shit out of the ball. Looks like he hit it off the top of the batters eye
BerseliusQuote Reply
Reed Johnson says “fuck you MO” (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Got on base on a grounder that squirted just past the 2b, stole second (on a pitch-out, no less), went to third on a WP, scored on Baker’s HR
BerseliusQuote Reply
Also, Jason Isringhausen doing Jason Isringhausen things
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Being fat and lobbing meatballs over the inner third?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
I don’t blame Reed for people thinking he’s more than he is.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I guess they figure that he’s pretty marketable as a fan favorite so he gets a poster. It is kind of pathetic if you’re an outsider looking in, but if it makes money for the team…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Whoever that guy is messed up the shutout. I don’t think he will make the team as a result.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
From Rockies official twitters
BerseliusQuote Reply
Recent years suggest that Reed should only play vs LHP while Byrd’s recent seasons suggest he’s still a slightly above average CF playing every day. That said, Reed is more than adequate a replacement for a few months or even a season if the Cubs were to trade Byrd prior to the start of the season. I’d still be very surprised to see that happen for two reasons: Byrd may actually be more valuable at the break if he has a decent start and you just don’t see regulars traded this close to the start of the season (usually).
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
Yeah, that’s pretty much my feelings. This roster is just so bad that the dropoff from the starter to his backup in most cases is almost nil.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Mercurial Outfielder wrote:
It’s why the Cubs have such great depth!
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Deep. Like a bog. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/01/the-marlins-new-ballpark-is-a-hitters-haven/
(dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
You know, it would be so Cub to have a winning season with this awful roster. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Let it happen to you.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Mercurial Outfielder wrote:
Please shorten this so I can put it on a t-shirt.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
“This team sucks”
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Suburban kid:
The 2012 Chicago Cubs: Making Replacement Level A Way of Life
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Mercurial Outfielder wrote:
mb21Quote Reply
2012 Cubs: It’s
mb21Quote Reply
2012 Cubs: Just like always
mb21Quote Reply
2012 Cubs: The slogans are better than the team
mb21Quote Reply
So, Keith Olbermann picked the Yankees to finish third and the Red Sox to finish fourth. Wow.
ACTQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
He’s better than Jered Weaver.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
What the hell? Rays and Jays? (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/newsstand/discussion/keith_olbermann_2012_previews_a.l._east
Notice how he made the list before April Fool’s Day.
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
He’s delusional and I don’t know why anyone would ever ask him for predictions again except for the sake of humor.
mb21Quote Reply
I could sort of see one of either TB or Toronto taking the second wild card but I don’t see how they could finish ahead of the Yankees and Red Sox…on paper, anyway.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Big Puma is full of win this day…
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/01/april-fools-lance-berkman-gives-away-adam-wainwrights-silverado/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
that’s hilarious
mb21Quote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
(dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I was thinking that too. I could see them doing something crazy like being in 2nd place at the ASB before losing 50 games in a row or something. Maybe the secret will be using all 10 starters
joshQuote Reply
Wrestlemania was amazing
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
I’m confident at this point that Phil Rogers stopped paying attention around April 15, 1947.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Face ^ palm
http://obstructedview.net/facepalm/daily-facepalm-4-2-2-almost-there-edition.html
BerseliusQuote Reply