Back in April I compared the Cubs players to their projections and intended to do it once a month. Instead, you get once every two months. Or if we averae the 2+ months of the season you are getting it once a month. So there.
| Name | PA | wRC | Proj wRC | Diff |
| Reed Johnson | 69 | 15.3 | 6.3 | 9.0 |
| Jeff Baker | 92 | 14.6 | 10.0 | 4.6 |
| Kosuke Fukudome | 213 | 30.8 | 26.9 | 3.9 |
| Alfonso Soriano | 185 | 25.5 | 22.7 | 2.7 |
| Darwin Barney | 265 | 24.3 | 22.2 | 2.1 |
| Starlin Castro | 283 | 33.6 | 32.3 | 1.2 |
| Koyie Hill | 81 | 6.4 | 5.3 | 1.1 |
| Marlon Byrd | 182 | 22.5 | 21.9 | 0.6 |
| Luis Montanez | 28 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 0.6 |
| Blake DeWitt | 100 | 10.2 | 10.6 | -0.4 |
| Tony Campana | 45 | 2.6 | 3.5 | -0.9 |
| DJ LeMahieu | 12 | -0.5 | 1.0 | -1.5 |
| Brad Snyder | 9 | -0.8 | 1.0 | -1.8 |
| Welington Castillo | 13 | -0.7 | 1.2 | -1.9 |
| Aramis Ramirez | 246 | 26.8 | 33.2 | -6.4 |
| Carlos Pena | 237 | 27.5 | 34.1 | -6.6 |
| Geovany Soto | 166 | 15.9 | 24.0 | -8.1 |
| Tyler Colvin | 104 | -2.0 | 11.9 | -13.9 |
These stats are updated through Monday’s games. Holy crap, Reed Johnson. It’s not even close when it comes to who has most outperformed their projection. In nearly 3 times fewer plate appearances, Reed Johnson has produced as many runs as Geovany Soto. Starlin Castro leads the team in wRC with 33.6 and Fukudome is the only other with 30 or more. Tyle Colvin has been worse than Reed Johnson has been good. The Cubs expected a lot of offense from Ramirez, Pena and Soto. Instead, they’ve produced 21.2 runs fewer than we expected them to through the number of plate appearances they have. Darwin Barney has been better than we though of course. He’s going to be out only 2 weeks after landing on the DL because of a small explosion inside his knee. I’m skeptical of the return date if it is a Grade 3 tear/sprain/strain. It can’t be that bad.
| Name | IP | RA | FIP | Proj-RA | Proj-FIP | Diff-RA | Diff-FIP |
| Matt Garza | 65.2 | 4.93 | 2.30 | 4.34 | 4.27 | -0.59 | 1.97 |
| Sean Marshall | 30.1 | 2.37 | 2.23 | 3.85 | 3.51 | 1.48 | 1.28 |
| Jeff Samardzija | 36.2 | 4.66 | 4.08 | 5.79 | 5.33 | 1.13 | 1.25 |
| Doug Davis | 29 | 7.14 | 3.51 | 4.81 | 4.42 | -2.33 | 0.91 |
| Marcos Mateo | 15.2 | 5.74 | 4.17 | 5.46 | 4.86 | -0.28 | 0.69 |
| Carlos Marmol | 30 | 3.00 | 2.59 | 3.25 | 3.07 | 0.25 | 0.48 |
| John Grabow | 27.2 | 5.53 | 4.40 | 4.71 | 4.53 | -0.82 | 0.13 |
| Carlos Zambrano | 90 | 4.50 | 3.96 | 4.18 | 3.89 | -0.32 | -0.07 |
| Justin Berg | 12 | 3.75 | 5.04 | 5.06 | 4.89 | 1.31 | -0.15 |
| Ryan Dempster | 87 | 5.59 | 4.15 | 4.17 | 4.00 | -1.42 | -0.15 |
| Kerry Wood | 24 | 3.75 | 3.92 | 4.03 | 3.73 | 0.28 | -0.19 |
| Andrew Cashner | 5.1 | 1.69 | 5.21 | 4.73 | 4.50 | 3.04 | -0.71 |
| James Russell | 36.2 | 6.14 | 5.74 | 5.46 | 4.92 | -0.68 | -0.82 |
| Casey Coleman | 37 | 7.78 | 5.74 | 4.89 | 4.45 | -2.89 | -1.29 |
| Rodrigo Lopez | 10.1 | 6.10 | 6.35 | 5.59 | 4.75 | -0.51 | -1.60 |
| Randy Wells | 18 | 6.50 | 5.74 | 4.48 | 4.10 | -2.02 | -1.64 |
| Jeff Stevens | 7 | 5.14 | 7.10 | 5.49 | 4.57 | 0.35 | -2.53 |
| Scott Maine | 7 | 10.29 | 11.10 | 5.15 | 4.71 | -5.14 | -6.39 |
Matt Garza has been ridiculously good this season when it comes to the stats he fully controls (strikeouts, walks, hit by pitch and home runs). He’s been almost 2 full runs per 9 better than projected (using FIP of course). The players at the bottom of the list have performed well below expectations, but none of them have many innings. Dempster’s FIP is basically as we expected, but his RA is -1.4 runs worse per 9. A lot of that is luck, which was true with Garza early in the season.
You can look at the information and do with what you want. It’s pretty simple: how the players have performed compared to what we expected. Sample sizes for most of the players is still a big issue and almost all of the pitchers it’s an even bigger issue.
Comments
Pujols having issues at 3B tonight.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m surprised Zambrano is below projection. Is that partly due to the bad outing in Philly?
joshQuote Reply
Rami, Pena, and Soto underperforming seems to say it all. The guys ahead get on base, the guys behind pop out to the catcher or strike out looking.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I’m surprised Zambrano is below projection. Is that partly due to the bad outing in Philly?[/quote]
I don’t know how much of a difference in RA is considered significant, but the FIP difference isn’t all that big. He’s performing basically about as well as expected it seems.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21] By the way, I don’t really care if Hendry is fired or not. It’s not going to make a damn bit of difference with this organization. This team’s problems run a lot deeper than its general manager.[/quote]
It all depends on who they hire when Hendry goes. If it’s Ned Coletti, then yes, the problems are much deeper (dying laughing).
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I’m surprised Zambrano is below projection. Is that partly due to the bad outing in Philly?[/quote]I’m not sure that Zambrano has been that good this season. It’s interesting that a lot of fans have suddenly started to like him and say he’s done a good job, but compared to what he’s done in the past, not even close. His walks are down, which is good, but his strikeouts are WAY down. His walks will have to stay down for him to have much of any success down the road and I wouldn’t bet on that. The one thing he has done really well this year is work deep into games. He’s averaging almost 6.5 innings per start. There’s just a lot to be concerned about with him at this point. His velocity is way down too.
mb21Quote Reply
I don’t know if the radar is a bit generous sometimes, but Z has been able to get to 92-94 mph fairly often. He seems to like the offspeed stuff more though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]It all depends on who they hire when Hendry goes. If it’s Ned Coletti, then yes, the problems are much deeper (dying laughing).[/quote]The new GM would definitely matter, but it’s not like Friedman or Theo fix this team’s problems. It would be nice if the Cubs hired Friedman, but I actually don’t care.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t know if the radar is a bit generous sometimes, but Z has been able to get to 92-94 mph fairly often. He seems to like the offspeed stuff more though.[/quote]Radar guns are usually hot. Pitch f/x has been fairly consistent for him. There was one start he had an average just under 91, but most other starts it’s been below 90.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The new GM would definitely matter, but it’s not like Friedman or Theo fix this team’s problems. It would be nice if the Cubs hired Friedman, but I actually don’t care.[/quote]
Maybe not this year’s, but I’d feel a lot better about, say, 2013 -2014 if one of those guys were at the helm instead of Hendry. Winning will solve a lot of the underlying financial issues.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Who would be a realistic candidate for Cubs GM if they went to an outsider instead of just promoting Randy Bush?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Jeter is getting Wally Pipped.
ACTQuote Reply
Any ETA on the Cubs game?
BerseliusQuote Reply
Tim Thomas is a very good goalie.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Indians temporarily stopped sucking.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Who would be a realistic candidate for Cubs GM if they went to an outsider instead of just promoting Randy Bush?[/quote]Andrew Friedman’s contract is up and the Cubs would undoubtedly be willing to offer more than the Rays. I’m guessing if the Cubs want him they’ll hire him.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Andrew Friedman’s contract is up and the Cubs would undoubtedly be willing to offer more than the Rays. I’m guessing if the Cubs want him they’ll hire him.[/quote]
The only reason I think he doesn’t come to the Cubs (assuming the Ricketts don’t lowball) is because he’s supposed to be buddy-buddy with the owner. Also kind of depends on how much free reign he gets to actually build the team, not just trot out a half-ass contender every year.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Maybe not this year’s, but I’d feel a lot better about, say, 2013 -2014 if one of those guys were at the helm instead of Hendry. Winning will solve a lot of the underlying financial issues.[/quote]I guess I figure they’re at least 5 years away from contending unless they have another spending spree. The current team is old and broken, much like Wrigley is. Brett Jackson is a good prospect, but as ACT pointed out, he’s a lot more likely to fail because of his K-rate than another player would be. Trey McNutt is a good pitcher, but not a great one. They really don’t have much beyond that. Ryan Flaherty could probably play some 2nd base quite well. Right now, the only way this team contends in the near future is by spending a lot of money and that just makes contending regularly that much more difficult.
Since I don’t see this team contending for that long, I don’t really care what they do. A lot can happen between now and then. I might be living on the moon. Or dead. One or the other. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
it’s kind of funny because I see this season as the best it’s going to get for a few years. Cubs probably find a way to win about 70 games this year. Wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t win 70 or more for a few more years. They’re bad and they have a terrible farm system. They’re banking on both of their top two prospects not only working out, but exceeding expectations while also expecting Castro to become a star. Ain’t happening.
mb21Quote Reply
Derrek Lee is now .220/.294/.319. I wonder if he retires after this year.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]The only reason I think he doesn’t come to the Cubs (assuming the Ricketts don’t lowball) is because he’s supposed to be buddy-buddy with the owner. Also kind of depends on how much free reign he gets to actually build the team, not just trot out a half-ass contender every year.[/quote]I don’t know, RC. If I’m Friedman and I know I can create a team that has regularly contended with the Yankees with no money, I’d want to see what I could do with some money. I’d probably take less money to work for an organization that spends money because I’m thinking I could put together a dynasty with that kind of money. Then I have job security for life. That’s just me though.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Any ETA on the Cubs game?[/quote]No idea. I was looking forward to seeing the reception Z got tonight, but I’m not going to wait around any longer. If it’s a big applause, I’ll check it out on mlb.tv tomorrow.
mb21 out, fuckfaces!
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I don’t know, RC. If I’m Friedman and I know I can create a team that has regularly contended with the Yankees with no money, I’d want to see what I could do with some money. I’d probably take less money to work for an organization that spends money because I’m thinking I could put together a dynasty with that kind of money. Then I have job security for life. That’s just me though.[/quote]
I can definitely see that point of view. I also don’t think Friedman is as crazy as Billy Beane has been portrayed to be so he’d definitely accept that kind of a challenge, especially if the paycheck is good.
Rain is moving out of Chicago but no announcement of game start time yet.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Indians temporarily stopped sucking.[/quote]But not the Cardinals. I do like to see them lose.
joshQuote Reply
8:45 start time, supposedly. Going to be a late night.
joshQuote Reply
If anyone is watching Game 7 now, I think Vancouver just totally lost. What a fail of a shorthanded goal.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]If anyone is watching Game 7 now, I think Vancouver just totally lost. What a fail of a shorthanded goal.[/quote]
Lots of luck involved in that goal, but yeah, they probably just lost.
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
FYI: Z max velocity so far tonight is 92.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Just struck out the side! 92 mph on the last strike three call.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
My interest in hockey waned when the Blackhawks were eliminated.
I know Z’s velocity and strikeouts are down, but he seems like he’s been effective anyway. I’m not arguing he’s an ace, but he’s been a solid pitcher.
joshQuote Reply
Jeff Baker makes LHP his bitch.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I wish we had one guy in the lineup who could do to RHP what Jeff Baker does to LHP.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Who would be a realistic candidate for Cubs GM if they went to an outsider instead of just promoting Randy Bush?[/quote]
I’m available for league minimum.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I wish we had one guy in the lineup who could do to RHP what Jeff Baker does to LHP.[/quote]
They should tell Baker to learn how to switch hit.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]I’m available for league minimum.[/quote]
League minimum for GMs is $1.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]League minimum for GMs is $1.[/quote]
Umm, ok then make that $100,000. A quarter of the league minimum for players.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]Umm, ok then make that $100,000. A quarter of the league minimum for players.[/quote]
Lemme see what I can dig out of my couch.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Lemme see what I can dig out of my couch.[/quote]
They need to save money, I can quit my job.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
I’ll do it for $99,999.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I’ll do it for $99,999.[/quote]
Well shit, there goes all my hopes and dreams.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Damn the Canucks suck.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
77 pitches through 4 IP for Z. Wow.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Methinks Z just lost any chance of getting to the ASG.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Methinks Z just lost any chance of getting to the ASG.[/quote]
Just as well, him going to the ASG would give Hobbity McFuckmyassivan more chances to rant about Big Z.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Did Z just walk? *shock*
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So who will be our all-star rep? Gotta be Marshall or Marmol.
joshQuote Reply
Or Reed Johnson.
joshQuote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
REEDZ!
BerseliusQuote Reply
In a most unlikely string of events, Z walks, Castro walks, Reed Johnson hits a home run. I bet your spreadsheets didn’t predict that. (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]In a most unlikely string of events, Z walks, Castro walks, Reed Johnson hits a home run. I bet your spreadsheets didn’t predict that. (dying laughing)[/quote]
Forgot to carry the 1.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Reed Johnson has shown the other Cubs hitters a blueprint for success, the question is, will they follow it?
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Reed Johnson has shown the other Cubs hitters a blueprint for success, the question is, will they follow it?[/quote]
Nope.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Forgot to carry the i.[/quote]
Fixed.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Reed Johnson has shown the other Cubs hitters a blueprint for success, the question is, will they follow it?[/quote]Yes, but they’ll read it upside down.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Yes, but they’ll read it upside down.[/quote]
That would explain the strikeouts.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Serious question… Does Reed or Baker have trade value…
Both seem to be hitting lefties at an insane rate…
I was against reed being on the team over fernando but i assume he has already paid for his salary barring an 0-300 in WAR
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Stop making errors, Starlin.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Stop making errors, Starlin.[/quote]Yeah, he’s very atheltic, but he’s kind of a painful short stop. There has to be a better position for him.
joshQuote Reply
Yeah, like DH.
ACTQuote Reply
Just venting there.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Yeah, he’s very atheltic, but he’s kind of a painful short stop. There has to be a better position for him.[/quote]
He’s also just 21. I’d give him till the end of next season and then think about a position switch after that. He should improve.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]He’s also just 21. I’d give him till the end of next season and then think about a position switch after that. He should improve.[/quote]Yeah, I think that’s true. There have been a lot of wild shortstops who settled in after a couple of seasons, if they decide to keep him there. I think he’s shown improvement over last year.
joshQuote Reply
So giving up a hit to Yuni is grounds for execution, right?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m not worried yet. We have LaTroy Hawkins in the bullpen. He’s always good for six or seven runs allowed.
joshQuote Reply
Baserunners would be good here.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Letting Baker face a righty? Are they saving Pena for something?
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Letting Baker face a righty? Are they saving Pena for something?[/quote]
Late inning defensive replacement.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
They should just DFA Grabow.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
You misspelled “shoot.”
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Serious question… Does Reed or Baker have trade value…
Both seem to be hitting lefties at an insane rate…
I was against reed being on the team over fernando but i assume he has already paid for his salary barring an 0-300 in WAR[/quote]
Baker, in part because he can play many positions, yes. He does absolutely smash lefties and shouldn’t bat against righties as mb said in his season preview ( I think it was mb). Baker could make sense for a team needing a platoon guy. He should be worth .5 to 1 WAR over the rest of the season and is getting paid $1.175 Mil this season. So, depending on when he is moved, he could be worth $1.5 M to $4 M, but I see $1.5 M to $2 M as his most likely return if the Cubs move him.
Reed, not so much. A 4th or 5th outfielder ideally on a contending team has already accumulated the WAR he was supposed to get for the full season. Paid $900k this season, looks to be replacement level to .3 WAR the rest of the season. UZR is hating his defense this season and Reed will continue to be an injury risk the rest of the season. His platoon splits are not as large as Baker’s. He doesn’t smash lefties like Baker, so he has less value as a platoon hitter then Baker. I don’t see Reed going anywhere as he has no surplus value.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Rickie Weeks is a BABIP killer.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) @ Pat Hughes making fat joke
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Fixed.[/quote]Imaginary number joke?
MishQuote Reply
What do you have against brisket, b?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Tell me more about this smoked brisket sandwich, MO.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Ryno wants to talk about some guy’s meat.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Ryno wants some guy’s meat.[/quote]
fify
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Tell me more about this smoked brisket sandwich, MO.[/quote]Friday, we had a BBQ competition: our dept. vs. the education dept. 8 briskets. Friday, we trimmed and rubbed, Saturday evening, we fired up the massive smoking rig (it’s made from 3 propane tanks, cut and welded into two massive fireboxes attached to the actual grills), injected the meat (we used a modified bordelaise sauce, they cheated and used FAB), and then smoked from 8 that night until 1 p.m. on Sunday. We all used the same wood, a mix of alder, apple, and hickory, in both chunks and chips. We soaked our wood, they didn’t. I used the large chunks to bring the heat up and then handfuls of chips every 30-40 minutes to keep it a steady 225, and we had a much better smoke ring and more smoke flavor through the meat. Predictably, the folks used to tasting real barbecue chose our brisket, but the majority of voters went for the FAB-injected beef. Both were good, and I think when we combine the recipes, we’ll have a winner.
Anyhoo, all that to say I ate the last of what I took home after it was all over, as a sandwich.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Ryno, I see your R + RBI love and raise you OPS + RBI, or OPSBIs.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/espn_jim_bowden_simple_stats_to_evaluate_teams_players/#When:09:40:15Z
MishQuote Reply
I still can’t get over Ricketts’ inane “I never considered hiring a baseball guy” comment. He’s so lost, he doesn’t even know he’s lost
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Ryno, I see your R + RBI love and raise you OPS + RBI, or OPSBIs.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/espn_jim_bowden_simple_stats_to_evaluate_teams_players/#When:09:40:15Z%5B/quote%5DKeep smurfing.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I’ll give Bowden credit for responding to the comments in his thread, but that’s about it. The rest is so logically incoherent:
http://espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post/_/id/389/simple-stats-to-evaluate-teams-players#comments
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I still can’t get over Ricketts’ inane “I never considered hiring a baseball guy” comment. He’s so lost, he doesn’t even know he’s lost[/quote]
Most of his comments are asinine. I don’t have much of a problem with the Hendry vote of confidence, since the vote is usually the sign of an axe coming and even if not, the organization’s issues run deeper. But every single response had me thinking “this guy has no fucking idea”.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Ryno wants to talk about some guy’s meat.[/quote]
You’re right, but Mish is wrong. I want my own.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Friday, we had a BBQ competition: our dept. vs. the education dept. 8 briskets. Friday, we trimmed and rubbed, Saturday evening, we fired up the massive smoking rig (it’s made from 3 propane tanks, cut and welded into two massive fireboxes attached to the actual grills), injected the meat (we used a modified bordelaise sauce, they cheated and used FAB), and then smoked from 8 that night until 1 p.m. on Sunday. We all used the same wood, a mix of alder, apple, and hickory, in both chunks and chips. We soaked our wood, they didn’t. I used the large chunks to bring the heat up and then handfuls of chips every 30-40 minutes to keep it a steady 225, and we had a much better smoke ring and more smoke flavor through the meat. Predictably, the folks used to tasting real barbecue chose our brisket, but the majority of voters went for the FAB-injected beef. Both were good, and I think when we combine the recipes, we’ll have a winner.
Anyhoo, all that to say I ate the last of what I took home after it was all over, as a sandwich.[/quote]
Sounds great. Next time you have some smoked brisket, use it in a marinara sauce. Everyone thinks I’m crazy until they try it.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Ryno, I see your R + RBI love and raise you OPS + RBI, or OPSBIs.
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/espn_jim_bowden_simple_stats_to_evaluate_teams_players/#When:09:40:15Z%5B/quote%5D
Too advanced.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Most of his comments are asinine. I don’t have much of a problem with the Hendry vote of confidence, since the vote is usually the sign of an axe coming and even if not, the organization’s issues run deeper. But every single response had me thinking “this guy has no fucking idea”.[/quote]Yeah, he doesn’t seem to understand the difference between running his (according to Chuck, poorly managed) bond trading business and owning the Cubs.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Most of his comments are asinine. I don’t have much of a problem with the Hendry vote of confidence, since the vote is usually the sign of an axe coming and even if not, the organization’s issues run deeper. But every single response had me thinking “this guy has no fucking idea”.[/quote]You know what that interview reminded me of? It reminded me of these students I get, usually 2-3 every term, who never show up for section, or rarely show up, attend lecture spottily, get D’s on the first two exams, and the come in a week before the final wanting to know what they can do to raise their grade. I usually begin asking them a few questions about the readings, what stuck out for them, which readings they had particular problems with, and pretty quickly I can tell they haven’t done any of the readings, and they’re lost, but that doesn’t keep them from trying to talk about the material as if they had read it.
And that’s the way Ricketts sounds; like a student who hasn’t done one bit of reading and is trying to convince the instructor that not only have they done the reading, they’ve mastered it.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
^^ Good analogy.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Sounds great. Next time you have some smoked brisket, use it in a marinara sauce. Everyone thinks I’m crazy until they try it.[/quote]That’s not crazy at all. I’ve used smoked ham hocks in pasta sauces, as well as lamb neck bones. What you really have to try is a sauce called amatriciana. it’s a spicy tomato sauce make with guanciale (smoked pork jowl bacon)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That’s not crazy at all. I’ve used smoked ham hocks in pasta sauces, as well as lamb neck bones. What you really have to try is a sauce called amatriciana. it’s a spicy tomato sauce make with guanciale (smoked pork jowl bacon)[/quote]I recently made a chili with brisket. It was awesome.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That’s not crazy at all. I’ve used smoked ham hocks in pasta sauces, as well as lamb neck bones. What you really have to try is a sauce called amatriciana. it’s a spicy tomato sauce make with guanciale (smoked pork jowl bacon)[/quote]
Respect.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I still can’t get over Ricketts’ inane “I never considered hiring a baseball guy” comment. He’s so lost, he doesn’t even know he’s lost[/quote]
Bruce Miles just said something very similar on the radio. In regard to his baseball guy remarks he thinks Tommy Boy doesn’t know enough to understand what he doesn’t know.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Bruce Miles just said something very similar on the radio. In regard to his baseball guy remarks he thinks Tommy Boy doesn’t know enough to understand what he doesn’t know.[/quote]Yeah, I imagine for people like Miles, who have been around the game for decades, that interview had to have been almost shocking in certain ways.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, I imagine for people like Miles, who have been around the game for decades, that interview had to have been almost shocking in certain ways.[/quote]That’s exactly what people have been saying since they heard how much the Ricketts dropped for the team. I’ve been hearing that they overpaid since the day the deal was done. An ESPN analyst predicted higher ticket prices and a long term losing team because the deal was so bad. We could be on the cusp of a Pirates-esque decline in the franchise.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]That’s exactly what people have been saying since they heard how much the Ricketts dropped for the team. I’ve been hearing that they overpaid since the day the deal was done. An ESPN analyst predicted higher ticket prices and a long term losing team because the deal was so bad. We could be on the cusp of a Pirates-esque decline in the franchise.[/quote]I think the Cubs will look a lot like the Orioles for a good long while.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Melissa, was that on Mully and Hanley?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Also, I’m going to the Cubs game today for work. I’m really only going for Lloyd and the Planet formerly known as Prince Fielder.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Melissa, was that on Mully and Hanley?[/quote]
Yes but it was Hanley and Rozner. It was between 7:30 & 8:00. They’ll probably post it on the website.
melissaQuote Reply
Don’t forget Greinke, Mish.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Yes but it was Hanley and Rozner. It was between 7:30 & 8:00. They’ll probably post it on the website.[/quote]Thanks. I’ll have to check it out.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Don’t forget Greinke, Mish.[/quote]
Ooo he’s pitching? Everything’s coming up Milhouse (except for seeing the Iowa Cubs play).
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Don’t forget Blake DeWitt’s epic battle with gravity in LF, Mish.[/quote]
Q’d.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Can someone go read Sullivan’s recap from last night and tell me a single thing that happened besides Zambrano’s poor start?
Seriously, one thing that happened on the field.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Can someone go read Sullivan’s recap from last night and tell me a single thing that happened besides Zambrano’s poor start?
Seriously, one thing that happened on the field.[/quote]The whole column is about Z being bad, and more palaver about Z’s comments, and then Sully closes by pouting because everyone got behind Z, despite Sully’s best efforts to manufacture a controversy.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Can someone go read Sullivan’s recap from last night and tell me a single thing that happened besides Zambrano’s poor start?
Seriously, one thing that happened on the field.[/quote]
I heard there were errors. And at some point the bullpen kept failing.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Can someone go read Sullivan’s recap from last night and tell me a single thing that happened besides Zambrano’s poor start?
Seriously, one thing that happened on the field.[/quote]
Rogers included this in his piece:
3. Carlos Zambrano’s pitching line since saying the Cubs were playing like a Triple-A team: 12 1-3 IP, 16 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 9 BB, 11 SO. Fits right in, huh?
MishQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Rogers included this in his piece:
3. Carlos Zambrano’s pitching line since saying the Cubs were playing like a Triple-A team: 12 1-3 IP, 16 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 9 BB, 11 SO. Fits right in, huh?[/quote]They just love to pile on him. I wonder why kind of of pathetic life these guys lead.
I mean there must be something in their life that makes them such spiteful cunts.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15945629&partnerId=aw-5407335468519497232-996
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15945629&partnerId=aw-5407335468519497232-996[/quote]
I thought at first that it was a glove. Way to MacGyver it to get the souvenir.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I still can’t get over Ricketts’ inane “I never considered hiring a baseball guy” comment. He’s so lost, he doesn’t even know he’s lost[/quote]For Kenney’s role? I’ve never understood why people think you have a baseball guy to be in an MLB front office. Sandy Alderson wasn’t a baseball guy and he hired another guy who wasn’t a baseball guy to indoctrinate Billy Beane. Neither is Andrew Friedman. I’m all for replacing Kenney, but I couldn’t care less if it’s a baseball guy. I don’t care if the non-baseball guy they hire to replace him hires another non-baseball guy to replace Hendry. In an era when more non-baseball guys are entering the game as analysts, it doesn’t make sense to restrict yourself to a baseball guy.
You know I don’t like Ricketts and do not have high hopes for this organization, but to be completely honest, that’s the only fucking comment from him since he bought the team that gives me any reason to think this organization may turn it around. That’s he’s not limiting the pool of potential executives isn’t a problem. It’s a damn smart thing to do.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]What do you have against brisket, b?[/quote]
I don’t know, it’s just not what I think of when I think of bbq. I grew up on carolina pulled pork, and now I’m obsessed with Salt Lick’s smoked sausage. It’s probably just that I haven’t had a Holy Shit brisket yet. I had some Rudy’s a while back thanks to GW and I liked their brisket better than Salt Lick’s but it’s still not my go-to bbq meat.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]For Kenney’s role? I’ve never understood why people think you have a baseball guy to be in an MLB front office. Sandy Alderson wasn’t a baseball guy and he hired another guy who wasn’t a baseball guy to indoctrinate Billy Beane. Neither is Andrew Friedman. I’m all for replacing Kenney, but I couldn’t care less if it’s a baseball guy. I don’t care if the non-baseball guy they hire to replace him hires another non-baseball guy to replace Hendry. In an era when more non-baseball guys are entering the game as analysts, it doesn’t make sense to restrict yourself to a baseball guy.
You know I don’t like Ricketts and do not have high hopes for this organization, but to be completely honest, that’s the only fucking comment from him since he bought the team that gives me any reason to think this organization may turn it around. That’s he’s not limiting the pool of potential executives isn’t a problem. It’s a damn smart thing to do.[/quote]
What does Kenney have to do with baseball now anyway? The team president should be someone who knows how to deal with the business-side stuff he’s been tasked with – namely the Triangle buliding, new ST facilities, etc. If/when they get rid of Kenney they should replace him with someone who knows where the bodies are buried in Chicago.
BerseliusQuote Reply
There’s a lot of bright people in the world. Many of them are more capable of running an MLB team than the dumbasses who work for MLB teams. If I ran a team, I wouldn’t even bother looking for the likes of a baseball guy. It would be much easier to find an intelligent person to run my team if I opened the position up to include some of the brightest minds that are interested in being involved with baseball.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]You know what that interview reminded me of? It reminded me of these students I get, usually 2-3 every term, who never show up for section, or rarely show up, attend lecture spottily, get D’s on the first two exams, and the come in a week before the final wanting to know what they can do to raise their grade. I usually begin asking them a few questions about the readings, what stuck out for them, which readings they had particular problems with, and pretty quickly I can tell they haven’t done any of the readings, and they’re lost, but that doesn’t keep them from trying to talk about the material as if they had read it.
And that’s the way Ricketts sounds; like a student who hasn’t done one bit of reading and is trying to convince the instructor that not only have they done the reading, they’ve mastered it.[/quote]
(dying laughing), you’re much better at this than I am. I usually have to resort to breaking down the numbers for them and watching them try to pretend that they can score 95+ percent on the remaining exams.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I don’t know, it’s just not what I think of when I think of bbq. I grew up on carolina pulled pork, and now I’m obsessed with Salt Lick’s smoked sausage. It’s probably just that I haven’t had a Holy Shit brisket yet. I had some Rudy’s a while back thanks to GW and I liked their brisket better than Salt Lick’s but it’s still not my go-to bbq meat.[/quote]
Well you’re in Texas now, so you have to consider brisket BBQ.
Franklin’s is probably the best you’ll get near campus/downtown, but you should consider taking 183 south to Lockhart.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]What does Kenney have to do with baseball now anyway? The team president should be someone who knows how to deal with the business-side stuff he’s been tasked with – namely the Triangle buliding, new ST facilities, etc. If/when they get rid of Kenney they should replace him with someone who knows where the bodies are buried in Chicago.[/quote]Agreed. If I looked at only team presidents or whatever Kenney’s title is, very few would be baseball guys. I believe there are 3 non-baseball guys who are general managers now. That’s 10%. It’s only going to increase. I wouldn’t be surprised if some team hired a manager who wasn’t a so-called baseball guy. If we looked at the position higher than the GM, I’d be surprised if 10% are baseball guys.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Agreed. If I looked at only team presidents or whatever Kenney’s title is, very few would be baseball guys. I believe there are 3 non-baseball guys who are general managers now. That’s 10%. It’s only going to increase. I wouldn’t be surprised if some team hired a manager who wasn’t a so-called baseball guy. If we looked at the position higher than the GM, I’d be surprised if 10% are baseball guys.[/quote]
I think the term “baseball guy” came out of guys like MacPhail and DeWitt whose families all ran baseball teams in the 50s. None of them had Baseball Experience either when they started.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I want the Cubs to become a progressive organization. Two of the most progressive organizations are the A’s and Rays. Both team’s have been hugely impacted by non-baseball guys. The executives who made decisions had the balls to look elsewhere and they were right. There is no reason at all to limit the number of potential employees. There aren’t that many baseball guys. And most of them are retards.
mb21Quote Reply
How long do you have to work in baseball to be a baseball guy? That’s the whole problem with such terminology. Sandy Alderson wasn’t a baseball guy, but I would guess he’d be considered one by now. What about Andrew Friedman? He hasn’t even been doing this for a decade. He’s not been involved with a baseball team much longer than Kenney has.
mb21Quote Reply
FWIW, the sentiment is more anti-Kenney than pro-Dombrowski/Gillick/whoever you want to name. I don’t think it needs to be someone who’s deemed a “baseball guy”; when we were discussing Friedman the other day, I stopped short of pointing out he had no MLB experience but was really intelligent and understood financial and business competition/advantages, and that there are likely a ton more of him working in corporate America.
MishQuote Reply
Uh oh! AJ calls out his teammate!
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/16/a-j-pierzynski-blames-gavin-floyd-after-white-sox-allow-five-steals-in-loss/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]How long do you have to work in baseball to be a baseball guy?[/quote]
Probably a couple of weeks.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Exactly, Mish. There are a hell of a lot more Friedman’s out there than there are good “baseball guy” GMs or team presidents. The Cubs would be very smart to go the same route they did if they can’t hire Friedman.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Probably a couple of weeks.[/quote](dying laughing) then Kenney is a seasoned baseball guy by now.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I wouldn’t be surprised if some team hired a manager who wasn’t a so-called baseball guy. [/quote]
I heard Lisa Simpson and her laptop were available.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I heard Lisa Simpson and her laptop were available.[/quote]
She’s a fucking statfag.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]She’s a fucking statfag.[/quote]
Wouldn’t she be a statdyke?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Who is a bigger
nerdfaget…Calcaterra for actually making a spectacular Star Trek captain analogy here, or me for actually knowing what the hell he’s talking about?And yes, I preempted the fagethood.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(live long and dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I honestly don’t know who the hell they should hire. I have no idea. I just know whatever they’ve been doing hasn’t worked worth a shit. For all I know, Jim Hendry is the best general manager who has ever general managed. Maybe if you follow him around day-to-day and listen to the way he makes deals, you’d be blown away by his intelligence and acumen. Perhaps given the choices he’s been able to make, he has, 85% of the time, say, made not only a good choice but the best choice and in a way that was better than anyone else could do it.
The fact remains that the team blows ass. If a new guy came in and said “DFAing Soriano would be a mistake for the following reasons…” then I’m 100% more likely to hear him out than if Jim said the exact same thing.
joshQuote Reply
Doesn’t always work though. Rudy Jaramillo was an exciting acquisition until the Cubs didn’t hit any better than they did before.
joshQuote Reply
Oh man, I just saw this. Totally not petty at all, Phil:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-your-morning-phil-hendry-pierzynski-big-z-20110616,0,182289.story
The WreckardQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Doesn’t always work though. Rudy Jaramillo was an exciting acquisition until the Cubs didn’t hit any better than they did before.[/quote]
I don’t think that the hitting coach can help guys suddenly learn how to hit. He can fix their swings a bit and find mechanical flaws that could be corrected, but otherwise most of the hitting comes from the hitter’s own talent. Of which, on this team, there is little.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t think that the hitting coach can help guys suddenly learn how to hit. He can fix their swings a bit and find mechanical flaws that could be corrected, but otherwise most of the hitting comes from the hitter’s own talent. Of which, on this team, there is little.[/quote]You could argue that the team management can only try to enhance the options they have available. I don’t know how true that is, or how much a good management system can create opportunities. My point was new leadership doesn’t necessarily win games, but like a good batting coach, maybe they can maximize the return.
joshQuote Reply
If you want a model for consistent winning, wouldn’t it be the Phillies? Their method is to buy really good pitching and grow hitters in house.
joshQuote Reply
From the vancouver riots
MishQuote Reply
Holy shit (dying laughing)
http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/06/special-instructions-to-players.html
Those old-timey guys were pretty foul-mouthed.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oops
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
I thought the idea was that you built everything in house and then you only buy the pieces that you need to fill certain holes in the pitching and the lineup. Otherwise it gets Yankees-expensive.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]If you want a model for consistent winning, wouldn’t it be the Phillies? Their method is to buy really good pitching and grow hitters in house.[/quote]
This model is wrong, very wrong. Work is causing my baseball work to become heavily delayed, but this is at the root of it. You are handing out the most amounts of money to the riskiest bets in baseball, starting pitchers staying healthy. On top of that, every single team in the MLB right now thinks an Ace pitcher is needed to contend and win championships meaning a very unbalanced supply & demand marketplace driving the prices up on Aces and creating undervalued assets elsewhere. Can you get Ace production without the Ace price tag? I think you can and my work is on that subject.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
RF Fukudome
SS Castro
2B DeWitt
3B Ramirez
1B Pena
LF Soriano
C Soto
CF Campana
P Garza
No, that’s not a typo. DeWitt is the number 3 hitter.
ACTQuote Reply
I meant to write this last night, but “a list of tags that includes the name of each and every cubs player this season” got a literal (dying laughing) from me last night.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]This model is wrong, very wrong. Work is causing my baseball work to become heavily delayed, but this is at the root of it. You are handing out the most amounts of money to the riskiest bets in baseball, starting pitchers staying healthy. On top of that, every single team in the MLB right now thinks an Ace pitcher is needed to contend and win championships meaning a very unbalanced supply & demand marketplace driving the prices up on Aces and creating undervalued assets elsewhere. Can you get Ace production without the Ace price tag? I think you can and my work is on that subject.[/quote]I was just thinking that the Giants maybe are an even better model — most of their pitchers are homegrown and they basically don’t care about offense. It seems like heavily offense-oriented teams without good pitching suffer the same fate over and over again: killer records in the regular season, absolute fizzle in post season. Maybe pitchers are overvalued on the open market, but that just means the Cubs should focus on investing into their pitchers in the farm system. One amazing hitter can’t save a team, or the Cards would have won ten years in a row.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I meant to write this last night, but “a list of tags that includes the name of each and every cubs player this season” got a literal (dying laughing) from me last night.[/quote]It’s sure to be the most popular tag here.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]RF Fukudome
SS Castro
2B DeWitt
3B Ramirez
1B Pena
LF Soriano
C Soto
CF Campana
P Garza
No, that’s not a typo. DeWitt is the number 3 hitter.[/quote]Q: PLEASE GOD SOMEONE DRIVE IN RUNS!
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I was just thinking that the Giants maybe are an even better model — most of their pitchers are homegrown and they basically don’t care about offense. It seems like heavily offense-oriented teams without good pitching suffer the same fate over and over again: killer records in the regular season, absolute fizzle in post season. Maybe pitchers are overvalued on the open market, but that just means the Cubs should focus on investing into their pitchers in the farm system. One amazing hitter can’t save a team, or the Cards would have won ten years in a row.[/quote]
tinstaapp. also, there is no difference between a run saved and a run scored.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I was just thinking that the Giants maybe are an even better model — most of their pitchers are homegrown and they basically don’t care about offense. It seems like heavily offense-oriented teams without good pitching suffer the same fate over and over again: killer records in the regular season, absolute fizzle in post season. Maybe pitchers are overvalued on the open market, but that just means the Cubs should focus on investing into their pitchers in the farm system. One amazing hitter can’t save a team, or the Cards would have won ten years in a row.[/quote]The playoffs are mostly just about luck. You have to build your team to win over 162 games. There’s still luck involved even in that sample, but a great team can get swept. Season over. A great team is very likely to find itself in contention and most likely in the playoffs.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=GW]tinstaapp. also, there is no difference between a run saved and a run scored.[/quote]Agreed. For all the great hitting, no pitching teams that didn’t win we find examples of great pitching, no hitting teams that didn’t win. The Atlanta Braves won only one title despite having the best rotation almost every single season.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Agreed. For all the great hitting, no pitching teams that didn’t win we find examples of great pitching, no hitting teams that didn’t win. The Atlanta Braves won only one title despite having the best rotation almost every single season.[/quote]
Nailed it, you have to plan for the season and hope to get lucky in the playoffs as it is too short and anything can happen. Going to one extreme or the other is a mixed bag. The idea is to see an opportunity in the market and use it to your advantage before the market corrects that imbalance.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Agreed. For all the great hitting, no pitching teams that didn’t win we find examples of great pitching, no hitting teams that didn’t win. The Atlanta Braves won only one title despite having the best rotation almost every single season.[/quote]All right, but if post season reaching is the goal and post season success pure chance, then by that measure the Braves had a decade of awesome teams based around the best rotation around.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]This model is wrong, very wrong. Work is causing my baseball work to become heavily delayed, but this is at the root of it. You are handing out the most amounts of money to the riskiest bets in baseball, starting pitchers staying healthy. On top of that, every single team in the MLB right now thinks an Ace pitcher is needed to contend and win championships meaning a very unbalanced supply & demand marketplace driving the prices up on Aces and creating undervalued assets elsewhere. Can you get Ace production without the Ace price tag? I think you can and my work is on that subject.[/quote]
I was going to reply to that and say that the Phillies have gotten lucky with injuries.
On the other hand, the resources that they’ve committed the most to (Hallady and Lee) are also two proven durable starters.
Though I suppose even a durable starter is one injury away from the end of his career.
The WreckardQuote Reply
No one way will work for very long, the Braves did an amazing job getting to the playoffs all those years, but the short series allows for too much randomness and they got unlucky. Imagine getting a pitching staff putting up near league leading numbers for around one to two times Halladay’s $20 M this season, then use the savings on hitters.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
[quote name=The Wreckard]I was going to reply to that and say that the Phillies have gotten lucky with injuries.
On the other hand, the resources that they’ve committed the most to (Hallady and Lee) are also two proven durable starters.
Though I suppose even a durable starter is one injury away from the end of his career.[/quote]
I think Halladay & Lee should stay healthy, but yes anything can happen. Jake Peavy, Johan Santana, Rich Harden, Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Strasburg???, Ben Sheets, etc. Starters injuries may not be career enders, but they can easily knock them out of ace status.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
[quote name=Bubba Biscuit]I think they got some guys who should stay healthy, but yes anything can happen. Jake Peavy, Johan Santana, Rich Harden, Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Strasburg???, Ben Sheets, etc. Starters injuries may not be career enders, but they can easily knock them out of ace status.[/quote]If it’s foolish to spend too much on pitching, and too hard to ensure you can get good pitching from your farm system, then do you just have to rely on luck? Obviously there’s always some luck involved, but surely there are good strategies that have proven to work to build pitching staffs. Maybe not. I can’t think of very many teams that always have awesome pitching where they didn’t buy it.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]If it’s foolish to spend too much on pitching, and too hard to ensure you can get good pitching from your farm system, then do you just have to rely on luck? Obviously there’s always some luck involved, but surely there are good strategies that have proven to work to build pitching staffs. Maybe not. I can’t think of very many teams that always have awesome pitching where they didn’t buy it.[/quote]
Well, there is no good strategy that has been tried yet. The Braves bought it and got good health out of those guys for a long time, but that is the exception or luck. Think of the Santana trade, Peavy trade, Greinke trade, hell even the dumbass Garza trade, teams know the supply of Aces are low and you are seeing teams having to trade players plus pay about what they would get in free agency for these guys, that is laying a lot out on them. If they go down for a season with an injury, it effects the whole team. Cardinals are still doing ok without Wainwright this year, but that was a big blow to them and probably keeps them short of the Brewers this year. Imagine any contending team losing their #1 or #2 pitcher for the season. It is so competitive, that likely costs them a playoff spot.
Relying on great pitching in the modern 5-man rotation is hoping to get lucky each year and paying a hefty premium to increase your odds.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Q defended Z:
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/4923/quade-defends-zs-struggles
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I see your point.
joshQuote Reply
Cubs lose.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
No, no Grienke is terrible now. We’ll be fine.
joshQuote Reply
Kosuke shut me right up. It’s April 77th.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Castro also shut me right up.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Prediction: Soriano hits 4 homeruns today.
joshQuote Reply
Thank goodness for that passed ball, because Pena struck out (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Castro could hit 40-45 doubles this season
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Garza….doing good today….
joshQuote Reply
HR/FB normalizing.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
4-2 already? What the hell did I miss?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]4-2 already? What the hell did I miss?[/quote]
Ryan Braun 2-run homer.
Castro doubled in Fukudome and scored on a passed ball.
Kottaras (?!) 2-run homer.
And…scene.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I did some quick calculations and at this rate, the score will be 18-18 by the 9th inning.
joshQuote Reply
This would be a hilarious time for Tony Campana to get his first MLB HR.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Yankees were an incredibly balanced team from 1996 to 2000. Over those 5 years, only Braves and Red Sox had more pitcher WAR. They were 5th in ERA and 4th in FIP. Only the Indians had more batting WAR than the Yankees. They were 4th in wOBA and 3rd in wRC. Their defense was pretty bad, but offensively and pitching, they were just good all around. They won 3 World Series.
We can talk about strong pitching or strong hitting all we want, but the goal MUST be to be good all around.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This would be a hilarious time for Tony Campana to get his first MLB HR.[/quote]
False.
[quote name=mb21]The Yankees were an incredibly balanced team from 1996 to 2000. Over those 5 years, only Braves and Red Sox had more pitcher WAR. They were 5th in ERA and 4th in FIP. Only the Indians had more batting WAR than the Yankees. They were 4th in wOBA and 3rd in wRC. Their defense was pretty bad, but offensively and pitching, they were just good all around. They won 3 World Series.
We can talk about strong pitching or strong hitting all we want, but the goal MUST be to be good all around.[/quote]
They actually won four mb, but the 1996 one was the one I enjoyed most because that’s when I started following Derek Jeter and by association, baseball, more closely.
That was way too many commas.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The Yankees were an incredibly balanced team from 1996 to 2000. Over those 5 years, only Braves and Red Sox had more pitcher WAR. They were 5th in ERA and 4th in FIP. Only the Indians had more batting WAR than the Yankees. They were 4th in wOBA and 3rd in wRC. Their defense was pretty bad, but offensively and pitching, they were just good all around. They won 3 World Series.
We can talk about strong pitching or strong hitting all we want, but the goal MUST be to be good all around.[/quote]
Yep, and unless you have the Yankees payroll, that means breaking with tradition and finding ways of maximizing value and limiting risk.
Bubba BiscuitQuote Reply
Kottaras just broke even.
joshQuote Reply
It’s still April!!!!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
What’s up with that guy? Did he finally just realize he’s not a power hitter in America and start modeling himself after Ichiro?
joshQuote Reply
Average speed something something.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
“This game has a whacky quality to it.” –Pat Hughes.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]No, no Grienke is terrible now. We’ll be fine.[/quote]
Joshstradamus.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This is awesome. Both highly prized FA pitching acquisitions in the NL central are getting lit up, in part due to hilariously bad defense
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Why couldn’t they do this for Z last night? *grumble*
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Did Casey McGhee play catcher when he was with us? Or was that just Jake Fox?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Why couldn’t they do this for Z last night? *grumble*[/quote]His teammates are still mad at him.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Garza looking wild?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Garza looking wild?[/quote]I don’t know if he’s wild, but he’s giving up homers at a rate of one per inning.
joshQuote Reply
Pitch f/x is just showing him being all over the place. Anddddd there’s another run.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
That was a pretty “all over the place” walk there.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]They actually won four mb, but the 1996 one was the one I enjoyed most because that’s when I started following Derek Jeter and by association, baseball, more closely.
That was way too many commas.[/quote]Yeah, I meant to say 4. I’m just an idiot. I loved those Yankee teams. When you think about homegrown talent a lot of people think about the Marlins, but they should think about the Yankees.
mb21Quote Reply
Hey Cubs fans! The Cubs are hosting their first Wrigleyville Block Party this weekend and it sounds like fun. Check out details here http://bit.ly/mHSSE2
mattQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Did Casey McGhee play catcher when he was with us? Or was that just Jake Fox?[/quote]He was initially a catcher and then moved to 3rd the final season with the Cubs. he may have still played some behind the plate at the time. Can’t remember now.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=matt]Hey Cubs fans! The Cubs are hosting their first Wrigleyville Block Party this weekend and it sounds like fun. Check out details here http://bit.ly/mHSSE2%5B/quote%5D
(dying laughing)
GWQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
wtf?
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
There’s that power.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]There’s that routine fly ball that was blown out of the park.[/quote]
Fixed.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Fixed.[/quote]
Don’t you like anything?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Just got back from a meeting. I’m guessing the wind is blowing out today (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=matt]Hey Cubs fans! The Cubs are hosting their first Wrigleyville Block Party this weekend and it sounds like fun. Check out details here http://bit.ly/mHSSE2%5B/quote%5D
That reminds me, I need to finish up my marketing campaign for W flags and Go Cubs Go CDs. OV is the perfect place to sell them (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
O/U Grienke’s IP: 4.2
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]O/U Grienke’s IP: 4.2[/quote]
Garza isn’t far behind…this was not expected (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]That reminds me, I need to finish up my marketing campaign for W flags and Go Cubs Go CDs. OV is the perfect place to sell them (dying laughing)[/quote]I’ll trade you three of my top prospects for 2.3 of those W flags!!
joshQuote Reply
Vancouver has established the template for block parties. The question is, can the cubs replicate it?
GWQuote Reply
Uh oh! Could Garza have less than a 12 pitch inning?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Rickie Weeks loves the TOOTBLAN
Rice CubeQuote Reply
It’s fun listening to the radio guys talk around a ball shot.
joshQuote Reply
somebody get that gif
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]It’s fun listening to the radio guys talk around a ball shot.[/quote]
Is that why there’s an on-field delay? Foul ball off the nuts?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Umpire took a shot, yup.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Umpire took a shot, yup.[/quote]
He should’ve worn a bigger cup.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]That reminds me, I need to finish up my marketing campaign for W flags and Go Cubs Go CDs. OV is the perfect place to sell them (dying laughing)[/quote]
Don’t forget your, “It’s Gonna Happen,” signs. They will go like hotcakes around here.
melissaQuote Reply
OMG Castro has two walks. I think it’s the first time ever.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]OMG Castro has two walks. I think it’s the first time ever.[/quote]Seems like he’s been much more patient lately AND hitting with more pop. Nice little combo.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]Vancouver has established the template for block parties. The question is, can the cubs replicate it?[/quote]
(dying laughing), I’m going to Vancouver next month and just got a travel advisory from the university about civil unrest (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), I’m going to Vancouver next month and just got a travel advisory from the university about civil unrest (dying laughing) (dying laughing)[/quote]
They’ve declared war on automobiles.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sparkling Nyjers
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Levine floating the Z—> Yankees rumor again.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]That reminds me, I need to finish up my marketing campaign for W flags and Go Cubs Go CDs. OV is the perfect place to sell them (dying laughing)[/quote]I’d like to order a dozen.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’d like to order a dozen.[/quote]
I only accept orders via fax.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing), I’m going to Vancouver next month and just got a travel advisory from the university about civil unrest (dying laughing) (dying laughing)[/quote]Do not schedule a trip to Kansas. It seems everywhere you’re scheduled to be gets fucked up. First Japan and now Vancouver.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Levine floating the Z—> Yankees rumor again.[/quote]That would be nice. Did Levine write an article about it?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I only accept orders via fax.[/quote]@ 1-888-4OV-BLOG?
mb21Quote Reply
Yeah, you can probably write a new blog on this:
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/4932/with-n-y-in-town-let-big-z-speculation-begin
Soriano had an interesting viewpoint about it towards the end of the article.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I only accept orders via fax.[/quote]
When you send me checks make sure they’re made out to
Chicago Awesome Sales House
It’s long, so just write out the abbreviation. And make sure you include your social security number and DOB on it too.
BerseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing), the Cubs are contagious
BerseliusQuote Reply
Thank goodness for Yuni (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Alcides Escobar would have made that play.
joshQuote Reply
June Kosuke!
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]April 77th Kosuke![/quote]
/424’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Kosuke is one hit away from a statistical anomoly!
joshQuote Reply
Fukudome now a double short of the cycle.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Kosuke is one hit away from a statistical anomoly![/quote]
He should hit a homer and stop at second.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Pat Hughes: “the feet are connected to the nose. When you sniff a base hit, you run faster.”
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
Kosuke SLG > OBP
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/135990/oshea-blasts-ex-tribune-execs-current-editor-in-new-book/
BerseliusQuote Reply
Kosuke will only get an AB in the next inning if the Cubs get men on base. Cycle very unlikely.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
2-day TOOTBLAN streak by Weeks.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Thank you Rickie Weeks. You are always entertaining.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Kosuke will only get an AB in the next inning if the Cubs get men on base. Cycle very unlikely.[/quote]
He’ll get one in the 8th
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]2-day TOOTBLAN streak by Weeks.[/quote]
That’s actually his second one today (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]He’ll get one in the 8th[/quote]
Correct. I thought it was the 8th inning already. Derp.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That’s actually his second one today (dying laughing)[/quote]
It’s Deja Vu all over again. (dying laughing).
melissaQuote Reply
They needed that second base. Otherwise Morgan couldn’t have hit a 5 run HR.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
ADOLFO!!
BerseliusQuote Reply
Well, I don’t think he’ll get four anymore…. But, Sori got one.
joshQuote Reply
Just saaw yellon on that blast
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Just saaw yellon on that blast[/quote]
Was he under a misting station?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Was he under a misting station?[/quote]
Knock it off. You’ve been warned.
melissaQuote Reply
I was thinking of trying to catch a Peoria Chiefs game this season. Are there any good players down there? I saw that Angel Pagan was pitching there.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I was thinking of trying to catch a Peoria Chiefs game this season. Are there any good players down there? I saw that Angel Pagan was pitching there.[/quote]
Hail, Szczur!
Oh, and also first-round pick Hayden Simpson, who totally deserved to be picked in the first round.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I know it’s meaningless, but it would be cool if Kosuke could hit for the cycle
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]I know it’s meaningless, but it would be cool if Kosuke could hit for the cycle[/quote]
This is your fault.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This is your fault.[/quote]
Clearly the best course of action is to save face and move to Japan.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Castro has the team’s only two walks today. This truly is a sign of the apocalypse.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Sean Marshall for the coveted Fuck-You-Three-Inning-Save?
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Castro has the team’s only two walks today. This truly is a sign of the apocalypse.[/quote]Against Greinke, no less!
ACTQuote Reply
Greinke had 10 strikeouts and 2 walks, good for a 2.77 FIP.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Sean Marshall for the coveted Fuck-You-Three-Inning-Save?[/quote]
It was not meant to be. Instead it’s the always-hilarious “We’re so far ahead we’re putting in John Grabow” inning.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Will John Grabow piss this whole lead away?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Giving up a hit to Yuni Betancourt should be considered grounds for DFA (dying laughing)
/semi-kidding
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Man, if Grabow forces Marmol come in here, I’ll be pissed.
ACTQuote Reply
I just look at John Grabow and I see a suitcase full of hundreds being blown to bits with a shotgun, then the force of the blast slammng it into a gasoline fire.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Greinke had 10 strikeouts and 2 walks, good for a 2.77 FIP.[/quote]And a 1.19 xFIP!
ACTQuote Reply
Think the Cubs will resign Kosuke if he continues to play well, or are they just going to be thankful to get a good trade piece? If the Cubs don’t pick up Rami’s contract, how long until he’s officially signed by the Orioles?
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Think the Cubs will resign Kosuke if he continues to play well, or are they just going to be thankful to get a good trade piece? If the Cubs don’t pick up Rami’s contract, how long until he’s officially signed by the Orioles?[/quote]
I don’t think there’s any chance they re-sign Kosuke unless he takes a significant pay-cut. I used to think there was no way it would happen, but with Colvin looking completely lost, they might try to resign him at something like $4 million for one year. I think ultimately whether they resign him depends on:
1.) How he finishes and what he’s willing to sign for
2.) If the Cubs have lost all faith in Colvin being a starting major league calliber player
3.) Timeframe for Jackson and Szczur
If Ricketts is really going young and slashing payroll then he’s not coming back.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Think the Cubs will resign Kosuke if he continues to play well, or are they just going to be thankful to get a good trade piece? If the Cubs don’t pick up Rami’s contract, how long until he’s officially signed by the Orioles?[/quote]
No, they’ll let him walk and be happy for the payroll space. Even if he has a nice year, he’s 34.
BerseliusQuote Reply
It would be pretty hilarious if they picked him up. Regardless, it wouldn’t surprise me if he were to go the AL to be a DH. If he stays in the NL, it’s going to be with a seriously offensively challenged team like the Padres.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Think the Cubs will resign Kosuke if he continues to play well, or are they just going to be thankful to get a good trade piece? If the Cubs don’t pick up Rami’s contract, how long until he’s officially signed by the Orioles?[/quote]The funny thing is that he’s not even playing that much better than normal. Adjust for his inflated BABIP and he’s basically putting up the exactly same numbers as he has in years past.
And by Fangraph’s measure the combination of bad fielding this year and his completely empty line has him pegged at 0 WAR despite his “strong” start.
The WreckardQuote Reply
[quote name=The Wreckard]The funny thing is that he’s not even playing that much better than normal. Adjust for his inflated BABIP and he’s basically putting up the exactly same numbers as he has in years past.
And by Fangraph’s measure the combination of bad fielding this year and his completely empty line has him pegged at 0 WAR despite his “strong” start.[/quote]
I have a hard time with this one… while obviosuly the eye test is a pretty terrible way to evaluate players, I really can’t believe he’s been that bad in the field. Kosuke has always struck me as an average or even plus fielder.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Kosuke’s fWAR this year is dragged down by his UZR, which is an outlier, both for his career, and compared to other metrics (rWAR has him at 2.1 WAR!). I’m inclined to think he’s more or less average defensively.
ACTQuote Reply
Kosuke is second in the league in Total Zone runs, has a terrible UZR, and an average DRS. His Fan Scouting Reports for the past couple years are slightly above average.
ACTQuote Reply
I meant for a paycut for sure. Maybe the paycut scenario is unlikely just in terms of saving face on the market. Re-signing with the same team for a cut is like admitting you’re overpriced. Signing with another team for a cut you can chalk up to them being tough negotiators.
joshQuote Reply
Does what happened with Kosuke pretty much kill any chances the next Japanese star makes any kind of money in MLB?
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I meant for a paycut for sure. Maybe the paycut scenario is unlikely just in terms of saving face on the market. Re-signing with the same team for a cut is like admitting you’re overpriced. Signing with another team for a cut you can chalk up to them being tough negotiators.[/quote]
Yeah, I guess the paycut was implied wasn’t it? (dying laughing). I have no idea what to think about the pride issue with Kosuke; he’s always seemed to be pretty humble but I know there are tremendous expectations for Japanese players that come over here to the United States. It’d be interesting to get a window into see what the Japanese media thinks and how Kosuke is responding to the pressure.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
Kosuke does not believe in your fagety spreadsheets:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15964567
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’m surprised Kosuke got to this one faster than Warp Factor Campana:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15961111
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I’d rather go with the Fans Scouting Report over the available defensive metrics. The new FRAA is pretty good in that it tells us what happened and doesn’t infer as much as the others.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Does what happened with Kosuke pretty much kill any chances the next Japanese star makes any kind of money in MLB?[/quote]
I don’t think so- there’s been a really mixed series of outcomes with Japanese players here in the United States. Obviously Ichiro sets the bar pretty impossibly high, and some like Nomo and Hideki Matsui have had limited success, but there are quiet a few who didn’t live up to expectations (Dice-K) as well.
I think the price will go down but I’m sure there will be a few more that will be heralded as the next Ichiro and receive great contracts. I personally don’t have a problem with how much the Cubs paid Kosuke- given how many teams were interested in him the Cubs were going to have to overpay to get him.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’d rather go with the Fans Scouting Report over the available defensive metrics. The new FRAA is pretty good in that it tells us what happened and doesn’t infer as much as the others.[/quote]
I haven’t seen that, but it sounds interesting. Do you have a link? I’m too lazy to Google it (dying laughing).
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
I like Kosuke. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing him maybe one more year, if Colvin can’t get it together. If they don’t re-sign Byrd, Colvin could play center, assuming he remembered to bring his bat.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I like Kosuke. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing him maybe one more year, if Colvin can’t get it together. If they don’t re-sign Byrd, Colvin could play center, assuming he remembered to bring his bat.[/quote]
That’s what Brett Jackson is for.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]I haven’t seen that, but it sounds interesting. Do you have a link? I’m too lazy to Google it (dying laughing).[/quote]It’s on Fangraphs player pages. e.g., http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1849&position=2B#fsr
ACTQuote Reply
Oh, you mean FRAA? never mind.
ACTQuote Reply
Pete Rose speaks…
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/16/pete-rose-on-steroids-and-the-hall-of-fame/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think he meant the FSR. He can find FRAA on some of the sortable stat pages on Baseball Prospectus.
mb21Quote Reply
new thread: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/replacement-for-craney-kenney-tom-ricketts-doesnt-care-if-its-a-baseball-guy-and-good-for-him.html
mb21Quote Reply