Sometimes I think the Cardinals take the idea that Dave Duncan is a miracle worker with pitching reclamation projects a bit too far.
At one hundred years old, she wasn’t born yet when the Cubs last won the World Series or when Albert Pujols learned to drive. We’re looking into reports that Hendry is in talks to sign her to a 3-year deal to shore up the bullpen.
Comments
Looks like her elbow is in better shape than Kerry Wood’s
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Is that Julian Tavarez’ mother?
JManQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]Is that Julian Tavarez’ mother?[/quote]I think it’s actually Julian Tavarez.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I think it’s actually Julian Tavarez.[/quote]so he was steroid user?
JManQuote Reply
That’s a good pic. I was kind of half-expecting a pic of some Cubs fans texting or doing something besides watching the game. That’s pretty much what I was doing.
binkyQuote Reply
This happened:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17440243
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I actually read the AP caption that this was the old lady’s first ever first pitch to realize a life-long dream, so that was pretty cool.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]so he was steroid user?[/quote]No way. If he’d have used steroids, he’d have been super amazingly awesome, because we all know steroids are magic pills that make everyone hit eleventy dozen homers.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I actually read the AP caption that this was the old lady’s first ever first pitch to realize a life-long dream, so that was pretty cool.[/quote]
When she was a teenager during the Great Depression, she would tell anyone who would listen that all she wanted to do was to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a Cardinals game.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]When she was a teenager during the Great Depression, she would tell anyone who would listen that all she wanted to do was to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a Cardinals game.[/quote]She practiced every day with the warm potato she held in her hands to keep warm.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]When she was a teenager during the Great Depression, she would tell anyone who would listen that all she wanted to do was to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a Cardinals game.[/quote]
Shut her right up. Finally.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Shut her right up. Finally.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I just don’t see it that way. I think he wants years. Almost all guys his age want years, especially in MLB, where the contracts are guaranteed.[/quote]
Why would they want years instead of money? Either way, it’s not a clear cut case in which we know Ramirez won’t accept arbitration. Not to mention, there’s no way you even consider offering arbitration since if he accepted you’d end up paying him more than you would if you just picked up the option.
There are three options the Cubs have with Ramirez: trade him, pick up the option or let him walk. I’d prefer trade, but Ramirez has no-trade rights so it’s up to him. Of the remaining two options, I’d rather they let him walk.
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/the-15-best-ron-swanson-gifs
ACTQuote Reply
A couple of weeks ago when all the Aramis trade talk first started his agent said that if he agreed to a trade, he wanted the option waived. I assumed that was because Aramis thinks he can get a multi-year deal at the end of the season. The agent also said that he probably wouldn’t agree to a trade until his family left Chicago around August 10. If Hendry can’t work out a deal that he likes and Aramis agrees to, I believe the Cubs should offer him arb at the end of the year. It seem obvious to me that Aramis thinks he can get a 2 or probably 3 year deal considering he will be the best 3rd baseman available and he’s been hitting pretty well. If* his agent was being truthful about him wanting the option waived then there is no reason for me to believe he would accept arb if offered.
melissaQuote Reply
You guys must think Ramirez is going to get twice as much as he’s worth on the free agent market and that’s just not likely.
Regardless of that, you’re never ever going to decline an option and then offer arbitration if you may end up paying more to the player than you would have if you just exercised the option. The only way the Cubs offer arbitration is if the Cubs and Ramirez have an agreement that he’ll decline it and I don’t know why he would.
Ramirez and his agent can talk multi-year contract all they want, but they have to find a team that’s actually willing to pay him the kind of money that would justify declining arbitration.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]You guys must think Ramirez is going to get twice as much as he’s worth on the free agent market and that’s just not likely.
[/quote]
I don’t think that but he and his agent seem to believe he can get a 2 or 3 year deal. I also don’t know why the agent would say that Aramis would insist the option is waived if that weren’t true. There really is no leverage for him to gain by saying such a thing, imo. He already has 10/5 rights so he doesn’t need an excuse to decline a trade.
melissaQuote Reply
On June 1st Ramirez had a .289/.346/.395 line after batting .241/.294/.452 in 2010. I think we jumped to conclusions about him being done and now people are doing the exact opposite. Over his last 883 plate appearances (since the beginning of 2010), he’s hit .266/.316/.474 with terrible base running and terrible defense (-18 Total Zone). Since 2010 he’s been worth .8 rWAR. He’s been worth 2.2 WAR since 2009.
I don’t know if he’s the best 3rd baseman available this offseason or not, but that says a lot more about the other 3rd basemen that are available than it says about Aramis Ramirez.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I don’t think that but he and his agent seem to believe he can get a 2 or 3 year deal. I also don’t know why the agent would say that Aramis would insist the option is waived if that weren’t true. There really is no leverage for him to gain by saying such a thing, imo. He already has 10/5 rights so he doesn’t need an excuse to decline a trade.[/quote]The reason he said this is because he wants to choose his next team after being traded. It’s understandable. He’ll go play for a contender this year for 2 months (maybe), but after that he’s picking his place of employment.
I think we’re looking too much into Ramirez’s and his agent’s comments. Let’s look at the facts. Ramirez took significantly less money to stay with the Cubs. Twice! There has never even been one rumor about him being unhappy with this organization, his manager, coaches, front office or anybody associated with the team. He’s been with the Cubs since July 2003 so that’s a long time. If he was unhappy with anything, it’s likely we’d have heard about it, but we haven’t. So we not only have evidence that Ramirez likes the Cubs by taking less money not once, but twice, there’s never been anything said about him being unhappy.
Now let’s look at the projections. He’s basically a 2 WAR player.in the NL and worth about $9.6 million dollars using 5% inflation. He’s old. Here’s what we get.
2012: 2 WAR
2013: 1.5 WAR
2014: 1 WAR
2012: $9.6 M
2013: $7.6 M
2014: $5.3 M
Total: $22.5 M
Or if he accept arbitration, we get this:
2012: $17.5 M (buyout plus arbitration)
2013: $7.6 M (free agent contract)
2014: $5.3 M
Total: $30.4 M
$8 million more if he accepts arbitration over 3 years.
Then we’re in the same place next year. We have a guy who was making $15.5 million and he’s once again a free agent. He’ll have 10/5 rights next year so probably won’t accept a trade. Then we offer him arbitration again. And again. Until he’s so bad that we know for sure no team is going to sign him. How much do we spend in the meantime?
At some point you have to NOT offer arbitration.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]The reason he said this is because he wants to choose his next team after being traded. It’s understandable. He’ll go play for a contender this year for 2 months (maybe), but after that he’s picking his place of employment.
.[/quote]
You seem to believe that he would accept arb because that’s the most money available, for one year, but he doesn’t want anyone picking up his option even though it would guarantee him about the same money. If he declines the option there is no guarantee he will be offered arb so he’s taking a risk even though it would guarantee his ability to pick his employer. I think that if he’s willing to take the risk of declining the option then he’s willing to take the risk of declining arb. It’s possible he doesn’t want the option picked up because he wants to pick his employer but it’s also possible he doesn’t want it picked up because he wants a multi-year deal. I guess we’ll have to take a wait and see approach. (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]
At some point you have to NOT offer arbitration.[/quote]
I agree but I don’t think that it’s this year. Offering him arb this year doesn’t mean you have to offer it to him in the future. As things stand right now, I would take the risk and offer him arb. Considering how the Cubs have operated the last couple of years I really doubt they will offer him arb if they keep him.
melissaQuote Reply
The Cubs are really doing the Pirates no favors lately.
GBTSQuote Reply
Melissa, where did his agent say this about his option? It’s hard for me to believe that if his agent actually said that there would be any confusion about his contract.
The point I’m making is that it’s not a simple decision. You don’t have to believe that Ramirez will accept arbitration, but the numbers obviously show that it’s in his interest to do so. I have no clue what the man would decide. None. I know there’s more money on the table for him if he accepts arbitration. Because of that, you have to concede the possibility he accepts and whether or not it’s in the Cubs interest to take that risk and pay him that money.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I agree but I don’t think that it’s this year. Offering him arb this year doesn’t mean you have to offer it to him in the future. As things stand right now, I would take the risk and offer him arb. Considering how the Cubs have operated the last couple of years I really doubt they will offer him arb if they keep him.[/quote]But the point is that we’ll be having this same discussion next year and the year and the year after that. At some point it becomes a good idea to not offer arbitration. It’s not always a bad decision to not do so. Not offering arbitration to Harden was probably a poor decision, but the Cubs may have known he’d accept. In that case, there was no reason to offer it given their financial situation. As for Kevin Gregg, I do not give a shit about that one. It’s Kevin Gregg and if there was any chance he’d have accepted, there was no reason to offer arbitration.
I’d also add that Rich Harden signed for $6.5 million in 2010 with the Rangers. He made $7 million in 2009 with the Cubs. If you offer him arbitration he more than likely accepts. He earned less money in free agency than he would have if they offered arbitration. Kevin Gregg got a measly $2 million in 2010 after making $4.2 million. If they offer arbitration to him, he’s making $4.5 million or more in 2010, or more than twice as much as he made on the free agent market.
I hated both decisions at the time, but both decisions were the right ones. I also didn’t like that Harden wasn’t traded, but I also don’t want Jim Hendry to just take it in the ass just because. If some team isn’t willing to pay what Harden’s value was, you don’t trade him. Are you ever going to sell a dollar for less than a dollar?
Looking at this more in depth, you were right about using the recent past as an example of why they won’t offer arbitration. They won’t because Ramirez will get less on the free agent market.
mb21Quote Reply
If the Cubs offer Ramirez arbitration and he accepts, their payroll next year is up to $116 million and they added all of 2 wins. They’re now a 75-win team.
The only way the Cubs do anything other than decline his option and decline to offer arbitration is see if he wants to work out a 2-year deal in which he folds that $2 million buyout into the new contract. Maybe a 2-year $12 million deal paying him $4 million in 2012. Ramirez can probably get more on the free agent market so I doubt he’d agree to that.
mb21Quote Reply
I’m sure you guys have heard Jim Hendry basically say that rebuilding is not a viable option, so expect another half-assed contender next season unless they actually can sign Pujols/Fielder and Sabathia. Even then…not very confident.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Delayed reply from yesterday
[quote name=mb21]You can’t blame the front office if Ramirez said he won’t accept a trade. As Hendry said, that’s Ramirez’s right. He’s earned it, but there’s nothing the Cubs can do about it.[/quote]
No way MB. We all know that Jim Hendry throws around NTC like pieces of candy. Nevermind 10-5 rights (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
I think it’s hilarious that LAA still has a hard on for acquiring Ramirez.
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/07/30/730-rebuild-retool-reboot/
Actually doesn’t sound too bad here.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I’m sure you guys have heard Jim Hendry basically say that rebuilding is not a viable option, so expect another half-assed contender next season unless they actually can sign Pujols/Fielder and Sabathia. Even then…not very confident.[/quote]I do expect they’ll sign one of Fielder or Pujols and probably trade for a starter. I don’t think that will be enough by itself so the Cubs will need to get lucky, but they’ll be in a much better position this time next year than they were this year or last year.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I think it’s hilarious that LAA still has a hard on for acquiring Ramirez.[/quote]It is kind of funny.
mb21Quote Reply
I agree. He basically said what makes sense for this team and the market they’re in. They aren’t going to rebuild. As much as I wanted them to in recent years, it’s not happening. If the NL Central is as bad next year as it is this year, I actually think the Cubs can contend even if they just end up getting Fielder and a number 2 starter. They’ll need some luck.
mb21Quote Reply
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/5717/deadline-deal-unlikely-for-cubs
Say what you want, apparently the Cubs are at least open to giving Ramirez what has to be a 2-3 year deal. I at least hope the 3rd year is a club option. The fact is, that Ramirez is the 8th most valuable 3B in the majors this year= http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=3b&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011&ind=0
I think he’s likely to get at least 2 years on the open market. I’m no mathematician, but the reduced run scoring environment has to have effected the value of replacement level in recent years, and I’m thinking some re-calculating needs to be done. League avg. wOBA has dropped from .332 to .319 in the last 1.5 seasons. Perhaps defensive standards have increased to offset that, however. Despite the value of a win that we can calculate, and the number of wins we can calculate for Ramirez, 30 teams have to employ someone to play 3B next year, and Aramis Ramirez is the best one available. He’s going to get paid, especially the way he’s hit the last 6 weeks. His WAR figures don’t correctly reflect the positional scarcity in my opinion.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Nate, WAR uses league average wOBA so it’s relative to the league each and every year. Here’s a rough formula:
(wOBA – lgwOBA) / 1.15 * PA / 10.5 = Batting Wins Above Average.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Nate, WAR uses league average wOBA so it’s relative to the league each and every year. Here’s a rough formula:
(wOBA – lgwOBA) / 1.15 * PA / 10.5 = Batting Wins Above Average.[/quote]
Well, I guess that shows I don’t know much about the nuts and bolts of the numbers. I still think that Ramirez is clearly the best available FA 3B, so he’s going to get a decent contract.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/2012-mlb-free-agents.html
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Has that been true in the past? It seems like it would be, but I don’t think it is.
Here are the 1st base free agents from a year ago:
First Basemen
Lance Berkman NYY *
Russell Branyan SEA
Adam Dunn WAS
Jason Giambi COL
Troy Glaus ATL
Aubrey Huff SF
Nick Johnson NYY *
Paul Konerko CWS
Mark Kotsay CWS
Derrek Lee ATL
Adam LaRoche ARZ
Mike Lowell BOS
David Ortiz BOS *
Lyle Overbay TOR
Carlos Pena TB
Mike Sweeney PHI
Jim Thome MIN
Ty Wigginton BAL
Berkman was the best available and even after one down season he didn’t make all that much. And he only got a 1 year deal, right?
Was Pena the 2nd best? He got a contract that deferred half his $10 million salary.
Third Basemen
Garrett Atkins FA
Adrian Beltre BOS *
Geoff Blum HOU
Miguel Cairo CIN
Jorge Cantu TEX
Eric Chavez OAK *
Pedro Feliz STL
Bill Hall BOS *
Brandon Inge DET
Maicer Izturis LAA
Melvin Mora COL
Nick Punto MIN *
Aramis Ramirez CHC *
Miguel Tejada SD
Chad Tracy FLA
Omar Vizquel CWS
Beltre got a huge contract, but he was ridiculously good.
It would be interesting to look at the last 5 or 10 years and see how much the best player at each position got. Don’t know if it would be of any use.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Has that been true in the past? It seems like it would be, but I don’t think it is.
Here are the 1st base free agents from a year ago:
First Basemen
Lance Berkman NYY *
Russell Branyan SEA
Adam Dunn WAS
Jason Giambi COL
Troy Glaus ATL
Aubrey Huff SF
Nick Johnson NYY *
Paul Konerko CWS
Mark Kotsay CWS
Derrek Lee ATL
Adam LaRoche ARZ
Mike Lowell BOS
David Ortiz BOS *
Lyle Overbay TOR
Carlos Pena TB
Mike Sweeney PHI
Jim Thome MIN
Ty Wigginton BAL
Berkman was the best available and even after one down season he didn’t make all that much. And he only got a 1 year deal, right?
Was Pena the 2nd best? He got a contract that deferred half his $10 million salary.
Third Basemen
Garrett Atkins FA
Adrian Beltre BOS *
Geoff Blum HOU
Miguel Cairo CIN
Jorge Cantu TEX
Eric Chavez OAK *
Pedro Feliz STL
Bill Hall BOS *
Brandon Inge DET
Maicer Izturis LAA
Melvin Mora COL
Nick Punto MIN *
Aramis Ramirez CHC *
Miguel Tejada SD
Chad Tracy FLA
Omar Vizquel CWS
Beltre got a huge contract, but he was ridiculously good.
It would be interesting to look at the last 5 or 10 years and see how much the best player at each position got. Don’t know if it would be of any use.[/quote]
Adam Dunn 4/56M
Paul Konerko 3/38M
Aubrey fucking Huff 2/22M
Ortiz was an option year for 12M that got exercised. Berkman was vocal that he wanted a 1yr deal to restore his value last offseason. That could have been posturing, but he was hurt and bad last year. Is there any doubt he will get more than 1 year this offseason?
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Boras was also vocal that Pena wanted a “pillow contract” this season to restore value.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Brandon Inge also received a 2 year extension last offseason, only to suck so badly this year that he was DFA to AAA.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Rectangle. America. Monday. Megaphone. Butthole.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Rectangle. America. Monday. Megaphone. Butthole.[/quote]
Flagged!
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Rectangle. America. Monday. Megaphone. Butthole.[/quote]
??
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Melissa, where did his agent say this about his option? It’s hard for me to believe that if his agent actually said that there would be any confusion about his contract. .[/quote]
This was from 7/19 when the agent was saying the option would need to be declined by whoever acquired him: http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/6781999/chicago-cubs-aramis-ramirez-says-staying-put-now
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]??[/quote]
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
This was all from about 2 weeks ago and I don’t know why Aramis would have changed his mind since then. I guess this was brought up by local media now because the non-waiver deadline was approaching but Aramis was never planning on leaving before July 31. I think it was made clear that if he was dealt it wouldn’t be until August and he wants the team picking him up to decline the option. Of course we are only left to speculate as to his reasons.
http://eye-on-baseball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/30695883
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]This was from 7/19 when the agent was saying the option would need to be declined by whoever acquired him: http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/6781999/chicago-cubs-aramis-ramirez-says-staying-put-now[/quote]That’s interesting, but Ramirez loses his 10 and 5 rights if traded and considering he has all the leverage I’d ask for that.
mb21Quote Reply
We also may have to consider that Ramirez is finally feeling healthy again. He did hurt his shoulder again last year(dislocated?). It also needs to be taken into consideration when dealing an extension since it’s likely to happen again over the next 2-3 years.
I don’t know if they’ll trade for a starter but if they can lock up Fielder or Pujols quickly they’ll likely attract guys like Carpenter or CJ Wilson without having to gruesomely overpay.
I’m also going to look at how long the contracts are they dole out aside from Fielder/Pujols as they’ll get long contracts. I seriously believe the Cubs feel with whom they drafted and signed from the INT’L pool they think they can go young in 3 years.
JManQuote Reply
Here’s what we know the Cubs are doing: they’re going to try to contend in 2012. Does Aramis Ramirez and his $16 million contract make sense? I think we all agree it does not so it’s then fairly obvious (at least to me) that you can’t offer arbitration. If I’m not willing to pay Ramirez $16 million I’m not going to take a chance I end up paying him $17-18 million.
I’ll also give the Cubs a little credit here seeing as the most recent players they did not offer arbitration to received less money on the free agent market than they would have with the Cubs.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]That’s interesting, but Ramirez loses his 10 and 5 rights if traded and considering he has all the leverage I’d ask for that.[/quote]I think he feels, or his agent feels, that he can get more money in total on the FA market. Seems to me his thought process is that he can make $17 mil for one year, or make 40 mil for 4 or 5 years.
With that said, I think the line you’re arguing is exactly what the Cubs are thinking, which why we’re hearing rumors about an extension. If the Cubs decide to keep Ramirez, Hendry will try to avoid arb AND avoid paying that option by signing Ramirez to an extension, for the reason you’ve articulated above. It’s the smart money move for the Cubs if and only if they plan not to trade Ramirez.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]
I’ll also give the Cubs a little credit here seeing as the most recent players they did not offer arbitration to received less money on the free agent market than they would have with the Cubs.[/quote]
Yes, this.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]
I don’t know if they’ll trade for a starter but if they can lock up Fielder or Pujols quickly they’ll likely attract guys like Carpenter or CJ Wilson without having to gruesomely overpay. [/quote]
I’d rather not get Carpenter. He’s a great pitcher but he’s a walking injury risk, and getting older.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Ramirez isn’t going to get $40 million on the free agent market. I’ll bet $40 million on that. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
I think the smart money move is letting Ramirez walk. Based on recent players the Cubs have not offered arbitration to, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. My guess is that the Cubs don’t offer arbitration and Ramirez gets less money than he’d have gotten if he stayed with the Cubs. I’d be shocked if he got more. It would be one of the worst contracts of the offseason if he gets more than that in 2012.
mb21Quote Reply
I’m stuck with LAA-DET despite no Rangers game on FOX
/whine
BerseliusQuote Reply
I get that game, too. Anytime the Cardinals are on FOX they’re on in this area. Weird.
mb21Quote Reply
looking like Furcal ———> STL
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I get that game, too. Anytime the Cardinals are on FOX they’re on in this area. Weird.[/quote]
Maybe it’s because that game has big ramifications for the Royals division title race (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
Theriot (dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Holy shit, 5 runs in the first? What team is this?
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Holy shit, 5 runs in the first? What team is this?[/quote]Buck was going on about how shitty Soriano is at the exact moment he hit the 3 run bomb.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Buck was going on about how shitty Soriano is at the exact moment he hit the 3 run bomb.[/quote]
Why can’t that shut that jack-hole right up?
BottleasmokeQuote Reply
[quote name=Bottleasmoke][/quote]Twenty-fucking-five to one, my gambling days are done
I bet on a horse called the ‘Bottle Of Smoke’ And my horse won
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Buck was going on about how shitty Soriano is at the exact moment he hit the 3 run bomb.[/quote]That’s like the Reds announcer a year or two ago talking about how not clutch Edwin Encarnacion seconds before he hits a walk-off home run.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid][quote name=Bottleasmoke]
Twenty-fucking-five to one, my gambling days are done
I bet on a horse called the ‘Bottle Of Smoke’ And my horse won[/quote]
Gotta love it when a long shot pays off, but I won’t gamble on the Cubs, the saving grace of that relationship is my ability to say “well, at least I didn’t bet any money on them.”
BottleasmokeQuote Reply
[quote name=Bottleasmoke]Why can’t that shut that jack-hole right up?[/quote]Because Joe Buck remains blissfully untroubled by the facts of the matter.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]looking like Furcal ———> STL[/quote]Big vote of confidence for Theriot, that.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Because Joe Buck remains blissfully untroubled by the facts of the matter.[/quote]That’s it.
To be fair, he was actually saying Soriano was a bad contract and he hadn’t performed, not that he “sucked”, and I just liked the humor of the situation. But Buck does seem “untroubled” by his general cluelessness and atrocious hair and dress sense.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Ramirez isn’t going to get $40 million on the free agent market. I’ll bet $40 million on that. (dying laughing)[/quote]4 yrs/10 per. I could see an AL team being that foolish. I’m not saying it will happen, I’m just saying every indication from Ramirez’ camp seems to indicate this is their line of thinking.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]That’s it.
To be fair, he was actually saying Soriano was a bad contract and he hadn’t performed, not that he “sucked”, and I just liked the humor of the situation. But Buck does seem “untroubled” by his general cluelessness and atrocious hair and dress sense.[/quote]Joe Buck thinks this is the worst thing to every happen:
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]4 yrs/10 per. I could see an AL team being that foolish. I’m not saying it will happen, I’m just saying every indication from Ramirez’ camp seems to indicate this is their line of thinking.[/quote]
I could see the Angels doing it.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I could see the Angels doing it.[/quote]Yeah. That’s who I have in mind. I can see them giving him a backloaded 3-4 year deal worth ~10/12 per on avg. I also think that’s about what any extension Hendry gives him will look like. He is the only solid option at 3B in the FA market, and he’s got a lot of leverage here.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Watching Lopez pitch is painful.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]4 yrs/10 per. I could see an AL team being that foolish. I’m not saying it will happen, I’m just saying every indication from Ramirez’ camp seems to indicate this is their line of thinking.[/quote]What I read is that some AL teams see him as a DH. If so, he’s not even worth over 3 years what he’d get next year with the Cubs. I don’t see any team signing a 33 year old defensively challenged 3rd baseman who runs the bases as bad as anyone in baseball, and is coming off a horrible season just a year ago to that kind of a deal.
The average player gets a contract in value equal to his projected value. for Ramirez that’s about $22 million over 3 years.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I could see the Angels doing it.[/quote]I don’t think any team is going to sign him for that kind of money. The fact the Cubs think they may be able to get him back for a couple years really tells us everything we need to know about his free agent value in my opinion.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah. That’s who I have in mind. I can see them giving him a backloaded 3-4 year deal worth ~10/12 per on avg. I also think that’s about what any extension Hendry gives him will look like. He is the only solid option at 3B in the FA market, and he’s got a lot of leverage here.[/quote]
I hope some other team does it so I can laugh at them.
mb21Quote Reply
the cubs had better bean the shit out of Holliday. He could have really hurt Castro with that shit
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]What I read is that some AL teams see him as a DH. If so, he’s not even worth over 3 years what he’d get next year with the Cubs. I don’t see any team signing a 33 year old defensively challenged 3rd baseman who runs the bases as bad as anyone in baseball, and is coming off a horrible season just a year ago to that kind of a deal.
The average player gets a contract in value equal to his projected value. for Ramirez that’s about $22 million over 3 years.[/quote]Dunn got a contract worth almost 15 per, and he’s worse than Ramirez at pretty much everything. If Ramirez hits FA, it’s likely someone will overpay for him.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Matt Holliday is a real cunt.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
that was just fucking dirty.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Watching Lopez pitch is painful.[/quote]I still can’t believe this roster. It’s so damn shitty.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
(dying laughing) cubs
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]that was just fucking dirty.[/quote]Yeah, really no call for that. I doubt Quade plunks him, though. It would just ignite a war, because The Genius can’t ever take anything lying down, and would surely respond by hitting a Cub, and with the way injuries have piled up for this team, it would probably be Castro and it would break his hand or something.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
This team is epic shit.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Fack. My stream is dead. Anyone got a stream option?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Fack. My stream is dead. Anyone got a stream option?[/quote]You want to stream epic shit?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
F7: 0.1 IP 2 H 4 R 3 BB 0 K
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]You want to stream epic shit?[/quote]I want to watch Albert Pujols smash baseballs.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Dunn got a contract worth almost 15 per, and he’s worse than Ramirez at pretty much everything. If Ramirez hits FA, it’s likely someone will overpay for him.[/quote]2/18 with a club option. And whichever team ends up signing him to that will have overpaid.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I want to watch Albert Pujols smash baseballs.[/quote]Well he leads off the next inning. You can have my MLB.TV sub if you’re desperate.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
What did Holliday do?
mb21Quote Reply
took the most illegal slide ive seen and spiked the shit out of castro. dirty dirty play
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Well he leads off the next inning. You can have my MLB.TV sub if you’re desperate.[/quote]I wouldn’t want to impose.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Well he leads off the next inning. You can have my MLB.TV sub if you’re desperate.[/quote]What about all the people that paid full price for mlb.tv?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]What did Holliday do?[/quote]Went in late and spikes high on Castro. Plus he already slides like a fucking lummox.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]took the most illegal slide ive seen and spiked the shit out of castro. dirty dirty play[/quote]Could he grab the bag?
mb21Quote Reply
he started his slide after he was past 2B. I dont think he could have touched it if he tried to
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Could he grab the bag?[/quote]Would you ask Tom Petty that question?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]What about all the people that paid full price for mlb.tv?[/quote]Like me?
I’m like Al giving away bleacher tickets to college students.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]he started his slide after he was past 2B. I dont think he could have touched it if he tried to[/quote]He had a better chance of grabbing the 3B bag once his slide was finished. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I like Russell coming out of the bullpen. He seems to have slid into the swingman role nicely.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Jeebus. The Cards are having BP.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Baker should never face a RHP ever again.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
This is exactly the kind of game Grabow should be pitching in. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I’m amazed how much trouble Cubs pitchers have with Theriot.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Baker should never face a RHP ever again.[/quote]True fact: Darwin Barney’s career numbers against RHP’s are just as bad as Baker’s.
ACTQuote Reply
Cubs have 2 hits all day. Both in the first.
ACTQuote Reply
Holy shit Pujols.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]True fact: Darwin Barney’s career numbers against RHP’s are just as bad as Baker’s.[/quote]Sounds like the perfect makings for a moroon at 2B next year.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
This team fucking blows.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]This team fucking blows.[/quote]I’m beginning to think this team is worse than the 2006 team.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m beginning to think this 2011 team is ironically worse than the 2006 team.[/quote].
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS].[/quote]You act, I feel.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I’m amazed how much trouble Cubs pitchers have with Theriot.[/quote]He’s tearing the Cubs a new asshole today.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
(dying laughing) Did Joe Buck just purposely shit all over “COPS”?
GBTSQuote Reply
Furcal not in LAD lineup tonight.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Byrd’s double is the first Cub hit since the 1st inning.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
So I heard on the radio that Matt Holliday tried to assassinate Castro.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs lose! W00t! 😛
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]So I heard on the radio that Matt Holliday tried to assassinate Castro.[/quote]Not assassinate, just tried to amputate his legs at the knee.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Well, that was embarassing.
ACTQuote Reply
Why does mlb.tv always give the boring games away for free? Wait, I think I answered my own question…
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Well, that was embarassing.[/quote]This team never fails to plumb new depths of shittiness.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17460093
ACTQuote Reply
Al is getting bitchy with his new bestest buddy:
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/7/30/2306129/blow-up-the-cubs-enough-already-tom-ricketts?login=1312068161
Aisle424Quote Reply
Looked like Castro went down hard but not so hard that he couldn’t have kept Pujols to third base…at the same time, he might have gotten the wind knocked out of him or something. I dunno. People seemed to be complaining about it a bit. Rough spot for Starlin there.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17460093[/quote]
Bean the mother fucker. Let them police themselves. If Holiday is willing to play the game in a way that shows no concern for the fact that he may injure another player, he deserves to be pitched to in a way that reflects a lack of concern for whether he gets injured.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
I thought Peña bitching at the ump while a run scored was the highlight of the game, personally.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
At the very least, they need to get the ball to another infielder. Pujols had a ton of time to come home, so they had to do something besides just lying there.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Al is getting bitchy with his new bestest buddy:
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/7/30/2306129/blow-up-the-cubs-enough-already-tom-ricketts?login=1312068161%5B/quote%5D
Was about to link the same thing. Someone with an account over there needs to tell Yellon if he’s serious, he’ll keep his ass out of the bleachers until Ricketts does what he’s suggesting.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Bean the mother fucker. Let them police themselves. If Holiday is willing to play the game in a way that shows no concern for the fact that he may injure another player, he deserves to be pitched to in a way that reflects a lack of concern for whether he gets injured.[/quote]If it were any other team, I might agree. But with the Cardinals, you have to be careful, because Larussa is a fucking child, and he would surely have responded in kind. I think Quade took the right tactic here in what was probably a response designed to protect his players from any further harm.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Bean the mother fucker. Let them police themselves. If Holiday is willing to play the game in a way that shows no concern for the fact that he may injure another player, he deserves to be pitched to in a way that reflects a lack of concern for whether he gets injured.[/quote]Man, I really don’t want the Cubs to get involved in a beanball war. Nobody wins those.
ACTQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]At the very least, they need to get the ball to another infielder. Pujols had a ton of time to come home, so they had to do something besides just lying there.[/quote]
It seemed like Barney didn’t run to Castro right away so that wasn’t an option. I’m sure this will be all Castro’s fault somehow.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]At the very least, they need to get the ball to another infielder. Pujols had a ton of time to come home, so they had to do something besides just lying there.[/quote]Where the fuck is the 2B on that play? Castro gets sawed off, Peña’s bleating at the ump, and the 2B is nowhere to be found, and the fans are after Castro? WTF?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I don’t understand why Larussa gets to act like a fucking playground bully. Bean the player, if Larussa retaliates, just bean back. Eventually TLR will get suspended or fined for a a game or 2.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Man, I really don’t want the Cubs to get involved in a beanball war. Nobody wins those.[/quote]Exactly. I think almost any other manager would have realized that after that fucking bush league slide from Holliday, retaliation was in order, but Larussa would have just started beaning right back.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Jimenez———–> Indians
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]I don’t understand why Larussa gets to act like a fucking playground bully. Bean the player, if Larussa retaliates, just bean back. Eventually TLR will get suspended or fined for a a game or 2.[/quote]No, prob both managers get fined/suspended, and you probably lose a pitcher for a a game or two, as well. Larussa is a walking talking piece of shit, and he’s obviously rubbed off on turdburgler Matt Holliday.. I’d rather the Cubs not stoop to his level.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Jimenez———–> Indians[/quote]What’s the return for COL?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]What’s the return for COL?[/quote]
Looks like Pomeranz, Alex White, and others included. It’s not final, just “moving towards a deal” and White was scratched from his minor league start
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder] you probably lose a pitcher for a a game or two, as well.[/quote]That would be a perfect opportunity to use Grabow, if only he could throw hard enough to hurt someone.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]That would be a perfect opportunity to use Grabow, if only he could throw hard enough to hurt someone.[/quote](dying laughing), or be accurate enough.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Jimenez scratched from start
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
From MLBTR:
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Marquis ———–> D’Backs
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]From MLBTR:[/quote]
wtf. Even if they saved 1M which they could allocate towards signing draft picks, seems worth exploring.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/twins-shocked-to-learn-you-can-score-2-runs-in-sam,20989/
ACTQuote Reply
Jimenez deal agreed to; for Pomeranz, White, and McBride
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
The O’s are having a Cubs-like first inning.
ACTQuote Reply
D Jeter struck out looking.
C Granderson singled to center.
M Teixeira walked, C Granderson to second.
R Cano singled to left, C Granderson scored, M Teixeira to second, M Teixeira to third on throwing error by left fielder N Reimold.
N Swisher safe at first on error by shortstop J Hardy, M Teixeira scored, R Cano to second.
A Jones doubled to deep left center, R Cano scored, N Swisher to third. 0 3
R Martin singled to right, N Swisher scored, A Jones to third.
E Nunez singled to center, A Jones scored, R Martin to second.
B Gardner reached on infield single to pitcher, R Martin to third, E Nunez to second.
D Jeter singled to right, R Martin and E Nunez scored, B Gardner to second, B Gardner to third, D Jeter to second advancing on throw.
7 Runs, 7 Hits, 2 Errors
That’s just 1 out, and there are still 2 runners in scoring position.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]wtf. Even if they saved 1M which they could allocate towards signing draft picks, seems worth exploring.[/quote]It’s strange. You’d think if they traded anyone, he’d be dealt. Unless they don’t plan to go after Pujols or Fielder and will instead extend Peña.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
2 more runs score on a Teixeiera Double, Yanks lead 9-0 in the first.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It’s strange. You’d think if they traded anyone, he’d be dealt. Unless they don’t plan to go after Pujols or Fielder and will instead extend Peña.[/quote]
I don’t see any scenario where they contend next year and have Pena as the 1B. What 1B are available after 2012? Vitters? (dying laughing)
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]I don’t see any scenario where they contend next year and have Pena as the 1B. What 1B are available after 2012? Vitters? (dying laughing)[/quote]I think we should never underestimate the capacity of this org to do something bizarre.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]2 more runs score on a Teixeiera Double, Yanks lead 9-0 in the first.[/quote]Make that 12 goddamn first-inning runs. Wow.
ACTQuote Reply
I guess it’s officially official that the Cubs aren’t trading Pena. For some reason I can’t fathom.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17460093[/quote]Holliday could reach 2nd base so it’s legal.
I’m guessing the next time Holliday is in that situation that Castro is going to throw it right at his face. All part of the game.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]At the very least, they need to get the ball to another infielder. Pujols had a ton of time to come home, so they had to do something besides just lying there.[/quote](dying laughing) I had to watch it a 2nd time to even notice they did nothing about the run coming home.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) I had to watch it a 2nd time to even notice they did nothing about the run coming home.[/quote]It’s appalling. Castro’s been taken out, Barney is nowhere to be found, and Peña is giving the ump an earful, and not one of them seems to notice that Pujols is trotting home.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I guess it’s officially official that the Cubs aren’t trading Pena. For some reason I can’t fathom.[/quote]Yeah, even if they plan to sign FA and contend next year, Peña can’t be in those plans, because the easiest and quickest upgrade is at his position.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) I had to watch it a 2nd time to even notice they did nothing about the run coming home.[/quote]
I think the guy who was most likely going to be able to get to Castro was Samardzija. Pena was at 1B waiting for a relay and just walking there, while Barney had run back to back up Pena behind 1B. Ramirez was pretty much stuck at 3B to try to hold Pujols to 3B (fat lot of good that did).
Castro was kind of messed up but I doubt he could hear anything over the crowd noise…not sure what the deal is but I can’t blame him too much even though I think he should’ve gotten up faster.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It’s appalling. Castro’s been taken out, Barney is nowhere to be found, and Peña is giving the ump an earful, and not one of them seems to notice that Pujols is trotting home.[/quote]I don’t think Peña started arguing with the ump until later. It looks to me as though he was pointing to Pujols. And, of course, Samardzija was yelling at Castro.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It’s strange. You’d think if they traded anyone, he’d be dealt. Unless they don’t plan to go after Pujols or Fielder and will instead extend Peña.[/quote]As much as I’d like the Cubs to make changes, the reality is they have a bunch of players that have zero value on the trade market. If they were going to rebuild, they missed their opportunity. They don’t have a roster in which they can just blow up. They won’t get anything in return. Pena’s trade value last i looked was about -$4 million. It’s probably a little better these days, but not all that much. I’m guessing that brings in a Grade ZZZZ prospect, aged 47 and older.
If the Cubs were actually going to have a fire sale then I might care who they trade, but the guys somewhat available are useless on the trade market. If we start talking Marmol, Marshall, Soto, and Garza then I’m interested. But that isn’t happening. No chance. Trading Carlos Pena is the equivalent of trading Bobby Scales. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]I don’t think Peña started arguing with the ump until later. It looks to me as though he was pointing to Pujols. And, of course, Samardzija was yelling at Castro.[/quote]That’s the part I thought was funny. Samardzija was just yelling at Castro to get up and do something with the ball and he didn’t. It was weird.
mb21Quote Reply
It probably doesn’t matter since Pena’s contract is relatively cheap and they’ll pretty much just let him go anyway if they try to sign Fielder/Pujols.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, even if they plan to sign FA and contend next year, Peña can’t be in those plans, because the easiest and quickest upgrade is at his position.[/quote]Yeah, 1st base is the position to improve most next year with the available free agents.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]That’s the part I thought was funny. Samardzija was just yelling at Castro to get up and do something with the ball and he didn’t. It was weird.[/quote]The crowd was going wild; it may have been hard to hear.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]It probably doesn’t matter since Pena’s contract is relatively cheap and they’ll pretty much just let him go anyway if they try to sign Fielder/Pujols.[/quote]He’s a free agent after the season so my guess is they do go after one of those guys.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The crowd was going wild; it may have been hard to hear.[/quote]He was only 50 feet away or less. Regardless of whether or not he heard it, how do the Cubs not get the ball to someone who can keep the runner at 3rd?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]He was only 50 feet away or less. Regardless of whether or not he heard it, how do the Cubs not get the ball to someone who can keep the runner at 3rd?[/quote]
He landed pretty hard…I know that’s not an excuse but I’m just trying to think of it from his point of view.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I understand that logically this is probably true, but there are teams out there like the Pirates that are in need of a bat like his and in a fairly unique position of being able to actually get to the post-season. That would seem to boost the value of someone like Pena.
Maybe I’ve been a fan of a team that does stupid shit for the wrong reasons for too long, but I can’t imagine that Pena has no value at all right now. I follow a number of Pirates fans on Twitter and they all think the Cubs are retarded for not trading Pena to them.
If the Cubs simply made Pena available, the clamoring for the Pirates to DO SOMETHING might push their management into overpaying. I just don’t understand steadfastly insisting he’s not being traded.
Aisle424Quote Reply
On a lighter note: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17461985
Just your everyday 5-6-3 putout.
ACTQuote Reply
Even if you boost his trade value, you still end up with nothing. The most optimistic projection system would have him with a surplus trade value of $0 so even if there’s a boost, it’s still not enough to get the Cubs anything more than Lyle Overbay in return.
To me it’s about getting legitimate prospects back. Arguments could easily be made that the Cubs should trade Pena, but what are they going to get in return? Nothing of any value now or in the future. So it’s very hard for me to be at all upset that the Cubs won’t trade someone for a player or two who have as much chance of providing value to the Cubs as you or I do.
For what it’s worth, 424, the idea of Pirates fans calling the Cubs retarded is kind of funny. If there’s been one organization over the last 20 years more retarded than the Cubs, it’s the Pirates. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
Muskat:
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/07/31/730-you-make-the-call/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That’s bizarre, but I also assume a lot of that is just talk.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]That’s bizarre, but I also assume a lot of that is just talk.[/quote]Good god I hope this is all a negotiating ploy by Hendry. Absolutely NOTHING they are doing right now makes sense. Protecting Byrd AND Pena? insanity.
JManQuote Reply
The A’s got Lars Anderson in return for Rich Harden from the Red Sox. I wish the Cubs would have engaged with Boston about someone, I wouldn’t mind giving Lars a chance to be the 1B
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Furcal——–> Cardinals. Terry-ott——-> benchy
I was hoping Brewers would get Furcal. I still hope they win the NL central. I think Cards may basically have it wrapped up though. Pittsburgh is almost as pathetic as the Cubs, having done nothing at all. I guess there’s nothing they can do about the fact that the Cubs refuse to trade Peeeenyua though. (dying laughing)
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Furcal——–> Cardinals. Terry-ott——-> benchy
I was hoping Brewers would get Furcal. I still hope they win the NL central. I think Cards may basically have it wrapped up though. Pittsburgh is almost as pathetic as the Cubs, having done nothing at all. I guess there’s nothing they can do about the fact that the Cubs refuse to trade Peeeenyua though. (dying laughing)[/quote]
I heard the Pirates’ contingency plan at 1B was Derrek Lee, not sure from where though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I heard the Pirates’ contingency plan at 1B was Derrek Lee, not sure from where though.[/quote]
Wouldnt mind that, altho I think Pena is better at this point. I’d just enjoy seeing Pitt. in a place to add anything at the deadline, altho obviously they shouldn’t be trading their whole system over.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
It’s April in Cleveland for Kosuke.
Well, not really, just a sac fly, but he finally did something good on offense!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I don’t think the Cards have it wrapped up at all. The fact is, midseason trades generally have a pretty small impact (1-2 wins). Anything can happen in the remainder of the season.
ACTQuote Reply
Sooooo. Good game, hunh?
binkyQuote Reply
I haven’t read the comments yet, but the best part of the game, from what I saw, was Castro tagging Theriot in the balls. Who’s with me?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I haven’t read the comments yet, but the best part of the game, from what I saw, was Castro tagging Theriot in the balls. Who’s with me?[/quote]
Somewhere there has to be photographic or video evidence of this. It must be shared.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
It was the first inning on the caught stealing. Castro caught the ball and Theriot was still like 8 feet from the base. Theriot slid, and Castro’s swipe tag was all balls.
binkyQuote Reply
Sounds like the Indians won the Ubaldo Jiminez lottery. I can’t find a picture of the tag in question. It got buried in a mass of homeruns and Cubfail.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]It was the first inning on the caught stealing. Castro caught the ball and Theriot was still like 8 feet from the base. Theriot slid, and Castro’s swipe tag was all balls.[/quote]Trib should have game photos posted this evening. I’d be surprised if they don’t have it.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]Good god I hope this is all a negotiating ploy by Hendry. Absolutely NOTHING they are doing right now makes sense. Protecting Byrd AND Pena? insanity.[/quote]If the Cubs want to contend next year they need to keep Byrd.
mb21Quote Reply
I’ve been thinking as far as trades. It doesn’t make any sense to populate the minor leagues with a bunch of crappy players. That taxes the coaching staff. If they can’t get anything good for their guys, then they might as well keep them. They have to put someone out there next year. If next year is a waste, maybe we start seeing some return on the current minor leaguers and a better free agency and shoot for 2013.
binkyQuote Reply
I mean, getting rid of guys as punishment or something is just going to come back to bite the team in the ass in the next couple of years.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]If the Cubs want to contend next year they need to keep Byrd.[/quote]Unless Colvin can get himself straightened out. I think he’s going to get every chance to do so for the remainder of the season. But yeah, they can’t afford to open up a hole in the OF if they want to contend next year.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I’ve been thinking as far as trades. It doesn’t make any sense to populate the minor leagues with a bunch of crappy players. That taxes the coaching staff. If they can’t get anything good for their guys, then they might as well keep them. They have to put someone out there next year. If next year is a waste, maybe we start seeing some return on the current minor leaguers and a better free agency and shoot for 2013.[/quote]But keeping Peña around when at least one team clearly wanted him seems really strange, especially if they’re going after Fielder or Pujols.
What I really worry about is that this means they won’t go after either and will keep Peña instead.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Unless Colvin can get himself straightened out. I think he’s going to get every chance to do so for the remainder of the season. But yeah, they can’t afford to open up a hole in the OF if they want to contend next year.[/quote]What about Castro in center? I’ve been less and less impressed with him as a short stop. I think the position requires too much thinking or something. He seems unsure in a lot of ways there. I know we have no influence over that, but I could see freeing up that position for a move like that.
binkyQuote Reply
You guys see that D-Lee might be Pittsburgh’s new 1B?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]But keeping Peña around when at least one team clearly wanted him seems really strange, especially if they’re going after Fielder or Pujols.
What I really worry about is that this means they won’t go after either and will keep Peña instead.[/quote]True. Peña seems okay. He’s not fantastic, but he does all right, and he’d be a lot cheaper than Pujols or Fielder. If they keep him, I think that’s a sign they’re looking past next year.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]You guys see that D-Lee might be Pittsburgh’s new 1B?[/quote]Yup; I hope he turns this season around. He finished strong the last two years, so it’s a possibility.
ACTQuote Reply
Who was at 1B for Pittsburgh up to this point? Overbay?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]What about Castro in center? I’ve been less and less impressed with him as a short stop. I think the position requires too much thinking or something. He seems unsure in a lot of ways there. I know we have no influence over that, but I could see freeing up that position for a move like that.[/quote]Way too soon to move him off short. And I really don’t know what you mean by it requiring too much thinking.
He’s just 21, and he needs to do a bit of polishing on his approach at the plate, too. No need to jerk him around in other respects. Let him get comfortable and then decide which way you want to go.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]What about Castro in center? [/quote]Is there any data on shortstops moving to center? When Robin Yount moved there, he did poorly, according to TZ and FRAA. Then again, he was 30.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]You guys see that D-Lee might be Pittsburgh’s new 1B?[/quote]Yeah, apparently the O’s are anxious to dump his salary and PIT really want a better bat at 1B.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Who was at 1B for Pittsburgh up to this point? Overbay?[/quote]
I think it’s a platoon of Overbay and Pearce right now. I thought Garrett Jones would play there every now and then, but I don’t think that’s happened lately.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ubaldo’s apparent last start as a Rocky (Rockie?) ended after only 1 inning of work (4 runs, 4 walks, 2 K).
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Way too soon to move him off short. And I really don’t know what you mean by it requiring too much thinking.
He’s just 21, and he needs to do a bit of polishing on his approach at the plate, too. No need to jerk him around in other respects. Let him get comfortable and then decide which way you want to go.[/quote]He just makes a lot of dumb mistakes, like missing that throw in from Soriano today. It was a bounced throw, but he was casual about it and didn’t try to stop it. I can see why Quade gets irritated with him occasionally. There are a lot of things that a short stop has to do, like remember where to stand, where to go, what throws to cut off, all that kind of stuff. I guess I’m just frustrated in general. He’ll settle in more, hopefully, next season.
binkyQuote Reply
If they stick Castro in CF, that forces Brett Jackson to a corner so I’m not too cool with that idea.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Ubaldo’s apparent last start as a Rocky (Rockie?) ended after only 1 inning of work (4 runs, 4 walks, 2 K).[/quote]If it makes you feel any better, the Rox are winning now.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]If they stick Castro in CF, that forces Brett Jackson to a corner so I’m not too cool with that idea.[/quote]Yeah, I guess. Like I said, I’m just frustrated with his play at Short today.
binkyQuote Reply
Furcal —> Cardinals
(officially official)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]He just makes a lot of dumb mistakes, like missing that throw in from Soriano today. It was a bounced throw, but he was casual about it and didn’t try to stop it. I can see why Quade gets irritated with him occasionally. There are a lot of things that a short stop has to do, like remember where to stand, where to go, what throws to cut off, all that kind of stuff. I guess I’m just frustrated in general. He’ll settle in more, hopefully, next season.[/quote]Well, those are the growing pains of a young player like Castro. He’s never going to be Ozzie Smith-type defender, and he was never going to be. But I think he will get better. When/if Jackson gets called up, we’ll see the same sort of thing from him. I just think it’s been so long since the Cubs had an actually young rookie, that Cub fans have forgotten all about the growing pains. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Yeah, I guess. Like I said, I’m just frustrated with his play at Short today.[/quote]
Might be bad instincts or bad coaching. The play involving Holliday wasn’t all his fault though in my opinion. That was rough.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]If they stick Castro in CF, that forces Brett Jackson to a corner so I’m not too cool with that idea.[/quote]I wonder when we’ll see Jackson up here.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Might be bad instincts or bad coaching. The play involving Holliday wasn’t all his fault though in my opinion. That was rough.[/quote]No. Matt Holliday’s stupid Gorilla ass can go fuck itself.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I wonder when we’ll see Jackson up here.[/quote]
I actually don’t think they should bring him up until September.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Might be bad instincts or bad coaching. The play involving Holliday wasn’t all his fault though in my opinion. That was rough.[/quote]I really wish they’d have kept Trammell around.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
so i really am curious to see what the Cubs have in store for this off-season. It needs to be better than the offseason prior to ’07.
JManQuote Reply
So I don’t recall if anyone said this, but by not trading Pena, I was thinking that they can potentially have him as a contingency plan in case there’s no way they land Pujols or Fielder.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I really wish they’d have kept Trammell around.[/quote]The team is so bad fundamentally, you start to wonder if the coaching is ineffective, but it’s probably unfair.
binkyQuote Reply
O-Cab——–> San Francisco Giants of California, Northern Division
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]So I don’t recall if anyone said this, but by not trading Pena, I was thinking that they can potentially have him as a contingency plan in case there’s no way they land Pujols or Fielder.[/quote]But, if they signed him, they might not have money to sign P/F. If he signs with someone else while the Cubs are negotiating, you’re stuck with Lyle Overbay or someone.
binkyQuote Reply
Ubaldo will reportedly need to pass a physical before the Injuns take him.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]O-Cab——–> San Francisco Giants of California, Northern Division[/quote]Really? I thought the Indians were buying? Maybe they figured they had too many Cabreras?
binkyQuote Reply
Apparantly, the Indians were watching Ubaldo’s last start and were unimpressed.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]But, if they signed him, they might not have money to sign P/F. If he signs with someone else while the Cubs are negotiating, you’re stuck with Lyle Overbay or someone.[/quote]
In that case I’m not sure what the plan is.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
New Pic of the Day: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/ov-pic-of-the-day-matt-holliday-is-a-cobra-kai.html
Aisle424Quote Reply
This week’s winner of the Shut the Fuck Up Award? Ryan Dempster: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0731-bits-cubs-cardinals-chica20110731,0,6953435.story
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Apparantly, the Indians were watching Ubaldo’s last start and were unimpressed.[/quote]
…but put the trade through anyway?
Rice CubeQuote Reply