Darwin Barney was among the 9 candidates Baseball Prospectus highlighted today in their Regression Candidates article. I think it goes without saying that Barney is likely to regress, but I'm sure a lot of Cubs fans don't agree with that. I really don't know that I actually think Barney will decline this season, but I do think he'll be one …
A closer look at Brett Jackson
A lot of things have been said and written about him over the last year so I thought a closer look at Brett Jackson was appropriate. We'll also take a closer look at Josh Vitters later on. Brett Jackson has come to be defined by his strikeouts and will continue to be defined that way until he shows he can …
Dale Sveum on Brett Jackson
Dale Sveum on Brett Jackson and his issues with making contact. CHICAGO — Cubs manager Dale Sveum and hitting coach James Rowson were happy Brett Jackson accepted the drastic changes they suggested to the young outfielder's swing during a workout in November in Mesa, Ariz. Jackson was promoted to the big leagues Aug. 5 despite leading the Pacific Coast League …
Cubs signed Jeff Samardzija and James Russell
It was reported yesterday that the Cubs signed Jeff Samardzija and James Russell to avoid arbitration. The Cubs signed Matt Garza yesterday and earlier this week they signed Luis Valbuena. Those were the only four players the Cubs had eligible for arbitration. The Jeff Samardzija contract is worth $2.64 million and they signed James Russell for $1.075 million. Totals for …
US Roster for World Baseball Classic
The rosters for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) were announced yesterday's and here is the US roster. Player Pos. Team Mark Teixeira 1B Yankees Brandon Phillips 2B Reds Jimmy Rollins SS Phillies David Wright 3B Mets Joe Mauer C Twins Ryan Braun LF Brewers Adam Jones CF Orioles Giancarlo Stanton RF Marlins Ben Zobrist INF Rays Willie Bloomquist INF D-backs …
Cubs and Matt Garza avoid arbitration
The Cubs have avoided arbitration with another of their players. Last week they re-signed Luis Valbuena and they have now reached an agreement with Matt Garza for $10.25 million. Cubs right-hander Matt Garza avoided arbitration and agreed to a new $10.25 million contract on Thursday. Garza's representatives at CAA announced the new deal on Twitter: "#Cubs Matt Garza (@Gdeuceswild) agrees …
How good is Anthony Rizzo?
Not long after the Cubs hired Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, the two traded Andrew Cashner and Kyung-Min Na to the Padres for Anthony Rizzo and Zach Cates. Rizzo had just completed his age 21 season with the Padres and to say it didn't go well would be putting it nicely. Still, he had hit well in the minor leagues …
Daily Facepalm – 1.13.12
Good teammate To the surprise of no rational Cubs fan here or elsewhere, Alfonso Soriano is a good teammate. During his time in Chicago, Theo Epstein has come to realize what a tremendous teammate Soriano is and how willing he is to help younger players. Epstein considers Soriano an excellent clubhouse presence, and after a 32-homer, 108-RBI season, the Cubs …
Hall of Stats
Glad someone did it. I like it better than the real thing. They inducted 13 from this ballot. I created the Hall of Stats so we wouldn’t be ignored. And today, the Hall of Stats includes: Barry Bonds Roger Clemens Curt Schilling Jeff Bagwell Larry Walker Mike Piazza Alan Trammell Edgar Martinez Kenny Lofton Tim Raines Craig Biggio Mark McGwire …
Jeff Idelson, President of the Baseball Hall of Fame, full of shit
From Joe Posnanski: “Let’s put it this way,” Idelson says. “Every year I root for someone to be elected. I’m not alone in Cooperstown in that wish. By the same token, I was fully aware that a shutout was possible and was prepared for it. We have tremendous faith in the writers’ process.” I think you have to be an …