Preseason Predictions, Revisited

In aside by myles2 Comments

At the beginning of the year, we had our predictions. I thought I'd look at them here.   Berselius dmick89 AndCounting Josh GW Myles Aisley NLC Reds Reds Reds Brewers Cardinals Reds Reds NLE Nationals Nationals Braves Nationals Braves Nationals Braves NLW Dodgers Giants Dodgers Dodgers Dodgers Dodgers Giants WC1 Braves Cardinals Giants Cardinals Nationals Giants Nationals WC2 Cardinals Dodgers …

A snapshot of how depressing the Cubs are

In aside by myles6 Comments

Sitrick had a nice tweet about how Starlin Castro (I first typed Stalin Castro and really thought about keeping it) leads the team among qualified Cubes in batting average. I wanted to see how that stacked up this year, and found that Castro is 29th among team-leaders. Adeiny Hechavarria is 30th and the only Marlin with enough PA to qualify. …

John Sickels’ 2013 midseason top 75 prospects

In aside by dmick891 Comment

Law came out with his earlier today and now it's John Sickels of Minor League Ball's turn. Below are the top Cubs prospects.  14. Javier Baez 18. Albert Almora 23. Jorge Soler 57. Arismendy Alcantara His list does not include 2013 draftees. 

Kuji Fujikawa out for the year with Tommy John Surgery

In aside by berselius1 Comment

Kyuji Fujikawa left Sunday's game with an apparent re-aggravation of his forearm injury. After taking an MRI yesterday, he was diagnosed with a torn ligament and is due for TJS. This is a real bummer – Fujikawa looked pretty good after coming back from his first injury. The Cubs have him signed through next season, at $4m, and have a …

Cubs under contract for 2015

In aside by myles3 Comments

With the Anthony Rizzo signing, I thought it'd be sweet to show you the "Cubs Core;" players under team control for 2015 (when we should EXPECT a competitive team instead of just hoping).  Anthony Rizzo: 2021 Starlin Castro: 2020 Welington Castillo: 2017 Edwin Jackson: 2016 Luis Valbuena: 2016 Travis Wood: 2016 Darwin Barney: 2016 Jeff Samardzija: 2015 James Russell: 2015 …

RE24 Update

In aside by myles5 Comments

If you couldn't tell, I'm back at work for the first time since Leah was born… so I have more spare time. Earlier in the season, I discovered that the Cubs barely had anyone on the Top 50 list for RE24 this season. That trend has continued. The only member on the list this year so far is David DeJesus. …

WSD’s Rice Cube on MLB doing away with the draft

In aside by dmick896 Comments

Here's a great article by frequent OV commenter Rice Cubs on his blog: Total Market Freedom. If you’re a good software engineer or a good web designer, you get to work for Microsoft or Facebook or Twitter or Google or whatever.  You have a choice.  Maybe you decide to work for a company close by in Chicago.  Maybe you decide …

Jim Deshaies is Trying Not to Scare Anyone

In aside by GW3 Comments

Carson Cistulli has posted a short interview with new Cubs color commentator Jim Deshaies over at Fangraphs. In it, he talks about his transition to Chicago after 16 years in Houston and having to adapt to an audience that is unfamiliar with his style. He also talks about his philosophy in presenting analytics to a wide array of fans. …I think …