Cubs Sign Brian Duensing

In Uncategorized by myles321 Comments

Brian Duensing really acquitted himself well in the second half of last season after starting out in somewhat atrocious fashion. There was a significant amount of time when I thought the Cubs would be better served by simply releasing him, and I was certainly proven wrong as the season progressed. I think this is the primary reason I'm not a general manager.

2 years, $7 million is a great deal for the age-35 and age-36 seasons of what is a fine 4th option out of the pen. If the Cubs can get a closer (or just one more great reliever and figure out a closer), I'll consider the bullpen to be in a very good place.

Current bullpen:

Morrow
Strop
Cishek
Duensing
Edwards
Wilson
Grimm
Montgomery
—–
Smyly
Maples
Alzolay

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Comments

  1. EnricoPallazzo

    duensing is one of those guys where, just by sheer happenstance, i never saw him throw a bad inning. so this seems like an unbelievable bargain and i will not hear any evidence that suggests otherwise. thanks in advance for your understanding.

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  2. JKV

    Woo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. Tyrone

    Eric Galko @OptimumScouting
    “Why would teams covet Josh Allen in the top-10 when only a handful of teams liked Patrick Mahomes as a first rounder last year?”

    I’ve asked that to 10-15 people this week. Not one has given me a good answer.

    Mahomes was better as a prospect in almost every way.

    GREAT question.

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  4. dmick89

    Tyrone,

    Toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant and a travel bag, all with the OV logo.
    You don’t have to enter the captcha and you get a free, all expense paid cruise half way around the world

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  5. dmick89

    Rice,

    I like those rules. They also need to limit pitcher/catcher meetings during an interview. After watching Contreras go out there 38 times per inning, it has started to really piss me off.

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  6. dmick89

    Rice,

    Yeah, I agree that it’s going to piss the union off, but the next CBA is a few years away so a lot can change by then. I’d rather have seen these rules agreed to by both sides, but in the end I don’t think there’s any doubt that the game needs to be sped up. I’d like to see MLB add time outs. Each team gets 5 per game to use for anything like a mid-inning pitching change, a batter stepping out of the box, a pitcher exceeding the pitch clock and any kind of mound meeting. Those things just piss me off. Maybe 5 is too many.

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  7. dmick89

    If the Brewers sign Darvish the cubs are the second best team in the division. They’ve made an offer so at least they care about getting better. They’re one of few teams this offseason who give a shit about improving.

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  8. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89:

    They’re one of few teams this offseason who give a shit about improving.

    Amusing, but wrong.

    According to the unimpeachable Phil Rogers +/- system, Cubes care more than almost anybody.

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  9. dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning,

    (dying laughing) I think even if you go by Phil’s +/-, the Cubs still come out behind. They lost Davis, Arrieta, Lackey, Rondon and Jay. They’ve added Chatwood, Morrow and some other reliever I can’t think of right now. They’re -2.

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  10. Perkins

    The Cubs just signed Darvish’s personal catcher from when he was with the Rangers.

    So that puts them at -1. (dying laughing)

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  11. sharpchicity

    I like that theo is willing to punt at backup catcher on the off chance that it helps sign Darvish. it’s the little things.

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  12. Myles

    Twins are apparently out on Darvish is the bidding gets to $150 million. Struggling to find a more meaningless headline than that. Spurs out on JD Martinez if bidding gets to $400 million?

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  13. Tyrone

    OK, I admit
    contract structure is not my long suit.
    However, I’m pretty sure Theo & Jed are good at it and could structure something Yu could take.
    Posted by Al Yellon on Jan 23, 2018 | 10:04 AM

    It’s not his what suit?

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  14. Tyrone

    Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
    Source: Yu Darvish is increasingly likely to sign with an @MLB team this week. #Twins are among the teams with whom he is engaged in ongoing discussions. @MLBNetwork

    Oh, an MLB team, huh? I can’t wait for baseball player pitcher man Yu Darvish to sign his name in cursive on a contract paper, indicating his desired intent to join an MLB baseball sports team franchise club roster.

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  15. Tyrone

    Tony @Tonerrrrr
    My cousin has 2 tix for the super bowl paid $2500 for each ticket he didnt realize last year it was going to be the day of his wedding. If interested he is looking for someone to take his place. Her name is Lisa Phillips 5’1, about 140lbs, a good cook, She’ll be in white dress.

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  16. Tyrone

    To me, it’s not just the alleged PED use.

    It’s the way he left the team — and it’s not just that one day, it’s the last couple of years he was with the Cubs and declining in productivity and complaining when Dusty wanted to drop him in the batting order…

    Sammy has always been all about Sammy. While Ryne Sandberg, who left the Cubs and returned with arms wide open by the franchise, was a consummate team player, Sosa was selfish. Period.

    Did he provide excitement and fun? Sure. Is that enough for me? No.

    Say you’re sorry, Sammy. What would it hurt to sit down with Tom Ricketts and talk? But he won’t even do that. He holds himself above everyone.

    Until he at the very least has a face-to-face with Tom Ricketts, because Tom Ricketts owns the franchise and can set whatever rules he wants to, Sammy can stay away.

    But it’s all right now, I learned my lesson well. You see, you can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself — Rick Nelson, “Garden Party”
    by Al Yellon on Jan 20, 2018 | 9:51 PM reply

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  17. uncle dave

    Tyrone,

    I never played ball at a particularly competitive level, but I can tell you that my favorite teammates were always the ones who quit right in the middle of the season.

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  18. dmick89

    Tyrone,

    You and I have talked about this for 15 years now. It still makes no sense to me that a fan behaves that way. I’m pretty upset with what the Cubs have done over the last two offseasons and some of their trades have been suspect too. I’m not going to boo them and they sure as shit don’t owe me an apology.

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  19. Tyrone

    dmick89,

    It’s insane. And then there are the people who say their voicing their displeasure to affect change, which is bullshit because there’s no way they process that in the moment.

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  20. dmick89

    Tyrone,

    Not only that, it’s not going to do shit. I can’t stand McDonald’s, but it’s not going to do me any good to stand outside the place and boo them every time they open the delivery window. I’m just going to look like a dumbass.

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  21. Myles

    dmick89:
    Tyrone,

    Why is an apology all that important to these assholes? It happened well over a decade ago. Let it go.

    They signed Manny Ramirez, who FAILED TWO DRUG TESTS. Seriously, Cubs should fuck off with this Sammy shit.

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  22. Perkins

    Kerry Wood got a HOF vote. Zambrano did not. I suppose pitching the best game in MLB history is worth something.

    Also, Chipper, Thome, Vlad, and Trevor Hoffman got in. Edgar Martinez cleared 70%, so maybe next year for him.

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  23. Wenningtons Gorilla Cock

    Perkins: I suppose pitching the best game in MLB history is worth something.

    So you’re saying Mike Montgomery deserves a vote.

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  24. Edwin

    I get that Vlad and Thome were easily better hitters than Sosa, but when you take defense into account, he’s not that far off in WAR over his career. And in terms of milestone accomplishments, hitting 60+ HR 3 times and ending with over 600 career HR is pretty incredible. I’m not sure why Vlad and Thome are automatic shoe in candidates when they played in the same PED era that Sosa played in.

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  25. Edwin

    Sometimes I wonder how much doing PED’s was even Sosa’s idea, and whether the team or GM played a part. At best ownership and trainers were turning a blind eye, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the FO or ownership was even encouraging PED use at the time. They had every economic incentive to do so.

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  26. Tyrone

    Tyrone:

    It’s insane. And then there are the people who say their voicing their displeasure to affect change, which is bullshit because there’s no way they process that in the moment.

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  27. dmick89

    Edwin,

    Wasn’t there some player or players who commented on how the team would suggest trying PEDs and team doctors would show them how to do it? I’m almost certain it was the Red Sox. I think this would have been prior to Thoyer, but I doubt things changed much after that. In all honesty, why would a GM tell a player not to take steroids? A GM’s job is more secure the more his team wins. There’s much more money involved for him if his team wins. The front office has incentives to either encourage players to use steroids or to look the other way.

    I would guarantee there have been dozens of players in the minors who were instructed by their organization (probably lower level people) to take PEDs. MLB has gotten off so easily for what happened during that era. All the anger and frustration and blame has been directed at a few guys.

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  28. Tyrone

    Reese’s Senior Bowl @seniorbowl
    From North practice, courtesy @ZebraTechnology – tracking players this week:
    Fastest Throw = Josh Allen – 66.14 MPH
    Longest Throw = Tanner Lee – 54.7 yards
    Highest Rotations Per Minute = Luke Falk 721.6 RPM
    Most Throws = Luke Falk 112 throws

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  29. Tyrone

    The lede in Alvin’s latest Yu Darvish “story” at BCB:

    We know one thing for certain: The Cubs will either have Yu Darvish in their starting rotation in 2018, or they won’t.

    1. What about the secret third option??!!!!
    2. Too many comas.
    3. You’re a faget.

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  30. Tyrone

    Bruce Miles @BruceMiles2112
    For those who like to know #Cubs uniform numbers, Drew Smyly is No. 11, Brandon Morrow is 15 and Tyler Chatwood is 21.

    Sorry, Cubs fans. No Darvish for you.

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  31. Tyrone

    Yu must know that if the Cubs DO sign him
    … Yu will be in for several YEARS worth of Yu puns.
    Posted by Al Yellon on Jan 25, 2018 | 10:47 AM

    Please no
    In the name of all that is Santo to Kessinger to Beckert to Banks, please, no more.
    Posted by BeerCub on Jan 25, 2018 | 11:07 AM

    Yu know Yu want more.
    Posted by Al Yellon on Jan 25, 2018 | 12:00 PM

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  32. JKV

    Tyrone,

    ” or they won’t” is not an independent clause and therefore needs no comma before it. You’d think after this many years of writing and being called out for his understanding of sentence structure he would try to work on it.

    I mean, if it wasn’t for SB Nation there’s no way anyone would still be reading anything Yellon puts out.

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  33. JKV

    Myles: They signed Manny Ramirez, who FAILED TWO DRUG TESTS. Seriously, Cubs should fuck off with this Sammy shit.

    I think at this point there is probably something the Cubs organization knows about Sosa that everyone else doesn’t. It would literally make the Cubs money by letting him back since he was such a popular figure. There’s no incentive to keep him away.

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  34. dmick89

    JKV,

    This is probably true, but the fact they were willing to put up with whatever it was for so many years when he was producing at such a high level indicates it’s not all that important an issue to them.

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  35. EnricoPallazzo

    dmick89: I would guarantee there have been dozens of players in the minors who were instructed by their organization (probably lower level people) to take PEDs. MLB has gotten off so easily for what happened during that era. All the anger and frustration and blame has been directed at a few guys.

    i don’t disagree but i wonder why we haven’t seen any players come out and say this. i hope don’t sound like the people that don’t believe sexual assault victims (“if this guy has abused so many women then why hasn’t anyone spoken up before”) but this is obviously a completely different situation. wouldn’t you think that of the probably hundreds of people that were encouraged to do steroids, someone would have came out and said this?

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  36. EnricoPallazzo

    EnricoPallazzo,

    actually, did jose canseco say this? i have no idea since he has zero credibility and i try to ignore him but i kind of think he might have made this claim. seems like we should have seen at least one or two others come forward though…

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  37. dmick89

    EnricoPallazzo,

    I don’t know what Canseco said, but the person or persons I’m thinking of were former Red Sox players.

    I think the reason why we don’t hear about it is for two reasons. The players fear it could fuck with their ability to work in the future and nobody gives a shit. Most fans care about PEDs only because records were broken. Look at the long list of players who have tested positive, but have not broken any records. They’re forgiven immediately. If it came out today that every team instructed players to take PEDs, it would be a story for a day. Tomorrow we’d get back to normal and Barry Bonds would be the villain.

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  38. SK

    JKV:
    We know one thing for sure: Al will eat a bologna sandwich today, or he’ll eat just the bologna.

    I don’t think there’s any question that bread is involved. Possibly three slices.

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  39. North Side Pat

    Came here for the Alvin jokes and wasn’t disappointed. Then learned about the Brewers moves. Now I need more Alvin jokes, especially if they include bologna references.

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  40. sharpchicity

    dmick89:
    JKV,

    Probably. On paper the Brewers are definitely better right now.

    With a rotation of:
    Zach Davies
    Chase Anderson
    Brandon Woodruff
    Brent Suter
    Jhoulys Chacin
    Jimmy Nelson
    Yovani Gallardo

    Eh.

    That said, with Cain, their payroll is at ~84. They maxed out ~115 in the mid 2010s. If they sign Arrieta or Darvish, i’ll start being concerned

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  41. Smokestack Lightning

    sharpchicity,

    Yeah, I have wonder what paper we’re looking at if it’s saying the Brewers are now better than the Cubs. Maybe the one that forgot the Cubs have Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo.

    Fangraphs has the Brewers many, many fWAR behind the Cubs still.

    That said, Yu Darvish plz.

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  42. dmick89

    JKV,

    I’m not that worried about the pitching. I expect Lester will better and Hendricks will be worse. Quintana could be really good or just what he has been in his career, which is still good. Chatwood and Montgomery aren’t very good. It’s not great, but it’s not terrible either.

    I’m more worried about the offense. Yeah, Bryant and Rizzo are good and so is Contreras. That’s about it.

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  43. dmick89

    I don’t know if the Brewers are better than the Cubs or not, but it’s close and that shouldn’t be. The Cubs have gone deep into the playoffs three years in a row so they have the money. This division should be a blowout every single year in favor of the Cubs. There should be no doubt the Cubs are better than the fucking Brewers.

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  44. JKV

    dmick89,

    To be fair, they hit on a bunch of position players last year with Domingo Santana, Travis Shaw, and Eric Thames. Then they add two more high quality bats. They have a really good offense.

    The Cubs offense could be record setting good. But we’ve been saying that for a while and every year there’s a few players that have really down years. Still waiting for that year Bryant hits 40+ HRs.

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  45. JKV

    dmick89,

    I just don’t think we can assume Lester’s performance last year was an aberration and not regression. I don’t think we can assume that Lester is going to be that 3.30 FIP pitcher forever. If he repeats last year, he’s an average starter. And the current 4/5 have potential to be 5.00+ ERA pitchers. This is not to mention that if one of the top 3 goes down for any significant stretch of time, there’s no one to replace him. That might not be super likely, but definitely a possibility. I mean, is this not a realistic outcome?

    Hendricks: 3.90 FIP
    Quintana: 4.10 FIP
    Lester: 4.20 FIP
    Chatwood: 5.00 FIP
    Montgomery: 5.00 FIP

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  46. Smokestack Lightning

    JKV:
    Smokestack Lightning,

    I think people are underestimating how bad our pitching could be next year. Like, bottom third bad.

    Cubs need a front-line starting pitcher, no question. Hence, my support for a Yu Darvish signing, even though I’m less enthusiastic than most about adding another 30+ year old arm to a monster contract (one must adjust to the needs of the moment from time to time; 2018 matters). Even if Arrieta was no longer that guy overall, he at least faked one for stretches of a year. To understate, the Cubs could use that for 2018, largely because winning the NL Central and its rotating cast of teams deciding to be shitty is not much of an accomplishment anymore. Sights should be set on beating the Dodgers, the last hurrah of the Natinals, winning the World Series, that kind of stuff, not merely getting past a diminished Cardinals organization and a Brewer team misapprehending its own talent level in what should be a very foolish attempt to try to get back to its heyday 8 years ago.

    dm is right that it’s probably closer than it should be right now, which is bullshit if this Cubs team is serious about being among the best of the best every year.

    And I expect Theo to rectify the situation shortly.

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  47. Smokestack Lightning

    JKV:
    Smokestack Lightning,

    I think people are underestimating how bad our pitching could be next year. Like, bottom third bad.

    Perhaps, but I think you’ve responded to this underestimation with an overestimation of how bad it could be. Neither are likely to be true at this point.

    (Again, and I say again, Yu Darvish, plz)

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  48. sharpchicity

    Smokestack Lightning,

    Agreed here. JKV’s list of FIP’s is worst case. And all of the brewer’s breakouts last year are likely not going to be repeated (remember 2017 Cubs?).

    Barring any other signings (Yu), If Lester and/or Hendricks get injured / significantly declines, yes, we’re without a guy to match up against Kershaw, yeah. And that’s our weakspot.

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  49. dmick89

    sharpchicity,

    FWIW, the FIPs that JKV listed for Hendricks and Lester were pretty much exactly what each of them did last season. The Quintana FIP he listed was about half a run worse, but more in line with his ERA. I’d expect it the other way, but it wouldn’t be that difficult to believe the way he listed either. Chatwood and Monty at 5 seems a bit high to me, but again, neither of them are very good so it’s definitely within reason and it’s not like the Cubs have anyone to replace them if one or both of them suck. Add in the 20 or so spot starts that teams typically get from a 6th starter and this rotation won’t be very good (it shouldn’t be too bad either). I think the more important point being made is that the top three are pretty close to what they did last season. I’d hardly call what happened with them last year worst case. For a pitcher a worst case is almost always an FIP higher than 5.

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  50. dmick89

    Didn’t the Cubs only have a two or three game lead over the Brewers in the first ZiPS projected standings for 2018 that Dan shared toward the end of last year? The Cubs added only some minor contributors since then and the Brewers have added two significant pieces. I probably overreacted when I said the Brewers were definitely better, but after thinking about it awhile, I do think they’re better, but not by all that much. I’d probably give them a game or two advantage over the Cubs, but if the Cubs pick up Yu then I think it swings back in favor of the Cubs by a game or two.

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  51. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89,

    I don’t recall that ZiPS, but the current Fangraphs 2018 team projections are not very bullish on the Brewers, even with the additions of Cain and Yelich. Has the Cubs projected for 47.5 fWAR and the Brewers for 30.9. That seems low for Milwaukee, although I would argue not by a great deal (as I am not all that impressed with the collection of talent assembled there) and perhaps a bit high for the Cubes right now. Add Darvish and 47.5 seems much easier to reach (and maybe surpass, which is what they need to do for me to stop being irritated with them).

    But even without the FG projections, I’ve never really thought the Brewers were all that good. Last year seemed horseshit to me. Yelich is a strong add (although not as game-changing as everyone seems to think, especially if he moves to a corner OF spot), but I don’t believe Cain is going to be nearly as good as he’s been in the past and he’ll be a liability before we know it. I’m not a believer in the Thames/Shaw breakouts, and as uninspiring as the Cubs rotation can look at present, the Brewers is far worse imo. They have some good players there, no question, but as of now they lack any true elite talent. And I just don’t fear teams that don’t have any elite players.

    And while the Cubs don’t have near as many elite players as they should imo, they still have some. And still plenty of good players. And it makes a big difference.

    I mean, maybe I’m stupid wrong about this, but I just don’t come away all that impressed or scared of the Brewers, and I do not buy at all that they’re better than the Cubs.

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  52. dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning,

    I don’t put much stock in the sum of the projected WAR these days. This is the only projected standings that I’m aware of: http://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/21265001/early-projections-2018-standings-zips-loves-la

    It has the Cubs at 87 wins and the Brewers at 84 wins. Based on moves so far this season I expect ZiPS will have the Brewers slightly ahead at this point (a game or two). The Brewers took a big step forward last year and the Cubs took a pretty big step back. The Brewers lost nobody and the Cubs lost two pitchers and replaced them with (so far) a crappy pitcher and a reliever.

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  53. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89,

    I used fWAR, but you prefer win totals, then Fangraphs projections has the Cubs at 92 right now and the Brewers at 77. As I said with the fWAR projections, seems a little low for the Brewers and a little high for the Cubs, but not by much, imo. Cubs are the more talented, better team at this point, although not nearly enough to realistically expect another World Series, which is what they should be working harder to achieve.

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  54. dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning,

    Fangraphs is using the sum of the projected WAR to get those win totals (if I recall, Fangraphs uses 48.6 wins as replacement level so 48.6+whatever that projected WAR total was and there’s your 92). Fangraphs has 3 projections that are published to the site: Steamer, ZiPS and the Fans. To my knowledge, there hasn’t been a Steamer projected standings yet and there may not be. I know there hasn’t been a final ZiPS one since ZiPS hasn’t finished publishing the player projections. BPro will have one using PECOTA in about a month, but until then and when the ZiPS one is published by Dan, the one from November is the best we can do to estimate where the teams are projected at.

    It took me all last season to finally realize the Brewers are pretty good. They’re not great by any means, but they’re even better this year. The Cubs have been moving backwards the last two seasons and aren’t all that impressive right now. They’re good and maybe even good enough to win the shitty NL Central, but that’s about it. Maybe they’re good enough to do that.

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  55. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89: Fangraphs is using the sum of the projected WAR to get those win totals (if I recall, Fangraphs uses 48.6 wins as replacement level so 48.6+whatever that projected WAR total was and there’s your 92). Fangraphs has 3 projections that are published to the site: Steamer, ZiPS and the Fans. To my knowledge, there hasn’t been a Steamer projected standings yet and there may not be. I know there hasn’t been a final ZiPS one since ZiPS hasn’t finished publishing the player projections. BPro will have one using PECOTA in about a month, but until then and when the ZiPS one is published by Dan, the one from November is the best we can do to estimate where the teams are projected at.

    My bad. I forgot the rule is whichever projection system you like best is the right one to use.

    (The tone there is not nearly as nasty as it will come across, btw, I’m doing the exact same thing with what I’m looking at.)

    Anyway. Probably best to leave this alone. Sorry, but I can’t get behind this idea that the Brewers are to be feared. I think they’re horseshit, like I thought the Cardinals were horseshit last year, and that will bear out once the season is played. I also think the Cubs are much better than you seem think they are (though not as good as they could and should be). So, my points stand (or I stand by them or whatever). We’re on the same page with thinking the Cubs need to stop playing fuckaround offseason and maybe think about getting the most out of the best years of Kris Bryant’s career. Maybe win a couple more championships. And they’re currently not doing that.

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  56. dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning,

    You’re not looking at projected standings (ones that use a projection system and simulate the season many, many times). That’s what I’ve been trying to say. I’m not picking one that backs me up. I’m literally picking the only projected standings available. If we didn’t have that one, then I’d use the back of the napkin shit that Fangraphs uses when they just sum all the WAR.

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  57. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89,

    And I’m saying what they’re doing is a useful guide as well, especially in terms of determining talent level, which imo, is the more important thing to figure out right now. I started with fWAR projections, which you don’t care for, and that’s fine, and moved to the win projections to give an idea of how it compares to the ZiPS shit.

    I think the problem here is we’re not comparing apples to apples. To better get there, let me say I think ZiPS, in its initial projection overestimated the Brewers likely win total in 2018 by 4-5 wins. After the moves they’ve made, I can buy 84 a lot easier (although I still think that’s a bit high).

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  58. dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning,

    The fWAR projections are fine and quite useful at the individual level, but not that useful when you take those indivual projections and sum them up. If that’s all we had, fine, but we have the early ZiPS projections. Those are far from perfect at this point, but far superior to summing indivual WAR projections.

    Can you even tell me what those are? Zips? Steamer? Fans? I can’t. Considering we don’t even know that, I’m not really sure why were arguing. We ought to at least know what we’re talking about if we’re going to compare.

    And yeah, we’re not talking apples to apples here. For what it’s worth, I think both teams are basically 85 win teams for the most part. Give or take a win or two. Both are better than average, but neither would win any division other than the NL Central. Neither will win a wild card. It’s division or bust more than likely for both teams.

    That’s pretty bad for where the cubs were a couple years ago while completely destroying the farm system since.

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  59. Berselius

    Smokestack Lightning:
    dmick89,

    I don’t recall that ZiPS, but the current Fangraphs 2018 team projections are not very bullish on the Brewers, even with the additions of Cain and Yelich. Has the Cubs projected for 47.5 fWAR and the Brewers for 30.9. That seems low for Milwaukee, although I would argue not by a great deal (as I am not all that impressed with the collection of talent assembled there) and perhaps a bit high for the Cubes right now. Add Darvish and 47.5 seems much easier to reach (and maybe surpass, which is what they need to do for me to stop being irritated with them).

    But even without the FG projections, I’ve never really thought the Brewers were all that good. Last year seemed horseshit to me. Yelich is a strong add (although not as game-changing as everyone seems to think, especially if he moves to a corner OF spot), but I don’t believe Cain is going to be nearly as good as he’s been in the past and he’ll be a liability before we know it. I’m not a believer in the Thames/Shaw breakouts, and as uninspiring as the Cubs rotation can look at present, the Brewers is far worse imo. They have some good players there, no question, but as of now they lack any true elite talent.And I just don’t fear teams that don’t have any elite players.

    And while the Cubs don’t have near as many elite players as they should imo, they still have some. And still plenty of good players. And it makes a big difference.

    I mean, maybe I’m stupid wrong about this, but I just don’t come away all that impressed or scared of the Brewers, and I do not buy at all that they’re better than the Cubs.

    dmick89:
    Smokestack Lightning,

    I don’t put much stock in the sum of the projected WAR these days. This is the only projected standings that I’m aware of: http://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/21265001/early-projections-2018-standings-zips-loves-la

    It has the Cubs at 87 wins and the Brewers at 84 wins. Based on moves so far this season I expect ZiPS will have the Brewers slightly ahead at this point (a game or two). The Brewers took a big step forward last year and the Cubs took a pretty big step back. The Brewers lost nobody and the Cubs lost two pitchers and replaced them with (so far) a crappy pitcher and a reliever.

    Smokestack Lightning:
    dmick89,

    I used fWAR, but you prefer win totals, then Fangraphs projections has the Cubs at 92 right now and the Brewers at 77. As I said with the fWAR projections, seems a little low for the Brewers and a little high for the Cubs, but not by much, imo. Cubs are the more talented, better team at this point, although not nearly enough to realistically expect another World Series, which is what they should be working harder to achieve.

    dmick89:
    Smokestack Lightning,

    Fangraphs is using the sum of the projected WAR to get those win totals (if I recall, Fangraphs uses 48.6 wins as replacement level so 48.6+whatever that projected WAR total was and there’s your 92). Fangraphs has 3 projections that are published to the site: Steamer, ZiPS and the Fans. To my knowledge, there hasn’t been a Steamer projected standings yet and there may not be. I know there hasn’t been a final ZiPS one since ZiPS hasn’t finished publishing the player projections. BPro will have one using PECOTA in about a month, but until then and when the ZiPS one is published by Dan, the one from November is the best we can do to estimate where the teams are projected at.

    It took me all last season to finally realize the Brewers are pretty good. They’re not great by any means, but they’re even better this year. The Cubs have been moving backwards the last two seasons and aren’t all that impressive right now. They’re good and maybe even good enough to win the shitty NL Central, but that’s about it. Maybe they’re good enough to do that.

    Smokestack Lightning: My bad. I forgot the rule is whichever projection system you like best is the right one to use.

    (The tone there is not nearly as nasty as it will come across, btw, I’m doing the exact same thing with what I’m looking at.)

    Anyway. Probably best to leave this alone. Sorry, but I can’t get behind this idea that the Brewers are to be feared. I think they’re horseshit, like I thought the Cardinals were horseshit last year, and that will bear out once the season is played. I also think the Cubs are much better than you seem think they are (though not as good as they could and should be). So, my points stand (or I stand by them or whatever). We’re on the same page with thinking the Cubs need to stop playing fuckaround offseason and maybe think about getting the most out of the best years of Kris Bryant’s career. Maybe win a couple more championships. And they’re currently not doing that.

    dmick89:
    Smokestack Lightning,

    You’re not looking at projected standings (ones that use a projection system and simulate the season many, many times). That’s what I’ve been trying to say. I’m not picking one that backs me up. I’m literally picking the only projected standings available. If we didn’t have that one, then I’d use the back of the napkin shit that Fangraphs uses when they just sum all the WAR.

    Smokestack Lightning:
    dmick89,

    And I’m saying what they’re doing is a useful guide as well, especially in terms of determining talent level, which imo, is the more important thing to figure out right now. I started with fWAR projections, which you don’t care for, and that’s fine, and moved to the win projections to give an idea of how it compares to the ZiPS shit.

    I think the problem here is we’re not comparing apples to apples. To better get there, let me say I think ZiPS, in its initial projection overestimated the Brewers likely win total in 2018 by 4-5 wins. After the moves they’ve made, I can buy 84 a lot easier (although I still think that’s a bit high).

    dmick89:
    Smokestack Lightning,

    The fWAR projections are fine and quite useful at the individual level, but not that useful when you take those indivual projections and sum them up. If that’s all we had, fine, but we have the early ZiPS projections. Those are far from perfect at this point, but far superior to summing indivual WAR projections.

    Can you even tell me what those are? Zips? Steamer? Fans? I can’t. Considering we don’t even know that, I’m not really sure why were arguing. We ought to at least know what we’re talking about if we’re going to compare.

    And yeah, we’re not talking apples to apples here. For what it’s worth, I think both teams are basically 85 win teams for the most part. Give or take a win or two. Both are better than average, but neither would win any division other than the NL Central. Neither will win a wild card. It’s division or bust more than likely for both teams.

    That’s pretty bad for where the cubs were a couple years ago while completely destroying the farm system since.

    False.

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  60. SK

    Yu Darvish should definitely sign with the Brewers. Not just because they get a whole lot more interesting, but because Milwaukee remains the most underrated city in the U.S.

    this i don’t understand at all

    First off these guys (95% of them) don’t settle in to their communities when they sign or get traded somewhere new. they live in hotels and airplanes for half the fucking year. it really doesn’t matter which city their mansion or gilded high rise apartment is in.
    Second, for Darvish in particular, I’m pretty sure Milwaukee = any other US city. If you were a professional and being recruited by companies in several different cities in China for example are you really going to pick based on how underrated each community is? When you’re going to be working 80 hours a week?

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  61. Perkins

    SK,

    I work with a lot of folks here on H1-B visas, and most draw distinctions among American cities. That said, I doubt any would call Milwaukee underrated. And it would probably take a substantial raise and promotion for them to consider it over New York or San Francisco.

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  62. SK

    Perkins:
    SK,

    I work with a lot of folks here on H1-B visas, and most draw distinctions among American cities. That said, I doubt any would call Milwaukee underrated. And it would probably take a substantial raise and promotion for them to consider it over New York or San Francisco.

    Even if they travel a lot for work, I don’t think they probably travel live the way an MLB player must do.

    Sure, people will have preferences for a favorite city but I just can’t see it mattering that much when the experience of playing for an MLB team is pretty similar no matter what team/city you’re in. (Not talking about winning team vs loser, big market vs small — more the endless treadmill of hotel, airport, stadium clubhouse, rinse and repeat. etc. etc. no matter which of the 30 teams you happened to sign with).

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  63. Perkins

    SK,

    That’s also true. Most of my colleagues and I travel a bunch for work, but where we live is important for the weekends and a place you wouldn’t mind being on a local project. Where you live is probably even less important for people guaranteed to work every weekend.

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  64. dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning,

    So Steamer must have the Cubs way better than the Brewers. I’m still not sure how it could have them that much better to get the roughly 15 game advantage the average of the two have. That would mean about 30 wins better per Steamer.

    I wish PECOTA came out earlier, but I guess later is best right now since so many free agents remain unsigned.

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  65. dmick89

    some random person: Not just because they get a whole lot more interesting, but because Milwaukee remains the most underrated city in the U.S.

    I’ve been to a lot of places and come across some underrated cities, but Milwaukee wasn’t one of them.

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  66. SK

    dmick89: I’ve been to a lot of places and come across some underrated cities, but Milwaukee wasn’t one of them.

    it was this random person if it helps – @Chris_Cwik

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  67. Perkins

    dmick89: I’ve been to a lot of places and come across some underrated cities, but Milwaukee wasn’t one of them.

    I’ve found a great many more places to be overrated than underrated. Milwaukee is certainly not underrated. Cool art museum, though.

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  68. SK

    SK: it was this random person if it helps – @Chris_Cwik

    but, it’s a sentiment I’ve seen from lots of fans (not usually writers actually) year after year during the hot stove

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  69. Tyrone

    For The Win @ForTheWin
    Alabama running back trolls UCF football hard, asks to see photos of their trophy usat.ly/2DMF4p6

    Their trophy is right next to your conference championship trophy, Alabama RB.

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  70. berselius

    SK,

    I grew up in Redskins country so I probably should not be this surprised, but here we are.

    The line I saw that annoyed me the most for some reason was some asshat mock congratulating this move as the last move in ending racism forever. I guess we should stop locking up murderers, that last guy they locked up ended homicide forever.

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  71. berselius

    berselius,

    Also the second best coffee I have ever had at Stone Creek.

    (Profeta outside of UCLA will never be topped. Even the Italian scientists would make any excuse to go there.)

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  72. dmick89

    SK: The Audubon Society is coming after the RAVENS !

    I’ve seen people say things like this and I always wonder, do these people really believe that’s what is going to happen? Do they honestly think that’s the next, logical step? And also, have they paid no attention whatsoever to all of the college teams changing their names and/or logos over the last 10-20 years? Do they not see a pattern in the kind of things that are being eliminated?

    There are a lot of things I don’t know, but I do know that two things are inevitable: Cleveland will someday change the name of their MLB team and in about 7000 years Washington will finally change their name and logo. Both of those things will eventually happen.

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  73. SK

    dmick89,

    I think people are either getting dumber or more racist. I mean, I don’t think that guy thinks that will really happen to the Ravens, I’m guessing it was supposed to be a joke. A joke that’s either knowingly or unknowingly even more racist than the Chief Wahoo image.

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  74. Tyrone

    Ed Werder @EdwerderRFA
    Just finished compelling interview with #Eagles RB LeGarrette Blount. His 10 postseason TD are 7th most in NFL history. Six HOFers and then Blount. Calls Jay Ajayi his “dog” meaning good friend.

    Ooh, that’s cool slang. I’ll have to start using that.

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  75. Berselius is too lazy to log in

    Tyrone,

    I love how Patriots stories are so mined out that “Belichick wears a hat” rates as a news item today.

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  76. Tyrone

    Oliver Thomas @OliverBThomas
    The 2013 Wisconsin backfield, from scrimmage.

    James White: 1,744 yards, 15 TDs
    Melvin Gordon: 1,619 yards, 12 TDs
    Corey Clement: 556 yards, 7 TDs

    This got me thinking…

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  77. Tyrone

    Tyrone,

    The 1996 Texas Longhorns backfield in 2002 :

    Ricky Williams – 1853 rushing yards, 2216 total yards, 17 TDs
    Priest Holmes – 1615 rushing yards, 2287 total yards, 24 TDs

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  78. Tyrone

    Jesus…2001 Miami RBs in 2007:

    Clinton Portis – 1651 total yards, 11 TDs
    Frank Gore – 1538 total yards, 6 TDs
    Willis McGahee – 1438 total yards, 8 TDS

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  79. Tyrone

    The 2001 Hurricanes include:

    Portis, Gore, McGahee, Najeh Davenport, Andre Johnson, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow, Jerome McDougle, Bryant McKinnie, Vince Wilfork, Jonathan Vilma, Phillip Buchanon, Antrel Rolle and Ed Reed.

    That’s like 12 first round picks and 100 Pro Bowls.

    And the best they could find at QB was Ken Dorsey?

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  80. mobile dave

    SK:
    dmick89,

    I think people are either getting dumber or more racist. I mean, I don’t think that guy thinks that will really happen to the Ravens, I’m guessing it was supposed to be a joke. A joke that’s either knowingly or unknowingly even more racist than the Chief Wahoo image.

    For most of these fools I don’t think it’s about explicit racism, though the logo and those complaining about its removal both fit the bill. It’s just a matter of “nobody tells ME what to do” and that means that any sort of logic doesn’t apply. Saying “The Audubon Society is next” is a childish argument, but so is any argument for a mascot.

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  81. dmick89

    mobile dave: but so is any argument for a mascot.

    Yeah, if someone told me today that the Cubs were changing logos, I’d think about it for three seconds and move on. People like Alvin would bitch about it until they die.

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  82. Berselius is too lazy to login

    dmick89: Yeah, if someone told me today that the Cubs were changing logos, I’d think about it for three seconds and move on. People like Alvin would bitch about it until they die.

    Coming in 2020 – the Chicago Brownshirts!

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  83. Berselius is too lazy to login

    Boring FA singings:

    David Hernandez —–> Reds
    Matt Albers —-> Brewers

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  84. Tyrone

    Tyrone,

    And it sure is a good thing WAS didn’t trade Cousins to SF last year. Yes they would have gotten at least a first round pick (instead of the third KC gave up), but then they might not have had that great 7-9 season.

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  85. Tyrone

    Tyrone,

    What the fuck did I just post? That shit doesn’t even make sense…

    Anyway, instead of netting value for Cousins, WAS gets nothing for him AND gives up a 3 + a good young DB for Alex Smith.

    Hey, WAS, which sounds better to you?

    A. A 1, a 3, probably another 3, Kendall Fuller and $94 million over 4 years.
    B. Alex Smith.

    WAS: We’ll take option B.

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  86. Tyrone

    Mike Jones @ByMikeJones
    Always remember, Cousins in 2015 asked for 19M per, with 44M guaranteed over life of four-year deal. Skins said no, then tagged him back to back years (20M, 24M). #OnlyInWashington

    And then signed an older QB for $94million ($71 guaranteed) over four years. (dying laughing)

    The only smart thing WAS has done in the last decade was hire Scot McCloughan, who started turning that franchise around. Then they went out of their way to run him out of town so they could fuck it up again.

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  87. Tyrone

    Troy
    2:04 Thoughts on what the Brewers have done? Will they add another SP and should they?
    Keith Law
    2:05 I don’t think they’re serious division contenders unless they add a real SP. And I don’t understand making those two big moves without addressing the rotation.

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  88. Berselius is too lazy to login

    Mark Appel ——-> “indefinite break” from baseball

    bullet ——> continues to be dodged

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  89. Perkins

    One report says Yu Darvish would like a contract in the neighborhood of 7/$175MM.

    In other news, I would like a vicuña suit. I think those are equally likely.

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  90. dmick89

    Perkins,

    I think he ends up going to the Twins or Rangers, but is clearly waiting to see if the Dodgers or Yankees can shed some payroll so he can sign there. I’ll say 6/150 with the Rangers, followed by the Brewers acquiring Chris Archer and effectively eliminating the Cubs from contention.

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  91. Perkins

    Edwin,

    I read that more as a call to arms for the players and an acknowledgement that they need to act more in their own interest, as the owners will look out for their own.

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  92. dmick89

    Perkins,

    That’s how I read it, but it’s been a couple days since then. The owners are just taking advantage of what the players have allowed them to. The players will have to stand up and demand a better CBA next time.

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  93. GW

    Edwin,

    At some point the players are going to have to acknowledge that the real problem is the 6 years of service time. They have never cared, so long as all that money saved on young players was funneled to vets. Now that has dried up, but it’s still difficult to envision any change to the system. The owners won’t budge without a war, which would require the vets to sacrifice for something that won’t benefit them directly.

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  94. dmick89

    Yu Darvish is still on the radar for both the Cubs and Dodgers, though with some caveats. Chicago “seem to be hoping that Darvish will choose them for reasons that are not economic,” which implies that Darvish would drop his asking price to play for a World Series contender.

    I wish I was a fan of a big market team.

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  95. Perkins

    dmick89,

    I mean, the implication there is that the Cubs are a World Series contender (they are) and that they won’t bid against themselves. I’m cool with that.

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  96. dmick89

    Perkins,

    I guess I see it differently. The cubs are borderline contenders (they’re good, but far from great). If that rumor is accurate, it means the cubs are hoping Darvish will choose them for a reason (contender) that applies to nearly every team still interested in him. To be honest, it doesn’t make any sense when I put it that way, which leads me to seriously question the accuracy of that rumor.

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  97. Perkins

    dmick89,

    I’m guessing it’s because they expect to bust the luxury tax threshold in 2019, but this team needs a Yu Darvish a bit more than it needs a Bryce Harper.

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  98. Perkins

    dmick89,

    Out of the teams realistically in pursuit (CHC, MIN, MIL), the Cubs have arguably the best five year outlook. I get that it doesn’t seem as rosy as it did before 2017, but I think that also assumes every breakout for MIL is real and every regression we saw for the Cubs is also real. I’m not sure I buy that.

    All that said, they really need Darvish or Arrieta, because starting pitching isn’t coming from within for at least a few years.

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  99. Tyrone

    Dan Hellie @DanHellie
    At @EASPORTS Super Bowl party. Travis Kelce playing Alvin Kamara in Madden and the first thing Kelce does is bench Alex Smith for Pat Mahomes ????????

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  100. dmick89

    Tyrone,

    Yeah, when you have no pitching in the minors whatsoever, I’m not sure how rosy the future can be. Offensively they should at least be adequate and will probably be above average to well above average for at least a few years. Pitching? Well, not so much.

    As for teams interested in Darvish who can entice him to sign by the team being a contender, the only team that I don’t think is a legitimate contender is Texas. The Dodgers obviously are. So are the Yankees. The Brewers are. The Twins are and so are the Cubs.

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  101. Tyrone

    dmick89,

    I haven’t read every word like a true statfag… Have we already discussed the fact that the LAD/NYY thing was simply floated by Yu’s agent to try to get CHI, MIN and TEX to up the offer?

    As far as pitching prospects go, I’m OK with the team not putting much resource into that group. I remember wanting the Cubs to draft Gray instead of Bryant, but that was the turning point for me. Position prospects fail too, but Mark Prior, Juan Cruz, Angel Guzman, Bobby Brownlie, Mark Pawalek, Sean Gallagher, Donnie Veal, Jose Ceda and probably a few more I’m forgetting have shifted my views.

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  102. dmick89

    Tyrone,

    I don’t think anyone really knows how strong the interest is from the Dodgers and Yankees. Seems clear both teams need to shed some payroll before they could make it happen so while those are his preferred destinations, I think both are unlikely.

    I don’t have an issue with the way the Cubs have built their farm system (#PositionPlayersFirst). I’m a little disappointed the Cubs haven’t been able to develop more pitching and I wish the Cubs had more than Justin Wilson to show for all the players they lost in trades.

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  103. Perkins

    dmick89,

    I don’t know that NYY or LAD have ever been realistic destinations as both teams are trying to avoid another consecutive year of busting the luxury tax limit. Neither team seems particularly aggressive about moving enough salary to fit a front line SP. TEX also has been pretty transparent that their position on the win curve and financial situation basically rules them out.

    I’ll be pissed if the Cubs don’t land one of Darvish or Arrieta, but their market has been pretty limited, and I assume the front office doesn’t want to bid against itself. Their biggest mistake since 2011 has been going into the 2017 season without enough quality SP; I don’t think they’ll make the same mistake again, even if it’s taking a frustratingly long time.

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  104. Tyrone

    tony casillas @tccasillas
    I would say the difference between our great teams of the 90’s #DallasCowboys and #NewEnglandPatriots we didn’t cheat as much …

    Maybe that’s why you didn’t win as much…

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  105. Tyrone

    Hate the Patriots all you want, but what that team has done in this century is amazing. All things considered, it may be one of the most impressive runs in major sports history.

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  106. Tyrone

    So the Padres are giving away “Cubs buster” shirts at a CHC-SD game this year…

    Not really.
    The Padres can’t ever seem to let this go. It’s one thing for their fans to talk about ‘84 — OK, fine, they won — but for the team’s marketing department to “celebrate” it? Ridiculous.
    But it’s all right now, I learned my lesson well. You see, you can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself — Rick Nelson, “Garden Party”
    by Al Yellon on Jan 26, 2018 | 3:43 PM up reply

    The quote of his makes me cringe…

    I was there too.
    SDSJM is correct.
    Friends of mine had nails thrown at them. The fans were disgusting.
    But it’s all right now, I learned my lesson well. You see, you can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself — Rick Nelson, “Garden Party”
    by Al Yellon on Feb 2, 2018 | 10:02 AM up reply

    Based purely on Alvin’s and SDJSM’s online history, that’s totally understandable. Although I do wonder where the nails came from…

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  107. Perkins

    Tyrone,

    I’m not remotely surprised, but it’s kind of pathetic that Yellon cares what the Padres are doing for marketing based on a postseason series 24 years ago.

    The Cubs won a goddamn World Series in 2016. The Padres have never won one. That kind of shit should roll off his back. There’s no reason for Cubs fans to get butthurt about anything another team says or does.

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  108. Tyrone

    Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
    #Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti announces at a press conference that legendary GM Ozzie Newsome will step down next year and Eric DeCosta will take over.

    Wow.

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  109. dmick89

    If you beat a team in the playoffs or finish ahead of them in the regular season, it’s one of the things you kind of get to make fun of the other team about. Not sure it’s really that difficult to understand, but Alvin and the rest of the people at BCB are essentially oversized 3 year olds.

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  110. sharpchicity

    dmick89: how rosy the future can be. Offensively they should at least be adequate and will probably be above average to well above average for at least a few years

    I really don’t want to be argumentative, but i stopped reading after this comment.

    2015-17 offensive WAR per FG
    http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2017&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=&filter=&players=0
    1. Cubs @ 90.3
    2. Dodgers-in-5 @ 80.1
    3. Astros @ 79.4
    4. Indians @ 74
    5. Red Sox @ 72
    6. Cardinals @ 69.doesn’tmatter

    15. Mariners @ 56
    26. Barves @ 38
    30. Athletics @ 31

    2018 Projected Offense WAR per FG
    http://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&teamid=17
    1. Astros @ 30.8
    2. Cubs @ 28.8
    3. Dodgers @ 27.7

    No, we do not have a “adequate and … probably be above average to well above average” offense. We have the best offense (meaning non-pitching aka offensive contributors) in the NL.

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  111. dmick89

    dmick89: sharpchicity, Okay

    I was on my phone when I replied here, but I said offensively. You're looking at offensive plus defense. The Cubs non-pitchers ranked 2nd best in the NL in wRC+ last year, just ahead of the Cardinals and a couple other teams. I said they'd be at least adequate, which assumes a really good offensive core that would at least be around average even if several players underperform. I also said probably above average to well above average.

    No, it’s not the best offense in the league. Wasn’t last year and probably won’t be this season. 

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  112. dmick89

    I wonder how much this offseason will have an impact on Bryce Harper’s free agency next year. I wonder if one of the reasons owners are trying to keep salaries down this year is next year’s free agent class.

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  113. Berselius is too lazy to log in

    dmick89,

    We would kill for some snow out here, even beyond the ski area economy. We’ve had just one significant rain/snowfall in like three months, if this keeps up the summer is going to be a literal inferno around here.

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  114. Tyrone

    OddsShark @OddsShark 12h
    Opening futures odds for #SuperBowl 53 (@5Dimes):

    Patriots +350
    Packers +800
    Eagles +850
    Steelers +1000
    Vikings +1200
    Rams +1750
    49ers +1800
    Texans/Saints +1850
    Jaguars/Falcons/Cowboys +2000

    *Posted before #SBLII

    Full odds: bit.ly/SB53Futures

    wut

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  115. Tyrone

    I might even take the over on Bryant. [3.0 WAR]
    I mean, he’s only one year removed from a 7.7 bWAR (8.3 fWAR) MVP season.
    Posted by Al Yellon on Feb 5, 2018 | 11:25 AM

    Holy shit. Did Alvin figure out how to do the over/under thing?

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  116. dmick89

    Tyrone,

    I’m not sure. He might take the over on Bryant at 3 WAR. There seems to be some better understanding of over/under, but he’s still stuck in the whole “it could go either way” thing he has going on.

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  117. Edwin

    dmick89:
    I wonder how much this offseason will have an impact on Bryce Harper’s free agency next year. I wonder if one of the reasons owners are trying to keep salaries down this year is next year’s free agent class.

    I think this is a pretty clear factor. Teams are looking to stay under the luxury tax cap.

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  118. Edwin

    Is there a list of all the NFL team sayings? I never knew about “Skol” or “fly eagles fly” before. I was going to start mocking these teams, but then I remembered the Bears have “bear down” so I guess people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

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  119. Tyrone

    dmick89:
    Tyrone,

    There seems to be some better understanding of over/under, but he’s still stuck in the whole “it could go either way” thing he has going on.

    What’s the over/under on whether he’ll stop doing that?

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  120. Tyrone

    Edwin:
    Is there a list of all the NFL team sayings?

    I could be wrong, but it seems highly unlikely that such a thing could exist in this universe.

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  121. Tyrone

    Edwin,

    No, we’re grownups. The closest thing would be the spartan aroo chant when converting first downs and the playing of Tony Montana before kickoffs.

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  122. Tyrone

    dmick89,

    But don’t go looking for stories about our immature fanbase (killing opposing fans, etc.)… Because you won’t find any and you’ll just waste your time.

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  123. Berselius

    Tyrone:
    Berselius is too lazy to log in,

    At this point, it wouldn’t be a surprise if WAS hired a hit man to kill Cousins.

    More accurately, they would lowball the first two hit men that they contacted, but they point WAS to someone who will finally agree work for them for three times as much. Then a month later they find out he’s a fed (dying laughing)

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  124. Tyrone

    What the hell… I’ll do quick 4-round mock drafts for the main teams around here. Starting with CHI:

    YOUR PICKS
    1: R1P8 LB ROQUON SMITH GEORGIA – BPA. Best off-ball LB and one of the few elite players in this draft .
    2: R2P7 CB JOSH JACKSON IOWA – Haven’t scouted yet, but his reputation is among the best this year. Doubt he falls.
    107: R4P5 WR DANTE PETTIS WASHINGTON – Dynamic WR with return ability.
    117: R4P15 EDGE CHAD THOMAS MIAMI – Depth and dvelopmental EDGE.

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  125. Tyrone

    GB

    1: R1P14 OT CONNOR WILLIAMS TEXAS – Elite LT upside with the ability to play G for now.
    2: R2P13 EDGE ARDEN KEY LSU – Could be the EDGE with the highest upside in this draft.
    3: R3P12 TE MARK ANDREWS OKLAHOMA – This is the TE they’ve been looking for since they decided to commit to running the ball more.
    4: R3P37 RB SONY MICHEL GEORGIA – This year’s Kareem Hunt.
    5: R4P14 DL NATHAN SHEPHERD FORT HAYS STATE – Athletic 3T was a Senior Bowl riser.

    GB is going to be interesting if one of the QBs falls to 14…especially if it’s Baker Mayfield.

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  126. Tyrone

    SF

    All that winning they did pushed them past all the elite players. I’m assuming they address their biggest need (interior OL) in free agency and try to trade down in the first round. No trades on Fanspeak, though

    1: R1P9 EDGE HAROLD LANDRY BOSTON COLLEGE – They need an EDGE so badly… I think someone like Okoronkwo, Mata’afa or Turay makes more sense, but they’ll need to trade to make that happen.
    2: R2P27 LB MALIK JEFFERSON TEXAS – Dynamic LB that can do everything from cover TE/RBs to rush the passer.
    3: R3P6 CB MIKE HUGHES UCF – Feisty CB to pair with Witherspoon.
    4: R3P10 WR D.J. MOORE MARYLAND – Stefon Diggsy.
    130: R4P28 WR JALEEL SCOTT NEW MEXICO STATE – JimmyGQ needs a big catch-point guy like the 6’6″ Scott.

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  127. JKV

    Tyrone,

    What are your thoughts on Quenton Nelson being a top 10 pick? I just can’t get my head around taking a G with that high of a pick. He would basically need to be the next Logan Mankins or Jahri Evans to be worth that in my mind.

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  128. Tyrone

    JKV,

    The NFL has changed. Teams have figured out how important athleticism is along the defensive line, so now right tackles have to be as good as left tackles. They’re emphasizing interior pressure, so guards have to be as good as tackles.

    David DeCastro and Zach Martin were the two best interior OL prospects I’d ever seen. Nelson’s better. He’d instantly upgrade any NFL OL.

    The other thing is that he’s one of the very few elite players in this draft. Most years, there are 5-7 elite prospects. This year has 3…maybe 5. The QBs are probably the only thing keeping Nelson out of the top 5 picks.

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  129. Tyrone

    Matt Lombardo @MattLombardoPHL
    The #Colts want to interview #Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich.

    Not factoring in the assistants each would bring, I think IND might come out ahead in this deal.

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  130. Tyrone

    The thing that sticks out about the McDaniels thing is the situations. Common sense says NE dangled the head coaching job in front of him to make him back out of the IND deal, but is 2019/20 NE a better situation than IND right now?

    In NE, you’re following possibly the best coach of all time and picking the replacement for possibly the best QB of all time. And you inherit the most spoiled fanbase of all time.

    Yeah, IND’s roster isn’t great, but they’re poised for a quick turnaround and you get Andrew Luck or one of the top QBs in this draft with the No. 3 pick.

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  131. BVS

    dmick89:
    Tyrone,

    Not only that, it’s not going to do shit. I can’t stand McDonald’s, but it’s not going to do me any good to stand outside the place and boo them every time they open the delivery window. I’m just going to look like a dumbass.

    Dress in a clown suit and you can be Ronnie Boo Boo

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  132. BVS

    There was a significant amount of time when I thought the Cubs would be better served by simply releasing him, and I was certainly proven wrong as the season progressed. I think this is the primary reason I’m not a general manager.

    MLB must be pretty damn unforgiving. Sorry for your career Myles.

    Thanks all for helping me kill the last hour catching up.

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  133. Tyrone

    Nate Jackson @NathanSerious
    For context: Josh McDaniels was hired by the Broncos in 2009. I was on the roster & home for the off-season. My parents’ landline got a voice mail from the Broncos saying that I’d been cut. I called McDaniels for an explanation. His assistant said he’d call me back. He never did.

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  134. Tyrone

    Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo
    The 49ers and QB Jimmy Garoppolo have agreed to a five-year, $137.5 million contract, source says. The biggest deal in NFL history on a average-per-year basis.

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  135. dmick89

    sharpchicity,

    I like the separation between the Cubs and the rest of the division. I guess I’ll take it. Huge drop in talent from the Yankees, Indians, Astros and Dodgers to the rest of the league. Not that it’s really all that surprising.

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  136. JKV

    Myles did the post on January 17th. Everyday I come here for the comments, but first get a glimpse of Brian Duensing looking off into space. For the last 23 days, I’ve wondered what he’s thinking.

    “Am I the best lefty middle reliever the Cubs have had since Scott Eyre?”

    “I wonder if there’s a chance I could somehow be the closer this year.”

    “I hope Justin Wilson’s yips aren’t contagious.”

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  137. Tyrone

    Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
    The #Panthers are not close to offering their GM job to anyone amidst multiple NFL investigations. But Lake Dawson received a second interview, sources say. He’s a strong candidate.

    TV Voice Over Voice: Next week…on Lake Dawson…

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  138. Tyrone

    I can only assume McDaniels has had better input on QBs since the last time he was responsible for bringing in a QB (see Tebow, Timothy).

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  139. Tyrone

    JKV:
    Everyday I come here for…a glimpse of Brian Duensing looking off into space. For the last 23 days, I’ve wondered…if…Justin Wilson’s…contagious.

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  140. Smokestack Lightning

    Per Robothal (h/t to some cat on twitter who called it for weeks, months)

    Yu ———-> Cubes

    Rejoice, impatient motherfuckers.

    Appears to be 6/126 with incentives to 150 if all goes well.

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  141. mobile dave

    Basically all that needed to happen was for Nate Silver to weigh in on how slow the offseason has been and the pace immediately picked up (dying laughing).

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