It’s not that the Cubs think no pitcher in baseball is better than James Russell. They just think that it’s better to have no one as their fifth starter than to have James Russell occupy the position.
Bruce Miles has the story. It’s not a particularly huge revelation by Mike Quade, since he’s only committing to this four-man rotation until May 14, a span that includes two off days and will put little to no additional burden on the pitching supergroup of Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Matt Garza, and Casey Coleman. I don’t know that either Randy Wells or Andrew Cashner will be anywhere close to ready to start by then. I doubt it. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see another bullpen-led effort the next time the 5th slot rolls around.
My only real reaction to this news is that it would take a significant amount of luck for the Cubs to climb any closer to contention by the end of May. And I’m actually fine with that, because it’s rather entertaining to watch some of their young players develop. Seeing this year’s hopes end soon could bring even more exciting (yet still unreliable) young talent up from the minors, and I’d welcome that with open arms.
Comments
Does Jay Jackson no longer exist?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
We should move this to the front page, AC. I just started working on something, but I won’t have it done for awhile.
I’m guessing around June 1st for Wells and Cashner. Maybe a bit before for Wells.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]We should move this to the front page, AC. I just started working on something, but I won’t have it done for awhile.
I’m guessing around June 1st for Wells and Cashner. Maybe a bit before for Wells.[/quote]Done. I saw the comments were over 300 and figured why not.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Does Jay Jackson no longer exist?[/quote]He exists, but he’s just not very good. His ability to strike batters out disappeared when he reached AAA.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Does Jay Jackson no longer exist?[/quote]Seems like they just don’t want to add him to the 40-man roster just for one or two starts.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]Done. I saw the comments were over 300 and figured why not.[/quote]Definitely. I was trying to think of something to write that would be easy, but couldn’t come up with anything. I started working on a piece about the infield has performed so far this season. Figured I’d do one for the outfield, starting pitchers and relievers as well.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]He exists, but he’s just not very good. His ability to strike batters out disappeared when he reached AAA.[/quote]Wow, he went from double-digit SO/9 rates every season to 8.4 in AA and then 6.6 in 36 games in AAA.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Does Jay Jackson no longer exist?[/quote]
Jay Jackson is the square root of negative Andrew Cashner.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I’m going to see Bryce Harper tomorrow night. I live in Hagerstown where he plays A ball and this will be my first opportunity to see him. He’s on fire right now posting a 1.756 OPS in the past 10 games hitting .500 with 6 2Bs, 5 HRs and 13 RBIs. Hope he continues it.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Jay Jackson is the square root of negative Andrew Cashner.[/quote]Grabowi?
Meh. Imaginary number notation doesn’t really translate well in this format.
AndCountingQuote Reply
Steve Perry approves
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]Wow, he went from double-digit SO/9 rates every season to 8.4 in AA and then 6.6 in 36 games in AAA.[/quote]It’s even lower this year, but only 16 innings. He basically went from a guy who people thought could become a number 2 starter to someone you think of a number 5 starter at best.
People should keep that in mind when they think of Trey McNutt because Jackson also skyrocketed through the system early on and then hit a wall.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Jay Jackson is the square root of negative Andrew Cashner.[/quote]2 or 288?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]Grabowi?
Meh. Imaginary number notation doesn’t really translate well in this format.[/quote]loser
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Muck Muckintuck]I’m going to see Bryce Harper tomorrow night. I live in Hagerstown where he plays A ball and this will be my first opportunity to see him. He’s on fire right now posting a 1.756 OPS in the past 10 games hitting .500 with 6 2Bs, 5 HRs and 13 RBIs. Hope he continues it.[/quote]He’s the anti-Carlos Pena.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]Grabowi?
Meh. Imaginary number notation doesn’t really translate well in this format.[/quote]
But you can still use them to explain an unbounded universe!
/crippled genius’d
MishQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/04/the-dodgers-cant-meet-may-payroll/
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/04/sunny-days-favor-the-pitchers/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/04/sunny-days-favor-the-pitchers/[/quote]
Somehow the Cubs aren’t taking advantage of this.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Who the hell hopes that the owner of the company can’t make payroll and that it has to be saved by someone else? Does he really think MLB is just going to sign the checks pronto? That’s nonsense. If McCourt can’t pay the salaries it will become a long battle without the players getting paid until MLB absolutely has to.
mb21Quote Reply
I also agree with the first couple comments on that thread. What MLB has done is complete and total bullshit. They’ve handcuffed the Dodgers so they could take over the team. They’ll get away with it too.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I also agree with the first couple comments on that thread. What MLB has done is complete and total bullshit. They’ve handcuffed the Dodgers so they could take over the team. They’ll get away with it too, if not for some meddling kids[/quote].
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius].[/quote](dying laughing) (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/04/sunny-days-favor-the-pitchers/[/quote]I wish that study had used numbers other than batting averages, errors, and ERA to support their findings. They showed that averages go down and errors go up when the sun is shining bright. It’s possible that, given those figures, a cloudless sky’s only effect is to make it easier for fielders to see. Maybe they recognize and react to batted balls more quickly in full sunlight, thus reducing the rate of hits and increasing their opportunities to make errors.
But that’s just a possibility. I’m so disappointed in that study.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]I wish that study had used numbers other than batting averages, errors, and ERA to support their findings. They showed that averages go down and errors go up when the sun is shining bright. It’s possible that, given those figures, a cloudless sky’s only effect is to make it easier for fielders to see. Maybe they recognize and react to batted balls more quickly in full sunlight, thus reducing the rate of hits and increasing their opportunities to make errors.
But that’s just a possibility. I’m so disappointed in that study.[/quote]
Don’t you like anything?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Don’t you like anything?[/quote]Pina coladas. Getting caught in the rain. That kind of thing.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I also agree with the first couple comments on that thread. What MLB has done is complete and total bullshit. They’ve handcuffed the Dodgers so they could take over the team. They’ll get away with it too.[/quote]
It’s all fucked up. But MLB has nothing to do with how much the divorce is fucking up that team. One of the other commenters points out that Frank McCourt can’t get that loan from FOX without his wife signing off on it too, so their legal issues are definitely infringing on the operation of the business. Feel free to blame MLB all you want for even selling the team to McCourts in the first place but I don’t have a problem with MLB stepping in on what is clearly a dysfunctional ownership group.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]It’s all fucked up. But MLB has nothing to do with how much the divorce is fucking up that team. One of the other commenters points out that Frank McCourt can’t get that loan from FOX without his wife signing off on it too, so their legal issues are definitely infringing on the operation of the business. Feel free to blame MLB all you want for even selling the team to McCourts in the first place but I don’t have a problem with MLB stepping in on what is clearly a dysfunctional ownership group.[/quote]Let’s face it, their children are partly to blame as well.
AndCountingQuote Reply
If MLB can step in and take over for any fucked up organization, where have they been the last 100 years when it comes to the Cubs?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]If MLB can step in and take over for any fucked up organization, where have they been the last 100 years when it comes to the Cubs?[/quote]
When were the Cubs teetering on the edge of financial collapse, unable to make payroll? This shit affects their league-wide business
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]When were the Cubs teetering on the edge of financial collapse, unable to make payroll? This shit affects their league-wide business[/quote]There were rumors in 2006.
That’s beside the point anyway. The money is there. If the idiots who are getting divorced want to fuck themselves out of it that’s their problem. It’s not MLB’s. Let the players sue the family or refuse to play. I don’t care which.
mb21Quote Reply
Also, you can’t tell me there’s not money to make payroll even without the tv deal. attendance isn’t hurting. They’ve averaged over 37,000 fans this season. Instead of stepping in and taking over they need to make sure the players get paid.
mb21Quote Reply
How likely is it the Cubs are in this same mess a few years from now? Dropping attendance, a team that probably isn’t contending for at least 5 years, and a ridiculous amount of debt.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]How likely is it the Cubs are in this same mess a few years from now? Dropping attendance, a team that probably isn’t contending for at least 5 years, and a ridiculous amount of debt.[/quote]
There are a couple big differences. Much of the Ricketts debt is owed to themselves. Also, the Ricketts as a family are much, much wealthier than the McCourts. The McCourts leveraged their purchase because they had to. The Ricketts leveraged their purchase because they wanted to.
Hector VillanuevaQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Also, you can’t tell me there’s not money to make payroll even without the tv deal. attendance isn’t hurting. They’ve averaged over 37,000 fans this season. Instead of stepping in and taking over they need to make sure the players get paid.[/quote]
My impression is that the money’s there, but they’re hiding it and/or not declaring it because those assets would be fair game for the divorce case.
BerseliusQuote Reply
lineup
Castro
Barney
Byrd
Ramirez
Baker (RF)
Soto
Soriano
Pena
Z
You’d think that with a shoulder issue the team would want Baker playing 1b.
BerseliusQuote Reply
We published the study this article refers to:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6476711
Don’t know if you’ll be able to access Kent’s study itself. But if you do, let me know what you think of the baseball side of their methods.
oogQuote Reply
[quote name=oog]We published the study this article refers to:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6476711
Don’t know if you’ll be able to access Kent’s study itself. But if you do, let me know what you think of the baseball side of their methods.[/quote]I mentioned it upthread, but I wish they had used more telling stats than batting average, ERA, and number of errors. Seems to me their findings could be as much about improved defense as they are improved hitting.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]
You’d think that with a shoulder issue the team would want Baker playing 1b.[/quote]I didn’t realize Baker had played so much outfield. Well, just 4 games with the Cubs and 30-some games overall. But if he can be a viable platoon option in right, I like it. Provided his arm doesn’t fall off.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=oog]We published the study this article refers to:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6476711
[/quote]
Did you publish it in Who Gives A Fuck Monthly?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]I mentioned it upthread, but I wish they had used more telling stats than batting average, ERA, and number of errors. Seems to me their findings could be as much about improved defense as they are improved hitting.[/quote]
That was my thought when I saw the draft. I have no say on peer review, alas, and the editor wasn’t going to send it to Tango or Bill James.
oogQuote Reply
Tennessee is facing Jarrod Parker today. Bert Jackson walked. Vitters had an RBI groundout.
I’ll be submitting this tidbit to Who Gives A Fuck Monthly.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_05_04_tenaax_mobaax_1
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=oog]We published the study this article refers to:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6476711
Don’t know if you’ll be able to access Kent’s study itself. But if you do, let me know what you think of the baseball side of their methods.[/quote]I wonder if the results are significant. Using batting average isn’t necessarily bad if you can show that the change is statistically significant. Did you find out whether or not it was?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I wonder if the results are significant. Using batting average isn’t necessarily bad if you can show that the change is statistically significant. Did you find out whether or not it was?[/quote]The thing that made me suspect that it was fielding that changed more than hitting was that homeruns and walks stayed relatively flat. It didn’t mention whether strikeout rates were affected by the change in cloud cover, but unless they shot way up, I would think the difference in batting average would be explained by a drop in BABIP on sunny days. To me, that’s a sign that brighter skies are more advantageous for fielders than cloudy skies.
AndCountingQuote Reply
Correction: the article did mention strike out rates increasing on sunny days, aiding pitchers by just under a half a strikeout per game.
AndCountingQuote Reply
Good point, AC. You’d think if batters saw the ball more clearly they’d be able to better determine strikes from balls.
mb21Quote Reply
KG
Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs (Double-A Tennessee): 1-for-4, R, BB, 3 K. Fantastic start is keeping season numbers high at .297/.404/.495; 7-for-44 (.159) in last 11 games with 14 strikeouts.
MishQuote Reply
We’re also talking about a difference of .007 in batting average for home teams and .005 for visitors. Not exactly earth shattering.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]We’re also talking about a difference of .007 in batting average for home teams and .005 for visitors. Not exactly earth shattering.[/quote]I agree.
oog, what were your thoughts regarding the study? Did you think you saw something that could or should have been presented differently?
mb21Quote Reply
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/3/2152529/francisco-liriano-no-hitter-twins-white-sox?login=1304530919#66361961
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Only the Abstract is free:
http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/2011WCAS1093.1
oogQuote Reply
[quote name=Jame Gumb]http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/3/2152529/francisco-liriano-no-hitter-twins-white-sox?login=1304530919#66361961[/quote]Well played. You should have asked about his heart.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=oog]Only the Abstract is free:
http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/2011WCAS1093.1%5B/quote%5DIf it wasn’t free, you’d piss off your best customers. Alvin would not be happy.
mb21Quote Reply
I’m curious if you know what happens with slugging or isolate power. Do those also decline in sunny weather?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=oog]Only the Abstract is free.[/quote]
That’s deep.
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m curious if you know what happens with slugging or isolate power. Do those also decline in sunny weather?[/quote]www.doessluggingorisolatepoweralsodeclineinsunnyweather.com
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Who said that about not going to Dodger games because you can still listen to Vin Scully? Isn’t Scully on the Dodgers payroll too? Or is he on the channels payroll?
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Well played. You should have asked about his heart.[/quote]
I almost did, but I’m still trying to be a little subtle.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
What does a Mexican use to cut pizza?
Little Caesar’s.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]That’s deep.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
so theres this woman who goes to the doctor one day. she is all bruised up with two black eyes. just black and blue all over. she tells the doctor about how everytime her husband comes home, he beats the shit out of her then proceeds to go to bed. the doctor, noticing that she is indeed telling the truth, decides to give her a remedy for her problem.
“Every night when he comes home”, the doctor says, “I want you to swish some iced tea and lemonade around in your mouth. Keep swishing it around until he walks by you and he will go straight to bed, and leave you alone.”
Confused, the woman decides to try it, as she is desperate at this point. She says “Ok,” then goes on her way.
A few months later, she goes back to the doctor. The first thing the doctor notices is that all her bruises are gone and she looks as healthy as can be. She proceeds to thank him and say she doesnt know why, but every night she swishes the iced tea and lemonade in her mouth and her husband goes straight to bed without touching her or even saying a word. She hugs the doctor and asks for the secret to his method. The doctor, happy for her, says….
“See what happens when you shut the fuck up?”
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
A black guy, a rapist and a homophobe go into a bar.
The bartender says….
“Hi, Kobe.”
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m curious if you know what happens with slugging or isolate power. Do those also decline in sunny weather?[/quote]
Fuck that. What is the sun’s effect on R+RBI?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Speaking of rape, this makes me sick:
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/sign_of_the_apocalypse/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Speaking of rape, this makes me sick:
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/sign_of_the_apocalypse/%5B/quote%5D
Fuck high schools in the ear.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Broxton——>shut down with elbow pain
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Speaking of rape, this makes me sick:
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/sign_of_the_apocalypse/%5B/quote%5D
Am I wrong for thinking this isn’t that outrageous?
Yeah, the superintendent was a dick for kicking her off the squad, but she did refuse to do a cheer. That’s not what I would have done, but I also wouldn’t have let someone play basketball four months after sexually assaulting someone.
And if a court sided with the district, of course there’s the chance they’ll require the plaintiff to reimburse them for legal fees.
Again, this is not what I would have done. In my world, the basketball player would not be playing basketball. I would have told the cheerleader she wasn’t cheering at basketball games. The courts don’t micromanage like that, though.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
This is the key for me. As a cheerleader, you’re job is to do the cheers you’re instructed to do. If you don’t want to do the cheer, don’t. But don’t expect to be a cheerleader anymore. The end.
And if that were my daughter (aside from the basketball player being castrated and/or killed), we don’t take that fight to the courts. We take it to the media.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
game thread up: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/games/cubs-at-dodgers-5-4-2011.html
mb21Quote Reply
Next thread.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply