David Ross is rumored to be the new Cubs manager, according to anonymous sources attending the press conference introducing him as the new Cubs manager.
Lester Strode is out as bullpen coach, which bothers Bruce Miles. Word is he was offered a different position with the team.
You should probably take a drink every time you shrug while reading Cubs news.
Cole Hamels is gone.
Anthony Rizzo is not.
Yu Darvish is not.
The last surprising development in Cubs world was probably the signing of Craig Kimbrel, which worked out unsurprisingly well. So I’m just going to go ahead and stop this nonsense.
After one more tidbit:
Javy was born. (Don’t shrug at that. You can still drink to that, though.)
Comments
*quietly deletes content-free new thread that I posted 5 minutes before this*
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I really can’t believe that happened, (dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
So regarding those core 4 trades, mlbtr rumor of the day has it being Contreras.
Of the 4, I think he’d rank 4th for me to trade, although I get the argument that Caratini could take over.
26th man on the roster could be a 3rd C like D’Arnaud or Lucroy. That would spell Caratini to be DH/OF or Caratini at 1b.
If KB wins the grievance, I assume he’ll be gone, if not, I think I could argue that Baez or Rizzo should be traded before Contreras or Bryant. Rizzo is older and 1B don’t seem to age as well. For all his value in leadership and clutchiness, he seemed to be a GB/GIDP machine especially later. I’d be tempted to move Schwarber to 1b.
I love Baez in field and on bases, but I suspect he’ll have the steepest dropoff of all, possibly from an injury caused by a head first slide. Also I’m not convinced that the swing at everything approach will work forever. Contreras has better BB% numbers and slightly better K% iirc.
Realmuto netted a starting rookie C and a highly rated P prospect, and a team top 20 P prospect for a year less of control than Contreras. Both P at A level. Also some IFA money to Miami. If that’s the return, I’d be tempted to keep everyone for another season. I’d think the Cubs would want a MLB ready player at SP, OF, or MI and prospects that are higher than A ball.
It’ll be interesting to watch. I don’t see a clear answer.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
What indication do we really have that they’ll trade anyone significant?
andcountingQuote Reply
Yeah, what are the statistical odds that two articles would be posted within 5 minutes of one another here? It has to be nearly 0%.
dmick89Quote Reply
andcounting,
None really. Theo talked about “real change.” Rumors from Cub beat reporters about KB being traded especially if the Cubs lose a year of control. Other rumors come from deductions that if overall salary isn’t increasing much, then a trade must happen. Appears there is only 20-30 million for FA signings after you cut Russell.
I’d probably resign Strop late in the off season for $3M if he’s healthy and Kintlzer for $5M if they’d settle for that. I’d let Cishek walk since Joe probably wore him out. Maybe look at Will Harris too. Plus Scooter or Didi for 2b and an OF.
I admit that I probably have too much allegiance to our roster.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
I have too much allegiance to this team.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Ditto. But I still bite my nails too. Old habits…
BVSQuote Reply
Andy Green——-> bench coach
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
And you were wondering if the signing of David Ross would be the biggest signing of the offseason.
dmick89Quote Reply
BVS,
Me too. I think there might be a causative relationship between the two. Biting your nails obviously causes Cub fandom.
I do hate the idea of losing any of my favorite players, which is why I’m glad making that call isn’t my job. If they had to trade one of them, I’d ask who among them would other teams most likely overpay for? I think that’s definitely Kris Bryant.
andcountingQuote Reply
this is fantastic. well done.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
At least my obsession/habit is under control enough that the nail biting is limited to my fingers. Game 7 didn’t push me beyond that, so I think I’m clear.
BVSQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/WContreras40/status/1194292544156438529
No more Cubs on Contreras profile pic. Biggest news this offseason so far!
WaLiQuote Reply
I really hope they don’t trade Willson.
dmick89Quote Reply
you fuckers are gonna use this as an excuse to not make any new posts until february
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
dmick89,
Me too 🙁 I guess him and Ross got into a spat years ago too? I wouldn’t think that would be a determining factor in sending a player out but it probably doesn’t help Ross say keep him as opposed to someone like Rizzo.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Considering Willson’s age at the time and lack of experience, I think that could and should be overlooked. Apparently Ross was kind of an asshole when he was a young guy too so I’d like to think he could move on from that and evaluate the players based on how much they help the team win and not how much they help the manager’s ego.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
If Ross is that allergic to assholes the Cubs will struggle to break camp with a full 25-man roster.
mobile daveQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Pretty damning shit. What would the punishment be though? Similar to the Patriots when they were caught cheating, draft picks and fine? Maybe put an asterisk on their 2017 WS.
If every team is cheating like this, there wouldn’t be the noise surrounding the need to change up signals when playing the Astros. I think every team cheats to some degree but this seems to be a step above others.
Rizzo the Rat,
Makes so much sense that the Brewers would be included.
WaLiQuote Reply
Don’t tell me what excuse to use, I can refuse to make any new posts until February on my own (dying laughing).
berseliusQuote Reply
Why does baseball collectively insist on being a shit sport?
andcountingQuote Reply
(dying laughing) the Cubs are interested in re-signing Morrow. The Cubs should be like thank fuck were rid of paying him.
dmick89Quote Reply
WaLi,
I don’t know what you can do, but I’d favor a rule that clearly states any team that electronically steals signs gives up their two most recent first round picks as well as the next three first round picks. Along with that, the team should surrender its five best position players and five best pitchers under the age of 30. There’s probably nothing else a team can do that can have as large an impact on a game as stealing signs in this manner. The penalty should effectively make any Mlb team the equivalent of a minor league team in need of a massive rebuild. One last thing, each and every front office and on-field personnel who took part in the sign stealing should be banned for life. Fuck em.
dmick89Quote Reply
andcountingQuote Reply
dmick89,
It’s different this time. Last time they bought high on a player who had a lot of downside. Now it would be buying low on a player with some upside.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
It’s the new market inefficiency
WaLiQuote Reply
Scott Boras assures us that Kris Bryant is open to an extension assuming the Cubs are willing to pay more than anyone else. Glad he cleared that up.
berseliusQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
Have we seen SK around here lately?
BVSQuote Reply
I’m mildly surprised that Trout beat out Bregman in the MVP ballot before the scandal broke.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
And without really playing the last month either.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
Right. A week ago, I’d have been fine with Bregman winning.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Myles Garrett –> Albert Haynesworth
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
Holy shit that was brutal.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Garrett ——————————-> suspended indefinitely
Ogunjobi –> 1 game
Pouncey ————> 3 games
Rudolph (QB, not reindeer) –> fined
RynoQuote Reply
Cubes and Javy apparently working on an extension.
I wish I could be more excited about it, given all the things he does well. But I hate high Ks with low walks almost as much as I hate too-many groundballs, and he’s all of those things.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
If they don’t quickly get better at developing players and make some retooling/reloading moves, Javy will be the main thing keeping them entertaining in the lean years to come.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Can’t wait to see Dan Snyder blow out his cap for him next year.
berseliusQuote Reply
Hm. It appears Christian Yelich is a rather touchy fellow.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Honest question – Are the cubs legitimately awful at player development? Or are there just a few teams that are super good at it and thus the cubs look shitty in comparison (but are actually on par with the rest of the league?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
holy shit! what a dick
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Worse. They are a team that should be super good at it but is not.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
https://twitter.com/faridyu/status/1195709224648663044?s=21
WaLiQuote Reply
The Brewers had a .534 OPS against Darvish this season. It was .397 last year and somehow he made just as many starts against them (2) as he did in 2019. Yelich is really just insulting his teammates. Everyone can hit Darvish except for the clowns I play with. You guys suck.
dmick89Quote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
I think they’ve regressed – they haven’t fully developed a starting pitcher as long as this front office has been in place – they can take some credit for Arrieta (and maybe Hendricks), but those guys were close or in MLB already.
On the positional side, I don’t know if it’s poor development or just rushing people to MLB to plug holes (e.g., Happ, Hoerner).
PerkinsQuote Reply
Well that’s a twist.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I guess the real reason the Astros hired all those Baseball Prospectus writers was to advise them on how to cheat.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
All I know is I can’t wait until the Cardinals somehow get another competitive balance pick out of all this.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
“Is you takin’ notes on a damn criminal conspiracy?”
PerkinsQuote Reply
I hadn’t even thought about that, but there’s about a 98% chance that will happen.
dmick89Quote Reply
https://twitter.com/Andrew_Rotondi/status/1196483549899247616?s=19
WaLiQuote Reply
https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-farm-system-analysis?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
While top prospect lists are fun and all, they’re pretty worthless unless the compiler explains the criteria for the rankings.
Stuff like this is more interesting (and not even really debatable), imo:
RynoQuote Reply
London Series tickets go on sale tomorrow according to SK’s K – looks like a few of us might be going.
SKQuote Reply
It’s my responsibility as OV Blog’s Ambassador to the EU.
SKQuote Reply
SK,
You need to announce that you are launching an investigation into Alvin Yellon over Irish Baloney Fund mismanagement before OV will allow you to go.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Already found the first clue for the investigators
SKQuote Reply
SK,
80% pork, 20% little kids
WaLiQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/whitesox/status/1197560310237999110?s=21
Seems like a lot of money for a 31 year old catcher.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Grandal no longer a Brewer = good news.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
WaLi,
Maybe he’s the next Carlton Fisk
BVSQuote Reply
Am I wrong, or have the two White Sox signings (Grandal and Abreu) been the only real spending so far this offseason? I don’t think the Sox are done, either. I wonder if they paid so much to Grandal so early to kinda show they’re willing to cross the collusion line to get one of the bigger free agents.
andcountingQuote Reply
I’m starting to think I should have been more specific when I asked the monkey’s paw for Chicago to have a big off-season.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
andcounting,
Braves signed Will Smith for about $40M.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
Ok. Last I heard MLBTraderumors said he was moving with his auntie and uncle in Bel Air.
andcountingQuote Reply
The Cubs really aren’t going to sign Castellanos. It’s sinking in that means to get reasonably close to as good as the team that failed to make the playoffs last year, they need to sign Babe Ruth. So that’s cool.
andcountingQuote Reply
Not a bad night for your team, Ryno.
berseliusQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/aubrey_huff/status/1198657627963547651
RynoQuote Reply
berselius,
Yeah, sorry about that…
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
Ryno,
Did Aubrey Huff ever hit a 2-0 slider?
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
Per Fangraphs, Aubrey Huff career.
Pitch Pitches BB% K% AVG OBP SLG OPS BABIP wOBA wRC+
Slider 1332 5.5 % 28.0 % .236 .283 .377 .660 . 302 .290 89
I guess the BABIP isn’t bad, for production that is 11% below average.
BVSQuote Reply
(dying laughing), my ‘local’ university is letting go its football coach, who was 35-63 over 8 years but is also somehow the third winningest coach in school history. Lobo pride!
berseliusQuote Reply
BTW, Lamar Jackson is a rich man’s Kaepernick wrecking the NFL in Kaepernick’s old offense run by Kaepernick’s old OC. I’d say that’s Exhibit A that Kaepernick belongs in the NFL.
RynoQuote Reply
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Hark! A couple of news-y transactionaries:
Trent Grisham/Zach Davies ——————-> Padres
Luis Urias/Eric Lauer —————————> Brewers
Also:
Drew Pomeranz ————————> Padres
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Happy thanksgiving you miserable bastards.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Happy Turkey Day to all my friends here, and andcounting.
berseliusQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
berselius,
(dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
berselius,
The Bob Davie experiment was so successful at Notre Dame, I’m not surprised he was such a icon at NM too.
BVSQuote Reply
Russell———> not Chicago
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Next stop, Miami. (Guessing)
BVSQuote Reply
Hamels —–> Barves
berseliusQuote Reply
Wheeler ——-> Phillies
It feels strange to see nontrivial FA signings before spring training now…
berseliusQuote Reply
Only thing stranger would be the Cubs doing something nontrivial.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2019/12/05/competitive-balance-draft-picks-have-been-handed-out-to-all-nl-central-clubs-except-the-cubs/
berseliusQuote Reply
Is it just me or are the Cubs trying to suck next season? This is the lowest key tanking I’ve ever seen. May as well just go all in, but hey, maybe the Cubs really want that 11th pick in 2021.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
It would be nice to see some sign of them trying to improve the 2020 team. Or the 2026 team. Or any of the teams in between.
andcountingQuote Reply
Have the Cubs signed Rendon and Cole yet?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
No but get out the champagne, they just signed Dan Winkler!
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/cubs-sign-dan-winkler.html
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
just to be clear, I thumbs-upped this because it made me (dying laughing), not because I like the dan winkler signing. the dan winkler signing can suck it.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I don’t normally care about the HOF, but Hooray for Marvin Miller finally getting elected.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
And boo for not including Lou Whittaker. But I’m fine with Ted Simmons getting in.
BVSQuote Reply
I’ve been so buzzed since Nov 9.
BVSQuote Reply
49ers D fails miserably yet Garappolo pulls out the W as he out duels Drew Brees, and Seahawks blow up vs the Rams of all teams (who the Bears needed to lose). Good time to be a 49ers fan.
WaLiQuote Reply
All of the Nats’ money————> Strasburg.
andcountingQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
WaLi,
Well, yesterday it was. Hopefully it will still be a good time the first week in January as the Seahawks travel to Dallas to play the 7-9 Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs.
RynoQuote Reply
So apparently Ken Rosenthal’s sources suggest that Bryant being traded is a matter of when, not if. And apparently LAD is interested (among other teams).
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
That would be the worst.
If he does get traded, you can bet the narrative of choice will be that the extra year of team control they gained with a couple of weeks in AAA in 2015 cost them a career of HOF-worthy eye KB eye sparkles.
andcountingQuote Reply
So the Cubs are basically the Marlins. Rebuild team, championship, fire sale and so on.
dmick89Quote Reply
Gerrit Cole ———————-> Evil Empire
Lots of years. Lots of money.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
That would at least be something, but they appear to be treading water rather than actually rebuilding.
So the Cubs are basically the pre-2012 Cubs.
RynoQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
The Cubs are the actual losers.
RynoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
Does that imply a deal done in a trade or extension? I assume a trade unfortunately.
Although with the money the recent Boras contracts have received, I’d be okay moving him especially with the injury history.
WaLiQuote Reply
when i first read it, i definitely assumed a trade. after seeing your comment and re-reading the quote, though, i’m not so sure. still thinking it is a trade though.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I think the Cubs are very quietly having fire sale. I expect all major contributors who have any value who were on this team to be gone by the time spring training starts. It’s the quietest fire sale ever.
dmick89Quote Reply
A kindling sale
berseliusQuote Reply
What’s with this non story about Cubs not talking to Rizzo about an extension. He’s not a FA 2022 I hope they aren’t yet unless Rizzo is saying he’ll work for almost free
WaLiQuote Reply
MLB: Our finding is that the baseballs are not juiced. There are, however, physical changes in the balls that have caused them to travel farther, compared to previous years.
WTF.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m wondering if MLB thought that the “juiced ball” controversy was over whether the balls were literally injected with steroids, or something.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
If I were to defend MLB’s statement, it would be to say the ball was altered in ways believed to be arbitrary (say, they figured out a way to manufacture them cheaper, got a better deal on leather from Walmart, whatever) and increased distance was an unintended result. Maybe?
andcountingQuote Reply
Somehow, the Jonah Keri story managed to get even worse.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Hawk Harrelson —————> Frick Award
Every Frick Award winner, presumably —————> 😐
berseliusQuote Reply
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/angels-to-sign-anthony-rendon.html
WaLiQuote Reply
Trevor Megill to Cubs
Vimeal Machin to someone else
More shrugs. Pass the beer.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
i didn’t read very carefully but it looks like the cubs also lost darius rucker and david faustino
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
yeah this drinking game has already given me acute liver failure several times over…thinking about filing a class action suit against OV for $2.6 billion. let me know if you want in.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Totally.
(Hiccup)
BVSQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Yeah, something like that.
Also picked up Jimmy Stewart, Bruce Suiter, Luis Viscaino, and “Poetry in motion” Edgar Lee Masters.
BVSQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Hootie and the Children
Married with Blowfish
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
would for sure watch married with blowfish
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
https://twitter.com/ConnorJRogers/status/1205345646439550977
RynoQuote Reply
I guess Kurt forgot about that time the same OC built an offense just like this and executed it with the light version of Lamar all the way to the Super Bowl a few years ago. Principles of it have been run by basically every team since then.
RynoQuote Reply
Oh, sorry. Back to the Cubs off-season…which is basically all the time now, right?
RynoQuote Reply
Right now, looks to me like another offseason of half measures. My kingdom for a move made with something resembling conviction. Even if it means you end up running over drug dealers in your Pontiac Aztek and have mild-mannered Libertarian meth chemists murdered, do something that at least shows you give a shit about how things turn out in the short term.
Hell, I’ll even take something long-term at this point.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
i’ll be taking that kingdom now
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Shut me right up, as the poet said.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URyqGD99Owg
Might as well make this the anthem of the 2020 Cubs season.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bumgarner————> Arid Zone
berseliusQuote Reply
The Not the Cubs have made some great acquisitions so far. I expect them to be much improved.
andcountingQuote Reply
i would go a step further and say that i would bet some amount of money that Not the Cubs are likely to win the world series
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Yes. Can I short the Cubs? Is that a thing?
andcountingQuote Reply
should be pretty fun getting smoked by the fuckin’ reds next year
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
People are complaining about how the Cubs’ front office isn’t doing anything, but in fact, they’ve made a few minor-league signings and are aggressively shopping their best player. What more could you ask?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
To be fair… If they don’t trade their best player, it might cost them money at some point.
RynoQuote Reply
I don’t understand. How did they acquire a player without trading Christian Yelich first?
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
Meh. Smoak’s contact rate is far inferior to Tony Kemp. Also, he couldn’t even handle a girl and a guy with a messed up face.
In WATN news, Tarrick Brock to Pirates coaching stuff. Your Cubs memory has to be damn near photographic to remember him
BVSQuote Reply
Happy Festivus, jabronis. I got a lot of problems with these Cubs, and they’re gonna hear about it!
PerkinsQuote Reply
Somehow I missed the news earlier this month that the Cubs went $500 million over budget in their Wrigley renovations.
berseliusQuote Reply
Crane Kenney,
berseliusQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2019/12/26/rumor-out-of-atlanta-cubs-want-three-of-anderson-waters-riley-and-wright-from-braves-for-kris-bryant/
RynoQuote Reply
Knives Out is a movie I recently enjoyed twice – see it if you haven’t already. Or don’t. I can’t tell you what to do.
Also, I just started watching The Expanse and it is good.
berseliusQuote Reply
Have been feeling this for a while. Not sure why he got kind of buried late last season.
berseliusQuote Reply
I endorse this. Also, for another terrific movie about a horrible rich family, watch Parasite.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Holy shit Joe Burrow
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
He’s been doing that all year…making it look easy against a LOT of good defenses.
RynoQuote Reply
Anybody going to the London series in June? I’m debating it. OV UK meetup?
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2019/12/31/top-25-baseball-stories-of-the-decade-no-1-the-chicago-cubs-finally-win-it-all/
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Here’s a bottom 25 MLB story of all time, might also explain some of odd HOF votes for Bonds and not Clemens.
BVSQuote Reply
Darwin Barney, top 25 MLB name, now managing Rangers AAA Nashville.
BVSQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
Those are some large spreads. Without looking too much into it I think I’d take ATS on all but Packers.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
KC is the biggest lock for me. I think there’s a tiny chance TEN gives BAL fits on defense and does enough on offense to keep it close.
I’ll be honest… MIN worries me. Zimmer is going to have that defense ready to play Shanahan’s offense. I think if MIN gets to 24 points, it might be an upset.
GB-SEA is the real wildcard, for me. If SEA continues this thing where they try to be a running team for half the game, they’re toast. If they just let Russ do his thing all game, they have the best shot at an upset.
So now prepare for the opposite of everything I said to happen.
RynoQuote Reply
Nice of Jerry to upgrade from Jason Garrett to a guy who was basically Jason Garrett with a better QB.
berseliusQuote Reply
Ryno,
I was fully expecting GB to lose by 30 to the Saints in the divisional round, so I’m pretty happy with how the weekend went. They match up much better with SEA. Za’Darius Smith is going to have like 8 sacks this week against that hospital squad of a line.
berseliusQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
berselius,
I like how McCarthy hired Mike Nolan to be his DC. In 2005, SF head coach Mike Nolan hired McCarthy to be his OC.
P.S. The 2005 49ers were one of the worse football teams I’ve ever seen.
P.P.S. The 2005 49ers drafted Alex Smith over Aaron Rodgers.
RynoQuote Reply
berselius,
Yes, GB is definitely the better team. That said, you’re going to be super frustrated watching Russell Wilson escape at least half of the sacks GB should have and make the game way closer than it should be.
RynoQuote Reply
I hope your music career takes off, Ryno
https://twitter.com/BizballMaury/status/1214415778176352257
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
How could it not when the ballad of Andre the Giant drops?
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
I really need to hear this eight-part disco sequence on Operation Barbarossa.
berseliusQuote Reply
I got a survey from the Cubs on why I gave up my season tickets, and one of the questions asked if there’s anything they could have done differently for me to maintain my status as a season ticket holder. This was my response.
PerkinsQuote Reply
There was also a question about whether I had any additional feedback, and mine was “2016 was a long time ago, and this organization was supposed to be a powerhouse for longer than 2015-17. I’m truly shocked by how much goodwill the Ricketts family has managed to squander in three years.”
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
At least Tom Ricketts doesn’t struggle to pronounce words above a fourth grade reading level.
berseliusQuote Reply
This. Great season, but it ended so long ago.
dmick89Quote Reply
Bryant is expected to lose the service time grievance. Although it was a dick move at the time, it was/is good for the Cubs and within the rights of the CBA. Hope this means some movement starts happening on the free agent/trade front.
WaLiQuote Reply
really? where did you hear this?
i agree with you that it was a legit albeit asshole-ish move, but i haven’t heard any news suggesting that the arbitrator is leaning one way or the other.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
It would be pretty messed up if Bryant won.
dmick89Quote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Athletic and MLB.com have both reported this, but mostly in rumor compilations.
BVS not signed inQuote Reply
From mlb.com:
https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-2020-arbitration-preview
Of course, “many forces believe” is rather vague.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I realize now that my post says “forces” when I meant “sources.”
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Tomayto tomahto.
Also Cubs are spending money? Though this seems like something they would have had to spent anyways, just avoided arbitration if I undestand correctly.
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1215687999159250953
WaLiQuote Reply
Sad that this game knocked out “Green Bay vs Old Bay” matchup from the FO odds.
berseliusQuote Reply
Packers!
berseliusQuote Reply
b, am at the hang ah dim sum tea house. every time I come here on a trip through sf, I thank the stars that I stumbled across OV for all of my cast iron/dim sum/alien milf needs. oh and I guess baseball every once in a blue moon.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Awesome! Love that place
berseliusQuote Reply
B v Ryno in the NFC championship. Personally pulling for Ryno because FTP.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Come on, everyone knows that SCP is the superior file transfer protocol.
berseliusQuote Reply
Yu is having fun with one of OVs favorite sportswriters.
For added entertainment, guess the writer before clicking link.
BVSQuote Reply
https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/astros-sign-stealing-penalty
Seems fair I think. They probably still ended up ahead because they won the World Series, but it would be hard to do much more.
Hard to imagine Cora won’t be punished since he wasn’t with regards to the Astros.
WaLiQuote Reply
Hinch and Luhnow just got fired.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
And now both Lunhow and Hinch have been fired. I expect something similar will happen to Cora in due time.
PerkinsQuote Reply
The punishment should dictate that the Astros surrender their top draft picks to the previous World Series winner.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Also, as compensation, Darvish should be allowed to start every count 0-1 this year.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Yu Darvish
WaLiQuote Reply
Yu Darvish is an absolute treasure of a human being, at least as far as his social media and interview answers indicate.
PerkinsQuote Reply
WaLi,
Just like everyone predicted.
RynoQuote Reply
@Ryno
Go Packers, boo Niners
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I’ll count it a win if the Packers lose by less than half the margin from the Niners game earlier this season.
berseliusQuote Reply
Alex Cora——->unemployment line
PerkinsQuote Reply
berselius,
RynoQuote Reply
Some moves that are barely worth a shrug:
The Cubs have agreed to a deal with free-agent reliever Jason Adam, tweets Robert Murray. It’s a minor league pact with an invite to Major League Spring Training. The 28-year-old Adam posted a 2.91 ERA in 21 2/3 innings with the Blue Jays in 2019 but was cut loose in early December.
The Athletics have acquired infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp in a trade with the Cubs. The Athletics announced that Kemp has been acquired in exchange for minor league infielder Alfonso Rivas.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
World Series, here we come!
berseliusQuote Reply
Cubs ownership must be pretty happy with the size of the dumpster fire in Houston distracting from the Cubs offseason.
berseliusQuote Reply
WaLi,
I’m not going to research this, but I think it’s a statistical fact that no pitcher with two first names has ever been worth a damn.
Edit: except Pete Alexander. He was OK.
Edit2: and Tommy John. Maybe I need to rethink this rule.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Jon Lester, Gerrit Cole, Cliff Lee
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
CLAYTON RICHARD
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
I totally forgot that guy existed. Didn’t the Cubs DFA him multiple times in 2015 because nobody ended up claiming him and he went to Iowa?
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
No, he was DFA in 2016, but he didn’t want to go to Iowa, so he became a free agent and signed with the Padres.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Babe Ruth
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
Wenningtons Gorilla Cock,
The Sultan of swat! The king of crash! The colossus of clout! The Great Bambino…BABE RUTH!! ..oh, my god YOU MEAN THAT’S THE SAME GUY?
WaLiQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Jake Arrieta
Zack Greinke
Mark Fidrych
Bert Blyleven
RynoQuote Reply
That is the game, right? We’re naming humans who pitched professionally at the MLB level?
RynoQuote Reply
Did Mark Grudzielanek ever pitch in a game? Because Grudzielanek is a beautiful name, for a boy or a girl.
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
Can’t wait to see how many times Astros batters are hit with pitches in 2020.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
It’s the new market inefficiency!
berseliusQuote Reply
dmick89,
Over 9000.
PerkinsQuote Reply
oh shit, I fucked it up then. clayton richard was never really pitching at the mlb level.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I guess las vegas says the cubs win 86 games.
as bn brett says, it is unlikely that they win 86; either they are hot and they win 90ish, or they suck ass and then do a fire sale and win 82ish.
I happen to think that the latter situation is significantly more likely, although I think that the fire sale results in fewer than 82 wins. 77-78 would not surprise me, although that would be a lower bound. I would put their true win expectency at like 82-83 tops.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Beltran needs to come out of retirement so that he can set the OBP record without swinging the bat.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/jquadddddd/status/1218021838443438081
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
(dying laughing) at Syndergaard
berseliusQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
I think this means that you are now covered by the CBA.
berseliusQuote Reply
I was hoping the Cubs would sign a free agent, but if there aren’t any wizards available, I don’t see the point.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Cole and Rendon are good players, but they’re not sorcerers, so pass.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Hell, even Castellanos would improve where the Cubs currently stand.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
He should learn a few spells to get the Ricketts’ attention.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Not great, Bob.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I feel like the Chiefs are winning the Super Bowl no matter who won last night. If that makes you feel any better…
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
The packers defense played like they were playing with house money. Which was more or less correct.
berseliusQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Nolan Ryan
Mark Grace
Ivan D. Jesus (or David) but you said good, so maybe not.
BVSQuote Reply
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/21/opinion/the-astros-cheating.html
berseliusQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
Don’t make this harder than it is. Eli had good qualities and was part of a couple of iconic plays, but he’s not a HOFer. Third-best QB from his draft and never a top-5 QB in the league. And I guess the “he won two rings” crowd doesn’t understand that he wasn’t the one holding the record-setting Pats to an average of 15.5 points in the Super Bowl.
RynoQuote Reply
The Washington Post channels OV. (dying laughing)
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
We need to get in touch with our lawyers to sue Bezos for royalties.
berseliusQuote Reply
BVS,
Next thing you know, they’ll be talking about the Jack Benny Show and Pizza Hut MILFs.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
Jack Benny for sure, but my guess is that the Post will stay away from discussing strange activities in Pizza joints, lest they be linked to strange reddit conspiracies.
BVSQuote Reply
Cubs signing Steven Souza. Pretty good player before tearing every ligament in his knee last year.
Also, Pierce Johnson apparently learned how to pitch in Japan and signed with the Padres.
GWQuote Reply
GW,
Early in careeer he was kind of a dick. Apparently has matured, but I wonder if a flyer on Hunter Pence would have been better.
BVSQuote Reply
Souza also formerly famous for the Rays choosing him instead of Trea Turner and Joe Ross based on good stats as a 25 year old in AAA.
GWQuote Reply
Anybody watch The Good Place?
Cubs’ motto this year: Everything is Fine™
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
Or based on the latest (and penultimate) episode, “whenever you’re ready.”
Also looks like the phantom downvoter has returned.
PerkinsQuote Reply
cerulean,
The FO must be scouting the Australian leagues, where everything is bonzer!
berseliusQuote Reply
So looks like Castellanos is signing with the Reds.
I suppose I can imagine ways the next couple of years play out that aren’t two years of mediocrity, followed by Theo’s exit, followed by more mediocrity or worse, but right now it’s pretty hard to see.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
It’s pretty much to the point at which we move from doubting the Cubs will play in October to doubting Cubs games will matter in September.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I think the Cubs and Pirates will battle it out for last place. Any other outcome would be a little surprising to me at this point.
dmick89Quote Reply
It’s distressing to see the Cubs behave like a small market team that targets volatility and can’t spend more money when they play in the third largest market, have opened multiple new revenue streams via real estate and TV rights, and have about two years remaining in which their core can reasonably compete.
I guess raising money for a white supremacist’s presidential campaign and providing air cover for the patriarch’s racism don’t come cheap.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
I’m okay with the outcome of the offseason to date, since spending money to make the team good or burning it all down and starting over were never seriously considered, while the core strategy was revealed to be trading the player they should be trying to extend, and extending the player they should be trying to trade.
It’s also amusing to see their entire strategy stymied by an arbitrator cranking out empty billable hours like he works for Bendini, Lambert, and Locke.
Reality is the team once again needs new ownership, a new front office, or both. I doubt anything will get all that better until then.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
do you really think it’s the FO? i’m not trying to stick up for them, and i’m sure that there were things that they could have done to help the current situation. but seems like the FO was just mostly just hamstrung by ownership…
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Dusty Baker——>Astros
I remember thinking after the Cubs bounced the Nats in the 2017 NLDS that Dusty’s face during the postgame press conference was the face of a man processing that he was never going to win a World Series. Maybe now he will (though I hope not because Astros).
PerkinsQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
I’d put it mostly on the ownership inasmuch as the issues at the MLB level could largely have been fixed with money, and I have no sympathy when literal billionaires say there isn’t money.
That said, the front office has been a lot worse at player development than you’d expect or hope. I think the changes to the IFA process really messed up a lot of their plans, but it’s surprising and distressing that they’ve been so poor at developing the talent pipeline. They haven’t really brought up an impact player since Contreras in 2016, and the farm does not look awesome.
PerkinsQuote Reply
This has been overlooked long enough too. Money is great and it can fix a lot, but you can’t win without being good at developing talent and the Cubs haven’t been very good at that.
dmick89Quote Reply
Perkins,
EnricoPallazzo,
Yeah, it’s largely the player development dept that has me less than thrilled these days with the FO, along with some unforced errors in the player acquisition dept as well. The latter by itself wouldn’t be enough to have me about ready to move on from the Superfriends, but add it to the former, along with the current state of the offseason (and the imo foolish choice to try to trade Bryant and try to extend Javy), and if they were to all quit tomorrow, I’d be okay with it.
That aside, ownership still gets the brunt of my ire. No excuse for quitting on this team, which is essentially what they’ve done.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Well, I guess that means goodbye, Kris.
RynoQuote Reply
It’s not at all surprising that Bryant lost, and I can’t see any realistic framework for judging when a player is MLB-ready except in hindsight. At the time KB was brought up, he was the #2 prospect in baseball behind Byron Buxton, who has been far less impressive at the MLB level. Plenty of guys tear up AAA, only to struggle mightily in MLB. I think it’s an unfortunate aspect to the way service time works that teams will be able to manipulate it in this manner for some edge cases of extreme talent.
That said, I would not be surprised to see MLBPA push hard for shorter service time before arbitration or even free agency in the next CBA.
PerkinsQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
If the Cubs got Arenado for Bryant straight up and could convince him not to opt out, that would probably be a net gain since there’s no way Bryant agrees to a contract extension.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Holy shit, I would be here for this. Get that distressed asset, Thoyer!
berseliusQuote Reply
I wonder if the motivation to trade Bryant is gone now that he lost his appeal. I’m thinking it’s possible his value to the Cubs recovered from the temporary hiccup that was the doubt over how long team control would last. In other words, 2021 Kris Bryant became a lottery ticket included in any trade before the decision was handed down, and now it’s a different story. Maybe?
andcountingQuote Reply
https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-offers-extend-kris-bryant-have-been-below-market-no-luxury-tax-mandate-exists
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
I’m okay with the Cubs offering well below market value for KB at this point. I’m not sure I’d go over 5 years, $100 million for him to be honest. He was good in 2019, but only okay in 2018. Yeah, injuries and all, but I don’t think he’s the player that he once was and I don’t see any reason to believe he’s going to become the player that we had thought he would become back in 2015, 2016. I actually think trading KB at this point makes the most sense considering the Cubs have no interest in contending. I’d be trading any player that could bring the Cubs some young talent. At the very least these players would be gone before the season opens if I ran the team: KB, Contreras and Baez. I’d hold onto Schwarber and hope he has a huge first half leading to a big trade around the deadline.
dmick89Quote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
I feel like I’ve posted something very similar to this within the last year.
RynoQuote Reply
Sorry for your loss, but which one of you wrote this obituary?
https://twitter.com/thekapman/status/1222895451013148675?s=19
WaLiQuote Reply
The Ricketts family renovated the Wrigley bullpens years ago!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
“Grace? She passed away thirty years ago.”
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Mild The Good Place spoiler:
Roberto Clemente is a pretty great choice if you are going to choose one baseball-adjacent person to name drop for getting into the good place, but I’m a little surprised that Mike Schur didn’t go with Buck O’Neil as a shoutout to Posnanski.
berseliusQuote Reply
Tiny brain: Congratulations, Kansas!
Big brain: Congratulations, Missouri!
Bigger brain: The Chiefs belong to the entire KC Metro, which spans both states, so each has an equal right to celebrate.
Galaxy brain: Congratulations, Kansas!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Shanahan and blowing super bowl leads, name another more iconic duo.
Sorry Ryno
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Eh, it’s fine. Better to get there and blow it than not get there at all, right?
Besides, it was a total team effort to blow that game.
RynoQuote Reply
Normally I like the Super Bowl because it marks February, and that pitchers and catchers are soon to report. But I don’t think I’ve been this apathetic about the start of a baseball season since 2014 or maybe even 2013.
The 2020 Cubs: because we have to.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Mookie ——————> Dodgers
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
Maybe that Cubs fan from the obit can kick a few bucks towards fellow destitute billionaire John Henry.
berseliusQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Man this really grinds my gears. Players like Bryant and Betts staying on their team is good for baseball and fans.
Maybe there needs to be a hometown discount given to players drafted by said team. The discount is only applied against the cap, player still receives full amount. The more years in a contract, the bigger the discount.
WaLiQuote Reply
I think it’s fitting that the Red Sox are celebrating the centennial of the Babe Ruth deal by trading their star outfielder to save money.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2020-zips-projections-chicago-cubs/
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
(dying laughing), Nico Nhoerner’s ZiPS comp is none other than Ronny Cedeno.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Infield Predator v2.0
PerkinsQuote Reply
Something I’ve been thinking of regarding the Cubs’ ability to find and develop talent – it seems like during the rebuild, they had a knack for identifying players who were undervalued by their own organizations or were a tweak away from breaking out (Hendricks and Arrieta), or who were good bets to outperform their prior results (like Scott Feldman), and they’ve been a lot less successful at that of late. I’m wondering if that’s because the folks who could identify that have departed (whether Bosio or front office), or if other teams have just gotten better at valuing their own players.
I guess what I’m saying is I’m not optimistic about Jharel Cotton.
PerkinsQuote Reply
RIP Angel Echevarria.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
amirite
SKQuote Reply
SK,
If buzzfeed really had pulse of the internet, they would be writing “why that one guy you know won’t stop talking about Pizza Hut MILFs”
berseliusQuote Reply
This idea is bananas
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2020/02/10/report-mlb-planning-radically-different-playoffs-including-expansion-and-picking-your-opponent/
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
This seems… needlessly complicated.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Has MLB not heard of seeding teams in the playoffs based on record? Seems like a stretch that they’d not have heard of it, but apparently they have not.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I think I’d prefer a 30 team, best of 162 game playoffs.
berseliusQuote Reply
GUYS! EXCITING NEWS! PITCHERS AND CATCHERS ARE REPORTING TODAY?? ARE YOU NOT EXCITED YET!!?!?? CHECK OUT THIS HYPE VIDEO THEN!
https://twitter.com/NBCSCubs/status/1227110012801159168?s=09
WaLiQuote Reply
The idea is so out there that it makes me wonder what Manfred and the owners actually want – it seems like an idea so crazy that some other idea would seem reasonable by comparison.
Or maybe he’s just huffing glue. It could go either way.
PerkinsQuote Reply
More changes than “basically none?”
RynoQuote Reply
Jason Kipnis ———————-> Cubs (probably)
I guess Scooter Gennett was too pricey.
Minor league deal. NRI. Not officially official, but close enough to mention. Nothing else to talk about. And if it falls through, eh.
It’s been a while since the results have consistently been there, but the glove still rates solid, and the under-the-hood offensive numbers indicate he might still be useful against RHP. Maybe signing with his fave team growing up will rejuvenate him.
I guess what I’m trying to say: The Cubs could have invited somebody worse to Spring Training.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
I’m imagining the following exchange for some reason:
Bryant: “Hey man, how’d it feel losing the World Series to your childhood team?”
Kipnis: “How’d it feel getting held down until exactly the day they got another year out of you?”
PerkinsQuote Reply
Well, this happened.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
My only complaint is that it didn’t add a DH to the NL.
berseliusQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Don’t like the 3 batter rule at all. All the loogy’s just lost their job .
WaLiQuote Reply
For anyone who doesn’t want to click the link:
WaLiQuote Reply
So, the Pirates, Tigers, Orioles, Royals, etc clearly won’t be having a Championship season this year. So the 2way player rule doesn’t apply to them?
And if Lou Whittaker comes back as a RP for the Tigers, can he be a 2 way player from day 1, since he played more than 20 games at 2b during the Tigers previous Championship Season?
Maybe we could coax Lackey out of retirement to be a RP and CF. That’d stir up some clubhouse culture.
BVSQuote Reply
This story was just kind of sad and pathetic, until the 22nd paragraph, when it turned tragic and infuriating (dying laughing)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-white-sox-cubs-bob-rosenberg-20200214-cddqupn6cbbhtjgzwdm6f2uroa-story.html
SKQuote Reply
SKQuote Reply
You know who apologizes better than any Astro?
Addison Russell
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
Oof
berseliusQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Dusty Baker is calling on MLB to protect Astros players from retaliation by pitchers, which is a bit rich since said pitchers could get harsher punishment than any of the Astros players did for cheating.
Normally I’m not a fan of the frontier justice stuff, but I’m kinda looking forward to it this year.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Yu Darvish continues to win the internet:
https://twitter.com/faridyu/status/1229156845740183552?s=20
PerkinsQuote Reply
SK,
there must be two different people named phil rogers, because the one that I am thinking of is a fucking moron who knows jack shit about baseball
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
SK,
Dude the Tribune’s website has more ads and popups than a pizza hut milf porn site.
WaLiQuote Reply
New shit. http://www.obstructedview.net/the-cubs-legacy-of-bad-baseball-now-extends-to-bad-tv-business/
andcountingQuote Reply