Team overview
Team stats and NL ranks
| Cubs | Cardinals | |
| wOBA | .323 (5th) | .344 (1st) |
| UBR | -7.3 (16th) | -1.7 (12th) |
| UZR | -12.1 (14th) | 6.9 (4th) |
| SP FIP | 4.07 (11th) | 3.74 (4th) |
| RP FIP | 4.08 (16th) | 3.78 (11th) |
I’m too lazy to breakdown the individual player stats. Blame the Cubs shittiness (laughing). I’ll hit the highlights.
- “RF” Lance Berkman is still hitting out of his mind (.433 wOBA).
- LF Matt Holliday hit the DL yesterday with a quad injury
- RHP Kyle McClellan also hit the DL this week, with a hip injury
- Wow, the Cards have a lot more injured players than I thought. They’re also missing backup C Gerald Laird (broken finger), 3B David Freese (broken hand), UIF Nick Punto (forearm strain), and of course P Adam Wainwright
- Jake Westbrook has turned his numbers around after an awful start to the season. His FIP is 3.89 but his ERA hasn’t caught up to it yet
Pitching Matchups
Friday Friday: Ryan Dempster, RHP (6.00, 4.38, 3.46, 3.69) vs Jaime Garcia, LHP (3.28, 2.64, 2.91, 3.20), 7:15 PM CT, WGN
Sophomore slump? What sophomore slump? Garcia continues to outpitch his already impressive rookie season, upping his strikeout rate and slicing his walk rate to an absurdly low 2.23 per nine. He pitched against the Cubs in early May, striking out four and allowing one run over seven innings. He was pounded for 11 runs in three and a third innings in his last outing at Coors. He didn’t help himself as he walked 4 batters and gave up a HR, but it looks like he was also BABIPed as he got 11 grounders to only 5 balls hit in the air.
Demp’s long slog back to a respectable ERA was helped by a two-run, six inning outing against the Mighty Pirates in his last start. In the six starts following his awful, 1/3 inning meltdown vs the d-backs Demp has only thrown one poor start (a five-run outing in Florida). His peripherals still look great, so maybe he can pitch his way to some trade value. Too bad he’ll never be traded, since when the Cubs are 16 games back at the trade deadline they’ll still be contenders, because You Never Know.
Saturday: Randy Wells, RHP (5.40, 5.04, 3.47, 3.79) vs Kyle Lohse, RHP (2.13, 2.85, 3.54, 3.68), 3:10 PM CT, FOX
Wells was probably brought back too soon, but as we saw a rusty Wells is about as good as the shitpile of replacement level starters the Cubs have been trotting out there. Might as well let him rehab with the big league club. He did get seven strikeouts in his four innings of work, which could be a good sign.
Lohse is having a shockingly good year, but a big part of it is BABIP (.230) LOB% (79.1%) and HR/FB (3.7%). Still, his xFIP is a more than respectable 3.54, mostly due to a drastically cut down walk rate (1.68!) . He’s putting a lot of balls in play and it’s working out nicely for him so far, but it shouldn’t last.
Sunday: Carlos Zambrano, RHP (4.23, 3.63, 4.09, 3.62) vs Chris Carpenter, RHP (4.52, 3.57, 3.27, 3.37), 1:15 PM CT, CSN
It’s nice to see these two guys matched up again. It wouldn’t feel like a Cubs-Cards series without it.
After a strangely flat start to the season Carpenter’s peripherals are now much more in line with what you would expect. He’s still having bad luck with BABIP (.343), but after giving up six HRs in his first six starts he’s only given up two HRs in the following seven. His groundball rate has gone down about five points off his career rates, but he has been getting more grounders in his last few starts which probably contributes to his numbers stabilizing.
Z had his second best start of the season in his last outing, and it was the third time he’s gone 8 innings this year. I’m too lazy to look but I’d be shocked if any of the Cubs other starters have gone that deep even once. Of course all anyone could talk about was Z breaking a bat over his leg instead of his great start, the Cubs brief comeback, or Marmol’s implosion in the ninth. I’ve said it before and it bears repeating. Trade Carlos Zambrano ASAP, because he deserves a ring instead of this three ring circus that the Cubs and the media that covers them have become.
Prediction
Cubs get swept again, at least one more player makes a DL trip by the end of the series.
Comments
Just so this doesn’t get lost:
Cubs ———> FUUUUUUUUUUUUCKED: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0603-mlb-cubs-chicago–20110602,0,344709.story
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
It’s a huge story man.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a correlation ~= causation thing MO
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Just so this doesn’t get lost:
Cubs ———> FUUUUUUUUUUUUCKED: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0603-mlb-cubs-chicago–20110602,0,344709.story%5B/quote%5D
It’s late but it had to be shared. My friend suspected that they had to service that much debt under the agreement they signed to buy the club from the Trib but I didn’t know it was against the rules.
Of course you’d think that a family running a company that makes and invests tons of money for a living wouldn’t do anything this stupid.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Just so this doesn’t get lost:
Cubs ———> FUUUUUUUUUUUUCKED: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0603-mlb-cubs-chicago–20110602,0,344709.story%5B/quote%5D
I think MLB has to take some of the blame for allowing the debt to be structured the way it was in order for Zell to make the deal. MLB had to approve the deal and they should have been more wary of such a large debt load. If I recall correctly Ricketts actually paid less upfront in order to satisfy Zell’s desire to avoid capital gains taxes.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a correlation ~= causation thing MO[/quote]It could be. But that’s not the perception from the adm. And so now there’s a huge amount of pressure to keep the program at that level because it’s perceived to be a draw.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Garza went 8 once. And then Sullivan said for 3 days it was the first time a Cubs pitcher had done it, despite the fact Z had just done it about two weeks prior.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a correlation ~= causation thing MO[/quote]
Actually I think it is causation. I’ve heard/read about it before and a successful athletic program does draw students who are only going to the school for academic reasons.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a correlation ~= causation thing MO[/quote]
Could be, but none of these programs “taking a loss” on athletics would do so if there weren’t significant benefits to the university outside of strict profit and loss calculations.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Garza went 8 once. And then Sullivan said for 3 days it was the first time a Cubs pitcher had done it, despite the fact Z had just done it less about two week prior.[/quote]
b is the anti-sully giving Z all the credit and ignoring Garza. (dying laughing)
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]b is the anti-sully giving Z all the credit and ignoring Garza. (dying laughing)[/quote]
I’m a reverse-racist.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I think MLB has to take some of the blame for allowing the debt to be structured the way it was in order for Zell to make the deal. MLB had to approve the deal and they should have been more wary of such a large debt load. If I recall correctly Ricketts actually paid less upfront in order to satisfy Zell’s desire to avoid capital gains taxes.[/quote]
This. One hundred billion times this.
The Cubs may be fucked (and it doesn’t sound like any action or penalty is forthcoming soon as a result of them not being in compliance), but MLB had a hand in fucking them by way of Zell not wanting to pay taxes.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Or maybe I’m just racist against Mexicans, not Venezuelans (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]This. One hundred billion times this.
The Cubs may be fucked (and it doesn’t sound like any action or penalty is forthcoming soon as a result of them not being in compliance), but MLB had a hand in fucking them by way of Zell not wanting to pay taxes.[/quote]Yeah. Selig strikes again.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
so why did Selig sign off on the deal in the first place if it wasn’t within the rules?
Horny GoatQuote Reply
I agree with 424 and melissa. I don’t think MLB gives a fuck about those compliance policies. Just an excuse to get heavy handed with an org like the Dodgers or some wannabee Cuban, I suspect.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]so why did Selig sign off on the deal in the first place if it wasn’t within the rules?[/quote]
This is a very good question. Conflict of interest, since he quasi-owns the Brewers?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]so why did Selig sign off on the deal in the first place if it wasn’t within the rules?[/quote]Because those used car dealer habits die hard. First you let go of the short-sleeved dress shirts, then the shady contracts. Baby steps.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]I agree with 424 and melissa. I don’t think MLB gives a fuck about those compliance policies. Just an excuse to get heavy handed with an org like the Dodgers or some wannabee Cuban, I suspect.[/quote]Prob so. Still, if this deal is leveraged this badly, we should expect higher ticket prices and lower payrolls for a while.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Selig always said “the Cubs are good for baseball”
I thought he really meant that (dying laughing)
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Prob so. Still, if this deal is leveraged this badly, we should expect higher ticket prices and lower payrolls for a while.[/quote]
I look forward to Yellon’s take on all this.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Prob so. Still, if this deal is leveraged this badly, we should expect higher ticket prices and lower payrolls for a while.[/quote]
I expected nothing less. The dipshit in the bleachers who wanted them to lower prices as a goodwill gesture is going to be shocked though.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Prob so. Still, if this deal is leveraged this badly, we should expect higher ticket prices and lower payrolls for a while.[/quote]
I really don’t think they have all that much say wrt ticket prices. They will be as high as possible while keeping that place as full as they can. Lower payrolls, maybe. Worked for the Trib, but I think that era may have come and gone.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I expected nothing less. The dipshit in the bleachers who wanted them to lower prices as a goodwill gesture is going to be shocked though.[/quote]Tea all over the desk. Epic spit take. Well done.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]I really don’t think they have all that much say wrt ticket prices. They will be as high as possible while keeping that place as full as they can. Lower payrolls, maybe. Worked for the Trib, but I think that era may have come and gone.[/quote]Like Ivy Chat Chuck has been saying, i don’t think they have a choice. The banks wants what they wants, so they gets their cabbage.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I expected nothing less. The dipshit in the bleachers who wanted them to lower prices as a goodwill gesture is going to be shocked though.[/quote]
I thought he said that was insulting to the best customers or something.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
austin kirk is having a great season so far
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Tea all over the desk. Epic spit take. Well done.[/quote]
I nominate MO as wordsmith of the Cub blogosphere
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]I nominate MO as wordsmith of the Cub blogosphere[/quote]I thought GM had that title long ago.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I thought GM had that title long ago.[/quote]
He is the Cicero of the Cub blogosphere.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Like Ivy Chat Chuck has been saying, i don’t think they have a choice. The banks wants what they wants, so they gets their cabbage.[/quote]
All I’m saying is that they will have to maximize short term profits. Hiking ticket prices isn’t going to get this done, and if they continue to suck, I suspect we will see the opposite. In terms of slashing payroll, maybe, I dunno. They need to give fans a reason to pay them.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]He is the Cicero of the Cub blogosphere.[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
ricketts is either going to kick his PR machine into high gear to sell the “get rid of bad contracts GO YOUNG!” or he is going to sign Albert Pujols and pack the ball park.
I’m still a believer in # 2. Its going to be like the 06 off season all over again this year
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]All I’m saying is that they will have to maximize short term profits. Hiking ticket prices isn’t going to get this done, and if they continue to suck, I suspect we will see the opposite. In terms of slashing payroll, maybe, I dunno. They need to give fans a reason to pay them.[/quote]It’s quite a bind. A buy so leveraged they are already skirting the rules and therefore can’t afford to splash in FA or the draft, but the only way they can afford the debt service is splash in the FA market or grab a big name rookie in the draft to put asses in the seats.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]ricketts is either going to kick his PR machine into high gear to sell the “get rid of bad contracts GO YOUNG!” or he is going to sign Albert Pujols and pack the ball park.
I’m still a believer in # 2. Its going to be like the 06 off season all over again this year[/quote]The difference is the Trib had the money to spend. I’m not sure Ricketts does.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
No chance in hell Pujols is a Cub. 1) STL won’t have to pay $30M/yr or even $25M/yr. 2) Cubs can’t afford it, obviously. 3) who else? Boston? They aren’t going to force him or AGon to split duties at 1B/DH. NYY? Same thing. Angels? no. He’ll be a Cardinal rest of his career. I hate to say book it dano, but book it.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]All I’m saying is that they will have to maximize short term profits. Hiking ticket prices isn’t going to get this done, and if they continue to suck, I suspect we will see the opposite. In terms of slashing payroll, maybe, I dunno. They need to give fans a reason to pay them.[/quote]
They really don’t yet. That wait list is their ticket to do shit no other team could get away with. If they jacked ticket prices another 25% next year, do you think Alvin would dump his seats? He’s take it as a sign they plan to sign Pujols or some stupid shit and send in his check. Repeat that mentality 26,000 times and you have the season ticket fanbase. The ones that aren’t fooled will be replaced by those on the wait list. I’m betting it is stil 70,000 strong aty this point, and you’d only need about a third of them to be serious to get them through another year of selling almost 2/3 of the stadium (and more than that if you figure revenue because they are usually the most expensive seats) without having to sell one single-game ticket.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]The difference is the Trib had the money to spend. I’m not sure Ricketts does.[/quote]
I’m sure he doesn’t. For as much financial problems as the Trib had, none of it touched the baseball operations because that was a revenue stream that had no end with no debt at all. All of the bankruptcy shit was separate and that is why the Cubs were able to separate away from the floundering parent company in the deal so easily despite the bankruptcy process. The Cubs were never in trouble.
Ricketts has $450 million debt to pay off. He can’t pay Pujols, pay off the debt, AND pay to surround Pujols with a competitive team (which I’m sure would be a necessity to get him to sign here).
Aisle424Quote Reply
Oh and he also has to find $500 million somewhere to keep Wrigley from falling on top of people for the next 50 years or so.
Aisle424Quote Reply
But this is all minor bullshit when you consider the fact that Carlos Zambrano broke a bat over his knee.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]But this is all minor bullshit when you consider the fact that Carlos Zambrano broke a bat over his knee.[/quote]
The only problem is the injuries. Surely you all know that.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]They really don’t yet. That wait list is their ticket to do shit no other team could get away with. If they jacked ticket prices another 25% next year, do you think Alvin would dump his seats? He’s take it as a sign they plan to sign Pujols or some stupid shit and send in his check. Repeat that mentality 26,000 times and you have the season ticket fanbase. The ones that aren’t fooled will be replaced by those on the wait list. I’m betting it is stil 70,000 strong aty this point, and you’d only need about a third of them to be serious to get them through another year of selling almost 2/3 of the stadium (and more than that if you figure revenue because they are usually the most expensive seats) without having to sell one single-game ticket.[/quote]But doesn’t Ricketts need more than that? I mean making sure the bottom line is secure is one thing if you’re the Trib, but Tommy Boy has debt service, too.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]But this is all minor bullshit when you consider the fact that Carlos Zambrano broke a bat over his knee.[/quote]WHAT? HE BROKE A BAT? THIS WILL NOT STAND! I NEED AN OLD PRIEST AND A YOUNG PRIEST!
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I’m sure he doesn’t. For as much financial problems as the Trib had, none of it touched the baseball operations because that was a revenue stream that had no end with no debt at all. All of the bankruptcy shit was separate and that is why the Cubs were able to separate away from the floundering parent company in the deal so easily despite the bankruptcy process. The Cubs were never in trouble.
Ricketts has $450 million debt to pay off. He can’t pay Pujols, pay off the debt, AND pay to surround Pujols with a competitive team (which I’m sure would be a necessity to get him to sign here).[/quote][quote name=Aisle424]Oh and he also has to find $500 million somewhere to keep Wrigley from falling on top of people for the next 50 years or so.[/quote]I’m starting to get really worried.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]But doesn’t Ricketts need more than that? I mean making sure the bottom line is secure is one thing if you’re the Trib, but Tommy Boy has debt service, too.[/quote]
Yeah, but that is where the slashed payroll comes in. They could spend more to make the team competitive, but since the stadium is already 2/3 full, there is a limit to the amount of increased revenue they can take in by being good. I’m betting the cost would almost offset the benefit of extra butts in the seats. And that is only if their expenditures actually pan out into an improved record, which is a pretty big risk.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]They really don’t yet. That wait list is their ticket to do shit no other team could get away with. If they jacked ticket prices another 25% next year, do you think Alvin would dump his seats? He’s take it as a sign they plan to sign Pujols or some stupid shit and send in his check. Repeat that mentality 26,000 times and you have the season ticket fanbase. The ones that aren’t fooled will be replaced by those on the wait list. I’m betting it is stil 70,000 strong aty this point, and you’d only need about a third of them to be serious to get them through another year of selling almost 2/3 of the stadium (and more than that if you figure revenue because they are usually the most expensive seats) without having to sell one single-game ticket.[/quote]
I’m one of those who put their names on the season ticket wait list just in case I saved an old rich person from drowning and they bequeathed me millions. In 2007 I was 12,860 on the list. I am now 10,063. Long way to go (dying laughing)
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]But this is all minor bullshit when you consider the fact that Carlos Zambrano broke a bat over his knee.[/quote]It’s pretty amazing that as the season falls apart, the org is crumbling, and the manger is spouting gibberish, all fucking Hobbity McDouchpants wants to talk about is Z’s temper.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]WHAT? HE BROKE A BAT? THIS WILL NOT STAND! I NEED AN OLD PRIEST AND A YOUNG PRIEST![/quote]
(dying laughing)
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Yeah, but that is where the slashed payroll comes in. They could spend more to make the team competitive, but since the stadium is already 2/3 full, there is a limit to the amount of increased revenue they can take in by being good. I’m betting the cost would almost offset the benefit of extra butts in the seats. And that is only if their expenditures actually pan out into an improved record, which is a pretty big risk.[/quote]Yeah, but to my mind that’s the only real option Ricketts has.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]They really don’t yet. That wait list is their ticket to do shit no other team could get away with. If they jacked ticket prices another 25% next year, do you think Alvin would dump his seats? He’s take it as a sign they plan to sign Pujols or some stupid shit and send in his check. Repeat that mentality 26,000 times and you have the season ticket fanbase. The ones that aren’t fooled will be replaced by those on the wait list. I’m betting it is stil 70,000 strong aty this point, and you’d only need about a third of them to be serious to get them through another year of selling almost 2/3 of the stadium (and more than that if you figure revenue because they are usually the most expensive seats) without having to sell one single-game ticket.[/quote]
But those folks on the wait list are the same people who are finding that all of the sudden they can buy online below face value, or walk up and get a seat at face value at their leisure. Under those circumstances, the incentive to shell out for a season-ticket goes way down. That’s why they are dishing out all these extras for season ticket holders at the moment, I suspect. They know that Wennington’s Gorilla Cock needs a special season ticket holder sausage fest to keep his business.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m starting to get really worried.[/quote]
Chuck doesn’t think they are in serious trouble for 4 or 5 years (or at least that was his opinion 7 months ago), but they are going to have to keep the costs down and hope to get good before they burn through that wait list. That is their safety net in all of this. Without it, they are no better off than the Pirates or the Royals when they are terrible.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It’s pretty amazing that as the season falls apart, the org is crumbling, and the manger is spouting gibberish, all fucking Hobbity McDouchpants wants to talk about is Z’s temper.[/quote]
It was cool when Bo Jackson did it!
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]It was cool when Bo Jackson did it![/quote]
yes. yes it was.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]But those folks on the wait list are the same people who are finding that all of the sudden they can buy online below face value, or walk up and get a seat at face value at their leisure. Under those circumstances, the incentive to shell out for a season-ticket goes way down. That’s why they are dishing out all these extras for season ticket holders at the moment, I suspect. They know that Wennington’s Gorilla Cock needs a special season ticket holder sausage fest to keep his business.[/quote]
The season ticket for most fans is not a way to get in the park for regular season games. It is taking a financial risk that you will have access to post-season games at face value if/when the Cubs get there.
Cubs World Series tickets are going to go for tens of thousands on StubHub for the 500 level if it ever comes to that. That is what alot of people are buying, figuring they’ll also enjoy some baseball games along the way.
People get scared to pass it up because they don’t want to experience the moment where they are watching on TV and saying, “I could have had tickets for this game if I had just had faith to pony up the cash when the Cubs called.” That isn’t everyone, but it is a good deal of people who own.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=GW]yes. yes it was.[/quote]
that was before the steroid era, wink wink
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]that was before the steroid era, wink wink[/quote]say no more, say no more
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Going to bed, fuckies.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Brought to You By 7th Inning Stretch Bathroom Trips
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Going to bed, fuckies.[/quote]Sleep is a crutch.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]The season ticket for most fans is not a way to get in the park for regular season games. It is taking a financial risk that you will have access to post-season games at face value if/when the Cubs get there.
Cubs World Series tickets are going to go for tens of thousands on StubHub for the 500 level if it ever comes to that. That is what alot of people are buying, figuring they’ll also enjoy some baseball games along the way.
People get scared to pass it up because they don’t want to experience the moment where they are watching on TV and saying, “I could have had tickets for this game if I had just had faith to pony up the cash when the Cubs called.” That isn’t everyone, but it is a good deal of people who own.[/quote]
Fair point. It’s a long term investment for some people. Still, I’d wager that overall average ticket price goes down next year (in the absence of pujols, at least).
GWQuote Reply
424, that’s pretty insane logic to spend thousands every year banking on guaranteed seats IF the cubs happen to make it to the WS.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Sleep is for dead people.[/quote]
FYP
Horny GoatQuote Reply
No disrespect, 424, I would love to have season tickets if I lived in Chicago and could afford it. I still love Wrigley. Just wish they could upgrade the place.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
Jesus, I meant to put on music hours ago and somehow I got sucked into this, again. I don’t work tomorrow so what the hell. Hope I didn’t insult anyone. I’ve had a few too many as you might’ve guessed.
Horny GoatQuote Reply
[quote name=Horny Goat]I’ve had a few too many[/quote]
Sounds like a plan.
GWQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]Sounds like a plan.[/quote]
Plan is to put “Sticky Fingers” on the table and go from there. My favorite Stones album. Sister Morphine is a thing of beauty among beauts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C39kQoprfP0
Horny GoatQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
Men at Work, Berselius (dying laughing)
Horny GoatQuote Reply
GBTSQuote Reply
http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/11444
MishQuote Reply
The Theriot-fication of Barney has begun: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/5743638-573/darwin-barney-is-why-you-should-keep-watching-the-cubs.html
MishQuote Reply
THT’s mock has the Cubs taking George Springer at 9 (ranked 20th on Sickel’s big board):
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/tht-approved-2011-mlb-mock-draft/
MishQuote Reply
I think Rickett’s next excuse will be because they play too many away games.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
I want Archie Bradley and Starling (of course). I also heard Rendon could fall.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
It seems like the past two years we had a good pipeline of pitching. Now it seems like we have position players ready for the call-up. LeMahieu, BJax, Flaherty, Ha, Crawford, Spencer, Clevenger all seem to be ready at the latest by Spring 2013. Meanwhile the only legit arms we have are Kurcz, Kirk, Whitenack, and McNutt.
So I do love Starling, but I’m hoping a Bradley falls to us.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Szczur homered again. .674 OPS .307 ISO last ten games.
Must have heard KLaw say he’s Juan Pierre.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Wait, a .674 OPS with a .307 ISO?
MishQuote Reply
I read last night that this list of teams that are in debt hell is supposed to be confidential. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Ricketts is making sure this is known so fans are prepared when he slashes payroll and makes no effort to sign Pujols or Fielder. I don’t think he will sign either to put butts in the seats because as A424 has pointed out he has his season ticket wait list. Be prepared for the Iowa Cubs and duct tape for at least 2 or 3 more seasons.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]I want Archie Bradley and Starling (of course). I also heard Rendon could fall.[/quote]
I agree with this. Wouldn’t mind Gray either.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Szczur homered again. .674 OPS .307 ISO last ten games.
Must have heard KLaw say he’s Juan Pierre.[/quote]
He has an .864 OPS on the year. The .674 is his SLG% in his prior 10-games.
JManQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]He has an .864 OPS on the year. The .674 is his SLG% in his prior 10-games.[/quote]
That makes slightly more sense (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sorry, got slightly mixed up (dying laughing). It would be very hard to have a .307 ISO and a .674 OPS.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/02/scott-cousins-agent-responds-to-brian-sabeans-comments/
As a quasi-Giants fan I’m sad to see Buster Posey’s season cut short, but it’s silly to send Scott Cousins death threats for it. I don’t even blame the guy, it’s just one of those things that happens.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Doesn’t happen if it’s Eli Whiteside.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Doesn’t happen if it’s Eli Whiteside.[/quote]
It’d still be sad to see a guy’s season ended by a rough play but shit happens. I wouldn’t even celebrate if it was Koyie Hill getting destroyed at the plate, but I wouldn’t blame the runner unless he was blatantly Nyger Morganing it.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
It would be nice to see him pitch for a team with a chance to win it all, but I’m not holding my breath.
mb21Quote Reply
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/mike_scioscia_saber_scout/
MishQuote Reply
BJax: 5 PAs, BB, single, couple groundouts and a flyout, plus a TOOTBLAN.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]But those folks on the wait list are the same people who are finding that all of the sudden they can buy online below face value, or walk up and get a seat at face value at their leisure. Under those circumstances, the incentive to shell out for a season-ticket goes way down. That’s why they are dishing out all these extras for season ticket holders at the moment, I suspect. They know that Wennington’s Gorilla Cock needs a special season ticket holder sausage fest to keep his business.[/quote]I agree. I’m not sure the wait list matters that much at this point. Some of those people put their names on the list for no other reason than to put their name on their list. Others put it on there with the intention of only buying them if the Cubs were actually any good. Others put their name on there before they lost a job. I don’t know how long the wait list is, but I would guess that right now 80% have no intention of buying season tickets if they become available. At least 80%. The other 20% may or may not. I’d guess half of them really want the tickets and would no matter what, but that’s about it.
Tickets can be had for much cheaper elsewhere these days so there’s even less incentive to buy season tickets as you pointed out. I remember when Wrigley wasn’t even half full and it was that way because people thought they had no chance of reaching the postseason. I think that’s where people are now.
I don’t think ticket prices can be raised because even more people would give up their season tickets and even more on the wait list would say no thanks. I also think they’re going to have to cut payroll over the next 10 years. That’s why I think it’s a pipe dream that the Cubs would sign Pujols. I could maybe see them signing Fielder and even think there’s a good chance if he’s not asking for as much as Boras seems to think he’ll get, but they aren’t getting Pujols.
mb21Quote Reply
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2011_06_02_peoafx_lanafx_1
Szczur’s line looks awesome.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]I read last night that this list of teams that are in debt hell is supposed to be confidential. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Ricketts is making sure this is known so fans are prepared when he slashes payroll and makes no effort to sign Pujols or Fielder. I don’t think he will sign either to put butts in the seats because as A424 has pointed out he has his season ticket wait list. Be prepared for the Iowa Cubs and duct tape for at least 2 or 3 more seasons.[/quote]
It makes me wonder if the team is trying to sell the idea that “We need to go cheap for a couple of years to get out from under these terrible contracts,” as a way to get the debt service paid off. Clearly they can’t just come out and say that, but if they get the stooges in the media to keep harping on how bad Soriano and Ramirez are playing and how unstable Z is, maybe more fans will give them the benefit of the doubt when slashes in payroll come.
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Oh and he also has to find $500 million somewhere to keep Wrigley from falling on top of people for the next 50 years or so.[/quote]This is why they have to cut payroll. That money isn’t going to come from the state for some time and I doubt the Cubs go through with a renovation without it. Still, they’re going to have to invest large amounts of money just to keep the ballpark in playing condition.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]It makes me wonder if the team is trying to sell the idea that “We need to go cheap for a couple of years to get out from under these terrible contracts,” as a way to get the debt service paid off. Clearly they can’t just come out and say that, but if they get the stooges in the media to keep harping on how bad Soriano and Ramirez are playing and how unstable Z is, maybe more fans will give them the benefit of the doubt when slashes in payroll come.[/quote]Not only that, but I think you can make just as much money having a payroll of something like $50 million as you would having one near $150 million. That’s probably not true long term, but short term it likely is.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]But this is all minor bullshit when you consider the fact that Carlos Zambrano broke a bat over his knee.[/quote]True that.
mb21Quote Reply
I agree with this comment from the BTF thread on Miles article:
MishQuote Reply
http://www.desipio.com/?p=3582
I thought this was amusing…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]This is why they have to cut payroll. That money isn’t going to come from the state for some time and I doubt the Cubs go through with a renovation without it. Still, they’re going to have to invest large amounts of money just to keep the ballpark in playing condition.[/quote]Yeah. Illinois is nearly bankrupt. He’s going to get no help from the state for a long time, and as Chuck noted last month, in 2013, his debt service becomes crushing and will have to be refinanced. This thing is bad an getting worse.
If current financials hold, I would not be surprised to see the team sold within 5 years. As BM told me last night on Twitter, Joe Ricketts isn’t going to keep tossing money down a hole. At some point, he’s either going to tell the kids to cut bait and take over, or he’s just going to tell them to cut their losses and sell.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
That article on Darwin Barney is a shitpile. Jeebus.
Although it’s going to be meme-worthy when Barney is hitting .260/.330/.380 in a month or so. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That article on Darwin Barney is a shitpile. Jeebus.
Although it’s going to be meme-worthy when Barney is hitting .260/.330/.380 in a month or so. (dying laughing)[/quote]
I think Darwin’s OBP is already at .330 MO. He’d have to take an insane number of walks for 30 days to keep it there if the bat cools down.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
He’s at .303/.325/.383. His OPS+ is at 90 and his wRC+ is 87 (74 for May).
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think Darwin’s OBP is already at .330 MO. He’d have to take an insane number of walks for 30 days to keep it there if the bat cools down.[/quote]We’ll have to keep watching the Cubs to see.
Maybe the article was right….
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Darwin Barney entering today: .303/.325/.383
To make your prediction come true, he’d have to be beaned/walked a bunch while going 1-for-6 with a home run as his only hit each game for a month (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]He’s at .303/.325/.383. His OPS+ is at 90 and his wRC+ is 87 (74 for May).[/quote]Maybe that article was trying to be sarcastic.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Darwin Barney entering today: .303/.325/.383
To make your prediction come true, he’d have to be beaned/walked a bunch while going 1-for-6 with a home run as his only hit each game for a month (dying laughing) (dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://www.cubbiedoc.com/2011/06/it-was-not-very-good-off-day-for-cubs.html
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14128
Great piece by Wezen Ball on Sabean hypocrisy
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]http://www.cubbiedoc.com/2011/06/it-was-not-very-good-off-day-for-cubs.html[/quote]Having a Cub fan buy the Cubs was the absolute worst-case scenario. The train has not just gone off the tracks; it is fucking smoldering at the bottom of the gorge.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Having a faux-Cub fan buy the Cubs whose plan was to have Illinois tax payers pay him money to own the team was the absolute worst-case scenario. The train has not just gone off the tracks; it is fucking smoldering at the bottom of the gorge.[/quote].
jtsunamiQuote Reply
http://www.ginandtacos.com/2011/06/03/npf-infiltration/ (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami].[/quote]I think Ricketts really is a fan; and I think that’s a huge part of the problem. He’s too emotionally invested to deal with the situation in an objective and cool manner.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GW]They know that Wennington’s Gorilla Cock needs a special season ticket holder sausage fest to keep his business.[/quote]
I almost didn’t renew, but then they said the magic words: “sausage fest”
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
I’m too Aramis to log in at BTF, b, but nice posts there.
MishQuote Reply
Aramis = lazy?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Now you’re on the trolley.
*I’m using it ironically, like i did in 1996
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Aramis = lazy?[/quote]
Mish didn’t dive.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Mish didn’t hustle around 1st.[/quote].
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami].[/quote]
Well played, Tsuey.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Matt Szuzurur has more walks than strike outs. He has more SB than strikeouts.
Time to promote.
dylanjQuote Reply
Worldwide Developers Conference is next week for you Apple lovers. Apparently the big deal this year (in iOS 5) will be cloud streaming and data transfer. It’s thought that the iPhone 5 will NOT be announced and the launch is delayed. So it would be a big surprise if they did announce the iPhone 5.
Won’t be as big as years’ past, mostly because the cloud (or iSky or whatever stupid name they will call it) will cost money annually and no new iphone to boot.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/03/darwin-barney-is-not-the-cubs-savior/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14128
Great piece by Wezen Ball on Sabean hypocrisy[/quote]I don’t have a problem with Sabean’s comments. I don’t agree with them, but a lot of people do.
mb21Quote Reply
In my head, I always pronounce Szczur as sir-zur. Is that correct?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Worldwide Developers Conference is next week for you Apple lovers. Apparently the big deal this year (in iOS 5) will be cloud streaming and data transfer. It’s thought that the iPhone 5 will NOT be announced and the launch is delayed. So it would be a big surprise if they did announce the iPhone 5.
Won’t be as big as years’ past, mostly because the cloud (or iSky or whatever stupid name they will call it) will cost money annually and no new iphone to boot.[/quote]
As long as they don’t announce an iPad3, which was rumored earlier this year as possibly maintaining market share when competitor tablet devices launch near the end of summer. It gave me pause when I bought the iPad2 because I’d hate if they had a new one out in less than a year.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]In my head, I always pronounce Szczur as sir-zur. Is that correct?[/quote]
I think he pronounces it “Caesar”..
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I don’t have a problem with Sabean’s comments. I don’t agree with them, but a lot of people do.[/quote]
Those people are fuckies, IMO. Cousins is receiving death threats over this, and Sabean’s own inconsistency on the issue makes his odious remarks worse.
Of course, there’s a very good chance Cousins doesn’t cut it anyways on the ML roster, but I think it’s pretty dumb for a baseball executive to get out in front like this.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think he pronounces it “Caesar”..[/quote]Wikipedia agrees.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/03/darwin-barney-is-not-the-cubs-savior/[/quote]
Barney isn’t a savior, but I don’t understand why people act like he’s a problem either. The following position players have a higher rWAR than Barney: Fukudome and Byrd. That’s it. Carlos Pena and Alfonso Soriano combined haven’t been as good as Barney. Starlin Castro and Aramis Ramirez combine for .7 rWAR. Barney has .6. On a team with as many problems as the Cubs have, Barney is pretty far down that list. Is he a superstar? No, but I doubt even Whittenmeyer believes the shit he wrote. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Barney isn’t a savior, but I don’t understand why people act like he’s a problem either. The following position players have a higher rWAR than Barney: Fukudome and Byrd. That’s it. Carlos Pena and Alfonso Soriano combined haven’t been as good as Barney. Starlin Castro and Aramis Ramirez combine for .7 rWAR. Barney has .6. On a team with as many problems as the Cubs have, Barney is pretty far down that list. Is he a superstar? No, but I doubt even Whittenmeyer believes the shit he wrote. (dying laughing)[/quote]
fWAR has him behind a few others (and I’m guessing you’re excluding dWAR). I posted in that thread because while Barney is nice value on a team with roster problems (which I mention), he’s being Theriot-ified into something he’s not.; more than a utility player.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Those people are fuckies, IMO. Cousins is receiving death threats over this, and Sabean’s own inconsistency on the issue makes his odious remarks worse.
Of course, there’s a very good chance Cousins doesn’t cut it anyways on the ML roster, but I think it’s pretty dumb for a baseball executive to get out in front like this.[/quote]Of course, the death threats are ridiculous. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I was OK with them. I’m not, but people are morons. The point I’m making is that what Sabean said is quite consistent with what a lot of people think.
I don’t really care about Sabean’s inconsistency on the issue. His team’s chance of winning the World Series took a dive when that play happened. They’ll struggle to reach the postseason at this point. I don’t expect him to be rational or consistent.
Can anyone find me a direct quote from Sabean on previous collisions? That article b linked certainly didn’t have any. Quoting what a manager says doesn’t necessarily reflect the GMs opinion.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]fWAR has him behind a few others (and I’m guessing you’re excluding dWAR). I posted in that thread because while Barney is nice value on a team with roster problems (which I mention), he’s being Theriot-ified into something he’s not.; more than a utility player.[/quote]http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2011.shtml#players_value_batting::11
mb21Quote Reply
Wow, Z’s worth half a win?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So Z = 1.7 WAR total on B-Ref, pitching + batting.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Total Zone (and hence rWAR) really has it in for Starlin (compared to other systems). Oddly enough, he has extreme home/road TZ splits with the vast majority of his negative value coming from home I don’t know if it’s a park factor, or a glitch, or a coincidence, but it’s weird. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrst01-field.shtml#advanced_fielding::none
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Total Zone (and hence rWAR) really has it in for Starlin (compared to other systems). Oddly enough, he has extreme home/road TZ splits with the vast majority of his negative value coming from home I don’t know if it’s a park factor, or a glitch, or a coincidence, but it’s weird. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrst01-field.shtml#advanced_fielding::none[/quote]
Hmm…interesting
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Total Zone (and hence rWAR) really has it in for Starlin (compared to other systems). Oddly enough, he has extreme home/road TZ splits with the vast majority of his negative value coming from home I don’t know if it’s a park factor, or a glitch, or a coincidence, but it’s weird. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrst01-field.shtml#advanced_fielding::none[/quote]I noticed that before too. It is odd, but I feel safe enough to say the others are simply wrong. I don’t know if TZ is any more accurate, but I know that Castro isn’t a -1 or -2 defender.
You really need to regress those defensive numbers first before you calculate WAR anyway.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Hmm…interesting[/quote]I don’t have a problem with Barney at all. Maybe he should be platooning with Blakey. He has a career .348 wOBA vs lefties (.360+ this season). Below .300 vs righties. He makes league minimum and has provided solid value so far.
mb21Quote Reply
According to Miles, Whiteknack to have TJS
🙁
ABQuote Reply
[quote name=AB]According to Miles, Whiteknack to have TJS
:-([/quote]
Boo.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Wow, Z’s worth half a win?[/quote]Yeah, he’s a fantastic hitting pitcher.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=AB]According to Miles, Whiteknack to have TJS
:-([/quote]So they must have done the MRI after all. Sucks for Whitenack.
mb21Quote Reply
Somehow lost in all of this is why the fuck is LeMey on the roster???
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Somehow lost in all of this is why the fuck is LeMey on the roster???[/quote]
The Ricketts are out of money and thus can’t pay for heating. Cue the benchwarmer.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I don’t have a problem with Barney at all. Maybe he should be platooning with Blakey. He has a career .348 wOBA vs lefties (.360+ this season). Below .300 vs righties. He makes league minimum and has provided solid value so far.[/quote]
I don’t disagree but the lionization of his skillset has already begun.
MishQuote Reply
Can’t find anything confirming Whitenack is having TJ. Not on Miles’ twitter either.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Is AB a regular?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
THIS
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Somehow lost in all of this is why the fuck is LeMey on the roster???[/quote]Good question. Hendry keeps calling guys up and Quade keeps not playing them.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Bruce Miles @ NSBS:
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Fuck.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I don’t disagree but the lionization of his skillset has already begun.[/quote]True, but I ignored Theriot’s value a few years ago because of that and I’m not going to do the same thing again. Theriot provided a lot of value for the Cubs for little money. He was treated like a king and I (and others) responded by belittling that production. I’ve felt bad about that. Not because I care what Theriot thinks, but because I KNEW he was valuable at the time. I was upset that people thought he was more valuable than he was. I just don’t care now. Darwin Barney is, so far at least, a valuable player to this team. This team has had and will have far more issues than Barney. I’m going to base my opinions not on what is opposite the dumbasses, but based on the available information. I just don’t really care what the dumbasses think at this point.
If people want to lionize him, go for it. Rays fans did the same thing with Sam Fuld. It’s funny, but it’s not worth me getting upset about.
Just my 2 cents.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]True, but I ignored Theriot’s value a few years ago because of that and I’m not going to do the same thing again. Theriot provided a lot of value for the Cubs for little money. He was treated like a king and I (and others) responded by belittling that production. I’ve felt bad about that. Not because I care what Theriot thinks, but because I KNEW he was valuable at the time. I was upset that people thought he was more valuable than he was. I just don’t care now. Darwin Barney is, so far at least, a valuable player to this team. This team has had and will have far more issues than Barney. I’m going to base my opinions not on what is opposite the dumbasses, but based on the available information. I just don’t really care what the dumbasses think at this point. [/quote]
That’s fair but I don’t think you’ll see me saying he has no value (I’ve already said he has value being at league min. for his production and the myriad of other roster problems).
Nice snark.
MishQuote Reply
eh, I just come around once in awhile. I comment more on Rice’s facebook blogs and stuff. Sometimes I have trouble with this site when I’m at work
ABQuote Reply
It wasn’t meant as snark. I just meant it happens far too often to give a shit about. I used to care, but it’s not worth it.
The bottom line with Barney is that through two months of the season he’s been worth .6 WAR (rWAR and fWAR). Based on rWAR, only Fukudome and Byrd have been better. Add a couple others in fWAR. If you want to average the two, he’s probably the 4th best position player. If Barney is replacement level the rest of the season he was worth about $2.5 million and paid league minimum.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=AB]eh, I just come around once in awhile. I comment more on Rice’s facebook blogs and stuff. Sometimes I have trouble with this site when I’m at work[/quote]What kind of troubles?
mb21Quote Reply
Ryan Flaherty is another guy I should pay more attention to. Hopefully he can replace Barney as the 2b
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Ryan Flaherty is another guy I should pay more attention to. Hopefully he can replace Barney as the 2b[/quote]
Where would Barney go? 3B? Iowa?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Castro is at least a shortstop and obviously younger, but you could say what Calcaterra did about Castro and it would be just as accurate.
That’s another reason why I’ve stopped caring what others think. I like Castro and I like watching him play. I can look at his stats and be concerned, but also love watching him play. I don’t want someone questioning me. Yeah, I realize Castro is never going to be a star, but he’s a hell of a lot of fun to watch. I’ve even talked about him as if he was going to be a superstar.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Ryan Flaherty is another guy I should pay more attention to. Hopefully he can replace Barney as the 2b[/quote]It would be nice to have another lefty in the every day lineup. Especially one with some pop.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]It wasn’t meant as snark. I just meant it happens far too often to give a shit about. I used to care, but it’s not worth it.
The bottom line with Barney is that through two months of the season he’s been worth .6 WAR (rWAR and fWAR). Based on rWAR, only Fukudome and Byrd have been better. Add a couple others in fWAR. If you want to average the two, he’s probably the 4th best position player. If Barney is replacement level the rest of the season he was worth about $2.5 million and paid league minimum.[/quote]
Yah I don’t disagree. As with all things with me (not just baseball) I like to push back against the popular narratives because of how many people take them as gospel. You raise a good point that it’s important not to push it too far in the other direction, which I’m more cognizant of post- Theriot.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Where would Barney go? 3B? Iowa?[/quote]
Barney to SS, Castro to 3B. Flaherty to 2B?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
No. Barney is a great bench guy.
We just don’t have a realistic option for 3B right now.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Yah I don’t disagree. As with all things with me (not just baseball) I like to push back against the popular narratives because of how many people take them as gospel. You raise a good point that it’s important not to push it too far in the other direction, which I’m more cognizant of post- Theriot.[/quote]My anger against the people that treated Theriot like a king really pisses me off. I’m better than that. Theriot annoyed the piss out of me as a ballplayer and it annoyed me fans loved him so much, but he was a valuable player for this team for a few years. That’s the most important thing and that’s what we have to base our opinions on. If people want to treat him like a God, so be it. I won’t be equally stupid and belittle that value that he does provide. It’s really no different when you think about it. The difference between what I did with Theriot and what someone like, say, Yellon did is marginal at best. Someone like that thought Theriot was an all-star and my anger made it sound like he was useless. Same damn thing. Just opposite directions.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]Barney to SS, Castro to 3B. Flaherty to 2B?[/quote]
That would almost make sense assuming Castro grows into power.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]No. Barney is a great bench guy.
We just don’t have a realistic option for 3B, RF, LF, or 1B right now.[/quote].
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]My anger against the people that treated Theriot like a king really pisses me off. I’m better than that. Theriot annoyed the piss out of me as a ballplayer and it annoyed me fans loved him so much, but he was a valuable player for this team for a few years. That’s the most important thing and that’s what we have to base our opinions on. If people want to treat him like a God, so be it. I won’t be equally stupid and belittle that value that he does provide. It’s really no different when you think about it. The difference between what I did with Theriot and what someone like, say, Yellon did is marginal at best. Someone like that thought Theriot was an all-star and my anger made it sound like he was useless. Same damn thing. Just opposite directions.[/quote]
This is the beginning of mb21’s kohlinar to purge all emotions and accept logic as the only righteous path.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
Ewww. Mono.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/03/brandon-inge-has-mono/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Whitenack TJS officially official: http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/5810
Let’s keep in mind that the powers that be were of the mind that Whitenack needed no MRI and had him throwing to see if the pain came back. What an org they have built here.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Whitenack TJS officially official: http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/5810
Let’s keep in mind that the powers that be were of the mind that Whitenack needed no MRI and had him throwing to see if the pain came back. What an org they have built here.[/quote]
Srsly? I knew about the no MRI at first, but I thought they had him rest it. That’s just dumb.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Srsly? I knew about the no MRI at first, but I thought they had him rest it. That’s just dumb.[/quote]There was some report that they were encouraged because Whitenack had thrown and said the pain did not return.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
When a guy doubles over after throwing a pitch, you give him a MRI. Period. I really don’t get the nonchalance of this organization.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]When a guy doubles over after throwing a pitch, you give him a MRI. Period. I really don’t get the nonchalance of this organization.[/quote]
They don’t deserve nice things.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
KG
Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 4-for-6, HR (3), 3 R, RBI, SB. After going homeless in his first 31 games he has three in his last five; up to .340/.400/.464 and could move up to High-A soon.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]When a guy doubles over after throwing a pitch, you give him a MRI. Period. I really don’t get the nonchalance of this organization.[/quote]
That’s because you’re not old school like the Cubs. Hendry remembers the days when pitchers would throw until their arm fell off. Then the trainer would come out, sew it back on and the game would continue. There was this one time when Sutcliffe’s arm flew off when throwing a pitch to Dawson. Dawson hit ball and arm out of the park. It was pretty awesome.
CormsQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]KG
Matt Szczur, OF, Cubs (Low-A Peoria): 4-for-6, HR (3), 3 R, RBI, SB. After going homeless in his first 31 games he has three in his last five; up to .340/.400/.464 and could move up to High-A soon.[/quote]
Shit, the Cubs can’t even afford to shelter their players?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So….how about those Indians? I’ve never been so depressed by a team as I am by the Cubs this year.
I just knew that we were going to see big changes after last year, then I heard Hendy, I think, say something like “we only need one or two pieces to be contenders.” I knew nothing would change.
Is it just me or does Ramirez look like he’s just faxing it in? Also, I listen mostly on the radio. I never thought I’d miss Ronnie’s voice so much.
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Shit, the Cubs can’t even afford to shelter their players?[/quote](dying laughing)(dying laughing)(dying laughing)(dying laughing)(dying laughing)(dying laughing)(dying laughing)(dying laughing)(dying laughing)(dying laughing)
CormsQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]When a guy doubles over after throwing a pitch, you give him a MRI. Period. I really don’t get the nonchalance of this organization.[/quote]I don’t understand that either.
mb21Quote Reply
They must have loved what they saw when he doubled over.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]They must have loved what they saw when he doubled over.[/quote]
Nice snark.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]My anger against the people that treated Theriot like a king really pisses me off. [/quote]
I know what you’re saying in general, but that sentence by itself made me laugh. I’d add this tho: Barney is getting lionized for stuff that he’s actually doing, even if much of it is luck-based and unsustainable. For a while it seemed like Theriot was getting lionized in spite of what he was doing (tootblans, rag arm) and because of what he looked like he was doing, while getting his uniform dirty. That, and that period where he couldn’t stay away from a microphone is a combo that’s going to win a player some ridicule on a blog like this.
I’d agree that, plusses and minuses added up, Theriot provided good value for the money he was making for a while. I’d much rather have Barney because, once the luck fades and the league totally has his number, he’ll still be a very good defender. And he’s not a mic-seeking missile.
UrkQuote Reply
There’s lots to complain about the Cubs without critiquing that they don’t MRI fast enough.
When he doubles over, maybe he shit his pants, maybe he twisted an ankle, maybe he has an ulcer, maybe he was just mad that his arm was hurting.
Maybe Whitenack told them things were fine so they decided to wait and see how his arm responded to rest. It’s not like they refused an MRI and made him throw 400 pitches a day to tough it out. Eventually, after the rest didn’t help, they got the MRI which showed his elbow was fucked. I don’t see anything to critique the Cubs about.
With McNutt getting hurt now too, I’ll just sit back and wait to hear that Ryan Flaherty died of natural causes during the middle of a game.
Chris DickersonQuote Reply
Thought I’d stop by to point out LeMahieu stands a reasonable shot at either playing 3B or second. He is only 22, and stands a reasonable shot at developing more power. 6-4 and 185 lbs. leaves a lot of room for development. He also made solid contact in the minors. That said he needs to learn how to take a walk.
This is a player that is athletic, and has a lot of room for growth.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=9874&position=3B
Rusty ShackelfordQuote Reply
I wouldn’t worry about their minor league troubles, since apparently “Cubs to use 2011 First-Year Player Draft to restock farm system”: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110602&content_id=19935050&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I just don’t really care what the dumbasses think at this point.[/quote]
Stop it, those are human beings you’re talking about
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
I ordered the “1908 is a championship I’ve recently enjoyed” mug because I thought it would be the most accessible to anyone not fluent with the memes.
Both my wife and daughter have told me they “just don’t get it”.
Could have gone with a more obtuse one after all.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I wouldn’t worry about their minor league troubles, since apparently “Cubs to use 2011 First-Year Player Draft to restock farm system”: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110602&content_id=19935050&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc%5B/quote%5D*sigh*
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I wouldn’t worry about their minor league troubles, since apparently “Cubs to use 2011 First-Year Player Draft to restock farm system”: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110602&content_id=19935050&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc%5B/quote%5D
This is as opposed to all of the other clubs that plan to draft aging veterans?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=Xoomwaffle]This is as opposed to all of the other clubs that plan to draft aging veterans?[/quote](dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]What kind of troubles?[/quote]
Sometimes this site runs slow, the comments section doesn’t appear, or it takes awhile to load.
Everythings probably on my end, my machine is directly tied to a bunch of other data servers for my work that are accessed all over the country and are taken off constantly for maintanence and upkeep, and our IT runs a pretty tight ship in terms of updates, patches, and things of that sort.
For a geomorphologist stuck behind a computer, that’s about the best I can say.
ABQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]I wouldn’t worry about their minor league troubles, since apparently “Cubs to use 2011 First-Year Player Draft to restock farm system”: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110602&content_id=19935050&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc%5B/quote%5DI'll be over here holding my breath…
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/the_bonus/06/03/eric.munson/index.html?sct=hp_wr_a1&eref=sihp
Don’t pick #3
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/6/3/2205211/mlb-draft-amateur-order-houston-astros
Or #11
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
Marlon Byrd—–> shagging flyballs during BP
MishQuote Reply
Looks like Bubba Starling may not slip to us, as the Nats are hot on him.
http://twitter.com/#!/FrankiePiliere/status/76404307355893760
That would be a sensible pick for them – they can overpay and if they did would have a treasure trove of A-list talent ready in 2-4 years.
The WreckardQuote Reply
[quote name=The Wreckard]Looks like Bubba Starling may not slip to us, as the Nats are hot on him.
http://twitter.com/#!/FrankiePiliere/status/76404307355893760
That would be a sensible pick for them – they can overpay and if they did would have a treasure trove of A-list talent ready in 2-4 years.[/quote]
Ricketts won’t pony up the $5 million they need to sign him anyway. The whole “going young” mentallity is just a smokescreen, a very thin one when it comes to actually spending money on good draft picks.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Ricketts won’t pony up the $5 million they need to sign him anyway. The whole “going young” mentallity is just a smokescreen, a very thin one when it comes to actually spending money on good draft picks.[/quote]
Agreed. I think this quote i the best (from cubs.com)
When was the last time the Cubs actually did that?
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Ricketts won’t pony up the $5 million they need to sign him anyway. The whole “going young” mentallity is just a smokescreen, a very thin one when it comes to actually spending money on good draft picks.[/quote]I agree 100% on this actually. We probably won’t sign anyone over slot in the entire draft, while allowing all our salary off the books without bringing anyone on to replace them.
We’ll make some half-ass run at Fielder and Pujols, low-balling them with offers we know they won’t accept so that we can say we tried. Then we’ll trot out some washed up veterans to play alongside of a roster filled out with marginal prospects on our way to another 4th place finish.
Oh my god, we’re owned by Peter Angelos.
The WreckardQuote Reply
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/06/03/63-gretzky-to-cubs/
Will Great One Jr. be our savior, unlike Darwin Barney?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/03/cameron-diaz-hurt-and-betrayed-after-breaking-up-with-alex-rodriguez/
Madonna’s arms are older than the Cubs’ last championship.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=AB]Sometimes this site runs slow, the comments section doesn’t appear, or it takes awhile to load.
Everythings probably on my end, my machine is directly tied to a bunch of other data servers for my work that are accessed all over the country and are taken off constantly for maintanence and upkeep, and our IT runs a pretty tight ship in terms of updates, patches, and things of that sort.
For a geomorphologist stuck behind a computer, that’s about the best I can say.[/quote]Do you have the same problems at home on occasion?
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/06/03/63-gretzky-to-cubs/
Will Great One Jr. be our savior, unlike Darwin Barney?[/quote]If Bob Brenly’s son can bat .200/.250/.275 for our minor league system, I’m sure Wayne Gretzky’s son can too (dying laughing)
jtsunamiQuote Reply
After Chubbs turned Happy Gilmore’s putter into a hockey stick to help him putt better, the Cubs have a chance to follow that blueprint with Trevor Gretzky, but will they?
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]After Chubbs turned Happy Gilmore’s putter into a hockey stick to help him putt better, the Cubs have a chance to follow that blueprint with Trevor Gretzky, but will they?
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]
The price is wrong, bitch!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]After Chubbs turned Happy Gilmore’s putter into a hockey stick to help him putt better, the Cubs have a chance to follow that blueprint with Trevor Gretzky, but will they?
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
JG needs to be an afternoon person. There’s too much serious convo and not enough memes at this time of day.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Memes, you inquire…
Not really a meme but funny anyway.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Woa is Soto batting 4th today?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Woa is Soto batting 4th today?[/quote]
http://www.issotobatting4thtoday.com
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs also doing an It Gets Better video, but not for gay rights, but about rooting for the team.
MishQuote Reply
How can Quade bat Soto 4th with his “play the hot hand” philosophy?
jtsunamiQuote Reply
RF Fuke
2B Barney
SS Castro
C Soto
1B Pena
LF Montanez
CF Colvin
3B LeMahieu
P Dempster
This lineup is terrible, but should be fun to watch. I’m glad this is actually a national game so I get to see it.
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
Good to see Colvin back, hopefully with his swing. Can we petition Campana to fix his hat?
joshQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]How can Quade bat Soto 4th with his “play the hot hand” philosophy?[/quote]www.howcanquadebatsoto4thwithhisplaythehothandphilosophy.com
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Good to see Colvin back, hopefully with his swing. Can we petition Campana to fix his hat?[/quote]www.petitionfortonycampanatostopdressinglikejuanpierre.com
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Good to see Colvin back, hopefully with his swing. Can we petition Campana to fix his hat?[/quote]
Please set up the webpage and I promise it will be shared.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Joe Torre ————> senility: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=6506290&addata=2009_insdr_xxx_sce_mlb_xxx&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2fblog%3fname%3dolney_buster%26id%3d6506290%26addata%3d2009_insdr_xxx_sce_mlb_xxx
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Josh]Good to see Colvin back, hopefully with his swing. Can we petition Campana to fix his hat?[/quote]Also good to see Colvin getting some time in center. If he’s going to have a future in the bigs, he’ll need to be able to play there.
The WreckardQuote Reply
LeMaheiu, Montanez, and Colvin all starting tonight.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Holy fucking shit, I finally saw the video of the Posey injury. That was fucking ridiculous. I can’t believe anyone is defending that play.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Holy fucking shit, I finally saw the video of the Posey injury. That was fucking ridiculous. I can’t believe anyone is defending that play.[/quote]Well there’s difference between saying Sabean is being a hyocritical ass and saying that play was okay.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Well there’s difference between saying Sabean is being a hyocritical ass and saying that play was okay.[/quote]
Agreed.
Cousins looked like a free safety making an open field tackle on that play. Fucking ridiculous.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Agreed.
Cousins looked like a free safety making an open field tackle on that play. Fucking ridiculous.[/quote]Yeah, I’m more and more coming to think they just need to outlaw this kind of thing.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Holy fucking shit, I finally saw the video of the Posey injury. That was fucking ridiculous. I can’t believe anyone is defending that play.[/quote](dying laughing) it doesn’t bother me that much. I don’t think contact should be allowed at the plate, but since it is, that’s encouraged. The rule that applies to the other bases needs to be extended to home.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Do you have the same problems at home on occasion?[/quote]
yea, the connection on my home machine works much better , but I’m unot online much when I’m home, at least during the summer.
ABQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Agreed.
Cousins looked like a free safety making an open field tackle on that play. Fucking ridiculous.[/quote]That happens a lot, b. Think about it. If you’re going to run into an object, are you going to run into dick first? Or are you going to run into it in a way that most prevents an injury to yourself?
I’ve said this about the Wrigley brick wall, but it’s worth repeating here. Go outside and run into something hard. Let me know if you any other part of your body leads besides your shoulder.
mb21Quote Reply
All that said, I argued with Tango about this for days and am not going to get into it again.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) it doesn’t bother me that much. I don’t think contact should be allowed at the plate, but since it is, that’s encouraged. The rule that applies to the other bases needs to be extended to home.[/quote]
In “the sun rises from the east” news, I’m in complete agreement with mb.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I don’t think contact should be allowed at the plate, but since it is, that’s encouraged. The rule that applies to the other bases needs to be extended to home.[/quote]
I agree with you, MB. I think it’s ridiculous that the rules (and how they’re enforced) encourage it.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I don’t think there should be contact plays, and while I do think Cousins hit was particularly vicious in nature, I don’t know how else you can really do it. I’m sure there’s only so much conscious thought that goes into it.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]That happens a lot, b. Think about it. If you’re going to run into an object, are you going to run into dick first?[/quote]
If the target is dick high, then yes.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]If the target is dick high, then yes.[/quote]Consider yourself warned.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I don’t think there should be contact plays, and while I do think Cousins hit was particularly vicious in nature, I don’t know how else you can really do it. I’m sure there’s only so much conscious thought that goes into it.[/quote]What’s ridiculous, and I brought this up several times on The Book Blog, is just recently in Boston a guy stole 3rd against the Cubs and the throw got by Ramirez. He was about a foot in front of the bag on the home side of 3rd base and the runner intentionally bumped Ramirez. This was obvious and it was for good reason. it’s obstruction. How can a play just 88 feet away be ruled differently? Ramirez was in front of home plate and obstructed the runner. He got the next base. A catcher in front of home is doing the same damn thing.
As for whether or not Posey was blocking the plate, I actually don’t care about that. I think there’s such little time to figure things out as a baserunner that they have to decide instantly if they’re sliding around the runner or taking him out. Baserunners are conditioned to think that the catcher is blocking the plate so it’s more than reasonable to assume that Cousins that he was doing just that.
I also don’t care about the so-called football hit. That happens all the time. The only difference with this one is that it resulted in an injury. Nobody goes hard into something dick first. They always lead with their shoulder.
I looked at the rules and they’re fairly simple. I’ll quote what I wrote on The Book Blog.
Here’s what rule 7.09 states:
Here’s an additional quote:
This is silly. In one sentence they say the catcher has to have possession of the ball and in the next they say fielding the ball. Clarification needs to be made here.
As for a baserunner making contact with a fielder, we have this:
This is fairly straightforward. If a runner makes contact with the fielder trying to field a ball he is out. As a result, the runner last night should have been out.
———————–
The umpires just need to call it.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]LeMaheiu, Montanez, and Colvin all starting tonight.[/quote]
Play the kids… see what happens. I’m actually happy about this. I have no expectations so any hits, runs, RsBI, or good defensive plays will be gravy. I’m with a bunch of Cardinals fans, so I hope they just don’t fall down a bunch or get no-hit.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Just to be pedantic, that play at 3b you’ve been talking about was with Jeff Baker, not Ramirez
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I agree with you, MB. I think it’s ridiculous that the rules (and how they’re enforced) encourage it.[/quote]But at the same time, the players don’t give a shit. It’s just like PEDs. The players didn’t care. Nothing got done. I guess I can’t be sympathetic toward these people because they couldn’t care less about it. I’m sure the owners and GMs would like a rule change unlike PEDs. So if the players gave a shit at all, a rule would be added or the current rule enforced or extended. They just don’t care.
As a result, I have a hard time caring about it. I don’t care about PEDs in large part because the players didn’t. If they want to put that junk in their bodies, so be it. If the catchers don’t care about this, fuck ’em.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Just to be pedantic, that play at 3b you’ve been talking about was with Jeff Baker, not Ramirez[/quote]That changes everything. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Just to be pedantic, that play at 3b you’ve been talking about was with Jeff Baker, not Ramirez[/quote]
Yes. I also found it to be shallow and pedantic.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Aisle424Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
I love the internet.
Aisle424Quote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
http://www.isthisthegamethread.com
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]www.isthisthegamethread.com[/quote]
http://www.apparently.net
BerseliusQuote Reply
http://www.ohisee.org
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]www.ohisee.org[/quote]
http://www.imgoingtohavetotaxyouforallofthosewebsite.gov
XoomwaffleQuote Reply
“game” thread up: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/games/have-you-seen-this-lineup-game-thread.html
mb21Quote Reply