This study leans a little more heavily on defensive metrics (and one in particular) than I'd like, though at least we have many seasons of data. It's otherwise a great look at the constantly maligned Alfonso Soriano. http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/alfonso-soriano-is-not-overpaid/ (h/t Mercurial Outfielder)
A legal performance enhancer
Can't wait to read all the arguments why this shouldn't be allowed in baseball. “We built a silly device, took it over to the recovery room and, lo and behold, it worked beyond our wildest imaginations,” Heller explained. “Whereas it was taking them hours to re-warm patients coming into the recovery room, we were doing it in eight, nine minutes.” …
Contest winners
In order to ship The Essential Games of The Chicago Cubs to our winners, we will need home addresses. The 5 winners were listed here and Nick has won the t-shirt so we'll also need to know which t-shirt and what size he wants. If the winners could send an email to ov@obstructedview.net with the necessary shipping information. Your quick …
Cubs name Brandon Hyde new farm director
The Cubs have hired Brandon Hyde as the farm director. Oneiri Fleita was fired not long ago and Hyde will replace Fleita. The Cubs named Brandon Hyde as the new director of player development, promoting him from his role as the club’s Minor League field coordinator. He replaces Oneri Fleita, who was dismissed. Hyde, 38, joined the Cubs last offseason …
The Cubs and Starlin Castro Finalize Contract Extension
Castro's deal with #Cubs is done — Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 28, 2012 Of course, that probably means it's actually not done, but until we hear differently, we'll stick to Muskat's story. UPDATE: Props to Kap, who broke this story when Starlin Castro was just a wee lad. He tweets the details: Terms of Starlin's new contract:2013 5 mill, 5 …
Tango’s Fans Scouting Report 2012
Tango is running his annual scouting report and it's available now. When you get a few minutes take a look at it and fill out the survey for the Cubs.
An argument for fWAR for pitchers
fWAR stands for Fangraphs WAR for those who don't know. It uses defense independent pitching stats (in this case FIP) to calculate WAR. FIP includes only the events a pitcher controls: strikeouts, walks, hit by pitch and home runs. It is not an accurate account of the runs a pitcher has allowed, but the number of runs the pitcher would …
Nick Swisher has gone BANANAS
It seems Nick Swisher is going to seek a contract this fall similar to the 7 year, $126 million contract that Nationals gave to Jayson Werth. From Jon Heyman: Word going around is, Nick Swisher, the Yankees' eternally upbeat rightfield power supply, may seek a "Jayson Werth contract" when he hits free agency at the end of the year. To …
Cubs upset Alfonso Soriano won’t waive no-trade clause
This is getting old. Cubs personnel are disappointed that Alfonso Soriano won’t waive his 10-and-5 rights to go to the Giants. The outfielder doesn't want to play in a colder climate that could adversely affect his hitting. If this is true, why can't the Cubs just shut up about it? Sure, they'd probably try to trade him, but what fucking …
Cubs sign Horacio Ramirez
#reminder { background: #BECDC6; padding: 6px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 12px 8px 12px; } Contest reminder: Don't forget to enter our contest to win The Essential Games of the Chicago Cubs DVD set. It runs through Sunday, August 19. According to Carrie Muskat, the Cubs have signed Horacio Ramirez. The Cubs have signed left-handed pitcher Horacio Ramirez to a Minor …