Post to be updated as the bonus numbers trickle in. Notable signings announced tonight:
First round pick SS Javier Baez signed for $2.625 mm
Second round pick 1B Dan Vogelbach signed for $1.6 mm
Eleventh round pick OF Shawon Dunston Jr. signed for $1.275 mm
Fourteenth round pick (and first round talent) RHP Dillon Maples signed for $2.5 mm, spread over 5 years (UPDATE: Keith Law says the 2.5 mm is guaranteed, not spread out)
Comments
MLBTR has a running tally of Cubs draft picks and signees but they haven’t updated it really yet.
Oh wait I lied, it’s just for all first round and supp round picks.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Frank]Again, Hendry didn’t even attempt to sign him. He let come in for a visit, then told him thanks but no thanks.[/quote]
he didn’t things thome was a great special baseball man
http://twitter.com/#!/OzzieGuillen/status/103272250068836353
GWQuote Reply
Klaw says the Maples bonus is $2.5mm guaranteed, not spread out
BerseliusQuote Reply
Wow. I wish I was home and on my cpu instead of on my gfs couch cause I’m a draft faget. Great night
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Joe Poz on Thome:
http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/08/thome.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Keith Law who repeatedly said we wouldn’t get Maples now says he is a RP.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Keith Law who repeatedly said we wouldn’t get Maples now says he is a RP.[/quote]
Gee, I wish I could get paid lots of money to say random shit on Twitter.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Keith Law who repeatedly said we wouldn’t get Maples now says he is a RP.[/quote]
Still cheaper than Samardzija (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
at this Vogelbach pic
BerseliusQuote Reply
QaPla!
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/cubs-sign-dillon-maples-.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed
But you already posted about it like 70 posts ago so it’s not really news, just excited that it finally showed up on MLBTR (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Every convenience store in Peoria just doubled their Cheetos and Ho-Ho inventory.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Seriously, though, this is a great sign for the Ricketts regime. But it must continue. I have seen to many false dawns to start sucking Ricketts minuscule member over one good draft.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Every convenience store in Peoria just doubled their Cheetos and Ho-Ho inventory.[/quote]
I think Vogelbach could use some of this:
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Somewhere JG is crying that Josh Bell signed.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Seriously, though, this is a great sign for the Ricketts regime. But it must continue. I have seen to many false dawns to start sucking Ricketts minuscule member over one good draft.[/quote]TH-FUCKING-IS.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Somewhere JG is crying that Josh Bell signed.[/quote]
Nuh uh.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I’m really pumped the Cubs got Shawon-o-meter JR. Pretty good draft; the best one since I’ve been following the Cubs minor leagues at least, and the had a couple of good LA signings as well.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Any of you Breaking Badders had this stuck in your head?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/8/15/2365289/sosa-supports-zambrano
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Holy shit the Nationals spent money last night. $16 million for their top 5 picks. As a comparison, the Cubs spent about $9.5 million on their top 14 picks. The Pirates spent $13 million on their first two picks. Red Sox spent $9.7 on their top 7 picks. A ton of money spent last night.
mb22Quote Reply
i know md. i mean i know rendon is better than baez but we paid baez a third of what rendon got.
dylanjQuote Reply
Law has the Cubs as one of the draft winners along with Pitt, Wash, and SD.
Work sucksQuote Reply
[quote name=Work sucks]Law has the Cubs as one of the draft winners along with Pitt, Wash, and SD.[/quote]
WAS has been winning the draft for the last three years.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Bubbles is happy
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
listed us as a winner
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
GBTSQuote Reply
This is why I say the Cubs didn’t get any impact players. They got a lot of potential, but this has been an organization full of potential my entire life. It’s also been an organization that has never realized its potential. I’m happy they spent and hope they continue to. I’m happy they got Maples and Baez as they were the two best they drafted.
mb22Quote Reply
KLaw on the Cubs draft:
keithlaw keithlaw
I don’t grade drafts. RT @jtholler: @keithlaw thoughts on #cubs #draft? Grade?
(dying laughing) what a prick.
MishQuote Reply
Callis:
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]keithlaw
I don’t grade drafts. RT @jtholler: @keithlaw thoughts on #cubs #draft? Grade?[/quote]
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
The draft was interesting, but I guess I’ll be more excited when/if any of those guys reaches the bigs. I’m still interested in seeing a winning team next season, but I’m skeptical that this will happen.
binkyQuote Reply
This draft is definitely an encouraging sign from Ricketts and Co., though I am tempering some of my optimism.
Once a more coherent organizational plan develops and this is done in consecutive years, along with good trades (or the lack thereof) I’ll really be fully convinced. This is a sign of optimism, though.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]This draft is definitely an encouraging sign from Ricketts and Co., though I am tempering some of my optimism.
Once a more coherent organizational plan develops and this is done in consecutive years, along with good trades (or the lack thereof) I’ll really be fully convinced. This is a sign of optimism, though.[/quote]
Exactly how I feel about it. By itself it means nothing. It does almost nothing to improve the organization longterm. If it’s the beginning of a trend them it’s a huge step in the right direction. Right now all I’m willing to say is that it’s a small step in the right direction. Until we know more about what their plan is longterm it’s not worth getting that excited about. We also have to factor in the Cubs inability to develop talent.
mb22Quote Reply
Apropos of the blog post linked yesterday showing that the Cubs are at or near the bottom in walks taken at every level of the org, from A-ball to the ML team, are any of the players the Cubs drafted known as OBP guys?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=mb22]We also have to factor in the Cubs inability to develop talent.[/quote]THIS x1000
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Apropos of the blog post linked yesterday showing that the Cubs are at or near the bottom in walks taken at every level of the org, from A-ball to the ML team, are any of the players the Cubs drafted known as OBP guys?[/quote]I’m confident any OBP tendencies will be long-since squashed by the time they’re MLB ready.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=mb22]We also have to factor in the Cubs inability to develop talent.[/quote]There’s a school of thought that talent development (in young adults at least) has more to do with physical development than with coaching. I don’t know of any research that has been done on this, though.
ACTQuote Reply
Ugh. I don’t understand this organization. What was 2008, some sort of bizarre statistical outlier? The Cubs led the league in OBP only three years ago. and now it seems you can’t find more then five players in the entire organization that can actually take walks.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
The Cubs led the league in walks in 2008, were above-average in 2009, below average in 2010, and dead last in 2011.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]There’s a school of thought that talent development (in young adults at least) has more to do with physical development than with coaching. I don’t know of any research that has been done on this, though.[/quote]i think that’s probably true, but the Cubs are very poor at projecting how the players will develop. Whether it’s their fault in terms of poor coaching or poor scouting, they take some of the blame here. Not all of it of course but some.
mb22Quote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The Cubs led the league in walks in 2008, were above-average in 2009, below average in 2010, and dead last in 2011.[/quote]Weren’t they last in 2006?
mb22Quote Reply
[quote name=mb22]Weren’t they last in 2006?[/quote]Yes.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=mb22]Weren’t they last in 2006?[/quote]www.werethecubslastinwalksin2006.com
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]Ugh. I don’t understand this organization. What was 2008, some sort of bizarre statistical outlier? The Cubs led the league in OBP only three years ago. and now it seems you can’t find more then five players in the entire organization that can actually take walks.[/quote]
Well you had Lee and Ramirez who are pretty standard for a .340-.350+ OBP.. Fukudome and Soto both posted good OBPs and were new to the roster. Theriot had his best year as a regular, and DeRosa/Fontenot worked out well at 2nd. And you had Jim Edmonds manning center (led the team in OPS in 2008) as well Soriano buoying his OBP with a respectable batting average. That team was quite, quite good. No stars but solid 3.5-4+ WAR all over the diamond.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The Cubs led the league in walks in 2008, were above-average in 2009, below average in 2010, and dead last in 2011.[/quote]
Gerald Perry emphasized OBP under Lou and they have completely ignored that philosophy since they fired him.
melissaQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]The Cubs led the league in walks in 2008, were above-average in 2009, below average in 2010, and dead last in 2011.[/quote]They weren’t much good before 2008, either.
The truly staggering thing this season is that this shortcoming exists at every single level of the org. That boggles my mind.
And it should give Ricketts serious pause when he considers retaining both Hendry and Fleita this offseason. The two of them have a built an org that seems to completely ignore a vital skill.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]
[/quote]
Captain Slender!
Or was it Mister?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Gerald Perry emphasized OBP under Lou and they have completely ignored that philosophy since they fired him.[/quote]I have still never understood that personnel move. So strange on several levels.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Gerald Perry emphasized OBP under Lou and they have completely ignored that philosophy since they fired him.[/quote]I don’t think I buy that. They continued taking their walks in 2009 after firing him.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]They weren’t much good before 2008, either.
The truly staggering thing this season is that this shortcoming exists at every single level of the org. That boggles my mind.
And it should give Ricketts serious pause when he considers retaining both Hendry and Fleita this offseason. The two of them have a built an org that seems to completely ignore a vital skill.[/quote]Should. But won’t.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=melissa]Gerald Perry emphasized OBP under Lou and they have completely ignored that philosophy since they fired him.[/quote]One of the things I found when researching Lou was that his teams improve in OBP shortly after taking over, but fall not long after. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. I don’t know, but i did expect the 2008 team to be very good at getting on base. I also expected the 2009 team to be very good, but Milton Bradley’s struggles didn’t help.
mb22Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I have still never understood that personnel move. So strange on several levels.[/quote]The Cubs were struggling on offense, so they fired their hitting coach. Fair? Not really. But it’s not difficult to understand. They had to look like they were doing something about the problem.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Seriously, though, this is a great sign for the Ricketts regime. But it must continue. I have seen to many false dawns to start sucking Ricketts minuscule member over one good draft.[/quote]
I don’t get this. What false starts? If you’re talking about the Cubs in general, I can totally see that. We’ve seen way too many Brooks Kieschnickseses/Felix Pies/Hee Seop Chois/etc to get excited. But I don’t see what Ricketts has done to warrant deep cynicism.
He’s only had the team for what, two years? Last year’s draft wasn’t great, but I don’t see how that’s on him. I see that more as Wilken wanting to be Jerry Krause and find a diamond in the rough. And the consensus is that they nailed this draft.
To my mind, Ricketts is being very patient and building from the ground-up. I don’t necessarily love that approach — for a team that hasn’t won it all since Jesus was in short pants, it’s tough to be patient. That said, they’re building a top-notch Dominican facility, they’re redoing Mesa, and he’s said repeatedly that he wants to build a strong foundation. That’s what makes the winning tradition in Boston, Atlanta, etc.
I haven’t drunk the Ricketts’ Kool-Aid. I realize that he’s probably being too judicious/cautious/slow. That story from Forbes that someone linked to here a while back shows he errs on the side of caution. But he probably made gazillions of dollars with his idea. Did he make less than he could have by being overly cautious? Seems that’s the case. But clearly he’s a smart guy.
To my mind, though, all of this is contingent on two things this off-season:
1) Him firing Hendry after the season is over
2) The Cubs signing Prince Fielder and/or a big SP
If he does neither, well, then that’s bad.
Steve SwisherQuote Reply
Apropos of the blog post linked yesterday showing that the Cubs are at or near the bottom in walks taken at every level of the org, from A-ball to the ML team, are any of the players the Cubs drafted known as OBP guys?
DeVoss has the best eye in the system. I think I read that Baez has poor plate discipline but that vogelbach has a decent eye
dylanjQuote Reply
Ricketts also publicly told the Boise affiliate they need a new field or we are outta there last night. He has been touring the minor system for a week or so
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Steve Swisher]
1) Him firing Hendry after the season is over
2) The Cubs signing Prince Fielder and/or a big SP
If he does neither, well, then that’s bad.[/quote]Rumors are neither of these will happen. They are behind Jimbo 100% and they don’t see the need to sign one big name free agent.
binkyQuote Reply
and regarding “impact” players- Thats just Law’s opinion on Maples- others rate him much more highly and the Cubs obviously saw him as an upper 1rst round arm to spend 2.5. And I think Vogelbach’s bat is about as impact as it gets.
dylanjQuote Reply
Arturo Garcia had TJ last month- he was a CC pitcher who was going to be a high pick but blew the elbow this spring. We went overslot and got him anyway. Those are the kind of moves I like to see. Draft pitchers with talent who drop vs drafting Hayden Simpson and hoping your rabbits paw makes him talented
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Arturo Garcia had TJ last month- he was a CC pitcher who was going to be a high pick but blew the elbow this spring. We went overslot and got him anyway. Those are the kind of moves I like to see. Draft pitchers with talent who drop vs drafting Hayden Simpson and hoping your rabbits paw makes him talented[/quote]
ONE other team could have taken him in the next round, so clearly Simpson was a top talent.
/qed
BerseliusQuote Reply
This is what I meant.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Rumors are neither of these will happen. They are behind Jimbo 100% and they don’t see the need to sign one big name free agent.[/quote]
Well, that would be bad. I hope Kaplan is right, that Hendry is gone-zo after the season. I tend to believe Kap wouldn’t say that unless he knew something — I’m guessing he’s kinda tight with Hendry, and he wouldn’t jeopardize that relationship unless he was sure.
And who plays first next year? Not Peee-nyah, right?
This recent run is kind of a worst-case scenario. You can see Hendry saying, “See? I told you!” and Ricketts saying, “Yeah, maybe you’re right…” When they’re still one of the worst teams in the majors.
Steve SwisherQuote Reply
I’m really happy things fell the way they did,” Wilken said. “We know our negatives in this organization. We’re addressing them. This was the year when it really made sense to draft these three young men.
“But I’ll feel a lot better once we get them signed,” he added. “I feel like we have a chance to really add to the organizational depth in our system. Possibly, this time we got higher-end quality to go with what we’ve produced in the last three or four years.”
Sounds like Wilken knows we have some 4th OF, utility types but wanted to add some upside this year
dylanjQuote Reply
Swish, you have a much higher opinion of Orange Guy than we do (dying laughing). Don’t forget about his special relationship with Former Playgirl Model Steve Stone.
I think Kap’s rumors are salted with a healthy dash of wishcasting and shit-stirring.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]This is what I meant.[/quote]
Yeah, that’s incredibly frustrating. That’s why I think they have to get rid of Hendry. Forget the bad contracts, forget signing Milton Bradley, etc etc. Bad yes, but no GM bats 1.000. But the state of the minor-league system, and their inability to produce a stud in-house, is on him. That’s why you fire him.
Steve SwisherQuote Reply
The Cubs have made a franchise-record investment in First-Year Player Draft signings, more than doubling their financial commitment from last year. Overall, Chicago’s investment in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft is more than the club’s previous two drafts combined.
thats cool and also an epic fail.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Arturo Garcia had TJ last month- he was a CC pitcher who was going to be a high pick but blew the elbow this spring. We went overslot and got him anyway. Those are the kind of moves I like to see. Draft pitchers with talent who drop vs drafting Hayden Simpson and hoping your rabbits paw makes him talented[/quote]Kind of like drafting Chris Carpenter. I loved that they took him. High potential arm, coming off injury, but realism has to set in at some point. Great potential for the spot they got him, but even more unlikely to reach that potential than the average draft pick.
mb22Quote Reply
Kap’s source is not Hendry, and has been the source of several false reports, most notably the report that MIlton Bradley had been dealt to the Tigers. I wouldn’t trust that over-bronzed asshat any further than I could throw him.
What’s odd to me about the Hendry thing is the disparity between the national guys and the local guys. The national writers all seem to think Hendry is gone and Ricketts already has a short list working to replace him. The local guys seem to think Hendry’s going nowhere. I’m inclined to believe the guys closer to home, but two things give me pause:
1.) the local beat guys are almost uniformly terrible
2.) I’d like to believe that a guy like Peter Gammons has cultivated better sources than a low-rent hack like Kaplan
So I’m torn on the Hendry rumors, but leaning towards what the local guys are saying, since they are all in lockstep on this.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Swish, you have a much higher opinion of Orange Guy than we do (dying laughing). Don’t forget about his special relationship with Former Playgirl Model Steve Stone.
I think Kap’s rumors are salted with a healthy dash of wishcasting and shit-stirring.[/quote]
Maybe so. But if he’s just stirring up shit, at least he’s erring on the right side here.
Steve SwisherQuote Reply
[quote name=Steve Swisher]Yeah, that’s incredibly frustrating. That’s why I think they have to get rid of Hendry. Forget the bad contracts, forget signing Milton Bradley, etc etc. Bad yes, but no GM bats 1.000. But the state of the minor-league system, and their inability to produce a stud in-house, is on him. That’s why you fire him.[/quote]THIS
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Also, over the last two weeks, there have strong indications that Peña will be re-signed/extended and will be playing 1B next season for the Cubs.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Someone has to protect the young players from the lingering presence of Aramis Ramirez, MO
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Someone has to protect the young players from the lingering presence of Aramis Ramirez, MO[/quote]I had forgotten about the heinous specter of Ramirez.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Kap’s source is not Hendry, and has been the source of several false reports, most notably the report that MIlton Bradley had been dealt to the Tigers. I wouldn’t trust that over-bronzed asshat any further than I could throw him.
What’s odd to me about the Hendry thing is the disparity between the national guys and the local guys. The national writers all seem to think Hendry is gone and Ricketts already has a short list working to replace him. The local guys seem to think Hendry’s going nowhere. I’m inclined to believe the guys closer to home, but two things give me pause:
1.) the local beat guys are almost uniformly terrible
2.) I’d like to believe that a guy like Peter Gammons has cultivated better sources than a low-rent hack like Kaplan
So I’m torn on the Hendry rumors, but leaning towards what the local guys are saying, since they are all in lockstep on this.[/quote]
Good points. What about the two guys from the Daily Herald? I tend to trust Miles and Rozner — Rozner was the guy who said the Cubs were wooing Gillick ages ago and he said, basically, go fuck a duck. Do they say Hendry is staying?
To me, this off-season is the big litmus test. I’ve been willing to give Ricketts some time to learn the ropes. But if he stays on status quo after this shitstorm of a season, well, that tells me something.
I mean, look, he can’t keep this shit in place, can he? The team is awful, even with this recent run. There’s jack coming up from the farm system. You can sit in the dugout for about 50 cents. The stands aren’t empty, but they sure ain’t full. There’s no buzz about this team. NONE. I just can’t believe they’re so tone-deaf as to leave things on the current plan.
Steve SwisherQuote Reply
I’m surprised so little hay had been made over that Gillick signing
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I’m surprised so little hay had been made over that Gillick signing[/quote]
Were they at least going to talk to Gillick? News stories are conflicting.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I had previously thought the Cubs would not fire Hendry, but I do think he gets fired. I’m a little frustrated that he wasn’t fired already. It makes more sense to fire him around the deadline than to hold onto him, but I think this is an example of Ricketts being too slow to act. It’s not something that’s going to hurt the Cubs in the long run anyway. I guess I don’t see how the Cubs don’t fire Hendry at this point. I assume he’s gone, which also means Quade is gone.
mb22Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I’m surprised so little hay had been made over that Gillick signing[/quote]
? what this about
dylanjQuote Reply
So the Cubs spent 12M on the amateur draft and 7M on INTL signings. We can argue over whom they selected but they went after high-ceiling guys and did what it took to sign them. That’s what we’ve been told was going to happen. the fact that it did happen is really nice and hope it continues. It also explains why the budget for the big-league club was actually cut.
JManQuote Reply
Vogelbach info http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/1/3/1908539/draft-prospect-to-watch-dan-vogelbach
dylanjQuote Reply
you know the pirates have spent big time for 3-4 years now but their system is having a year like ours. Stetson Allie has imploded and a few of their other top ten have just had shitty seasons.
Spending on the draft alone doesnt help as much anymore because everyone spends on the draft. But I actually like some of the guys we got so thats what makes this nice
dylanjQuote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulw6sJqW03A
dude moves alright for a fatty
dylanjQuote Reply
This is an outrage!
http://chicago.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/vote/sports/
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]This is an outrage!
http://chicago.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/vote/sports/%5B/quote%5D
I thought you guys were un-re-anti-reverse-discredited.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]you know the pirates have spent big time for 3-4 years now but their system is having a year like ours. Stetson Allie has imploded and a few of their other top ten have just had shitty seasons.
Spending on the draft alone doesnt help as much anymore because everyone spends on the draft. But I actually like some of the guys we got so thats what makes this nice[/quote]That’s not true. Spending helps, but it comes with risk. the risk is you end up spending on guys that turn out to be shit like the Pirates have been and you can’t honestly sit here and tell me that YOU think the Cubs guys are different. We don’t know and we won’t know for a few years. Like they say, it takes 5 years to evaluate a draft. The bottom line with minor leaguers is that most of them fail. Almost all of the guys the Cubs just signed will fail before they even get to AA or AAA. You just have to hope that the Cubs did a good job at projecting the talent of one or two of them. If they did, it’s a great draft. If they didn’t, it ends up being a shitty one. All we know now is they spent money. I like that. I’m a big fan of that. it helps. It improves the odds of success. I like that too.
mb22Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I thought you guys were un-re-anti-reverse-discredited.[/quote]Obviously we are. I haven’t heard of most of those blogs.
mb22Quote Reply
[quote name=AndCounting]This is an outrage!
http://chicago.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/vote/sports/%5B/quote%5DI for one would love to know how many of those bloggers have interviewed Crane Kenney and Mike Fontenot.
GBTSQuote Reply
Interesting:
Surprising if Bobby Cox really wants to just be semi-retired instead of fully-retired. It’s just one of Levine’s thoughts but I think that might not be a bad idea to try.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Condom-company-presents-Jim-Thome-with-weird-8?urn=mlb-wp16111
(dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Whoa whoa whoa….am I the only one that is seeing Z’s age come into question for the first time?
JManQuote Reply
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]Whoa whoa whoa….am I the only one that is seeing Z’s age come into question for the first time?[/quote]Don’t remember reading anything about this before…
They need to cut him open and count the rings.
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=JMan]Whoa whoa whoa….am I the only one that is seeing Z’s age come into question for the first time?[/quote]
I saw that. I’ve heard folks question Pujols’ age before, but never Z’s age. Just another random Levine statement.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish].[/quote]Wow, my head hurts.
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]and regarding “impact” players- Thats just Law’s opinion on Maples- others rate him much more highly and the Cubs obviously saw him as an upper 1rst round arm to spend 2.5. And I think Vogelbach’s bat is about as impact as it gets.[/quote]
I think he was more of an upper second round arm, which would be a late first most years. He has his questions.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
I wonder if Kevin realizes that people 0.01% as smart as Hawking built his iPhone.
GBTSQuote Reply
Kev just wants in Mels pants…
Snyds01Quote Reply
This is where the fans find out Jimbo and Q Ball will receive walking papers.
/wishful thinking
http://www.bleachernation.com/2011/08/16/report-tom-ricketts-will-break-his-silence-in-an-announcement-on-the-chicago-cubs-future/
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I wonder if Kevin realizes that people 0.01% as smart as Hawking built his iPhone.[/quote]
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Kevin]HES IN A FUCKING WHEELCHAIR!! even if the world starts to end and there is a way to survive it, HE SURE AS HELL WOULDNT BE ABLE TO!![/quote]Rest assured, if there is a cosmic apocalypse that humans somehow have the capability to survive, there will be no ramps.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Steve Swisher]Good points. What about the two guys from the Daily Herald? I tend to trust Miles and Rozner — Rozner was the guy who said the Cubs were wooing Gillick ages ago and he said, basically, go fuck a duck. Do they say Hendry is staying?
To me, this off-season is the big litmus test. I’ve been willing to give Ricketts some time to learn the ropes. But if he stays on status quo after this shitstorm of a season, well, that tells me something.
I mean, look, he can’t keep this shit in place, can he? The team is awful, even with this recent run. There’s jack coming up from the farm system. You can sit in the dugout for about 50 cents. The stands aren’t empty, but they sure ain’t full. There’s no buzz about this team. NONE. I just can’t believe they’re so tone-deaf as to leave things on the current plan.[/quote]Miles is pretty reliable as far as scoops go, but since the Herald has kept him from traveling with the team, I think it’s hampered his ability to really get the story the way he otherwise might be able to.
Rozner…has sources, but he has way too many axes to grind to be reliable when it comes to baseball. He’s probably the best hockey writer in town, though.
I would like to think even a fanboy like Ricketts can see through Hendry’s bullshit. Time will tell.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]
[/quote]Welcome to what it’s like to teach philosophy classes at a big state university.
Every. Fucking. Day.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Welcome to what it’s like to teach philosophy classes at a big state university.
Every. Fucking. Day.[/quote]BOOM ROASTED!
WaLiQuote Reply
Can someone explain to me what this means? From Rosenslob:
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Can someone explain to me what this means? From Rosenslob:[/quote]It’s in no way excessively hyperbolic, that’s for sure.
GBTSQuote Reply
Poor Jason Marquis, but that’s some crazy shit being able to play on a broken leg for an inning.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Can someone explain to me what this means? From Rosenslob:[/quote]It means Rosenbloom is using a largely false rumor that platoon commanders unliked by their troops in Vietnam were “fragged,” i.e. had a grenade thrown just a bit too close to them by their own troops, to bash Z, despite the fact that the only player openly celebrating Z departure is Ginger Dugout Acrobat Ryan Dempster, while Pena, Byrd, and Soriano have all come out said they’d welcome Z back in.
So he’s using a lie told decades ago to bolster the lie he’s telling now.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]It means Rosenbloom is using a largely false rumor that platoon commanders unliked by their troops in Vietnam were “fragged,” i.e. had a grenade thrown just a bit too close to them by their own troops, to bash Z, despite the fact that the only player openly celebrating Z departure is Ginger Dugout Acrobat Ryan Dempster, while Pena, Byrd, and Soriano have all come out said they’d welcome Z back in.
So he’s using a lie told decades ago to bolster the lie he’s telling now.[/quote]
Thanks for explaining. That is just fucking terrible, though not surprising coming from him.
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
[quote name=mb22]Obviously we are. I haven’t heard of most of those blogs.[/quote]You never heard of The#4thPhaseBlog? (dying laughing)
WenningtonsGorillaCockQuote Reply
I read “Matterhorn” by Karl Marlantes a few months ago (highly, highly recommended) and he claimed there were something like 40 documented fragging incidents in Vietnam, usually while the commanders were sleeping.
GBTSQuote Reply
I feel bad for the pissant at CBS that has to field the barrage of e-mails from Al wondering where BCB is on the ballot followed by an extensive list of qualifications that he has to be included in such a list.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Can someone explain to me what this means? From Rosenslob:[/quote]
It means that you first have to eat the peanuts out of his sheeeiiitt.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I feel bad for the pissant at CBS that has to field the barrage of e-mails from Al wondering where BCB is on the ballot followed by an extensive list of qualifications that he has to be included in such a list.[/quote]#1 – Reprimands all profanity, most of the time
#2 – Almost found out who owns the Cubs.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I feel bad for the pissant at CBS that has to field the barrage of e-mails from Al wondering where BCB is on the ballot followed by an extensive list of qualifications that he has to be included in such a list.[/quote]
All fucking niggers must fucking hang.
Animal MotherQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I read “Matterhorn” by Karl Marlantes a few months ago (highly, highly recommended) and he claimed there were something like 40 documented fragging incidents in Vietnam, usually while the commanders were sleeping.[/quote]Yeah, it was a very rare phenomenon. But since America has decided that Oliver Stone is the definitive chronicler of the Vietnam War, it’s been made out to be some sort of regular occurrence.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]It means that you first have to eat the peanuts out of his sheeeiiitt.[/quote]Is that you John Wayne, or is it me?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, it was a very rare phenomenon. But since America has decided that Oliver Stone is the definitive chronicler of the Vietnam War, it’s been made out to be some sort of regular occurrence.[/quote]I feel like this is a growing trend with Chicago sports columnists. They stay up late the night before their deadline watching movies on Spike, then work that into their columns. Telander clearly just saw Terminator 2 for the first time before he penned that epic “the robots are going to conquer us all unless we stop getting concussed” column, and Rosenbloom definitely just watched Platoon.
GBTSQuote Reply
Ryno ———-> complete and utter disregard for the use-mention distinction
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Is that you John Wayne, or is it me?[/quote]
I think we’ve had this exact exchange before.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I feel like this is a growing trend with Chicago sports columnists. They stay up late the night before their deadline watching movies on Spike, then work that into their columns. Telander clearly just saw Terminator 2 for the first time before he penned that epic “the robots are going to conquer us all unless we stop getting concussed” column, and Rosenbloom definitely just watched Platoon.[/quote](dying laughing), maybe you’ve finally deciphered their nonsense.
Telander is abysmal. It amazes me that man isn’t lying in a gutter somewhere ripping up pictures of Mitch Albom and drowning his sorrows in boiler gin.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Ryno ———-> complete and utter disregard for the use-mention distinction[/quote]
It was implied.
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/8/16/2364274/the-case-for-adaptive-defense-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and
The Cubs game in question and video evidence are included in my comment to this post. I miss Lou Piniella.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This was pure epic win. Even though the Cubs lost.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=5568757
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]It was implied.[/quote]You act, Al feels.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This was pure epic win. Even though the Cubs lost.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=5568757%5B/quote%5DOh man, I forgot Reed made that ridiculous catch in that inning too. Although if memory serves, the replays showed he clearly trapped it.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]It was implode.[/quote].
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS].[/quote]I wonder if you blundered that one.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Welcome to what it’s like to teach philosophy classes at a big state university.
Every. Fucking. Day.[/quote]I would fucking kill myself. I feel a bit like killing myself now after reading that.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Tarzan Mercurial Outfielder]You smart, Al faget.[/quote]
I don’t know why…
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]Oh man, I forgot Reed made that ridiculous catch in that inning too. Although if memory serves, the replays showed he clearly trapped it.[/quote]
It looked like a trap to me, but ultimately the Cubs lost so I don’t recall TLR bitching too much about it. But I do remember TLR lauding Lou for ingenuity, even though the pitcher-to-OF platoon was talked about briefly in “The Book” previously.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This was pure epic win. Even though the Cubs lost.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=5568757%5B/quote%5DThat was a sweet move. I’m surprised it hasn’t been tried more for a lefty/righty type matchup. It would only work in the NL, though, right? Because it would cancel out your DH in the AL.
binkyQuote Reply
The Book mentions the strategy and offers some stats to back it up. Kind of amazing that someone put it into practice. Of course, these days Marsh is so goud against both left and right-handers that there’s not much point in using him this way.
ACTQuote Reply
Of course, Lou also played Hill way too much last year, and batted Soto too low in the order.
ACTQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]That was a sweet move. I’m surprised it hasn’t been tried more for a lefty/righty type matchup. It would only work in the NL, though, right? Because it would cancel out your DH in the AL.[/quote]
Unless you pencil in one of your pitchers as the LF it will definitely cancel out the DH. The pitcher playing LF will allow you to continue to have the DH, but you’re also stuck with a LF who can’t hit in your lineup. Once the pitcher playing LF swaps with the pitcher on the mound, the DH is forfeited.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]It’s in no way excessively hyperbolic, that’s for sure.[/quote]And completely consistent with the news that those crazy unlikeable teammates Byrd, Pena, and Soriano were the only ones who reached out to him.
The WreckardQuote Reply
[quote name=ACT]Of course, Lou also played Hill way too much last year, and batted Soto too low in the order.[/quote]
Yeah, Lou, like a lot of managers, does dumb shit sometimes. Comes with the territory. Definitely applies to Quade too although he doesn’t really do anything as awesome as Lou did (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Yeah, Lou, like a lot of managers, does dumb shit sometimes. Comes with the territory. Definitely applies to Quade too although he doesn’t really do anything as awesome as Lou did (dying laughing)[/quote]I’ll give Lou the benefit of the doubt for last season – he was handed a shitty team, and had some family issues that probably made managing a crappy baseball team seem pretty insignificant. I’m sure at a certain point he was just like “Fuckit, just put Hill in there. I don’t even care.”
The WreckardQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, it was a very rare phenomenon. But since America has decided that Oliver Stone is the definitive chronicler of the Vietnam War, it’s been made out to be some sort of regular occurrence.[/quote]My dad was in Vietnam and talks about this. It may be one of those things that a lot of guys bragged about. Maybe in the moment it seemed more widespread than it really was, to the soldiers themselves.
binkyQuote Reply
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
But…are you left-handed?
Bob Brenly says bringing Z back would send a bad message. I’m inclined to agree that they shouldn’t bring Z back but I don’t know that doing so would send a bad message per se.
Der article:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/08/15/brenly-bringing-zambrano-back-would-send-horrible-message/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I guess letting Z back in the clubhouse would send the message that the Cubs are a bunch of pussies, or that certain players are given 4th and 5th chances or something.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]But…are you left-handed?
Bob Brenly says bringing Z back would send a bad message. I’m inclined to agree that they shouldn’t bring Z back but I don’t know that doing so would send a bad message per se.
Der article:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/08/15/brenly-bringing-zambrano-back-would-send-horrible-message/%5B/quote%5DBrenly has been pretty gleeful in parading around town saying this stuff.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]But…are you left-handed?
Bob Brenly says bringing Z back would send a bad message. I’m inclined to agree that they shouldn’t bring Z back but I don’t know that doing so would send a bad message per se.
Der article:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/08/15/brenly-bringing-zambrano-back-would-send-horrible-message/%5B/quote%5DI guess that you can do whatever you want and get away with it. Really, that message was sent when they extended Z’s contract 4 years ago, but whatever.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Brenly has been pretty gleeful in parading around town saying this stuff.[/quote]Bob saw it coming years ago. If Bob was manager, Bob wouldn’t have let any of this happen. But that’s just Bob’s opinion.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]
[/quote]To be fair, my Dad has a habit of taking on movies as reality, so there’s that.
binkyQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
MO, that almost literally killed me. I just inhaled water..
AndCountingQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I guess that you can do whatever you want and get away with it. Really, that message was sent when they extended Z’s contract 4 years ago, but whatever.[/quote]
The Cubs really have their hands tied. About all they can do is release him outright, particularly if he decides he doesn’t want to accept a trade to a team that would agree to take him (I’m not thinking too many at this point).
Assuming the union gets involved, they can’t just stash him on the restricted list. They really don’t have many options, and may end up looking very foolish as a result of some of their past decisions (the restricted list, no trade clause, etc).
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]I guess that you can do whatever you want and get away with it. Really, that message was sent when they extended Z’s contract 4 years ago, but whatever.[/quote]Exactly. It seems pretty fucking disingenuous of Hendry to and say “oh, there’s all this stuff we didn’t tell yoou about and it’s been going since forever and trust us it’s totally bad” now, even though his comments seem to imply that the problems with Zambrano were in place when the fucking extension was signed.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Exactly. It seems pretty fucking disingenuous of Hendry to and say “oh, there’s all this stuff we didn’t tell yoou about and it’s been going since forever and trust us it’s totally bad” now, even though his comments seem to imply that the problems with Zambrano were in place when the fucking extension was signed.[/quote]
This isn’t really exempting Z for his recent behavior but I definitely don’t think he was handled well at all throughout his tenure as a Cub. Especially if you consider last year…ugh.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]The Cubs really have their hands tied. About all they can do is release him outright, particularly if he decides he doesn’t want to accept a trade to a team that would agree to take him (I’m not thinking too many at this point).
Assuming the union gets involved, they can’t just stash him on the restricted list. They really don’t have many options, and may end up looking very foolish as a result of some of their past decisions (the restricted list, no trade clause, etc).[/quote]If the Cubs agree to pay Z, I think MLBPA will back off and let them suspend him. I mean, the guy is obviously in breach of team rules, and the team has the right to punish him. As long as Z gets his money, MLBPA will be satisfied, IMO.
But I think your last sentence is spot on. Hendry has really gotten himself into a pickle here, given his past treatment of Z, both good and bad.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]This isn’t really exempting Z for his recent behavior but I definitely don’t think he was handled well at all throughout his tenure as a Cub. Especially if you consider last year…ugh.[/quote]The Cubs have shown repeatedly, since at least Dusty’s tenure, that they have no clue how to handle in-house problems with enigmatic players. Mike Quade is the first person in Cubs management that has displayed any acumen in this regard in the last decade.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]The Cubs have shown repeatedly, since at least Dusty’s tenure, that they have no clue how to handle in-house problems with enigmatic players. Mike Quade is the first person in Cubs management that has displayed any acumen in this regard in the last decade.[/quote]
That might possibly be because he doesn’t exactly have the best respect from his veterans and because Z can snap him in half over his leg.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]The Cubs have shown repeatedly, since at least Dusty’s tenure, that they have no clue how to handle in-house problems with enigmatic players. Mike Quade is the first person in Cubs management that has displayed any acumen in this regard in the last decade.[/quote]
As a consequence of MO giving a compliment to Mike Quade, I just saw a pig fly past my window.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]The Cubs have shown repeatedly, since at least Dusty’s tenure, that they have no clue how to handle in-house problems with enigmatic players. Mike Quade is the first person in Cubs management that has displayed any acumen in this regard in the last decade.[/quote]But then again, didn’t he start this fuss? Or did the press catch wind that Z left early? Let’s say the press hadn’t found out. Could all of this have been handled a different way? I don’t know. It is kind of weird how quickly this story blew up.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]If the Cubs agree to pay Z, I think MLBPA will back off and let them suspend him. I mean, the guy is obviously in breach of team rules, and the team has the right to punish him. As long as Z gets his money, MLBPA will be satisfied, IMO.
But I think your last sentence is spot on. Hendry has really gotten himself into a pickle here, given his past treatment of Z, both good and bad.[/quote]
Yeah, I would agree with that. Should Z receive his money, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them suspend him outright for the rest of the season, then try to work something out in the offseason.
Thing is, Z may veto any trade, and if he does, all the Cubs can do is release him outright or eat their own words and keep him. If they release him, I’m guessing they’d have to pay off a good portion of his 2012 salary. Pretty awkward place to be.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]As a consequence of MO giving a compliment to Mike Quade, I just saw a pig fly past my window.[/quote]Will you be donating that million dollars now, sir?
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Will you be donating that million dollars now, sir?[/quote]
No, I’d still prefer not.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]That might possibly be because he doesn’t exactly have the best respect from his veterans and because Z can snap him in half over his leg.[/quote]I don’t know why it is. I just know Quade’s been pretty good (his few shots at Castro aside) at handling the problems the way most teams do: we’re taking care it in-house, it’ll be dealt with, we’re disappointed, but now it’s time to move on.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I don’t know why it is. I just know Quade’s been pretty good (his few shots at Castro aside) at handling the problems the way most teams do: we’re taking care it in-house, it’ll be dealt with, we’re disappointed, but now it’s time to move on.[/quote]
I think even after the weekend Q told the reporters he wouldn’t be dealing with Z-related questions so at least he’s consistent.
It’d be interesting if someone with more time than I do tracked down the chronology of events to see when the news of Z leaving was leaked and whether Q broached the subject himself or if the reporters asked him about it first and he had no choice but to respond.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think even after the weekend Q told the reporters he wouldn’t be dealing with Z-related questions so at least he’s consistent.
It’d be interesting if someone with more time than I do tracked down the chronology of events to see when the news of Z leaving was leaked and whether Q broached the subject himself or if the reporters asked him about it first and he had no choice but to respond.[/quote]Yeah, that was my question. Why didn’t Q keep a lid on this?
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]But then again, didn’t he start this fuss? Or did the press catch wind that Z left early? Let’s say the press hadn’t found out. Could all of this have been handled a different way? I don’t know. It is kind of weird how quickly this story blew up.[/quote]I don’t think so. I think this was leaked before the game was even over. But I’m not sure.
It is strange how fast the details got out.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Guess Soto needs a day off after his hot-hitting last night.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I don’t think so. I think this was leaked before the game was even over. But I’m not sure.
It is strange how fast the details got out.[/quote]
Isn’t this the same thing they did to Sammy Sosa? Or was Sosa caught on camera first without the Cubs having to lift a finger?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I don’t think so. I think this was leaked before the game was even over. But I’m not sure.
It is strange how fast the details got out.[/quote]
I think you’re right MO. Not exactly sure, since I turned off the game not long after Z was tossed (dying laughing).
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Yeah, that was my question. Why didn’t Q keep a lid on this?[/quote]I’m not sure he had a chance. I think part of his odd behavior after the game was due to his being alarmed with how quickly the story got out and the degree of detail that got out.
My money is on at least one player talking to a writer. Some of the Bradley stuff certainly got leaked that way, and I suspect the same person/persons got talky this time, too.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]I think you’re right MO. Not exactly sure, since I turned off the game not long after Z was tossed (dying laughing).[/quote]I get a text message from my friend (in Florida) asking about Zambrano before the game was over, so it must have leaked before Q had a chance to talk to reporters.
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Isn’t this the same thing they did to Sammy Sosa? Or was Sosa caught on camera first without the Cubs having to lift a finger?[/quote]There are certainly similarities here as far as the behavior of the team is concerned. Maybe Kerry Wood should smash Carlos’ duffel bag and bring it all full circle. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m not sure he had a chance. I think part of his odd behavior after the game was due to his being alarmed with how quickly the story got out and the degree of detail that got out.
My money is on at least one player talking to a writer. Some of the Bradley stuff certainly got leaked that way, and I suspect the same person/persons got talky this time, too.[/quote]A certain ginger pitcher perhaps? I turned the game off after he got tossed, too, so all the drama was waiting for me the next morning, but it looked like on the video that they cornered Q in his office. I can’t blame him for being angry. You don’t walk out on a team just because their doing bad. But it’s weird how it quickly that fire spread.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]I get a text message from my friend (in Florida) asking about Zambrano before the game was over, so it must have leaked before Q had a chance to talk to reporters.[/quote]Yeah, things were flying on Twitter and FB by the 8th-9th inning. This has all the earmarks of a player dropping the dime on Z to a writer.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]There are certainly similarities here as far as the behavior of the team is concerned. Maybe Kerry Wood should smash Carlos’ duffel bag and bring it all full circle. (dying laughing)[/quote]
I realize you’re joking, but one of the MLB articles actually said Wood came out in support of Zambrano. I wonder if it was Gingerbelle.
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, things were flying on Twitter and FB by the 8th-9th inning. This has all the earmarks of a player dropping the dime on Z to a writer.[/quote]
When did Z and Soriano have time to have an argument?
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]A certain ginger pitcher perhaps? I turned the game off after he got tossed, too, so all the drama was waiting for me the next morning, but it looked like on the video that they cornered Q in his office. I can’t blame him for being angry. You don’t walk out on a team just because their doing bad. But it’s weird how it quickly that fire spread.[/quote]That wouldn’t surprise me. It’s also telling that the Soriano story got leaked and only a player or a clubhouse attendant would have known about that incident, and I don’t know how many clubhouse guys in ATL have links to Chicago beat writers.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]When did Z and Soriano have time to have an argument?[/quote]In between innings (dying laughing)
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]When did Z and Soriano have time to have an argument?[/quote]
Allegedly it was in the tunnel as Z was getting ready to leave the dugout after being ejected.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]In between innings (dying laughing)[/quote]http://blogs.suntimes.com/cubs/2011/08/chicago_cubs_alfonso_soriano_confronted_carlos_zambra.html
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]When did Z and Soriano have time to have an argument?[/quote]Apparently right after the ejection. Z went in the locker room, Soriano followed, there was some yelling, and Z packed up and split.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Apparently right after the ejection. Z went in the locker room, Soriano followed, there was some yelling, and Z packed up and split.[/quote]
That’s right, because Soriano was still in LF until the half-inning ended. Derp.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=ZappBrannigan]I realize you’re joking, but one of the MLB articles actually said Wood came out in support of Zambrano. I wonder if it was Gingerbelle.[/quote]I dunno. What I do think is that it’s been clear since the Bradley stuff started getting out that this team had a clubhouse snitch, and a lot of the same people are still here and at least one (Reed) has come back. The quickness with which the Z story got out and the level of detail that got out are indicative that this is still going on, IMO.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I dunno. What I do think is that it’s been clear since the Bradley stuff started getting out that this team had a clubhouse snitch, and a lot of the same people are still here and at least one (Reed) has come back. The quickness with which the Z story got out and the level of detail that got out are indicative that this is still going on, IMO.[/quote]
There are plenty of non-players in the clubhouse who could snitch. For all we know it’s Yosh Kawano.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]There are plenty of non-players in the clubhouse who could snitch. For all we know it’s Yosh Kawano.[/quote](dying laughing), yeah, there have always been stories around MLB about beat guys paying off clubhouse guys for stories, so that’s highly likely. Bottom line is that the Cubs clubhouse seems to have a leak.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
We know it’s not Deep Goat, because Al didn’t report Zambrano signing an extension after he was tossed.
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]We know it’s not Deep Goat, because Al didn’t report Zambrano being traded for A-Rod after he was tossed.[/quote]
/the source was right at the time but not when it didn’t happen
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]We know it’s not Deep Goat, because Al didn’t report Zambrano signing an extension after he was tossed.[/quote]
Deep Goat’s not in the clubhouse anyway
BerseliusQuote Reply
b, I’m disappointed L’il Sebastian isn’t mentioned in #8:
http://www.cracked.com/article_19364_15-animals-you-wonE28099t-believe-arent-photoshopped.html
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]We know it’s not Deep Goat, because Al didn’t report Zambrano signing an extension after he was tossed.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
ZappBranniganQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]b, I’m disappointed L’il Sebastian isn’t mentioned in #8:
http://www.cracked.com/article_19364_15-animals-you-wonE28099t-believe-arent-photoshopped.html%5B/quote%5D
I have cried twice in my life. Once when I was seven and I was hit by a school bus. And then again when I heard that Li’l Sebastian had passed.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]Deep Goat’s not in the clubhouse anyway[/quote]Too many latins.
GBTSQuote Reply
Deep Goat is too busy looking for the next David Patton to worry about clubhouse problems.
BerseliusQuote Reply
MishQuote Reply
MishQuote Reply
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/08/16/texas.baseball.fall/index.html
They’re making a statue out of the guy that fell out of the bleachers?
Aisle424Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/08/16/texas.baseball.fall/index.html
They’re making a statue out of the guy that fell out of the bleachers?[/quote]They’re making it out of him? That’s just too far.
GBTSQuote Reply
I forgot about David Patton… Was he on the team in 08 or 09?
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Yellon is one of the stupidest human beings I have ever come across. It’s a wonder he isn’t in some sort of assisted living facility.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
I wish it wasnt such a pain in the ass to make another screen name there
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
I will pay the Cubs lots of money to make a statue out of Al sitting and eating a bologna sandwich up in the upper LF bleacher seat. I’ll see if I can get Oscar Mayer to sponsor it.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yellon is one of the stupidest human beings I have ever come across. It’s a wonder he isn’t in some sort of assisted living facility.[/quote]1 PA per game is NOT ENOUGH to determine this!
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I will pay the Cubs lots of money to make a statue out of Al sitting and eating a bologna sandwich up in the upper LF bleacher seat. I’ll see if I can get Oscar Mayer to sponsor it.[/quote]
Extra $ if they put that statue in Al’s seat so he has to sit somewhere else.
/not their best customer’d
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Extra $ if they put that statue in Al’s seat so he has to sit somewhere else.
/not their best customer’d[/quote]
The upper LF bleacher seat is his seat. He sits abouyt as afar away from the plate as you can in that park. He might as well sit under the scoreboard.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]The upper LF bleacher seat is his seat. He sits abouyt as afar away from the plate as you can in that park. He might as well sit under the scoreboard.[/quote]
Ah, I misread it to mean that the statue is of him sitting in his seat, but not that you actually also wanted it in his actual seat (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Awkward…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
PWSullivan Paul Sullivan
by miCubs
Cubs’ Wilkens sez Ricketts’ financial commitment to draftees was something he hadn’t experienced since Toronto 20 years ago.
4 minutes ago
TheCCO ChicagoCubsOnline
RT @cst_cubs Scouting director Wilken calls this best draft in 6 yrs for Cubs — w/ 4 1st-rd level guys signed.
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
I dont care if 1 guy develops from this draft. They took high talent and spent money.
A+ to Wilken
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]PWSullivan Paul Sullivan
by miCubs
Cubs’ Wilkens sez Ricketts’ financial commitment to draftees was something he hadn’t experienced since Toronto 20 years ago.
4 minutes ago
TheCCO ChicagoCubsOnline
RT @cst_cubs Scouting director Wilken calls this best draft in 6 yrs for Cubs — w/ 4 1st-rd level guys signed.
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply
I dont care if 1 guy develops from this draft. They took high talent and spent money.
A+ to Wilken[/quote]
So we have now caught up to what Toronto was doing in the 90’s. Excellent.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I’m looking forward to the day when the Cubs’ training staff stops using leeches.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I just dont know what some people want around here… I am so confused. I thought FOR SURE I mean FOR SURE after this draft their would be a lot more optimism here.
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I’m looking forward to the day when the Cubs’ training staff stops using leeches.[/quote]
That’s a recently credible medical treatment option I’ve enjoyed
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]I just dont know what some people want around here… I am so confused. I thought FOR SURE I mean FOR SURE after this draft their would be a lot more optimism here.[/quote]
We don’t like anything, bubs.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]I just dont know what some people want around here… I am so confused. I thought FOR SURE I mean FOR SURE after this draft their would be a lot more optimism here.[/quote]WORLD FUCKING SERIES. All else is details.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]I just dont know what some people want around here… I am so confused. I thought FOR SURE I mean FOR SURE after this draft their would be a lot more optimism here.[/quote]
I like it. But, Like MB and someone else said, this is one year of doing something intelligent. It doesn’t negate the years and years and years of crap. It also doesn’t fully endear the Ricketts in my eyes either.
They have been spouting off about the farm system since they took control, but their first draft involved taking the 1,000,742nd ranked player in the first round and their first major trade involved sending three decently rated prospects for a pitcher that is just now starting to get expensive.
So, yes, in a vacuum, I’m very pleased with this draft. However, they have a LOOOOONG way to go before I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that this is how they plan to operate going forward. The Cubs are the Kings of Window Dressing and this could simply be a bone thrown in the name of building a farm system. We just don’t know yet.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]We don’t like anything, bubs.[/quote]
Also, we are fun-suckers.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]There are plenty of non-players in the clubhouse who could snitch. For all we know it’s Yosh Kawano.[/quote]We should probably put him in a camp just to be safe he’s not snitching.
The WreckardQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Also, we are fun-suckers.[/quote]Sucking fun is what stats is all about!
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]WORLD FUCKING SERIES. All else is details.[/quote]
The porno version of “Major League”?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]The porno version of “Major League”?[/quote]I think that would be World Series Fucking.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I like it. But, Like MB and someone else said, this is one year of doing something intelligent. It doesn’t negate the years and years and years of crap. It also doesn’t fully endear the Ricketts in my eyes either.
They have been spouting off about the farm system since they took control, but their first draft involved taking the 1,000,742nd ranked player in the first round and their first major trade involved sending three decently rated prospects for a pitcher that is just now starting to get expensive.
So, yes, in a vacuum, I’m very pleased with this draft. However, they have a LOOOOONG way to go before I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that this is how they plan to operate going forward. The Cubs are the Kings of Window Dressing and this could simply be a bone thrown in the name of building a farm system. We just don’t know yet.[/quote]It’s difficult to be optimistic. Every 5 years or so, someone is going to fix this team, or the Cubs have the next best thing, and it never works out. That’s probably not even true, but it sure feels that way.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]So we have now caught up to what Toronto was doing in the 90’s. Excellent.[/quote]
Toronto did win a WS or two in the 90…Let’s see what happens
Snyds01Quote Reply
[quote name=Snyds01]Toronto did win a WS or two in the 90…Let’s see what happens[/quote]
Yes, by spending money on the farm before everyone else figured out that you spend money on the farm in order to be successful.
The Cubs are the last to do anything. They were the last to get lights, they are the last to reap any significant revenue from advertising in the ballpark, they will be the last to embrace any sort of statistical analysis (if they aren’t already), and they will be the last to figure out how to run a damn farm system correctly.
The last time the Cubs were the first in something was when they began the practice of letting fans keep foul balls instead of retrieving them to use over and over.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Snyds01]Toronto did win a WS or two in the 90…Let’s see what happens[/quote]It’s strange to think that there was a time when the Yankees didn’t win every year…
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]Yes, by spending money on the farm before everyone else figured out that you spend money on the farm in order to be successful.
The Cubs are the last to do anything. They were the last to get lights, they are the last to reap any significant revenue from advertising in the ballpark, they will be the last to embrace any sort of statistical analysis (if they aren’t already), and they will be the last to figure out how to run a damn farm system correctly.
The last time the Cubs were the first in something was when they began the practice of letting fans keep foul balls instead of retrieving them to use over and over.[/quote]Old Timers still say that the Cubs would have won in ’69 if not for the fact that they had to play all day games at home.
binkyQuote Reply
[quote name=josh]Old Timers still say that the Cubs would have won in ’69 if not for the fact that they had to play all day games at home.[/quote]
That’s their crutch and they’re welcome to use it if it makes them feel better, but the Mets weren’t getting caught that year. There was almost nothing the Cubs could have done to hold them off.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=josh]Old Timers still say that the Cubs would have won in ’69 if not for the fact that they had to play all day games at home.[/quote]
It was also kind of hard to get to the playoffs back then. Still is, but not quite as much with the wild card and three divisions.
I forgot which season they started divisions, but it used to be you had to flat out win the league. Just seemed tougher to get to the playoffs given that.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]It was also kind of hard to get to the playoffs back then. Still is, but not quite as much with the wild card and three divisions.
I forgot which season they started divisions, but it used to be you had to flat out win the league. Just seemed tougher to get to the playoffs given that.[/quote]I seriously heard like E. Banks or someone say that during a game just this last week. I thought it was a weaksauce excuse, even by Cubs standards.
binkyQuote Reply
I also remember Ronnie talking about how he was always good in the clutch. Which the numbers someone put up of all time clutch hitters disagrees with, but he did compile a respectable number of RBIs every season.
binkyQuote Reply
1969 was a divisional year.
But still the Cubs went 8-17 in September. Even if they had gone 16-9 (.640) they would have ended tied with the Mets and that is because the Mets lost to the Cubs on the last day of the season. If that game had mattered, they probably don’t rest Harrelson and Swoboda, and pull Agee halfway through the game, so we’ll never know how that game would have played out if the two teams were withing a game of each other.
To expect a team to play better than .640 baseball down the stretch to not be caught in the standings is unrealistic.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=josh]I seriously heard like E. Banks or someone say that during a game just this last week. I thought it was a weaksauce excuse, even by Cubs standards.[/quote]
I can see how it might mess with their internal clocks a bit because they won’t get to sleep in and they also have less time pre-game to prepare, but I figure you get to adapt to it especially if you have to do it for 81 games or whatever it was back then. If anything I think it would be the road team who is disadvantaged because they only get to BP after the Cubs do…
The Cubs have so many random excuses (bad facilities, goats, Bartman) that I can’t really keep track of them all. I guess when you suck for over a century the excuses just kind of pile up.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]I just dont know what some people want around here… I am so confused. I thought FOR SURE I mean FOR SURE after this draft their would be a lot more optimism here.[/quote]I want the Cubs to keep doing this. I like what they did and have said as much, but one great draft doesn’t turn an organization around. You have to develop the talent and continue to have great drafts. If this is all the Cubs do, who cares? I loved it when the Cubs spent after 2006, but wanted to see more of it. There was more than usual, but not as much as was needed. This draft takes the Cubs from 28th best minor league system to 22nd best. Big deal.
I’ll take a wait and see approach before I start blowing Tim Wilken. He’s fucked up 5 drafts before this one. Let’s not forget that.
mb22Quote Reply
new shit: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/carlos-zambrano-kept-on-truckin.html
mb22Quote Reply