Anything happening with Samardzija?
Tom Loxas reported that the Cubs and Jays might be close last weekend, but since then nothing as happened, and other sources (i.e. Julie's) say not much is happening. I don't really see much happening either. Still, Loxas's sources seem to think that the Cubs want to get some resolution on Samardzija before Thanksgiving/the Winter Meetings
Cubs 2014 coaching staff
Returning are Chris Bosio, who has seemed to do an adequate job despite the garbage he's been given in the bullpen, and bullpen coach Lester Strode, who seems like he's been around forever at this point. They also hired Gary Jones as the third base coach, Mike Brumley as the assistant hitting coach, and Jose Castro as the "Quality Assurance" coach. He's also a former hitting coach. I'm not really sure what this QA label means, since the Cubs also quasi-promoted Mike Borzello, who is a bullpen catcher/BP pitcher as a catching and strategy coach. Maybe he's just pitching strategy and Castro deals with stuff like defensive positioning and whacking Renteria with a stick for every sacrifice bunt.
Bill Mueller was hired to be the new hitting coach. I don't really know much about his coaching skills, but it's safe to say that he was a pretty good hitter as a player (career .291 AVG). Even more importantly, he had a .373 career OBP so hopefully some of those skills rub off too. He has some past experience as a hitting coach with the Dodgers. For some reason I thought he was part of the 2003 team, pre-Ramirez but I guess not. I remember his grisly knee injury suffered while sliding into a rotating sign on the sidelines, which was apparently in 2001 instead.
Cubs leadoff spot is wide open
With David DeJesus gone the best option for leadoff might be for the Cubs to get Mueller out of retirement. Muskat posts some small sample size numbers on some of the options in her mailbag, and unless the Cubs sign Choo or Ellsbury I think she's right in guessing that it might be Castro.
Minor moves
Dave Sappelt was released to make room for perennial journeyman minor league OF Casper Wells. Wells will likely be in three more organizations before the season starts, the way his career has gone so far. He's also had vision problems, maybe he and Mike Olt can give each other moral support or something.
Cardinals sign Jhonny Peralta
Peralta got a 4/52 deal from the Cardinals, which surprises me since I figured they'd inevitably get Tulowitzki for a bag of magic beans, since that's just how they roll. This signing prompted A's worm-killing reliever Brad Ziegler to complain about PEDs paying. My response to this more or less echoes Calcaterra's.
Jhonny Peralta being able to own land, vote, etc. just goes to show you that PEDs pays.
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) November 26, 2013
Thanksgiving dinner plans
My plans for tomorrow.
Comments
When I first looked at your pie photo, I thought I was looking at this:
[img]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ctmoMAmTheQ/T_2xKID7qII/AAAAAAAABbo/GVAa-Oxe0Rs/s1600/edible+bugs.png[/img]
SVBQuote Reply
@ SVB:
Happy Thanksgiving
SVBQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I find your lack of pumpkin pie disturbing.
sitrickQuote Reply
I don’t want Castro leading off. Not that it matters since this team isn’t looking to contend like forever, but they’ve got a few better options than him anyway. He should bat 6th or 7th.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ sitrick:
Fuck pumpkin. Pecan is the way to go. Mine won’t look as good as the one berselius posted, but who cares?
I’m making a pecan pie and banana cream pie.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
Sounds like I’m angry at pumpkins. I’m really not.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ dmick89:
I am a pie populist. A united nations of pie. Every pie should be welcome at the table. Except that fucking weirdo mincemeat.
sitrickQuote Reply
@ sitrick:
I welcome all pies. I just fear that as pumpkin is the overwhelming favorite at Thanksgiving, that other pies have been oppressed. Pumpkin has denied the rights of other pies long enough.
dmick89Quote Reply
sitrick wrote:
Remember when everyone went crazy for felix pie? Never quite lived up to the hype.
Like You CareQuote Reply
dmick89 wrote:
There is definitely the Security Council of pies, but I think pecan is included. Apple, Pumpkin, Strawberry Rhubarb, Cherry, and Pecan. I feel like Blueberry and Lemon Meringue deserve a seat at the table, but I understand I’m in the minority.
sitrickQuote Reply
@ Like You Care:
Well felix pie was half the pie as other pies.
WaLiQuote Reply
Definitive pie rankings:
1. Peach-Blueberry
2. Custard-based Pecan pie (none of that corn syrupy shit)
3. Lemon Meringue/Key Lime
4. Apple
5. Cherry
…
eleventy-billion: whatever the fuck that bee pie is that SVB posted
Pecan pies are a bitch to make. I think I’ve only had one qualified success in five attempts (dying laughing).
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ sitrick:
Just so long as we agree that pie >>>> cake, we’re cool.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Kottaras ——> Cubs
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
I’d move Pecan down to 5 and bump the others up in my personal ranking, but yeah, I agree with this list.
Cake people are idiots.
sitrickQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Sadly, maybe the best leadoff option at this point.
sitrickQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Solid pickup, I think. He’ll make a good pairing with Castillo, can sop up ABs against tough righties. Any word on what they sent the other way? Assume it would have to be someone not on the 40-man, if it’s not just a straight wire claim.
uncle daveQuote Reply
I like the deal too. Royals had DFA’d him, so not expecting much.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Word from The Shire is that the Cubs sent cash for him. Win.
BerseliusQuote Reply
sitrick wrote:
Why choose? This is America, after all.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Berselius wrote:
Not much to argue with there, especially if it relieves the temptation to throw 3/30 at Saltalamamlsdflihia. Use that dough on filling a need, not on picking up a guy who will push your most productive hitter out of the lineup.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Apple or GTFO. This is still America.
GBTSQuote Reply
uncle dave wrote:
GBTS wrote:
Dave and I are on the same page.
GBTSQuote Reply
Wait, maybe not.
GBTSQuote Reply
uncle dave wrote:
GBTSQuote Reply
New shit: http://obstructedview.net/commentary-and-analysis/in-what-passes-as-breaking-news-the-cubs-have-acquired-catcher-george-kottaras.html
Aisle424Quote Reply
GBTS wrote:
uncle daveQuote Reply
Hawaiian Pie FTW
JonKneeV2Quote Reply