Diamondbacks @ Cubs

Wow.

With Pena out because of his thumb or whatever, I think I’d like Soto to play one more day instead of having them both out today.

[quote name=Lukas]Wow.

With Pena out because of his thumb or whatever, I think I’d like Soto to play one more day instead of having them both out today.[/quote]
+1 faget point for you… Not the day i would rest Soto. Rest him tomorrow so he gets 2 days off in a row

[quote name=mb21]If you weren’t a Cubs fan you’d look at their lineup and say you don’t know who 3 or 4 are and that you thought Cashner was a reliever. The Cubs are a bad team. Especially when they give guys days off.[/quote]
Is the fourth castro? Wether or not you know him?

I either missed when Tampa traded Dan Johnson to the D’Backs or Kelly Johnson got a name (and possibly sex?) change.

[quote name=Suburban Kid](dying laughing)
http://yourdailyread.tumblr.com/post/4351837343/leitch-dears-this-just-made-me-laugh-so-hard/quote
(dying laughing)

Pena took a bunch of swings though.

I know you guys are big in dis-accreditation, but seriously, you might want to change “Dan” to “Kelly” and fix the bref link. And this is a man who wants to click on Dan Johnson’s profile telling you this.

“Excuse me sir, I bought this gif for 60 dollars. Would you like to buy it for 10?”

[quote name=mb21]If you weren’t a Cubs fan you’d look at their lineup and say you don’t know who 3 or 4 are and that you thought Cashner was a reliever. The Cubs are a bad team. Especially when they give guys days off.[/quote]

[quote name=Down by Keith Law]Carrying a conversation over from the last thread, I think some of you guys aren’t giving the Ricketts’ the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the long-term health of the franchise. To be sure, I have not been a fan of many of the baseball moves the Cubs have made since July of 2009, but on the business side, I’m coming around to the idea that they might know what they’re doing.

I’m not very familiar with the details on how the debt is structured, but I would be very surprised to see them sell the team or even miss a payment. Maybe payroll is slashed in 2012, but that doesn’t really bother me when you consider that they will in all likelihood be replacing Fukudome’s salary with one close to the league minimum and playing Colvin everyday (not that I’m a big fan) and letting Ramirez walk for a low-priced veteran or (we can dream) because Vitters puts together a great season between AA and AAA this year.

In short, I’m not sure if the team will be much worse than it is this year even if payroll is slashed, and there might be some good young players to watch. However, I really do think the Cubs are going to make a serious run at Pujols or Fielder.

That’s because I think the Ricketts are OK with losing a lot of money for a couple of years and putting more private equity into the team. I don’t think their talk about multi-generational ownership is for show.

The reason I think that is because of the real estate development the Cubs will be doing in Mesa and Chicago, which will, in a decade, be extremely lucrative and provide the team and the family with a lot of money.

I know enough about real estate development to know that the Wrigley stuff, at this point, is more political than substantive, and eventually the team will either get a public subsidy or, failing that, a great excuse to sell “soft” naming rights, put up a jumbotron and other types of ads, and expand sponsorships and concessions–”We have to do this stuff to pay for the ballpark.”

While I don’t love the team cutting payroll, I’m OK with it if it’s for long-term benefit. ( I am coming around to the idea that the Ricketts may be of a similar mind.[/quote]
Shut up, cunt.

[quote name=Arthur Mitchell]Shut up, cunt.[/quote]
Thanks!

[quote name=Down by Keith Law]Thanks![/quote]

False to everything

Boxes half full and terraces empty, looks like.

However, I really do think the Cubs are going to make a serious run at Pujols or Fielder.

What makes you say that? All of their rhetoric has been preparing us for no more big money long-term deals. Supposedly they are for more efficient use of their money. Going out and spending $300 million on Albert Pujols doesn’t fit into that narrative.

Unless they are masters of misdirection (which I don;t think they are), I don;t see either of the big first base free agents coming to Chicago. I could see them making some b.s. offers that have no prayer so they can claim they “tried,” but I’m having a hard time envisioning Pujols actually becoming a Cub.

i think Pujols is a cub as well. just my guess

[quote name=Suburban Kid]Boxes half full and terraces empty, looks like.[/quote]Upper deck is barren.

[quote name=Mish]I either missed when Tampa traded Dan Johnson to the D’Backs or Kelly Johnson got a name (and possibly sex?) change.[/quote](dying laughing) I didn’t even realize I did that.

man aramis has just missed a few already this year

[quote name=Rice Cube]At least it wasn’t Don Johnson hehe.

Damn you BABIP luck dragon![/quote]

[quote name=Down by Keith Law]I say that because the Ricketts are extremely PR-conscious and emphasize marketing so much. The team needs a star, and unless Castro hits 40 HR this year, this team has none once Ramirez leaves (and he’s not exactly a fan favorite). I also think they are expecting to put more of the family money into the team.[/quote]
But all their marketing is centering around the ballpark and the experience.

Besides, even if they want one of those guys, why would they come to the Cubs? Even if the Ricketts decided they wanted to replace the million currently on the books with millions getting paid to a single player, why would Albert want to come and play for another team that can’t afford to put any complimentary players around him.

The farm system isn’t exactly all that well regarded after the Garza trade (not that it was a jewel before that), so there isn’t much help coming from in-house. Albert and his people are going to know that.

[quote name=dylanj]i think Pujols is a cub as well. just my guess[/quote]I think Prince Fielder is.

[quote name=mb21]Nah. I don’t really care. It’s not going to change shit that much. (dying laughing)[/quote]
You and I don’t agree. (dying laughing)

[quote name=mb21]This team has really needed that superstar since Banks left.[/quote]
Fixed.

Cashner is making me happy so far.

Cashner GB% = 100%

/small sample size’d

barney with the theriot to RC

koyie hill with the hitters count (dying laughing)

It’s the Legend Of Koyie Hill in the booth here

Auto-bunt in this situation displeases me. Nice bunt though.

i’d love to see castro with the bases loaded

[quote name=mb21]Bob thinks Darwin Barney is going to “get his fair share of home runs.”[/quote]

just so everyone knows

inside out hit to RF = the Theriot
strike out the side = marmoled

wtf arizona

That’s a reverse Cedeno (dying laughing)

[quote name=Aisle424]But all their marketing is centering around the ballpark and the experience.

Besides, even if they want one of those guys, why would they come to the Cubs? Even if the Ricketts decided they wanted to replace the million currently on the books with millions getting paid to a single player, why would Albert want to come and play for another team that can’t afford to put any complimentary players around him.

The farm system isn’t exactly all that well regarded after the Garza trade (not that it was a jewel before that), so there isn’t much help coming from in-house. Albert and his people are going to know that.[/quote]
I’d argue the marketing has been centered around Wrigley precisely because there is no “face of the franchise” (since Sosa, as mb points out).

Those guys would want to come to the Cubs because the Cubs have been consistently spending money for years (they’re still in the top third of MLB payrolls) and long-term, the financial outlook of the club is good (big market, under-market WGN deal expiring, real estate, etc.). The Cubs are also one of the few teams that can afford to pay a lot and need a 1B. I’m not worried about the team’s ability to complement those guys–look at StL.

Farm systems change very quickly, and the Cubs have proven over and over they can develop pitchers. They’ve now developed two everyday position players (Soto and Castro) in 3 or 4 years, depending on how you count. They’re not as bad as you’re making them out to be.

[quote name=Suburban Kid]He THOMahawked it to RC

/Brennaman[/quote].

[quote name=Jame Gumb]Someone was NOT thrown out at second base advancing on a walk?[/quote]
The Cubs had runners at second and third and Montero tried to pick off Koyie at second after ball 4. He threw it into CF

[quote name=mb21]Also, from what I’ve read a MLB team can have as much debt as they are worth. Does the payroll count as debt? If it does, the Cubs can’t sign Pujols.[/quote]
No, it does not, unless the Cubs have been doing some very creative accounting.

damn that kid is good at sports

I think it would merely be a “liability.”

[quote name=dylanj]castro would make a good AL East player with all the breaks he takes between pitches[/quote]More importantly, he’d made a good AL East player because he’s good.

i hate to agree with Bob but something he has long said about Castro seems about right- that Castro always finds a way to get solid contact. Even his outs are usually well struck. Pretty impressive bat control from somebody so young

Fukudome with the Tootblan. Ugh.

(dying laughing) agreed B. I know that the AL East is full of good talent but i cannot watch any of those games. They take for fucking ever

[quote name=dylanj]i hate to agree with Bob but something he has long said about Castro seems about right- that Castro always finds a way to get solid contact. Even his outs are usually well struck. Pretty impressive bat control from somebody so young[/quote]That’s what the scouts have always said about him. That and his ability to “make adjustments on the fly.” We saw that last year too. You’re not going to have the advantage over Castro for long. He will adjust quickly.

NOT AN ACE

this Enright guy doesn’t seem very special. We might pass the 5 run mark today

[quote name=Down by Keith Law]I’d argue the marketing has been centered around Wrigley precisely because there is no “face of the franchise” (since Sosa, as mb points out).

Those guys would want to come to the Cubs because the Cubs have been consistently spending money for years (they’re still in the top third of MLB payrolls) and long-term, the financial outlook of the club is good (big market, under-market WGN deal expiring, real estate, etc.). The Cubs are also one of the few teams that can afford to pay a lot and need a 1B. I’m not worried about the team’s ability to complement those guys–look at StL.

Farm systems change very quickly, and the Cubs have proven over and over they can develop pitchers. They’ve now developed two everyday position players (Soto and Castro) in 3 or 4 years, depending on how you count. They’re not as bad as you’re making them out to be.[/quote]
I’m used to this:

[quote name=Xoomwaffle]Can someone explain to me how Barney scored on Fukudome’s walk while the bases weren’t loaded? All I have up is gameday.[/quote]Montero tried to pick off Hill at second after ball 4. Throw got away and Barney scored, Koyie went to 3rd.

[quote name=Berselius]He’s still young, but there’s still plenty of time for him to develop the ability to have 3 or 4 mound conferences an inning as well.[/quote]The ALE vs ALE games last 13 minutes longer than an ALC/ALC game. Most of that is the fact that they make fewer outs per plate appearance. The rest of it is mostly because advertisers are willing to spend so much more money on AL East teams than others so you more advertising.

It’s not like only the AL East is sitting around tapping their shoes or spitting 3098 times before they get back in the box. Between pitches, there’s no more downtime in the AL East than anywhere else.

The game seem longer because there are so many good players and every batter/pitcher matchup is a battle.

Besides, all baseball games are entirely too long anyway. I don’t know why we’d complain about those extra 13 minutes when the ALC teams are playing 45 to 50 minutes longer than they should be. We can’t point to one division in baseball being superior in the amount of time it takes to play a game because they all suck. Baseball is the most boring sport because of all the downtime. Much of it is unnecessary, but advertisers want it and they’re going to get it.

COLVIN!!!

Bob pretty much just called that homer.

Lazy Latin with a mere single after that home run.

I don’t think you can sign a contract guaranteeing to pay someone millions of dollars without having it come from either money in the bank, or cash from ongoing operations. There’s a reason why payroll levels are so often tied to ticket sales.

2nd time through the order coming up for Cashner

[quote name=Suburban Kid]I don’t think you can sign a contract guaranteeing to pay someone millions of dollars without having it come from either money in the bank, or cash from ongoing operations. There’s a reason why payroll levels are so often tied to ticket sales.[/quote]Good point.

The accounts payable does represent a debt – how that ties into overall valuation I’m less sure on.

[quote name=dylanj]what a play by castro[/quote]
He better be making plays, he’s got to be starving.

[quote name=Mish]The accounts payable does represent a debt – how that ties into overall valuation I’m less sure on.[/quote]Thanks. I think that’s an important aspect to understand before we even start dreaming of Pujols. As it currently is, the Cubs have $400 to $450 million of debt. They want to take a loan to do some work at Wrigley. Say $200 million since he’s mentioned that. How much is the team valued?

[quote name=mb21]Thanks. I think that’s an important aspect to understand before we even start dreaming of Pujols. As it currently is, the Cubs have $400 to $450 million of debt. They want to take a loan to do some work at Wrigley. Say $200 million since he’s mentioned that. How much is the team valued?[/quote]
I think Forbes had it at $775 million.

[quote name=Rice Cube]Why is Hill bunting? Do they have a Koyie shift on?[/quote]
Where the 7 non-battery fielders go to the dugout and relax?

[quote name=mb21]fixed[/quote]That’s like the 3-panel Peanuts strip.

[quote name=Aisle424]I think Forbes had it at $775 million.[/quote]Assuming a loan for $200 million for the renovation, that’s about $600 million of debt. IF, and this is a big IF, payroll counts as debt, the Cubs can’t sign Pujols. It’s Pujols or renovation.

I know which I’m in favor of and it ain’t renovating a ballpark that’s 100 years old.

[quote name=mb21]Thanks. I think that’s an important aspect to understand before we even start dreaming of Pujols. As it currently is, the Cubs have $400 to $450 million of debt. They want to take a loan to do some work at Wrigley. Say $200 million since he’s mentioned that. How much is the team valued?[/quote]Did they say they were going to take a loan to do that work?

Whether they do or not, now you’re getting into yet another category of accounting – capital expenditures. They are treated different from debts or operating expenses in the books, because they go toward increasing the value of the asset.

While I’m way in over my head and may be making some mistakes, I think the assumption that a Pujols contract is impossible because it would upset the debt/equity ratio of Ricketts’ ownership is also probably not bloody likely.

97 in the 5th. not bad

I think so, SK. I’m pretty sure I read that they were wanting the money from the government and would take out a loan for $150-200 million more. I could be wrong, but that only happens once or twice a year so I doubt it.

94.5 mph average speed on Cashner’s fastball today. Impressive.

[quote name=dylanj]think about the market for Pujols & who could afford him.

Its us, STL or maybe the Angels. Maybe the Dodgers if they get that divorce cleaned up[/quote]Those 3 or 4 teams plus the other 26 or 27. DJ, every single team is going to be in on Albert Pujols. Even the Pirates and Royals. Those teams will realize early on that Pujols won’t take a $50 million contract, but every team is asking about Albert Pujols. Every single one of them and probably even a couple that don’t exist.

[quote name=Suburban Kid]I thought they were going to invest $200 million of their own money, and were asking the state to pretty much match that. Now, maybe since the state said no, they have said they will borrow the other half. I haven’t heard that, but I haven’t paid super close attention.[/quote]I’m not sure anymore. Like you, I don’t pay much attention either.

I love how low the pitch count is for Cashner.

Fuck!

What’s going on with Andrew?

Shoulder?

Left the game. After a pitch the trainer ran out there very quickly. Replay showed you could see him drop that shoulder after he finished his follow through. Shoulder was sore or something was wrong with it.

[quote name=Lukas]Well who didn’t see that coming?[/quote]Yeah, that’s going to be something the Cubs absolutely deserve to be criticized for. They earned it.

[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Cashner =====>> Tommy John[/quote]That wouldn’t be as bad as what I’m thinking. At least he can pitch again. I’m just hoping it’s some natural soreness though it happened on one pitch, which is rare.

One pitch shit reminds me of Chad Fox.

[quote name=Suburban Kid]Not me. I thought it would be when he hit 150 innings, not 5.[/quote]I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t blame teams or managers for pitchers getting injured, but at the same time what they’ve done with Cashner doesn’t help someone stay healthy.

Let’s hope it’s nothing.

[quote name=bubblesdachimp]i really hope hes ok[/quote]
Shut up, cunt.

Cashner didn’t call the trainer out. The way the trainer came out like that, he must have been watching for something already. Maybe he felt something before that inning and they were monitoring him for the slightest twinge. Hopefully it’s just a precaution.

Doesn’t the trainer watch usually watch the pitcher for such things? I always assumed they did since seeing them jump out of the dugout isn’t that uncommon.

“Stiffness/tightness right shoulder, team says.”

/Gordo

[quote name=Suburban Kid]“Stiffness/tightness right shoulder, team says.”

/Gordo[/quote]
Pat just reported the same

F7 is not as much fun to watch as Cashner.

Pat used the words shark breaking balls to determine some that shark spun to upton. That would be good if he was a solid reliever

Nice to see F7 strike out 2.

(I’ve mostly been away from Twitter for the last few months, so my optimism must be coming back.)