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  • How does losing Pujols and Fielder affect the Cardinals and Brewers?

    The short answer to this question is that it doesn’t affect them that much. If the Cardinals were willing to spend $22.5 million on Pujols (10 year, $225 million offer) they still have that $22.5 million available to spend on free agent talent. If a win costs $5 million in 2012, that buys 4.5 wins. Pujols was projected to be worth about 5.5 wins. The Brewers would also have the same amount of money they’re offering Fielder available to spend elsewhere should Fielder leave Milwaukee.

    While there’s plenty reason to be excited if you’re a Cubs fan, the reality is that if the Cardinals and Brewers are willing to invest the same amount of money elsewhere that it has little to no affect whatsoever. It could have tremendous affect long-term for both teams. Instead of paying Pujols $22.5 million 8 years from now when he’s a league average player, they’ll have that money to spend on someone better than Pujols would be. The same is obviously true for the Brewers.

    While it could cost the Cardinals a win, it’s quite possible that they could come out ahead. $22.5 million is a lot of money. If the Cardinals can identify a couple of players who are undervalued they can buy more than 4.5 wins with that $22.5 million. Imagine that the Cardinals find their version of Mark DeRosa or Marlon Byrd. Both of them were undervalued and the Cubs purchased more wins than they paid for.

    The Cardinals, or Brewers, might also look to make a trade and perhaps acquire a cost-controlled player with tremendous potential. In this situation they would once again be buying more wins than they’re paying for. Neither route will be easy, but those players exist and if the Cardinals can find them then they can easily spend that $22.5 million better than they would have if their star player returned.

    Marlon Byrd and Mark DeRosa were paid $5.75 million in their first years with the Cubs. Combined, they produced 5.2 rWAR. Throw in Ted Lilly‘s $6 million salary in 2007 and his 3.2 WAR and you’ve now spent $11.75 million and acquired 8.5 rWAR. For exactly half the money they’d have spent on Pujols 3 additional wins have been added.

    This is where scouting is going to play a huge role. The scouting department would have to spot the undervalued players, or maybe the statistical analysis department spots them. I suspect that both teams will be searching for undervalued players rather than stars to replace their own stars.

    While that’s possible, it’s also possible whoever they sign doesn’t pan out. Pujols and Fielder were more known quantities and could be counted on to produce at a certain level. The teams could also refuse to re-invest the amount they had set aside for their own players. The Cardinals and Brewers may have had the plan to re-sign their star players, but after doing so would have to trade a certain amount to make ends meet. We can’t know that.

    If the Cardinals were forced to sell $5 million in value after re-signing Pujols, they essentially added only 4.5 wins next year. It’s difficult to know exactly how this will affect each team in the short-term. There are ways in which one or both teams would be better off having failed to re-sign their star. There are ways in which it would break even and that is probably what is most likely. Right now the Cardinals are worse and the Brewers would be if they lost Fielder, but there’s no reason to think the owner is going to pocket all the money and move on. Some, most, all or perhaps even more money than what was set aside for Pujols/Fielder will be re-invested into the team.

    The Cubs won’t be facing Albert Pujols when they play the Cardinals and may not face Prince Fielder either, but the reality is that neither team is going to be worse off short-term than they would have been if they brought the player back. At most they’d be a win worse, but it’s entirely possible they’re better off by 2 or 3 wins if they find the right guys.


    dmick89
    When I awoke, the Dire Wolf, six hundred pounds of sin, Was grinning at my window, all I said was "Come on in"
    dmick89
    2013 MLB Draft: who do you take? http://t.co/KgepCQYmiM - 13 hours ago
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    166 Responses to “How does losing Pujols and Fielder affect the Cardinals and Brewers?”

    1. 1 ACT says:

      My main worry was that the Cards would get Pujols for less than he was worth. It makes little difference to me whether Pujols signed elsewhere or the Cards paid him market value.

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    2. 2 fang2415 says:

      How does losing Pujols and Fielder affect the Cardinals and Brewers? The short answer to this question is that it doesn’t affect them that much.

      Losing Flaherty, OTOH, means the Cubs are really fucked.

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    3. 3 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=ACT]My main worry was that the Cards would get Pujols for less than he was worth. It makes little difference to me whether Pujols signed elsewhere or the Cards paid him market value.[/quote]This. I think he’ll actually be worth his contract and will come close to being worth what the Marlins offered him, so if he’d accepted the Cards offer they’d be getting yet another $50M in surplus value out of him.

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    4. 4 GBTS says:

      [quote name=fang2415]Losing Flaherty, OTOH, means the Cubs are really fucked.[/quote]I think this has become the new “MB hated the 2011 Cubs draft” meme.

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    5. 5 Mercurial Outfielder says:

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    6. 6 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder][/quote]Tough luck if you hang right.

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    7. 7 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=GBTS]I think this has become the new “MB hated the 2011 Cubs draft” meme.[/quote]As it happens, I actually agree that given what we know, losing Flaherty looks pretty dumb. But it’s still funny to see MB get so pissed off about it.

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    8. 8 mb21 says:

      [quote name=GBTS]I think this has become the new “MB hated the 2011 Cubs draft” meme.[/quote]Yeah, tough crowd here.

      FWIW, I don’t give a shit about losing Ryan Flaherty. I care about losing a guy who has an .800 OPS at a position the Cubs currently have a hole at. I care about losing that player when there were only 34 on the 40-man roster when the decision was made. You can change Ryan Flaherty’s name to Josh Vitters if you want. I’m confident saying Flaherty will have a better MLB career than Vitters. I suspect that the overall opinion would be much different if that was the case.

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    9. 9 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=fang2415]Tough luck if you hang right.[/quote]Dress to the left.

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    10. 10 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Dress to the left.[/quote]Is that a gay joke?

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    11. 11 mb21 says:

      I want the Cubs to make good decisions. I don’t care if that has to do with signing long-term contracts, signing players to minor league contracts, the draft, international free agents, roster management or which fucking brand of tea to sell at the ballpark.

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    12. 12 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=fang2415]Is that a gay joke?[/quote]Would you ask Tom Petty that question?

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    13. 13 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=mb21]I want the Cubs to make good decisions. I don’t care if that has to do with signing long-term contracts, signing players to minor league contracts, the draft, international free agents, roster management or which fucking brand of tea to sell at the ballpark.[/quote]We’ll get Todd right on it.

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    14. 14 Berselius says:

      [quote name=fang2415]Is that a left-handed Marlon Byrd joke?[/quote]
      .

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    15. 15 fang2415 says:

      I only just now noticed the tags in the last article.

      Tags: Los Angeles Angels Of Albert Pujols In Anaheim
      Thank You Arte Moreno You Crazy Son Of A Bitch
      This Is About Motherfucking Albert Pujols

      (dying laughing)
      (dying laughing)

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    16. 16 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Is that a power-hitter Paul Byrd joke?[/quote].

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    17. 17 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Berselius].[/quote](dying laughing). Every time I assume that joke in order to make another joke, somebody makes that joke. Maybe I’m getting too meta. (dying laughing)

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    18. 18 GBTS says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Would you ask Tom Petty that question?[/quote]No, he played right-handed.

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    19. 19 Aisle424 says:

      Heckler:

      Cards fans angry Pujols is a trader who signed with Angles ow.ly/1g4bGI

      (dying laughing)

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    20. 20 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=mb21]I want the Cubs to make good decisions. I don’t care if that has to do with signing long-term contracts, signing players to minor league contracts, the draft, international free agents, roster management or which fucking brand of tea to sell at the ballpark.[/quote]

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    21. 22 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=fang2415][/quote]Eh, wrong link. I’ll have to wait until he gets mad again.

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    22. 23 mb21 says:

      trader? (dying laughing)

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    23. 24 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=mb21]trader? (dying laughing)[/quote]Furs. Pujols is a big trapper. Went out West to trade in beaver pelts.

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    24. 25 Dr. Aneus Taint says:

      [quote name=mb21]trader? (dying laughing)[/quote]
      It’s a mute point, but they should have been re-signed to the fact that Pujols wouldn’t resign. He’s a dominate player, but he’s not the pre-madonna seem to think.

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    25. 26 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]It’s a mute point, but they should have been re-signed to the fact that Pujols wouldn’t resign. He’s a dominate player, but he’s not the pre-madonna seem to think.[/quote]Best part of this is leaving out “some”

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    26. 27 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]It’s a mute point, but they should have been re-signed to the fact that Pujols wouldn’t resign. He’s a dominate player, but he’s not the pre-madonna seem to think.[/quote]Quite being rediculous.

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    27. 28 Suburban kid says:

      The Heckler is a big Aneus Taint fan.

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    28. 29 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid]The Heckler is a big Aneus Taint fan.[/quote]Yet another gay joke

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    29. 30 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid]The Heckler is a big Aneus .[/quote]fixed

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    30. 31 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid]The Heckler is a big Aneus Taint fan.[/quote]FLAGGED

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    31. 32 Aisle424 says:

      There are days when I just love the internet and today is one of them. God bless crazy people.

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    32. 33 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      Sandusky’s wife has issued a public statement that implicitly protests his innocence on his behalf. Someone needs to fucking immolate these people.

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    33. 34 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      James Loney ————> DUI

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    34. 35 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      Parents of PA, hide your children: Sandusky just posted bail.

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    35. 37 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Sandusky’s wife has issued a public statement that implicitly protests his innocence on his behalf. Someone needs to fucking immolate these people.[/quote]I’d like to know why anyone thinks we give a shit what his wife thinks. She may have suspected, but it’s not like we’d expect the wife to say anything else. (dying laughing)

      I’m pretty sure this conversation never took place in 1975.

      Jerry: It’s Thursday night so we ought to consider some plans for tomorrow night.
      Wife: Honey, that sounds wonderful. We should do something and have a jolly time. Do you have any ideas?
      Jerry: I’ve been having a lot of fan raping the shit out young boys. Wanna watch?
      Wife: That sounds lovely, dear.

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    36. 38 mb21 says:

      His wife should shut the fuck up.

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    37. 39 mb21 says:

      Alex Gonzalez ————–> Brewers

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    38. 40 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=mb21]His wife should shut the fuck up.[/quote]He and everyone on his side should shut up. Their defenses of him are positively Orwellian and only make him look like more of a monster.

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    39. 41 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]It’s a mute point, but they should have been re-signed to the fact that Pujols wouldn’t resign. He’s a dominate player, but he’s not the pre-madonna seem to think.[/quote]An exponentially good joke, there

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    40. 42 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Berselius]An exponentially good joke, there[/quote]Truly, as the times in which we live, which since man first exited the cave and wondered what was the meaning of life have been exponential.

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    41. 44 JMan says:

      [quote name=ACT]Rosenthal is good: http://angels.ocregister.com/2011/12/07/are-the-angels-albert-pujols-mystery-team/114348//quotefurther evidence that we have no reason to believe Gammons belief the Cubs are out of cash. I’m guessing they would pay with direct deposit anyways.

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    42. 45 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=ACT]Alvin cherry-picks names, numbers: http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/12/8/2621280/albert-pujols-contract-angels-angles-age-40/quoteAnd in the comments, he says “Exactly correct”.

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    43. 46 mb21 says:

      Alvin is kinda nuts.

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    44. 47 GBTS says:

      [quote name=mb21]Alvin is kinda nuts.[/quote]Pujols is kinda rich.

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    45. 48 mb21 says:

      [quote name=GBTS]Pujols is kinda rich.[/quote]Fielder is kinda fat.

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    46. 49 fang2415 says:

      C-c-c-c-c-combo breaker!

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    47. 50 Mish says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid]And in the comments, he says “Exactly correct”.[/quote]Not the best kind of correct but it’ll do.

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    48. 51 Recalcitrant Blogger Nate says:

      Sounds like Theriot will be non-tendered.

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    49. 52 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Sounds like Theriot will be non-tendered.[/quote]Somewhere, Jim Hendry is smiling.

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    50. 53 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Sounds like Theriot will be non-tendered.[/quote]Can’t wait for his rant about how his new team does it the right way and how the Cards are clueless, etc.

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    51. 54 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Sounds like Theriot will be non-tendered.[/quote]Oh, fuck me, Cubs fans are going to demand he be brought back to fill the hole at 2B. I’m going to fucking hang myself.

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    52. 55 GBTS says:

      Cub fans think there is a hole at 2B? That’s where the Power of Darwin roams.

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    53. 56 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid]Somewhere, Chad and Trixie are smiling and dusting off their “THERIOT 2″ T-Shirseys.[/quote].

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    54. 57 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=GBTS]Cub fans think there is a hole at 2B? That’s where the Power of Darwin roams.[/quote]I got the distinct impression in the Cubs Twitterverse at the end of last season that the shine has gone off the Barney.

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    55. 58 WenningtonsGorillaCock says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]the shine has gone off the Barney.[/quote]
      That’s racist

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    56. 59 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I got the distinct impression in the Cubs Twitterverse at the end of last season that the shine has gone off the Barney.[/quote]
      Yeah, but the Theriot hate is palpable too. you can’t just go and put on a Cardinals uniform and then come back like nothing happened. We don’t care how scrappy he is.

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    57. 60 ACT says:

      [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Sounds like Theriot will be non-tendered.[/quote]All I know is that when Theriot was on the roster, the Cardinals won the World Series. It is what it is.

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    58. 61 Aisle424 says:

      People will clamor for DeRosa again before they want Theriot back.

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    59. 62 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]People have been clamoring for DeRosa since 2009 .[/quote].

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    60. 63 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Oh, fuck me, Cubs fans are going to demand he be brought back to fill the hole at 2B. I’m going to fucking hang myself.[/quote]Insightful comment, although I disapprove of raping children.

      Man, we so need a button for this.

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    61. 64 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]People are already clamoring for DeRosa again and they will want Theriot back.[/quote].

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    62. 65 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=ACT]All I know is that when Theriot was on the roster, the Cardinals won the World Series. It is what it is.[/quote]Sounds like Tebow Magicâ„¢

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    63. 66 Rice Cube says:

      Does Carlos Beltran make sense as an under-market signing to play 1B? I almost feel like they’d bring Carlos Pena back before considering Beltran.

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    64. 67 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Does Carlos Beltran make sense as an under-market signing to play 1B? I almost feel like they’d bring Carlos Pena back before considering Beltran.[/quote]I don’t think Peña is an option unless he wants to take a 1-year deal, and, at this point he doesn’t seem to want to do that–and in a business sense, would probably be foolish to accept it.

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    65. 68 GBTS says:

      Chris Paul —–> Lakers

      Bulls really need to find a way to get Dwight. That’d be absurd.

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    66. 69 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=GBTS]Chris Paul —–> Lakers

      Bulls really need to find a way to get Dwight. That’d be absurd.[/quote]Word is Lakers will keep Bynum in the Paul deal and will therefore use him to try and get Howard.

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    67. 70 GBTS says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Word is Lakers will keep Bynum in the Paul deal and will therefore use him to try and get Howard.[/quote]Bulls’ potential offer would be better. Trading to a Conference rival, though.

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    68. 71 Rice Cube says:

      I assume we won’t find out for 10 months whether the Cubs bid on Yu Darvish:

      http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/rangers-jays-yankees-expected-to-bid-on-darvish.html

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    69. 72 Suburban kid says:

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    70. 73 GBTS says:

      Wouldn’t you have to keep dropping the Cat-Bread-Generator?

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    71. 74 Suburban kid says:

      [quote name=GBTS]Wouldn’t you have to keep dropping the Cat-Bread-Generator?[/quote]Only once. This is science!

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    72. 75 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid][/quote]Rick Perry knows it’s not a popular things to say, but the Cat-Bread Generator is a work of true genius.

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    73. 76 GBTS says:

      [quote name=Suburban kid]Only once. This is science![/quote]Ah yes, I see it now.

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    74. 77 Rice Cube says:

      Doesn’t look very comfortable for the cat based on where the axle must be attached…

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    75. 78 Aisle424 says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Doesn’t look very comfortable for the cat based on where the axle must be attached…[/quote]
      Is that a gay cat joke?

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    76. 79 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Doesn’t look very comfortable for the cat based on where the axle must be attached…[/quote]Not, it’s okay. It’s a left-handed cat.

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    77. 80 ACT says:

      Twitter says the Cubs traded Tyler Colvin and DJ Lamehieu for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers.

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    78. 81 ACT says:

      Sounds like the most pointless trade ever.

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    79. 82 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=ACT]Twitter says the Cubs traded Tyler Colvin and DJ Lamehieu for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers.[/quote]Titanic’s deck chairs ———–> rearranged

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    80. 83 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      I’m guessing Stewart is now the starting 3B?

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    81. 84 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      Weathers is such a typical Cubs RP:

      K rate: 6.9/9 IP

      BB rate: 5.7/9 IP

      (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

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    82. 85 Doug E. Fresh says:

      [quote name=ACT]Twitter says the Cubs traded Tyler Colvin and DJ [b]Lamehieu[/b] for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers.[/quote]I see what you did there

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    83. 86 ACT says:

      Also he’s 26 in AA. That means he’ll still be a kid when he reaches the majors.

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    84. 87 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      -1.2 WAR for Stewart last season. Cubtastic. Maybe Koyie Hill has a place on this team after all.

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    85. 88 ACT says:

      Can Koyie play third?

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    86. 89 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=ACT]Can Koyie play third?[/quote]Can awesome be more awesome?

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    87. 90 dylanj says:

      Ian Stewart + David DeJesus = Victory

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    88. 91 dylanj says:

      honestly though in a thin market this is ok i guess. stewart is only a year removed from a .781 OPS season

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    89. 92 ACT says:

      …in Colorado.

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    90. 93 dylanj says:

      hey its nothing to get excited about but at least he has a track record of decent years.

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    91. 94 dylanj says:

      so in a day Theo has dumped 2 recent high picks of Mr Wilken. Interesting

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    92. 95 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=dylanj]honestly though in a thin market this is ok i guess. stewart is only a year removed from a .781 OPS season[/quote]He’s a corner IF who’s had one season of above average OPS+ in a ballpark that seriously inflates offensive numbers. It’s hard for me to be very excited about this. Just seems like the Cubs swapped their trash for COL’s.

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    93. 96 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=dylanj]so in a day Theo has dumped 2 recent high picks of Mr Wilken. Interesting[/quote]That is interesting. Hayden Simpson better pack a bag.

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    94. 97 uncle dave says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]That is interesting. Hayden Simpson better pack a bag.[/quote]I’ll help.

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    95. 98 Berselius says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]He’s a corner IF who’s had one season of above average OPS+ in a ballpark that seriously inflates offensive numbers. It’s hard for me to be very excited about this. Just seems like the Cubs swapped their trash for COL’s.[/quote]
      FWIW, I think OPS+ is park-adjusted. Still pretty meh on Stewart though. He has a good eye, but can’t hit shit.

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    96. 99 Aisle424 says:

      LeMahieu is probably the only piece in this deal that might do anything worthwhile.

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    97. 100 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Aisle424]LeMahieu is probably the only piece in this deal that might do anything worthwhile.[/quote]Meh. I was never enthused by the little I saw from him. Seems like his swing gets loopy and defense was just okay. He’s probably a decent bench IF.

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    98. 101 Berselius says:

      [quote name=GBTS]Chris Paul —–> Lakers
      [/quote]
      False.

      Since the league owns the Hornets a bunch of the owners are holding it up saying it’s not in the best interests of the league (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

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    99. 102 Berselius says:

      I can’t wait until Stern trades Paul to the Knicks (dying laughing)

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    100. 103 Berselius says:

      Weathers was seen to have closer stuff before he had TJ. Looks like he’s just taking a while to bounch back

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    101. 104 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Berselius]False.

      Since the league owns the Hornets a bunch of the owners are holding it up saying it’s not in the best interests of the league (dying laughing) (dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing), the NBA is a clusterfuck on rollerskates on ice.

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    102. 105 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=Berselius]Weathers was seen to have closer stuff before he had TJ. Looks like he’s just taking a while to bounch back[/quote]He’s got the K numbers for it.

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    103. 106 GW says:

      For the record, I’m excited about Ian Stewart (dying laughing)

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    104. 107 GW says:

      iirc weathers was a college closer who was talked about as a potential straight to the majors guy (kinda like cashner)

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    105. 108 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=GW]For the record, I’m excited about Ian Stewart (dying laughing)[/quote]

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    106. 109 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      Text from a friend:

      “Albert Pujols deal pays him 79 cents a second for 10 years.”

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    107. 110 GW says:

      and i don’t think highly of lemahieu

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    108. 111 Berselius says:

      ROFLisberger’s ankle go boom

      Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy

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    109. 112 Berselius says:

      Also, holy shit are those Steelers unis hideous

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    110. 113 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=GW]and i don’t think highly of lemahieu[/quote]The feeling is mutual.

      /troll

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    111. 114 mb21 says:

      [quote name=dylanj]honestly though in a thin market this is ok i guess. stewart is only a year removed from a .781 OPS season[/quote]Colvin is a year removed from an OPS over .800. Basically they traded shit for shit and then traded a 22 year old infielder with mlb experience for a 26 year old reliever with no AAA experience. Not high on LeMahieu, but much rather have him than Weathers.

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    112. 115 ACT says:

      Yeah, I was disappointed about the LeMahieu/Weathers part of the deal, too. Both teams must think more highly of Stewart than Colvin.

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    113. 116 GW says:

      [quote name=mb21]Colvin is a year removed from an OPS over .800. Basically they traded shit for shit and then traded a 22 year old infielder with mlb experience for a 26 year old reliever with no AAA experience. Not high on LeMahieu, but much rather have him than Weathers.[/quote]
      i’m guessing weathers was a throw in to get the cubs to let go of lemahieu

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    114. 117 GW says:

      [quote name=ACT]Yeah, I was disappointed about the LeMahieu/Weathers part of the deal, too. Both teams must think more highly of Stewart than Colvin.[/quote]
      as well they should.

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    115. 118 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      I fully expect a bizarre stat line from Colvin next year if he gets PT in COL.

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    116. 119 mb21 says:

      [quote name=GW]For the record, I’m excited about Ian Stewart (dying laughing)[/quote]I’d rather have LeMahieu and I’m not sure if I said it today, but I’d much rather the Cubs have removed him from the 40-man roster and protected Flaherty.

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    117. 120 pinetar says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder][/quote]

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    118. 121 mb21 says:

      [quote name=GW]as well they should.[/quote]Only because of the position. Stewart can’t hit lefties or righties. He’s below average in the field, but at least he’s been worth 1 run on the bases in his career. Colvin can’t hit lefties or righties, but has at least been decent in the field and the same on the bases as Stewart. They both suck. It’s nothing more than a garbage trade like MO said. The thing that sucks about it is the only possible valuable piece in the trade was given up by the Cubs. For Stewart and a guy who makes Carlos Marmol’s control look like David Wells.

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    119. 122 GBTS says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder](dying laughing), the NBA is a clusterfuck on rollerskates on ice.[/quote]https://twitter.com/#!/CP3/status/144962250854248448

      (dying laughing)

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    120. 123 mb21 says:

      only possible valuable piece

      And that was unlikely to ever happen so big deal. I’d just like to have gotten more than a guy who will make Marmol feel better about his command.

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    121. 124 ACT says:

      Anyway, I really hope the Cubs have more in mind for the hot corner than just Stewart. He might be viable as a platoon player (if he returns to his pre-2011 form), but I don’t want to see him every day

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    122. 125 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=pinetar]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7gLy3JHKSs[/quote]That guy is a terrible shot. (dying laughing)

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    123. 126 mb21 says:

      Weathers was a light-hitting junior-college outfielder when he and a teammate climbed atop a mound one day after practice to see how hard they could throw. Weathers hit 92 mph, and his days in the outfield were over. He transferred to Vanderbilt and has flourished in the back of the bullpen for college baseball’s best team, routinely blowing 96-97 mph gas. He was summoned from the Alaska League last year and joined USA Baseball’s college national team’s bullpen. He establishes his fastball early in counts, will elevate it late in counts and pitches to both sides of the plate. His delivery is generally fine, though his arm action occasionally gets long, which prevents him from getting on top of his pitches and leads to erratic command and hanging sliders. His slider has touched 91, and when he stays through the pitch upon release, it has hard, three-quarter tilt with power. He’s been durable in his brief pitching career, and his two-pitch mix (he also has a changeup) could allow him to close in the majors. As a senior, he should sign quickly and won’t make it out of the first round.

      Too bad that’s from 4 and a half years ago. Too bad it’s a TJS later. Too bad his control sucked ass before the TJS. Other than that, this guy is awesome.

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    124. 127 mb21 says:

      [quote name=ACT]Anyway, I really hope the Cubs have more in mind for the hot corner than just Stewart. He might be viable as a platoon player (if he returns to his pre-2011 form), but I don’t want to see him every day[/quote]I’d rather have Jeff Baker playing 3rd and I think Baker sucks.

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    125. 128 Rice Cube says:

      Wow, ROFLisberger is playing on a fucked up ankle. Madness.

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    126. 129 GW says:

      [quote name=mb21]Only because of the position. Stewart can’t hit lefties or righties. He’s below average in the field, but at least he’s been worth 1 run on the bases in his career. Colvin can’t hit lefties or righties, but has at least been decent in the field and the same on the bases as Stewart. They both suck. It’s nothing more than a garbage trade like MO said. The thing that sucks about it is the only possible valuable piece in the trade was given up by the Cubs. For Stewart and a guy who makes Carlos Marmol’s control look like David Wells.[/quote]
      stewart’s major league numbers are on par with colvin’s minor league numbers. stewart is a former ba top 5 prospect, reaching his prime. good buy-low candidate, imo. colvin was never worth buying.

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    127. 130 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=mb21]I’d rather have LeMahieu and I’m not sure if I said it today, but I’d much rather the Cubs have removed him from the 40-man roster and protected Flaherty.[/quote][quote name=mb21]Too bad that’s from 4 and a half years ago. Too bad it’s a TJS later. Too bad his control sucked ass before the TJS. Other than that, this guy is awesome.[/quote][quote name=mb21]I’d rather have Jeff Baker playing 3rd and I think Baker sucks.[/quote]
      Don’t you like anything?

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    128. 131 Rice Cube says:

      I forgot if anyone mentioned it, but were the Rockies going to non-tender Stewart?

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    129. 132 mb21 says:

      I agree Colvin was never worth buying, but what exactly are we buying low on? Stewart has a .236/.323/.428 line in Colorado over 5 seasons and nearly 1500 plate appearances. Over the last 2 years he has a 79 OPS+. It’s 87 over the last 3 years. He’s also coming off a wrist injury, which could erase almost all the power he has, which is sadly the only thing valuable about him since even with good plate discipline his OBP is still going to be below average.

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    130. 133 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]I forgot if anyone mentioned it, but were the Rockies going to non-tender Stewart?[/quote]Probably.

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    131. 134 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Don’t you like anything?[/quote]I like BCB.

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    132. 135 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=mb21]Probably.[/quote]If that’s the case…what’s the risk in waiting? Were they afraid Stewart would automatically just sign a minor-league deal with the Rockies?

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    133. 136 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=mb21]I like BCB.[/quote]Penicillin will clear that right up.

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    134. 137 mb21 says:

      It’s also worth noting that Stewart was a top 5 prospect entering the 2005 season. That was 7 years ago.

      BTW, I don’t dislike the trade. I don’t see a point in it. I’d rather have LeMahieu, but it has nothing to do with me thinking he’s any good. He’s not. He never will be. Neither will Stewart. Neither will Colvin. Neither will this guy who walks every other batters he faces. I probably won’t be a big fan of paying Stewart $3 million more than he’s worth, but it’s not my money.

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    135. 138 Rice Cube says:

      I’ve heard the crazy theory that the Cubs would do the trade, then non-tender Stewart, then re-sign him so they could avoid that arbitration raise.

      I think that’s a rather pointless way to do business, but just throwing that out there.

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    136. 139 GW says:

      [quote name=mb21]I agree Colvin was never worth buying, but what exactly are we buying low on? Stewart has a .236/.323/.428 line in Colorado over 5 seasons and nearly 1500 plate appearances. Over the last 2 years he has a 79 OPS+. It’s 87 over the last 3 years. He’s also coming off a wrist injury, which could erase almost all the power he has, which is sadly the only thing valuable about him since even with good plate discipline his OBP is still going to be below average.[/quote]
      potential. as is always the case with buy-lows. the guy raked in the minors, and put up decent numbers in his 23-25 seasons at the major league level. got dicked around last year after a slow start (lots of pinch hitting), but continued to rake in aaa during his stint there. his defense is slightly below average, but not terrible. he’s entering his 27 year old season. i think he ‘s a decent bet to be an above average 3rd baseman at a thin position.

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    137. 140 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]If that’s the case…what’s the risk in waiting? Were they afraid Stewart would automatically just sign a minor-league deal with the Rockies?[/quote]I don’t know RC. The Cubs must have been convinced he wouldn’t be non-tendered. That’s the only thing that makes sense. Maybe he wouldn’t have been, but I would have taken the chance.

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    138. 141 mb21 says:

      A decent bet to be an above average 3rd baseman? Just how decent because I’ll take you up on it. He raked in AAA, but come on. It’s the PCL and it’s in Colorado Springs. The team had a .366 OBP last year and slugged nearly .500. They scored 6.5 runs per game. They made the Iowa Cubs look a small ball team. Despite scoring 6 and a half runs a game, they finished 16 games under .500. They don’t play baseball in Colorado Springs. It’s an event where people circle the bases for fun. His AAA OBP last year was below the Sky Sox average and equal to the PCL average (including pitchers). Over the last 4 years that AAA team (Sky Sox) have averaged 6 runs per game. That’s about .8 runs more per 9 than the I-Cubs.

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    139. 142 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=pinetar]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7gLy3JHKSs[/quote]Oddly enough, I missed this comment because I was watching this:

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    140. 143 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=mb21]A decent bet to be an above average 3rd baseman? Just how decent because I’ll take you up on it. He raked in AAA, but come on. It’s the PCL and it’s in Colorado Springs. The team had a .366 OBP last year and slugged nearly .500. They scored 6.5 runs per game. They made the Iowa Cubs look a small ball team. Despite scoring 6 and a half runs a game, they finished 16 games under .500. They don’t play baseball in Colorado Springs. It’s an event where people circle the bases for fun. His AAA OBP last year was below the Sky Sox average and equal to the PCL average (including pitchers). Over the last 4 years that AAA team (Sky Sox) have averaged 6 runs per game. That’s about .8 runs more per 9 than the I-Cubs.[/quote]I liked this part.

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    141. 144 mb21 says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]I liked this part.[/quote]Every night is like those games in Coors you surely remember. You know, the ones where the score was 9-1 in the 4th inning and it’s not even close to being over? They’re not even taking the starting pitcher out yet. Remember that? That’s Colorado Springs baseball.

      if you have issues with I-Cubs stats you don’t even bother looking at the Sky Sox stats.

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    142. 145 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=mb21]A decent bet to be an above average 3rd baseman? Just how decent because I’ll take you up on it. He raked in AAA, but come on. It’s the PCL and it’s in Colorado Springs. The team had a .366 OBP last year and slugged nearly .500. They scored 6.5 runs per game. They made the Iowa Cubs look a small ball team. Despite scoring 6 and a half runs a game, they finished 16 games under .500. They don’t play baseball in Colorado Springs. It’s an event where people circle the bases for fun. His AAA OBP last year was below the Sky Sox average and equal to the PCL average (including pitchers). Over the last 4 years that AAA team (Sky Sox) have averaged 6 runs per game. That’s about .8 runs more per 9 than the I-Cubs.[/quote]

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    143. 146 mb21 says:

      The I-Cubs scored 5.2 runs per game last year and I’m pretty sure anyone here would look at any player’s stats on that team and laugh. They’d subtract a whole lot. You should. But they scored 1.3 runs fewer per 9 innings. The Sky Sox scored 932 runs. The I-Cubs scored 750. The average batter on the Sky Sox (including pitchers) hit .305. They had a .366 OBP and a .489 slugging. Basically, the average batter was not quite as good as Vlad. The average batter was not quite a Hall of Famer.

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    144. 147 mb21 says:

      [quote name=fang2415][/quote]yes. That’s what it looks like. Exactly like that.

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    145. 148 ACT says:

      [quote name=mb21]The I-Cubs scored 5.2 runs per game last year and I’m pretty sure anyone here would look at any player’s stats on that team and laugh.[/quote]I look at Tyler’s I-Cubs stats last year and cry.

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    146. 149 GW says:

      [quote name=mb21]A decent bet to be an above average 3rd baseman? Just how decent because I’ll take you up on it. He raked in AAA, but come on. It’s the PCL and it’s in Colorado Springs. The team had a .366 OBP last year and slugged nearly .500. They scored 6.5 runs per game. They made the Iowa Cubs look a small ball team. Despite scoring 6 and a half runs a game, they finished 16 games under .500. They don’t play baseball in Colorado Springs. It’s an event where people circle the bases for fun. His AAA OBP last year was below the Sky Sox average and equal to the PCL average (including pitchers). Over the last 4 years that AAA team (Sky Sox) have averaged 6 runs per game. That’s about .8 runs more per 9 than the I-Cubs.[/quote]
      make it the median, and you are on.

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    147. 150 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=ACT]I look at Tyler’s I-Cubs stats last year and cry.[/quote]I look at LaHair’s, realize that he’s going to start all year on the basis of those inflated digits, and laugh like a hyena with a brain tumor.

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    148. 151 GW says:

      even odds, minimum of what, 70 games started at 3rd? average of fwar and rwar

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    149. 152 mb21 says:

      [quote name=GW]even odds, minimum of what, 70 games started at 3rd? average of fwar and rwar[/quote]median or mean? I’m not sure what the median is and I’m too tired to figure it out right now. It’s exhausting when you gotta complain all day. (dying laughing)

      I don’t really want to go by WAR. If he ends up playing 75 games his defense could easily be rated at +/- 13 and there’s no reason to think he’d actually perform that poorly on defense. Do we agree he’s average or so on defense? If so, I’d want to ignore it. At the very least we need to regress it to his projected total.

      What are we betting? $100? Charity?

      Shoot me an email if you want.

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    150. 153 GW says:

      [quote name=mb21]median or mean? I’m not sure what the median is and I’m too tired to figure it out right now. It’s exhausting when you gotta complain all day. (dying laughing)

      I don’t really want to go by WAR. If he ends up playing 75 games his defense could easily be rated at +/- 13 and there’s no reason to think he’d actually perform that poorly on defense. Do we agree he’s average or so on defense? If so, I’d want to ignore it. At the very least we need to regress it to his projected total.

      What are we betting? $100? Charity?

      Shoot me an email if you want.[/quote]
      i’d rather the median because i don’t think his chances are greater than 50% for the mean, but i would take odds for the mean, depending how you felt about it.

      we can do it $100 for charity. give me until sunday to get back with you, because i’m pretty swamped right now.

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    151. 154 Recalcitrant Blogger Nate says:

      I don’t think I really like the trade, although it’s still insignificant. Obviously I’m not a scout, but I would have been content to start the season with Flaherty, LeMayhew, Baker, and Dewitt splitting the 2B/3B. I think you’d get avg. defense and avg. offense out of that. Hell just platoon both positions. The reason I don’t get trading DJ Lamaeihiuieu is that he can easily outhit Barney and assuming he’s avg at 2B, he’d easily replace him. I’d trade Barney to one of these teams that really wants a SS because with so many years of control, he’s valuable. Same is true of LeMeihiu.

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    152. 155 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=mb21]median or mean? I’m not sure what the median is and I’m too tired to figure it out right now. It’s exhausting when you gotta complain all day. (dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing)

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    153. 156 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]I don’t think I really like the trade, although it’s still insignificant. Obviously I’m not a scout, but I would have been content to start the season with Flaherty, LeMayhew, Baker, and Dewitt splitting the 2B/3B. I think you’d get avg. defense and avg. offense out of that. Hell just platoon both positions. The reason I don’t get trading DJ Lamaeihiuieu is that he can easily outhit Barney and assuming he’s avg at 2B, he’d easily replace him. I’d trade Barney to one of these teams that really wants a SS because with so many years of control, he’s valuable. Same is true of LeMeihiu.[/quote]

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    154. 157 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=GW]i’d rather the median because i don’t think his chances are greater than 50% for the mean, but i would take odds for the mean, depending how you felt about it.

      we can do it $100 for charity. give me until sunday to get back with you, because i’m pretty swamped right now.[/quote]under

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    155. 158 fang2415 says:

      Now whenever I hear Chewy I’m going to think he’s saying “LeMahieu”.

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    156. 159 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=fang2415]Now whenever I hear Chewy I’m going to think he’s saying “LeMahieu”.[/quote]He is.

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    157. 160 Rice Cube says:

      [quote name=fang2415]Now whenever I hear Chewy I’m going to think he’s saying “LeMahieu”.[/quote]Ever see the guy behind the fur? He’s kind of weird looking…

      http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2011/04/gcelebrities/Peter_Mayhew-1.jpg

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    158. 161 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]He is.
      [/quote]

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    159. 162 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=fang2415][/quote]
      Fucking quote function

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    160. 163 fang2415 says:

      [quote name=Rice Cube]Ever see the guy behind the fur? He’s kind of weird looking…

      http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2011/04/gcelebrities/Peter_Mayhew-1.jpg/quote

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    161. 164 fang2415 says:

      All right, f2415 out, fuckfaces. You have no idea how late it is here.

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    162. 165 Mercurial Outfielder says:

      [quote name=fang2415]All right, f2415 out, fuckfaces. You have no idea how late it is here.[/quote]About 5 a.m.?

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