Mercurial Outfielder asked recently if I’d taken a look at next year’s payroll. Turns out I had done so about a month ago and had forgotten. In that piece I didn’t show any tables, but figured I’d go ahead do that here. MO mentioned that Gordo has been saying the Cubs payroll will be around $120 million next year so maybe keep that in mind.
Guaranteed Contracts
| Player | 2012 |
| Ryan Dempster | 14 |
| Carlos Marmol | 7 |
| Sean Marshall | 3.1 |
| Carlos Zambrano | 18 |
| Marlon Byrd | 6.5 |
| Alfonso Soriano | 18 |
| Other | 7 |
| Total | 73.6 |
Other: the Cubs owe Carlos Pena $5 million next year (he was paid $5 million in 2011) and the Cubs owe $2 million in a buyout to Aramis Ramirez. That’s assuming they don’t pick up their option, which is not at all likely. The Cubs are more likely to re-sign Kosuke Fukudome for $14 million than pay Ramirez the additional $14 million.
Arbitration Eligible Players
| Player, Arb Year | Est. Proj WAR | Estimated $ | mb21 Estimated $ |
| Matt Garza, 3 | 3.3 | 9.7 | 9 |
| Koyie Hill, 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Geovany Soto, 2 | 3.3 | 9.7 | 6 |
| Jeff Baker, 2 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Blake DeWitt, 1 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Randy Wells, 1 | 2.9 | 5.7 | 3.5 |
| Total | 30 | 21.3 |
For the projected WAR, I used current rest of season ZiPS projections and then adjusted for age. I’ve assumed the Cubs will finally part ways with Koyie Hill, but included him in the estimated $ based on projections. I did this because he had the same projection this season and they had no trouble offering him arbitration. My estimated salaries include him being non-tendered. For the Estimated $ I used the 40%, 60% and 80% of free agent values for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year eligible players. Matt Garza is eligible for the 3rd time, but he’s a Super 2 so his 3rd year is the equivalent of a 2nd year.
Auto-Renewal Contracts
Only 12 players under contract, which means a minimum of 13 auto-renewal players. They make the league minimum and that toal is $5.2 million
Non-Active Roster
The players on the 40-man roster, but not on the 25-man roster are paid a minimum of $50,000. I’ve assumed all 15 will be paid $50,000. This is a total of $750,000.
Total 1: $109.6 million
Total 2: $100.1 million
The first total is the estimated salaries based on their projections and the second is with my estimated arbitration values.
I’ll be using the midway point between those two figures from now on. The Cubs have $105 million committed to their 2012 roster at this point. They could trade some players, which obviously affects it, but it also takes wins away from the team. It’s not like you trade Zambrano and then add wins by signing someone. You trade Zambrano AND his wins and then you sign someone and get his wins.
The Cubs 2011 payroll is $134 million. Several writers have said the payroll will go down. Gordo has said in the 120 range. If it is in fact only $120 million, the Cubs have just $15 million to spend in the offseason. If they keep it at $134 million, they have $29 million to spend.
The only way the Cubs are getting Albert Pujols is if they hand out yet another backloaded contract. I’m not against backloaded contracts. The present value of a contract is always less when you pay more money later so it’s a good things for teams to do, but it does make things more difficult at the end of the contract as we’ve seen. It makes things easier in the early part of the contract, which people who hate backloaded contracts conveniently ignore. Even if they find a way to get Pujols, they won’t have money for anyone else.
Let’s say the Cubs find someoe to trade Zambrano to. They send along $6 million. They pay $2 of that this season and then $4 million next year. They’ve freed up 14 million in payroll next season. The value of a win next season is probably going to be about $4.77 million. That will buy the Cubs 2.94 wins. Zambrano at $18 million would be projected around 2.5 wins. So trading Zambrano and using that money to sign someone else adds only half a win to the team.
It’s doubtful the Cubs trade any of the other players with guaranteed contracts: Dempster, Marmol, Marshall, Byrd and Soriano. If the team is trying to contend, you really don’t want to trade guys like Garza, Wells and Soto who are providing excellent value for the money they’re being paid. you can’t buy more wins on the free agent market than they’ll produce for less than free agent value. Take Garza for example. He’ll be paid somewhere between $9 and $10 million next season. That’s just 60% of his free agent value. If you traded him, you buy only 2 wins on the free agent market. You lose 1.3 wins. Same thing with Soto. It’s even worse with Wells.
So if you want to contend, you have to keep those guys. However, the Cubs need to finally take a look at the roster and figure out if they can or cannot contend. They then need to make decisions based on that rather than hopes and dreams. I don’t expect them to, but it’s what they should do. They should look into trading as many of the guaranteed contracts as they can. They should look at trading Garza, Soto and even RAndy Wells. They should rebuild. They don’t have the money to contend next season.
I know they won’t do this, which just prolongs the number of years they’re going to suck, but that’s Cubs baseball.
On FOX today they said the Cubs had $50 million coming off the books. They don’t. They have $30 to $35 million coming off the books.
Tags Go Here (dying laughing)
Ricketts keeps insisting that the money won’t be an issue. I guess we find out in November.
I’m groing more anti-Quade with each passing day. I just can’t fathom why he’d have Dempster lead off the bottom of the fifth so he could get just one out in the sixth. Does he think the bullpen is terribly overworked?
[quote name=ACT]I’m groing more anti-Quade with each passing day. I just can’t fathom why he’d have Dempster lead off the bottom of the fifth so he could get just one out in the sixth. Does he think the bullpen is terribly overworked?[/quote]Which is odd because Jeff Samardzija is the only reliever in the top 10 in innings pitched. Marshall is 25th and Marmol is 29th. Not exactly overworked by any means. Marshall is 21st in games pitches and no other Cubs relievers are in the top 35.
The Cubs are 6th in relief innings pitched, but they aren’t overworked. I have no idea what Quade’s problem is with pinch hitting for the pitcher.
[quote name=mb21]Which is odd because Jeff Samardzija is the only reliever in the top 10 in innings pitched. Marshall is 25th and Marmol is 29th. Not exactly overworked by any means. Marshall is 21st in games pitches and no other Cubs relievers are in the top 35.[/quote]
He’s overworking his mediocre relievers and not using his best relievers enough, it seems.
mb, if you were trying to build this team to contend in 2012, given who is available in 2012 besides Pujols and Fielder, what would you do? I don’t see any way this team seriously contends unless they sign both Pujols and Fielder (use Pujols at 3B) and even then their pitching needs help.
[quote name=Rice Cube]mb, if you were trying to build this team to contend in 2012, given who is available in 2012 besides Pujols and Fielder, what would you do? I don’t see any way this team seriously contends unless they sign both Pujols and Fielder (use Pujols at 3B) and even then their pitching needs help.[/quote]I’d sign Fielder and Jose Reyes for the infield and move Castro to either 2nd or 3rd depending on what other options may be available. Since Soriano can’t be traded I’d look for a platoon partner. Fukudome might not be a bad option and he can play when Soriano goes on the DL. Depends on how much money Fukudome wants, but if he’d come back for about $4 million or so, I’d sign him. I’d move Marlon Byrd to RF and put Brett Jackson in CF.
I’d trade Zambrano and move Sean Marshall back into the rotation. A rotation of Dempster, Garza, Wells, Marshall and either a cheap free agent or Trey McNutt.
Not sure if that team is a contender. It would depend on the value provided by Castro, Jackson, whether or not they get a platoon partner for Soriano and Marshall and the 5th starter, but if they got a little lucky that team could contend.
The problem is the cost. Reyes is having a fantastic season and his free agent value is only increasing. Fielder will cost a lot of money. The other parts should be relatively cheap. If the Cubs can trade Zambrano they may be able to do that.
That’s a pretty good plan. I only ask because I know the Cubs will insist on fielding a contender because they need to placate their fans’ expectations of “we must always contend and never rebuild” etc etc. So if they do that I hope they do something like what you just suggested.
Does Dexter go back to where it was years ago: http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/06/dexter-is-renewed-recharged-refocused-in-creepy-season-6-promo.html
I know GW hopes so.
[quote name=Rice Cube]That’s a pretty good plan. I only ask because I know the Cubs will insist on fielding a contender because they need to placate their fans’ expectations of “we must always contend and never rebuild” etc etc. So if they do that I hope they do something like what you just suggested.[/quote]
If the Cubs want to be serious contenders they have to move Castro to 2nd or 3rd. There’s no way around it at this point. He’s a terrible fielding shortstop. He may improve, sure. He probably won’t. I wouldn’t move him there until you have someone else like Reyes, but with Reyes available I’d sign him (if the team wants to contend).
Marshall added about 3mph to his fastball when he became a full-time reliever in 2010. I’d be interested to see if he could retain that improvement with a starter’s workload.
Reyes may be due for a move to 2B as well. in addition to being on the wrong side of 25, he’s had leg injuries, and his defensive ratings (pick any metric) have declined quite a bit in recent years.
[quote name=mb21]If the Cubs want to be serious contenders they have to move Castro to 2nd or 3rd. There’s no way around it at this point. He’s a terrible fielding shortstop. He may improve, sure. He probably won’t. I wouldn’t move him there until you have someone else like Reyes, but with Reyes available I’d sign him (if the team wants to contend).[/quote]
I can see that. I just hope that the Cubs really do want to contend rather than just giving off the guise of contention.
Re: the tag-up play by Pena…
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/06/19/618-crash-course/
[quote name=mb21]Does Dexter go back to where it was years ago: http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/06/dexter-is-renewed-recharged-refocused-in-creepy-season-6-promo.html
I know GW hopes so.[/quote]
I don’t. Dexter has basically been spinning his wheels for the past three seasons. I hope they seriously shake things up.
Dexter says the same thing at the beginning of every season.
[quote name=Berselius]Dexter says the same thing at the beginning of every season.[/quote]
If things break the Cubs way this could be the year?
Seriously, the find a friend story line is played the fuck out. Relationship with Deb progresses or GTFO.
Some advice for Cuey, if the pitcher’s spot in the batting order comes up after the 4th inning that means it is time to pinch hit. /Rulez to manage the Cubs by
[quote name=Silky Johnson]If things break the Cubs way this could be the year?
Seriously, the find a friend story line is played the fuck out. Relationship with Deb progresses or GTFO.[/quote]
I love the show but they need to wrap things up. I hope Deb finds out or Dexter kills a cast member.
Though at least with Doakes gone Dexter knows that Deb is the only detective in Miami homocide who is even remotely competent enough to catch him (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]I’d sign Fielder and Jose Reyes for the infield and move Castro to either 2nd or 3rd depending on what other options may be available. Since Soriano can’t be traded I’d look for a platoon partner. Fukudome might not be a bad option and he can play when Soriano goes on the DL. Depends on how much money Fukudome wants, but if he’d come back for about $4 million or so, I’d sign him. I’d move Marlon Byrd to RF and put Brett Jackson in CF.
I’d trade Zambrano and move Sean Marshall back into the rotation. A rotation of Dempster, Garza, Wells, Marshall and either a cheap free agent or Trey McNutt.
Not sure if that team is a contender. It would depend on the value provided by Castro, Jackson, whether or not they get a platoon partner for Soriano and Marshall and the 5th starter, but if they got a little lucky that team could contend.
The problem is the cost. Reyes is having a fantastic season and his free agent value is only increasing. Fielder will cost a lot of money. The other parts should be relatively cheap. If the Cubs can trade Zambrano they may be able to do that.[/quote]I really like this idea. I’ve been wondering with all the injuries why they didn’t try to stretch Marshall out this year, and I guess it’s because they can’t live without him for two weeks.
[quote name=mb21]On FOX today they said the Cubs had $50 million coming off the books. They don’t. They have $30 to $35 million coming off the books.[/quote]You forgot Carlos Silva.
I missed the end of the game, but the promo picture on cubs.com makes it look like Pena decided to punch Russell Martin in the gut really hard, so I guess I missed a good game.
[quote name=Al Yellon]Not so many kudos to Geovany Soto. The situation did call for a bunt, though Soto’s not likely to be able to lay one down; he has none in his major league career. So you’ve got two options here: send up Koyie Hill, who can bunt; you’ve got to try to get the runner into scoring position. Or, let Soto lay off a pitch or two, hoping he can get a pitch to drive like Johnson and Soriano did.[/quote]Oy.
I’m not as anti-bunting as some people (in fact, I’m not really anti-bunting at all, though it’s overused at times), but I’d be extremely pissed off to see Hill pinch-bunting for Soto. The comments thread at BCB is really piling on Soto now. Every once in a while I check on the comments threads there and without fail I’m reminded why I generally ignore that place.
I think Soto should have waited for a better pitch but I wouldn’t bunt in that situation just to tie the game. Not with Soto’s power. I was surprised to see him swing on the first pitch and that’s why I was upset, not because of the lack of bunt.
It’s understandable to be disappointed at his choice to swing on the first pitch, but I think some of the comments I’ve seen are over the top.
[quote name=ACT]It’s understandable to be disappointed at his choice to swing on the first pitch, but I think some of the comments I’ve seen are over the top.[/quote]
I think they’re just mad because Quade didn’t want to give away an out that he shouldn’t have. Sometimes stuff doesn’t work out.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx with a fun line tonight.
1 IP, 11ER. He pitched a relatively quiet 1st inning then allowed 11 consecutive batters to reach to begin the 2nd.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think they’re just mad because Quade didn’t want to give away an out that he shouldn’t have. Sometimes stuff doesn’t work out.[/quote]Exactly. Giving away an out there is asinine.
[quote name=ACT]It’s understandable to be disappointed at his choice to swing on the first pitch, but I think some of the comments I’ve seen are over the top.[/quote]That pitch he swung at was the best pitch he was going to get in that AB. I like the idea of a batter taking a pitch or two, but I do not want a batter taking a pitch down the middle of the plate just to take a pitch. That’s a strike. A blind umpire calls that a strike. That was right down the middle.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Exactly. Giving away an out there is asinine.[/quote]Giving away an out there with Soto batting is definitely stupid. Pinch hitting for Soto with Koyie Hill is equally stupid. If someone like Tony Campana or Darwin Barney or maybe even Starlin Castro, a bunt is a good idea. However, pinch hitting for Soto with Campana or Barney is just plain stupid.
I don’t have a problem with the pitch Soto swung at. That’s a pitch every batter looks for in each PA. inner half of the plate, right down the middle. That’s a home run pitch. Mo got lucky.
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Austin Bibens-Dirkx with a fun line tonight.
1 IP, 11ER. He pitched a relatively quiet 1st inning then allowed 11 consecutive batters to reach to begin the 2nd.[/quote](dying laughing) He was having a decent year, wasn’t he? If Quade was the manager, Bibens-Dirkx would have been out there until he threw 120 pitches.
RC with the pi rundown: http://www.obstructedview.net/unobstructed-views/cubs/tootblan-and-rundown-silliness.html
I wasn’t able to check the Pitchf/x at the time but I see your point, mb. I’m still irrationally upset though because it didn’t work out (dying laughing)
Also, Happy Fathers Day to you guys who decided to reproduce.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/12007
[quote name=Rice Cube]I wasn’t able to check the Pitchf/x at the time but I see your point, mb. I’m still irrationally upset though because it didn’t work out (dying laughing)[/quote]Yeah, I think it’s easy to get upset when a batter swings at the first pitch and the result is a double play. Especially in such an important situation. However, we have to keep in mind the goal of the batter at the plate. It’s to hit a good pitch. Few pitches are actually where Mo threw that one. I’ve always hated batters who take the first pitch almost automatically. I’ve hated guys who automatically take 3-0 as well. On both the first pitch and a 3-0 pitch you need to have a tiny zone in which you’ll swing the bat. That pitch from Mo was in that tiny zone. Looking at the location of the pitch, it’s definitely one any batter should be swinging at. Doesn’t change the result, but you know what I mean.
mb21 out, fuckfaces!
[quote name=mb21]Yeah, I think it’s easy to get upset when a batter swings at the first pitch and the result is a double play. Especially in such an important situation. However, we have to keep in mind the goal of the batter at the plate. It’s to hit a good pitch. Few pitches are actually where Mo threw that one. I’ve always hated batters who take the first pitch almost automatically. I’ve hated guys who automatically take 3-0 as well. On both the first pitch and a 3-0 pitch you need to have a tiny zone in which you’ll swing the bat. That pitch from Mo was in that tiny zone. Looking at the location of the pitch, it’s definitely one any batter should be swinging at. Doesn’t change the result, but you know what I mean.[/quote]
I think if that pitch had ended up on Waveland nobody would have complained about him not bunting.
Enjoy your day!
[quote name=Rice Cube]Also, Happy Fathers Day to you guys who decided to reproduce.[/quote]
Happy Fathers’ Day to those of you that got drunk and sloppy too.
[quote name=mb21]Giving away an out there with Soto batting is definitely stupid. Pinch hitting for Soto with Koyie Hill is equally stupid. If someone like Tony Campana or Darwin Barney or maybe even Starlin Castro, a bunt is a good idea. However, pinch hitting for Soto with Campana or Barney is just plain stupid.
I don’t have a problem with the pitch Soto swung at. That’s a pitch every batter looks for in each PA. inner half of the plate, right down the middle. That’s a home run pitch. Mo got lucky.[/quote]I agree with all of this.
[quote name=melissa]Happy Fathers’ Day to those of you that got drunk and sloppy too.[/quote]
Would those be discredited fathers?
[quote name=Rice Cube]Would those be discredited fathers?[/quote]
No, if they choose to parent a child it doesn’t really matter how they became fathers, imo.
[quote name=melissa]No, if they choose to parent a child it doesn’t really matter how they became fathers, imo.[/quote]
I can get behind that. Happy accidents!
[quote name=mb21]Giving away an out there with Soto batting is definitely stupid. Pinch hitting for Soto with Koyie Hill is equally stupid. If someone like Tony Campana or Darwin Barney or maybe even Starlin Castro, a bunt is a good idea. However, pinch hitting for Soto with Campana or Barney is just plain stupid.
I don’t have a problem with the pitch Soto swung at. That’s a pitch every batter looks for in each PA. inner half of the plate, right down the middle. That’s a home run pitch. Mo got lucky.[/quote]
MB, I agree with what you are saying in general (especially what you said about guys not swinging at the first pitch on principle). However, this is Mariano Rivera we’re talking about, who is notorious for getting ridiculous amounts of movement on his cutter. He throws a fuckton of strikes, and there’s a reason that he only throws one pitch. Just because it shows up right down the middle in pfx doesn’t mean that Geo saw where it was going and could put good wood on it.
[quote name=Berselius]MB, I agree with you in general (especially what you said about guys not swinging at the first pitch on principle). However, this is Mariano Rivera we’re talking about, who is notorious for getting ridiculous amounts of movement on his cutter. He throws a fuckton of strikes, and there’s a reason that he only throws one pitch. Just because it shows up right down the middle in pfx doesn’t mean that Geo saw where it was going and could put good wood on it.[/quote]Of course the flipside of this coin is one could make a blooper reel of hilarious attempts to bunt vs. Rivera. Swinging away there, especially with Soto, is the right call.
It’s too bad we can’t go back in time and experiment with making Rivera a starter with only one pitch. That would have been interesting to see.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Of course the flipside of this coin is one could make a blooper reel of hilarious attempts to bunt vs. Rivera. Swinging away there, especially with Soto, is the right call.[/quote]
Oh, I agree. It just feels a little like he was implying that was a meatball.
Marlins ———> managerial opening
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Marlins ———> managerial opening[/quote]
Apparently they’re considering 80 year old Jack McKeon
If you can watch the White Sox game today, I highly recommend it. Adam Dunn will receive his first OF start since 2009, and in one of the sunniest, windiest OF in MLB. (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]If you can watch the White Sox game today, I highly recommend it. Adam Dunn will receive his first OF start since 2009, and in one of the sunniest, windiest OF in MLB. (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)[/quote]
Maybe ARI will take pity on him and close the roof
This team is so, so bad.
[quote name=Berselius]Maybe ARI will take pity on him and close the roof[/quote]I wouldn’t (dying laughing)
Worst outcome of the Pena send yesterday? I just heard Quade call Ivan DeJesus, “Zeus,” when discussing the send. Make Greek God of sky and thunder 3rd base coach, Let’s See What Happens.
Berkman is totally screwed against the Cubs now that Zeus is 3rd base coach.
From reading the discussion of the play, I think they overstated the need to be aggressive there. Yes, you generally want to take a risk with a runner on third and two outs, but the break even point is much lower with the bases loaded (since the run expectancy is much higher with 2 outs and bases loaded than with a runner on third only).
Our old third base coach would never have send Pena. Whatever happened to that guy?
[quote name=josh]Our old third base coach would never have send Pena. Whatever happened to that guy?[/quote]
Cuey disagrees, he said, with 2 outs he would have for sure sent him.
[quote name=melissa]Berkman is totally screwed against the Cubs now that Zeus is 3rd base coach.[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
[quote name=melissa]Cuey disagrees, he said, with 2 outs he would have for sure sent him.[/quote]Well that’s just a manager sticking up for his 3B coach. No ‘I’ in Team etc.
[quote name=josh]Well that’s just a manager sticking up for his 3B coach. No ‘I’ in Team etc.[/quote]
But there IS an “I” in “meat pie”…
Quade, asked about DeWitt hitting third:
So, one solution is to have two guys hitting 4th, and the other is…entirely inscrutable. Seriously, I defy anyone to explain just what the hell Quade is saying there. It’s incoherent nonsense. He just babbles like a fucking lobotomy case.
So the “new age” wisdom is that the #3 hitter really shouldn’t matter as much as who is hitting 1-2-4-5, but I’m almost certain that there’s a better option at 3 than Blake Fucking DeWitt.
Also, as far as “DeWitt swinging the bat well lately” goes:
Last 7 days (21 PA): .150/.190/.200, 4K, 1BB
Last 14 days (51 PA) .265/.294/.338, 7K, 2BB
On the season, he carries a .668 OPS. By way of comparison, when he was demoted, Tyler Colvin was OPS’ing .715.
[quote name=Rice Cube]So the “new age” wisdom is that the #3 hitter really shouldn’t matter as much as who is hitting 1-2-4-5, but I’m almost certain that there’s a better option at 3 than Blake Fucking DeWitt.[/quote]Yes. The other option is to hit Ramirez third, and have both Peña and DeWitt hit 4th.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yes. The other option is to hit Ramirez third, and have both Peña and DeWitt hit 4th.[/quote]
When Cuey batted Ramirez third the other day I was shocked that the world dud not tip off its axis.
Soriano would work as a #3 hitter reasonably well, I think (home runs are worth a lot there, walks less so).
[quote name=Berselius]When Cuey batted Ramirez third the other day I was shocked that the world dud not tip off its axis.[/quote]I was shocked to see only one person hitting 4th. This is a revolutionary new strategy by Quade.
[quote name=ACT]Soriano would work as a #3 hitter reasonably well, I think (home runs are worth a lot there, walks less so).[/quote]I’m beginning to think the days of Soriano as a regular are nearing an end. I think we’ll see Quade sitting him more and more, especially vs. tough RHP.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I’m beginning to think the days of Soriano as a regular are nearing an end. I think we’ll see Quade sitting him more and more, especially vs. anyone who can throw a slider.[/quote].
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
When did Andres Fucking Torres become the face of a franchise
I can’t press the point enough that it was an almost universally agreed point around here that Colvin was miserable at the dish when he was demoted, and yet the man had an OPS .047 higher than DeWitt’s! DeWitt is a bad player, and his defense at 2B and in LF is bad, as well. There’s absolutely no reason Quade should be giving this guy regular AB.
Sabathia/Zambrano matchup is interesting. Both have comparable hitting numbers (CC over a smaller sample size). Sabathia is a much better pitcher, of course.
[quote name=Suburban kid](dying laughing)
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When did Andres Fucking Torres become the face of a franchise[/quote]
Though I guess there is that Tim Lincecum guy
[quote name=ACT]Sabathia/Zambrano matchup is interesting. Both have comparable hitting numbers (CC over a smaller sample size). Sabathia is a much better pitcher, of course.[/quote]
I thought Garza was pitching today.
[quote name=Suburban kid](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
When did Andres Fucking Torres become the face of a franchise[/quote]www.whendidandresfuckingtorresbecomethefaceofafranchise.com
[quote name=Berselius]
Though I guess there is that Tim Lincecum guy[/quote]
Lincecum sucks. He’s only 5-6 on the season.
/ignorant
It was Wells last I knew.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I thought Garza was pitching today.[/quote]Ugh. It’s Wells, according to espn.com. We’re both wrong.
Yes – definitely Sabathia vs. Wells.
Cubs lose.
This means the Yanks actually have the advantage by not having a DH.
[quote name=ACT]Ugh. It’s Wells, according to espn.com. We’re both wrong.[/quote]
Shit. This is like an entire week without dinner for me now.
You guys keep track of pitching matchups like Blake DeWitt hits.
I just knew that Z was pitching against the White Sox this coming series.
Bad news: Z will be DH’d for.
Good news: Garza and Davis will be DH’d for.
Doug Davis is pitching against TBA on Wednesday.
It would be funny to make Hill the DH for Z. He’d be the first DH in history to have worst career numbers than the pitcher he’s hitting for.
[quote name=ACT]Bad news: Z will be DH’d for.
Good news: Garza and Davis will be DH’d for.[/quote][quote name=ACT]It would be funny to make Hill the DH for Z. He’d be the first DH in history to have worst career numbers than the pitcher he’s hitting for.[/quote]
I have a feeling there’s going to be some real hilarity in Quade’s DH choices.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I have a feeling there’s going to be some real hilarity in Quade’s DH choices.[/quote]
If by DH you mean “designated out” then yes.
Danny Hultzen throwing against RC’s alma mater today.
2 BB, 3 K on 28 pitches in the first inning. At least Cal made him work.
Random double post…weird.
Minnesota is moving on up!
Enjoyed this quote from the Trib today from Quade talking about Ken Rosenthal.
Here’s hoping Quade never gets into broadcasting or else the entire league will end with a Y.
This Danny Duffy kid has struck out 7 Cardinals so far today.
It’s only the third inning.
[quote name=Rice Cube]This Danny Duffy kid has struck out 7 Cardinals so far today.
It’s only the third inning.[/quote]
Make that 8 through 3 IP. Problem is he’s over 70 pitches so he probably doesn’t go 6 IP today.
I think Duffy just hurt himself.
I can’t believe I have to go to another game in 4 hours.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Shit. This is like an entire week without dinner for me now.[/quote]
The secret is to just make breakfast for dinner all week.
Looks like Pujols ———–> broken wrist
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/19/albert-pujols-leaves-game-with-wrist-maybe-shoulder-injury
[quote name=Berselius]Looks like Pujols ———–> broken wrist
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/19/albert-pujols-leaves-game-with-wrist-maybe-shoulder-injury/quote
Weak. After he hit a homer, too.
lineup tonight vs LHP CC
Reedz
Castro
Baker
Rodrigo
Adolfo
Geo
Montanez
LeSpellcheck
Wells
CF Johnson
SS Castro
1B Baker
3B Ramirez
LF Soriano
C Soto
RF Montanez
2B LeMahieu
P Wells
dammit
You know what the other team would never see coming? Pitcher in the three spot.
[quote name=josh]You know what the other team would never see coming? Pitcher in the three spot.[/quote]
It just might work.
Actually I think Andy Sonnanstine hit third once because of a lineup card fail. Did fairly well, had a double and some runs batted in.
[quote name=Alvin]I can’t believe I have to go to another game in 4 hours.[/quote]
[quote name=Berselius]Looks like Pujols ———–> broken wrist
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/19/albert-pujols-leaves-game-with-wrist-maybe-shoulder-injury/quote
Looks like it’s just a sprain.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Looks like it’s just a sprain.[/quote]
That’s good news. The reports of that swelling were pretty worrisome.
Yeah. Pujols might still have a chance to get another 30 HR season now.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Doug Davis is pitching against TBA on Wednesday.[/quote]
Sox are saying Peavy will start Wednesday but his arm could always fall off before then.
Ewwww….
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=16075783&topic_id=8879106
Glad it’s just a sprain, but damn.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ewwww….
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=16075783&topic_id=8879106
Glad it’s just a sprain, but damn.[/quote]
When did Rafael Furcal start playing for the Royals?
Cards and Royals doing cool stuff:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Cardinals-Royals-team-up-to-support-Joplin-torn?urn=mlb-wp9916
Brett Jackson batting third today: 2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
HR was off a LHP too.
Now 2-for-4.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ewwww….
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=16075783&topic_id=8879106
Glad it’s just a sprain, but damn.[/quote]OOOOuch! I bet that’s a bad sprain. It ballooned in like a second.
Crap.
Rafael Dolis just fucked up the save so bad, the Smokies had to use Blake Lalli to get out of the inning (dying laughing)
So far Wells has pitched okay…..
The Cubs are getting to CC today
Fonzi!
ADOLFO!
Holy shit (dying laughing)
The Cubs might actually win this series.
Cubs —-> CC’s daddy.
That pitch to Sori was a high fastball. Not what you want to throw to him.
Disinterested Ramirez made a nice catch.
It’s a good thing Teixeira hit it towards Aramis right when he was laying down for his nap, because he doesn’t dive for balls anymore.
That was silly, Starlin.
Wow, the umps actually didn’t give Castro the “neighborhood” play.
I really don’t think any one thing hurts the Cubs more than bad defense. They can score a few. They get decent pitching most of the time. Their defense is killer.
[quote name=josh]I really don’t think any one thing hurts the Cubs more than bad defense. They can score a few. They get decent pitching most of the time. Their defense is killer.[/quote]
Wells’ FIP is taking a bit of a hit today.
The pitching’s not fantastic, I’ll admit, but I think it’s a lot better than their record shows.
Really wish Aramis had gone home there.
[quote name=josh]The pitching’s not fantastic, I’ll admit, but I think it’s a lot better than their record shows.[/quote]
Cubs starter FIP: 14th in NL
Cubs bullpen FIP: 16th in NL
[quote name=Berselius]Cubs suck[/quote]
Get your nose out of your spreadsheets.
[quote name=ACT]Really wish Aramis had gone home there.[/quote]So did Wells, and he made it obvious. Somehow I feel he won’t be excoriated by Sullivan for showing up a teammate, on the field, no less.
THIS BUNT IS FUCKING DUMB THE RUNNER IS ALREADY IN SCORING POSITION YOU BALD FUCK
Yay. Gave away an out for a guy already in scoring position. So. Fucking. Stupid.
Dumb fucking baseball. Just fucking dumb fucking baseball.
Methinks that play should have been significantly closer at 1st.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]THIS BUNT IS FUCKING DUMB THE RUNNER IS ALREADY IN SCORING POSITION YOU BALD FUCK[/quote]
RANDY WELLS AND HIS CAREER .201 WOBA ARE AT THE PLATE
MO, what did you think about moving the runner to third?
And now there are 2 outs. Fuckign dumbassed bunt.
[quote name=Berselius]RANDY WELLS AND HIS CAREER .201 WOBA ARE AT THE PLATE[/quote]Still not an auto out.
Leadoff doubles are the toughest ones to bring home.
And scene. Give away outs, get no runs. As it should be.
[quote name=GBTS]Leadoff doubles are the toughest ones to bring home.[/quote]Especially when you follow them up by handing the other team an out.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Still not an auto out.[/quote]
MO, bunts are dumb most of the time but that was the perfect place to put one down.
[quote name=The Book]With a runner on second and no outs, an average-hitting pitcher should sacrifice about half the time, a below average pitcher should sacrifice most of the time, and an above average-hitting pitcher should sacrifice only occasionally[/quote]Is mgl stupid, too?
I’m okay with that bunt.
[quote name=Berselius]MO, bunts are dumb most of the time but that was the perfect place to put one down.[/quote]Swing away. That was ridiculous. The guy is already in scoring position. Almost any contact moves him along, and at least there’s the shot at an error. Sac bunting is just dumb to being with, but with the guy in scoring position, it’s so, so dumb. What’s the difference in run expectancy from runner on 2nd, no outs, and a runner on third with 1 out?
[quote name=ACT]Is mgl stupid, too?[/quote]I still don’t like it. It’s just dumb. The runner is already in scoring position, and I don’t give a fuck if Christ himself descends and tells me otherwise.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Swing away. That was ridiculous. The guy is already in scoring position. Almost any contact moves him along, and at least there’s the shot at an error. Sac bunting is just dumb to being with, but with the guy in scoring position, it’s so, so dumb. What’s the difference in run expectancy from runner on 2nd, no outs, and a runner on third with 1 out?[/quote]
1.189 (second, no out)
0.971 (third, one out)
But that assumes an average hitter at the plate. There’s a world of difference between Randy Wells and an average hitter
I think if your pitcher is worse at hitting than usual, you want to bunt because I imagine having a runner on third with one out gives you a better run expectancy than a runner on second with one out.
[quote name=Berselius]1.189 (second, no out)
0.971 (third, one out)
But that assumes an average hitter at the plate. There’s a world of difference between Randy Wells and an average hitter[/quote]So it’s a negligible difference. Even factoring in that it’s a below-average hitting SP at the plate, i doubt it changes it in a significant way. I swing away there, every time. I swing away with Ted Lilly there. Swing the fucking bat.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I still don’t like it. It’s just dumb. The runner is already in scoring position, and I don’t give a fuck if Christ himself descends and tells me otherwise.[/quote]You can’t settle the issue by saying things like “he’s already in scoring position,” or “you can’t give away an out.” You have to look at the distribution of outcomes and weigh them carefully.
[quote name=Berselius]Cubs starter FIP: 14th in NL
Cubs bullpen FIP: 16th in NL[/quote]Y’arright. Didn’t seem like it’s been that bad. We’ve had some good games. There was that 8 game losing streak. I’ve been trying to ignore that.
Look I’m willing to reject certain things with a certain amount of irrationality. The cravenness of the sacrifice bunt is one of them. Like Earl Weaver said, God gave you 27 outs, not 26. No point in giving them away.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Like Earl Weaver said, God gave you 27 outs, not 26. No point in giving them away.[/quote]I initially thought this said Earl Warren, which made me think of the Simpsons.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Look I’m willing to reject certain things with a certain amount of irrationality. The cravenness of the sacrifice bunt is one of them. Like Earl Weaver said, God gave you 27 outs, not 26. No point in giving them away.[/quote]
Also no point in rigidly refusing to sacrifice bunt, ever (dying laughing)
[quote name=ACT]You can’t settle the issue by saying things like “he’s already in scoring position,” or “you can’t give away an out.” You have to look at the distribution of outcomes and weigh them carefully.[/quote]You’ve obviously never seen me argue about sac bunts.
They are among the most powerfully foolish and cowardly of tactics. If I managed, I would never allow my players to sac bunt, and I would order my pitchers to throw the ball at the face of an opposing player that tried to do so. I hate them. I admit it’s irrational, but I just refuse to accept logic here (and this is coming from a teacher of logic, mind you). (dying laughing)
Wow, that bat hit LeF7!
Where’s the bunt signal pic? (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]Also no point in rigidly refusing to sacrifice bunt, ever (dying laughing)[/quote]Probably true. (dying laughing) I just hate giving away an out. It’s something primordial in me that just rejects it. (dying laughing)
Goddammit Soto is so unlucky.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Probably true. (dying laughing) I just hate giving away an out. It’s something primordial in me that just rejects it. (dying laughing)[/quote]
Outs are your preciousssss…
[quote name=Rice Cube]Goddammit Soto is so unlucky.[/quote]I never seen one guy hit so many liners right at people.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Goddammit Soto is so unlucky.[/quote]That’s been his story all year. His liner have hit gloves as if he’s aiming them intentionally.
[quote name=ACT]That’s been his story all year. His liner have hit gloves as if he’s aiming them intentionally.[/quote]It’s bizarre. Seems like last year that happened a lot, too.
That was a good bunt.
[quote name=Earl Weaver]That was a good bunt.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
That’s nice concentration from LeMaheiu there.
[quote name=Earl Weaver]That was a good bunt.[/quote]Earl Weaver would never say such a thing.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Earl Weaver would never say such a thing.[/quote]
Earl Weaver sac bunted 27% less than the rest of MLB as a manager, but he still did it
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Earl Weaver would never say such a thing.[/quote]Sorry. That was a good bunt, you cunt.
[quote name=Berselius]Earl Weaver sac bunted 27% less than the rest of MLB as a manager, but he still did it[/quote]But I bet he hated himself for it.
[quote name=Earl Weaver]Sorry. That was a good bunt, you cunt.[/quote]The real Earl Weaver is going to find you and beat into submission with a fungo bat.
Damn. illegal feed down.
thou shalt not challenge the arm of top prospect montanez
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Damn. illegal feed down.[/quote]I’ll bet your host sacrificed your stream to get better bandwith on another.
Use ESPN3.com, MO.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Use ESPN3.com, MO.[/quote]
so mainstream
[quote name=Rice Cube]Use ESPN3.com, MO.[/quote]The quality of that feed is abysmal. That’s why I switched to piracy. (dying laughing)
[quote name=GBTS]I’ll bet your host sacrificed your stream to get better bandwith on another.[/quote]The bastard.
[quote name=GW]so mainstream[/quote]I was streaming ESPN 3 before it even launched.
[quote name=GBTS]I was streaming ESPN 3 before it even launched.[/quote]
Rebel.
I only stream it on my Windows 95 powered Compaq. That’s the way it was meant to be streamed.
[quote name=GBTS]I only stream it on my Windows 95 powered Compaq. That’s the way it was meant to be streamed.[/quote]
Fuck that shit. Windows is so mainstream. I use a Linux distro you’ve probably never heard of
[quote name=GBTS]I only stream it on my Windows 95 powered Compaq. That’s the way it was meant to be streamed.[/quote]I only watch illegal streams through the viewfinder of my Super 8 camera.
Largest crowd for a three-game series in Wrigley history, thanks to Yankee fans.
Man, Le Spellcheck got some great wood on that ball.
.255 OBP for Campana? Imagine what he could do if he could get to first base.
[quote name=Berselius]Man, Le Spellcheck got some great wood on that ball.[/quote]I still think he needs to shorten up that swing, but that was solid contact.
How’s Q pinch hitting for Wells, he only has like 100 pitches.
[quote name=josh]How’s Q pinch hitting for Wells, he only has like 100 pitches.[/quote]
He’s also about to face the Yankees lineup for the fourth time. Not a good idea all things considered.
[quote name=josh]How’s Q pinch hitting for Wells, he only has like 100 pitches.[/quote]
Yeah, but he already blew the lead so that was already taken care of (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]Yeah, but he already blew the lead so that was already taken care of (dying laughing)[/quote]
This answer is better than RC’s
This has proved to be a surprisingly competitive series.
[quote name=ACT]This has proved to be a surprisingly competitive series.[/quote]
It’s heartening to see Wrigley so packed. I know it’s the Yankees, but a lot of people bought up that pile of unsold tickets that Tim wrote about last week.
That was a great curveball from Marshall. Can’t believe Granderson laid off.
So, just wondering, did Granderson switch over to Bautista’s trainer over the off season?
[quote name=ACT]This has proved to be a surprisingly competitive series.[/quote]Yeah, mainly because the Cubs’ starting pitching has held up. Both Dempster and Wells wriggled out of multiple jams somehow.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, mainly because the Cubs’ starting pitching has held up. Both Dempster and Wells wriggled out of multiple jams somehow.[/quote]And Doug Davis was amazing.
[quote name=josh]So, just wondering, did Granderson switch over to Bautista’s trainer over the off season?[/quote]
[quote name=josh]So, just wondering, did Granderson switch over to Bautista’s trainer over the off season?[/quote]Actually, they’re giving a lot of credit to the Yankee hitting coach for working with Granderson over the offseason on his approach vs. LHP.
Another great inning for Marshall.
see also
Pitcher going through order the fourth time, let him retire the side on five pitches. It just might work.
There were a couple of liners there. CC got lucky.
Aside from the Castro lazy fly, CC got hit pretty hard in that 5-pitch inning. (dying laughing)
And of course, A-rod hits a broken bat fly and it falls. Ugh.
[quote name=Berselius]
[/quote]I’m barely piss drunk at all.
Cubs lose.
It’s not a question of if the Cubs will lose or how they’ll lose, it’s what bizarre act of God will lead to Chris Carpenter going to the DL.
I’ve seen this scenario before against the Pirates. What they’ll do now is walk in four runs.
I was really hoping Q would bring Marm in here. Not the rookie, however talented.
What possible diff–oh.
Right on cue!
looks like i picked the right time to change the channel
If all the replays counted on the scoreboard, the Yankees would be leading 328-4.
Wow.
If only we had a true firstbaseman over there.
Why didn’t Marshall face Swisher? Does Swisher murder lefties? Wouldn’t it make more sense to let Marshall pitch to Swisher and have Carpy come in to face Martin?
[quote name=josh]If only we had a true firstbaseman over there.[/quote]
That was a hit anyway.
[quote name=Muck Muckintuck]Why didn’t Marshall face Swisher? Does Swisher murder lefties? Wouldn’t it make more sense to let Marshall pitch to Swisher and have Carpy come in to face Martin?[/quote]He’s stronger from the right side. His split this year is greater than usual (not that it matters, but Quade might have considered that.)
[quote name=ACT]He’s stronger from the right side. His split this year is greater than usual (not that it matters, but Quade might have considered that.)[/quote]Oh I see.
Ill-advised stolen base attempt?
[quote name=ACT]He’s stronger from the right side. His split this year is greater than usual (not that it matters, but Quade might have considered that.)[/quote]
I’m just glad they didn’t waste Marmol in that really dicey situation and held him for a potential save. Carlos will now be able to enjoy a nice quiet evening.
[quote name=Rice Cube]That was a hit anyway.[/quote]Yeah, well, maybe. Reed Johnson would have caught that one Nick Swisher hit though.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ill-advised stolen base attempt?[/quote]Starlin may have missed the tag, but the ump called Martin out for violating unwritten rules.
[quote name=AndCounting]Starlin may have missed the tag, but the ump called Martin out for violating unwritten rules.[/quote]
Soto had a good throw that superseded all unwritten rules.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Soto had a good throw that superseded all unwritten rules.[/quote]Did Martin ever actually touch 2nd base? It didn’t look like it.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Ill-advised stolen base attempt?[/quote]A catcher trying to steal with a lefty on the mound? How can that not be a good idea?
Sori needs to hit another 3-run homer here.
[quote name=ACT]Sori needs to hit another 3-run homer here.[/quote]
The ghost-runners will prove very valuable.
He drew a walk, which is even more improbable for him.
Soriano OBP > .300
Soto just watched a hanger float through his wheelhouse.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Soriano OBP > .300[/quote]Let Camapana run? I mean, just for the hell of it. I know his run doesn’t mean anything.
Campana was used as a PH.
[quote name=josh]Let Camapana run? I mean, just for the hell of it. I know his run doesn’t mean anything.[/quote]He already pinch hit.
I expected that walk by Soto. I did not expect him to take a pitch that close though.
[quote name=AndCounting]He already pinch out.[/quote]
Yup.
[quote name=AndCounting]He already pinch hit.[/quote]No! You don’t let that guy hit. You let him RUN.
[quote name=ACT]Campana was used as a PH.[/quote]/facepalm
According to Olney, McKeon ————> Marlins’ interim manager
[quote name=josh]No! You don’t let that guy hit. You let him RUN.[/quote](dying laughing), too true. Because he seems only capable of one of those two things.
[quote name=josh]No! You don’t let that guy hit. You let him RUN.[/quote]
Oh, YOU’RE the manager now?!
/Quade’d
Don’t worry, folks. Blake DeWitt to DeWescue.
The Cubs can’t really waste Campana as a runner anyway, the way they’re burning through bench players.
[quote name=AndCounting]Don’t worry, folks. Blake DeWitt to DeWescue.[/quote]
Lies.
[quote name=AndCounting]Don’t worry, folks. Blake DeWitt to DeWescue.[/quote]Yeah, nothing says “savior” like a sub-.700 OPS. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, nothing says “savior” like a sub-.700 OPS. (dying laughing)[/quote]Does Quade call DeWitt “Dewey”?
[quote name=AndCounting]Does Quade call DeWitt “Dewey”?[/quote]Blakey
Valentine: “He can fly AND he can run the bases.”
Wait, can Gardner actually fly?
No save for Mo.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Blakey[/quote]I’d like to see him mix it up with an Arthur reference: DW.
Huzzah! We kept him from scoring a little league homerun.
Rodrigo Lopez = surrender flag.
[quote name=ACT]Wrigley Marquee = surrender flag.[/quote].
The Yankees are laughing. They’re having a good time. This game is a little more what they expected. Ah you put up a good effort kids, but you run along now.
Swisher clearly missed that one on purpose. He feels bad for the kids.
[quote name=ACT]No save for Mo.[/quote]Maybe I spoke too soon?
Two grand slams ought to do it.
Ramirez tried to kill his counterpart.
Time to drink.
booo
(dying laughing)
What happened here?
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16090273
I watched it live. Sori thought it was a homerun and completely gave up on it. The play before, Baker crapped out at the wall and missed one that turned into a double. It’s like they have certain games or days of the week or something where their defense just instantly turns little league level.
So what’s the story on some of these position callups? They put up decent minor league numbers. But they look like career minor leaguers once they are up. Fuld seemed to be that way last year, and his solid playing time in Tampa Bay hasn’t exactly proven that idea wrong.
At that point in the game you don’t want to crash into a brick wall, whether it’s padded or not. I thought both Soriano and Johnson had a chance at it and they just said “whatever”…it was strange.
Both teams seemed to have a “whatever” attitude toward the end. It was maybe the most bizarre two innings of baseball I’ve ever witnessed.
This will probably never be commented on but
HOW THE FUCK is VERNON WELLS TRADEABLE AND SORIANO ISNT???? Soriano can still hit a fastball.. Lets say we eat 40 million of the 54 coming cant we get something for him??? I mean really? REALLY??? The angels might be the dumbest organization in baseball int hat they picked up Kazmir and Wells…
Looking at the payroll numbers i think we can trade Byrd, Marshall, Marmol, Soto and get something back… (granted Byrd is contingent on him beeing able to hit and quite frankly if he cant stand in the box after getting beaned i dont blame him…)
The thing that bothers me is i dont see any talk about us trading Marshall.. He might have more value than anyone on our team in that he is an elite LH reliever that can get both lefties and righties out… Pena might have some value… Kosuke too..
I dont think we will be able to rrade Dempster orZ…
What i would like to see in late august is the following lineup based on reality and getting people ready to contribute to the next winning team
1. B Jackson CF (as far as i am concerned just bring him up. Let him get the at bats and get used to center in wrigley.)
2. Castro SS
3. Ramirez 3B (he aint leaing and i cant imagine we would sit him for a prospect)
4. Castillo (Hopefully Soto is traded to a contender like SF for a pitcher or something or we get something. He is killing AAA and its unfathonamble that he didnt start when Soto was injured)
5. Flaherty LF (OPS of over .900 at AA. Lets see what he can do at least)
6. Vitters 1B (Has had a good june. He might not walk but we have to at least see if he can hit Major league pitching)
7. Colvin RF (He either will be part of the future or not based on competitive at bats but give him consistent ABS
8. DJ- 2B I like him more than Barney. Also we could put Flahery here and soriano here….
I am just sick of the same garbage day in and day out.
The Garza trade is looking sillier by the day
cubs have the worst run differential in baseball…
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]This will probably never be commented on but
HOW THE FUCK is VERNON WELLS TRADEABLE AND SORIANO ISNT???? Soriano can still hit a fastball.. Lets say we eat 40 million of the 54 coming cant we get something for him??? I mean really? REALLY??? The angels might be the dumbest organization in baseball int hat they picked up Kazmir and Wells…
Looking at the payroll numbers i think we can trade Byrd, Marshall, Marmol, Soto and get something back… (granted Byrd is contingent on him beeing able to hit and quite frankly if he cant stand in the box after getting beaned i dont blame him…)
The thing that bothers me is i dont see any talk about us trading Marshall.. He might have more value than anyone on our team in that he is an elite LH reliever that can get both lefties and righties out… Pena might have some value… Kosuke too..
I dont think we will be able to rrade Dempster orZ…
What i would like to see in late august is the following lineup based on reality and getting people ready to contribute to the next winning team
1. B Jackson CF (as far as i am concerned just bring him up. Let him get the at bats and get used to center in wrigley.)
2. Castro SS
3. Ramirez 3B (he aint leaing and i cant imagine we would sit him for a prospect)
4. Castillo (Hopefully Soto is traded to a contender like SF for a pitcher or something or we get something. He is killing AAA and its unfathonamble that he didnt start when Soto was injured)
5. Flaherty LF (OPS of over .900 at AA. Lets see what he can do at least)
6. Vitters 1B (Has had a good june. He might not walk but we have to at least see if he can hit Major league pitching)
7. Colvin RF (He either will be part of the future or not based on competitive at bats but give him consistent ABS
8. DJ- 2B I like him more than Barney. Also we could put Flahery here and soriano here….
I am just sick of the same garbage day in and day out.
The Garza trade is looking sillier by the day[/quote]
This should have been an Unobstructed View.
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]cubs have the worst run differential in baseball…[/quote]Injuries.
/Ricketts
//clueless
///ready for a decade or more of this shit
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Injuries.
/Ricketts
//clueless
///ready for a decade or more of this shit[/quote]
it could be worse. you could have been invested enough in “the killing” to see it through to the finale.
[quote name=GW]it could be worse. you could have been invested enough in “the killing” to see it through to the finale.[/quote]I quit on “Lost” early enough to know not to waste my time on “The Killing”
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]This will probably never be commented on but
HOW THE FUCK is VERNON WELLS TRADEABLE AND SORIANO ISNT???? Soriano can still hit a fastball.. Lets say we eat 40 million of the 54 coming cant we get something for him??? I mean really? REALLY??? The angels might be the dumbest organization in baseball int hat they picked up Kazmir and Wells…
Looking at the payroll numbers i think we can trade Byrd, Marshall, Marmol, Soto and get something back… (granted Byrd is contingent on him beeing able to hit and quite frankly if he cant stand in the box after getting beaned i dont blame him…)
The thing that bothers me is i dont see any talk about us trading Marshall.. He might have more value than anyone on our team in that he is an elite LH reliever that can get both lefties and righties out… Pena might have some value… Kosuke too..
I dont think we will be able to rrade Dempster orZ…
What i would like to see in late august is the following lineup based on reality and getting people ready to contribute to the next winning team
1. B Jackson CF (as far as i am concerned just bring him up. Let him get the at bats and get used to center in wrigley.)
2. Castro SS
3. Ramirez 3B (he aint leaing and i cant imagine we would sit him for a prospect)
4. Castillo (Hopefully Soto is traded to a contender like SF for a pitcher or something or we get something. He is killing AAA and its unfathonamble that he didnt start when Soto was injured)
5. Flaherty LF (OPS of over .900 at AA. Lets see what he can do at least)
6. Vitters 1B (Has had a good june. He might not walk but we have to at least see if he can hit Major league pitching)
7. Colvin RF (He either will be part of the future or not based on competitive at bats but give him consistent ABS
8. DJ- 2B I like him more than Barney. Also we could put Flahery here and soriano here….
I am just sick of the same garbage day in and day out.
The Garza trade is looking sillier by the day[/quote]Agree. If you can’t trade Soriano, just use him off the bench. Or bring him against lefties occasionally. or something.
Theoretically Soriano/Fukudome would make a solid (yet expensive) platoon, but I don’t think Fukudome finishes the year here. As mentioned though, he was willing to sign for a $4M or something I wouldn’t be opposed to him coming back.
Platoon LH and RH batters? How old school of you Mish.
It’s not quite a moroon, but I think it just might work.
I think we should bat Soriano fourth, with Fukudome in the 4-hole.
/Baldy McGrindy
Bubbles, you’ll see the Cubs replace the marquee with the OV banner before you see them trot out that white flag lineup.
http://www.obstructedview.fagget
[quote name=MOey]I think we should bat Soriano fourth, with Fukudome in the 4-hole.
/Baldy McGrindy[/quote]I think we should all add -ey to the end of our names.
Anyone catch Game of Thrones finale last night? Helluva show.
[quote name=GBTS]I think we should all add -ey to the end of our names.[/quote]GBTSey?
Blake DeWitt, MIddle of the Order Hitter, OPS Watch: .662
(And to reiterate, as abysmal as Colvin was at the dish, his OPS was .715 when he was demoted)
Where are you getting .715, MO? HIs OPS at the time he was demoted was .449. Even if you add his OPS and SLG you still get under .715.
He had a wOBA of .238 in April and if you can even believe it, .000 in May. Not much better in June either.
[quote name=mb21].000 in May. Not much better in June either.[/quote](dying laughing)
Cue the saying “from there you can only go up.”
We don’t have pitching ready in the minors to start selling off Wells, Demp, and Z. So there’s really no point unless the Yanks offer something stupid for Z/Demp. Wait til the offseason to ship them off. We should focus at the deadline what to do with Byrd, Sori, Fuku, Soto, Marmol, and Pena.
We have Spencer, Ridling, Vitters, Flaherty, and Jackson pretty much ready (with Vitters being the least ready). Every one of them has played multiple positions. I really want to see Clevenger, but Castillo is in front of him even though he looks lost at the plate and on the field. Clevenger has mashed at AAA and AA. Before the season, I didn’t realize how old Soto is.
[quote name=mb21]Where are you getting .715, MO? HIs OPS at the time he was demoted was .449. Even if you add his OPS and SLG you still get under .715.[/quote]That’s his career OPS. My bad.
Still, it’s unfathomable to me that Quade sees a guy with a .662 OPS (and a .707 career OPS) as a middle of the order hitter. I mean, he’s talking about hitting the guy 3rd or 4th, as if those are the only spots for him. Boggles the mind.
Although I like the idea of having 2 hitters in the 4-spot. Sneaking that extra guy into the lineup might be just what it takes to turn the Cubs’ season around. (dying laughing)
This is probably apropos of nothing, but check out Soto’s every-other-year thing:
2008: .285/.364/.504
2009: .218/.321/.381
2010: .280/.393/.497
2011: .220/.316/.384
His down years (assuming 2011 is continues to be one) are remarkably similar.
He must have been smoking weed like a lazy Latin again (dying laughing)
[quote name=WaLi]Anyone catch Game of Thrones finale last night? Helluva show.[/quote]
Good stuff. I’ve read the books so I’m spoiled for all of it, for all time (well at least the stuff that’s been published already). I know MB has been waiting to watch the season until after all the episodes aired so no spoilers.
Soto’s line drive rate last year was 24.4%. This year it’s 24.6%. They’re bound to find holes eventually, even if the opposing fielders are overshifting on him.
Deeper into Soto’s numbers:
His K:BB is 2:1 for the first time since 2008, but his K% has held steady at ~25% since 2008.
ISO:
2008–.219
2009–.163
2010–.217
2011–.165
He’s been just a bit unlucky with a .263 BABiP
His GB/FB is within career norms, and he’s hitting slightly more line drives that he has in his entire career. Soto is a strange hitter.
[quote name=ACT]Soto’s line drive rate last year was 24.4%. This year it’s 24.6%. They’re bound to find holes eventually, even if the opposing fielders are overshifting on him.[/quote]Yeah, I hope so.
Anyone know offhand what the xBABiP is for a LD% of 24.6%?
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, I hope so.
Anyone know offhand what the xBABiP is for a LD% of 24.6%?[/quote]
IIRC the quck and dirty xBABIP is LD + 110, so that’s something like .356
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]This is probably apropos of nothing, but check out Soto’s every-other-year thing:
2008: .285/.364/.504
2009: .218/.321/.381
2010: .280/.393/.497
2011: .220/.316/.384
His down years (assuming 2011 is continues to be one) are remarkably similar.[/quote]
Soto’s career is like odd/even Star Trek movies and their relative level of suck/awesome.
[quote name=Berselius]Good stuff. I’ve read the books so I’m spoiled for all of it, for all time (well at least the stuff that’s been published already). I know MB has been waiting to watch the season until after all the episodes aired so no spoilers.[/quote]
I started reading the first book half way through the season and finished it after Episode 9. The book definitely helps you remember all the names and stuff. The show does a fantastic job following the book but it is hard to follow what is going on by just watching the show at times. Although my wife just watches the show and loves it.
After finishing the 1st book I had to buy the second one and am already over 500 pages through it (dying laughing).
[quote name=Berselius]IIRC the quck and dirty xBABIP is LD + 110, so that’s something like .356[/quote]Yikes. Soto’s is .263. CAMON, REGRESSION!
Did Bruce Levine really just blame the Cubs’ loss on Starlin Castro?
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/5032/castros-mistake-proves-costly-for-cubs
[quote name=WaLi]I started reading the first book half way through the season and finished it after Episode 9. The book definitely helps you remember all the names and stuff. The show does a fantastic job following the book but it is hard to follow what is going on by just watching the show at times. Although my wife just watches the show and loves it.
After finishing the 1st book I had to buy the second one and am already over 500 pages through it (dying laughing).[/quote]
Awesome. Are you on twitter? Feel free to DM me @STAnteater if you want to discuss/react to the books. I’m enjoying living vicariously through all of the new viewers/readers (dying laughing)
Cubs’ “It Gets Better” video:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16028291&topic_id&c_id=mlb&tcid=fb_video_16028291&v=3
I like how they used the marquee too. That was a nice touch.
Using http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/fantasy/article/simple-xbabip-calculator/this tool I got Soto’s xBABIP to be 0.324. I think his current LD rate will be hard to sustain long-term, but his past results also suggest that his walk rate and power could bounce back.
Heh. Messed up url tags, but link still works. *shrug*
[quote name=Rice Cube]Did Bruce Levine really just blame the Cubs’ loss on Starlin Castro?
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/5032/castros-mistake-proves-costly-for-cubs/quoteNo, Mike Quade did.
[quote name=ACT]Using http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/fantasy/article/simple-xbabip-calculator/this tool I got Soto’s xBABIP to be 0.324. I think his current LD rate will be hard to sustain long-term, but his past results also suggest that his walk rate and power could bounce back.[/quote]Yeah. And to be fair, Soto carried a 24.4% LD% last season.
Thanks for the reminder!
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah. And to be fair, Soto carried a 24.4% LD% last season.[/quote]Yeah, but some regression toward the mean is still likely. It’s fair to say he’s really good at hitting liners, though.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]No, Mike Quade did.[/quote]
The game wasn’t even tied up in that inning though, right?
The Yankees didn’t tie the game until the 6th inning. They didn’t go ahead until Marshall got BABIPed and Chris Carpenter served up batting practice. How can you blame this on Castro? His “error” was stupid but I swear that play is called an out like 99.9999999% of the time.
ESPN ranks the Cubs the 112th best (out of 122) in terms of fan experience among the 4 major sports leagues:
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/teamrankings#table
^^^ The Mets were the only team to rank lower among baseball teams.
[quote name=Mish]ESPN ranks the Cubs the 112th best (out of 122) in terms of fan experience among the 4 major sports leagues:
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/teamrankings#table/quote
(dying laughing), at least I can feel superior to my Redskin fan relatives
[quote name=Mish]ESPN ranks the Cubs the 112th best (out of 122) in terms of fan experience among the 4 major sports leagues:
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/teamrankings#table/quoteThe Cubs did relatively well in stadium experience, at least.
(dying laughing)
http://riveraveblues.com/2011/06/the-ramiro-and-eduardo-show-50796/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RiverAveBlues+%28River+Ave.+Blues%29
[quote name=Mish](dying laughing)
http://riveraveblues.com/2011/06/the-ramiro-and-eduardo-show-50796/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RiverAveBlues+%28River+Ave.+Blues%29/quote
They should throw in a couple of 1960s Batman “POW” and “BLAM” graphics and then it’d be perfect.
[quote name=jtsunami]We don’t have pitching ready in the minors to start selling off Wells, Demp, and Z. So there’s really no point unless the Yanks offer something stupid for Z/Demp. Wait til the offseason to ship them off. We should focus at the deadline what to do with Byrd, Sori, Fuku, Soto, Marmol, and Pena.
.[/quote]
yea, at this point I’m wondering what religious relic or site Cashner, McNutt, Whitenack, and Jay Jackson defecated on in the offseason.
[quote name=Mish](dying laughing)
http://riveraveblues.com/2011/06/the-ramiro-and-eduardo-show-50796/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RiverAveBlues+%28River+Ave.+Blues%29/quote
For those too lazy to click the link
Pujols ———-> broken wrist
damn.
[quote name=Berselius]Pujols ———-> broken wrist[/quote]
4-6 weeks with fractured wrist. That contract just went down quite a bit, huh? Isn’t this a similar injury to what Derrek Lee had? His power dropped off quite a bit for the year and a half following that.
They’re saying 4-6 weeks for Pujols. When D Lee broke his wrist, seems like it was longer and even longer still until he started hitting again.
Except for 2009, Derrek Lee’s power never quite returned to its former glory. He was also getting older…
[quote name=WaLi]4-6 weeks with fractured wrist. That contract just went down quite a bit, huh? Isn’t this a similar injury to what Derrek Lee had? His power dropped off quite a bit for the year and a half following that.[/quote]
The Robothal tweet I saw said that it was a “minor” fracture, so maybe it’s not as bad. As far as his contract goes all it might do is drop him from a fuck-ton of money to a shit-ton of money.
While I’m no MLB player and don’t have access to the staff (obviously), I think 4-6 weeks is way optimistic. I fractured my left wrist in a drunken injury and it still isn’t the same. It took 4-6 weeks to resume daily activity let alone swing a bat.
I knew there was no way that was just a sprain the way his wrist ballooned up like that.
[quote name=WaLi]While I’m no MLB player and don’t have access to the staff (obviously), I think 4-6 weeks is way optimistic. I fractured my left wrist in a drunken injury and it still isn’t the same. It took 4-6 weeks to resume daily activity let alone swing a bat.
I knew there was no way that was just a sprain the way his wrist ballooned up like that.[/quote]
It’s tough to judge based on personal experiences. I had an appendectomy and was barred from any contact sports, etc for 6 weeks. Matt Holliday was back from his in just over a week.
I like the pissed off kid and the “Damnit” then the other kid sliding into first (dying laughing)
I wonder if that 1st baseman was latino?
[quote name=Berselius]It’s tough to judge based on personal experiences. I had an appendectomy and was barred from any contact sports, etc for 6 weeks. Matt Holliday was back from his in just over a week.[/quote]Big League money buys some impressive pain killers.
[quote name=josh]Big League money buys some impressive pain killers.[/quote]
(dying laughing), and some impressively powerful non-ripping stitches.