The Cubs exercised their part of the option for Aramis Ramirez while he declined his. By exercising the option the Cubs are now off the hook for the $2 million buyout. Later in the day, the Cubs declined the $3.0 million option on Jeff Samardzija and will re-sign him for 20% less than he made last year. That would be $2.24 million and Samardzija would be eligible for arbitration after next season. The Cubs haven’t yet officially signed Samardzija, but they intend to.
It had become pretty clear to the Cubs over the last couple months that Ramirez wanted a multi-year contract. The Cubs made the smart decision to exercise the option and they saved a couple million. The next decision with regards to Ramirez is whether or not they will offer him arbitration. The Cubs have until November 23rd to do so. If Ramirez signs before then the Cubs automatically get a sandwich pick in next June’s draft. If they do not offer arbitration and he signs elsewhere, they get nothing.
Declining the option on Samardzija was basically common sense. You can pay him as much as 20% less than he made in 2011 or you can pay him more than he made. As much as some people may want to say this is a sign of good things from the front office, this is exactly what the last front office would have done. It’s what any front office would do. It was the only decision to make.
My guess is the Cubs do offer Ramirez arbitration, which brings up something else. The Red Sox, more often than not, let their own free agents walks at the end of their contracts in order to get draft picks. We can expect the Cubs will now do the same thing. They signed some, but not near as many as we’re used to seeing the Cubs re-sign. So don’t get too attached to any one player.
Poop
I still don’t like the idea of signing F7 for that much money.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I still don’t like the idea of signing F7 for that much money.[/quote]
But he used to punt for Nebraska!!
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I still don’t like the idea of signing F7 for that much money.[/quote]Me neither. I’d prefer they spend it elsewhere, but it’s possible the new front office sees a way to improve him. Or they think the guys the Cubs have to replace him are just plain bad. That just might be.
Blackface, seriously??
https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/BizNasty2point0/status/130847513937854465?photo=1
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Blackface, seriously??
https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/BizNasty2point0/status/130847513937854465?photo=1/quoteWhat assholes.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Blackface, seriously??
https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/BizNasty2point0/status/130847513937854465?photo=1/quoteTango has a thread about that: http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/when_does_it_become_racially_insensitive/
[quote name=mb21]Tango has a thread about that: http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/when_does_it_become_racially_insensitive//quoteThe third comment is spot-on.
I’d say it’s racially insensitive and that the guy is an idiot. It’s possible he’s a racist, but I know nothing about the guy. I’ve never even heard of him before today.
I think GBTS mentioned in the last thread how someone dressed up as Jesse Pinkman and gave out blue rock candy (or was going to do it or something like that). I was thinking someone should dress up like Walter White and hand out lily of the valley to the kids. (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]I’d say it’s racially insensitive and that the guy is an idiot. It’s possible he’s a racist, but I know nothing about the guy. I’ve never even heard of him before today.[/quote]Yeah, I think that’s about the most that can be said.
I used white face 2 years ago when I went as The Joker. I found it offensive afterward, so this year I went more racially appropriate – Aladdin.
[quote name=Mish]I used white face 2 years ago when I went as The Joker. I found it offensive afterward, so this year I went more racially appropriate – Aladdin.[/quote]Once Lit Crit majors take over the earth, no Halloween costume will be safe.
[quote name=Mish]Ironically, I used white face in 1998 when I went as The Joker. I found it offensive afterward, so this year I went more racially appropriate – Aladdin.[/quote]
.
[quote name=mb21]I think GBTS mentioned in the last thread how someone dressed up as Jesse Pinkman and gave out blue rock candy (or was going to do it or something like that).[/quote]
I’m still (dying laughing) at this
Sounds like
CC ————–> Yankees for 5/122
The Yankees added on another year to his current deal at $25m, plus a $25m vesting option for 2017 with a $5m buyout depending on his shoulder health.
[quote name=Berselius]Sounds like
CC ————–> Yankees for 5/122
The Yankees added on another year to his current deal at $25m, plus a $25m vesting option for 2017 with a $5m buyout depending on his shoulder health.[/quote]
Even for that much annually I like the deal as it’s only for 5 years.
Cuey——> will learn fate this week.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/8512088-419/mike-quade-to-meet-with-cubs-again-aramis-ramirez-heads-to-free-agency.html
Everybody keeps talking about Shark’s walk rate. But his UIBB rate from July to Sept/Oct was 3.16 and he still had a K rate of 8.01.
Those may not be stellar numbers, and it IS a small sample size, but i think 2.4 million is worth risking him possibly having figured something out. Because that’d be a pretty damn good reliever. With a .85HR/9 rate (his career number) he’d have about a 3.60FIP.
Sure, that’s not a superstar, but I think it’s worth the risk.
Has anyone done a study on fat pitcher aging like the one for Fielder?
I don’t mind keeping Shark around, since his stuff is electric. I just don’t have high expectations. He could pitch decently or horribly next year; neither would surprise me.
[quote name=ACT]I don’t mind keeping Shark around, since his stuff is electric. I just don’t have high expectations. He could pitch decently or horribly next year; neither would surprise me.[/quote]It could go either way.
I was about to say that we should ignore F7′s 2011 numbers since he’s a relief pitcher, but holy shit, how did he get eighty-eight IP last year? I don’t remember hearing that he was doing anything different this year, scouting wise. HIs 4.27 xFIP should be somewhere around replacement level for a reliever, and we know from his past body of work that he’s not that good.
I don’t know how electric his stuff is. He’s always had the big MPH numbers but the knock on him has always been that there isn’t a lot of movement on that pitch, not to mention his control problems.
Whenever I saw Samardzija pitch his fastballs were pretty flat. But I recall a few sliders and curve-like pitches that had some crazy movement, so I feel like he might have learned some things…just an amateur scouts’ eye view though.
Supposedly he started throwing a cutter to some success after being demoted in 2010, but my lying memory tells me that HP said he wasn’t throwing it this year.
[quote name=Berselius]I was about to say that we should ignore F7′s 2011 numbers since he’s a relief pitcher, but holy shit, how did he get eighty-eight IP last year?[/quote]I assume that was because of all them bullpen days. I assume that’s also the reason that there were so many PAs by relievers last year. Yanking Dempster after 1/3 inning will do that. (dying laughing)
Didn’t F7 even start a game or two somewhere during the dark days of James Russell?
Your answers lie within:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/samarje01.shtml
That walk rate is atrocious, but still better than Marmol. I figured I’d just say it again.
[quote name=Rice Cube]
That walk rate is atrocious, but still better than Marmol. [/quote]
That’s a pretty low bar to clear (dying laughing).
Is it ignorant to think that the Cubs just have a lot invested in the guy and the people around Theo are telling him Shark is worth another shot? Not monetarily, strictly, but the development and coaching people. I feel like it might be just a year or two too early to give up on the guy, but that’s just my gut feeling.
[quote name=B-ref]Player News
10/31 Obstructed View: Aramis Ramirez declines option, Cubs decline option on Jeff Samardzija: The Cubs exercised their part of the option for Aramis Ramirez…
10/30 Obstructed View: 2012 Cubs ZiPS Projections, Part 2: We looked at the ZiPS projections for the batters already so here…[/quote]B-ref —> discredited
I think they are re-signing him for one of three reasons (in no specific order):
1. the Cubs have reason to believe he’d be valuable in a trade
2. they think he’s easily one of the best relief options they have
3. they see some untapped potential (Theo mentioned this several times) and they think they know how to unlock it
[quote name=mb21]I think they are re-signing him for one of three reasons (in no specific order):
1. the Cubs have reason to believe he’d be valuable in a trade
2. they think he’s easily one of the best relief options they have
3. they see some untapped potential (Theo mentioned this several times) and they think they know how to unlock it[/quote]I love that Theo Epstein has a cheat code!
[quote name=mb21]I think they are re-signing him for one of three reasons (in no specific order):
1. the Cubs have reason to believe he’d be valuable in a trade
2. they think he’s easily one of the best relief options they have
3. they see some untapped potential (Theo mentioned this several times) and they think they know how to unlock it[/quote]That makes sense. You’d hate to give him up for nothing if you can either drive up his trade value, or if you think he might actually be on the verge of having a breakout year.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/official-elias-rankings.html
If the part about Beltran is true, then whoever had the idea of using him at 1B is vindicated as Beltran cannot be offered arbitration for some reason and thus the Cubs can sign him and keep their second round pick, assuming they don’t go after a guy like CJ Wilson as well. I think teams can only sign three A+B free agents max per year, so Cubs can stand to lose their second, third, and fourth round picks if they go balls out. First round pick should be protected.
I always thought it was 3 A picks AND 3 B picks. Is that not right?
http://baseball.about.com/od/majorleaguebasics/a/freeagentprimer.htm
Someone smarter than me should confirm this, but I think the limit of three is for both A and B free agents. I think the only ranked free agents the Cubs would lose are Rami, Wood and Pena, so that’s a max of three they can replace.
I’m assuming there’s no way Wood and Pena are offered arbitration.
You don’t have to offer arbitration in order to replace them with additional type A/B free agents.
by the way, RC, thanks. I’d always thought it was 3 A and 3 B.
If Wood and Pena are A/B free agents then the Cubs could sign 6 this offseaosn. (dying laughing)
I vote for Pujols, Reyes, CJ Wilson, Carlos Beltran, Roy Oswalt and Hiroki Kuroda.
[quote name=mb21]If Wood and Pena are A/B free agents then the Cubs could sign 6 this offseaosn. (dying laughing)[/quote]See, I was a bit confused by the language because I thought that the “replace free agents” part wasn’t separate from the regular limit, so that’s why I thought three was the max. That’d be pretty cool if the Cubs could sign six, but that would be one hell of a bankbreaker this offseason.
I brought up the arbitration because I was thinking I’d like more sandwich picks, but Wood and Pena would probably accept arbitration so there goes that idea.
It’s being reported by various places that since the Cubs exercised the option and it was declined that they essentially offered arb and get the supplemental pick.
[quote name=JMan]It’s being reported by various places that since the Cubs exercised the option and it was declined that they essentially offered arb and get the supplemental pick.[/quote]
I assume they’ll also offer to Pena as well. Getting 2.5M in value back on that deal will be pretty good. I’m guessing he gets 2 yrs from Milwaukee.
Stayed up to watch TLR on Letterman. Kinda liked it. Never a big TLR fan for a number of reasons, but it’s always nice to see someone go out on top.
Is the Hoyer/McLeod press conference going to be televised tomorrow? Anyone know what time?
Didn’t Wood say that he’d only retire or play for the Cubs? You can’t offer him arbitration unless you want to bring him back.
[quote name=mb21]Didn’t Wood say that he’d only retire or play for the Cubs? You can’t offer him arbitration unless you want to bring him back.[/quote]I’d forgotten about Wood’s “Cub or retire” deal. It doesn’t make sense to offer him arbitration anyway since he’d get a raise over what he was paid last year but at the same time he’d probably just settle for a similar deal if they were to give him a job again.
Is that “paying F7 20% less” thing in the OP a rule, or just a market trend? I’m just curious.
[quote name=josh]Is that “paying F7 20% less” thing in the OP a rule, or just a market trend? I’m just curious.[/quote]It’s a rule.
BtB’s catcher rankings saying what it has the past couple years now: Soto is somewhere in the Top 30 catchers defensively, Koyie Hill is somewhere in the 90s.
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/11/1/2497088/2011-beyond-the-box-score-catcher-defense-rankings
Also, Napoli #12, Jeff Mathis #62.
[quote name=Mish]BtB’s catcher rankings saying what it has the past couple years now: Soto is somewhere in the Top 30 catchers defensively, Koyie Hill is somewhere in the 90s.
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/11/1/2497088/2011-beyond-the-box-score-catcher-defense-rankings
Also, Napoli #12, Jeff Mathis #62.[/quote]Still better than A.J. Pierzynski.
[quote name=mb21]Is the Hoyer/McLeod press conference going to be televised tomorrow? Anyone know what time?[/quote]
3 pm CT
[quote name=Berselius]3 pm CT[/quote]Thanks. I just saw that on twitter.
I was thinking that if the Cubs are going to fire Mike Quade, it seems today would be the today to announce it. That way they can take whatever questions come their way and move on to searching for a new manager. Anyone else think that makes sense?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-spt-1101-rogers-larussa–20111101,0,6371931.column
(dying laughing) at the Sox thinking of putting TLR in the front office. Reinsdorf has some strange ideas about how to staff an organization.
[quote name=mb21]Thanks. I just saw that on twitter.[/quote]I know, I thought it was at 2 PM. Totally killed my optimism.
[quote name=mb21]I was thinking that if the Cubs are going to fire Mike Quade, it seems today would be the today to announce it. That way they can take whatever questions come their way and move on to searching for a new manager. Anyone else think that makes sense?[/quote]I think they are meeting with Q later in the week so if he gets canned, it will be announced late this week. Plus they probably wouldn’t want to detract from the positive feel-good announcement today with a firing (or re-assignment) of Quade.
[quote name=mb21]I was thinking that if the Cubs are going to fire Mike Quade, it seems today would be the today to announce it. That way they can take whatever questions come their way and move on to searching for a new manager. Anyone else think that makes sense?[/quote]Nope. They’ll do the Nuke LaLoosh-style introduction, all smiles and optimism. Hoyer’s on for 5 years and doesn’t want to be known as the guy who started firing managers before anybody had seen him at Wrigley.
They should wait for the mini-bubble around their press conf to die down, then announce the manager decision on a Friday evening (this week if possible) to hit the slow news cycle.
[quote name=fang2415]Nope. They’ll do the Nuke LaLoosh-style introduction, all smiles and optimism. Hoyer’s on for 5 years and doesn’t want to be known as the guy who started firing managers before anybody had seen him at Wrigley.
They should wait for the mini-bubble around their press conf to die down, then announce the manager decision on a Friday evening (this week if possible) to hit the slow news cycle.[/quote]
Yeah, I think it will be Friday too.
[quote name=GBTS]I know, I thought it was at 2 PM. Totally killed my optimism.[/quote]
It’s at 3 and will air on CSN TV and be streamed via their website.
[quote name=Berselius]Yeah, I think it will be Friday too.[/quote]
Not sure what day but it was reported by the Sun Times that a decision on Cuey will be made this week fo sheez.
3 PM? I’ll wait a while, thanks.
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]It’s at 3 and will air on CSN TV and be streamed via their website.[/quote]
[quote name=Mish]3 PM? I’ll wait a while, thanks.[/quote]
CSN is so mainstream. I’m going to watch a bootleg Ukranian stream. You’ve probably never heard of it.
[quote name=josh]Still better than Gold Glove Finalist A.J. Pierzynski.[/quote]http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2011/10/31/espn2-to-televise-first-ever-rawlings-gold-glove-awards-show/
[quote name=Berselius]Yeah, I think it will be Friday too.[/quote]We find it’s always better to fire people on a Friday. Studies have statistically shown that there’s less chance of an incident if you do it at the end of the week.
[quote name=Rice Cube]We find it’s always better to fire people on a Friday. Studies have statistically shown that there’s less chance of an incident if you do it at the end of the week.[/quote]It would be funny if Cuey threw a few chairs. At a press conference.
[quote name=Rice Cube]We find it’s always better to fire people on a Friday. Studies have statistically shown that there’s less chance of an incident if you do it at the end of the week.[/quote]
[quote name=Rice Cube]We find it’s always better to fire people on a Friday. Studies have statistically shown that there’s less chance of an incident if you do it at the end of the week.[/quote]Turns out that mumbling bald guy in the corner who comes with nicknames for everyone was fired months ago, but do due to a glitch in HR, he kept getting his paycheck.
[quote name=josh]Turns out that mumbling bald guy in the corner who comes with nicknames for everyone was fired months ago, but do due to a glitch in HR, he kept getting his paycheck.[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
[quote name=josh]Turns out that mumbling bald guy in the corner who comes with nicknames for everyone was fired months ago, but do due to a glitch in HR, he kept getting his paycheck.[/quote]Have you seen his stapler?
[quote name=GBTS]
[/quote]I heart this Photoshop.
[quote name=Berselius]CSN is so mainstream. I’m going to watch a bootleg Ukranian stream. You’ve probably never heard of it.[/quote]
Я чув про нього і любити його
What do you guys think about trading for Logan Morrison?
Seems to be on the outs in Miami and would be a good fit for Thoyer’s system.
[quote name=fang2415]Nope. They’ll do the Nuke LaLoosh-style introduction, all smiles and optimism. Hoyer’s on for 5 years and doesn’t want to be known as the guy who started firing managers before anybody had seen him at Wrigley.
They should wait for the mini-bubble around their press conf to die down, then announce the manager decision on a Friday evening (this week if possible) to hit the slow news cycle.[/quote]Then what are they going to talk about? Hoyer is essentially the assistant GM. Teams usually don’t even hold press conferences for those guys.
[quote name=Rice Cube]We find it’s always better to fire people on a Friday. Studies have statistically shown that there’s less chance of an incident if you do it at the end of the week.[/quote]
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Not sure what day but it was reported by the Sun Times that a decision on Cuey will be made this week fo sheez.[/quote]They already talked with him. Supposedly they’re going to talk again this week, but I’m guessing that’s for one thing: to tell him he keeps the job or that he’s fired. My guess is that Thoyer calls Quade prior to the press conference and they announce that he’s been fired.
[quote name=mb21]Then what are they going to talk about? Hoyer is essentially the assistant GM. Teams usually don’t even hold press conferences for those guys.[/quote]
FWIW – F7 could be retained for only $1.6M. I think you can deal with his wild hair and general wildness for that price.
He made $2M in 2011
http://baseballplayersalaries.com/players/659_Jeff_Samardzija
I’ve found all kinds of different figures for Samardzija. The highest is B-Pro who has him making $3.5 million. I’ve read $2.8 million in several places and that’s what I used for the payroll page here
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/?cyear=2011&team=CHN&pos=
[quote name=mb21]Then what are they going to talk about? Hoyer is essentially the assistant GM. Teams usually don’t even hold press conferences for those guys.[/quote]Well, I was going to post the video of Nuke LaLoosh being interviewed, but for some unfathomable reason, it doesn’t seem to be on the internet anywhere.
Anyway, I’d be stunned if they announce anything of real substance at this thing. Mind you, every time Keith Moreland says that, the thing happens. (dying laughing)
[quote name=fang2415]Well, I was going to post the video of Nuke LaLoosh being interviewed, but for some unfathomable reason, it doesn’t seem to be on the internet anywhere.
Anyway, I’d be stunned if they announce anything of real substance at this thing. Mind you, every time Keith Moreland says that, the thing happens. (dying laughing)[/quote]Agree. This is a feel-good conference. Hoyer is technically the GM, even if that’s not going to mean exactly the same thing it does in other orgs.
[quote name=mb21]I’ve found all kinds of different figures for Samardzija. The highest is B-Pro who has him making $3.5 million. I’ve read $2.8 million in several places and that’s what I used for the payroll page here
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/?cyear=2011&team=CHN&pos=/quoteThis is more difficult than Aramis’ contract. Has anybody figured out yet who owns the Cubs?
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]This is more difficult than Aramis’ contract. Has anybody figured out yet who owns the Cubs?[/quote]I thought Al did…..right?
[quote name=mb21]I’ve found all kinds of different figures for Samardzija. The highest is B-Pro who has him making $3.5 million. I’ve read $2.8 million in several places and that’s what I used for the payroll page here
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/?cyear=2011&team=CHN&pos=/quoteAmusing how hard it is to find out a Cubs player’s salary…that’s got to be the only reason they canned Hendry…
[quote name=josh]Agree. This is a feel-good conference. Hoyer is technically the GM, even if that’s not going to mean exactly the same thing it does in other orgs.[/quote]
I think this is just a quick presser to give the media guys a chance to get some quotes. It won’t be the drawn out spectacle that the Epstein one was.
[quote name=mb21]I’ve found all kinds of different figures for Samardzija. The highest is B-Pro who has him making $3.5 million. I’ve read $2.8 million in several places and that’s what I used for the payroll page here
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/?cyear=2011&team=CHN&pos=/quote
Carlos Silva’s contract is making things tough, and the Theo signing affected all of these deals as well as 4 WNBA teams and the mortgage on Johnny Rivers’s house.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/01/no-progress-on-theo-compensation-talks-selig-to-decide/
Calcaterra’s fantasy:
This might actually benefit the Cubs because Lackey has to have some bounceback…right?
[quote name=Berselius]I think this is just a quick presser to give the media guys a chance to get some quotes. It won’t be the drawn out spectacle that the Epstein one was.[/quote]Muskat seemed to think it would be at least an hour.
The other reason I think it’s announced that Quade is fired today is because the Cubs have to get moving on a new manager. They need to have one before the organizational meetings in mid-November so they’ve got two weeks if they’re firing Quade.
So my guess is that if nothing is said about Quade today then he’s keeping his job.
[quote name=mb21]So my guess is that if nothing is said about Quade today then he’s keeping his job.[/quote]That won’t score a lot of points with the fan base, but honestly I’m not sure that the manager matter so much in 2012.
Theo Epstein Disgusted To Find Cubs Playing In Old Stadium With Weeds Growing All Over Walls
http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/theo-epstein-disgusted-to-find-cubs-playing-in-old,26488/
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Theo Epstein Disgusted To Find Cubs Playing In Old Stadium With Weeds Growing All Over Walls
http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/theo-epstein-disgusted-to-find-cubs-playing-in-old,26488//quote(dying laughing)
I wonder how many fans would still go to Cubs games if new Wrigley were in Schaumburg.
Would you call it…”going back to Schaumburg”?
/GBTS’d
They could have also already decided who to hire as the new manager, i.e. Sandberg or Francona. There doesn’t actually have to be a “managerial search”.
http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/article/paying_cc_to_terminate_his_opt_out_option/
I just noticed that Josh Vitters stole 4 bases this past season and was thrown out 10 times. (dying laughing)
Vitters and Junior Lake are on fire in the AFL. Trey McNutt is on ice.
[quote name=Rice Cube](dying laughing)
I wonder how many fans would still go to Cubs games if new Wrigley were in Schaumburg.
Would you call it…”going back to Schaumburg”?
/GBTS’d[/quote]They could play at the IKEA Dome. Fans would sit in comfortable SKÄRPT and eat delicious IGNARKJOPT
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]They could play at the IKEA Dome. Fans would sit in comfortable SKÄRPT and eat delicious IGNARKJOPT[/quote]Perfect, the Cubs have been scouting in Scandinavia for years.
[quote name=mb21]Vitters and Junior Lake are on fire in the AFL. Trey McNutt is on ice.[/quote]What the hell happened to him?
[quote name=GBTS]What the hell happened to him?[/quote]The Cubs told him to tank so that he won’t become the compensation for Epstein
[quote name=GBTS]Perfect, the Cubs have been scouting in Scandinavia for years.[/quote]They’re looking for the next Thor Hammerball.
[quote name=mb21]http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/article/paying_cc_to_terminate_his_opt_out_option/[/quote]
I love how a guy getting an extension for $25m for one year (plus another possible $25m vesting option) is considered a mild extension (dying laughing).
[quote name=GBTS]What the hell happened to him?[/quote]I don’t know if anything happened to him. He was a 32nd round pick who had a solid 27.2 innings after being drafted in 2009. He then threw a very good 101 innings between Low and High A before stalling for 15.2 innings at the end of the 2010 season. Then 2011. He moved up from a 32nd round draft prospect to a top 50 prospect in baseball based on less than 145 innings. 15.2 of those innings weren’t that impressive.
I’m guessing he was just never as good as the numbers he was posting. That was one of the things that irritated me midway through the 2011 season. People would just say it’s just a bad half-season. Well yeah, but it also made up a sizable percentage of his professional innings pitched. It’s not like McNutt threw 700 innings of very good baseball and then stumbled in 2011. He hadn’t even thrown 150.
[quote name=Berselius]I love how a guy getting an extension for $25m for one year (plus another possible $25m vesting option) is considered a mild extension (dying laughing).[/quote](dying laughing)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Halloween-horror-Rivers-botches-snap-to-set-up-?urn=nfl-wp10885
…that’s what she said (dying laughing)
I wish there was an easy way to research it, but I made a point on The Book Blog recently that I’ve been thinking about for awhile. It’s that those who rank prospects (and maybe even the scouts themselves) have a tendency to move players up in the rankings considerably regardless of sample size. Then they don’t lower the ranking until there has been a mountain of evidence suggesting they were wrong. Josh Vitters is a perfect example.
He was seen as a guy with tremendous potential when he was drafted. That’s why he was the 3rd overall pick in 2007. Here we are after the 2011 season and every fucking year the ones who rank prospects talk about how they may have overestimated his talent. Every god damn year this happens. Every year these guys are talking about how Vitters may not have the potential because of this huge hole in his game (being allergic to taking a walk). Yet Vitters has went from a number 43 prospect to number 70 last year. Despite his poor season, these people are going to point to his excellent AFL and he’ll be ranked about 78th. Wouldn’t even surprise me if he moves up a little bit.
[quote name=mb21]I wish there was an easy way to research it, but I made a point on The Book Blog recently that I’ve been thinking about for awhile.[/quote]
How far back in the archives do I need to look? 2005?
[quote name=josh]Still better than A.J. Pierzynski.[/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Ryan Braun is a Gold Glove finalist
[quote name=Berselius]How far back in the archives do I need to look? 1905?[/quote].
[quote name=mb21].[/quote]
All I could find was MGL blasting someone for discussing the Russo-Japanese War without being an expert on it.
[quote name=Berselius](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Ryan Braun is a Gold Glove finalist[/quote]I’ve heard his work in LF isn’t bad (in stark contrast to his legendary work at 3B).
[quote name=Berselius]All I could find was MGL blasting someone for discussing the Russo-Japanese War without being an expert on it.[/quote]What if that someone had discussed this at length with Rene Russo?
/troll
[quote name=ACT]I’ve heard his work in LF isn’t bad (in stark contrast to his legendary work at 3B).[/quote]
Career UZR in LF: -24.6
Career DRS in LF: -7
Career TZ in LF: -23.3
[quote name=Berselius]Career UZR in LF: -24.6
Career DRS in LF: -7
Career TZ in LF: -23.3[/quote]Is that bad?
/not an expert
His FRAA is positive in LF, at least.
FRAA marches to the beat of a different drummer than other fielding metrics.
At best Braun is somewhere around average. Not quite what you would expect for a top-3 finalist. But now I’m bitching about the Gold Gloves yet again which I vowed to stop doing, so I’ll shut up now (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]At best Braun is somewhere around average. Not quite what you would expect for a top-3 finalist. But now I’m bitching about the Gold Gloves yet again which I vowed to stop doing, so I’ll shut up now (dying laughing)[/quote]Let me ask you this: did he hit really well?
Gold Glove winner.
I’m not sure who should get the GG in LF. Tony Gwynn, maybe?
I mean, the Dodger kept putting him out there for something, and it’s certainly not his bat.
[quote name=ACT]I’m not sure who should get the GG in LF. Tony Gwynn, maybe?[/quote]
If you have any need to point out how terrible single season defensive stats are, just point to Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano showing up in the top 10 for LF UZR in the NL last year (dying laughing)
[quote name=josh]Let me ask you this: did he hit really well?
Gold Glove winner.[/quote]In tiny text it says batting in between Gold and Glove.
[quote name=ACT]I’m not sure who should get the GG in LF. Tony Gwynn, maybe?[/quote]Tony has gotten consistently high ratings.
[quote name=Berselius]If you have any need to point out how terrible single season defensive stats are, just point to Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano showing up in the top 10 for LF UZR in the NL last year (dying laughing)[/quote]Unless, as for this award, you want to see just total tabulation of accomplishment. If the award is “who had the best season in left field” then something like UZR should be able to tell you that, right? On the other hand, there probably should be a total chances cutoff or something.
[quote name=josh]Unless, as for this award, you want to see just total tabulation of accomplishment. If the award is “who had the best season in left field” then something like UZR should be able to tell you that, right? On the other hand, there probably should be a total chances cutoff or something.[/quote]
Too much error in UZR for a single season.
[quote name=Berselius]Too much error in UZR for a single season.[/quote]Could just be a meaningless award.
[quote name=josh]Could just be a meaningless award.[/quote]I’m pretty sure it is already meaningless.
Anyone have Google TV?
[quote name=cdw]I’m pretty sure it is already meaningless.[/quote]Yeah, of all the awards, it’s easily the most meaningless.
cdw, I’m not sure if you read this, but I wrote a little bit about season 4 of Breaking Bad: http://www.obstructedview.net/unobstructed-views/general/best-of-breaking-bad-season-4.html
If GGs don’t distinguish OF spots, it’s hard to imagine anything but CFs winning outside of the few Gardner/Fuld/Crawford types.
It’s a LF, CF and RF, Mish. I don’t get it either.
I’m glad they changed from 3 OF gold gloves to differentiating the 3 positions. The only problem is that OFers switch positions more frequently (within a year) than IFers.
[quote name=mb21]It’s a LF, CF and RF, Mish. I don’t get it either.[/quote]
Ah this must be new then.
[quote name=mb21]cdw, I’m not sure if you read this, but I wrote a little bit about season 4 of Breaking Bad: http://www.obstructedview.net/unobstructed-views/general/best-of-breaking-bad-season-4.html/quoteWe just finished Season 1 on Netflix. Started off alright, but then slowed down a bit. Ended with a bang though. Can’t wait to watch Season 2.
[quote name=WaLi]We just finished Season 1 on Netflix. Started off alright, but then slowed down a bit. Ended with a bang though. Can’t wait to watch Season 2.[/quote]I know some disagree, but I’ve thought the series has continued to get better and better, which is rare for a show. Season 3 and 3 were the best in my opinion. I liked 2 more than season 1, but some preferred the first.
[quote name=mb21]Anyone have Google TV?[/quote]www.anybodyhavegoogle.tv
[quote name=mb21]I know some disagree, but I’ve thought the series has continued to get better and better, which is rare for a show. Season 3 and 3 were the best in my opinion. I liked 2 more than season 1, but some preferred the first.[/quote]
I have a hard time picking between 2 and 3 for my favorite season. Haven’t seen all of 4 so I can’t comment on it.
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]They could play at the IKEA Dome. Fans would sit in comfortable SKÄRPT and eat delicious IGNARKJOPT[/quote]
[quote name=Berselius]I have a hard time picking between 2 and 3 for my favorite season. Haven’t seen all of 4 so I can’t comment on it.[/quote]You need to watch it. Quit whatever you’re doing and watch it. Now.
Bitch.
[quote name=mb21]You need to watch it. Quit whatever you’re doing and watch it. Now.
Bitch.[/quote]
(dying laughing). I might get a chance this weekend if one of the guys I work with ever checks to see if he has it On Demand at his place.
http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/Selig-to-intervene-in-compensation-talks?blockID=586126&feedID=619
Hey fang and other UK folk, did you hear this when following the game?
http://deadspin.com/5855208/this-is-how-david-freeses-game-6-walk+off-home-run-sounded-in-british
[quote name=mb21]http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/Selig-to-intervene-in-compensation-talks?blockID=586126&feedID=619[/quote](dying laughing) I just read that and thought it’d be hilarious if Selig told the Red Sox they had to take Soriano and Zambrano with no cash changing hands as punishment for wasting his time.
new shit: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/hoyer-and-mcleod-press-conference.html