I was none too happy when the Cubs traded for Matt Garza in the offseason. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Garza. He was a good pitcher about equal to Dempster and Zambrano so that would obviously be good if you can add a starter like that to any rotation. However, I hated what the Cubs had to give up to get him. Berselius tried to make it sound less stupid, but then realized that Brandon Guyer had been a good hitter in the minors with the exception of one season. I still don’t think he hated the deal as much as I did.
Now it’s worth taking another look as we’re halfway into the season. We’re still a very long way from being able to fully evaluate this trade. The Cubs traded 24 cost-controlled years, 12 of which are for the league minimum, for 3 arbitration years. However, we know what Sam Fuld is. We know that Robinson Chirinos is a 27-year old catcher who hasn’t been particularly good except for a couple seasons. He’s also been terrible this season at AAA. What the Cubs really traded was Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer and Hak-Ju Lee. They also acquired Zachary Rosscup and Fernando Perez.
Let’s start with the main pieces in the trade: Matt Garza and Chris Archer.
Matt Garza
Garza has been spectacular from an xFIP perspective. His 2.84 xFIP is 5th best among qualified starters. It’s better than Tim Lincecum. His FIP is in the top 30 at 3.08 and that’s due to a couple starts that have seen his ridiculously good FIP regress toward his average. His ERA is a run worse than his FIP, which is odd considering his career (FIP always higher than ERA). Then again, he’s not pitching in front of that Rays defense anymore. No, he’s pitching in front of a defense that ranks 15th in the NL in UZR. Fangraphs has him being worth 2 WAR so far while rWAR has him at .9. Fangraphs uses FIP while Baseball Reference uses runs allowed and adjusts it for team defense.
There’s no denying that Matt Garza has tremendous stuff. He’s probably the best starting pitcher the Cubs have had in terms for at least 5 years. Garza has definitely surpassed my expectations. Had I know this is the pitcher the Cubs were getting, it probably changes my opinion of this trade. To this point, Matt Garza has been everything the media hyped him to be. He’s gotten a little unlucky in terms of stranding runners. The last two seasons he was at 75% LOB%, but this year it’s 65%. His HR/FB rate is a little higher than normal for him, but he has a career high 50% GB rate that is keeping the ball in the yard.
Chris Archer
Archer’s weakness had always been the walk, but this year he’s giving up more than 10 hits per 9 innings pitched. He’s walking 4.5 per 9 and his strikeouts are the same as they were last year at AA (8.6). His FIP is decent, but the ERA is horrible at 4.88. Considering how much trouble pitchers with poor control have had over the years, it’s quite possible the Cubs saw this coming and that we overrated him. At this point, that seems to be the case. I mean, unless he drastically improves his control he’s a back of the rotation starter at best. By the time he reaches the big leagues he’ll be walking over 5 per 9 unless it improves.
Hak-Ju Lee
Last season Lee has 27 extra base hits. He has 19 already this season. The guy is really good at getting on base (over .400) and his batting average is a cool .333. He’s also slugging over .450 this season in High A and that’s a pitcher’s league (Florida State League). It’s a great bounce back season for Lee after he didn’t play nearly as well last year as the year before. He doesn’t have any power. Speed is his game and he’s stolen 20 bases though he’s been caught 11 times. He’s taken 27 walks already and struckout 42 times.
Defense is the question mark even though scouts think that will improve. He made 34 errors a year ago and this season he already has 15. Defense gets harder the higher you go in the system so he has a long way to go before he can stick at SS.
Despite that, his bat should play well in CF or at 2nd base. He’s taken a big step forward with the bat and appears to now be the prize the Rays got for Garza.
Brandon Guyer
Guyer is only 6-1, 210 pounds, but if you want to look at a player with sneaky power, it’s him. He slugged .498 in 2008, .588 in 2010 and .518 this season so far. And he hits for average and gets on base. He’s batting .314/.388/.518 so far this year for the AAA Rays team. He played so well he got a very brief call up and hit a home run in his debut for the Tampa Bay Rays. Guyer is 25 years old and probably a corner outfielder, but he just might have the power to play the position. He’s also probably pretty good defensively in a corner. A high OBP, good slugger is going to find a spot on a roster. The only question with him is whether or not his age has helped him achieve the numbers. He’s been older than most prospects and maybe it’s just my lying eyes, but those guys seem less likely to star at the next level. So far though, all he’s done is hit at each level except for that one season.
Robinson Chirinos and Sam Fuld
The most notable thing Sam Fuld has accomplished this season is that the Rays had some sort of gimmick for him for one of their games. Proof that it’s not just Cubs fans who love the scrappy white guys. Anyway, Fuld got off to a great start this season with the Rays, but has cooled down considerably. His wOBA is under .300 now, but Fangraphs has him worth .8 WAR and rWAR has him worth .9 WAR because of his defense, which we’ve known is good for some time.
Robinson Chirinos has taken a big step back after a breakout season as he’s OPS’ing .684 in AAA.
Fernando Perez
Not even sure he’s still with the Iowa Cubs, but he’s been rather terrible this season, which is no surprise at all.
Zachary Rosscup
Rosscup turned 23 earlier this month. He was a 28th round draft pick by the Rays in 2009, but all he did that season in 40.1 innings was post a 2.38 FIP and 2.68 ERA. After staying behind and beginning 2010 in rookie ball (injury?), he was promoted to Low A where he threw 35.2 innings. He struckout 8.8 and walked 1.8. His ERA was 3.03 and his FIP was under 2. This season, at High A, he’s thrown 49.2 innings in 11 games (9 starts) and has allowed 43 hits, struckout 50 and walked 19. His ERA is 2.54 and his FIP is 3.50.
He’s thrown only 134 innings in his professional career so far, but it’s worth paying attention to. His K/BB ratio is nearly 3.5 and in Low A and High A he’s struckout a batter per inning.
Garza has proven to be worth the trade so far, but that remains questionable in the future. Either way, it’s not nearly as bad as I initially though. Based on what’s happened this season with Archer, it’s much less likely to be a huge steal for the Rays. As good as Lee has been, he still has a ways to go and may have to move positions. The Cubs also have a guy in Rosscup who still has a lot to prove, but could be a much better prospect than we thought at first.
If the Cubs were smart, they’d look to trade Garza around the deadline. They got a couple wins from him so if they can get a decent package in return, and one is surely to be found, it would be a good way for the Cubs to restock their farm system. Let’s face it: Garza is probably not going to be pitching for a contending Cubs team anyway.
Agreed, though (unless the Cubs are smart and move Garza for something valuable) I’m not sure I’d be willing to say I’d make the deal today. Archer’s struggles definitely make me look questionable at best, though. But as you clearly point out, this is an analysis at one point in time, and may be wildly different later.
Yeah, if Archer figures out how to throw a strike, which has always been the issue with him, the deal looks considerably different. If Lee continues to progress then it likely favors the Rays. Based on what we knew at the time, it wasn’t a good deal for the Cubs, but it’s not just possible that they knew something about their own prospects, but very likely they knew a lot more than the Rays did. It’s important to point out that only one or two prospects that Hendry has traded has amounted to shit.
I still hated the trade mostly because I didn’t think this team could legitimately contend, but I definitely appreciate this logical and well-constructed breakdown of the trade.
Nolasco.
fu
[quote name=Mish] TWSS [quote name = mb21] It’s a good time for sure [/quote][/quote]
/humblebrag
I still don’t remember what minor league player I was looking at when originally quoting Guyer’s numbers in my half-hearted rationalization of the trade. (dying laughing).
Most of my rationalization of the trade stems from my assumption that prospects will fail until they prove otherwise. I’m still pretty down on Lee and Archer FWIW. My main complaint with the trade was more in terms of strategy.
Garza had been outperforming his peripherals for years with the Rays, and I kind of figured that would change when he had the Cubs defense behind him and a home run-friendly park. That’s certainly proven true so far, but the increase in strikeout rate and groundball rate has been a pleasant surprise.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote]
Sneaky.
[quote name=ACT]Garza had been outperforming his peripherals for years with the Rays, and I kind of figured that would change when he had the Cubs defense behind him and a home run-friendly park. That’s certainly proven true so far, but the increase in strikeout rate and groundball rate has been a pleasant surprise.[/quote]
Agreed. The GB rate thing has had me scratching my head all season.
[quote name=ACT]Garza had been outperforming his peripherals for years with the Rays, and I kind of figured that would change when he had the Cubs defense behind him and a home run-friendly park. That’s certainly proven true so far, but the increase in strikeout rate and groundball rate has been a pleasant surprise.[/quote]
I think he changed his approach a bit to become a groundball guy. At the same time he still leaves a lot of pitches up and I think he’s been extraordinarily lucky that he hasn’t given up more homers.
Thanks for that link from the last thread. I particularly enjoyed this:
However, a game can never end without the baseball. So the number of baseballs on field at a time is the ultimate determinant of quality. And it demonstrates the incredible amount of balance baseball has had historically.
Decades Ranked by Average Balls Used on Field Simultaneously
1T. 1900-1909: 1.0
1T. 1910-1919: 1.0
1T. 1920-1929: 1.0
1T. 1930-1939: 1.0
1T. 1940-1949: 1.0
1T. 1950-1959: 1.0
1T. 1960-1969: 1.0
1T. 1970-1979: 1.0
1T. 1980-1989: 1.0
1T. 1990-1999: 1.0
1T. 2000-2009: 1.0*
* Projected
Fernando Perez has been stinking up the joint in AAA, he’s been sitting in favor of Marlon Byrd this week.
He’s improving though as the season goes, his OPS by month numbers are .572, .608, .721. He’s also 16-18 in SB. I find it amusing that Perez’s .242 average comes with a .331 BABIP. He more or less seems like Tony Campana with better poetry.
I’m seriously ashamed that I haven’t already done what I’m about to do…
a) Who is Bad News Cubs?
b) Was he really saying the Cubs were winning because of Koyie Hill? And that Soto was bad for the team in 2007?
Jesus.
[quote name=jtsunami]a) Who is Bad News Cubs?
b) Was he really saying the Cubs were winning because of Koyie Hill? And that Soto was bad for the team in 2007?
Jesus.[/quote]Yeah, that’s some good stuff.
What bothered me more about the trade was losing prospects for a decent pitcher and then claiming that now the team would win. It seemed more like marketing move. I wonder how the numbers pan out in that regard….
Also, Garza’s defense and hitting have been terrible this season. His 4 errors are already a career high, so we can expect that to improve, but I don’t hold out much hope for him as a hitter.
So should we start crediting Riggins for “fixing” Garza? (dying laughing)
Funny enough – many of us didn’t like the trade at the moment but the mouthbreathers thought we got an “ace”; now, all of us are pleasantly surprised with how Garza has performed/improved while the mouthbreathers are probably decrying a 4+ ERA
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote]
+100 LSA Rec’d NAMBLA
[quote name=jtsunami]a) Who is Bad News Cubs?
b) Was he really saying the Cubs were winning because of Koyie Hill? And that Soto was bad for the team in 2007?
Jesus.[/quote]
badnewscubs was TheHawk on old ACB. Google it and enjoy the laughs.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote]
(dying laughing) brilliant
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote]COngratulations! You’ve officially won the internet.
[quote name=Mish]COngratulations! You’ve officially won the internet.[/quote]
I’ll be doing these for the forseeable future and I’m taking requests.
KG
Ryan Flaherty, 1B/2B/3B/SS/OF, Cubs (Double-A Cubs): 3-for-4, HR (14), 2 R, 5 RBI. Has to be confused as to why he didn’t get the call when LeMahieu did; .315/.389/.567 on the season with more positional flexibility.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
I’m so excited that I can’t even think of all the stupid shit he’s said.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I’m so excited that I can’t even think of all the stupid shit he’s said.[/quote]It’s not a rumor. I have a source.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I’m so excited that I can’t even think of all the stupid shit he’s said.[/quote]You think. I feel.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I’m so excited that I can’t even think of all the stupid shit he’s said.[/quote]I’m sure you could also work over punctuation into it.
I don’t always have picnics, but when I do there’s no cole slaw.
I feel like the HOF one should say “I prefer Negroes.”
Thinking about things to meme:
Ironic 1996
Wait and see
I’ll wait a while, thanks
There’s also the time that he ran the poll to see if he should get his son’s hair cut.
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7339/lovemail.jpg
(dying laughing)
[quote name=Corms]There’s also the time that he ran the poll to see if he should get his son’s hair cut.[/quote]
(dying laughing) (dying laughing)
[quote name=Corms]There’s also the time that he ran the poll to see if he should get his son’s hair cut.[/quote]
One sec…
or
If you have any pictures of Hawk the possibilities would be endless.
[quote name=Corms]If you have any pictures of Hawk the possibilities would be endless.[/quote]
If only…
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/6/28/2248654/expect-a-new-gm-next-year#70807655
Shit’s getting real.
.
[quote name=Berselius]Most of my rationalization of the trade stems from my assumption that prospects will fail until they prove otherwise. I’m still pretty down on Lee and Archer FWIW. My main complaint with the trade was more in terms of strategy.[/quote]I agree with that and I think everybody here knows my opinion of prospects. Trey McNutt is currently on the Chris Archer path, which is what Rich Hill was on and a shitload of other players. Breakout season gets us excited and then they go back to what they were before the breakout season.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2011/6/28/2248654/expect-a-new-gm-next-year#70807655
Shit’s getting real.[/quote]
I have a source that says shit is definitely NOT getting real. I trust my source. You sound like you might know someone’s brother-in-law’s, cousin’s, uncle’s former roommate.
This is the best OV thread in quite awhile.
[quote name=Aisle424]I have a source that says shit is definitely NOT getting real. I trust my source. You sound like you might know someone’s brother-in-law’s, cousin’s, uncle’s former roommate.[/quote]
Shit was real when my source sent me the link.
[quote name=Aisle424]This is the best OV thread in quite awhile.[/quote]You know it’s a good thread. You don’t need any bullshit stats to tell you that.
[quote name=Aisle424]This is the best OV thread in quite awhile.[/quote]
I have enjoyed other threads more than this one recently.
If you can do one on sources (Al’s vs other people’s) I’ll post it as a reply to the thread you posted
[quote name=Mish]If you can do one on sources (Al’s vs other people’s) I’ll post it as a reply to the thread you posted[/quote]
Give me a sec…
How’s this?
Last one…for today.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]How’s this?
Posted – go screencap it while it lasts!
[quote name=Mish]Posted – go screencap it while it lasts![/quote]————-> banned
[quote name=Jame Gumb]————-> banned[/quote]Is it officially official?
[quote name=Mish]Posted – go screencap it while it lasts![/quote]
Is it gone already? (dying laughing)
I don’t know, but the image is gone.
(dying laughing)
This is true. However, it didn’t appear that the other guy’s source was privy to that information either.
by Al Yellon on Jun 29, 2011 1:44 PM CDT upreply [/quote]
In other words, the guy who posted the rumor did it exactly how Alvin has been doing it for years.
[quote name=Mish](dying laughing)[/quote]
Hey, you got a personalized message!
http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mish
It’s almost like you were never there…
Posts calling out Alvin in the source argument have totaled 20 “recs” against 0 “recs” for Alvin. He’s going to have a heart attack any minute.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote]
The juxtaposition of Alvin’s comment and the most interesting Alvin in the world is cracking me up.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]The juxtaposition of Alvin’s comment and the most interesting Alvin in the world is cracking me up.[/quote]I grabbed a screencap of it for my HD and I too included Al’s comment above it.
(dying laughing) Woodward.
Wreckard’s a sweet dude.
Why did he leave this place?
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Why did he leave this place?[/quote]
His only apparent reason to come to OV is to mock me and be a faget.
[quote name=Jame Gumb](dying laughing) Woodward.[/quote]
He should have called him Bernstein so Al would have to find a way to explain that he isn’t Jewish.
[quote name=Aisle424]He should have called him Bernstein so Al would have to find a way to explain that he isn’t Jewish.[/quote]
As it is, that comment has 4 recs. Alvin is getting owned in that thread. He might have to turn over control of that blog at this rate.
[quote name=Aisle424]His only apparent reason to come to OV is to mock me and be a faget.[/quote]
He fits in so well.
30-0 now.
Re: the Cubs’ team defense, and its impact on Matt Garza’s ERA– this team is last in Defensive Efficiency, which probably tells the whole story, and might actually do a better job than team UZR numbers.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/124575378.html
Joe Mauer is no longer the golden boy, apparently.
Dave Cameron says that the Marlins could get more for Anibal Sanchez this summer than the Mariners got for Cliff Lee in the middle of last year.
If that’s true, then seriously– what could the Cubs get for Matt Garza? Because when you think about it, I think Garza is clearly a more attractive trade target than Sanchez. I’m not saying the Cubs should definitely start taking offers for Garza, but if they did, they could get an absolute killing in return.
That was a really really weird play.
I don’t always ask questions to Tom Ricketts, but when I do, I prefer to ask the same question in a different way.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/29/confirmed-adrian-gonzalez-to-play-right-field-tonight/
Please be the MLB.tv free game of the day.
[quote name=jtsunami]I don’t always ask questions to Tom Ricketts, but when I do, I prefer to ask the same question in a different way.[/quote]
I was working on the wording for that one when I stopped to accommodate Mish.
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/29/confirmed-adrian-gonzalez-to-play-right-field-tonight/
Please be the MLB.tv free game of the day.[/quote]
Bah, it’s the KC-SD game. Boo.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]I was working on the wording for that one when I stopped to accommodate Mish.[/quote]Aww you’re sweet.
I don’t always like fagets, but when I do, I prefer fagets on Brokeback Mountain posters.
There are so many Yellon-meme posters on this thread that it probably justifies a shrine page to such amusing creativity.
[quote name=Jack Nugent]Dave Cameron says that the Marlins could get more for Anibal Sanchez this summer than the Mariners got for Cliff Lee in the middle of last year.
If that’s true, then seriously– what could the Cubs get for Matt Garza? Because when you think about it, I think Garza is clearly a more attractive trade target than Sanchez. I’m not saying the Cubs should definitely start taking offers for Garza, but if they did, they could get an absolute killing in return.[/quote]I conquer.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Why did he leave this place?[/quote]I’m still here!
I lurk here a lot. I may not post as often as I like, but I always keep up with what’s going on around here because the quality of writing and articles is so high.
[quote name=The Wreckard]I’m still here!
I lurk here a lot. I may not post as often as I like, but I always keep up with what’s going on around here because the quality of writing and articles is so high.[/quote]False.
[quote name=The Wreckard]I always keep up with what’s going on around here because the quality of writing and articles is so high.[/quote]
In pace requiescat.
[quote name=WaLi]False.[/quote]Correct.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]
[/quote]
(dying laughing)
You need to add a bologna sandwich and replace the XX with a big gulp.
[quote name=The Wreckard]I’m still here!
I lurk here a lot. I may not post as often as I like, but I always keep up with what’s going on around here because the writers and commenters are so high.[/quote]
/Mish’d
[quote name=Jack Nugent]Re: the Cubs’ team defense, and its impact on Matt Garza’s ERA– this team is last in Defensive Efficiency, which probably tells the whole story, and might actually do a better job than team UZR numbers.[/quote][quote name=Jack Nugent]Re: the Cubs’ team defense, and its impact on Matt Garza’s ERA– this team is last in Defensive Efficiency, which probably tells the whole story, and might actually do a better job than team UZR numbers.[/quote]Every Cubs starter (including Rodrigo) has a BABIP allowed this year higher than his career rate. Same with most relievers (e.g., Marshall, Marmol).
oops.
Davis —-> unemployed
Barney —-> Cubs hero
No more Dougie.
Darwin Barney, the Doug Dascenzo of his generation.
[quote name=ACT]oops.[/quote]This is the worst thing to every happen to this blog
[quote name=WaLi](dying laughing)
You need to add a bologna sandwich and replace the XX with a big gulp.[/quote]
Is that what he drinks?
I hope this doesn’t mean Rodrigo is the fifth starter.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?=743264506
[quote name=Jame Gumb]http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?=743264506[/quote]
That’s me! Welcome.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?=743264506[/quote]
Why did you post my profile?
[quote name=Rice Cube]http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/29/confirmed-adrian-gonzalez-to-play-right-field-tonight/
Please be the MLB.tv free game of the day.[/quote]No. It’s on ESPN and ESPN3, though.
[quote name=Rice Cube]That’s me! Welcome.[/quote][quote name=Mish]Why did you post my profile?[/quote]
Now you guys are just confusing everyone. (dying laughing)
http://us.akinator.com/#
[quote name=ACT]No. It’s on ESPN and ESPN3, though.[/quote]
Thanks! Awesome.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Davis —-> unemployed
[/quote]
The inevitable result of giving up 10 runs to the anemic Giants offense.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]Is that what he drinks?[/quote]
I believe so. Big gulps of faget juice.
[quote name=Mish]Why did you post my profile?[/quote]
You and I are one?
[quote name=WaLi]I believe so. Big gulps of faget juice.[/quote]Search for “big gulp” on BCB. Seems to be it is mentioned often.
From Alvin:
Just imagine then. If they had .800-level replacement starters everyone would be a faget with a unicorn.
[quote name=Jame Gumb]http://us.akinator.com/#[/quote]Dolph Lundgren really tripped it up.
Cards released Ryan Franklin.
KC won’t win! Cubs are going to have a tough time maintaining their lock on the #2 pick.
[quote name = Bruce Miles]#Cubs Hendry says no fire sale[/quote]
Booooooo
[quote name=josh]Cards released Ryan Franklin.[/quote]I wouldn’t mind if the Cubs picked him up. They need bullpen depth, and his xFIP is in line with his last few seasons.
Welcome to the club, Mish! Time for your name to go on the Wall of Remembrance with the rest of ours.
[quote name=ACT]I wouldn’t mind if the Cubs picked him up. They need bullpen depth, and his xFIP is in line with his last few seasons.[/quote]
Why bother? It’s a 70 win team. Let the kids pitch
[quote name=Berselius]Booooooo[/quote]
I don’t think he’s allowed to advertise it so overtly (dying laughing)
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Welcome to the club, Mish! Time for your name to go on the Wall of Remembrance with the rest of ours.[/quote]Where is this wall of which you speak, and is it covered in ivy so it is soft if I jump into it?
[quote name=Rice Cube]I don’t think he’s allowed to advertise it so overtly (dying laughing)[/quote]
Yeah, it probably doesn’t mean much but it’s still annoying (dying laughing)
[quote name=Mish]Where is this wall of which you speak, and is it covered in ivy so it is soft if I jump into it?[/quote]Ryno has a photoshop of a memorial wall for all of us who were banned from BCB.
[quote name=Phil Rogers]Jim Hendry says #Cubs won’t move Ryan Dempster, Carlos Marmol and Sean Marshall and will be careful dealing other pitchers.[/quote].
Notice that Hendry doesn’t include Garza or Z in there.
I’d love it if they could trade Zambrano. I don’t see the Cubs getting a decent offer and they’d have to pay a lot of money so I doubt it, but it would free up a lot of money too.
[quote name=mb21]I’d love it if they could trade Zambrano. I don’t see the Cubs getting a decent offer and they’d have to pay a lot of money so I doubt it, but it would free up a lot of money too.[/quote]And it might give Z a chance to win a title, which, to my mind, he deserves more than any other member of the org.
from the daily herald’s blog
I’m not sure, but I think the naming of names is Phil Rogers’ work, not Jim Hendry.
Probably. No reason for Hendry to tip his hand like that, but who knows?
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]from the daily herald’s blog
I’m not sure, but I think the naming of names is Phil Rogers’ work, not Jim Hendry.[/quote]That would be unsurprising, given the Scott Templeton-esque tendencies of the Cubs’ beat guys.
New Game Thread up: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/games/team-that-resembles-little-league-team-vs-pitcher-that-resembles-little-league-pitcher-from-qdazed-a-confusedq.html