OV Pic of the Day: Suck It, Holliday

I don’t put much stock in the morons on ESPN. Remember that their duty is to sensationalize and escalate the “drama” of the game, since we all know baseball cannot survive on it’s own merit. Spiking and beaning might be part of the game, but it isn’t part that needs the national east coast talking heads jerking off about. Why can’t players play the game and informed individuals offer insight without trying to make like Don King? I know there was a portion of the audience tuning in only to see the stupidity that is a baseball fight, but really, it’s Cubs vs Cards not tards vs tards. I enjoyed watching a decent ballgame played by pros (well, kinda pros in the Cubs case). All the extra hot air really wasn’t needed in downtown Saint Louis.

[quote name=Berselius]It’s a good contract, I think most of the complaints are about the Astros extending him this year then frantically trying to cut payroll by moving him.[/quote]
to bring this over to the new thread. All I have read is that nobody wants to touch Wandy’ contract. If the Cubs manage to unload Z somehow I think Wandy is the guy they should try to pry from the Astro’s. It’s unlikely since they are in the the same division but worth a try.

From Fangraphs on the deadline:

#18 – Chicago Cubs
I am absolutely dumbfounded that the Cubs only dealt Kosuke Fukudome this week. Certain tradable players, like Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood, expressed a desire to remain in Chicago. But other players, like Carlos Pena and , were essentially rendered untouchable for reasons beyond anyone outside of Jim Hendry’s office. If available, Pena would have been a fantastic target for teams like the Angels and Diamondbacks. Plus, he signed a one-year deal with the Cubs, so it isn’t like they would have dealt away a superstar in the midst of a multi-year contract.

Byrd is signed to a reasonable contract right now and was on the Braves radar given his abilities as a center fielder. The same can be said of Reed Johnson, who also stayed put. The Cubs haven’t gone anywhere in a few years, and aren’t going anywhere now or over the next few seasons. This was the perfect year to deal some of their attractive assets, and they stood pat. Their lack of activity was especially confusing when juxtaposed against Ed Wade, who may not have made fantastic moves for the Astros, but who wheeled and dealed on the understanding that virtually any return improved the Astros.

[quote name=Mish]From Fangraphs on the deadline:[/quote]
We’re trying to win games here.

spencer and brown are the starting CB’s for the 49ers. 6-10 here we come

[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint][/quote]Same here. (dying laughing)

[quote name=WaLi]Man that guy creeps me out[/quote]

[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]They don’t really need superstar corners because they spent the last few years drafting and developing pass rushers like Brian Orakpo just like I wanted.

Wait…[/quote]
I heard that Gore is already ending his holdout

From last night’s game: http://www.kfns.com/JoeSportsFan/Story.aspx?ID=1465228

[quote name=Mish]From last night’s game: http://www.kfns.com/JoeSportsFan/Story.aspx?ID=1465228/quote
Puma approved!

I would have loved to see that girl get absolutely clocked by a security guard. The guy too, but I think seeing the girl get driven into the turf like Jay Cutler might have stuck more in people’s minds.

That or a taser.

I think this is a foul:

(dying laughing) you have to pretty fucking stupid to word it like that.

[quote name=Aisle424]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daRG2leUjQQ[/quote]
Channel 6…action, heyoooooo…news.

Woah did the comments just change or was it because I finally refreshed my browser? Darker lines around each comment box.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/01/lets-help-research-subconscious-racism-in-sports-commentary/

Interesting, someone’s actually trying to quantify the lazy Latino meme.

I have to say that that girl has a really nice tush.

I recall that they weren’t actually making out but that she was injured and the boyfriend was trying to make sure she was okay.

[quote name=Mish]http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/926/the-inexplicable-non-decision-making-of-the-chicago-cubs[/quote]

I’m trying to rationalize it. And I really can’t, except where they actually think they might contend in 2012 and thus have to keep valuable pieces or some crap.

[quote name=Rice Cube]I’m trying to rationalize it. And I really can’t, except where they actually think they might contend in 2012 and thus have to keep valuable pieces or some crap.[/quote]
Basically they hope to sign Pujols and that he puts up a 25 WAR season…that might be enough to get them in contention (dying laughing)

[quote name=Rice Cube]I’m trying to rationalize it. And I really can’t, except where they actually think they might contend in 2012 and thus have to keep valuable pieces or some crap.[/quote]I don’t see how they contend without a major upgrade or four. Maybe the plan is to go for Pujols and put him at 3rd? Would that be explicable at all? Then why not try to find a trade for Rami?

[quote name=Mish]Basically they hope to sign Pujols and that he puts up a 25 WAR season…that might be enough to get them in contention (dying laughing)[/quote]I guess they’ll DH Pena in that case? Wait, has anyone told Hendry that there is no DH in the NL? Maybe he knows something about the commissioner’s office’s plans for next years and he’s not telling.

^^^ (dying laughing)

This was pretty cool:

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Video-Greco-Roman-wrestler-8217-s-insane-821?urn=oly-wp543

Passan:

Chicago Cubs, who had every reason to gut their roster and held onto … Reed Johnson(notes)? Jeff Baker(notes)? Sean Marshall(notes)? Matt Garza(notes)? Everyone except Starlin Castro(notes)? Jim Hendry, who once negotiated a contract as he was having a stent put in his chest, should’ve at least tried what Wade did: make an attempt to steer the ship the right way in the future, even if it’s for another GM. He didn’t. And so the Cubs, too, are the worst kind of losers: the ones who won’t trade Reed Johnson.

Ha.

[quote name=Rice Cube]Passan:

Ha.[/quote]Seriously, though, who would want Reed Johnson? He’s hurt half the time and just okay the other half.

[quote name=Rice Cube]The Cubs would want Reed Johnson. Which is why he’s still here.

But to answer your question, I don’t know which contender would want Reed Johnson or view him as an upgrade to whatever they have. He does like to mash lefties though, just like Baker.[/quote]If someone did want him, trade him in a heartbeat. Hell, get some cash and buy the team a ham. Maybe it would raise spirits.

[quote name=Mish]You’d actually think that the team acquiring Kosuke might want a platoon bat to go with him, but I guess Austin Kearns fills that roll.[/quote]I’m not 100% sure on Kearns, but I don’t think he has to sit out every third week with a back injury, either.

[quote name=josh]major upgrade or four[/quote]

But Marmol? Peña? Byrd? What is the point in hanging onto them?

Marmol and Marshall have some value, but most of the guys on the Untouchable list and that the media types were clamoring for the Cubs to trade have no value. The Pirates got Lee and Ludwick for an unranked 1b prospect and a PBTNL.

[quote name=Berselius]Marmol and Marshall have some value, but most of the guys on the Untouchable list and that the media types were clamoring for the Cubs to trade have no value. The Pirates got Lee and Ludwick for an unranked 1b prospect and a PBTNL.[/quote]Yeah, I agree with this. The standing pat was probably a combination of a number of things:
1) Rickets didn’t tell Hendry they needed to clear payroll
2) Most of the pieces had little value (Marshall, Marmol), relative to their replacement cost
3) The pieces that have value (Soto, Castro, Garza) have too high of a replacement cost or would impede our ability to compete next season

The one thing I would have done if I were Hendry though is to trade Byrd, in order to open up CF for Jackson next year, and line up a new right fielder. But – while Byrd’s value is higher now, it’s still relatively high if they trade him in the off season, after Jackson’s had another 2 months to prove himself.

I still think they could make some moves in August, given their pieces. But it’s clear they think they can compete next year, and if they really believe that then I bet that means that Ricketts is prepared to spend.

Either that or Ricketts really believes that trotting an expensive mediocre team out there will fill more seats than a young rebuilding team.

preview up http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/previews/series-preview-chicago-cubs-43-65-at-pittsburgh-pirates-54-52.html

[quote name=The Wreckard]Yeah, I agree with this. The standing pat was probably a combination of a number of things:
1) Rickets didn’t tell Hendry they needed to clear payroll
2) Most of the pieces had little value (Marshall, Marmol), relative to their replacement cost
3) The pieces that have value (Soto, Castro, Garza) have too high of a replacement cost or would impede our ability to compete next season

The one thing I would have done if I were Hendry though is to trade Byrd, in order to open up CF for Jackson next year, and line up a new right fielder. But – while Byrd’s value is higher now, it’s still relatively high if they trade him in the off season, after Jackson’s had another 2 months to prove himself.

I still think they could make some moves in August, given their pieces. But it’s clear they think they can compete next year, and if they really believe that then I bet that means that Ricketts is prepared to spend.

Either that or Ricketts really believes that trotting an expensive mediocre team out there will fill more seats than a young rebuilding team.[/quote]
I thought that same thing about Byrd/Jackson, then I checked it out: BJaxx is striking out a healthy 40% of his ABs at Iowa. That said, his OBP is .347. So is he really ready to bring up?

[quote name=Aisle424]Maybe they figure they can “fool” Fielder or Pujols into thinking their one bat injected into the lineup will make a big enough difference to take them seriously.

I know the players will tend to go where the money is the biggest, but when you are talking about the difference between $200 million and $220 million, that $20 million loses a bit of significance, I would think. If I was offered $220 million to play for the Cubs knowing they are going to suck whether I am there or not, I may seriously consider $200 million from just about any other team since I’d have a better chance of winning something.[/quote]But a person signing a $220 million contract isn’t looking at just the next season. The Cubs have a bunch of money coming off the books after 2012 so most free agents who don’t think the Cubs can contend in 2012 will think they can in 2013.

Are you better off going to the Reds who are closer to contending in 2012 than the Cubs are or going to the Cubs who are closer to contender on an annual basis at some point in the near future? Not to mention, these guys have huge egos and they think they can make a team a contender all by themselves.

The one thing I would have done if I were Hendry though is to trade Byrd, in order to open up CF for Jackson next year, and line up a new right fielder. But – while Byrd’s value is higher now, it’s still relatively high if they trade him in the off season, after Jackson’s had another 2 months to prove himself.

Byrd provides value above his contract, though. Those are the kinds of guys the Cubs are going to need. There’s still a hole in RF and the Cubs could shift Byrd there if they thought Jackson was ready. It’s clear the Cubs are going to try to contend so keeping a guy that provides more value than he’s being paid is, in my opinion, a necessity.