I’ve not wanted to say anything because I didn’t want to jinx anything, but I’m starting to get a little bit more optimistic about the future of the Cubs under Tom Ricketts and Co. Believe me, I am not ready to go and start wearing an “I *heart* Ricketts” sandwich board and ringing a bell, but there have been a few things lately that make me wonder if Tom has finally decided to start pulling up on the stick of this flaming 747 of a team headed straight into the ground.
Of course, they need to show me more. A few recent actions like jettisoning a long-time upper management type like Jim Hendry isn’t going to wipe out the nearly two years of steady decline of my optimism about the team. For those of you who like graphs, I made a little graph to illustrate my point:
But still, we have a nice little potential beginning of a trend going at the end there. It is really the first time since the Ricketts took over that there have been consecutive good things to happen to the team. Every now and again, they would throw a Fan Appreciation day at us, or manage to raise a bit of revenue that didn’t come from ticket sales, but usually those glimmers were strewn amongst reality show embarassments, obsessing about urinal troughs, and more corporate double-speak than should be legal.
But lately, they have dedicated money to building a state-of-the-art training facility in the Dominican Republic, they had a pretty darn good draft by throwing a lot of of money at guys that most teams didn’t think would ever sign, and they have finally moved on from the Jim Hendry “…See what happens” school of building a contending team. The cherry on top of all of that is, of course, the complete hornswoggling of the local media as Hendry worked almost a month after getting kicked to the curb and nobody except Dave Kaplan seemed to know about it. And if Crane Kenney had anything to do with that, then I also like him a little more now too.
Then yesterday this little tidbit came out via Bruce Levine:
Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts hired Stephen J.K. Walters to be a top consultant on all expenditures for the organization.
Walters — a professor of economics at Loyola University Maryland — was hired in March to help analyze and make recommendations on the budget for every department in the organization, including baseball operations, according to MLB sources.
First, it is hard not to notice tthat Bruce is breaking a story about something that happened in March, but we’ll just applaud the fact that the media found out about it and reported it at all. I’m guessing after almost six months, Ricketts finally had to call in a tip as an anonymous source himself to get anybody to write about it.
But this is a potential huge step forward in how the Cubs manage their revenues and spending. For as long as I can remember, the Cubs have concentrated almost solely on the season in front of them. They might have had some forward-looking moments in the draft, or in adding a revenue stream here and there, but usually it seemed that whatever they were doing focused mostly on the current season. Thus the constant state of patch and repair that pretty much has defined all of our lives as Cubs fans.
Tom Ricketts seems to have grasped that there is a finite amount of money he will have and he wants assistance in how to split up that money amongst the different departments to maximize efficiency in growing value from within. This could be a guy that helps determine what levels of spending on the international market, in the amateur draft, and yes, even in the upkeep and renovation of the park itself can translate most efficiently into future value.
So take it how you will. Some may write it off as being “cheap” if they then end up not throwing $200 million at Pujols or Fielder, but perhaps that money is better spent in the long run by getting guys like Dillon Maples to forego college and become part of the organization.
I like that there are at least the seedlings of a plan, and his hiring in March makes me wonder if the sudden reversal in philosophy between this year’s draft and last year’s draft weren’t based, at least partly, on recommendations from Walters. This is conjecture on my part, as he has a non-disclosure agreement with the team, so there is no way for me to know anything conclusively. Maybe someone out there has a source, but I know I don’t. I’m simply connecting dots as logically as I can from the information provided.
But from what I know, and from what I have seen of the Cubs in all my years, there is starting to be a little room for optimism. I’ll just sit here in my mother’s basement and continue to cross my fingers that the trend arrow keeps point up for awhile.
[quote name=mb21]Then again, maybe ISU has begged the Big Ten. There’s been rumors now for awhile that the state legislature has been pushing Iowa to get ISU to join the Big Ten and they just kind of laugh at it. yeah, Iowa really wants to do that so they and every other program makes less. (dying laughing)[/quote]
I’m guessing they go C-USA (dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]Yep. The Big 12 is done. Didn’t matter if it was 1999, 2006, 2011, 2012 or 2015, it’s done. it’s been done since it started. I’m kind of surprised it’s taken this long for teams like Colorado and aTm to go looking for new homes. Even more surprised that Kansas hasn’t tied themselves to the Big East. Shocked that Iowa State hasn’t begged the Big Ten and said they’d be willing to take an annual payment of $3.78 if they could join.
There was no reason for Texas or Oklahoma to do anything because they were getting paid a similar amount that teams in the Big Ten and SEC were. Not now, but 5, 10 years ago they were. They were still getting a lot more than the rest so it was less important for them to move. Seriously, where the hell is KSU going to go? Not the Big Ten. Not the Pac. Not the SEC. Would the ACC have any interest? Is the Big East interested in expanding to 300 teams? Of the two (KU and KSU), KU will be the most sought after and they don’t have a chance to go to one of the four major conferences.[/quote]
I think the ACC gets raided by (mostly) the SEC and Big East and splits over the football/basketball axis. The Big East becomes a more magnified version of itself – a basketball conference that happens to have a few football teams. It would be nice if the B10 snapped up Maryland and BC in that breakup.
Walters was hired in March only to figure out what was owed to Silva.
[quote name=GBTS]Walters was hired in March only to figure out what was owed to Silva.[/quote]
[quote name=GBTS]Walters was hired in March only to figure out what was owed to Silva.[/quote]
Don’t you like anything?
[quote name=Aisle424]Don’t you like anything?[/quote]I didn’t say it was a bad thing. Somebody had to.
[quote name=GBTS]I didn’t say it was a bad thing. Somebody had to.[/quote]
To be fair, I think he has also been working on how much money they would have saved if they had traded Carlos Pena.
(dying laughing) @ Vernon Wells’ OBP.
[quote name=GBTS]Walters was hired in March only so they could tell him what days he’d have off in September.[/quote].
[quote name=GBTS]Walters was hired in March only to figure out what was owed to Silva.[/quote]And the writers still haven’t figured out how much money Silva really made.
Great point about another story not broken for about 6 months. These journalists are horrible.
[quote name=Berselius]I’m guessing they go C-USA (dying laughing)[/quote]That instantly makes them worse. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]I think the ACC gets raided by (mostly) the SEC and Big East and splits over the football/basketball axis. The Big East becomes a more magnified version of itself – a basketball conference that happens to have a few football teams. It would be nice if the B10 snapped up Maryland and BC in that breakup.[/quote]Could be, but I’ve always thought they’d be the 4th super conference. Is 48 enough? Who would be missing if they just went with 3 super conferences?
False.
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/6297/cubs-minor-leaguer-suspened-for-drug-abuse
Optimism shattered.
I quickly came up with a list of 43 teams that would be guaranteed seats at the super conference table. That included all of the current Big Ten, Pac 12 and SEC because that’s just how it is. It included Texas, Tech, A&M, OU and OkSU from the Big 12 as well as Florida State, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech. What about Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh? Who am I missing?
[quote name=mb21]I quickly came up with a list of 43 teams that would be guaranteed seats at the super conference table. That included all of the current Big Ten, Pac 12 and SEC because that’s just how it is. It included Texas, Tech, A&M, OU and OkSU from the Big 12 as well as Florida State, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech. What about Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh? Who am I missing?[/quote]
uva, north carolina, duke, and maryland.
http://yfrog.com/nw6mdj
Why Duke? I’ve been assuming this mostly only affects football. Can Maryland afford it? They’re one of the universities who are reportedly unable to afford to increase in scholarships. UVA and North Carolina, I agree. I don’t think Duke is one of them and I think Maryland is no lock.
[quote name=GW]http://yfrog.com/nw6mdj[/quote]Needs a bushel of corn or two.
Funny:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18649629
[quote name=mb21]I quickly came up with a list of 43 teams that would be guaranteed seats at the super conference table. That included all of the current Big Ten, Pac 12 and SEC because that’s just how it is. It included Texas, Tech, A&M, OU and OkSU from the Big 12 as well as Florida State, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech. What about Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh? Who am I missing?[/quote]
All those teams should be in. Also Boise and BYU
[quote name=GW]uva, north carolina, duke, and maryland.[/quote]
They go to the Big East memorial basketball superconference
Darwin was obviously in the way, but it’s a shame they had to call Marlon out; he did nothing wrong.
[quote name=GW]http://yfrog.com/nw6mdj[/quote]
I’m too busy trying to figure out what the hell that L-shaped door in the background to look at the trophy (dying laughing)
[quote name=Berselius]All those teams should be in. Also Boise and BYU[/quote]Why Boise? What conference is going to take them? I don’t see how they’d generate enough revenue to belong.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Funny:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18649629/quote
Didn’t see the game today but it seems like it must have been a doozy if the mlb.com highlights for the Cubs were titled:
1) Samardzija’s solid relief
2) Castro’s injury
3) Lopez’s pickoff play
[quote name=mb21]Why Boise? What conference is going to take them? I don’t see how they’d generate enough revenue to belong.[/quote]
Barring a pile of sanctions they’re peaking at the right time to be taken seriously, at least from a competitive standpoint.
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Didn’t see the game today but it seems like it must have been a doozy if the mlb.com highlights for the Cubs were titled:
1) Samardzija’s solid relief
2) Castro’s injury
3) Lopez’s pickoff play[/quote]
They took a pic of F7 taking a dump?
Miami should be on that list, assuming they aren’t death-sentenced
If you’re talking strictly revenue then it should be way less than the 40-50 teams. Once you have some sort of super league they’ll have national coverage (like the B10 adding ND and UT). Then why add more teams than the say 20-25 or so you would need.
[quote name=Berselius]They took a pic of F7 taking a dump?[/quote]Which he then obviously wiped across his upper lip.
Come to think of it, college football would probably be the most fertile ground of all US sports for setting up a tiered, soccer-style relegation system.
[quote name=Berselius]Barring a pile of sanctions they’re peaking at the right time to be taken seriously, at least from a competitive standpoint.[/quote]It’s my belief that the major conferences want to distance themselves from the Boise States as much as possible.
[quote name=Berselius]If you’re talking strictly revenue then it should be way less than the 40-50 teams. Once you have some sort of super league they’ll have national coverage (like the B10 adding ND and UT). Then why add more teams than the say 20-25 or so you would need.[/quote]Because the Big Ten, Pac 12 and SEC aren’t leaving teams behind. You’ve got a minimum of 36 and probably closer to 50.
[quote name=mb21]It’s my belief that the major conferences want to distance themselves from the Boise States as much as possible.[/quote]I say this becuase it’s largely what is behind this sudden urgency for scholarships to be full cost of attendance. Those programs won’t be able to afford it while the others will. They want to further separate themselves from those mid-major programs.
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]Didn’t see the game today but it seems like it must have been a doozy if the mlb.com highlights for the Cubs were titled:
1) Samardzija’s solid relief
2) Castro’s injury
3) Lopez’s pickoff play[/quote]
Thankfully Castro wasn’t that badly hurt. Sounded like a slight hammy tweak.
[quote name=mb21]Because the Big Ten, Pac 12 and SEC aren’t leaving teams behind. You’ve got a minimum of 36 and probably closer to 50.[/quote]
Yeah, you’re right. There’s no way a super league could happen within CFB as things are historically structured. It would be pretty cool though (dying laughing).
[quote name=Berselius]Yeah, you’re right. There’s no way a super league could happen within CFB as things are historically structured. It would be pretty cool though (dying laughing).[/quote]I actually kind of like the history to be honest. I’ve got a lot of memories of playing all the Big Ten teams in my life and I’d like to keep playing them.
Not to mention, if you’re narrowing it down to the 20 to 25 most profitable athletic departments, 10 come from the Big Ten, 10 come from the SEC and then you’ve got Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC and someone else. That would be your 25. I think it’s Northwestern, Purdue, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt from the Big Ten and SEC who aren’t in the top 25 in athletic department profit. I’ll look into that in the morning.
[quote name=mb21]I actually kind of like the history to be honest. I’ve got a lot of memories of playing all the Big Ten teams in my life and I’d like to keep playing them.
Not to mention, if you’re narrowing it down to the 20 to 25 most profitable athletic departments, 10 come from the Big Ten, 10 come from the SEC and then you’ve got Texas, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC and someone else. That would be your 25. I think it’s Northwestern, Purdue, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt from the Big Ten and SEC who aren’t in the top 25 in athletic department profit. I’ll look into that in the morning.[/quote]
I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. They make big profit because they happen to be in the B1G. `
[quote name=Berselius]I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. They make big profit because they happen to be in the B1G. `[/quote]
True, but there are reasons that those conferences make the money they do. The Pac
1012 is at a disadvantage in that they play so many football games at an hour nobody cares about. Most people have watched football since 11 am and are done with football by the time they start. There’s a reason the pac schools make so little in football profit.Football Profit:
SEC ($29.9m)
Big Ten ($22.7m)
Pac-10 ($8.4m)
ACC ($6m)
They’re comparable to the ACC. Only Indiana, Northwestern and Purdue have a lower football profit than the highest football profit in the Pac. Yeah, that’s in part because they’re in the Big Ten, but people don’t care about Pac/ACC football.
You can probably throw Minnesota and maybe Illinois in with IU, Purdue, and NW, though I’m probably weighting too much towards recent non-performance.
Throw Indiana in with the basketball/Big East superconference and replace them with someone else (dying laughing)
Bumgarner’s start…
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18652239
He’s really good and the Cubs offense is really bad.
Pedroia dives headfirst into first base for no reason. Crowd goes wild. ESPN announcers praise his “engergy.” Sigh.
* energy
The last line of the levine article on Walters is interesting and might be further proof that Ricketts wants a more SABR minded front-office.
[quote name=mb21]I quickly came up with a list of 43 teams that would be guaranteed seats at the super conference table. That included all of the current Big Ten, Pac 12 and SEC because that’s just how it is. It included Texas, Tech, A&M, OU and OkSU from the Big 12 as well as Florida State, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech. What about Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh? Who am I missing?[/quote]
of the schools you listed, several would only be in circumstantially. that is, no one wants osu except ou and t boone. same goes for ut and tech. mizzou, wvu, and pitt are only desirable to the extent that they are available.
[quote name=mb21]Why Duke? I’ve been assuming this mostly only affects football. Can Maryland afford it? They’re one of the universities who are reportedly unable to afford to increase in scholarships. [/quote]
likewise, I think that the acc will only combust if it’s core members find a comfortable spot elsewhere. Unless unc, uva, and duke (at the minimum) decide to join the big ten together, the acc will live on.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Funny:
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18649629/quoteIt really didn’t look intentional. Barney was letting his momentum carry him out of the box, then he turned when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye and tried to evade when it dawned on him what was happening. I’m not sure the rule though. I don’t think intention matters. As a hitter it’s your responsibility to remain in control of yourself.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?content_id=18640833
LaHair’s 38th features a horrific home run call.
Bryan LaHair ——->called up.
[quote name=Chris Dickerson]http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?content_id=18640833
LaHair’s 38th features a horrific home run call.[/quote]Maybe you didn’t like it because you were currently standing in his yard.
Oakland is withing one inning of a perfect game within the 14 inning monstrosity that is the Indians/A’s game.
Perfect subgame broken up in the 15th.
So do we want to see lahair play in september, or is that probably not in teams best interest to even pay attention?
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]So do we want to see lahair play in september, or is that probably not in teams best interest to even pay attention?[/quote]I’m definitely interested to see him play, myself. I know PCL is a hitters league and it’s difficult to draw conclusions, but I’d like to see if he can maintain some semblance of his OPS.
What i am worried about is if we give him too much playing time and he does well in a limited sample we will make a turrible decision for 2012 .
I also dont think we will see quade play him so i dont think we have to worry about it
I’d be fine with LaHair at 1st next year. What the hell do they have to lose? Spend money on someone else or spend league minimum? Easy decision.
Ughhhhh
Are we really punting next year too?
http://www.statesman.com/sports/longhorns/one-more-move-and-big-12-is-over-1809134.html
Rhee was good yesterday. Baez wasn’t.
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Ughhhhh
Are we really punting next year too?[/quote]I don’t necessarily see it as punting. If LaHair gives Pena like OPS, then you get Pena for nothing. If the rest of the team is solid around him and maintaining contention status near the ASB, but he’s the weak link, then you make a trade for an upgrade.
LaHair is murdering the ball in PCL, he deserves a chance to see if he can really produce at the major league level or if he’s a bound for Nippon.
Yea you might be right Josh. I oubt we see him play though
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]What i am worried about is if we give him too much playing time and he does well in a limited sample we will make a turrible decision for 2012 .
I also dont think we will see quade play him so i dont think we have to worry about it[/quote]I’d feel that way if Hendry was still GM. Regardless if the Cubs plan to tear down the team in order to contend in ’13/14 then I’d rather they not pay Carlos Pena 10M a year vs league minimum to LaHair if they can invest that 10M for better future use.
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Yea you might be right Josh. I oubt we see him play though[/quote]He’s been doing a commendable job of getting Colvin ABs, so Q’s not completely against auditioning.
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Ughhhhh
Are we really punting next year too?[/quote]Apparently.
[quote name=josh]LaHair is murdering the ball in PCL, he deserves a chance to see if he can really produce at the major league level or if he’s a bound for Nippon.[/quote]I agree with this. I don’t care about the age or the experience at AAA. The Cubs are rebuilding and he’s had a ridiculous season and over the last 3 he’s been outstanding at the plate. I don’t expect much from him, but like DJ, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a league average player.
If the Cubs don’t get Fielder I’m fine with LaHair in 2012.
[quote name=GBTS]If the Cubs don’t get Fielder I’m fine with LaHair in 2012.[/quote]
Like you have a choice (dying laughing)
[quote name=GBTS]If the Cubs don’t get Fielder I’m fine with LaHair in 2012.[/quote]
Well, only if they don’t pick up Lyle Overbay first (dying laughing)
Sounds like the Cubs have no interest in Fielder or Pujols from what I’ve read.
The organization may not have said it, but they’re rebuilding. I like it.
[quote name=mb21]Sounds like the Cubs have no interest in Fielder or Pujols from what I’ve read.
The organization may not have said it, but they’re rebuilding. I like it.[/quote]
Wonder how the fans will take this. I like it too but I’m a bit strange.
I wonder if the SP they’re targeting is Yu Darvish
[quote name=Aisle 424 22]Bryan LaHair ——->called up.[/quote]Too bad the Cubs didn’t let Pena go when they had the chance.
[quote name=ACT]Too bad the Cubs didn’t let Pena go when they had the chance.[/quote]Still makes no sense, right? That’s the only piece of the puzzle I don’t get. Now it’s too late to make trades, if a team had wanted Pena for their postseason roster, unless there’s a team with an injured 1B that expects him to be back in time and could use Pena as a fill-in.
[quote name=JMan]The last line of the levine article on Walters is interesting and might be further proof that Ricketts wants a more SABR minded front-office.[/quote]Meh. SABR has a lot of members, and not all of them are the kind of person you or I might want in the Cubs FO.
What’s hilarious about this LaHair conversation is that we had almost EXACTLY the same conversation 2 years ago about Hoffpaiur with the same things being said, for and against.
Walter has been hired for economic reasons, right? I’m fine with a guy with his background making suggestions about budgets. Seems a good hire to me.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]What’s hilarious about this LaHair conversation is that we had almost EXACTLY the same conversation 2 years ago about Hoffpaiur with the same things being said, for and against.[/quote]
What’s hilariouser is this is EXACTLY what Alvin is saying about this conversation.
Would letting Pena go for nothing in return except the $1.6MM saved have been wise? I thought it wouldn’t have hurt.
[quote name=mb21]Walter has been hired for economic reasons, right? I’m fine with a guy with his background making suggestions about budgets. Seems a good hire to me.[/quote]So instead of hiring a baseball guy to watch his baseball guy, Ricketts hired a business guy to watch his business guy.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]What’s hilarious about this LaHair conversation is that we had almost EXACTLY the same conversation 2 years ago about Hoffpaiur with the same things being said, for and against.[/quote]I don’t remember that, MO. I never would have played Hoffpauir over Derrek Lee. There was no chance he was as good as Lee at that time. I remember the Hoffpauir discussion centering around journalists and Tribune/Daily Herald commenters wanting to see him play. I don’t remember any serious discussion about Hoffpauir playing every day. Also, the Cubs have changed since then. They were contenders and now they’re not. I’d gladly take the Micah Hoffpauir at 1st base next season over any free agent if they’re going to reubild. To be completely honest, I’d pay you league minimum to play 1st every day. The fact that LaHair is better than you is just gravy.
I do remember making fun of those commenters who thought he should play every day over Derrek Lee and I’d be making fun of the same people if they were suggesting Lahair player over a player with similar value to what Lee had at that time. But the difference between LaHair and Pena won’t be that much and the Cubs aren’t contending so I just don’t care who plays 1st. They could have a contest each day where a Cubs fan plays 1st for all I care. I wouldn’t be the least bit upset if they decided to do that.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Would letting Pena go for nothing in return except the $1.6MM saved have been wise? I thought it wouldn’t have hurt.[/quote]As much as we may haved like to have seen Pena move on and someone else take over, I don’t want to see the Cubs make a bad deal just so that can happen. Trading Pena for nothing but $1.6 million in savings would have been a bad deal. It’s not like the Cubs have a young 22 year old 1st base prospect who you’re just dying to see. If they did then I could see how it wouldn’t be such a bad deal. But making a bad deal to clear space for a 28 year old is not something I want the Cubs to do.
[quote name=josh]Still makes no sense, right? That’s the only piece of the puzzle I don’t get. Now it’s too late to make trades, if a team had wanted Pena for their postseason roster, unless there’s a team with an injured 1B that expects him to be back in time and could use Pena as a fill-in.[/quote]If the Cubs really want to see LaHair they can just bench Pena. It’s not a big deal. I think we know about as much as we need to know about LaHair. He’s 28, has about a decade of experience in the minor leagues. We know who he is. We wouldn’t know any more about LaHair entering next year if he played this September than we do now. Just like last year when the Cubs won a lot of games after Quade took over, we didn’t know any more about the Cubs after those 30-some games that we didn’t already know.
[quote name=mb21]As much as we may haved like to have seen Pena move on and someone else take over, I don’t want to see the Cubs make a bad deal just so that can happen. Trading Pena for nothing but $1.6 million in savings would have been a bad deal. It’s not like the Cubs have a young 22 year old 1st base prospect who you’re just dying to see. If they did then I could see how it wouldn’t be such a bad deal. But making a bad deal to clear space for a 28 year old is not something I want the Cubs to do.[/quote]
I wasn’t thinking of it in terms of who could fill in, but rather that Pena’s production is wasted on the Cubs if he’s just providing marginal wins at this point, whereas the Cubs could NOT pay him, have him produce somewhere else, and ride out the lost season. He could always come back after the season if the Cubs have no other options. I do see your point though.
[quote name=mb21]I don’t remember that, MO. I never would have played Hoffpauir over Derrek Lee. There was no chance he was as good as Lee at that time. I remember the Hoffpauir discussion centering around journalists and Tribune/Daily Herald commenters wanting to see him play. I don’t remember any serious discussion about Hoffpauir playing every day. Also, the Cubs have changed since then. They were contenders and now they’re not. I’d gladly take the Micah Hoffpauir at 1st base next season over any free agent if they’re going to reubild. To be completely honest, I’d pay you league minimum to play 1st every day. The fact that LaHair is better than you is just gravy.
I do remember making fun of those commenters who thought he should play every day over Derrek Lee and I’d be making fun of the same people if they were suggesting Lahair player over a player with similar value to what Lee had at that time. But the difference between LaHair and Pena won’t be that much and the Cubs aren’t contending so I just don’t care who plays 1st. They could have a contest each day where a Cubs fan plays 1st for all I care. I wouldn’t be the least bit upset if they decided to do that.[/quote](dying laughing), I think you should check the old ACB threads. A lot of “Lee is in decline, Hoff is cheap and can be league average” talk going around, IIRC.
LaHair is just a guy. AAA is filled with Bryan LaHairs. There’s always a chance he’s figured things out at age 29, when most hitters go into decline. But you can’t just handwave at his age and time at AAA. Those things matter. He’s a 29 YO 1B, in a hitter-friendly league who wasn’t consistently productive until he arrived in said hitter-friendly league. There’s a lot of red flags here. With that said, if Fielder or Pujols isn’t pursued, the Cubs likely will be bad next year, too, so there’s no harm in the Cubs trying to save some coin by playing LaHair. But I think expectations for his prospects as an everyday player should be seriously tempered. There’s a very long list of guys who have torn up the PCL and then been savaged by big-league pitching.
[quote name=GBTS]Walters was hired in March only to figure out what was owed to Silva.[/quote]
Walters was hired in March to figure out who really owns the team.
[quote name=mb21]If the Cubs really want to see LaHair they can just bench Pena. It’s not a big deal. I think we know about as much as we need to know about LaHair. He’s 28, has about a decade of experience in the minor leagues. We know who he is. We wouldn’t know any more about LaHair entering next year if he played this September than we do now. Just like last year when the Cubs won a lot of games after Quade took over, we didn’t know any more about the Cubs after those 30-some games that we didn’t already know.[/quote]I think that’s right, but it’s certainly not a point in favor of LaHair.
To be honest, I don’t want LaHair or Pena. I want Fielder or Pujols, then you have LaHair as pop off the bench. The guy has power, why not use him like Randall Simon and try and take advantage of it?
http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=mil&content_id=18679943&topic_id=8878756
9.2/10
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder](dying laughing), I think you should check the old ACB threads. A lot of “Lee is in decline, Hoff is cheap and can be league average” talk going around, IIRC.[/quote]Lee had a .412 wOBA (615 PA) in 2009, MO. It was the 2nd best season of his career. Only Pujols, Fielder, Gonzalez and Votto had higher wRC+’s at 1st base than Lee in 2009. That same year Hoffpauir had a .315 wOBA in 257 plate appearances. In 2008 Lee had a .360 wOBA and yeah, was showing signs of decline, but was still worth 3.2 WAR. I don’t doubt that I said or even argued that Hoffpauir would be a league average player. I probably did, but I can’t imagine ever saying that he should replace Lee.
I might look back on ACB, but I’m pretty sure I was even saying that we should expect a bounce back year from Lee in 2009, though I did not expect the kind of season he put together.
Despite the .315 wOBA in 257 PA from Hoffpauir in 2009, I do remember fans clamoring for him over Lee who wasn’t his typical self, but still average. I remember making fun of them and I remember even being a little saddened when they traded him. He was a Cub for a long time and a damn good one. It was the end of an era.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]I think that’s right, but it’s certainly not a point in favor of LaHair.
To be honest, I don’t want LaHair or Pena. I want Fielder or Pujols, then you have LaHair as pop off the bench. The guy has power, why not use him like Randall Simon and try and take advantage of it?[/quote]I’d like to have one of those two as well, but if the Cubs are going to build from the ground up then those two don’t fit into their plans. If the Cubs want to contend they have to sign one of them. If they want to build the organization then just go with LaHair, Berselius, you or I.
[quote name=mb21]I’d like to have one of those two as well, but if the Cubs are going to build from the ground up then those two don’t fit into their plans. If the Cubs want to contend they have to sign one of them. If they want to build the organization then just go with LaHair, Berselius, you or I.[/quote]
But…can any of you dig balls out of the dirt?
And I mean that in the most non-sexual way possible.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]So instead of hiring a baseball guy to watch his baseball guy, Ricketts hired a business guy to watch his business guy.[/quote]
I’m just guessing because nobody really knows what Kenney does for sure and even if someone did mention his specific duties, it probably won’t come out in the press until mid-2012. That said, it sounds to me like Kenney is charged with increasing revenue streams into the team’s vaults and Walters is giving advice on how to spend that revenue most efficiently to get the most bang for their buck.
This assumes a certain amount of logic on the Cubs’ part so I could be wildly off base.
[quote name=mb21]Lee had a .412 wOBA (615 PA) in 2009, MO. It was the 2nd best season of his career. Only Pujols, Fielder, Gonzalez and Votto had higher wRC+’s at 1st base than Lee in 2009. That same year Hoffpauir had a .315 wOBA in 257 plate appearances. In 2008 Lee had a .360 wOBA and yeah, was showing signs of decline, but was still worth 3.2 WAR. I don’t doubt that I said or even argued that Hoffpauir would be a league average player. I probably did, but I can’t imagine ever saying that he should replace Lee.
I might look back on ACB, but I’m pretty sure I was even saying that we should expect a bounce back year from Lee in 2009, though I did not expect the kind of season he put together.
Despite the .315 wOBA in 257 PA from Hoffpauir in 2009, I do remember fans clamoring for him over Lee who wasn’t his typical self, but still average. I remember making fun of them and I remember even being a little saddened when they traded him. He was a Cub for a long time and a damn good one. It was the end of an era.[/quote]Agreed.
I just see nothing in LaHair that makes me happy. Yes, he’s had 3 good hitting seasons, but that doesn’t make me disregard the previous 7, which are fairly unremarkable. If he’s at 1B next year, this is going to be one bad ballclub. (dying laughing)
Hoenstly. Let’s suppose Pena is not brought back and Ramirez leaves, and the Cubs fail to sign one of Pujols or Fielder. Here’s your potential 2012 Cubs lineup:
Jackson CF
Castro SS
Byrd RF
Soto C
LaHair 1B
Soriano LF
Baker/DeWitt 3B
Barney 2B
P
That’s dookie.
[quote name=Aisle424]I’m just guessing because nobody really knows what Kenney does for sure and even if someone did mention his specific duties, it probably won’t come out in the press until mid-2012. That said, it sounds to me like Kenney is charged with increasing revenue streams into the team’s vaults and Walters is giving advice on how to spend that revenue most efficiently to get the most bang for their buck.
This assumes a certain amount of logic on the Cubs’ part so I could be wildly off base.[/quote]
Yeah, I suppose but this seems to put to a lie some of Ricketts’ previous claims.
[quote name=mb21]If the Cubs really want to see LaHair they can just bench Pena. It’s not a big deal. I think we know about as much as we need to know about LaHair. He’s 28, has about a decade of experience in the minor leagues. We know who he is. We wouldn’t know any more about LaHair entering next year if he played this September than we do now. Just like last year when the Cubs won a lot of games after Quade took over, we didn’t know any more about the Cubs after those 30-some games that we didn’t already know.[/quote]
Does it scare you that Alvin has the same opinion?
dj: If you’re SF, what do you do if you’re picking No. 6 and Matt Barkley, Johnathan Martin and Dre Kirkpatrick are on the board?
What do you do?
[quote name=An Ape]I just see nothing in LaHair that makes me happy. That’s dookie.[/quote].
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yeah, I suppose but this seems to put to a lie some of Ricketts’ previous claims.[/quote]
It is possible that Kenney’s role has been reduced since Ricketts came in. That could be a knock on Kenney or it could be a factor of the Cubs organization simply being too small with guys having to wear too many hats to do any one job well, and Ricketts slowly addressing that issue.
We do know that Ricketts’ style is to move deliberately from what we’ve seen so far and from what Ivychat Chuck dug up about his previous business venture.
[quote name=Aisle424]It is possible that Kenney’s role has been reduced since Ricketts came in. That could be a knock on Kenney or it could be a factor of the Cubs organization simply being too small with guys having to wear too many hats to do any one job well, and Ricketts slowly addressing that issue.
We do know that Ricketts’ style is to move deliberately from what we’ve seen so far and from what Ivychat Chuck dug up about his previous business venture.[/quote]The size of the FO is a good point. The Cubs have long been decried for the relatively diminutive FO they have. That’s a very plausible explanation.
[quote name=mb21] I think we know about as much as we need to know about LaHair. He’s 28, has about a decade of experience in the minor leagues. We know who he is. We wouldn’t know any more about LaHair entering next year if he played this September than we do now. [/quote]
Not exactly how I would have said it, but pretty close. So crown his ass.
[quote name=Aisle424]Does it scare you that Alvin has the same opinion?[/quote]
Perhaps he is finally learning…
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/9/1/2393318/what-hitting-metrics-are-consistent-year-to-year
If the Cubs are rebuilding, why wouldn’t Fielder make sense? He’s 27. If they can sign him to a 5 year deal, that gives somebody like Vogelbach 5 years to get ready. It’s not like the Cubs have a 1B option ready to go next year. I just don’t understand why Fielder wouldn’t be a good option for a rebuilding team with no 1B prospect ready for at least 3-4 years if you consider Vogelbach that prospect.
I wouldn’t complain if they got Fielder for a reasonable price, but he’s a pretty big risk, given his body type, and likely to be expensive.
[quote name=ACT]he’s a pretty big risk, given his body type[/quote]
C.C. Sabathia, Prince Fielder Keep Imagining Each Other As Giant Talking Hot Dog, Hamburger
[quote name=Mucker]If the Cubs are rebuilding, why wouldn’t Fielder make sense? He’s 27. If they can sign him to a 5 year deal, that gives somebody like Vogelbach 5 years to get ready. It’s not like the Cubs have a 1B option ready to go next year. I just don’t understand why Fielder wouldn’t be a good option for a rebuilding team with no 1B prospect ready for at least 3-4 years if you consider Vogelbach that prospect.[/quote]
Is it wise to spend that much money on one position when you’re not going to contend though? It’d be like throwing money at Jayson Werth. Except for the part where I don’t think Fielder will suck as much as Werth.
This was a pretty fun read:
http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenpitcher-vs-frankenpitcher.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/30/sinead_n_941808.html
Off topic…..
FWIW – Levine mentioned that there are two different kinds of waivers, Outright Waivers (Rios) and Trade Waivers. Pena was claimed on Trade waivers. They would have had to make a deal, but if you’re the Cubs you take anything the Yankees offer
[quote name=Rice Cube]This was a pretty fun read:
http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/09/frankenpitcher-vs-frankenpitcher.html/quoteInteresting. I’m not really sure I buy the bit about Maddux (or Buehrle or Halladay) being a brilliant baseball mind. I think being a pitcher is 99% percent physical skill, even for a finesse pitcher.
[quote name=Sinead OConnor]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/30/sinead_n_941808.html[/quote]
How many times have MO and mb21/mb22 emailed you, Sinead?
I’m thinking the Pac 12 becomes the Pac 16 within the next six weeks.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]I’m thinking the Pac 12 becomes the Pac 16 within the next six weeks.[/quote]
Who gets added? The Texas and Oklahoma teams?
I also thought it would’ve been a reasonable destination for Boise State.
I think so.
Then you get to see this every four years.
It seems odd that almost nothing has come up regarding Zambrano. He’s been gone for 3-weeks now and should be eligible to return in about a week. Granted the team will just “reassign” him to AZ instructs but I’m pretty sure he’ll be staying home.
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[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Then you get to see this every four years.
It still amazes me that nobody was able to touch him.
Also, anything that results in a USC loss is always good.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Is it wise to spend that much money on one position when you’re not going to contend though? It’d be like throwing money at Jayson Werth. Except for the part where I don’t think Fielder will suck as much as Werth.[/quote]No it wouldn’t be wise if the Cubs plan on sucking ass the next 5 years but we all know they think they can compete. I’m sure the Cubs plan on really trying to build a contender within that 5 year period so if they suck in year 1 of the contract but are good in the next couple years, wouldn’t it be worth it?
[quote name=JMan]It seems odd that almost nothing has come up regarding Zambrano. He’s been gone for 3-weeks now and should be eligible to return in about a week. Granted the team will just “reassign” him to AZ instructs but I’m pretty sure he’ll be staying home.[/quote]No reason for him to make noise. Once the grievance is heard if MLBPA wins, he gets back pay, and making noise now can only piss the team off more. And the team saying anything can only work against them now that a grievance has been filed. So it’s in the best interest of all involved to stay quiet.
[quote name=Rice Cube]It still amazes me that nobody was able to touch him.
Also, anything that results in a USC loss is always good.[/quote]
It amazes me that a guy who’s 6’5″, 230 was so elusive.
[quote name=Mucker]No it wouldn’t be wise if the Cubs plan on sucking ass the next 5 years but we all know they think they can compete. I’m sure the Cubs plan on really trying to build a contender within that 5 year period so if they suck in year 1 of the contract but are good in the next couple years, wouldn’t it be worth it?[/quote]
I don’t really know. I’m just a speculating fan, who knows what diabolical plan the Cubs have up their sleeves? Guess we’ll find out in December.
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]No reason for him to make noise. Once the grievance is heard if MLBPA wins, he gets back pay, and making noise now can only piss the team off more. And the team saying anything can only work against them now that a grievance has been filed. So it’s in the best interest of all involved to stay quiet.[/quote]I guess what I am more surprised about is that we haven’t heard when the grievance will be heard. I was assuming it’d be before the 30-day period was up but maybe all the union cares about is his pay and not playing time.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/01/picture-of-the-day-ryan-brauns-wipeout-crime-scene/
(dying laughing)
[quote name=JMan]I guess what I am more surprised about is that we haven’t heard when the grievance will be heard. I was assuming it’d be before the 30-day period was up but maybe all the union cares about is his pay and not playing time.[/quote]The money is what matters to them.
[quote name=mb21]Sounds like the Cubs have no interest in Fielder or Pujols from what I’ve read.
The organization may not have said it, but they’re rebuilding. I like it.[/quote]
Actually, I
thinkknow they are pretty interested in Fielder.[quote name=Deep Goat]Actually, I
thinkknow they are pretty interested in Fielder.[/quote]True at the timed
Someone wants to buy the Dodgers for $1.2B…
[quote name=Rice Cube]Someone wants to buy the Dodgers for $1.2B…[/quote]
Quality journalism right there.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Quality journalism right there.[/quote]
I guess it kind of depends on whether you think Bill Shaikin is a quality journalist:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-mccourt-sale-20110902,0,3026247.story
Didn’t know a marathon could generate that much money.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Someone wants to buy the Dodgers for $1.2B…[/quote]
But it would only work about to about $1B if you consider how much the Cubs still owe Carlos Silva.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I guess it kind of depends on whether you think Bill Shaikin is a quality journalist:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-mccourt-sale-20110902,0,3026247.story
Didn’t know a marathon could generate that much money.[/quote]
Someone wants to buy some sports team for a certain amount of some type of compensation.
[quote name=Aisle424]But it would only work about to about $1B if you consider how much the Cubs still owe Carlos Silva.[/quote]
I thought that money was used to pay Marlon Byrd.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Someone wants to buy some sports team for a certain amount of some type of compensation.[/quote]
But…will someone sell to someone else?
[quote name=Rice Cube]But…will someone sell to someone else?[/quote]
I don’t know the specifics.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/9/1/2398501/arizona-fall-league-roster-review-mesa-solar-sox
In other news, Albert Pujols is very strong.
I don’t think Pujols makes sense for the Cubs at all, but I wouldn’t mind them making a run at Fielder. I see the points against LaHair. Even though the number of plate appearances will be small for the rest of the season for him, it still seems like the coaching staff can look at how well he recognizes balls and strikes and that sort of thing. I seem to remember Hoffy swinging at everything in the general vicinity of the baseball park. Maybe not.
I could see Fielder for 5 years, but I bet he wants more than that.
[quote name=Steve Swisher]Actually, I
thinkknow they are pretty interested in Fielder.[/quote]I’m guessing it depends on the price. If they can get him for under $100 million I could see that, but most things I’ve seen say about $150 million. Most sources who are quoted seem to think it’s a pipedream for the Cubs to get involved with either of Pujols or Fielder.[quote name=mb21]I’m guessing it depends on the price. If they can get him for under $100 million I could see that, but most things I’ve seen say about $150 million. Most sources who are quoted seem to think it’s a pipedream for the Cubs to get involved with either of Pujols or Fielder.[/quote]Supposedly, Fielder turned down $125M last year from the Brewers.
Albert Pujols is very strong x2
[quote name=Rice Cube]In other news, Albert Pujols is very strong.[/quote]I’m inclined to agree with this opinion.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Albert Pujols is very strong x2[/quote]Anyone can hit a bunch of grand slams.
[quote name=josh]Anyone can hit a bunch of grand slams.[/quote]
Even Cardinal pitchers.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Even Cardinal pitchers.[/quote]See? It’s easy.
[quote name=josh]Anyone can hit a bunch of grand slams.[/quote]Tell this to Cubs hitters. Seriously, I bet they haven’t even thought of that strategy.
[quote name=ACT]Tell this to Cubs hitters. Seriously, I bet they haven’t even thought of that strategy.[/quote]
How many times has the right Cubs hitter come up with the bases loaded? Every time that happens it’s either Darwin Barney or a pitcher, at least it seems that way. Maybe once or twice it’s Pena or Soriano but they obviously suck.
/BA w/RISP’d
This game is like home run derby. I’m so glad this was the free game of the day.
Just tried to friend Ari Kaplan on Facebook…let’s see what happens.
[quote name=Mish]Just tried to friend Ari Kaplan on Facebook…let’s see what happens.[/quote]
Can you walk and chew gum while watching “Spinal Tap” on alternating Sunday nights? If not you’re not worth it.
[quote name=Rice Cube]This game is like home run derby. I’m so glad this was the free game of the day.[/quote]Blackout restrictions!
MLBTR is obsessed with Billy Beane and the Cubs open GM position.
[quote name=josh]MLBTR is obsessed with Billy Beane and the Cubs open GM position.[/quote](dying laughing) the Cubs have not had contact with Billy Beane.
You know who else they have not contacted about the GM job? Me.
Quick, go tell MLBTR.
[quote name=mb21](dying laughing) the Cubs have not had contact with Billy Beane.
You know who else they have not contacted about the GM job? Me.
Quick, go tell MLBTR.[/quote]
Brad Pitt hasn’t played you in a movie yet
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Brad Pitt hasn’t played you in a movie yet[/quote]
sure he has
(dying laughing), GW
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Brad Pitt hasn’t played you in a movie yet[/quote]
BP21?
Or BP22 if he doesn’t log in.
[quote name=Mish]http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/9/1/2393318/what-hitting-metrics-are-consistent-year-to-year[/quote]So, speaking of this: WTF is going on with Soto this year? Seriously. Okay, he’s having a low babip rate, but why isn’t he at least walking more? 16% last year down to 10% this year? Plate discipline stats are meh this year, but last year he was one of the top few most disciplined hitters in baseball.
Luck shouldn’t affect that stuff much since the batter has so much control over it. So what gives? It’s like he’s gotten stupider now than at any point in his career. Is that just what happens when you hang out with the Cubs for three years? Is he back on the loco weed?
Also btw, I was (dying laughing) during the Giants series when Pat and Zonk were inexplicably harping on about Pablo Sandoval swinging at everything and being “almost impossible to walk”. Sandoval’s walk rate: 6.9%. Chicago Cubs team walk rate: 6.5%
[quote name=fang2415]So, speaking of this: WTF is going on with Soto this year? Seriously. Okay, he’s having a low babip rate, but why isn’t he at least walking more? 16% last year down to 10% this year? Plate discipline stats are meh this year, but last year he was one of the top few most disciplined hitters in baseball.
Luck shouldn’t affect that stuff much since the batter has so much control over it. So what gives? It’s like he’s gotten stupider now than at any point in his career. Is that just what happens when you hang out with the Cubs for three years? Is he back on the loco weed?[/quote]He only walked 11% the year he won ROY, but all his other stats are down too. He had an especially walk-y year last year.
Re: All the foot-ball talk.
So what’s this I hear that Brett Favre may retire?
[quote name=josh]
So what’s this I hear that Brett Favre may retire?[/quote]
Lies.
Here’s a pet peeve that’s mildly stats related: how many games a team is over .500. I always thought that was a useless thing to say.
Amazing. 6.1 innings gone and the Yankees up 3-2 in Boston. It’s been more than three hours since game started. WTF.
This is one reason I can’t get into the Yanks/Sox rivalry very much. It leads to the most drawn-out games in the universe.
They do, however, provide excellent fodder for Old Hoss. http://twitter.com/#!/OldHossRadbourn
etc.
Didn’t Soto bat 8th a lot last year? I’m too lazy to look it up, but I think that explains some of it. It definitely doesn’t explain all of it though.
(dying laughing)
[quote name=mb21]Didn’t Soto bat 8th a lot last year? I’m too lazy to look it up, but I think that explains some of it. It definitely doesn’t explain all of it though.[/quote]He started out batting 8th a lot, then got moved up more, especially under Quade. He had his best numbers (and most PA’s) batting 7th, oddly enough. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=sotoge01&year=2010&t=b#lineu
Brett Jackson just got intentionally unintentionally walked.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Brett Jackson just got intentionally unintentionally walked.[/quote]
It worked. Free I-Cubs baseball!
Now an intentional intentional walk to BJax.
Brad Snyder with the walkoff hit.
[quote name=josh]Brad Snyder with the walkoff hit.[/quote]
The IBB failed.
Yankees-Red Sox finally ended. Mariano Rivera was one bad pitch away from shitting the bed.
Nevermind
I like Byrd. I think he has a good attitude.
[quote name=MLBTR]
Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd would be fine with it if the team decides to trade him this offseason, writes Paul Sullivan of the Tribune, but he hopes any such move would yield a good player in return: “If it’s best for the organization to move me and bring back another piece because of my trade value, then (do it). But if they’re just trying to get rid of me and get nothing back, I don’t see that helping the organization,” Byrd said. He’s slated to earn $6.5MM in the final year of a three-year, $15MM contract, so I could see him drawing some interest on the trade market.[/quote]EDIT: quotetarded
Apparently a Dallas radio station reported that their sources said that
Ferris passed out at 31 flavors last nightTexas and OU were Pac 12 bound as of Oct. 1.Translation: I saw Steven Soderbergh at a sandwich shop after I ducked in to hide from some bullies. I asked him about the Moneyball movie and he told me to go fuck myself.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Translation: I saw Steven Soderbergh at a sandwich shop after I ducked in to hide from some bullies. I asked him about the Moneyball movie and he told me to go fuck myself.[/quote]
The follow-up questions would be a) did Al actually read “Moneyball” and b) did he comprehend it?
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Apparently a Dallas radio station reported that their sources said that
Ferris passed out at 31 flavors last nightTexas and OU were Pac 12 bound as of Oct. 1.[/quote]That sounds too late to set up a conference schedule to include Texas and Oklahoma. Think they start PAC-12+2 play next season?
[quote name=Alvin]The follow-up questions would be a) did Al actually read “Moneyball” b) did he comprehend it? c) so did he read Moneyball? d) who runs the Cubs e) is it a misting station? f) who runs the Cubs? and g) did Al read Moneyball?[/quote].
[quote name=Rice Cube]That sounds too late to set up a conference schedule to include Texas and Oklahoma. Think they start PAC-12+2 play next season?[/quote]
The radio station apparently was insinuating the deal was already nearly done.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]The radio station apparently was insinuating the deal was already nearly done.[/quote]
The college football season schedules should already have been announced though, correct? So I was just wondering when Texas and OU would actually leave the Big 12 and start Pac-whatever conference play. As of now Texas still has a full slate of Big 12 games this season, which starts this weekend, but you already knew that.
If they leave, conference play would begin next year.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]dj: If you’re SF, what do you do if you’re picking No. 6 and Matt Barkley, Johnathan Martin and Dre Kirkpatrick are on the board?
What do you do?[/quote]
the first thing i do is figure out who the fuck any of those guys are. then i would probably take a nap
[quote name=dylanj]the first thing i do is figure out who the fuck any of those guys are. then i would probably take a nap[/quote](dying laughing)
vitters replaces Jackson in the AFL
[quote name=dylanj]the first thing i do is figure out who the fuck any of those guys are. then i would probably take a nap[/quote]
Die.
and hatley replaces Cashner
[quote name=dylanj]vitters replaces Jackson in the AFL[/quote]
I’m going to figure out who the fuck any of those guys are and then probably take a nap.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Die.[/quote]
i just dont follow it enough to know prospects ahead of time. i start paying attention when the niners are eliminated. So check with me in October.
its weird how godawful Carpenter has been in the minors. With the stuff he has you would think he would be putting up video game #’s down there
[quote name=dylanj]i just dont follow it enough to know prospects ahead of time. i start paying attention when the niners are eliminated. So check with me in October.[/quote]
That’s a little optimistic, don’t you think?
they looked good last night. Kendall Hunter looks like a steal and Chilo was just destroying people for once
[quote name=dylanj]vitters replaces Jackson in the AFL[/quote]
Prelude to a call-up? Interesting.
[quote name=dylanj]they looked good last night. Kendall Hunter looks like a steal and Chilo was just destroying people for once[/quote]
Yeah, I loved that Hunter pick. Great WCO back.
I haven’t watched last night’s game yet, but I don’t know that they can look good enough to make me forget the first few games. I think next year is their year to win the West.
Vitters listed as an OF for AFL. Jackson not being called up not being sent to AFL. Weird
well here are my quick notes
Aldon Smith- we can use him as a pure pass rusher this year- he can really get after the QB (2.5 sacks last night) but struggled on the every down stuff
DeMarcus Dobbs- Best UFA DL ive seen. Was flat out awesome last night
Hunter- Its going to make sure we have protection if Gore ages
Chilo- great game
Kap- Needs alot of time
Defense- much more creative on the blitz packages than Manusky was
GBTS —–> Washington D.C.
Taking any restaurant recommendations.
[quote name=GBTS]GBTS —–> Washington D.C.
Taking any restaurant recommendations.[/quote]
carlos o kelly’s. Its a quaint little Tex Mex place not alot of people have heard about
[quote name=dylanj]well here are my quick notes
Aldon Smith- we can use him as a pure pass rusher this year- he can really get after the QB (2.5 sacks last night) but struggled on the every down stuff
DeMarcus Dobbs- Best UFA DL ive seen. Was flat out awesome last night
Hunter- Its going to make sure we have protection if Gore ages
Chilo- great game
Kap- Needs alot of time
Defense- much more creative on the blitz packages than Manusky was[/quote]
Aldon Smith should be rushing from all over the field, imo. Mizzou even had him at 3-tech in nickel situations. I’m sure his versatility is the reason they liked him.
The one I’m really watching is Anthony Davis. I think we need to look LT in the next draft, move Staley to the right side and kick Davis into the RG spot.
[quote name=dylanj]carlos o kelly’s. Its a quaint little Tex Mex place not alot of people have heard about[/quote]
Been to one in Nebraska and one in Kansas, actually quite good for a mini-chain type restaurant. Didn’t know they got that far east.
Nice nostalgic piece from Joe Pos for anybody old enough to remember 1986:
http://joeposnanski.si.com/2011/09/01/my-favorite-year/?sct=hp_t14_a3&eref=sihp
If anyone cares, they haven’t actually resolved Z’s grievance yet, but will pay him after his suspension ends and he’ll just stay at home for the rest of the year. Not sure if he’ll ultimately be paid the amount lost during suspension.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-zambrano-to-sit-for-rest-of-season-20110902,0,4380291.story
Never knew that.
Lovie Smith Says Voices In Headset Keep Calling Him Idiot
http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/lovie-smith-says-voices-in-headset-keep-calling-hi,21267/
[quote name=GBTS]GBTS —–> Washington D.C.
Taking any restaurant recommendations.[/quote]
Appleby’s
[quote name=Aisle424]T.G.I. Fridays[/quote]
/meme’d
By the way, if T.G.I. Fridays is a replacement level player such as Reed Johnson, and McDonald’s is Yuni Betancourt, then which restaurant gets to be Albert Pujols?
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14919
(dying laughing) @ Teixiera’s impenetrable wall of shift
[quote name=Rice Cube]/meme’d
By the way, if T.G.I. Fridays is a replacement level player such as Reed Johnson, and McDonald’s is Yuni Betancourt, then which restaurant gets to be Albert Pujols?[/quote]
Cheater McRoidy’s Olde Time Saloon
[quote name=Aisle424]Cheater McRoidy’s Olde Time Saloon[/quote]
How much for the harlots?
[quote name=GBTS]GBTS —–> Washington D.C.
Taking any restaurant recommendations.[/quote]Would you ask Tom Petty for recommendations!?
[quote name=josh]Would you ask Tom Petty for recommendations!?[/quote]
Don’t come around here no more.
[quote name=Rice Cube]How much for the harlots?[/quote]
I’ll flag this one myself.
So Muskat is saying that Jackson isn’t being called up because he has another commitment. sounds like it will be revealed later today but I’m guessing he’s going to finish up his degree and graduate.
[quote name=JMan]So Muskat is saying that Jackson isn’t being called up because he has another commitment. sounds like it will be revealed later today but I’m guessing he’s going to finish up his degree and graduate.[/quote]
(dying laughing) wut?
[quote name=GBTS]GBTS —–> Washington D.C.
Taking any restaurant recommendations.[/quote]Oyamel. Skip the grasshopper tacos, though.
STATS_MLB STATS LLC
Aramis Ramirez needs 1 HR to join Billy Williams as the only #Cubs to hit at least 25 homers and 30 doubles in 6 seasons
[quote name=Mish]STATS_MLB STATS LLC
Aramis Ramirez needs 1 HR to join Billy Williams as the only #Cubs to hit at least 25 homers and 30 doubles in 6 seasons[/quote]
Suuuure, now that the pressure’s off…
Father?
Yes, son.
I want to kill you.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Father?
Yes, son.
I want to kill you.[/quote]You been taking faces from the ancient gallery again?
BenBadler Ben Badler
A team with a hole at 1B or DH should give Bryan LaHair regular playing time in the big leagues next year. He can hit
KG said LaHair would hit .275 with 20-25 HR’s given a full time job
Obviously they don’t know who Micah Hoffpauir is.
From Colin Wyers, vote for your team’s best position player: https://creator.zoho.com/colinwyers/bp-polls/#
[quote name=jtsunami]Obviously they don’t know who Micah Hoffpauir is.[/quote]
Nippon Ham legend.
[quote name=GBTS]GBTS —–> Washington D.C.
Taking any restaurant recommendations.[/quote]Not sure how much money you want to spend, but this is arguably the best food in the area: http://www.theinnatlittlewashington.com/
That’s about 6-7 WAR on my scale.
Cheaper, but probably about 3-4 WAR: http://www.centralmichelrichard.com/
[quote name=ACT]From Colin Wyers, vote for your team’s best position player: https://creator.zoho.com/colinwyers/bp-polls/#/quoteI can think about 30 better ways to publish than poll. It’s like he spent time thinking about the worst possible way he could come up with the poll and then went with it.
Yeah, I’m not sure what he’s trying to prove (other than that Ryan Howard is not that great, but there are better ways to show that).
[quote name=ACT]Yeah, I’m not sure what he’s trying to prove (other than that Ryan Howard is not that great, but there are better ways to show that).[/quote]Not just that, which I agree with you, but the way the poll is set up is silly. Create a database of players and let me choose which I think is the best. When you do it by position, I’m inclined to vote for catcher or SS because of the defensive value. If it’s by player I’d more inclined to vote for who I really think is the best. For me it was a tossup between SS and 3rd base the way the poll is set up, but it would be really, really easy to go with Ramirez.
Maybe I’m the only one who has that issue with it, in which case I’m an idiot, but at the very least there are better ways to get the results he’s wanting (whatever purpose that may have is beyond me though).
[quote name=dylanj]KG said LaHair would hit .275 with 20-25 HR’s given a full time job[/quote]
But how many unearned runs would his defense lead to?
This drags on for a bit but the angry fellow deserved it:
http://dontevenreply.com/view.php?post=107
[quote name=mb21]Not just that, which I agree with you, but the way the poll is set up is silly. Create a database of players and let me choose which I think is the best. When you do it by position, I’m inclined to vote for catcher or SS because of the defensive value. If it’s by player I’d more inclined to vote for who I really think is the best. For me it was a tossup between SS and 3rd base the way the poll is set up, but it would be really, really easy to go with Ramirez.
[/quote]That sounds like a lot more work than simply having a list of positions and a list of teams.
I think I might be simplifying but Wyers’ poll struck me as having the purpose of collecting data to see where the best player typically plays, maybe to gauge whether the fans think of their best player in terms of offense or defense. If offense, the best player is likely going to be the power-hitting 1B. If defense, I can see it being a shortstop.
I voted shortstop but thought about voting 3B because of Ramirez. But I didn’t really rationalize any of this until MB’s post (dying laughing)
[quote name=ACT]That sounds like a lot more work than simply having a list of positions and a list of teams.[/quote]It wouldn’t be that much work. All you’d have to do is convert a spreadsheet of names into a database. Then import the DB to the software you’re using for the poll.
[quote name=Rice Cube]I think I might be simplifying but Wyers’ poll struck me as having the purpose of collecting data to see where the best player typically plays, maybe to gauge whether the fans think of their best player in terms of offense or defense. If offense, the best player is likely going to be the power-hitting 1B. If defense, I can see it being a shortstop.
I voted shortstop but thought about voting 3B because of Ramirez. But I didn’t really rationalize any of this until MB’s post (dying laughing)[/quote]Apparently I’m the only one who had an issue with it so ignore my complaints. It’s just not how I’d do it. I also think it leads to useless data the way it’s set up, but uselass data for a useless project is probably OK.
It’s a pretty fucking sad state when the Cubs best position player is 21 years old.
[quote name=Mucker]It’s a pretty fucking sad state when the Cubs best position player is latino.[/quote]
/Chicago’d
[quote name=mb21]Apparently I’m the only one who had an issue with it so ignore my complaints. It’s just not how I’d do it. I also think it leads to useless data the way it’s set up, but uselass data for a useless project is probably OK.[/quote]
I don’t think it was a bad complaint, the poll basically didn’t state its purpose and asked a question in a very ambiguous way. I was momentarily confused and annoyed by it but just voted and didn’t really give it a second thought.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/832139-comparing-all-32-nfl-head-coaches-to-simpsons-characters
Oh yeah I totally love the smell of my balls. I have several different fragrances that is smells like at different times. When I wear different underwear or eat different foods or do different activities, they all produce a different smell, but I love all of them. Some are muskier, some sweater, but all are intoxicating. Whenever I sense I might have a little moisture down there and am able to, I will run my finger under my ball sack and collect some fragrance and rub it under my nose. As time goes by the fragrance changes under my nose too.
I admit I am a homosexual and love manly smells. I also enjoy the smell of other men’s balls too. Some have pleasant smells and others don’t. The best is a clean showered man, who has been wearing briefs for about an hour or two. Clean, fresh, masculine, sweet, musky, just heavenly. I think though that the smell of my balls is one of the best I’ve ever smelled. There are a few other men that have also had a consistently good smell to their balls, but I really love mine the most.
People should be less judgmental in their comments here too. There is nothing sick about any of this.
I had nothing to do with post No. 245.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]I had nothing to do with post No. 245.[/quote]
I believe you.
1. Infield double? Someone find a video!
2. I think Dempster just tried to kill McCutchen.
3. RC —-> first author paper x 2, graduation imminent
[quote name=Ryno]Oh yeah I totally love the smell of my balls. I have several different fragrances that is smells like at different times. When I wear different underwear or eat different foods or do different activities, they all produce a different smell, but I love all of them. Some are muskier, some sweater, but all are intoxicating. Whenever I sense I might have a little moisture down there and am able to, I will run my finger under my ball sack and collect some fragrance and rub it under my nose. As time goes by the fragrance changes under my nose too.
I admit I am a homosexual and love manly smells. I also enjoy the smell of other men’s balls too. Some have pleasant smells and others don’t. The best is a clean showered man, who has been wearing briefs for about an hour or two. Clean, fresh, masculine, sweet, musky, just heavenly. I think though that the smell of my balls is one of the best I’ve ever smelled. There are a few other men that have also had a consistently good smell to their balls, but I really love mine the most.
People should be less judgmental in their comments here too. There is nothing sick about any of this.[/quote]Sometimes I cup my balls in my hand for a good 10 to 15 seconds and wrap said hand over my nose and inhale. It’s a very righteous experience.
[quote name=Mucker]Sometimes I cup my balls in my hand for a good 10 to 15 seconds and wrap said hand over my nose and inhale. It’s a very righteous experience.[/quote]
Or the equivalent thereof.
[quote name=Rice Cube]1. Infield double? Someone find a video!
2. I think Dempster just tried to kill McCutchen.
3. RC —-> first author paper x 2, graduation imminent[/quote]
1) Bad hop deflected off Castro, Sori slow to back up.
2) Broken hand?
3) Nice. I didn’t even know they gave degrees in Blog Comments.
RC, what are your first-author papers on? Just curious.
[quote name=mambochicken]RC, what are your first-author papers on? Just curious.[/quote]
Proteomics.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Fagets.[/quote].
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/6921472/carlos-zambrano-pitch-chicago-cubs-again-year
Not surprising, but still sad.
[quote name=Aisle424].[/quote]
Thanks, Aisley. Fucker (dying laughing)
[quote name=Aisle424].[/quote]
I’m so proud.
[quote name=Rice Cube]Proteomics.[/quote]Is that like a misting tent?
Pat + Zonk: waxing philosophic on the Wizard of Oz. Please stop, guys.
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Is that like a misting tent?[/quote]
The Wikipedia definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proteomics
You’ll just have to read the papers when they’re finally published in a few months (dying laughing)
What the fuck @ comment #245 (dying laughing)
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]Is that like a misting tent?[/quote]
It’s jap stuff.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]It’s jap stuff.[/quote]
Wait…did I say that out loud?
[quote name=mb21]What the fuck @ comment #245 (dying laughing)[/quote]
Yeah, is that supposed to be me or the more obscure former Cubs baseball player?
[quote name=mb21]What the fuck @ comment #245 (dying laughing)[/quote]
Dick Cheese?
[quote name=Rice Cube]Thanks, Aisley. Fucker (dying laughing)[/quote]
Couldn’t help it.
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Yeah, is that supposed to be me or the more obscure former Cubs baseball player?[/quote][quote name=Aisle424]Dick Cheese?[/quote]No idea. My initial instinct was to just delete the comment, but it’s too fucking weird to delete.
[quote name=mb21]No idea. My initial instinct was to just delete the comment, but it’s too fucking weird to delete.[/quote]
So YOU’RE the one who’s deleting all my insightful comments about the Cubs and baseball in general!
Negative faget point bandit in the house!
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Negative faget point bandit in the house![/quote]
They’re very consistent.
The negative faget point fairy has been active today too.
[quote name=Aisle424]The negative faget point fairy has been active today too.[/quote]
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]Negative faget point bandit in the house![/quote]
*punch* You owe me a faget.
[quote name=Aisle424]The negative faget point fairy has been active today too.[/quote]
There’s a fairy AND a bandit? The mythical creatures are multiplying!
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/9/2/2400473/another-scouting-primer-how-to-scout-pitchers
[quote name=Aisle424]*punch* You owe me a faget.[/quote]
Bullshit. I just stole a faget point from you.
[quote name=Mish]http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/9/2/2400473/another-scouting-primer-how-to-scout-pitchers[/quote]
-faget point for a post not on the topic of faget points.
threads like today’s with all the ball cupping, ball smelling, and faget fairy bandit talk are what keep me from recommending this blog to my dad (dying laughing)
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]threads like today’s with all the ball cupping, ball smelling, and faget fairy bandit talk are what keep me from recommending this blog to my dad (dying laughing)[/quote]
If your dad has a sense of humor it might not be so bad…or he could vote to re-discredit this place.
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]threads like today’s with all the ball cupping, ball smelling, and faget fairy bandit talk are what keep me from recommending this blog to my dad (dying laughing)[/quote]
-faget point for being a pussy.
[quote name=Rice Cube]If your dad has a sense of humor it might not be so bad…or he could vote to re-discredit this place.[/quote]
-faget point for speculating about someone’s parents.
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]
[/quote]
-faget point for posting a picture of your dad on a site you won’t let him see.
Clemens —-> another trial in April
America —-> wasting tax money as usual
[quote name=WenningtonsGorillaCock]threads like today’s with all the ball cupping, ball smelling, and faget fairy bandit talk are what keep me from recommending this blog to my dad (dying laughing)[/quote]Just tell your dad that it wasn’t a regular who brought up the ball cupping and smelling. (dying laughing)
[quote name=Rice Cube]Clemens —-> another trial in April
America —-> wasting tax money as usual[/quote]At least the economy is
boom…oh, wait.I hope Roger’s lawyers advise him not to ramble.
[quote name=mb21]Just tell your dad that it wasn’t a regular who brought up the ball cupping and smelling. (dying laughing)[/quote]
-faget point for bossing a decent poster around and laughing about it.
[quote name=ACT]I hope Roger’s lawyers advise him not to ramble.[/quote]
-faget point for hoping instead of doing.
[quote name=mb21]Not sure how much money you want to spend, but this is arguably the best food in the area: http://www.theinnatlittlewashington.com/
That’s about 6-7 WAR on my scale.
Cheaper, but probably about 3-4 WAR: http://www.centralmichelrichard.com//quoteWe saved a decent amount on a replacement level flight and hotel, so we probably need an impact restaurant to field a competitive vacation.
[quote name=GBTS]We saved a decent amount on a replacement level flight and hotel, so we probably need an impact restaurant to field a competitive vacation.[/quote]There are a few other really good restaurants in Washtington, but I don’t think you’ll find a better one in my opinion.
Pena almost had an infield single, but he dived when he should have kept running.
new shit: http://www.obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/articles/what-the-hell-are-the-cubs-going-to-do-this-offseason.html
[quote name=mb21]Just tell your dad that it wasn’t a regular who brought up the ball cupping and smelling. (dying laughing)[/quote]I’m sure WenningtonsGorillaCock Sr. would love this thread. Just look at his name.