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  1. Perkins

    The crowd after NLCS game 6 was borderline suffocating…this looks at least 5 times as big. Planning to watch this one on TV.

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  2. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89:
    How many will be at the parade? Winner gets my upcoming biography on Alvin Yellon.

    That is a book I hope to one day recently enjoy.

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  3. Wenningtons Gorilla Cock

    dmick89:
    I remember why I have had no interest in watching any parades. The news people covering them can’t help but make it about themselves.

    I’d forgotten how horrible WGN news is.

    EDIT: Except for Tom Skilling. He rules.

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  4. Smokestack Lightning

    Wenningtons Gorilla Cock: I’d forgotten how horrible WGN news is.

    EDIT: Except for Tom Skilling. He rules.

    MLB Network feed isn’t completely terrible. Kind of like New Year’s Eve coverage.

    Maybe that doesn’t sell it.

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  5. Rice in limbo

    Smokestack Lightning,

    Cubs obviously pick #30 overall unless other teams forfeit picks. So if Cubs keep their pick and bag the sandwich pick, which players are interesting gets next June?

    Saying this realizing it’s way too damned early to evaluate, but just throwing it out there.

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  6. Smokestack Lightning

    Rice in limbo:
    Smokestack Lightning,

    Cubs obviously pick #30 overall unless other teams forfeit picks.So if Cubs keep their pick and bag the sandwich pick, which players are interesting gets next June?

    Saying this realizing it’s way too damned early to evaluate, but just throwing it out there.

    I looked at the 2017-18 FA list. Nothing jumps out. Who knows who else might be available then.

    Hence, my feeling is it would be good to keep a Chapman-esque closer on the roster. Either Chapman himself or someone similarish.

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  7. Smokestack Lightning

    Theo: Let’s face it. For a while there we forgot the “not” in “try not to suck.”

    (dying laughing)

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  8. Perkins

    I’d probably pay to keep Chapman and Fowler, and exercise Hammel’s option.

    My primary long term concern is the rotation after 2017. Even if Montgomery takes a step forward, they’ll still have to replace two of Arrieta, Lackey, and Hammel. It’d be awesome if they could try to buy low on Chris Archer.

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  9. Mucker

    So the Cubs win the World Series and nobody wants to comment on here anymore? No wonder this is the 132nd ranked Cubs blog on the Internet.

    Ryno, are you back? We need to start prepping for the annual Obstructed View transformation into an NFL Draft blog.

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  10. josh

    Next season: Jason Heyward back to form, Kyle Schwarber full season, we get to see if Baez stays good. Should be a fun season next year too.

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  11. Perkins

    dmick89:
    I’m pretty sure Miggy will be Arrieta’s personal catcher in the same way that Ross was Lester’s.

    He probably should see a chiropracter in the offseason.

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  12. Perkins

    josh:
    Rizzo the Rat,

    Didn’t Miggy speculate they might cut Miggy?

    I read that as having been in the context of the Cubs’ carrying three catchers and having roster crunch. Harder to justify carrying a banged-up Montero with Ross on the roster. With the retirement of Ross, I’d expect Montero to be the backup catcher.

    I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Schwarber get some reps at C next year if the Cubs can’t trade Soler. Probably not more than every couple turns through the rotation, though.

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  13. Rizzo the Rat

    Perkins: I read that as having been in the context of the Cubs’ carrying three catchers and having roster crunch. Harder to justify carrying a banged-up Montero with Ross on the roster. With the retirement of Ross, I’d expect Montero to be the backup catcher.

    Right, and also without Ross, Montero’s experience is far more valuable. He’s been something of a mentor to Contreras, and I think the latter still has some things to learn.

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  14. Perkins

    Where my head’s at right now:

    The parade was a fine exclamation point on a magical season of baseball in Chicago. I’ve often wondered how I’d feel when the Cubs finally won a World Series, and so far it’s about as I’d expected: immediate jubilation followed by a profound sense of relief. The core of this Cubs team looks likely to dominate the National League for quite a few seasons, and the organization has considerable advantages: savvy ownership willing and able to make sound investments, vast financial resources to attract and retain talent, the best front office in baseball, integrated business and baseball strategies to open revenue streams and remain competitive, and the players to drive that success on the field.

    And yet there are no sure things in baseball. For all the talk about the Nationals’ long term prospects a few years ago, they have yet to win a single postseason series. They have weathered injuries to key players, questionable personnel decisions, and sheer bad luck. The Braves of the 1990s/2000s won a single World Series despite being in 15 consecutive postseasons. Weird shit happens all the time. Being consistently awesome over 162 games merely gets a team a ticket to a tournament of the best teams where the very best one rarely prevails. There’s just so much randomness and luck associated with it.

    So it’s a profound relief to see the Cubs win a World Series in the second year of what should be a long run of excellence. There’s no longer a reason for fans of other teams to joke about 1908 or 1945; no reason for the media to talk about curses, or Steve Bartman, or any of that shit. And I don’t expect I’ll feel compelled to remind anyone about 2016, because the Cubs look to be excellent for quite some time. This wasn’t a short term rise with a narrow window of contention. Cubs fans can just chill the hell out and enjoy baseball, confident that their team is finally what it always should have been. We need not be defined by our team, its former ineptitude, or its current success. Cardinals fans can talk about 11 rings against 3, and Cubs fans can shrug and say, “they’ll get there eventually, maybe.” Sox fans who for some reason feel compelled to hate the Cubs can finally shut the fuck up about 2005, because the Cubs have 2016. That’s fucking awesome.

    As a consultant, it’s amazing to see the complete organizational transformation executed by this front office. The Cubs’ last window of contention in 2007-2009 was borne of a short term influx of cash that papered over the massive flaws in a derelict organization. This front office scorched the earth and rebuilt the Cubs as a data-driven organization from the ground up, embracing both advanced analytics and understanding of human behavior. They got the employees (including the players) to buy into a culture of always outworking, outsmarting, and outlasting the opposition. That the Cubs Way meant never giving up, and making sure you’re the last one standing. It’s such a rare thing to see, and it’s the reason Theo Epstein will be in the Hall of Fame. At the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years, the entire baseball operations staff got to walk around the field before the game, with their names displayed on the scoreboards for the whole ballpark to see. Tom Ricketts shook all of their hands individually. From top to bottom, this has become an outstanding baseball club.

    The 2016 baseball season is in the books, and the best team won. That team was the Cubs. I’m excited to see what’s to come in 2017 and beyond, knowing that the pressure of history is gone forever.

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  15. Author
    dmick89

    Schwarber seemed to think he still had a shot at catching in some interview I read this summer so I don’t think he’d just be talking shit if the front office hadn’t given him some assurances he’d get a shot. Schwarber wants to play more than anything and if he had his choice, I’m guessing he’d choose catcher as his primary position. I don’t see that happening with Contreras on the roster, but that’s just me.

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  16. berselius

    Perkins:
    Where my head’s at right now:

    The parade was a fine exclamation point on a magical season of baseball in Chicago. I’ve often wondered how I’d feel when the Cubs finally won a World Series, and so far it’s about as I’d expected: immediate jubilation followed by a profound sense of relief. The core of this Cubs team looks likely to dominate the National League for quite a few seasons, and the organization has considerable advantages: savvy ownership willing and able to make sound investments, vast financial resources to attract and retain talent, the best front office in baseball, integrated business and baseball strategies to open revenue streams and remain competitive, and the players to drive that success on the field.

    And yet there are no sure things in baseball. For all the talk about the Nationals’ long term prospects a few years ago, they have yet to win a single postseason series. They have weathered injuries to key players, questionable personnel decisions, and sheer bad luck. The Braves of the 1990s/2000s won a single World Series despite being in 15 consecutive postseasons. Weird shit happens all the time. Being consistently awesome over 162 games merely gets a team a ticket to a tournament of the best teams where the very best one rarely prevails. There’s just so much randomness and luck associated with it.

    So it’s a profound relief to see the Cubs win a World Series in the second year of what should be a long run of excellence. There’s no longer a reason for fans of other teams to joke about 1908 or 1945; no reason for the media to talk about curses, or Steve Bartman, or any of that shit. And I don’t expect I’ll feel compelled to remind anyone about 2016, because the Cubs look to be excellent for quite some time. This wasn’t a short term rise with a narrow window of contention. Cubs fans can just chill the hell out and enjoy baseball, confident that their team is finally what it always should have been. We need not be defined by our team, its former ineptitude, or its current success. Cardinals fans can talk about 11 rings against 3, and Cubs fans can shrug and say, “they’ll get there eventually, maybe.” Sox fans who for some reason feel compelled to hate the Cubs can finally shut the fuck up about 2005, because the Cubs have 2016. That’s fucking awesome.

    As a consultant, it’s amazing to see the complete organizational transformation executed by this front office. The Cubs’ last window of contention in 2007-2009 was borne of a short term influx of cash that papered over the massive flaws in a derelict organization. This front office scorched the earth and rebuilt the Cubs as a data-driven organization from the ground up, embracing both advanced analytics and understanding of human behavior. They got the employees (including the players) to buy into a culture of always outworking, outsmarting, and outlasting the opposition. That the Cubs Way meant never giving up, and making sure you’re the last one standing. It’s such a rare thing to see, and it’s the reason Theo Epstein will be in the Hall of Fame. At the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years, the entire baseball operations staff got to walk around the field before the game, with their names displayed on the scoreboards for the whole ballpark to see. Tom Ricketts shook all of their hands individually. From top to bottom, this has become an outstanding baseball club.

    The 2016 baseball season is in the books, and the best team won. That team was the Cubs. I’m excited to see what’s to come in 2017 and beyond, knowing that the pressure of history is gone forever.

    Maybe

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  17. Rizzo the Rat

    Perkins,

    I’m so glad that the first Cubs championship team in my lifetime is unquestionably deserving of the title. I would have been thrilled with an 85-win team in a weak division who had a lucky October, by this is much better.

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  18. Perkins

    Rizzo the Rat:
    Perkins,

    I’m so glad that the first Cubs championship team in my lifetime is unquestionably deserving of the title. I would have been thrilled with an 85-win team in a weak division who had a lucky October, by this is much better.

    Exactly. A 103 win team with a third order win percentage of ~113. That’s historical greatness. Tons of fun to see.

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  19. Smokestack Lightning

    Perkins:
    Where my head’s at right now:

    The parade was a fine exclamation point on a magical season of baseball in Chicago. I’ve often wondered how I’d feel when the Cubs finally won a World Series, and so far it’s about as I’d expected: immediate jubilation followed by a profound sense of relief. The core of this Cubs team looks likely to dominate the National League for quite a few seasons, and the organization has considerable advantages: savvy ownership willing and able to make sound investments, vast financial resources to attract and retain talent, the best front office in baseball, integrated business and baseball strategies to open revenue streams and remain competitive, and the players to drive that success on the field.

    And yet there are no sure things in baseball. For all the talk about the Nationals’ long term prospects a few years ago, they have yet to win a single postseason series. They have weathered injuries to key players, questionable personnel decisions, and sheer bad luck. The Braves of the 1990s/2000s won a single World Series despite being in 15 consecutive postseasons. Weird shit happens all the time. Being consistently awesome over 162 games merely gets a team a ticket to a tournament of the best teams where the very best one rarely prevails. There’s just so much randomness and luck associated with it.

    So it’s a profound relief to see the Cubs win a World Series in the second year of what should be a long run of excellence. There’s no longer a reason for fans of other teams to joke about 1908 or 1945; no reason for the media to talk about curses, or Steve Bartman, or any of that shit. And I don’t expect I’ll feel compelled to remind anyone about 2016, because the Cubs look to be excellent for quite some time. This wasn’t a short term rise with a narrow window of contention. Cubs fans can just chill the hell out and enjoy baseball, confident that their team is finally what it always should have been. We need not be defined by our team, its former ineptitude, or its current success. Cardinals fans can talk about 11 rings against 3, and Cubs fans can shrug and say, “they’ll get there eventually, maybe.” Sox fans who for some reason feel compelled to hate the Cubs can finally shut the fuck up about 2005, because the Cubs have 2016. That’s fucking awesome.

    As a consultant, it’s amazing to see the complete organizational transformation executed by this front office. The Cubs’ last window of contention in 2007-2009 was borne of a short term influx of cash that papered over the massive flaws in a derelict organization. This front office scorched the earth and rebuilt the Cubs as a data-driven organization from the ground up, embracing both advanced analytics and understanding of human behavior. They got the employees (including the players) to buy into a culture of always outworking, outsmarting, and outlasting the opposition. That the Cubs Way meant never giving up, and making sure you’re the last one standing. It’s such a rare thing to see, and it’s the reason Theo Epstein will be in the Hall of Fame. At the first World Series game at Wrigley Field in 71 years, the entire baseball operations staff got to walk around the field before the game, with their names displayed on the scoreboards for the whole ballpark to see. Tom Ricketts shook all of their hands individually. From top to bottom, this has become an outstanding baseball club.

    The 2016 baseball season is in the books, and the best team won. That team was the Cubs. I’m excited to see what’s to come in 2017 and beyond, knowing that the pressure of history is gone forever.

    wut

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  20. Author
    dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning,

    Even if the Cubs were first, it would ignore the tremendous production they’ve gotten from players from within their organization (through the draft, international free agency or through trades). It’s why I always hated the crap about the Yankees payroll. Those great teams were stacked with talent the Yankees drafted and developed. All the credit to them for keeping those guys and spending where they needed to in order to win.

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  21. mobile dave

    I spent the last month or so taking shit from Cardinals fans about how we are all making too big of a deal about the Cubs’ run, that it’s no bigger story than any other World Series, even that Cubs fans somehow have had it better than Cardinals fans because Denkinger or something.

    That today? That’s five million people who just don’t get it.

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  22. Rice Cube

    cerulean:
    There were lots of Cub fans at the Art Institute today. Was there something going on?

    (dying laughing)

    They had a bathroom. The wife and kid had to go, most museums were running discounts, but we have a membership hehe.

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  23. Author
    dmick89

    I miss baseball, but the difference this year is that it took me several hours after the last Cubs game to realize that there was no more Cubs baseball this year. I hope the Cubs can make me forget it’s their last game of the year on a regular basis.

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  24. Perkins

    Smokestack Lightning,

    He probably should be happy he made the roster. Hammel and Szczur got to be cheerleaders.

    Montero also provided one of the best moments of the whole postseason. That grand slam in NLCS game 1 was such a huge exclamation point.

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  25. berselius

    Perkins,

    I will just pretend to believe that he is annoyed that he was really only on the roster to catch Arrieta, then didn’t get either start and was just standing there with his dick in his hand or whatever the analogy is. I don’t think he’s annoyed that he didn’t get more playing time, just annoyed that he was told that he would and he didn’t. Sounds like the Cubs need to keep him away from Kevin Millar.

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  26. GW

    It made me feel a little like not important or maybe not as good to be in this lineup.

    yep

    I think the toughest part for me is they never communicated with me

    that part is a little surprising, if true. I would have thought that Maddon was expert at that stuff

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  27. Author
    dmick89

    GW: that part is a little surprising, if true. I would have thought that Maddon was expert at that stuff

    Yeah, it’s hard to believe there was no communication. I’m fine with him being upset at his playing time. He didn’t get much at all so I think that’s fine and I think he’s still having trouble adjusting to the role he’s likely to find himself in wherever he may play (Chicago or elsewhere).

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  28. Author
    dmick89

    Perkins: Hammel and Szczur got to be cheerleaders.

    And both player seemed thrilled to be in the dugout any time they were shown. I was actually surprised we didn’t get to see an upset Hammel since we see that from time to time. I’m sure he was upset, but from what little we saw of him, it didn’t show.

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  29. SK

    All that time he thought he might be released, he spent mentoring his replacement. I have no problem with Miggy being pissed about WS playing time if he was never told he would only be a pinch hitter.

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  30. Author
    dmick89

    SK,

    Same here. I also think it’s a good time to bitch after winning a World Series. The team accomplished its goals and the fans are happy. If there was ever a time to bitch about certain things or express unhappiness, here it is in my opinion.

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  31. Author
    dmick89

    If Fowler leaves, I wonder if Tommy La Stella could play some center field. I think he’d be a good leadoff hitter. La Stella vs righties and Almora vs lefties.

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  32. SK

    dmick89,

    I was kind of assuming Zobrist is the new leadoff hitter, Heyward is the new center fielder, with Schwarber is LF and Zobrist in either RF or 2B depending on which of Soler and Baez get assert themselves. I didn’t even think about LaStella, but it’s true his bat deserves some kind of look.

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  33. SK

    I don’t think Schwarber is going to be in R/L platoon. He could be in some kind of catcher-LF platoon (doubtful but possible), but I think he’s in the lineup every day.

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  34. BVS

    SK: He could be in some kind of catcher-LF platoon (doubtful but possible), but I think he’s in the lineup every day.

    I agree with this, except i think he definitely catches next year. My guess is Montero catches Arrieta, Contreras catches Lester (bc of D) and 2 others, Schwarber catches one of the others he works best with (Lackey? might be a good balance in temperment and communication).

    Montero fills the Ross mentor role.

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  35. BVS

    It’s Saturday. I’m home with little to do. And there’s no baseball on. 🙁

    Sure, I’ll watch Sparty and Illinois battle for the basement, but it’s not the same.

    More Cubs please.

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  36. Author
    dmick89

    SK:
    I don’t think Schwarber is going to be in R/L platoon. He could be in some kind of catcher-LF platoon (doubtful but possible), but I think he’s in the lineup every day.

    Yeah, it would be pretty surprising to see Schwarber in a platoon. I don’t think he catches much or at all.

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  37. Author
    dmick89

    I thought about DVRing the series, but didn’t want to start doing that at that point in the playoffs. You know, because I could jinx them. (dying laughing)

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  38. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89:
    SK,

    Same here. I also think it’s a good time to bitch after winning a World Series. The team accomplished its goals and the fans are happy. If there was ever a time to bitch about certain things or express unhappiness, here it is in my opinion.

    Disagree. I understand shit will come out from time to time, but the day of the fucking parade after a Cubs World Series win? What a shitty thing to do. I would imagine a number of other players, pitchers, etc, had different ideas in mind for what their roles would be this postseason—and they also were not heroes a couple of times over like Miggy was even with his reduced role—and they so far at least seem to be waiting for the champagne to dry before going on the air to complain about how they didn’t get theirs.

    I also don’t like it when organizations or players handle shit in the press to begin with. Fight and argue like hell behind closed doors, but shut the fuck up about it with the assholes in the media unless you have no other choice.

    I’m willing to cut Montero a little slack (not that it matters or he cares, (dying laughing)), because he may have been hammered, and thought he was talking to his mom. But even if he was thoughtlessly prattling on and not realizing what he was doing, it was a very foolish, short-sighted thing to do. People are not inclined to listen or care about his bitching right now. It’s a huge unity moment, and right or wrong nobody likes it when somebody tries to kill widespread good feelings, so rare in this day and age, by complaining about shit that doesn’t really matter.

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  39. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89:
    Smokestack Lightning,

    Players are human. I find it hard to believe this has done anything to Cubs fans unity (weren’t they unified before a championship?).

    They are that. I’m not saying Montero should be tarred and feathered. It likely will amount to zero. But it was shitty and I’m disappointed he did that. It’s not the end of the world. But it does throw some shade on something that is as close as sports can come to delivering an absolute good. It was an unforced error. Hell, I get pissed at those in the game all the time. Same thing in real life too.

    And no, it’s not going to be the thing that tears us all apart (injuries, bad luck, and regression will probably do that in the coming years (dying laughing)). Montero just cut the social equivalent of a noxious fart that temporarily messes with the atmosphere, but shouldn’t linger.

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  40. Author
    dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning,

    It doesn’t bother me one bit. Only way it would bother me is if the Cubs didn’t actually communicate how little playing time he’d get. If that’s true, I’ve been giving Joe too much credit in the non-strategic aspects of managing. I assume it was communicated because how could it not have been?

    Besides, any irritation I might have had would surely be overshadowed by the two huge hits that Montero had in the playoffs.

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  41. BVS

    berselius:
    BVS,

    Just enjoy the beautiful shot of the Philly skyline

    (dying laughing). If only Philly looked that nice.

    I was assuming this guy Eric was being facetious, but then it seemed like everyone was taking him seriously. Maybe that was the point, to expose the gullibility.

    Can’t wait for this f’n election to be over.

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  42. SK

    BVS: (dying laughing). If only Philly looked that nice.

    I was assuming this g b t s, but then it seemed like everyone was taking him seriously. Maybe that was the point, to expose the gullibility.

    Can’t wait for this f’n election to be over.

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  43. cerulean

    I play and write music (not Cubs related) to handle stress (often Cubs related). So during game six when Maddon decided to wear out Chapman’s arm with a five-going-on-seven-run lead, I recorded a tune and threw it on YouTube for a contest:

    integer division

    Enjoy it. Or not. I can’t tell you what to do. Hell, I can’t tell what anyone does anymore.

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  44. mobile dave

    I’m sitting in a bar in Tonopah, Nevada and the only other people here are a herd of French tourists and a guy in a Bryant Rizzo ’16 shirt.

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  45. berselius

    SK:
    I have almost caught up with sleep and work lost due to Cubs WS.Now I need to find some time to watch it all over again.

    I’ve had more sleep in the past two days than any two-day stretch in the past year (dying laughing). Now time to piss that all away by getting caught up on work.

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  46. cerulean

    Knowing the history of Go Cubs Go, it really is the perfect Cubs song. Goodman never saw a game that postseason. It was all about hope—that the Cubs would win and he’d live to see it.

    Now that 32 years later they have done it, it’s kind of hard to listen to. At least for me right now.

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  47. berselius

    Went to go listen to Pat and Ron call game 7 while I work only to discover that mlbam subscriptions are no longer for an entire year.

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  48. Rizzo the Rat

    I thought the SNL stuff was pretty dumb, but whatever. The Cubs have been the target of lazy punchlines for so long, they’ve earned the right to shove their success in everyone’s faces.

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  49. berselius

    SK:
    berselius,

    Works for me. You on a PC?Because there has never been archive access to radio feeds on the phone app.

    Yeah, on my computer. They’re tying to get me to buy an offseason package for $25, in past years the sub ran all the way to ST.

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  50. Rizzo the Rat

    dmick89,

    Didn’t see that coming. I hope that means that they have someone better in mind, but I thought Hammel was pretty good for a fifth starter (and relatively affordable).

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  51. berselius

    berselius: wow. Maybe they’re going to go after another SP? ?

    *checks list of top FA starting pitchers*

    Rich Hill
    Jeremy Hellickson
    Ivan Nova
    Bartolo Colon
    ROY Edinson Volquez

    Uh.

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  52. Author
    dmick89

    Even if they like Montgomery and I think that’s the reason they did this, Hammel gets a $2 million buyout and would only have been paid $12 million. Weird move. Makes more sense to exercise the option and trade him.

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  53. berselius

    dmick89:
    Even if they like Montgomery and I think that’s the reason they did this, Hammel gets a $2 million buyout and would only have been paid $12 million. Weird move. Makes more sense to exercise the option and trade him.

    Maybe they’re feeling a little magnanimous with all the champage and wanted to let him to pick his destination as a reward for keeping his mouth shut during the postseason *shrug*.

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  54. Rizzo the Rat

    I hope this move means they’re going to be aggressive in the FA (or trade) market. I should focus on what the extra money allows them to do, rather than who their fifth starter will be.

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  55. Author
    dmick89

    Rizzo the Rat,

    I’d assume between savings here and the additional revenue from going so deep into the playoffs, as well as expected increases in revenue due to winning the whole thing that they would be aggressive. It would be a little disappointing to see them be inactive this offseason.

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  56. berselius

    Holliday is out in StL. Given the Cardinals history of signing successful former Colorado OFs, I really hope the Cubs re-sign Dex (dying laughing).

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  57. SK

    Rizzo the Rat,

    Is it common for teams to write such a flowery press release/letter of recommendation when declining an option on a guy who was on the team less than three years? It almost seems like Theo’s apologizing to Hammel’s wife in the thing.

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  58. SK

    A source familiar with the situation, told ESPN.com that the team gave the option to Hammel to decide if he wanted to return in 2017 or test the free agency next winter, in a very attractive market for starting pitchers.

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  59. cerulean

    Perkins:
    Rizzo the Rat,

    I’d actually love to see them try to buy low on Chris Archer if they think Bosio can help turn him around.

    The Rays aren’t going to sell low, so it will cost the Cubs. That said, it likely won’t cost the team given their depth.

    Personally, I hope that happens and the Cubs use their extra cash to work out long term extensions for a number of their young players, particularly Hendricks. Also, go after one (or two) of these FA closers: Melancon or Chapman or Jansen.

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  60. cerulean

    It’s conceivable that the Cubs could trade for Archer and Nolasco then sign Hill and Cashner.

    #bringTheFormerProspectsHome

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  61. Perkins

    cerulean,

    What type of package would be good enough to pry him away? I can’t imagine Soler is a good centerpiece, but maybe Jimenez plus?

    An extension for Hendricks would be nice. The main things I’d love to see this offseason are re-signing Fowler and Chapman and trading for a cost-controlled SP.

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  62. Rice in limbo

    cerulean:
    Rice Cube,

    Shame they can’t give Hammel a QO.

    (They can’t, right?)

    I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t make sense. If they wanted him back they’d just have exercised the option. The QO is higher. And if they tried now, it’d look kind of like an illicit manipulation of the QO since Hammel would have had to pre-agree to reject it. I don’t see how a QO could be used here.

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  63. berselius

    Rice Cube:
    So with Fowler getting and rejecting QO I guess that’s at least one draft pick they can get back.

    It was a mutual option on the previous contract, not a QO so I don’t think he’s subject to the compensation penalty this year. If he is that’s a pretty horseshit deal that I hope they fix in the CBA in the next few weeks.

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  64. Rizzo the Rat

    He declined the mutual option, but is expected to receive a qualifying offer, which he is likely to reject.
    From MLB Trade Rumors:

    He’s a surefire candidate to receive a qualifying offer from Chicago, which would give him a one-year, $17.2MM offer to return to the team, but based on Fowler’s comments it seems safe to say he’ll be rejecting the QO to again test free agency.

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  65. berselius

    Rizzo the Rat:
    berselius,

    I’m amazed the MLBPA agreed to it. What’s the point of having a union if they allow its members to get screwed over like that?

    It’s been a constant bone of contention since free agency even existed. I think MLBPA is doing just fine though, especially if you compare it to all the other sports leagues.

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  66. cerulean

    Perkins,

    Soler plus Happ plus some odd and ends? They could use Soler as a DH and he would probably provide a lot of value for them. I would like them to hold onto Jimenez. Happ, however, may be superfluous with Zobrist through 2019.

    I think that is the minimum that Tampa would entertain.

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  67. Rizzo the Rat

    In retrospect, I really wish the Cubs traded Soler before the 2015 season, back when he had some (perceived) value. I would have been pretty annoyed at the time, of course.

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  68. BVS

    EnricoPallazzo: Careful what you wish for…

    After this debacle the 2 things I care about most in politics are independent, non-partisan redistricting committees and killing super pacs, with a Constitutional amendment if necessary.

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  69. BVS

    berselius: *checks list of top FA starting pitchers*

    Rich Hill
    Jeremy Hellickson
    Ivan Nova
    Bartolo Colon
    ROY Edinson Volquez

    Uh.

    Maybe Hellickson, but they must love Montgomery and Zastryzny. I assume they’ll trade some OF for AAA pitcher.

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  70. BVS

    cerulean: I play and write music (not Cubs related) to handle stress (often Cubs related).

    So all summer you suffered a decrease in musical productivity only to make up for it in the span of 17 games?

    I liked your song.

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  71. Ryno

    Mucker,

    Probably not as regularly as I used to be, but I think so. I stopped hanging on every pitch a few years ago and it paid off during the postseason. That was the most enjoyable few weeks of sports in my life and I owe the team my fandom again.

    But yeah, it’s over. Time to move onto the NFL Draft.

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  72. josh

    cerulean,

    Well, he committed to an entire music career after being diagnosed with cancer, knowing he would probably die. I think he knew he probably wouldn’t be around to see it, but he wanted something hopeful anyway to contrast “A Dying Cubs Fan’s Last Request.”

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  73. cerulean

    Don Roach has signed to play overseas.

    Boy does that put a wrench in Thoyer’s offseason plans to fix the rotation (dying laughing).

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  74. Author
    dmick89

    I saw the Matheney news a few days ago and my first thought was that this will be the first time in a long time that the Cardinals fire a manager. I’d be surprised to see him finish out that three year deal.

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  75. cerulean

    Don only had one appearance with the Cubs in 2015—a start. It could have been worse.

    Raise your voice if you’re looking forward to trying more Donny Roaches in the fifth starter spot now that Hammel is gone?

    Why so quiet?

    (Is Clayton Richard available?)

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  76. Author
    dmick89

    I used to hate that song and then sometime in the 2007 or 2008 season I started liking it. I realized a couple years later that my feelings toward the song have more to do with how good the Cubs are. When you’re losing 100 games, it’s a stupid fucking song. When you’re winning the World Series, I can’t get the song out of my head and I don’t mind it. (dying laughing)

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  77. Author
    dmick89

    cerulean,

    This is why I think letting Hammel walk is a mistake. You know what you got with him. He’s above average and has the ability to shut down any team. He’s also going to give you some truly awful starts. Overall he’s pretty good and the contract was pretty friendly.

    I liked Montgomery as the 6th starter.

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  78. cerulean

    dmick89:
    I used to hate that song and then sometime in the 2007 or 2008 season I started liking it. I realized a couple years later that my feelings toward the song have more to do with how good the Cubs are. When you’re losing 100 games, it’s a stupid fucking song. When you’re winning the World Series, I can’t get the song out of my head and I don’t mind it. (dying laughing)

    Am I the only one that had to concentrate to keep the alternate refrain out of my head after Davis’ camera shot? It goes like this:

    Blow Cubs Blow
    Blow Cubs Blow
    Hey Chicago whaddya say
    The Cubs’ll blow this game today

    It really is less awful when they are winning—though not in the Sheening/Trumping way.

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  79. cerulean

    dmick89,

    I think they push for a trade. I like the idea of trying some of their young guys, but I would prefer that happen when they need a six-man rotation or somebody goes down.

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  80. mikeakaleroy

    I had a friend ask me this morning if I was gonna get rid of my facepalming Cub Obstructed View coffee mug.

    No, because they’re still gonna do stupid things. They did stupid things this year and still won. There were just fewer stupid things than years past.

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  81. Author
    dmick89

    I also thought it was stupid when the Cubs moved Ryan Dempster into the rotation. In other words, I know nothing so Montgomery will probably become a Cy Young candidate.

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  82. cerulean

    I wouldn’t mind re-signing Cahill for SP/RO depth, but given the dearth of starters, I think he might get a pretty decent deal elsewhere with a real shot at a starting job, something in the 3 for 20 to 4 for 30 range. I imagine Wood will get the same consideration, but I hope Thoyer steers clear just to keep Maddon from Maddoning a bit too much.

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  83. cerulean

    mikeakaleroy:
    I had a friend ask me this morning if I was gonna get rid of my facepalming Cub Obstructed View coffee mug.

    No, because they’re still gonna do stupid things. They did stupid things this year and still won. There were just fewer stupid things than years past.

    The number of stupid things in Game 7 of the fucking World Series alone justifies the cubfacepalm forever.

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  84. Perkins

    cerulean:
    I wouldn’t mind re-signing Cahill for SP/RO depth, but given the dearth of starters, I think he might get a pretty decent deal elsewhere with a real shot at a starting job, something in the 3 for 20 to 4 for 30 range. I imagine Wood will get the same consideration, but I hope Thoyer steers clear just to keep Maddon from Maddoning a bit too much.

    I wouldn’t mind seeing them retain Travis Wood, if only because it’s fucking awesome to see a relief pitcher play the field and hit home runs. That game against SEA was the kind of thing I wish managers would do more with relievers. Lou tried it once with Sean Marshall, but it didn’t work out.

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  85. SK

    I still have my OV facepalm mug, but the logo is almost completely gone (from repeated dishwasherings). I’d by a new one with 2016 replacing 1908 for the recent championship I’ve enjoyed.

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  86. SK

    Currently enjoying a delicious smoothie with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, red grapes, some yoghurt and a small amount of OJ. Ahhhhh.

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  87. cerulean

    Myles,

    I am okay with them moving Almora if they re-sign Fowler. Otherwise, Bryant is probably their best option after Heyward defensively. And with Schwarber getting a lot of time in left, that left-center gap might get to be too interesting.

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  88. Myles

    cerulean:
    Myles,

    I am okay with them moving Almora if they re-sign Fowler. Otherwise, Bryant is probably their best option after Heyward defensively. And with Schwarber getting a lot of time in left, that left-center gap might get to be too interesting.

    Yeah, I think their level of engagement on Fowler sort of dictates the other moves. I’m with you, I’d love to re-sign him and roll with a Schwarber/Fowler/Heyward or Zobrist outfield.

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  89. cerulean

    When I saw Joe wearing the we did not suck T-shirt, my first thought was you sure gave it your best shot. (dying laughing)

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  90. Berselius

    cerulean:
    I wouldn’t mind re-signing Cahill for SP/RO depth, but given the dearth of starters, I think he might get a pretty decent deal elsewhere with a real shot at a starting job, something in the 3 for 20 to 4 for 30 range. I imagine Wood will get the same consideration, but I hope Thoyer steers clear just to keep Maddon from Maddoning a bit too much.

    Didn’t Cahill sign a two year deal?

    Speaking of, I am kind of surprised he didn’t crack the postseason roster given how little confidence Joe had in the pen.

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  91. SK

    cerulean: Part of me still feels like he was trolling all of us.

    When he said “everything was going to plan until the 9th inning started” in the post game after game 7, it felt like he was either stoned or stupid. (And remember, I was his biggest defender after game 6). Trolling also makes sense.

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  92. Berselius

    Perkins: I wouldn’t mind seeing them retain Travis Wood, if only because it’s fucking awesome to see a relief pitcher play the field and hit home runs. That game against SEA was the kind of thing I wish managers would do more with relievers. Lou tried it once with Sean Marshall, but it didn’t work out.

    He was hot garbage vs RHP this year, so I would hope he didn’t get enough batters per outing to be at the plate (dying laughing). Gotta regress those splits though.

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  93. Author
    dmick89

    cerulean:
    When I saw Joe wearing the we did not suck T-shirt, my first thought was you sure gave it your best shot. (dying laughing)

    My first thought: the Cubs didn’t, but you sure as shit did.

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  94. cerulean

    dmick89,

    None of the decisions were atrocious in isolation, but chained together, they created such a comedy of errors that I thought for sure MLB was leaning on him to heighten the drama of this reality TV show called Base Ball.

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  95. Rizzo the Rat

    dmick89,

    Samardzija made some sense to me since the team was lousy at the time. Might as well see if they can get any value out of their former prospect.

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  96. Rizzo the Rat

    cerulean:
    Myles,

    Does Szczur have any value in a trade? He is good depth for any team to have—just about perfectly average.

    I don’t think there’s much of a market for a weak-hitting corner outfielder.

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  97. cerulean

    SK:
    Currently enjoying a delicious smoothie with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, red grapes, some yoghurt and a small amount of OJ. Ahhhhh.

    You know it’s good because it’s got yogurt with an ‘h’.

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  98. Myles

    cerulean:
    Myles,

    Does Szczur have any value in a trade? He is good depth for any team to have—just about perfectly average.

    Doubtful. Perhaps you get a middling pitching prospect, but he’s a fine 5th OF on this team and we need his bat.

    I mean, seriously. We need his bat so Anthony Rizzo can borrow it.

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  99. Perkins

    Berselius: He was hot garbage vs RHP this year, so I would hope he didn’t get enough batters per outing to be at the plate (dying laughing). Gotta regress those splits though.

    For his career, I think he’s a bit closer to average against RHH (.327 wOBA against). Still not a guy you want facing a lot of righties.

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  100. berselius

    cerulean:
    Berselius,

    He’s a Free Agent by the accounts I’ve seen.

    You’re right, my memory is just for shit (dying laughing). I know the Pirates tried to sign him to start, maybe that was the 2-year deal I was remembering.

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  101. Smokestack Lightning

    BVS: Maybe Hellickson, but they must love Montgomery and Zastryzny. I assume they’ll trade some OF for AAA pitcher.

    Word is Hellickson received a QO.

    I was just barely okay with the possibility of exploring the possibility of the Cubs thinking about maybe kicking the tires on him. Now that a pick would be involved, I’m less enthusiastic.

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  102. EnricoPallazzo

    SK:
    Currently enjoying a delicious smoothie with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, red grapes, some yoghurt and a small amount of OJ. Ahhhhh.

    you can substitute red wine for the grapes since it’s basically the same thing

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  103. Perkins

    I’m waiting on a Schwarber jersey. I’ve thought that this year’s jerseys looked kind of stupid when fans wear them (since the vents go under the arms and also below the waist in the back…looks odd with pinstripes). Great for players, but less so when worn with regular clothes.

    I realized that I will never ever give a shit about how it looks since it says “World Series Champions” on the sleeve.

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  104. Mucker

    EnricoPallazzo:
    I’m just worried about the dodgers_in_5 guy. Haven’t heard from him in a while for some reason.

    He’s been busy writing for the LA Times under the pseudonym Bill Plaschke.

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  105. Rizzo the Rat

    I’d probably pick Scherzer, though I’d be happy if Lester or Hendricks won. Both had very good years, but I’m not as excited as I was last year for Arrieta. I feel that if one of them wins, he’d be taking some credit that rightly belongs to the defense.

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  106. GW

    dmick89:
    cerulean,

    This is why I think letting Hammel walk is a mistake. You know what you got with him. He’s above average and has the ability to shut down any team. He’s also going to give you some truly awful starts. Overall he’s pretty good and the contract was pretty friendly.

    I liked Montgomery as the 6th starter.

    This. I’m not sure why anyone would feel confident in Montgomery moving into the rotation, but everyone seems to think it’s a foregone conclusion.

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  107. cerulean

    EnricoPallazzo:
    I’m just worried about the dodgers_in_5 guy. Haven’t heard from him in a while for some reason.

    He was easily the most valuable commenter on OV during these playoffs. His Winning Above Replacement was off the charts—practically Sheening. Can you imagine what these comments would have looked like without his essential contribution? The Cubs almost certainly would have gone on to win, but we all would lost that rallying cry that binds us together: Dodgers in five!

    Fare thee well, dear troll. Your overly certain inaccuracies will forever be remembered.

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  108. Perkins

    GW: This. I’m not sure whyanyone would feel confident in Montgomery moving into the rotation, but everyone seems to think it’s a foregone conclusion.

    I still think Montgomery projects as the 6th starter. I’d wager that letting Hammel go was both about freeing up some payroll and opening a spot for someone they can acquire in a trade.

    Or maybe Montgomery goes into the rotation and becomes awesome. After Dempster and Samardzija, that wouldn’t be so surprising.

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  109. Rizzo the Rat

    This organization does seem to like Montgomery. He doesn’t seem that impressive, but they do have a pretty good record at finding pitching talent.

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  110. cerulean

    I would like to see someone like Rosario take Cahill’s spot in the pen.

    I would also like to see Williams get a shot as the long man and see if he can’t improve some of those secondary pitches to complement that excellent sinker—with this defense he could be really good.

    The Cubs don’t have lefties in the pen, especially if Monty goes to the rotation—Zastryzny would be the only one left—so that’s something to consider when penciling him into the rotation.

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  111. Rizzo the Rat

    dmick89,

    It sounds as though not picking up Hammel’s option was a courtesy to Hammel more than anything else. Jason wanted to try out the free agent market, and the team let him.

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  112. mobile dave

    I’m ok with the Hammel thing. It may be tough to replace him, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea to buy some goodwill by letting him go. His agent and other players notice that type of thing.

    Also, I just bet on Cleveland at 12-1 for 2017. I think that’s pretty solid tbh.

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  113. cerulean

    I think the Cubs should pay Rich Hill to be their Andrew Miller. The starter’s workload is just too much, but 100–120 innings as the Bruce Sutter-type fireman doing two-inning saves/holds two out of five days might keep his blisters at bay. He would likely be worth 3 WAR a year, possibly more. Sign him for three years for $42M with a team option for a for a fourth year at $8M.

    Melancon will probably get about four for $50M. Chapman, five for $80M. Jansen, six for $100M.

    By both WAR$ and relative price, he looks like a steal. I suppose he may only want to start, but given the importance of relievers and the reemergence of the fireman, that may be a role he could be persuaded into.

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  114. SK

    cerulean:
    given the importance of relievers and the reemergence of the fireman

    Outside of the Indians with Miller in the second half, was there any team doing this before the postseason?

    Cubs seem to be ahead of the curve on limiting SP turns through the lineup and getting more out of the bullpen (or maybe they are one team of many now doing so), but I wasn’t aware of actual firemen type roles or non-closer star RPs (outside of Miller).

    I think Montgomery is the new Clayton RIchard or Travis Cahill – guy who might pan out as a starter but if not, he’s a good option in relief in a variety of bullpen roles. Cubs must be looking to trade for or sign a new SP.

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  115. SK

    This young man, who grew up in Florida and, from what I can tell, never wanted to do anything but play baseball, fought off cancer, got traded away by Theo & Jed and then acquired again by them for the Cubs because they knew of his character, (Ed. note: that’s six commas) likely had no idea of what our history was when he came here.

    Those tears told me he gets it. He’s one of us.

    Has OV officially congratulated BCB yet on winning the WS?

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  116. EnricoPallazzo

    re: the whole montgomery situation, i seem to recall that in a post-victory interview, theo talked about how the scouting department is so good at identifying guys right before they explode into major talent (trading for rizzo/arrieta, drafting bryant, etc) and then he pointed to montgomery as the epitome of that trend, thus suggesting that the FO expects very big things form him. i was really surprised. i think either theo or me may have been drunk though so i may just be misinterpreting something…

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  117. Rice in limbo

    I suppose at some point various publications will set up a list of Cubs “untouchables” and “desirables” from other organizations, and then we can do a Venn diagram or something.

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  118. Perkins

    Referring to a sports team in the first person has seemed weird for as long as I can remember. With most fans, I’d chalk it up to a quirk of language usage.

    I get the feeling Alvin thinks he’s in some way part of the team.

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  119. Perkins

    dmick89:
    Perkins,

    I always feel weird doing it, but sometimes it’s simpler. Alvin definitely feels like he is a part of it. He’s delusional.

    Yeah, but you’re also not bragging about getting to talk to Crane Kenney that one time and thinking he took you absolutely seriously. (dying laughing)

    I know a lot of rational, normal people who say “we” about sports teams; it’s definitely simpler. Alvin’s the only one from whom it seems genuinely disturbing.

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  120. SK

    dmick89:
    Perkins,

    I always feel weird doing it, but sometimes it’s simpler. Alvin definitely feels like he is a part of it. He’s delusional.

    It’s not just that he feels a part of it. He feels like the young players are joining his team.

    I mean, I guess it’s true that fans make up the bulk of the institution that a franchise becomes, and in a sense guys like Rizzo entered the institution that we have all long been a part of. But Jesus Fucking Christ, it is the actual baseball team that wins or loses, that achieves or fails, that earns glory or scorn. They are the team, not the fat-assed fans.

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  121. SK

    Rice in limbo,

    I don’t really follow salary/contract info very closely, but wouldn’t Fowler be looking at more than 16M/per? Or would that only be the case for a shorter deal? Isn’t one WAR worth 7 or 8 million by now? Isn’t Fowler projected to produce at least 3 per year? (I don’t follow WAR closely either).

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  122. Author
    dmick89

    dmick89:
    Rice in limbo,

    4/64 is probably reasonable. I think the Cubs re-sign him and I’d guess 4/60 with a no trade clause.

    I just did a quick calculation (maybe I’ll write something today, could go either way) and I got 4/68. I think he’s worth that.

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  123. Ryno

    SK: it is the actual baseball team that wins or loses, that achieves or fails, that earns glory or scorn. They are the team, not the fat-assed fans.

    What about the lithe fans?

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  124. Author
    dmick89

    SK,

    I got 2.9 for next year and then 2.4, 1.8 and 1.2 over the next few seasons. I used $8.5 million per win in 2017 and increased by half a million each year.

    WAR numbers listed above are rounded. Added all up it comes to about 4/76, but there’s a multi-year bonus for the teams that takes it to about 4/68.

    Assuming he was given a qualifying offer, he’d be worth less to teams that don’t end in Cubs.

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  125. Perkins

    I’m genuinely curious what more there might be to the Sosa story that we don’t know. Now seems the best time to patch things up there and bring him back in. It’d be awesome to see a Sammy Sosa Day where he can sprint out to right to raise a flag with his number from the foul pole.

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  126. Author
    dmick89

    Rice in limbo,

    True, but Fowler was a free agent last year and had trouble even getting a multi-year deal. He had a better season this year, but he was pretty good last year too. 5/80 won’t surprise me. It’s basically the same as 4/68 with another year added for good measure, but that draft pick compensation is still hanging over his head.

    I’d be ok with the Cubs going 4/68, but I’d probably pass on any 5 year deal. I think he Cubs would too. My guess is they’d prefer to sign him for 3 years.

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  127. Myles

    I think people are going to be surprised at how much the Fowler tier of players signs for. I’m not a betting man, but I think the odds of exceeding 4/64 are very high. I think 5/90 is more likely.

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  128. Myles

    Fowler is the 6th biggest FA according to mlbtr. The 6th largest FA contract in 2015 was 6/130. Clearly Fowler isn’t getting that.

    He’s the 4th biggest position player. Last year, that contract was Cespedes 3/75.

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  129. JonKneeV

    I think Theo makes a trade for a young pitcher that either a) has had injury issues or b) underperformed in a small sample.

    Not likely, but I’d love to see a Soler+ for Dylan Bundy deal. I don’t know much about how Bundy is valued around the league, but that’s the type of pitcher I’d like them to go after.

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  130. berselius

    Perkins:
    I’m genuinely curious what more there might be to the Sosa story that we don’t know. Now seems the best time to patch things up there and bring him back in. It’d be awesome to see a Sammy Sosa Day where he can sprint out to right to raise a flag with his number from the foul pole.

    I’m guessing they want to co-retire the number for Joe Mather, and they haven’t been able to mend those fences yet.

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  131. berselius

    Rich Hill is the to FA starting pitcher and the Cubs are WS champions. We are living in the upside down (dying laughing).

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  132. Perkins

    berselius: I’m guessing they want to co-retire the number for Joe Mather, and they haven’t been able to mend those fences yet.

    Not to mention Jason Marquis, Milton Bradley, and Tyler Colvin.

    Just thinking about that pisses me off.

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  133. EnricoPallazzo

    Perkins:
    I’m genuinely curious what more there might be to the Sosa story that we don’t know. Now seems the best time to patch things up there and bring him back in. It’d be awesome to see a Sammy Sosa Day where he can sprint out to right to raise a flag with his number from the foul pole.

    yeah there has to be more to the story (like, MUCH more) or this whole thing is just really confusing. people (reporters, rickettses, FO, players) were going out of their way not to mention him. it was really awkward. the players really must have been told “when you mention cubs of yore, under no circumstances do you mention sosa” because otherwise there’s no way his name wouldn’t have popped up at some point during the celebrations. really weird.

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  134. Perkins

    EnricoPallazzo: yeah there has to be more to the story (like, MUCH more) or this whole thing is just really confusing. people (reporters, rickettses, FO, players) were going out of their way not to mention him. it was really awkward. the players really must have been told “when you mention cubs of yore, under no circumstances do you mention sosa” because otherwise there’s no way his name wouldn’t have popped up at some point during the celebrations. really weird.

    Team Voldemort.

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  135. Myles

    dmick89:
    I’m not sure how valid those comparisons are. There won’t be as much spent this year as last.

    I guess my prior assumption is that the amount spent on free agents from year to year is fairly inelastic. When the supply for players is less than the demand for them (which appears to be the case, the prices of that supply go up).

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  136. Pinch-Running Tom Goodwin

    EnricoPallazzo: yeah there has to be more to the story (like, MUCH more) or this whole thing is just really confusing. people (reporters, rickettses, FO, players) were going out of their way not to mention him. it was really awkward. the players really must have been told “when you mention cubs of yore, under no circumstances do you mention sosa” because otherwise there’s no way his name wouldn’t have popped up at some point during the celebrations. really weird.

    One thing they have mentioned is that Sosa never has openly admitted using steroids even though there has been evidence he started juicing around 2003 (NOT 1998, but thats another story). It’s been speculated that once he comes out he’s forgiven. I don’t think that is true because I believe Ricketts tried to bring Sosa to Cubs Con and he refused to go, because Sosa is just a strange person. Check out Sosa’s Pinterest profile for further proof of him being a…different individual

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  137. Perkins

    Pinch-Running Tom Goodwin,

    If the desire not to return is coming from Sosa, I get it. The organization trashed him on the way out after a decade of his being the face of the franchise, and sent him to the mid-2000s Orioles (as clear a baseball Hell as any). I’d be pretty pissed off and loath to accept an invite to return without receiving some kind of apology for that.

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  138. cerulean

    Fuck.

    I can’t see how people would be ripping Nate a new one when his model always gave a decent shot to Trump. Other models had Hillary at 99%.

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  139. berselius

    cerulean:
    Fuck.

    I can’t seehow people would be ripping Nate a new one when his model always gave a decent shot to Trump. Other models had Hillary at 99%.

    Fair or not, he would be catching just as much flak if he had Hillary at 99% as he would at 50.1% from most of the public.

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  140. cerulean

    The good news: No more Clintons or Bushes in the White House.

    The bad news: Everything is on fire. Red and orange and gold fire.

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  141. Millertime

    The Cubs did so well with their plan of tanking that America thought it would try it too. Un. Fucking. Believeable.

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  142. Perkins

    I’ve long thought national pride to be an odd thing, since for anyone other than naturalized citizens, it’s an accident of birth. But I totally get being happy to be from a certain country. I’ve always been happy to be an American until today. Today I’m mostly ashamed.

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  143. Author
    dmick89

    It’s not like I was looking forward to Clinton being president, but this just sucks. I’d trade the Cubs championship for a different result in the general election in a heartbeat.

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  144. Edwin

    It make me sad to think that pretty much all President Obama has accomplished in the past 8 years is at risk of being undone, and problems like climate change, which needs addressing, will be ignored for the next 4 years.

    I just don’t understand how Trump can have so many scandals, do terrible in the debates, and somehow come across to enough Americans as a better alternative.

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  145. Author
    dmick89

    Perkins: Today I’m mostly ashamed.

    I’m ashamed most days, but in all honesty I’d be ashamed to be from just about every country. The shame-o-meter is a bit higher today it’s been in a long time.

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  146. Author
    dmick89

    Edwin: I just don’t understand how Trump can have so many scandals, do terrible in the debates, and somehow come across to enough Americans as a better alternative.

    I’m not sure he came across as the better alternative. He came across as the different alternative and for many, many Americans that was enough. Anything different even if that different is a piece of shit. I don’t get it, but people are fucking stupid and this is what you get with democracy. Donald Fucking Trump.

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  147. SK

    He’s actually getting more positive than negative replies from his twitter followers. I guess it shows how national (and white, male, rural and higher income) the Cubs fanbase is because Chicago voted 90% against the guy who wants to deport millions and build a wall on the border.

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  148. Perkins

    dmick89: I’m not sure he came across as the better alternative. He came across as the different alternative and for many, many Americans that was enough. Anything different even if that different is a piece of shit. I don’t get it, but people are fucking stupid and this is what you get with democracy. Donald Fucking Trump.

    This election is why it’s been dangerous to strip a lot of the protections that were deemed “undemocratic.” When we collectively decided the Electoral College was silly, that senators should be elected directly, that primary elections were a hell of an idea…we stripped some of the bulwarks against populism.

    It’s even worse in the context of power concentrated in the executive branch over the last two administrations.

    Democracy isn’t a good in and of itself. The more authority given to the plebs, the more corresponding responsibility they have to shoulder. Making things more democratic is fine if we’re correspondingly investing in educating the electorate, but asking a bunch of idiots to wield this authority without being held responsible is horrifying.

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  149. Edwin

    I guess these are the same people who make Big Bang Theory and Undercover Boss a hit show, so maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised.

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  150. Author
    dmick89

    Edwin,

    I like Big Bang Theory. It’s better than a lot of people give it credit for being. It’s not as good as its ratings indicate, but it makes me laugh and that’s all I care about.

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  151. Author
    dmick89

    Perkins: Democracy isn’t a good in and of itself. The more authority given to the plebs, the more corresponding responsibility they have to shoulder. Making things more democratic is fine if we’re correspondingly investing in educating the electorate, but asking a bunch of idiots to wield this authority without being held responsible is horrifying.

    This is why this type of democracy is doomed to fail at some point. It’s rather remarkable a Donald Trump hasn’t happened before.

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  152. cerulean

    Edwin:
    It make me sad to think that pretty much all President Obama has accomplished in the past 8 years is at risk of being undone, and problems like climate change, which needs addressing, will be ignored for the next 4 years.

    I just don’t understand how Trump can have so many scandals, do terrible in the debates, and somehow come across to enough Americans as a better alternative.

    Sexism, Racism, and Nationalism in the guise of Obama’s White House is running the country into the ground.

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  153. berselius

    Love too see that whole “look at that sea of red” narrative when counties with 5,000 voters look just as big on the map as counties with 500,000 voters

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  154. EnricoPallazzo

    Myles: Time for Hollywood to pony up and head for the border #illhelpyoupack #beatit

    so….can someone explain this to me? why is this racist? from the comments, it sounds like it is interpreted as telling the Jews to leave the country? is trump anti-semitic or something? i realize these are probably all stupid questions.

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  155. SK

    EnricoPallazzo,

    They are interpreting “Hollywood” as code for Jews, but I bet he just means Ellen Degeneres (gay), and other liberal celebrities (whatever their color, orientation, religion) who were vocal against Trump to the point of saying they’d leave the country if he won.

    Is Trump anti-Semitic? yes. He’s also anti-Mexican, anti-black and anti-Muslim. And he thinks women shouldn’t work but should be subject to free pussy grabs.

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  156. Perkins

    dmick89,

    If we want to read it more generously, it could be just calling out the celebrities who had pledged to leave the country if the cheeto got elected. Maybe he’s saying “put your money where your mouth is” to them just as many said to Alec Baldwin in 2000.

    In any case, he’s still an asshole.

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  157. Perkins

    Though if we’re being honest with ourselves, I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that Lester and Lackey were pro-Trump if anything. They make shitloads of money and are from rural areas.

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  158. SK

    Perkins,

    Yeah, that would not surprise me. Less than some of the other star players, although I guess there is a 50/50 chance any of the US citizens on the team support Trump.

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  159. cerulean

    I get the sense that there will be a backlash against millennials throwing their vote away in support of third-party candidates. Blame the youth is always a common refrain, and it’s almost always wrong.

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  160. Perkins

    cerulean,

    I’m far angrier at the people who actively decided that voting for a racist, sexist, dishonorable, thin-skinned demagogue who has committed serial sexual assault and fraud and might try to burn the whole thing down was a good choice to make. It’s like watching a little kid shit his pants to make a statement, except there’s no cleaning it up for four years.

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  161. Author
    dmick89

    Perkins,

    Right. Don’t like the outcome, blame those who voted for the candidate who won, not those who did not. I did not support Trump, would never have voted for him, but I wasn’t about to vote for Clinton either. I’d much prefer her over Trump (preferential ballots would be nice), but I wasn’t voting for her.

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  162. BVS

    A few thoughts on this election. I’ve been worried about Trump winning the whole time even with the polls because I think when faced with a close election the candidate with the most passion behind them is the winner. Clinton didn’t have passion behind her. Trump did.

    The exit polls suggest to me that lots of women said they voted Clinton but really voted Trump. When 55% of 53% of the electorate says they vote C while only 51% of 47% (men) of the electorate say they voted T, then someone (or everyone) was lying. Probably didn’t want to admit out loud they were voting for T. Forget which state that was. Maybe NC.

    Looks like Dems will be +2 in Senate. They could flip the Senate and maybe House in 2 yr. I assumed no matter who won we’d have a 1-term Pres. A strong victory in 2020 flips redistricting. The alt right has been hiding behind blaming Obama for the last 6 yr of stalemate so I suspect that the public will tire of them quickly when their true colors come out. They are WISCs.

    Hold onto to your asses for the next 2 yr though.

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  163. BVS

    They could flip the Senate and maybe House in 2 yr.

    Tough map though. Dems defend 25 of 33 Sen seats. Possible pick ups include Nevada (Heller), Arizona (Flake), Texas (Cruz).

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  164. Perkins

    BVS: Tough map though. Dems defend 25 of 33 Sen seats. Possible pick ups include Nevada (Heller), Arizona(Flake), Texas (Cruz).

    They could also just as easily lose Wisconsin and West Virginia. They’re going to be on the defensive in a lot of areas.

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  165. cerulean

    If neither candidate gained a majority, something is wrong. I wish there was a rule where to be elected, a candidate had to get at least 50% of the popular vote and win the electoral college.

    And if that does not happen, then both candidates share the White House, taking turns on executive actions. You want a reality TV show, America? Have a fucking TV show.

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  166. EnricoPallazzo

    I was reading trump’s plan for first 100 days in office and was pleasantly surprised to read that the first few items were term limits and limiting congress from becoming lobbyists after leaving office.

    Then it got bad. Like real bad you guys.

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  167. BVS

    Perkins,

    And ND.

    cerulean: If neither candidate gained a majority, something is wrong.

    Agreed. Maine has just become the first state in the nation, as far as I know, to approve Instant Runoff Voting. Go Maine!!

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  168. GW

    …anti- european military bases, non-interventionist, anti- free trade agreements, anti- illegal immigration, restoring relations with Russia. He basically ran to the left of the first Clinton.

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  169. SK

    By the way, although I think president-elect horror-clown is actually the worst person on earth, with zero redeeming qualities, which is why I can’t understand why anyone would want him to have power over them, I don’t think Jake Arrieta (or anyone else) is a piece of shit for supporting him. Rather it was his petulant, divisive and unhelpful shittalking at a point in time when anyone with an ounce of cultural awareness would …..ah fuck it

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  170. Perkins

    SK,

    I think plenty of people are pieces of shit for supporting him, or rather are supporting him because they’re pieces of shit,

    As to anyone outside of the alt right, they might not be pieces of shit. But they’re also worthy of neither respect nor empathy. Anyone who makes the bet that an authoritarian openly hostile to the first, second, fourth, fifth, eighth, tenth, and fourteenth amendments will somehow be okay is the reason our Constitution provided for so many “undemocratic” aspects.

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