Desipio Message Board

Quote from: Slaky on December 15, 2015, 07:57:38 AM
When's the damn press conference? I want to hear the story about how this all came together. It's going piss off those yokels even more.

Quote from: Median Desipio Chucklehead on December 15, 2015, 08:05:23 AM

Quote from: Slaky on December 15, 2015, 07:57:38 AM
When's the damn press conference? I want to hear the story about how this all came together. It's going piss off those yokels even more.

They have to DFA or trade somebody to make room on the 40 before they can make it official, no?

Quote from: SKO on December 15, 2015, 08:17:09 AM

Quote from: Median Desipio Chucklehead on December 15, 2015, 08:05:23 AM

Quote from: Slaky on December 15, 2015, 07:57:38 AM
When's the damn press conference? I want to hear the story about how this all came together. It's going piss off those yokels even more.

They have to DFA or trade somebody to make room on the 40 before they can make it official, no?

Nah, they've got 39 on the 40 man at the moment.

Quote from: Median Desipio Chucklehead on December 15, 2015, 08:23:25 AM

Quote from: SKO on December 15, 2015, 08:17:09 AM

Quote from: Median Desipio Chucklehead on December 15, 2015, 08:05:23 AM

Quote from: Slaky on December 15, 2015, 07:57:38 AM
When's the damn press conference? I want to hear the story about how this all came together. It's going piss off those yokels even more.

They have to DFA or trade somebody to make room on the 40 before they can make it official, no?

Nah, they've got 39 on the 40 man at the moment.

OK, cool. I thought they were full. Maybe they're going to trot out Heyward, Lackey and Zobrist together?

Quote from: Slaky on December 15, 2015, 07:57:38 AM
When's the damn press conference? I want to hear the story about how this all came together. It's going piss off those yokels even more.

Quote from: Yeti on December 15, 2015, 09:08:19 AM

Quote from: Slaky on December 15, 2015, 07:57:38 AM
When's the damn press conference? I want to hear the story about how this all came together. It's going piss off those yokels even more.

2/30 today, according to Bruce Levine

Quote from: Canadouche on December 15, 2015, 04:14:38 PM
Suddenly, I'm really happy I held off on buying that Russell jersey.

Quote from: InternetApex on December 15, 2015, 08:15:35 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on December 15, 2015, 04:14:38 PM
Suddenly, I'm really happy I held off on buying that Russell jersey.

My Jerry Mumphrey pullover is back in vogue, I see.

Quote from: PANK! on December 16, 2015, 08:44:17 AM
But seriously--Russell got a good start at completely rinsing my palate of the bitter aftertaste of disappointment that was Mark Prior.  Wild like Heyward to finish the jorb.

QuoteThis is a Marlins team that has just $31 million in 2016 salary commitments, that finished below .500 in a lost year for its best players while competing in a five-team division in which two teams are openly tanking. The Marlins aren't likely to be better than the Mets or the Nationals this year, but they have just three years left on the Giancarlo Stanton/Jose Fernandez combination. When you start with that core -- and I'm aware that neither player is the picture of health -- you have an obligation to build around it. What duos are competitive with that pair, just based on raw talent? Kershaw/Seager? Bogaerts/Price? Correa/Springer doesn't get there, nor does Correa/Keuchel. I don't think I can pair up any Angel with Mike Trout to beat the Marlins. Hernandez/Cano? Harper/Scherzer is close. McCutchen/Cole, maybe. Bryant/Heyward? Posey/Bumgarner. Goldschmidt/Greinke. Oh, since I've come this far and the rules say I have to file for every team...

Top Duos, 2016

1. Harper/Scherzer, Nationals
2. Stanton/Fernandez, Marlins
3. Goldschmidt/Greinke, Diamondbacks
4. Rizzo/Heyward, Cubs
5. Posey/Bumgarner, Giants

I think what's scary is that the Cubs' 3-4 -- Arrieta/Bryant? -- could be in the top seven. Russell/Schwarber can't be that far behind. Hoo, boy. How many teams would not trade their top two players for Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber? 12? 15?

Quote from: R-V on December 16, 2015, 09:06:08 AM
Joe Sheehan (yes, your mileage may vary on the guy) had an interesting thought experiment in his offseason rundown of the shitty Marlins:

QuoteThis is a Marlins team that has just $31 million in 2016 salary commitments, that finished below .500 in a lost year for its best players while competing in a five-team division in which two teams are openly tanking. The Marlins aren't likely to be better than the Mets or the Nationals this year, but they have just three years left on the Giancarlo Stanton/Jose Fernandez combination. When you start with that core -- and I'm aware that neither player is the picture of health -- you have an obligation to build around it. What duos are competitive with that pair, just based on raw talent? Kershaw/Seager? Bogaerts/Price? Correa/Springer doesn't get there, nor does Correa/Keuchel. I don't think I can pair up any Angel with Mike Trout to beat the Marlins. Hernandez/Cano? Harper/Scherzer is close. McCutchen/Cole, maybe. Bryant/Heyward? Posey/Bumgarner. Goldschmidt/Greinke. Oh, since I've come this far and the rules say I have to file for every team...

Top Duos, 2016

1. Harper/Scherzer, Nationals
2. Stanton/Fernandez, Marlins
3. Goldschmidt/Greinke, Diamondbacks
4. Rizzo/Heyward, Cubs
5. Posey/Bumgarner, Giants

I think what's scary is that the Cubs' 3-4 -- Arrieta/Bryant? -- could be in the top seven. Russell/Schwarber can't be that far behind. Hoo, boy. How many teams would not trade their top two players for Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber? 12? 15?

I still kind of can't believe how much talent they're going to have this year.

Quote from: Canadouche on December 15, 2015, 04:14:38 PM
Suddenly, I'm really happy I held off on buying that Russell jersey.

Quote from: Tonker on December 16, 2015, 09:01:52 AM

Quote from: PANK! on December 16, 2015, 08:44:17 AM
But seriously--Russell got a good start at completely rinsing my palate of the bitter aftertaste of disappointment that was Mark Prior.  Wild like Heyward to finish the jorb.

I wild also like that.

Quote from: Bort on December 16, 2015, 05:38:47 PM

Quote from: Tonker on December 16, 2015, 09:01:52 AM

Quote from: PANK! on December 16, 2015, 08:44:17 AM
But seriously--Russell got a good start at completely rinsing my palate of the bitter aftertaste of disappointment that was Mark Prior.  Wild like Heyward to finish the jorb.

I wild also like that.

Nobody is wild like Heyward.

Quote from: Canadouche on December 16, 2015, 12:53:56 PM
In some ways, the '88 Cubs were potentially spectacular. They boasted a still healthy Sutcliffe along with a young Maddux and Moyer. Their offense sported young Grace, Palmeiro, Dunston, and a serviceable Dave Martinez, along with future HoFers Andre Dawson and Ryne Sandberg. They could've been even better, had Lee Smith not been traded for peanuts.

And yet, the '16 Cubs are in a class of their own. If they stay healthy and avoid the sophomore slump, it could be a modern day Murderer's Row.

Quote
Jason Heyward says one reason he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that the Cubs' young core is likely to be with the team longer than the Cardinals' core is. "You have Yadier (Molina), who is going to be done in two years maybe. You have Matt Holliday, who is probably going to be done soon," Heyward told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like if I was to look up in three years and see a completely different team, that would kind of be difficult." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny says he believes in the core of his team and takes issue with Heyward's comments, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "I don't blame him. But I don't like it," says Matheny. "I don't think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright. ... [H]e's a young player. But I can't say I'm in any kind of agreement with that (Chicago) core being better than any kind of core that we have."

Quote from: Sterling Archer on December 20, 2015, 08:41:17 PM
Our shiny new outfielder is already winding Matheny up, and I love it. Careful, Jason, they'll throw at your head!

Quote
Jason Heyward says one reason he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that the Cubs' young core is likely to be with the team longer than the Cardinals' core is. "You have Yadier (Molina), who is going to be done in two years maybe. You have Matt Holliday, who is probably going to be done soon," Heyward told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like if I was to look up in three years and see a completely different team, that would kind of be difficult." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny says he believes in the core of his team and takes issue with Heyward's comments, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "I don't blame him. But I don't like it," says Matheny. "I don't think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright. ... [H]e's a young player. But I can't say I'm in any kind of agreement with that (Chicago) core being better than any kind of core that we have."

Quote from: Eli on December 20, 2015, 09:14:29 PM

Quote from: Sterling Archer on December 20, 2015, 08:41:17 PM
Our shiny new outfielder is already winding Matheny up, and I love it. Careful, Jason, they'll throw at your head!

Quote
Jason Heyward says one reason he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that the Cubs' young core is likely to be with the team longer than the Cardinals' core is. "You have Yadier (Molina), who is going to be done in two years maybe. You have Matt Holliday, who is probably going to be done soon," Heyward told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like if I was to look up in three years and see a completely different team, that would kind of be difficult." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny says he believes in the core of his team and takes issue with Heyward's comments, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "I don't blame him. But I don't like it," says Matheny. "I don't think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright. ... [H]e's a young player. But I can't say I'm in any kind of agreement with that (Chicago) core being better than any kind of core that we have."

This is stellar.

Quote from: Bort on December 20, 2015, 09:31:04 PM

Quote from: Eli on December 20, 2015, 09:14:29 PM

Quote from: Sterling Archer on December 20, 2015, 08:41:17 PM
Our shiny new outfielder is already winding Matheny up, and I love it. Careful, Jason, they'll throw at your head!

Quote
Jason Heyward says one reason he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that the Cubs' young core is likely to be with the team longer than the Cardinals' core is. "You have Yadier (Molina), who is going to be done in two years maybe. You have Matt Holliday, who is probably going to be done soon," Heyward told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like if I was to look up in three years and see a completely different team, that would kind of be difficult." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny says he believes in the core of his team and takes issue with Heyward's comments, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "I don't blame him. But I don't like it," says Matheny. "I don't think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright. ... [H]e's a young player. But I can't say I'm in any kind of agreement with that (Chicago) core being better than any kind of core that we have."

This is stellar.

Matheny's reading comprehension is exactly what I would expect it to be.

Quote from: SKO on December 20, 2015, 10:37:55 PM

Quote from: Bort on December 20, 2015, 09:31:04 PM

Quote from: Eli on December 20, 2015, 09:14:29 PM

Quote from: Sterling Archer on December 20, 2015, 08:41:17 PM
Our shiny new outfielder is already winding Matheny up, and I love it. Careful, Jason, they'll throw at your head!

Quote
Jason Heyward says one reason he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that the Cubs' young core is likely to be with the team longer than the Cardinals' core is. "You have Yadier (Molina), who is going to be done in two years maybe. You have Matt Holliday, who is probably going to be done soon," Heyward told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like if I was to look up in three years and see a completely different team, that would kind of be difficult." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny says he believes in the core of his team and takes issue with Heyward's comments, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "I don't blame him. But I don't like it," says Matheny. "I don't think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright. ... [H]e's a young player. But I can't say I'm in any kind of agreement with that (Chicago) core being better than any kind of core that we have."

This is stellar.

Matheny's reading comprehension is exactly what I would expect it to be.

It's pretty great. He's incensed about Heyward saying something that's literally a mathematical fact: the Cardinals are older than the Cubs

Quote from: Median Desipio Chucklehead on December 21, 2015, 08:18:00 AM

Quote from: SKO on December 20, 2015, 10:37:55 PM

Quote from: Bort on December 20, 2015, 09:31:04 PM

Quote from: Eli on December 20, 2015, 09:14:29 PM

Quote from: Sterling Archer on December 20, 2015, 08:41:17 PM
Our shiny new outfielder is already winding Matheny up, and I love it. Careful, Jason, they'll throw at your head!

Quote
Jason Heyward says one reason he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that the Cubs' young core is likely to be with the team longer than the Cardinals' core is. "You have Yadier (Molina), who is going to be done in two years maybe. You have Matt Holliday, who is probably going to be done soon," Heyward told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like if I was to look up in three years and see a completely different team, that would kind of be difficult." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny says he believes in the core of his team and takes issue with Heyward's comments, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "I don't blame him. But I don't like it," says Matheny. "I don't think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright. ... [H]e's a young player. But I can't say I'm in any kind of agreement with that (Chicago) core being better than any kind of core that we have."

This is stellar.

Matheny's reading comprehension is exactly what I would expect it to be.

It's pretty great. He's incensed about Heyward saying something that's literally a mathematical fact: the Cardinals are older than the Cubs

Hearing the BFIB boo Heyward for taking less money to go to a younger, better team will be the sweetest thing I've heard since the first time I heard "God Only Knows".

Quote from: Bort on December 21, 2015, 09:34:10 AM

Quote from: Median Desipio Chucklehead on December 21, 2015, 08:18:00 AM

Quote from: SKO on December 20, 2015, 10:37:55 PM

Quote from: Bort on December 20, 2015, 09:31:04 PM

Quote from: Eli on December 20, 2015, 09:14:29 PM

Quote from: Sterling Archer on December 20, 2015, 08:41:17 PM
Our shiny new outfielder is already winding Matheny up, and I love it. Careful, Jason, they'll throw at your head!

Quote
Jason Heyward says one reason he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that the Cubs' young core is likely to be with the team longer than the Cardinals' core is. "You have Yadier (Molina), who is going to be done in two years maybe. You have Matt Holliday, who is probably going to be done soon," Heyward told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like if I was to look up in three years and see a completely different team, that would kind of be difficult." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny says he believes in the core of his team and takes issue with Heyward's comments, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "I don't blame him. But I don't like it," says Matheny. "I don't think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright. ... [H]e's a young player. But I can't say I'm in any kind of agreement with that (Chicago) core being better than any kind of core that we have."

This is stellar.

Matheny's reading comprehension is exactly what I would expect it to be.

It's pretty great. He's incensed about Heyward saying something that's literally a mathematical fact: the Cardinals are older than the Cubs

Hearing the BFIB boo Heyward for taking less money to go to a younger, better team will be the sweetest thing I've heard since the first time I heard "God Only Knows".

How can this post be so utterly Fork and yet also be correct?

Quote from: Bort on December 21, 2015, 09:34:10 AM

Quote from: Median Desipio Chucklehead on December 21, 2015, 08:18:00 AM

Quote from: SKO on December 20, 2015, 10:37:55 PM

Quote from: Bort on December 20, 2015, 09:31:04 PM

Quote from: Eli on December 20, 2015, 09:14:29 PM

Quote from: Sterling Archer on December 20, 2015, 08:41:17 PM
Our shiny new outfielder is already winding Matheny up, and I love it. Careful, Jason, they'll throw at your head!

Quote
Jason Heyward says one reason he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that the Cubs' young core is likely to be with the team longer than the Cardinals' core is. "You have Yadier (Molina), who is going to be done in two years maybe. You have Matt Holliday, who is probably going to be done soon," Heyward told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like if I was to look up in three years and see a completely different team, that would kind of be difficult." Cardinals manager Mike Matheny says he believes in the core of his team and takes issue with Heyward's comments, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "I don't blame him. But I don't like it," says Matheny. "I don't think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright. ... [H]e's a young player. But I can't say I'm in any kind of agreement with that (Chicago) core being better than any kind of core that we have."

This is stellar.

Matheny's reading comprehension is exactly what I would expect it to be.

It's pretty great. He's incensed about Heyward saying something that's literally a mathematical fact: the Cardinals are older than the Cubs

Hearing the BFIB boo Heyward for taking less money to go to a younger, better team will be the sweetest thing I've heard since the first time I heard "God Only Knows".

How can this post be so utterly Fork and yet also be correct?

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on April 20, 2016, 08:18:14 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

He's still crushing the baseball, though. Liners all over the wheres.

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:28:43 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on April 20, 2016, 08:18:14 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

He's still crushing the baseball, though. Liners all over the wheres.

Yeah, his hard % has been climbing back towards his normal career rate, and his BABIP is about 80 points below where it normally is. He'll get there soon enough. I'm not worried about him or any of the players who aren't hitting a lot right now. The approaches have mostly been good, and Garcia is just the kind of junk thrower that tends to give this team fits. They did well just to wait him out and get him out after 5.

Quote from: PANK! on April 20, 2016, 08:34:30 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:28:43 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on April 20, 2016, 08:18:14 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

He's still crushing the baseball, though. Liners all over the wheres.

Yeah, his hard % has been climbing back towards his normal career rate, and his BABIP is about 80 points below where it normally is. He'll get there soon enough. I'm not worried about him or any of the players who aren't hitting a lot right now. The approaches have mostly been good, and Garcia is just the kind of junk thrower that tends to give this team fits. They did well just to wait him out and get him out after 5.

DPD.

I'm actually excited by it.

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:37:04 AM
Yeah if they're averaging 5.6 runs per game with Rizzo, Zobrist, Heyward, Soler, and Russell all hitting below .225...they're going to be in damn good shape when those guys start hitting.

Quote from: Oleg on April 20, 2016, 08:51:58 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:37:04 AM
Yeah if they're averaging 5.6 runs per game with Rizzo, Zobrist, Heyward, Soler, and Russell all hitting below .225...they're going to be in damn good shape when those guys start hitting.

Just looking at some numbers...all of these guys' poor batting average is almost entirely bad luck (example: Rizzo has a .139 BABIP because he seems to be hitting too many fly balls that are getting caught), it would seem.  None are striking out any more than expected and all have a walk rate that is in line with career norms or better.  It's kind of remarkable, really.

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:28:43 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on April 20, 2016, 08:18:14 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

He's still crushing the baseball, though. Liners all over the wheres.

Yeah, his hard % has been climbing back towards his normal career rate, and his BABIP is about 80 points below where it normally is. He'll get there soon enough. I'm not worried about him or any of the players who aren't hitting a lot right now. The approaches have mostly been good, and Garcia is just the kind of junk thrower that tends to give this team fits. They did well just to wait him out and get him out after 5.

Quote from: Yeti on April 20, 2016, 09:13:18 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:28:43 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on April 20, 2016, 08:18:14 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

He's still crushing the baseball, though. Liners all over the wheres.

Yeah, his hard % has been climbing back towards his normal career rate, and his BABIP is about 80 points below where it normally is. He'll get there soon enough. I'm not worried about him or any of the players who aren't hitting a lot right now. The approaches have mostly been good, and Garcia is just the kind of junk thrower that tends to give this team fits. They did well just to wait him out and get him out after 5.

My hard % has been pretty constant this year

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:55:15 AM

Quote from: Oleg on April 20, 2016, 08:51:58 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:37:04 AM
Yeah if they're averaging 5.6 runs per game with Rizzo, Zobrist, Heyward, Soler, and Russell all hitting below .225...they're going to be in damn good shape when those guys start hitting.

Just looking at some numbers...all of these guys' poor batting average is almost entirely bad luck (example: Rizzo has a .139 BABIP because he seems to be hitting too many fly balls that are getting caught), it would seem.  None are striking out any more than expected and all have a walk rate that is in line with career norms or better.  It's kind of remarkable, really.

Yeah, in a lot of ways it's similar to last year's slow start offensively, but this team is walking more than last year's team was in the first half, so they are able to weather the cold periods a lot better, and then the pitching has been so excellent it doesn't really matter.

Having a great team with an almost immaculately constructed roster is the best fucking thing ever.

Quote from: PANK! on April 20, 2016, 09:15:18 AM

Quote from: Yeti on April 20, 2016, 09:13:18 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 08:28:43 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on April 20, 2016, 08:18:14 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

He's still crushing the baseball, though. Liners all over the wheres.

Yeah, his hard % has been climbing back towards his normal career rate, and his BABIP is about 80 points below where it normally is. He'll get there soon enough. I'm not worried about him or any of the players who aren't hitting a lot right now. The approaches have mostly been good, and Garcia is just the kind of junk thrower that tends to give this team fits. They did well just to wait him out and get him out after 5.

My hard % has been pretty constant this year

Yeti made me Muttley

Quote from: PANK! on April 20, 2016, 08:32:58 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

I've been saying he's the best Cub RF since Hawk but let's be honest--that's a slight on Jhey Hey.  Dawson--though a Hall of Fame defender in his prime--was in his 30's and had 2 shitty knees when he patrolled right for the Cubs.  He still had a cannon and his range was acceptable for Wrigley....but I can say there's no question for me that I am--right now-- watching the best player I've ever seen wearing that uniform and playing that position.  Good god.

Quote from: Brownie on April 20, 2016, 01:06:58 PM

Quote from: PANK! on April 20, 2016, 08:32:58 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 20, 2016, 07:41:38 AM

Quote from: Tonker on April 20, 2016, 03:27:32 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 12, 2016, 06:29:40 AM
I'll bump it for his big 2 out, 2 strikes, 2 run single off a tough lefthander to get the Cubs going and turn the game around last night.

Matt Holliday might not be the most mobile dude in the league but that throw still had to be a perfect strike to nail him.  Fuck you, St. Louis.

Yeah, the slow start offensively is a bummer (although totally normal for his career, and he's hit into some rotten ass luck this series), but the man is like the walking definition of dWAR. It feels like he saves them at least one run a game defensively every time he's out there.

I've been saying he's the best Cub RF since Hawk but let's be honest--that's a slight on Jhey Hey.  Dawson--though a Hall of Fame defender in his prime--was in his 30's and had 2 shitty knees when he patrolled right for the Cubs.  He still had a cannon and his range was acceptable for Wrigley....but I can say there's no question for me that I am--right now-- watching the best player I've ever seen wearing that uniform and playing that position.  Good god.

I'll agree, but what made Dawson great was not his speed but what was between his ears. Heyward has that AND he's only entering his prime without having to play more than a handful of games, maximum, on artificial turf.

Quote from: SKO on April 25, 2016, 07:39:37 AM
9-17 with 4 walks and 5 RBI in that series, raising his line to a much more respectable .260/.365/.315/.680. The BABIP Gods finally gave him a break.

Quote from: Brownie on April 25, 2016, 09:34:19 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 25, 2016, 07:39:37 AM
9-17 with 4 walks and 5 RBI in that series, raising his line to a much more respectable .260/.365/.315/.680. The BABIP Gods finally gave him a break.

I predict a Dawson-esque May for Heyward.

Quote from: PANK! on April 25, 2016, 09:49:34 AM

Quote from: Brownie on April 25, 2016, 09:34:19 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 25, 2016, 07:39:37 AM
9-17 with 4 walks and 5 RBI in that series, raising his line to a much more respectable .260/.365/.315/.680. The BABIP Gods finally gave him a break.

I predict a Dawson-esque May for Heyward.

I'm assuming you mean Dawson.v.1987?

Quote from: Brownie on April 25, 2016, 10:16:05 AM

Quote from: PANK! on April 25, 2016, 09:49:34 AM

Quote from: Brownie on April 25, 2016, 09:34:19 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 25, 2016, 07:39:37 AM
9-17 with 4 walks and 5 RBI in that series, raising his line to a much more respectable .260/.365/.315/.680. The BABIP Gods finally gave him a break.

I predict a Dawson-esque May for Heyward.

I'm assuming you mean Dawson.v.1987?

You are correct. But I meant Richard Dawson, who had a swell May 1987.

Quote from: PenFoe on April 25, 2016, 10:16:35 AM

Quote from: Brownie on April 25, 2016, 10:16:05 AM

Quote from: PANK! on April 25, 2016, 09:49:34 AM

Quote from: Brownie on April 25, 2016, 09:34:19 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 25, 2016, 07:39:37 AM
9-17 with 4 walks and 5 RBI in that series, raising his line to a much more respectable .260/.365/.315/.680. The BABIP Gods finally gave him a break.

I predict a Dawson-esque May for Heyward.

I'm assuming you mean Dawson.v.1987?

You are correct. But I meant Richard Dawson, who had a swell May 1987.

The Running Man actually didn't come out until November of '87.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

Quote from: PANK! on May 19, 2016, 04:03:47 PM

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

Yeah 0-5 and stranding runners on base by the busload is making it hard for the most rhetorically limber of people to defend this guy right now.

Quote from: Slaky on May 19, 2016, 04:14:17 PM

Quote from: PANK! on May 19, 2016, 04:03:47 PM

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

Yeah 0-5 and stranding runners on base by the busload is making it hard for the most rhetorically limber of people to defend this guy right now.

He is definitely slumping. I think they should kill him.

Quote from: Slaky on May 19, 2016, 04:14:17 PM

Quote from: PANK! on May 19, 2016, 04:03:47 PM

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

Yeah 0-5 and stranding runners on base by the busload is making it hard for the most rhetorically limber of people to defend this guy right now.

He is definitely slumping. I think they should kill him.

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 10:16:51 PM

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

MLB gave me that particular slash line. I didn't have time to do a deeper dive.

So what's the alternative? He had a stinker today, but nobody's exactly been lighting it up the past few games.

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 05:28:28 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 10:16:51 PM

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

MLB gave me that particular slash line. I didn't have time to do a deeper dive.

So what's the alternative? He had a stinker today, but nobody's exactly been lighting it up the past few games.

One alternative would be to swap him and Zobrist in the lineup.  Ben's knocking the ball all over the park, at least let him do it with Dexter on base.

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 05:28:28 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 10:16:51 PM

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

MLB gave me that particular slash line. I didn't have time to do a deeper dive.

So what's the alternative? He had a stinker today, but nobody's exactly been lighting it up the past few games.

One alternative would be to swap him and Zobrist in the lineup.  Ben's knocking the ball all over the park, at least let him do it with Dexter on base.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 20, 2016, 08:21:47 AM

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 05:28:28 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 10:16:51 PM

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

MLB gave me that particular slash line. I didn't have time to do a deeper dive.

So what's the alternative? He had a stinker today, but nobody's exactly been lighting it up the past few games.

One alternative would be to swap him and Zobrist in the lineup.  Ben's knocking the ball all over the park, at least let him do it with Dexter on base.

Move Zobrist and you'd be taking the bat out of Rizzo's hands until someone can heat up and hit in the 5 spot.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 20, 2016, 08:39:18 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 20, 2016, 08:21:47 AM

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 05:28:28 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 10:16:51 PM

Quote from: Eli on May 19, 2016, 03:56:35 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2016, 03:54:50 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2016, 03:12:08 PM
Time for him to go down in the order until he gets it figured out.

before today he was 308/400/423 in the previous 7.

And then today happened and now it's harder to cherry-pick good stats for him.

MLB gave me that particular slash line. I didn't have time to do a deeper dive.

So what's the alternative? He had a stinker today, but nobody's exactly been lighting it up the past few games.

One alternative would be to swap him and Zobrist in the lineup.  Ben's knocking the ball all over the park, at least let him do it with Dexter on base.

Move Zobrist and you'd be taking the bat out of Rizzo's hands until someone can heat up and hit in the 5 spot.

If the bases are clogged ahead of Rizzo, it's hard to pitch around him.

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:39:05 AM
If Maddon could just figure out how to put the lineup together correctly, maybe this offense that is 1st in the majors in OBP, 3rd in offensive WAR and 4th in wOBA will finally take off.

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 09:43:37 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:39:05 AM
If Maddon could just figure out how to put the lineup together correctly, maybe this offense that is 1st in the majors in OBP, 3rd in offensive WAR and 4th in wOBA will finally take off.

3rd in WAR and 4th in wOBA tells me there's room for improvement. Why don't you want the Cubs to try and get better? You're king fuckin' bullshit tolerator these days, aren't you?

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:59:00 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 09:43:37 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:39:05 AM
If Maddon could just figure out how to put the lineup together correctly, maybe this offense that is 1st in the majors in OBP, 3rd in offensive WAR and 4th in wOBA will finally take off.

3rd in WAR and 4th in wOBA tells me there's room for improvement. Why don't you want the Cubs to try and get better? You're king fuckin' bullshit tolerator these days, aren't you?

I was 90% trolling with that post. I do think some perspective is in order in that (a) that this is very likely going to be the best Cubs offense of the last 25 years - the 2008 team is really the only one that's comparable (b) more importantly this could be the best offense in MLB depending on the Red Sox sustaining their zany BABIP and (c) as Slaky described more succinctly, shit happens throughout a season and there are ebbs and flows on the player level and the team level. Now obviously just saying "Holy shit these guys are good!" all season makes for a boring-ass discourse and that's not what I'm advocating, so I'm just going to be the dickhead who reminds you guys from time to time that holy shit these guys are good.

Quote from: Bort on May 20, 2016, 10:06:13 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:59:00 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 09:43:37 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:39:05 AM
If Maddon could just figure out how to put the lineup together correctly, maybe this offense that is 1st in the majors in OBP, 3rd in offensive WAR and 4th in wOBA will finally take off.

3rd in WAR and 4th in wOBA tells me there's room for improvement. Why don't you want the Cubs to try and get better? You're king fuckin' bullshit tolerator these days, aren't you?

I was 90% trolling with that post. I do think some perspective is in order in that (a) that this is very likely going to be the best Cubs offense of the last 25 years - the 2008 team is really the only one that's comparable (b) more importantly this could be the best offense in MLB depending on the Red Sox sustaining their zany BABIP and (c) as Slaky described more succinctly, shit happens throughout a season and there are ebbs and flows on the player level and the team level. Now obviously just saying "Holy shit these guys are good!" all season makes for a boring-ass discourse and that's not what I'm advocating, so I'm just going to be the dickhead who reminds you guys from time to time that holy shit these guys are good.

Is responding to an SKO joke with an SKO style explanatory post high level trolling or advanced irony?

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:59:00 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 09:43:37 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:39:05 AM
If Maddon could just figure out how to put the lineup together correctly, maybe this offense that is 1st in the majors in OBP, 3rd in offensive WAR and 4th in wOBA will finally take off.

3rd in WAR and 4th in wOBA tells me there's room for improvement. Why don't you want the Cubs to try and get better? You're king fuckin' bullshit tolerator these days, aren't you?

I was 90% trolling with that post. I do think some perspective is in order in that (a) that this is very likely going to be the best Cubs offense of the last 25 years - the 2008 team is really the only one that's comparable (b) more importantly this could be the best offense in MLB depending on the Red Sox sustaining their zany BABIP and (c) as Slaky described more succinctly, shit happens throughout a season and there are ebbs and flows on the player level and the team level. Now obviously just saying "Holy shit these guys are good!" all season makes for a boring-ass discourse and that's not what I'm advocating, so I'm just going to be the dickhead who reminds you guys from time to time that holy shit these guys are good.

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:59:00 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 09:43:37 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:39:05 AM
If Maddon could just figure out how to put the lineup together correctly, maybe this offense that is 1st in the majors in OBP, 3rd in offensive WAR and 4th in wOBA will finally take off.

3rd in WAR and 4th in wOBA tells me there's room for improvement. Why don't you want the Cubs to try and get better? You're king fuckin' bullshit tolerator these days, aren't you?

I was 90% trolling with that post. I do think some perspective is in order in that (a) that this is very likely going to be the best Cubs offense of the last 25 years - the 2008 team is really the only one that's comparable (b) more importantly this could be the best offense in MLB depending on the Red Sox sustaining their zany BABIP and (c) as Slaky described more succinctly, shit happens throughout a season and there are ebbs and flows on the player level and the team level. Now obviously just saying "Holy shit these guys are good!" all season makes for a boring-ass discourse and that's not what I'm advocating, so I'm just going to be the dickhead who reminds you guys from time to time that holy shit these guys are good.

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 10:30:11 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:59:00 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 09:43:37 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 09:39:05 AM
If Maddon could just figure out how to put the lineup together correctly, maybe this offense that is 1st in the majors in OBP, 3rd in offensive WAR and 4th in wOBA will finally take off.

3rd in WAR and 4th in wOBA tells me there's room for improvement. Why don't you want the Cubs to try and get better? You're king fuckin' bullshit tolerator these days, aren't you?

I was 90% trolling with that post. I do think some perspective is in order in that (a) that this is very likely going to be the best Cubs offense of the last 25 years - the 2008 team is really the only one that's comparable (b) more importantly this could be the best offense in MLB depending on the Red Sox sustaining their zany BABIP and (c) as Slaky described more succinctly, shit happens throughout a season and there are ebbs and flows on the player level and the team level. Now obviously just saying "Holy shit these guys are good!" all season makes for a boring-ass discourse and that's not what I'm advocating, so I'm just going to be the dickhead who reminds you guys from time to time that holy shit these guys are good.

Aside from LiteralRV taking SKO seriously, it seems he brought himself in to this discussion to take us to task for suggesting that Maddon drop Heyward in the order.

But, but...

(http://i.imgur.com/OGebFGz.png?1)

Pick a lane, assface.

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 10:51:06 AM
DPD, but if I was in charge I like the Addison hitting 2nd idea with Heyward dropping down to 6th. I don't think Maddon is perfect - the Rizzo pinch running thing seems particularly bizarre to me as an example - but I do think given Heyward's high-OBP/high-contact track record, and Addison's success thus far with guys on base, it's totally reasonable for Joe to just leave Heyward at #2 and wait for things to presumably work themselves out over the next couple weeks.

Quote from: Eli on May 20, 2016, 11:08:36 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 10:51:06 AM
DPD, but if I was in charge I like the Addison hitting 2nd idea with Heyward dropping down to 6th. I don't think Maddon is perfect - the Rizzo pinch running thing seems particularly bizarre to me as an example - but I do think given Heyward's high-OBP/high-contact track record, and Addison's success thus far with guys on base, it's totally reasonable for Joe to just leave Heyward at #2 and wait for things to presumably work themselves out over the next couple weeks.

I'm with you on this. Given Heyward's calendar-related tendencies and the fact that he's still getting on base at a decent clip, I'd just leave him. If it gets to July and he's still scuffling along, re-visit it. Addison is so young that I'd be hesitant to shake up what's been working. He's trending toward being a pretty ideal No. 2 hitter, but let's just see how it plays out. I think SKO is simply pushing hard on his Addison-leads-the-team-in-WAR fantasy.

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 11:40:04 AM

Quote from: Eli on May 20, 2016, 11:08:36 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 10:51:06 AM
DPD, but if I was in charge I like the Addison hitting 2nd idea with Heyward dropping down to 6th. I don't think Maddon is perfect - the Rizzo pinch running thing seems particularly bizarre to me as an example - but I do think given Heyward's high-OBP/high-contact track record, and Addison's success thus far with guys on base, it's totally reasonable for Joe to just leave Heyward at #2 and wait for things to presumably work themselves out over the next couple weeks.

I'm with you on this. Given Heyward's calendar-related tendencies and the fact that he's still getting on base at a decent clip, I'd just leave him. If it gets to July and he's still scuffling along, re-visit it. Addison is so young that I'd be hesitant to shake up what's been working. He's trending toward being a pretty ideal No. 2 hitter, but let's just see how it plays out. I think SKO is simply pushing hard on his Addison-leads-the-team-in-WAR fantasy.

You may have hitched your wagon to young Troy Glaus, but when Black Derek Jeter Except Good At Defense is speaking at his 2038 half of fame induction, he'll thank me for always being there.

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 11:41:01 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 11:40:04 AM

Quote from: Eli on May 20, 2016, 11:08:36 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 10:51:06 AM
DPD, but if I was in charge I like the Addison hitting 2nd idea with Heyward dropping down to 6th. I don't think Maddon is perfect - the Rizzo pinch running thing seems particularly bizarre to me as an example - but I do think given Heyward's high-OBP/high-contact track record, and Addison's success thus far with guys on base, it's totally reasonable for Joe to just leave Heyward at #2 and wait for things to presumably work themselves out over the next couple weeks.

I'm with you on this. Given Heyward's calendar-related tendencies and the fact that he's still getting on base at a decent clip, I'd just leave him. If it gets to July and he's still scuffling along, re-visit it. Addison is so young that I'd be hesitant to shake up what's been working. He's trending toward being a pretty ideal No. 2 hitter, but let's just see how it plays out. I think SKO is simply pushing hard on his Addison-leads-the-team-in-WAR fantasy.

You may have hitched your wagon to young Troy Glaus, but when Black Derek Jeter Except Good At Defense is speaking at his 2038 half of fame induction, he'll thank me for always being there.

Ummm, Derek Jeter is black....or at least about as half-black as Addison.

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 11:43:28 AM

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 11:41:01 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 11:40:04 AM

Quote from: Eli on May 20, 2016, 11:08:36 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 10:51:06 AM
DPD, but if I was in charge I like the Addison hitting 2nd idea with Heyward dropping down to 6th. I don't think Maddon is perfect - the Rizzo pinch running thing seems particularly bizarre to me as an example - but I do think given Heyward's high-OBP/high-contact track record, and Addison's success thus far with guys on base, it's totally reasonable for Joe to just leave Heyward at #2 and wait for things to presumably work themselves out over the next couple weeks.

I'm with you on this. Given Heyward's calendar-related tendencies and the fact that he's still getting on base at a decent clip, I'd just leave him. If it gets to July and he's still scuffling along, re-visit it. Addison is so young that I'd be hesitant to shake up what's been working. He's trending toward being a pretty ideal No. 2 hitter, but let's just see how it plays out. I think SKO is simply pushing hard on his Addison-leads-the-team-in-WAR fantasy.

You may have hitched your wagon to young Troy Glaus, but when Black Derek Jeter Except Good At Defense is speaking at his 2038 half of fame induction, he'll thank me for always being there.

Ummm, Derek Jeter is black....or at least about as half-black as Addison.

Well this is awkward

Quote from: InternetApex on May 20, 2016, 11:52:39 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 11:43:28 AM

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 11:41:01 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 11:40:04 AM

Quote from: Eli on May 20, 2016, 11:08:36 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 10:51:06 AM
DPD, but if I was in charge I like the Addison hitting 2nd idea with Heyward dropping down to 6th. I don't think Maddon is perfect - the Rizzo pinch running thing seems particularly bizarre to me as an example - but I do think given Heyward's high-OBP/high-contact track record, and Addison's success thus far with guys on base, it's totally reasonable for Joe to just leave Heyward at #2 and wait for things to presumably work themselves out over the next couple weeks.

I'm with you on this. Given Heyward's calendar-related tendencies and the fact that he's still getting on base at a decent clip, I'd just leave him. If it gets to July and he's still scuffling along, re-visit it. Addison is so young that I'd be hesitant to shake up what's been working. He's trending toward being a pretty ideal No. 2 hitter, but let's just see how it plays out. I think SKO is simply pushing hard on his Addison-leads-the-team-in-WAR fantasy.

You may have hitched your wagon to young Troy Glaus, but when Black Derek Jeter Except Good At Defense is speaking at his 2038 half of fame induction, he'll thank me for always being there.

Ummm, Derek Jeter is black....or at least about as half-black as Addison.

Well this is awkward

I'm literally laughing my ass off and it hurts really bad.

Quote from: InternetApex on May 20, 2016, 11:52:39 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 11:43:28 AM

Quote from: PANK! on May 20, 2016, 11:41:01 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 20, 2016, 11:40:04 AM

Quote from: Eli on May 20, 2016, 11:08:36 AM

Quote from: R-V on May 20, 2016, 10:51:06 AM
DPD, but if I was in charge I like the Addison hitting 2nd idea with Heyward dropping down to 6th. I don't think Maddon is perfect - the Rizzo pinch running thing seems particularly bizarre to me as an example - but I do think given Heyward's high-OBP/high-contact track record, and Addison's success thus far with guys on base, it's totally reasonable for Joe to just leave Heyward at #2 and wait for things to presumably work themselves out over the next couple weeks.

I'm with you on this. Given Heyward's calendar-related tendencies and the fact that he's still getting on base at a decent clip, I'd just leave him. If it gets to July and he's still scuffling along, re-visit it. Addison is so young that I'd be hesitant to shake up what's been working. He's trending toward being a pretty ideal No. 2 hitter, but let's just see how it plays out. I think SKO is simply pushing hard on his Addison-leads-the-team-in-WAR fantasy.

You may have hitched your wagon to young Troy Glaus, but when Black Derek Jeter Except Good At Defense is speaking at his 2038 half of fame induction, he'll thank me for always being there.

Ummm, Derek Jeter is black....or at least about as half-black as Addison.

Well this is awkward

I'm literally laughing my ass off and it hurts really bad.

Quote from: Shooter on May 20, 2016, 09:41:34 PM
That was a hell of a catch.

Collarbone?

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 20, 2016, 06:36:33 PM
Upon reflection and good cause appearing, SKO should have to change his name to Black Derek Jeter, with a photo of Jeter and Russell side by side, for at least a week. Can I get a second?

Quote from: InternetApex on May 25, 2016, 02:56:42 PM
Maybe he just needed to slide headlong into a brick outfield wall to get right. That's convenient as hell because I know where there's one.

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2016, 10:40:39 PM
It's June now. Start hitting.

Quote from: SKO on June 07, 2016, 08:55:47 PM
How many more times does the automatic ground out need to kill a rally before Joe contemplates not batting him in the spot where you should actually bat your best hitter

Quote from: Eli on June 07, 2016, 09:06:23 PM

Quote from: SKO on June 07, 2016, 08:55:47 PM
How many more times does the automatic ground out need to kill a rally before Joe contemplates not batting him in the spot where you should actually bat your best hitter

Probably like 40 or 50.

Quote from: PenFoe on June 07, 2016, 10:55:20 PM

Quote from: Eli on June 07, 2016, 09:06:23 PM

Quote from: SKO on June 07, 2016, 08:55:47 PM
How many more times does the automatic ground out need to kill a rally before Joe contemplates not batting him in the spot where you should actually bat your best hitter

Probably like 40 or 50.

He's basically Albert Almora on a $184 million deal.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 13, 2016, 08:45:52 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on June 07, 2016, 10:55:20 PM

Quote from: Eli on June 07, 2016, 09:06:23 PM

Quote from: SKO on June 07, 2016, 08:55:47 PM
How many more times does the automatic ground out need to kill a rally before Joe contemplates not batting him in the spot where you should actually bat your best hitter

Probably like 40 or 50.

He's basically Albert Almora on a $184 million deal.

325/413/600 in June. I'll take that from Almora too, please.

Quote from: SKO on June 13, 2016, 08:52:50 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 13, 2016, 08:45:52 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on June 07, 2016, 10:55:20 PM

Quote from: Eli on June 07, 2016, 09:06:23 PM

Quote from: SKO on June 07, 2016, 08:55:47 PM
How many more times does the automatic ground out need to kill a rally before Joe contemplates not batting him in the spot where you should actually bat your best hitter

Probably like 40 or 50.

He's basically Albert Almora on a $184 million deal.

325/413/600 in June. I'll take that from Almora too, please.

6 straight games against Philadelphia and Atlanta will do that. I'm not tolerating dis overpaid bum's bullshit till he tears it up against Washington, Pittsburgh, and ESPECIALLY the goddamn Cardinals during this upcoming stretch.

Quote from: SKO on June 20, 2016, 10:23:39 PM
It's hard to drink Cardinal tears when you don't get the ball out of the fucking infield. June 20th and he's still hitting like Junior fucking Lake.

Quote from: Yeti on June 21, 2016, 06:14:12 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 20, 2016, 10:23:39 PM
It's hard to drink Cardinal tears when you don't get the ball out of the fucking infield. June 20th and he's still hitting like Junior fucking Lake.

I'm all about getting frustrated with him, but it was a broken bat

Quote from: SKO on June 21, 2016, 06:22:10 AM

Quote from: Yeti on June 21, 2016, 06:14:12 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 20, 2016, 10:23:39 PM
It's hard to drink Cardinal tears when you don't get the ball out of the fucking infield. June 20th and he's still hitting like Junior fucking Lake.

I'm all about getting frustrated with him, but it was a broken bat

All 4 times? 6 for his last 28 with one XBH. They all broken bats?

Quote from: Yeti on June 21, 2016, 03:45:00 PM

Quote from: SKO on June 21, 2016, 06:22:10 AM

Quote from: Yeti on June 21, 2016, 06:14:12 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 20, 2016, 10:23:39 PM
It's hard to drink Cardinal tears when you don't get the ball out of the fucking infield. June 20th and he's still hitting like Junior fucking Lake.

I'm all about getting frustrated with him, but it was a broken bat

All 4 times? 6 for his last 28 with one XBH. They all broken bats?

No. Given the timing of your post, I assumed you were talking about that one AB

Quote from: SKO on June 25, 2016, 05:40:13 PM
I am red mad and nude over this bastard's fucking .649 OPS

Quote from: Canadouche on June 25, 2016, 06:19:46 PM

Quote from: SKO on June 25, 2016, 05:40:13 PM
I am red mad and nude over this bastard's fucking .649 OPS

Is this a rage tweet?

Quote from: SKO on June 21, 2016, 03:50:25 PM
His ISO (.098) is in fucking Lance Johnson territory (.095). God dammit, Jason.

Quote from: PenFoe on June 28, 2016, 09:52:04 PM
I could go on a serious, irrational meatball rant about this dude at the drop of a hat.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 04:59:17 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on June 28, 2016, 09:52:04 PM
I could go on a serious, irrational meatball rant about this dude at the drop of a hat.

*drops hat*

Quote from: Tonker on June 29, 2016, 07:07:53 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 04:59:17 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on June 28, 2016, 09:52:04 PM
I could go on a serious, irrational meatball rant about this dude at the drop of a hat.

*drops hat*

Because what we need around here is MOAR IRRATIONAL MEATBALL RANTING.

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 07:26:55 AM

Quote from: Tonker on June 29, 2016, 07:07:53 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 04:59:17 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on June 28, 2016, 09:52:04 PM
I could go on a serious, irrational meatball rant about this dude at the drop of a hat.

*drops hat*

Because what we need around here is MOAR IRRATIONAL MEATBALL RANTING.

To be fair at what point does it become not irrational? Because a .650 OPS from a $23 million dollar a year outfielder on June 29th seems like a perfectly rational thing to be mad about.

I mean, calling for him to be benched or DFA'd or sent to the minors or whatever would obviously be meatball, but I think shouting "god fucking dammit, Jason, hit the fucking ball" is well within the rights of rational people at this point, even if Irrational Folks like myself jumped on the train faster than others.

Quote from: Tonker on June 29, 2016, 07:29:39 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 07:26:55 AM

Quote from: Tonker on June 29, 2016, 07:07:53 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 04:59:17 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on June 28, 2016, 09:52:04 PM
I could go on a serious, irrational meatball rant about this dude at the drop of a hat.

*drops hat*

Because what we need around here is MOAR IRRATIONAL MEATBALL RANTING.

To be fair at what point does it become not irrational? Because a .650 OPS from a $23 million dollar a year outfielder on June 29th seems like a perfectly rational thing to be mad about.

I mean, calling for him to be benched or DFA'd or sent to the minors or whatever would obviously be meatball, but I think shouting "god fucking dammit, Jason, hit the fucking ball" is well within the rights of rational people at this point, even if Irrational Folks like myself jumped on the train faster than others.

I didn't say it would be irrational, Pen did.

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 07:26:55 AM

Quote from: Tonker on June 29, 2016, 07:07:53 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 04:59:17 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on June 28, 2016, 09:52:04 PM
I could go on a serious, irrational meatball rant about this dude at the drop of a hat.

*drops hat*

Because what we need around here is MOAR IRRATIONAL MEATBALL RANTING.

To be fair at what point does it become not irrational? Because a .650 OPS from a $23 million dollar a year outfielder on June 29th seems like a perfectly rational thing to be mad about.

I mean, calling for him to be benched or DFA'd or sent to the minors or whatever would obviously be meatball, but I think shouting "god fucking dammit, Jason, hit the fucking ball" is well within the rights of rational people at this point, even if Irrational Folks like myself jumped on the train faster than others.

Quote from: Oleg on June 29, 2016, 08:47:21 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 07:26:55 AM

Quote from: Tonker on June 29, 2016, 07:07:53 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 04:59:17 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on June 28, 2016, 09:52:04 PM
I could go on a serious, irrational meatball rant about this dude at the drop of a hat.

*drops hat*

Because what we need around here is MOAR IRRATIONAL MEATBALL RANTING.

To be fair at what point does it become not irrational? Because a .650 OPS from a $23 million dollar a year outfielder on June 29th seems like a perfectly rational thing to be mad about.

I mean, calling for him to be benched or DFA'd or sent to the minors or whatever would obviously be meatball, but I think shouting "god fucking dammit, Jason, hit the fucking ball" is well within the rights of rational people at this point, even if Irrational Folks like myself jumped on the train faster than others.

The rational argument could be that his defense and baserunning are still keeping him on pace to be a major league average player despite his pedestrian offense contributions.  Think about that for a minute...the guy is hitting like Ronny Cedeno and is still at least a major league average player.  Also rational, that's not really worth $23MM per year but here we are.

He's not coming out of the lineup.  The team wouldn't be as good without him.  Yet, you can still be rationally frustrated at his offense, arbitrary monthly statistics be damned.

Am I sounding like a Heyward apologist?  Cause I think I'm becoming one.

Also, who the fuck are the idiots suggested he be DFA'd or optioned (as if that was an option).

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 09:45:55 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

I don't think he'll be this bad forever. But I think he might be this bad for the rest of the year because whatever is bugging him (minor injury, trouble adjusting, mechanical problem) is going to be tough to fix before the offseason.

Quote from: Oleg on June 29, 2016, 09:49:22 AM

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 09:45:55 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

I don't think he'll be this bad forever. But I think he might be this bad for the rest of the year because whatever is bugging him (minor injury, trouble adjusting, mechanical problem) is going to be tough to fix before the offseason.

Can we get an arbiter's decision on the over/under of rationality in this post?

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 09:45:55 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

I don't think he'll be this bad forever. But I think he might be this bad for the rest of the year because whatever is bugging him (minor injury, trouble adjusting, mechanical problem) is going to be tough to fix before the offseason.

Quote from: Slaky on June 29, 2016, 09:56:14 AM

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 09:45:55 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

I don't think he'll be this bad forever. But I think he might be this bad for the rest of the year because whatever is bugging him (minor injury, trouble adjusting, mechanical problem) is going to be tough to fix before the offseason.

They aren't the same player at all but I remember Moises Alou wasn't very good in his first season.

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 09:45:55 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

I don't think he'll be this bad forever. But I think he might be this bad for the rest of the year because whatever is bugging him (minor injury, trouble adjusting, mechanical problem) is going to be tough to fix before the offseason.

Quote from: Slaky on June 29, 2016, 09:56:14 AM

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 09:45:55 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

I don't think he'll be this bad forever. But I think he might be this bad for the rest of the year because whatever is bugging him (minor injury, trouble adjusting, mechanical problem) is going to be tough to fix before the offseason.

They aren't the same player at all but I remember Moises Alou wasn't very good in his first season.

Quote from: CT III on June 29, 2016, 10:01:50 AM

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 09:45:55 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

I don't think he'll be this bad forever. But I think he might be this bad for the rest of the year because whatever is bugging him (minor injury, trouble adjusting, mechanical problem) is going to be tough to fix before the offseason.

My thought has been it's a nagging injury that's not so terrible he can't play, and with the rest of the OFers dropping like flies he's gutting it out.  Ideally if they maintain the large lead in the division maybe he'd be able to do a DL stint when Soler and Fowler get back, since they've got insurance (HA!) in the form of Coghlan.

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 10:15:05 AM

Quote from: CT III on June 29, 2016, 10:01:50 AM

Quote from: Eli on June 29, 2016, 09:45:55 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:25:52 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 29, 2016, 08:20:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 29, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Kris Bryant had 5 extra base hits Monday night, and Jason Heyward has 5 in his last 19 games (none in his last seven)

To be fair, nobody expected Heyward to match Bryant's offensive output.

Heyward has been offensively putrid all season, but at some point he's got to correct himself, right? There's nothing in his career to indicate he'll remain this horrible.

And as long as the Cubs are banged up, there aren't really a whole lot of other options in the 2 spot. Even Zobrist hasn't been doing a whole lot of hitting lately, last night's HR notwithstanding.

You would think that, but his career numbers indicated he would usually correct himself by now. June is one of his best months, and yet he's been even worse in the second half of this month than he's been all year. I'm starting to think that "sore wrist" was more than they let on and it's sapped him of all of his power.

I don't think he'll be this bad forever. But I think he might be this bad for the rest of the year because whatever is bugging him (minor injury, trouble adjusting, mechanical problem) is going to be tough to fix before the offseason.

My thought has been it's a nagging injury that's not so terrible he can't play, and with the rest of the OFers dropping like flies he's gutting it out.  Ideally if they maintain the large lead in the division maybe he'd be able to do a DL stint when Soler and Fowler get back, since they've got insurance (HA!) in the form of Coghlan.

I think there's been some speculation about his wrist, which is obviously a huge problem for any hitter.

My main point is it wouldn't surprise me a bit if he muddles through a mundane 2.5-win season in 2016 and goes back to being a 6-win player next year.

Quote from: PANK! on July 07, 2016, 11:49:21 AM
Well this didn't do much to pick up my spirits. (http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/07/06/jason-heyward-clayton-kershaw-stats?xid=si_social)

Quote from: SKO on July 07, 2016, 12:03:11 PM

Quote from: PANK! on July 07, 2016, 11:49:21 AM
Well this didn't do much to pick up my spirits. (http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/07/06/jason-heyward-clayton-kershaw-stats?xid=si_social)

Fuck

Quote from: Tony on July 07, 2016, 04:27:20 PM

Quote from: SKO on July 07, 2016, 12:03:11 PM

Quote from: PANK! on July 07, 2016, 11:49:21 AM
Well this didn't do much to pick up my spirits. (http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/07/06/jason-heyward-clayton-kershaw-stats?xid=si_social)

Fuck

So he just sucks now? I would think Theo would have seen these issues if they were there before signing him.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 10, 2016, 07:28:40 PM
hitting 6th seems to agree with him (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=heywaja01&year=&t=b#lineu).

Quote from: SKO on July 20, 2016, 08:01:37 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 10, 2016, 07:28:40 PM
hitting 6th seems to agree with him (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=heywaja01&year=&t=b#lineu).

Not so much since the break. Also getting tired of the half of Cubs twitter that wants to give him a merit badge every time he hits a foul ball or a lineout pretty hard. It's July 20th. I don't want to hear about how his swing "sure seems to be coming around finally" when he's got one hit in his last six games.

Quote from: PANK! on July 20, 2016, 08:24:42 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 20, 2016, 08:01:37 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 10, 2016, 07:28:40 PM
hitting 6th seems to agree with him (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=heywaja01&year=&t=b#lineu).

Not so much since the break. Also getting tired of the half of Cubs twitter that wants to give him a merit badge every time he hits a foul ball or a lineout pretty hard. It's July 20th. I don't want to hear about how his swing "sure seems to be coming around finally" when he's got one hit in his last six games.

I would just like to say that the ONE TIME we could've used his patented, Juan-Pierre-Approved 4-3 rollout with a runner on second and nobody out in the 6th inning he instead fucking struck out and yeah I'm not in any mood to endear myself to the guy right now.

Quote from: SKO on July 20, 2016, 08:28:13 AM

Quote from: PANK! on July 20, 2016, 08:24:42 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 20, 2016, 08:01:37 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 10, 2016, 07:28:40 PM
hitting 6th seems to agree with him (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=heywaja01&year=&t=b#lineu).

Not so much since the break. Also getting tired of the half of Cubs twitter that wants to give him a merit badge every time he hits a foul ball or a lineout pretty hard. It's July 20th. I don't want to hear about how his swing "sure seems to be coming around finally" when he's got one hit in his last six games.

I would just like to say that the ONE TIME we could've used his patented, Juan-Pierre-Approved 4-3 rollout with a runner on second and nobody out in the 6th inning he instead fucking struck out and yeah I'm not in any mood to endear myself to the guy right now.

I mean I get people not wanting to shit all over him when he seems like a good guy and he's obviously not going anywhere so there's nothing to do but wait for him to hit, I just am tired of hearing "he's made some hard outs those will turn into hits soon" over and over and nothing ever comes of it. Just stop waiting for the breakout, it'll happen or it won't but I'm long past the point of thinking some well struck foul balls mean anything other than that his swing is still off. The man got a 200 million dollar deal, he doesn't need you to boost him with the Power of Positive Thinking.

Quote from: SKO on July 23, 2016, 06:44:36 PM
/thread

Quote from: PANK! on July 24, 2016, 10:29:27 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 23, 2016, 06:44:36 PM
/thread

Wha' happened?

Quote from: SKO on July 25, 2016, 10:29:52 PM
Eat a dick, Jason

Quote from: Eli on July 26, 2016, 10:23:12 AM
I'm not really sure he should be playing every day at this point.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 01, 2016, 12:37:16 AM
Dare I say ... bump? Came within inches of ending the game and capped it with a gorgeous slide to score the winning run. Keep this up, Jason! We want to rub your success into the BFIB's faces!

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Saving grace for him in my book is that he's clearly as pissed as we all are.

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 01:37:29 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Saving grace for him in my book is that he's clearly as pissed as we all are.

This is kind of dumb and requires body language analysis or "fucking mind reading". I'm sure Jason is frustrated as hell, so are most athletes who are struggling at their chosen profession, we rarely give most of them a pass.

Jason seems like a good dude who provides value in two of the three phases of the game and hopefully his  bat comes around, but "he's mad he sucks" doesn't move the needle for me. Awful, Awful Soriano actually earned the first year of his mega deal far more than Jason has so far and I don't remember you ever giving him a pass for even the slightest slump.

Hell I can remember more than a few times you ripped on Zambrano for showing his disgust over struggling.

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 01:37:29 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Saving grace for him in my book is that he's clearly as pissed as we all are.

This is kind of dumb and requires body language analysis or "fucking mind reading". I'm sure Jason is frustrated as hell, so are most athletes who are struggling at their chosen profession, we rarely give most of them a pass.

Jason seems like a good dude who provides value in two of the three phases of the game and hopefully his  bat comes around, but "he's mad he sucks" doesn't move the needle for me. Awful, Awful Soriano actually earned the first year of his mega deal far more than Jason has so far and I don't remember you ever giving him a pass for even the slightest slump.

Hell I can remember more than a few times you ripped on Zambrano for showing his disgust over struggling.

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 01:37:29 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Saving grace for him in my book is that he's clearly as pissed as we all are.

This is kind of dumb and requires body language analysis or "fucking mind reading". I'm sure Jason is frustrated as hell, so are most athletes who are struggling at their chosen profession, we rarely give most of them a pass.

Jason seems like a good dude who provides value in two of the three phases of the game and hopefully his  bat comes around, but "he's mad he sucks" doesn't move the needle for me. Awful, Awful Soriano actually earned the first year of his mega deal far more than Jason has so far and I don't remember you ever giving him a pass for even the slightest slump.

Hell I can remember more than a few times you ripped on Zambrano for showing his disgust over struggling.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 03:22:24 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 01:37:29 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Saving grace for him in my book is that he's clearly as pissed as we all are.

This is kind of dumb and requires body language analysis or "fucking mind reading". I'm sure Jason is frustrated as hell, so are most athletes who are struggling at their chosen profession, we rarely give most of them a pass.

Jason seems like a good dude who provides value in two of the three phases of the game and hopefully his  bat comes around, but "he's mad he sucks" doesn't move the needle for me. Awful, Awful Soriano actually earned the first year of his mega deal far more than Jason has so far and I don't remember you ever giving him a pass for even the slightest slump.

Hell I can remember more than a few times you ripped on Zambrano for showing his disgust over struggling.

Show me. I was a pretty staunch Z defender.  At least until he couldn't get people out anymore.

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 03:25:20 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 03:22:24 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 01:37:29 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Saving grace for him in my book is that he's clearly as pissed as we all are.

This is kind of dumb and requires body language analysis or "fucking mind reading". I'm sure Jason is frustrated as hell, so are most athletes who are struggling at their chosen profession, we rarely give most of them a pass.

Jason seems like a good dude who provides value in two of the three phases of the game and hopefully his  bat comes around, but "he's mad he sucks" doesn't move the needle for me. Awful, Awful Soriano actually earned the first year of his mega deal far more than Jason has so far and I don't remember you ever giving him a pass for even the slightest slump.

Hell I can remember more than a few times you ripped on Zambrano for showing his disgust over struggling.

Show me. I was a pretty staunch Z defender.  At least until he couldn't get people out anymore.

You are specifically saying you are fine with Heyward sucking at his job because he is upset about it, and your rebuttal to my argument is that you were okay with Z until he started sucking at his job and getting really upset about it?

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 03:39:44 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 03:25:20 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 03:22:24 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 01:37:29 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Saving grace for him in my book is that he's clearly as pissed as we all are.

This is kind of dumb and requires body language analysis or "fucking mind reading". I'm sure Jason is frustrated as hell, so are most athletes who are struggling at their chosen profession, we rarely give most of them a pass.

Jason seems like a good dude who provides value in two of the three phases of the game and hopefully his  bat comes around, but "he's mad he sucks" doesn't move the needle for me. Awful, Awful Soriano actually earned the first year of his mega deal far more than Jason has so far and I don't remember you ever giving him a pass for even the slightest slump.

Hell I can remember more than a few times you ripped on Zambrano for showing his disgust over struggling.

Show me. I was a pretty staunch Z defender.  At least until he couldn't get people out anymore.

You are specifically saying you are fine with Heyward sucking at his job because he is upset about it, and your rebuttal to my argument is that you were okay with Z until he started sucking at his job and getting really upset about it?

A) Heyward "provides value in two of the three phases of the game." He doesn't "suck at this job".  Who you crappin', Capt. Strawman?

B) Looking back at some of my posts from 2007-2010, I was in favor of Z being traded once he went to the pen, but didn't rip on him.  I was in favor of Z getting a big contract, but not when he demanded it in the spring of 2007.  I was in favor of him keeping quiet and for Lou getting him straight (Lou did that).  From what I remember and can re-read, I never ripped the guy for his outbursts.  I was simply ok with his leaving.

What I'm saying is: It's pretty easy to give a guy the emotional pass (read: not hate the guy) when he himself is clearly frustrated and appears to be trying very hard to fix what's wrong.  Unlike a Korey or a Jacqueshit or a Milton or an A Sor.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 03:39:44 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 03:25:20 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 03:22:24 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 01:37:29 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on August 10, 2016, 01:28:37 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 11:44:33 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on August 10, 2016, 11:13:29 AM
His swing was very ugly, very mistimed, and very not good last night. Against a guy that throws 88 mph. I just don't know. He should have teed off on Weaver. He had several meatballs to crush, but let them float across the middle of the plate untouched.

I will never hate on Heyward at all. He leaves it out there on defense with every breath he takes. I'm not expecting much of anything down the stretch from him. All I can really hope for is that he takes his walks and makes productive outs with RISP. I mean I want the moon for this guy, but I think this year on offense is shot.

At this point I'm just hoping he has an inexplicably hot postseason, which would pretty much make up for everything.

Saving grace for him in my book is that he's clearly as pissed as we all are.

This is kind of dumb and requires body language analysis or "fucking mind reading". I'm sure Jason is frustrated as hell, so are most athletes who are struggling at their chosen profession, we rarely give most of them a pass.

Jason seems like a good dude who provides value in two of the three phases of the game and hopefully his  bat comes around, but "he's mad he sucks" doesn't move the needle for me. Awful, Awful Soriano actually earned the first year of his mega deal far more than Jason has so far and I don't remember you ever giving him a pass for even the slightest slump.

Hell I can remember more than a few times you ripped on Zambrano for showing his disgust over struggling.

Show me. I was a pretty staunch Z defender.  At least until he couldn't get people out anymore.

You are specifically saying you are fine with Heyward sucking at his job because he is upset about it, and your rebuttal to my argument is that you were okay with Z until he started sucking at his job and getting really upset about it?

A) Heyward "provides value in two of the three phases of the game." He doesn't "suck at this job".  Who you crappin', Capt. Strawman?

B) Looking back at some of my posts from 2007-2010, I was in favor of Z being traded once he went to the pen, but didn't rip on him.  I was in favor of Z getting a big contract, but not when he demanded it in the spring of 2007.  I was in favor of him keeping quiet and for Lou getting him straight (Lou did that).  From what I remember and can re-read, I never ripped the guy for his outbursts.  I was simply ok with his leaving.

What I'm saying is: It's pretty easy to give a guy the emotional pass (read: not hate the guy) when he himself is clearly frustrated and appears to be trying very hard to fix what's wrong.  Unlike a Korey or a Jacqueshit or a Milton or an A Sor.

Quote from: Brownie on August 10, 2016, 04:31:01 PM
Jason Heyward is a guy who plays baseball. He plays it for the Cubs now, but he used to play it for the Cardinals and the Braves. He once made Carlos Zambrano clearly pissed on Opening Day 2010. He once was good at baseball like Carlos Zambrano was good at baseball. Carlos Zambrano was at Wrigley Field yesterday. Jason Heyward runs the bases well. He also plays right field as well as any Cub I remember since Andre Dawson. Andre Dawson used to play for the Cubs in the 1980s, coming here as a free agent in early March 1987. The Number One song in early March 1987 was Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi is from New Jersey. The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie. My brother and I literally bumped into an orange-sweater clad Chris Christie before Game 3 of the 2015 NLCS. Chris Christie was a guest of the Ricketts family. Back in 1987, my junior high band teacher was Mr. Christie. I think his first name is John. I really enjoyed the 1987 baseball season, as Andre Dawson was the Cubs right fielder and he hit everything in sight, the Brewers won the first 13 games of the season and the Tigers and Blue Jays fought to the end for the AL East title. Also, the Giants should have beaten the Cardinals in the NLCS. Raise your hand if you loved Jeff (or is it Jeffrey) Leonard and his one-flap down home run trot during the 1987 NLCS? Why did Roger Craig start Atlee Hamaker in Game 7? No matter, the 85-win Twins beat the Cardinals in that World Series and it was cool when Don Baylor and Kent Hrbek hit a three-run homer and a grand slam, respectively in Game 6 in Minnesota. The capital of Minnesota is St. Paul. St. Paul was originally known as Saul, but changed his name upon his conversion to Christianity. St. Paul was a prolific writer. He is in fact the patron saint of writing, journalism, publishing, and probably even blogging and messageboard trolling. I'm not sure how St. Paul compares to Kierekegaard. Kierkegaard is Danish. Occasionally, I will enjoy a Danish in the morning. Fast fact: Tonker is not Danish, nor Deutsch, nor Dutch, even though he is supposedly one by residence and another by marriage (https://youtu.be/R8G-NHFELaw?t=4s).

In other words, the Cubs are 12 games up on the Cardinals, and we're bitching about a guy who has cost the Cubs exactly what this year?

Quote from: Brownie on August 10, 2016, 04:31:01 PM
Jason Heyward is a guy who plays baseball. He plays it for the Cubs now, but he used to play it for the Cardinals and the Braves. He once made Carlos Zambrano clearly pissed on Opening Day 2010. He once was good at baseball like Carlos Zambrano was good at baseball. Carlos Zambrano was at Wrigley Field yesterday. Jason Heyward runs the bases well. He also plays right field as well as any Cub I remember since Andre Dawson. Andre Dawson used to play for the Cubs in the 1980s, coming here as a free agent in early March 1987. The Number One song in early March 1987 was Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi is from New Jersey. The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie. My brother and I literally bumped into an orange-sweater clad Chris Christie before Game 3 of the 2015 NLCS. Chris Christie was a guest of the Ricketts family. Back in 1987, my junior high band teacher was Mr. Christie. I think his first name is John. I really enjoyed the 1987 baseball season, as Andre Dawson was the Cubs right fielder and he hit everything in sight, the Brewers won the first 13 games of the season and the Tigers and Blue Jays fought to the end for the AL East title. Also, the Giants should have beaten the Cardinals in the NLCS. Raise your hand if you loved Jeff (or is it Jeffrey) Leonard and his one-flap down home run trot during the 1987 NLCS? Why did Roger Craig start Atlee Hamaker in Game 7? No matter, the 85-win Twins beat the Cardinals in that World Series and it was cool when Don Baylor and Kent Hrbek hit a three-run homer and a grand slam, respectively in Game 6 in Minnesota. The capital of Minnesota is St. Paul. St. Paul was originally known as Saul, but changed his name upon his conversion to Christianity. St. Paul was a prolific writer. He is in fact the patron saint of writing, journalism, publishing, and probably even blogging and messageboard trolling. I'm not sure how St. Paul compares to Kierekegaard. Kierkegaard is Danish. Occasionally, I will enjoy a Danish in the morning. Fast fact: Tonker is not Danish, nor Deutsch, nor Dutch, even though he is supposedly one by residence and another by marriage (https://youtu.be/R8G-NHFELaw?t=4s).

In other words, the Cubs are 12 games up on the Cardinals, and we're bitching about a guy who has cost the Cubs exactly what this year?

Quote from: SKO on August 10, 2016, 03:43:08 PM
You just want to not hate *this* overpaid player

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on August 22, 2016, 10:55:54 PM
I guess I need to badmouth him more.

Quote from: Oleg on August 23, 2016, 02:16:50 PM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on August 22, 2016, 10:55:54 PM
I guess I need to badmouth him more.

Or, be less knee-jerk reactionary?  I'm just thinking out loud here.

Quote from: ChuckD on August 23, 2016, 02:37:32 PM

Quote from: Oleg on August 23, 2016, 02:16:50 PM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on August 22, 2016, 10:55:54 PM
I guess I need to badmouth him more.

Or, be less knee-jerk reactionary?  I'm just thinking out loud here.

Or get him more AB's against EJax. Just spitballin' here.

Quote from: flannj on August 23, 2016, 03:01:38 PM

Quote from: ChuckD on August 23, 2016, 02:37:32 PM

Quote from: Oleg on August 23, 2016, 02:16:50 PM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on August 22, 2016, 10:55:54 PM
I guess I need to badmouth him more.

Or, be less knee-jerk reactionary?  I'm just thinking out loud here.

Or get him more AB's against EJax. Just spitballin' here.

Ya know that ball just barely cleared the wall.
I need to see a more prodigious HR in order for me to jump the gun less.

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on August 23, 2016, 03:18:23 PM
He's been so bad at the plate that my bullshit toleration hopes for him at this pt would be 240/340/375/715...I can't believe I'm typing that about our 184 million dollar RF.

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on August 23, 2016, 03:18:23 PM
He's been so bad at the plate that my bullshit toleration hopes for him at this pt would be 240/340/375/715...I can't believe I'm typing that about our 184 million dollar RF.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 23, 2016, 10:22:38 PM
I'd like to commend Cardinals fans for focusing on what's really important: Jason Heyward's performance on offense, not their being 12.5 games behind the team he plays for.

Quote from: Bort on August 23, 2016, 11:49:01 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 23, 2016, 10:22:38 PM
I'd like to commend Cardinals fans for focusing on what's really important: Jason Heyward's performance on offense, not their being 12.5 games behind the team he plays for.

They only have so many straws to clutch.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 27, 2016, 05:30:22 PM
Great at-bat. Followed by a really dumb steal attempt. Someone should have told him that Bryant's on deck.

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 01:43:59 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

when every (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2503;sa=showPosts) post (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=2918.msg274143#msg274143) ends without punctuation (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8643.msg279655#msg279655) it starts (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8864.msg285443#msg285443) to lose (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284163#msg284163) the effect (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284169#msg284169)

Quote from: Bort on August 30, 2016, 07:14:09 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 01:43:59 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

when every (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2503;sa=showPosts) post (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=2918.msg274143#msg274143) ends without punctuation (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8643.msg279655#msg279655) it starts (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8864.msg285443#msg285443) to lose (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284163#msg284163) the effect (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284169#msg284169)

That post seems like a lot of effort for fairly minimal results.

Quote from: Eli on August 30, 2016, 07:56:59 AM

Quote from: Bort on August 30, 2016, 07:14:09 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 01:43:59 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

when every (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2503;sa=showPosts) post (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=2918.msg274143#msg274143) ends without punctuation (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8643.msg279655#msg279655) it starts (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8864.msg285443#msg285443) to lose (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284163#msg284163) the effect (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284169#msg284169)

That post seems like a lot of effort for fairly minimal results.

On the other hand, I'm going to stop using periods at the end of my posts because I know Sterling will be annoyed by it

Quote from: Eli on August 30, 2016, 07:56:59 AM

Quote from: Bort on August 30, 2016, 07:14:09 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 01:43:59 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

when every (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2503;sa=showPosts) post (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=2918.msg274143#msg274143) ends without punctuation (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8643.msg279655#msg279655) it starts (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8864.msg285443#msg285443) to lose (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284163#msg284163) the effect (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284169#msg284169)

That post seems like a lot of effort for fairly minimal results.

On the other hand, I'm going to stop using periods at the end of my posts because I know Sterling will be annoyed by it

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 10:21:55 AM

Quote from: Eli on August 30, 2016, 07:56:59 AM

Quote from: Bort on August 30, 2016, 07:14:09 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 01:43:59 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

when every (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2503;sa=showPosts) post (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=2918.msg274143#msg274143) ends without punctuation (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8643.msg279655#msg279655) it starts (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8864.msg285443#msg285443) to lose (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284163#msg284163) the effect (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284169#msg284169)

That post seems like a lot of effort for fairly minimal results.

On the other hand, I'm going to stop using periods at the end of my posts because I know Sterling will be annoyed by it

But not as much as it annoys R-V.

Quote from: R-V on August 30, 2016, 10:24:20 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 10:21:55 AM

Quote from: Eli on August 30, 2016, 07:56:59 AM

Quote from: Bort on August 30, 2016, 07:14:09 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 01:43:59 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

when every (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2503;sa=showPosts) post (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=2918.msg274143#msg274143) ends without punctuation (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8643.msg279655#msg279655) it starts (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8864.msg285443#msg285443) to lose (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284163#msg284163) the effect (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284169#msg284169)

That post seems like a lot of effort for fairly minimal results.

On the other hand, I'm going to stop using periods at the end of my posts because I know Sterling will be annoyed by it

But not as much as it annoys R-V.

Nice try at misdirection, but this hobby horse is all yours now, chief

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 10:36:30 AM

Quote from: R-V on August 30, 2016, 10:24:20 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 10:21:55 AM

Quote from: Eli on August 30, 2016, 07:56:59 AM

Quote from: Bort on August 30, 2016, 07:14:09 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 01:43:59 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

when every (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2503;sa=showPosts) post (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=2918.msg274143#msg274143) ends without punctuation (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8643.msg279655#msg279655) it starts (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8864.msg285443#msg285443) to lose (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284163#msg284163) the effect (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284169#msg284169)

That post seems like a lot of effort for fairly minimal results.

On the other hand, I'm going to stop using periods at the end of my posts because I know Sterling will be annoyed by it

But not as much as it annoys R-V.

Nice try at misdirection, but this hobby horse is all yours now, chief

I'm not a very good flagcarrier because I actually like the bit

Quote from: Bort on August 30, 2016, 12:05:36 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 10:36:30 AM

Quote from: R-V on August 30, 2016, 10:24:20 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 10:21:55 AM

Quote from: Eli on August 30, 2016, 07:56:59 AM

Quote from: Bort on August 30, 2016, 07:14:09 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 30, 2016, 01:43:59 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 30, 2016, 12:34:55 AM
He's looked a lot better since he ditched that toe tap. If Soler and Heyward are both hitting there's no easy out in the lineup

when every (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?action=profile;u=2503;sa=showPosts) post (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=2918.msg274143#msg274143) ends without punctuation (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8643.msg279655#msg279655) it starts (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=8864.msg285443#msg285443) to lose (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284163#msg284163) the effect (http://desipio.com/messageboard/index.php?topic=7056.msg284169#msg284169)

That post seems like a lot of effort for fairly minimal results.

On the other hand, I'm going to stop using periods at the end of my posts because I know Sterling will be annoyed by it

But not as much as it annoys R-V.

Nice try at misdirection, but this hobby horse is all yours now, chief

I'm not a very good flagcarrier because I actually like the bit

You'll take the meme you've been assigned and you'll like it.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on September 01, 2016, 02:55:06 PM
333/351/500 since he got the weekend off. That'll do.

Quote from: SKO on September 04, 2016, 06:23:01 PM
The Heyward Game

Quote from: Saul Goodman on September 19, 2016, 09:32:03 PM
BUMP!?

Quote from: Eli on September 20, 2016, 09:19:18 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on September 19, 2016, 09:32:03 PM
BUMP!?

He did do a thing.

Quote from: Eli on October 16, 2016, 10:40:37 PM
I know it won't happen, but I don't think he should start again for the rest of the playoffs. I'd rather see Soler, Contreras or -- gulp -- even Coghlan in the outfield.

Quote from: SKO on October 16, 2016, 11:08:56 PM

Quote from: Eli on October 16, 2016, 10:40:37 PM
I know it won't happen, but I don't think he should start again for the rest of the playoffs. I'd rather see Soler, Contreras or -- gulp -- even Coghlan in the outfield.

He's got two more extra base hits than Rizzo and Russell combined in the playoffs so far so that's neat

Quote from: Eli on October 20, 2016, 07:59:52 PM
I don't think he should be starting at all. But even if you think he should be in the lineup, there's no reason he should be hitting 6th.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on October 20, 2016, 08:54:51 PM

Quote from: Eli on October 20, 2016, 07:59:52 PM
I don't think he should be starting at all. But even if you think he should be in the lineup, there's no reason he should be hitting 6th.

Someone has to smother the rally.

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:55:58 AM

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

I suspect that Soler trying to take out Fowler hasn't made it easier for Joe to revise his lineup. I agree, though. Heyward needs to bat 9th or sit, and he needs some intensive hitting re-training this winter. But I love how incredible the Cubs defense is, and as long as the offense has come alive I can't feel TOO upset about Heyward. I hope he sits tomorrow, though.

Quote from: ChuckD on October 21, 2016, 08:54:41 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:55:58 AM

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

I suspect that Soler trying to take out Fowler hasn't made it easier for Joe to revise his lineup. I agree, though. Heyward needs to bat 9th or sit, and he needs some intensive hitting re-training this winter. But I love how incredible the Cubs defense is, and as long as the offense has come alive I can't feel TOO upset about Heyward. I hope he sits tomorrow, though.

My ideal OF alignment against LHP (especially in Wrigley) would be Contreras/Fowler/Zobrist and Contreras/Fowler/Almora (when Contreras is catching).

Quote from: Tony on October 21, 2016, 08:24:18 AM

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

That play still bugs me. He took so long that I thought I was wrong about where the runners were. I thought maybe Gonzalez made it to third at some point but I missed it.

There's no way Joe can play him against a lefty. If he needs and excuse to sit him, then there it is. He's no more than a defensive replacement at this point... assuming he can remember to throw the ball quickly.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on October 21, 2016, 10:06:28 AM

Quote from: Tony on October 21, 2016, 08:24:18 AM

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

That play still bugs me. He took so long that I thought I was wrong about where the runners were. I thought maybe Gonzalez made it to third at some point but I missed it.

There's no way Joe can play him against a lefty. If he needs and excuse to sit him, then there it is. He's no more than a defensive replacement at this point... assuming he can remember to throw the ball quickly.

Yeah I'd rather see Almora bat at this point than Heyward--you might lose a tic of defense in right, but not so much that it should matter.  Almora's a pretty damn good outfielder already.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on October 21, 2016, 10:06:28 AM

Quote from: Tony on October 21, 2016, 08:24:18 AM

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

That play still bugs me. He took so long that I thought I was wrong about where the runners were. I thought maybe Gonzalez made it to third at some point but I missed it.

There's no way Joe can play him against a lefty. If he needs and excuse to sit him, then there it is. He's no more than a defensive replacement at this point... assuming he can remember to throw the ball quickly.

Yeah I'd rather see Almora bat at this point than Heyward--you might lose a tic of defense in right, but not so much that it should matter.  Almora's a pretty damn good outfielder already.

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 10:23:10 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on October 21, 2016, 10:06:28 AM

Quote from: Tony on October 21, 2016, 08:24:18 AM

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

That play still bugs me. He took so long that I thought I was wrong about where the runners were. I thought maybe Gonzalez made it to third at some point but I missed it.

There's no way Joe can play him against a lefty. If he needs and excuse to sit him, then there it is. He's no more than a defensive replacement at this point... assuming he can remember to throw the ball quickly.

Yeah I'd rather see Almora bat at this point than Heyward--you might lose a tic of defense in right, but not so much that it should matter.  Almora's a pretty damn good outfielder already.

I'm annoyingly on the record as being an Almora skeptic re: his bat, but I completely agree that I'd trust him at the plate over Heyward right now.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on October 21, 2016, 10:12:04 AM
DPD.  And it should go without saying that Contreras being in the lineup for all non-Ross games is a moral imperative, and that every effort needs to be made to get him in for the (theoretical) next Ross game.  He and Baez' bats have both saved this team's ass multiple times in these playoffs.

Quote from: R-V on October 21, 2016, 09:34:28 AM

Quote from: ChuckD on October 21, 2016, 08:54:41 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:55:58 AM

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

I suspect that Soler trying to take out Fowler hasn't made it easier for Joe to revise his lineup. I agree, though. Heyward needs to bat 9th or sit, and he needs some intensive hitting re-training this winter. But I love how incredible the Cubs defense is, and as long as the offense has come alive I can't feel TOO upset about Heyward. I hope he sits tomorrow, though.

My ideal OF alignment against LHP (especially in Wrigley) would be Contreras/Fowler/Zobrist and Almora/Fowler/Zobrist (when Contreras is catching).

I know Willson's a good athlete but I feel like this is asking a bit much of him.

Quote from: ChuckD on October 21, 2016, 10:55:48 AM

Quote from: R-V on October 21, 2016, 09:34:28 AM

Quote from: ChuckD on October 21, 2016, 08:54:41 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:55:58 AM

Quote from: Eli on October 21, 2016, 07:38:59 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on October 21, 2016, 07:35:54 AM
Nobody will defend his bat, but let's not forget his momentum-killing throw-out at home in Game 4 that occurred before the Cubs bats came alive. The Dodgers might've had a very different inning, and game, had that out not occurred.

Except he weirdly took forever to get rid of the ball and Gonzalez was probably almost safe. But yes, his defense is obviously good. It just doesn't nearly make up for him being an automatic out at this point.

Joe is being stubborn about this.

I suspect that Soler trying to take out Fowler hasn't made it easier for Joe to revise his lineup. I agree, though. Heyward needs to bat 9th or sit, and he needs some intensive hitting re-training this winter. But I love how incredible the Cubs defense is, and as long as the offense has come alive I can't feel TOO upset about Heyward. I hope he sits tomorrow, though.

My ideal OF alignment against LHP (especially in Wrigley) would be Contreras/Fowler/Zobrist and Almora/Fowler/Zobrist (when Contreras is catching).

I know Willson's a good athlete but I feel like this is asking a bit much of him.

Fixed.

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on October 28, 2016, 10:49:50 PM
Hey, at least he got on base and stole one unlike Javy's impatient ass...

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on November 03, 2016, 10:37:58 AM
That defense tho. I'm not giving up on Heyward. There's too much talent.

Quote from: SKO on November 03, 2016, 10:43:51 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on November 03, 2016, 10:37:58 AM
That defense tho. I'm not giving up on Heyward. There's too much talent.

All is forgiven if his speech rallied them to victory. Whatever. Albatross contracts are easy to bear when you won the fucking ring. Jon Lester's probably going to look like San Fran Barry Zito by the time his deal is done and he'll still be a hero.

Quote from: Eli on November 03, 2016, 10:46:37 AM

Quote from: SKO on November 03, 2016, 10:43:51 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on November 03, 2016, 10:37:58 AM
That defense tho. I'm not giving up on Heyward. There's too much talent.

All is forgiven if his speech rallied them to victory. Whatever. Albatross contracts are easy to bear when you won the fucking ring. Jon Lester's probably going to look like San Fran Barry Zito by the time his deal is done and he'll still be a hero.

He'll fix his swing this offseason and be fine next year. I'm at least 70% confident about that.

Quote from: Eli on November 03, 2016, 10:46:37 AM

Quote from: SKO on November 03, 2016, 10:43:51 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on November 03, 2016, 10:37:58 AM
That defense tho. I'm not giving up on Heyward. There's too much talent.

All is forgiven if his speech rallied them to victory. Whatever. Albatross contracts are easy to bear when you won the fucking ring. Jon Lester's probably going to look like San Fran Barry Zito by the time his deal is done and he'll still be a hero.

He'll fix his swing this offseason and be fine next year. I'm at least 70% confident about that.

Quote from: Eli on November 03, 2016, 10:46:37 AM

Quote from: SKO on November 03, 2016, 10:43:51 AM

Quote from: Powdered Toast Man on November 03, 2016, 10:37:58 AM
That defense tho. I'm not giving up on Heyward. There's too much talent.

All is forgiven if his speech rallied them to victory. Whatever. Albatross contracts are easy to bear when you won the fucking ring. Jon Lester's probably going to look like San Fran Barry Zito by the time his deal is done and he'll still be a hero.

He'll fix his swing this offseason and be fine next year. I'm at least 70% confident about that.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on November 04, 2016, 03:10:16 PM
This dude is such a class act. Compare Chris Coghlan. Coghlan loses his regular spot for like a month in 2015 and can't wait to start bitching about it to reporters. Heyward struggles all year, and doesn't ever blame the team for changing his stance. Doesn't complain about all the tinkering even once. Gets benched in the playoffs and doesn't say a word. Instead he just keeps bringing his solid D, puts some good hits and baserunning together, and calls a team meeting for a reality check that rallies them to win the damn World Series.

There's no one I want to see succeed more next year than Heyward. What a pro.

Quote from: PenFoe on November 04, 2016, 04:29:17 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on November 04, 2016, 03:10:16 PM
This dude is such a class act. Compare Chris Coghlan. Coghlan loses his regular spot for like a month in 2015 and can't wait to start bitching about it to reporters. Heyward struggles all year, and doesn't ever blame the team for changing his stance. Doesn't complain about all the tinkering even once. Gets benched in the playoffs and doesn't say a word. Instead he just keeps bringing his solid D, puts some good hits and baserunning together, and calls a team meeting for a reality check that rallies them to win the damn World Series.

There's no one I want to see succeed more next year than Heyward. What a pro.

I'd rather see Kris Bryant succeed.

Quote from: PenFoe on November 04, 2016, 04:29:17 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on November 04, 2016, 03:10:16 PM
This dude is such a class act. Compare Chris Coghlan. Coghlan loses his regular spot for like a month in 2015 and can't wait to start bitching about it to reporters. Heyward struggles all year, and doesn't ever blame the team for changing his stance. Doesn't complain about all the tinkering even once. Gets benched in the playoffs and doesn't say a word. Instead he just keeps bringing his solid D, puts some good hits and baserunning together, and calls a team meeting for a reality check that rallies them to win the damn World Series.

There's no one I want to see succeed more next year than Heyward. What a pro.

I'd rather see Kris Bryant succeed.

Quote from: PenFoe on November 04, 2016, 04:29:17 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on November 04, 2016, 03:10:16 PM
This dude is such a class act. Compare Chris Coghlan. Coghlan loses his regular spot for like a month in 2015 and can't wait to start bitching about it to reporters. Heyward struggles all year, and doesn't ever blame the team for changing his stance. Doesn't complain about all the tinkering even once. Gets benched in the playoffs and doesn't say a word. Instead he just keeps bringing his solid D, puts some good hits and baserunning together, and calls a team meeting for a reality check that rallies them to win the damn World Series.

There's no one I want to see succeed more next year than Heyward. What a pro.

I'd rather see Kris Bryant succeed.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 06, 2016, 03:42:52 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on November 04, 2016, 04:29:17 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on November 04, 2016, 03:10:16 PM
This dude is such a class act. Compare Chris Coghlan. Coghlan loses his regular spot for like a month in 2015 and can't wait to start bitching about it to reporters. Heyward struggles all year, and doesn't ever blame the team for changing his stance. Doesn't complain about all the tinkering even once. Gets benched in the playoffs and doesn't say a word. Instead he just keeps bringing his solid D, puts some good hits and baserunning together, and calls a team meeting for a reality check that rallies them to win the damn World Series.

There's no one I want to see succeed more next year than Heyward. What a pro.

I'd rather see Kris Bryant succeed.

Really going out on a limb there, big guy.

Quote from: PenFoe on November 07, 2016, 12:03:58 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 06, 2016, 03:42:52 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on November 04, 2016, 04:29:17 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on November 04, 2016, 03:10:16 PM
This dude is such a class act. Compare Chris Coghlan. Coghlan loses his regular spot for like a month in 2015 and can't wait to start bitching about it to reporters. Heyward struggles all year, and doesn't ever blame the team for changing his stance. Doesn't complain about all the tinkering even once. Gets benched in the playoffs and doesn't say a word. Instead he just keeps bringing his solid D, puts some good hits and baserunning together, and calls a team meeting for a reality check that rallies them to win the damn World Series.

There's no one I want to see succeed more next year than Heyward. What a pro.

I'd rather see Kris Bryant succeed.

Really going out on a limb there, big guy.

That's kind of the...never mind.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on March 13, 2017, 10:18:23 AM
His 2017 spring training OPS is 200 points lower than his 2016 regular season. This is fine.

Quote from: Canadouche on March 14, 2017, 07:47:57 AM
Spring Training doesn't count for shit. But Heyward is probably always going to suck offensively and the Cubs will regret signing him, minus his stellar defense and inspirational World Series speech.

Quote from: Canadouche on March 14, 2017, 07:47:57 AM
Spring Training doesn't count for shit. But Heyward is probably always going to suck offensively and the Cubs will regret signing him, minus his stellar defense and inspirational World Series speech.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on March 14, 2017, 08:52:08 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 14, 2017, 07:47:57 AM
Spring Training doesn't count for shit. But Heyward is probably always going to suck offensively and the Cubs will regret signing him, minus his stellar defense and inspirational World Series speech.

Yeah. Guys who are good, then suck for a year, never get better:

BA    OBP    SLG    OPS    OPS+
.300   .347   .408   .755   100
.307   .341   .432   .773   111
.283   .323   .430   .753   102
.245   .284   .347   .631   73
.292   .339   .438   .777   115

Know who that is?

For reference, Heyward's OPS+ has been:
131, 93, 117, 114, 109, 117, 70.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on March 14, 2017, 08:52:08 AM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 14, 2017, 07:47:57 AM
Spring Training doesn't count for shit. But Heyward is probably always going to suck offensively and the Cubs will regret signing him, minus his stellar defense and inspirational World Series speech.

Yeah. Guys who are good, then suck for a year, never get better:

BA    OBP    SLG    OPS    OPS+
.300   .347   .408   .755   100
.307   .341   .432   .773   111
.283   .323   .430   .753   102
.245   .284   .347   .631   73
.292   .339   .438   .777   115

Know who that is?

For reference, Heyward's OPS+ has been:
131, 93, 117, 114, 109, 117, 70.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on March 14, 2017, 08:48:02 PM
I'm still holding out hope that Jason develops an appetite for Cardinal tears, making my thread title awesome instead of embarrassing. Unlike most of my threads, which are uniformly great.

Quote from: SKO on March 15, 2017, 08:01:51 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on March 14, 2017, 08:48:02 PM
I'm still holding out hope that Jason develops an appetite for Cardinal tears, making my thread title awesome instead of embarrassing. Unlike most of my threads, which are uniformly great.

I think simply by being part of the 2016 World Champion Cubs (not to mention several of the great catches he did make against STL this year and his whole Big Moving Speech thing that would get him a statue outside of Busch had he done it in a Cardinals uniform) he has garnered his share of Cardinal tears.

Quote from: Canadouche on March 15, 2017, 08:08:46 PM
I mean, regardless of what happens with Heyward's offense, or his contract, do the Cubs win the 2016 World Series without him?

Quote from: Eli on March 16, 2017, 12:09:04 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 15, 2017, 08:08:46 PM
I mean, regardless of what happens with Heyward's offense, or his contract, do the Cubs win the 2016 World Series without him?

Yeah, probably.

Quote from: PenFoe on March 16, 2017, 02:26:36 PM

Quote from: Eli on March 16, 2017, 12:09:04 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 15, 2017, 08:08:46 PM
I mean, regardless of what happens with Heyward's offense, or his contract, do the Cubs win the 2016 World Series without him?

Yeah, probably.

Literally nobody knows.

Quote from: SKO on March 17, 2017, 10:15:27 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on March 16, 2017, 02:26:36 PM

Quote from: Eli on March 16, 2017, 12:09:04 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 15, 2017, 08:08:46 PM
I mean, regardless of what happens with Heyward's offense, or his contract, do the Cubs win the 2016 World Series without him?

Yeah, probably.

Literally nobody knows.

I mean butterfly effect and all so who knows but I don't think "they couldn't have done it without him!" is a very strong argument. They very well might've. Heck, in the fantasy land where they don't sign Heyward I have now signed Cespedes and extended Fowler for CF long term. The Cubs don't struggle against Josh Tomlin in game 3 and the series doesn't even go seven games.

Point is, winning the world series keeps us from asking "but what could they have done if Jason Heyward wasn't a total bust?", which is nice, but it's still on him to not be a total bust, title or not.

Quote from: Canadouche on March 29, 2017, 10:37:04 AMI  am once again reminded of why Heyward makes me think of Andre Dawson.

Quote from: R-V on March 29, 2017, 12:04:49 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 29, 2017, 10:37:04 AMI  am once again reminded of why Heyward makes me think of Andre Dawson.

Why does he remind you of Dawson?

Quote from: Saul Goodman on March 29, 2017, 12:13:24 PM

Quote from: R-V on March 29, 2017, 12:04:49 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 29, 2017, 10:37:04 AMI  am once again reminded of why Heyward makes me think of Andre Dawson.

Why does he remind you of Dawson?

Do you see some kind of resemblance, perhaps?

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on March 29, 2017, 12:18:34 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on March 29, 2017, 12:13:24 PM

Quote from: R-V on March 29, 2017, 12:04:49 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 29, 2017, 10:37:04 AMI  am once again reminded of why Heyward makes me think of Andre Dawson.

Why does he remind you of Dawson?

Do you see some kind of resemblance, perhaps?

Like, teh Blackness?

Quote from: R-V on March 29, 2017, 12:04:49 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 29, 2017, 10:37:04 AMI  am once again reminded of why Heyward makes me think of Andre Dawson.

Why does he remind you of Dawson?

Quote from: Oleg on March 29, 2017, 01:36:18 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on March 29, 2017, 12:18:34 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on March 29, 2017, 12:13:24 PM

Quote from: R-V on March 29, 2017, 12:04:49 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 29, 2017, 10:37:04 AMI  am once again reminded of why Heyward makes me think of Andre Dawson.

Why does he remind you of Dawson?

Do you see some kind of resemblance, perhaps?

Like, teh Blackness?

He's the Black Andre Dawson.

Quote from: Canadouche on March 29, 2017, 01:43:46 PM

Quote from: R-V on March 29, 2017, 12:04:49 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on March 29, 2017, 10:37:04 AMI  am once again reminded of why Heyward makes me think of Andre Dawson.

Why does he remind you of Dawson?

Same stellar outfield defense, and I think they have the same body type (small waistline, large shoulders -- kind of like a carrot).

Quote from: SKO on April 09, 2017, 04:59:47 PM
Dude was robbed, should have been 5-5 today. Either way he is hitting the ball with authority in the air. Very encouraging

Quote from: SKO on April 22, 2017, 05:54:48 PM
Is....is he fixed?

Quote from: SKO on April 22, 2017, 05:54:48 PM
Is....is he fixed?

Quote from: SKO on April 22, 2017, 05:54:48 PM
Is....is he fixed?

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on April 23, 2017, 08:11:54 PM

Quote from: SKO on April 22, 2017, 05:54:48 PM
Is....is he fixed?

Ask his urologist.

Quote from: SKO on April 24, 2017, 06:26:43 PM
I think this year we get Heyward and not his non union Mexican equivalent Jason Heywardo Mitch Heyward

Quote from: SKO on April 24, 2017, 06:26:43 PM
I think this year we get Heyward and not his non union Mexican equivalent Jason Heywardo

Quote from: pisomojado8 on October 09, 2017, 05:47:12 PM
Jason probably shouldn't have gotten that degree from the Moises Alou school of baserunning.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on April 25, 2018, 08:11:48 AM
So far this season, JHey has been downright adequate with his OPS+ of 115.

In fact (keeping in mind that it's still April), his current offensive numbers align almost perfectly with his 2015 numbers.

Quote from: SKO on April 25, 2018, 08:26:36 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on April 25, 2018, 08:11:48 AM
So far this season, JHey has been downright adequate with his OPS+ of 115.

In fact (keeping in mind that it's still April), his current offensive numbers align almost perfectly with his 2015 numbers.

His K/BB rates are a matching 10.5%, his hard contact rate is the highest it's been since his rookie year, and he's hitting grounders at a career low rate.

I don't know if I believe yet, but there are reasons to believe this is sustainable and he's actually fixed something. Last year even when he was off to his "good" start his OBP was actually below his career rate and he was selling out by swinging at the first hittable pitch he saw. Once pitchers adjusted he was right back where he was in 2016. This year he's just doing all of the things he did before he was a Cub so far.

Quote from: SKO on May 06, 2018, 10:22:53 PM
What if he just died? He could just die and that'd be great. Just never bother me again

Quote from: Yeti on May 06, 2018, 10:26:54 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 06, 2018, 10:22:53 PM
What if he just died? He could just die and that'd be great. Just never bother me again

cool

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on May 07, 2018, 10:38:54 AM

Quote from: Yeti on May 06, 2018, 10:26:54 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 06, 2018, 10:22:53 PM
What if he just died? He could just die and that'd be great. Just never bother me again

cool

Yup.

Quote from: SKO on May 06, 2018, 10:22:53 PM
What if he just died? He could just die and that'd be great. Just never bother me again

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 07, 2018, 01:57:35 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 06, 2018, 10:22:53 PM
What if he just died? He could just die and that'd be great. Just never bother me again

I'm convinced the SKO saga ends with a news anchor talking over a live chopper shot, "We're now looking live at the scene..."

Quote from: R-V on May 07, 2018, 03:09:49 PM
I think Heyward's sudden inability to catch the ball might be the single thing I'm most mad about so far this season. The offense will come around, there's no way the pitching staff can continue to walk this many guys (can they?), but the overall shitty defense so far is infuriating.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 01, 2018, 03:10:28 PM
According to mlb.com (http://m.mlb.com/player/518792/jason-heyward), Over the last 7 games (Why they just don't make this chomp 10 games is a fucking mystery*) he's slashing 455/500/591. He's dinking and doinking his way into actual value.

*Best guess is they're trying to represent a week.

Quote from: SKO on June 01, 2018, 04:28:12 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 01, 2018, 03:10:28 PM
According to mlb.com (http://m.mlb.com/player/518792/jason-heyward), Over the last 7 games (Why they just don't make this chomp 10 games is a fucking mystery*) he's slashing 455/500/591. He's dinking and doinking his way into actual value.

*Best guess is they're trying to represent a week.

On the one hand I feel like this guy has sucked long enough that we should really let him put together a several month sample size of competence before we act like he's fixed anything. On the other hand he's been so goddamn unbelievably shitty it's hard not to be over the top happy when he's merely competent for a while.

IF, IF he can keep his current slashline against RHP going, combined with Zobrist looking like Classic Zobrist and Happ's bat coming around there's an embarrassment of riches in terms of matchups Joe can go with in the outfield.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 04, 2018, 08:23:53 AM
In the Damning-with-faint-praise dept...

Heyward is now on track for his best season as a Cub - both 2016 and 2017 he managed a hefty 1.0 WAR. He's currently sitting at 0.6.

Quote from: SKO on June 04, 2018, 08:47:16 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 04, 2018, 08:23:53 AM
In the Damning-with-faint-praise dept...

Heyward is now on track for his best season as a Cub - both 2016 and 2017 he managed a hefty 1.0 WAR. He's currently sitting at 0.6.

Yeah it figures the one time his bat is hanging around league average he'll have an inexplicably bad start with the glove.

Quote from: SKO on June 06, 2018, 10:43:52 PM
Holy fucking shit

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 07, 2018, 01:36:52 AM
Jason Heyward: a great Cub, or the greatest Cub?

Quote from: SKO on June 06, 2018, 10:43:52 PM
Holy fucking shit

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on June 07, 2018, 07:13:43 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 06, 2018, 10:43:52 PM
Holy fucking shit

Too bad he's not dead amirite

Quote from: SKO on June 07, 2018, 07:49:27 AM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on June 07, 2018, 07:13:43 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 06, 2018, 10:43:52 PM
Holy fucking shit

Too bad he's not dead amirite

Are you sure we aren't all dead

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 12, 2018, 08:22:32 AM
Normally I wouldn't get too excited about a guy with a .760 OPS and a WRC+ of 106, but here we are.

Nice work, Chili. Now fix KB.

Quote from: Tonker on June 22, 2018, 01:32:07 AM
Bumped to point out that JHey currently has an OPS higher than Ballgame, Bodie, the Colonel, 1060 and JIMMY BUTTHOLE, and is only .003 behind BRONZE BITS.  In short, he's an actual productive member of a major league outfield.  I heartily, heartily positive this.

Quote from: SKO on May 06, 2018, 10:22:53 PM
What if he just died? He could just die and that'd be great. Just never bother me again

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on June 22, 2018, 07:33:50 AM

Quote from: Tonker on June 22, 2018, 01:32:07 AM
Bumped to point out that JHey currently has an OPS higher than Ballgame, Bodie, the Colonel, 1060 and JIMMY BUTTHOLE, and is only .003 behind BRONZE BITS.  In short, he's an actual productive member of a major league outfield.  I heartily, heartily positive this.

Quote from: SKO on May 06, 2018, 10:22:53 PM
What if he just died? He could just die and that'd be great. Just never bother me again

Quote from: Tonker on June 22, 2018, 01:32:07 AM
Bumped to point out that JHey currently has an OPS higher than Ballgame, Bodie, the Colonel, 1060 and JIMMY BUTTHOLE, and is only .003 behind BRONZE BITS.  In short, he's an actual productive member of a major league outfield.  I heartily, heartily positive this.

Quote from: SKO on June 22, 2018, 09:40:57 AM
but really though it's great that he's hitting because he's an eminently likeable dude and the skillset of Good Jason Heyward is exactly the thing this offense has missed at times, which is, y'know, why they signed him in the first place.

Quote from: Oleg on June 22, 2018, 08:47:14 AM

Quote from: Tonker on June 22, 2018, 01:32:07 AM
Bumped to point out that JHey currently has an OPS higher than Ballgame, Bodie, the Colonel, 1060 and JIMMY BUTTHOLE, and is only .003 behind BRONZE BITS.  In short, he's an actual productive member of a major league outfield.  I heartily, heartily positive this.

Can't we leave the fucking stupid nicknames in the dustbin of Slack?  Must we sully this glorious message board with that garbage?

Quote from: Canadouche on June 22, 2018, 09:43:33 AM

Quote from: SKO on June 22, 2018, 09:40:57 AM
but really though it's great that he's hitting because he's an eminently likeable dude and the skillset of Good Jason Heyward is exactly the thing this offense has missed at times, which is, y'know, why they signed him in the first place.

I like him a ton - and I'm glad he's finally hitting. But, I mean, they're still paying 28 million to a guy projected to hit 25 doubles, 7 triples, and 9 homers this season.

Quote from: Tonker on June 22, 2018, 01:32:07 AM
Bumped to point out that JHey currently has an OPS higher than Ballgame, Bodie, the Colonel, 1060 and JIMMY BUTTHOLE, and is only .003 behind BRONZE BITS.  In short, he's an actual productive member of a major league outfield.  I heartily, heartily positive this.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 22, 2018, 12:06:05 PM

Quote from: Tonker on June 22, 2018, 01:32:07 AM
Bumped to point out that JHey currently has an OPS higher than Ballgame, Bodie, the Colonel, 1060 and JIMMY BUTTHOLE, and is only .003 behind BRONZE BITS.  In short, he's an actual productive member of a major league outfield.  I heartily, heartily positive this.

Except JHey, I don't know who any of these people are.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 25, 2018, 08:51:48 AM
This morning's WAR, according to Fangraphs...

Jason Heyward = 2.0
Bryce Harper = 1.4