Desipio Message Board

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 04, 2016, 02:29:29 PM
It's started.  Fowler declared today he's exploring free agency.

Get him back or turn it over to Almora?

Quote from: ChuckD on November 04, 2016, 02:58:19 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 04, 2016, 02:29:29 PM
It's started.  Fowler declared today he's exploring free agency.

Get him back or turn it over to Almora?

With Schwarber needing an OF spot and the ascension of Baez pushing Zesus to OF, they basically have to let him walk.

Dex is due to earn a buttload of money. I hope he gets even more than that.

Quote from: SKO on November 04, 2016, 03:00:59 PM

Quote from: ChuckD on November 04, 2016, 02:58:19 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 04, 2016, 02:29:29 PM
It's started.  Fowler declared today he's exploring free agency.

Get him back or turn it over to Almora?

With Schwarber needing an OF spot and the ascension of Baez pushing Zesus to OF, they basically have to let him walk.

Dex is due to earn a buttload of money. I hope he gets even more than that.

I am on team Dexter Go Get Your Dumptruck Full Of Money, You're a Cub Forever Anyway. I just can't bear the thought that he makes a lot of sense for the Cardinals to sign. So as long as literally anyone else offers him that dumptruck, we're good here.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 04, 2016, 03:32:43 PM

Quote from: SKO on November 04, 2016, 03:00:59 PM

Quote from: ChuckD on November 04, 2016, 02:58:19 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 04, 2016, 02:29:29 PM
It's started.  Fowler declared today he's exploring free agency.

Get him back or turn it over to Almora?

With Schwarber needing an OF spot and the ascension of Baez pushing Zesus to OF, they basically have to let him walk.

Dex is due to earn a buttload of money. I hope he gets even more than that.

I am on team Dexter Go Get Your Dumptruck Full Of Money, You're a Cub Forever Anyway. I just can't bear the thought that he makes a lot of sense for the Cardinals to sign. So as long as literally anyone else offers him that dumptruck, we're good here.

Radio commentary today is that Theo et al still want Schwarber catching, at least part time. Platoon catcher / LF.  I'd still love to see him at catcher because that level of offense at that position is free money.

And who do they set for closer and 5th starter?  5th starter next year is 4th starter for October as I can't see Lackey starting any playoff games next year.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 04, 2016, 03:32:43 PM

Quote from: SKO on November 04, 2016, 03:00:59 PM

Quote from: ChuckD on November 04, 2016, 02:58:19 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 04, 2016, 02:29:29 PM
It's started.  Fowler declared today he's exploring free agency.

Get him back or turn it over to Almora?

With Schwarber needing an OF spot and the ascension of Baez pushing Zesus to OF, they basically have to let him walk.

Dex is due to earn a buttload of money. I hope he gets even more than that.

I am on team Dexter Go Get Your Dumptruck Full Of Money, You're a Cub Forever Anyway. I just can't bear the thought that he makes a lot of sense for the Cardinals to sign. So as long as literally anyone else offers him that dumptruck, we're good here.

Radio commentary today is that Theo et al still want Schwarber catching, at least part time. Platoon catcher / LF.  I'd still love to see him at catcher because that level of offense at that position is free money.

And who do they set for closer and 5th starter?  5th starter next year is 4th starter for October as I can't see Lackey starting any playoff games next year.

Quote from: R-V on November 04, 2016, 03:37:14 PM
DPD. I'm really not ready to think about 2017 yet. I might need until February or so to process all this.

Quote from: SKO on November 07, 2016, 11:57:06 AM
Anybody interested at all in Verlander?

3 years left at 28 million per, Tigers supposedly considering selling. At that cost the prospects sent in return may be less important than the willingness to take on salary. The FA market is weak.

He was ass in 2014 but since coming back from injury in 2015 he's been very solid. Was outstanding this year (5.2 fWAR, 3.08 ERA, 3.48 FIP). His option for 2020 only vests if he's top 5 in Cy voting in 2019. So you either get hopefully 2 good years out of him in 2017-2018 and say goodbye after anything less than an elite 2019, or he's elite for three years and you see what happens in year four.

I have no idea if I'd do it or not. That's still a shit ton of cash for an arm with a lot of miles on it. But it's worth asking

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 12:09:29 PM

Quote from: SKO on November 07, 2016, 11:57:06 AM
Anybody interested at all in Verlander?

3 years left at 28 million per, Tigers supposedly considering selling. At that cost the prospects sent in return may be less important than the willingness to take on salary. The FA market is weak.

He was ass in 2014 but since coming back from injury in 2015 he's been very solid. Was outstanding this year (5.2 fWAR, 3.08 ERA, 3.48 FIP). His option for 2020 only vests if he's top 5 in Cy voting in 2019. So you either get hopefully 2 good years out of him in 2017-2018 and say goodbye after anything less than an elite 2019, or he's elite for three years and you see what happens in year four.

I have no idea if I'd do it or not. That's still a shit ton of cash for an arm with a lot of miles on it. But it's worth asking

Money's not the issue, especially with Edwin Jackson's 15 mildo/per being gone.

There are far worse ways to fill your 4 hole in the rotation, with Lackey as 5 and Monty ready to go into the mix when there's an injury.

Plus, Kate Upton at Cub games.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 12:09:29 PM

Quote from: SKO on November 07, 2016, 11:57:06 AM
Anybody interested at all in Verlander?

3 years left at 28 million per, Tigers supposedly considering selling. At that cost the prospects sent in return may be less important than the willingness to take on salary. The FA market is weak.

He was ass in 2014 but since coming back from injury in 2015 he's been very solid. Was outstanding this year (5.2 fWAR, 3.08 ERA, 3.48 FIP). His option for 2020 only vests if he's top 5 in Cy voting in 2019. So you either get hopefully 2 good years out of him in 2017-2018 and say goodbye after anything less than an elite 2019, or he's elite for three years and you see what happens in year four.

I have no idea if I'd do it or not. That's still a shit ton of cash for an arm with a lot of miles on it. But it's worth asking

Money's not the issue, especially with Edwin Jackson's 15 mildo/per being gone.

There are far worse ways to fill your 4 hole in the rotation, with Lackey as 5 and Monty ready to go into the mix when there's an injury.

Plus, Kate Upton at Cub games.

QuoteLeavy told a story about how Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander's girlfriend, model Kate Upton, denied a girl in a wheelchair a picture during a Yankees game.

"Since she was a guest of the Yankees, the ushers carried her down two steps so she can have Kate Upton sign her ball for her birthday. Upton, who denied fans' requests all game, said 'I don't sign.'" Leavy said he had some choice words for Upton but later got NBA star Kevin Love, who was in attendance, to take photos with the girl.

"I wish I could have taken a beer and poured it on her head," Leavy said. "After Verlander got shelled one inning, Upton got up and left. Everyone — in our section and six sections around — gave a standing ovation because that b— left."

Quote from: SKO on November 07, 2016, 11:57:06 AM
Anybody interested at all in Verlander?

3 years left at 28 million per, Tigers supposedly considering selling. At that cost the prospects sent in return may be less important than the willingness to take on salary. The FA market is weak.

He was ass in 2014 but since coming back from injury in 2015 he's been very solid. Was outstanding this year (5.2 fWAR, 3.08 ERA, 3.48 FIP). His option for 2020 only vests if he's top 5 in Cy voting in 2019. So you either get hopefully 2 good years out of him in 2017-2018 and say goodbye after anything less than an elite 2019, or he's elite for three years and you see what happens in year four.

I have no idea if I'd do it or not. That's still a shit ton of cash for an arm with a lot of miles on it. But it's worth asking

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 07, 2016, 01:39:00 PM
Jose Quintana.

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 01:55:50 PM

Quote from: SKO on November 07, 2016, 11:57:06 AM
Anybody interested at all in Verlander?

3 years left at 28 million per, Tigers supposedly considering selling. At that cost the prospects sent in return may be less important than the willingness to take on salary. The FA market is weak.

He was ass in 2014 but since coming back from injury in 2015 he's been very solid. Was outstanding this year (5.2 fWAR, 3.08 ERA, 3.48 FIP). His option for 2020 only vests if he's top 5 in Cy voting in 2019. So you either get hopefully 2 good years out of him in 2017-2018 and say goodbye after anything less than an elite 2019, or he's elite for three years and you see what happens in year four.

I have no idea if I'd do it or not. That's still a shit ton of cash for an arm with a lot of miles on it. But it's worth asking

Nope.  I'm good.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 07, 2016, 01:39:00 PM
Jose Quintana.

More like it.

Or Archer.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 01:58:57 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 01:55:50 PM

Quote from: SKO on November 07, 2016, 11:57:06 AM
Anybody interested at all in Verlander?

3 years left at 28 million per, Tigers supposedly considering selling. At that cost the prospects sent in return may be less important than the willingness to take on salary. The FA market is weak.

He was ass in 2014 but since coming back from injury in 2015 he's been very solid. Was outstanding this year (5.2 fWAR, 3.08 ERA, 3.48 FIP). His option for 2020 only vests if he's top 5 in Cy voting in 2019. So you either get hopefully 2 good years out of him in 2017-2018 and say goodbye after anything less than an elite 2019, or he's elite for three years and you see what happens in year four.

I have no idea if I'd do it or not. That's still a shit ton of cash for an arm with a lot of miles on it. But it's worth asking

Nope.  I'm good.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 07, 2016, 01:39:00 PM
Jose Quintana.

More like it.

Or Archer.

Re: Quintana...haven't the Sox said they don't want to trade with the Cubs?

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

I think it's kind of weird that you seem to be so sure about the DH coming to the NL.  I'm not the owners want it and I don't think the PA has enough motivation to rock that boat.  I'm all for it but I think it's much more of a long shot than you think.

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

I think it's kind of weird that you seem to be so sure about the DH coming to the NL.  I'm not the owners want it and I don't think the PA has enough motivation to rock that boat.  I'm all for it but I think it's much more of a long shot than you think.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 04:02:18 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

I think it's kind of weird that you seem to be so sure about the DH coming to the NL.  I'm not the owners want it and I don't think the PA has enough motivation to rock that boat.  I'm all for it but I think it's much more of a long shot than you think.

The PA wouldn't want 15 more DHs, who will raise the average pay MLB players? The owners don't want more offense?

I think it's a much shorter shot, no offense.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 07, 2016, 04:06:27 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 04:02:18 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

I think it's kind of weird that you seem to be so sure about the DH coming to the NL.  I'm not the owners want it and I don't think the PA has enough motivation to rock that boat.  I'm all for it but I think it's much more of a long shot than you think.

The PA wouldn't want 15 more DHs, who will raise the average pay MLB players? The owners don't want more offense?

I think it's a much shorter shot, no offense.

The owners don't want to replace 15 guys making $525,000 with 15 guys making $5,250,000.

Quote from: Tonker on November 07, 2016, 04:06:19 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

I think it's kind of weird that you seem to be so sure about the DH coming to the NL.  I'm not the owners want it and I don't think the PA has enough motivation to rock that boat.  I'm all for it but I think it's much more of a long shot than you think.

I'M ALSO NOT THE OWNERS WANT IT, AND NEITHER IS MY WIFE.

Quote from: CBStew on November 07, 2016, 04:13:37 PM

Quote from: Tonker on November 07, 2016, 04:06:19 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

I think it's kind of weird that you seem to be so sure about the DH coming to the NL.  I'm not the owners want it and I don't think the PA has enough motivation to rock that boat.  I'm all for it but I think it's much more of a long shot than you think.

I'M ALSO NOT THE OWNERS WANT IT, AND NEITHER IS MY WIFE.

Why are you shouting?

Quote from: R-V on November 07, 2016, 04:46:15 PM
To Chuck's point about EJax, Hammel and Fowler coming off the books, has anyone done an estimate of what the 2017 payroll commitment looks like at the moment? Guessing it is not an easy exercise considering how many arbitration eligible guys they have...

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 04:52:38 PM

Quote from: R-V on November 07, 2016, 04:46:15 PM
To Chuck's point about EJax, Hammel and Fowler coming off the books, has anyone done an estimate of what the 2017 payroll commitment looks like at the moment? Guessing it is not an easy exercise considering how many arbitration eligible guys they have...

This (http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/payroll/) is a pretty good place to start.

ETA: Grab 2016 (http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/payroll/2016/) off the pulldown to get a handle on what guys not on long term deals made this year.

Quote from: Brownie on November 07, 2016, 05:37:40 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 04:52:38 PM

Quote from: R-V on November 07, 2016, 04:46:15 PM
To Chuck's point about EJax, Hammel and Fowler coming off the books, has anyone done an estimate of what the 2017 payroll commitment looks like at the moment? Guessing it is not an easy exercise considering how many arbitration eligible guys they have...

This (http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/payroll/) is a pretty good place to start.

ETA: Grab 2016 (http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/payroll/2016/) off the pulldown to get a handle on what guys not on long term deals made this year.

This is better, no? (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2016-payroll-salaries.shtml)

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 04:12:33 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on November 07, 2016, 04:06:27 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 04:02:18 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:52:35 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:37:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 07, 2016, 02:25:23 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 02:21:37 PM

Quote from: Eli on November 07, 2016, 02:05:34 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 11:43:28 AM
Fuck it, Soler, Almora, Candelario and Happ for Mike Trout.*

*yes, I know it's not enough. But if last week taught us anything, it's that no dream is too big.

I know you admitted it's not enough, but I still constantly wonder what would be enough. Maybe if you threw Schwarber into that package?

After his rehab and World Series, I'd be stunned if Schwarber isn't as untouchable as Rizzo or Bryant.

I think that's an emotional response.  I think if they get the right deal, he's definitely tradable.

I don't think GMs are as swayed by narratives as fans (at least I hope they aren't). He still doesn't have a clear position besides DH and that dings his value.

He definitely shouldn't be as untouchable as Bryant and Rizzo, who are similarly good hitters and provide plus value in every facet of the game.

Watch the CBA talks.

I think it's kind of weird that you seem to be so sure about the DH coming to the NL.  I'm not the owners want it and I don't think the PA has enough motivation to rock that boat.  I'm all for it but I think it's much more of a long shot than you think.

The PA wouldn't want 15 more DHs, who will raise the average pay MLB players? The owners don't want more offense?

I think it's a much shorter shot, no offense.

The owners don't want to replace 15 guys making $525,000 with 15 guys making $5,250,000.

25 more cents a beer covers that.

Quote from: PenFoe on November 07, 2016, 06:05:58 PM

Quote from: Brownie on November 07, 2016, 05:37:40 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 07, 2016, 04:52:38 PM

Quote from: R-V on November 07, 2016, 04:46:15 PM
To Chuck's point about EJax, Hammel and Fowler coming off the books, has anyone done an estimate of what the 2017 payroll commitment looks like at the moment? Guessing it is not an easy exercise considering how many arbitration eligible guys they have...

This (http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/payroll/) is a pretty good place to start.

ETA: Grab 2016 (http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/payroll/2016/) off the pulldown to get a handle on what guys not on long term deals made this year.

This is better, no? (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2016-payroll-salaries.shtml)

Rizzo's deal is criminally low. 

Quote from: R-V on November 15, 2016, 03:55:19 PM
Cobbling together from a few different sources, if the Cubs stand pat and fill out the 25-man with guys already on the roster, I'm seeing an Opening Day payroll of about $148 M. This is almost $25 M less than 2016, so I would assume there's a decent amount of cushion to add a guy or two, unless they are doing the old Tanaka sock-away for Bryant, Russell etc. contracts.

TC = team control, I'm assuming a 525k minimum salary (I'm seeing 507k for 2016)
A = arbitration, I'm going off the estimates Bleacher Nation shared today

I know next to nothing about how team control and arbitration work so it's quite possible most of these numbers are completely wrong.

(http://i.imgur.com/4C1pDnt.png)

Quote from: R-V on November 15, 2016, 03:55:19 PM
Cobbling together from a few different sources, if the Cubs stand pat and fill out the 25-man with guys already on the roster, I'm seeing an Opening Day payroll of about $148 M. This is almost $25 M less than 2016, so I would assume there's a decent amount of cushion to add a guy or two, unless they are doing the old Tanaka sock-away for Bryant, Russell etc. contracts.

TC = team control, I'm assuming a 525k minimum salary (I'm seeing 507k for 2016)
A = arbitration, I'm going off the estimates Bleacher Nation shared today

I know next to nothing about how team control and arbitration work so it's quite possible most of these numbers are completely wrong.

(http://i.imgur.com/4C1pDnt.png)

Quote from: SKO on November 16, 2016, 07:48:17 AM

Quote from: R-V on November 15, 2016, 03:55:19 PM
Cobbling together from a few different sources, if the Cubs stand pat and fill out the 25-man with guys already on the roster, I'm seeing an Opening Day payroll of about $148 M. This is almost $25 M less than 2016, so I would assume there's a decent amount of cushion to add a guy or two, unless they are doing the old Tanaka sock-away for Bryant, Russell etc. contracts.

TC = team control, I'm assuming a 525k minimum salary (I'm seeing 507k for 2016)
A = arbitration, I'm going off the estimates Bleacher Nation shared today

I know next to nothing about how team control and arbitration work so it's quite possible most of these numbers are completely wrong.

(http://i.imgur.com/4C1pDnt.png)

Zac Rosscup is still on the roster? Lol. I'm sure someone's gonna offer Dexter 4-5 years and he's gone but man, given that they don't have many needs and there's not much worth buying on this market anyway I wonder how he'd feel just getting like 2 years, 50 million. They could afford to do it.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 16, 2016, 08:42:36 AM

Quote from: SKO on November 16, 2016, 07:48:17 AM

Quote from: R-V on November 15, 2016, 03:55:19 PM
Cobbling together from a few different sources, if the Cubs stand pat and fill out the 25-man with guys already on the roster, I'm seeing an Opening Day payroll of about $148 M. This is almost $25 M less than 2016, so I would assume there's a decent amount of cushion to add a guy or two, unless they are doing the old Tanaka sock-away for Bryant, Russell etc. contracts.

TC = team control, I'm assuming a 525k minimum salary (I'm seeing 507k for 2016)
A = arbitration, I'm going off the estimates Bleacher Nation shared today

I know next to nothing about how team control and arbitration work so it's quite possible most of these numbers are completely wrong.

(http://i.imgur.com/4C1pDnt.png)

Zac Rosscup is still on the roster? Lol. I'm sure someone's gonna offer Dexter 4-5 years and he's gone but man, given that they don't have many needs and there's not much worth buying on this market anyway I wonder how he'd feel just getting like 2 years, 50 million. They could afford to do it.

If they paid 25/per for Fowler, what's the starting point for talks with Bryant?

Quote from: Eli on November 16, 2016, 09:05:12 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on November 16, 2016, 08:42:36 AM

Quote from: SKO on November 16, 2016, 07:48:17 AM

Quote from: R-V on November 15, 2016, 03:55:19 PM
Cobbling together from a few different sources, if the Cubs stand pat and fill out the 25-man with guys already on the roster, I'm seeing an Opening Day payroll of about $148 M. This is almost $25 M less than 2016, so I would assume there's a decent amount of cushion to add a guy or two, unless they are doing the old Tanaka sock-away for Bryant, Russell etc. contracts.

TC = team control, I'm assuming a 525k minimum salary (I'm seeing 507k for 2016)
A = arbitration, I'm going off the estimates Bleacher Nation shared today

I know next to nothing about how team control and arbitration work so it's quite possible most of these numbers are completely wrong.

(http://i.imgur.com/4C1pDnt.png)

Zac Rosscup is still on the roster? Lol. I'm sure someone's gonna offer Dexter 4-5 years and he's gone but man, given that they don't have many needs and there's not much worth buying on this market anyway I wonder how he'd feel just getting like 2 years, 50 million. They could afford to do it.

If they paid 25/per for Fowler, what's the starting point for talks with Bryant?

I feel like those kinds of deals are always tough to get a grasp on since there'd be a lot of cheap/arbitration years bought out.

Quote from: Oleg on November 28, 2016, 08:56:08 AM
This is nice. (http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2017-zips-projections-chicago-cubs/)

Quote from: SKO on November 28, 2016, 09:11:47 AM

Quote from: Oleg on November 28, 2016, 08:56:08 AM
This is nice. (http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2017-zips-projections-chicago-cubs/)

My only quibble is that Schwarber's offensive projection seems off. The power numbers etc are fine but I really have a hard time believing he'll K 30% of the time. He struck out 28% of the time as a rookie and only 20.7% of the time in the minors. Given how much Bryant/Russell/Soler/Baez have all cut down their Ks going into year two I doubt Schwarber, who has arguably the best eye of any of them but Bryant, will somehow get worse.

Otherwise 2.1 WAR seems a fair projection for him given the understandable concerns about his defense and how he'll hold up coming off of the injury.

I also would take the over on Javy and Russell as they keep improving (but man would I be thrilled if Heyward manages 3 wins this year). Either way this is cause for more boner time, I think as of right now that group actually projects 1 win better than the 2016 Cubs did in last year's version of these.

Quote from: Oleg on November 28, 2016, 08:56:08 AM
This is nice. (http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2017-zips-projections-chicago-cubs/)

Quote from: Tonker on November 28, 2016, 12:42:37 PM

Quote from: Oleg on November 28, 2016, 08:56:08 AM
This is nice. (http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2017-zips-projections-chicago-cubs/)

Is anybody else as baffled as I am that Logan Watkins should have Juan Gone as his no.1 comp?

Quote from: SKO on November 29, 2016, 06:41:11 PM
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/11/cubs-to-sign-jon-jay.html

When you win the World Series you get the big stars like Jon Jay.

But really this is a fine signing of a dude who can be a solid fourth outfielder/platoon option with Almora

Quote from: Shooter on November 30, 2016, 08:51:46 PM
Bill James projection for Bryant: .310/.405/.593/.998 with 42 dongs. Holy shit.

ZiPS is .274/.372/.512/.884 and 33 dongs.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 03, 2016, 05:51:31 PM
Brian Duensing (http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4064&position=P). A Cub.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 08, 2016, 04:17:56 PM
Koji Uehara (https://twitter.com/liuchiahow/status/806977080399433728), a Cub.

Quote from: Canadouche on December 10, 2016, 05:35:33 PM
Interesting news about Heyward -- he's already in Arizona in order to get extra time repairing his swing.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on December 10, 2016, 08:05:04 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on December 10, 2016, 05:35:33 PM
Interesting news about Heyward -- he's already in Arizona in order to get extra time repairing his swing.

He bought a house in Arizona, in fact, to stay there and work on his swing all offseason.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 10, 2016, 11:53:47 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on December 10, 2016, 08:05:04 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on December 10, 2016, 05:35:33 PM
Interesting news about Heyward -- he's already in Arizona in order to get extra time repairing his swing.

He bought a house in Arizona, in fact, to stay there and work on his swing all offseason.

He's in Pen's old place.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 20, 2016, 10:57:01 AM
The Cubs are in on Tyson Ross (http://www.bleachernation.com/2016/12/19/cubs-reportedly-brought-tyson-ross-to-wrigley-field-for-a-tour/).

Quote from: Saul Goodman on December 20, 2016, 11:11:42 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 20, 2016, 10:57:01 AM
The Cubs are in on Tyson Ross (http://www.bleachernation.com/2016/12/19/cubs-reportedly-brought-tyson-ross-to-wrigley-field-for-a-tour/).

Duh. The news is that Ross toured Wrigley Field and the Cubs took a look at him medically.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 22, 2016, 10:38:58 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on December 20, 2016, 11:11:42 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 20, 2016, 10:57:01 AM
The Cubs are in on Tyson Ross (http://www.bleachernation.com/2016/12/19/cubs-reportedly-brought-tyson-ross-to-wrigley-field-for-a-tour/).

Duh. The news is that Ross toured Wrigley Field and the Cubs took a look at him medically.

And of course right after some dope from sports Mockery said the Cubs had signed Tyson Ross, Heyman TWEETED THAT 20 teams were in on him. Which makes a lot more sense.

Quote from: Yeti on December 22, 2016, 11:28:24 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 22, 2016, 10:38:58 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on December 20, 2016, 11:11:42 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 20, 2016, 10:57:01 AM
The Cubs are in on Tyson Ross (http://www.bleachernation.com/2016/12/19/cubs-reportedly-brought-tyson-ross-to-wrigley-field-for-a-tour/).

Duh. The news is that Ross toured Wrigley Field and the Cubs took a look at him medically.

And of course right after some dope from sports Mockery said the Cubs had signed Tyson Ross, Heyman TWEETED THAT 20 teams were in on him. Which makes a lot more sense.

Sports Mockery's predictions are worse than yours

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 22, 2016, 11:43:22 AM

Quote from: Yeti on December 22, 2016, 11:28:24 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 22, 2016, 10:38:58 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on December 20, 2016, 11:11:42 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on December 20, 2016, 10:57:01 AM
The Cubs are in on Tyson Ross (http://www.bleachernation.com/2016/12/19/cubs-reportedly-brought-tyson-ross-to-wrigley-field-for-a-tour/).

Duh. The news is that Ross toured Wrigley Field and the Cubs took a look at him medically.

And of course right after some dope from sports Mockery said the Cubs had signed Tyson Ross, Heyman TWEETED THAT 20 teams were in on him. Which makes a lot more sense.

Sports Mockery's predictions are worse than yours

I won't believe it until I read it on Barstool.  Pardon my take.

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:02:53 AM
So jumping off Maddon's comments from yesterday (http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/213337200/cubs-joe-maddon-crafts-early-2017-lineup/), and understanding it won't be a straight platoon situation, something like this?

vs. RHP
Schwarber - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Zobrist - 2B
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Contreras - C
Jay - CF

vs. LHP
Zobrist - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Contreras - C
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Baez - 2B
Almora - CF

With Montero catching Jake and maybe once more per week, and La Stella getting maybe a start a week.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on January 12, 2017, 10:19:25 AM

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:02:53 AM
So jumping off Maddon's comments from yesterday (http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/213337200/cubs-joe-maddon-crafts-early-2017-lineup/), and understanding it won't be a straight platoon situation, something like this?

vs. RHP
Schwarber - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Zobrist - 2B
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Contreras - C
Jay - CF

vs. LHP
Zobrist - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Contreras - C
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Baez - 2B
Almora - CF

With Montero catching Jake and maybe once more per week, and La Stella getting maybe a start a week.

Added the positions so I could see it better.  Not sure how I feel about Contreras 4th.  The troika of Schwarber-Baez-Zobrist is interesting. 3 players, 2 positions.

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:25:36 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on January 12, 2017, 10:19:25 AM

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:02:53 AM
So jumping off Maddon's comments from yesterday (http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/213337200/cubs-joe-maddon-crafts-early-2017-lineup/), and understanding it won't be a straight platoon situation, something like this?

vs. RHP
Schwarber - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Zobrist - 2B
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Contreras - C
Jay - CF

vs. LHP
Zobrist - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Contreras - C
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Baez - 2B
Almora - CF

With Montero catching Jake and maybe once more per week, and La Stella getting maybe a start a week.

Added the positions so I could see it better.  Not sure how I feel about Contreras 4th.  The troika of Schwarber-Baez-Zobrist is interesting. 3 players, 2 positions.

Agree on Contreras - I don't think there's a clear choice in that cleanup spot if Zobrist would indeed slot into the leadoff spot.

Quote from: SKO on January 12, 2017, 10:51:00 AM

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:25:36 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on January 12, 2017, 10:19:25 AM

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:02:53 AM
So jumping off Maddon's comments from yesterday (http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/213337200/cubs-joe-maddon-crafts-early-2017-lineup/), and understanding it won't be a straight platoon situation, something like this?

vs. RHP
Schwarber - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Zobrist - 2B
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Contreras - C
Jay - CF

vs. LHP
Zobrist - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Contreras - C
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Baez - 2B
Almora - CF

With Montero catching Jake and maybe once more per week, and La Stella getting maybe a start a week.

Added the positions so I could see it better.  Not sure how I feel about Contreras 4th.  The troika of Schwarber-Baez-Zobrist is interesting. 3 players, 2 positions.

Agree on Contreras - I don't think there's a clear choice in that cleanup spot if Zobrist would indeed slot into the leadoff spot.

I would like both of those lineups a hell of a lot better if I knew we were getting Pre-2016 Heyward. If Heyward hits you can slot anyone in that lineup other than Jay/Almora 1-7 and you're still scoring a metric fuckton of runs.

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 11:13:56 AM

Quote from: SKO on January 12, 2017, 10:51:00 AM

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:25:36 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on January 12, 2017, 10:19:25 AM

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:02:53 AM
So jumping off Maddon's comments from yesterday (http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/213337200/cubs-joe-maddon-crafts-early-2017-lineup/), and understanding it won't be a straight platoon situation, something like this?

vs. RHP
Schwarber - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Zobrist - 2B
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Contreras - C
Jay - CF

vs. LHP
Zobrist - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Contreras - C
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Baez - 2B
Almora - CF

With Montero catching Jake and maybe once more per week, and La Stella getting maybe a start a week.

Added the positions so I could see it better.  Not sure how I feel about Contreras 4th.  The troika of Schwarber-Baez-Zobrist is interesting. 3 players, 2 positions.

Agree on Contreras - I don't think there's a clear choice in that cleanup spot if Zobrist would indeed slot into the leadoff spot.

I would like both of those lineups a hell of a lot better if I knew we were getting Pre-2016 Heyward. If Heyward hits you can slot anyone in that lineup other than Jay/Almora 1-7 and you're still scoring a metric fuckton of runs.

I would too. Then again, sports probably wouldn't be very fun if we already knew what would happen before the games started.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on January 12, 2017, 10:19:25 AM

Quote from: R-V on January 12, 2017, 10:02:53 AM
So jumping off Maddon's comments from yesterday (http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/213337200/cubs-joe-maddon-crafts-early-2017-lineup/), and understanding it won't be a straight platoon situation, something like this?

vs. RHP
Schwarber - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Zobrist - 2B
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Contreras - C
Jay - CF

vs. LHP
Zobrist - LF
Bryant - 3B
Rizzo - 1B
Contreras - C
Russell - SS
Heyward - RF
Baez - 2B
Almora - CF

With Montero catching Jake and maybe once more per week, and La Stella getting maybe a start a week.

Added the positions so I could see it better.  Not sure how I feel about Contreras 4th.  The troika of Schwarber-Baez-Zobrist is interesting. 3 players, 2 positions.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on January 13, 2017, 08:11:07 AM
I'm putting the over/under on different lineups used by Joe at 120.

Quote from: SKO on January 13, 2017, 08:12:49 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on January 13, 2017, 08:11:07 AM
I'm putting the over/under on different lineups used by Joe at 120.

I'll take the over. Last year he used 130 different lineups (not counting pitcher changes) and that was with a clear-cut every day CF.

Quote from: Tony on January 13, 2017, 10:45:46 AM

Quote from: SKO on January 13, 2017, 08:12:49 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on January 13, 2017, 08:11:07 AM
I'm putting the over/under on different lineups used by Joe at 120.

I'll take the over. Last year he used 130 different lineups (not counting pitcher changes) and that was with a clear-cut every day CF.

I wonder how often Heyward will end up in CF as a way to get both Javy and Zobrist in the line up.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on January 23, 2017, 08:36:48 PM
As per Rosenthal on Twitter...

Brett Anderson. A Cub.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on January 23, 2017, 08:38:12 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on January 23, 2017, 08:36:48 PM
As per Rosenthal on Twitter...

Brett Anderson. A Cub.

*if the duct tape holds on long enough for him to pass a physical

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on January 23, 2017, 08:36:48 PM
As per Rosenthal on Twitter...

Brett Anderson. A Cub.

Quote from: Tonker on January 24, 2017, 09:19:19 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on January 23, 2017, 08:36:48 PM
As per Rosenthal on Twitter...

Brett Anderson. A Cub.

I guess Suede aren't getting the paying gigs they used to any more, huh?

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Quote from: PenFoe on February 01, 2017, 12:55:21 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/932/4151882316.png)

Quote from: SKO on February 01, 2017, 01:16:13 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 01, 2017, 12:55:21 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/932/4151882316.png)

I don't know why no one else tries this "just trade for other teams refuse and turn them into Cy Young winners" strategy. Theo is streets ahead, man.

Quote from: PenFoe on February 01, 2017, 12:55:21 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/932/4151882316.png)

Quote from: SKO on February 01, 2017, 01:16:13 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 01, 2017, 12:55:21 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/932/4151882316.png)

I don't know why no one else tries this "just trade for other teams refuse and turn them into Cy Young winners" strategy. Theo is streets ahead, man.

Quote from: PenFoe on February 01, 2017, 12:55:21 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/932/4151882316.png)

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on February 01, 2017, 06:28:51 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 01, 2017, 12:55:21 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/932/4151882316.png)

Maybe the Cubs found the tree that Cy Young winners fall out of, you ever think of that?

Quote from: Bort on February 01, 2017, 11:03:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on February 01, 2017, 06:28:51 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 01, 2017, 12:55:21 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/932/4151882316.png)

Maybe the Cubs found the tree that Cy Young winners fall out of, you ever think of that?

Turns out it was just a tree full of .900 ops first basemen.

Quote from: Bort on February 01, 2017, 11:03:05 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on February 01, 2017, 06:28:51 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 01, 2017, 12:55:21 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 01, 2017, 12:48:03 PM
Anyone have a clip of that one time Eddie Butler struck out a guy?

I kid, I kid. Maybe Chris Bosio can find something in him.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/932/4151882316.png)

Maybe the Cubs found the tree that Cy Young winners fall out of, you ever think of that?

Turns out it was just a tree full of .900 ops first basemen.

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

Quote from: SKO on February 03, 2017, 03:51:20 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

The trade was a win for the Cubs because they traded a lefty reliever they didn't need right then for a lefty reliever whose prime years would coincide with when they were actually good again, but whether that means Wood provided more or less value than expected, I dunno. He's given the Cubs almost 700 innings of exactly league average pitching (99 ERA+), which is more or less what I think people figured he might be when they got him. A league average left handed pitcher who might be more than average as a LOOGY on a contender someday. I don't know if he counts as a feather in Bosio's cap or not.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 04:18:04 PM

Quote from: SKO on February 03, 2017, 03:51:20 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

The trade was a win for the Cubs because they traded a lefty reliever they didn't need right then for a lefty reliever whose prime years would coincide with when they were actually good again, but whether that means Wood provided more or less value than expected, I dunno. He's given the Cubs almost 700 innings of exactly league average pitching (99 ERA+), which is more or less what I think people figured he might be when they got him. A league average left handed pitcher who might be more than average as a LOOGY on a contender someday. I don't know if he counts as a feather in Bosio's cap or not.

Yeah that's a good point.  Also, I guess the Cubs winning the World Series with a seasoned Wood is a win over the Reds dealing a raw Wood for an in-his-prime SeanBearPig but winning bupkus.  

I enjoy having these conversations, by the way, because they involve the factual words "Cubs winning the World Series"

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on February 03, 2017, 03:08:02 PM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

I'm really hoping this doesn't mean Montgomery is going to sit in the pen all year. Because I've been fapping at the thought of his carrying last year's 58% GB rate for 6-7 innings at a time all winter.

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 04:56:41 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 04:18:04 PM

Quote from: SKO on February 03, 2017, 03:51:20 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

The trade was a win for the Cubs because they traded a lefty reliever they didn't need right then for a lefty reliever whose prime years would coincide with when they were actually good again, but whether that means Wood provided more or less value than expected, I dunno. He's given the Cubs almost 700 innings of exactly league average pitching (99 ERA+), which is more or less what I think people figured he might be when they got him. A league average left handed pitcher who might be more than average as a LOOGY on a contender someday. I don't know if he counts as a feather in Bosio's cap or not.

Yeah that's a good point.  Also, I guess the Cubs winning the World Series with a seasoned Wood is a win over the Reds dealing a raw Wood for an in-his-prime SeanBearPig but winning bupkus.  

I enjoy having these conversations, by the way, because they involve the factual words "Cubs winning the World Series"

There was certainly some hand-wringing when Marshall was traded for Wood. 
Wood doesn't qualify as a reclamation project, but he's certainly been far more valuable to the Cubs than Marshall has been to the Reds.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

Quote from: JD on February 03, 2017, 07:56:40 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

Flags fly forever.  Wood is awesome and a much better hitter than Marshall.  Marshall wasn't even that cool.  Forget about Marshall, would ya?  Wood.  Wood for the win.  Geez.

Quote from: Eli on February 03, 2017, 08:36:55 PM

Quote from: JD on February 03, 2017, 07:56:40 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

Flags fly forever.  Wood is awesome and a much better hitter than Marshall.  Marshall wasn't even that cool.  Forget about Marshall, would ya?  Wood.  Wood for the win.  Geez.

Hey, JD.

Quote from: JD on February 03, 2017, 09:59:42 PM

Quote from: Eli on February 03, 2017, 08:36:55 PM

Quote from: JD on February 03, 2017, 07:56:40 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

Flags fly forever.  Wood is awesome and a much better hitter than Marshall.  Marshall wasn't even that cool.  Forget about Marshall, would ya?  Wood.  Wood for the win.  Geez.

Hey, JD.

Sup, bro.  You hear that Pen is messing with the setting in the fantasy baseball league? 

Quote from: Shooter on February 03, 2017, 10:56:56 PM

Quote from: JD on February 03, 2017, 09:59:42 PM

Quote from: Eli on February 03, 2017, 08:36:55 PM

Quote from: JD on February 03, 2017, 07:56:40 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

Flags fly forever.  Wood is awesome and a much better hitter than Marshall.  Marshall wasn't even that cool.  Forget about Marshall, would ya?  Wood.  Wood for the win.  Geez.

Hey, JD.

Sup, bro.  You hear that Pen is messing with the setting in the fantasy baseball league? 

He's making fantasy baseball great again.

Quote from: JD on February 04, 2017, 10:47:44 AM

Quote from: Shooter on February 03, 2017, 10:56:56 PM

Quote from: JD on February 03, 2017, 09:59:42 PM

Quote from: Eli on February 03, 2017, 08:36:55 PM

Quote from: JD on February 03, 2017, 07:56:40 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 03, 2017, 03:39:53 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 03, 2017, 11:06:16 AM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 03, 2017, 10:16:36 AM

Quote from: Oleg on February 03, 2017, 08:15:59 AM

Quote from: WTB...A RING FFS!! on February 03, 2017, 02:25:09 AM
What % of these reclamation projects turn into gold for the Cubs? Or at least good enough to be traded for big upgrades, Theo/Jed haven't missed on much in this category, and most have somehow turned platinum in some way from either Arrieta beign a stud or these 1st-half wonders turned into major prospects. There's also a reason we call Bosio the Wizard as under his watch we've turned people into studs.

I think that, in a lifetime, turning one turd into Jake Arrieta is about the best anyone team could ever possibly hope for.  I'm not saying they shouldn't try but I'm not exactly counting on anything coming from Eddie Butler.

If he turns into a useful #4, that would be a major win.

Even outside of Jake, they're gotten decent to very good "unexpected" value (in performance and/or return) from:
Hammel
Strop
Feldman
Wood (he's certainly been better than Marshall)
Rondon
Cahill

I'm sure they're are more.

The whole they're are? To be fair to Marshall, it's easy to be better than someone who's been hurt pretty much this whole time.

I'd say Wood-for-Marshall is hardly "certainly" in Wood's favor.  Marshall was an All-Star reliever for a competitive contender.  Wood was an All-Star for a shitty team and a useful, contributing factor to a World Championship.  I'd say that one's a wash, on balance.

Flags fly forever.  Wood is awesome and a much better hitter than Marshall.  Marshall wasn't even that cool.  Forget about Marshall, would ya?  Wood.  Wood for the win.  Geez.

Hey, JD.

Sup, bro.  You hear that Pen is messing with the setting in the fantasy baseball league? 

He's making fantasy baseball great again.

Not my commissioner!

Quote from: SKO on February 07, 2017, 03:47:16 PM
If the Cardinals really finish fourth I will count this season as a massive success even if the Cubs get wiped in the NLDS.

Quote from: SKO on February 07, 2017, 03:47:16 PM
Some people are mad PECOTA "only" projects the Cubs for 91 wins, but it's usually pretty conservative (other than the annual tongue bath it gives the Dodgers) and last year projected them for only 92 if I remember correctly. Anyways, the important thing is it projects them well ahead of the Cardinals, who are complete garbage: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/

If the Cardinals really finish fourth I will count this season as a massive success even if the Cubs get wiped in the NLDS.

Quote from: Yeti on February 07, 2017, 05:53:55 PM

Quote from: SKO on February 07, 2017, 03:47:16 PM
Some people are mad PECOTA "only" projects the Cubs for 91 wins, but it's usually pretty conservative (other than the annual tongue bath it gives the Dodgers) and last year projected them for only 92 if I remember correctly. Anyways, the important thing is it projects them well ahead of the Cardinals, who are complete garbage: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/

If the Cardinals really finish fourth I will count this season as a massive success even if the Cubs get wiped in the NLDS.

I was more asshurt about the Dodgers sitting at 98, cause the team I love is the greatest team in the world and I don't need no computer telling me otherwise.

Quote from: SKO on February 08, 2017, 08:08:02 AM

Quote from: Yeti on February 07, 2017, 05:53:55 PM

Quote from: SKO on February 07, 2017, 03:47:16 PM
Some people are mad PECOTA "only" projects the Cubs for 91 wins, but it's usually pretty conservative (other than the annual tongue bath it gives the Dodgers) and last year projected them for only 92 if I remember correctly. Anyways, the important thing is it projects them well ahead of the Cardinals, who are complete garbage: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/

If the Cardinals really finish fourth I will count this season as a massive success even if the Cubs get wiped in the NLDS.

I was more asshurt about the Dodgers sitting at 98, cause the team I love is the greatest team in the world and I don't need no computer telling me otherwise.

Yeah I am not a BP member so I can't see the Dodgers depth chart page but I really wonder how they decided on that projection for LA. The Cubs have a better position player group for sure, so I'm guessing they just really, really love the Dodgers pitching, but I question how many innings they think Rich Hill will actually manage at last year's pace.

But, again, BP projected the Dodgers as the best team in baseball last year, too. Their metrics just really love that pitching staff.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on February 08, 2017, 11:30:57 AM

Quote from: SKO on February 08, 2017, 08:08:02 AM

Quote from: Yeti on February 07, 2017, 05:53:55 PM

Quote from: SKO on February 07, 2017, 03:47:16 PM
Some people are mad PECOTA "only" projects the Cubs for 91 wins, but it's usually pretty conservative (other than the annual tongue bath it gives the Dodgers) and last year projected them for only 92 if I remember correctly. Anyways, the important thing is it projects them well ahead of the Cardinals, who are complete garbage: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/

If the Cardinals really finish fourth I will count this season as a massive success even if the Cubs get wiped in the NLDS.

I was more asshurt about the Dodgers sitting at 98, cause the team I love is the greatest team in the world and I don't need no computer telling me otherwise.

Yeah I am not a BP member so I can't see the Dodgers depth chart page but I really wonder how they decided on that projection for LA. The Cubs have a better position player group for sure, so I'm guessing they just really, really love the Dodgers pitching, but I question how many innings they think Rich Hill will actually manage at last year's pace.

But, again, BP projected the Dodgers as the best team in baseball last year, too. Their metrics just really love that pitching staff.

Let's also swee how healthy Kershaw is. Bad backs on power pitchers tend to not work out well.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on February 08, 2017, 07:51:51 PM
The Cubs sent Donny Dewees to Kansas City for Alec Mills, who was DFAed to make room for Hammel.

The Cubs are certainly not being timid about loading up on pitching projects.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 08, 2017, 10:09:41 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on February 08, 2017, 07:51:51 PM
The Cubs sent Donny Dewees to Kansas City for Alec Mills, who was DFAed to make room for Hammel.

The Cubs are certainly not being timid about loading up on pitching projects.

And Brian Wilson's trying to come back as a knuckleballer...

On Dewees. The latest prospect prognostications said his absolute best case scenario is to become a younger Ben Revere, so this trade sounds about right.

Quote from: PenFoe on February 23, 2017, 01:08:31 PM
(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/954/4818570319.png)

Schwarber, Bryant, Rizzo is a brutal top of the order for opposing pitchers.

Quote from: PenFoe on February 23, 2017, 01:08:31 PM
(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/954/4818570319.png)

Schwarber, Bryant, Rizzo is a brutal top of the order for opposing pitchers.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 01:20:46 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 23, 2017, 01:08:31 PM
(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/954/4818570319.png)

Schwarber, Bryant, Rizzo is a brutal top of the order for opposing pitchers.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Zobrist come up for his first AB in several games this season with the Cubs already up 3-0 with nobody out.

Quote from: Yeti on February 23, 2017, 06:32:18 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 01:20:46 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 23, 2017, 01:08:31 PM
(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/954/4818570319.png)

Schwarber, Bryant, Rizzo is a brutal top of the order for opposing pitchers.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Zobrist come up for his first AB in several games this season with the Cubs already up 3-0 with nobody out.

Several times? I would

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 23, 2017, 06:45:09 PM

Quote from: Yeti on February 23, 2017, 06:32:18 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 01:20:46 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 23, 2017, 01:08:31 PM
(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/954/4818570319.png)

Schwarber, Bryant, Rizzo is a brutal top of the order for opposing pitchers.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Zobrist come up for his first AB in several games this season with the Cubs already up 3-0 with nobody out.

Several times? I would

Yeah that's pretty much just putting pressure on Rizzo to clear the bases multiple times with 3-run, 0-out bombs.

I'll put the over-under on that for the season at 2, and enjoy the stressful, 30 pitch innings where a pitcher somehow goes 1-2-3 the first time through those three, before....having to face them a second time.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 01:20:46 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 23, 2017, 01:08:31 PM
(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/954/4818570319.png)

Schwarber, Bryant, Rizzo is a brutal top of the order for opposing pitchers.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Zobrist come up for his first AB in several games this season with the Cubs already up 3-0 with nobody out.

Quote from: CT III on February 23, 2017, 07:30:12 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 01:20:46 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 23, 2017, 01:08:31 PM
(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/954/4818570319.png)

Schwarber, Bryant, Rizzo is a brutal top of the order for opposing pitchers.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Zobrist come up for his first AB in several games this season with the Cubs already up 3-0 with nobody out.

I'd be more surprised if he came up for his first AB and it was 3-0 and there was an out.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 07:41:32 PM

Quote from: CT III on February 23, 2017, 07:30:12 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 01:20:46 PM

Quote from: PenFoe on February 23, 2017, 01:08:31 PM
(http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/954/4818570319.png)

Schwarber, Bryant, Rizzo is a brutal top of the order for opposing pitchers.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Zobrist come up for his first AB in several games this season with the Cubs already up 3-0 with nobody out.

I'd be more surprised if he came up for his first AB and it was 3-0 and there was an out.

He'll be hitting fifth once Jason Heyward starts drinking the blood of the non-believers.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 07:25:37 PM
Come to think of it, my favorite games last year were when the Cubs would just bludgeon the shit out of their opponent. More of those this year, please. I want the other team's pitching staff sorry they ever heard of baseball before the first seventh inning stretch of each series. I want nothing less than the dynastic juggernaut we all deserve.

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 08:54:57 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 07:25:37 PM
Come to think of it, my favorite games last year were when the Cubs would just bludgeon the shit out of their opponent. More of those this year, please. I want the other team's pitching staff sorry they ever heard of baseball before the first seventh inning stretch of each series. I want nothing less than the dynastic juggernaut we all deserve.

He's a garbage pitcher but still the time they made Alfredo Simon throw 49 pitches and leave a start after recording just two outs in the first inning was one of my all time favorites. They were just fucking merciless.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 24, 2017, 10:39:30 AM

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 08:54:57 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 07:25:37 PM
Come to think of it, my favorite games last year were when the Cubs would just bludgeon the shit out of their opponent. More of those this year, please. I want the other team's pitching staff sorry they ever heard of baseball before the first seventh inning stretch of each series. I want nothing less than the dynastic juggernaut we all deserve.

He's a garbage pitcher but still the time they made Alfredo Simon throw 49 pitches and leave a start after recording just two outs in the first inning was one of my all time favorites. They were just fucking merciless.

I remember that game and agree that the goddamn cold-blooded and ruthless way they can go out and expect to win at least 40 games just by dominating so many at-bats, and rendering the game effectively over before the 6th inning even starts, when 4 runs by then will be a disappointment, makes me very warm.

I had thrown out Schwarber-as-leadoff on a larf last summer, in a sort of it-seems-to-make-sense-but-seems-so-unsuual-it-probably-won't-happen idea, but the more you think about it, it makes sense, and the fact that Joe is actually doing it is goddamn exciting.

I know lineup construction is overblown and over-discussed, but there value to a true Leadoff Hitter and Dexter Fowler is one of the 10 best leadoff hitters in baseball, and it sucks that he's gone because he does 3 things which made him so great at the top of  the game:   1) He sees a lot of pitches, which not only serve to chart the pitcher onto an uncomfortable course and drive up his pitch count but also gives the guys behind him a chance to observe what a pitcher has. 2) He will consistently reach base at an above-average clip and 3) every now and then he'll pop one over the wall--Game 7 merely being the most illustrative example of this, but a not unusual for him in any event.  Basically, some sort of Ricky Henderson Standard (without the threat of advancing bases on his own...though I don't think Ricky was stealing as much when he was still an effective leadoff hitter as late as 2001 when I saw him lead off a game by homering off Kerry Wood).  On paper, you'd think Zobrist would be the natural successor to Fowler here, based on those qualities--but for whatever reason, Zobrist hasn't brought the same valuable production to leadoff that he has elsewhere in the lineup during his career.  In fact, during the Cubs' only true bad stretch last year--an admittedly longer-than-usual one when they went 5-15 before the All-Star Break--Zobrist led-off in Fowler's place, who was out with an injury, and the offense simply wasn't the same.  And maybe it won't be the same with Schwarber at the top either, but it's easy to imagine how it could be, or could maybe even be better, and in any event we're going to find out one way or the other and I'm kind of excited to see it play out.

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 11:47:59 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 24, 2017, 10:39:30 AM

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 08:54:57 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 07:25:37 PM
Come to think of it, my favorite games last year were when the Cubs would just bludgeon the shit out of their opponent. More of those this year, please. I want the other team's pitching staff sorry they ever heard of baseball before the first seventh inning stretch of each series. I want nothing less than the dynastic juggernaut we all deserve.

He's a garbage pitcher but still the time they made Alfredo Simon throw 49 pitches and leave a start after recording just two outs in the first inning was one of my all time favorites. They were just fucking merciless.

I remember that game and agree that the goddamn cold-blooded and ruthless way they can go out and expect to win at least 40 games just by dominating so many at-bats, and rendering the game effectively over before the 6th inning even starts, when 4 runs by then will be a disappointment, makes me very warm.

I had thrown out Schwarber-as-leadoff on a larf last summer, in a sort of it-seems-to-make-sense-but-seems-so-unsuual-it-probably-won't-happen idea, but the more you think about it, it makes sense, and the fact that Joe is actually doing it is goddamn exciting.

I know lineup construction is overblown and over-discussed, but there value to a true Leadoff Hitter and Dexter Fowler is one of the 10 best leadoff hitters in baseball, and it sucks that he's gone because he does 3 things which made him so great at the top of  the game:   1) He sees a lot of pitches, which not only serve to chart the pitcher onto an uncomfortable course and drive up his pitch count but also gives the guys behind him a chance to observe what a pitcher has. 2) He will consistently reach base at an above-average clip and 3) every now and then he'll pop one over the wall--Game 7 merely being the most illustrative example of this, but a not unusual for him in any event.  Basically, some sort of Ricky Henderson Standard (without the threat of advancing bases on his own...though I don't think Ricky was stealing as much when he was still an effective leadoff hitter as late as 2001 when I saw him lead off a game by homering off Kerry Wood).  On paper, you'd think Zobrist would be the natural successor to Fowler here, based on those qualities--but for whatever reason, Zobrist hasn't brought the same valuable production to leadoff that he has elsewhere in the lineup during his career.  In fact, during the Cubs' only true bad stretch last year--an admittedly longer-than-usual one when they went 5-15 before the All-Star Break--Zobrist led-off in Fowler's place, who was out with an injury, and the offense simply wasn't the same.  And maybe it won't be the same with Schwarber at the top either, but it's easy to imagine how it could be, or could maybe even be better, and in any event we're going to find out one way or the other and I'm kind of excited to see it play out.

I think Joe would ideally like to get Heyward into the leadoff spot eventually. 2015 Heyward would be a fantastic leadoff hitter. He just has to go out and prove that guys still exists before Joe moves him up in the lineup.

If everyone put up their career AVG OBP this year Heyward (.346), Bryant (.377), Rizzo (.362), Schwarber (.353), Zobrist (.358), Contreras (.357), Russell (.314) would score a metric fuckton of runs and you've have to get all of the way down to the 7 spot before you hit a guy that has a below league average OBP, and even then Addison made huge strides in plate discipline last year and walked at a near double-digit pace. Seven regulars with an OBP ~350 or better would be utterly insane in today's game and also completely unsurprising from this group. It wouldn't even represent a career high for anyone other than Russell.  That .362 also way under-sells Tony because he hasn't been the same guy since 2014, when he learned how to hit lefties and has since managed an OBP of .385 or better every year.

Javy and Almora seem unlikely to join that group but if your weak link in terms of OBP is a super-utility gold glove caliber defender at multiple positions who can also murder a baseball and then the other guy is an elite defender in center you're probably going to be OK.

I know we all know all of this but man it's still fun to spell it all out sometimes. The Cubs have more fucking talent than they know what to do with. I'll never get tired of thinking about that.

Quote from: Oleg on February 24, 2017, 11:54:58 AM

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 11:47:59 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 24, 2017, 10:39:30 AM

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 08:54:57 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 07:25:37 PM
Come to think of it, my favorite games last year were when the Cubs would just bludgeon the shit out of their opponent. More of those this year, please. I want the other team's pitching staff sorry they ever heard of baseball before the first seventh inning stretch of each series. I want nothing less than the dynastic juggernaut we all deserve.

He's a garbage pitcher but still the time they made Alfredo Simon throw 49 pitches and leave a start after recording just two outs in the first inning was one of my all time favorites. They were just fucking merciless.

I remember that game and agree that the goddamn cold-blooded and ruthless way they can go out and expect to win at least 40 games just by dominating so many at-bats, and rendering the game effectively over before the 6th inning even starts, when 4 runs by then will be a disappointment, makes me very warm.

I had thrown out Schwarber-as-leadoff on a larf last summer, in a sort of it-seems-to-make-sense-but-seems-so-unsuual-it-probably-won't-happen idea, but the more you think about it, it makes sense, and the fact that Joe is actually doing it is goddamn exciting.

I know lineup construction is overblown and over-discussed, but there value to a true Leadoff Hitter and Dexter Fowler is one of the 10 best leadoff hitters in baseball, and it sucks that he's gone because he does 3 things which made him so great at the top of  the game:   1) He sees a lot of pitches, which not only serve to chart the pitcher onto an uncomfortable course and drive up his pitch count but also gives the guys behind him a chance to observe what a pitcher has. 2) He will consistently reach base at an above-average clip and 3) every now and then he'll pop one over the wall--Game 7 merely being the most illustrative example of this, but a not unusual for him in any event.  Basically, some sort of Ricky Henderson Standard (without the threat of advancing bases on his own...though I don't think Ricky was stealing as much when he was still an effective leadoff hitter as late as 2001 when I saw him lead off a game by homering off Kerry Wood).  On paper, you'd think Zobrist would be the natural successor to Fowler here, based on those qualities--but for whatever reason, Zobrist hasn't brought the same valuable production to leadoff that he has elsewhere in the lineup during his career.  In fact, during the Cubs' only true bad stretch last year--an admittedly longer-than-usual one when they went 5-15 before the All-Star Break--Zobrist led-off in Fowler's place, who was out with an injury, and the offense simply wasn't the same.  And maybe it won't be the same with Schwarber at the top either, but it's easy to imagine how it could be, or could maybe even be better, and in any event we're going to find out one way or the other and I'm kind of excited to see it play out.

I think Joe would ideally like to get Heyward into the leadoff spot eventually. 2015 Heyward would be a fantastic leadoff hitter. He just has to go out and prove that guys still exists before Joe moves him up in the lineup.

If everyone put up their career AVG OBP this year Heyward (.346), Bryant (.377), Rizzo (.362), Schwarber (.353), Zobrist (.358), Contreras (.357), Russell (.314) would score a metric fuckton of runs and you've have to get all of the way down to the 7 spot before you hit a guy that has a below league average OBP, and even then Addison made huge strides in plate discipline last year and walked at a near double-digit pace. Seven regulars with an OBP ~350 or better would be utterly insane in today's game and also completely unsurprising from this group. It wouldn't even represent a career high for anyone other than Russell.  That .362 also way under-sells Tony because he hasn't been the same guy since 2014, when he learned how to hit lefties and has since managed an OBP of .385 or better every year.

Javy and Almora seem unlikely to join that group but if your weak link in terms of OBP is a super-utility gold glove caliber defender at multiple positions who can also murder a baseball and then the other guy is an elite defender in center you're probably going to be OK.

I know we all know all of this but man it's still fun to spell it all out sometimes. The Cubs have more fucking talent than they know what to do with. I'll never get tired of thinking about that.

All of this.

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 11:47:59 AM
I know we all know all of this but man it's still fun to spell it all out sometimes. The Cubs have more fucking talent than they know what to do with. I'll never get tired of thinking about that.

Quote from: Brownie on February 24, 2017, 12:33:46 PM

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 11:47:59 AM
I know we all know all of this but man it's still fun to spell it all out sometimes. The Cubs have more fucking talent than they know what to do with. I'll never get tired of thinking about that.

Even more, we don't know where their ceiling is. It could be where they are, which means they're pretty awesome, or it could be higher which means we could be making up for some lost time with the World Series Trophies.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 24, 2017, 10:39:30 AM

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 08:54:57 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on February 23, 2017, 07:25:37 PM
Come to think of it, my favorite games last year were when the Cubs would just bludgeon the shit out of their opponent. More of those this year, please. I want the other team's pitching staff sorry they ever heard of baseball before the first seventh inning stretch of each series. I want nothing less than the dynastic juggernaut we all deserve.

He's a garbage pitcher but still the time they made Alfredo Simon throw 49 pitches and leave a start after recording just two outs in the first inning was one of my all time favorites. They were just fucking merciless.

I remember that game and agree that the goddamn cold-blooded and ruthless way they can go out and expect to win at least 40 games just by dominating so many at-bats, and rendering the game effectively over before the 6th inning even starts, when 4 runs by then will be a disappointment, makes me very warm.

I had thrown out Schwarber-as-leadoff on a larf last summer, in a sort of it-seems-to-make-sense-but-seems-so-unsuual-it-probably-won't-happen idea, but the more you think about it, it makes sense, and the fact that Joe is actually doing it is goddamn exciting.

I know lineup construction is overblown and over-discussed, but there value to a true Leadoff Hitter and Dexter Fowler is one of the 10 best leadoff hitters in baseball, and it sucks that he's gone because he does 3 things which made him so great at the top of  the game:   1) He sees a lot of pitches, which not only serve to chart the pitcher onto an uncomfortable course and drive up his pitch count but also gives the guys behind him a chance to observe what a pitcher has. 2) He will consistently reach base at an above-average clip and 3) every now and then he'll pop one over the wall--Game 7 merely being the most illustrative example of this, but a not unusual for him in any event.  Basically, some sort of Ricky Henderson Standard (without the threat of advancing bases on his own...though I don't think Ricky was stealing as much when he was still an effective leadoff hitter as late as 2001 when I saw him lead off a game by homering off Kerry Wood).  On paper, you'd think Zobrist would be the natural successor to Fowler here, based on those qualities--but for whatever reason, Zobrist hasn't brought the same valuable production to leadoff that he has elsewhere in the lineup during his career.  In fact, during the Cubs' only true bad stretch last year--an admittedly longer-than-usual one when they went 5-15 before the All-Star Break--Zobrist led-off in Fowler's place, who was out with an injury, and the offense simply wasn't the same.  And maybe it won't be the same with Schwarber at the top either, but it's easy to imagine how it could be, or could maybe even be better, and in any event we're going to find out one way or the other and I'm kind of excited to see it play out.

Quote from: Yosemite Seamus on February 24, 2017, 12:00:04 PM


Not even the cannon blow that was the Schwarber injury stopped them last year, so yeah...I'm finally getting excited for 2017.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on February 24, 2017, 01:29:03 PM

Quote from: Brownie on February 24, 2017, 12:33:46 PM

Quote from: SKO on February 24, 2017, 11:47:59 AM
I know we all know all of this but man it's still fun to spell it all out sometimes. The Cubs have more fucking talent than they know what to do with. I'll never get tired of thinking about that.

Even more, we don't know where their ceiling is. It could be where they are, which means they're pretty awesome, or it could be higher which means we could be making up for some lost time with the World Series Trophies.

I've been a proponent of a notion I've developed of "historic normalization" and the Cubs just happen to be prone to it, that's all.

From 1876 until 1946, they were, year-in and year-out, one of the three or so best teams in the history of the major leagues, a major brand, winners of several NL pennants in the 19th century and on top of that the third team to appear in 10 World Series in the 20th, after only only the Giants and Yankees and ahead of the Dodgers and even the Cardinals (!).  The only chink in this franchise's armor until then, it would seem, would be this nagging run of always losing the World Series (they were the first franchise to lose 5, 6 and 7 straight World Series, 7 remaining as the record that they snapped last year) but that was a discussion for another day, another narrative.

Because of this unparalleled nearly 3-Quarter of a century dominance, with very few valleys--no 5 year stretches of second division finishes etc.-- the franchise's bill came due..and it immediately ushered in 2 decades of their longest string of mediocrity until that point--say, 1946 to 1966.  This was followed by a brief and exciting--but ultimately pennant-less--blip in the very-late 60's through the very-early 70's, before another horseshit decade from '72 until '82 resumed, then the "modern" 30 year or so run of staggered, inconsistent year-to-year excitement, close-calls and plenty of individually shitty seasons...in short, another near 3-Quarter century of consistent and on balance rather awful baseball....swinging the pendulum so far the other way that in fewer than 2 generations the Cubs went from being associated as a historic pre-eminent brand to being associated as the brand of historic  ineptitude.

And now the pendulum's about to swing back.  50[/] chammenships in a row, bitches. Set your sights.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on February 26, 2017, 07:20:26 PM
Damn, they gave Soler's number to Eloy.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on March 24, 2017, 11:34:26 AM
Brett Anderson makes the rotation despite his 7.15 spring ERA (but no homers allowed and 2:9 BB:SO!). Might want to keep Montgomery stretched out.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on March 24, 2017, 11:34:26 AM
Brett Anderson makes the rotation despite his 7.15 spring ERA (but no homers allowed and 2:9 BB:SO!). Might want to keep Montgomery stretched out.

Quote from: R-V on March 29, 2017, 04:15:41 PM
Opening Day roster is in. Duensing to the DL so the La Stella/Szczur decision gets deferred for a while at least.

It is honestly ridiculous that the season starts in 4 damn days. I feel like I am just now coming to terms with what happened in November. This offseason seems like it's been about 10% as long as previous ones.

Quote from: Canadouche on April 02, 2017, 08:46:48 AM
It continues to feel weird to me that there is no easy "favourite Cub" in this team. Every time I think that Baez is my favourite, I am reminded of how awesome Schwarber is, who literally did something unheard of that will almost certainly never be duplicated. And Heyward, who burned the Cardinals fans to be here, and has spoken repeatedly about how much he loves this team. And, obviously, Rizzo and Bryant. And Arrieta remains a total badass. I mean, how does one choose?

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on April 02, 2017, 12:25:40 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on April 02, 2017, 08:46:48 AM
It continues to feel weird to me that there is no easy "favourite Cub" in this team. Every time I think that Baez is my favourite, I am reminded of how awesome Schwarber is, who literally did something unheard of that will almost certainly never be duplicated. And Heyward, who burned the Cardinals fans to be here, and has spoken repeatedly about how much he loves this team. And, obviously, Rizzo and Bryant. And Arrieta remains a total badass. I mean, how does one choose?

It's Rizzo. He was the first Theo player to be here so he was the harbinger of things to come. Add in the looks on his face of amazement and wonder when good things are happening to the team and it's hard not to think of his personal health history. He's lucky to be alive. And he plays that way. Everything good is a joy to him because he was this close to none of this happening.

He knows how fortunate he is to even be here. And we are just fortunate to watch him.

Quote from: Eli on April 02, 2017, 01:37:42 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on April 02, 2017, 12:25:40 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on April 02, 2017, 08:46:48 AM
It continues to feel weird to me that there is no easy "favourite Cub" in this team. Every time I think that Baez is my favourite, I am reminded of how awesome Schwarber is, who literally did something unheard of that will almost certainly never be duplicated. And Heyward, who burned the Cardinals fans to be here, and has spoken repeatedly about how much he loves this team. And, obviously, Rizzo and Bryant. And Arrieta remains a total badass. I mean, how does one choose?

It's Rizzo. He was the first Theo player to be here so he was the harbinger of things to come. Add in the looks on his face of amazement and wonder when good things are happening to the team and it's hard not to think of his personal health history. He's lucky to be alive. And he plays that way. Everything good is a joy to him because he was this close to none of this happening.

He knows how fortunate he is to even be here. And we are just fortunate to watch him.

Chuck is ... not wrong?

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on April 02, 2017, 12:25:40 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on April 02, 2017, 08:46:48 AM
It continues to feel weird to me that there is no easy "favourite Cub" in this team. Every time I think that Baez is my favourite, I am reminded of how awesome Schwarber is, who literally did something unheard of that will almost certainly never be duplicated. And Heyward, who burned the Cardinals fans to be here, and has spoken repeatedly about how much he loves this team. And, obviously, Rizzo and Bryant. And Arrieta remains a total badass. I mean, how does one choose?

It's Rizzo. He was the first Theo player to be here so he was the harbinger of things to come. Add in the looks on his face of amazement and wonder when good things are happening to the team and it's hard not to think of his personal health history. He's lucky to be alive. And he plays that way. Everything good is a joy to him because he was this close to none of this happening.

He knows how fortunate he is to even be here. And we are just fortunate to watch him.

Quote from: Wheezer on April 02, 2017, 05:31:03 PM

Quote from: Eli on April 02, 2017, 01:37:42 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on April 02, 2017, 12:25:40 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on April 02, 2017, 08:46:48 AM
It continues to feel weird to me that there is no easy "favourite Cub" in this team. Every time I think that Baez is my favourite, I am reminded of how awesome Schwarber is, who literally did something unheard of that will almost certainly never be duplicated. And Heyward, who burned the Cardinals fans to be here, and has spoken repeatedly about how much he loves this team. And, obviously, Rizzo and Bryant. And Arrieta remains a total badass. I mean, how does one choose?

It's Rizzo. He was the first Theo player to be here so he was the harbinger of things to come. Add in the looks on his face of amazement and wonder when good things are happening to the team and it's hard not to think of his personal health history. He's lucky to be alive. And he plays that way. Everything good is a joy to him because he was this close to none of this happening.

He knows how fortunate he is to even be here. And we are just fortunate to watch him.

Chuck is ... not wrong?

It was limited-stage Hodgkin disease, so the "lucky to be alive" part is a bit over the top.

Quote from: Wheezer on April 02, 2017, 05:31:03 PM

Quote from: Eli on April 02, 2017, 01:37:42 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on April 02, 2017, 12:25:40 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on April 02, 2017, 08:46:48 AM
It continues to feel weird to me that there is no easy "favourite Cub" in this team. Every time I think that Baez is my favourite, I am reminded of how awesome Schwarber is, who literally did something unheard of that will almost certainly never be duplicated. And Heyward, who burned the Cardinals fans to be here, and has spoken repeatedly about how much he loves this team. And, obviously, Rizzo and Bryant. And Arrieta remains a total badass. I mean, how does one choose?

It's Rizzo. He was the first Theo player to be here so he was the harbinger of things to come. Add in the looks on his face of amazement and wonder when good things are happening to the team and it's hard not to think of his personal health history. He's lucky to be alive. And he plays that way. Everything good is a joy to him because he was this close to none of this happening.

He knows how fortunate he is to even be here. And we are just fortunate to watch him.

Chuck is ... not wrong?

It was limited-stage Hodgkin disease, so the "lucky to be alive" part is a bit over the top.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on April 04, 2017, 12:45:51 AM

Quote from: Wheezer on April 02, 2017, 05:31:03 PM

Quote from: Eli on April 02, 2017, 01:37:42 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on April 02, 2017, 12:25:40 PM

Quote from: Canadouche on April 02, 2017, 08:46:48 AM
It continues to feel weird to me that there is no easy "favourite Cub" in this team. Every time I think that Baez is my favourite, I am reminded of how awesome Schwarber is, who literally did something unheard of that will almost certainly never be duplicated. And Heyward, who burned the Cardinals fans to be here, and has spoken repeatedly about how much he loves this team. And, obviously, Rizzo and Bryant. And Arrieta remains a total badass. I mean, how does one choose?

It's Rizzo. He was the first Theo player to be here so he was the harbinger of things to come. Add in the looks on his face of amazement and wonder when good things are happening to the team and it's hard not to think of his personal health history. He's lucky to be alive. And he plays that way. Everything good is a joy to him because he was this close to none of this happening.

He knows how fortunate he is to even be here. And we are just fortunate to watch him.

Chuck is ... not wrong?

It was limited-stage Hodgkin disease, so the "lucky to be alive" part is a bit over the top.

Does that mean it's the funny cancer?

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 04, 2017, 10:14:53 PM
1

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 06, 2017, 04:07:03 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 04, 2017, 10:14:53 PM
1

2

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 06, 2017, 04:07:03 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 04, 2017, 10:14:53 PM
1

2

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 14, 2017, 04:50:18 PM
That game sucked.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 14, 2017, 04:50:18 PM
That game sucked.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 15, 2017, 03:58:16 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 14, 2017, 04:50:18 PM
That game sucked.

This game also sucks.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on April 15, 2017, 09:29:51 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 15, 2017, 03:58:16 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 14, 2017, 04:50:18 PM
That game sucked.

This game also sucks.

Yeah, dude--they're going to lose like, at least 60 games.

Try to fucking pace yourself, eh, mate?

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

Quote from: SKO on April 27, 2017, 01:18:39 PM

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

If Tampa goes down and Archer is too expensive I could see the Cubs looking into Cobb or Snell.

I wonder if Toronto could be convinced to part with Marcus Stroman if their struggles keep up. They really emptied the farm in the Tulowitzki, Price, Donaldson, and Dickey trades and could use some young position players with Donaldson likely to bounce and guys like Martin and Bautista getting up there. I know they just extended him but you'd have to think a guy like Happ would really look good to a team like Kansas City in a possible Danny Duffy trade.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on April 27, 2017, 02:04:42 PM

Quote from: SKO on April 27, 2017, 01:18:39 PM

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

If Tampa goes down and Archer is too expensive I could see the Cubs looking into Cobb or Snell.

I wonder if Toronto could be convinced to part with Marcus Stroman if their struggles keep up. They really emptied the farm in the Tulowitzki, Price, Donaldson, and Dickey trades and could use some young position players with Donaldson likely to bounce and guys like Martin and Bautista getting up there. I know they just extended him but you'd have to think a guy like Happ would really look good to a team like Kansas City in a possible Danny Duffy trade.

I'd love to find a way to get both Quintana and Robertson. Not a huge Robertson fan, but the Sox are going to dump him. Might as well be to the Cubs and not to a competitor. Also, Robertson is under contract through 2018 and Quintana through 2020. Neither would be a pure rental.

Quote from: SKO on April 27, 2017, 01:18:39 PM

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

If Tampa goes down and Archer is too expensive I could see the Cubs looking into Cobb or Snell.

I wonder if Toronto could be convinced to part with Marcus Stroman if their struggles keep up. They really emptied the farm in the Tulowitzki, Price, Donaldson, and Dickey trades and could use some young position players with Donaldson likely to bounce and guys like Martin and Bautista getting up there. I know they just extended him but you'd have to think a guy like Happ would really look good to a team like Kansas City in a possible Danny Duffy trade.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 27, 2017, 03:42:31 PM

Quote from: SKO on April 27, 2017, 01:18:39 PM

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

If Tampa goes down and Archer is too expensive I could see the Cubs looking into Cobb or Snell.

I wonder if Toronto could be convinced to part with Marcus Stroman if their struggles keep up. They really emptied the farm in the Tulowitzki, Price, Donaldson, and Dickey trades and could use some young position players with Donaldson likely to bounce and guys like Martin and Bautista getting up there. I know they just extended him but you'd have to think a guy like Happ would really look good to a team like Kansas City in a possible Danny Duffy trade.

Danny Duffy, please. Fuck and yes. We already let them have Hammel and Wood, they kind of owe us.

Quote from: Eli on April 27, 2017, 10:24:10 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 27, 2017, 03:42:31 PM

Quote from: SKO on April 27, 2017, 01:18:39 PM

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

If Tampa goes down and Archer is too expensive I could see the Cubs looking into Cobb or Snell.

I wonder if Toronto could be convinced to part with Marcus Stroman if their struggles keep up. They really emptied the farm in the Tulowitzki, Price, Donaldson, and Dickey trades and could use some young position players with Donaldson likely to bounce and guys like Martin and Bautista getting up there. I know they just extended him but you'd have to think a guy like Happ would really look good to a team like Kansas City in a possible Danny Duffy trade.

Danny Duffy, please. Fuck and yes. We already let them have Hammel and Wood, they kind of owe us.

Just signed an extension before the season.

Quote from: Eli on April 27, 2017, 10:24:10 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 27, 2017, 03:42:31 PM

Quote from: SKO on April 27, 2017, 01:18:39 PM

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

If Tampa goes down and Archer is too expensive I could see the Cubs looking into Cobb or Snell.

I wonder if Toronto could be convinced to part with Marcus Stroman if their struggles keep up. They really emptied the farm in the Tulowitzki, Price, Donaldson, and Dickey trades and could use some young position players with Donaldson likely to bounce and guys like Martin and Bautista getting up there. I know they just extended him but you'd have to think a guy like Happ would really look good to a team like Kansas City in a possible Danny Duffy trade.

Danny Duffy, please. Fuck and yes. We already let them have Hammel and Wood, they kind of owe us.

Just signed an extension before the season.

Quote from: SKO on April 28, 2017, 09:42:59 AM

Quote from: Eli on April 27, 2017, 10:24:10 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 27, 2017, 03:42:31 PM

Quote from: SKO on April 27, 2017, 01:18:39 PM

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

If Tampa goes down and Archer is too expensive I could see the Cubs looking into Cobb or Snell.

I wonder if Toronto could be convinced to part with Marcus Stroman if their struggles keep up. They really emptied the farm in the Tulowitzki, Price, Donaldson, and Dickey trades and could use some young position players with Donaldson likely to bounce and guys like Martin and Bautista getting up there. I know they just extended him but you'd have to think a guy like Happ would really look good to a team like Kansas City in a possible Danny Duffy trade.

Danny Duffy, please. Fuck and yes. We already let them have Hammel and Wood, they kind of owe us.

Just signed an extension before the season.

I DONE SAID THAT, ELI. That extension doesn't necessarily make him untradeable. He's 28, if they come to the conclusion that another 3-4 year rebuild is in the works then they might not decide a guy who will be over 30 when they contend again is a key part of the core. That extension actually probably makes him an even better trade chip because it's well below market for a solid left handed SP. So I wouldn't rule him out necessarily.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on April 28, 2017, 11:39:18 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 28, 2017, 09:42:59 AM

Quote from: Eli on April 27, 2017, 10:24:10 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on April 27, 2017, 03:42:31 PM

Quote from: SKO on April 27, 2017, 01:18:39 PM

Quote from: R-V on April 27, 2017, 01:06:04 PM
Are there any really good starting pitchers who may be available at the deadline other than Quintana & Archer? Obviously the current rotation does not suck but just wondering if the mythical good and/or cost-controlled starting pitcher trade will ever happen.

If Tampa goes down and Archer is too expensive I could see the Cubs looking into Cobb or Snell.

I wonder if Toronto could be convinced to part with Marcus Stroman if their struggles keep up. They really emptied the farm in the Tulowitzki, Price, Donaldson, and Dickey trades and could use some young position players with Donaldson likely to bounce and guys like Martin and Bautista getting up there. I know they just extended him but you'd have to think a guy like Happ would really look good to a team like Kansas City in a possible Danny Duffy trade.

Danny Duffy, please. Fuck and yes. We already let them have Hammel and Wood, they kind of owe us.

Just signed an extension before the season.

I DONE SAID THAT, ELI. That extension doesn't necessarily make him untradeable. He's 28, if they come to the conclusion that another 3-4 year rebuild is in the works then they might not decide a guy who will be over 30 when they contend again is a key part of the core. That extension actually probably makes him an even better trade chip because it's well below market for a solid left handed SP. So I wouldn't rule him out necessarily.

Yeah, I'd say an extension may make him more expendable, in light of how the Royals may well be going back to ass for a little while.

Quote from: SKO on April 29, 2017, 04:38:35 PM
The starters should stop sucking, just my humble opinion

Quote from: Armchair_QB on April 30, 2017, 02:51:01 AM
I never stopped hating John Lackey.

Quote from: SKO on April 30, 2017, 08:50:00 AM

Quote from: Armchair_QB on April 30, 2017, 02:51:01 AM
I never stopped hating John Lackey.

Same. I also get tired of the way he's often described as "gritting out" a 6 inning start where he allows 4-6 runs each time. His ERA is over 5, I really don't care that he tends to do all of his tub shitting in 1 or 2 innings and then sandwiches those around 3-4 clean innings.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on April 30, 2017, 11:13:52 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 30, 2017, 08:50:00 AM

Quote from: Armchair_QB on April 30, 2017, 02:51:01 AM
I never stopped hating John Lackey.

Same. I also get tired of the way he's often described as "gritting out" a 6 inning start where he allows 4-6 runs each time. His ERA is over 5, I really don't care that he tends to do all of his tub shitting in 1 or 2 innings and then sandwiches those around 3-4 clean innings.

I had no problem setting aside Lackey's assholishness the entire season last year, based on the "Rodman Effect" and in particular Lackey's alleged penchant for being a "Big Game Pitcher®".

Well that pretty much died on the Chavez Ravine mound when the Cubs were fighting for their lives against the Dodgers, having entered the game down 2-1 in the series but taking control of Lackey's game and running out to a 5-0 lead, at which point this fucking guy not only walked the first two batters of the fifth inning but then had the out-and-out fucking audacity to act surprised to get pulled from the game.  He had one shot at redemption after and then again shit the tub against the Indians in the 1 World Series game I attended. Granted, the defense didn't help him, and that typically leads to another mark against Lackey wherein he shows up his teammates like a White Zambrano.

I hope he can at least eat up 150 more innings this year, and not be needed to pitch in the playoffs and in the meantime I'll just simply not look forward to his starts.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on April 30, 2017, 11:13:52 AM

Quote from: SKO on April 30, 2017, 08:50:00 AM

Quote from: Armchair_QB on April 30, 2017, 02:51:01 AM
I never stopped hating John Lackey.

Same. I also get tired of the way he's often described as "gritting out" a 6 inning start where he allows 4-6 runs each time. His ERA is over 5, I really don't care that he tends to do all of his tub shitting in 1 or 2 innings and then sandwiches those around 3-4 clean innings.

I had no problem setting aside Lackey's assholishness the entire season last year, based on the "Rodman Effect" and in particular Lackey's alleged penchant for being a "Big Game Pitcher®".

Well that pretty much died on the Chavez Ravine mound when the Cubs were fighting for their lives against the Dodgers, having entered the game down 2-1 in the series but taking control of Lackey's game and running out to a 5-0 lead, at which point this fucking guy not only walked the first two batters of the fifth inning but then had the out-and-out fucking audacity to act surprised to get pulled from the game.  He had one shot at redemption after and then again shit the tub against the Indians in the 1 World Series game I attended. Granted, the defense didn't help him, and that typically leads to another mark against Lackey wherein he shows up his teammates like a White Zambrano.

I hope he can at least eat up 150 more innings this year, and not be needed to pitch in the playoffs and in the meantime I'll just simply not look forward to his starts.

Quote from: SKO on May 01, 2017, 08:47:45 PM
Really who isn't fond of trailing after the first every day

Quote from: SKO on May 05, 2017, 09:09:19 AM
Give Starlin a ring. You've got 2000 of the fuckers. Give one to Starlin

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 05, 2017, 10:28:21 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 05, 2017, 09:09:19 AM
Give Starlin a ring. You've got 2000 of the fuckers. Give one to Starlin

Starlin was traded for Warren who was traded for Chapman who gave up the lead in Game 7.got the win in Game 7

So, yeah.

Quote from: SKO on May 05, 2017, 11:58:32 AM
Also I do find it weird that Ricketts gave WS rings to basically all living 69 Cubs (and two dead ones), Jody Davis, Bob Dernier, Scott Sanderson, Ryne Sandberg, and Jose Cardenal, but Dunston/Grace didn't get any. If he was just handing out rings like candy to ex-fan favorites I'd think those two would be on the list. Sammy of course gets the shaft but I wasn't aware of any fall out between current Cubs ownership and Grace.

Quote from: Oleg on May 05, 2017, 02:34:16 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 05, 2017, 11:58:32 AM
Also I do find it weird that Ricketts gave WS rings to basically all living 69 Cubs (and two dead ones), Jody Davis, Bob Dernier, Scott Sanderson, Ryne Sandberg, and Jose Cardenal, but Dunston/Grace didn't get any. If he was just handing out rings like candy to ex-fan favorites I'd think those two would be on the list. Sammy of course gets the shaft but I wasn't aware of any fall out between current Cubs ownership and Grace.

Don't Dunston and Grace work for other organizations?  I'm not drawing any conclusions but maybe there's somewhere that says he couldn't? I don't know.

Quote from: SKO on May 05, 2017, 02:45:17 PM

Quote from: Oleg on May 05, 2017, 02:34:16 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 05, 2017, 11:58:32 AM
Also I do find it weird that Ricketts gave WS rings to basically all living 69 Cubs (and two dead ones), Jody Davis, Bob Dernier, Scott Sanderson, Ryne Sandberg, and Jose Cardenal, but Dunston/Grace didn't get any. If he was just handing out rings like candy to ex-fan favorites I'd think those two would be on the list. Sammy of course gets the shaft but I wasn't aware of any fall out between current Cubs ownership and Grace.

Don't Dunston and Grace work for other organizations?  I'm not drawing any conclusions but maybe there's somewhere that says he couldn't? I don't know.

Oh that would make sense, Dunston I believe is a coach somewhere in the Giants org, but I believe the D-Backs just fired Grace as their hitting coach.

Quote from: SKO on May 05, 2017, 02:45:17 PM

Quote from: Oleg on May 05, 2017, 02:34:16 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 05, 2017, 11:58:32 AM
Also I do find it weird that Ricketts gave WS rings to basically all living 69 Cubs (and two dead ones), Jody Davis, Bob Dernier, Scott Sanderson, Ryne Sandberg, and Jose Cardenal, but Dunston/Grace didn't get any. If he was just handing out rings like candy to ex-fan favorites I'd think those two would be on the list. Sammy of course gets the shaft but I wasn't aware of any fall out between current Cubs ownership and Grace.

Don't Dunston and Grace work for other organizations?  I'm not drawing any conclusions but maybe there's somewhere that says he couldn't? I don't know.

Oh that would make sense, Dunston I believe is a coach somewhere in the Giants org, but I believe the D-Backs just fired Grace as their hitting coach.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 07, 2017, 09:10:44 AM
Brett Anderson, your firebarn is ready.

Quote from: Armchair_QB on May 07, 2017, 11:15:44 PM
Joe West is just a fucking piece of shit.

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 07:59:23 AM
I feel like basically no part of the team has been consistently good outside of Kris Bryant, Wade Davis, and Carl Edwards, and they're still over .500. Unless you just think Arrieta, Schwarber, Contreras, Russell, and Zobrist all suck now and aren't just in prolonged slumps you'd think a positive run is coming. I don't know. It's always amplified when it is the beginning of the season and you have no other sample to compare it to but this feels like a lot hand-wringing in the media and from people over a 16-15 stretch, when basically every team in baseball will have a 16-15 stretch at some point.

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 07:59:23 AM
I feel like basically no part of the team has been consistently good outside of Kris Bryant, Wade Davis, and Carl Edwards, and they're still over .500. Unless you just think Arrieta, Schwarber, Contreras, Russell, and Zobrist all suck now and aren't just in prolonged slumps you'd think a positive run is coming. I don't know. It's always amplified when it is the beginning of the season and you have no other sample to compare it to but this feels like a lot hand-wringing in the media and from people over a 16-15 stretch, when basically every team in baseball will have a 16-15 stretch at some point.

Quote from: R-V on May 09, 2017, 09:37:49 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 07:59:23 AM
I feel like basically no part of the team has been consistently good outside of Kris Bryant, Wade Davis, and Carl Edwards, and they're still over .500. Unless you just think Arrieta, Schwarber, Contreras, Russell, and Zobrist all suck now and aren't just in prolonged slumps you'd think a positive run is coming. I don't know. It's always amplified when it is the beginning of the season and you have no other sample to compare it to but this feels like a lot hand-wringing in the media and from people over a 16-15 stretch, when basically every team in baseball will have a 16-15 stretch at some point.

Maybe I'm too much of a bullshit tolerator but I'd add Almora, Jay, Miggy and Rondon to the good side of the ledger over these first 31 games. Which even if you allow that, to your point 2/3 of the roster has ranged from not good to pretty bad. Compare where the Cubs are at to the early holes the Blue Jays, Royals and Rangers have dug for themselves and it could be much worse.

Quote from: R-V on May 09, 2017, 09:37:49 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 07:59:23 AM
I feel like basically no part of the team has been consistently good outside of Kris Bryant, Wade Davis, and Carl Edwards, and they're still over .500. Unless you just think Arrieta, Schwarber, Contreras, Russell, and Zobrist all suck now and aren't just in prolonged slumps you'd think a positive run is coming. I don't know. It's always amplified when it is the beginning of the season and you have no other sample to compare it to but this feels like a lot hand-wringing in the media and from people over a 16-15 stretch, when basically every team in baseball will have a 16-15 stretch at some point.

Maybe I'm too much of a bullshit tolerator but I'd add Almora, Jay, Miggy and Rondon to the good side of the ledger over these first 31 games. Which even if you allow that, to your point 2/3 of the roster has ranged from not good to pretty bad. Compare where the Cubs are at to the early holes the Blue Jays, Royals and Rangers have dug for themselves and it could be much worse.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 09, 2017, 02:54:21 PM
It's good that yesterday's rainout made sure they're well-rested for the next asskicking!

Quote

I read about 15 minutes later there was a rain delay. I was watching an NBA game on ESPN. On the ticker, it said that the game would resume at 11:15. I decided that I was finally going to turn the channel to the game. For the first time in eight years, I am going to watch baseball. I am a very superstitious person, but I felt that I couldn't keep checking the scores. It was time to come back for this night.

I tuned in and a runner is on first with Bryant up. And let me say this: I have little or no idea who any of these guys are. I just have heard about some of them through the news. But, the Cubs score twice (they should have scored more, but who the fuck cares?!). Onto the bottom of the inning.

The first two outs come and I still told myself that they could still fuck this up (as I heard they did earlier in the night). I don't know who this Carl Edwards Jr. guy is, but he sounds like a NASCAR driver. Fuck. He gives up a walk and a run. In comes this Montgomery dude. Two pitches later, a ground ball goes to Bryant and during that, I am thinking they will fuck this up, too. I couldn't be any happier to be wrong.

I cannot believe the Cubs have just won the World Series. I was jumping up and down screaming "oh my God" countless times. It was insane. Eight years ago, I was telling all of you that there is no God because of what we have endured. Tonight, I was reassured of that. I was raised a Muslim and still am (proudly), but some days, I was having my doubts because I thought this day would never come. Good thing I didn't tell my mom that I was having my doubts. She was raised on the South Side, so when there were times I disagreed with her, I would get torn a new asshole. But, enough with that. Back to the topic on hand.

There is so much more on my mind, but I cannot end this without mentioning how happy I am right now. I am not going to sit here and say "I'm back to watch baseball like I use to", but I suffered for the first 22 years of my existence. I am 30 now. I qualify as a real fan.

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 03:22:26 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 09, 2017, 02:54:21 PM
It's good that yesterday's rainout made sure they're well-rested for the next asskicking!

I don't mean to insult you by making the comparison, but your post did remind me that I never found how Fro reacted to the Cubs finally winning the world series. Does anyone know? Did he try to pretend that he never jumped ship and gave up on them forever?

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 03:33:38 PM
https://firejerryangelo.org/2016/11/03/awake-from-my-eight-year-coma/

Actually this is somehow worse than pretending he never gave up on them

Quote

I read about 15 minutes later there was a rain delay. I was watching an NBA game on ESPN. On the ticker, it said that the game would resume at 11:15. I decided that I was finally going to turn the channel to the game. For the first time in eight years, I am going to watch baseball. I am a very superstitious person, but I felt that I couldn't keep checking the scores. It was time to come back for this night.

I tuned in and a runner is on first with Bryant up. And let me say this: I have little or no idea who any of these guys are. I just have heard about some of them through the news. But, the Cubs score twice (they should have scored more, but who the fuck cares?!). Onto the bottom of the inning.

The first two outs come and I still told myself that they could still fuck this up (as I heard they did earlier in the night). I don't know who this Carl Edwards Jr. guy is, but he sounds like a NASCAR driver. Fuck. He gives up a walk and a run. In comes this Montgomery dude. Two pitches later, a ground ball goes to Bryant and during that, I am thinking they will fuck this up, too. I couldn't be any happier to be wrong.

I cannot believe the Cubs have just won the World Series. I was jumping up and down screaming "oh my God" countless times. It was insane. Eight years ago, I was telling all of you that there is no God because of what we have endured. Tonight, I was reassured of that. I was raised a Muslim and still am (proudly), but some days, I was having my doubts because I thought this day would never come. Good thing I didn't tell my mom that I was having my doubts. She was raised on the South Side, so when there were times I disagreed with her, I would get torn a new asshole. But, enough with that. Back to the topic on hand.

There is so much more on my mind, but I cannot end this without mentioning how happy I am right now. I am not going to sit here and say "I'm back to watch baseball like I use to", but I suffered for the first 22 years of my existence. I am 30 now. I qualify as a real fan.

Wow he's so superstitious his gut told him he "had" to watch the inning where the Cubs led by 2 runs with a chance to win the world series. Good gut, that one.

Also I'm willing to allow most people back on the bandwagon but I think the one exception might be a dude who apparently spent all of 2016 telling people he wasn't gonna watch cuz they were going to blow it only to show up when they were up in the 10th inning of game 7. Eat shit.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 09, 2017, 04:00:28 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 03:33:38 PM
https://firejerryangelo.org/2016/11/03/awake-from-my-eight-year-coma/

Actually this is somehow worse than pretending he never gave up on them

Quote

I read about 15 minutes later there was a rain delay. I was watching an NBA game on ESPN. On the ticker, it said that the game would resume at 11:15. I decided that I was finally going to turn the channel to the game. For the first time in eight years, I am going to watch baseball. I am a very superstitious person, but I felt that I couldn't keep checking the scores. It was time to come back for this night.

I tuned in and a runner is on first with Bryant up. And let me say this: I have little or no idea who any of these guys are. I just have heard about some of them through the news. But, the Cubs score twice (they should have scored more, but who the fuck cares?!). Onto the bottom of the inning.

The first two outs come and I still told myself that they could still fuck this up (as I heard they did earlier in the night). I don't know who this Carl Edwards Jr. guy is, but he sounds like a NASCAR driver. Fuck. He gives up a walk and a run. In comes this Montgomery dude. Two pitches later, a ground ball goes to Bryant and during that, I am thinking they will fuck this up, too. I couldn't be any happier to be wrong.

I cannot believe the Cubs have just won the World Series. I was jumping up and down screaming "oh my God" countless times. It was insane. Eight years ago, I was telling all of you that there is no God because of what we have endured. Tonight, I was reassured of that. I was raised a Muslim and still am (proudly), but some days, I was having my doubts because I thought this day would never come. Good thing I didn't tell my mom that I was having my doubts. She was raised on the South Side, so when there were times I disagreed with her, I would get torn a new asshole. But, enough with that. Back to the topic on hand.

There is so much more on my mind, but I cannot end this without mentioning how happy I am right now. I am not going to sit here and say "I'm back to watch baseball like I use to", but I suffered for the first 22 years of my existence. I am 30 now. I qualify as a real fan.

Wow he's so superstitious his gut told him he "had" to watch the inning where the Cubs led by 2 runs with a chance to win the world series. Good gut, that one.

Also I'm willing to allow most people back on the bandwagon but I think the one exception might be a dude who apparently spent all of 2016 telling people he wasn't gonna watch cuz they were going to blow it only to show up when they were up in the 10th inning of game 7. Eat shit.

It's been well established that Fro is the worst.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 09, 2017, 08:36:56 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 07:59:23 AM
I feel like basically no part of the team has been consistently good outside of Kris Bryant, Wade Davis, and Carl Edwards, and they're still over .500. Unless you just think Arrieta, Schwarber, Contreras, Russell, and Zobrist all suck now and aren't just in prolonged slumps you'd think a positive run is coming. I don't know. It's always amplified when it is the beginning of the season and you have no other sample to compare it to but this feels like a lot hand-wringing in the media and from people over a 16-15 stretch, when basically every team in baseball will have a 16-15 stretch at some point.

There is a huge correction coming.

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 04:07:56 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 09, 2017, 04:00:28 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 09, 2017, 03:33:38 PM
https://firejerryangelo.org/2016/11/03/awake-from-my-eight-year-coma/

Actually this is somehow worse than pretending he never gave up on them

Quote

I read about 15 minutes later there was a rain delay. I was watching an NBA game on ESPN. On the ticker, it said that the game would resume at 11:15. I decided that I was finally going to turn the channel to the game. For the first time in eight years, I am going to watch baseball. I am a very superstitious person, but I felt that I couldn't keep checking the scores. It was time to come back for this night.

I tuned in and a runner is on first with Bryant up. And let me say this: I have little or no idea who any of these guys are. I just have heard about some of them through the news. But, the Cubs score twice (they should have scored more, but who the fuck cares?!). Onto the bottom of the inning.

The first two outs come and I still told myself that they could still fuck this up (as I heard they did earlier in the night). I don't know who this Carl Edwards Jr. guy is, but he sounds like a NASCAR driver. Fuck. He gives up a walk and a run. In comes this Montgomery dude. Two pitches later, a ground ball goes to Bryant and during that, I am thinking they will fuck this up, too. I couldn't be any happier to be wrong.

I cannot believe the Cubs have just won the World Series. I was jumping up and down screaming "oh my God" countless times. It was insane. Eight years ago, I was telling all of you that there is no God because of what we have endured. Tonight, I was reassured of that. I was raised a Muslim and still am (proudly), but some days, I was having my doubts because I thought this day would never come. Good thing I didn't tell my mom that I was having my doubts. She was raised on the South Side, so when there were times I disagreed with her, I would get torn a new asshole. But, enough with that. Back to the topic on hand.

There is so much more on my mind, but I cannot end this without mentioning how happy I am right now. I am not going to sit here and say "I'm back to watch baseball like I use to", but I suffered for the first 22 years of my existence. I am 30 now. I qualify as a real fan.

Wow he's so superstitious his gut told him he "had" to watch the inning where the Cubs led by 2 runs with a chance to win the world series. Good gut, that one.

Also I'm willing to allow most people back on the bandwagon but I think the one exception might be a dude who apparently spent all of 2016 telling people he wasn't gonna watch cuz they were going to blow it only to show up when they were up in the 10th inning of game 7. Eat shit.

It's been well established that Fro is the worst.

I just love that "I was a fan who suffered for 22 of my 30 years, I'm a REAL FAN, I DESERVE TO ENJOY THIS" line, because he knows. He knows it isn't his.

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 06:22:08 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2017, 04:58:05 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 04:06:03 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 11, 2017, 03:31:37 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 11, 2017, 03:14:34 PM
I'm concerned about their pitching. We knew there were gaps to fill at the end of the season with Arrieta, Lackey, Anderson all headed for free agency but the rotation's performances are down across the board. It's fair to wonder if that will change given all the extra work and remarkable run of good health they've enjoyed since 2015.

I don't think it's that big a deal. They can always go the rental route this summer, and then when Jake, Lackey, Jay and Montero all roll off this winter, they can throw money around like Charlie Sheen at a valley titty bar.

Jake is probably due some positive regression, his FIP is considerably higher than his ERA and he's actually K'ing more and walking fewer guys than he did last year. His biggest issue right now is his slider is a lot more hittable than it has been in the past, but I think he'll probably be a dependable 3/4 most of the year. Same with Kyle. He's on a hot streak but if he can't get his fastball above 85 his margin for error is even slimmer than usual and he's probably more 2014/2015 back-of-the-rotation Hendricks than last year's surprise ace. The Cubs can absolutely make the playoffs with Lester being Lester, Jake and Kyle being middle of the road starters, and Lackey eating innings as an OK five, but they probably can't win many postseason series with that, so yeah I'd expect them to push for a guy like Cueto or Darvish.

Stipulated: Pitching is good enough.

Not worried about the pitching as I think they will add pitching.

Very worried about hitting. Baez, Schwarber and Contreras all scare me. Willson is a career .776 minor league OPS. He was .845 as a rookie in the majors. Love to believe that's sustainable, but I dunno.

I believe Baez is far more like the 2014 Baez than the 2016 Baez, who was still a 97 OPS+ last year.

And Schwarber is still a rookie. He's only played 103 games. He got off to a hot start hitting .311/.407/.613/1.021 over his first 36 games. Since then: .183/.310/.358/.668.  Now, maybe he gets back to what he did in the minors. Maybe he doesn't.  Yes, it's year 3 of him, but it really isn't. Schwarber is still more unknown than known.

If those three guys are all below what they were in 2016, it's the offense that is the major concern.

Citing Willson's career minor league OPS is dumb. The adjustments/changes he made before 2015 are well documented. What he did as a rookie is well in line with what he did in the high minors.

Saying Javy is more 2014 than 2016 while he has started off 2017 as more or less the same guy he was last year is very very Chuck though.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 12, 2017, 10:15:11 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 06:22:08 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2017, 04:58:05 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 04:06:03 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 11, 2017, 03:31:37 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 11, 2017, 03:14:34 PM
I'm concerned about their pitching. We knew there were gaps to fill at the end of the season with Arrieta, Lackey, Anderson all headed for free agency but the rotation's performances are down across the board. It's fair to wonder if that will change given all the extra work and remarkable run of good health they've enjoyed since 2015.

I don't think it's that big a deal. They can always go the rental route this summer, and then when Jake, Lackey, Jay and Montero all roll off this winter, they can throw money around like Charlie Sheen at a valley titty bar.

Jake is probably due some positive regression, his FIP is considerably higher than his ERA and he's actually K'ing more and walking fewer guys than he did last year. His biggest issue right now is his slider is a lot more hittable than it has been in the past, but I think he'll probably be a dependable 3/4 most of the year. Same with Kyle. He's on a hot streak but if he can't get his fastball above 85 his margin for error is even slimmer than usual and he's probably more 2014/2015 back-of-the-rotation Hendricks than last year's surprise ace. The Cubs can absolutely make the playoffs with Lester being Lester, Jake and Kyle being middle of the road starters, and Lackey eating innings as an OK five, but they probably can't win many postseason series with that, so yeah I'd expect them to push for a guy like Cueto or Darvish.

Stipulated: Pitching is good enough.

Not worried about the pitching as I think they will add pitching.

Very worried about hitting. Baez, Schwarber and Contreras all scare me. Willson is a career .776 minor league OPS. He was .845 as a rookie in the majors. Love to believe that's sustainable, but I dunno.

I believe Baez is far more like the 2014 Baez than the 2016 Baez, who was still a 97 OPS+ last year.

And Schwarber is still a rookie. He's only played 103 games. He got off to a hot start hitting .311/.407/.613/1.021 over his first 36 games. Since then: .183/.310/.358/.668.  Now, maybe he gets back to what he did in the minors. Maybe he doesn't.  Yes, it's year 3 of him, but it really isn't. Schwarber is still more unknown than known.

If those three guys are all below what they were in 2016, it's the offense that is the major concern.

Citing Willson's career minor league OPS is dumb. The adjustments/changes he made before 2015 are well documented. What he did as a rookie is well in line with what he did in the high minors.

Saying Javy is more 2014 than 2016 while he has started off 2017 as more or less the same guy he was last year is very very Chuck though.

I thought "Dumb, Provocative Chuck" had been gone for while, to the point where I wondered if he'd ever return. 

Glad to see all is right with the world.

Quote from: SKO on May 12, 2017, 11:12:51 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 12, 2017, 10:15:11 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 06:22:08 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2017, 04:58:05 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 04:06:03 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 11, 2017, 03:31:37 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 11, 2017, 03:14:34 PM
I'm concerned about their pitching. We knew there were gaps to fill at the end of the season with Arrieta, Lackey, Anderson all headed for free agency but the rotation's performances are down across the board. It's fair to wonder if that will change given all the extra work and remarkable run of good health they've enjoyed since 2015.

I don't think it's that big a deal. They can always go the rental route this summer, and then when Jake, Lackey, Jay and Montero all roll off this winter, they can throw money around like Charlie Sheen at a valley titty bar.

Jake is probably due some positive regression, his FIP is considerably higher than his ERA and he's actually K'ing more and walking fewer guys than he did last year. His biggest issue right now is his slider is a lot more hittable than it has been in the past, but I think he'll probably be a dependable 3/4 most of the year. Same with Kyle. He's on a hot streak but if he can't get his fastball above 85 his margin for error is even slimmer than usual and he's probably more 2014/2015 back-of-the-rotation Hendricks than last year's surprise ace. The Cubs can absolutely make the playoffs with Lester being Lester, Jake and Kyle being middle of the road starters, and Lackey eating innings as an OK five, but they probably can't win many postseason series with that, so yeah I'd expect them to push for a guy like Cueto or Darvish.

Stipulated: Pitching is good enough.

Not worried about the pitching as I think they will add pitching.

Very worried about hitting. Baez, Schwarber and Contreras all scare me. Willson is a career .776 minor league OPS. He was .845 as a rookie in the majors. Love to believe that's sustainable, but I dunno.

I believe Baez is far more like the 2014 Baez than the 2016 Baez, who was still a 97 OPS+ last year.

And Schwarber is still a rookie. He's only played 103 games. He got off to a hot start hitting .311/.407/.613/1.021 over his first 36 games. Since then: .183/.310/.358/.668.  Now, maybe he gets back to what he did in the minors. Maybe he doesn't.  Yes, it's year 3 of him, but it really isn't. Schwarber is still more unknown than known.

If those three guys are all below what they were in 2016, it's the offense that is the major concern.

Citing Willson's career minor league OPS is dumb. The adjustments/changes he made before 2015 are well documented. What he did as a rookie is well in line with what he did in the high minors.

Saying Javy is more 2014 than 2016 while he has started off 2017 as more or less the same guy he was last year is very very Chuck though.

I thought "Dumb, Provocative Chuck" had been gone for while, to the point where I wondered if he'd ever return. 

Glad to see all is right with the world.

*Javy is striking out even less and walking even more than he did last year, which was already a major, unprecedented improvement from 2014, and his swing is almost entirely unrecognizable from when he first came up*

CHUCK: clearly the 2014 Javy is the *real* Javy.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 12, 2017, 11:42:28 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 12, 2017, 11:12:51 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 12, 2017, 10:15:11 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 06:22:08 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2017, 04:58:05 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 04:06:03 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 11, 2017, 03:31:37 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 11, 2017, 03:14:34 PM
I'm concerned about their pitching. We knew there were gaps to fill at the end of the season with Arrieta, Lackey, Anderson all headed for free agency but the rotation's performances are down across the board. It's fair to wonder if that will change given all the extra work and remarkable run of good health they've enjoyed since 2015.

I don't think it's that big a deal. They can always go the rental route this summer, and then when Jake, Lackey, Jay and Montero all roll off this winter, they can throw money around like Charlie Sheen at a valley titty bar.

Jake is probably due some positive regression, his FIP is considerably higher than his ERA and he's actually K'ing more and walking fewer guys than he did last year. His biggest issue right now is his slider is a lot more hittable than it has been in the past, but I think he'll probably be a dependable 3/4 most of the year. Same with Kyle. He's on a hot streak but if he can't get his fastball above 85 his margin for error is even slimmer than usual and he's probably more 2014/2015 back-of-the-rotation Hendricks than last year's surprise ace. The Cubs can absolutely make the playoffs with Lester being Lester, Jake and Kyle being middle of the road starters, and Lackey eating innings as an OK five, but they probably can't win many postseason series with that, so yeah I'd expect them to push for a guy like Cueto or Darvish.

Stipulated: Pitching is good enough.

Not worried about the pitching as I think they will add pitching.

Very worried about hitting. Baez, Schwarber and Contreras all scare me. Willson is a career .776 minor league OPS. He was .845 as a rookie in the majors. Love to believe that's sustainable, but I dunno.

I believe Baez is far more like the 2014 Baez than the 2016 Baez, who was still a 97 OPS+ last year.

And Schwarber is still a rookie. He's only played 103 games. He got off to a hot start hitting .311/.407/.613/1.021 over his first 36 games. Since then: .183/.310/.358/.668.  Now, maybe he gets back to what he did in the minors. Maybe he doesn't.  Yes, it's year 3 of him, but it really isn't. Schwarber is still more unknown than known.

If those three guys are all below what they were in 2016, it's the offense that is the major concern.

Citing Willson's career minor league OPS is dumb. The adjustments/changes he made before 2015 are well documented. What he did as a rookie is well in line with what he did in the high minors.

Saying Javy is more 2014 than 2016 while he has started off 2017 as more or less the same guy he was last year is very very Chuck though.

I thought "Dumb, Provocative Chuck" had been gone for while, to the point where I wondered if he'd ever return. 

Glad to see all is right with the world.

*Javy is striking out even less and walking even more than he did last year, which was already a major, unprecedented improvement from 2014, and his swing is almost entirely unrecognizable from when he first came up*

CHUCK: clearly the 2014 Javy is the *real* Javy.

"far more like 2014 Baez" has enough fuel to keep me laughing all weekend.  Typical Chuckperbole.

Quote from: SKO on May 12, 2017, 12:50:57 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 12, 2017, 11:42:28 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 12, 2017, 11:12:51 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 12, 2017, 10:15:11 AM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 06:22:08 PM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 11, 2017, 04:58:05 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 11, 2017, 04:06:03 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 11, 2017, 03:31:37 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 11, 2017, 03:14:34 PM
I'm concerned about their pitching. We knew there were gaps to fill at the end of the season with Arrieta, Lackey, Anderson all headed for free agency but the rotation's performances are down across the board. It's fair to wonder if that will change given all the extra work and remarkable run of good health they've enjoyed since 2015.

I don't think it's that big a deal. They can always go the rental route this summer, and then when Jake, Lackey, Jay and Montero all roll off this winter, they can throw money around like Charlie Sheen at a valley titty bar.

Jake is probably due some positive regression, his FIP is considerably higher than his ERA and he's actually K'ing more and walking fewer guys than he did last year. His biggest issue right now is his slider is a lot more hittable than it has been in the past, but I think he'll probably be a dependable 3/4 most of the year. Same with Kyle. He's on a hot streak but if he can't get his fastball above 85 his margin for error is even slimmer than usual and he's probably more 2014/2015 back-of-the-rotation Hendricks than last year's surprise ace. The Cubs can absolutely make the playoffs with Lester being Lester, Jake and Kyle being middle of the road starters, and Lackey eating innings as an OK five, but they probably can't win many postseason series with that, so yeah I'd expect them to push for a guy like Cueto or Darvish.

Stipulated: Pitching is good enough.

Not worried about the pitching as I think they will add pitching.

Very worried about hitting. Baez, Schwarber and Contreras all scare me. Willson is a career .776 minor league OPS. He was .845 as a rookie in the majors. Love to believe that's sustainable, but I dunno.

I believe Baez is far more like the 2014 Baez than the 2016 Baez, who was still a 97 OPS+ last year.

And Schwarber is still a rookie. He's only played 103 games. He got off to a hot start hitting .311/.407/.613/1.021 over his first 36 games. Since then: .183/.310/.358/.668.  Now, maybe he gets back to what he did in the minors. Maybe he doesn't.  Yes, it's year 3 of him, but it really isn't. Schwarber is still more unknown than known.

If those three guys are all below what they were in 2016, it's the offense that is the major concern.

Citing Willson's career minor league OPS is dumb. The adjustments/changes he made before 2015 are well documented. What he did as a rookie is well in line with what he did in the high minors.

Saying Javy is more 2014 than 2016 while he has started off 2017 as more or less the same guy he was last year is very very Chuck though.

I thought "Dumb, Provocative Chuck" had been gone for while, to the point where I wondered if he'd ever return.  

Glad to see all is right with the world.

*Javy is striking out even less and walking even more than he did last year, which was already a major, unprecedented improvement from 2014, and his swing is almost entirely unrecognizable from when he first came up*

CHUCK: clearly the 2014 Javy is the *real* Javy.

"far more like 2014 Baez" has enough fuel to keep me laughing all weekend.  Typical Chuckperbole.

I also enjoyed his shot at Baez "only" having a 97 wRC+ last year. Combined with his defense he was either a 2.7 fWAR or 3.4 bWAR player in just around 400 plate appearances. Javy doesn't need to hit that much to be an very good player, and he has the talent to hit enough to be a fucking unicorn.

Quote from: Oleg on May 12, 2017, 02:47:33 PM
So, DOOM?

Quote from: SKO on May 14, 2017, 08:22:18 PM
I mean if they want to stop sucking I'm not gonna complain

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 18, 2017, 05:44:16 PM
God bless the Reds. I feel much better.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on May 19, 2017, 08:31:42 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 18, 2017, 05:44:16 PM
God bless the Reds. I feel much better.

This weekend would be a great time for the Cubs and Brewers to wave as they pass each other in the standings.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on May 31, 2017, 08:41:31 AM
Those trade rumors had better be nothing more than just rumors. Never Samardzija. (http://deadspin.com/jeff-samardzija-concussed-his-own-teammate-in-giants-na-1795683564)

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 11:27:18 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

After seeing Chuck wanting to send the whole team to Iowa (sending someone to Iowa to straighten him out didn't work for the Gitles family in the mid-80s), comparing the 2017 Cubs to the 2004 Cubs, and almost cheerleading this 5-game skid, I will say the 2017 World Series Game 4 win at Wrigley Field to continue the Cubs' 14-game postseason winning streak will be the world's largest FYC ever.

Quote from: flannj on May 31, 2017, 01:56:08 PM

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 11:27:18 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

After seeing Chuck wanting to send the whole team to Iowa (sending someone to Iowa to straighten him out didn't work for the Gitles family in the mid-80s), comparing the 2017 Cubs to the 2004 Cubs, and almost cheerleading this 5-game skid, I will say the 2017 World Series Game 4 win at Wrigley Field to continue the Cubs' 14-game postseason winning streak will be the world's largest FYC ever.

I agree. Chuck, it's like you want them to fail.
Oh wait, you're Chuck.

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:02:32 PM

Quote from: flannj on May 31, 2017, 01:56:08 PM

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 11:27:18 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

After seeing Chuck wanting to send the whole team to Iowa (sending someone to Iowa to straighten him out didn't work for the Gitles family in the mid-80s), comparing the 2017 Cubs to the 2004 Cubs, and almost cheerleading this 5-game skid, I will say the 2017 World Series Game 4 win at Wrigley Field to continue the Cubs' 14-game postseason winning streak will be the world's largest FYC ever.

I agree. Chuck, it's like you want them to fail.
Oh wait, you're Chuck.

Comparing a reigning world championship team that seems, if anything, to be struggling largely because of slumping young players and veteran pitchers who are showing the wear and tear of an extra month and a half of (successful) high leverage, high stress pitches to the 2004 Cubs, an entitled group of veteran asshats is pretty Chuck-ian.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 31, 2017, 02:25:11 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:02:32 PM

Quote from: flannj on May 31, 2017, 01:56:08 PM

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 11:27:18 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

After seeing Chuck wanting to send the whole team to Iowa (sending someone to Iowa to straighten him out didn't work for the Gitles family in the mid-80s), comparing the 2017 Cubs to the 2004 Cubs, and almost cheerleading this 5-game skid, I will say the 2017 World Series Game 4 win at Wrigley Field to continue the Cubs' 14-game postseason winning streak will be the world's largest FYC ever.

I agree. Chuck, it's like you want them to fail.
Oh wait, you're Chuck.

Comparing a reigning world championship team that seems, if anything, to be struggling largely because of slumping young players and veteran pitchers who are showing the wear and tear of an extra month and a half of (successful) high leverage, high stress pitches to the 2004 Cubs, an entitled group of veteran asshats is pretty Chuck-ian.

You're missing the point.  It's how the Cubs are making Chuck feel.  He's unhappy that they're not winning and are underperforming just like in 2004.  Ergo, 2017 Cubs = 2004 Cubs and it's TIME TO START THROWING THE TOYS AROUND THE ROOM. 

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 31, 2017, 02:25:11 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:02:32 PM

Quote from: flannj on May 31, 2017, 01:56:08 PM

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 11:27:18 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

After seeing Chuck wanting to send the whole team to Iowa (sending someone to Iowa to straighten him out didn't work for the Gitles family in the mid-80s), comparing the 2017 Cubs to the 2004 Cubs, and almost cheerleading this 5-game skid, I will say the 2017 World Series Game 4 win at Wrigley Field to continue the Cubs' 14-game postseason winning streak will be the world's largest FYC ever.

I agree. Chuck, it's like you want them to fail.
Oh wait, you're Chuck.

Comparing a reigning world championship team that seems, if anything, to be struggling largely because of slumping young players and veteran pitchers who are showing the wear and tear of an extra month and a half of (successful) high leverage, high stress pitches to the 2004 Cubs, an entitled group of veteran asshats is pretty Chuck-ian.

You're missing the point.  It's how the Cubs are making Chuck feel.  He's unhappy that they're not winning and are underperforming just like in 2004.  Ergo, 2017 Cubs = 2004 Cubs and it's TIME TO START THROWING THE TOYS AROUND THE ROOM. 

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:59:12 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 31, 2017, 02:25:11 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:02:32 PM

Quote from: flannj on May 31, 2017, 01:56:08 PM

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 11:27:18 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

After seeing Chuck wanting to send the whole team to Iowa (sending someone to Iowa to straighten him out didn't work for the Gitles family in the mid-80s), comparing the 2017 Cubs to the 2004 Cubs, and almost cheerleading this 5-game skid, I will say the 2017 World Series Game 4 win at Wrigley Field to continue the Cubs' 14-game postseason winning streak will be the world's largest FYC ever.

I agree. Chuck, it's like you want them to fail.
Oh wait, you're Chuck.

Comparing a reigning world championship team that seems, if anything, to be struggling largely because of slumping young players and veteran pitchers who are showing the wear and tear of an extra month and a half of (successful) high leverage, high stress pitches to the 2004 Cubs, an entitled group of veteran asshats is pretty Chuck-ian.

You're missing the point.  It's how the Cubs are making Chuck feel.  He's unhappy that they're not winning and are underperforming just like in 2004.  Ergo, 2017 Cubs = 2004 Cubs and it's TIME TO START THROWING THE TOYS AROUND THE ROOM. 

I realize sports are going to be really  boring if we respond "they just won the World Series" to everything and I understand why everyone wants them to be good right now and why they should be good right now and why it is frustrating they aren't. That said, THEY JUST FUCKIN WON THE WORLD SERIES. Has Kyle Schwarber really done nothing for you that you can't weather one bad f--king month (and it has been one bad month, his OPS was sitting above .800 as late as April 22nd) before you want to boot him to the fucking minors for no reason other than "I dunno but fuck him"? Nobody has to be happy their team is losing and no one rants about the Cubs Twitter Rational Fan "Only Meatballs Ever Feel Anger About Sportz" crap more than me but jesus, give them a break.

Shit, the main two issues with this team are pitching and hitting with RISP. In both cases there's every statistical argument to be made that nothing really is preventing them from being a very good team other than bad luck. They have one of the worst HR/FB %s as a staff of any team in baseball but have allowed the 6th fewest fly balls, period. Every damn ball hit in the air against them finds the seats. That should be unsustainable. Same with them having a top ten offense with nobody on base and the absolute worst offense with RISP. It's just bad luck. It's cruel and annoying and watching a team fail to score over and over is the worst thing in sports but find some higher-level response than "DURR DEMOTE EVERYBODY NOW".

Be better than Yellon, for fuck's sake.

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 05:50:10 PM
They are the 1986 Bears, they'll lose to Washington who'll lose to the league/conference champ setting up a New York/Denver championship that they'll play for reasons unknown in Pasadena, California, and featuring a team John Elway once played for and a team representing the National Conference/League that we Cubs fans will know even in 2048 were NOT ANYWHERE NEAR AS GOOD AS THE 2016 CUBS!! (And we'll say that in between car commercials featuring Ben Zobrist, Jason Hammel and Tommy LaStella).

All we need is for Ryan Braun to body slam Jon Lester, making Joe Maddon to get an undrafted kid out of Ohio State take his spot in the rotation before finding Pedro Martinez's midget friend out of Boston to come in to pitch game 5 of the NLDS against Washington.

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 05:50:10 PM
They are the 1986 Bears, they'll lose to Washington who'll lose to the league/conference champ setting up a New York/Denver championship that they'll play for reasons unknown in Pasadena, California, and featuring a team John Elway once played for and a team representing the National Conference/League that we Cubs fans will know even in 2048 were NOT ANYWHERE NEAR AS GOOD AS THE 2016 CUBS!! (And we'll say that in between car commercials featuring Ben Zobrist, Jason Hammel and Tommy LaStella).

All we need is for Ryan Braun to body slam Jon Lester, making Joe Maddon to get an undrafted kid out of Ohio State take his spot in the rotation before finding Pedro Martinez's midget friend out of Boston to come in to pitch game 5 of the NLDS against Washington.

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:59:12 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 31, 2017, 02:25:11 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:02:32 PM

Quote from: flannj on May 31, 2017, 01:56:08 PM

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 11:27:18 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

After seeing Chuck wanting to send the whole team to Iowa (sending someone to Iowa to straighten him out didn't work for the Gitles family in the mid-80s), comparing the 2017 Cubs to the 2004 Cubs, and almost cheerleading this 5-game skid, I will say the 2017 World Series Game 4 win at Wrigley Field to continue the Cubs' 14-game postseason winning streak will be the world's largest FYC ever.

I agree. Chuck, it's like you want them to fail.
Oh wait, you're Chuck.

Comparing a reigning world championship team that seems, if anything, to be struggling largely because of slumping young players and veteran pitchers who are showing the wear and tear of an extra month and a half of (successful) high leverage, high stress pitches to the 2004 Cubs, an entitled group of veteran asshats is pretty Chuck-ian.

You're missing the point.  It's how the Cubs are making Chuck feel.  He's unhappy that they're not winning and are underperforming just like in 2004.  Ergo, 2017 Cubs = 2004 Cubs and it's TIME TO START THROWING THE TOYS AROUND THE ROOM. 

I realize sports are going to be really  boring if we respond "they just won the World Series" to everything and I understand why everyone wants them to be good right now and why they should be good right now and why it is frustrating they aren't. That said, THEY JUST FUCKIN WON THE WORLD SERIES. Has Kyle Schwarber really done nothing for you that you can't weather one bad f--king month (and it has been one bad month, his OPS was sitting above .800 as late as April 22nd) before you want to boot him to the fucking minors for no reason other than "I dunno but fuck him"? Nobody has to be happy their team is losing and no one rants about the Cubs Twitter Rational Fan "Only Meatballs Ever Feel Anger About Sportz" crap more than me but jesus, give them a break.

Shit, the main two issues with this team are pitching and hitting with RISP. In both cases there's every statistical argument to be made that nothing really is preventing them from being a very good team other than bad luck. They have one of the worst HR/FB %s as a staff of any team in baseball but have allowed the 6th fewest fly balls, period. Every damn ball hit in the air against them finds the seats. That should be unsustainable. Same with them having a top ten offense with nobody on base and the absolute worst offense with RISP. It's just bad luck. It's cruel and annoying and watching a team fail to score over and over is the worst thing in sports but find some higher-level response than "DURR DEMOTE EVERYBODY NOW".

Be better than Yellon, for fuck's sake.

Quote from: flannj on May 31, 2017, 06:01:55 PM

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 05:50:10 PM
They are the 1986 Bears, they'll lose to Washington who'll lose to the league/conference champ setting up a New York/Denver championship that they'll play for reasons unknown in Pasadena, California, and featuring a team John Elway once played for and a team representing the National Conference/League that we Cubs fans will know even in 2048 were NOT ANYWHERE NEAR AS GOOD AS THE 2016 CUBS!! (And we'll say that in between car commercials featuring Ben Zobrist, Jason Hammel and Tommy LaStella).

All we need is for Ryan Braun to body slam Jon Lester, making Joe Maddon to get an undrafted kid out of Ohio State take his spot in the rotation before finding Pedro Martinez's midget friend out of Boston to come in to pitch game 5 of the NLDS against Washington.

So who's going to be Leslie Frazier?

Quote from: Eli on May 31, 2017, 09:26:04 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:59:12 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on May 31, 2017, 02:25:11 PM

Quote from: SKO on May 31, 2017, 02:02:32 PM

Quote from: flannj on May 31, 2017, 01:56:08 PM

Quote from: Brownie on May 31, 2017, 11:27:18 AM

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on May 31, 2017, 10:21:45 AM
Cubs 2017 Let's Win Two!

Or even one!

After seeing Chuck wanting to send the whole team to Iowa (sending someone to Iowa to straighten him out didn't work for the Gitles family in the mid-80s), comparing the 2017 Cubs to the 2004 Cubs, and almost cheerleading this 5-game skid, I will say the 2017 World Series Game 4 win at Wrigley Field to continue the Cubs' 14-game postseason winning streak will be the world's largest FYC ever.

I agree. Chuck, it's like you want them to fail.
Oh wait, you're Chuck.

Comparing a reigning world championship team that seems, if anything, to be struggling largely because of slumping young players and veteran pitchers who are showing the wear and tear of an extra month and a half of (successful) high leverage, high stress pitches to the 2004 Cubs, an entitled group of veteran asshats is pretty Chuck-ian.

You're missing the point.  It's how the Cubs are making Chuck feel.  He's unhappy that they're not winning and are underperforming just like in 2004.  Ergo, 2017 Cubs = 2004 Cubs and it's TIME TO START THROWING THE TOYS AROUND THE ROOM. 

I realize sports are going to be really  boring if we respond "they just won the World Series" to everything and I understand why everyone wants them to be good right now and why they should be good right now and why it is frustrating they aren't. That said, THEY JUST FUCKIN WON THE WORLD SERIES. Has Kyle Schwarber really done nothing for you that you can't weather one bad f--king month (and it has been one bad month, his OPS was sitting above .800 as late as April 22nd) before you want to boot him to the fucking minors for no reason other than "I dunno but fuck him"? Nobody has to be happy their team is losing and no one rants about the Cubs Twitter Rational Fan "Only Meatballs Ever Feel Anger About Sportz" crap more than me but jesus, give them a break.

Shit, the main two issues with this team are pitching and hitting with RISP. In both cases there's every statistical argument to be made that nothing really is preventing them from being a very good team other than bad luck. They have one of the worst HR/FB %s as a staff of any team in baseball but have allowed the 6th fewest fly balls, period. Every damn ball hit in the air against them finds the seats. That should be unsustainable. Same with them having a top ten offense with nobody on base and the absolute worst offense with RISP. It's just bad luck. It's cruel and annoying and watching a team fail to score over and over is the worst thing in sports but find some higher-level response than "DURR DEMOTE EVERYBODY NOW".

Be better than Yellon, for fuck's sake.

They've been bad at hitting with RISP for over two full seasons now. There may be something to it.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 05, 2017, 09:53:36 PM
TPD! Brewers lost so the Cubs are back in first (a tie, but still). Everything is fine. Keep winning though.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 05, 2017, 09:53:36 PM
TPD! Brewers lost so the Cubs are back in first (a tie, but still). Everything is fine. Keep winning though.

Quote from: SKO on June 06, 2017, 08:45:16 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 05, 2017, 09:53:36 PM
TPD! Brewers lost so the Cubs are back in first (a tie, but still). Everything is fine. Keep winning though.

I believe the NL Central is playing a repeat of 2014, with the Cubs playing the role of the Cardinals this time as the reigning NL-champion who gets off to a sluggish start before a second half/long postseason run. The Brewers reprising their role as surprising early leader that fades into oblivion, and the Cardinals playing the 2014 Reds, the former contender slowly realizing their window is closing fast.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 15, 2017, 01:21:35 AM
Had no idea Elisabeth Moss is a Cubs fan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd3GASlt440).  Scientology is weird a cult that physically abuses people, forces women to have abortions, and bullied the IRS into granting tax exempt status, but she's still better than Belushi.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 15, 2017, 08:12:24 AM
How many times this season will the Cubs have "the win that finally gets them going", only to lose the next game?

Quote from: R-V on June 22, 2017, 11:28:46 AM
Admittedly a minor quibble, but why do the Cubs keep calling up this Floro putz when Rosscup and Mills are both on the 40 man?

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 22, 2017, 11:42:19 AM
On the other hand, he is a worthy heir to the Brian Matusz #15 tradition.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 22, 2017, 11:42:19 AM
On the other hand, he is a worthy heir to the Brian Matusz #15 tradition.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 22, 2017, 01:53:41 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 22, 2017, 11:42:19 AM
On the other hand, he is a worthy heir to the Brian Matusz #15 tradition.

Maybe #15 is like wearing the red shirt on Star Trek.

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on June 22, 2017, 02:07:42 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 22, 2017, 01:53:41 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 22, 2017, 11:42:19 AM
On the other hand, he is a worthy heir to the Brian Matusz #15 tradition.

Maybe #15 is like wearing the red shirt on Star Trek.

(http://i65.tinypic.com/2d8gto9.png)

Quote from: Chuck to Chuck on June 22, 2017, 02:07:42 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on June 22, 2017, 01:53:41 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 22, 2017, 11:42:19 AM
On the other hand, he is a worthy heir to the Brian Matusz #15 tradition.

Maybe #15 is like wearing the red shirt on Star Trek.

(http://i65.tinypic.com/2d8gto9.png)

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on June 22, 2017, 01:35:01 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on June 22, 2017, 11:42:19 AM
On the other hand, he is a worthy heir to the Brian Matusz #15 tradition.

Intrepid Reader: Seth Frankoff:  Hi!

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 03, 2017, 02:50:54 PM
It's dumb to get upset about All-Star selections, but no Anthony Rizzo and forcing Kris Bryant -- easily one of the ten best players in the game if not in the top five considering positional value -- into the vote-off gimmick makes it seem like MLB is trying to troll us.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 05, 2017, 08:26:18 AM
When does the SNEAK ATTACK happen?

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 08:32:38 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 05, 2017, 08:26:18 AM
When does the SNEAK ATTACK happen?

I think it's been happening all year, and we're the victims.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 05, 2017, 10:37:52 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 08:32:38 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 05, 2017, 08:26:18 AM
When does the SNEAK ATTACK happen?

I think it's been happening all year, and we're the victims.

Poor Cub fans.

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 10:50:15 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 05, 2017, 10:37:52 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 08:32:38 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 05, 2017, 08:26:18 AM
When does the SNEAK ATTACK happen?

I think it's been happening all year, and we're the victims.

Poor Cub fans.

I mean if the cost of the WS is that they suck this year I'll take it every time. I'm not trying to be controversial here but I daresay it'd be more fun if they didn't suck, though. I don't expect anyone's pity, but it is far more fun to play the heel when the Cubs are, y'know, good and stuff.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 05, 2017, 12:02:28 PM

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 10:50:15 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 05, 2017, 10:37:52 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 08:32:38 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 05, 2017, 08:26:18 AM
When does the SNEAK ATTACK happen?

I think it's been happening all year, and we're the victims.

Poor Cub fans.

I mean if the cost of the WS is that they suck this year I'll take it every time. I'm not trying to be controversial here but I daresay it'd be more fun if they didn't suck, though. I don't expect anyone's pity, but it is far more fun to play the heel when the Cubs are, y'know, good and stuff.

2016 will far outshine what 1985 was for the Bears when all is said and done.  Hell, from July, 2015 through last November we saw a run of baseball the likes of which we may not see again.

Or maybe we will.  Just not this year.  This year, the biggest inconvenience is having to stick it out to see just how they'll eke into the playoffs (or embarrassingly die trying).  Though my confidence in this team has been shook a few times this year, I still feel that they'll have some 3-week stretch where they go on a 16-5 tear; and that'd likely be all they need--provided they keep pole-dancing around .500 in the rest of their games--since the gods blessed them with a shitty division this season.  No need to apologize for it, just know that they have the luxury of taking most of the season to get hot.  That it hasn't happened for 3 months now doesn't make it any more or less likely that  it will happen at some point over the next 12 weeks, but I don't know that you need to declare that they won't.  Maybe they won't.  I mean, they've been surprisingly mediocre for 1 full half-season, so I get it.  But it's still half-a season and I don't know why people have this urge to claim them unfit in July.  Maybe they are but ther're still 3 months of games on the schedule.  As painful as some of  these games have been I'm quite enjoying this season because I've been able to pace myself (again, thanks to the crappy division) and I know that, thankfully, they'll be playing meaningful games in September in spite of themselves.  For the 3rd year in a  row.  Holy shit.  Even if it's bad baseball this year.  Just win the whole thing and as long as they're alive to do that--and make no mistake they very much are--then fuckall to this sublime level of baseball that they spoiled us with the previous 2 seasons.  This season is (obviously) different--just calibrate your expectations, even if you think they "suck".

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 12:27:18 PM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 05, 2017, 12:02:28 PM

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 10:50:15 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 05, 2017, 10:37:52 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 08:32:38 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 05, 2017, 08:26:18 AM
When does the SNEAK ATTACK happen?

I think it's been happening all year, and we're the victims.

Poor Cub fans.

I mean if the cost of the WS is that they suck this year I'll take it every time. I'm not trying to be controversial here but I daresay it'd be more fun if they didn't suck, though. I don't expect anyone's pity, but it is far more fun to play the heel when the Cubs are, y'know, good and stuff.

2016 will far outshine what 1985 was for the Bears when all is said and done.  Hell, from July, 2015 through last November we saw a run of baseball the likes of which we may not see again.

Or maybe we will.  Just not this year.  This year, the biggest inconvenience is having to stick it out to see just how they'll eke into the playoffs (or embarrassingly die trying).  Though my confidence in this team has been shook a few times this year, I still feel that they'll have some 3-week stretch where they go on a 16-5 tear; and that'd likely be all they need--provided they keep pole-dancing around .500 in the rest of their games--since the gods blessed them with a shitty division this season.  No need to apologize for it, just know that they have the luxury of taking most of the season to get hot.  That it hasn't happened for 3 months now doesn't make it any more or less likely that  it will happen at some point over the next 12 weeks, but I don't know that you need to declare that they won't.  Maybe they won't.  I mean, they've been surprisingly mediocre for 1 full half-season, so I get it.  But it's still half-a season and I don't know why people have this urge to claim them unfit in July.  Maybe they are but ther're still 3 months of games on the schedule.  As painful as some of  these games have been I'm quite enjoying this season because I've been able to pace myself (again, thanks to the crappy division) and I know that, thankfully, they'll be playing meaningful games in September in spite of themselves.  For the 3rd year in a  row.  Holy shit.  Even if it's bad baseball this year.  Just win the whole thing and as long as they're alive to do that--and make no mistake they very much are--then fuckall to this sublime level of baseball that they spoiled us with the previous 2 seasons.  This season is (obviously) different--just calibrate your expectations, even if you think they "suck".

I've certainly taken to mostly just avoiding twitter when they are losing because yes the hand-wringing over this is extreme, and fans baying for blood after all that has happened are really fucking annoying (and lord am I hoping TJ Brown is just seeing how successful his Surrender Thread during last year's playoffs was in a reverse karma sense and trying to recapture the magic rather than actually advocating selling). That said I don't think there must be an objection to every comment about how this year has kinda not been very fun. It would be much easier to celebrate their coronation if they were busy pasting people while doing so.

QuoteI kind of clarified, a little. One, I'm just asking if the thought of selling some pieces has crossed Jepstink's mind. It probably has because I believe they seriously entertain as many options as possible. In 2004, Epstein "surrendered" by dealing their stud franchise shortstop to the Cubs for essentially a light-hitting shortstop and a utility player. Was it a sell? Or was it a buy? Probably a little of both.

The fate of Arrieta was supposed to be the soap opera of the summer, and because he's struggled, it's the least of anyone's concerns. He had a nice outing Sunday, so if he puts together three more decent outings in July does someone overpay for two months plus October of Arrieta?

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 01:36:50 PM

QuoteI kind of clarified, a little. One, I'm just asking if the thought of selling some pieces has crossed Jepstink's mind. It probably has because I believe they seriously entertain as many options as possible. In 2004, Epstein "surrendered" by dealing their stud franchise shortstop to the Cubs for essentially a light-hitting shortstop and a utility player. Was it a sell? Or was it a buy? Probably a little of both.

The fate of Arrieta was supposed to be the soap opera of the summer, and because he's struggled, it's the least of anyone's concerns. He had a nice outing Sunday, so if he puts together three more decent outings in July does someone overpay for two months plus October of Arrieta?

The Nomar thing was not a sell. The team had a playoff spot pretty well in hand, Nomar had missed most of the season with injury, and they were in the middle of an ugly contract dispute. If Jake had missed two months, the entire rotation was performing well without him, and he was publicly feuding with the front office then sure, I'd expect Theo to trade him, too.

Also Orlando Cabrera was hitting poorly at the time with the Expos but he was coming off a career best .807 OPS in 2003 and was a vastly superior defensive SS to Nomar anyway, no one at the time regarded him as some light-hitting glove only player (and he did in fact have a .785 OPS in Boston after the trade). In fact I spent most of that summer pining for Cabrera before they landed Nomar, and not surprisingly Theo Epstein got the better of Jimbo in that deal even if we thought otherwise at the time.

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 05, 2017, 03:08:22 PM

Quote from: SKO on July 05, 2017, 01:36:50 PM

QuoteI kind of clarified, a little. One, I'm just asking if the thought of selling some pieces has crossed Jepstink's mind. It probably has because I believe they seriously entertain as many options as possible. In 2004, Epstein "surrendered" by dealing their stud franchise shortstop to the Cubs for essentially a light-hitting shortstop and a utility player. Was it a sell? Or was it a buy? Probably a little of both.

The fate of Arrieta was supposed to be the soap opera of the summer, and because he's struggled, it's the least of anyone's concerns. He had a nice outing Sunday, so if he puts together three more decent outings in July does someone overpay for two months plus October of Arrieta?

The Nomar thing was not a sell. The team had a playoff spot pretty well in hand, Nomar had missed most of the season with injury, and they were in the middle of an ugly contract dispute. If Jake had missed two months, the entire rotation was performing well without him, and he was publicly feuding with the front office then sure, I'd expect Theo to trade him, too.

Also Orlando Cabrera was hitting poorly at the time with the Expos but he was coming off a career best .807 OPS in 2003 and was a vastly superior defensive SS to Nomar anyway, no one at the time regarded him as some light-hitting glove only player (and he did in fact have a .785 OPS in Boston after the trade). In fact I spent most of that summer pining for Cabrera before they landed Nomar, and not surprisingly Theo Epstein got the better of Jimbo in that deal even if we thought otherwise at the time.

For the sake of this exercise, would Theo get more in value for Jake now than the first rounder he'd get this winter after qualifying him?

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Quote from: Oleg on July 06, 2017, 04:07:44 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Losing a single game to a team that's 7 games over 500 as opposed to being swept by a team 12 games under 500?

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Quote from: Oleg on July 06, 2017, 04:07:44 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Losing a single game to a team that's 7 games over 500 as opposed to being swept by a team 12 games under 500?

Quote from: SKO on July 07, 2017, 07:41:47 AM

Quote from: Oleg on July 06, 2017, 04:07:44 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Losing a single game to a team that's 7 games over 500 as opposed to being swept by a team 12 games under 500?

Yeah they hit rock bottom with the Padres sweep. They've just kind of decided to hang out there for the last couple of weeks.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 07, 2017, 10:40:39 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 07, 2017, 07:41:47 AM

Quote from: Oleg on July 06, 2017, 04:07:44 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Losing a single game to a team that's 7 games over 500 as opposed to being swept by a team 12 games under 500?

Yeah they hit rock bottom with the Padres sweep. They've just kind of decided to hang out there for the last couple of weeks.

Well the dark days are over my friend because DYLAN FUCKING FLORO IS BACK, FEMALE DOGS

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 07, 2017, 10:59:01 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 07, 2017, 10:40:39 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 07, 2017, 07:41:47 AM

Quote from: Oleg on July 06, 2017, 04:07:44 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Losing a single game to a team that's 7 games over 500 as opposed to being swept by a team 12 games under 500?

Yeah they hit rock bottom with the Padres sweep. They've just kind of decided to hang out there for the last couple of weeks.

Well the dark days are over my friend because DYLAN FUCKING FLORO IS BACK, FEMALE DOGS

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND LOSE NO MORO

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 07, 2017, 11:06:26 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 07, 2017, 10:59:01 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 07, 2017, 10:40:39 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 07, 2017, 07:41:47 AM

Quote from: Oleg on July 06, 2017, 04:07:44 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Losing a single game to a team that's 7 games over 500 as opposed to being swept by a team 12 games under 500?

Yeah they hit rock bottom with the Padres sweep. They've just kind of decided to hang out there for the last couple of weeks.

Well the dark days are over my friend because DYLAN FUCKING FLORO IS BACK, FEMALE DOGS

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND LOSE NO MORO

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND ALSO LOSE TOMORROW

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 07, 2017, 11:50:23 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 07, 2017, 11:06:26 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 07, 2017, 10:59:01 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 07, 2017, 10:40:39 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 07, 2017, 07:41:47 AM

Quote from: Oleg on July 06, 2017, 04:07:44 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Losing a single game to a team that's 7 games over 500 as opposed to being swept by a team 12 games under 500?

Yeah they hit rock bottom with the Padres sweep. They've just kind of decided to hang out there for the last couple of weeks.

Well the dark days are over my friend because DYLAN FUCKING FLORO IS BACK, FEMALE DOGS

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND LOSE NO MORO

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND ALSO LOSE TOMORROW

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND PAY THE FUCK ATTENTION

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 07, 2017, 02:34:47 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 07, 2017, 11:50:23 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 07, 2017, 11:06:26 AM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 07, 2017, 10:59:01 AM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 07, 2017, 10:40:39 AM

Quote from: SKO on July 07, 2017, 07:41:47 AM

Quote from: Oleg on July 06, 2017, 04:07:44 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Losing a single game to a team that's 7 games over 500 as opposed to being swept by a team 12 games under 500?

Yeah they hit rock bottom with the Padres sweep. They've just kind of decided to hang out there for the last couple of weeks.

Well the dark days are over my friend because DYLAN FUCKING FLORO IS BACK, FEMALE DOGS

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND LOSE NO MORO

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND ALSO LOSE TOMORROW

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND PAY THE FUCK ATTENTION

DYLAN FUCKING FLORO AND TIME TO POST

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

Quote from: SKO on July 09, 2017, 12:47:03 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

About that

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 09, 2017, 01:24:54 PM

Quote from: SKO on July 09, 2017, 12:47:03 PM

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on July 06, 2017, 02:35:06 PM
If you were looking for the low point in this season, look no further.

About that

This game screams "it's Dylan Fucking Floro time."

Quote from: SKO on July 14, 2017, 10:20:07 PM
Jesus fucking Christ

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 14, 2017, 08:53:58 PM
So is Joe waiting for Grimm to actually give away the lead before he pulls him, or what?

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 14, 2017, 11:15:48 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 14, 2017, 08:53:58 PM
So is Joe waiting for Grimm to actually give away the lead before he pulls him, or what?

For helping to enable the Baltimore comeback *and* because the Cubs nearly emptied the pen, I'd expect Grimm to be going back to Des Moines again.

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 14, 2017, 11:15:48 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 14, 2017, 08:53:58 PM
So is Joe waiting for Grimm to actually give away the lead before he pulls him, or what?

For helping to enable the Baltimore comeback *and* because the Cubs nearly emptied the pen, I'd expect Grimm to be going back to Des Moines again.

Quote from: Tonker on July 15, 2017, 04:37:16 AM

Quote from: Cannonball Titcomb on July 14, 2017, 11:15:48 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on July 14, 2017, 08:53:58 PM
So is Joe waiting for Grimm to actually give away the lead before he pulls him, or what?

For helping to enable the Baltimore comeback *and* because the Cubs nearly emptied the pen, I'd expect Grimm to be going back to Des Moines again.

That was a shitshow from the fifth onwards, but Grimm looked terrified from the moment he took the mound.  He might be done, which would be a shame, but if he's done, he needs to be done somewhere else.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 17, 2017, 01:59:37 PM
Well then.

Quote from: SKO on August 17, 2017, 02:05:08 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 17, 2017, 01:59:37 PM
Well then.

Thank god they managed not to give the entire game away yesterday. Splitting at home vs this Reds team is embarrassing enough.

Quote from: A. Baldheaded Prick on August 17, 2017, 02:41:49 PM

Quote from: SKO on August 17, 2017, 02:05:08 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 17, 2017, 01:59:37 PM
Well then.

Thank god they managed not to give the entire game away yesterday. Splitting at home vs this Reds team is embarrassing enough.

Feels like they kind of have to sweep them next week to make up for it.  In my "60% win rate%" model, I had them going 5-2 over these 2 series.

Quote from: SKO on August 17, 2017, 03:07:52 PM
Maybe we should uhh...table this discussion for a bit.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 17, 2017, 03:46:40 PM
Joe's one of those types who only likes the chase, which is why he puts Justin Fucking Grimm into a tied slugfest to shit all over it.

Quote from: SKO on August 17, 2017, 03:50:41 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 17, 2017, 03:46:40 PM
Joe's one of those types who only likes the chase, which is why he puts Justin Fucking Grimm into a tied slugfest to shit all over it.

Grimm's allowed 11 fucking homers as a reliever who has spent half the year in Iowa. Ridiculous.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on August 17, 2017, 01:59:37 PM
Well then.

Quote from: SKO on August 31, 2017, 07:06:52 AM
Saw last night that the Cubs are the first team to have five guys under 25 hit 20+ HR. First Cubs team to have six 20 homer dudes. Considering the "old man" is 28 year old Rizzo, Jesus Christ.

Quote from: Oleg on August 31, 2017, 10:37:38 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 31, 2017, 07:06:52 AM
Saw last night that the Cubs are the first team to have five guys under 25 hit 20+ HR. First Cubs team to have six 20 homer dudes. Considering the "old man" is 28 year old Rizzo, Jesus Christ.

But, PROSPECTS!!!

Quote from: Brownie on August 31, 2017, 11:10:55 AM

Quote from: Oleg on August 31, 2017, 10:37:38 AM

Quote from: SKO on August 31, 2017, 07:06:52 AM
Saw last night that the Cubs are the first team to have five guys under 25 hit 20+ HR. First Cubs team to have six 20 homer dudes. Considering the "old man" is 28 year old Rizzo, Jesus Christ.

But, PROSPECTS!!!

They never pan out. What's Prince Fielder doing these days?

Quote from: Canadouche on September 01, 2017, 09:38:31 AM
Good news and bad news:

The Good: the Cubs have been playing at a .667 clip since the All Star Break.

The Bad:the Nationals winning % is .644 in that time, without Harper for a lot of it.

The Worst: the Dodgers are at .714 in that time.

But I'm actually ok with the Cubs being an underdog this year. Joe Buck reminded us repeatedly last year that the best team rarely actually wins it all.

Quote from: SKO on September 01, 2017, 10:08:17 AM
DPD, but possible NLCS rotations with 2nd half ERAs:

Kershaw (2.04 ERA overall) vs Arrieta (1.59 2nd half)
Hill (3.74) vs Hendricks (2.31)
Darvish (5.01) vs Lester (4.69)
Wood (3.80) vs Quintana (4.50).

Factor in the Cubs offense being markedly better in the second half and I think it'd be one hell of a series, at least.

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 01, 2017, 10:15:02 AM

Quote from: SKO on September 01, 2017, 10:08:17 AM
DPD, but possible NLCS rotations with 2nd half ERAs:

Kershaw (2.04 ERA overall) vs Arrieta (1.59 2nd half)
Hill (3.74) vs Hendricks (2.31)
Darvish (5.01) vs Lester (4.69)
Wood (3.80) vs Quintana (4.50).

Factor in the Cubs offense being markedly better in the second half and I think it'd be one hell of a series, at least.

Washington might actually prove to be the tougher series.

Quote from: Canadouche on September 01, 2017, 09:38:31 AM
Good news and bad news:

The Good: the Cubs have been playing at a .667 clip since the All Star Break.

The Bad:the Nationals winning % is .644 in that time, without Harper for a lot of it.

The Worst: the Dodgers are at .714 in that time.

But I'm actually ok with the Cubs being an underdog this year. Joe Buck reminded us repeatedly last year that the best team rarely actually wins it all.

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 01, 2017, 10:15:02 AM

Quote from: SKO on September 01, 2017, 10:08:17 AM
DPD, but possible NLCS rotations with 2nd half ERAs:

Kershaw (2.04 ERA overall) vs Arrieta (1.59 2nd half)
Hill (3.74) vs Hendricks (2.31)
Darvish (5.01) vs Lester (4.69)
Wood (3.80) vs Quintana (4.50).

Factor in the Cubs offense being markedly better in the second half and I think it'd be one hell of a series, at least.

Washington might actually prove to be the tougher series.

Quote from: Saul Goodman on September 15, 2017, 03:42:11 PM
What blown call?

Quote from: Quality Start Machine on September 15, 2017, 03:44:11 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on September 15, 2017, 03:42:11 PM
What blown call?

That inning saved an umpire's life.

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 08:55:23 AM
That's about as much damn fun as I've had at Wrigley Field in 40 years of going there.

Quote from: Tonker on September 16, 2017, 11:14:02 AM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 08:55:23 AM
That's about as much damn fun as I've had at Wrigley Field in 40 years of going there.

That's a pretty low bar, though, you curmudgeonly old git.

Quote from: Tonker on September 16, 2017, 11:14:02 AM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 08:55:23 AM
That's about as much damn fun as I've had at Wrigley Field in 40 years of going there.

That's a pretty low bar, though, you curmudgeonly old git.

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 12:49:06 PM

Quote from: Tonker on September 16, 2017, 11:14:02 AM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 08:55:23 AM
That's about as much damn fun as I've had at Wrigley Field in 40 years of going there.

That's a pretty low bar, though, you curmudgeonly old git.

The frequent opportunities wouldn't rival the Yankees, clearly, but last year the Cubs won the World Series. 

People forget that.

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 12:49:06 PM

Quote from: Tonker on September 16, 2017, 11:14:02 AM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 08:55:23 AM
That's about as much damn fun as I've had at Wrigley Field in 40 years of going there.

That's a pretty low bar, though, you curmudgeonly old git.

The frequent opportunities wouldn't rival the Yankees, clearly, but last year the Cubs won the World Series. 

People forget that.

Quote from: Brownie on September 16, 2017, 07:58:50 PM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 12:49:06 PM

Quote from: Tonker on September 16, 2017, 11:14:02 AM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 08:55:23 AM
That's about as much damn fun as I've had at Wrigley Field in 40 years of going there.

That's a pretty low bar, though, you curmudgeonly old git.

The frequent opportunities wouldn't rival the Yankees, clearly, but last year the Cubs won the World Series.  

People forget that.

That's incorrect. They were losing by 3 to the Giants in Game 4 of the NLDS and I heard they couldn't even get s hit off Cue to the next day.

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 17, 2017, 07:23:14 AM

Quote from: Brownie on September 16, 2017, 07:58:50 PM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 12:49:06 PM

Quote from: Tonker on September 16, 2017, 11:14:02 AM

Quote from: Huey Potatohead on September 16, 2017, 08:55:23 AM
That's about as much damn fun as I've had at Wrigley Field in 40 years of going there.

That's a pretty low bar, though, you curmudgeonly old git.

The frequent opportunities wouldn't rival the Yankees, clearly, but last year the Cubs won the World Series.  

People forget that.

That's incorrect. They were losing by 3 to the Giants in Game 4 of the NLDS and I heard they couldn't even get s hit off Cue to the next day.

Alright alright I forgive you, TJ, on the condition that you join me on Twitter for the next 5 years shaming the "fans" who trip over themselves to declare them "done" before September if they're still around .500 and within 6 games of a spot.  I mean, now that they've actually won it all, and did so in a postseason where they found themselves looking into the abyss at points in all 3 series (with each moment becoming progressively more desperate) it infuriated me to see so-called fans write them off at various points this season.  This team deserves a little better and those fans truly don't deserve to enjoy the ride that's coming.  

Quote from: CT III on September 17, 2017, 08:57:29 PM
I think I'm just gonna sit back and see how this all plays out.

Quote from: SKO on September 22, 2017, 10:49:29 PM
God damn, this is some baseball

Quote from: Saul Goodman on September 23, 2017, 02:11:54 AM
The Marlins' new ownership looks like a trainwreck in the making. They think stats are scary, want to build a team the old-fashioned way, and will slash payroll to the bone in order to pay back Derek Jeter's relatively paltry investment as soon as possible, because reasons. Now they've already said they're going to fire Andre Dawson, for reasons. I'm sure Theo can find a desk for him to never sit at in the new triangle building. Bring back the Hawk.

Quote from: thehawk on September 24, 2017, 04:32:13 PM

Quote from: Saul Goodman on September 23, 2017, 02:11:54 AM
The Marlins' new ownership looks like a trainwreck in the making. They think stats are scary, want to build a team the old-fashioned way, and will slash payroll to the bone in order to pay back Derek Jeter's relatively paltry investment as soon as possible, because reasons. Now they've already said they're going to fire Andre Dawson, for reasons. I'm sure Theo can find a desk for him to never sit at in the new triangle building. Bring back the Hawk.