It's official: I am on the Micah Hoffpauir bandwagon.
Now, that doesn't mean I think he should be starting and I still cringe a little when I think of him surrounding a baseball in right field. But last night, he had an absolutely perfect pinch-hit at-bat; rather than trying to overswing and smash the ball over the right-field fence, he went with a pitch up and out over the plate and flared it to the opposite field. It dropped for an RBI single, scoring Derrek Lee. That's exactly the kind of thing a pinch-hitter needs to do in that situation; if Micah can continue to do this, he's perfect for the role.
Then, Kevin Gregg, who had been so horrible just one day before, threw 12 pitches (eight strikes), got three quick outs for his ninth save and the Cubs quickly righted the ship, defeating the Braves 3-2 in 11 innings. It broke a seven-game road losing streak.
Once again, they got outstanding starting pitching. Ted Lilly, who has been the team's most consistent starter all year and also appears to be becoming the leader of the staff (the "ace", if you will, and I know that remark may begin a controversy), threw seven solid innings. While his 10 homers allowed in 11 starts seems like a lot, four of those were served up to the Astros in his first start of the year (and the Cubs won that game anyway). The only aspect of Lilly's game that I think needs work is his defense; the sight of him falling down attempting to field a bunt and then throwing it away is one we've seen before. The error helped make one of Atlanta's runs unearned.
Kudos are also deserved this morning for the bullpen's work beyond Gregg; Carlos Marmol settled down from his wild appearance on Tuesday to throw a scoreless inning, and I can't say enough good things about Angel Guzman. Here's one move that was debated on this site during spring training (whether to keep Guzman, who was out of options, or Chad Gaudin) that has clearly worked out to the benefit of the Cubs. Guzman has become the most reliable reliever in what otherwise has been a shaky relief corps. He has issued only eight walks in 25 innings while striking out 23 and allowed only 15 hits. While Marmol may have "earned" the right to be considered for closer in 2010 when, presumably, Gregg will have departed to free agency, I think Guzman should be given consideration for the role.
Also give credit to D-Lee, who had two hits last night and also made a couple of fine stops in the field. Whether his power will return or not is still an open question, but there is no question that his defense is still outstanding.
This win was one that, if the Cubs do go on to have the playoff season we're hoping for, could be labeled as "character-building" or a "turning point". Bad teams would come off a loss like Tuesday's and start a long losing streak. A turnaround win like last night's could start a similar winning run, presuming, of course, that Carlos Zambrano -- who almost defines the term "mercurial" -- can put his head in the game tonight long enough to beat a tough pitcher in Jair Jurrjens. The Braves made bigger news than their loss last night; just a couple of days after I asked Martin at Talking Chop why Tom Glavine was still attempting a comeback, the Braves released him. They had offered him the chance to gracefully retire as a Brave, but he declined. I can't imagine anyone else signing him, so he probably should have accepted the offer.
More importantly and perhaps more relevant to the Cubs, the Braves sent three minor leaguers to the Pirates for center fielder Nate McLouth, who presumably will be in Atlanta's starting lineup tonight against Z. McLouth just signed a three-year deal with the Bucs this past February, giving everyone the impression that Pittsburgh might be trying to lock up their good young talent at fairly reasonable prices and build around them. The fact that they shipped McLouth away so quickly means, perhaps, that the Pirates are trying to dump salary and that Freddy Sanchez might indeed be available.
Go get him, Jim Hendry. You've had fine luck trading with the Pirates in the past, and Sanchez would solve several Cubs problems, for now and for the rest of the season.
0 recs | 349 comments
One more thing to credit Lee with
Taking second on the fly ball in the 11th. Not every runner would have the presence of mind to do so.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
My only disappointment
was once again, the Cubs were incapable of executing a sacrifice bunt. I was only watching on Gameday, but, like Scales the night before Fontenot failed in his attempt to lay down a bunt.
Kudos though to Lee for being aggressive and taking second base.
gwood - June 4, 2009
Theriot struggled as well...
I don’t get it. We had to replace our catcher to attempt a sac bunt last night (only to see the replacement fail at it), and our middle infielders struggle/fail to lay down a bunt.
Does this team not work on fundamentals?
I realize that a bunt is often a bad use of an AB, as it gives away an out. But it’s still a functional part of the game. Unless you’re Aramis Ramirez, you should know how to do it at least remotely well.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Greg Maddux (I think) said it best
Pretend you are catching the ball with the bat. I think Tom Emanski (the guy who made all those cheesy yet effective videos) actually glued a mitt to a bat to exaggerate the point.
I know it’s not exactly the same thing, but if a catcher can receive 140 or so pitches in a game, why is it so hard to bunt? And if Ryan Dempster, a pitcher, can do it so successfully, why can’t the professional hitters?
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
Lack of focus...
i guess is the only thing you can draw to it.
HIGGY - June 4, 2009
Lack of PRACTICE
Maddux still practiced bunting EVERY day when he played sometimes for 30 minutes or more straight.
Doggie Stalker - June 4, 2009
The bunt thing is seriously bugging me.
It’s a basic skill, they should all be able to do it.
slcathena - June 4, 2009
Maybe they don't practice it enough.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Wells put down a nice bunt on Tuesday.
But, unfortunately, he doesn’t play every day.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 4, 2009
He could bunt every day.
Just sayin’
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
So,
Bring him in as a pinch-hitter and have him sac bunt? If he keeps laying down good bunts, it’s fine with me.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 4, 2009
As long as he doesn't try to leg 'em out...
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Didn't
Lou use Dempster as a pinch hitter to lay down sac bunts last year?
gwood - June 4, 2009
using a pitcher to pinch-bunt is fine...
As long as it’s in place of another pitcher. Using a position player to pinch-bunt for another position player is completely unacceptable and a waste of limited resources.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Unless that player is going to stay in the game replacing the original one.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
I think
you can use a pitcher to pinch-bunt for a position player if a double switch is contemplated involving the position player that was pinch-bunted for.
gwood - June 4, 2009
By the time you reach the majors, though . . . .
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
When I was watching their warmups...
on that Wrigley live-stream camera that someone posted on here a while ago, I noticed that all the pitchers were practicing bunting for quite a while. And Wells actually seemed pretty good at them.
I didn’t notice any of the position players practicing it, but then again by that time I wasn’t really looking for it so I might have just missed it.
Anyway, just my 2 cents…(ie not worth much).
CubsWin!Oregon - June 4, 2009
Ron Santo
made an observation on the radio last night about the bunting. He said that most of the players today when they are called upon to sacrifice bunt will try to do so for a hit. They try to bunt while beginning to run towards first and therefore are moving making the bunt a far more difficult thing to do. He emphatically pleaded with the bunters to stop trying to disguise it. Turn, get your feet set, and bunt the ball.
I couldn’t agree with him more. If you are being asked to sac bunt in a situation like that, your job is not to beat out the bunt to first. Your job is to successfully move the runner to second base. That is MUCH easier to do from a squared up and stationary position. Just bunt the damn ball and focus on getting your job done and done well.
Archie - June 4, 2009
Very true observation.
slcathena - June 4, 2009
Many players
On this team who bunt don’t wait for the pitcher to throw them a bunt-able pitch. They take their shot at a first-pitch ball at the letters or above, then pop out. That’s inexcusable at the big-league level.
NWIowaCubFan - June 4, 2009
YES IT'S THE PRACTICE....
I played 15 yrs of fast pitch ball ..You did not go home on Mondays after practice until you got 5 good bunts down….( A coach stood a watched each one )
cubs north - June 4, 2009
Precisely.
Last night, I watched the championship game in the Diamond Classic at Olds Park in Lansing (DeWitt vs. Grand Ledge) and for goodness sake, these high school kids certainly could bunt.
So why isn’t the same attention to “team” paid in the majors? Oh, right. Multimillion dollar contracts aren’t built on “doing the little things” it takes to win as a team. It’s all about the “me”.
Too bad, because that’s the part of baseball that makes teams winners.
Oh, and for those interested, the Comets beat the Panthers 12-1.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090604/SPORTS02/906040345/1021/sports02/Diamond+gems++Comets+rule+classic+again
Zeke - June 4, 2009
Also, 2 BB...
The guy has quietly gotten back up to a respectable stat line (.262/.345/.443) after a truly horrendous April. And he’s hitting for adequate power. Since April, he’s had 10 extra-base hits in 75 AB (5 2B and 5 HR). That’s pretty solid.
I’m not going to project a 30 HR season or anything (thanks to that atrocious start to the season), but 20+ HR with 30 doubles seems reasonable.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
And that's the kind of season we should expect...
… from a player of his abilities and age. The 2005 season, an outlier, raised expectations for him. It was a career year, but his real level is what he did in 2007 and 2008.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
The most important thing
Is that he has stepped up when Aramis went down and everybody else was struggling.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
he's doing really well
it’s good to see.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Al.........
Welcome aboard!! I agree he shouldn’t start, but Lou needs to get him in the lineup more often as situations dictate.
Clutche - June 4, 2009
You think he picks that throw from Theriot in the 11th?
I like Hoffpauir. Very good hitter.
But since you go out of your way to be critical of Lee, you ought to be able to give him credit when it’s due.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Even more than his hitting
Lee’s ability to dig Theriot’s crap throws out of the dirt make him special.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
Not only Theriot's
but Rami’s too.
gwood - June 4, 2009
Yeah
Both owe him many steak dinners
nji232 - June 4, 2009
I'm glad to see Lee step up and he did have a very good May..............
but a player of his age needs to be rested more often and Hoffpauir affords us the opportunity to do so.
Clutche - June 4, 2009
Ok, that's a reasonable statement
You were all over him for Tuesday’s error, and I thought it was a bit much. Glad that you can be a little more moderate.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
+1
Lee’s aggressive base running was outstanding. Anyone else notice how critical Brenley was of the Cubs baserunners not moving against Lowe?
Slakkr - June 4, 2009
Brenley has been critical in general
Not that I blame him. He seems to want to manage pretty bad now that he’s been away for a while.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
I'm not sure if he still does
He seems content in the more secure job to me. Supposedly, he wasn’t that great of an interview for the Brewer job — maybe he doesn’t want to manage again.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
B.B. SEES MISTAKES BEING MADE.....
And yes he chimes right in…Hope someone but us listens to him….
cubs north - June 4, 2009
I hope he appreciates the irony
I seem to recall him not appreciating Mark Grace’s commentary on BB’s managing.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
We are a very bad baserunning team
not scoring runs has been annoying, but making lots of stupid outs on the bases might annoy me more.
Allie - June 4, 2009
Paging Ryan Theriot
Ryan Theriot to the white Courtesy Phone, please.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Yes
I just hope this incarnation of the team doesn’t throw him under the bus. I wouldn’t put it past them…
chilango2 - June 4, 2009
Hmm. Might we be referring to another Cubs broadcaster of semi-recent times?
Mr. Stone perhaps?
Zeke - June 4, 2009
Yes
With recent struggles and perceived and alleged strained chemistry in the clubhouse, I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody would explode at his critics.
I adore Brenley in the booth and would be very sad if he left because of strained relationships with team members.
chilango2 - June 4, 2009
I really don't think
that this team is like that team.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Wow.
Pitt’s fire sales usually don’t start until July. I wonder if that franchise is in deep trouble.
thermal54 - June 4, 2009
I don't think they gave McLouth away
But I’d be interested to hear what Josh thinks.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
I don't think
they gave him away, either, but they had signed McLouth to a long-term contract. Shipping him out didn’t seem to make much sense to me.
thermal54 - June 4, 2009
They got
three of the Braves top ten prospects. Plus, the Bucs apparently have a centerfielder, McClutchen (I think) waiting in the wings to take McClouth’s spot.
gwood - June 4, 2009
Right, but...
… signing the guy to a longterm deal and dumping him four months later makes little sense unless you’re in financial trouble.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Eh, I think they are being realists (in addition)
The Pirates front office knows that they suck and will continue to suck for years. Maybe in 2-3 years their pitching will have matured enough that they can compete.
Perhaps they knew locking Mclouth into a deal would make him more tradeable.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
Here's the Post-Gazette story:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09155/975012-63.stm
“We’re out to win a championship.” Bwah!! Maybe in hockey!
thermal54 - June 4, 2009
Not in hockey THIS year fella! Go Wings!
Zeke - June 4, 2009
Boooooooo!
Boo you.
jerry morales rules - June 4, 2009
It's not Halloween yet!
Zeke - June 4, 2009
Hmm. Apparently the Pens didn't get the memo that they were supposed to LOSE game 4.
Looks like we have a whole new ballgame hockey fans! With 2 of 3 in Motown, I like the Wings’ chances…
Zeke - June 5, 2009
Good point.
kanderber - June 4, 2009
and we are in bankruptcy
so I dont know if we are “financially” stable
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
I'm not an expert on the Braves system
but although they gave up three of their top ten prospects, they didn’t give up Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward or Jordan Schafer, wo are their blue-chip prospects.
It reminds me a lot of the package we gave up for Rich Harden, actually. It’s not cheap, but not stuff that they really couldn’t replace.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
They solved two problems
Offensive production in CF, and The Charlie Morton Problem. Morton is perhaps the very definition of a AAAA player – well, now he gets to play for a AAAA team.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Seems to be good deal for both sides
They knew they were going to dump McClouth sooner or later. McCutchen will come up and should be pretty good. At the very least, McCutchen will be a beter defender than McClouth was in center.
The Pirates got a couple decent prospects too. I’ve never been a fan of Gorkys, but he is an excellent defender and is hitting pretty well this year. Locke has struggled a bit, but has good stuff and should be a middle of the rotation guy down the road.
MJMars - June 4, 2009
McClouth did have a gold glove
Archie - June 4, 2009
That's not necessarily indicative of better defense
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
McLouth is an awful center fielder
-14.5 UZR last season, most undeserved Gold Glove ever.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
Rafael Palmeiro would like a word with you
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Maybe
They need to stop giving out Gold Gloves to people just because they are good hitters.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
100%
agreed. The Gold Glove is for fielding. Even if the best defensive player is hitting .220, he should get the gold glove. The silver slugger is for hitting.
gwood - June 4, 2009
Or take the voting away from coaches and managers
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
who should decide?
Certainly not people who think that UZR is evidence of much.
ol Pete - June 4, 2009
I'm not sure, but surely not people who vote for a guy
who played about 20 games at a position.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Adam Everrett should have 3
and Jeter 0
MJMars - June 4, 2009
If someone
could please explain to me our sequence of pinch hitters in the 9th, I would appreciate it.
Slakkr - June 4, 2009
Lou had a list of names
and just picked them randomly.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
That seems
about right.
Slakkr - June 4, 2009
Reply is your friend
:)
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
...and Mr. Rogers is your "neighbor"... :)
Zeke - June 4, 2009
Won't you be my neighbor?
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
So I sez to the guy next to me...
“Man, Chipper’s playing way too off the bag. Micah’s a good slap-hitter.”
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Good call
Lot’s of hand-wringing last night, huh?
chilango2 - June 4, 2009
You could say that
You could also say that I live in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s tough when you like both teams playing in the game. ’Course, I was wearing my Cubs cap.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Al,
+1 with getting Sanchez.
thermal54 - June 4, 2009
+11
Bring on Sanchez
The Ryno and I Know - June 4, 2009
To play where?
He’s only played SS once in the last two years, and 55 times since he became a major leaguer. He has been a 2B almost exclusively.
I know the guy can hit, but we are a team stocked with 2B options and I don’t see how another really helps.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
He'd play 2B...
and he’d be a huge upgrade. And when/if Ramirez returns, Fontenot goes to the sub role strengthening the bench.
The benefit of getting a guy like Sanchez is clear. The problem is that it may be cost-prohibitive.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
It will be interesting
to see what the Cubs do w/ Miles once his DL stint expires.
Slakkr - June 4, 2009
Hopefully release him
I never understood that signing anyway.
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
Agreed.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 4, 2009
YES.....
Purchase him a ticket fast to get him out of town,,,,,
cubs north - June 4, 2009
Can the Cubs afford the ticket?
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
I don't see them eating that contract
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
What is the amount of the contract?
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
$5 M over 2 yrs, IIRC
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Maybe something can be worked out
where the Cubs pay part of his salary if they release/trade him
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
The players' union would never allow that if they release him
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Perhaps, then, they can eat up SOME of the contract
if they can trade him
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
Maybe, but --
Who would want him?
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
That's the kicker there
I haven’t a clue
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
The Yankees?
They need a backup for Jeter. And they can afford him
Musicdude10 - June 4, 2009
If you could get the Yankees to take Aaron Miles...
… I would personally give you a medal.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
What if we mention...
that he’s scrappy?
CubsWin!Oregon - June 4, 2009
If the Yankees are into scrappiness....
… maybe we can convince them that he’s really David Eckstein in disguise.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
I agree
For the Cubs to progress this year, Hendry needs to recognize his garbage signings of Miles and Heileman, dump them, and move on.
Slakkr - June 4, 2009
keep him there
Forever
nji232 - June 4, 2009
Miles? Miles? Is he still on the team?
Zeke - June 4, 2009
I agree, he would be a huge upgrade, but
2B is pretty far down the list of concerns. We have limited resources and the bullpen, although better, is not great.
Jim Hendry just traded away our 2B this last offseason. I just don’t think he’d be looking for another one.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
Sanchez can also play 3B.
That’s where I’d use him till Ramirez comes back.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Jim Hendry loves 2nd basemen.....he collects them like old coins
……the only problem with Freddie is he isnt left handed!
JB 23 - June 4, 2009
TEH HORROR!!!!
Opposing teams may have to face two righties in a row!
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
Is that allowed?
I’m gonna check the rulebook.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
He plays a very adequate 3B
And I think moving Fontenot back to 2B would make him more comfortable and maybe start hitting better
Musicdude10 - June 4, 2009
I'd only work
if we sent some of our 2B options over in a trade. Miles would be a good fit for Pittsburgh…
Allie - June 4, 2009
I'm curious,
Who would we trade to Pittsburgh for Sanchez?
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 4, 2009
It's Pittsburgh
A bag of balls and Al Albuquerque should do it.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
In other words...
Miles, Scales, and Blanco should do it
Slakkr - June 4, 2009
I'd really rather keep Blanco
Love his glove… and if the “big boys” ever warm up we could live with his offense.
Allie - June 4, 2009
The GM that made those trades now works for the Cubs
Sorry, not going to happen.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
We can always hire this GM too
nji232 - June 4, 2009
Didn't he always?
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Touche
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Neal Huntington
Will be much better for the Pirates org.
MJMars - June 4, 2009
Probably not
Since they just pried 3 top prospects from Atlanta for their other star, I doubt it.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
McLouth
is clearly worth a lot more than Sanchez—but you’re right if you’re saying the Pirates are not going to just give him away for a body.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
You forgot the first R
It’s Al Alburquerque, which is as good a reason as any to trade him. No one can spell it.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
True.
Let the hacks at the Post-Gazette confound their spellcheckers, instead.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
I would, but
the Cubs don’t have the pieces they’d want or, it’d cost too much.
I sincerely doubt they’d take Miles/Scales/Blanco+a semi-decent pitcher and Heilman as a giveaway.
chilango2 - June 4, 2009
+100
CubsBullsBears - June 4, 2009
How can the Cubs add significant salary at this point?
Sanchez is making $6.25 mil this year. The Cubs would presumably have to pick up the entire remainder of that.
With the sale of the team up in the air, and all of the money moving moves Hendry had to make this off-season to add Bradley, how will they be allowed to add more?
SackMan - June 4, 2009
Sanchez
is only making $4 this year and $6.1 next year with an $8 mil option for 2010
gwood - June 4, 2009
Correction
he is making $6.1 this year (forgot it was 2009 momentarily)
gwood - June 4, 2009
OK, but almost 1/3 of the season is gone.
That makes the remaining exposure about $4 million (plus a buyout for next year). I’d do it.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
I would too
if we had the prospects/players to make it happen
gwood - June 4, 2009
This is why the Vizcaino dump was a head scratcher...
They just absorbed that money… didn’t they? And money is a bigger issue now, then it used to be.
SackMan - June 4, 2009
but will Zell sign off on it
that is more money spent by an ownership ion bankruptcy. He has to be looking (IMO) at what will make him money, and the salary being lower is that. He knows that the Cubs tickets will sell, and doesnt matter who is at 3B, it could be any member of BCB for all he cares since the ticket sales are not going to decline.
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
Zell and Ricketts
would both have to sign off on it at this point.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
I remember 2010 being a major sticking point in the Peavy negotiations
I don’t see how the Cubs can take on Sanchez’s salary, pay raises to our youngsters, and additions this club will need to make after the season.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
Actually that's a good point as well...
How would getting Sanchez impact our pending move for Peavy :-p
CubsWin!Oregon - June 4, 2009
It would preclude
our acquisition of Roberts entirely.
gwood - June 4, 2009
But what about post-season revenue?
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t see the team getting Sanchez, and I think money will have a lot to do with it. So let me caveat there.
But it’s not as simple as saying “tickets will sell.” You also have to consider the potential for postseason ticket sales (which will pay better than regular season tickets) and merchandise revenue that would come if the team improves and can make the playoffs.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
The postseason is a MLB event.
I’m not sure the Cubs get anything from that.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
The individual team's get a good portion of the money...
See here:
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3081:mlb-average-postseason-revenue-over-the-last-decade&catid=26:editorials&Itemid=39
40% of the “required game” revenue (i.e., the first three games in a 5-game series or the first 4 games in a 7-game series) goes to the team (the other 60% goes to the players. Any money from games hosted after the required games goes entirely to the team.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Thanks.
I was not aware of how the split went.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
No problem
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
does that guarantee
revenue > expenses
I will not say it does, until I see the numbers proving that. Since most owners of a sports team does not make theie money on the team, they usually make their money elsewhere and the team is a “Hobby”
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
You are ignoring merchandise revenue...
and the potential to raise ticket prices next year.
I feel pretty confident in saying that making the playoffs makes you money – assuming you have a loyal fanbase that will attend games (which we do).
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
which does Zell how much good?
if the sale is expected tobe done before next season? Also, you continue to miss the fact that Zell is not 100% in charge of this, nor is Ricketts, the Bankruptcy Court still gets to drill Zell for moves that basically equate to throwing money away, when he cannot pay creditors.
Merch sales, how are those split? What about the overhead that each game costs them as well.
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
I don't know the specifics...
but I’m betting they still make good money. Merchandise still benefits Zell, as it would happen this year.
Teams make about $1 million per playoff game hosted according to the site I posted. I’m guessing that overhead doesn’t exceed that. And that’s ignoring the merchandise.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Bradley is off the books after next year
There’s no way we keep him. Cubs fans will have Hendry’s head
Musicdude10 - June 4, 2009
I'll bet you a dollar.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Yeah, I wonder what the threshold is to make 2011 guaranteed...
Does someone know what the games played (or plate appearances) minimum is for the $12 million in 2011 to be guaranteed?
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Bradley's Contract
* signed by Chicago Cubs as a free agent 1/6/09
* $4M signing bonus
* 09:$5M, 10:$9M, 11:$12M option
* 2011 may become $12M club option with $2M buyout based on Bradley’s health
* 2011 option vests with 75 games played in 2009
Info from Cot’s Baseball Contracts
gwood - June 4, 2009
he's already played in 39 games this season
and there’s 110+ games left to go. He’ll make his 75, easy. I still think he plays over 100.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Yeah, he's pretty certain to meet that threshold...
I agree he’ll be playing for the Cubs in 2011.
P.S. – Thanks gwood.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
I thought
the threshold was a little more difficult than that. You two are right, he’ll make 75 games easily.
Cot’s baseball contract is right up there with baseball-reference.com as wonderful websites.
gwood - June 4, 2009
barring injury.
ba-bum, tsss.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2009
Real Nice win
This doesn’t make us anything more than a .500 team, but its nice to see some things come together.
Just when Lee seemed to hit rock bottom, he has turned back to being a solid reliable hitter. Marmol still needs to get his stuff together, but last night was more like the Carlos we all know.
The real nice thing is Angel Guzman, who has become our stud relief pitcher.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
Um, yeah, getting Sanchez would be great!
We are stockpiled at 2nd base, but none of the guys we do have is as good as Sanchez. Offer them Heilman and Fontenot/Scales/Blanco.
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
Actually, I think that's too little
Heilman+Blanco+Waddell+[some other name]=Sanchez. I don’t think Pittsburgh’s brass is quite that shortsighted though.
chilango2 - June 4, 2009
That's just not going to happen
Pittsburgh wants somebody who actually has a chance of being productive.
Poloplaya14 - June 4, 2009
More likely..
… the Pirates would be interested in some of our lower minor leaguers who actually have the chance to be good, rather than our table scraps.
You could start with Steve Clevenger. Maybe Clevenger/Archer would do it.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Oh no.
Archer was a great acquisition, please Jim, don’t ship him out.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
I don't think that's worth it
Sanchez isn’t that good. He’s been hot this year, but over his career, I see a guy with an average OBP and limited power. He’s not worth 6 million AND 2 decent prospects.
Poloplaya14 - June 4, 2009
Al, if SB Nation is going to...
Automatically include links to player pages, can you tell them to make sure the pages are actually current?
Lilly’s numbers are from three starts ago.
kanderber - June 4, 2009
Two starts ago, actually.
Last night was his 11th start. But I’ll pass the word along.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Slightly OT
Is there a central database of stats that all websites like SBNation or ESPN or CBS Sportsline access? As an aspiring information architect, I’d love to see how they handle things like this.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
All I know is...
… SBN gets stats from a “data provider”. I don’t know the process or the source.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
It's a magic talking Hamster
with an abacus.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
A Wonder Hamster?
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
A wondrous Hamster indeed.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
Yeah, great W
I don’t know the exact number but I believe the CUbs have only won a few games while scoring 3 runs or less. Hopefully this game will be one of many. Good teams win the close and low scoring games and I think the Cubs are good enough to win at least half of the games where they score 4 or 3 or less runs.
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
Won with <4 runs
and with a error.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Lilly...
He’s not getting enough credit. His ERA is now 3.28, and his WHIP is 1.079.
kanderber - June 4, 2009
when he gets his Cy Young award this year
That will be reward enough.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
Unfortunately...
I don’t think the Cubs’ offense will comply with that quest.
kanderber - June 4, 2009
Sadly they won't
This should be his 20 win season.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
It's still early...
…if the Cubs can start putting up more runs in games, Lilly could win 20 games.
Is it Leiber who was the last starting pitcher for the Cubs to win 20 games?
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
Yup.
Probably his career year, too.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Goodness!! When was that?
2001 or 2002?? It’s definitely time for a Cubs pitcher to get 20 W’s in one season. Seems like it’s been a decade since it’s happened.
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
2001
Remember, though, 20 game winners aren’t as common as they used to be, with 5 man rotations from the opening of the season and more specialized bullpens.
Yeah, I know it still happens. Would like to see Ted get 20.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Lots of luck involved
Look at Randy Wells. Not a win to show for it. Lieber’s numbers weren’t even that spectacular in 2001. Or, I wouldn’t have guessed he would get 20 wins if you showed me those numbers.
Too bad the voting for Cy Young is done with crap stats like ERA and, even worse, Wins.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
You're right
And it’ll take a long time before the voting changes. Sometimes saves get it; that’s worse.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
That's why 20 wins shouldn't be the holy grail of measurment for the Cy Young award
But… alas, they are.
SackMan - June 4, 2009
Dempster shouldve gotten it last year
Poloplaya14 - June 4, 2009
Over Lincecum?
No. Santana over Lincecum could maybe be argued, but I don’t think Dempster’s year was better than either of theirs.
Allie - June 4, 2009
Agreed
Dempster just didn’t match up. Santana and Lincecum were better in so many categories. They outperformed Dempster in IP, ERA, WHIP, K/BB, and quality start %. Heck, Lincecum even got more wins despite playing for an inferior team.
You could argue that Santana got robbed by a bad bullpen (his numbers were comparable to or better than Lincecum’s everywhere but Ks), but not Dempster.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Didn't mean Cy Young
I meant he should’ve gotten 20 wins. He pitched well enough.
Poloplaya14 - June 4, 2009
2001
He was 20-6 with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.149 WHIP.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
Cy Young would have been lucky to earn one Ted Lilly award…
The Ryno and I Know - June 4, 2009
You have uncovered my main motivation for wanting Ted to win the Cy Young
I can forever call it the Ted Lilly Award.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
The "THEODORE ROOSEVELT LILLY" award...
…you need all three names for the FULL effect.
Zeke - June 4, 2009
the TRL Award
does it come with a guaranteed lieftime of awesomeness?
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
It is made entirely
Of win and awesome.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
+1
Would you give him a musket or something along those lines as an award? Teddy Roosevelt loved hunting and being out in the wild
Musicdude10 - June 4, 2009
tobring the Musket and Wild together
the trophy will be of Mitch Williams hunting.
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
Agree
He had some sick stuff last night. Couple of real knee-bucklers for Ks
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
He rights the ship a lot, too
Or seems to. A good outing when it was really needed after Tuesday’s game.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
25-11 after Cubs losses in his career I think
Thats not too bad. I think that is the team record.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
Are you saying Lilly's record after a Cubs loss is 25-11?
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
I've confused myself
I think that is the Cubs team record not Ted’s.
nji232 - June 4, 2009
He has been the best Cubs starter (most consistent) since they day he signed here
JB 23 - June 4, 2009
Ted Lilly has been rock solid three years running
BLou - June 4, 2009
The Hoffpauir bandwagon
was largely based on him being the STARTING 1B…. over Derrek Lee, whom without last night we wouldn’t have scored at all….
I think Hoff is in a nice spot the way he’s being utilized now, but lets not confuse that with what the Hoff bandwagon around here really was….
it was not only in support of Hoff, but rallying against DLEE
thus if you’re on THAT bandwagon, you’re jumping aboard one that was saying HOFF NEEDS TO START
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
No, I'm on the bandwagon that says...
…. Hoffpauir is a useful player for the role he’s been given, which is part-time 1B/OF and PH. I wasn’t even sure he could do THAT before this season started.
Hope that makes more sense.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
basically
the jury was out in your eyes, and so far it has worked. now the questions is will it continue thru the season or will it slowly diminish
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
and i think that's what "the other side"
of the bandwagon was saying
the people on the bandwagon seem to overstate the demise of DLee in favor of Hoff, while most were simply saying Hoff has a place on the squad, but not as an everyday player
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
Right.
I wasn’t convinced he could fill that part-time role. But he has done an excellent job in the role. I’m convinced now.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
He should've been in Daryle Ward's role last year
Ward was getting older, fatter, and more injured… and had his worst career year last season.
SackMan - June 4, 2009
Ward had a bad year, true.
But he did win a game with a walkoff, and also drew a ton of pinch-walks.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
He did... but, he was clearly in rapid decline.
As evidenced by his poor, poor season, and the fact that he’s not on a major league roster right now.
The big Hoff would’ve likely been a much better contributor in Ward’s role.
SackMan - June 4, 2009
except Hoff was given more than once chance to come through in that position
and didn’t. That’s the reason I DIDN’T want him this year, was his performance with the bigs as a pinch hitter last year. That four HR game with the mets doesn’t count — he was in the starting lineup.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Two HR game vs. the Mets.
His four-HR game was with Iowa.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
sorry.
but the point stands…
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Oh, I agree with your point.
Just nitpicking.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
I don't see it
His numbers last year in the bigs included a .357 average (or thereabouts, I didn’t look it up). From that I’m sure, he failed more than a few times — 64.3% of the time to be exact. He also came through more often than could be expected.
There are reasons to be skeptical of Hoff. Poor performance in his call-up is not among them.
Orval Overall - June 4, 2009
those numbers
include when he was batting as a starter. My concern about him was AS A PINCH HITTER.
As a pinch hitter, he was NOT GOOD last year.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Maybe, but I count him going 4/14 as a PH
which is a .285 average. See for yourself:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=hoffpmi01&t=b&year=2008
I suppose you could dig into game logs and point out particular failures that were bothersome, but even on a small sample I don’t count 4/14 as a failure for a guy who was coming in cold.
Orval Overall - June 4, 2009
I just remember him
failing in key situations.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Of course you do...
Players fail 60% of the time. Pinch hitters are expected to fail probably 70% of the time. So the vast majority of your memories of his pinch hitting should be failures.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
not clutch players. or players who try hard.
they only fail when it doesn’t matter.
Orval Overall - June 4, 2009
sure
but it was the key situations that stand out. Games when we were behind, with a runner on. Of course, that’s when you put your pinch hitter in.
It doesn’t matter anyway — he’s figured it out for this year, and he’s helping, and as long as people recognize that he’s not going to start over Lee, it’s all good.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Daryle Ward batted a whopping .216 last year
The guy didn’t even hit his weight.
It’s hard to convince anyone, that Hoff wouldn’t have done a better job.
SackMan - June 4, 2009
last year
It felt to me that Micah Hoffpauir would do a worse job.
Obviously, he’s proved me wrong. I’m ok with that.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
True
But Ward did have a .319 OBP. So he was more valuable than his BA would indicate. Plus, Hoff looked really bad in most of his pinch hit at-bats prior to this year, as I recall.
Based on those at-bats and Ward’s OBP, I was not certain that Hoff could do better than Ward. I am very happy to have been wrong about that.
gwood - June 4, 2009
So you're on board with me
because that’s what I’ve always said about him—or at least, since last season. Before that I said he was headed for Japan.
Micah Hoffpauir is simply not a starting first baseman for a team planning to win more than 65 games.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
Now this I will quibble with.
I don’t want him to start either, because for him to do so it means our current 1B (a player I happen to like very much) would have failed or gotten injured. And I think the team as currently constructed is probably a 90 win team. What in Hoff’s current performance has shown you that the difference between him and Lee — changing nothing else — would cost us 25 games? (Or insert the difference between where you think they are with Lee and where they would be with Hoff)
I respect your depth of knowledge about the minor league system and its players. I can’t come close to competing with you on that. But I just think that’s a ridiculous statement, borne out of some sense that unless he fits your archetype of a hot minor league prospect, he can’t possibly help you win games at the mlb level, even when he is doing just that.
Orval Overall - June 4, 2009
My Apologies
You’re taking a flippant comment a little too literally. I don’t believe Lee is 25 games better than Micah Hoffpauir. That would be silly.
I believe that most pennant winning teams have strong offensive first basemen. Certainly there are exceptions, usually in the American league where they often put that first baseman at DH and get a good glove at first—Scott Speizio comes to mind here. But Hoffpauir isn’t a good glove at first, either.
So yes, technically you could win a pennant with Hoffpaiur at first. But it would be a whole heck of a lot tougher.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
Ugh.
This is completely untrue.
Al, welcome aboard, glad to have you.
Orval Overall - June 4, 2009
No, no, it wasn't.
The Hoffpauir bandwagon was never about him starting at 1B over DLee. I think I’ve read 87 or more comments just like this one since Hoff started doing well, and each time the summary of what the “Hoffpauir” bandwagon was about has been completely wrong. The number of people who ever said they thought Hoff should start at 1B over Lee, or that Lee should be demoted/released/traded, etc., could be counted on Mordecai Brown’s right hand. Its simply not what the “bandwagon” was about, no matter how many times people who WEREN’T on the bandwagon insist that it was.
I think Al has it right in his description of that bandwagon, but to summarize from the perspective of someone who was on it a little earlier, there were four basic, and (at the time) shockingly controversial points: (1) He can really, really hit at the mlb level; (2) His defense is acceptable, not nearly as bad as advertised, and worth enduring to have his bat in the lineup; (3) He has earned a roster spot; (4) the team would benefit from him getting enough bats to have an impact, including periodic starts in the OF or spelling Lee at 1B. That’s it.
Those points seem obviously true today, but but at the time there were very critical responses. A lot of people responded as you are doing now, mischaracterizing the argument as an “either/or” choice between Hoff and Lee, suggesting that to support Hoff meant to cheer for (or predict) Lee’s imminent demise as a useful player. That was a canard at the time, and it remains one today. But even among the people who accepted what the pro-Hoff crowd was asking for, there was still a lot of push back on each of those 4 points, which boiled down to: (1) over his career in the minors he was a poor hitter, and he is “projected” by rating agencies to be mediocre to poor over an extended mlb stay, so expectations that he will hit .300 or have any power are misguided; (2) His defense will cost us games, a lot of them, meaning there’s no reason to take a chance on this mediocre prospect; (3) MAYBE he would have earned a roster spot in a different year, but the way Hendry constructed this team, a one dimensional “all bat no glove” guy like Hoff is a luxury we can’t afford; and (4) since he can’t play OF without costing us the game in the field, every start you give him will come at the expense of Lee, and there’s no way you can tell me we’re better off with that ever happening.
Don’t believe me? Go back and read the Spring Training threads. These were our arguments, those were the responses.
Orval Overall - June 4, 2009
"Career minor-leaguer!"
“29 year old rookie!”
Happy to say my skepticism was misplaced. Guy’s doing the job.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
The reason I wasn't on the "bandwagon" before now is...
… and, to go through your four points:
1) I knew this.
2) I wasn’t convinced of this, particularly in the OF, where he had little experience.
3) Granted
4) I wasn’t convinced he could handle the outfield.
He has won me over on all four points. He has turned into a fine major league bench player. Kudos to him.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
now he just needs more walks
only 86 more to go
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
What sauce goes best with scorecard?
Or was that a different bet?
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Pretty sure that one was about
Gathright and him hitting a leadoff HR
jkobus - June 4, 2009
Gotcha.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
You are correct on this.
sue369 - June 4, 2009
I'm all for Micah Hoffpauir
being the Daryle Ward replacement. He’s a bat off the bench, and someone who can adequately back up Lee at first. He should NOT start over Lee, and he should NOT spend much time in the outfield.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Soooo happy we got the W last night
I didn’t quite understand pitching to Chipper last night, but whatever. They still won.
And, after this start by Lilly, and looking past Marshall’s last start, this starting pitching rotation is really, really good. It’s nice to not even care that Harden isn’t starting right now when Wells has awesome stuff, Lilly has awesome stuff, Marshall is usually pretty consistent, Z is Z, and Dempster seems to have righted his ship as well.
Craig in South Bend - June 4, 2009
I wondered about that too...
…did they forget the previous night’s 12th inning?
sniffy the bee - June 4, 2009
I'd like to . . .
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Let's turn to our good friend Bender for some advice
Reality is what you make of it.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
That was a cool intro
but I’m afraid I must say “Simpsons did it”!
chilango2 - June 4, 2009
What the heck was that rocket eating? Yikes!
Zeke - June 4, 2009
I just hope
that Z understands we need a long outing out of him today and that he should pitch to contact.
gwood - June 4, 2009
Wells doesn't have awesome stuff...
He has marginal stuff – on stuff alone, he probably shouldn’t be in the majors. But he’s fearless and has pitched smart, and thus has had good results (just bad fortune with the wins). Stuffwise, he’s low man on the totem pole with this rotation.
I’d also hold off on the “Dempster has righted his ship” statement. One good start following four mediocre starts isn’t strong evidence. Hopefully he has, but I’m still waiting to see some consistent good performances from him before I’m convinced.
That said, I’m pretty happy with the rotation assuming Harden returns to form. It should remain a solid to strong part of this team. And if Dempster, Harden and Zthat’s still a big “if” though.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Wells
The kid keeps the ball down and has a hard sinker and a slider that he doesn’t locate particularly well. That was a Maddux-esque performance the other night. I’m not saying he’s Maddux, but the kid has certainly pitched like a very good big leaguer. And that sinker will play very well in Wrigley.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
I agree with the first and last sentence but not so much with the rest...
Wells definitely didn’t keep the ball down in his last start. The majority of his outs came on fly balls. I’d say that his start last only resembled Maddux in terms of the pitch count.
But my previous post was merely commenting on the statement that Wells has “awesome stuff.” His stuff is not awesome, it’s mediocre. His approach has been awesome to this point though, which is why he’s had such great results.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Z has great "stuff"...
But his approach can be awful at times, therefore he struggles out there. I’ll take a good approach and knowing how to pitch over great stuff anyday, because you can’t take that away.
CubsBullsBears - June 4, 2009
Agreed...
Again – I was merely commenting on the incorrectness of the statement that Wells has “awesome stuff.” I’m very pleased with his performance so far.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Of course
stuff-wise, Jamie Moyer shouldn’t have be in the majors the past decade, and Greg Maddux should have retired when he was about 34 too.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
Agree on Moyer, disagree on Maddux...
Maddux’s stuff was better than people think. He didn’t throw hard, but he was able to get phenomenal movement on his pitches. He ALSO had tremendous command and knew how to pitch. But you don’t win 350 games and dominate the way he did without having tremendous stuff.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Maddux' "stuff" wasn't that great.
His COMMAND and CONTROL was what got him the 350+ wins.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Maddux had great stuff
when he was younger. He didn’t have great stuff by the time he reached his mid 30s, which is why I wrote “after 34.” But he still won a ton of games after that point because he was so intelligent a pitcher.
Josh Timmers - June 4, 2009
is Z on the bump tonight?
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 4, 2009
Nothing indicates he won't
chilango2 - June 4, 2009
Yes,
Zambrano vs. Jair Jurrjens tonight.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 4, 2009
Big matchup...
Hopefully Z can step up and get the win and we can win the series.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Freddy Sanchez would look real good as everyday 2nd baseman batting # 2 in the lineup
He would solve a critical need on this team if this team still wants to pretend it can compete for World Series crown and isn’t really a .500 style ballclub like I believe it is.
BLou - June 4, 2009
He would look pretty good at second
but, realistically speaking, do we have the prospect necessary to acquire him and what would it take to get him?
We’d have to somehow get rid of Miles and his contract for this to even be a possibility though, IMO.
Sanchez is reasonably priced at just under $4 mil this year, $6 next, with an $8 mil option for 2010 (600K buyout).
gwood - June 4, 2009
I think your years are off...
It’s 2009. He’s making $6.1 million this year, with an $8 million option next year.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Thank you
you’re right. Damn calendar!
gwood - June 4, 2009
Yes...
We’d have to pick up the remainder of his $6.25 mil this year.
And, as I’ve opined before… I’m not sure the Cubs are in a position to add salary right now with the team sale scenario.
SackMan - June 4, 2009
I agree...
I can see picking up a dumpster dive guy like Betemit, but I can’t see the team being able to afford to pay for a guy like Sanchez.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
We have to find a trading partner who is willing to swap salaries.
Say… Miles + another player, for a salary in return.
SackMan - June 4, 2009
I'd love to have Sanchez.
I don’t think it’s at all realistic though.
kanderber - June 4, 2009
You're probably right...
DeRosa would probably make more sense financially (no emotions involved) just because of the smaller salary and expiring contract.
CubsBullsBears - June 4, 2009
Sanchez's contract is also expiring...
it’s just that he costs about $1 million more. The 2010 portion of Sanchez’s contract is a team option with a $600k buyout. So he’s basically a $6.8 million player this year (or about $4.7 million left to pay). DeRosa’s contract is $5.5 million this year, or about $3.8 million left.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
If the Cubs could afford either...
… I’d take Sanchez, as he is younger than DeRosa, and possibly worth keeping — you could renegotiate the buyout and give him an extension if you want to keep him.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Agreed
If the Cubs could afford Sanchez, I’d love to have him. I’m just skeptical that the Cubs can afford him.
But the infield would look fantastic with him in the lineup once Ramirez returned.
I just don’t see the salary (or prospects) being affordable.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
move
I’d like to see Blanco play ss for awhile, as he can actually play the position defensively. Since it appears Fontenot is playing 3rd for time being, have Theriot move to 2nd. What do you all think?
KedzieKid - June 4, 2009
I've been impressed with his range this year
Seems to me that he is getting to many more balls. I know having lee at first helps some errant throws, but thats part of the job
heine41 - June 4, 2009
Sold!
I’d take that in a heartbeat, given the make-up of this team. Scales can spell Fonty at 3B, as need be.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Blanco is doubtful to be able to hit .175 in this league
You can’t have an automatic out in the lineup. Especially this offense.
BLou - June 4, 2009
Unless we get Betemit, we're going to have a likely automatic out...
Because either Scales or Blanco will have to play. So assuming that Blanco plays, it would seem that he should play SS and Theriot should play 2B, based on defensive abilities.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
+1
So much hinges on Ramirez pushing the mediocre players back to the bench and/or AAA.
dr stabbingworth - June 4, 2009
that would be fine
but I can’t imagine Lou doing it.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
Really good assessment on the Sanchez potential acquistion
Also like the Rosenbloom, “your table is ready” comment on Micah.
blackhawk24 - June 4, 2009
Micah
I love to say I told you so.
cubswynn - June 4, 2009
hell, i took a bet about him
100 BBs before he retires. Under i pay $50 to Project 3000, over and the other party pays
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
I'll be happy to pay that.
It’s still a crapshoot.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Speaking of paying . . .
I’ll be at the June 14 game looking for a Big Gulp. What time to you get to 7-11 for 1:20 games?
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
Probably between 10:45 and 11:00.
Email me to make arrangements.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Will do.
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
it is a crap shoot no doubt
and for him to reach 100, it means that he produced long enough to stick around, and that is the best part of it.
what if he ends with 100 exactly, do we split it?
Cubbie-Tim - June 4, 2009
LOL
Sure!
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
"W" last night
I was more impressed with the fact that the Cubs found themselves in a similar situation as the previous evening and found a way to win. Granted they didn’t give up a 5 run lead after the 8th, but having scratched out 2 runs from Lowe, and to see that lead lost, to be able to stay focused and get the win showed character.
Kudos to DLee for his heads up base running on taking second on the foul out. Play of the game, IMHO. Also, Kudus to Marmol and Gregg for coming right back out and pitching well. Guzman has also shown that he is a valuable member of the bullpen.
Tangled Up In Blue - June 4, 2009
I don't know about "Southern Cub"
stating that Randy Wells’ stuff is “mediocre”.
Granted I am not anointing him Chris Carpenter yet (THEIRS, not our youngster), what other starters in the MLB, in 2009, can boast:
An ERA+ of 266!, 27K to 7BB – for a 3.86 SO/BB ratio, a WHIP of 0.969, and a BAA of .211, and 0 WP
I have not looked up his GO/FO ratio – but I would guess that AS OF 5 GAMES at least, these stats have to be among the best in baseball I would guess.
So, Southern Man, the logic for you stating his stuff is “mediocre”, just is shallow. It is good, and he has movement on a hard slider and sinker. Plus, as a former catcher, he is improving on his approach to hitters day-by-day.
The E-Man - June 4, 2009
Brenly, Wells, and the scouts disagree with you and agree with me...
Wells has mediocre stuff. He has a fastball around 90. He has a decent slider, but nothing special. All in all, he just has mediocre stuff.
The reason for his success has been good command and a good approach (and possibly lack of a scouting report – we’ll see). But the resounding opinion on his stuff alone has been that it’s mediocre.
I’m not trying to denigrate Wells’ performance. But not everybody has great success because of great stuff.
Also, why the quotations? I don’t call you “The E-Man.” Seems strange.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Randy Wells...
Himself admits that he doesn’t have the greatest stuff, so I would agree with SouthernCub’s assesment. Wells was a converted catcher, and he’s making due on his good approach and keeping the ball down.
CubsBullsBears - June 4, 2009
Stats
Good stats do not equal good “stuff”.
Good stats show good command and control regardless of “stuff”, IMO. Wells does not have Z’s sinking fastball or Marmol’s slider/curve or (maybe) Lilly’s curve, those types of pitches are considered good “stuff”. Wells has mediocre pitches that he has (over the last 5 games) shown tremendous command and control over, which is why his stats are so exceptional.
gwood - June 4, 2009
Micah did come through with a hit
but without Lee being smart, and advancing to second on the fly ball, he probably doesn’t score.
This win is a credit to Lee.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
ahh come on ..This win is a credit to the team
If Fontenot Ks then Lee couldn’t have advanced with all his smartness and If Hoff couldn’t get that key hit Lee wouldn’t have scored. This is a team game and as such everyone contributed for the win. You can say that Lee was the player of the game (arguably it was Lilly though) but please don’t credit him with a win.
You can credit him with a big win-share though!
cubsnlinux - June 4, 2009
also
looks like Marmol’s S/BB rate on 0 days of rest needs to be revised down.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
updated numbers - just for you
Marmol Career BB’s/9 as a reliever, based on usage patterns
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=marmoca01&year=Career&t=p
0 Days, GR = 5.97 BB/9 (51 1/3 innings)
1 Days, GR = 4.95 BB/9 (72 2/3 innings)
2 Days, GR = 4.61 BB/9 (27 2/3 innings)
3 Days, GR = 3.26 BB/9 (19 1/3 innings)
i can’t believe you’re naive enough to think yesterday’s 1 inning makes any sort of dent in my argument, or that yesterday’s 1 inning was more indicative than Tuesday’s… or i don’t know THE WHOLE FREAKING SAMPLE
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
all I said was
the numbers need to be changed. One step at a time, right?
And you said you weren’t taking it personally…
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
right
but you didn’t seem to acknowledge how they needed to be adjusted upwards the outing before… and you’re not recognizing the pretty obvious pattern. Look at those numbers from his career and tell me there isn’t a trend?
so if you REFUSE to acknowledge any sort of trend in the numbers and are blind to them, why do you want to see them again?
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
I don't care if I see them again or not.
But if you’re going to use the numbers to try to prove something, it doesn’t matter if I feel you are persuasive or not — you have to use up to date numbers.
Marmol came out on one day’s rest and dominated. That means his numbers on one day rest get better.
This is like Krummy12 arguing with me that just because Lee sucked in April, it doesn’t matter that he’s hitting over .300 now. You can’t use the numbers without using the right numbers.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
you were "baiting" me to see them again
my issue is why bring it up and ask me to provide them to you, if you could care less about what they are? and aren’t going to give them a 2nd thought
YOU referenced the issue above
Its basically saying “Go bring me a glass of water” and then when i give you the water, you pour it out
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
I was doing nothing of the sort.
you posted the numbers at least twice yesterday, in unrelated threads.
Then Marmol pitched a lights out inning on a day of rest.
All I said was that the numbers needed to be updated.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
and now that they're updated
do you have anything to say about them?
because you’ve referenced seeing them in a few areas, yet still have no comment on them…. yet…. want them updated….
so… any actual thoughts on them?
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
I still don't find your thesis
convincing.
That has nothing to do with making an idle remark about how the numbers need to be updated.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
still...
haven’t commented on the numbers….
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
and you're still
taking it personally.
I said that I don’t find it convincing. I don’t need to address the numbers specifically. I think that looking at Marmol’s body language and his expressions, he’d been suffering from a confidence issue.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
it became personal
when you asked me to “update” the numbers and then fail to interpret or acknowledge them
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
you mean because
I didn’t say “thanks for updating them”?
Ok. thanks for updating them. At least when you fail to convince me, you’re doing it with updated statistics.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
i suppose the confidence issue
is only when he struggles, not when he has success?
will you promise me something? You pick the time to tell me when he’s “got his confidence back”, since you can seemingly read Carlos and then from that point why don’t we judge his performance?
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
this is really interesting.
All I said was “the numbers need to be updated.” You really are taking this personally, and I don’t know why. OH NO! You have failed to convince me that Lou is using Marmol too much! If only you could, I might be able to…
Oh, wait. I’d have no effect whatsoever.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
so you're not up for the challenge?
i’d like to see how great of a reader of confidence and body language you are from a distance
you tell me the time he’s got “it” back and we’ll keep score from there on his BB Rates
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
Lies, damn lies, and statistics?
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
so the right numbers
are only the ones the day after he pitches well????
why were the numbers i used yesterday “wrong”
are these ones i now provided you “wrong”? because they don’t look the way you want them?
DartmouthCubsFan - June 4, 2009
not wrong.
simply outdated.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
As a whole
the Cubs have not been very good on the basepaths this season. Glad to see Lee take advantage of an opportunity.
gwood - June 4, 2009
I have never heard
Brenly state Wells has “mediocre stuff”. Any other BCB folks hear this?? Speak up if you have, please.
Can you post CURRENT scouting data stating he has “mediocre stuff”? I would be interested in seeing it.
“Great stuff”, might not mean “Good Stuff”, to me at least.
Mediocre stuff, in my opinion, is inconsistent, flat, hittable – not approaching “good”.
I would think “good” is a grade above mediocre which has a poor connotation. I would not want to be mediocre at my job for instance. Just my opionion on the matter.
The E-Man - June 4, 2009
You obviously missed Wells's last start...
Brenly went on about it for most of his start.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
Well, I watched some
and I also watched the Dodgers game where this was not mentioned once.
And, if Brenly actually stated he had “mediocre stuff”, then I stand corrected.
The E-Man - June 4, 2009
To clarify...
He went on and on about how, despite Wells having mediocre stuff, he really knew how to pitch. And that he’d rather have a guy with mediocre stuff who knew how to pitch than a guy with phenomenal stuff but a 10 cent brain.
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
I recall
him comparing Wells to Marmol using Marmol as an example of a guy with great “stuff”
gwood - June 4, 2009
In any case
let’s hope he continues his success with whatever kind of stuff he does have!
The E-Man - June 4, 2009
Agreed
SouthernCub - June 4, 2009
I've always liked
Shanghai Badger - June 4, 2009
That is excellent
stuff, we’d have to agree!
The E-Man - June 4, 2009
Reply feature is your friend. :D
sue369 - June 4, 2009
Great win
Almost a must win IMO.
I am to on the Sanchez bandwagon, I am sure something could be worked out with the Bucs. They will move any salary over 4 million.
Theriot even though made some plays in the field last night, his lack of hitting in key spots, bunting, hitting behind the runner, is killing me. He is in the two hole for a reason.
Lilly gets better as he gets older.
Grockcubs - June 4, 2009
hes like a good scotch
heine41 - June 4, 2009
Roit
Is no longer a Great behind the runner punch hitter. He is going for the Street he thinks
he is the Babe……….. Z …. I was in favor of moving him b4 the season …. he is not the
Ace and I see trouble ahead for this guy………. GO HOFF POWER
nimblenikelfoos - June 4, 2009
I...I think you broke my brain.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Sprinkling in Atlanta
Looking at the forecast, I’m starting to wonder if they’re gonna play this game tonight.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
They'll play.
It’s very typical to have widely scattered storms there this time of year. In fact, there were heavy storms about 25 miles east of Atlanta last night while the game was going on.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
And they hit
About 4 hours after the final pitch. The Weather Channel is talking 60% chance of storms.
Of course, it’s Atlanta. As they say around here, “If you don’t like weather, go back where you came from!”
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
Weather is pretty crappy
I live about 20-30 min. north of the stadium and it’s been drizzlin here for about 2+ hours now and doesn’t look to slow up anytime soon. We’re gonna head down anyway and take our chance. I think they could play now, but looks like more is on the way.
Gurbal - June 4, 2009
Atlanta area radar
doesn’t look too good.
Al Yellon - June 4, 2009
Yuck, not at all.
sue369 - June 4, 2009
A moment from last night.
After the final out of the bottom half of an inning was made at first, DLee jogged to the dugout ball in hand. A young kid, about 10, was standing showing Lee his glove above the dugout. So Lee tossed the kid the ball. However, just before the kid caught it an older ass of a man, say 40, reached in front and caught it. Lee stopped dead in his tracks and gave this guy one of the more intimidating stares I have ever seen from him for a good 5 seconds.
However, I still don’t think the guy gave the kid the ball. Pretty sure he was a braves fan…
And there was definitely more Braves fans last night than Tuesday night, must have something to do with the 2 for 1 ticket sales on Wednesdays.
Wad - June 4, 2009
They pitched me on that idea
Of course, the special was for the nosebleeds. I declined.
Clutch16 - June 4, 2009
The guy
that stepped in and took the ball sound like a real jerk.
sue369 - June 4, 2009
tonight's lineup as per twittermeyer..
Soriano
TheRiot
Fuku
Lee
Fonty
ReJo
Hill
Blanco
Z
Twittermeyer also says that McLouth will be batting #3 tonight ahead of Chipper Jones.
cubsnlinux - June 4, 2009
I'm liking it.
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - June 4, 2009
good to see
Soto getting some more rest. Hopefully ReJo continues to produce.
drewishdrewid - June 4, 2009
True
but I hope Soto isn’t “resting”.
gwood - June 4, 2009
Hope Soto is spending
his “time off” on the treadmill.
Allie - June 4, 2009
and away from the buffet table
cubsnlinux - June 4, 2009
well...
unless he sets up a treadmill next to the buffett table…Though that wouldn’t be a pretty picture…
CubsWin!Oregon - June 4, 2009
Just out of reach
Villeslgr - June 4, 2009
He'd be in shape...
by the 6th inning…
CubsWin!Oregon - June 4, 2009
And damn hungry
Villeslgr - June 4, 2009
Gregg
Could win me over quickly if he pitches like he did last night more consistently. However, I really don’t think that’ll happen. I would like to see the Cubs take a flyer on Tom Glavine, but I don’t think Hendry has the guts to do it.
CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry - June 4, 2009
Gregg will be All-Star Caliber the rest of the year....
now that we’ve found his muse.
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2009
Halle?
sue369 - June 4, 2009
NO! Stinky Ben only responds to the Headphone Knocker Girl!
santoswoodenlegs - June 4, 2009
LOL
Stinky Ben.. I’d forgotten that.
Allie - June 4, 2009
Ah, I'd forgotten
about Stinky Ben. It was Micah who responded well to Halle. :-)
sue369 - June 4, 2009
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