Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

39 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (one slot is open), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL and one player has been DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT (DFA)   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and eight players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, three players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-24-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Hector Neris 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
* Matt Mervis
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Pete Crow-Armstrong 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 8 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2
* Cody Bellinger, OF  
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 3
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P

DFA: 1 
Garrett Cooper, 1B 
 





Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Rumors and Moves and More….

Nothing like a little rumor mongering on an off-day as the trade deadline approaches.... - Reader Wes with the tip...
Talk persists that Adam Dunn could soon be wearing another team's uniform (Angels? Dodgers? Astros?), and even he believes it. Ken Griffey Jr. could be moved, too, and forget Seattle. Insiders say he'll only go to Chicago or Atlanta.
- Reader chifan3887 heard ESPN's Bruce Levine on the radio saying that as many as 3 teams are interested in Cesar Izturis (Insert Joke). Apparently the same radio report says Geovany Soto has been called up, no word on the corresponding roster move. UPDATE: Felix Pie down, Soto to start Friday. - Reader Jacos points out this Sun-Times article by Greg Couch with this nugget, " The Cubs' bean counters are expected to meet in the next week or so to set a plan, set a framework." Jacos provides the one-liner as well: "Nice sense of urgency." - Reader The Real Neal turned us on this wonderful site, Inside Edge. Some fun stats you'll find there include: Most Likely to Hit a Ball Hard: Aramis Ramirez .331 Well-Hit Avg, 2nd is Cliff Floyd at .286 Least Likely to allow a Hard-Hit Ball: Carlos Marmol .140 Well-Hit Avg., 2nd is Ryan Dempster at .161 Best Fastball Hitter: Mark Derosa .384 Fastball .BAVG Best Fastball Pitcher: Rich Hill .224 Fastball .BAVG against Or check out some of the player pages, Rich Hill and Derrek Lee for example.

Comments

Those numbers on Rich Hill are interesting. His low percentage of off-speed pitches chased has me wondering what percentage of his offspeed pitches are taken for a strike. It says 63% of his offspeed pitches are strikes, but I imagine that includes batted balls (foul and fair).

3 teams for Izzy! That has to be horseshit. Or hendry creating an atmosphere of demand to up the trade value. Not sure Hendry is quite that Borasesque.

Twin City radio station is reportedly announcing that the Twins are close to a deal for J. Jones. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be true.

I doubt we get anything of substance for Jock..........Just to be rid of him would be the bonus.

it seems anything that isn't a fastball is considered an off-speed pitch in their reports, meaning Rich's curveball and occasional other non-fastball offering are a strike 63% of the time. It seems they are at least trying in their other reports to differentiate what is an actual strike and pitches being chased so I think that 63% might just be him actually hitting the zone and not guys chasing pitches out of the zone and missing, or fouling them off or making outs on them. But that's a huge presumption on my part...

yeah right, maybe we can get Phil Nevin back for JJ or Justin Jones. Oh Nevin retired...damn.

As much as I love this Inside Edge site, I wish there was a section regarding how often a pitcher threw a specific pitch and in what counts... Am I just not seeing that section? Also, I think the "best off-speed pitchers" is a bit misleading. Marmol, Dempster, and Wuertz all have very good sliders, which I suppose they're considering off-speed. That's not exactly right.

"dave………..maybe Tab Hunter for Jock" I always felt that Tab Hunter was the real life inspiration of the "Simpson's" Troy McClure.

wonder if we could get Redmond from them? Obviously nothing special but at least he's hit for average for his career.... .292/348/.368 career 287/332/351 this year throw Hill or Bowen back there way? just speculating

yeah Wes I agree, seems they just break up fastballs and everything else. I would guess that in the reports they sell to the teams it's a little more in-depth than the free stuff they're offering on the website but who knows....

Redmonds's scouting report from tsn.ca Assets Behind the plate, Redmond calls a good game and has a quick, strong, accurate arm. At the plate, he's an excellent contact hitter, putting the ball in play and rarely striking out. Flaws The only really strong part of his body is his right arm; his legs barely get him to first and his swing generates no power whatsoever. He has trouble against righties and in the clutch. Career potential A rock-solid backup catcher. Just throwing names out there....

As much as I love this Inside Edge site, I wish there was a section regarding how often a pitcher threw a specific pitch and in what counts… I agree Wes. The only place I have found this data is on paid sites.

another out there trade.... get Francisco Liriano from them? JJ/Veal for Liriano? would you do it? would they do it?

Rob - Not sure, but I could see Minn. being hesitant to trade such a good backup catcher. While I am not sure that I would call Mauer a major injury risk, he hasn't been the most reliable either. Redmond would seem like a piece that they wouldn't really want to part with.

JJ/Veal for Liriano? would you do it? I would take that chance in a second. While Veal may be good one day, he would more than worth giving away for the potential that is Liriano. But it would NEVER happen.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=260#S=260&F=1167&T=708812 Hendry on WGN radio with Kaplan yesterday recap... - Lou and Hendry would like another BIG BAT in the lineup, preferably righty (get healthy quick Miggy) - and this about Posada... Kaplan says he knows Hendry can't say anything as it would be tampering but if the Yankees continue their downward spiral then Posada will be available as he is a FA for 2008. His salary is 6 million and Kap pleaded with Hendry to get it done and root for the Yankees to keep losing. Kaplan also said we do not win with Koyie Hill or Rob Bowen. Hendry then abruptly ended the conversation. I was going to mention Posada as a possible trade target if the Yanks tank it in the next 3 weeks. Rivera as well...

"JJ/Veal for Liriano?" Sure outside of Dempster how have the other rehab projects worked out?

yeah, probably a long shot and Redmond's nothing special but if we flip a catcher back there way with JJ, not a terrible deal.

Rivera's a long shot, seems like he should be a Yankee-lifer. Posada? You got to start with pitching, their desperate. Maybe they'd like some catching prospects as well(not that we have those). Maybe even E-Pat to give them the flexibility to deal Cano. Rivera? Start with Marmol and add at least another top prospect piece.

"dave — July 12, 2007 @ 12:56 pm Hmmm… so what would it take to get Posada/Rivera? Murton/Cedeno/Gallagher?" If that's all it take, do it. I think they would ask for a lot more.

posada...bleh. his salary owed is 6m, btw...his salary is 12m. i mean, hell...hard to hate it, but posada is old and he's basically a barrett type with a more reliable bat. behind the plate he's pretty average. not like any other bat in the C setup would have a better bat or better D, though. guess it'd depend on how much it'd cost. i dont see the yanks rolling over, though...havent seen that from them in a loooong time. it'd probably take mlb-now ready quality arms and maybe a murton. this could drag out and get rumor-ugly...abreu will probably be thrown into rumors if it drags long enough without a GM comment.

I saw a report on ESPN the other night regarding the Yankees and Reggie Jackson was not getting along with his new team, maybe the Cubs can.....oh nevermind.

I still think Abreu would fit in nicely in the 2 hole in the lineup. The Yankees would probably move him if the price was right. They need pitching help. To say the least.

I have absolutely no problem with Jacque Jones as a person. In fact, I like him and believe he has handled a rather difficult "circus" with class and dignity. Coming from Minneapolis and San Diego to a crazed sports City like Chi is not an easy transition, and I understand that not everyone is cut out for this. But people who sign lucrative deals here should know what they're getting into. Further, I am disappointed that JJ has had a very dismal year and was expecting at least SOMEWHERE close to last years' pace.

I don't give a crap about Jack Jones the person. All I know is that he's not hitting and he's the odd lefty out.

The Twins won't trade Redmond--he's too valuable as a backup catcher and they realize it. He's a perfect substitute for Mauer, allowing him to DH in day-after-night games. There won't be a deal for Liriano, either--even with the missing season and procedure, the organization covets him. Unless the Cubs are will to take marginal backups like Lew Ford or Jason Tyner, there aren't any position players that the Twins are likesly to put on the table. Minor league pitching is always available, Scott Baker could probably be had, Juan Rincon should be available, and maybe even Carlos Silva. www.twinkietown.com

Thanks Jesse for the insight and if it wasn't clear I was doing a little rumor mongering on an off-day. If JJ is somehow dealt to the Twins, a low minor leaguer would probably be the bounty.

No way Rivera is on the market. Batgirl had/is having a kid, I presume that's why. That was a very witty blog, I used to read it semi-regularly.

Yeah I figured...but I just wandered onto the site on an off-day of my own and thought I'd throw a little Minneapolis perspective on the conversation. The Twins do need a bat, and even though JJ is having a pretty horrendous year his history against RHP is better than any in-house option we have...thus the debate over the merrits of Garrett Jones over at Twinkietown.

Scott Baker has been linked to Ty WIgginton in trades. Makes sense for both teams, except the part about the Rays not trading anybody ever.

Guess I should add, I do know that one thing the Twins covet is a run-producing 3B. Of course they're not getting ours, unless there's someone in Iowa who fits that description?

so Jesse, if you're still around and live in the Twin Cities, did you happen to hear any radio reports on a JJ deal?

I would have very mixed feelings if Posada somehow came to the Cubs. He's easily in my top three disliked players across the league. Of course so was Soriano back in the day too... and that has changed. Also Dave - the 63% wasn't in reference to his percentage of offspeed pitches that are chased, but rather the percentage of offspeed pitches that are strikes. His chased percentage is 27% which is a bit low, though certainly not awful, compared to he league average of 31%. I'm just curious if this might be in part due to a larger percentage of his hooks being taken for strikes than normal. My understanding is that a strike is pretty much anything that isn't a ball (this seems to be how Game Day totals pitch counts anyway). My definition of a chased pitch would be anything that is swung on and missed. Who knows if Inside Edge agrees with me.

I listen to KFAN, the sports-talk station in the metro, but I haven't heard anything. Then again I'm not at my desk at every moment, so I could have missed it. If I do hear anything, it'll be posted up over at TwinkieTown asap!

reading some of these other forums, it's pretty funny to read some pining for Cedeno to come back ASAP. You know, if/when he gets called back up I wish him the best. He's still just 24. But let's not get too crazy about his recent AAA numbers. We all know what he's capable of (I guess incapable of) in the majors. random tangent... someone passed along some AdultSwim Robot Chicken Star Wars clips to me yesterday. Very funny....

My understanding is that a strike is pretty much anything that isn’t a ball (this seems to be how Game Day totals pitch counts anyway). My definition of a chased pitch would be anything that is swung on and missed. Who knows if Inside Edge agrees with me. Seems Inside Edge does their own data gathering and breaks it down with their own eyes. I think a strike to them is an actual pitch in the zone and a chased pitch is a pitch clearly out of the zone that was swung at. I would guess on the borderline pitches they defer to the umps call or the result.

"someone passed along some AdultSwim Robot Chicken Star Wars clips to me yesterday. " If you can find the whole show very funny, hopefully you got the Emperor talking to Vader on the phone after the Death Star was blown up. "What the hell is an Aluminum Falcon?!?!?!"

yeah, that's one of the clips I saw.... The Yo mamma one, the George Lucas one, some one minute trailer and a brief janitor/Darth maul one as well. I'll have to view the rest at some point....

Rob, Robot Chicken is amusing but nothing compares to the granddaddy of all Adult Swim shows: AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE!!!!!!

tried Aqua Teen Hunger Force, didn't work for me. since you like Jim Rome, my guess is our tastes are vastly different.

No no! Aqua Teen is an acquired taste. I took me weeks to warm up to it. Now I can't live with out it. Force it. watch through the pain. Soon enough you will be addicted. And Rome rules.

mean, hell…hard to hate it, but posada is old and he’s basically a barrett type with a more reliable bat. behind the plate he’s pretty average. Posada Career #'s: .274/.377/.474 Barrett career #'s: .268/.325/.430 Wow...Posada gives up a lot of passed balls!!! 113 in his career??!! 18 once, 13 a couple of times, 17 once...ugh. At least he's old?

squidbillies \m/ personally, venture bros. gotta get my vote for best outta all the current-production shows. well written, 30 minutes to make their story...weird/edgy/human twist to the world of superheros and supervillans. all time favorite is still Home Movies.

From Mike Wellman - Jace - Iowa Cubs official told me that Soto will NOT be with Iowa tonight for their game in Omaha. He could not speculate on any corresponding roster move in the event of a Soto call-up since Chicago doesn’t play until tomorrow afternoon and would not have to officially make room for Soto on their roster until then. It’s pretty clear that Soto went from the futures game in SF to Chicago, but did he pass Des Moines and collect his $200 on the way? Sounds like the Cubs are shuffling the deck before the all-star intermission ends - stay tuned…

crunch- thanks for the venture bros' notice a couple weeks back. That is a funny show.

Dusty - not sure it is really fair to look at Barrett's career numbers. He has been a VERY different hitter over the last 3-4 years than his career numbers show. A more accurate look would be looking at the two since, say, the beginning of 2004: Posada: .280/.379/.474 Barrett: .285/.342/.480

Ok....so Posada is still a better hitter. It's closer, but still. It doesn't really matter...we're not getting Posada.

Home Movies is great and all but if that's your taste then bow to the original master of squiggle vision: Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist. Now that show has great.

1) Aqua Team Hunger Force 2) Space Ghost Coast to Coast (the early years) . . . 1,768,432) Robot Chicken

Yeah, we talked about it the other day a bit, Jacos. The 70 bat number sounds a big silly, given that if only 1/3 of them belonged to other players that means Sammy had ~50 corked bats. I don't think anyone is _that_ stupid.

what a sad day, Julio Franca DFA'ed.... maybe Rickey's going to pull double-duty on the Mets?

Oswalt being shopped? http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/MLB_SC-RUMOR "Houston Astros Updated:07/12/2007 The Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers would are interested in to acquireBrad Lidge and the New York Mets are among the teams interested in Roy Oswalt for the pennant stretch, as reported by the Houston Chronicle." I guess the Astros could get a boatload for that guy, I just do not see them trading him at all.

Oswalt said something about being willing to waive his NTC if it helped the Astros. Why I don't know? He'd never go to the Cubs though and I have no idea why the Astros would move him unless they get Milledge, Pelfrey and Humber from the Mets (at the very least).

Julio Franco DFA'd... How long before he disintegrates into a pile of dust?? I give him a day...

and let's say I don't see Oswalt as the big city type if he was to waive his NTC...

Chris Russo of WFAN is reporting that Pujols was "not in uniform" during the NL ASG rally in the 9th. LaRussa was covering for him. Pujols has since said he was "getting treatment" in the trainer's room. (From the Dispatch, I believe.)

Rob, there is no way he's getting to Wrigley. I wasn't inferring that. I was just shocked to see that the Astros would even think about dealing him. He is still young and has a very good contract. he's the wrong guy to trade.

Purpura also said something about making any moves for this year being rather foolish. I imagine Lidge and Jennings would lead the list of tradeables if they go into fire sale mode.... Not really a lot there to be honest assuming Lee, Berkman and Oswalt aren't going anywhere.

Chris Russo of WFAN is reporting that Pujols was “not in uniform” during the NL ASG rally in the 9th. LaRussa was covering for him. Hmm... does anyone have any video of the 9th? I don't recall if he was shown at all during the inning.

Not really a lot there to be honest They have a pretty decent rookie CF I would be interested in. But something tells me he is not available.

I'm pretty sure I saw Pujols in the dugout...that would be pretty out of character for him to just ditch before the game was even over. Still no talk of JJ returning to the Twins...but there's been discussion about D. Young!

I thought they showed him in the dugout when they were discussing why he wasn't being used as a pinch hitter, but maybe I'm not remembering that correctly.

I think Julio Franco is our answer for a right handed bat off the bench that Lou has been asking for. Is he 50 yet?

"josh hamilton back on the DL with a wrist injury…" As a fellow Hamilton, I am saddened by this news. Good bless you Josh, you future Disney movie you.

Rob, Can you install a spell check on the comments section? I need something like outlook to catch my typos.

you future Disney movie you yeah, the Disney movie where they cut out all the drinking and drug-taking....."inspired by true events" though.

aaronb - download and start using firefox. it has a built in spell-checker. for example, "aaronb" currently has a red underline, because it believes that "aaronb" is spelled wrong. and maybe it is. who knows? of course, it doesn't catch typos, but it is better than nothing.

Dusty Baylor — July 12, 2007 @ 2:01 pm mean, hell…hard to hate it, but posada is old and he’s basically a barrett type with a more reliable bat. behind the plate he’s pretty average. Posada Career #’s: .274/.377/.474 Barrett career #’s: .268/.325/.430 Wow…Posada gives up a lot of passed balls!!! 113 in his career??!! 18 once, 13 a couple of times, 17 once…ugh. At least he’s old? ........................................................................ Catcher defense is like your neighbors grass. The masses always assume that the other teams guy is better than what your guy does. Until the next guy comes in (Hill,Bowen) who arent real great defensively. But as an added Bonus. Neither guy can hit a lick. Now we are pining to make trades to replace the guy we ran out on a rail. Foresight isnt something you lose after your Bris.

Levine on ESPN 1000: * The Police concert has left the OF in terrible shape. Cubs will resod after the homestand. * He listed Baltimore and Boston as Izturis suitors. Baltimore makes great sense knowing they are running Bynum and Fahey at SS. Boston has Izturis clone Alex Cora to make up for Lugo so that doesnt make sense to me. * They dont know who they are sending down yet for Soto. * Eyre is going to get a chance to pitch in key situtions. * Wood will soon go on a 2 or 3 week rehab assignment. * He sounded confident that Hendry would make a deadline move.

No, catcher defense is more like a bad car accident, when Barrett is your catcher. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd still rather have the current set up than what Barrett delivered this year. I've seen six year olds with better plate instincts than that guy. Bring Soto up and problem is probably solved.

EricW — July 12, 2007 @ 2:46 pm I think Julio Franco is our answer for a right handed bat off the bench that Lou has been asking for. Is he 50 yet? .......................................................................... I am beginning to think that Lou is the Baseball version of Larry Brown. He doesnt really seem to like anyone for very long. I think we see Lou publicly pining for this and that as a recurring theme during his tenure.

Chad — July 12, 2007 @ 2:12 pm Home Movies is great and all but if that’s your taste then bow to the original master of squiggle vision: Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist. Now that show has great. .......................................................................... I concur!!! The Dave Chapelle Dr. Katz episode was high comedy.

This is for the statheads:-) Ok, so I finally got to something I've wanted to do for a while. I've wanted to figure out exactly how much impact a player's steals and caught steals might have on their stats. Thinking about it, I figured I could mix steals and caught steals in to BA, OBP, SLG and OPS. The premise being that every CS subtracts a hit the player had lowering their AVG and OBP and every SB turns a single into a double, increasing their SLG. I'm throwing these calculations out there and please tell me if they seem off or if someone else has already done this: Let's take Ichiro's 2006 line (I have a man cruch in Ichiro, so I will obviously use his stats:-)): .322 BA .370 OBP .416 SLG .786 OPS 45 SB 2 CS The way I figure to do this is to take off two hits for the caught steals, thus making the BA .319 and the OBP .367. The SBs will count as an extra base in calculating SLG. Now, the major issue I see here is some SBs are of third, but I have no idea how to find out how many. Overall, very few generally are, so unless someone can tell me where to get exact stats, as long as I remain consistent I don't think my stats will be too off. Either way, of 224 hits in 2006, Ichiro had 20 doubles, 9 triples, 9 HRs and 186 singles for a SLG of .416. Adjusting it for SBs then, I will subtract 47 singles (45 SBs and 2 CS) to give him 139 singles and add 45 doubles (since I'm adding each SB to a single to make it a double). With this, I get an adjusted SLG of .478. With an adjusted OBP of .367 (compared to .370 originally) and an adjusted SLG of .478 (compared to .416 originally) I get an adjusted OPS of .845 (compared to .786 originally). Do these calculations make sense to you?

"yeah, the Disney movie where they cut out all the drinking and drug-taking…..”inspired by true events” though." I just remember one of the early games (I think it might have been his first game because there was large applause for him from the crowd) against the Cubs. The announcers were all up on his firecrotch about what an great inspirational story he was. I think one of them even mentioned how this was the stuff of movies...made me think of "The Rookie" or that hockey movie, whatever it was called.

why is Baltimore even trying? well whatever gets rid of him.... maybe McPhail pushed for the Izturis trade..hehehe so izturis for bynum? Done!! Leicester? Sing? Montanez? dare I say Korey? actually wouldn't mind an Izturis for Millar swap if they want a right-handed bench bat....

hmm, I look at your comment again Johann but I believe studies about the impact of stolen bases have been done. A CS basically counts as an out as you stated but a SB is equal to something like .7 of a total base if you want to figure out slugging percentage. You advance an extra base but it generally doesn't advance runners more than a base like a double or triple would. I'll see if I can dig some stuff up but we went through a lot of this with Juan Pierre.

Do these calculations make sense to you? Yes... definitely. I have seen others do it, though I am not sure there is an "official" stat that factors in SB's. You could have done it a lot easier for the slugging though. Just take Total Bases and add the number of SB's and subtract the number of CS. Since SLUG is just Total Bases (1b + 2b*2 + 3b*3 + HR*4)/AB's, what you really are doing is (TB+SB-CS)/AB.

awesome... would it be possible to have Bynum, Neifi, Korey, and Bako all in the same lineup for a game?

oh forgot about Gabor, with him around they might as well just go ahead and trade Ramon Hernandez to us.

actually I think Izturis for Miggy is a good fair trade. I mean Miggy's hurt, who knows when he'll be back and how effective he'll be. I mean look at Derrek Lee with his wrist injury last year. And the O's get a Gold Glove All-Star that can help them right now. Seems perfectly plausible...

CS basically counts as an out as you stated but a SB is equal to something like .7 of a total base if you want to figure out slugging percentage. You advance an extra base but it generally doesn’t advance runners more than a base like a double or triple would. ___________________________________________ See, I don't get that. When calculating SLG, you don't take into account whether someone was on base when a batter hit a 2b. Why would you turn around and worry about that with SBs? SLG isn't a meausure of advancing runners or RBIs, it's a measure of how many bases the hitter got. And thanks Dave, I will try that.

Anyone see Tyler Colvin play at AA yet? From the numbers he struggled a bit but seems to be coming on now. Hitting .257 now with several 2-4 days. Also anyone with an update on Alberto Alburquerque at Boise, he pitched 5 innings of 2 hit ball recently...I can't wait to see that last name on the back of a Cub jersey. Please don't trade him to the Isotopes!

well that was the short-hand version, if I find the actual articles I'm sure they explain it better. It's a mild difference anyway...

Johann - I believe the biggest difference is that SBs do not generally result in other runners advancing, and extra base hits do.

and if you really want an all or nothing offensive stat that incorporates stolen bases, there are a few... Runs Created is a good one, even on their baseball reference pages as does Hardball Times.

Johann - I believe the biggest difference is that SBs do not generally result in other runners advancing, and extra base hits do. ____________________________________________ I get that Jace, but I just don't see how advancing runners impacts SLG, which only takes into account total bases. But yes Rob, if you could find that article, that'd be great. I figured someone else had done what I did, but I couldn't find any information anywhere.

still poking around but from a BP article in 2004... http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2607 One last note that deserves mention: For all the attention the running teams of Whitey Herzog got--teams that were successful more because of their high OBPs than their stealing--the unheralded master of the running game is Lou Piniella. In his career as a manager, Piniella's teams have almost always been among the league leaders in stolen-base percentage:

Johann, you are right. SLG does only take account the total bases that you create for yourself, which is why an SB should factor in as a total base. Unfortunately, people use SLG to look at one's ability to move runners. But that idea doesn't make much sense statistically, as a double with the bases empty is worth the same two bases as a double with the bases loaded. But I guess what it really looks at as ability to move runners more than actually moving runners. A player with a higher SLG is more likely to have the ability to move runners further than someone with a lower SLG. But that in turn treats SLG like a predictive stat instead of the descriptive stat that it is.

"You got to start with pitching, their desperate. Maybe they’d like some catching prospects as well(not that we have those). Maybe even E-Pat to give them the flexibility to deal Cano." Rob, The Yankees have the best minor league pitching depth of any organization in MLB. As for MLB pitching I doubt there is anything Cashman would want that we would give up.

well I can't find it, it was somewhere around when we got Juan Pierre, I think John Hill pointed the article out to me. As I said though, close enough.... guess the Yanks do have a bunch of pitchers in their top 10 prospects, but I was thinking of the major-league ready variety like Marshall, Hill, maybe Guzman, Gallagher. well whatever, trade speculation is a silly business. Who really knows what other GM's want?

"The Space Ghost" episode where his Dad was voiced by Randy "Macho Man" Savage was surreal - and hilarious.

AND...if you believed that Miggy was on the juice and is now off the juice and his power is gone, then the Izturis for Miggy trade is practically an even swap.

then the Izturis for Miggy trade is practically an even swap. Not quite... based on your premise, I would assume that this was year Miggy was "off the juice." So lets see - who would you rather have? Izzy: .242/.291/.301 Miggy: .306/.360/.423 I know my pick.

Re #91 #7 on that list is Barry Bond's .609 OBP. Looks incredible right? Well, I did some quick numbers and realized that if you take homers out of the equation, Bonds was on base (actually standing on a base through a hit or walk) 322 times (232 bb + 135 h - 45 hrs) then I looked at his runs scored minus homers (how many times someone else knocked him in) 129 runs - 45 hrs = 84 runs. I then looked at Juan Pierre's stats from last year when his OPB was almost half of Bond's record setting performance. Using the same method Juan was on base 236 times - 3 homers = 233 and scored 87 runs - 3 hrs = 84 times. Right off you look at that Juan was knocked in by a teammate the same amount of times as Bonds. So when Bonds did anything but homer, there was only a 26% chance he was going to score but Pierre had a 33% chance of scoring. What's my point? My point is not that Juan Pierre is better. Steroids or not you would take a 2004 Barry over Pierre in any year of course. My point is two fold: A: Walking Barry and increasing his OPB did as much for his team as Juan Pierre did for his (in totals) B: Walking and OBP without speed doesn't carry as much importance as people make it out to be. And before you all go TEAM DEPENDANCY on me, the 04 Giants won 91 games and finished second while the 06 Cubs, well, you know.

did Chad just own himself? and I think michaelweaslo was kidding there dave....

Own myself? I just showed that Juan Pierre has the same effect to a baseball team as Barry Bonds. NOW HAVING SAID THAT. My point does show what a guy like Juan Pierre could do if he got on base more. Yes, I agree. But I have always said that a fast guy needs to get on base by any means necessary.

I think what you'd need to do to prove or disprove your point Chad is look who was hitting behind each player. Was the guy hitting behind Pierre or Bonds hitting well or poorly with runners on? That will affect each player on base scoring by quite a bit, irrespective of speed.

Chad, What were the numbers for the three hitters after Bonds in 2004 and Pierre last year? Johann and dave, Slugging advances base runners -that's why it is good. Stolen bases doesn't - that's why it is not as good. Not too hard to figure out. Sure, in an environment where no one is ever on base your stat is meaningful. Just find two players who always bat leading off an inning and it's a great way to compare them - also 2 outs is more than -2 to OBP unless Ichiro had 1000 PA's in 2006, should be -3 unless you have some luck in rounding decimals. Cedeno was our best shorstop in spring training. He was our best shorstop when he was struggling in April and if he got promoted for Fridays game, he would be our best shorstop. Release Izturis, let Theriot and Fontenot be your MI backups, not sure why the Cubs can't do that, maybe Hendry is just too proud to admit that he was wrong on Izturis - Even Chad has done that.

Own myself? I just showed that Juan Pierre has the same effect to a baseball team as Barry Bonds. that's your conclusion? I'm just going to move on.

Oh yeah- having runners on front of you on base doesn't impair slugging. It does impair stealing bases.

According to WSCR reporter at Wrigley they are painting the outfield bald spots green. Mayor Daley would be proud.

According to WSCR reporter at Wrigley they are painting the outfield bald spots green. ----- DeRosa will look good with a splash of green on top...

Thanks, Rob. I should have LOL'd it or ;) or thrown in a picture of a kitty asking for a cheezburger just to be clear. Izzy is much more valuable than Miggy. Izzy isnt on the DL.

Own myself? I just showed that Juan Pierre has the same effect to a baseball team as Barry Bonds. Holy crap. Are you serious? You showed nothing of the sort. You showed that Barry Bonds, without his biggest weapon, had the same impact on a baseball team as Juan Pierre with all of his weapons.

I will not accept your argument over who hits behind Bonds or Pierre because when we discuss players and you guys speak of OBP, you don't bring that up. And what I always say is that a walk for a walks sake is meaningless and what makes it important is the game situation. So if a guy has a great OBP, maybe its only cause everyone else sucks on his team and its more of a reflection of the team and not the player so therefore, uh oh, I just did it... I proved that OBP can be.... ....wait for it.... TEAM DEPENDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah for me!!!!!!

What? What are you referring to? And yes... I understand why SLG shows an ability to move runners. But mathematically it is not showing that. All it is showing statistically is your own ability to move yourself around the bases, which can at times also mean your ability to move others around the bases.

Dave I was making a joke. Of course Barry Bonds has a much greater effect on a team. NO QUESTION. What I was saying that walking him and avoiding home runs doesn't do much for the Giants. That teams are far better off walking Bonds. So? So this means as Bond's BB total goes up and his OBP looks gaudy, his team doesn't do that great. So, once again, OBP by itself doesn't mean that much as an individuals stat.

proved that OBP can be …. TEAM DEPENDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did Silent Towel take over Chad's name? Chad - you did not "prove" that OBP is team dependent at all. In order to do so, would have to show that a player's OBP increases or decreases based on the team that they were playing on. Which may be true, but you sure as hell didn't prove that.

That teams are far better off walking Bonds. Chad, Chad, Chad. Again, you didn't show this either. In order to show this, you would need to do this. Find out many times Bonds scores on walks. Find out how many times Bonds scores when he isn't walked. On top of that, you would need to show how many runs score in innings when Bonds is walked in comparison to how many runs are scored in innings when Bonds is pitched to.

That is not the case. You guys have told me that the reason that Barry Bonds doesn't score as much as Juan Pierre once on base is that the hitters behind them are not as good. This is the theory on why runs are team dependent (not a theory that I subscribe to). So let's take the next step. A team is more likely to issue walks (including intentional) to a great player who is followed by a lesser player. This is a truism in baseball, or do you want to argue that too? SO, if a great player is followed by crappy players he will walk more which will increase his OBP. Bond's is a perfect example. If Bond's was followed his whole career by say, Manny Ramirez, he would walk less as teams would rather risk a solo shot from Bonds over a two run homer from ManRam. So, sure his homers would go up, but so would his 'outs made' so his OBP would go down.

"Find out many times Bonds scores on walks. Find out how many times Bonds scores when he isn’t walked." No, that was not my point at all. It was walks + hits - homers. I was showing the likelihood of him scoring if he doesn't hit a homer. That was all I was showing. And I showed that he did it a a lesser rate than Juan Pierre, for example. I was showing that if you walk Juan Pierre, it is 10% more likely that he will score than Bonds. I proved that with math!

good luck with this one Dave, I have enough problems trying to teach my 2 yr olds how to count, I fear trying to explain this to Chad will result in the same headache.

Whatever Rob, you guys use stats when its convienent to you and you dismiss them when you don't like them. Everything I said was backed up by numbers. The logic is there. You guys just don't like the results. I've come to expect that here at The Group Think Reporter.

That was all I was showing. Then why did you say this:
That teams are far better off walking Bonds.
I really don't need to continue this discussion. You know my thoughts. I know your's. And we won't agree. Unless you change your mind and figure out what is right. :) I am just saying that you need to not pretend your "prove" something that you absolutely did not prove.

Everything I said was backed up by numbers. Sure... backed up by numbers that didn't prove what you said they did. :)

There is nothing wrong with saying that Barry Bonds will only score 25% of the time that he gets on base. Meaning that the odds of him scoring make walking him much more attractive than letting him hit, as he may hit a homer. So my point is, let him have all the OBP he wants, it doesn't help that much.

Rob that article was crap. All just theories and no actual data. and i loved this nugget: " In fact, check this out: if Bonds "expanded his strike zone" as Tony La Russa said he should, and Bonds turned those 68 intentional walks into strikeouts, he would have hit .333/.456/.540, led the league in on-base percentage, and still had a better year than Sammy Sosa." Why do people like me and Tony LaRussa think he should expand his zone? Cause we know that those 68 IBB wouldn't become strikeouts. Some if not many would be homers and doubles. So would you rather have: 46 homers 110 rbis .370 ave .582 obp or 58 homers 140 rbis .333 ave . .456 obp I left off SLG. Why? Cause the proof is in the pudding. Who cares if slugging goes up or down when I can show you the hard numbers.

Rob that article was crap. All just theories and no actual data. Chad - what article did you read? Because both of those articles have a lot of data.

and what exactly did your "math" conclude Chad? That a fast runner will score a few more times when on-base than a slower, aging runner? You needed math for this? Did you notice that Bonds had a 130 less PA's than Pierre? How about batting averages of the hitters with Bonds on-base and how they hit with Pierre on-base?

and how about expanding it beyond two players and two seasons before reaching conclusions like 10% or 25% of the time?

"I just showed that Juan Pierre has the same effect to a baseball team as Barry Bonds." Post....Of.....The......Century......

"Did you notice that Bonds had a 130 less PA’s than Pierre?" I used percentages. Re #157: That was a joke. Rob, I just used those guys for reference. If you would like more data, do you want me to use 10 players? BTW, another point of reference, Sammy Sosa scored 34% of the time he was on base in 01. The overall point, walk Bonds and he doesn't score as much as other players.

The overall point, walk Bonds and he doesn’t score as much as other players. But that doesn't mean he scores less than when you pitch to him.

#153 and #154 There is no data taken from players on the Giants. Just general stats generated by looking at "2002's run expectation table, courtesy of BP's own Michael Wolverton". this was not specific to the Giants and does not apply.

"But that doesn’t mean he scores less than when you pitch to him." That was never the point.

#161. Chad — July 12, 2007 @ 7:34 pm “But that doesn’t mean he scores less than when you pitch to him.” That was never the point. ------------------ Uhh... yea it was: #150. Chad — July 12, 2007 @ 6:17 pm: Meaning that the odds of him scoring make walking him much more attractive than letting him hit, as he may hit a homer. So my point is, let him have all the OBP he wants, it doesn’t help that much.

Bonds scored 25% of the time in 2004, Pierre 33% last year, Sosa 34% in 2001 when on-base? Doesn't this blow-up your theory? Or was Sosa still a 30-30 guy in 2001 and forgot to tell everyone?

Sosa still ran the bases better and Bonds often was gimpy. Even though he still was a great hitter he's always had problems with his legs. In fact, his legs are in better shape today than they were 4 or 5 years ago.

Bonds wasn't that gimpy in 2004. He was 6 of 7 in SBs and had 3 triples. Sosa had ZERO triples and ZERO stolen bases. You cannot really make the argument that Sosa was a better runner than Bonds in '04.

LF- Soriano- R 2B Fontenot- R 1B Lee- R 3B Ramirez- R RF DeRosa- R CF Jones -L SS Theriot- R C Soto- R P Zambrano- S Take that Astros

Chad, Two questions pure and simple. Had a 2004 Bonds batted leadoff for the 2006 Cubs, would he have been driven in more or less than Pierre? Conversly, had Pierre batted cleanup for the 2004 Giants would he have been driven in more times than Bonds was?

No way. If not for Bond’s legs, he would have hit 755 over a year ago. Sure... but that is different than saying Bonds was gimpy in 2004.

Recent comments

  • CubbyBlue (view)

    Incredible moment. Huge part of the fun of working there is when something magic like that happens, and you get to interact with baseball fans. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    That bear hug was indeed awesome. Word is that Dansby has become an outstanding clubhouse leader and that moment really demonstrated it. That reaction was one of a proud coach/mentor who’s student just excelled. I’m not even sure who was more overjoyed, Dansby or PCA. A veteran expressing that kind of unabashed support and enthusiasm for a struggling rookie is beyond fantastic to see.

  • CubbyBlue (view)

    BAHAHA! I've actually not seen a single fight, but can't wait to see 70 degrees for sure!

  • crunch (view)

    next time i roll up into wrigley i'll try to start a fist fight and maybe we'll meet.

    be prepared.  i'm gonna make you earn your money.

    seriously, though...that's a cool as hell "retirement" assignment.  i imagine it will be better with warmer nights.

  • Cubster (view)

    I was there for the PCA homer as well. 50 degree baseball is no longer fun when sitting in the shade (knit hats, scarves and gloves are football gear) but I agree it’s one of those really cool moments. I loved the bear hug given by Swanson at home plate and of course the added impact that the PCA homer became a game winner.

     

  • Cubster (view)

    Holy Screaming Bananas

  • CubbyBlue (view)

    In honor of dispatching with the Astros, this painting is titled “The Sweep”. 
    I retired a couple years ago, and took a job at Wrigley as a security guy. SO cool having Wrigley as your office. SO cool being there when PCA got his first hit. 
    “The Sweep” happens at the end of every game - the security staff sweeps through the ballpark making sure it’s empty.
    (Hopefully I’ll be putting this painting up often this year.)
    Lastly, because working for the Cubs, they understandably don’t want you voicing opinions on social, which is why I’m only painting the banners here. 

  • First.Pitch.120 (view)

    Honorable mention to Jim Bullinger via BleedCubbieBlue: 

    Bullinger, a converted shortstop, had pitched in three games before he came to the plate. He had entered the game to relieve starter Shawn Boskie after four innings, and came to the plate to lead off the fifth, and hit Rheal Cormier's first pitch over the left-field wall to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead; they eventually won the game 5-2 in 14 innings. Of the 129players to homer in their first MLB at-bat, Bullinger is one of just 32 to hit that blast on the first big-league pitch he saw (including Contreras) and one of just six pitchers to do so.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Most of this activity will lead nowhere, of course, but it is fantastic that they’re looking for talent in every nook and cranny. You never know where that can lead, and virtually nothing is lost if if leads nowhere, as long as no one of superior talent and potential is losing an opportunity.

  • First.Pitch.120 (view)

    Fun 1st Hit / HR Fact…


    Recent Cubs players to have HR as 1st MLB hit:

    PCA

    Morel

    Happ

    Contreras

    Baez

    Soler

    Castro