Cubs Pwned the First Half

I've heard there are some issues with large amounts of white space after a table (like the lineups in a game thread). I just downloaded Firefox 3 and it's not doing it on my end, so I'm a bit perplexed. If there's a web developer out there that knows what's happening, let me know. There are a bunch of line breaks after each table to get the text below it, but no idea how to fix it....at least not yet.

That's nice, real nice gang. Way to go! That's just super duper.

Hmm... how is Theriot 4th in defensive win shares if he is so bad defensively?

And how does he have a positive RAA2?

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Ranting my "assinine" "socialist drivel" on TCR since 2003.

Really good line on Jeff S. today for Iowa---6 innings, 9 k's---that's what we'er looking for---look for him in relief this year

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I'am worried that Hill's control trouble is mental---if that's the case, that's big time bad---needs to start season in Iowa

What is it with Samninja getting promoted after struggling and doing good at the next level? That's great news. Can any of you guys think of this happening with another big name pitcher?

"Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of people know that"

HJS

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I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me- hst

Pretty amazing numbers, especially considering the 3 or 4 losses of the last 2 weeks that probably should have been wins. If Harden and Soriano (and everyone else) can stay healthy, this team should be pretty set for the second half.

It just so happens to be my luck that I'm moving to Italy next week, but I'll do my best to keep up with the Cubs and TCR.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/10540...

Soriano to take batting practice in Houston and will go on a short rehab assignment when he feels ready, probably won't be back until the Marlins series.

Marshall likely staying with the club even when Eyre returns.

Lou on Theriot:
''He's a scrappy kid with a lot of heart, power, speed,'' Piniella said. ''He wants to do well, and he's got some nice tools.''

The manager said it ''took a while to realize he was a shortstop'' after he was told that Theriot was ''more a second baseman and utility player.''

Thanks for the post, Rob. Really interesting stuff on the first half.

And about Samardzija, it really is weird -- but at the same time, thrilling. It's common knowledge that players in AAA have more bat control than those in AA so if Jeff is starting to miss bats with consistence, it might be more of a direct effect of his performance and talent (he does have a really good fastball) than a fluke. Really good news, all in all.

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The Mexican homeboy.

I don't think anyone has mentioned any of this yet. The All-Star Blog reports that:

1. Geovany Soto loved catching Rich Harden for the first time and thinks he's going to be a huge addition. You won't see any of that on tape because some camera guy next to us kept turning his lights on and off during our answer trying to get lighting for his guy. I gave him an evil glare. He didn't care.

[rats!]

....

4. Carlos Marmol is happy to have a few days off. He feels that his recent run of ineffectiveness might be because of the **number of innings** he's pitched recently...

[Uh,oh! cue the theme music]

Batting order for tonight's HR Derby

1. Dan Uggla
2. Grady Sizemore
3. Evan Longoria
4. Chase Utley
5. Lance Berkman
6. Justin Morneau
7. Ryan Braun
8. Josh Hamilton

MLB - PED =
So far in 2008, the homers-per-game rate is 1.96, which is only slightly lower than last year's rate (1.97) and the lowest since 1993 (1.78).

for today and tomorrow's festivities. actually it's always open if you want some hot gay talk with Chad.

Speaking of gay-
3 doors down for hr derby entertainment?

Does anyone else think Penny Marshall is hot?

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I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me- hst

Given these stats, what theories do people have for the lousy road record?

Lack of uppers. And Theriot being worn out after driving the Scrap-mobile from ballpark to ballpark. That's what I would blame it on.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/padres/2008...

Padres shortstop Khalil Greene recently attracted an inquiry from the Chicago Cubs, but because Greene's trade value has dropped so far, the Padres will hold onto him, according to a club official.

No idea what that would be about, I would assume as a bench role and they'd try and move Cedeno back for him and as a fallback in case Theriot slumps in the second half again like last year.

Hmmmm Khalil Green he of a career .249 BA, and .305 OBP. Hey he sucks but he can hit HR's....whoppee frickin do.

We looking for the second coming of Alex Gonzalez again? A guy that will hit .250 (maybe) and hit 15 HR's? Yawn....passsssssss.

Green has had 6 years to figure things out and is on the wrong side of 28, and is showing no signs of improvement. Yeah he had 97 RBI last year but he still hit in the .250's and it screams "career year" where teams will waste time and money hoping for that year again only to be disappointed that it will never happen again. I can see if he was raising his average and cutting down his strikeouts but he is actually getting worse across the board. He sucks big time.

The HR Derby is such a waste of energy and attention. And will someone please kill Chris Berman.

Oh, and could we possibly here more about Josh Hamilton's drug problems...

(Yes, cross-country flights make me cranky/crankier...)

Unless Lou changes the pattern, Geovany Soto is on pace to play 150 games this season.

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That's Manila with an "L"

Fukudome and Soto batting 8th and 9th for the NL tonight.

If all goes well in pre-game BP this weekend at Houston, Alfonso Soriano could bat lead-off and DH in the three AZL Cubs games that are scheduled while the Cubs are in Phoenix next week. Of course it would mean getting up pretty early in the morning (AZL game times are 10:30), but it would allow Soriano to get four ABs each day in the three minor league games without having to leave his team and go to Iowa, Tennessee, or Daytona, and he could even DH in the AZL Cubs game Wednesday morning, and if he feels up to it, get reactivated from the DL in time to play LF in the Cubs-D'backs game Wednesday night.

Or if he needs a few more ABs, he could remain in Arizona for another day or two after the Cubs return to Chicago and go down to Tucson and get some AAA ABs when the Iowa Cubs play the Tucson Sidewinders at Tucson Electric Park Tuesday night 7/22 through Friday night 7/25 (next week).

As for Rich Hill, with the Iowa Cubs in Tucson the week of July 22, he could get one more start with the AZL Cubs at Fitch Park (probably this Thursday) and then rejoin the I-Cubs in Tucson and get a start versus the Sidewinders on Tuesday or Wednesday.

And Scott Eyre could do something similar. He pitched (ineffectively) in a couple of games at Peoria this past weekend, but if he's not ready to get reactivated immediately after the ASB, he could throw in a couple of AZL Cubs games next week (like maybe Monday and Tuesday or Monday and Wednesday) while the Cubs are in Phoenix, and then if he's ready to be reactivated, he could travel back to Chicago with the Cubs after the final game of the D'backs series Wednesday night.

Or if he needs more rehab work, he could go down to Tucson after the Cubs leave town and throw in a couple of games for AAA Iowa, like maybe Thursday night 7/24 and/or Friday night 7/25 (the I-Cubs will still be playing in Tucson for a couple of more days after the Cubs have left Phoenix), and then rejoin the Cubs in Chicago. 

Koyie Hill in his last 15 games at Iowa: 418/467/818 with six HR, two doubles, and a triple, and five BB over 60 PA. He's also thrown out 36% of opposing base stealers, best among the #1 catchers on the Cubs full season minor league clubs except Josh Donaldson (who just got traded to OAK). So I am fairly sure that Koyie Hill will be brought up after the rosters expand on September 1st to be the Cubs #3 catcher.

Lest anyone think Welington Castillo (who played in the Futures Game) will get a September call-up, Castillo has committed six errors and has allowed 15 passed balls (with 32% CS) in just over half a season in 2008. He led Cubs minor league catchers with 13 PB and 13 errors last season when he threw out 40% of opposing base stealers, so he's already exceeded his PB number from last season and his CS% has gone down.

I like Castillo. He's a talented young catcher, but also VERY raw. His bat is actually more-advanced than his receiving skills right now. He's probably two years away.

AZ PHIL: Since the Cubs have now traded their #1 pitching prospect for a pitcher who is either brilliant, or hurt and can't pitch, can you please tell us who is the next in line?

In your opinion, who in the minors, has the best shot of being a 1-4 slotted pitcher in the majors within the next year or two?

I had thought it was Pawelek, but it does not seem like it will happen that soon. Veal? Still has control issues. JEff Russell? The Notre Dame wide-out? Not enough pitches developed yet. Kevin Hart? From what I've seen in-person, he has no confidence against major-league hitters.

Gallagher at only 22 years old, had some terrific stuff, and a bright future in the majors.

Please tell us what's down the pike. Thanks.

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Disappointed by "Cubbery" since 1966

Nice usage of pwned, btw.

The Cubs will add a third catcher in September to allow Lou to PR for his catchers and to provide an in-house option for the post-season in case something happens to Soto or Blanco, and I'm just saying (for better or worse and whether you like it or not) it will be Koyie Hill. I just wanted you to be prepared for when it happens.

AZ PHIL: Since the Cubs have now traded their #1 pitching prospect for a pitcher who is either brilliant, or hurt and can't pitch, can you please tell us who is the next in line? In your opinion, who in the minors, has the best shot of being a 1-4 slotted pitcher in the majors within the next year or two?

I had thought it was Pawelek, but it does not seem like it will happen that soon. Veal? Still has control issues. JEff Russell? The Notre Dame wide-out? Not enough pitches developed yet. Kevin Hart? From what I've seen in-person, he has no confidence against major-league hitters.

Gallagher at only 22 years old, had some terrific stuff, and a bright future in the majors.

Please tell us what's down the pike. Thanks.

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E-MAN: I had rated Sean Gallagher as the Cubs #1 pitching prospect coming into the this season, but now that he's gone, I would rate the Cubs Top 5 pitching prospects (AA and AAA levels only) as:

1. Jose Ceda, RHP 

2. Kevin Hart, RHP 

3. James Russell, LHP 

4. Donald Veal, LHP  

5. Jeff Samardzija, RHP  

Ceda was moved back to the bullpen after getting promoted from Daytona to Tennessee (he was used as a starter at Daytona to force him to use all of his pitches), and he has been dominating so far at AA. He could be as good as Marmol, but like Marmol (recently), Ceda is prone to command problems where he can't throw strikes. But so far that problem has not surfaced at AA. His best pitches are a 98 MPH hummer with a mid-80's slider. He probably was told to throw a two-seamer and a change when he was used as a starter, but those aren't his best pitches. He has had some shoulder problems off and on over the past couple of years, but he has not needed surgery. It is a concern, however.

Hart is a definite MLB rotation starter prospect, although the Cubs will probably trade him. He's not as valuable when he works out of the bullpen because he can't take full advantage of his arsenal/repetoire and stamina, where he can (if necessary) go through a batting order three or four times and where he can maintain the velocity on his fastball up to and beyond 100 pitches. He has a clean medical history, and he can be an innings-eater if used as a starter.

Russell has a plus-change and curve, and he paints both sides of the plate with his fastball. He really knows how to work hitters. VERY smart pitcher. He probably learned a lot about pitching from his dad (Jeff), who had a lengthy MLB career. He is very advanced for somebody his age (22) and it's amazing that he is already at AA when he has less than one year of pro experience. He was the Cubs 14th round draft pick in 2007 out of the University of Texas, but got "3rd round money" to sign just before the August 15th deadline. If he stays healthy, he will be an MLB middle-of-the-rotation starter.

Veal is considered the top Cubs pitching prospect by one scout I know from another organization, just because he has such a high ceiling. Actually, he's high risk, high reward, and high maintenance. He's like an Italian sports car. When he's "on" he has a plus-curve, a fastball with movement, and a deceptive change, too. His big problem is that he gets out of whack fairly easily. He has problems repeating his delivery and sometimes he'll suddenly change his release point in the middle of a game. And when he gets into a jam, it tends to snowball and he has difficulty extricating himself. He throws a lot of pitches-per-inning, and he can single-handedly burn out a bullpen. Personally, I believe he will eventually end up as a lefty reliever (Arthur Rhodes-type).

Samardzija has that 94 MPH power-sinker, but he has had difficulty finding secondary stuff that works. I believe he is now throwing a slider and a splitter, and they must be coming along, because he has pitched well so far at Iowa. Like Derek Lowe, Samardzija is a "pitch-to-contact" guy who gets a lot of ground balls when he's on his game, and moving up to AAA should help him get better results just because the infield defense is so much better as you move up through the minor leagues. Better infield defense should help his confidence, too. But he needs to develop his secondary stuff and make it work consistently if he wants to be an MLB rotation starter. But if he can't he could still be an MLB middle-reliever.

Wow, thanks for the update as always, AZ Phil. It sounds unfortunate that the Cubs are likely to trade Hart primarily because he's not a BP guy, you'd think they'd like to keep him around awhile to see what shakes out before the '09 season.

Thanks much, AZ PHIL. "His big problem is that he gets out of whack fairly easily."

This is the problem, as you cite, with Italian sports cars!

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Disappointed by "Cubbery" since 1966

balls when he's on his game

At Tennessee 60% of his outs came on flyballs ---was their infield defense really THAT bad?

It's reversed at Iowa, where 60% of his outs have come on groundballs.

Would really like to know what's changed.

Submitted by navigator on Tue, 07/15/2008 - 1:26pm.

balls when he's on his game

At Tennessee 60% of his outs came on flyballs ---was their infield defense really THAT bad?

It's reversed at Iowa, where 60% of his outs have come on groundballs. Would really like to know what's changed.

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NAVIGATOR: I remember when Samardzija was at Minor League Camp in March he was throwing a lot of sliders (mostly hanging sliders) and some kind of change up that he couldn't keep down (it might have been he was trying to learn the splitter, but I'm not sure), but whatever pitches he was throwing he wasn't getting ground balls with them.

Maybe now that he is at Iowa the Cubs are letting him throw more two-seamers, although I would think he will need to mix-in the secondary stuff at least occasionally if he ever wants to make it as an MLB starter.

The fact that he got nine Ks in his last start could indicate he's getting punch-outs with the slider and/or the splitter.