TCR: No Good Will Come of This

Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 8:06pm

The Cubs opened up a second slot on their 40-man roster today, as they sent IF-OF Bobby Scales outright to AAA Iowa.

The 32-year old switch-hitter made his big league debut in 2009, hitting 242/312/411 in 51 games (138 PA) for the Cubs, while playing 2B, 3B, LF, and RF. Scales was acquired by the Cubs from Iowa on May 4th, after spending ten-plus seasons and playing 1,000+ games in the minor leagues with San Diego, Philadelphia, Boston, and the Cubs.

Scales did his best work for the Cubs coming off the bench, leading all MLB pinch-hitters (minimum 15 PA) in BA, SLG, and OPS in 2009, hitting 500/533/1.204 with 2 HR & 5 RBI, two doubles, and a triple, as a PH.

The University of Michigan alum is eligible to be a Rule 55 Minor League FA, which means he will be free to sign with another organization when the MLB Free-Agent Filing Period ends 15 days after the conclusion of the World Series, unless he opts to sign a 2010 minor league contract with the Cubs.

»

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

#1 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 8:29pm.

scales to AAA? bye bye 2010. i hate this f'n team.

how in the hell can you let a talent like that just waltz off the roster?

fire hendry and screw you lou.

#2 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 8:46pm.

Whose balls do you have to cup to stay on the roster? Apparently only Aaron Miles knows.

#4 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 9:05pm.

The mere thought of Aaron Miles pisses me straight the fuck off. The guy can't even hit in the PCL. The fucker is either still working for STL or needs to be taken back behind the barn and shot. Fuck Aaron Miles and his C- defense and F bat.

The Cubs better not open the 2010 season with Aaron Miles on the roster.

#5 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 9:22pm.

LOL.....and I totally concur. I really didn't think I could hate a 25th man more than Neifi or Jose Macias, but I was wrong. Miles needs to be dowsed with gasoline and set on fire.

#3 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 9:03pm.

How can you not like Bobby? He's a good character and contributes here and there as evidenced by his PH numbers cited by AZ Phil.

That said, under ideal conditions, he's not playing for your big league team.

#6 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 10:06pm.

How can you not like Bobby?

he's not good at playing baseball?

#8 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 12:21am.

That's a little bit rough.

"He's not good enough at playing baseball", is probably more fair. After watching Alfonso Soriano and Jake Fox play left field for the majority of 2009, I never thought I would see the position played more incompetently. It took Mr. Scales two games to disabuse me of that notion.

#9 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 1:03am.

he's not good at playing baseball at the major league level.. is of course the intended meaning...

#16 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Ryno on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 4:53pm.

Why doesn't Aaron "I'm Not Even as Good As Neifi" Miles receive equal scourge one might wonder.

#18 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 4:54pm.

miles can at least field...he's got that going for him if nothing else.

#19 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 5:16pm.

after a little more thought, and to add...

even with the fielding deficiency scales isn't a bad option off the bench or as an occasional starter. he's not trash at the bat even if it's not slick. he's got a touch of pop in his bat, too.

a lot of people's issue with scales wasn't him failing (except his horribly stiff play at 2nd base or his no-strength arm) as much as it was him playing over jake fox, sam fuld, and/or hoffpower so much.

#20 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 9:21pm.

oh I hate Miles more, don't worry

#7 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 10:44pm.

I saw Bobby Scales play in spring training. He looked damn good, assholes.

#17 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Ryno on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 4:56pm.

Apparently TCR has ruled and Bobby Scales sucks ass.

#10 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 10:10am.

Morbid stuff on Geremi Gonzalez. Rest in Peace GG...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5750/;_ylt=Anb...

#11 The Top Fielders in 2009 according to TotalZone ratings

Submitted by navigator on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 10:51am.

(from the Hardball Times)

1. Franklin Gutierrez, CF, +28
2. Nelson Cruz, RF, +23
3. Chone Figgins, 3B, +20
4. Evan Longoria, 3B, +18
5. Yunel Escobar, SS, +18
6. Casey Blake, 3B +17
7. Ichiro Suzuki, RF, +17
8. Brendan Ryan, SS, +17
9. Pedro Feliz, 3B, +16
10. Carlos Beltran, CF, +15
11. Willy Tavares, CF, +14
12. Carl Crawford, LF, +13
13. Brett Carroll, RF, +13
14. Colby Rasmus, CF, +13
15. Torii Hunter, CF, +13

Comment: TotalZone seems to have a tilt to the left.

#12 Re: The Top Fielders in 2009 according to TotalZone ratings

Submitted by Charlie on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 12:55pm.

I'm very surprised by about half of that list.

#13 Re: The Top Fielders in 2009 according to TotalZone ratings

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 2:10pm.

don't be..it's a bullshit stat.

#14 Re: The Top Fielders in 2009 according to TotalZone ratings

Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 3:07pm.

here's a rundown of it if anyone wants to learn about it

http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/total_zone...

I hadn't even heard about it until today...

I'll say besides Cruz, Ryan and Carroll I would have expected most of those guys to be considered very good defenders. Does have some odd love of 3bmen, yet not one 2b and only 2 SS?

#15 Re: The Top Fielders in 2009 according to TotalZone ratings

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 3:23pm.

it really seems to gives a lot of credit to IF'rs who play deep (chone/longoria/b.ryan).

dunno what's up with some of those OF ranks...nelson cruz #2 what? colby ramsus, really?

#23 Re: The Top Fielders in 2009 according to TotalZone ratings

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 7:32am.

The problem with ZR and Total ZR and one of the problems with UZR is that they don't take into account fielder preference. If a ball is hit between third and short (or left and center) that both players can make an out on, the third basemen gets there first and gets credit for it. Each of those systems gives too much credit to the third basemen and center fielders because of this. According to Total ZR all pretty much all center fielders are good and all corner outfielders are crap, though there are one or two exceptions.

UZR incorrectly breaks down the balls that go through as hits when assigning 'blame' to third base and short. ZR and Total ZR are 'blameless systems'.

#21 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by rokfish on Sat, 10/24/2009 - 9:46pm.

If Miles is not on team who will Lou have pinch
hit in the fifth inning?

I am with every one else screw Miles trade him for
a Harry Caray beer stein.

#22 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by navigator on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 6:43am.

This pundit in Naples, Florida thinks the Cubs want to move there...

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/oct/25/david-m...

#24 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Ryno on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 10:36am.

Cubs execs visit Collier to scout spring training sites

NAPLES: A group was formed four months ago with the purpose of making Collier County the spring training home for the Chicago Cubs, the Naples Daily News has learned.

And that group already has met with the Cubs - both at their headquarters in Wrigley Field, and earlier this month in Naples for a two-day visit by new owner Tom Ricketts and CEO Crane Kenney.

#25 Re: Scales Sent Outright to AAA

Submitted by Sweet Lou on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 12:38pm.

AZ Phil -- A while back you posted your thoughts on the possibility that the Cubs may leave their Spring Training home in Mesa. I believe you thought there is a good chance the Cubs will leave Mesa, but will likely stay in Arizona. With the push from Naples, has your thinking changed? What are you hearing from the press (and your many contacts) in Arizona?

Thanks!

#26 McGwire to be Cards hitting coach?

Submitted by Rob G. on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 2:26pm.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4593412

LaRussa back as well on a multi-year deal.

#28 Re: McGwire to be Cards hitting coach?

Submitted by Sweet Lou on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 3:18pm.

I thought you were kidding about Mark McGwire, but Carrie Muskat (quoting ESPN's Buster Olney) says it could happen. And if Carrie says it, it must be true.

I wonder why the Cardinals fired Hal McRae. Didn't the St. Louis offense overachieve this year?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091025&c...

#29 Re: McGwire to be Cards hitting coach?

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 3:21pm.

put that in your fucking pipe and smoke it.

#31 Re: McGwire to be Cards hitting coach?

Submitted by Ryno on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 4:36pm.

Hal McRae didn't tell Albert Pujols, Mark Derosa, and Matt Holiday how to hit. And in case you are wondering, Jaramillo isn't going to teach Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome, Bradley, or anyone else whose been in the big leagues more than 2 years how to hit.

#33 Re: McGwire to be Cards hitting coach?

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 6:51pm.

The job of major league hitting coaches is not to teach hitters how to hit, it's to keep them going consistently, help them with their strategy and to keep them from getting into bad habits. Players learn to hit when they're kids.

Return to Homepage

Syndicate content