The Current NL Central Lineups

I'm using the MLB depth charts, the Bill James projections for wOBA on Fangraphs and their 2012 playing age along with a few assumptions like Dusty isn't going to play Devin Mesoraco or Chris Heisey over veterans. Let's see how the NL Central offenses stack up. Obviously the actual order of lineups and players may vary, and there's no accounting for expected playing time due to injuries or sucktitude.

Cardinals:
Furcal(.324), Beltran(.367), Holliday(.394), Berkman(.380), Freese(.353), Molina(.320), Jay(.328), Schumaker(.309)

Average wOBA: .347
Age: 31.75

Brewers:
Morgan(.311), Weeks(.348), Braun(.411), Hart(.355), Ramirez(.362), Gamel(.357), Lucroy(.319), A. Gonzalez(.285)

Average wOBA: .344
Age: 29.375

Reds:
Stubbs(.331), Phillips(.332), Votto(.408), Rolen(.334), Bruce(.363), Ludwick(.323), Hanigan(.324), Cozart (.315)

Average wOBA: .341
Age: 29.75

Cubs:
DeJesus(.324), Castro(.346), LaHair(.352), Soriano(.331), Stewart(.329), Soto(.344), Byrd(.319), Barney (.294)

Average wOBA: .330
Age: 29.375

Pirates:
Presley(.345), Tabata(.328), Walker(.329), McCutchen(.360), Alvarez(.333), G. Jones(.338), Barajas(.288), Barmes(.300)

Average wOBA: .328
Age: 28.125

Astros:
Lowrie(.341), Altuve(.321), Martinez(.353), C. Lee(.339), Bogusevic(.325), Paredes(.292), Schafer(.288), J. Castro (.287)

Average wOBA: .318
Age: 26.375

The Cardinals are of course going to have to stay healthy to keep up the offense and that's no small task with Carlos Beltran, Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday and Rafael Furcal on the roster. I'm sure the Cubs are hoping to get a little bit more from David DeJesus and Ian Stewart than their current projections, but doesn't mean it will happen.  If and when the Cubs replace Byrd and LaHair with Anthony Rizzo(.318) and Brett Jackson(.342), their average age would go down to 27.125, as would the projected wOBA, albeit slightly to .329 (Rizzo gets no love in the Bill James projections for whatever reason). Another fun exercise for the Cubs is to replace LaHair, DeJesus and Stewart with Prince Fielder, Beltran and Aramis Ramirez because why the hell not? this is all just for fun. In that case, the average wOBA goes up to .345 while also likely hurting the Brewers and Cardinals a bit. Of course, that also has the potential to bring the average DOTDL up to potentially astronomical levels (Dollars on The Disabled List) along with the problem of justifying the $50M or so to pay them for just this year.

I'll see if I can do something similar with the projected pitching staffs in the very near future.

Tags: 
NL Central
2012 Projections
Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:25am
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Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:49am

with Tigers out of the Cespedes talks most likely, it would appear that Cubs and Marlins are ahead of the pack. I'd have to think Marlins are far more willing to give out stupid money at this point though, especially if they think Cespedes is someone they can market around.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 7:45am

For sake of comparison in the above, versus Barney, what are the numbers for DeWitt and Baker? Are the numbers provided with splits, so you could generate one assuming a DeWitt/Baker platoon?

Barney needs to be a utility/bench-only player. Maybe Dale will be a bit smarter in that regard than was Quade.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:50am

They don't split it out, but it's Baker (.335) and DeWitt (.314) fwiw. There's obviously a defensive component though that isn't being accounted for in wOBA.

Submitted by superjimmer
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:52am

Here is a wish that I think makes sense:

Garza (and cash and/or another player)

To Cleveland for:

Dillon Howard RHP
Jake Sisco RHP
Luigi Rodriguez OF

The thinking is Cleveland needs to answer Detroit move, and while their minor league system is not well ranked they do have some raw talent at the lowest levels. So they get Garza for a few years, and then their A/AA guys will be ready when they are ready to reload. Cubs get a few more pieces for the future to gamble on...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:59am

fwiw, Dillon Howard and Jake Sisco can't be traded for a year, although I presume they could work out a PTBNL.

But I'm fairly certain Cubs would be looking for pieces that are ready for the majors now or at the very least 2013...at least some of the pieces.

Submitted by superjimmer
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 7:01am

Back to the drawing board!!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:53am

some links for those interested in him, expected cost is $20M range and likely bidding won't start until after the season starts.

http://orioles-nation.com/2011/12/12/talent-f...
Looking at Jorge Solver’s age and physical frame makes you think you just caught lighting in a bottle. His frame and projection is still massively untapped and he could be a 230 pound masher in his prime; it is that type of lower foundation and torque that makes every scout think he will be better than Leonys Martin, who was signed by the Rangers last year. He shows every tool that you covet and then some for an up the middle prospect.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects...
Soler, the 18U team's right fielder, has a strapping 6-foot-3, 205-pound body, is 18 and has five-tool potential. The best running time scouts got for Balaguer was 4.4 seconds to first base; Soler, also a right-handed hitter, checked in at 4.26. Soler has bat speed and what one scout called "explosive power" to go with above-average arm strength.

http://www.snywhyguys.com/2011/12/25/scouting...
Soler is four years younger and more talented than Leonys Martin, another Cuban outfielder who signed a $15.6 million major league contract with the Rangers in April. Once Soler is cleared to sign with a major league team, he’s expected to top Martin’s deal.

The new CBA provides for a $2.9 million international cap for each team for the 2012-13 signing period, which doesn’t start until July 2. As long as Soler signs before then, he won’t be subject to the cap. And even if he were, he’s talented enough and the penalties for busting the cap are so light (a 100-percent tax on the overage and a prohibition on signing any international player for more than $250,000 in the next signing period) that I bet several clubs would be willing to exceed the $2.9 million.

Submitted by JD
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:19am

Yeah, but how old is he REALLY?

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:39am

i really wanted to like Baseball IQ, but it's pretty bland/dry.

these guys are some legit/hardcore baseball nerds, though. it's delivering what it promised and you can learn + jog your memory about a lot.

matt vag is good for keeping guys loose, but almost all the contestants lack personality.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:52am

"but almost all the contestants lack personality'

heh

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 7:25am

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaki...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:45am

Can we get a headline or quick summary of a link so I know if it's worth clicking?

Yes, I'm that lazy.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 9:33am

Word.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:25pm

You guys probably opened your presents on Christmas eve.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:36pm

If you hover over the link in the trib's case, you get a summary:

beginning of URL and then: /breaking/chi-wrigley-rooftop-venue-sold-in-bankruptcy-auction-20120124,0,4840974.story

That was enough for me. And yes, I'm that lazy, too, so I relate. I didn't click through. No offense to Jacos.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 11:21am

Some great reporting by the affirmative action Trib reporter...

//The Schlenker bid of $4.8 million was named the preferred bidder prior to Friday's auction, meaning other bidders would have to top the price.//

Subsequent bidders would have to bid more to win. Who knew?
..
Actually, with a preferred bidder designation someone would have had to outbid Schlenker by 5% to win the bid and no doubt they were hoping the Ricketts would do just that.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:38am

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/
The way this article is written, you would think that Samninja was one of the Cubs' best pitchers. This came as a pretty big shock to me. I must not have been paying attention last year, but in the past he has always been infuriatingly wild... What is everyone else's take on him?

When i looked up his career stats, I pulled up an article saying the Cubs had declined his option for 2012... What is his contract status?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:51am

Had a good if not lucky year in 2011. Cubs still own his rights, he's now an auto-renewal for a year and then arb eligible starting next season.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 11:22am

If the Cubs declined his option for 2012, I don't understand why he is auto-renewal. I would have thought that made him a free agent... If you could explain this, I would appreciate it.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:11pm

Samardzija signed a major league contract right after being drafted that had him signed through 2011 with options for 2012 and 2013.

The Cubs declined his options, but he still hasn't reached 6 years of service time, so he's still property of the Cubs. A matter of fact, he hasn't even reached arbitration eligibility, so for one season he's still an auto-renewal player which means Cubs can pay him essentially whatever they want over the league minimum.

Most players get called up and they are auto-renewal players for the first 3 years and then arb eligible the next 3 years and then free agents. Samardzija signed the somewhat unique major league deal, so his first few years were covered by that contract. The Cubs wisely declined his option this season because he hadn't reached 3 years of service time and hasn't been as good as they wanted, so he's now like any other player with 2+ years of service time although he is out of option years already.

Submitted by Craig A.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:22pm

So the option was to pay him a lot of money or a little money?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:26pm

pretty much...

had he reached 3 years or more of service time by the end of 2011 and been a little better, then picking up the option would have made some sense for the Cubs, but the way things worked out, it was a no-brainer to decline it.

Bad thing is he's out of option years though, so he has to stick with the club or be outrighted and then exposed to waivers.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:35pm

Thanks, Rob.

Submitted by tem99
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:10pm

I could be wrong, but I thought that the Cubs can only reduce his salary by 15%?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:15pm

oh that's right, good catch...seems to be 20% though.

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

Because of Samardzija’s service time, he remains under club control as a pre-arbitration-eligible player. Under Major League Baseball rules, the Cubs have the right to renew his contract for no less than 80 percent — $2.24 million — of his 2011 salary.

it was a $3M option, so they save just under $800K.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:50pm

And they are going to cut his per diem from 50 dollars a day to 20 dollars a day.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 11:26am

There is no such thing as a lucky year.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:04pm

tell that to Kent Bottenfield

Submitted by JD
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 1:33pm

And Corbin Bernsen.

Submitted by DavidP
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:56am

Samardzija came on strong last year as the season wore on. Towards the end, he looked like the pitcher the Cubs had hoped for a couple of years ago. I believe that is the reason why the Cubs felt comfortable in trading Cashner.

Whether he can do it as a starter, however, is still up in the air.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:21pm

that raised their stock with fall/winter league performances

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

LaHair has gone from a Quad-A hitter to one scouts believe in. He was one of the best hitters in the minors in 2011 with a .331/.405/.664 line for Triple-A Iowa, and he was impressive enough in an end-of-season stint with the Cubs that he's been handed the first-base job, even after the acquisition of Anthony Rizzo. Though things are finally lining up for LaHair, he played in Venezuela this winter and dominated the league; he hit 15 home runs in 169 at-bats and drew nine intentional walks. Just as importantly, he spent some time in left field, hoping to prove that when Rizzo is ready, he'll be able to move, as opposed to just fade away.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:19pm

That's encouraging. Surely, Soriano will be gone by the time Rizzo is ready to be promoted.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:24pm

I hope no one thinks LaHair is going to be any better defensively than Soriano out there.

Submitted by JD
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:36pm

Hold onto that hope, Hollywood Rob, but don't live on it. He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:51pm

Maybe LaHair and Soriano can work out as a platoon situation?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:56pm

wouldn't that be nice?

$18M per year Soriano will throw a fit if that happens and then Cubs will release him.

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:40pm

is it too late to teach LaHair the Sori-hop? at least he will be dirt cheap compared to Soriano.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:42pm

except they'll still be paying Soriano regardless, either to play for them or another team or to sit at home.

Submitted by chuck
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:46pm

Surely he can't be any worse!!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 3:54pm

wouldn't put it past him, not like he's a particularly athletic dude and hasn't played that much out there.

While Soriano does a lot of dumb stuff, his defensive ratings have never been horrible out there.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:13pm

When is that new defensive thimabob is coming out? Where they have cameras at every stadium focused on players to get true defensive ratings.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:23pm

Never heard of this - I would think that the player would hate it, because it would catch them napping..

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:28pm

it should help stuff like mike bordick's 2002 season make much more sense when you realize he set up on the outfield grass rather than the dirt at SS.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:36pm

Isn't that why we have you around, crunch?

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:39pm

if you people start talking about the 2002 baltimore orioles i'm outta here...unless you want to talk about tony batista's batting stance cuz that shit was awesome.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:47pm

I think you brought them up... Let me check... Yep!
Hey, what about Tony Batista's batting stance?

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 5:12pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHaLNireXnA

lulz

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:43pm

that is some funny shit right there

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 11:53am

HAH!

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:48pm

Found it FIELD FX

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-03-3...

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:47pm

uh they might have a problem in st. louis cause that squirrel would throw off the software.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:23pm

the thing that kills me the past 2 years about soriano is watching him fumble around with routes while balls pass over his head...it used to be the wasted hop while catching that killed his forward momentum that bugged me.

once a ball gets past him it's game on for the runner...and people don't hold on his arm as much anymore.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:12pm

GO GO GADGET CUBAN SIGNER!!!!

Submitted by Seamhead
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:44pm

Scouting report on both Cespedes and Soler...

http://orioles-nation.com/2011/12/12/talent-c...

Submitted by DavidP
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:19pm

My three year old grand daughter would not be as bad as Soriano in left field.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:47pm

http://reelchicago.com/article/chicago-cubs-s...

Submitted by Seamhead
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 5:07pm

"The team lost a big chunk of potential fans from Chicago’s advertising industry "...

Is this a good thing or a bad thing???

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 5:09pm

it's only 1 commercial campaign...they'll have a short term memory about it. besides, they don't want to park their luxury cars anywhere near the white sox park, much less drive there.

Submitted by Newport
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 6:52pm

If butt hurt was in the dictionary, it would have a copy of that article under it.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:30pm

Nah, I think it would have a picture of a sore butt. Maybe a pale one with rosy marks around the tender part.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 5:15pm

they're the guys that came up with the Baldwin/Krasinski ads

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e57dlq7ZA4

if they can actually bring humor to Cubs ads, god bless them, because the sappy bullshit they've been running for years is grading. I want the Twins and Mariners ads.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 8:42pm

Agreed. "Its a way of Life?" what is? Losing?

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 4:57pm

his career has been long over besides minors filler these days, but...

"Daryle Ward was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for amphetamines."

Submitted by Wes
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 12:23pm

In all fairness, at his age and weight, I'd need them too.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 7:11pm

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball...

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 7:27pm

Dave Cameron: "Next winter, Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke, Matt Cain, Anibal Sanchez, Shaun Marcum, Colby Lewis, and Brandon McCarthy are all slated to hit the market. . ."

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/woul...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 9:29pm

MLB.com top 100

B. Jackson #33
Rizzo #37
Baez #62

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/...

Hak ju lee #46
Archer #74

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:56am

Prediction--before the year is out, Maples and Vogelsong will be on this list, Archer will not.

I wish we still had Hak-ju.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 12:44am

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chicago/chat/...

- says Cubs will go after Cespedes and Soler (guess Cespedes makes sense with lack of FA hitters available next offseason and him or Jackson can move to a corner, probably Cespedes. Soler's a few years away).

- completely forgets that Volstad is part of the rotation mix, corrects it

- thinks either Garza gets an extension or he's traded between now and July 31st.

- suggests Hoyer/McLeod talked a reluctant Epstein in trading Cashner for Rizzo

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 9:12am

I like the idea of Prado for Byrd. Someone make it happen.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 10:08am

think Byrd was no longer interesting for Braves once they got Bourne

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 1:01am

ken caminiti aint got shit on this dude...

"Dustin Richardson has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for five different PEDs.

A former fifth-round draft pick, Richardson was released by the Braves earlier this winter after struggling to rein in his control issues last season at the Triple-A level. The 28-year-old could struggle to find a new opportunity."

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:29pm

"Chaz Roe has been suspended 50 games following a positive test for amphetamines."

cut from the Ms in june...2 days, 3 PED announcements

Submitted by Seamhead
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:57pm

"2 days, 3 PED announcements"

Somebody at MLB must be hyper...

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:59pm

unless darryl ward got there first...suspended for amphetamines yesterday.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 6:25am

Sox plan on confusing tweeking fans with Sunday uniforms-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball...

Rob G and E-man-

You see the uniforms are red, and they are called the White Sox!
Crazy, right?

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 6:29am

I actually really liked those unis and caps back in the day.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 12:32pm

as soon as you mentioned it was about the Sox I knew not to click on the link.

the system works perfectly....

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 7:00am

According to MLB Trade Rumors:

"Free agent Raul Ibanez believes that a three-day session that he had in December with Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo will be key to a bounce back season in 2012. Last season, Ibanez hit .245/.289/.419 in 575 plate appearances for the Phillies."

Rudy hasn't had much of an impact on the Cubs (the teams that pays his salary), but he is apparently helping players that will be playing against them. Doesn't seem right, does it?

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 11:54am

FUZZ BOX

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:06pm

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/422...

Re: Rizzo
I think the idea that he had "holes exposed" (try taking that phrase out of context) as a 21-year-old in the big leagues is pretty damn silly.

Re: B. Jackson
Well, yeah, it does. If he can't maintain a high enough contact rate against better-quality pitching, the OBP won't hold up.

Re: Soler and if Cespedes is worth over $50M
I'd be in on both, since they're the last truly free international free agents we'll have until eventually baseball realizes they've shot themselves in the foot with the restrictions in the new CBA.

Re: Backloading or frontloading contracts
Teams prefer backloading because it keeps money free in the current year to add more players, and because they're essentially betting on salary inflation. Players prefer backloaded deals because the final year's salary affects potential arbitration cases.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:11pm

Manny Corpas is your 40-man casualty...

outrighted and will now be an NRI to spring training.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 3:09pm

Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:11pm — Rob G.
Re: The Current NL Central Lineups
Manny Corpas is your 40-man casualty...

outrighted and will now be an NRI to spring training.

=======================

ROB G: Per Article XX-D of the CBA, Manny Corpas now has eight days to decide whether to accept the Outright Assignment or elect free-agency. (Players who have accrued at least three years of MLB Service Time and/or been outrighted previously in their career can refuse an Outright Assignment, and Corpas has accrued 4+076 MLB ST through the 2011 season).

If he elects free-agency, he can choose to become a free-agent immediately, or he can defer free-agency until the end of the MLB regular season.

If he elects to become a free-agent immediately, his contract is terminated and he receives no termination pay.

If he defers free-agency until the end of the MLB regular season, his contract remains in force and he is paid at the minor league split rate while on Outright Assignment. Also, he would not have the right to be an Article XX-D minor league free-agent post-2012 if he is added to an MLB 40-man roster prior to the conclusion of the MLB regular season.

The fact that he was not claimed off Outright Waivers makes it pretty obvious that none of the other 29 MLB clubs wanted Corpas if it meant having to add him to their 40-man roster (at least for the salary he's getting from the Cubs), and it is likewise questionable whether he could hope to get the money he's getting from the Cubs if he were to elect free-agency now and sign a minor league contract with another club.

So Corpas will very likely accept the Outright Assignment and defer free-agency until the conclusion of the MLB regular season (presuming he has not been added to an MLB 40-man roster by that time).

BTW, if the Cubs bring Corpas up from the minors and add him back to their MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) at least 20 days after MLB Opening Day, he burns a minor league option (he has two left), even though he was outrighted--not optioned--to Iowa today. However, if the Cubs bring him up from the minors and add him to their MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) prior to the 20th day of the MLB regular season (like if he makes the Cubs 25-man roster out of Spring Training), an option is not charged.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:13pm

http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1327595257

Free Baseball America chat happening...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:24pm

Leyland says Miguel Cabrera will indeed move to 3B...Tigers pitchers must be thrilled. Fielder, Cabrera and not like Peralta is all that great. Dear god, stay away from Rick Porcello in your fantasy drafts.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:33pm

eek

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:58pm

That's what my girlfriend says when she sees my wife's number flashing on my iPhone.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 3:50pm

And to top it off, Ryan Raburn at 2B. A defensive minus at every position in the infield. This team almost NEEDS Garza.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:17pm

DET unveils their new infielder's gloves...designed by mickey hatcher

http://multi-medium.net/wp-content/uploads/20...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:13pm

http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-super-st...

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:17pm

"Considered a more comprehensive measurement of batting efficiency because it adds more things to other things"

win.

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 8:30am

I liked this one...
"RUNX2: A stat equal to the number of runs scored by a baseball player multiplied by two"

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 8:14pm

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2012/01/cu...

I didn't listen to any of it, but apparently in Goldstein's podcast he believes Cubs are favorites for Cespedes and throws out a $40M figure and that they may already have an offer on the table.

looks like LHP Gerardo Concepcion will decide soon...

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 7:06am

Our condolences to Theo on the passing of his Puerto-Rican cousin-

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/i...

Submitted by CincyKid
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 8:44am

it's like so weird, you know.
I'm dyin over here...

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 10:56am

MLB MLB
BREAKING: @Phillies sign OF Juan Pierre to Minor League contract with invitation to Spring Training.

I betting he doesn't play in MLB next year.

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:46am

The good thing about Juan Pierre is that speed never slumps.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:08pm

No, but as you get older, you might find yourself leading the league in caught stealing for the last two years.

Submitted by JD
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 1:05pm

Or in an ED commercial.

Submitted by Brick
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 5:11pm

Or leading off the wrong way in a video game commercial.

Submitted by Tito
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:09am

The Riot signed with the Giants, reuniting him with TRN's lamely-nicknamed buddy Fountainout.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:33am

It appears as if the Giants now have the lead in short IFers

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:47am

Terrible.

Submitted by Jace
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:48am

Bobby Scales is BACK!

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 3:23pm

FREEDOM!

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 5:36pm

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:48am — Jace

Bobby Scales is BACK!

===============================

JACE: Bobby Scales will probably be a player-coach at Iowa in 2012, coaching 1st base, and getting temporarilily activated whenever they need a body. Meanwhile, Scales will learn the ropes of managing and instruction under the I-Cubs' veteran minor league manager (and ex- Cubs Minor League Field Coordinator) Dave Bialas.

The Cubs have done this many times before. Just for example, Casey Kopitzke, Mark Johnson, Jason Dubois, Franklin Font, and Leo Perez were all player-coaches in the Cubs organization before getting full-time gigs as minor league coaches or managers.

Besides Bobby Scales, other candidates for minor league player-coach next season would include Blake Lalli, David Macias, Carlos Figueroa, and Mario Mercedes.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:51am

what an exciting day in irrelevant ex-Cubs news

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:05pm

oh yes, the Tigers infield defense is gonna suck..chart in there of the worse defensive infields of all-time and if you don't have the Yankees offense from 2000-2010, the team records aren't too great.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php...

has a list of the worst defensive 3B seasons of all-time, guess which 2 Cubs made it and the year?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:22pm

The Answer:

5th worst since 1951 was Ron Cey in 1983, 11th worst was Aramis Ramirez in 2006

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:24pm

I guessed Cey at some year, not Aram.

Submitted by Wes
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 2:19pm

YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME ENOUGH TIME TO GUESS

Submitted by Brick
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 5:14pm

That's not entirely fair. The Cubs have had over 2,000 third basemen. By the law of averages, we'll have a lot on any all-time list.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 5:27pm

it uses FRAA so why bother?

tori hunter agrees strongly since he's evidently a very league average CF'r except for the 2 years where he was ungodly...which is oddly sandwiched between a year he was well below average.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 6:04pm

to annoy you

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 6:07pm

obviously not, but FRAA is flunky as hell...more-so than newer UZR formulations, imo. BPros clings to it like a war widow.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:13pm

Yaquis de Obregon won the Mexican Pacific League title

RHP Marco Carillo, RHP Oswaldo Martinez and INF Alfredo Amezaga were on the team from the Cubs.

I didn't recognize any other Cubs on the roster.
http://www.yaquis.com.mx/

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:18pm

David Cameron tweet-
In 1982, Bob Stanley faced 694 batters in relief. In 2011, Jeff Samardzija led all relievers with 380 batters faced.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:21pm

thank you Tony LaRussa for pussifying(that's a word right? it is now) relievers..

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 3:23pm

did you see how he managed his relievers in the playoffs?

if the cards didnt win that's all people would be talking about.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 1:25pm

here's the article on if relievers being used on shorter stints is better for the teams

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/are-...

it is fantastic and as most of us agree (besides MLB managers), it doesn't seem to have helped one bit.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:44pm

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/893980/cubs...

Cubs "window to win" in a fun graphical form

Submitted by Jace
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 1:12pm

ryan flaherty and marwin gonzalez still on there...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 1:20pm

they'll be back :)

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:58pm

Theo probably having a good laugh over this

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/01/27/li...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 1:06pm

that is fantastic...

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 1:19pm

Is that a true story? Caveat emptor.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 2:21pm

Ruzz Canzler DFA'd by Rays to make room for Keppinger.

just a tsunami of ex-Cubs news today....

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 3:53pm

Well...

mikewickett michael wickett tweet-
Corey Hart: "You lose more in the clubhouse with craig counsell leaving than Prince". #brewers

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:19pm

No way, Prince is much bigger.

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 4:04pm

Hey, Anybody get their swing analyzed by Rudy Jaramillo for $150.
http://www.rudyjaramillo.com/5452.html

And then what to make ? of this tidbit from C. Muskat's column on Josh Vitters...

//Stewart has gotten a head start. He attended a mini-camp with Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo in early January in Mesa and the reports were good.//

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 4:11pm

Default Footer Text

lulz...templates

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 5:49pm

lou pinella's mom passes away, fwiw.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 5:51pm

b.selig at "Sox Fest 2012" (wsox) asked about the theo-compensation issue...reply "..it's in my lap."

no idea how long this will drag on.

Submitted by Pell Mell
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 8:30pm

/Bud Selig's Lap'd

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 9:52pm

vitters interview

http://m.mlb.com/chc/news/article/20120126264...

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 10:52pm

Lame. Vitters comes across as a woe-is-me, huge chip-on-the-shoulder kid. A call-up "isn't up to me, it's the front office's call" etc...how about you hit better than a 800 OPS in the minors in your SIXTH professional season and maybe someone will take you serious?

Cripes, the Cubs are real men of genius when it comes to having that #3 overall pick, aren't they? Patterson, Montanez, Vitters. Awesome.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 5:44am

Not much Muskat writes for the team isn't lame. I didn't take any of Vitters' comments as woe is me. What's he supposed to say? "These clowns called up Campana and not me. WTF?"

Anyway, I think he'll beat the shit out of the PCL this year. I think he stays in Iowa all year and works on his defense and getting into hitter's counts.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 9:20am

Yeah, I don't read any amount of complaining in that article.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 9:56am

"Any way I can get to the big leagues to help the team is perfect for me," he said.

What a dick...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 10:04pm

lulz...MLBInsideNews "Scott Swaim" closed his account minutes/hours after prince fielder was signed.

at least that's over.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 5:57am

fwiw, matt garza was at the bulls game on the 25th. wonder what he's in town for (besides a basketball game)...or if he lives here now in the offseason. he's got 3 kids and at least 1 is school age, maybe 2. he wasn't good at condoms in highschool...supposedly a good family dude, though. whatever, rock on.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 1:31pm

he wasn't good at condoms in highschool

TMI

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 5:14pm

hey, he married the woman and had 2 more...and still with her.

something worked out.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 6:29pm

offseason weekend MLB Network content = the sad.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 6:38pm

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball...

brett jackson story.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 2:36pm

will be making a calculated gamble that Cubs fans are slightly less whiny than Red Sox fans.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 3:16pm

Wow! maybe this is meant for overweight Cubs? Or me?

Submitted by Newport
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 3:26pm

I really want an Italian beef, some cheese fries, a coke, and a milkshake now. Thank you spammer for making me fatter.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 4:40pm

"Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals are "actively shopping" right-hander Kyle McClellan."

i still think it's an error on STL's part not having him as a starter. maybe someone will "fix" that issue. cubs not rumored in the mix, fwiw.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:03pm

Somebody say something.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:28pm

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/d...

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:33pm

That'll do, that'll do.

Frankly, I was hoping for something along the lines of a Rule 34'd Q-Bert/Jose Macias...but "Ugly" Dickshot will do, indeed.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:39pm

http://fast1.onesite.com/myyesnetwork.com/use...

seriously?

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:42pm

Serious about what? My desire to see Macias giving it to a hyperrealistic Q-Bert? My appreciation of anyone named Dickshot? Wally Moon needs to find the number for Geo Soto's groomer, methinks.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 11:55pm

http://bitsandpieces.us/wp-content/uploads/20...

solid.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 10:35pm

Baseball-Reference's EloRater is a fun way to kill time...

http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/elo.cgi

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 01/29/2012 - 11:06pm

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/s...

They do the shocker differently out in the country.

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 12:47am

Spring training really needs to start soon!

Submitted by Jumbo
on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 11:12am

https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/164026842...

Cubs sign Trever Miller
Who?

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 11:31am

Yup. If the new regime is trying to impress us with its new software capabilities and ability to round up obscure journeymen, it's succeeding.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 12:05pm

Actually, he rounded him up for Boston last year using their software.

39 years old. There goes Theo "erring on the side of the future" again!

WALOBS!

Submitted by John Beasley
on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 12:14pm

He fluked into a great year in STL in 2009, but I'm not sure even his most optimistic projection for 2012 fetches anything interesting in July.

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia
on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 12:18pm

It's a minor-league deal, so it's not like they're banking on Miller to be our primary LOOGY this year. It's insurance in case the guys we currently have vying for LH roles in the pen don't work out.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 12:22pm

I wasn't trying to bitch per se, it just seems like deep insurance and I just meant to say it probably won't ever amount to anything. If two of Russ, Maine, Gaub, and Beliveau go down, then Miller does become important. Just in Des Moines.

Submitted by 10man
on Tue, 01/31/2012 - 7:38am

wow, if i bought an insurance policy, i sure as heck would wan't more than a band-aid for coverage.

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