Brad Snyder Elects Free-Agency

On the heels of the eight Cubs minor leaguers opting for free-agency this week per MLB Rule 55, the Cubs have outrighted 28-year old OF Brad Snyder to Iowa.


Because he was outrighted previously in his career, Snyder is eligible to be a free-agent immediately per CBA Article XX-D. And he has in fact exercised his right to be a FA (he is not signed for 2011, so there was no point in deferring his free-agency until the end of the 2011 MLB regular season).



Snyder was a Draft-Excluded Player (meaning he was added to the Cubs 40-man roster after August 15th), so the Cubs needed to secure Outright Waivers on him no later than the 4th day following the conclusion of the World Series, and then outright him to the minors before the waivers expired (within seven days, or by the end of the waiver period on November 10th, whichever came first), otherwise they would not have been able to outright him until 20 days prior to 2011 MLB Opening Day. So apparently the Cubs figured that they were going to need Snyder's roster spot in the interim, otherwise they would have just kept him around for Spring Training. .


Snyder was the Cleveland Indians 1st round draft pick (18th overall) in 2003 out of Ball State, but was not able to develop into an MLB player during his six seasons in the Indians organization. The Cubs claimed Snyder off waivers in September 2008, and although he was a Rule 55 minor league FA last off-season and could have gone elsewhere, he opted to re-sign with the Cubs. He got an NRI to Spring Training 2010 and then hit 308/381/568 with 19 SB (5 CS) at AAA Iowa in 132 games (543 PA), before getting called up to Chicago in September, where he hit just 185/214/222 in 12 games (28 PA). He was named to the 2010 Topps AAA All-Star team.


Snyder is "toolsier" than your typical "4-A" guy, in that he has a plus-arm, plus-power, plus-speed, and is a solid defender. But he has a long swing and is prone to strikeouts, and likely will struggle to hit the better pitching he would see consistently in the big leagues. Also, he was in a position with the Cubs where he was out of minor league options, and would have gone into Spring Training battling Sam Fuld and Micah Hoffpauir (who are also out of minor league options) for a roster spot that (by the time Spring Training rolls around) might not even exist.


The Cubs MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) now stands at 36. The deadline for adding a player who is eligible for selection in next month's Rule 5 Draft to an MLB 40-man roster is November 20th, so the Cubs could add up to four players to their 40-man roster on November 20th without having to drop anybody else from the 40, or even more than four if additional players are outrighted to the minors. However, keep in mind that Cubs GM Jim Hendry usually likes to keep at least one roster slot open going into the off-season for free-agents, so the Cubs might not add four players to their 40-man roster on November 20th.


RHP Chris Archer and OF Brandon Guyer are locks to get added to the 40, but 3B Marquez Smith and RHP Alberto Cabrera are probably "on the bubble."

Tags: 
Cubs Roster Moves
Cubs Minor Leagues
Brad Snyder
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 11/10/2010 - 7:20pm
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Comments

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Wed, 11/10/2010 - 7:27pm

I'll be a tad surprised if all the remaining pen arms hang on to their 40 man spots. I'm expecting at least 1, if not more, slots to be cleared.

AzPhil, what's your current take on Luke Sommer? Awhile ago, I asked someone and they suggested that Sommer might be a dark sleeper to be protected. Realistically, it probably won't happen, particularly since with Grabow/Russell/Marshall/Maine/Gaub, there's a lot of lefties on the 40, but am curious about your take on him.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Wed, 11/10/2010 - 7:51pm

Submitted by toonsterwu on Wed, 11/10/2010 - 7:27pm.
I'll be a tad surprised if all the remaining pen arms hang on to their 40 man spots. I'm expecting at least 1, if not more, slots to be cleared.

AzPhil, what's your current take on Luke Sommer? Awhile ago, I asked someone and they suggested that Sommer might be a dark sleeper to be protected. Realistically, it probably won't happen, particularly since with Grabow/Russell/Marshall/Maine/Gaub, there's a lot of lefties on the 40, but am curious about your take on him.

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

TOONSTER: As you may recall, I was at Fitch Park the day Luke Sommer was converted to a pitcher, so I have followed his progress a little closer than some other guys. Sommer's breaking ball is just so-so, and he pitches to contact (so he isn't the kind of guy you would bring into a game to get a strikeout), but he has a really good "natural" two-seamer with movement, he throws strikes, and he has the "rubber-arm" you see a lot in a converted position player.

I don't think Sommer is a candidate to get added to the Cubs 40-man roster at this time, although I was told that it was between Maine and Sommer when Scott Maine got called up in August.

If the Cubs were considering Sommer for the 40 post-2010, he probably would have gotten a slot in the AFL or a roster spot in Venezuela. That said, he could very well get an NRI to Spring Training, and I'm sure he will be monitored closely by the Cubs next season.

I don't know if anybody will select Sommer in the Rule 5 Draft, because all it takes is one scout to recommend a guy, but none of the scouts I talked to over the past couple of months mentioned Sommer like they did Rafael Dolis last off-season.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Wed, 11/10/2010 - 10:16pm

as a side note ... is there any sleepers that you think could be added? Doesn't seem like any on paper - the obvious candidates are guys like Guyer (should be), Archer (definitely), with the borderline cases being guys like Cabrera (I hope), Smit, Marquez Smith, amongst others, but just curious if you think there's a darkhorse out there.

I guess, if you don't mind a tag-along, who do you think has a chance of being plucked in the rule 5. I'd guess any of the above if they aren't protected, maybe Clevenger.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 3:09am

Submitted by toonsterwu on Wed, 11/10/2010 - 10:16pm.
as a side note ... is there any sleepers that you think could be added? Doesn't seem like any on paper - the obvious candidates are guys like Guyer (should be), Archer (definitely), with the borderline cases being guys like Cabrera (I hope), Smit, Marquez Smith, amongst others, but just curious if you think there's a darkhorse out there.

I guess, if you don't mind a tag-along, who do you think has a chance of being plucked in the rule 5. I'd guess any of the above if they aren't protected, maybe Clevenger.

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

TOONSTER: I don't know if you would consider him to be a dark horse, but I do think IF-OF Marwin Gonzalez is a candidate to get selected based on his performance in the VWL. If he does get picked he'll have to show in Spring Training games that he is able to hit big league pitching, and if he he's obviously not ready, the Cubs will get him back. He's not the type of prospect who would get stashed on a 25-man roster for an entire season if he's not ready.

Steve Clevenger definitely should get consideration in the Rule 5. He went back to AA in 2010 when he should have been playing in AAA, only because he was blocked by Welington Castillo and Chris Robinson at Iowa, and even on his own team by Robinson Chirinos. And the way things stand now, he'll probably end up back at Tennessee again in 2011 sharing catching duties with Michael Brenly. So it would be good for him if he can get a chance with another organization. He has a nice LH line-drive stroke (albeit without much HR power) that should translate well to pinch-hitting duties, and he can play 1B in addition to catcher (and he can also play 3B in a pinch). His receiving still needs some work and he has (at best) an average arm, but pitchers love throwing to him. He really knows how to work hitters. He will probably be a manager or coach once his playing career is over.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 2:02am

http://www.cubscast.com/letter.php

but holy douchebaggery MLB....

~whoops~
http://www.cubscast.com/

and click on "note from Lou" at the bottom (not that Lou)

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 12:38pm

is this link broken or are you drunk Rob?

Very confused...

*edit I don't know what the letter used to be, but it's just pics now.

Listening to the podcast now, and yes, super-douchebaggery

*second edit Maybe I'm drunk, but the font is white, need to highlight to read... cute

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 12:41pm

I'm bewildered too. What are we looking at?

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 12:45pm

Highlight the whole page, the font is white to match the background.

Either a formatting issue or he's trying to hide it from casually prying eyes.

Either way, Rob's right, that's unbelievable bullshit.

Listened to the first few minutes of the final cast, fwiw, the other team referenced is the Twins.

So eff them too.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 1:26pm

it's a page that's embedded as a popup with formatting/backgrounds in the popup. just go to the main page and click the letter link at the bottom of the page.

Submitted by T-Dubs
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 3:00pm

Clever bit of espionage writing the entire page in white on white so that MLBAM would not be able to read the details of their litigation strategy.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 1:06pm

Yeah, I would have told them to go fuck themselves. The Cubs don't own the word "Cubs", and you could cobble together a good enough defense in a day at a law library, assuming that MLB was actually so stupid as to open that pandora's box by taking you to court, to be able to keep using it.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:10pm

apologies to all, linked to the wrong thing...it's fixed in the original comment.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 12:26pm

Buys Condo on Lake Shore Drive

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/11/...

Very confident or very stupid?

Submitted by Tito
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 2:07pm

Maybe he likes the city regardless of where he plays?

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 12:36pm

Not only did Gordon Edes shitcan Phil Rogers lede balloon that Fukudome could be headed to Boston but Kosuke and his wife just closed on a $1.3 million 3 bedroom Lakeshore Drive condo.

Frankly, the Cubs should just hang on to KFuk this year. Expensive or not, the other three outfielders Soriano, Byrd, and Colvin are good for only about 120 games each before they're gassed, injured or just phoning it in. So we need a four man blue-man group out there this year.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 12:38pm

You made a mistake there, you listed Sori, Byrd and Colvin for gassed, injured and phoning it in after 120 games...

Those are all just Soriano.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 1:14pm

Yep, Soriano is a perrenial Gassed, Injured, and Phoning it In triple crown winner since he joined the Cubs.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 12:47pm

From Your Morning Fill (of bullshit):

"Hendry and Mike Quade say Colvin's 2011 position -- right field or first base -- will depend on what happens to the roster. But would the Cubs have to acquire a first baseman if they found a way to open an outfield spot for Colvin? Not necessarily. They could move Ramirez across the infield to play first -- gambling that he will hit enough to offset his lack of fielding -- and fill third base internally. Josh Vitters, 21, isn't ready but could come fast if he ever gets his wrists and hands healthy. But the Cubs have a sneak-attack player worth a look in 25-year-old Marquez Smith, who hit .297 with 20 homers in 107 games between Double-A and Triple-A a year ago. He wasn't promoted in September but seems likely to be added to the 40-man roster this month. It wouldn't be the worst thing to take a look at him with guys like Jeff Baker and Darwin Barney providing some insurance while keeping a spot open for Vitters when (if?) he's ready."

Az Phil said in different thread that Smith had a possible shot to hit the 40 man...

(On a side note, is Jeff Baker really insurance?)

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 1:00pm

He meant that Jeff Baker is going to be selling insurance.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 10:12pm

LOL

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 1:12pm

Bill James projections for the Cubs haven't been very accurate or useful recently but FWIW here's where he has Jeff Baker next year: Jeff Baker: .281/.336/.448/.784 in 366 AB; 24 doubles, 11 HR, 51 RBI

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 2:08pm

Here's all the seasons he's matched those numbers:

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 2:13pm

don't embarrass the spreadsheet in front of the non athletic guys. it makes the spreadsheet feel depressed.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 1:39pm

phillies hire juan samuael as bench coach...sam perlozzo moves to 1st base coach from 3rd (already hired and in-house)

...pickings are getting slimmer for sandberg not riding a bus next year

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 3:48pm

Cubs looking at Bonds.

No, not Barry.

http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/11/ri...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 4:39pm

Not to make a political debate about it, but this is the same stupidity as when the current US administration talks about the repealed tax cuts not being a new tax on anyone.... If you made $250K in 2001, that's not the same as making $250K in 2011, and if you make $16.1 million in 2010, that's not the same as making $16.1 million in 2040, and anyone who tells you it is is either being deceptive or too stupid to be in the position they're in.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:17pm

it's more like a low-interest up front loan from a state organization that has a historical/economic/civic/legal interest in wrigley field.

the repeal of upper income bracket tax breaks don't fit into it too well, imo.

hendry and crew are probably riding high on the victory in mesa, az.

-edited out political stuff and commentary upon reflection-

...basically it was a rant..."well, to get political as an aside since i havent seen it brought up..." followed by the whole rickets family (esp. big daddy) involvement in 1-source funded political action committees (PACs) pouring 100s of thousands into elections.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 5:29pm

My point is, that the state of Illinois will be losing real dollars by agreeing to cap their income at $16.1 million for 35 years.

It's like your company coming to you and saying "We're going to keep paying you the same for the next 35 years - no cost of living increases." Would you be OK with that?

For season tickets, the Illinios legislature probably will be.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 6:46pm

To the rescue: Taxpayers Against Earmarks

Led by none other than Joe Ricketts

http://endingspending.com/about/

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 7:15pm

funded by none other than joe ricketts...literally...

their logo should be "Because it's my money." not "Because it's our money."

it's one thing to promote advocacy with these kind of single-funded PACs...it's another thing to use it as a front to shovel unlimited money around to politicians, imo...even though it's legal.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 6:05pm

Well, if the $16.1 million figure in the article is accurate then the actual mean average ticket price last year can be figured from it and I come up with $43.85 a seat based on 3.06 million attendance.

As for the Ricketts bond scheme, it looks like he's betting the house on roaring inflation saving the bonds from default because there's not a lot of unsold seating capacity for ticket sales (plenty of room to go the other way though) leaving ticket price increases as the only way to provide revenue to pay those bonds. And if those $200-300 million in bonds are going to pay even marginally realistic interest you're looking at needing another $16 million/yr to do it.

This seems like a helluva way to pay for park maintenance and capital improvements...things the Ricketts should be paying for. In fact, the Ricketts (that would be Joe not Tom) grand plan seems to be a gradual dumping of Wrigley onto the public while the family invests in the neighborhood around it...similar to what they're doing in Mesa, AZ.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 6:10pm

BTW, tickets to the Cubs Convention which used to sell out in minutes are still available.

Submitted by dc60124
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 7:21pm

perhaps if we are lucky, they won't sell out and the "local broadcast blackout" won't be lifted.

Submitted by Tito
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 9:04am

Why does this matter so much to you that you have to keep bringing it up?

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 9:10am

Why does it bother you that I'm bring it up? This is a Cubs blog.

Submitted by Tito
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 9:56am

Because I think it's stupid to care about whether the Cubs Convention isn't sold out yet.

There. I answered your question. Now answer mine.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 12:00pm

It's definitive proof that Tim Wilkens is a bad scouting director.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 2:14pm

some more explanation on the proposal that Ricketts neglected to tell the governor elect about...

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2010/11/12/ricket...

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 8:29pm

Dan Uggla might get traded ... I'd think Hendry likes the idea of getting another high-K right-handed all-or-nothing power hitter. He's no slap-hitting, low-OBP middle infielder, but hey, there's still almost two months until Christmas, right?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 11:59am

He's walked 170 times the last two years, that's not too bad.

Gut the system and get Uggla and Gonzalez - that would make us division favorites again!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 12:08pm

Over the last three years Uggla has had a line of .264/.361/.493 OPS: .855

That is pretty stinkin' good for a 2b, even with the "high-K" numbers.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 2:40pm

I'm not saying he's not a good player - in fact, a team that needs to improve its offense and that marks second base as one of its weakest positions would almost definitely target him this winter.

I'm just pointing out that he might make a ton of sense as a trade target *IF* Hendry hadn't already gone with an all-righty-power lineup every damn year of his tenure. Doesn't he *need* to get a lefty again, which is how the Cubs have ended up with Jones, Fukudome, Bradley, and Nobody?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 3:45pm

Adam Dunn and Dan Uggla this offseason. PROBLEM SOLVED

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 9:51pm

Carlos Beltran willing to waive no trade cause.

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/if-m...

Soriano???

Please!

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 10:30pm

soriano's best redeeming feature is that he at least stays in shape, imo.

he also seems to be in the middle of trying to figure out how to adjust to his age catching up with how quickly he can put his bat through the zone...he took the skill for granted (or he never had the skill to adapt) for so long.

he's gone back/forth from his comfort zone at the very front of the box to giving standing back in the box a better shot for his wrists/hands to catch up to the ball. him standing back means he doesn't get to feast on late breaking offspeed stuff, though.

hopefully he figures out enough to put together something decent for the duration...and he puts some actual effort into fielding now that people won't give him a pass on the bat alone...and he stays healthy...and he stays healthy...and the health thing...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 12:07am

so your theory is the Mets might want to move a guy a year younger, who can still hit, plays better defense and has just 2 years at less money for Soriano who still has 4 years?

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 7:06am

Call me crazy, a boy can dream.

Crunch- the first adaptation to age sori needs is to use a lighter bat.
If he hasn't figure that out yet he has a long way to go.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 11:45am

there's some funny video MLB Network shot in spring of marlon byrd picking up soriano's bat and the "are you f'n kidding me?" that followed...followed by byrd making fun or soriano's swing and soriano making fun of byrd's.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 11:20pm

Here's to hoping Marmol can snag the Rolaids award and prevent the Cubs from getting shut out.

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 8:35am

If not the Rolaids Fireman of the Year, at least the Rolaids Salesman of the Year.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 11:29am

HAHA, good one.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 12:01pm

That used to be a straight formula award - is there some voting on it now?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 12:10pm

Looks like it is still straight formula: http://www.rolaidsreliefman.com/default.aspx

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 12:16pm

Thanks.

I predict when they announce the winners today, Marmolade will finish tied for third.

I assume Mr Beasley was making a joke.

Maybe Castro will win RoY due to some East Coast/West Coast writers turf war that devalues Heyward and Posey.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 1:31pm

I'm more curious if any Cub will get a mercy MVP vote?

last time that happened was 1994 and if you want to discount the strike year, then it goes back to '86.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 2:30pm

Any candidates besides, maybe, Marmol?

Even the Cubs who had good years couldn't stay healthy, or weren't called up early enough to garner consideration.

In '86 it would probably have surprised people since so many guys had good offensive years in '85.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 3:11pm

Marmol or some clever reasoning that Castro deserves a 10th place vote.

~shrug~

IBA awards got votes for Soto, Lilly, Castro, Dempster and Marmol with Soto getting the most.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/other/iba20...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 3:31pm

josh hamilton over miggy?

one of these guys didn't miss 3+ weeks of playing...one of them had more doubles, homers, walks, RBIs, and ob% over the other.

it's not night/day, but that voting is heavily in favor of hamilton. weird.

-edit- votto over pujols? really?

does any random fan vote on this? some guys with 1st place votes shouldn't even be on the list...brandon lyon, really?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 3:50pm

yes, any random fan can vote, kind of like any random writer.

overall results are almost far more reasonable than whatever the writers come up with imo beyond the few jokers that think it would be funny to give a Juan Pierre a 2nd place vote and what not.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 4:07pm

gotcha...explains things.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 4:22pm

What's the rationale to put Pujols over Votto?

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 4:29pm

he leads (though marginally) in almost every stat category and only missed like 3-4 games the whole season. his D is better, imo, but that's not worth arguing given that votto isn't inept, himself.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 5:40pm

He lead in the counting categories, not in the rate categories, and Pujols defense was just average this year by the various measures and most scouting reports.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 11:09pm

The local Walmart here in Chicagoland has a boatload of Derrek Lee t-shirts and hats, all marked down a whopping $1.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 2:44pm

Is TCR now going to start putting ads in its Facebook news feed updates?

Dislike.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 2:57pm

The Real Neal made a snotty comment.

Like this.

?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 2:59pm

not consciously...

I don't even know how to login to our facebook page.

blame Zuckerburg.

I think our RSS feed has some ads put into it, but it's been doing that for a long time and should be at the bottom of the article.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 3:02pm

A's claim Edwin Encarnaceon from TOR...damn.

bad defensive 3rd baseman due to make 5m-ish.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 1:46am

ryan theriot and family at his first celebrity golf whatever thingie...

http://twitpic.com/3676ek

okay, seriously...is his wife 4'6" or something? =p

also, lol clothes.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 2:17pm

That's not how you wear pants!

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 2:20pm

Hard to believe Kuroda can't get a better deal. It's probably a situation where he only wants a one-year deal and/or likely just wants to stay with the Dodgers. But in this winter's class, he's probably the second-most desirable free agent out there, and the thought of him not getting at least a two-year deal is pretty weird. Someone's gonna make up for it by making Jake Westbrook an awfully rich man.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 2:22pm

RIP TCR

http://techcrunch.com/2010/11/12/automated-ne...

...today the colleges...tomorrow the pros...

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 5:23pm

For this particular writer, he might want to do something else anyway:

"one dedicated to each Division 1 college basketball tam in the U.S...."

- What tam is that?

"The results surprisingly readable, if a bit dry. Here is one typical lead, which was..."

- lead in journalism is not spelled that way ("lede").

It is particularly funny that the subject matter could correct his own lack of knowledge/mistakes...

Go Internet!

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 6:10pm

"Padres acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Marlins for RHP Ryan Webb and RHP Edward Mujica."

phew...hell of a trade for FLA. mujica and webb are ready now (and webb has room to improve).

maybin is a nice return, but nice one for FLA.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 7:20pm

I thought the opposite - another case of Padres pitchers being over rated due to their ballpark. It all hinges on whether Maybin can learn the pitchers well enough to get his K rate down to 20% or though. If he does, I don't see how the Pads don't "win" this one.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 7:45pm

webb's already got a nasty fastball with movement...he's sorting out his secondary and he's already got enough to be effective. mujica i like, too.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 8:23pm

They're still a pair of relievers traded for a guy who's got the physical ability to be an all-star center fielder.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 8:51pm

yeah, i just think they're tired of waiting for the power to develop out of his free swinging. if he's gonna be mike cameron 2.0 he's going to have to improve his power potential. his plate approach is to swing...contact guy, but too much of it is bad.

that said, he's still young.

i like webb a lot and mujica i like though he can be flyball prone as hell.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:02pm

I agree. I thought it was a heck of a deal for the Padres. Worst case scenario is they give up a couple righty relievers for a defensive outfielder. Not a good situation ... but not exactly the biggest loss. Sure, Maybin is a free swinging, pound it into the ground guy, but that that cost ... and for that ballpark? Why not? Excellent gamble on their right.

To be honest, I'm mildly surprised that no one else offered a better deal than that. Mujica and Webb? That's all?

As a side note, geesh, the best return in that Miggy and Dontrelle deal is ... Burke Badenhop? eh.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:21pm

last year's regression with his contact quality scared the hell out of people.

if you're going to K 150+ times a year and not walk people expect you to hit for power.

i think it's a decent deal for either team...i just like the relievers FLA got. i like webb a lot.

i'm also probably sensitive to relief pitching right now after sitting through the 2010 cubs pen...holy f'n crap...

that said, im oddly confident in the prospect of caridad/guzman/marshall/marmol being a decent core going into 2011...well, i'd feel more confident if i knew how healthy cardidad/guzman actually are.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 11/13/2010 - 11:44pm

Guzman's offseason recovery seems to be right on schedule:

http://www.janniefunster.com/wp-content/uploa...

Submitted by The E-Man
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 12:29am

haha! Right. The odds of Guzman going on the DL once more is about the same as Ramirez. I.e. - every season.

In fact, the two givens for the Cubs 2004-2011 will be this pathetic consistency.

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 11:30am

Not to nitpick, but won't Guzman have to come off the disabled list before he can go back on the DL?

First things first is all I'm sayin'.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 6:33am

With Lilly gone, and the organization a bit down on Gorzellany due to his pitch count issues, I think it would be a minor upset if Marshall doesn't make the rotations.

What we're going to do for a left handed setup guy, miracle from Gaub notwithstanding, I have no idea. Maybe Gorz can improve his control in the pen.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 3:44pm

Grabow is in line for $4.8 million in 2011. They'll probably give him an opportunity to earn it.

Otherwise, Russell had a good rookie season and I liked what I saw from Maine.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:26pm

Maine did look promising, and looked like he had a bit of an attitude on the mound. An "I'm going to get you out" attitude, not a Z type of attitude.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 10:21pm

I'm not completely sold Marshall makes the rotation, but honest question ... why do we need a left-handed setup guy? How many teams legitimately have a left and right setup option? Now, the problem right now is that Marshall is our only setup guy, but if the Cubs decided that Marshall was better off in the rotation, and then went out and added a righty setup arm, I'd be fine with MR, FA SU, Marmol.

My hunch is that Marshall is in the pen, along with FA SU guy, and that the Cubs add a veteran starter to go with Dempster/Zambrano/Wells. That would leave one spot for Gorzelanny/Silva/Coleman or someone else.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 12:14am

Submitted by toonsterwu on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 10:21pm.
I'm not completely sold Marshall makes the rotation, but honest question ... why do we need a left-handed setup guy? How many teams legitimately have a left and right setup option? Now, the problem right now is that Marshall is our only setup guy, but if the Cubs decided that Marshall was better off in the rotation, and then went out and added a righty setup arm, I'd be fine with MR, FA SU, Marmol.

My hunch is that Marshall is in the pen, along with FA SU guy, and that the Cubs add a veteran starter to go with Dempster/Zambrano/Wells. That would leave one spot for Gorzelanny/Silva/Coleman or someone else.

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

TOONSTER: Keep in mind that Randy Wells does have a minor league option left and he is still a cheap auto-renewal guy with a lesser minor league split salary, so I would think that if the Cubs do add a FA 3rd starter, that Carlos Silva (guaranteed $6M salary to be paid by Cubs in 2011 plus too much MLB Service Time to be sent down without his OK) and Tom Gorzelanny (out of minor league options) would get first chance to cop the #4 and #5 starter slots, and even Jeff Samardzija (who is out of minor league options, and can't be traded or even placed on Outright Waivers if he doesn't give his permission in advance) might get a shot to be a starter before Wells and Coleman.

Sometimes it's all about who can be sent down and who can't, and how much it would cost to release a guy instead of keeping him and trying to fit him into a round hole.

That said, I would think that if the Cubs sign a FA #3 starter, that Gorzelanny and either Wells or Coleman will be #4-5, because the Cubs will want one lefty starter (which would probably be Gorzelanny, because Marshall has proven he can throw VERY effectively out of the pen, while Gorzelanny has not), Silva will be showcased in Spring Training, and if he pitches well, he'll get traded to a team coming out of ST desperate for a starter (with the Cubs eating maybe half his salary), and if he doesn't pitch well, he'll get stashed on the DL and left at Fitch Park with Angel Guzman (or he could even just get released), and Samardzija will be kept as a de facto Rule 5 guy as the #12 man on the staff (garbage, long relief, and emergency starter), and then the Cubs can outright him after the season once they decline the club option for 2012, unless he pitches well, in which case they'll still decline the 2012 club option, but then because he'll still be pre-arb auto-renewal after 2011, they can unilaterally drop his salary the max 20% to about $2.25M for 2012 (but again, that's only if he does a decent job next season, otherwise they'll just outright him this time next year).

FWIW, note that if Samardzija were to get outrighted post-2011 after spending the entire season on the 25-man roster, that the Cubs would still have him under club control (subject to selection in the Rule 5 Draft in 2011 and 2012) as a minor league player through the 2013 season, at which point only then he could be a minor league FA, which would be significant if Samardzija turns out to be a "late bloomer" and finally becomes a "big league pitcher" in 2012 or 2013.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 2:32pm

I'm aware of the contract issues with the players, but with all indications that the Cubs are planning on adding a veteran starter, I find it hard to see them dropping Wells from the rotation, despite the speculation, because the chances are high that whatever FA starter they add will not have had the productivity that Wells has had the last two years.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 6:58am

Hendry says he's trying to make two or three "really good moves" during the off-season, but don't expect a splash.

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

Wittenmeyer also knows of one or two first base prospect the Cubs have that the rest of us are unaware of.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 3:37pm

not the best wording by Gordon, but reading it, it sounds like he's suggesting that the prospects that would be needed for an Adrian trade may help the club soon and that the Cubs could keep them and pursue Adrian next offseason.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 8:20am

the Maybin trade reminds me of the Felix Pie trade, albeit Maybin was supposed to have a higher ceiling. Pie, at age 23, was dealt to the McFail's for Henry Williamson and Garrett Olsen.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2009-...

Olson was soon after flipped to Seattle with Ronnie Cedeno for Aaron Heileman.

middle relievers, mostly meh.

Pie still shows flashes under his Oriole raincoat, no? (sorry for the twisted testicle reference)

Pie (at age 25) line with the O's last year:

PA 308--.274/.305/.413/.718

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 8:16am

CCO has a recap of the Bruce Levine Talking Baseball radio show from saturday...most notable for the interview with Cubs scout, Stan Zielinski who was responsible for the prospects the Cubs got from Cleveland for DeRosa (with commentary on Stevens, Gaub and Archer).

http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2010/11...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 8:50am

Sounds like it would have been a good interview.

One for Navigator:

Zielinski reports to Tim Wilken on the amateur and minor league side and to Jim Hendry and Randy Bush on the pro side.

Hopefully that will put to bed the notion that Wilken directed major league scouting.

Submitted by jacos
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 11:40am

Clint Hurdle new Pirates manager.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 11:40am

Rosenthal: Cubs not interested in Uggla, targeting a LH 1B

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/marlins-da...

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 12:31pm

Off the wall idea here, but why not play Kosuke at 2b in Spring Training and see how he does? He played INF in Japan and his hitting would be more tolerable if he could play a passable 2b. It would also open up RF for Colvin full time, and make Kosuke more attractive to trade.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 10:01pm

It was my understanding that it was after he got moved to the OF that he started to hit.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 10:48pm

Maybe we should move him to 1st then.

Submitted by crunch
on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 11:20pm

i just hope the cubs don't screw up their "left handed 1st baseman" wish.

funny thing is fuku could be our primary leadoff hitter vs. righties with dewitt leading off vs. lefties (meh on dewitt leading off).

castro seems to be firmly seated in the #2 slot being the contact guy.

we got "mystery first baseman," aram, soriano, soto, and byrd to fill out a 3-7...

then we got dewitt (or whoever) vs. righties buried in the 8 slot and fuku vs. lefties (or whoever, though i feel he could play everyday even if not spectacularly vs. righties and lefties).

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 1:12pm

Mitch Adkins signs with Baltimore. I hope that one doesn't come back to bite us, and Brad Synder. I don't see any potential upside in giving up on decent looking minor leaguers after they barely get their feet wet in the majors. I guess Hendry doesn't think we will have a 4th or 5th OF this year? A cheap OF with power who can run pretty well and play all 3 OF spots sure sounds nice, and we're not going anywhere next year, so why not let Snyder get AB's next year? We cleared room on the 40 man roster by getting rid of them so we can do what, draft another David Patton?

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/oriole...

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 1:13pm

i love the yearly off-season baltimore snagging of ex-cubs.

do we have brian roberts yet or what?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 1:14pm

Starlin Castro finishes 6th in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Buster Posey wins in NL and Neftali Feliz in AL.

http://bbwaa.com/

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 3:23pm

I doubt Atkins comes back to bite us. He's an end of the rotation guy or a middle relief/long man arm. The stuff simply isn't there, so it would have to be a really fluky year. I say this as someone who thinks Atkins can find a role in the bigs, but biting us? With so many righty relievers filling up the 40, some of them had to go.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 3:57pm

Snyder's problem is that Guyer, Jackson and maybe Campana are ahead of him, apart from the four returning outfielders. So no, they won't need a 6th or 7th OF this year. (Poor Sam Fuld!)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:17pm

bigger problem is they probably didn't think he was that good and apparently none of the other 30 teams did either that passed him up on waivers.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:22pm

Kind of my thinking as well. Sure he can run and by all accounts he looks like a ballplayer when wearing the uni.

But dude can't hit a beach-ball with a boat oar. I'm ready for the Cubbies to get past tools over performance guys.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 5:48pm

well not at all what I was saying and that's a lot of pent up anger over a guy the Cubs claimed off waivers.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 9:00pm

My anger is so pent up, you'd be shocked. :)

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:52am

Not angry at all.

Just saying that all the Snyder hype has been about tools and projection over the ability to actually make contact with a baseball. If you aren't hitting at 29, you probably won't ever hit. At least not MLB pitching.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 11:23am

Absolutely. I mean hey...27 at bats is more than enough to show that!

=P

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 11:57am

actually the hype has been over his performance, he killed the ball last year. It's the tools and projections that are sending him to another organization, in that the Cubs don't think he'll be good enough for the majors despite what he did in the minors for them and it appears no other organization is too excited either.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 12:18pm

Dude has HUGE problems making contact. Doesn't have walks or real power to compensate. That is what I was saying.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 12:50pm

he walked over 10% of the time and K'd 23% and an iso SLG of .260.

for comparison, Dunn BB'd 11.5% last and K'd at 30.7% with a .276 iso.

so clearly Snyder is just as good as Dunn.

just kidding of course.

But you're talking out of your ass on this one and were taking a pot shot at the Cubs for apparently wasting a Triple A spot on Snyder when he fully warranted it, even though his demise with the Cubs is the exact opposite of what you're normally railing on. He did perform for the Cubs (and yes his K's are too high), but he was nothing more than taking a shot at a guy with high upside potential, kind of like your love child Jeremy Hermida last year.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 2:51pm

Good lord Rob, did I piss you off somewhere?

I honestly could care less if the Cubs decide to roster Brad Snyder in AAA.

I just don't think losing the guy is any big deal? Maybe he makes it past AAA at age 29? Odds are against it.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 2:56pm

I'm in agreement with you on Snyder ultimately, no real loss for the Cubs.

but will call out hypocritical stands when I see them and encourage the same be done to me.

Adam Dunn! Adam Dunn! Adam Dunn!

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 3:06pm

FART. <--- lol.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 3:14pm

Adam Dunn is a top 20 hitter in MLB baseball and has been for 10 years now. Brad Snyder is a soon to be 29 year old minor league outfielder who had a .484 OPS in his short shot in the "show".

Surely you aren't saying these guys are the same player?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 3:20pm

Adam Dunn cures cancer too.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 3:22pm

who the hell is adam dunn?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 3:24pm

I'd sure as heck rather have him than Carlos Pena or Nick Johnson or whatever other castoff that the Chicago press is floating out there.

Dunn is 20th in OPS for all active players for his career. He'd be the best offensive force we've had since a prime Sosa.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 3:33pm

He'd reduce the deficit, create jobs and end bi-partisan politics too.

I'll bet you that Dunn over the next 4 years has a lower OPS/WAR/VORP(pick one) than Aramis did from 2004-2007 and Lee from 2005-2008, thus not being the best offensive player since Sosa.

If Dunn signs a 3-year deal make it 3-year ranges for them instead.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 3:43pm

I'd be confident he would maintain 900 OPS production. Especially coming from Washington to a much hitter friendly Wrigley.

Hopefully we will get a chance to find out?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 4:15pm

that's fine, he should be around there, still wouldn't be the best hitter for the Cubs since Sosa.

If Cubs sign him, great, they could do worse and probably will. But at best he's puts up a year like Lee did in 2009 with worse defense and the Cubs were just okay in 2009 and don't think the rest of the roster is all that upgraded to make them a contender. I would argue they are heartily worse.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 12:52pm

Well...his minor league #'s are .279/.357/.488... Eh...so they let him go...I just would expect a guy who can't make contact to be more like .240/.315/.440.

What is "real power?"

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 1:13pm

his K rates are bad and he struck out almost 50% of the time against righties in his cup of coffee in the majors. Small sample size and all, but that's just not good and foreboding.

whatever, the Cubs obviously don't believe in him as more than a bench guy that probably needs regular AB's to be anything and don't see him getting those Ab's with the Cubs.

No huge loss, not even a minor one.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 5:11pm

Minor disagreement here. I think the Cubs would have invited Snyder to ST and let him try to do what Colvin did last ST, but they just have other OF prospects who are getting a little ripe but aren't greybeards yet like Snyder and Fuld.

For what it's worth, Brenly raved about Snyder's swing and how crisply the ball came off his bat during one telecast that I heard.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 5:30pm

He probably would have gotten an NRI from the Cubs and still may, my guess is that he's hoping for one with a team with less OF'ers so he actually has a shot.

For what it's worth, Brenly raved about Snyder's swing and how crisply the ball came off his bat during one telecast that I heard.

that is worth absolutely nothing.

and I'm impressed there was a time Snyder made contact in the majors that Brenly noticed.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 7:04pm

and I'm impressed there was a time Snyder made contact in the majors that Brenly noticed.

It's called batting practice.

Submitted by Charlie
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 9:28pm

He hit a hard liner that ate up a SS to drive in a run or two in one game. I think that might be the instance when Brenly praised him. It was a well-struck ball.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 1:50pm

"that is worth absolutely nothing."

It would be strange if Brenly's comments were worthless, since he could get a job as a scout if he wanted it, in which case he would get paid for his observations about unproven hitters.

There, you've goaded me into defending Snyder, 13 of whose 27 at-bats came between 9/30 and 10/3, after he had been reduced to mostly pinch-hitting duties for three weeks following the end of Iowa's season. That's some audition.

I'm not complaining, it's life in the big city. If you're not Josh Vitters and you don't fall into a good situation out of pure luck, it's tough to get a shot.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 10:30am

Riddle me this, Batman:

Why did Ryno take the same job with another
organization, when from all accounts, it was "Major Leagues or Bust"?

The Amish towns of Penn are better than the cornfields of Iowa?

What gives?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 10:49am

Well....major league jobs are filling up...maybe he decided that AAA with the Phillies is better than no job, and that Charlie Manuel may not manage more than another season or 2?

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 1:18pm

almost weird he didn't even get a 3rd base or bench coach job with someone, imo.

wonder what's up with that.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 1:13pm

ROY results are in.

http://bbwaa.com/

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 1:21pm

god bless they fixed the background color on their website

Castro now has something in common with Ryne Sandberg
http://wiklifield.thecubreporter.com/Cubs_Roo...

Submitted by Tony S.
on Wed, 11/17/2010 - 10:36pm

Castro's a primadonna too?? (ducks)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 2:51pm

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/2415...

someone will get killed on Saturday

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 2:59pm

im so ready for the cubs to quit playing at wrigley.

aside from players who don't want to deal with the craphole with a lack of amenities...and massive amounts of day games...all the in-season stuff to raise extra loot is getting old.

the offseason stuff is just getting goofy, but as long as the field is in shape by april then whatever. players had to play on worse quality fields pretty regularly in the 70s/80s...

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:52pm

Well atleast we may see a ball hawk get a football on sheffield.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 2:58pm

He's painting the iconic Wrigley Field Home of the Cubs sign purple...

http://www.cubworld.com/category/a_cubworld_cam/

What next?

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 3:00pm

ha...cute.

wonder what kind of paint they did it in since it'll probably be repainted/resurfaced/whatever after the game.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:05pm

"As a partner to the Chicago Cubs and Northwestern University, we are truly honored to help paint the Cubs marquee in preparation for this occasion," said Howard Heckes, Senior Vice President Global Consumer Division with Valspar. "We are excited to see Valspar paint turn Wrigley Field purple for the November 20 game."

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:12pm

hahah...awesome...and the painting was sponsored (given the name drop of paint brand used).

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 3:04pm

Next year Blue and Orange.

Admittedly I am an NU fan, but what's your objection with it?

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 3:05pm

it shouldn't bother anyone too much. wrigley field is painted near-literally year-round including the marquee sign.

the whole park is constantly being painted by small crews almost every month out of the year.

Submitted by Tito
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:39pm

Navigator seems to think the marquee paint dates back to the '20s.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 8:43pm

Go Cats!

I help pay their property taxes - I want something for my money besides the landfill bike path.

However, w/o one of the nation's top QB's playing for them, it will be challenging for them the last two games of the season.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 6:42am

Yeah I am going to get Texas bowl Tickets...if they win on Saturday. Maybe their 2nd string guy is another Persa - they do seem to be able to recruit good college quarterbacks (why can't they recruit a place kicker though?)

Submitted by tbone
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:02am

The 2nd stringer is not another Persa in at least two ways: He's about 7 or 8 inches taller and not as quick.

Besides a kicker it'd be nice to get a good running back again. The past two seasons are about the first in at least fifteen years that they didn't have a productive running back.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:29am

Actually, this was surprising to me, but young Trumpy was heavily recruited by some of the top programs in the country. He runs like a 4.4, and was an "All-Everything" in HS.

Submitted by tbone
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 11:36am

Yeah. It is his first season so he could definitely improve.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 1:15pm

I meant "another Persa" in the "Oh no, Basenz is gone" way.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:27am

OMG! you are so right! I realize they have less scholarships available than the rest of the Big 10, but geez!

They have not had a decent kicker since Brian Gowins who beat Michigan twice by kicking a long field goal after a penalty on the first attempt (also good) with time expiring, when Michigan was a power. And, watching last year's Bowl game against Auburn when this current talent-less guy could have iced their first bowl win since the ice-age blow it, had me screaming.

Maybe the last ten years of kickers have all been walk-ons?

I mean Fitz is incredible for what he has to work with talent-wise, but I hope they can step it up in the special teams department, as well as running back.

Submitted by navigator
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:09pm

I have no objection. I just hate the way the Ricketts kidz pretend to care about "preserving" Wrigley.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:13pm

like you noted in an earlier post, they care more about that land they own around wrigley...they'd probably love to dump the whole place on the chi. sports authority.

Submitted by Tito
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 4:38pm

What's the status of Cubs Convention tickets?

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 5:38pm

I don't think they're being painted purple.

Submitted by waveland
on Tue, 11/16/2010 - 1:12pm

after the disappointment of not selling out, it appears they'll be coaching in the Phillies minor league system next year

Submitted by QuietMan
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 5:34pm

Rick Kranitz

New Brewers picthing coach.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 5:51pm

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/do...

Robothal suggests Dodgers want to move Loney.

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