Garrett Olson Reflects on the Garrett Olson Era

Oriole-turned-Cub-turned-Mariner Garrett Olson talks about what it was like to hear he was Chicago-bound in the deal that sent Felix Pie to the O's.

From the Fresno Bee:

"Going to the Cubs, I had talked to the GM, talked to the pitching coach, a few other guys in the office. You definitely get excited for that. The thing is everybody knows the story about Chicago: haven't won a World Series in 100 years, and playing at Wrigley [Field], that's kind of like an icon in baseball. The opportunity developing in front of you is exciting."

Now Olson is with the Mariners, who have only gone 31 years without winning a World Series.

(Note: seems that we have reached the point in this country where it is physically impossible for someone from outside Chicago to say the word "Cubs" without saying the words "100 years" in the same sentence.)

One other item from the article--this telling quote from Orioles manager Dave Trembley:


"I'm not talking down on the kid, because I really like him," Trembley said... "He ought to let up on himself is what he ought to do. He ought to take a deep breath, smell the roses and realize he's in the big leagues. It doesn't look like he enjoys it." 

Olson said he's spent time this offseason with a sports psychologist
who's helped him to do just that -- simplify his life on and off the
field, remove some of the pressure and not try to do too much.

Doesn't sound like the kind of guy who would have thrived under Lou Piniella, does he?

Tags: 
Cubs Trades
Garrett Olson
Submitted by Cubnut on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 7:54pm
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Comments

Submitted by Ryno
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 8:57pm

Mark Kotsay's wife > Sports Psychologist.

*sigh*, when does parachat return?

Submitted by Wes
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 9:14pm

I went in there today for about 10 minutes just to play a bunch of sounds.

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 9:30pm

hahaha

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 9:32pm

̸̷̶̼̻̺̹͆̈́̓͂́̀̿̾̽ͅ?
̸̷̶̼̻̺̹̈́̓͂́̀̿̾̽ͅ!

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 9:33pm

♥♥♥ OMG PONIES ♥♥♥

Submitted by John Beasley
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 10:01pm

< JohnBeasley> sent sound: kids-yeah

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 10:04pm

Jerry: I hate anybody who had a pony growing up.
Manya: I had a pony!
Jerry: Well, I didn't mean a pony per se…
Manya: When I was a little girl in Poland, we all had ponies. My sister had pony, my cousin had pony. So, what's wrong with that?
Jerry: Nothing. Nothing at all. I was just expressing…
Helen: Should we have coffee? Who's having coffee?
Manya: He was a beautiful pony. And I loved him!
Jerry: Well, I'm sure you did. Who wouldn't love a pony? Who wouldn't love a person who had a pony?
Manya: You! You said so!

episode 2, season 2. Won an emmy.

http://www.tv.com/seinfeld/the-pony-remark/episode...

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 10:37pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nE-qTfnI-A

lulz...ponies.

absolutely not safe for werk.

Submitted by Cubster
on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 10:57pm

who leaves a country packed with ponies to come to a non-pony country?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RDLqb3umsw

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:06am

Olson was not really given much of a chance to succeed here.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:39am

hahaha.

i blame dusty, the outfield bleachers, steroids, doughnuts, and an all around lack of simonize and infield rakes.

Submitted by Chad
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:11am

re your silly idea to blame the can of simonize. you know damned well you can only do so much with 1/2 a can.

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:16am

You know, maybe he would have had more of a chance to succeed if our pitching coach wasn't a fucking retard who is in no way as smart as me, average other Cubs blog commenter.

Excuse me while I go fellate Dave Duncan.

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 9:40am

"Excuse me while I go fellate Dave Duncan."

On a related note, you won't believe Dave Duncan's arm strengthening program. It really helped Marquis's slider while he was a Cardinal.

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 9:56am

No good has come of this.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:25am

AWESOME

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:33am

Re: Crunch@11

"i blame dusty, the outfield bleachers, steroids, doughnuts, and an all around lack of simonize and infield rakes."

-------------------------------------------

No Michael Barrett?

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 9:14am

Chicago #3

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/06/most-miserable-ci...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 9:20am

Abreu... 1 year, $5M, to the Angels.

Submitted by CPH2133
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 9:25am

Hunter, Mathews Jr., Guerrero, Abreau where do they all play? One DH's I assume. Is 1st an option for them? With Rob Quinlan/Morales as their starting 1B right now doesn't make those power positions too scary.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 9:26am

They also have Juan Rivera and Reggie Willits as OF options.

Submitted by CPH2133
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 9:29am

Double post, sorry

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:05am

damn, there's a shot to the ego

and the Angels are dumb, unless Dunn just refuses to be a DH

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:09am

Please explain why the Angels are dumb Rob? I know Abreu is an overrated hitter, a terrible fielder, and he clubs baby seals...but for 1 year/$5 million plus incentives?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:26am

Rob runs this joint. Do not question why he hates Abreu so

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:30am

I don't question Rob's hate...I question calling the Angels dumb for signing Abreu to a modest deal. He is an upgrade over Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews, and even Torii hunter at the plate. So they stick him in LF/DH, Hunter in CF, and Vlad in RF/DH as well, subbing Rivera/Matthews.

This signing improved the Angels.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:32am

I was just bustin Rob's satchel a little with that.

I still think its much better than even money that Abreu outperforms Bradley this year. And for only 1/6th the financial commitment.

Oh well.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:39am

I agree Dr....but I can't argue that someone will get a good player in Adam Dunn too.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:44am

I agree.

I'd take Abreu and Adam Dunn over Bradley and DLee right now given the option.

I imagine Lou probably would as well?

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:51am

I definitely would NOT take Abreu and Dunn over Bradley and DLee. We don't need a high HR, high strikeout, no defense playing guy like Dunn - we already have one of those in Soriano, except Soriano can actually steal a base. I'll take DLee's intangibles every day of the week over Dunn, who is very one-dimensional. DLee has also been very successful in the postseason, including winning a ring, so that can't be understated and his defense is top-notch.

If you compare the OPS of Bradley and Abreu over the past couple of seasons, Milton's average is about .970 and Abreu is more like .830, which is a marked improvement. If you throw Dunn in this OPS mix, even with all of his HRs and walks, he still only has an OPS average in the low 0.9s, which is a step below Bradley.

Add to this that Bradley is nearly 5 years younger than Abreu and I think he is the better player. I believe his temperamental issues are now a thing of the past, and so the big question with Bradley is health. If you look at his Cubs contract (3 years/$30M), he got a $4M signing bonus and is getting $5M for this season. He gets $9M next year and $12M in 2011, but the Cubs covered their asses for 2011 by adding a $2M buyout if he gets hurt and doesn't play much in 2009, which was smart on their part.

I do have to agree that Abreu is a good deal at 1 year/$5M, but I'd rather have the guys we got.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:10pm

Of course, take into consideration that Bradley's OPS over the last 2 seasons:
2008: 126 games, 97 at DH. Career highs in avg, obp, slg...
2007: 61 games, .306/.402/.545

If he can stay healthy playing RF this year, play maybe 130-140 games, and duplicate last year's avg/obp/slg numbers, it will be a good signing for the Cubs.

I don't care how old Abreu is, he has proven he will be in the lineup 150+ games a season, will give you 100 runs, 100 RBIs, 20 steals, 20 HRs, but will cover less ground in RF than Bradley with a better arm.

Again...if Bradley proves his critics wrong, this will be a really good signing for the Cubs.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:14pm

I'll bet $20 real dollars that Abreu doesn't get 100 RBI's or 20 HR's this year...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:22pm

Damn... I was going to make the same bet.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:34pm

I'd counter with I bet $20 that he ends up with more HR and RBIs than Bradley...

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:43pm

But that isn't what you said.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:46pm

Ok...I'd lay that bet too then...

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:50pm

This is exactly what I said:

"don't care how old Abreu is, he has proven he will be in the lineup 150+ games a season, will give you 100 runs, 100 RBIs, 20 steals, 20 HRs, but will cover less ground in RF than Bradley with a better arm."

So...Abreu hasn't shown that in his career? Hasn't averaged that?
He may have to work a bit on 20 HR's this season without the shorter porch in Yankee stadium.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:53pm

I know exactly what you said, I'm just willing to lay money on the line that he won't hit 20 HR's or get to 100 RBI's. Plus you're ignoring his defense which is a key component.

*edit* that should be and not an or, Tito will nail me again on the rules.

Submitted by Andy
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:58pm

on some screens, comments that reply to mine will start becoming very narrow. Maybe we can get a comment box so narrow that
only
one
word
fits
per
line

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:25pm

Oh, well that's just blatantly pandering for people to reply... I resent it...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:39pm

resent what?

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:54pm

I resent this...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:03pm

what are we resending?

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:37pm

Not resending... Resenting...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:38pm

Oh! got it

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:41pm

how has this not gotten old yet?

at least post some good links

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:49pm

Chad's not impressed.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:51pm

No tanline!

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:52pm

Here's one for you, Chad:

http://www.daylife.com/photo/05Ct4HH2LUavC

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:57pm

no way in hell I'm clicking on that.

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:59pm

It's not that bad -- JimmE and Jeff Weaver sharing a love embrace.

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:01pm

Although, it gets worse if you imagine where Weaver's other hand is....

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:02pm

Damn, this thing is nearly broken.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:07pm

what thing?

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:09pm

Like George from Seinfeld - it's getting smaller and smaller...

I just got out of the pool!

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:17pm

Chad: "Really, it shrinks? I don't know how you guys walk around with those things."

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:19pm

If it were an Ipod, it would be a shuffle

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:22pm

How far into the gray can we go?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:26pm

its really a grey area

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:28pm

Oh, shades of gray, gotcha.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:47pm

This is the first gray incursion I have observed... Does this lower the high level of etiquette typically expected of our comments?

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:50pm

I lost you. You're talking about the etiquette of gay incursion?

Submitted by Chad
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 6:14pm

Speaking of gay incursion, did somebody page me?

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 6:17pm

lulz.

Submitted by CPH2133
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 8:58pm

fun

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:02pm

Luckly Jimmy and Robbie Alomar were never teammates!

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:04pm

Why are you saying that Abreu would be a good signing when Sammy Sosa who averages 42 HR's and 117 RBI's per 162 games is available for less than Abreu (22 & 98)

You're getting all EINTKILIMFYORB on us. The Brewers had more HR's and SB's than the Cubs last year, but the Cubs scored about 100 more runs. It's almost as if fantasy baseball stats aren't the sole factor in determining how good an offense is.

I will admit that the Angels got a helluva deal, but you have to take that in the context that it was a post-Cubs signing.

Submitted by Wes
on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 12:32am

There's that, plus everybody would be running around this place like a chicken with their fucking head cut off if we had waited until 3 days before pitchers and catchers to sign a RFer.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 11:41pm

I hadn't even thought about that. That's got to be worth $2 million a year right there.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:51pm

too sketchy on my part, I think Bradley's value comes in as much with his OBP/OPS and glove over Abreu...

I'll happily take a bet on using WARP or WAR  value between Bradley and Abreu though, which is a cumulative stat and would incorporate playing time and defensive value.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:57pm

So does the fact that Abreu will steal 20 more bases than Milton cancel out the supposed defensive edge?

Also keep in mind that Milton has AVERAGED 61 games played in the Outfield since 2004.

A whole lot easier to shine out there when your only playing 1/3 of the games.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:02pm

I made my bet offer...WARP or WAR are cumulative stats that include defense and (I believe) stolen bases.

if you don't like it, don't take me up on it.

 

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 11:49pm

"So does the fact that Abreu will steal 20 more bases than Milton cancel out the supposed defensive edge?"

What would you rather have, a baserunner go from first to second 20 times a year, or an out being turned into a double 20 times a year?

It's obviously not going to work out that clear cut, but 22 stolen bases with 11 caught stealing is not very valuable, that's worth like 1 run over the course of a season. Acording to BP on non-stole base base running Abreu was worth -.6 and Bradley worth -1.8, so you're talking 2 to 3 runs difference.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 12:45pm

Of course, factor in the defensive skills of whoever will play right field when Bradley is out 40-90 games this season...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 4:55pm

you really don't wanna go mixing abreu and defense into an argument because while milton's injury is hypothetical abreu's brian giles-like defensive quality is real.

b.giles used to be known as a decent defender with a good enough arm and for some reason he still is in the eyes of too many. abreu is "good enough" to play RF in the same respect as some of others out there, but milton laps him with the glove, arm, range...and he can play CF, too.

ever see abreu play something off the wall? ...of course you have because he plays everything off the wall if it's near the warning track. seen him throw the past 3 years?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:03pm

Playing time will be a key issue..

I don't want to hear at the end of the year.."Bradley's numbers were .307/.382/.520"...and he only plays 90 games.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:10pm

I'd happily take a bet of Bradley will finish with a higher WARP1 or WAR value than Abreu in 2009. It would account for any playing time issues, stealing bases and defense.

If it makes you feel better, Abreu beat Bradley in 4 of the last 5 seasons in WARP1 value.

 

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:45pm

If your serious, I would love to take that bet.
20 Hr's Or 100 RBI's

I firmly believe that he will put up better HR-RBI-SB totals than Bradley in 2009.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:49pm

I am serious, but the bet I'm making is:

if Abreu hits 20 HR's or more AND 100 RBI's or more, I'll pay out $20

if he hits less than 20 HR's AND less than 100 RBI's, you pay me $20

if ihe hits 20 or more but less than 100 RBI's OR hits less than 20 HR's but a 100 or more RBI's, we call it even

I'll take up to 5 people on that bet...

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:53pm

Ok....I'm in on that..

I would counter bet that Bradley will not hit 25 HR or 100 RBI, and will not play >120 games this year.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:54pm

see comment #50...

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:54pm

That does make it a less-attractive bet, since your original post said 20 HRs OR 100 RBIs.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:57pm

well sorry about my original use of conjunctions, didn't think anyone would take me up on it to be honest, but the bet I laid out above is what I meant. No one has to take me up on it if they don't like the parameters.

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:18pm

I wasn't going to bet one way or the other, merely commenting. It is a different bet. :)

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:55pm

Rest of the Angels offense is beyond suspect.

I'd say 20 Hr's is a lock. 100 RBI's is probably not happening in Anaheim.

I do however see Mike Scioscia playing a ton of small ball with Abreu.

Double digit Sac bunts, lots of hit and runs, at least 25 Steals

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:19pm

I'd say 20 Hr's is a lock.

A lock?

Abreu's home run numbers in recent years: 20, 16, 15, 24

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:21pm

Strictly looking at it financially, I'm sure if Hendry knew he could wait another month and be able to sign Abreu for 1 year at $5M, he would have done it in a heartbeat, just to avoid the injury potential with Bradley. Still, Bradley is not going to be asked to carry a 150-game load, because we can always play Fukudome in right and Johnson/Gathright in center at least once a week, so we don't overtax Bradley. I'd be happy with getting 120 games out of Bradley and having him (and Harden) healthy going into the postseason, assuming we get there.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:51pm

This is the fundamental problem with your argument. Banking on Bradley and Harden to be healhty come Playoff time is a roll of the dice at best.

How quickly people forget the offseason between 2004-2005

-We will have a full season from Nomar

-We have Wood and Prior back and healthy

-We got rid of Cancers like Alou and Sosa

-and replaced them with good intangeble guys like Burnitz and Hollandsworth

-Todd Walker can play 2nd base and our lineup will have all kinds of Lefthanded balance

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:57pm

Hollandsworth....ugh...I just couldn't believe he wasn't as good as he was in 57 games in 2004. Oh...sample size?

Fucking horrible move there...just horrible...that .254/.301/.388 was superb.

Dusty Baker, please look up "last hurrah" or "lightning in a bottle."

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:02pm

That's as much on McFail and Hendry as anybody.

How anyone could justify replacing 80 Hr's and 200 RBI's with those two schlubs is beyond me.

Yet the message boards were filled with people harping on "addition by subtraction" and "lefthandedness" and "intagables". Alot like what is happening this year.

Even though I will admit we are in a better position now to withstand Bradley and Harden on the DL.

And the division is 800000% weaker than it was in 2005

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:08pm

Burnitz didn't bother me that much, although his numbers were pedestrian, yet Ruthian next to Hollandsworth-less:

Todd: .254/.301/.388, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 17 2B
Burnitz: .258/.322/.435, 24 HR, 87 RBI, 31 2B

Brilliant plan...

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:24pm

Baseball is all about risk/reward with injury-prone guys. I WOULD bank on Bradley and Harden being healthy come playoff time, because I'm assuming the organization is smart enough to keep them out as long as needed during the regular season to get them ready for the playoffs.

To me, arguing over the net about whether or not a guy is going to be healthy in the upcoming season is like running a relay in the Special Olympics - even if you win, you are still retarded. If we knew Bradley was not going to be healthy in 2009, we wouldn't have signed him. I'm assuming the Cub doctors and medical staff looked into his medical history and checked him out extensively before the contract was signed. The onyl thing I can fault Hendry for was signing him too early - if he waited another month, he most likely could have gotten a discount. Let me repeat, IF HEALTHY, Bradley is a better all-around player for the Cubs, given his age, defensive ability and offensive production the last couple of years. If he gets hurt, then we have guys to fill in (or we can go out and get someone).

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:48pm

I've gotta disagree about baseball being about risk/reward guys.

To me you leave those kinds of "risks" to low budget teams like Pittsburgh.

If you get a guy like Bradley on a 1 year incentive laden contract, while having a suitable backup plan in place. Then your are a GM with a plan.

When you pay full retail for a guy and hitch you star to the Bradley playing 150 games wagon. Then your really just setting yourself up to fail.

I really hope I am wrong.

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:04pm

We're really only on the hook for 2/20 for Bradley, so if he takes a shit, he's gone after next year. No one expects Bradley to play 150 games, and we have enough depth right now to get through for the short term if he gets injured. I'm sure if something catastrophic happens and he goes out for the year in April, he gets 2/20 instead of 3/30, Hendry makes a move before the deadline to shore things up and everyone expecting Bradley to fail can say I told you so. I personally love the signing and I hope he does play 120 games and blows away people's expectations. Of course he looks a lot better at 1/5 than 2/20 or 3/30, but Hendry wanted to shore things up sooner rather than later, because it was a weakness of ours last year.

Submitted by OakLawnGuy
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:28pm

Here's an attempt at the quantification of a first baseman's scoopability, which ties into losing D Lee's defense:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/first-bas...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:53pm

Dlee isn't even on the list. So what they are saying is that he is basically an average 1bman?

Submitted by OakLawnGuy
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:16pm

I'm not sure that the author intended to flesh out the list with every 1B - but yeah, it seems to say he's not top 8 and he's not bottom 8. Just presented this for giggles.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:13pm

the dumb part is not signing Adam Dunn...sorry for the confusion. Angels have enough outfielders, most of them can defend better than Abreu as well. What they need is a bat in the middle of the lineup with some power.

Although an OBP machine like Abreu wouldn't hurt them either, but Dunn would be a much better fit as a mostly full-time DH. But the Angels like to pretend they're an NL team for some reason and for all I know, Dunn doesn't want to be a DH.

Abreu for 1/5 plus incentives is a good deal. Of course if the Cubs waited this long to sign him, everyone would be bitching on why they're dragging their feet so long to fill the spot.

 

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:45pm

Realistically, maybe they should have signed Abreu and Dunn....and let Rivera go, with Sarge Lite as a bench player.

Abreu-Hunter-Vlad, with Dunn at DH?

edit: NM..Rivera signed to a 3 year deal?? Oof....

Submitted by artskoe
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:37am

You ARE the weakest link! G'bye!

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 10:48am

When making comments like this, it's helpful to either use the "reply" function or to quote the comment to which you are responding.

I for one have no idea what this comment pertains to. The double post?

Submitted by MikeC
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:02am

Lets just sign Abreu for RF, put Bradley in CF and when he snaps a leg we still got Fukudome.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 11:41am

He's gonna get worn out playing for both the Cubs and Angels.

Submitted by MikeC
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:22pm

We can work out a sharing agreement, Abreu will still play more games in a 50/50 share than Bradley will stay healthy.

I don't even think Bradley will get out of Spring Training without getting injured.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:42pm

Me, I'm guessing he goes down in April sometime.

Submitted by rokfish
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 12:54pm

we should have a contest who picks closest to milton bradleys first
trip to the disabled list.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:05pm

It will be really cold in April. So I say he misses at least 8 games in April with some sort of "spasm" or "stiffness" as a precaution.

First DL trip will probably not happen until late May or early June.

Write this down. It does sound like an awesome TCR contest.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:10pm

April 1. I win.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:11pm

If Rob G. is really clever he should be able to secure some stimulus money to fund the contest.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:10pm

Lol..I figure I'll keep complaining about MB..that way he'll play 150 games, go .320/.440/.535 with 27 HR and 108 RBIs....lol

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:20pm

Someone needs to Photoshop Milton Bradley doing the towel drill!!!

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:21pm

Carrie (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=2...) says the 2009 lineup looks like this:

Projected batting order
1. LF Alfonso Soriano:
.280 BA, .344 OBP, .532 SLG, 29 HR, 75 RBI in 2008
2. 2B Aaron Miles:
.317 BA, .355 OBP, .398 SLG, 4 HR, 31 RBI in 2008
3. 1B Derrek Lee:
.291 BA, .361 OBP, .462 SLG, 20 HR, 90 RBI in 2008
4. 3B Aramis Ramirez:
.289 BA, .380 OBP, .518 SLG, 27 HR, 111 RBI in 2008
5. RF Milton Bradley:
.321 BA, .436 OBP, .563 SLG, 22 HR, 77 RBI in 2008
6. C Geovany Soto:
.285 BA, .364 OBP, .504 SLG, 23 HR, 86 RBI in 2008
7. CF Kosuke Fukudome:
.257 BA, .359 OBP, .379 SLG, 10 HR, 58 RBI in 2008
8. SS Ryan Theriot:
.307 BA, .387 OBP, .359 SLG, 1 HR, 38 RBI in 2008

Sorry, that's not as good as 2008, much less better, AND what's with Aaron Miles STARTING (and batting second instead of Theriot) at 2B instead of Fontenot?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:26pm

Carrie fills out the lineup card?

I think projected is the key...

Lou would probably love a lefty in the 2 spot, hence Miles or Fontenot. Hopefully a .380 pre-All Star Break Fukudome can fill that role.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 5:34pm

If you've been a faithful reader of Carrie's mailbag column the last few years you've noted that she admittedly makes her depth charts up without actually interviewing anyone on the Cubs. This projected lineup appears to be no exception.

We shall see.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:26pm

And of course, Miles will be sure to duplicate his career highs from last season in avg, OBP and Slugging?

Yes...those were career highs...

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:31pm

We should fully expect that Fontenot is going to win the starting 2B job in Spring Training... I suspect it is his job to lose (like Marmol at closer), and Miles is going to be a fill-in guy... let the competition begin and let the best player play!

Submitted by Chicago Jamie
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:47pm

Seeing Miles in the two spot made me puke in my mouth...

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:38pm

Not so fast, mouth puker -

Aaron Miles' most successful spot in the lineup, career (with 375 PA's), is in the number 2 spot: .331 .354 .389 .743

How can you complain about that?

His leadoff stats, I'd be very concerned with - where he has his most PA's at 924, sporting: .272 .305 .353 .658

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 8:37am

Do you really believe Aaron Miles touches .331/.354/.389 for the Cubs this season?
Seriously?

Submitted by kmokeefe
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:54pm

One promising thing about the Cubs this year can be seen with last year's stats

No player on the team really had an outrageous year, or played above their talent level. We entered the playoffs as one of the favorites to win after a season where our entire team played pretty average.

What I'm saying is there is not much potential to be let down by individual performances. I thought DLee had a poor year, we all know how Fukudome played, and about everybody else had pretty average years. It seems much more likely that the returning players will increase production rather than lose any. Maybe we don't know enough about Soto or the LSU boys to say their contribution was expected, but I would say no stat line from last years time seems suspect this year.

Offensively at least...maybe more likely in the rotation

imo

Submitted by OakLawnGuy
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:21pm

On the cautious side, there is an onus on the left handed hitters (esp Bradley and Fontenot/Miles) to be just as productive as last year (if not moreso). If they flop, or don't play in Bradley's case, the offensive burden again falls on the right handed hitters. You'd like to think that Lee can get back to his 2007 numbers, that would help. And you have to wonder if Soto can duplicate his numbers.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:36pm

What I really like about Muskrat is the insight: "It's hard to call Samardzija a "prospect" because he was unfazed in his call up last season. Guess playing big-time college football helps prepare pitchers for the Major Leagues."

Ya, Carrie. Guess so. Thanks.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:24pm

As a Cubs fan I do really hope Milton pans out. I openly pined for him last year at 1/5, instead of Fukudome.

I just didn't like him as much this year at 3/30. Especially when Abreu,Dunn and Burrell were all on the market.

But he's ours now, and I hope he rakes and stays healty enough for 500 at bats.

Moreso I hope he is healthy should the cubs make the playoffs.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:26pm

well if he's on the DL like the pundits expect him to be, it's only 2/20

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:48pm

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/02/10/2009-...

so says his ex...

Alomar camp seems to be denying it...or he's done a great job of keeping it secret.

Submitted by Chicago Jamie
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:53pm

wow, i wonder what that ump Hirshbeck is thinking now?!? And his ex is hot--i'd still tag her rawdog style!

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:58pm

Not rawdog, but maybe with a rubber or Two

Submitted by Chicago Jamie
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:35pm

and a Jewel bag affixed with duct tape...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:03pm

hey, welcome to Deadspin...

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 1:55pm

His ex looks like she runs a "massage spa", doesn't she? What a piece of crap, continuing to have sex with him for another 2 years after supposedly finding out about his deception, then breaking up and suing him 4 months later for $15M? All of sudden, after they broke up, she had all kinds of distress about the matter and needed to sue? If I was the judge or jury, this one would take about 10 seconds to decide...

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:20pm

ESPN reports Adam Dunn to sign with the Nationals

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3900143

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:39pm

FA Frenzy update...

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=psPXpWPP3yF...

Real Neal and cincykid are tied...

If Manny signs with the Dodgers, cincykid wins...

If with the Angels, Real Neal wins...

If with the Yankees, Tito wins...

If with anyone else, tie between Neal and cincykid...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:41pm

any word on how my entry is doing?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:46pm

which entry would that be? you didn't fill out the survey link I posted.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:47pm

Thats right.

One of the few times that procrastination and lazyness DIDN'T pay off for me.

Submitted by Tito
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:43pm

Guess I won't be winning.

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 5:39pm

Is it too late to enter?

Submitted by Ahone Ahtwo Ahthree
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:10pm

Good to see that Dunn won't be huanting us in the playoffs in Washington...

I'm also very pleased to see that Braden Looper will be officially announced as a Brewer tomorrow. If we'd have known they were collecting crappy, overpriced, ex-Cards pitchers, we could have given them Marquis for a sack of Usingers...

Submitted by billybucks
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 2:49pm

OK, let's put a stop to calling Gary Matthews, Jr., "Matthews, Jr." and Ken Griffey Jr., "Griffey Jr.", and Davis Love III, "Love III", etc.

Their family names are Matthews, Griffey and Love. The "Jrs" and "III" are linked to their first names, not their last names.

I know this because my parents saddled me with a "III" befoer I could say anything about it.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:05pm

Billy Bucks the 3rd esquire?

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:10pm

Um..did you have some spare time, get a job as a spellchecker, or not have your coffee today?

Wow...a little nitpicky isn't it?

Submitted by billybucks
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:49pm

Just a pet peeve, like people who use apostrophe's inappropriately.

Standards, folks, it's all about keeping our standards up.

My then-future (and still current) wife, upon meeting my father for the first time years ago and having a few glasses of wine, informed him in no uncertain terms that any potential son would not be named billybucks IV. Turns out she was right, and thus young Zachary bucks came to be.

Submitted by Indiana JJ
on Thu, 02/12/2009 - 10:53am

Yeah it bugs me too every time I Griffey Jr. on his jersey. Maybe it was needed when they were on the same team, but not anymore.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 3:12pm

I am never one to point fingers. But meethinks that some unnamed poster will be the new keeper of 1/2 can simoniz and used infield rake.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 02/11/2009 - 4:35pm

VANDALS!!!

get off my lawn....

Submitted by Tito
on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 8:41pm

Small sample size of course, but just today I saw clips from last season of Abreu throwing out a runner at home and making a leaping catch while hitting the wall.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 02/14/2009 - 1:39pm

That's not in the list of plays at mlb.com, though he does go against the wall and make a catch. Just watching those defensive plays I would say his arm is 'strong enough to play right', but no one is going to be scared of it.

Submitted by Tito
on Sat, 02/14/2009 - 3:55pm

They were on ESPN.

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