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PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
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2007 TCR Prediction Contest

As Christmas Opening Day approaches, time to put on the prognostication hats and have some fun with the Cubs season. Reader Bryan has offered to tabulate the results and I'll come up with the prizes at some point (still owe chifan3887 for his Free Agent Frenzy win, I didn't forget about you). So predict away... Five points for a correct answer. 1. Who will have the most plate appearances in the #2 spot of the lineup? 2. Who will have the most plate appearances in the #8 spot of the lineup? 3. Which player will end up playing the most defensive positions? 4. Which pitcher will start the most games for the Cubs? 5. Which pitcher will end up with the most appearances for the Cubs? 6. Which Cub(s) will make the All-Star team? (5 points for each correct name, subtract 2 points if you name someone who doesn't make it) 7. Which Cub(s) will finish in the top 10 in MVP voting? (5 points for each correct name, subtract 2 points if you name someone who doesn't make it - None is an acceptable answer) 8. Who will be the first Cub promoted from the minors? 9. Who will be the first Cub on the Opening Day 25-man roster to land on the disabled list? (that means Kerry Wood, Buck Coats and Juan Mateo are excluded) 10. Where will the Cubs finish in the division (1 through 6)? 8 points for a correct answer on the following 2 questions, subtract one point for how many places you're off. So if you predict they'll be 5th in runs scored and they end up at 3rd or 7th, you get 6 points. We won't get into negatives though, so if you're off by more than eight, you'll get zero points. 11. Where will the Cubs rank in team runs scored among National League teams? (1 through 16) 12. Where will the Cubs rank in team runs allowed among National League teams? (1 through 16, 1 meaning the least amount of runs allowed) 15 points for the correct answer on the following questions, subtract one point for how far you end up off the final answer. For example, if you predict 90 wins for the Cubs and they end up with 88, you get 13 points. We won't get into the negatives though, so if you miss by 15 or more you get a zero for that answer. 13. How many wins for the Cubs in 2007? 14. How many total home runs by Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano combined? 15. How many home runs and stolen bases for Soriano combined? (If you think he'll end up at 40/40, please put 80 as your answer) Tie-Breaker #1: How many innings pitched in the majors for Mark Prior? (closest answer wins) Tie-Breaker #2: How many innings pitched in the minors for Mark Prior? (only used if there happens to be a tie for the first tie-breaker question) To make it easy for Bryan, please use the following format to answer. Please use a separate comment if you care to add your two cents beyond your answers. I'll close the comments on Monday, April 2nd around 11am CST. 1. Name 2. Name 3. Name etc, etc, etc... UPDATE: In my attempt to make things easier I foolishy separated the wins and losses question earlier. Just ignore that and I'll fix the comments on those that answered already.

Comments

1. Jacque Jones 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bob Howry 6. Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Michael Barrett 7. Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee 8. Mark Prior 9. Wade Miller 10. 1st 11. 5th 12. 8th 13. 89 14. 128 15. 88 TB#1: 150 TB#2: 28

Lee will have a big year, but Pujols, Berkman and Howard keep him out of the ASG if anyone cares for my reasoning.

1. Matt Murton 2. Henry Blanco 3. Mark DeRosa 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bob Howry 6. Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez 7. None 8. Mark Prior 9. Wade Miller 10. 3rd 11. 4th 12. 10th 13. 80 wins 14. 123 HRs 15. 70 total TB1. 112 IP TB2. 23 IP

Rob G, Friends and family members of The Cubs Reporter or any of their affiliates are not eligible for this competition! 1. Murton 2. Cedeno 3. Theriot 4. Hill 5. Howry 6. Lee, Soriano, Zambrano, Barrett, Ramirez 7. Soriano, Lee 8. Prior 9. Izturis 10. 1 11. 3 12. 7 13. 91 14. 102 15. 71 TB#1. 149 TB#2. 32

Are Nos. 13 and 14 actually a math test? If not, they are they are repetitive. No way Alfie swipes more than 35 SBs, I'm thinking more like 25-30.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Lee, ARam and Soriano 7. Lee and Soriano 8. Prior 9. Wuetz 10. First 11. Fifth 12. Seventh 13. 85 14. 105 15. 65 Tie-Breaker #1: 125 Tie-Breaker #2: 45

I used 13 and 14 to mitigate my risk, since I am sure all my other answers are right. I think the fact that Lee already beat out Pujols for the popularity vote once, makes your logic flawed, Rob G. Go Lee!

1. Matt Murton 2. Cezar Isturis 3. Mark DeLaRosa 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Scott Eyre 6. Zambrano, Lee, Soriano, Ramirez 7. Lee Soriano 8. Mark Prior 9. Jason Marquis 10. 2 11. 4th 12. 11th 13. 83 14. 109 15. 74 TB1 16 TB2 37

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Ramirez, Soriano 7. Lee 8. Prior 9. Miller 10. 1 11. 2 12. 8 13. 90 14. 120 15. 70 TB#1: 143.2 TB#2: 32.1

you know I was trying to make it easy for Bryan to calculate by separating the wins and losses into 2 questions. I'll just drop #14.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Derosa 4. Zambrano 5. Dempster 6. Ramirez, Lee, Zambrano 7. Lee 8. Prior 9. Soriano 10. 2nd 11. 5th 12. 13th 13. 84 14. 94 15. 73 Tie-Breaker #1: 182 Tie-Breaker #2: 23

1)Murton 2)Izturis 3)Theriot 4)Zambrano 5)Ohman 6)Ramirez, Zambrano,Soriano 7)DLee, Soriano 8)Mark Prior 9)Wade Miller 10)2nd 11)5th 12)7th 13)85 14102 15)57 TB1 112 TB2 22

1. DeRosa 2. Izturis 3. DeRosa 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Soriano, Ramirez, Lee 7. Lee 8. Novoa 9. Dempster 10. 3 11. 4 12. 8 13. 81 14. 107 15. 77 TB#1: 76 TB#2: 121

1. Izturis 2. Derosa 3. Theriot 4. Marquis 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Barrett 7. Lee 8. Wood 9. Guzman 10. 1st 11. 5th 12. 7th 13. 94 14. 105 15. 75 Tie-Breaker #1: 94.0 Tie-Breaker #2: 42.0

1) Matt Murton 2) Cesar Izturis 3) Ryan Theriot 4) Carlos Zambrano 5) Bob Howry 6) Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano 7) Lee, Soriano 8) Pie 9) Cliff Floyd 10) 2nd 11) 5th 12) 7th 13) 87 14) 115 15) 77 TB) 153 TB) 33

1. Murton 2. Izzy 3.DeRosa 4. Z 5. Howry 6.Z, Soriano, Lee 7.Z, Lee 8. Soto 9. Wuertz 10.First 11. Third 12. Seventh 13. 88 14 115 15 75 TB#1 30 Tb#2 30

1. Matt Murton 2. Ronny Cedeno 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Scott Eyre 6. Alfonso Soriano Carlos Zambrano Michael Barrett 7. Derrek Lee 8. Rocky Cherry 9. Cliff Floyd 10. 1 11. 5 12. 6 13. 88 14. 114 15. 68 Tie-Breaker #1: 52.3 Tie-Breaker #2: 112.0

Comments are fine, just add in a separate comment, make the copying and pasting easier for Bryan.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. DeRosa 4. Z 5. Howry 6. Z, Soriano 7. Z 8. Prior 9. Wuertz 10. Two 11. Nine 12. Four 13. 83 14. 111 15. 68 TB1 80 TB2 36

I think the fact that Lee already beat out Pujols for the popularity vote once, makes your logic flawed, Rob G. Go Lee! Just a guess on my part that Lee won't quite have the same year he had in 2005 and Pujols seems a bit more popular today than he was in 2005 as well. The fight for a reserve 1b spot in the NL will be fierce, no doubt.

and for fun, my pre-season top 10 MVP vote-getters: 1. Pujols 2. Aramis Ramirez 3. Soriano 4. Berkman 5. Cabrera 6. Bonds 7. Utley 8. Carlos Beltran 9. D-Lee 10. David Wright HM: Howard, Matt Holliday, Jose Reyes, A. Jones

yeah, Delgado gets the NY vote of course, I wouldn't be surprised if he continues to taper off though. He's no spring chicken anymore...

Baby Maddux: Tie-Breaker #1: 52.3 I'll write that down as 53 innings.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Lee, Soriano, Zambrano, Ramirez 7. Soriano 8. Pie 9. Miller 10. 3rd 11. 4 12. 8 13. 84 14. 110 15. 78 Tie-Breaker #1: 120 Tie-Breaker #2: 60

he probably meant 52.1 I'm guessing, doubt that it makes a difference though

On question 12, I wanted to clarify I mean 7th best, not 7th highest in runs allowed. So... I guess 10th would be my real answer.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Ramirez, Zambrano, Lee 7. Lee 8. Prior 9. Floyd 10. 2 11. 4 12. 9 13. 86 14. 115 15. 60 TB1: 112 TB2: 60

well that's what I hope everyone else meant too, but I put a clarifying statement in the post if it's confusing. But yeah, if anyone else wants to change their answer let me know. 1st means least runs allowed in the NL, 16th means most runs allowed in the NL for question #12

When Delgado was a free agent (After 2004 I guess) my master plan was to sign him to play first and move Lee to left field. That would be a nice lineup today.

1. DeRosa 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Eyre 6. Zambrano, Soriano, DLee 7. DLee, Soriano 8. Cherry 9. Wuertz 10. First 11. Third 12. Eighth 13. 89 14. 110 15. 75 TB #1: 130 TB #2: 50

1. Matt Murton 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Mark DeRosa 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bobby Howry 6. Zambrano, Soriano, Barrett, Ramirez 7. Soriano 8. Mark Prior 9. Wade Miller 10. 1 11. 5 12. 2 13. 89 14. 112 15. 69 Tie Breaker #1: 112 Tie Breaker #2: 30

Hold on, update: I thought question 4 was which player would start the most games, not the pitcher. And then I thought 5 was which pitcher would start the most games. 4. Zambrano 5. Howry

Are you planning to post these in a table somewhere? It occurs to me as I typed my entry that LouPa is likely to do some smart things this year. I have a philosophy about new managers: When you get to your new job, there are a number of obvious things to fix, lineup construction being one of them with the Cubs. So rather than try and figure out who LouPa was going to bat in the #2 hole, I decided to pick the guy I'd hit there and trust him to make the right choice. Three years from now, I would be more inclined to hold his mistakes against him and assume he'd remain attached to his bad decisions of the past, but for now, he's got a blank slate and can just do smart things.

fixed

Actually that would be 13th, kjk. You know for all the crap the NL Central takes, it seems to me they have won 3 pennants in a row and came within 7 outs of 4.

thank you, sir.

also fixed DD.... it's up to Bryan if he wants to publish it somewhere, he can try and export it to a google spreadsheet and publish it if he wishes.

Thanks, but i'll stick with 12 Neal. I just got a little more optimistic :)

thanks for the catch Real Neal, I'm just making changes bywhatever you guys say, don't expect me to think for you...

1. Murton 2. Cedeno 3. DeRosa 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Soriano, Lilly 7. Soriano 8. Cherry 9. Izturis 10. 1 11. 3 12. 9 13. 87 14. 113 15. 71 TB #1: 0 TB #2: 66.2

leave at at 13.

The answers to question #9 are interesting, I thought. I expected everyone to say the usual suspects, like Floyd & Izturis, but someone said Dempster, Marquis, there's even a few Millers. I almost can't wait for the first injury!

rynox: i picked soriano. i predict he will trip over one of those alligators that slips out of the RF moat and wanders into CF.

1. Matt Murton 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Ted Lilly 5. Bob Howry 6. Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee 7. Aramis Ramirez, Derek Lee 8. Rocky Cherry 9. Carlos Zambrano 10. 1 11. 3 12. 9 13. 84 14. 105 15. 75 Tie-Breaker 1: 10 Tie-Breaker 2: 100

I can post the whole thing somewhere after all the ballots are in, and I'll provide a link to it.

sweet, it appears no one has topped 128 homers yet for Lee, Ramirez and Soriano's homers. My Cubbie Kool-Aid tastes the best, bitches!!!

kjk:
rynox: i picked soriano. i predict he will trip over one of those alligators that slips out of the RF moat and wanders into CF.
If that happens, specifically, then it should be worth about 400 points.

lmao Rob G

Rob, your cubbie kool-aid is no match for my mark prior kool-aid!

1. Pie 2. Cedeno 3. Derosa 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Soriano, Marquis, Ramirez, Lee, Barret 7. Lee, Soriano, Ramirez 8. Pagan 9. Floyd 10. First 11. 5th 12. 9th 13. 87 14. 96 15. 68 TB1 68 TB2 55

You know, this would be a really interesting "Wisdom of Crowds" study to do. Take all our answers, tabulate them, find out what our collective wisdom is... According to that book, our collective answer to each question should be a pretty accurate prognosticator for what will actually happen.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Soriano, Barrett, ARam 7. ARam, Soriano 8. Guzman 9. DeRosa 10. 2 11. 4 12. 9 13. 86 14. 98 15. 74 TB1. 15 TB2. 91

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. DeRosa 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, Barrett 7. Zambrano, Soriano 8. Prior 9. Floyd 10. 2 11. 2 12. 10 13.89 14. 112 15. 77 TB1. 110 TB.2. 50

Speaking of Wisdom of You... did anyone ever tabulate all those numbers last year?

I don't know, but I am pretty sure I would have won the Derrek Lee predection, I had him for about 300 AB's.

1. Mark De Rosa 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Rich Hill 5. Scott Eyre 6. Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano 7. Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez 8. Rocky Cherry 9. Wade Miller 10. Of course, 1st place! 11. 3rd 12. 10th 13. 88 14. 127 15. 69 Tie-breaker #1: 42 IP Tie-breaker #2: 36 IP

1. Matt Murton 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bob Howry 6. Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derek Lee, Michael Barret 7. Derek Lee 8. Mark Prior 9. Cesar Izturis 10. 2 11. 3 12. 10 13. 97 14. 100 15. 65 Tie Breaker #1- 173 Tie Breaker # 2 - 29

1. Murton

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Z 5. Howry 6. Z, Aram, DLee,Phonz,Barrett 7. DLee, Aram. Phonz 8. Prior 9. Floyd 10. 1 11. 3 12. 8 13. 88 14. 94 15. 82 #1. 88 #2 34

1. Matt Murton 2. Ronny Cedeno 3. Mark Derosa 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bob Howry 6. Carlos Zambrano, Derek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez 7. Derek Lee 8. Mark Prior 9. Cesar Izturis 10. 1 11. 3 12. 7 13. 92 14. 129 15. 72 TB#1: 130 TB#2: 30

Aaron B sez: Five points for a correct answer. 1. Matt Murton 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Mark DeRosa 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Scott Eyre 6. Carlos Zambrano, Fonzo Soriano,Aramis Ramirez, Michael Barrett 7.Fonzo Soriano 8. Mark Prior 9. Wade Miller 10. 1st 11. 3rd 12. 11th 13. 88 14. 98 15. 62 Tie-Breaker #1: 127 Tie-Breaker #2: 19 And what do I win?

1. M. Murton 2. C. Izturis 3. R. Theriot 4. C. Zambrano 5. S. Eyre 6. A. Soriano, D. Lee, A. Ramirez, C. Zambrano 7. A. Soriano, D. Lee, A. Ramirez 8. A. Pagan 9. C. Floyd 10. Third 11. Third 12. Tenth 13. 81 14. 119 15. 71 T.B. #1. 75 T.B. #2. 100

Pass the Kool-aid.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. DeRosa 4. Z 5. Eyre 6. DLee, Aram, Z, Fonsie, Barrett 7. DLee 8. Cherry 9. Dempster 10. 2nd 11. 1st 12. 12th 13. 84 14. 96 15. 67 TB#1 86 TB#2 42

1. Ryan Theriot 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Mark DeRosa 4. Ted Lilly 5. Scott Eyre 6. Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano and Alfonso Soriano 7. Derek Lee and Alfonso Soriano 9. Cesar Izturis 10. 2 11. 3 12. 8 13. 91 14. 127 15. 94 Tie-Breaker #1: 42.0 Tie-Breaker #2: 112.1

1. Matt Murton 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Ryan Dempster 6. Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano, 7. Derrek Lee 8. Mark Prior 9. Wade Miller 10. First place 11. Second 12. Ninth 13. 86 14. 112 15. 78 TB#1: 93 TB#2: 37

According to that book, our collective answer to each question should be a pretty accurate prognosticator for what will actually happen. The book doesn't say that Marshall. In fact, that book is a great example of circular reasoning. Suroweicki says that "wise" crowds do a good job of predicting (duh!) while "irrational" ones do not. TCR doesn't fit his definition of a crowd that would be expected to produce a wise decision. And MOST CROWDS fit his definition of irrational decision makers.

1. Theriot 2. Theriot 3. Theriot 4. Z 5. Howry 6. Z, Ramirez, Lee, Alf, Barrett 7. Lee 8. Hoffpauir (after Ward is released) 9. Ramirez 10. 1st

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Scott Eyre 6. Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano 7. Derrek Lee 8. Mark Prior 9. Michael Wuertz 10. 2 11. 5th 12. 9th 13. 83 14. 117 15. 73 TB#1 - 93 TB#2 - 28

11. 5th 12. 8 13. 92 14. 116 15. 102 Tie-Breaker #1:67 Tie-Breaker #2: How many innings pitched in the minors for Mark Prior? 67

1. Matt Murton 2. Cesear Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bob Howry 6. Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee 7. Derrk Lee 8. Angel Pagan 9. Jason Maquis 10. First 11. 7th 12. 5th 13. 89 14. 104 15. 65 TB1: 125 TB2: 28

at least according to the following simulation... ---- Gotta love a simulation that has the WSux winning 72.2 games

1. Murton 2. Cedeno 3. The Riot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Lee 7. None 8. Cherry 9. Floyd 10. 1st 11. 2nd 12. 8th 13. 90 14. 95 15. 63 TB #1 80 TB #2 50

1. Izturis 2. DeRosa
 3. DeRosa 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 
6. Zambrano, Soriano, Ramirez 7. Ramirez, Soriano 
8. Mark Prior 9. Floyd 10. 1st 11. 4th 
12. 5th 13. 90
 14. 112 15. 68 Tie-Breaker #1: 141.2
 Tie-Breaker #2: 80.1

DAMMIT! That's not how it looked in the dialogue box!!!

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Derosa 4. Lilly 5. Howry 6. Soriano, Hill, Lee 7. None 8. Prior 9. Marquis 10. 2nd 11. 2nd 12. 9th 13. 88 14. 97 15. 74 TB #1 66 TB #2 28

#69 -- Should it dampen my enthusiasm that the "PECOTA-adjusted" version of that simulation has the Cubs in last place at 66-96? Who is this PECOTA and why does he hate the Cubs?

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Derosa 4. Hill 5. Eyre 6. Soriano, Lee , Zambrano 7. Soriano, Lee 8. Cherry 9. Ramirez 10. 2nd 11. 3rd 12. 10th 13. 86 14. 121 15. 90 tb1. 116 tb2. 30

1) Murton 2) Izturis 3) Theriot 4) Zambrano 5) Howry 6) Soriano, Ramirez, Zambrano, Lee, Barrett 7) Soriano, Ramirez 8) Prior 9) Floyd 10) 1 11) 3rd 12) 8th 13) 86 14) 121 15) 82 Tie Breaker 1) 40 Tie Breaker 2) 21 Haven't posted for a while. Been pretty busy and hopefully I can pop in a few comments here and there.

1. DeRosa 2. Izturis 3. The Riot 4. Z 5. Howry 6. Soriano, Aram 7. Soriano 8. Geovany Soto 9. Cliff Floyd 10. 1st 11. 2nd 12. 10th 13. 92 14. 126 15. 84 Tie #1-- 80.2 Tie #2-- 80.2

I'm going to actually read everybody's posts now, starting with (hopefully it's here) AZ Phil's...

1. Murt 2. Izzy 3. Theriot 4. Zambo 5. Howry 6. DLee, Fonzo, Aramis, Barrett, Zambo 7. DLee, Fonzo, Aramis 8. Pie 9 Floyd 10. Second in the Division 11. #3 12. #6 13. 87 14. 116 15. 82 TB#1 62.1 TB#2 34.0

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Bobby Howry 6. Aramis, Zambrano, Soriano 7. Derrek Lee 8. Mark Prior 9. Cliff Floyd 10. 1 11. 3rd 12. 4th 13. 88 14. 123 15. 80 TB #1: 94 TB #2: 67

"#69 — Should it dampen my enthusiasm that the “PECOTA-adjusted” version of that simulation has the Cubs in last place at 66-96? Who is this PECOTA and why does he hate the Cubs?' I trust PETCO more when it comes to baseball then I do PECOTA.

Oh....since Kerry Wood is on the DL right now, will he count as a call-up from the minors if he does a rehab stint there?

no

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. DeRosa 4. Lilly 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Soriano, Lee 7. Soriano 8. Prior 9. Cedeno 10. 2nd 11. 5th 12. 3rd 13. 92 14. 102 15. 74 TB 1. 135 TB 2. 6

actually yes Hellfrozeover, you can't put him as your answer for the first to the DL, but if you think he'll get sent to the minors to rehab and be the first called up...yes.

The PECOTA version hasn't been updated yet - that's last year's nonsense.

btw Kenny Rogers out for 3 months at least, they've got an uber-prospect kind of waiting named Miller but something to keep in mind if Prior finds his form and we need to ship Wade somewhere. Anyone want to lay odds on us getting Neifi back in the deal?

Rob, why? The intent of the question is not to figure out who will do a rehab stint in the minors. Wood is not getting sent down like Prior. You're not really getting called up. As you know, Kerry Wood cannot get sent down to the minors anyway. He can only do rehab there and that is a HUGE difference.

Seems fair to me in the spirit of the question... anyway, whoever put Geovany Soto as a callup is a genius considering Blanco's potential problem.

And to get all "exact words' on you, I am pretty sure that you do not get 'called up' from a rehab assignment.

technically it's not a promotion I suppose, so if you put Kerry Wood for #8, change your answer. I'm not double-checking though.....

So far, there are 44 prediction sets in the pile, and no one has picked the Cubs to win fewer than 80 games. In the end, maybe we'll find that everyone here is drinking lethal doses of Cubs Kool-Aid.

"maybe we’ll find that everyone here is drinking lethal doses of Cubs Kool-Aid." If there was such a thing, no one would be posting here.

1. Murton 2. Istiruz 3. Derosa 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Lee, Zambrano, Ramirez, Soriano 7. Lee 8. Prior 9. Floyd 10. 1 11. 4 12. 8 13. 91 14. 122 15. 75 Tie-Breaker #1: 105 Tie-Breaker #2: 24

Mabry and Finley made the Rockies, Buck Coats supposedly just sent to the minors according to ESPN's transaction page.

I noted a few predictors have Prior's combined minor + major league innings pitched adding up to over 220 IP. If so, Calfzilla is back! That's alot of innings for a lowly Tribune employee.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3.DeRossa 4.Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Ramirez, Lee 7. Ramirez, Lee 8. Cherry 9. Floyd 10 1 11 2 12 6 13 88 14 127 15 72 16 98 17 45

1. Murton 2. Cedeno 3. DeRosa 4. Hill 5. Howry 6. Soriano, Ramirez, Zambrano 7. Ramirez 8. Pagan 9. Floyd 10. 2 11. 3 12. 11 13. 88 14. 108 15. 73 TB 1. 115 TB 2. 35

1. murton 2. cedeno 3. de rosa 4. hill 5. howry 6. z and aram 7. aram and soriano 8. pagan 9. floyd 10. one/first 11. fourth 12. ninth 13. 85 14. 99 15. 69 tie breaker 1. 54 tie breaker 2. 54

cubster — March 30, 2007 @ 6:02 pm I noted a few predictors have Prior’s combined minor + major league innings pitched adding up to over 220 IP. If so, Calfzilla is back! That’s alot of innings for a lowly Tribune employee. ===== Innings? i thought that was pitches! :-)

1. Murton 2. Cedeno 3. Theriot 4. Lilly 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Soriano, Ramirez, Barrett 7. Soriano, Ramirez 8. Pagan 9. Floyd 10. 3 11. 4 12. 9 13. 84 14. 93 15. 71 T-1. 145 T-2. 35

That was me with 221. I am hoping for a big year so I went big. If I lose this contest over that, I'll count it as a moral victory.

according to ESPN’s transaction page... Cubs made offer to Schmidt 3/44

I hate to do this but my answer to #14 should read (116) not (136). But it's okay if corrections are too much bother.

KJK: LMAO! somebody tell me how to find the chat room before the season starts next week?

upper right in the author's box is a chat link under each writer

fixed cwtp

Thanx, Rob

1. Jock-Strap Jones 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Mark Derosa 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bobby Howry 6. Carlos Zambrano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano 7. Aramis Ramirez 8. Mark Prior (does he count?) if not, Rocky Cherry 9. Cliff Floyd 10. 3rd 11. 3rd 12. 8th 13. 88 14. 100 15. 73 Tie-Breaker #1: 50 1/3 Tie-Breaker #2: 60 2/3

1. Cesar Izturis 2. Felix Pie 3. Mark DeRosa 4. Alfonso Soriano 5. Bob Howry 6. Alfonso Soriano, Cesar Izturis, Michael Barrett, Ted Lilly 7. Alfonso Soriano 8. Felix Pie 9. Matt Murton 10. 3 (3rd place) 11. 5 12. 11 13. 82 14. 100 15. 70 Tie-Breaker #1: 15 innings Tie-Breaker #2: 50 innings 1. Silent Towel

1. Matt Murton 2. Caesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Ted Lilly 5. Will Ohman 6. Alfonso Soriano Ted Lilly Aramis Ramirez 7. Soriano 8. Mark Prior 9. Daryl Ward 10. 2 11. 4 12. 5 13. 87 14. 111 15. 74 Tie-Breaker #1: 152 Tie-Breaker #2: 27

NL MVP...Carlos Beltran Cy Young...Jason Schmidt ROY...Mike Pelfrey Batting Title...Rickie Weeks NL East...Mets, Braves, Phillies, Marlins, Nationals NL Central...Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Pirates, Reds, Astros NL West...Padres, Dodgers, Rockies, Giants, Diamondbacks AL MVP...Joe Mauer Cy Young...John Lackey ROY...Alex Gordon Batting Title...Michael Young AL East...Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Devil Rays AL Central...Twins, Indians, Tigers, White Sox, Royals AL West...Angels, Rangers, Athletics, Mariners

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Lilly 5. Howry 6. Soriano, Ramirez, Zambrano 7. Ramirez 8. Pagan 9. Floyd 10. 1 11. 6 12. 6 13. 86 14. 112 15. 69 TB1. 68 TB2. 30

KChi- Prior should count as he has been sent down to the minors. Not for a rehab but as a demotion.

1. Matt Murton 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bob Howry 6. Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano 7. Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano 8. Mark Prior 9. Cesar Izturis 10. 1st 11. 4th 12. 8th 13. 89 14. 105 15. 74 T-1. 142 T-2. 21

ST if Izturis makes the All-Star game, Cubs win the division.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Eyre 6. Zambrano, Soriano, Ramirez 7. Lee 8. Rocky Cherry 9. Izturis 10. 4th 11. 3rd 12. 13th 13. 76 14. 115 15. 72 TB#1: 67.1 TB#2: 33.2

Silent Towel: You have Soriano as the pitcher who will pitch the most innings this year. Do you want to change your answer?

1. Matt Murton 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bobby Howry 6. Alphonso Soriano/Aramis Ramirez/Carlos Zambrano 7. Alphonso Soriano 8. Neal Cotts 9. Mark Prior 10. #1 11. 3 12. 6 13. 95 14. 110 15. 85 TB#1. 44 TB#2. 21

1.DeRosa 2.Izturis 3.Theriot 4.Zambrano 5.Eyre 6.Zambrano,Barrett 7.Lee 8.Pagan 9.Wuertz 10.1st 11.4th 12.10th 13.89 14.119 15.65 T1.99 T2.40

Btw, RobG... Still waiting on that case of Old Style. So Sayeth the God of WAR!

Rob G. re #105-- I wasn't sure if that was exactly fair, the rumors are already out there, but it would be a callup for Soto. Originally had the Pagan/Floyd combo for 8/9 (like Trans) and that is how I think it'll happen otherwise. We shall see!

Thanks for answering my question Rob.

Murton Izturis DeRosa Zambrano Howry Soriano, Zambrano Soriano Cherry Floyd 2 4 7 87 119 77 75 75

you can’t put him (wood) as your answer for the first to the DL, I should have said Wood, just because there is still a reasonable chance that he will be called up off the DL, then get hurt again and put back on the DL, all in a span fast enough that no one else has been injured!

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. D. Lee, Zambrano, Ramirez, Soriano, Barrett 7. D. Lee, Ramirez, Soriano 8. Prior 9. W. Miller 10. #1 11. #2 12. #10 13. 89 14. 125 15. 79 TB#1. 89 TB#2. 34

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Zambrano 7. Soriano, Ramirez 8. Pagan 9. Floyd 10. 3rd 11. 5th 12. 11th 13. 85 14. 97 15. 67 TB1. 71.2 TB2. 57.2

Tehmpus- I think you have your answers for 8 and 9 reversed.

1) Murton 2) Izturis 3) Theriot 4) Z 5) Howry 6) Lee, ARam, Soriano 7) Lee, ARam 8) Cherry 9) Wuertz 10) 1st 11) 2nd 12) 9th 13) 89 14) 119 15) 82 Tie breaker 1) 90 IP Tie breaker 2) 35 IP

1. De Rosa 2. Izturis 3. De Rosa 4. Marquis 5. Wuertz 6. Soriano, Zambrano 7. Zambrano 8. Pagan 9. Floyd 10. second 11. third 12. seventh 13. 91 14. 93 15. 66 16. 86 17. 67

1. Matt Murton 2. Felix Pie 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bobby Howry 6. Aramis Ramirez, Ted Lilly 7. Alfonso Soriano 8. Felix Pie 9. Cesar Izturis 10. 3 11. 8 12. 9 13. 84 14. 95 15. 60 TB 1. 0 TB 2. 42

Um Brian can you change my # 8 from Cherry to Pagan Since I am assuming Floyd is the first on DL , Cherry won't be replacing him ( well OK I am also assuming Cotts won't suck bad enough to go down for Cherry but there it is)

OK done

Still waiting on that case of Old Style. I have no idea what your talking about, sorry. Did we make a bet?

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Zambrano, Ramirez, Soriano 7. Lee 8. Prior 9. Soriano 10. 3 11. 5 12. 12 13. 86 14. 111 15. 65 TB#1: 118 TB#2: 30.2

1. murton 2. izturis 3. theroit 4. z 5. howry 6. Z, Soriano 7. none 8. prior 9. floyd 10. 2nd 11. 5th 12. 9th 13. 85 14. 99 15. 70 TB1. 80 TB2. 80

in answer to post # 134 Oops....Put Ted Lilly down as Cub pitcher who pitches the most innings.

1. Matt Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Marquis 5. Eyre 6. Zambrano, Soriano 7. Soriano 8. Wuertz 9. Floyd 10. first 11. fourth 12. tenth 13. 88 14. 91 15. 70 TB1. 100 TB2. 35

Rob, you once wrote a humorous article about how you have been "signed" to continue writing articles for the CubReporter. This was during the offseason when a lot of free agent Cubbies were being signed. I sent you a reply saying that I had decided that I needed a signing bonus in order to continue to keep posting here. I decided that for myself to continue posting, I would need a case of Old Style as a signing bonus. Hey, I'm doing my part. :) So Sayeth the God of WAR!

OK ST... done.

On Terry S answer for #8 can someone on the Club also be the 1st recalled from the minors? I don't see why not.

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Soriano, Zambrano, Lee, Barrett 7. Soriano, Lee 8. Prior 9. Izturis 10. 1 11. 3 12. 8 13. 86 14. 110 15. 68 TB1. 87 TB2. 80

1. Murton 2. Cedeno 3. Derosa 4. Lilly 5. eyre 6. Zambrano, Barrett, A-ram, and soriano 7. A-Ram 8. R. Cherry 9. Izturius 10. 2nd 11. 4th 12. 9th 13. 90 14. 125 15. 75 T.B.#1 90 T.B. #2 110 Thanx, scooter®

1.murton 2.izturis 3.theriot 4.lilly 5.howry 6.zambrano, lee, soriano 7.soriano 8.cherry 9.hill 10.1st 11.3rd 12.9th 13.86 14.106 15.67 tb1 99 tb2 50

[...] So go vote, we’ll give it until Tuesday. And don’t forget to enter our preseaon prediction contest which closes at 11am CST tomorrow. Trans - Viva la Parachat! Viva la Resistance! [...]

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Howry 6. Lee, Soriano, Zambrano 7. Lee, Soriano 8. Pagan 9. Floyd 10. 1st 11. 3rd 12. 8th 13. 87 14. 110 15. 72 TB#1: 72 1/3 TB#2: 47 1/3 GO CUBS!

1. Matt Murton 2. Ceasar Izturis 3. Mark DeRosa 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Bob Howry 6. Lee, Zambrano, Ramirez, Soriano 7. Lee, Ramirez, soriano 8. Cherry 9. Floyd 10. 1st 11. 2nd 12. 5th 13. 91 14. 126 15. 77 TB1. 114 TB2. 56

My official Cubs record prediction 83-79. A very nice improvement, but considering the Cubs spent $300+ million this offseason and have roughly a $120 million payroll this year and how weak the NL Central and NL overall is, not too good. Tiebreaker answer: Jim Hendry finally gets fired October 4th after again not making the playoffs. Bye Bye Jim.......

1. Murton 2. Izturis 3. Theriot 4. Zambrano 5. Eyre 6. Lee, Zambrano 7. none 8. Prior 9. Hill 10. Second 11. 5th 12. 10th 13. 87 14. 79 15. 63 TB #1: 38 TB #2: 28

1. Matt Murton 2. Cesar Izturis 3. Ryan Theriot 4. Carlos Zambrano 5. Ryan Dempster 6. Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez 7. Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, 8. Mark Prior 9. Cliff Floyd 10. 3rd 11. 5th 12. 9th 13. 80 14. 128 15. 73 TB#1: 119 TB#2: 35

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.