Cubs Organizational Report Week 9-10(2005)

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 9:25am
Added a 'Ex W/L' column to Organizational Records which is the major league teams expected win/loss record determined by the differential of runs scored and runs allowed, often referred to as the team's pythagorean record. Team Records Updated through 6/12/05; Individual Stats Updated through 6/12/05
Organizational Records
TeamW-LGB/Pos.Last 10Ex W/LW/L (2003)W/L (2004)
Chicago Cubs33-286.5/2nd6-434-2734-2732-29
Iowa Cubs 26-387.5/4th3-7&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp
West Tenn Jaxx40-210.0/1st5-5&nbsp&nbsp &nbsp
Daytona Cubs33-294.5/3rd6-4&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp
Peoria Chiefs32-323.5/4th5-5&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp
Boise HawksSeason begins June 22nd N/A N/A &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp
AZL CubsSeason begins in JuneN/A N/A &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp

&nbsp
MLB TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES P - Carlos Zambrano left game early on 06/11/05 with turf toe; Expected to make next start P - Mike Remlinger activated from 15 day DL on 06/05/05 P - Roberto Novoa demoted to AAA on 06/05/05 P - John Koronka promotoed from AAA on 06/01/05 P - Jon Leicester demoted to AAA on 06/01/05 P - Mark Prior placed on 15 day DL with a right non-displaced fracture of the lateral epicondyl (elbow) on 05/28/05; Began throwing long toss over past week; Return anticpated around the All-Star break P - Kerry Wood diagnosed with supraspinatus muscle strain in his right shoulder; Placed on DL on 05/02/05; Threw 45 pitch simulated games this week; Rehab stint begins today at Iowa, expected to make 2-3 starts before returning P - Chad Fox transferred to 60 day DL on 05/17/05; Has "nerve issues" in his right elbow; Still undetermined whether he'll attempt another comeback SS ñ Nomar Garciaparra out with left groin avulsion of the adductor longus muscle; placed on 15 day DL 04/21/05; Transferred to 60 day DL on 05/29/05; Rehabbing in Arizona P - Scott Williamson placed on 60 day DL 3/31/05; Recovering from October 2004 Tommy John surgery; Currently rehabbing at Extended Spring Training;Return expected mid-season. AAA (IOWA) TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES P - Joe Dawley released on 06/06/05 P - Bobby Brownlie placed on DL (elbow) on 06/05/05 P - Jermaine Van Buren activated from DL on 06/05/05 P - Roberto Novoa demoted to AAA on 06/05/05 P - Jon Leicester demoted to AAA on 06/01/05 P - John Koronka promoted to MLB on on 05/31/05 P - Rich Hill promoted to AAA on 05/31/05 P - Jerome Williams assigned to Iowa on 05/30/05 AAA (IOWA) Notables Ronny Cedeno .350/.412/.511 Jermaine Van Buren 1-1 6 Saves; 1.75 ERA/12 BB/34 K Mike Fontenot .288/.398/.500 Jerome Williams 1-0 2.45 ERA/3 BB/13 K Dave Kelton .280/.325/.449 Geovany Soto .277/.392/.346 Raul Valdez 3-2 3.89 ERA/15 BB/30 K Rich Hill 1-1 4.34 ERA/6 BB/29 K AA (W. TENN) TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES P - Randy Wells promoted from Daytona on 06/12/05 2B - Richard Lewis promoted to AA from Daytona on 05/31/05 P - Rich Hill promoted to AAA on 05/31/05 P - David Aardsma assigned to AA on 05/31/05 INF - Jemel Spearman has not played since 04/26/05 because of wrist injury P- Angel Guzman out with stiff forearm; Likely not to pitch in a game until July P ñ Rocky Cherry left game on 4/21/05 after 1/3 of an inning. Tommy John surgery performed on 05/05/05 AA (W. TENN) Notables Matt Murton .353/.423/.500 Felix Pie .307/.353/.561 13/21 SB opportunities Dwaine Bacon .329/.412/.447 11/15 SB opportunities Adam Greenberg .272/.399/.399 Ryan Theriot .322/.389/.421 Brandon Sing .290/.417/.590 Buck Coats .322/.396/.435 Casey McGehee .315/.354/.452 Ricky Nolasco 6-0 2.55 ERA/25 BB/78 K Carmen Pignatiello 4-3 2.81 ERA/23 BB/66 K Andrew Shipman 1-3 2.67 ERA/14 BB/31 K Talley Haines 3-1 11 Saves; 1.83 ERA/2 BB/15 K Reynel Pinto 2-0 1.96 ERA/17 BB/38 K David Aardsma 1-0 2.08 ERA/9 BB/8 K Yorkin Ferreras 2-3 2 Saves; 5.74 ERA/5 BB/26 K Jae-Kuk Ryu 5-2 3.34 ERA/28 BB/51 K John Connolly 2-1 3.94 ERA/6 BB/14 K A ADVANCED (DAYTONA) TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES P - Randy Wells promoted to AA on 06/12/05 P - Billy Petrick activated from DL on 6/12/05 P - Weston O'Brien released on 06/09/05 P - Lee Gwaltney promoted to Daytona from Peoria on 06/09/05 OF - Matt Creighton added from Extended Spring Training on 06/08/05 OF - Kyle Boyer released on 06/08/05 INF - Anthony Granato demoted to Peoria on 06/05/05 INF - Richard Lewis promoted to AA on 05/31/05 SS - Carlos Rojas placed on DL on 05/26/05 P - Brad Stiles placed on DL on 4/27/05; reason unknown FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE ALL-STARS P Carlos Marmol P Sean Marshall P Randy Wells OF Chris Walker DH/3B Scott Moore A Advanced (DAYTONA) Notables Scott Moore .311/.389/.607 Jonathon Johnson .295/.340/.460 Sean Marshall 4-4 2.39 ERA/23 BB/56 K J.R. Mathes 5-2 2.95 ERA/18 BB/53 K Carlos Marmol 5-2 2.85 ERA/36 BB/60 K Thomas Atlee 1-3 8 Saves; 2.75 ERA/8 BB/14 K Juan Mateo 4-1 2 Saves; 2.65 ERA/11 BB/42 K Brian Dopirak .250/.303/.386 Anderson Tavares 2-5 5.83 ERA/18 BB/48 K Kevin Collins .277/.363/.515 Jake Fox .277/.343/.404 Chris Walker .286/.350/.421 27/35 SB opportunities A (PEORIA) TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES P - Lee Gwaltney promoted to Daytona on 06/09/05 P - Grant Johnson added from Extended Spring Training on 06/08/05 P - Ed Campusano placed on DL on 06/07/05 with left elbow ulnar neuritis P - Nick Thompson added from Extended Spring Training on 06/07/05 P - Matthew Webber left game on 06/05/05 after being hit by line drive on the pitching arm; INF - Anthony Granato demoted to Peoria from Daytona on 06/05/05 INF - Josh Arteaga released on 06/05/05 INF Ryan Norwood placed on DL 04/07/05 with severe ankle sprain; Out 6-8 weeks MIDWEST LEAGUE ALL-STARS 2B Eric Patterson 1B Alberto Garcia OF Ryan Harvey P Sean Gallagher P Chris Shaver P Matthew Weber A(PEORIA) Notables Eric Patterson .360/.436/.528 16/21 SB opportunities Luis Montanez .320/.387/.498 Aaron Sisk .348/.429/.663 Sean Gallagher 7-1 1.46 ERA/25 BB/78 K Ed Campusano 2-2 1 Save; 2.63 ERA/14 BB/23 K Alan Rick .169/.255/.254 Sam Fuld .241/.332/.324 Jerry Blevins 1-4 10 Saves; 6.52 ERA/15 BB/34 K Johnathon Hunton 0-2 6.75 ERA/14 BB/25 K Jesse Estrada 3-6 5.09 ERA; 25 BB/34 K Alberto Garcia .320/.371/.384 Oscar Bernard .316/.349/.367 Bo Flowers .277/.324/.393 Ryan Harvey .250/.308/.424 Matt Weber 3-7 3.08 ERA/10 BB/46 K Chris Shaver 2-5 3.90 ERA/31 BB/50 K A SHORT SEASON(BOISE) TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES/NOTABLES None to report ROOKIE LEAGUE (AZL Cubs) TRANSACTIONS/INJURIES/NOTABLES None to report OTHER NOTABLE INJURIES P - Chadd Blasko - shoulder surgery; Probably out until 2006 P - Jason Wylie - shoulder surgery; No update on his return P - Matt Clanton - shoulder surgery; Had 2nd shoulder surgery during off-season, probably out all season P - Luke Hagerty at extended spring training in Arizona with strained finger P - Dave Crouthers has retired from baseball at age 25; Cubs will receive another player from Orioles MINOR LEAGUE LEADERS Hitting HR - Scott Moore (15) RBI - Scott Moore (48) AVG - Eric Patterson (.360) OBP - Eric Patterson (.436) SLG - Scott Moore (.607) SB - Chris Walker (27) Pitching IP - Rich Hill (76.1) combined between AA & AAA ERA -Sean Gallagher (1.46) WINS - Sean Gallagher (7) SAVES -Talley Haines (11) K - Rich Hill (119) combined between AA & AAA * The AB and IP cutoff for rate stats is rather arbitrary
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Comments

Submitted by SaxFax  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 10:00am  
Am I the only one who's a bit worried Jerome Williams is going to eat himself into the next Ruben Quevedo if he's not careful? As recently as three years ago, his bio said he was 6-3, 180 lbs. Go to ESPN.com today, and he's added 66 pounds to his frame. And I don't think it's all muscle. Take a look at before/after pics of Williams from he came up with the Giants and today, and the difference is startling. Also, I wish they'd run Williams' composite stats instead of just his numbers at Iowa. Since he saw action in the same league when he was Giants property, the numbers should be combined to give a more accurate picture of how he's been doing in '05.

Submitted by Eric S  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 11:21am  
How many taters has Rich Hill given up this year in both AA and AAA combined? Awesome strikeout #'s and not many walks allowed, but the longball propensity is troubling.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 12:00pm  
a few... W. Tenn: 4-3 3.28 ERA; 57.2 IP; 21 BB; 90 K; 9 HR Iowa: 1-1 4.34 ERA; 18.2 IP; 6 BB; 29 K; 5 HR Totals: 5-4 3.54 ERA; 76.1 IP; 27 BB; 119 K; 14 HR Rate Stats: 14.07 K/9; 3.19 BB/9; 4.40 K/BB; 1.65 HR/9 For context -2005 Numbers only: Zambrano: 0.96 HR/9 Maddux: 1.22 HR/9 Prior: 1.39 HR/9 Johan Santana: 0.97 HR/9 Jon Garland 0.62 HR/9 Eric Milton: 2.82 HR/9 It should be noted that the PCL is considered a hitter's league and the Southern League a pitcher's league

Submitted by retrofade  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 12:04pm  
"How many taters has Rich Hill given up this year in both AA and AAA combined? Awesome strikeout #'s and not many walks allowed, but the longball propensity is troubling." I think its only troubling if he's allowing most of them with men on base...if they're solo shots, then its not as big of a deal

Submitted by K  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 1:17pm  
In case anyone is interested, here is an update on Jason Szuminski. It seems he's gonna be in Iowa again by the end of the month (or at least he thinks he is)...

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 1:53pm  
I think its only troubling if he's allowing most of them with men on base...if they're solo shots, then its not as big of a deal don't know how much control he has over that, but he certainly has control over keeping people off base and his walk rates are respectable and eliminates a lot of trouble with all those strike outs. He certainly needs to do his best to improve on his homer rates, but I think if he finds his way to the majors anytime soon that he could easily be a league average pitcher immediately and within a year or two sport ERA's in the low to mid 3's. If he doesn't find his way to the majors this year, I hope he'll get a chance to compete for the 5th starter job next year along with Guzman and Mitre (assuming Rusch leaves). I suppose Koronka will get a chance to compete as well.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:02pm  
14th round pick, Tyler Graham of Oregon State, is on right now on ESPN 2 in the deciding game of the super regionals versus USC. He's due up within the next 2 batters...so far he's 2 for 11 in the series with a walk both hits coming today. 1st round pick (Red Sox) Jacoby Ellsbury is up now.

Submitted by BillyGoat_the_C...  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:09pm  
The Cubs know about Williams' eating problems. Williams knows about his eating problems. Everyone knows. I seriously doubt his ideal frame weight is 6'3" 180 pounds. However, with that being said, 6'3" 246 doesn't help out much, either. I'd like to see him cut it down to 210-220. Where the Giants tried in vain, the Cubs will take over. This has been an ongoing battle since his mother died in 2003, which leads me to speculate some of it can be attributed to depression. I'd be curious to see if Williams had ever received any psychological therapy after the passing of his mother, and what his weight is currently at and what he and the Cubs are doing to keep it under control. Something, however, tells me that Carrie Muskat won't be answering these questions in her weekly Q&A atrocity. If Williams doesn't clean up his act soon, then perhaps some time in the minors will remind him of the success he had in 2003 and he'll wake up and smell the soy beans. This kid has too much to offer to allow himself to grow into a David-Wellsian-Behemoth, I hope he realizes that soon... but hey, Boomer did an okay job at it during his prime.

Submitted by Eric (paytonrules)  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:14pm  
When you take the Wrigley Field tour you get to go into the press box. There are lots of named chairs including "Carrie Muskrat" Amazingly there was not a bowl of sugar on the table, nor a stuffed teddybear shaped like Dusty.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:18pm  
Graham singled in run in his at-bat, a liner through the hole between 3rd and SS, 3 for 4 for the day. Can't pass a whole lot of judgement after one at-bat but his stat line read something like: .320ish, 0 HR, 23 RBI He's listed at 6'2", 180 pounds and I'm not sure he's 180 pounds when soaking wet in full uniform. Either the Cubs think he's going to fill out or they're going to move him to center. He did chase a ball down in the top of the 6th that reached the fence in left center. Had a Eric Byrnes maniac quality to it.

Submitted by CaseyB  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:21pm  
anybody else heard the rumor about sheffield to the cubs for dubois and Mitre?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:29pm  
Also, I wish they'd run Williams' composite stats instead of just his numbers at Iowa. Since he saw action in the same league when he was Giants property, the numbers should be combined to give a more accurate picture of how he's been doing in '05. Ask and ye shall receive... Giants: 0-2 6.48 ERA; 16.2 IP; 4 BB; 11 K; 2 HR Fresno 1-4 9.39 ERA; 30.2 IP; 17 BB; 15 K; 3 HR Iowa 1- 0 2.45 ERA; 18.1 IP; 3 BB, 13 K, 2 HR AAA Totals: 2-4; 6.80 ERA; 49 IP; 20 BB; 28 K; 5 HR for what it's worth....

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:30pm  
if you heard a rumor, please post a link or give the source....thanks

Submitted by CaseyB  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:37pm  
I heard it this morning on the MLB Homeplate program on XM radio. Supposedly to be done with in the week. But I haven't been able to find anything about it online.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:43pm  
thanks, I just hate when people post their own rumors, like the phantom press conference from a few days ago. If that trade has any merit, I find it amusing that Dubois is the player most fans feel should be replaced if an upgrade should come in the outfield... Dubois 112 AB's .259/.308/.482 .790 OPS Burnitz 235 AB's .268/.316/.468 .784 OPS Patterson 234 AB's .261/.294/.423 .717 OPS Defenseive trainwreck no doubt, but considering he's the cheapest alternative of the three, I'd ship off the other two first and I think you can get more with Patterson and I'm sure there's a GM who thinks a vet like Burnitz could help them down the stretch. Of course if Dubois gets us Sheffield, I'm all for it, but no idea what would motivate the Yanks to make that deal. Of course if we keep trading away our good young talent, we're going to have a hard time competing year in and year out.

Submitted by Robert A . Booey  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 2:54pm  
i hate sheffield.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:06pm  
The NY Post (free registration required) http://www.nypost.com/sports/48209.htm wondered out loud what the Cubs would give up for Sheffield? I bet you whoever said it on XM radio read the article and then hypothesized their own trade.

Submitted by SaxFax  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:09pm  
>AAA Totals: 2-4; 6.80 ERA; 49 IP; 20 BB; 28 K; 5 HR .... for what it's worth .... Thanks, Rob. >Defensive trainwreck no doubt, but considering he's the cheapest alternative of the three, I'd ship off the other two first .... I second that. And, for the life of me, I don't understand the uproar over Dubois' defense. The Cubs are, after all, the same team that's had Moises Alou, Henry Rodriguez and Rondell White patrolling left field the past ten years, and no one ever confused any of them for Gold Glovers. Give Dubois a fair chance. If he turns into another Jason Bay for us, we'll gladly live with that for $350,000 and change for the next couple years.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:13pm  
tyler graham is up again on Espn 2 with a man on second. one out

Submitted by big lowitzki  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:34pm  
I would still be amazed if the Yankees were willing to trade Shef, especially at this point in the season. I don't think that they are done yet. But you never know. As for having Shef in left or right...I would love it, as I said in the last comment thread. Adding a guy who is tied for 9th in baseball for win shares wouldn't be too bad of an addition, eh? Who would want to face the Cubs lineup? Neifi! Walker (if Dusty can resist the urge to keep Corey out of the two hole) Lee Sheff A-Ram Burnitz Corey Barrett Wow...that would be an impressive lineup, with teh hope that Neifi! will continue to hit like he has.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:38pm  
More prospect news that I missed from Oneri Fleita (Cubs Director of Player Development) Luke Hagerty pitched 4 innings in Mesa on Tuesday and will probably join Boise later this month Angel Guzman is "in the best shape he's been in for a while" and is expected to begin throwing next week.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:47pm  
Rob G.: "Of course if we keep trading away our good young talent, we're going to have a hard time competing year in and year out." Over the past 3-4 years we haven't traded that much talent. In fact, I wish we would of traded more, maybe it would make us better than what we are. We have tons of young good arms in the minors and 75% won't be able to play full time with the Cubs, so might as well trade them and get something for them.

Submitted by daniel  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:48pm  
two things that occured to me today: 1) I remember reading awhile back that the Red Sox were sweet on Corey. Given that Damen is hitting free agency, what else could we package with Patterson to bring him over in advance? We could use a true lead off hitter. 2) Might Dubois have more trade value than we're assuming over in a certain other league where pitchers don't have to hit? With the right coaching he could really be successful in the DH spot long term? Might Dubois and Patterson be enough to get Damen? And as such...would you even want Damen? I think he'd be a great fit. Good character, great eye and patience. He's your prototypical leadoff hitter, and with Lee batting like he's been a guy who gets on base as often as Damen is going to score like a madman. He'd love playing here, and he'd be good for at least a few more years. If we want to win now might this be the stopgap until Pie is ready?

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:49pm  
Saxfax: "And, for the life of me, I don't understand the uproar over Dubois' defense." I will just assume you aren't able to watch every game, because even the most staunch supporter has to admit he is a defensive liability and a major one at that. Those names you mentioned might of been bad, but it is almost impossible to say they were worse.

Submitted by CaseyB  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:49pm  
thanks for clearing that up.

Submitted by big lowitzki  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:52pm  
I like Damon...but I am not sure why the Red Sox would have any desire to trade him. I don't think Corey and Dubois would be worth it to the Red Sox, especially when they have a good chance at making the playoffs and in turn winning another WS. Nomar and his "bat attitude", lack of signability (is that a word), and lack of production were somewhat easier to trade. Damon, on the other hand, has truly been a catalyst for the Red Sox, and losing him would truly hurt that team this year.

Submitted by CaseyB  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:54pm  
maybe the sox would want murton back.

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:59pm  
wtf...WTF...would the yanks want with 2 guys who wont help them this year at the expense of one of the best RH fastball hitters in the game? yanks need immediate starting pitching help, mitre isnt it and dubois isnt a suitable RF replacement. Matsui *wishes* he had the arm or range or glove skills for RF... we're talking about a 220m team here...only reason they'd need prospects of any sort is to help them obtain other pieces. sure the yanks need a shakeup, but they need stuff they can use cuz theyre not rebuilding any time between now and 2010 looking at their payroll commitments.

Submitted by CaseyB  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 4:02pm  
3-way deals.

Submitted by crunch  on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 4:05pm  
that's like praying for a tornado... cubs had a hard enough time getting felix hernandez off them in a week+ of negociations and that was going no where until it ended with an injury

Submitted by SaxFax  on Tue, 06/14/2005 - 3:47am  
Manny: even the most staunch supporter has to admit he (Dubois) is a defensive liability and a major one at that. That's why you have late-inning defensive replacements.

Submitted by Bob  on Tue, 06/14/2005 - 7:51am  
Anyone know the specifics of Brownlie's injury to his elbow? Is there really an injury? or dead arm? Or am I to assume it's tendonitis again, something he's had alot of but shouldn't be too serious.

Submitted by John Hill  on Tue, 06/14/2005 - 8:15am  
Saxfax--"Am I the only one who's a bit worried Jerome Williams is going to eat himself into the next Ruben Quevedo if he's not careful? As recently as three years ago, his bio said he was 6-3, 180 lbs. Go to ESPN.com today, and he's added 66 pounds to his frame. And I don't think it's all muscle."
He'll be fine. Williams knows about the problem and he's working on it. He was weighing as much as 260 pounds when he turned up to camp in March, apparently, so 246 tallies with him losing some weight since. Williams three years ago was 20. He's filled out a lot since then, and a lot of it is muscle. The Cubs want him to be at somewhere between 220 and 240.
Eric--"How many taters has Rich Hill given up this year in both AA and AAA combined? Awesome strikeout #'s and not many walks allowed, but the longball propensity is troubling."
Indeed, it's troubling. Even so, his numbers are simply staggering. Here's the story of his season now... Awful start at West Tenn 2 GS, 9.1 IP, 14 H, 5 HR (2 solo, 3 2-run), 6 BB, 9 K, 11.57 ERA (12 ER) Got a lot better at West Tenn 8 GS, 46.1 IP, 28 H, 4 HR (3 solo, 1 2-run), 15 BB, 81 K, 1.75 ERA (9 ER) Then promoted to Iowa 3 GS, 18.2 IP, 12 H, 5 HR (4 solo, 1 2-run), 6 BB, 29 K, 4.34 ERA (9 ER) He's a flyball pitcher, so the home runs aren't surprising. They seem to come in bunches though. So far this year he's been lucky that he's not given up anything more than a two-run shot at a time. Of the 30 runs he's allowed so far this year, 19 have scored as a result of home runs. I get the impression that the home runs have been mostly hit off his fastball (which isn't a great pitch), and not as a result of him hanging curves as you'd expect. I don't know for sure about that though, it's just an impression I have. From what I've heard, a lot of the home runs he gives up are no-doubters.
SaxFax--"And, for the life of me, I don't understand the uproar over Dubois' defense."
Sorry, Saxfax, but even I think Dubois' defence is pretty rubbish, even compared to Alou! If the Cubs get the chance to do Mitre and Dubois for Sheffield, they have to roll the dice. I very much doubt they will get the chance, but Dubois isn't a patch on Jason Bay (and that comparison really needs to stop being made) and Mitre, as much as I like him, needs to be traded anyway to avoid a roster crunch next year. Gary Sheffield meanwhile is still productive right now and I'd risk him staying healthy and keeping it up a while yet (peripheral indicators are all still fine). He'd be exactly the type of big corner outfield bat that we really need. The only problem would be finding someone to pitch instead of Mitre until both Prior and Wood are back in the rotation. Sheffield's contract is $13m this year, $13m next, and a $13m club option on 2007. A good chunk of the money is deferred.

Submitted by CubFanInGermany  on Tue, 06/14/2005 - 9:10am  
I love these organization reports. You guys are the best. Just a small comment about one of the notables at WT, Yorkin Ferras. Despite the deceptive ERA, he looks better than Aardsma in his peripherals, only 5 walks against 26 Ks, while Aardsma has nine walks with 8 Ks. What happen to this guys control since college?

Submitted by SaxFax  on Tue, 06/14/2005 - 9:33am  
JHill: even I think Dubois' defence is pretty rubbish, even compared to Alou! No quarrel from me on that point--none whatsoever. What I've been saying is that it's unfair to pick on Jason for his defense. It was never touted as his strong suit. Never. Besides, we lived with the defensive liabilities of Alou, Rodriguez and White out there in left field and, before them, Bell and Zonk. We can live with Dubois playing left as long as he hits.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 06/14/2005 - 9:37am  
Anyone know the specifics of Brownlie's injury to his elbow? Is there really an injury? or dead arm? Or am I to assume it's tendonitis again, something he's had alot of but shouldn't be too serious. As you say, just a bit of tendonitis, should be activated any day now. I love these organization reports. You guys are the best. Just a small comment about one of the notables at WT, Yorkin Ferras. Despite the deceptive ERA, he looks better than Aardsma in his peripherals, only 5 walks against 26 Ks, while Aardsma has nine walks with 8 Ks. What happen to this guys control since college? Thanks for the kind words... I have a pretty simple, albeit flawed, method for the hot/cold section of the notables... For hitters, AVG above .300 is hot. near .200 is cold. If something in their peripherals stands out and they're near one of those lines they may get a push up (or down), such as Mike Fontenot in AAA, .288 AVG but a .398 OBP was enough to put him in the hot section. For pitchers. ERA below 3.00 is hot; above 5.00 is cold. I include the peripherals knowing that ERA, particularly in the minors, is not very indicative of their performance. I should also include home runs allowed but as far as I know, no one publishes a HR/9 stat for the minors and I just don't have the time to compute it myself. I could include their total home runs allowed and innings pitched, but once again time is a factor.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 06/14/2005 - 9:43am  
Dubois defense, bad as it is, is certainly something that can be worked on. And by most accounts Dubois is an individual very willing to work on things. Make it his mission over the off-season and spend the bulk of spring training on it and I'm sure we could at least make him serviceable out there. He must have a good arm, as he was a pitcher in college (so I hear). So find the best instructor out there and tell Dubois the job is his, if and only if, he improves his defense. Despite all the K's, I have no doubt that his bat will get better over the next few years and if he could just become average out there in left or right, he'll be quite an asset to this team. Cheap with very good production.

Submitted by ClosingTime  on Wed, 06/15/2005 - 8:10am  
Scott Moore is repeating the FSL this season, but he's only 21 this year, which isn't exactly ancient for that league. And he's raking. Any chance that Moore gets a shot at West Tenn after the All-Star break? If he can produce like this at AA as a 21-year old, he would reclaim his "prospect" status, and make the Farnsworth/Novoa trade look like a big win. The Tigers drafted Moore #8 overall out of highschool in 2002, and gave up on him after he was lousy in High-A as a 20-year-old. That move may have been a bit premature.

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  • Arizona Phil 11 hours 56 min ago (view)

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  • Sonicwind75 1 day 21 hours ago (view)

    As a midwest kid now living in Texas, new scheduling is a bummer.  Only get a chance to drive and see Cubs once every 3 years with interleague.  Really looked forward to those games in Round Rock and the one season in San Antonio.  I understand it makes more sense in the big picture, just selfishly disappointed.

     
  • Cubster 2 days 22 hours ago (view)

    Barry Foote bobble day! Cool!

     
  • Mornington Crescent 3 days 16 min ago (view)

    They also gave away Larry Craig bobblefoot dolls as a promotion.

     
  • crunch 3 days 16 hours ago (view)

    alcantara passes through waivers and is assigned to AAA.

    marisnick contract final, phllip ervin (OF) DFA'd

     
  • Hagsag 3 days 18 hours ago (view)

    Yes they did.

     
  • crunch 3 days 19 hours ago (view)

    welcome to the "big time" st paul saints...they built a nice park, the fans showed up, and they go from indies to AAA (with a bit of $ help from the twins for part ownership).

    billy murray is a part owner of the group that owns the saints, btw.

     
  • Mike Wellman 3 days 19 hours ago (view)

    Hagsag, the River Bandits made the cut tho, right?

     
  • Craig A. 3 days 21 hours ago (view)

    Could have an option year remaining.  Bleacher Nation walked it back, per the link above.

     
  • Hagsag 3 days 21 hours ago (view)

    Living in the Quad Cities area, I look forward to hopefully coming to Des Moines to see the I Cubs a few times this summer.

     
  • CubbyBlue 3 days 22 hours ago (view)

    SERIOUSLY!

     
  • CTSteve 3 days 23 hours ago (view)

    It was time. 

     
  • Hagsag 4 days 6 hours ago (view)

    Love it Jackstraw.

     
  • Arizona Phil 4 days 13 hours ago (view)

    The Cubs have signed OF Cameron Maybin to a 2021 minor league contract.

    Because he was an Article XX-B MLB free-agent post-2020, he gets the automatic $100K retention bonus and June 1st player opt-out if he is not released or added to the MLB 40-man roster by MLB Opening Day. 

     
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