Get a brain, morans.

Submitted by CubbyBlue on Thu, 10/16/2014 - 10:33 pm

If you image-search "get a brain morans", a million shots come up of this guy who was apparently protesting something.
I'm not going to really try to find out what, I know we just like that sign next to that team logo.
And "morans" does come up here quite a bit so... enjoy.

 

Comments

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 10/16/2014 - 10:59 pm

anyone see Baez or Olt?

Andrew (Raleigh )

Did you see the Time article on the Royals (or their perceived style of play) being the future of baseball? Not every postseason result has to mean something. Sometimes teams just win. People should enjoy the ride and stop trying to create false narratives.

Klaw
  (1:09 PM)

I didn't, and that's pretty silly. I do think you'll see two changes in player valuation, though. Players who make more contact will see an increase in value after years of teams just not caring at all about hitter strikeout rates, and I think the recent shift toward assembling bullpens of power arms to try to shorten games to 6 innings will accelerate.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 10/16/2014 - 10:02 pm

clearly not reading Phil's reports...

Re: Schwarber sticking at C

Klaw
  (1:16 PM)



Of course they feel that. Every team tells you that about a kid they just drafted four months ago. I highly doubt he can stick there. LF is the best case scenario, 1b the worst.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 10/16/2014 - 10:04 pm

Re: CJ Edwards and moving to the bullpen

Klaw
  (1:30 PM)



Meaning you don't want him to be a bullpen arm, right? There isn't a starter in the majors built like him, he doesn't have much fastball plane or life, and he needs a better changeup. Those are tangible concerns.

and

Not sure there's any injury risk involved. Let him start until he proves he can't. Let Schwarber catch until he proves he can't. Let DJ Peterson play third base. You have to try the high-upside scenario.

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 10/16/2014 - 10:13 pm

HOLY F'N CRAP WHAT A POSTSEASON! the giants are NL champs. walk-off HR in the 9th...wow.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 10/17/2014 - 10:20 am

so game tied, season on the line and they put in Wacha who hadn't pitched in 20 days.

~shrug~

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Mon, 10/20/2014 - 10:42 pm

TJ, Maybe it would have been less obvious to say that players are protective of their roles, and a closer might not appreciate being used in a non-closing situation on the road. You're managing players as well as situations--but I guess that sounds obvious again. If you asked most people who has the advantage in a tie game from the start of the ninth inning on, they would say the home team. So then the home team uses its closer in the ninth, and the game is still tied after nine. Who has the advantage now? It's just an interesting question to me, one that I've never heard discussed.

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Submitted by Rob Richardson on Mon, 10/20/2014 - 10:16 pm

Many people think it is a mistake to lose an important game with your best bullpen pitcher (assuming that is your closer) still sitting in the pen.

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Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 10/17/2014 - 10:32 pm

Speaking of Felix Pie... from the Fangraphs review of Cub prospects:
14. Jake Stinnett, RHP Video: Stinnett pitched for the first time mid-way through his junior year at Maryland and was good enough to get drafted, but took off in his senior year, flashing three above average pitches and hitting 96 mph from an athletic delivery, which prompted the Cubs to take him near the top of the 2nd round. The stuff varied in the spring as Stinnett’s arm wasn’t used to the workload, but he was at his best in instructs, has mid-rotation upside and a very fresh arm for a 22-year-old. After signing and before being sent to an affiliate, Stinnett had a freak accident in Arizona on a funky hop from a fungo during PFP (pitcher fielding practice) hit him in the nuts; he needed surgery and nearly lost his testicle but I’m told he has a good sense of humor about the episode.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-chicago-cubs/ http://deadspin.com/366269/felix-pies-minor-surgery-no-big-deal-nothing…

Submitted by jacos on Sun, 10/19/2014 - 10:53 pm

Seen enough of Cutler. Also the turf at Soldier Field is an embarrassment. /Chicago...the city that sometimes work

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Submitted by billybucks on Sun, 10/19/2014 - 10:02 pm

It really sucks to be a Bears fan -- year after year of relentless mediocrity. They bet it all that the QB Whisperer would turn Cutler into Aaron Rodgers and save the day -- not happening. Cutler can't read defenses and waits far too long to release the ball, which is why the Bears WRs never seem open but the Dolphin receivers looked open all day.

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Mon, 10/20/2014 - 10:55 am

I don't know why they didn't go with the lineup they had last week. Those scrubs did better than McClellin ever will. Whoever was arguing with me here about my complaints about the D and how we at least now have an exciting offense has now seen that argument put to rest. There's nothing here at all. And Cutler is now Alfonso Soriano in a much more important capacity.

[ ]

Submitted by Old and Blue on Mon, 10/20/2014 - 10:58 am

I think the whole thing about a QB Whisperer only works if the QB has the capabilities needed to see the entire field. No whisperer can magically create that ability. Holmes was open on the interception to a covered TE. Holmes had a fifty fifty chance of dropping the pass thrown to him, but that's better than an interception. Either Cutler doesn't trust Holmes with the ball, or he didn't see him. If he didn't see him, you can't fix that. You can fix the other I guess, but that's a pretty big problem, too. You can't have receivers out there the QB doesn't trust. A lot of what is wrong with this team seems related to coaching and that's a big bummer for me because I had very high hopes for Trestman when they brought him in. Damn you, Kool-Aid!!

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Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 10/20/2014 - 10:09 pm

the same mediocre team with Angelo/Lovie...at least those two had a few seasons of brilliance.

I didn't watch much of the game yesterday, Cutler seemed mediocre at best, which I think we can fairly say is about as good as he is with occasional moments of brilliance.

Tannenhill scorching your defense is far more alarming to me, he's one of the worst in the league.

[ ]

Submitted by Old and Blue on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:17 am

On a more positive note, it was good to see D Rose with some explosiveness last night. It'll be interesting to see if San Antonio style basketball can beat LeBron-style over the course of the season and through the playoffs if Rose stays healthy.

Submitted by Carlito on Sun, 10/19/2014 - 10:49 pm

There is something inherently wrong with Baseball taking a 5-6 day break before WS Game 1. This is a sport that is played daily. I expect some sloppy play, it's unfair to the players, and the weather gets worse by the hour this time of year ...

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 10/19/2014 - 10:31 pm

AFL on MLB Network... Oct. 31 (Friday) - Scottsdale at Salt River Watch live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 3:35 p.m. ET/12:35 MST Nov. 4 (Tuesday) - Mesa at Salt River Watch live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 8:35 p.m. ET/6:35 MT Nov. 6 (Thursday) - Mesa at Salt River Watch live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 8:35 p.m. ET/6:35 MT Nov. 8 (Saturday) - Mesa at Salt River (Military Appreciation Game) Watch live on MLB Network at 8:05 p.m. ET/6:05 MT Nov. 15 (Saturday) - AFL Championship Game Watch live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 3:08 p.m. ET/1:08 MT

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:55 am

Really bad day yesterday for Mesa Solar Sox 1B Dan Vogelbach.

No errors were charged to him, but he was unable to hold onto a room-service one-hop throw from Addison Russell (E-6 charged even though ball bounced into and then out of Vogelbach's glove), messed up his footwork while holding runner at 1st base causing him to miss a pick-of throw from LHP Sean Nolin (E-1 charged), failed to tag the runner on an off-line throw from 2B Tony Renda that had batter-runner beat by three steps (E-4 charged), and could not field another easy one-hop relay throw at 1st base so that the DP could not be turned thus extending the inning.  

I saw Vogelbach make 10 errors at Extended Spring Training in 2012 (which is why he was held back at AZL Cubs instead of being assigned to Boise) and I remember thinking at the time that he was one of the worst defensive 1st basemen I had ever seen. I know that he has worked very hard to improve his defensive play at 1st base, but the fact is, he is still a butcher in the field. Back in the day they called defensively-challenged 1B Dick Stuart "Dr Strangeglove." Well, Vogelbach is no better. 

It's not just that he isn't Gold Glove at 1st base. He can't even make routine plays consistently. He has a cast-iron glove, he can't move his feet, he has difficulty tracking pop-ups while he's moving, and he is easily confused. 

Vogebach is a really nice guy and he tries very hard, but he can't play 1st base. He is as bad defensively today as he was two or three years ago. He will almost certainly have to be an MLB DH, but to have a chance to do that he will,have to hit a ton and show a lot of power at AA and AAA over the next couple or three years. I can't see Vogelbach having much value as a trade chp until he proves he can rake at AAA, and even then he would be considered strictly a hitter with a negative defensive value.

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Submitted by crunch on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:33 am

not being able to play 1st is just kinda sad... it's a much harder position, but one of the worst displays of D i've ever seen is bj upton playing SS in AAA. it was absolutely amazing how horrible he was there in every single aspect of playing the position...and he got multiple seasons to showcase how awful he was there.

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Submitted by Tarzan Joe on Wed, 10/22/2014 - 10:58 pm

Long time lurker some time commenter here...I was at the AFL game AZ Phill was at and I'd have to concur that Vogelbach may be the worst fielder, period, that I've seen. Terrible hands, footwork, reactions, instincts, the whole shebang. This is a limited eyeball test so take it for what it's worth. My dad was with me and he actually referred to him as Dr. Strangeglove 2.0. His body type seems to be key inhibitor here as he's simply not built to move. He can rake, for sure, but there's no way he does anything other than DH if he makes it to the bigs. My second eyeball test was of Russell and it's hard not to like what you see. Big, athletic frame, great hands and footwork, combined with a shortstop's arm. I hadn't seen him in person before and, well, I was impressed. Final eyeball test was CJ Edwards. That tiny, lanky frame does give you doubt. Hard to imagine he won't end up in the pen at some point, which is fine. He wasn't very sharp in the couple innings he pitched and his body language reflected that. I'd like to see him get a full healthy season under his belt before testing him in the bigs.

Submitted by DavidP on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:34 pm

Phil - the Cubs have a PTBNL coming from the A's after the draft. What are the rules in this case. I am pretty sure it couldn't be anyone that was on the 25 man roster after the trade, but could it be someone on the 40 man roster?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:09 pm

DAVID P: The PTBNL must be named or cash substituted within six months of the date the trade is reported to the MLB office. Cash (typically $50,000 for trades involving players on an MLB 40-man roster) can be substituted for the PTBNL. The exact cash amount that can be substituted for a PTBNL must be stated in writing when the trade is reported to the MLB office. Therefore, the PTBNL owed to the Cubs from Oakland in the Samardzija trade must be selected by the Cubs (or else cash will be substituted) no later than January 5th, and the PTBNL the Cubs owe Boston must be selected by the Red Sox (or else cash will be substituted) no later than January 30th.

Typically the PTBNL is selected from a list of minor leaguers agreed to in advance by both clubs when the trade is made, although it could be a player on a DL. If the club owed the PTBNL does not select a player within six months, the cash amount is automatically substituted. 

A PTBNL can be on an MLB 40-man roster, but the PTBNL cannot spend any time on an MLB Active List (25-man roster)--including September when rosters expand or after the conclusion of the MLB regular season if the club is participating in the post-season--from the time the trade is reported to the MLB office until the PTBNL is named. 

A player on an MLB 15-day or 60-day DL can be a PTBNL as long as the player is not reinstated and added to an MLB Active List prior to the PTBNL being announced. So a player on an MLB DL can be a PTBNL as long as the player is either reinstated from the 15-day or 60-day DL and then immediately optioned to the minors (and is not recalled prior to the PTBNL being named), or if the player is reinstated from the DL after the conclusion of the MLB regular season. 

NOTE: All players on optional assignment to the minors must be recalled no later than the day after the conclusion of the MLB regular season (it's called "Recalled - Not to Report"), but players "Recalled - Not to Report" are not placed on the club's MLB Active List (25-man roster). Rather, they are "reserved" on the club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster). Therefore a player on an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) who is "Recalled - Not to Report" after the conclusion of the MLB regular season can be a PTBNL.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:20 pm

from what I recall, the player the Cubs are suppose to get from A's is "signficant" but not that signficant to change the opinion of the trade (I think that was Keith Law's take).

The player we owe the Red Sox I don't know about, guessing cash may be enough.

Guessing post Rule 5 draft this will get tidied up.

 

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:33 pm

I think the fact that the PTBNL the Cubs owe Boston is supposedly to be named after the Rule 5 Draft might suggest that the Red Sox will be able to select a PTBNL from the list of Cubs minor leaguers who were eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft but were not drafted. Or it could be that the Cubs will select a player in the Rule 5 Draft for the Red Sox and then send that player to Boston as the PTBNL after the conclusion of the draft, although that is less likely because the Red Sox actually select ahead of the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft (Red Sox select 7th, Cubs select 9th). .

Having an opportunity to select a player from the list of Cubs players eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft who were not drafted could be to the Red Sox advantage if they wish to select a minor league prospect too inexperienced to add to their MLB 40-man roster post-2014 or too inexperienced to select in the Rule 5 Draft, but who could have 40-man roster value later (like maybe post-2015). That type of player could include prospects like OF Jeffrey Baez, SS Marco Hernandez, or 2B-turned-catcher Gioskar Amaya, each of whom are unlikely to get added to the Cubs 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline, or get selected in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft because they aren't anywhere near ready for MLB.

 

Submitted by jacos on Tue, 10/21/2014 - 10:11 pm

No Raul Ibanez on WS roster, Royals become first team in WS without a player who didn't play in the 20th Century. /per Olbermann

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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on 60-DAY IL   

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