08-07-2009, 12:43 AM
<!--quoteo(post=56213:date=Aug 6 2009, 10:39 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Aug 6 2009, 10:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56212:date=Aug 6 2009, 10:31 PM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Aug 6 2009, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=56211:date=Aug 6 2009, 11:18 PM:name=cubbieblue)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cubbieblue @ Aug 6 2009, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Based on the beginning of the article I don't think he was trying to imply the Cubs suck. He is a die hard Cubs fan. He was more talking about why the Cubs aren't running away with the division the way everyone thought they were. The Cardinals have what, $40 million less in salary and they are keeping up? There is your wasted $40 million. Although Soriano and Bradley are going to improve their WAR a lot of the next 2 months I believe.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So according to that theory, by fielding a team with a few more unproven minor leaguers instead of the overpriced players you mentioned, we'd be running away with the division, or at minimum have 2 more wins? Forget the fact that not all of the sunk costs that your buddy mentioned take up roster spots and don't factor into W/L, but I think that's partly what people are finding difficult to take seriously from that article.
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Without looking over the stats, I'd guess Milton Bradley and Alfonso Soriano won their teams a shitload more than they lost over the last five years. We've just had some bad luck but you can't fault the organization for this one.
And I'm really sick of the blame on Hendry for signing Bradley. The injury and personality stuff we knew going in, but that hasn't been the problem. Milton Bradley has been an absolute stud at the plate over the last few years. Even in his worst seasons since he became a regular, he was very good. You could predict he'd tear a hamstring, fuck the players' mothers and shit on home plate, but you couldn't predict he wouldn't hit.
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I don't know his opinion on the Bradley but I personally was a fan of the Bradley signing. In no way am I blaming the Cubs front office at all. They have done a great job over the past few years. And because of his high on base percentage he has had a much better offensive season than people give him credit for. According to the same stats used in the article, Bradley is the 5th best hitter for the Cubs this year, at 3.3 runs better than the average player(not replacement player this time). It's his defense that kills him, at -6.6 runs worse than the average fielder.
Edit: Oh, and by the way, I thought I would mention that Fox is fourth in that list, at 5.0 runs better in his limited at bats. And he is only -0.1 in the field. They have to find a way to get this guy in the lineup more.
So according to that theory, by fielding a team with a few more unproven minor leaguers instead of the overpriced players you mentioned, we'd be running away with the division, or at minimum have 2 more wins? Forget the fact that not all of the sunk costs that your buddy mentioned take up roster spots and don't factor into W/L, but I think that's partly what people are finding difficult to take seriously from that article.
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Without looking over the stats, I'd guess Milton Bradley and Alfonso Soriano won their teams a shitload more than they lost over the last five years. We've just had some bad luck but you can't fault the organization for this one.
And I'm really sick of the blame on Hendry for signing Bradley. The injury and personality stuff we knew going in, but that hasn't been the problem. Milton Bradley has been an absolute stud at the plate over the last few years. Even in his worst seasons since he became a regular, he was very good. You could predict he'd tear a hamstring, fuck the players' mothers and shit on home plate, but you couldn't predict he wouldn't hit.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I don't know his opinion on the Bradley but I personally was a fan of the Bradley signing. In no way am I blaming the Cubs front office at all. They have done a great job over the past few years. And because of his high on base percentage he has had a much better offensive season than people give him credit for. According to the same stats used in the article, Bradley is the 5th best hitter for the Cubs this year, at 3.3 runs better than the average player(not replacement player this time). It's his defense that kills him, at -6.6 runs worse than the average fielder.
Edit: Oh, and by the way, I thought I would mention that Fox is fourth in that list, at 5.0 runs better in his limited at bats. And he is only -0.1 in the field. They have to find a way to get this guy in the lineup more.