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<!--quoteo(post=101762:date=Jun 16 2010, 04:25 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Jun 16 2010, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I <i>like</i> BT's arguments, even though I rarely agree with them. I actually wonder if HE really believes them, or if he's just taking up a contrary position.
But his posts are usually well though-out, and often backed up with excellent statistical evidence.
Like I said, I disagree with him, but I respect him.
And I've kept quiet about the Jason Marquis posts, simply because I don't think he's the best example of Hendry's lunacy when it comes to signing free agents. He was signed for too many years, perhaps, but we<i> knew</i> he was meant to be a decent innings-eater, nothing more, nothing less, and that's what we got. I kinda liked him.
Focusing on the Marquis signing when talking about Hendry's FA debacles is like saying Charles Manson has bad breath; sure it may be somewhat true, but you're focusing on a molehill when there are Mt. Everests <i>everywhere</i>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So...because you disagree with BT's (also mine) point-of-view, you wonder if he's just taking a position for the sake of debate?
People have called you batshit crazy for years, but no one ever questions whether or not you believe your arguments.
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Man, <i>that's</i> what you took out of my post?
That was just an aside. The main point was that I respected the arguments of you and BT, even though I didn't agree with them.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
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<!--quoteo(post=101921:date=Jun 17 2010, 12:35 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Jun 17 2010, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Man, <i>that's</i> what you took out of my post?
That was just an aside. The main point was that I respected the arguments of you and BT, even though I didn't agree with them.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Oh.
My bad.
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<!--quoteo(post=101728:date=Jun 16 2010, 03:48 PM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Jun 16 2010, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Perhaps WAR isn't a billion times better than ERA+, but it's close. I doubt that in his heart of hearts Ace thinks that ERA+ is a very good indicator of what someone should be paid. However, if that is the case, then everyone needs to shut the fuck up about Grabow, as his ERA+ the last 2 years was the cat's pajamas.
(please note, I don't think Grabow should be paid lots of money because of his ERA+).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm late again, but I'll just throw this out there - ERA+ is not useful for comparing starting pitchers to relievers, only starters to starters and relievers to relievers. A "good" reliever tends to have a MUCH higher ERA+ than a "good" starter. I'm guessing it has to do with the malleability of relievers, but I'd have to ponder it for a spell.
And you're right, no I don't think ERA+ is the only or best way to decide on how much to pay a guy. But it factors in.
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From Sullivan:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->PWSullivan
Cubs' new fantasy camp deal offers 40 participants one-day Cub contracts. No word on whether Hendry will give them all no-trade clauses.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pretty funny
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On an MLB defensive website, they were listing the "Glove all-stars" so far this year. Needless to say, we didn't have a representative, but Byrd made the 2nd team. Apparently, he's been even better that he looks out there in CF.
Which kind of made me feel bad for Jim Hendry.
Many of his moves this past year have turned out MUCH better than expected. Silva has been unreal, Colvin has produced way beyond expectations, and Byrd has been just as good with the bat as he's been with the glove.
Jim had a plan to go all out for one final push with this current squad of old guys he'd assembled, and if the core guys had done the basic things, we'd be in the thick of the race. Aramis, Zambrano and DLee are the absolute core of this team, and all three have <i>sucked</i>. Had those 3 guys put up even slightly below average (for them) numbers, we might be in first place.
Add that to the fact that we're 11-18 in one-run games, which is about the worst record in that category in the majors. Since most baseball people consider one-run games to be a sign of pure luck, it's safe to say that Jim has been pretty unlucky.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance
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<!--quoteo(post=103675:date=Jun 30 2010, 02:55 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Jun 30 2010, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->On an MLB defensive website, they were listing the "Glove all-stars" so far this year. Needless to say, we didn't have a representative, but Byrd made the 2nd team. Apparently, he's been even better that he looks out there in CF.
Which kind of made me feel bad for Jim Hendry.
Many of his moves this past year have turned out MUCH better than expected. Silva has been unreal, Colvin has produced way beyond expectations, and Byrd has been just as good with the bat as he's been with the glove.
Jim had a plan to go all out for one final push with this current squad of old guys he'd assembled, and if the core guys had done the basic things, we'd be in the thick of the race. Aramis, Zambrano and DLee are the absolute core of this team, and all three have <i>sucked</i>. Had those 3 guys put up even slightly below average (for them) numbers, we might be in first place.
Add that to the fact that we're 11-18 in one-run games, which is about the worst record in that category in the majors. Since most baseball people consider one-run games to be a sign of pure luck, it's safe to say that Jim has been pretty unlucky.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If we're talking defense, I'd also add that Fuk is probably one of the best defensive corner OFs in baseball and Castro is coming along pretty well. I really have a beef with DLee probably having his worst defensive year, Soriano and our pitchers.
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DLee's consistency with the glove the past few seasons leads me to believe that his struggles this year are mostly due to age.
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<!--quoteo(post=103675:date=Jun 30 2010, 01:55 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Jun 30 2010, 01:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Add that to the fact that we're 11-18 in one-run games, which is about the worst record in that category in the majors. Since most baseball people consider one-run games to be a sign of pure luck, it's safe to say that Jim has been pretty unlucky.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can recall reading that records in one-run games was one of the best indicators of a playoff team in most years. In addition, my understanding was that good teams - teams with better overall records than their competition - tend to win more one-run games than they lose.
Based on your statement regarding luck, these teams aren't necessarily better, they are just luckier.
Should someone tell Ricketts, he doesn't have to worry about improving the 2011 Cubs? He just has to make them luckier.
It ain't luck, the 2010 Cubs just suck.
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From Buster Olney's ESPN Insider article
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->If you think trades are all about player value, team need and contract terms, think again. In many cases, midseason deals come down to the style of deal-makers (GMs) and how they get along. With a month before the trade deadline, we polled a dozen GMs about the deal-making traits of their peers. Because who would know better? We let them yak anonymously. Because who wants PC answers?
EASIEST GMs TO MAKE A DEAL WITH
Jim Hendry, Cubs (5 votes) "Hendry is the type of person you'd feel comfortable going out and having a beer with. He's a backslapping type of guy, and that really works for making trades."
Ken Williams, White Sox (3) "It's either a 'yes' or a 'no,' and it's immediate. He knows what he's willing to do."
Larry Beinfest, Marlins (1) "Absolutely no BS. The conversations are short, a quick e-mail, and when he says he'll get back to you on a proposal, it's usually the same day."
Theo Epstein, Red Sox (1) "He goes into each discussion knowing what he wants and how he values his own players. Very decisive."
Doug Melvin, Brewers (1) "He's very good at seeing how deals could line up. The conversations will move along."
Billy Beane, Athletics (1) "He's always looking to make a fair deal."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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I hope every team in baseball calls the Cubs!
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<!--quoteo(post=103886:date=Jul 2 2010, 08:23 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Jul 2 2010, 08:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->From Buster Olney's ESPN Insider article
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->If you think trades are all about player value, team need and contract terms, think again. In many cases, midseason deals come down to the style of deal-makers (GMs) and how they get along. With a month before the trade deadline, we polled a dozen GMs about the deal-making traits of their peers. Because who would know better? We let them yak anonymously. Because who wants PC answers?
EASIEST GMs TO MAKE A DEAL WITH
Jim Hendry, Cubs (5 votes) "Hendry is the type of person you'd feel comfortable going out and having a beer with. He's a backslapping type of guy, and that really works for making trades."
Ken Williams, White Sox (3) "It's either a 'yes' or a 'no,' and it's immediate. He knows what he's willing to do."
Larry Beinfest, Marlins (1) "Absolutely no BS. The conversations are short, a quick e-mail, and when he says he'll get back to you on a proposal, it's usually the same day."
Theo Epstein, Red Sox (1) "He goes into each discussion knowing what he wants and how he values his own players. Very decisive."
Doug Melvin, Brewers (1) "He's very good at seeing how deals could line up. The conversations will move along."
Billy Beane, Athletics (1) "He's always looking to make a fair deal."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So Hendry is the guy at the party that passes out and all his 'friends' stack cups on his head and draw a mustache on. Great.
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Hendry's strength has always been in making trades. Unfortunately, it's in free agency where he's been lackluster. He seems to think that everyone we sign or re-sign needs a deal giving them twice as much cash as they're worth with a no-trade clause as the cherry on top.
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<!--quoteo(post=103972:date=Jul 3 2010, 01:17 AM:name=Gracie)-->QUOTE (Gracie @ Jul 3 2010, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Hendry's strength has always been in making trades. Unfortunately, it's in free agency where he's been lackluster. He seems to think that everyone we sign or re-sign needs a deal giving them twice as much cash as they're worth with a no-trade clause as the cherry on top.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I've stayed out of this for a while, but this theme seems to be pretty universally accepted. And it's wrong.
Ramirez signed an under market contract
Zambrano signed an under market contract (see Zito, Barry)
Fukudome was offered more than the Cubs offered, but chose the Cubs anyway.
I think that leaves Soriano in the no-trade clause category. You might convince me that the Cubs paid way more than anyone else was offering (despite the fact that no one one this board can possibly have any actual proof of this), but one contract does not make Hendry guilty on ALL contracts.
I wish that I believed in Fate. I wish I didn't sleep so late. I used to be carried in the arms of cheerleaders.
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<!--quoteo(post=104005:date=Jul 3 2010, 11:19 PM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Jul 3 2010, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=103972:date=Jul 3 2010, 01:17 AM:name=Gracie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gracie @ Jul 3 2010, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Hendry's strength has always been in making trades. Unfortunately, it's in free agency where he's been lackluster. He seems to think that everyone we sign or re-sign needs a deal giving them twice as much cash as they're worth with a no-trade clause as the cherry on top.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I've stayed out of this for a while, but this theme seems to be pretty universally accepted. And it's wrong.
Ramirez signed an under market contract
Zambrano signed an under market contract (see Zito, Barry)
Fukudome was offered more than the Cubs offered, but chose the Cubs anyway.
I think that leaves Soriano in the no-trade clause category. You might convince me that the Cubs paid way more than anyone else was offering (despite the fact that no one one this board can possibly have any actual proof of this), but one contract does not make Hendry guilty on ALL contracts.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
For me it's not a matter of how good/bad each individual contract looks when you stack it up against the rest of baseball, it's about the sum of the parts- what can you get for a top 3 payroll? Compare the Cubs to the Red Sox who have a similar payroll the last few years. Yeah, the Red Sox have 2-3 bad contracts that I can think of, but they've had a lot more to show for it too. Furthermore, why is it that none of the Cubs contracts look pretty good in hindsight? I can understand a bad contract or two (by the way- you're not counting Grabow and Bradly), but shouldn't the majority of FA deals that you hand out be good ones? 4 years into all the big deals being handed out, how many still look good? Maybe Dempster and Lilly? So yeah, maybe he got a few guys under market value, good for him. They were still huge ass contracts that are now burdensome.
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