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<!--quoteo(post=17880:date=Feb 13 2009, 04:09 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Feb 13 2009, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Stark:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Most unimproved teams: National League
1. Pittsburgh Pirates
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Milwaukee Brewers
No, the Pirates don't win this award every year. But this does make two in a row. And they did it this year despite massive competition, for reasons we've already discussed. So why did the Pirates nudge out St. Louis? Because they're coming off a 95-loss season and we bet even Bill Mazeroski couldn't name the only two free agents they signed to major league contracts this winter. They were … (the envelope please) none other than Eric Hinske and, ummm, Ramon Vazquez? Yeah. Really. Granted, the Pirates actually started their big roster-reconstruction project last July 31. And GM Neal Huntingdon certainly seems to be a man with a plan. But this is a team in danger of making very messy history if it rips off its 17th straight losing season. And, as one of our panelists put it, "I think they added more assistant general managers this winter than players." Uh, is that good?
FUN POLL FACT: Nine different NL teams got votes, and seven got multiple votes. So unimprovement was the clear specialty of the National League's entire house this winter<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Good to see the NL Central represent!
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[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
It's especially nice to see our 2 biggest rivals both make the top three.
BTW, where do you guys see the Cubs in this? Anyone who does not think that losing both our closer AND our team MVP, and getting ZERO in return is a bad thing..well they must not watch baseball.
OTOH, we added the AL's OBP leader, picked up a better-than-mediocre closing possibility, and even picked up a lottery ticket (Heilman).
Tough to evaluate.
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=18128:date=Feb 16 2009, 04:03 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Feb 16 2009, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
It's especially nice to see our 2 biggest rivals both make the top three.
BTW, where do you guys see the Cubs in this? Anyone who does not think that losing both our closer AND our team MVP, and getting ZERO in return is a bad thing..well they must not watch baseball.
OTOH, we added the AL's OBP leader, picked up a better-than-mediocre closing possibility, and even picked up a lottery ticket (Heilman).
Tough to evaluate.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I would say Stevens is more than zero. I think he gets forgotten a bit too much around here especially for a guy that had an 81/27 K/BB ratio and 12.5 K/9 last year between AA and AAA.
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<!--quoteo(post=18206:date=Feb 16 2009, 09:43 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Feb 16 2009, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=18128:date=Feb 16 2009, 04:03 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Feb 16 2009, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
It's especially nice to see our 2 biggest rivals both make the top three.
BTW, where do you guys see the Cubs in this? Anyone who does not think that losing both our closer AND our team MVP, and getting ZERO in return is a bad thing..well they must not watch baseball.
OTOH, we added the AL's OBP leader, picked up a better-than-mediocre closing possibility, and even picked up a lottery ticket (Heilman).
Tough to evaluate.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I would say Stevens is more than zero. I think he gets forgotten a bit too much around here especially for a guy that had an 81/27 K/BB ratio and 12.5 K/9 last year between AA and AAA.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Heck, those are excellent numbers, no doubt. But do you see him pitching even one <i>inning</i> for the Cubs <b>this year</b>?
Ace, on his blog, makes a pretty solid case for us not really needing DeRosa next year, but the reason it didn't convince me was because his case hinges on: Font playing WAY over his head again this year, (like he did last year), and Miles magically becoming profoundly better than he ever has been before.
Kind of a dream scenario, and while I'd love to see it play out that way, I remain skeptical.
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=18222:date=Feb 17 2009, 12:30 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Feb 17 2009, 12:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=18206:date=Feb 16 2009, 09:43 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Feb 16 2009, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=18128:date=Feb 16 2009, 04:03 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Feb 16 2009, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]
It's especially nice to see our 2 biggest rivals both make the top three.
BTW, where do you guys see the Cubs in this? Anyone who does not think that losing both our closer AND our team MVP, and getting ZERO in return is a bad thing..well they must not watch baseball.
OTOH, we added the AL's OBP leader, picked up a better-than-mediocre closing possibility, and even picked up a lottery ticket (Heilman).
Tough to evaluate.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I would say Stevens is more than zero. I think he gets forgotten a bit too much around here especially for a guy that had an 81/27 K/BB ratio and 12.5 K/9 last year between AA and AAA.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Heck, those are excellent numbers, no doubt. But do you see him pitching even one <i>inning</i> for the Cubs <b>this year</b>?
Ace, on his blog, makes a pretty solid case for us not really neding DeRosa next year, but the reason it didn't convince me was because his case hinges on: Font playing WAY over his head again this year, (like he did last year), and Miles magically becoming profoundly better than he ever has been before.
Kind of a dream scenario, and while I'd love to see it play out that way, I remain skeptical.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, you can't say Font played over his head because he hasn't really gotten the opportunity to prove himself on a daily basis. See Theriot, everyone thought he was gonna be disaster and he turned out to be pretty good. You never know.
I've always liked Fontenot, probably because he looks kinda cool with the hair and everything, I don't know but I'm pretty excited that he'll get a chance and I really think he'll be at least solid with the bat.
Miles on the other hand, can go to hell. He won't be starting at second so we ended up paying what? 4 million for a backup? Ugh...
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I think it's hard to say Fontenot overachieved as well. When you hit the ball hard at least once a game like he did last year, you're going to get good results. Maybe over 400+ at bats he runs out of gas but I think we're going to get at least a pretty good stretch of great production from him. He'll be solid at least, count on it.
@TheBlogfines
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You guys are preaching to the choir: I love little Fonty. Giving him the starting job is one of those really rare occurrences where Jim and I see eye to eye.
And he did kick ass last year. And Theriot is a good example of a guy who just needed a chance, and came through when he got one.
OK OK...as long as Miles' playing time is real limited, I'll be optimistic.
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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My point was that if properly platooned, Fontenot and Miles are likely to equal DeRosa's production this year, and will be better on defense. They can also cover almost any position DeRosa could.
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<!--quoteo(post=18252:date=Feb 17 2009, 07:21 AM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Feb 17 2009, 07:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->My point was that if properly platooned, Fontenot and Miles are likely to equal DeRosa's production this year, and will be better on defense. They can also cover almost any position DeRosa could.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, this.
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<!--quoteo(post=18258:date=Feb 17 2009, 07:56 AM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ Feb 17 2009, 07:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=18252:date=Feb 17 2009, 07:21 AM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Feb 17 2009, 07:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->My point was that if properly platooned, Fontenot and Miles are likely to equal DeRosa's production this year, and will be better on defense. They can also cover almost any position DeRosa could.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, this.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
put me down for that too, sugarlips.
Wang.
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<!--quoteo(post=18222:date=Feb 17 2009, 12:30 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Feb 17 2009, 12:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Heck, those are excellent numbers, no doubt. But do you see him pitching even one <i>inning</i> for the Cubs <b>this year</b>?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes. I wouldn't exactly bet on it, but I think he has a fairly good shot to crack the rotation.
12 pitchers is what we've all heard, correct? Let's assume Marshall wins the rotation spot and Samardzija and Heilman got to the pen.
Marmol
Gregg
Heilman
Samardzija
Gaudin
Vizcaino
That leaves one more spot for one of Ascanio, Hart, Stevens, and Guzman. I've also heard talk of Samardzija going to AAA to keep his starting endurance up so he can be moved into the rotation if there's a need. That would leave 2 bullpen spots open for those 4 guys.
Given Steven's past success and accolades, I wouldn't be surprised if he's on the 25 man roster.
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<!--quoteo(post=18275:date=Feb 17 2009, 08:26 AM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Feb 17 2009, 08:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=18222:date=Feb 17 2009, 12:30 AM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Feb 17 2009, 12:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Heck, those are excellent numbers, no doubt. But do you see him pitching even one <i>inning</i> for the Cubs <b>this year</b>?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes. I wouldn't exactly bet on it, but I think he has a fairly good shot to crack the rotation.
12 pitchers is what we've all heard, correct? Let's assume Marshall wins the rotation spot and Samardzija and Heilman got to the pen.
Marmol
Gregg
Heilman
Samardzija
Gaudin
Vizcaino
That leaves one more spot for one of Ascanio, Hart, Stevens, and Guzman. I've also heard talk of Samardzija going to AAA to keep his starting endurance up so he can be moved into the rotation if there's a need. That would leave 2 bullpen spots open for those 4 guys.
Given Steven's past success and accolades, I wouldn't be surprised if he's on the 25 man roster.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You forgot Cotts, none of those 4 guys are gonna make the team unless someone gets hurt or really really sucks in spring.
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Does Guzman have options left?
I got nothin'.
Andy
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<!--quoteo(post=18303:date=Feb 17 2009, 11:52 AM:name=Andy)-->QUOTE (Andy @ Feb 17 2009, 11:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Does Guzman have options left?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nope. He better bring his A-game this spring training if he wants to stay a Cub.
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I'm pretty sure he is out of options.
I picture a pissed-off Amazon bitch; uncontrollable, disobedient, boldly resisting any kind of emotional shackles...angrily begging for more ejaculate. -KB
Showing your teeth is a sign of weakness in primates. Whenever someone smiles at me, all I see is a chimpanzee begging for its life. - Dwight
RIP Sarge
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