Cubs sign Maholm - 1 yr/4.25 mil + club option

[bukie]

If they do sign Maholm, I'm not sure who else gets moved off the 40 man, or who gets bumped from the rotation among Wells/Volstad...

 

...or a Garza trade is imminent and won't return any major leaguers.

[Guest]

This is completely anecdotal and the type of thing I usually hate to read...so I apologize in advance.

 

It seems like we're targeting a lot of lefties..both hitters and pitchers. I know it's been mentioned this offseason that lefty bats (particularly power bats) do quite well in Wrigley. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but there was statistical support for that. Is this what we're trying to exploit?

 

Also, what best neutralizes most lefty hitting? Lefty pitching. Again, anecdotally speaking, it has always seemed like lefty pitchers have done better than expected at Wrigley (I'd be very interested in seeing if numbers support this)...

 

/nonsense

Edited January 9, 2012 by David

[Rob]

Another extreme groundball pitcher. I wonder if they think putting a good defense behind these guys could inflate their numbers enough to get some value in a trade later on. Or maybe they just do better at Wrigley.

 

Wood is a pretty extreme flyball pitcher. Volstad and Maholm are extreme groundball guys.

 

I'd be pretty interested in hearing how the batted ball profile affects their decision-making process. It could be something entirely off the wall like "well, we weren't so worried about Wood being an extreme flyball guy because the park factor for HR is only particularly high for lefties, which he should perform well against."

[Guest]

If they do sign Maholm, I'm not sure who else gets moved off the 40 man, or who gets bumped from the rotation among Wells/Volstad...

 

...or a Garza trade is imminent and won't return any major leaguers.

 

If we trade Garza without getting back someone that goes on the 40 man roster, I'm going to be very upset. Soriano or Byrd, I would be much more comfortable getting lower level guys.

[CubColtPacer]

Hmmm...

 

Garza/Dempster/Maholm/Wood/Volstad/Wells

 

I wonder who the odd man out is? This whole thing could be a sign of a move to come or it could just be that the plan is to send a guy down to AAA. Anybody know the option status for Wood, Volstad, and Wells?

 

Wells and Wood have 1 option. Volstad has 2. But Wells and Volstad would have to clear optional assignment waivers in order to go down.

[Rob]

This is completely anecdotal and the type of thing I usually hate to read...so I apologize in advance.

 

It seems like we're targeting a lot of lefties..both hitters and pitchers. I know it's been mentioned this offseason that lefty bats (particularly power bats) do quite well in Wrigley. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but there was statistical support for that. Is this what we're trying to exploit?

 

Also, what best neutralizes most lefty hitting? Lefty pitching. Again, anecdotally speaking, it has always seemed like lefty pitchers have done better than expected at Wrigley (I'd be very interested in seeing if numbers support this)...and what best neutralizes/counters most good lefty hitting than lefty pitching?

 

/nonsense

 

Park Factor of 119 for LH HR.

 

This whole article might be worth reading for ya, if you're interested.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/kicking-big-rocks-extreme-park-factors-and-batted-ball-data/

[jersey cubs fan]

If they do sign Maholm, I'm not sure who else gets moved off the 40 man, or who gets bumped from the rotation among Wells/Volstad...

 

...or a Garza trade is imminent and won't return any major leaguers.

 

If we trade Garza without getting back someone that goes on the 40 man roster, I'm going to be very upset. Soriano or Byrd, I would be much more comfortable getting lower level guys.

 

I wouldn't necessarily be upset with a non-rostered acquisition as long as the guys are extremely highly rated. I don't see the need to insist on a MLB ready guy given the strategy they have utilized to this point.

[Guest]

Another extreme groundball pitcher. I wonder if they think putting a good defense behind these guys could inflate their numbers enough to get some value in a trade later on. Or maybe they just do better at Wrigley.

 

Wood is a pretty extreme flyball pitcher. Volstad and Maholm are extreme groundball guys.

 

I'd be pretty interested in hearing how the batted ball profile affects their decision-making process. It could be something entirely off the wall like "well, we weren't so worried about Wood being an extreme flyball guy because the park factor for HR is only particularly high for lefties, which he should perform well against."

 

This is sort of what I was attempting to allude to in that post. Only I'm not smart enough to put it that way.

[Guest]

This is completely anecdotal and the type of thing I usually hate to read...so I apologize in advance.

 

It seems like we're targeting a lot of lefties..both hitters and pitchers. I know it's been mentioned this offseason that lefty bats (particularly power bats) do quite well in Wrigley. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but there was statistical support for that. Is this what we're trying to exploit?

 

Also, what best neutralizes most lefty hitting? Lefty pitching. Again, anecdotally speaking, it has always seemed like lefty pitchers have done better than expected at Wrigley (I'd be very interested in seeing if numbers support this)...and what best neutralizes/counters most good lefty hitting than lefty pitching?

 

/nonsense

 

Park Factor of 119 for LH HR.

 

This whole article might be worth reading for ya, if you're interested.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/kicking-big-rocks-extreme-park-factors-and-batted-ball-data/

 

Nice, thanks.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hmmm...

 

Garza/Dempster/Maholm/Wood/Volstad/Wells

 

I wonder who the odd man out is? This whole thing could be a sign of a move to come or it could just be that the plan is to send a guy down to AAA. Anybody know the option status for Wood, Volstad, and Wells?

 

Well, it is just 6 guys you listed, 2 or 3 of which may be fine starting the season out of the bullpen.

[bukie]

 

Park Factor of 119 for LH HR.

 

This whole article might be worth reading for ya, if you're interested.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/kicking-big-rocks-extreme-park-factors-and-batted-ball-data/

 

Also notable: San Diego is where lefty power hitters (like Adrian Gonzalez...or Anthony Rizzo) go to die.

Edited January 9, 2012 by bukie

[CUBZ99]

The Cubs must feel pretty comfortable about his shoulder issues being resolved. Overall, Maholm is not that impressive, but he has been fairly consistent throughout his career.

 

With Wood and Maholm possibly signed by Friday, there has to be an impending move(s) to clear some space on the 40 man.

[Guest]

 

Park Factor of 119 for LH HR.

 

This whole article might be worth reading for ya, if you're interested.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/kicking-big-rocks-extreme-park-factors-and-batted-ball-data/

 

Also notable: San Diego is where lefty power hitters (like Adrian Gonzalez...or Anthony Rizzo) go to die.

 

Lefty pull hitters can do quite well in San Diego, actually, and Adrian Gonzalez did exactly that. There is a short porch in both corners of Petco.

[Drew Doughty]

 

Park Factor of 119 for LH HR.

 

This whole article might be worth reading for ya, if you're interested.

 

 

Also notable: San Diego is where lefty power hitters (like Adrian Gonzalez...or Anthony Rizzo) go to die.

 

Lefty pull hitters can do quite well in San Diego, actually, and Adrian Gonzalez did exactly that. There is a short porch in both corners of Petco.

 

Adrian Gonzalez had an 809 ops in his career at Petco compared to a career ops of 889

[KingCubsFan]

 

Park Factor of 119 for LH HR.

 

This whole article might be worth reading for ya, if you're interested.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/kicking-big-rocks-extreme-park-factors-and-batted-ball-data/

 

Also notable: San Diego is where lefty power hitters (like Adrian Gonzalez...or Anthony Rizzo) go to die.

 

Lefty pull hitters can do quite well in San Diego, actually, and Adrian Gonzalez did exactly that. There is a short porch in both corners of Petco.

Adrian Gonzalez did not do "quite well" at Petco compared to his actual abilities.

[rocket]

Yeah, I really don't like this.

 

I am enjoying B2B's response to every move though. I hope this offseason never ends. (Because then I'll have to watch a 70 win team again)

 

He's had 1 crappy season in the past 4, so he should be one of those guys that gives you decent performance when he does pitch. Not sure what prevented him from racking up the IP, but he has made 30+ starts in 4 of 6 seasons. He does seem like a guy who can be useful on a team that actually scores some runs.

 

exactly. if the cubs were going for it this year i'd be behind the deal. but for a rebuilding team, i don't think an above average veteran starter is a hole we need to worry about.

[Rob]

Another extreme groundball pitcher. I wonder if they think putting a good defense behind these guys could inflate their numbers enough to get some value in a trade later on. Or maybe they just do better at Wrigley.

 

Wood is a pretty extreme flyball pitcher. Volstad and Maholm are extreme groundball guys.

 

I'd be pretty interested in hearing how the batted ball profile affects their decision-making process. It could be something entirely off the wall like "well, we weren't so worried about Wood being an extreme flyball guy because the park factor for HR is only particularly high for lefties, which he should perform well against."

 

This is sort of what I was attempting to allude to in that post. Only I'm not smart enough to put it that way.

 

I definitely got what you were saying in my first read of that post.

 

Of course that only angered me, as I had just finished retyping my post about 12 different times for the sake of clarity before finally hitting submit... only to see your post on the exact same topic had appeared in that time.

[RynoRules]

His WHIP came way down last year and he had 2.6 WAR. Not bad. Let's see what the contract numbers look like...

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, I really don't like this.

 

I am enjoying B2B's response to every move though. I hope this offseason never ends. (Because then I'll have to watch a 70 win team again)

 

He's had 1 crappy season in the past 4, so he should be one of those guys that gives you decent performance when he does pitch. Not sure what prevented him from racking up the IP, but he has made 30+ starts in 4 of 6 seasons. He does seem like a guy who can be useful on a team that actually scores some runs.

 

exactly. if the cubs were going for it this year i'd be behind the deal. but for a rebuilding team, i don't think an above average veteran starter is a hole we need to worry about.

 

Such a player can be a useful trade chip in July for those teams that actually do score runs and are going for it.

[Tracer Bullet]

Yeah, I really don't like this.

 

I am enjoying B2B's response to every move though. I hope this offseason never ends. (Because then I'll have to watch a 70 win team again)

 

He's had 1 crappy season in the past 4, so he should be one of those guys that gives you decent performance when he does pitch. Not sure what prevented him from racking up the IP, but he has made 30+ starts in 4 of 6 seasons. He does seem like a guy who can be useful on a team that actually scores some runs.

 

exactly. if the cubs were going for it this year i'd be behind the deal. but for a rebuilding team, i don't think an above average veteran starter is a hole we need to worry about.

 

Such a player can be a useful trade chip in July for those teams that actually do score runs and are going for it.

 

Yeah, if we're just going to have piles of money sitting around, I'd rather sign a couple guys like this that might have value at the deadline.

[Rob]

Maholm is much more likely to be a David DeJesus type signing... 2-3 year contract in the hopes he can help us compete in 2013 and 2014.

 

I really don't see him signing a one year contract and being flipped midseason.

[jersey cubs fan]

Maholm is much more likely to be a David DeJesus type signing... 2-3 year contract in the hopes he can help us compete in 2013 and 2014.

 

I really don't see him signing a one year contract and being flipped midseason.

 

What if he signs a 3 year contract and is flipped midseason?

[toonsterwu]

I don't mind this considering where we're heading for 2012, but am curious what the next move is on the 40. With hopefully a Wood return on the horizon, there's a couple moves that need to be made. Assuming a Garza trade doesn't come out of LF, I'd guess maybe a Bianchi or one of the arms we signed gets released.

 

Speaking to jcf's point, it wouldn't exactly stun me if any of Volstad/Wood/Maholm were flipped mid-season if they were having strong years and could net solid talent in return.

 

As for a Garza trade, I agree with jcf - ideally, we'd get a ready stud, someone able to go on the 40 right now, but if they make a decision to move him now and get the best talent in return, then we simply need to get the best package of talent possible and build from there.

[Little Slide Rooter]

More than flipping these guys, what I like about this is giving Wood, Maholm, Volstad, Wells, and Sonnenstine a year to audition for 2-3 rotation spots for 2013 and beyond rather than shelling out 7-10 mil a piece for veteran inning eaters. Between them and McNutt and maybe Struck, Rusin, and even Jackson we have more than enough candidates lined up for the 3-5 starters and put more money and assets toward acquiring a few front end guys.

[Rob]

Maholm is much more likely to be a David DeJesus type signing... 2-3 year contract in the hopes he can help us compete in 2013 and 2014.

 

I really don't see him signing a one year contract and being flipped midseason.

 

What if he signs a 3 year contract and is flipped midseason?

 

Could it happen? Sure. If the offers are good enough, I expect Theo would deal just about anybody.

 

But signing somebody to a 3 year contract when you have no intent of keeping them around more than 3 months is extremely risky. You'd be betting against injury and ineffectiveness while hoping the teams in the race are guys with holes in their rotations and more attractive starters aren't made available. Not to mention the fact that in order for such a gamble to make sense, you have to acquire something of more value than the time you've paid for... So if you assume he's getting $6 mil per season (probably low but it makes the math easy) and you trade him at the deadline, you'd need to have acquired pieces worth approximately $4 mil just to break even. Anything less and you'd be better off having spent the money in IFA.