Cubs Convention Tidbits Thread

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Wells v. Volstad certainly isn't a black and white decision.

 

It's a big crazy world full of opinions, I guess. I had someone the other day tell me that Ben is the funniest character on Parks and Rec.

[Backtobanks]

Things I tried to remember from today.

 

I was surprised that Theo referenced Torreyes as a 2nd baseman until I got home and looked it up and saw that's what he was. He and Jed say all the right things.

 

I was very impressed with the coaching staff's comments on how they'll prepare. Bosio and Quirk both elaborated on video, Quirk saying that a video library is going to be a must for the catchers(if Soto isn't already doing something like that), and Bosio talked about how he's very big on scouting opposing hitters, and talked about how he started a makeshift system as a player by taping east coast games to VHS when he played for the Mariners.

 

Other things the coaching staff said were....less than impressive. It's hard to tell how much they were pandering to the audience(who REALLLY do not like Soriano), but they talked a good bit about hustling(Quirk and McKay went out of their way to interject "We WILL" do those things). On the other hand, Sveum gave a pretty diplomatic answer about it, and Theo himself mentioned running out groundballs in his session, so it might be more pandering than anything. However, I'm getting the impression all the talk about aggression on the basepaths, hit and runs, and even safety squeezes was not pandering, and a big part of Sveum's identity. Coincidentally, I get the feeling I'm going to be aggravated by Sveum while the Cubs are hitting. I felt bad for Randy Bush and Rudy, they hardly got any questions asked of them, and the few they did have to answer were littered with extra strength crazy, it seemed.

 

 

I just watched a video of Sveum answering some questions and one of the first things he said really made me cringe.

 

Someone asked who the leadoff hitter was...he responded that he couldn't really say yet, although DeJesus was probably the leading candidate...sweet....then he dropped Barney's name. UGH.

 

In what conceivable way is it a good idea to give our worst everyday hitter the most PAs on the team? For [expletive]'s sake.

The other thing that bothered me about that answer was that he said he'd also take spring training performance into consideration. This came after both Epstein and Hoyer pretty firmly stated that spring training means nothing to them. I'm sure it's something they talked about during the interview, but it was one of the few disconnects I saw between management and Sveum. That and Sveum saying Campana's speed could be worth 5 wins this year.

 

We're in good shape if our 5th OF/pinch runner has a 5 WAR year. :lol:

[KingCubsFan]

Wells v. Volstad certainly isn't a black and white decision.

Maybe to you. But the general consensus from management from the sessions I attended indicated Volstad would be the 5th starter.

[Backtobanks]

Wells v. Volstad certainly isn't a black and white decision.

 

I agree with you, especially since Volstad might be better than Wells out of the bullpen. The big advantage Volstad has is that he's younger and we traded for him.

[Guest]

Wells v. Volstad certainly isn't a black and white decision.

Maybe to you. But the general consensus from management from the sessions I attended indicated Volstad would be the 5th starter.

 

I'd pick Volstad too. That doesn't mean that he's a clear standard deviation better than Wells, or that the team potentially wouldn't be better served by letting Wells start the year in the rotation. They are close enough that ST performance(not statistics) could make a difference.

[SouthSideRyan]

Did anyone who attended the convention notice if there are a lot of attractive women who hang out at this thing? I was listening to B&B on the Score last week and they more or less called it a Sex Fest for the players with the convenience of it being held in a hotel. I've never been to the Cubs Convention before.

 

Bleacher Nation's recap of the event did mention something about the VIP section at the bar or the party (can't remember which) being filled with every 20-something female in a cocktail dress.

 

No wonder some of these dudes who look like they have no interest in being there show up.

 

I know a girl who was doing stuff with the Cubs all weekend. Dempster's charity event, Convention with a few guys. I'll just say I'd be far from shocked.

[SouthSideRyan]

Wells v. Volstad certainly isn't a black and white decision.

Maybe to you. But the general consensus from management from the sessions I attended indicated Volstad would be the 5th starter.

 

I'd pick Volstad too. That doesn't mean that he's a clear standard deviation better than Wells, or that the team potentially wouldn't be better served by letting Wells start the year in the rotation. They are close enough that ST performance(not statistics) could make a difference.

 

Why? What am I missing from Volstad? Are we sticking with the assumption that Volstad's defense was that horrendous?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Why? What am I missing from Volstad? Are we sticking with the assumption that Volstad's defense was that horrendous?

 

Wells and Volstad look statistically pretty similar to me.

 

Meanwhile, Volstad is younger, throws harder and has better overall stuff.

 

He's Wells with upside, so there's no reason to choose Wells.

[Guest]

Wells v. Volstad certainly isn't a black and white decision.

Maybe to you. But the general consensus from management from the sessions I attended indicated Volstad would be the 5th starter.

 

I'd pick Volstad too. That doesn't mean that he's a clear standard deviation better than Wells, or that the team potentially wouldn't be better served by letting Wells start the year in the rotation. They are close enough that ST performance(not statistics) could make a difference.

 

Why? What am I missing from Volstad? Are we sticking with the assumption that Volstad's defense was that horrendous?

 

Age, service time, pedigree, hope that playing for a different organization for the first time can help unlock some of that potential from his pedigree, etc. Like I said, they're pretty close on performance, it's not a black and white situation.

[Backtobanks]

Wells v. Volstad certainly isn't a black and white decision.

Maybe to you. But the general consensus from management from the sessions I attended indicated Volstad would be the 5th starter.

 

I'd pick Volstad too. That doesn't mean that he's a clear standard deviation better than Wells, or that the team potentially wouldn't be better served by letting Wells start the year in the rotation. They are close enough that ST performance(not statistics) could make a difference.

 

Why? What am I missing from Volstad? Are we sticking with the assumption that Volstad's defense was that horrendous?

 

Age, service time, pedigree, hope that playing for a different organization for the first time can help unlock some of that potential from his pedigree, etc. Like I said, they're pretty close on performance, it's not a black and white situation.

 

I have high hopes for Wood, but looking at stats only, there isn't too big a difference in Volstad, Wells, Wood, and Maholm. In Maholm's case, if you eliminate the games against the Cubs he probably comes out behind all of them. Interesting note, the pitcher most similar to Maholm at age 24 is Travis Wood according to baseballreference.com.

 

Wells: 105 ERA+, 1.34 WHIP, 2.08 K/BB (4 seasons - app. 500 innings)

Volstad: 90 ERA+, 1.48 WHIP, 1.85 K/BB (4 seasons - app. 500 innings)

Wood: 95 ERA+, 1.289 WHIP, 2.45 K/BB (2 seasons - app. 200 innings)

Maholm: 96 ERA+, 1.429 WHIP, 1.85 K/BB (7 seasons - app. 1150 innings)

 

Again, it's in the Cubs' best interest to go with youth (Wood & Volstad) and money (Maholm), leaving Wells the odd man out.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Wood has the best WHIP and the best K/BB on that list by a fairly decent margin. "Not that much difference" is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

[Backtobanks]

Wood has the best WHIP and the best K/BB on that list by a fairly decent margin. "Not that much difference" is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

 

My point is that on a good team, all of them would be fighting for the #4 & #5 spots. Assuming Wood improves with age, he could be a #3 on a decent team. Needless to say, the 2012 Cubs are not going to be a "good" team.