Random Cubs Musings

[XZero771679666304]

Barney has over 1200 PAs with a BABIP of about .290 entering this year. His peripherals have changed a bit, but considering the sample size and magnitude of those changes, it doesn't explain a 60-70 point swing. Considering with his defense and baserunning he doesn't have to rebound far to be a capable player, I'm not sure why that's so outrageous a position.

 

 

I'm not sure anyone was saying he isn't a capable player, but luck aside, his offensive game has regressed this year. I am not offended by his presence in the everyday lineup, but I'd also jettison/bench him the second a better option (Alcantara, etc.) is available. His defense prowess is an asset, but it's not a free pass.

 

If it had been up to me, I'd have traded him prior to the season, because I think chances are 2012 was as good as he was going to get (and I think someone would have overpaid).

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The .295 wOBA listed earlier would be the highest of his career. His approach hasn't taken a step forward, but his power has, balancing it out.

[abuck1220]

yeah but not...because he's hitting [expletive] .215.

 

but sure, if you give him a bunch of imaginary hits = career season for him.

[jersey cubs fan]

All that said, I'm perfectly OK with the idea of removing him for next year. We're starting to fill up on "not that bad as long as they are cheap" types.

starting?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Imaginary hits are more predictive.

[XZero771679666304]

The .295 wOBA listed earlier would be the highest of his career. His approach hasn't taken a step forward, but his power has, balancing it out.

 

It would be, but he doesn't have a .295 wOBA. As was discussed earlier, normalizing his numbers under the assumption that this is all just bad luck would be presumptuous.

 

His approach hasn't simply not advanced, it has regressed.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It would be, but he doesn't have a .295 wOBA. As was discussed earlier, normalizing his numbers under the assumption that this is all just bad luck would be presumptuous.

 

Nobody normalized his numbers to the assumption that this was all bad luck. I still agree that would be a bad idea.

[neely crenshaw]

He's solid for what we had last year and this year. I'm still not against him as our 2b, especially if he gets back to the .260 avg, with a low 300 ob% if we can put together a lineup that leaves him at #8, not bouncing to lead-off, 2nd, even as high as 6th. If you have a team that needs him to lead off or hit 6th, you have a bad team.

 

It would have been nice to deal him for value when he was at his high point.

If any of our young 3b make a move to show they are ready, we could have a Valbuena/Barney platoon at 2b, which if Valbuena keeps his out put could rival our 3b production this season which would be a pretty awesome output for 2b. Barney is actually close to his MLB norms vs lefties this year.

 

Anyway hasn't every young player we have up basically take a turn for the worse this season? Why is Barney such a problem?

Is it really a huge problem that our defensive 2b has dropped 37 points in ob%, and 64 in ops from last year, as opposed to our star SS dropping 43 points in OB% and 121 in ops? or even Rizzo who has dropped 45 points in BA, and 20 in OPS. We certainly were more dependent on those 2 putting up improved numbers more so than Barney.

[jersey cubs fan]

He's solid for what we had last year and this year. I'm still not against him as our 2b, especially if he gets back to the .260 avg, with a low 300 ob% if we can put together a lineup that leaves him at #8, not bouncing to lead-off, 2nd, even as high as 6th. If you have a team that needs him to lead off or hit 6th, you have a bad team.

 

It would have been nice to deal him for value when he was at his high point.

If any of our young 3b make a move to show they are ready, we could have a Valbuena/Barney platoon at 2b, which if Valbuena keeps his out put could rival our 3b production this season which would be a pretty awesome output for 2b. Barney is actually close to his MLB norms vs lefties this year.

 

Anyway hasn't every young player we have up basically take a turn for the worse this season? Why is Barney such a problem?

Is it really a huge problem that our defensive 2b has dropped 37 points in ob%, and 64 in ops from last year, as opposed to our star SS dropping 43 points in OB% and 121 in ops? or even Rizzo who has dropped 45 points in BA, and 20 in OPS. We certainly were more dependent on those 2 putting up improved numbers more so than Barney.

 

Well, Barney's drop is starting from a lower high end, he's got no ceiling and he turns 28 this offseason. Those other guys are younger, and in the case of Castro he plays a position that doesn't require as much offense as Barney's does.

[Sammy Sofa]

Anyway hasn't every young player we have up basically take a turn for the worse this season? Why is Barney such a problem?

 

Because Barney has basically no upside if he isn't playing fantastic defensively, and he'll be 28 after this season. That you're seemingly lumping him in with Rizzo and Castro is...odd.

[jersey cubs fan]

Kim DeJesus ‏@KimDeJesus9 8h

Wanna wish my sweet friend and second fave cubbie a very happy birthday!! Your such a beast and lets celebrate when you get back @ARizzo44 !

 

So Kim wants a threesome, right?

[Guest]

i think if rizzo pulls a raffy, it won't be him that gets shipped off.

[Derwood]

Kim DeJesus ‏@KimDeJesus9 8h

Wanna wish my sweet friend and second fave cubbie a very happy birthday!! Your such a beast and lets celebrate when you get back @ARizzo44 !

 

So Kim wants a threesome, right?

 

http://cdn2.modernman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/baseball-wives-OF-Kim-DeJesus-v1.jpg

 

For Rizzo's sake, I hope so

[Guest]

Even if a front office thinks Lake is worth trading for they aren't going to give up anything better than him to get him. I know it's cool to be down on him, but I'd like to see if he can develop his approach for awhile. I think he has a lot of talent and he's still quite young.

[UMFan83]

Interesting timeline of events that led to night games at Wrigley. I'm shocked that the city passed multiple laws banning night games at Wrigley.

 

http://voices.suntimes.com/sports/inside-the-cubs/from-the-archives-a-timeline-of-the-fight-for-lights-at-wrigley/

 

Aug. 23, 1982: Gov. Thompson signs legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly that imposes noise pollution standards on any pro sport played in a city with more than 1 million inhabitants in a facility in which night sports were not played before July 1, 1982. The only such facility in Illinois is Wrigley Field.

 

Sept. 27, 1983: The Chicago City Council enacts an ordinance that bars night athletic contests in any playing field that is not totally enclosed, has more than 15,000 seats and is within 500 feet of 100 dwelling units. The only such field in Chicago is Wrigley.

 

Also, I thought this was a myth:

 

Oct. 2, 1984: Having won their division, the Cubs open the National League playoffs against the San Diego Padres in the first of two home day games at Wrigley Field. They win both games, then fly to San Diego – where they lose three games and the playoffs. If they had had lights, they could have played three home games instead of two.

[SouthSideRyan]

Also, I thought this was a myth:

 

Oct. 2, 1984: Having won their division, the Cubs open the National League playoffs against the San Diego Padres in the first of two home day games at Wrigley Field. They win both games, then fly to San Diego – where they lose three games and the playoffs. If they had had lights, they could have played three home games instead of two.

 

It is a myth. I don't see why the Sun-Times publishing it would change your mind on that.

 

ETA: They likely would've lost a World Series home game if they beat the Pads.

Edited August 8, 2013 by SouthSideRyan

[UMFan83]

Also, I thought this was a myth:

 

Oct. 2, 1984: Having won their division, the Cubs open the National League playoffs against the San Diego Padres in the first of two home day games at Wrigley Field. They win both games, then fly to San Diego – where they lose three games and the playoffs. If they had had lights, they could have played three home games instead of two.

 

It is a myth. I don't see why the Sun-Times publishing it would change your mind on that.

 

True

[Guest]

Cubs Facebook ‏@FacebookCubs 2h

[Pic of D. Murphy] Keep him and Lake and trade Fizzo for some young talent. Don't think any team wood give up much for the over priced 1B.

[Guest]

From the comments on Mooney's piece on Rizzo at CSN.

 

Craig Wachs 3 hours ago

when you only have 2 players above .270 an one [ lake ] is just learning the majors , wow somthimg is wrong with the teaching how to hit part .

 

 

Justin 10 hours ago

This kids batting stance is awful. I am not even a cubs fan and i have only watched a couple of cubs games but his stance really stood out to me. Why does he lean back so much. I would def fix that. He has terrible technique.

 

Lyle Ernst 10 hours ago

I agree with Justin.

 

 

 

Anonymous 3 hours ago

Castro's is even worse. By the time he goes through all his gyrations to get squared up, his bat's late. When is the last time you saw him drill a pitch to left field? It's glaringly obvious that he's messed up.

 

I'd like to see Billy Williams somehow get involved with these kids. I've never heard James Rowland referred to as "Sweet Swingin'" James Rowland. He needs to go.

[XZero771679666304]

I honestly have no idea why people even look at the comments sections of stories or on FB. You know what you're going to see, and it's the kind of crap we come here to avoid.

[Cubswin11]

America is full of retards, good god

[Guest]

I honestly have no idea why people even look at the comments sections of stories or on FB. You know what you're going to see, and it's the kind of crap we come here to avoid.

Can't help myself.

[Andy]

Castro just clobbered the [expletive] out of a homer to left field like a week ago. Anonymous has a bad short-term memory

[abuck1220]

barney hitting .162 since the ASB.

 

but what should he be hitting? like from an existential perspective.

[abuck1220]

please provide two answers...one for a world in which there is a god, one for a world in which there is not.