Bruce on the offseason

[BigbadB]

Uh oh. Measuring a pitcher's talent based on wins/losses.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think we are going to see what direction the Cubs are going to go this year and I'm hoping they go for balance and and not going overboard like they did with the chemistry thing last year. I think the first move Hendry makes will give us a clue on that direction...other than resigning Walker which has to be done. I'm thinking defense will be the 2006 theme.

 

Re-signing Dempster was probably the first move. What will Hendry's second move be? It might be picking up Walker's option - but I am still convinced Walker will be traded. From what Mr. Miles wrote today, it sounds like Cedeno could be our 2B next year.

 

True. Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season. I agree with you that Walker is gone. I hope this won't be a sell cheap kind of move.

[HoopsCubs]

Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season.

 

Isn't that how the White Sox and Astros got to the post-season?

[mg420]

Uh oh. Measuring a pitcher's talent based on wins/losses.

 

wins and era also. what other #'s indicate a pitcher's effectivness better?

[XZero771679666304]

Uh oh. Measuring a pitcher's talent based on wins/losses.

 

wins and era also. what other #'s indicate a pitcher's effectivness better?

 

 

ERA, WHIP, BAA are my indicators. Wins and losses depend on the team too much. Just ask Clemens this year or Johnson last year.

[CubfaninCA]

I think we are going to see what direction the Cubs are going to go this year and I'm hoping they go for balance and and not going overboard like they did with the chemistry thing last year. I think the first move Hendry makes will give us a clue on that direction...other than resigning Walker which has to be done. I'm thinking defense will be the 2006 theme.

 

Re-signing Dempster was probably the first move. What will Hendry's second move be? It might be picking up Walker's option - but I am still convinced Walker will be traded. From what Mr. Miles wrote today, it sounds like Cedeno could be our 2B next year.

 

True. Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season. I agree with you that Walker is gone. I hope this won't be a sell cheap kind of move.

 

My guess is that trading Walker is contingent on either signing Furcal or being able to get M. Giles, Castillo or Kent to replace Walker. It seems the one who's gone for sure is Nomar. Thank God. Walker could stick around if other options don't pan out.

[CuseCubFan69]

Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season.

 

Isn't that how the White Sox and Astros got to the post-season?

 

Yep. The Cubs tried the Red Sox chemistry thing and now the P,D and T/H will be the theme.

 

Speaking of Walker...he hasn't done an interview for a few days, he's due to say something via the press.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think we are going to see what direction the Cubs are going to go this year and I'm hoping they go for balance and and not going overboard like they did with the chemistry thing last year. I think the first move Hendry makes will give us a clue on that direction...other than resigning Walker which has to be done. I'm thinking defense will be the 2006 theme.

 

Re-signing Dempster was probably the first move. What will Hendry's second move be? It might be picking up Walker's option - but I am still convinced Walker will be traded. From what Mr. Miles wrote today, it sounds like Cedeno could be our 2B next year.

 

True. Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season. I agree with you that Walker is gone. I hope this won't be a sell cheap kind of move.

 

My guess is that trading Walker is contingent on either signing Furcal or being able to get M. Giles, Castillo or Kent to replace Walker. It seems the one who's gone for sure is Nomar. Thank God. Walker could stick around if other options don't pan out.

 

I think he's gone no matter what. I see him going to a team to aquire an OF.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I think Todd Walker is the trading chip for a setup man in the bullpen. I continue to hope the trade is to Minnesota for one of JC Romero, Juan Rincon or Jesse Crain, as it would be a good trade that helps both teams. But Minny isn't the only possibility.

[CubfaninCA]

Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season.

 

Isn't that how the White Sox and Astros got to the post-season?

 

Yep and the Angels. It seems some want to be the Red Sox. However, the Red Sox never won anything until they added Schilling to go along w/ Pedro.

[Magnetic Curses]

I think mg420 is justified in implying that Wood is hurt a lot. Missing 10 or more starts in 4/8 seasons = oft injured in my book.

 

He didn't "imply Wood is hurt a lot". He said he gets hurt every year, comparing him to Angel Guzman. I fully admit Wood has been hurt a lot. But he hasn't been hurt every year, and he cannot be compared to Guzman. Angel is 23 now and we don't know anything more about him and his future now than we did when he was 19. Wood is an established major league starter. Sure he's been hurt a lot. But he still blows away Guzman in the reliability department.

 

The talk of Wood to the pen has been dead for a month now. He's going to start next year. Guzman, who has less than 150 IP, combined, the past three years is nearing cut bait time. We know Wood can give you 30+ starts and 200+ IP with fantastic numbers, while on the other hand we don't even know if Guzman can throw 100 innings in back to back starts.

 

my actual intention was to imply that perhaps wood (like guzman) does not have the mechanics or body to remain a healthy 200 inning/year starter in the major leauges. i wouldn't call any of wood's seasons "fantastic" btw. he has never won more than 14 games or had an era under 3.20.

 

so? he's never had a 4+ era in a season in which he threw at least 140 innings, either. his career OPS against is .673, his career BAA is .214, k's per 9 innings? 10.44. and for you "win" guys, in his first 5 years in the league, he won at least 12 games 4 times.

 

kerry wood is a starter, what's more, he's a very good starter.

[BigbadB]

Uh oh. Measuring a pitcher's talent based on wins/losses.

 

wins and era also. what other #'s indicate a pitcher's effectivness better?

 

A pitcher could pitch a whole year with an ERA of 0.00 and not win 14 games. If the OFFENSE doesn't score any runs in any of those games, the pitcher gets a no decision. In 2003, Kerry should have been a 20 game winner. The blown saves and the lack of run support in games he pitched that year cost him a lot of wins.

 

ERA is definitely a good measure. WHIP is a good measure. K/BB is a good measure. There are many others, but wins should never be taken into consideration.

 

Kerry Wood was 12-11 in 2002 with a 3.67 ERA

Matt Clement was 9-13 last year with a 3.68 ERA

Brandon Webb was 7-16 last year with a 3.59 ERA

 

Brandon Webb was 10-9 in 2003 with a 2.84 ERA.

 

Russ Ortiz was 21-7 in 2003 with a 3.81 ERA

Last year, Russ was 15-9 with a 4.31 ERA

 

I could go on.

[CubfaninCA]

I think we are going to see what direction the Cubs are going to go this year and I'm hoping they go for balance and and not going overboard like they did with the chemistry thing last year. I think the first move Hendry makes will give us a clue on that direction...other than resigning Walker which has to be done. I'm thinking defense will be the 2006 theme.

 

Re-signing Dempster was probably the first move. What will Hendry's second move be? It might be picking up Walker's option - but I am still convinced Walker will be traded. From what Mr. Miles wrote today, it sounds like Cedeno could be our 2B next year.

 

True. Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season. I agree with you that Walker is gone. I hope this won't be a sell cheap kind of move.

 

My guess is that trading Walker is contingent on either signing Furcal or being able to get M. Giles, Castillo or Kent to replace Walker. It seems the one who's gone for sure is Nomar. Thank God. Walker could stick around if other options don't pan out.

 

I think he's gone no matter what. I see him going to a team to aquire an OF.

 

Hmmm. Maybe he has some off-the-field problems, which the team is keeping hush hush. *shrug*

 

If he's dealt for OF help, hopefully it's Floyd.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think he's gone no matter what. I see him going to a team to aquire an OF.

 

Hmmm. Maybe he has some off-the-field problems, which the team is keeping hush hush. *shrug*

 

If he's dealt for OF help, hopefully it's Floyd.

 

Floyd would be nice...do the Mets need a second baseman? What would they do with Matsui and his big contract?

[mg420]

I think mg420 is justified in implying that Wood is hurt a lot. Missing 10 or more starts in 4/8 seasons = oft injured in my book.

 

He didn't "imply Wood is hurt a lot". He said he gets hurt every year, comparing him to Angel Guzman. I fully admit Wood has been hurt a lot. But he hasn't been hurt every year, and he cannot be compared to Guzman. Angel is 23 now and we don't know anything more about him and his future now than we did when he was 19. Wood is an established major league starter. Sure he's been hurt a lot. But he still blows away Guzman in the reliability department.

 

The talk of Wood to the pen has been dead for a month now. He's going to start next year. Guzman, who has less than 150 IP, combined, the past three years is nearing cut bait time. We know Wood can give you 30+ starts and 200+ IP with fantastic numbers, while on the other hand we don't even know if Guzman can throw 100 innings in back to back starts.

 

my actual intention was to imply that perhaps wood (like guzman) does not have the mechanics or body to remain a healthy 200 inning/year starter in the major leauges. i wouldn't call any of wood's seasons "fantastic" btw. he has never won more than 14 games or had an era under 3.20.

 

so? he's never had a 4+ era in a season in which he threw at least 140 innings, either. his career OPS against is .673, his career BAA is .214, k's per 9 innings? 10.44. and for you "win" guys, in his first 5 years in the league, he won at least 12 games 4 times.

 

kerry wood is a starter, what's more, he's a very good starter.

 

i agree he is a good starter (very good when he's healthy which isnt often) but i would never use the term "fantastic" when describing wood's career to this point.

[Magnetic Curses]

I think mg420 is justified in implying that Wood is hurt a lot. Missing 10 or more starts in 4/8 seasons = oft injured in my book.

 

He didn't "imply Wood is hurt a lot". He said he gets hurt every year, comparing him to Angel Guzman. I fully admit Wood has been hurt a lot. But he hasn't been hurt every year, and he cannot be compared to Guzman. Angel is 23 now and we don't know anything more about him and his future now than we did when he was 19. Wood is an established major league starter. Sure he's been hurt a lot. But he still blows away Guzman in the reliability department.

 

The talk of Wood to the pen has been dead for a month now. He's going to start next year. Guzman, who has less than 150 IP, combined, the past three years is nearing cut bait time. We know Wood can give you 30+ starts and 200+ IP with fantastic numbers, while on the other hand we don't even know if Guzman can throw 100 innings in back to back starts.

 

my actual intention was to imply that perhaps wood (like guzman) does not have the mechanics or body to remain a healthy 200 inning/year starter in the major leauges. i wouldn't call any of wood's seasons "fantastic" btw. he has never won more than 14 games or had an era under 3.20.

 

so? he's never had a 4+ era in a season in which he threw at least 140 innings, either. his career OPS against is .673, his career BAA is .214, k's per 9 innings? 10.44. and for you "win" guys, in his first 5 years in the league, he won at least 12 games 4 times.

 

kerry wood is a starter, what's more, he's a very good starter.

 

i agree he is a good starter (very good when he's healthy which isnt often) but i would never use the term "fantastic" when describing wood's career to this point.

 

he's put up pretty fantastic numbers, though.

[goonys evil twin]

Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season.

 

Isn't that how the White Sox and Astros got to the post-season?

 

Timely hitting? How does somebody go out and acquire timely hitting in the offseason? Houston and White Sox didn't make it to the playoffs off timely hitting, they made it on unbelievable pitching. They better not waste time, focus and money thinking they can magically solve the clutch dilemna. Just get production Jimbo, let the romanticists worry about the myths you have no control over.

[goonys evil twin]

i agree he is a good starter (very good when he's healthy which isnt often) but i would never use the term "fantastic" when describing wood's career to this point.

 

Who described his career to this point as fantastic?

[AAApittsburgh]

What if Hendry looks at the success the White Sox had this year and says "Hey, I should build a team like they have". Does that scare anyone else?

[USSoccer]

What if Hendry looks at the success the White Sox had this year and says "Hey, I should build a team like they have". Does that scare anyone else?

 

Yes.

 

So I hope that doesn't mean we make some idiotic trade like ARam for Bill Mueller.

[CuseCubFan69]

Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season.

 

Isn't that how the White Sox and Astros got to the post-season?

 

Timely hitting? How does somebody go out and acquire timely hitting in the offseason? Houston and White Sox didn't make it to the playoffs off timely hitting, they made it on unbelievable pitching. They better not waste time, focus and money thinking they can magically solve the clutch dilemna. Just get production Jimbo, let the romanticists worry about the myths you have no control over.

 

Timely hitting is aquired when you buy each player a Rolex, it's just that simple.

 

If you hear Hendry say after a trade or signing: "He hit XXX with runners in scoring position" is your head going to explode? I just have this wierd feeling that it's coming soon to a park you love.

[Magnetic Curses]

Pitching, defense and timely hitting is what you'll hear our Mr. Hendry say will be the Cub goals for the off-season.

 

Isn't that how the White Sox and Astros got to the post-season?

 

Timely hitting? How does somebody go out and acquire timely hitting in the offseason? Houston and White Sox didn't make it to the playoffs off timely hitting, they made it on unbelievable pitching. They better not waste time, focus and money thinking they can magically solve the clutch dilemna. Just get production Jimbo, let the romanticists worry about the myths you have no control over.

 

Timely hitting is aquired when you buy each player a Rolex, it's just that simple.

 

If you hear Hendry say after a trade or signing: "He hit XXX with runners in scoring position" is your head going to explode? I just have this wierd feeling that it's coming soon to a park you love.

 

probably.

 

ugh, hendry might as well say that we need more dragons and elves on the roster.

[mg420]

Uh oh. Measuring a pitcher's talent based on wins/losses.

 

wins and era also. what other #'s indicate a pitcher's effectivness better?

 

A pitcher could pitch a whole year with an ERA of 0.00 and not win 14 games. If the OFFENSE doesn't score any runs in any of those games, the pitcher gets a no decision. In 2003, Kerry should have been a 20 game winner. The blown saves and the lack of run support in games he pitched that year cost him a lot of wins.

 

ERA is definitely a good measure. WHIP is a good measure. K/BB is a good measure. There are many others, but wins should never be taken into consideration.

 

Kerry Wood was 12-11 in 2002 with a 3.67 ERA

Matt Clement was 9-13 last year with a 3.68 ERA

Brandon Webb was 7-16 last year with a 3.59 ERA

 

Brandon Webb was 10-9 in 2003 with a 2.84 ERA.

 

Russ Ortiz was 21-7 in 2003 with a 3.81 ERA

Last year, Russ was 15-9 with a 4.31 ERA

 

I could go on.

 

a pitcher could also have an era of 6.00 and win 15 games but how likely is that? if wins & losses shouldnt be taken into consideration then clemens should win the cy young this year instead of carpenter or wills but he wont. i agree they dont tell the whole story but i would rather have a guy with a 4.00 era who wins 15 games year after year than a guy with a 2.50 era who only wins 10 every year.

[USSoccer]

a pitcher could also have an era of 6.00 and win 15 games but how likely is that? if wins & losses shouldnt be taken into consideration then clemens should win the cy young this year instead of carpenter or wills but he wont. i agree they dont tell the whole story but i would rather have a guy with a 4.00 era who wins 15 games year after year than a guy with a 2.50 era who only wins 10 every year.

 

I wouldn't. The guys with the 2.50 era is likely to pitch deeper into games, and keep you in more games than the other guy. Consequently, that saves your pen, and gives you a chance to win more games.

[goonys evil twin]

a pitcher could also have an era of 6.00 and win 15 games but how likely is that? if wins & losses shouldnt be taken into consideration then clemens should win the cy young this year instead of carpenter or wills but he wont. i agree they dont tell the whole story but i would rather have a guy with a 4.00 era who wins 15 games year after year than a guy with a 2.50 era who only wins 10 every year.

 

Clemens should win, he's been the best pitcher.

 

 

If you're a GM, looking to sign two pitchers, and everything about those two pitchers is the same except for W/L and ERA, you're telling me you would sign the pitcher with a 15-10, 4.00, rather than the guy who was 10-7, 2.50?

 

Sure we'd like to be fortunate to have a guy with a 4+ ERA win 15 games, but that would only happen if the rest of the team was good, not if the pitcher pitched particularly well.

 

How about another question? Do you like a pitcher who went 15-12 more than a pitcher who went 10-4? People love to harp on win totals, but they tend to ignore loss totals.

 

What should matter to somebody putting together a team is how that pitcher pitched irregardless of how his teammates played.