CubinNY

They aren't his numbers becuase he doesn't get to play on a consistent basis. The people running the Cubs are traditionalists. They want a Slugger in the corner outfiled spot. I called this as soon as Hendry went ga-ga over Soriano. Then they went out and got Floyd. Hendry and crew are clueless. It's a shame.

Someone in the know give me the scoop on Josh Kroger. Wasn't he a top prospect for the Diamond Backs at one time? What is he doing in AA? Am I mistaken? Does he have a future? Edit: it's Kroeger not Kroger. Stupid.

That is the epitath of the Jim Hendry led Cubs. Hendry has all the classic signs of ADHD. He's always doing something but his action demostrate a lack of organization and long term thinking. Get that man to a behavior specialist.

Fox doesn't have a position. He can't catch well enough and can run fast enough. He may have the arm for a corner outfield spot, but he doesn't have the size to play firstbase. IMO, his best use is as a trade chip.

The jump to AA is not going well for Veal. That sucks.

D-Lee will walk.

Mullet night at the Cell block, they should have a packed house. The only thing better would be crystal meth night.

Tomato can two hits the Cubs.

Please come back soon Derrek.

There is no noise worse than a Hawk called HR. Nails on a chalk board is more pleasent.

it's not hard to figure out at all. after yesterday, the Cubs are something like 2-12 when the pen comes in when the game is tied or the Cubs are up by 1 or 2 runs. you can blame the offense for certain games (particularly the extra inning games) but those couple of games are balanced by games where the offense bailed the pen out (like yesterday). you also can give the pen a break for the Zambrano/Ohman game considering the situation the pen entered. but the bottom line is this. if the pen converts even 50% of the games in which they had a one or two run lead when entering the game (thus not even counting the meltdown in NY) the Cubs are on pace to win over 90 games this year. the problem up until now has been the pen in close games. there's simply no two ways around it. every other stat you break down, there's no discernable difference between the Cubs and the other teams in the league. there's a huge difference between the Cubs and the winning teams in the NL when looking at the pen in close games. That begs the question of the pen's performance in not close games. What are the data on inhereted runs scored? Are the data worse in close games than in not close games? If they are then I would surmize the results are due to chance and that no changes need to be made. If the data are the same for close and not close then the Cubs need to find out who the culprits are and not use them in those situations. Moving Gooz to the bullpen and moving Dempster to starter (potentially) is about the least rational decision they could make.

Wrong I'd love to hear the explanation that proves the stats (facts) wrong. The statistic isn't wrong, your analysis is. Feast = Significantly more runs then during famine Famine = Significantly less runs than during feast A team can score a lot of runs and have a high standard deviation and not have a problem. A second team can not score a lot of runs and still have a high SD and have a problem. In other words, a team could have an SD of 6 and an average of 6 runs scored per game and not have a problem with feast and famine offense, while at the same time a team could have an SD of 6 and an average of 2 and have a problem with feast and famine. I guess the definition of "feast" and "famine" will have to be talked about, but it's all relative anyway.

I think Lou tried one of these shake ups when he was with Tampa. I don't know how long it lasted, but IIRC, he started his relievers and had them go for an inning each.

So, really they would by a 12 month subscription at $50 & you would pay for an additional 2 months? Correct? We can work it anyway Tim wants to. I will pay for 2 months of someone's premium membership.

One more win and someone gets two months of premium on me. Disclaimer: That person will have to agree to pay for 10 of premium on their own in order to qualify.

Angel's never thrown a ton of innings in his career. Part of his job as a starter is to give a good amount of innings. Also, he's thrown the ball well in limited innings. Where has the problem been? The bullpen, where he's being sent, so this could be a help to the team is Marshall (I'm guessing) continues on this solid year. The lack of logic is stunning, simply stunning. Starting pitching = Strenght Bulpen percieved weakness (not necessarily a valid reflection of reality) Remove starting pitchers weakens the starters. The starters are weakened the bullpen gets more work. When a bullpen works too much it gets weaker. A bullpen is used to help preserve vicotory. It's hard when there is nothing to preserve. Marshall is not a good bet to be a decent 5th starter, neither is Miller. I find you making a few of assumptions along with your logic. Guzman has pitched well as a starter, but if he can't consistently go deep into the game, he is not helping his bullpen. Also, Marshall vs. Guzman isn't as clearcut as you make it out to be. Sure, we can all break out our jump to conclusions mats after 3 starts, but look at their historic major league and minor league performances and consider who also would be more suited in the bullpen. It's really not hard. Why not take Z and make him a middle reliever then? Marshall is not good and comming off an injury. Wade Miller looks to be almost finished. After that the next legit starters are in AA and A ball. When you take from a strength it makes it a weaker. Ok, first off. Zambrano career 129 ERA+ Second off, you maintain the assumption that there is going to be a huge dropoff from Guzman to Marshall, the same as Zambrano to Marshall based on your argument. Aside from the most recent limited major league action from Guzman, there is nothing to indicate this to be a continuing trend. Guzman can help in the bullpen, Marshall cannot. This is about allocation of resources. It's really not that hard. Does the pen need help or is Lou overreacting after a tough loss? Or has Lou mismanged the pen making it look worse than it would otherwise be the case? But all that is entirely beside the point. It's just plain dumb to take a starter out of the rotation to put him in the bullpen. Just dumb. Why can't Marshall help the pen? What are you going to do when Miller comes up instead of Marshall? The bullpen isn't in dire in need of help, but a solid arm doesn't hurt. When you have a capable starter ready, it isn't just plain dumb no matter how many times you use the word or fragmented sentences you type. Marshall is left handed, you got 3 of those in the bullpen already. If Miller comes up instead, I won't like it. I may make an angry scowl or possibly grind my teeth a few times. So there's a law against having more than three lefties in the bullpen? Marshall hasn't been a capeable starter for quite a while. http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=5905&position=P&page=6&type=full

Santo is in post orgasmic bliss. "what a beautiful day. What a beautiful game"

Angel's never thrown a ton of innings in his career. Part of his job as a starter is to give a good amount of innings. Also, he's thrown the ball well in limited innings. Where has the problem been? The bullpen, where he's being sent, so this could be a help to the team is Marshall (I'm guessing) continues on this solid year. The lack of logic is stunning, simply stunning. Starting pitching = Strenght Bulpen percieved weakness (not necessarily a valid reflection of reality) Remove starting pitchers weakens the starters. The starters are weakened the bullpen gets more work. When a bullpen works too much it gets weaker. A bullpen is used to help preserve vicotory. It's hard when there is nothing to preserve. Marshall is not a good bet to be a decent 5th starter, neither is Miller. I find you making a few of assumptions along with your logic. Guzman has pitched well as a starter, but if he can't consistently go deep into the game, he is not helping his bullpen. Also, Marshall vs. Guzman isn't as clearcut as you make it out to be. Sure, we can all break out our jump to conclusions mats after 3 starts, but look at their historic major league and minor league performances and consider who also would be more suited in the bullpen. It's really not hard. Why not take Z and make him a middle reliever then? Marshall is not good and comming off an injury. Wade Miller looks to be almost finished. After that the next legit starters are in AA and A ball. When you take from a strength it makes it a weaker. Ok, first off. Zambrano career 129 ERA+ Second off, you maintain the assumption that there is going to be a huge dropoff from Guzman to Marshall, the same as Zambrano to Marshall based on your argument. Aside from the most recent limited major league action from Guzman, there is nothing to indicate this to be a continuing trend. Guzman can help in the bullpen, Marshall cannot. This is about allocation of resources. It's really not that hard. Does the pen need help or is Lou overreacting after a tough loss? Or has Lou mismanged the pen making it look worse than it would otherwise be the case? But all that is entirely beside the point. It's just plain dumb to take a starter out of the rotation to put him in the bullpen. Just dumb. Why can't Marshall help the pen? What are you going to do when Miller comes up instead of Marshall?

DLEE!!!!111!!!1!!!!!!!!111 Santo just pissed himself.

Angel's never thrown a ton of innings in his career. Part of his job as a starter is to give a good amount of innings. Also, he's thrown the ball well in limited innings. Where has the problem been? The bullpen, where he's being sent, so this could be a help to the team is Marshall (I'm guessing) continues on this solid year. The lack of logic is stunning, simply stunning. Starting pitching = Strenght Bulpen percieved weakness (not necessarily a valid reflection of reality) Remove starting pitchers weakens the starters. The starters are weakened the bullpen gets more work. When a bullpen works too much it gets weaker. A bullpen is used to help preserve vicotory. It's hard when there is nothing to preserve. Marshall is not a good bet to be a decent 5th starter, neither is Miller. I find you making a few of assumptions along with your logic. Guzman has pitched well as a starter, but if he can't consistently go deep into the game, he is not helping his bullpen. Also, Marshall vs. Guzman isn't as clearcut as you make it out to be. Sure, we can all break out our jump to conclusions mats after 3 starts, but look at their historic major league and minor league performances and consider who also would be more suited in the bullpen. It's really not hard. Why not take Z and make him a middle reliever then? Marshall is not good and comming off an injury. Wade Miller looks to be almost finished. After that the next legit starters are in AA and A ball. When you take from a strength it makes it a weaker.

Marshall isn't going to do better than Angel, and is more likely to do worse, while Angel isn't going to get consistent work out of the pen if Piniella continues to use the pen like he has. This isn't a hard concept. What is seemingly hard concept is that we need someone who doesn't suck in the bullpen. Our 5th starter need not be lights out. Guzman has the hard stuff to succeed in the bullpen. If we're not going to make a trade soon, why not give it a shot? Yes, games don't count on Sunday.

This is why Guzman is going to the pen. The rotation is not the problem. that was my thinking when i suggested it a few days ago. i got verbally stoned for the suggestion. The rotation will be the problem when they trot out tomato cans once every 5 days. Then the bullpen will become taxed and people will begin to bitch about the starters. THE RIOT!

Angel's never thrown a ton of innings in his career. Part of his job as a starter is to give a good amount of innings. Also, he's thrown the ball well in limited innings. Where has the problem been? The bullpen, where he's being sent, so this could be a help to the team is Marshall (I'm guessing) continues on this solid year. The lack of logic is stunning, simply stunning. Starting pitching = Strenght Bulpen percieved weakness (not necessarily a valid reflection of reality) Remove starting pitchers weakens the starters. The starters are weakened the bullpen gets more work. When a bullpen works too much it gets weaker. A bullpen is used to help preserve vicotory. It's hard when there is nothing to preserve. Marshall is not a good bet to be a decent 5th starter, neither is Miller.

Wrong

That's not even close to the hole story. Team A could have a high SD but also have a high M. Team B could have a hight SD but have a lower M. Team A is the Mets M= 5.3 Team B is the Cubs M = 4.7 Then you have to factor in runs allowed.