Via The Hardball Times It lists the top 25 arms at saving bases (thus runs) and throwing out runners from each outfield spot: FYI... Fukudome was middle of the pack in this regard in RF.
Keith Law's top 5 Cubs: 1. Josh Vitters, 3B 2. Jay Jackson, RHP 3. Jeff Samardzija, RHP 4. Andrew Cashner, RHP 5. Esmailin Caridad, RHP Also, Vitters is ranked #14 in baseball by Law!
Anyone have thoughts on why Towers is talking so publicly about this? Seems there is no good reason to rule out teams in the mix to drive up the price tag. Is this to appease SD fans on Peavy's pressure for a bad return on the trade? I realize that the GM's certainly have an inside relationship that is only selectively revealed to the public, but this one seems a bit off.
It's hard to know where to post anything with sheer volume of emotions (and threads) that we are all feeling... I'm going with BP's Joe Sheehan and a number of others here with this thought....
It would have been nice had the Cubs put up any kind of legit effort though. But they didn't. And this is what happened. It is what it is. The Cubs are getting into the playoffs much more often now than in their last 60 years. It gives them a better chance to go all the way, but it also drastically increases the odds of things like this happening. I'll take that so long as they keep putting a competitive team out there. Eventually, you'll punch through. You definitely have a lot more faith in this franchise than I do. Although obviously not a perfect team, how much better of a team/season can a team have and still completely fall flat on their collective faces? We'll win some year as a completely undeserving Wild Card and I will weep like a baby.
It would have been nice had the Cubs put up any kind of legit effort though. But they didn't. And this is what happened. It is what it is. The Cubs are getting into the playoffs much more often now than in their last 60 years. It gives them a better chance to go all the way, but it also drastically increases the odds of things like this happening. I'll take that so long as they keep putting a competitive team out there. Eventually, you'll punch through. Amen.