tfarks

I'm disappointed with the pick, but I am warming to the player based on whats come out about him. They got a guy that supposedly wasn't gonna make it to their 2nd pick, so they obviously have a very high grade on this kid. The next several rounds is what will shape my opinion of the draft. There are some guys with signability issues that the Cubs should open the purse strings for. In the MLB draft, unlike other drafts, the 1st round pick is not make or break.

I think if Rickett's comments are true the Cubs will overslot someone like Allie or Cole here in round 2. I'd really like to see a hitter with plus power.

I think they were trying to find a little Lincecum clone. Stupid.

I would love to see you expound on this. Strasburg has just as good if not the best chance out there of being the next 20k pitcher. Especially while hes still so young and explosive, eg. Kerry Wood. I'm no mathematician, but the chances of either of them throwing a 20k game is still basically nil. Its just so rare. In that way, I suppose you could call them almost tied. In other words, let's say Strasburg has the best chance, what could that chance quantitatively be? And how significant of an increase could it be against other high K/9 pitchers? You're dealing with a pretty random event here, in spite of being in the elite category of pitchers who have the best chances of doing it. Although what do I know, Clemens managed to do it twice.

Much appreciated.

View Active Topics is the only thing I ever use. I forgot what it was like to go through the sub-forums.

Again, I fail to see how your claim is accurate that they cannot win a playoff game with something like the 15th best offense and the 8th best defense. Well, that's rather sad. Because once again, I never said they couldn't win a playoff game. Their chances with a 15/8 team would make them less likely to make the playoffs, and less likely to win once in the playoffs. I'm sure ~15/8 teams get in, but how many win their playoff games and make it to the championship? Winning one, sure. And who knows what else is possible on a given run. I'm just talking about the odds here. I never once claimed the Bears couldn't win a playoff game with a 15/8 squad. My comment you quoted above was directed at your inherent need to define what other people are saying to argue a non-existent point. If I had said they would need an elite defensive unit to "make noise" meaning 1 possible playoff victory, that wouldn't make any sense.

Simply fixed by asking one to expand on what that meant, which jersey only manages to accomplish after he argues worthlessly on a point that was never made, other than in his head. The top 15/5 and top 10/10 teams don't have trouble making the playoffs. They are the type of teams that end up winning the Super Bowl. Once you fall out of that category, say 15/8, then your chances of making the playoffs drop, much less winning playoff games and competing for the championship. If you wanted to you could say making noise means a lot of things, its open to interpretation. Rawaction said he agreed if making noise meant championship contention. Which I did. He didn't know for sure, but he didn't put words in my mouth either.

Yes, it seems clear now that you realize you made a baseless claim and no longer wish to defend it. Fantastic. You misconstrued "making noise" to mean what you wanted, argue incorrectly by only verifying my point further, and then refusing to admit my undeniable correctitude. This is fun. Would you care to define make some noise? Winning playoff games. The whole entire point of the season thing. Do you really think I meant they need a top 5 elite defense to win a wildcard and lose in the 1st round?

Yes, it seems clear now that you realize you made a baseless claim and no longer wish to defend it. Fantastic. You misconstrued "making noise" to mean what you wanted, argue incorrectly by only verifying my point further, and then refusing to admit my undeniable correctitude. This is fun.

That doesn't prove your point at all. That was the best team in the league. You don't have to be the best team in the league to make the playoffs and win some. Sure, they may struggle to win or make a Super Bowl. But let's not pretend you aren't making noise if you aren't in the Super Bowl. And so? That's my point. It was suggested that an average offense would require nothing short of a top 5 defense. 10-6 and a playoff win would have to be considered a successful season and should be applauded. You don't need a top 5 defense to pull that off. Wow. That is a horrible response. They were the best team in the league because of an elite unit that propped up an average one (MY POINT EXACTLY). And quit talking about noise. Of course you're making noise if you aren't in the Super Bowl, but again you're arguing a turn of phrase that was not specific. As far as your 2nd point. Again, terrible. My point was that if you want to win the Super Bowl, time and time again it is teams that have 1 elite unit (15-5) or 2 above average units (10-10). Average and top 5 is MY point. Your point is to ramble off on some nonsense on what you consider to be making noise, then proving my point again by saying they can have a 15-8 unit and get into the playoffs. SO WHAT?? Playoff teams that get beat are the ones with team stats just like that, as they lose to teams with elite units or 2 above average ones. Geez. Yes, let's please keep talking about noise and applauding successful seasons. Are you following anything here?

No way. An average offensive attack will allow much more leeway than a top 5 defense. Look at the playoff teams from year to year. I've seen this data compiled. If your offense is ~15 and that team was successful most of the time the D was in the top 5 or close. Maybe top 10 but then you're starting to push it and the chances of playoffs drops significantly. If the Bears are 15th in offense and 8th in defense, I have a hard time thinking they won't be able to "make some noise". They were 15th in offense and 5th in defense in 2006 and were the best team in the NFC. Arizona had an average offense and average defense and won 10 games + their division. They can't get away with below average on either side, since they aren't likely to be good enough on the other to make up for it. But an average offense and an above average defense will give them a shot and doing good things, especially with top special teams. Well, don't run off with "making noise" I'm saying getting to the playoffs and winning games. Being a playoff team and then being successful, not winning lackluster divisions. And the 2006 Bears prove my point to a tee. If you have one average unit, you generally need a top 5 or close as the other. Not taking into account special teams. There are many other examples of this outside of the 2006 Bears. Also, hovering in the Top 10 in both units are also consistently successful in the playoffs. If the Bears are 15th in offense and 8th in defense then they certainly have a shot but generally one of those units need to be elite, or both above average to set yourself apart. They might sneak in the playoffs but won't get very far barring some luck.

No way. An average offensive attack will allow much more leeway than a top 5 defense. Look at the playoff teams from year to year. I've seen this data compiled. If your offense is ~15 and that team was successful most of the time the D was in the top 5 or close. Maybe top 10 but then you're starting to push it and the chances of playoffs drops significantly.

If the Bears can only muster an average offensive attack the Bears D will have to enter top 5 status in defense to make some noise. Not gonna happen. If the Bears have any success it will be the emergence of the offense from the doldrums. The OL will make or break the team. If we have to consistently keep our TE's and RB's in to block we're gonna have to rely on some of our potential at receiver to make a large jump and Cutler to not force the issue. Risky business.

I'm a fan of this move. The weather element, not New Jersey.

I think waiting another week with Jackson to call him up is the smart thing to do. When you are this close to June, might as well wait until June, when the chances of Jackson getting Super Two status in a couple years are slim to none. That's a good point and I wouldn't be worried. With Z returning to the rotation for the Pirates series someone is going to be bumped into the bullpen. I assume they'll wait until after that is settled to bring in Jackson for somebody.

I see we've gotten off topic but I love this board. I used to post a lot of football and baseball on message board. I usually just read and think to myself about the comments being made, as the old arguing online thing got old for me a while ago. This board is one of the few places I can read about sports without rolling my eyes constantly. To clarify I mean figuratively, I don't actually roll my eyes at the monitor. That would just be weird.

Soto's ability to get on base is fantastic. Sure could use some more XBH.

Yeah, can't watch. Don't care. Let me know how Castro does.

I'm definitely on Vitters watch right now.

Apparently that doesn't matter for statutory rape though....it matter what age she is...not what she said she is. It matters in beating the case. Sure the law is put into place so they can be charged but if Taylor legitimately did not know she was underage its not his fault.

So I assume this pushes up Cashner's promotion to the bigs this year?

Well you knew the Cubs would be too impatient with the club losing. Can't act surprised. Hopefully he adjusts quickly. The games will undoubtedly be more exciting.

Which leads me to my next point kids, don't smoke crack.

Nothing like a beat up 15 year old to get me going...