Clem Fandango

I just think it's funny that something that started his lament for being on the Cubs was the trade that turns out being one of the best trades in recent history. The irony is too good.

This sentiment is so ridiculous. Samardzija was pissed that his team didn't try

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14165080/jake-arrieta-chicago-cubs-wins-national-league-cy-young-award You can watch Jake talk about his looks for half of the interview because that's the kind of hard hitting journalism ESPN brings to the table. (honestly though it's kinda funny)

http://i.imgur.com/lUT3vHl.gif

I'm not a fan of Blackmon. He's only a 2.0-2.5 win player (by both standards) and doesn't play great defense in center, and his overall offensive numbers aren't that impressive even with the Coors effect. If anything Hendricks alone is an overpay for his services when you take age and team control into consideration, IMO.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v530344583/arrieta-wins-the-2015-bbwaa-nl-cy-young-award Odds someone out there gets offended that a child was sprayed with an alcoholic beverage?

http://i.imgur.com/bhNML.gif

Serious question though, I know Cleveland has tossed around Carrasco and Salazar's names as trade pieces. Are they rebuilding or contending? Or are they in the middle somewhere? What kind of pieces would they want in return for guys like that (MLB or prospects)?

http://i.imgur.com/iFXsP3I.gif

There is no way that's true Maybe we can swoop in and trump them with Coghlan for Salazar or Carrasco instead. Beat me to the punch

One of these is Brett Gardner. The other is Chris Coghlan... http://i.imgur.com/2UcdJit.jpg http://i.imgur.com/vXcoEWm.jpg I know I know, Gardner can play CF if need be and is under contract through 2018 while Coghlan is a FA after next season, but Coghlan is also substantially cheaper and also two years younger than Gardner, who's been declining as he ages. If Gardner can bring back Salazar or Carrasco I don't see what the Cubs couldn't shop Coghlan in a package for something similar.

If that is indeed true, the Braves are stupid. Severino is going to be a stud.

i told this story before, but i met a guy who played minor league ball for a while and i guess was in the dominican or venezuelan league or something w/rasmus. Said before and after he games he writes his own raps would pay top dollar to get my hands on some of those "My name's Cool-B and I'm here to say, I'm the rappingest player in the MLB". Followed by an exasperated sigh and the sound of him crossing something out on a notepad

Just throwing it out there, what would be a reasonable package for Gardner and Andrew Miller? Yanks are shopping him too for some reason. Gardner and Fowler were practically the same player this season. Fowler had more walks, but their OBP was only a 3 point difference. Gardner is making $13mm, $12mm, and $11mm over the next three season, with an $11.5mm option in 2019. He's also 2 years older than Fowler. The FG consensus was Fowler will average $14mm AAV over 4 years. if that's accurate, the difference between him and Gardner is not all that significant. I'd be more interested in bringing Fowler back vs. trading assets for Gardner. Fowler only costs money. Ideally though, we just get Heyward. Miller, on the other hand, I like. He's owed $9 million a year through 2018. He'll turn 31 next May. Due to age, and pretty high cost for a reliever, I'm not sure I'd give up MLB value for him, but I imagine the Yankees would probably line up well in a deal that includes Jeimer Candelario? I know they have Headley, but Headley is gonna be 32 next year and the defensive metrics were not kind to him, and his bat was not all that amazing either. Candelario probably won't be ready until mid-2017 anyways, and Headley is gone after 2018. Candelario could be of significant value for them. Not sure what else I'd add to the package. Edwards?

Tim Cooney

More like Adam Meaton amirite? I'll show myself out

David Ross for player/bench coach in 2016?

The Schnauzers, to be more precise. And what happens when you type "schnauzer chicago cubs" into google? https://www.google.com/search?q=schnauzer+chicago+cubs&pws=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAmoVChMI1qrAzpL_yAIVBNkeCh2oBQDM&biw=1920&bih=955

If the Cubs move Baez or Castro for pitching, I can't imagine they move them together in the same deal. Mets are losing Murphy, will probably trade Flores if the deadline was any indication, and they have Dilson Herrera set to take over one of those spots. They could move one of Castro or Baez around the field elsewhere, but I doubt they're looking at them as anything other than MI help. And if the Cubs intend to move Castro AND Baez they would probably get more bang for their buck using them in separate deals. Also Harvey scares me now considering he threw more innings this year than any other pitcher coming off of a Tommy John surgery in history. His health and durability could very well be compromised. He'd be awesome at his full potential, but how long that will last worries me now. Flip side of that coin is the other pitchers who blew past 200IP after TJS did just fine (Wainwright, Lackey, Westbrook), but their average fastball velocities sat in the low 90's, not the mid-to-upper 90's like Harvey. So it's probably an either/or situation when it comes to how people feel about his future durability. Count me on the cautious side. If we're gonna go after a Mets pitcher, I'd be curious to see if they'd have any interest in moving Steven Matz. I'm with Gilby on the Baez for Gausman swap. I like Gausman a lot, and the Orioles are likely squandering his potential by yoyo-ing him between the rotation and the bullpen. Maybe expand the deal to include a reliever? Matusz/Brach/Givens? EDIT: My preference is to keep Baez ultimately, but if he gets moved I can't say I'll be shocked, and if he does I like the Gausman route.

We'll never truly know if it made it there because TBS' coverage is a bag of [expletive]

What if we call them the Gerrit Coles or Colby Rasmuses of the world, or the Adam Wainwrights or Carlos Quentins. Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz come to mind Here's a fun list of notables from just the first compensation round from 2005-2012 (arbitrary, I know): [spoil]2005 Luke Hochevar Clay Bucholz Jed Lowrie 2006 Chris Coghlan Joba Chamberlain 2007 Todd Frazier Travis d'Arnaud Neil Ramirez Josh Donaldson 2008 Jake Odorizzi Logan Forsythe 2009 Garret Richards James Paxton Brad Boxberger Tyler Skaggs Chris Owings 2010 Noah Syndergaard Aaron Sanchez Taijuan Walker Nick Castellanos 2011 Henry Owens Jackie Bradley, Jr. Jace Peterson 2012 Kevin Plawecki Stephen Piscotty Joey Gallo Lance McCullers Pierce Johnson Eddie Butler[/spoil]

Were Shark's struggles this year flukish? His numbers were horrendous.

Not that he's my first choice, but it's nice to know he won't cost anything if they decide to go after him.

That's grim, but kind of amazing at the same time. I suspect they don't teach you that stuff in sports medicine classes. Lucky that guy had a Vietnam medic at his side.

There was a post on Span over on BN that talks about him as a possible stop gap that probably has more info than you even want: http://www.bleachernation.com/2015/11/03/how-about-denard-span-as-a-stop-gap-in-center-field-for-the-2016-cubs/