AZCub

Bingo. And if he is DFA material, it's not that big of a deal. We snagged him now while we could. No risk.

2009 Joey Gathright=2003 Tom Goodwin. His value is as a late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner guy, particularly in double switch situations. He will add value to this team, but in that role only. Other than the occasional spot start, that is what he will be for the Cubs, and he’ll be damn good at it. For such a cheap price, it’s not that big of a deal. You need roster versatility, and he offers something our bench really didn’t have last year-smart, quick base runner and great late inning glove for the OF.

Yeah...signing guys like this to compete for the last couple roster spots is such a clueless move. What are we thinking?

Anybody who is excited or upset by this move is way out of whack. Anybody excited by it needs to hope we also sign Usain Bolt, and anybody worried/upset/angry over it needs to realize he will be our 5th OF at best. This signing was nothing more than taking a shot on a kid with speed/defense potential to help us in the late innings. Nothing more, nothing less. Zero risk here.

The Bradley/Dunn argument all comes down to price in terms of how the Cubs handle it. In the end, I see Bradley as a Cub, and Dunn miserable as a National.

Of course, and I understand that. BA is NOT a king stat. No stat is. Using numbers like OBP/OPS, and other saber driven models...is a way of analyzing player value, but not the only way. There is no player more polarizing in these situations than Dunn, because he plays heavily to those numbers, while lacking in many other areas. Like I said...if he comes at a decent enough price, bring him along. But if we are talking some sort of multiyear, 13-15mil per year deal...pass. I've given my reasons why, people disagree. That's fine. But these numbers are NOT the only factor in determining his value to this team...far from it. OPS and OBP are not "saber driven models" though. In basically every situation, OPS overrides BA because OPS takes into consideration what BA tells you and then tells you even more on top of that. BA tells you simply how often a guy gets a hit - not what type or anything else. OPS, on the other hand, tells you what kind of hit the player has executed and how often he gets on base. So if you're going to point out one stat, OPS is probably your best bet without getting heavily into saber stuff (sorry for the lack of technical terminology). Looking at Dunn's BA in the situations you describe is less valuable than looking at his OPS - and his OPS is quite good in those situations. I appreciate what you are trying to say...you don't need to explain it to me. I completely understand what that stat is telling me. We just disagree on the value of BA w/RISP...that's all. I'm not some sort of anti-OPS, all original baseball stats guy. I just prefer not to rely solely on these statistics. I've seen quite a bit of Dunn actually...probably more than most people here. I got to watch him every night here in AZ, as I would watch D-Backs games while listening to Cubs games. And obviously, I've seen quite a bit of him while in a Reds uniform. He drives me ape balls crazy. Sometimes, I just want a guy to walk up to the plate looking to drive in a run because a situation dictates that need. And sometimes, you need to adjust your hitting approach to do so. Dunn simply refuses to do that, and it bothers me. Now, one positive you could take from this approach is putting him in front of a guy who DOES look to drive in runs when needed, like A-Ram (2007-08 playoffs aside, of course. :banghead: ) In that case, Dunn's patience would be beneficiary to us, and I wouldn't mind it whatsoever. So if the price is right...OK. Sure. The outfield defense would look damned awful, but the lineup would be nice.

Of course, and I understand that. BA is NOT a king stat. No stat is. Using numbers like OBP/OPS, and other saber driven models...is a way of analyzing player value, but not the only way. There is no player more polarizing in these situations than Dunn, because he plays heavily to those numbers, while lacking in many other areas. Like I said...if he comes at a decent enough price, bring him along. But if we are talking some sort of multiyear, 13-15mil per year deal...pass. I've given my reasons why, people disagree. That's fine. But these numbers are NOT the only factor in determining his value to this team...far from it.

Sabermetrics at it's worst. :banghead:

I couldn't possibly disagree with this more. Devaluing BA to the point of nothingness is just plain stupid. But hey, maybe we can just walk our way around the bases all day, that'd be fun.

I'm sorry, I have an extremely difficult time describing someone as a very good hitter when their career batting average is .247, they average 160+ strikeouts a year, and his career RISP is .241 (.208 with RISP and 2 outs.) Sometimes, the situation demands a player step up to the plate and drive in a run, and he can't deliver that. His career numbers prove it. These SHOULD matter. Listen, OBP and SLG are great numbers to have...I know. But Dunn is basically another Soriano, only with the ability to take a walk and not steal a base. Most people here hate Soriano, yet praise Dunn profusely. He's a valuable offensive piece overall that just doesn't make sense for this team based on our needs. They praise Dunn and don't like Soriano because Dunn is a much better hitter, and other than the fact that they have a lot of power and strikeout they have basically nothing in common. Poor defense? Both. Strikes out a ton? Both. Lots of Power? Both. Ability to Hit in the Clutch? Neither, slight edge Soriano. (Soriano hits .276 with a .380 OBP with RISP, Dunn hits .240 with a .416 OBP...not much difference here, Soriano nearly matches Dunn's supposed "advantage" of OBP.) Speed? Soriano Yes, Dunn No. Injuries? Dunn No, Soriano Yes. Walks? Dunn Yes, Soriano marginal at best. So once again, outside of Dunn being able to take a walk...where is this HUGE difference you describe? Does he have a better wardrobe? Does he keep his locker more clean and tidy? Because I am pretty sure that covers pretty much all value ON the field, and there isn't much of a difference besides the walks/injury history.

I'm sorry, I have an extremely difficult time describing someone as a very good hitter when their career batting average is .247, they average 160+ strikeouts a year, and his career RISP is .241 (.208 with RISP and 2 outs.) Sometimes, the situation demands a player step up to the plate and drive in a run, and he can't deliver that. His career numbers prove it. These SHOULD matter. Listen, OBP and SLG are great numbers to have...I know. But Dunn is basically another Soriano, only with the ability to take a walk and not steal a base. Most people here hate Soriano, yet praise Dunn profusely. He's a valuable offensive piece overall that just doesn't make sense for this team based on our needs.

Screw Adam Dunn. He’s a lifeless, stat hawking terd that gives saberdorks a stiffy and drives people who actually watch baseball games absolutely insane because he’s an unclutch, K crazy beefchunk that brings little value outside of being able to watch a ball go past him, or watch a ball go over a fence. Forget him. He’s a bum, and any conversation revolving around him is entirely annoying because very few people are willing to admit that there needs to be a happy medium between stats and an actual baseball game. The happy medium with Dunn? He’s a solid and productive offensive player who is wretched defensively, has a tiny scrote when the situation dictates the need to knock runs in, and a completely wrong fit for this team. If he comes at a decent price, then fine, bring him. If it’s a monster contract, no thanks. The mere possibility of Soriano and Dunn going a combined 1 for 27 with 22 Ks in a playoff series makes me want to vomit profusely.

I doubt we could get Weaver for Lee straight up. Also, Lee isn't waving his NTC. His daughter's health is paramount to him, and the research in Chicago regarding her condition is the leading source in the world. D-Lee is a Cub until that contract runs out.

People forget we were the best team in the NL by far last year. We had one really, really bad series against the Dodgers, which has left a bad taste in our mouths. Peavy wasn’t a necessity…getting a bat is. The Phillies won the World Series throwing guys like Joe Blanton and Grandpa Moyer on the mound. Worry about getting to the playoffs first. Peavy is a luxury we can afford to pursue again later. The Brewers pitching staff is a complete disaster right now, the Cardinals aren’t improving, the Astros are chopping payroll, and the Reds and Pirates suck. Peavy will be there in a week…Bradley or another player we might be pursuing on FA might not be. The details of this deal Hendry turned down are sketchy, as we have a million different sources saying a bunch of different things. Focus.

You'd think he'd get more, but this market is not all that cut and dried and you just never know who is going to get what. In terms of talent? Yes. But he won’t get more. His injury history is too vast and his mental baggage history too scary to command more than Ibanez just received. I just can't see it happening. Stranger things have certainly happened though. I should have clarified that what I meant is you'd think Ibanez would get more, because of Bradley's issues, but you never no. Ahh, I follow you now. It could happen still, sure. His talent is obviously greater than Ibanez...I'm just hoping that his mental instability comes with a Dr. Phil discount. One of the reasons I am glad DeRosa is still around is A.) IF we sign Bradley, there's our insurance policy, and B.) DeRosa and D-Lee are great clubhouse guys that could provide some hope in controlling this clown.

You'd think he'd get more, but this market is not all that cut and dried and you just never know who is going to get what. In terms of talent? Yes. But he won’t get more. His injury history is too vast and his mental baggage history too scary to command more than Ibanez just received. I just can't see it happening. Stranger things have certainly happened though.

This is great news because Ibanez will command more $$ than Bradley will, and only landed $10mil/year. This sets the market for us and it fits our payroll perfectly. I love it.

Hendry has made the right move here. He holds ALL the bargaining power, and Towers has none. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Towers comes out of this looking like a fool…he was too public with his information, his deadlines, his demands, his mandate to move payroll, etc…and it cost him. Hendry knows it. He knows the asking price was too high, and refused to sacrifice the depth of this team for this move. Towers now has an extremely disappointed player in Peavy who will want nothing to do with SD, to the point that he might not waive his NTC for ANYBODY except the Cubs. Towers just handed Peavy and Hendry complete control in this situation. I’m awaiting the tail between the legs conversations between Towers and Hendry in the next few weeks.

$$$, that's why. With an uncertain ownership situation, if he doesn't find a taker for Marquis, we may not be able to sign a LH bat that we desire.

I highly doubt it's today or nothing. Towers has a mandate from ownership to cut salary, he has been publicly shopping a player for nearly a month who I practically guarantee has no desire to be in San Diego now... It's public posturing. He can't afford to take that stance. And I am fairly certain Hendry knows it and won't be pressured into anything because of it.

Royals obviously looking to spur the local pub economy, because no way in hell Farns is worth that.

America's GM strikes again.

Everyone will make sure to hire some writers to improve these jokes to your level immediately.

:-k , looks at his name... :evil: :-)) It's OK...I'm originally from Chicago. I lived 3 blocks from Wrigley until about a year ago when I moved out here. Miss the city...not the weather. It's 70 here today... \:D/

What's shoveling?