SouthSideRyan

A guy doesn't have to have sustained success in the majors in order to have upside. Josh Vitters has more upside than Ryan Theriot even though Theriot's established himself as a starter over the past 3 years and Vitters will be in AA.

Pie has way more upside than Fuld.

If we acquire Pie, won't that just make Reed Johnson (or similar garbage) the starting CF by April 9th?

Also, Joe Buck is wetting himself with excitement. At least he would be if he liked sports.

[expletive] off TMZ

Davearm is the one who brought $/win into this to show that Hendry is doing a decent job. Rob made a correction (and a valid one, btw). You questioned whether that would make the small market teams look artificially better (they're better using the average analysis in addition to the marginal analysis, btw). I pointed out why small market teams ARE better from an efficiency standpoint. The only one who is using any of this to justify anything is davearm. I'm not justifying anything. I'm just dispelling the misconception that Hendry's spending has been either more prolific or less efficient per win than other big-market teams around baseball. This notion that Hendry's constantly throwing away good money after bad just simply is not supported by the data. No, your data doesn't really say that. It means he's been around as efficient as the other top 10 spending teams, who also may have a habit of wasting lots of money. OK then, so apparently what folks really want is not a new GM, but rather for the Cub to no longer be a big-market team, since big-market teams inherently waste lots of money. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EpWyBZJXhgI/SP0y5vTJYWI/AAAAAAAACR8/PK-UV2WLDJs/s400/warden_norton.jpg

Either one + whatever garbage we run out in CF could probably have netted us Cameron.

I'd say it's damn near impossible to defend 2006. It's hard to take the '07-'08 seasons in a vaccum, because the current payroll nightmare is a direct function of his spending in those seasons.

BTF has the prospect as Arodys Vizcaino who's pretty decent.

What use does anyone have for Melky Cabrera?

Silva's hittable enough that he shouldn't be in the majors. xFIP is useful because guys like Silva usually aren't in the majors to be taken into account. Pick some journeyman 26 year old out of AA and his xFIP is going to be out of line with his actual ERA

And he's three years older and the economic climate is significantly different than three years ago. And 39 is a hell of a lot ERA+ points. The Marquis contract with the Cubs was pee your pants hilarious. Over the length of the contract he was worth roughly 32 million. So you're going to argue it was a smart contract to hand out when it was signed. I was one of the staunchest defenders of Marquis while he was on the Cubs, arguing the very real value of a guy who pitches every 5 days at average-above average levels. Doesn't mean the contract was anything but laughable. ETA: Just read the rest of the thread.

Top of my head, (assuming they're not talking strictly defense) they're probably right.

I'd put Helton ahead of both. Utley's probably the most egregious, can't argue with Rolen or Everett. I too was convinced they gave it to Jeter by the title.

And he's three years older and the economic climate is significantly different than three years ago. And 39 is a hell of a lot ERA+ points. The Marquis contract with the Cubs was pee your pants hilarious.

Marquis's ERA+ was 39 points better before signing this contract compared to his last one. And this one was more favorable to the team.

It will be a greater feat if they can do it without getting on probation ;-). Like Kentucky fans care.

You have a strange interpretation of great. At Bama is a tough place to win, especially the way they did. I know RPI means nothing right now, but #1 RPI and #3 SOS is pretty dang significant. Anyone who doesn't think they'll contend for the Big 12 is dilusional. Kansas and Texas are the #1 and 2 teams in the country. Expecting to contend with them unless you're a top 10 team is foolish.

Cano isn't a bad hitter and I think he'd make a great Cub. How about Z for Cano and 2 of the Yanks best minor league OF? Wins continue to be the best statistic for measuring the success of a starting pitcher. Still waiting for any proof that the really great starting pitchers average less than 14 wins for their career. You obviously don't have an answer. I don't know why I bother after you ignored everything the last time you brought this [expletive] up. Ted Lyons averaged 12.3 wins per season and is in the hall of fame. Chief Bender averagesd 13.25. Jim Bunning averaged 13.17 Steve Carlton averaged 13.7 Nolan Ryan averaged 12. Phil Niekro averaged 13.25 Early Wynn averaged 13.04 Red Ruffing averaged 12.41 Eppa Rixey averaged 12.66 Red Faber averaged 12.7 Herb Pennock averaged 10.91 Waite Hoyt averaged 11.29 Clark Griffith averaged 11.29 Jesse Haines averaged 11.05 Hal Newhouser averaged 12.18 Rube Marquard averaged 11.17 Dazzy Vance averaged 12.3 Ed Walsh averaged 13.93 John Ward averaged 9.65 Sandy Koufax averaged 13.75 Odds that this is argued against in any way - 0% Odds that you changed his mind - 0% At least I wasted a good half hour of company time.

Cano isn't a bad hitter and I think he'd make a great Cub. How about Z for Cano and 2 of the Yanks best minor league OF? Wins continue to be the best statistic for measuring the success of a starting pitcher. Still waiting for any proof that the really great starting pitchers average less than 14 wins for their career. You obviously don't have an answer. I don't know why I bother after you ignored everything the last time you brought this [expletive] up. Ted Lyons averaged 12.3 wins per season and is in the hall of fame. Chief Bender averagesd 13.25. Jim Bunning averaged 13.17 Steve Carlton averaged 13.7 Nolan Ryan averaged 12. Phil Niekro averaged 13.25 Early Wynn averaged 13.04 Red Ruffing averaged 12.41 Eppa Rixey averaged 12.66 Red Faber averaged 12.7 Herb Pennock averaged 10.91 Waite Hoyt averaged 11.29 Clark Griffith averaged 11.29 Jesse Haines averaged 11.05 Hal Newhouser averaged 12.18 Rube Marquard averaged 11.17 Dazzy Vance averaged 12.3 Ed Walsh averaged 13.93 John Ward averaged 9.65 Sandy Koufax averaged 13.75

Marignal wins cost more the higher you go. The Mets and Mariners are the only ones the Cubs compare favorably to in that post. The Mariners were run by manure for brains Bavasi, and the Mets are a [expletive]. Beating those 2 out is nothing to be proud of.

Do they still get to ride in the limo?

Fair points. 1) I'm not really suggesting pocketing the money as I'm suggesting we invest that in building the farm and/or trade acquisitions if we're in it at the deadline. 2) I'm certainly not suggesting we tank 2010. I believe Hughes will provide the value Z will at this point in time. Part of that is the slow decay of Z's value, part is the maturation of Hughes. 3) Mauer would be a great hitter if he were playing first, which is where I'd put him if Soto is still performing behind the plate. 4) Those additional holes will also come with additional money from the other contracts coming off the books 2) I like Hughes a lot, but I don't think it's that likely he matches Z's output next year. He's been hovering in the low 100s for innings pitched the last 3 years.(following a career high of 146) I'm not sure he can step right in for a full season right away.(and he'll certainly give back the marginal value Zambrano has at the plate/on the basepaths) I think it's obviously a win on a pure talent standpoint(when taking into account the salary), but disagree with the notion that Hughes = Zambrano. 3) If Mauer winds up as a 1B from the word go, it's most likely a bad deal. Mauer's going to get an assload of money because of his ability to catch. To pay him like a catcher while he's playing 1B is a waste of money.

There is nothing exciting about this Jets/Falcons game. This is torture.

You have a strange interpretation of great. And contender.