UMFan83

I dunno guys, I was very very certain that there was no way the Cubs would even begin to entertain him playing next year. It was an absolute certainty to me. But man Schwarber's response seemed to me like even the FO hasn't told him absolutely not. OK maybe 20% is too high, maybe 10% but I don't think its lower than that. I think Theo dreams at night of Joe being able to PH Schwarber in the 8th inning of a tied playoff game, and him launching one onto Sheffield. I believe the FO is going to give Schwarber every chance to prove he's healthy enough to go. Or maybe I'm just being delusional on a Friday afternoon.

What is your personal feeling on the odds Schwarber plays this year? I'm putting it at a solid 20% right now. The fact that Theo and Co haven't trained him to say with absolutely certainty that he won't be back until next year makes me believe that there is a realistic non-zero chance.

Not sure how the max ELC looked last year but this year the max you can offer in base salary is 925k per, the other 2.875m coming in bonus/incentive money. Panarin signed for 2/6.775m that was roughly an average base of 700k with 2.7m each year in bonus/incentives. So is most of the $7.55m not guaranteed then? Part of the reason the Hawks are so tight against the cap is because Panarin hit incentive markers that I don't think anyone expected him to hit (top 10 in scoring, etc). I wouldn't expect those types of things to be included in the reported contract offered. That's what makes me wonder if this is a different type of contract. Most of it is not guaranteed. Really its a non-story that the Hawks offered the max contract mostly because every team vying for Vesey offered the same max deal.

Ugh! Dragging this out I obviously have no idea how these contracts work, but I figured it'd be similar to Panarin's deal. I didn't think we had room to add something this big? Not sure how the max ELC looked last year but this year the max you can offer in base salary is 925k per, the other 2.875m coming in bonus/incentive money. Panarin signed for 2/6.775m that was roughly an average base of 700k with 2.7m each year in bonus/incentives.

I heard that and groaned. Then I turned to Kap's show and heard him suggesting we trade Theo to the Sox for Chris Sale. Then I turned off the radio and banged my head on the steering wheel. (note: These 2 radio discussions could have happened at different times, I can't remember but they were definitely both yesterday) Also, Willson has followed the traditional ups and downs of a prospect call up, blazing hot start, about a 3-4 week period of poor results as pitchers adjusted, and now over the last 50 PAs or so he's back to hitting in the mid to upper .800's OPS. It's almost like the baseball gods were like 'what is the one thing that the Cubs could really use to be complete? Ahh yes, a good defensive catcher that brings personality and energy while being a good all around hitter......hmm lets make this Contreras fellow that player' ZAP.

I just remember reading somewhere awhile ago that the Rockies actively look for sinkerball pitchers to fit their environment. Guessing because there isn't as much movement on it compared to a curve or even a slider/2 seamer. That said, a sinker that doesn't sink as much especially for a pitcher who isn't acclimated to pitching at Coors will lead to weak contact ground balls being turned into hard hit fly balls so who knows. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=20069 Curveball = really bad Slider and cutter = not as bad as the rest Everything else = equally horrible, but not so much as a curve Really, nothing works. It is a miserable, horrible place for pitchers. I think this quote best illustrates things. The Rockies have played there for decades now. And they've spent decades trying to formulate the secret sauce to pitching in Coors. And they never can figure it out. So they keep changing the sauce. Nothing will ever work. There is no answer. There is no sauce. That place is where pitching goes to die. And you should never feel safe with any pitcher going to pitch in that park. It sucks, Denver is a fine MLB market, but I think they will always having trouble building a consistent winner because of this issue. There is nothing you can do to fix it. There are no areas in Denver you can build a ballpark in low elevation, building a dome would only slightly lessen the effects of the altitude.

Maybe we can convince all the writers to write in "Bryzzo" for NL MVP.

Thanks for the boner FanGraphs http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/willson-contreras-has-developed-into-an-everyday-catcher/ Whole article is good but this is the key part:

[tweet] [/tweet] Meanwhile his agent said decision is more likely to come this weekend.

One of my favorite moments of 2015 [bbvideo=560,315] [/bbvideo]

This is the corresponding move to the 2 callups https://twitter.com/carriemuskat/status/766677834177720320 Cubs are stressing neither had setbacks they are just being cautious with them. No word on 40 man move yet

7 day? Are they worried he has a concussion? Otherwise its a 15 day stint

It looks like Pena is the other name getting called up. No word on corresponding moves yet

More Bryzzo sexiness [tweet] [/tweet]

[tweet] [/tweet] Man I will be a lot more excited about the upcoming season if we get him

No no no no NO. Kris Bryant doesn't hit good pitching, remember?

Seems like the stupid air there would effect him just like it would anyone else. I just remember reading somewhere awhile ago that the Rockies actively look for sinkerball pitchers to fit their environment. Guessing because there isn't as much movement on it compared to a curve or even a slider/2 seamer. That said, a sinker that doesn't sink as much especially for a pitcher who isn't acclimated to pitching at Coors will lead to weak contact ground balls being turned into hard hit fly balls so who knows.

Does Hendricks seem like he would be a decent Coors pitcher? More of a ground ball pitcher, relies on location, doesn't throw the curve ball too often, throws a lot of sinkers.

If so, quick go back to Rondon Fan!

Here's one [tweet] [/tweet]

Rob Z and.... What is the 40 man at now? Any 60 day candidates or DFAS? This is all so exciting. Guessing one of the moves is Lackey to the DL. The other maybe Patton down

Yeah it looked good. I don't take anything from preseason but it's nice to not look like they don't belong on the field.

Do we have an official Bryzzo thread? https://twitter.com/carriemuskat/status/766409713915269121

http://www.clubhousecancer.com/WindowsLiveWriter/TedLilyRunsOverYadierMolina091008_thumb.jpg Our current magic number barreling over the Cardinals One more angle even though it doesn't show his number because this collision was so bad ass http://worldseriesdreaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/LillyMolina.jpg