Outshined_One

I think he's saying that ISoD is more predictable because it is less reliant on outside forces like defense and therefore less prone to flukish swings. That's the gist of it. IsoD is easier to predict in a hitter than batting average due to outside forces like BABIP, Line drive %, and so on.

Can't wait to see that awesome middle infield defense helping out a primarily fly ball pitcher!

Slow down, that never happened. I took full responsibility for the Maddux for LaRoche thing because I was openly pining for him and never posted any rumors, sources, or whatever that said the Cubs were talking about Maddux for LaRoche. I wanted that trade to happen, despite the incredibly low probability that it would, due to the rumors that Ramirez would opt out and that the Cubs were reportedly looking to trade him. I never reported it like it was a fact. Anyone who construed it to be me actually reporting that as a credible rumor is a nitwit.

I got into a huge argument with some one over on Reds Zone about the predictive power of various stats (IsoD vs. K/BB) in measuring prospects and other hitters. Let me dig up his posts; they were actually really good. Edit: Here we go. Link It's a long thread, but I had a blast participating in it.

I'd love to have him on this team, but I just know plenty of other teams are salivating at their chances of picking him up. It's problematic to assume a soon to be FA will sign with your team, you know?

They also know who pays the bills.

The part that'll have Juan Pierre, Cedeno/Perez, and possibly Jacque Jones (if he returns to his career line) dragging everyone else down.

I'm thinking Mark Rogers, despite his issues thus far, would receive consideration. The position players, on the other hand, are rather cringe-worthy, overall.

I hope the guy succeeds as a Cub and wish him no ill will as a person. Believe me, I want Jim Hendry to prove us wrong with this trade. However, all indications so far point to the negative.

So I see the Cubs went back to normality tonight. Good for them.

It depends on a couple of things, though. If you could pick either player in retrospect, then for certain you'd take the .300/.350 guy over the .280/.350 guy; especially since the .300/.350 guy is much more likely to have a higher SLG than the .280/.350 guy. However, if you look a bit deeper into the numbers, there is something to be said for plate discipline and the ability to repeat numbers. While some guys have a bit easier time repeating batting average than others, the numbers tend to fluctuate year in, year out. However, IsoD and plate discipline are much easier to repeat and erode much less with time. In other words, the .280/.350 guy is much more likely to be more valuable and productive in the future than the .300/.350 guy. The .280/.350 guy is much more likely to have a clue at the plate than the .300/.350 guy.

Ratings are down pretty badly from previous seasons. Advertising revenue is going to tighten up if they don't have enough people watching the games. And yes, that could have a noticeable effect on the team's budget. On a slightly related tangent, aren't we third or fourth in NL payroll? I know the Astros and Mutts are towards the top, but I'd have to imagine the Dodgers are somewhere in there.

The gameplan I think for the next few years is as follows: 1) OBP is valued...but there is an important caveat in this. The team values batting average very highly; moreso than OBP. If given the choice between a guy who hits .280/.350 and a guy who hits .300/.350, I think the Cubs would take the .300/.350 guy without even thinking twice. As Jim Hendry said in his interview a few weeks ago, this organization clearly believes that high batting averages correlate with high OBPs. 2) Infield defense is critical. Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, Marmol, Guzman, and other pitchers in this organization are primarily ground ball pitchers, so clearly they need good defenders across the infield in order to proper handle these balls and not give the other team a number of extra outs. 3) I think up until this year, Hendry was relying on the fact that Prior's and Wood's injuries were either flukes or were not very serious. Both guys were expected to come back much earlier than they did this season and in previous seasons, but that has clearly not been the case. I think if Hendry realized the folly of relying too heavily on those guys, he would have gone out and acquired another starting pitcher. 4) Speed can make up for the lack of power. Fast guys are able to beat out infield hits, steal bases, get into scoring position, and leg out hits for extra bases. Any dropoff in power they might have is made up for by their ability to use their speed as a weapon on the basepaths. 5) The bullpen is hard to rely on day in, day out. So, starters who can consistently pitch 6-7 innings every time out will be most welcome. Carlos Zambrano exemplifies this since the Cubs have been able to throw him out there for 140 pitches with little ill effect (yet). This is a similar philosophy which was utilized with Wood and Prior in 2003. We saw how that ended. However, I think they're still clinging to this notion and prefer to wear out the rotation rather than the bullpen. 6) Chemistry matters. Dusty runs a loose clubhouse without much in the way of rules, exercising, warming up, and so on. Veterans who don't need coaching are left alone to do their own thing and work out their problems on their own. Guys who are headcases and/or have been hostile towards the media and fans are seen as clubhouse headaches who are not worth the effort. Happy players produce. 7) Strikeouts are best avoided with hitters. Walks are okay, but it's preferable to get a single rather than take a walk. Putting the ball in play advances runners and also increases the probability of the defense making a mistake of some sort. Strikeouts do nothing for the team. They can kill rallies, don't advance any baserunners, and generally have no offensive productivity. Whether or not you agree with any or all of these, I think this is the case for the team.

He's a FA after the season, as memory serves me. Given that the Dodgers were able to acquire him, he definitely was available. Also, now that I think about it, I find it rather funny the D-Rays went out and picked up another terrific hitter & athlete who has trouble playing SS and has no real position right now. I'm sure BJ Upton was thrilled with this deal.

I'm more concerned with Murton than Cedeno when it comes to what players this organization has given up on. The fact that Phil Nevin received plenty of playing time since his acquisition while Murton's time on the field gradually decreased at first signalled a possible trade to me. However, unless a waiver deal is in the works, that does not seem to be the case. I like Murton quite a bit and hope he can put together a solid August and September to make a case for a starting job next year. However, I have to wonder if that will be the case...

It's possible, but it also depends on how willing Lugo would be to play 2B.

Nah, usually the guy has to fly into Chicago, get a uniform, get a locker, get settled, and so on. That'll take more than four hours to do. We'll probably see him tomorrow.

Are we talking about possible names on the market prior to the trade deadline or overall in baseball? well.. both..I am trying to be realistic. There was no chance that the O's would have even talked to the Cubs about Tejada. And overall in baseball..... well as I said... I would rather have Mr. Furcal but that wont happen any time soon. So you were discussing realistically available names and not guys like A-Rod, Jeter, BJ Upton, and so on, correct? I would make a case for Julio Lugo over Izturis, in that case.

Okay, I've gotten most of my frustration with this deal out of my system. I'm going to take it easy for the restof the day and tone it down. I went on enough of a rampage to leave a nice wake of destructionand pissed off people who likely blocked me or will be sending me nice PMs regarding my behavior on this board. To those people, I say mea culpa. This deal pretty much pushed me over the edge. It wasn't anything personal against any of you, but it was more that I've been needing to vent about this team for awhile now.

It's sad to see them go like this. Both were classy guys during their time here. Walker had some issues with the front office and management, but he was always respectful and friendly with the fans. Despite spending his prime in Atlanta, it was nice to see Maddux get one last shot with the Cubs in an attempt to make it back to the playoffs. Things didn't exactly go as planned, but I will always fondly remember both.

Are we talking about possible names on the market prior to the trade deadline or overall in baseball?

*Cracks whip* Back to Rants with you! :P

I'm not the only one who finds most scouting reports really creepy, am I? "GOOD, FLUID HIPS. RIPPLING BICEPS! HANDLES BAT FIRLMLY, YET GENTLY. SURPRISINGLY SOFT HANDS."

We won't know what this offense will look like in 2007 until the 2006 World Series is decided. After that, expect a cheap and poorly made knockoff of the team who won it.

Hawkins to the Giants for Williams and Aardsma was what I was referring to. I think that's the only sell Hendry actually pulled off well during his time with this team.