Outshined_One

Problem with the "throwing off a pitcher's rhythm" argument is that it's very, very, very hard to really quantify that. While I do think there is some merit to it considering that pitchers have talked about being bothered by a speedster staring them in the face at first base, you'd have to wonder if they would have made similar mistakes if a somewhat slower guy was on base. However, this is one thing in particular that's noteworthy about speedsters and leadoff hitters that I think is critical. Corey Patterson showed us an important rule: you could be the fastest guy on the field, but it doesn't mean a lick if you don't know how the heck to run the bases. Now, my familiarity with Juan Pierre may not be as good as it could be, but here are his SB/CS numbers from the past three years: 2003: 65 SB, 20 CS, Success Rate: ~76% 2004: 45 SB, 24 CS, Success Rate: ~65% 2005: 57 SB, 17 CS, Success Rate: ~77% As a general rule of thumb, a guy can be considered a good base stealer if he gets caught less than 25% of the time. Pierre has had a ~73% success rate over the past three years. I'm really not sure how good of a baserunner that makes Pierre. Now, I will agree that it will be nice to have a guy who can use his speed to break up double plays, go from first to third on singles, and score from first on a double on a regular basis. But, if he makes dumb decisions and runs into outs, his speed won't be worth anything.

Currently have him as one of my dozen or so sleepers. :lol: Anyways, here's the quick scoop: -Turned 23 back in October. -Spent most of his season at Low A Greenville last season, but a broken hand derailed him for two months in the summer. He came back and finished the season up strong in September. -Doesn't seem to have any single significant tool that stands out, but his speed, power, and on base ability project to grade out to above or slightly above average at best. -Very intelligent and fundamentally sound. Seems to catch on well. -He'll probably start the season in LF in Daytona, opposite Ryan Harvey. From what I've read, there are enough positives about him to merit keeping an eye on him. He might not explode onto the scene like Matt Murton last season, but he could make some noise in Daytona and (if he gets promoted) West Tenn.

Some notes from Callis' BA chat: For 1908:

Has Upton even played a lick of pro ball yet?

Not in any order for the next two years... Likely CF Felix Pie SP/RP Carlos Marmol SP Angel Guzman SP Rich Hill SS/2B Ronny Cedeno IF Michael Fontenot OF Adam Greenberg Possible, but don't bank on it C Geovanny Soto SP/RP Sean Marshall 2B Eric Patterson 1B/OF Brandon Sing SP/RP Bobby Brownlie SP/RP Jae Kuk Ryu 3B Casey McGehee Unlikely, but who knows? SP Sean Gallagher 3B Scott Moore 1B Brian Dopirak SP Chadd Blasko SP Billy Petrick I may have missed a few, but there you go.

Sweet Neifi is our two hole hitter. A lot of sac bunts. GIDPerez!

I don't think Pujols has very good #'s against him either. Not many people do. That's what makes it fun. :) Z's nemesis is Jason Bay, as memory serves me. Also, Rolen was the guy who murdered the Cubs in that game. I remember being really pissed off about that inning since Z looked gassed, but Dusty didn't take him out for whatever reason. Moreover, he didn't have anyone warming up in the bullpen in case Z ran into trouble (which was possible given Pujols-Rolen-Edmonds was due up). The game was either tied or the Cubs had the lead when Z basically ran out of gas against Rolen and served up a game-breaking HR. With Remlinger not even ready to go (can't remember if he even was warming up at that point), Z basically decided, "screw it" and plunked Edmonds, knowing he'd get ejected. It was a smart move, to boot, since Remlinger got all the time he needed to warm up after Z was ejected and also because Z only allowed one base to Edmonds, which I would have taken at the time. While I can't stand guys like Edmonds and Pujols, Rolen...damn. He's one of those guys you can't help but respect and even admire. When it comes to Edmonds, he's one of those guys who makes it really easy to root against the Cardinals. That's what made that moment so special. :D

The best part of that was his reaction to getting ejected from the game. He just kind of threw up his hand and said "nah." He knew it was worth it. TLR whining about it was great, especially considering he's admitted to ordering his pitchers to throw at guys in the past.

I'm going back to my original points: 1) I don't think Corey's numbers last year are accurately reflective of how talented he is. This season with the Orioles could be interesting for him. 2) I agree that Crawford is better than CPatt. However, the price to pay for him would not be worth it, especially if this ridiculous trade were to happen (actually, independent confirmation would be welcome). My case is that if the Cubs were to trade Murton for Soriano and then prospects for Crawford, the Cubs would have been better off just keeping CPatt instead of trading for Crawford because of his ridiculous price.

Signing Lee for 5/60 or a comparable 4 year deal at this point would be most excellent, imo.

:shock: Crawford is a WHOLE lot better than CPat. From an offensive standpoint, Crawford is to Patterson, as Miguel Tejada is to Neifi. Three year splits: Crawford: 1900 ABs, 556 H, 77 2B, 43 3B, 31 HR, 190 RBI, 88 BB, 7 HBP, 267 K, 160 SB, 33 CS, .293/.324/.427/.751 Patterson: 1411 ABs, 363 H, 65 2B, 16 3B, 50 HR, 161 RBI, 83 BB, 7 HBP, 363 K, 63 SB, 19 CS, .257/.301/.432/.733 You could also make the argument that Dusty does not run as much with CPatt as Uncle Lou ran with Crawford, but I'll leave that to your own judgment. Like I said, given the price, keeping Corey would have been a better option than trading for Crawford, especially given his likely price tag. Plus, Crawford posting that kind of output in LF (given his price) would just be bad.

He would be Out-Bowdening Jim Bowden.

Unless he improves his BBs and Ks, we would have been better off keeping Corey Patterson. Considering that Tampa hasn't changed much despite having a new GM in terms of making impressive demands for their players, I'm sure they'd be asking for some ridiculous package. ??? Iirc Crawford's ops was 200 points better than CPatt last year. I do agree that TB would ask for something absurd. Two things. First, Corey was absolutely abysmal last season (600 OPS). I don't think he's as bad as those numbers indicate, but his numbers are etched there. Saying that Crawford's OPS was 200 points better last season is darning him with faint praise. Secondly, comparing three year splits, Crawford's OPS is only a little under 20 points better with Corey getting an edge in power and IsoD. You can make the argument that Crawford's better than Patterson, but I don't think he's so much better that trading for Crawford would be a jusifiable upgrade over Corey, especially given the likely price the Cubs would have to pay. Besides, I don't think Crawford's production in LF would be good for this particular offense.

Unless he improves his BBs and Ks, we would have been better off keeping Corey Patterson. Considering that Tampa hasn't changed much despite having a new GM in terms of making impressive demands for their players, I'm sure they'd be asking for some ridiculous package.

He wouldn't be replacing Murton; he'd be replacing Todd Walker. As mentioned in the above article, this would happen if Soriano doesn't want to play LF. Soriano wouldn't be much of a defensive upgrade at 2B as it is. Offensively, playing at Arlington inflated Soriano's numbers a considerable degree this past season, so I'm not totally sure how much you can take his power numbers into consideration. And when you look at his OBP and Ks compared to Walker, well, yeah. This is a trade that would provide a marginal offensive upgrade and open a gaping hole in LF. At this point, the options for LF would be Mabry, Restovich (NRI), Grissom (NRI), and Hairston. Juan Gone could also be an option. If you think any of those guys are or could be better than Murton at this point, you're not going to find a lot of people who agree. Even if you trade Todd Walker for a LF, I don't think you'd find some one worth pulling the trigger on Soriano for Murton. This is a move that would be a significant downgrade. I'd despise it.

Interesting that they gave Sammy Baez some love. Here's what BA had to say about him in the AZL Top 20: Definitely some promise there if he's an advanced defender.

I still maintain his double plunking of Jim Edmonds was one of the greatest moments in recent Cubs history. I couldn't stop laughing when it happened.

"I'm a horse. They'd have to kill me. I don't want to miss any starts. I will not miss any starts. I have to have my arm explode. I can't miss any starts. That would happen if I feel pain or I have surgery on my arm. I don't want to do that -- unless God wants."

BA Chat on the Cubs' system (access needed):

Apparently his stuff has gone into the crapper for some unknown reason.

They need him for the Cardinals' beer pong team. They want to take the crown that was held for so many years by the Braves, but now that Furcal is a Dodger, St. Louis can make a run at it.

I'm pretty much convinced that Tampa is going to hold some team for ransom in exchange for Lugo come the trade deadline.

Don't forget guys like Yusuf Carter, John Defendis, Brandon Taylor and maybe even a recovered Ryan Norwood. And guys who finished the year here in 05 and could be back for 06. And personally I think Phelps proved he is above this league, especially if he is gonna be a reliever. And Billek could easily contend for a Daytona spot in spring.... Is there something you're indirectly telling us, Nate? O:)

And rightfully so.

Which Boise/Mesa guys were included in the Top 50 beyond obvious picks like Pawelek, Reed, and Veal? Also, the only thing I know about Valdez is that he sat out all of 2004 with some sort of injury. It would be one thing if Pawelek were recovering from an injury or surgery. However, especially considering Utah isn't exactly renowned for its warm weather, I think starting Pawelek in Peoria would not be detrimental to him as long as the Cubs keep a close on his health.