Tim

Per the front page of the site (via Cubs Media Relations)... The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher Adam Harben from the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade which sent Phil Nevin to Minnesota on August 31. In addition, the Cubs have recalled right-handed pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu and catcher Jose Reyes from Triple-A Iowa while right-handed pitcher Jerome Williams has been claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics. Harben, 23, has compiled a 32-28 minor league record in 108 career games (91 starts) while posting a 3.40 career ERA (194 ER/513.1 IP). The 6-foot, 5-inch, 210-pounder has allowed just 21 home runs in 513.1 innings of work, recording 468 strikeouts compared to 240 walks. Harben produced a 3.96 ERA (54 ER/122.2 IP) in 29 games (22 starts) for Double-A New Britain in the Eastern League this season. He posted a 0.42 ERA (1 ER/21.1 IP) in five April games (four starts), while limiting hitters to a .149 average (11-for-74) in that span. In 2005, Harben was ranked the 16th Best Prospect in the Florida State League by Baseball America after went 10-5 with a 2.66 ERA (40 ER/135.1 IP) in 25 starts for Single-A Fort Myers. Ryu, 23, begins his fourth stint with the Cubs this season, having made three appearances for Chicago. The right-hander made his Major League debut May 14 vs. San Diego, tossing 1.0 inning of relief. Signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on June 1, 2001, Ryu spent the majority of this season with Iowa, going 8-8 with a 3.23 ERA (50 ER/139.1 IP) in 24 games (23 starts) while limiting opponents to a .237 batting average. Reyes, 23, split this season between Double-A West Tenn and Triple-A Iowa, combining to hit .238 (60-for-252) with 22 RBI in 84 games. The right-handed batter hit .357 (15-for-42) in 17 August contests with Iowa. Reyes, who will wear uniform number 61, is looking to make his Major League debut. Williams, 24, was acquired by Chicago in the trade which sent pitcher LaTroy Hawkins to the San Francisco Giants on May 28, 2005. Williams went 6-10 with a 4.26 ERA (56 ER/118.1 IP) in 23 games (19 starts) for Chicago. He began this season with the Cubs, going 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA (10 ER/12.1 IP) in five games (two starts) before he was optioned to Iowa on April 23. He went 5-7 with a 4.76 ERA (59 ER/111.2 IP) in 29 games (16 starts) with Iowa this season.

When I went to bed last night, I had about 152 points. I know Halladay gave up 14 tba (3.5 points), but all the other games were final where guys lost points. How did I end up back at 140?!?

Earlier in the season, it was easy to blame the poor performance on injuries, sure, but there were also a number of players playing below expectations. Aramis, Pierre & Jacque all got off to miserable starts, which made a very big contribution to our lousy start. At that point, it's easier to let Hendry off the hook by saying that he can't possibly see as durable a player as Lee going down and it would be very hard to foresee the above players being as bad as they were through the first 1/3 of the season. However, at this point, everyone on the offensive side other than Cedeno are pretty much right at expectations or above them. And the overall offense for the year is still more than a Derrek Lee return from being respectable. Just imagine how bad this team would be if someone had a really down year.

I've been too busy to compile my annual look at the upcoming 40 man rostering decisions. Anyone else want to take a shot? I'd love to see the list of players that are going to require protection this season.

According to a press release (see front page).

What should the pitching rules be for next year?

is not the Maddux deal, though getting a redudant part for more money ticks me off quite a bit. The acquisition of Izturis shows that Hendry was thinking about adding pieces for 2007. He was willing to make a move for an established player that he thinks could pay dividends right away next season. It was the right concept, but he went the complete wrong direction. We could have had Abreu for the peanuts the Yanks paid if we had been willing to guarantee the option. I know Bobby's power is down, but IMO it is a bad year instead of a permanent decline. We had a chance to give a huge upgrade the talent on the 2007 Cubs. Instead, we've gone the opposite direction with the acquisition of Izturis. That's what I find irritating.

Coming into the season, I gave the defensive points for catchers a boost to make the guys that play a lot behind the plate somewhat comparable fantasy value to the players at other offensive positions. At one point, there was a complaint that Ramon Hernandez was the top points getter in the league. Should the defensive adjustment for catchers be reduced in 2007?

Should we make a change to the value of SB's for next year?

The trade deadline is coming up on July 31st. Make sure you're familiar with the keeper rules when considering your roster for next year. Also, if there are any suggestions for rules changes for next year (SB's worth more, C defense points worth less have been two), please make them now.

I just wanted to remind everyone that this is a self-patrolled league. If your opponent has an illegal roster (ie - players in his minors that shouldn't be there or pitchers who are starting that are in the lineup as relievers), please let me know. Thanks!

Please vote on the front page of the fantasy site to say whether or not we should add an injured list.

Here are my notes from the conference call: • It was a combination of things that led the Cubs to select Tyler Colvin over other players who may have been rated higher than him • Tim Wilken felt that Tyler is a late maturing guy, he has a slender frame with remaining projection, he's an excellent leftfielder and could be in center, He is an average runner but a great baserunner and has a good knowledge of the game • Tim went into the draft of an open mind and was looking to take the best player available. The scenarios worked out so that Tyler was the highest rated player on the board when the Cubs draft pick came up. • Tim really believes in him as a player and feels that he has great prospects for growth • when Tim was in Toronto he picked Alex Rios who was nowhere on the pre-draft board. While Tim does not want to compare the two players, he feels there is that type of projection with Tyler. • There is no timetable for Tyler to reach the big leagues and he should have a normal progression through the minors. If his increase in production lately shows that he's maturing in coming on he could push the envelope and reach the big leagues pretty quickly. • Tim feels that he has "more in his tank" • Tyler projects as more of an average hitter than a power hitter • Tim also said that the Cubs are looking to be “creative” from rounds five and on

What a day of activity on the trade front! I'm left with some redundant parts here, so if anyone wants to make an offer of some prospects in return for any of these guys, I'm willing to listen: - Weeks - Lopez - Bonds - Sheffield

Please join me in welcoming Tangotiger to Northside Baseball! Tangotiger is one of the internet's best known and most respected sabremetric authorities. His website www.tangotiger.net is highly recommended, as is his book http://THE BOOK—Playing The Percentages In Baseball. Tango has agreed to come here to talk about issues related to sabremetrics, so please avoid questions about particular players. For those who have been studying sabremetrics for a while, this is a great chance to talk to one of the leaders in the field. For those new to the field, this is an opportunity to learn from one of the best. Once again, let me say thank you to Tango for coming here and spending his time answering our questions. Click here to view the thread

Please join me in welcoming Tangotiger to Northside Baseball! Tangotiger is one of the internet's best known and most respected sabremetric authorities. His website www.tangotiger.net is highly recommended, as is his book THE BOOK—Playing The Percentages In Baseball. Tango has agreed to come here to talk about issues related to sabremetrics, so please avoid questions about particular players. For those who have been studying sabremetrics for a while, this is a great chance to talk to one of the leaders in the field. For those new to the field, this is an opportunity to learn from one of the best. Once again, let me say thank you to Tango for coming here and spending his time answering our questions. Click here to view the thread

Please join me in welcoming Tangotiger to Northside Baseball! Tangotiger is one of the internet's best known and most respected sabremetric authorities. His website www.tangotiger.net is highly recommended, as is his book http://THE BOOK—Playing The Percentages In Baseball. Tango has agreed to come here to talk about issues related to sabremetrics, so please avoid questions about particular players. For those who have been studying sabremetrics for a while, this is a great chance to talk to one of the leaders in the field. For those new to the field, this is an opportunity to learn from one of the best. Once again, let me say thank you to Tango for coming here and spending his time answering our questions. Click here to view the thread

Please join me in welcoming Tangotiger to Northside Baseball! Tangotiger is one of the internet's best known and most respected sabremetric authorities. His website www.tangotiger.net is highly recommended, as is his book THE BOOK—Playing The Percentages In Baseball. Tango has agreed to come here to talk about issues related to sabremetrics, so please avoid questions about particular players. For those who have been studying sabremetrics for a while, this is a great chance to talk to one of the leaders in the field. For those new to the field, this is an opportunity to learn from one of the best. Once again, let me say thank you to Tango for coming here and spending his time answering our questions. Click here to view the thread

Please join me in welcoming Tangotiger to Northside Baseball! Tangotiger is one of the internet's best known and most respected sabremetric authorities. His website www.tangotiger.net is highly recommended, as is his book http://THE BOOK—Playing The Percentages In Baseball. Tango has agreed to come here to talk about issues related to sabremetrics, so please avoid questions about particular players. For those who have been studying sabremetrics for a while, this is a great chance to talk to one of the leaders in the field. For those new to the field, this is an opportunity to learn from one of the best. Once again, let me say thank you to Tango for coming here and spending his time answering our questions.

Morneau is a huge disappointment. I thought he was going to have a big bounce back season. Sizemore is hitting okay...he's just not scoring that well. Bay is getting pitched around like Bonds. Weeks is having a rough start Neither Zimmerman nor Gonzalez is doing much as a DH. Sheffield has been merely adequate Anyone have an extra power hitting 1B laying around? I've got two highly regarded, yet struggling, exempt players I can trade. And a bat thrower.

Any early feedback on the 2007 draft class? The Cubs are looking at a potential mother-lode of picks. Pierre, Wood, Maddux, Miller & Walker are all potentially arbitration-worthy players. I don't want to cloud the thread with discussions of whether the Cubs offer to all those guys (or which ones), but I think we'll end up with at least an extra pick or two somewhere. So I'm curious about what the class looks like as a whole. I know 2006 is looking disappointing so far. Here's hoping 2007 look stronger!

I found this quote in one of the articles on the front page. Link Dusty went to Alf for advice?!? Where was Larry?

I thought this might make for a fun debate. By worst, of course, I mean most lopsided, stupid move by any team. For starters, I nominate Texas trading Hafner to the Indians for Einar Diaz. Imagine that offense with Teix at first, Hafner at DH. Yowza.

According to Sportsline.

I spent the day working on the front page of the site, getting it updated for the new season. Here's a summary of the changes: 1) The game recaps are back! They can be accessed through the menu on the left or through the Headlines section in the middle. 2) I finally got the internet news search function working. Hey, it only took a year! 3) The standings are back 4) the next game information, broadcast info and starting pitchers are back I also changed a couple of other things in the background to prepare for additional updates in the next few weeks. Hopefully I'll have more time to work on the system as a couple other things ramp down. Have fun with the updates!