Transmogrified Tiger

Wuertz is a guy we need to keep in there. He has good stuff, and misses more bats than just about anyone. There's a lot pointing toward him being a very good reliever in the future. Aardsma gave up a ton of baserunners at AA and doesn't have better stuff than Wuertz.

Lee only puts up good OBP numbers in even numbered years. Don't wait til next year to get him, not that I really am interested in him.

I have not read the book, but here's my take on Baker and LaRussa. Baker does a pretty good job of letting his offense go without meddling. LaRussa isn't as good at this, but he's no Guillen either. LaRussa has shown a willingness to try new lineups, the pitcher hitting 8th during McGwire's time comes to mind. Dusty is traditional to a fault with his lineups, leading to acquisitions based on lineup spot rather than offensive ability. There are pros and cons to both of these. Dusty runs his starting pitchers into the ground, one of his worst traits. I don't really know that much about LaRussa in that respect, maybe one of our resident Cards fans can elaborate. Dusty and TLR both live and die by the Lefty/Righty bullpen matchups. Dusty follows them almost blindly(see Remlinger and Farnsworth). TLR I'm not as familiar with, but he is ridiculously obsessive with L/R matchups, using 3 and 4 relievers in an inning even when not necessary. From my experience, LaRussa is better with younger players than Baker. In the past you've seen TLR ride the hot streaks of Bo Hart and John Rodriguez, although with the way the Cards organization is run you don't see a lot of top prospects trying to get time. Dusty's preference for veterans is well documented. He's shown he will stick with a veteran guaranteed to give you poor performance over a younger player who is an unknown. Other factors include LaRussa being much more vocal/whiny with opponents and umpires, and Dusty's "player's manager" reputation, what it entails and if it's deserved

haha, what in the world is a post-season workhorse

me too

I'm a big fan of Gomes.

Is this a 40 team keeper league? No love for the stolen base? As far as I can tell, both are mid-second round guys in a 12 team league. I'm far from a fantasy aficionado, but SB is only one category. With your second pick, I'd be looking for someone who can help you in multiple areas, like a stud OF or SP.

I agree with your point about Marshall's lack of experience, I just found it funny that you didn't think of Dontrelle in your original post. I don't really consider Willis to be a "Cubs minor leaguer" since he pitched all of 121 innings with us before being traded. Willis also had a sub 1.50 ERA in his short stint in AA. As opposed to his 66 IP in the Marlins system?

I agree with your point about Marshall's lack of experience, I just found it funny that you didn't think of Dontrelle in your original post.

I can think of another Cubs minor league left handed starter that had less than 50 IP above A Ball.... And Hill got lit up in the bigs. http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2005/writers/james_quintong/07/13/secondhalf.duds/t1_willis_allstar_all.jpg

Is this a 40 team keeper league?

Neifi is already penciled in at SVR.

I can think of another Cubs minor league left handed starter that had less than 50 IP above A Ball....

Was that really necessary? Watson starting over Church and Church being demoted is a really bad decision.

Probably. They'll probably do it the Mizzou way and do it next year, a year later than necessary.

I = stupid

Haha, not even PECOTA has the Royals staying under 100 losses.

As he should. In terms of how the entire Snyder situation and the whole hiring committee thing was handled, I disagree. But in terms of how our sports teams (minus basketball) have performed the past few years, I agree. I see the point about the success of non-revenue sports, but I wonder how many of those coaches Alden has hired. Taking a look at the sports that have been successful recently: Baseball- Not hired by Alden Women's Basketball- Hired in 1998, near when Alden was hired, unsure Wrestling- Hired in 1998, near when Alden was hired, unsure Gymnastics- Hired by Alden Softball- Hired by Alden Volleyball- Hired by Alden So it looks like Alden brought in anywhere between half and 80+% of those coaches. Have to give him credit for that.

So who is playing center for them? Byrd?

Welcome!

Remember Scott McClain. Pagan is not good, he's a reserve outfielder at very best.

Ryu

No offense, but is that really a step up? The CAA seems about equal with the MAC. JMO, but I'd say the MAC is an upgrade. I think it's consistently the deeper league, and they go in cycles on who has the better top teams. Specifically Wilmington v. Ball State I'm not as sure on though.

The TO analogies are flawed. Football is much much different than baseball when it comes to "chemistry".

Well, maybe not instead of but it's an option. More than likely, there will be room for Koronka along with Wuertz in the 'pen. I don't see Novoa making the squad; they will probably send him to AAA to build up his arm. Zambrano Maddux Williams Rusch Marshall Dempster Ohman Howry Eyre Williamson Wuertz Ryu/Hill/Guzman Some of the roles may be a little different, but that's 14 guys that should be in front of Koronka, not even including Novoa. Of course, the "having a 12 man staff is excessive and ultimately hurtful, especially if we go to a 4 man rotation early on" stuff is implied.