CaliforniaRaisin

Bruce, I've read your intereview at BCB in which you mentioned the Cubs were beginning to pay more attention to sabermetrics and couldn't ignore this year's horrendous stats (runs scored, OBP, SLG). You felt it would be a gradual process to blend the statistical side with the Cubs' scouting. Could you expand on that process and how you think the Cubs plan on becoming more sabermetrically-inclined?

I just saw that. :shock: He was in the upper 80s earlier in the year, up to the low 90s and his curve is coming back. Interesting. I don't think much will come of it, but it looks like he finally got a clue.

I don't think he'll get much time there with Chin Lung Hu, Matt Moses and Matt Tolbert already listed as SS on the roster. Mesa loses 3-0: box 2B E. Patterson 0/3, E (1, throw) DH S. Moore 0/4, K SP A. Harben 2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 K/0 BB, HR, 2 GO-1 FO, 33 pitches (20 strikes) RP C. Pignatiello 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 K/1 BB, WP, 1 GO-1 FO, 18 pitches (9 strikes) That's Harben's first outing since being traded to the Cubs.

The starters for Game 2 are listed as TBA on the A's mlb.com site. I would think that Harden would start though. As per Oakland's mlb.com page, Loaiza will start game 2, Haren likely in Game 3, and Harden in Game 4. Harden allowed 5 runs in 3.1 innings in theis games in the desert, but the A's felt he threw really well (he threw "free and easy" with great command). He hit 94 repeatedly. Mark Kiger will replace the injured Mark Ellis on the A's 25-man.

Just like Murton last year. Gameday is available off MiLB.com's web site. Phoenix leads it 2-0 in the top of the 5th. Harben started on the mound, EPatt is leading off at second base and Scott Moore is DHing.

Its hard for me to tell too, but thats because I don't see color. Everyone is American to me. I only know I'm white because I can catch a cab and belong to an all white country club. Who's your NFL team then? It can't be the Bears. Nice * 2.

I didn't list that because I'm pretty sure that was last year's roster (given they have a recap of what each player did in 2004-2005).

That's an interesting claim. Sheesh, miss an 'n' in a word at 6:30 am and everyone gets on my case. I take it you don't equate Buck Coats with America? Are you sure that's "our" Jose Martinez? (There are at least 3 Jose Martinez pitchers in pro ball...) If so, that's rather surprising. Jose Martinez was supposedly a big-time signing... back in 2001, a few months before we signed Felix Pie! Supposedly this big, 6'5" Venezuelan lefty who had just turned 17 was already throwing in the low 90's. But 6 innings into his Mesa campaign in 2002, his arm was hurting. He's gone through surgery and years of rehabbing, seemingly without good effect. In 2005, he tried to come to camp, wasn't looking good enough to stay rookie league and got sent down to DSL, got hammered, and after a couple of games didn't pitch again. Then this year he was back again Stateside, opened with Boise, pitched 3 bad innings, got demoted, pitched a bad inning with Mesa, and disappeared again. (10 hits and 3 walks in 3+ innings between the two levels). He turned 22 this week. Seems surprising that a guy who's pitched a total of 11 innings in the US over his 5-year career would make a Venezuelan team, since those are pretty competitive. Is it possible that his arm is finally getting back in shape, and a VSL team thinks that perhaps he can give them a couple of innings this year, but down the road might be a real value in future years? That would be cool, almost miraculous, if after five years of arm problems he was able to throw hard again. Heh, not likely. According to the web site, it's the same Jose Martinez. I know I was shocked. The web site lists his parent team as the Cubs and his most recent pro team in the system as the Boise Hawks.

Why would the Yankees want Kotchman? They're trading their third baseman, they still have Giambi.

Kranitz might not even be a given since he's entertaining an offer from Fredi Gonzalez and the Marlins. Kranitz would be absolutely the best part of having Girardi come to the Cubs. In terms of other names, Jim Presley was Girardi's hitting coach last year.

The Mexican Pacific (Winter) League is getting started today. Oneri said that Les Walrond and Casey McGehee are going to be playing in Mexico this winter, but I have yet to find them on any roster.

If I could, I definitely would. I didn't like the contract when he signed it, I still don't like it. Howry or Wuertz will be ok at closer (so will Marmol after a while). And I'm guessing the Cubs will re-sign Kerry Wood to the pen. You know, Wood, Dempster, Howry and Eyre is a ridiculously expensive pen.

Talking draft already? Any OL will look good with the 32nd pick for the Bears. :)

I'll be surprised if Carlos gets more than one appearance. I'm sure it's just something to get the locals excited, he's bound to be a superstar there. Bobby Abreu, Miguel Cabrera, etc are on the rosters (yeah, they're not pitchers) but I doubt they'll play more than a game or two. I mean, the Cubs are controlling how much time he goes on a computer, you know they're controlling how much he throws in the offseason. Buck Coats is America - obviously being Venezuelan isn't a prerequisite since Atlee and Pavlik (and other American non-Cubs) are in the VWL.

They get started on Thursday. I've tracked down the following Cubs on two different team's roster (I'm sure there are more that I have missed - Jonathan Mota was supposed to be in Maracay according to Oneri, but he's not listed on the team's roster): Maracay - Los Tigres de Aragua: IF Ronny Cedeño OF Buck Coats Caribes de Anzoategui: P Thomas Atlee P Isaac Pavlik P Jose Martinez IF Carlos Rojas OF Chris Walker P Carlos Zambrano

And Pat Listach, who interviewed for the vacant Cubs managerial position, is managing Mesa.

...gets started tomorrow, Tuesday. The Mesa Solar Sox will play the Phoenix Desert Dogs in Phoenix at 1:05 pm MT. Here's the MiLB.com scoreboard. The Cubs prospects on the Solar Sox are: RHP Adam Harben RHP Lincoln Holdzkom LHP Carmen Pignatiello LHP Clay Rapada C Jake Fox 2B Eric Patterson 3B Scott Moore

Sheesh, Thesimann said the Bears will go 19-0 during the MNF game.

Sigh. Ben Olson tore his MCL, at least he won't need surgery. I guess he might be back for the USC game - if he is, hopefully he'll get a few in-game snaps. I hate Arizona.

Listach was at West Tenn this year, Quade at Iowa. The person I've heard Hill credited the most was actually pitching coach Alan Dunn.

He hasn't had the same stuff since those arm injuries.

Are you talking about Ceda, the 14th ranked prospect in the AZL this year (the highest Cub). He did pretty well for Boise in limited time at the end of the year (he gave up a couple of runs one game in his last inning when they were trying to lengthen him out, but otherwise his innings were very good). If Ceda continues to develop his secondary pitches, he could become very good. Right now, he's one of our good very young pitchers (not great like Veal or Gallagher, but in the next level down). I don't know why we would want to just give him away. Ceda's probably in the top 10-15 prospects in the system (thought that's also indicative of a weakening farm system).

Notre Dame 30, UCLA 17 What's your prediction? Notre Dame wins 27-6. 6? Is your offense that bad? Even Stanford got 10. I'm assuming Ben Olson has torn his knee up and Patrick Cowan will be playing at QB. Just key in on Markey/Bell, put some pressure on Cowan and there ya go. Maybe the offense can get a touchdown, but I'd be stunned if they got more than one. Our defense is really good though (it's so strange saying that). With Ben Olson I think UCLA loses by two touchdowns. Without him it could be a rout. Eh, Ben doesn't play defense - that's what will keep UCLA in the game no matter who's QBing. And quite frankly, outside of the Utah game, Ben hasn't been that great. He especially struggled on the road (this one is @ ND), looks confused with blitzes and different looks, etc. Cowan knows the offense better, etc. Cowan's just not that talented.

Notre Dame 30, UCLA 17 What's your prediction? Notre Dame wins 27-6. 6? Is your offense that bad? Even Stanford got 10. I'm assuming Ben Olson has torn his knee up and Patrick Cowan will be playing at QB. Just key in on Markey/Bell, put some pressure on Cowan and there ya go. Maybe the offense can get a touchdown, but I'd be stunned if they got more than one. Our defense is really good though (it's so strange saying that).

RHP Jeff Weaver @ LHP Tom Glavine Time: 7 pm CT TV: FOX