javy knows my name

No, it's really not

Considering teams could just wait a year and sign him without giving up prospects, I'm not sure I agree with that. Yep. A rental of Santana (albeit attached to a long-term deal) commanded less than that, IMO

I read the bold and immediately thought whaaaaaa??? They don't have a rookie in their rotation, and surely they aren't replacing one of their starters right now... What Steve was TRYING to say is that this is the 7th Cardinals rookie (position or pitcher) to make their debut this season. Way to just completely butcher the facts Steve. Maybe he uses "pitcher" to refer to any player the way some people use "Coke" to mean any soda. :DI've never heard anyone do this, ever.

I just threw up on my keyboard

I think "many" is an overstatement. I projected them to mid-80s when their pythagorean record is 27-30, which shows I expect some improvement. But to get to 90 wins from where they are now, they'd have to play at a .581 winning percentage. Their Pyth% this season is .473, and over the past two seasons is .502. To get to .581 from that, they'd have to take a quantum leap forward. And that's just to get to 90 wins, which right now is on the very bottom end of the Cubs' likely projection. They have two young bats that make people drool, and a couple more that are above average for their position. And they have an ace pitcher who can't stay healthy. Is that enough to lead a team to 90 wins? They don't really have anything else. Their bullpen is bad. Their defense is really bad. They have a few pitching prospects, but big whoop, so does every other team in the majors. Brewers fans I read right now are basing their hopes on two things: The Cubs' turnaround last season and the fact that they lost their No. 2 pitcher and they believe we haven't lost anything. And their high point last season, June 23rd, here was the two teams' run differentials: Brewers: +29, Cubs: +22. The two teams had been almost identical, but a combination of good and bad luck had put them 8.5 games ahead of the Cubs. Luck caught up and the Cubs pulled ahead. This season, the run differentials are Cubs +92, Brewers -14. Did you steal that from John Kruk? That analysis is Baseball Tonight-esque. Really? I kind of liked it

It is not 2002. Take advantage of Volquez and his high IP count while his socket still has an arm in it. Pedro probably isn't finishing the season

Which part of the offense will be learning how to pitch this year?

I'd guess he has around 16-22 RBIWGs (Runs batted in with glove). I'm making this a new stat

http://www.norris.northwestern.edu/image/BJ_Novak_web.jpg

Haha, thanks, but I don't think my wife would approve. Just tell her it's a gift for all the games on NSBB you've won. She'll understand. Pictures or it's not a gift

It is frustrating, but I welcome a .750 OBP-driven OPS from him with open arms

Where have you been, yo?

I'd guess he has around 16-22 RBIWGs

Interesting note: The two teams with the best records in baseball (Cubs 36-21 and Rays 35-22) have played the least amount of road games as any other team so far this season (23 each). Both these teams are about to embark on long stretches on the road (Cubs 23 of 32 and Rays 15 of 24). This should be a great test for both these clubs. And as a Sox fan, do you believe the Cubs can sustain their success of the road?

Only a true Cubs fan would word a sentence like this. It warms my heart.

No way, guys. Jimmy's got his groove back.

Pie for Morales :pig:

I'm Joe Morgan and I approve of this lineup

That was my first Cubs night game ever. Probably the craziest experience of my life.

Ehhhhhh...Harden's a horrifying arm injury waiting to happen and Blanton is mediocre. I'd take a pass on those two. This and I never, ever want Hendry trading with Beane again

I had to do it

He does do a good job with keeping the starter's PC at a reasonable level, but I wish he showed the same type of restraint with Marmol. IMO, he should never be used unless it's a 1 or 2 run ballgame, or a high leverage situation. Yes, but Lou doesn't really know what this means

Cripes, Edmonds owned the guy. Guess that means he'll be in the lineup tomorrow. Fixed this for you. Oh, and Cook's WHIP is pretty encouraging. I don't know how he's getting it done in Coors field allowing that many baserunners, but he will not be able to sustain that sub-3.00 era.

Zambrano, and it's not particularly close. HM to Aramis and his ridiculous OBP

Yep, that's what Edmonds does best; he makes routine plays look really hard.