javy knows my name

I barely notice him, and that basically makes him ideal.

HAH I have GrubHub.

Some of my favorite seats in the park.

.5 WHIP, get that bum off my team

hahahahaha

The moment they are competing for the playoffs they are competing for a World Series. I'm still amazed at how many people act like the playoffs aren't a crap shoot. Dan Bernstein does this [expletive] all the time. Always talking about whether teams are doing things to "WIN the World Series" like it's some sort of rarefied air. If you're ready to sneak into the playoffs via a wild card and a one game playoff, you're pretty much ready to win the [expletive] World Series. You'd think when the Cubs' biggest rival is the biggest beneficiary of this (twice!), people here wouldn't have a problem understanding this concept. Ah hell, you're right. Poor attention to detail. Hah, well said. That said, I don't think it's fair to level this criticism at Nuts. He's always very bullish on our short-term outlook, and for good reason. What? Nuts isn't the one being targeted here.

The moment they are competing for the playoffs they are competing for a World Series. I'm still amazed at how many people act like the playoffs aren't a crap shoot. Dan Bernstein does this [expletive] all the time. Always talking about whether teams are doing things to "WIN the World Series" like it's some sort of rarefied air. If you're ready to sneak into the playoffs via a wild card and a one game playoff, you're pretty much ready to win the [expletive] World Series. You'd think when the Cubs' biggest rival is the biggest beneficiary of this (twice!), people here wouldn't have a problem understanding this concept. Hah, well said. That said, I don't think it's fair to level this criticism at Nuts. He's always very bullish on our short-term outlook, and for good reason.

Dude is gonna hit the majors by age 19 despite the fact that they're being super conservative with him.

YEAH! Look at Burkwells k/bb ratios...awesome.

sergio mitre turned in a random gem against halladay too, going even further back. in his 6 starts vs. The Cubs, he's 1-5 3.75 ERA 1.22 WHIP 4 BB 28 K. Obviously better than most teams against him, but it's not like we're destroying him, must be at least partially luck, especially considering that 3 of those starts have been vs. Mitre, Marquis, and now Maholm. It's "partially luck" that we consistently beat Roy Halladay? Yes, I would agree.

Yes, absolutely.

Age related decline is a much more important consideration for guys getting $200M contracts than it is for guys that can be non-tendered pretty much whenever. Age-related decline is a much more important consideration for guys who were NEVER EVER EVER GOOD until their 29th birthday. That's not age related decline. Are you serious right now? If you believe any of the crap you spew about decline, you of all people should realize that LaHair is a good bet to decline almost immediately after his likely one good season in the bigs. Is there more obvious a "short term player?" I really can't think of one, but that won't stop you from arguing about it.

Age related decline is a much more important consideration for guys getting $200M contracts than it is for guys that can be non-tendered pretty much whenever. Age-related decline is a much more important consideration for guys who were NEVER EVER EVER GOOD until their 29th birthday.

Why the sarcasm? I'm not Peter Gamons. Just yakkin' on a forum. I get that you NSBB old timers don't like rookies, or speculating on the possibility that something GOOD could happen. I'll try to be more negative in the future. He's saying there's a designated forum to discuss Cubs games and series so that people don't clutter up the rest of the message board with discussion about those games or series. You know, since there's an entire board dedicated to it and all. Is that what he's saying? You could have fooled me. And sorry, I see none of this "clutter" you speak of. Just tell me where to post speculation on an upcoming series and I will be happy to go there. You're right, you don't see any clutter. That means everyone else is doing it right. POW

IIRC he's had injuries before and I know some people didn't love his mechanics. Time for some stem cells... I recall reading on MLB Trade Rumors or Hardball Talk or one of those sites that the Yankees and Ms supposedly first discussed King Felix, and that the Ms wanted all 3 of Montero, Betances, and Banuelos. Obviously the Yankees balked at that and explored Pineda instead. I bring this up because if true, the difference between the 2 offer packages would give me pause as a Yankees exec. Felix is better than Pineda, but is also older and far more expensive. So while he should cost more to acquire via trade, wouldn't you have been struck at how much more the Mariners wanted for him than for Pineda? To a degree, but you're also trading away three unknown commodities for one of the rarest commodities in the game, a legit #1 ace who already has 7 years of experience under his belt and hasn't reached the age of 27 yet. The Yankees would've extended him immediately, the cost wouldn't have been an issue. Betances has already had injuries slow down his career and is already 24, Banuelos is still just 21 years old and struggled at the AAA level last year (and so far this year) so he may need another season or two of work down there, and Montero was a catcher who couldn't catch so he's really only relegated to DH duties. I'd trade all that in a heartbeat for a guy who has averaged 240.2 IP, 2.73 ERA, 223K's, 1.13 WHIP, and a 152 ERA+ the last 3 years... and he's just now entering his prime. Yeah, I'd do that and not think twice about it Yeah, it's hard to believe the Yankees balked so hard at that. If Pineda is worth Montero, then Felix is certainly worth those three. Especially if you're the Yankees and cost isn't a factor.

Yeah, you shouldn't do that

I don't think there's ever been a reason to have Rizzo in Iowa City. You could say that about anyone. Annnnnd [expletive] off.

Too much garbage in WAR. You trust the defensive metrics for catchers and 1Bs? I sure don't. LaHair will out-OPS Soto. The defense-challenged 1B will out-OPS the defensively solid catcher? GET OUTTA TOWN.

It's just a christmas story quote argh

Victims? Goodness.

nobody likes you. Gee Kap, I sure didn't see this coming. it takes a big man to mock another man's charitable cause. And a small one to cruise a funeral looking for work. Quoted because I can't believe this guy is still allowed to post here.

Crazy to say that's not Prior-at-his-best good. Crazy to say that's not Strasburg-at-his-best good. I expected this post...It's true...I'm excited to see if he'll ever match '03 Prior in full season dominance. Prior 2003 is seriously underrated... I seriously don't know how freakin' Gagne won the CY over Prior/Schmidt that year... Don't get me wrong. Gagne was unreal that year and a closer can win a CY if there wasn't any SP who put up great #s, but both Prior/Schmidt put up great #s... Plus Prior was only 22 on top of that... *sigh* "What could've been...." I think wins (18) basically took Prior out of consideration back then. Didn't Wood finish with more votes than him?

Can I get a "small sample size" up in here?

I'm annoyed that the Cubs haven't signed good players to this point and want them to spend in coming seasons. And yet, I wouldn't sign Greinke.* *For the deal I expect he'll receive. +1 The guy they SHOULD be going after is one, Cole Hamels. I hear he's got some talent. I think he's capable of and ready to lead a staff. Greinke seems to be a favorite here. My guess has been because he's the one everyone's seen the most. He's a few years removed from being crazy, but does crazy just leave? Would he really want to come to one of the three actual cities in this country with all of his social anxiety problems? Doesn't seem to be the case.

So far, so good. 16th trip on the DL. Good example for the younger players. Sure hope this doesn't affect his bowling night. lolol holy [expletive]