vance_the_cubs_fan

Yeah, .369 is correct Yeah it was a typo. I'll fix it. dammit...I really should preview before posting. :x

According to Crasnick, Lawton is available. Lawton might be a decent acquisition. Here are the numbers: Batting Average 2005: 265 Career: 269 OBP 2005: 369 Career: 370 SLG: 2005: 430 Career: 421 OPS: 2005: 799 Career: 791 He's hitting right at his career numbers, so it is likely he'll continue to do so the remainder of the season. He brings a nice OBP and has some modest pop in his bat. We've fleeced the Pirates before; we could try it again. Lawton could be penciled into the lead-off spot and might help the line-up immensely.

I think the 40 or so points in OBP is significant enough to say, "yes" Kotsay is an improvement over Patterson. The question was not "is Kotsay an improvement over Patterson", the question was "is he that much of an upgrade over Patterson?" Depending on how you define that much, I don't think it's a stretch to say he's not that much of an improvement. Well, my contention has been that if we get Kotsay, we could trade Patterson to upgrade a corner outfield position. If Kotsay is the only acquisition...or if we use Corey as the chip to get him...then no, I don't think that is enough to warrant making the deal. On the other hand, if by acquiring Kotsay, he becomes the player to field CF until Pie is deemed ready and Patterson is used to get a quality upgrade for left, then I think it would be a wise move. I've always liked Patterson, but lately it's become more and more frustrating to watch him play.

If he gets on base.... With a 300 OBP, he's not going to get that many opportunities.

2005 Numbers: BA Patterson: 256 Kotsay: 276 OBP Patterson: 291 Kotsay: 336 OPS Patterson: 703 Kotsay: 735 Career Numbers BA Patterson: 261 Kotsay: 286 OBP Patterson: 301 Kotsay: 343 OPS Patterson: 730 Kotsay: 766 I think the 40 or so points in OBP is significant enough to say, "yes" Kotsay is an improvement over Patterson.

Right.... Kotsay has an OBP of .355 for 2002-05 (playing for the Marlins, Padres and now A's). Yes, the Cubs couldn't use that at the top of the order at all. On top of that he plays defence to die for. There isn't a CF I'd rather watch play defence that Kotsay. He glides around making everything look ridiculously easy. He's the most underrated CF in the game by a mile. He only 29. He earns $5.5m this year and $5.5m next year (player option). Salaries would increase to $6.5m each year if he were traded. If you gave me $6.5m a year and I could sign any CF in the game with that money, off the top of my head I can't think of a better choice than Kotsay. That said, I'm still opposed to trading for him, because he'd be expensive in terms of prospects, as raw says. And I'm a Corey apologist. Let's see, what has his EqA been over the last 3 years, about .275? 2000: .268 2001: .288 2002: .289 2003: .266 2004: .287 2005: .265 You've got two figures that keep recurring there. About .266 and about .288. Strange. .288 is very strong. .266 isn't, it's merely okay. I believe Kotsay at .266 is a .288 player disappointing though, as opposed to a .266 player playing over his head. There's a difference. I wouldnt' say he's off to a poor start. Merely an okay one. I can't dispute either of your other two points. But if you read what I've said more closely, I'm not particularly in favor of acquiring Kotsay, despite being a big fan of his. But also because any player capable of repeatedly putting up .288 EqAs while playing excellent defence at a very important defensive position is worth having. That defence being a pretty enormous difference. Hairston also has significantly less power. There's simply not a comparison between the two as all-round players, regardless of the fact their OBPs are likely to be similar. Also, more of Kotsay's OBP is driven by hits as opposed to hit by pitches, which makes a difference with runners on, for what that's worth. Yes, but he's not a corner OF, which solves that "problem". If a team acquires Kotsay and puts him in one of the corners, they're certifiably crazy. My assumption would be that if the Cubs acquire Kotsay, he'll play CF. His numbers so far...even this season....are better than Corey's. My guess is if we get Kotsay, Corey is on his way out of town. That's purely speculation, but it is the assumption I'd make.

At this point, I think Corey's value is as a centerfielder. If he shifts somewhere else, he has even less value.

That story came out before ST. AJ is a prick, no doubt about it....but that is old news.

Lee continues to stay hot. It could happen.

I'd say perfect game.

I think Lee will finish with an average above .350, but I just don't think in this era a hitter will hit .400. I'd love to see him do it, I just don't forsee it happening.

I agree. If the Cubs deal for Kotsay, I can see him being viewed as a stop gap in center until Pie is ready. Corey could be used as the chip to bring in the power corner outfield bat.

While driving home from picking up Addison, they were discussing the Yankees getting Kotsay on the Show with Kennedy and Dibble. They mentioned Eric Duncan and Matt DeSalvo as the players the Yankees would use to get him. I think we could easily top that offer. If we trade for Kotsay, it would provide a lead-off hitter than can play centerfield. It would open up the possibility of using Patterson as a chip to acquire a bat for left. As I was driving home, I was hoping Hendry would at least get involved in the Kotsay talks.

Not a bad outing for Kerry. One more and hopefully he'll be ready to join the team.

Here I am with the #6 all-time homerun hitter. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/meandsammy.jpg I'm sure you're green with envy, aren't you Roast?

I hope the Cubs stay in Wrigley as long as it is structurally feasible to do so. I have no idea how long that is, but considering the improvements like the new parking garage and the bleacher addition, I doubt there are any plans for a "new" Wrigley anytime soon.

Sure, I'll take a run at it this year.

I think both players will get in eventually. I doubt either are first ballot guys. If Biggio holds on long enough to get 3000 hits, he'll be a lock. A few years ago, I would have said that Bagwell was the lock and Biggio was a bubble candidate. Biggio, however, has aged a little better than Bagwell and looks to have a greater chance. In no way do I mean this as an accusation, but I think Bagwell could be hurt by possible steroid allegations. He played during that era and the breakdown with his body coinsides with the beginning of testing.

An alliance with Red Sox fans would do the trick. They have a large and dedicated fan base. I can't fathom forming an alliance with White Sox or Yankee fans.

Everyone...vote your maximum. We can do it! Vote or die!

Agreed. We need an alliance with an American League team's fan base. I suggest someone who's registered at SOSH go there and make an offering.

Wow...you must have been really proud of that post. :P

That's how I am as well. Last year, I went to Astros-Reds, Braves-Marlins, and Astros-Expos games because I could. I'll go to a Red Sox-Twins this year and also went to a Rangers-Indians. (Even though I'd say the Rangers are my second favorite team.) When I'm visiting the in-laws I'm going to a Cards-Brewers game this year. I just hope Sheets is pitching that game.

Is it even really necessary to register the email address? I mean, can't you just type in any random email address and vote? It's not like they send you a confirmation email or anything. Whenever I have to put in an email address for something and I don't have to confirm anything, I just usually use no@shutup.com or something like that. Have they released an updated vote count since June 1st? I don't know. Last year they sent confirmations. It doesn't take me long to register a few new ones and then go vote. BTW...total votes for today --> 200

Ok, 100 more for today. I could use some help, everyone!