Bull

I'm also optimistic about the Ricketts ownership group. However, I have to say that the handcuffing was more Hendry's doing than the ownership. He was given sufficient resources - he just spent himself into a corner. Agreed. I'd say 80/20 it was Hendry's fault. Hopefully we're moving forward now. And hopefully the farm is going to start producing position players, thus expanding the window. But, then, you and I have been hoping that together for almost a decade now. (Which stud to keep: Kelton or Hinske? -- remember that discussion?) I really am optimistic that this time is different! Hope springs eternal.

thanks Tim, and my final word on the topic is in that thread. For the record no one has suggested any such protest, it was purely theoretical. Back on topic, I am optimistic that the team is in good hands. I am thankful that the process is over and there's a sense of moving forward with things like expanding the front office. Regardless of who the owner is (corporation or family) it is unfortunate that the transition happened in the middle of the Cubs' window of opportunity, essentially handcuffing the front office for two years.

Right along such great baseball names as Ty Griffin and Tyler Houston.

link!

I did almost as bad. I forgot the legendary Todd Walker. I guess I had him and Derosa crossed. They're basically the same guy, right?

How would strikeouts affect UZR? More strikeouts = less opportunity to make outs in the field. Outs/9 innings is the basis of UZR. Maybe? I'm not pretending to be an expert, just throwing it out there.

And 25th in UZR. No kidding? Ouch. I wonder what on earth could cause that large of a disconnect. That defensive metrics are for [expletive] might have something to do with it. wouldn't the high number strikeouts by Cubs pitchers account for much of that discrepancy? ie fewer balls in play doesn't affect efficiency, but does affect UZR.

We've made the playoffs 3 times, with 2 near misses. They have the best player on the planet, a better coaching staff, and a better front office. Pretty easy to see why they have had more success. That's what I mean. We've seen all this FO has to show us. Unless Ricketts turns out to be another Wilpon, it's imperative he gets better baseball people. I didn't say I was ecstatic, I said "remember when we were?" This team doesn't suck as bad as many suggest. No, but it's not as good as others suggest, either. The next 2-3 years are critical with most of our key players in their primes right now. You gotta do something with Lee, Ramirez, Z, etc now or you never will. true. This was an off year. I believe the Cubs have positioned themselves to, with an average offseason, be favorites to win the division next year and several years into the future. I think the window was widest this year, with everyone favoring the Cubs entering the year. With the foundation you mention and inevitable rebound of Soriano and Soto (can they get worse?) in addition to the good core of young pitchers, there's no reason they won't contend for the next few years. As I said before, the window was the widest entering this year. Unfortunately the list is long of things that went wrong. the problem with the window being widest is that it can only get smaller from here. Time to reinvent. I stand by my original statement that this was a good team and that 2009 will be remembered as another year that could have been in a string of quality teams.

We've made the playoffs 3 times, with 2 near misses. They have the best player on the planet, a better coaching staff, and a better front office. Pretty easy to see why they have had more success. That's what I mean. We've seen all this FO has to show us. Unless Ricketts turns out to be another Wilpon, it's imperative he gets better baseball people. I didn't say I was ecstatic, I said "remember when we were?" This team doesn't suck as bad as many suggest.

For all the griping and complaining, this was very nearly a playoff team. In spite of the injuries, the drama, the disappointments, this will go down as a very decent, above .500, 2nd place team. The standard has been raised, and I'm genuinely disappointed with this team, but does anyone remember when we would have been ecstatic about three straight winning seasons?

they asked for it.....

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/ps_odds.php

I kind of feel compelled to chime in on this thread (if you don't know why, don't worry about it), though I have nothing particularly compelling to add. I see this year as a necessary phase in the development of Soto. He rose so suddenly out of non-prospect status, that there was bound to be some recoil as the league figured him out. I really believe he'll rebound next year to be an above average (but not elite) offensive catcher. It is still possible that he is Jerome Williams, Rick Wilkins (whose career OPS+ was 100 BTW). I just don't believe this is all about conditioning. also: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sotos/sotos.htm

Because he's a poor manager? "What are you talking about?!? He won us back to back division titles and won 97 games last season!" Seriously, Lou has gotten progressively worse since he's gotten here, and has been flat out BRUTAL this season. I'm not even saying he should or will be fired, but come on. There's a very good reason a lot of people want him gone. Stop looking at win/loss records to determine how good a manager is. Look at the moves he makes and what he does. If you do that, it's easy to see that he's been pretty awful. If Lou is terrible and should have won more games with the team he has, then Hendry must have put together a 100 win team. You can't hate Hendry AND Lou AND acknowledge that there have been a ridiculous number of injuries/under-performances. Lou is a great manager despite his flaws.

Just checking in. 23 LOB? Really!?!

Clearly Lou is just pissed that Zambrano hung them out to dry after refusing treatment before his last start. This is a "you won't do me like that again" DLing.

I hate to admit it, but there's a reason teams pay so much for closers -- consistency. While I think the save is an overrated stat and I think you should use your best reliever in the toughest situation, a shut-the-door closer is worth the paycheck.

this isnt a serious question is it? not really, i mean i know he's not owed anything. but he's only making the minimum, so you think one of the 8 figure guys or the organization could throw him a little extra. I give Hill credit and respect him for being out there every single day, but his production is barely worthy of the league minimum salary and I'm sure he is happy to be making that. so your saying that a player making league minimum should be given compensation for getting playing time? Ryan Theriots making near minumum. Randy Wells too. Not that I agree, but catching everyday is a different animal. That said, Hill is fortunate he's playing.

We'll go no worse than 17-9. I would consider 16-10 a success. A split with Houston and LA and 2-out-of-3 in 4 of the other 6 series puts them at 14-12. I think you have to consider anything better than that a success. Above .500 against a cumulative .500 opponent is above average. 16-10 is better than .600. That's darn good.

I don't think Baker is the second coming of Sandberg, but Baker has been injured most of the season and is just coming back. Let's give him a few more ABs before saying he's worthless. he didn't. He said he was better than freel.

he throws like a girl well there's two reasons for impeachment. Add in the fact that he's a Sox fan and we've got a legit case. And that's without mentioning the whole communism thing.

I just saw Eric Patterson go 1 for 4 with a double against the Fresno Grizzlies this weekend, so I doubt he'll get the chance to take Vazquez yard again. Hendry could always pull off a last second Miles for EPatt trade and get EPatt to Chicago on the first flight. But then who do you send down??...oops sorry, wrong thread.

The point is that every team would have the opportunity to keep him in the majors before he could be traded and sent to the minors. The whole point of the Rule 5 draft.

I post this in just about every cpat thread, but he WAS GOOD. Before his knee blew up he was good. I don't see him as a failed "five tool" prospect as much as the victim of a career ending (altering?) injury.

again?