Cubs Trade Aaron Heilman To Diamondbacks
by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2009 3:45 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs News
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PrintWith all apologies due to BCB reader brian custer, a close friend of Aaron Heilman, he'll have to head to Phoenix to see his buddy pitch in 2010 -- the Cubs sent Heilman to the Diamondbacks today for two minor leaguers.
Personally, I'm happy about this -- Heilman did pitch a little better in September, which probably increased his trade value. This means it was a good thing that Jim Hendry didn't let him go for just the waiver price in August; at least a couple of minor leaguers will return. This also gives Esmailin Caridad and Justin Berg a better shot at making the 2010 bullpen; I like both those guys.
Details from the press release, after the jump.
The Chicago Cubs today acquired left-handed pitcher Scott Maine and first baseman Ryne White from the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher Aaron Heilman. White is a native of Chicago and is a 2005 graduate of St. Rita of Cascia High School.
Maine, 24, combined to go 4-5 with seven saves and a 2.90 ERA (20 ER/62.0 IP) in 48 relief appearances between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno in 2009, reaching Triple-A in only his third professional season. The southpaw struck out 61 batters and issued 22 walks in 62.0 innings pitched between the stops, an average of nearly one strikeout per inning and 3.2 walks per nine innings. He allowed only two home runs in 62.0 innings pitched. Maine last month also made a pair of appearances for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League, allowing three runs in 1.2 innings.
Drafted by the Diamondbacks in the sixth round of the 2007 Draft, Maine is 8-7 with 13 saves and a 3.29 ERA (44 ER/120.1 IP) in 88 relief appearances covering three professional seasons. The six-foot-three, 195-pounder pitched for three seasons at the University of Miami before joining the Diamondbacks organization.
White, 23, batted .266 (111-for-418) with 18 doubles, six home runs, 52 RBI, 65 walks and a .371 on-base percentage in 116 games for Single-A Visalia last season. He was especially strong against right-handed pitching, batting .298 (78-for-262) with a .405 on-base percentage compared to a .212 (33-for-156) mark and a .313 on-base percentage vs. left-handed pitching. He is a career .275 hitter (194-for-705) with 13 home runs, 103 RBI and a .366 on-base percentage in 186 professional games the last two seasons.
After graduating from St. Rita of Cascia, White attended Purdue University and was a 2007 Big Ten Conference All-Star after batting .452 (90-for-199) with a .521 on-base percentage in 53 games for the Boilermakers. The five-foot-11, 205-pounder was selected by the Diamondbacks in the fourth round of the 2008 Draft.
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I am so sad I think I will have an extra ice cold beer tonight! Bravo!
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
I know there is an extra "e"
but maybe you’d like to make it a Heileman’s Old Style.
"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Ryne White was born in 1986
so do you suppose his name might have been inspired by a certain Cub star from the ’80s?
A native Chicagoan born in 1986?
I’m guessing yes.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You know, Ryne Sandberg himself was named after a baseball player.
His parents were huge baseball fans. Ryne was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, whose real given name was “Rinold”.
Ryno had a brother named Del, who was named after 1950’s Phillies outfielder Del Ennis.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Interesting question
Assuming that Ryne White is indeed named after Sandberg…
Has there ever been a player before playing for a manager after whom he is named?
Could happen
Eamus Ursuli!
No, but..
… Dale Berra once played for his father (1985 Yankees).
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Alou's
Moises did the same.
I was going to specify that there not be a familial relationship.
Eamus Ursuli!
and neither of those two played for
a manager for whom they were named
by doofus cubs guy on Nov 19, 2009 6:08 PM CST up reply actions
i believe Cal Ripken played for Cal Ripken Sr. in Bal (and so did his bro)
Bob Brenly on Leo Nunez "Dan Uggla just saved Nunez’ life because Koyie would break him into a million pieces"
The thing that hurts your odds
is that most ML managers were crappy players — not the kind of guys that parents would name their kids after.
Your odds will improve if Derek Jeter decides he wants to manage someday.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Joe Torre would like to have a word with you.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
There was this Yankee I used to cheer for...
Foo Rinella, or somesuch…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Nov 19, 2009 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
I was thinking of
Bobby Cox, Manny Acta, Jerry Manuel, Freddi Gonzalez, Jim Leyland, Don Wakamatsu, Bruce Bochy, Ron Washington, Terry Francona, Brad Mills, A.J. Hinch, Bob Geren, Jim Tracy, Joe Maddon, Cito Gaston, Dave Tremblay, Jim Riggleman, Charlie Manuel, Trey Hillman, Ron Gardenhire, Tony LaRussa, John Russell, and Ken Macha.
They have Lou, Mike Scioscia, Joe Torre, Bud Black, Joe Girardi, Ozzie Guillen, and Dusty Baker seriously outnumbered.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Great picture choice.
So long, Fully K – or as I came to call him, “The Nervous Accountant.”
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
For what we got out of him?
I’d say we got a pretty good deal. The young lefty has pretty good K rates.
TW...S...S?
Yes? No? Stretching?
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Nov 19, 2009 4:27 PM CST up reply actions
No that was a good one
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
please don't stretch
the bag of balls
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions
and necessary
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions
But only with the correct ointment
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Waiting?
Are you on Twitter? Check out the BCB and Cubs Twitter Community! Post your Twitter name and start tweeting with us!
Brought a smile to my face, thanks :)
The brain, the goat….
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
As a native of Logansport, I'm sad to see Heilman go.
As a Cubs fan, I’m kinda happy.
Harry Caray: Marshall is going back to LA to get cocaine for his injured foot.
Steve Stone: Harry, that’s Novocaine.
by Julio Zuleta's Voodoo on Nov 19, 2009 3:51 PM CST reply actions
How much $ does this free up?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2009 3:52 PM CST reply actions
Heilman made $1.6 million in 2009.
So probably about that much, or a little more.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So perhaps this takes a little of the edge off the Grabow deal?
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
I'd think so, because...
… Heilman is likely to be replaced by Berg or Caridad (or someone else from the system) who’s making minimum wage.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
we could've just done let grabow walk
kept heilman and done the same thing for 2.5 million less
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions
What?
Heilman isn’t a lefty, and he’s not as good as Grabow.
Exactly.
I think DartmouthCubsFan has it backwards — we are saving the $1.6 million on Heilman, thus the net cost of having Grabow and (insert minimum wage guy’s name here) is about $2.5 million, for two relievers. Not too bad, and Maine looks like he might have a shot at making the major league team in a year or so.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
i dont have it backwards
we could have saved 2.5 million by keeping heilman at 1.6 million and not signing grabow at 3.75 and inserting a minimum wage guy
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:07 PM CST up reply actions
sorry 2.15
not 2.5… a little quick on the trigger today
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions
OK, but the team would have been worse off that way.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
HOW?
grabow is not better than heilman…
i’m confused why people think Grabow is good and Heilman = bad
they’re the same pitcher, just one is LH and doesn’t dominate lefties to any degree that it really matters
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:16 PM CST up reply actions
BECAUSE THEY DO NOT DO THE SAME THING
You can put up whatever stats you want but Grabow is used as a LOOGY and Heilman is NOT. It is like having a catcher and 1B who have similar stats, well a catcher hitting 260 with not a lot of power is OK but not a 1B. If you let go of Grabow and keep Heilman YOU STILL NEED A LOOGY.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2009 4:34 PM CST up reply actions
he was signed as a setup man.....
which would indicate…he’s not a LOOGY
in addition he’s not particularly spectacular against LH hitters… which again would suggest he’s not a LOOGY
career OPS vs. LH batters .707
Heilman career OPS vs. LH batters .751
there’s very little difference
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:35 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure how loosely LOOGY is defined ...
but I think Grabow will be used as the setup man for Marmol when the matches for an inning favor bringing in a lefty. I don’t think he’ll be used that often to get one guy out.
yeah loogy
stands for lefty one out guy so based on that name i would agree he’s not a loogy and he surely wasn’t paid as a loogy. he was paid as a premier setup man
something i’ve been trying to get across to jessica
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 20, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions
44 points of OPS is a pretty good difference
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
FWIW
LOOGY always makes me think of the stuff that comes up when we have a cold…
Cubs Supreme in Baseball World.
I think this is why baseball fans love the term so much.
Y’know, all the spitting and whatnot…
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
he's better than grabow
what are you talking about?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/heilmaa01.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grabojo02.shtml
heilman – 7.9 k/9, 3.8 bb/9, 0.9 hr/9
grabow – 7.9 k/9, 4.1 bb/9, 1.0 hr/9
heilman’s better than Grabow
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:06 PM CST up reply actions
and against lefties Grabow
has a slight advantage
career .707 OPS against lefties
heilman is a career .751 OPS against lefties
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
well ...
you’re citing career numbers. Last season, Grabow gave up half as many home runs per nine innings, fewer hits AND had a 1.24 WHIP compared with Heilman’s 1.41 WHIP.
I’m not saying Grabow should be getting $7.5 million. But he is a better pitcher than Aaron Heilman. He certainly was last year.
And — he’s left handed!
he had a 1.24 WHIP
because of a .274 BABIP against, his BB/9 was the same as its always been and his strikeouts actually dropped
he wasn’t better, he was LUCKIER
big big difference
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions
the hits...
have to do with the BABIP….
the HR’s are luck induced as well as his HR/FB went from a career rate consistently around 12% to 7.8% last year with the Pirates and 3.7% with the Cubs
all luck induced
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
Bob Howry must have been unluckiest guy in the history of baseball.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2009 4:35 PM CST up reply actions
howry's
HR/FB as a Cub was consistently around 12-13% which is league average
he gave up more HR’s because he gave up more fly-balls
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:37 PM CST up reply actions
Howry was quite good in 2006-07
I think DS (and many of us) remember ugly Howry of 2008.
i'm quoting 2008 numbers
12.3% HR/FB for Howry
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions
oh ...
Howry was league-average in HRs given up that season?? That’s amazing.
Nah, he was league-average in HR/FB
That is, the percentage of fly balls he gave up that went for homers was average. Because he gave up far more fly balls than average, he gave up far more homers than average.
Interestingly, Howry has always been a fly-ball pitcher, but most years he’s given up about an average number of home runs (that is, his HR/FB was very good); perhaps batters weren’t able to catch up to his fastball and hit more lazy flies (I seem to notice this a lot in hard-throwing relievers). In 2007 he threw over 90% fastballs, and in 2008 he threw just 75% fastballs (threw a lot more sliders) and lost 2MPH of velocity. The drop in velocity probably made his fastball a bit more hittable. That combined with a little bad luck (relievers are quite prone to swings of bad luck) and, voila, lots of HRs.
Ballhawk still misses him
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2009 10:37 PM CST up reply actions
yep...
One of my many projects when I retire for good will be a thorough boxscore, play-by-play, pitch track analysis of all the homers I’ve caught, thanks to baseball-reference, hit tracker, and any other cool sites I can come up with.
But until then, I’ll just have to go off of anecdotal recollections, and IIRC, Howry served them up pretty good. As did Rusch, Trachsel, and some scrawny right handed kid from Las Vegas…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
So Heilman is just unlucky?
I’d love to see his numbers minus-September. I’d bet they look a LOT like his stats in 2008 (which were ugly).
Anyway, I’m not saying the Cubs should be paying Grablow so much. But you’re just not going to convince me that he’s worse than Aaron Heilman.
no...
heilman has the same luck as every pitcher in the big leagues
GRABOW WAS LUCKY
they both have the same skill set, which is to say they both generally are LEAGUE AVERAGE PITCHERS
Grabow just looks shinier in WHIP and ERA because his luck inflated those numbers
look at the rest of his career
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grabojo02.shtml
ERA consistently in the mid 4’s, WHIP consistently in the 1.4’s
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions
ERA consistently in the mid 4s?
His ERA in 2008 was 2.84! His ERA in 2006 was 4.13 — which isn’t great, but not in the mid 4s.
So, in three of the past four years, his ERA was NOT in the mid 4s.
A little help w/ babip, if you would
one aspect of that stat I’ve never understood. Some pitcher as said to be harder for hitters to “square up”, some tend to break a lot more bats, some are more extreme ground ball pitchers. Can’t some factors directly attributable to the pitchers skillset have an effect on babip and not just be luck?
Grabow, for instance walks more than his share of hitters. Couldn’t that simply be that he’s giving hitters fewer fat pitches?
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
Pitchers can control BABIP to some extent...
particularly in their allowed ground ball/fly ball ratios.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 9:51 PM CST up reply actions
Check out Heilman's RISP
Pretty brutal, I would say. I’m not saying Grabow is great, but Heilman is garbage. I’m from the New York area and I don’t have MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings, so I get the "privelage to watch a lot of Mets games, or watch no games at all. Sadly, I watch those schmucks because I am a baseball fan. Watching Heilman pitch there was exactly like watching him pitch for the Cubs: it’s scarier than Psycho, and I’m not even a Mets fan in the slightest. When they traded for him, I knew exactly what we were getting, and its exactly what we got. Good riddance, Aaron.
by Mulhollandmania on Nov 20, 2009 3:04 AM CST up reply actions
OK, but why is my memory that
every time something was really on the line, a call for Heilman was a call to lose. Garbage time, he was untouchable. Close games, put your crash helmet on.
That's exactly what I remember
When you’re up or down 10 runs, it doesn’t matter that you can strike out the side
I won’t miss him
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
not signing either
is better than signing heilman and not signing grabow
"hey
by jesus christos on Nov 19, 2009 4:05 PM CST up reply actions
Grabow's OK, Heilman was scary
plus Grabow is the coveted lefty. Alway good for a July deal even if he is struggling.
i just heard about this
i guess i am not really that surprised. heilman probably won’t be all that successful until some team lets him start.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions 7 recs
I think the D-Backs will give him that chance
They have two open slots I think after Webb, Haren, and former Mizzou star Max Scherzer.
Still Miles away from being Aaron free.
how exactly has he "earned it"
I get that lots of people think being bad at your job entitles you to a promotion, but that’s simply not the case.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Nov 20, 2009 8:36 AM CST up reply actions
Regarding Heilman becoming a starter, it appears doubtful.
This came across my Twitterwire yesterday from D’Backs beat guy Steve Gilberts:
Sounds like #d-backs to use newly-acquired Aaron Heilman in relief. “Has stuff to get both LH’s and RH’s out,” GM Josh Byrnes said.
Here’s Gilbert’s blog post on the deal, which he describes as a “low-risk move.”
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
Josh Byrnes is deluding himself.
Has he ever seen Heilman actually pitch?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ya gotta wonder.
Heilman’s career splits vs. LHs aren’t great – .751 OPS. In all fairness, though, I thought Heilman’s stuff alone actually looked pretty good. He just can’t seem to adequately control it anymore. And I really wonder about his confidence level – he always looked like a nervous wreck on the mound.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
If we get to face him....
that would go a long way towards helping us win more games in Arizona.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Nov 19, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
d'backs have a minor league team (AA)
in south bend. if things don’t go well, aaron could be right back where he started
by brian custer on Nov 19, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions
That's not Double-A, that's low-A (Midwest League).
The only way Heilman gets there is on a rehab assignment.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
oh, ok
aaron would really have to bomb to go that low, i guess
by brian custer on Nov 19, 2009 4:07 PM CST up reply actions
which is certainly a possibility
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Nov 20, 2009 8:36 AM CST up reply actions
Go Silverhawks!!
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Nov 19, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions
hello darkness
my old friend. aaron had just told the local newspaper in logansport how much he liked pitchingt for the cubs. his family is firmly ensconced in the chicago ’burbs now
by brian custer on Nov 19, 2009 5:12 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, well.
He can still live here in the offseason if he wants.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
he probably will
and still, in his heart, root for the cubs. as a boy, aaron was a huge cubs’ fan. i wish this heilman – cubs story had a better ending. a non-descript trade before the winter meetings. that’s baseball, i guess..
by brian custer on Nov 19, 2009 5:16 PM CST up reply actions
so...
we had two relievers almost the same in terms of production: Grabow and Heilman
one of them we just gave 7.5 million dollars over 2 years, forfeiting the chance at a potential draft pick and potentially letting him walk for free
the other we traded for two non-prospects
so from a net perspective we have cost ourselves 2.15 million this year (3.75-1.6) and the difference between a top 3 rd pick and the prospects received in return
terrific.
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 3:59 PM CST reply actions
Yes but only one of them is left handed.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions
Left-handed doesn't mean much in this situation
Grabow was signed to be the primary setup guy. Left or right – doesn’t matter. He’s the primary set up guy. That trumps what arm he throws with.
If you’re going to bring LH into the discussion, then you’re back into a LOOGY situation and based on what’s been said so far, Grabow was not signed to be a LOOGY.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Well Lou sure seems to use him like one
To be fair he does usually get more than one batter but he usually comes in to face a lefty.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure I buy that Grabow will be the primary setup guy;
it smells like the report that Aaron Miles would be in the mix to be a starting 2B, and possible top of the order bat.
Is he traded yet?
using "smells" and "Aaron Miles" in the same sentence...
life is back to normal
"Truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts." - Leslie Nielson
Aaron Miles is our setup guy now
Nooooooo!
:)
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Being left-handed does have its advantages...
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
apparently a left arm
is worth 2.5 million dollars
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
I'm left-handed.
Where do I sign?
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
You mean you didn't call up Lou last year when he was looking for lefthanders?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You know what my opinion of Lou is...
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
It really does.
I think teams – rationally or otherwise – believe they simply must have at least a couple/few lefty arms in the pen.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
Look, I'll get the shovel and bury the horse, if you'll just quit beating it.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
Quit lying to me...
Jim Hendry…
…traded a Notre Dame alum…
…away from the Cubs??
That’s impossible.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
If you believe that, then...
… as Vin Scully once said, “The impossible has happened!”
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Next, you're going to tell me that
Jake Fox will be our gold-glove 2B in 2010…
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
LMAO!!!!!!
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
and he got a guy who went to PURDUE !
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
Nice to have a Boilermaker on board!
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Nov 19, 2009 5:23 PM CST up reply actions
yuck
Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.
brilliant
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Nov 19, 2009 6:14 PM CST up reply actions
Booooo
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Nice looking jersey
*snicker
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Looks pretty ordinary to me....
..care to expand?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Nov 21, 2009 9:27 AM CST up reply actions
we still got
samardzija. i would think the shark is untouchable…
by brian custer on Nov 19, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
His NTC says you think correctly.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Nov 19, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
Let's sign Tim Brown and Lou Holtz to some positions.
Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.
don't give our moronic GM any ideas
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Nov 20, 2009 8:37 AM CST up reply actions
So that's how you learned English... :-)
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Si es muy bueno ahora...
Mi español no tan mucho…
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
اسمي كرس انا يتكلم العربية
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
This is the 2nd result on a Google search of
اسمي كرس انا يتكلم العربية
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 19, 2009 10:43 PM CST up reply actions
Auch fremdsprachigen Meldungen Posten wollen...
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Nov 20, 2009 1:54 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
我喜欢这些岗位
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 20, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions
Google sez...
اسمي كرس انا يتكلم العربية (Arabic >> English)
I devoted my name speaks Arabic
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Nov 20, 2009 2:08 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
haha
The devoted is كرس but that’s how I have figured out to spell my name in Arabic, KRS basically. Little lost in translation, but it should read, “my name is Chris I speak Arabic,” which isn’t entirely true, I am in the process of learning the language. So I may have speaks instead of speak.
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
maybe Jimbo can trade the LSU double-play combo to a team
in need of a marketing gimmick.
"Truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts." - Leslie Nielson
If he's going to Clinton,
wouldn’t it just be easier to give him a car and a map?
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
So long, you freakin' Gas Can!
Visit FanIQ.com for sports news, bloggings, polls, and more!
Is it safe to say one Aaron down and one to go?
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Here's hoping.
So what becomes of the “No Aarons Club”?
by Jody Jody Davis on Nov 19, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
And not to forget, not all Aarons are bad Aarons
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Aaron Pryor is on line 2...
No, wait – he just hung up and he’s coming for you!
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Nice!
Putting $5M into Heilman and Grabow was a bad idea. This is much more palatable.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:20 PM CST reply actions
less worse
is a great way to describe this day
putting 3.75 million into grabow wasn’t a good start
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not too worried about the Grabow deal.
It’s not great, but this team was desperate for bullpen help. I’m just glad they didn’t massively overspend on it.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions
its locking in a loss
Grabow’s never been worth 3.75 million, not sure why he would be now
if you have a limited budget why spend a decent amount on it on a net loss in value? That seems asinine
we’re STILL desperate for bullpen help after the Grabow signing because frankly… he’s not that good
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions
He's not that bad either.
He’s consistently posted 0.5-1 WAR over his career. The Cubs are paying him on that level. I don’t like tying up the resources in the bullpen, but given the uncertainty at the position I can make an exception in this case.
Oh, and if you’re looking at pitching values, Stat Corner is better than fangraphs for the moment. They use tRA (which is slightly better than FIP), and they mark park adjustments.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:46 PM CST up reply actions
i'm looking squarely at peripherals
K/9, BB/9, HR/9, HR/FB
all largely suggest he’s a mediocre option that we just paid a premium for
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
Why not look at tRA,
which combines those peripherals… and includes park factors?
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:50 PM CST up reply actions
ok
i will
and they’ll lead me to the same exact conclusions which you just confirmed below
we paid a premium on a mediocre option
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:51 PM CST up reply actions
I'd quibble with the word "premium"
I think we mostly agree here. I’m just a little less upset about it. It’s not really that much money, and it’s better spent there than on someone like Aaron Miles.
Oh, wait…
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 5:02 PM CST up reply actions
The stat guys
need to pull out situational stats. Seems to me Aaron was fine coming in at the start of an inning, but not so good coming in with some runners on.
We were pulling out hair out by mid-season last year here on this board over that problem.
He could no be trusted to hold runners, that’s bad for a reliever.
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Nov 19, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions
Here are his numbers
From statcorner (http://statcorner.com/pitcherRP.php?id=346848&team=CHN&year=2009&leag=N_L)
WAR by year: -0.3, 0.9, 0.3, 1.6, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.5.
That averages out to .6 WAR/year. If you expect the FA market value for wins to be set at ~$5M/win and you just use the WAR/year for your WIN estimate, then he should be worth $3M/year. That’s about what he’ll get paid.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:49 PM CST up reply actions
that's the FA market
the FA market is inherently assuming a premium on top of being able to develop it
we likely have internal options from all the AAA pen guys that can replicate that production or at least 80% of it, for a small fraction of the cost and then allocate these resources somewhere where we have a chance at getting even value
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
I agree with everything you wrote there...
and I generally don’t support the team spending money on middle relievers, unless they’re top-flight guys (Grabow isn’t). That said, Hendry isn’t overpaying on Grabow’s market value. Given the uncertainty in the position and the pressure to at least keep his currently useful arms in place (if not add to them), he could have done much worse.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:54 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
where does grabow's signing
leave marshall?
by brian custer on Nov 19, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions
The more interesting question is...
what happens to Marshall with Gaub and Maine waiting in the wings in AAA?
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
Marshall could be prime trade bait.
Maybe he could be included in a Bradley deal somewhere — that might make such a deal quite attractive, to get a lefthander who could move right into someone’s rotation.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
He gives them more time to develope
Not sure Gaub is ready for prime time and I sure don’t know enough about Maine. Marshall is always trade bait but worth keeping unless part of large deal.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2009 5:12 PM CST up reply actions
that's a light judgment scale
when we’re applauding “could’ve done worse”
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:56 PM CST up reply actions
No doubt.
I’ll admit I’m setting the bar pretty low.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
Oh boy.
I have officially relinquished the Aaron Heilman Sucks Fanclub presidency and dumped on some poor sap from Phoenix. I feel so relieved—pun intended.
im going to miss our club meetings consisting of pancakes and fruit punch...
"hey
by jesus christos on Nov 19, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
I hope we don't have to form another club.
I really do. I want to be all peaches and sunshine for the new season.
¡Muchas felicidades!
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Have you posted the opening on the Diamondbacks SBN site?
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Bill Potter on Nov 20, 2009 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
You know what makes me sad?
Felix Pie —> Gregg Olsen -→ Aaron Heilman —→ 2 C-level prospects.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:42 PM CST reply actions
You know what makes me more sad?
The above + the Cubs need for a CF’er.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:43 PM CST up reply actions
i've been on that bandwagon for over a year
no forward thinking in this organization
drives me nuts
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:53 PM CST up reply actions
maybe we can
cut a deal with Baltimore?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Nov 19, 2009 4:53 PM CST up reply actions
Yep, historically speaking, this is the bitter bottom line.
(Uh, if a bottom line could, in fact, be bitter.)
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
That was actually Garrett Olson.
And Ronny Cedeno was included in that deal.
Still not a very good take.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
OK, how about
Cedeño —> Miles
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
LOL...
clearly, it’s football season. :-)
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 9:53 PM CST up reply actions
dartmouthcubsfan
did your wife sleep with grabow or something?
"hey
by jesus christos on Nov 19, 2009 4:45 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
ummm...
no, i’m just tired of a baseball team that was supposed to be changing its mantra with new ownership making the SAME mistakes
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:46 PM CST up reply actions
Instead of bitching about it non-stop, DCF,
why not say what you would have done instead?
(Nice post, jc.)
by Not Bruce Froemming on Nov 19, 2009 4:48 PM CST up reply actions
i think i did say it
i would’ve offered arb and let grabow walk, scoop the pick or pay him the 1 year arb value
i would’ve then used caridad and other younger candidates to fill the bullpen roles and save the money to dedicate elsewhere where marginal dollar value can be found
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:49 PM CST up reply actions
You have a lot of faith in Caridad, etc.
Not saying it’s totally misplaced, but you know as well as I do bullpens are the must fungible part of your team. I’m not sure I want a bullpen full of nothing but young guys who don’t have much of a track record.
Of all the things the Cubs could/couldn’t do this offseason, I’m not sure signing Grabow is worth this much angst.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Nov 19, 2009 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly.
It does, I think, tell us one other thing — that Hendry is no longer attached to players who were once his pet acquisitions. He had been after Heilman for quite some time — at least he admitted he had made a mistake and got rid of him.
Let’s hope Miles and Bradley are next.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Were you all...
discussing the Miles+Bradley = Milwood rumors elsewhere today?
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
Not the most reputable source...
http://cubsrumorsandnews.blogspot.com/
- First reported by David Kaplan that the Cubs and Rangers are in serious talks for Bradley. Bruce Levine also chimed in yesterday saying if the Cubs sent Bradley to the Rangers it would be for Kevin Millwood. Now I am hearing from my sources that a Bradley for Millwood (maybe including Aaron Miles) swap is in the final stages and they are just finalizing the money situation in which Millwood is still owed his signing bonus. I am also hearing that the Cubs may in fact pay Millwood’s entire contract including the signing bonus if they can include Aaron Miles in the same deal which would offset the money some.
My source also stats that the deal could be done as soon as Tomorrow because the Cubs and Rangers both want to complete a deal before free agency starts on Friday. I will keep you updated on this as new info comes across.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 5:00 PM CST up reply actions
Well, I hope this turns out to be true.
It’s along the lines of what I suggested last week.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Indeed.
I’m not that high on Millwood. But again, that would be a “they could do much worse” situation.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
Yup,
5th starter and innings eater. He’s not awful. League-average. And for your 5th SP in the NL, that’s not bad at all.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions
also ...
Milwood has played on some good teams over the years — just like Marquis. Kinda weird.
Although..
… Millwood has not pitched in the postseason since 2002, with Atlanta.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Oh, never mind
He was with the Indians in 2005.
Nope.
He was on the Indians one year only, 2005.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's the year he won the ERA title
with a losing record. Very strange.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Nov 19, 2009 5:25 PM CST up reply actions
Not so strange.
He had the fourth-lowest run support of any AL starter in 2005.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Agreed.
a Fifth starter who’d likely win about 12 games here and eat around 200 innings? That’s a formula for a stronger bullpen, too.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Nov 19, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions
Let me see if this adds up...
Gameboard = $21M over 2 years
Miles = $2.5M over 1 year
Millwood = $12M over 1 year + ($7-$9M) reimbursement for signing bonus annuity (I’m not sure what the exact number would be; I’m guessing about one-half.)
Assuming that Bud would allow that much cash to change hands (and I think he would), it seems like Gameboard for Millie is about even.
I can’t imagine why the Rangers would want Miles “thrown in” since they are trying to cut costs and Miles is more effective (when he is effective at all) in the NL as a double-switch guy. The Rangers need a backup SS to replace Omar — maybe Blanco?
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Doesn't smell right
This seems off.
Bradley’s value has been estimated at around $6M for one year, and for many reasons, it is hard to assign the second year a value since most teams would like to be able to get rid of him after one year (hmm that sound familiar).
Any team that takes on Miles salary is basically just eating money for the Cubs.
Millwood, while overpriced, is just not in the same category of bad contract as these other guys. I’d love for it to be true, but I am skeptical.
Eamus Ursuli!
that'd be great
That trade and a deal for Granderson, and I like the team a lot next year.
Oh wie geeiiiiilllllllllllll.....
(and no, I will not translate wie geil)
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
when rumors are not vetted by Tim Dierkes (at MLBTR), you'd be well advised not to spread them
(recall the AGonz for Konerko deal that was fabricated to increase site traffic earlier this week)
I don't mind people repeating them...
as long as the source is made clear, as it was in this case.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 9:54 PM CST up reply actions
MLBTR today:
We talked to a source familiar with the situation who said that this deal is not being discussed. Backing that up, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan talked to a Rangers official who said it’s “not happening.”
Jon Heyman agrees.
The latest via Twitter:
@SI_JonHeyman if minaya turns castillo into millwood (13-10, 3.67) he should get 1 more 3-year extension. not happening. #mets, #rangers
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
This would be amazing
Although David Kaplan is a blundering idiot
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Hm, well, the souce doesn't exactly scream "trustworthy"...
…but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on. I’d be OK with that deal, too.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
the point is
its the same mistake being made repeatedly
bullpen guys are extremely difficult to predict year to year and we’re spending the majority of our remaining dollars left on that area and not only that but on a middling player
its a mistake that has consistently been made by this organization
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions
its been quoted a number of times...
that it would be a “slight” rise over last year
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2009 4:56 PM CST up reply actions
but...
who’s to say what that is? What benefit does management/ ownership have in outlining their exact plans for everyone to see?
I would think that if they told everyone their plans, that it would limit their leverage in certain situations such as trades.
Dartmouth is right on this one
We might regret spending this money on Grabow. It could really go either way, IMO.
I'm not saying
that it isn’t so, and our payroll won’t still be around 140 mil. I’m simply suggesting that not a single one of us can say with 100% certainty what next year’s figures are going to look like
It could really go either way, IMO.
That’s the problem. Middle relievers have small sample sizes and are inherently inconsistent from year to year. That’s why they’re usually a bad investment.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 5:01 PM CST up reply actions
Then no team should every sign a middle reliever
for more than the league minimum.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Nov 19, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
Fair enough.
I agree with this overall philosophy. I just also understand the pressure on GM’s sometimes makes them do inadvisable things. Such as signing middle relievers.
by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Nov 19, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions
DCF has a point...
The biggest issue for me is that Lou horribly abuses his relievers (see Howry, Bob; Eyre, Scott; or Dibble, Rob), then throws them in the trash heap. If the contract were for 1 year / $4M, OK. Guaranteeing him two years will likely be bad due to injury (or pitching through injury) in the second year.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Even if Grabow bombs
He is still a LH RP. That makes it reasonably easy to trade him. Many didn’t think there would be a market for Eyre… and they were able to get rid of him.
I’m of the mindset that I like Grabow better at $3.75M for two years than say $3.25M for three years. Meaning… if he is “disposable” as so many perceive middle relievers to be… it is easier to move him on a two year deal than on a three year deal.
by fsuapollo on Nov 19, 2009 10:55 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
eyre was dfa'd
not really a great example
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 20, 2009 9:27 AM CST up reply actions
Well... he was traded.
So I don’t really see how it doesn’t work as an example. According to the article, we didn’t fork over any money and got a minor leaguer in return.
Umm... lost in all this Heilman & Grabow love/hate fest...
…Tim Lincecum won the NL Cy Young today. 2nd in a row. Not bad.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I was gonna post that...
… given that I have posted the other awards this week. But the Heilman deal was bigger news to Cubs fans, anyway.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Are you guys surprised a little by this?
The conventional wisdom was that either Carpenter or Wainwright would get it. I guess the voters couldn’t decide between them, so Lincecum was the most palatable option. Not a bad choice, but I think either of the two Cardinals might have been more worthy.
Wainwright not getting that 20th victory probably killed it. IIRC, that was the game the Cardinals were leading the Brewers something like 6-0 and lost something like 12-7.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Nov 19, 2009 5:07 PM CST up reply actions
they all deserved it imo
1 Aaron down, 1 to go
by jesus christos on Nov 19, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions
exactly
but i guess we have to settle with the High Young Award
1 Aaron down, 1 to go
by jesus christos on Nov 19, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions
jc does it again
And here I thought you’d lose a little off your fastball in the offseason.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Nov 19, 2009 5:15 PM CST up reply actions
actually i stole the high young award from the yahoo sports article about this
1 Aaron down, 1 to go
by jesus christos on Nov 19, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions
We need to get Geo off that Puero Rican shit and on whatever Lincecum is smoking.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Nov 19, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Timmy is on some of that Hawaiian kush.
We need Geo on that, that pineapple kush booai!
We Got This!
by cubbiebear316 on Nov 20, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
No, a catcher needs a clear head to call the game
Get the pitching staff into Lincecum’s stash – sometimes too much thinking just ruins a pitcher.
A little kike the joke Lincoln made about Grant
When told that Grant drank, Lincoln is supposed to have asked what kind of whiskey so he could send a barrel of it to each of his other generals.
Tri-pitcher cup?
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
Decent return
Considering who we traded. Maine has a shot at being a LOOGY. Could be in AAA next year. Runs a decent high 80’s/low 90’s fastball with a plus curve. Think … Casey Lambert, who he’s essentially replacing for 2010 with Lambert coming off surgery.
White has a nice name, but I’m doubtful he has much of a chance. Ridling will likely be at A+, so he’d have to fight for time in AA. Just not sure how he fits into the picture, and not sure sending him down to Peoria ball is worth it. A corner IF without power. It’s tough to see him being more than filler.
Considering what we gave up, I’m pleased enough with the return. We could use another lefty in the upper ranks, even if they decide to drop Maine to AA (I think he’ll be at Iowa, though). Papelbon is a slow warmup guy who might not be ideal for pen duty, and Lambert’s on the mend.
How much do we all miss baseball
that the trade of a middle reliever can bring out so much discussion?
yeah...absolutely
when do pitchers and catchers report? :-)
"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.
In 88 days I think
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Touché
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
There's no specific date yet.
It’s usually around Valentine’s Day.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Now if only we could get a deal for Aaron Miles
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
I can't wait for the...
“he has an expiring contract, at least they’re getting something for him.”
Stuff like that boggles my mind.
Randy Wells. A product of the Roy Halladay School of Pitching, located in Toronto, Canada. Possible relocation.
He has an expiring contract! At least they're getting something for him!
Well they ARE!…
lolz
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
And in typical Cubs fanshion
Heilman will become the first non-starter/non-closer to win the Cy Young in 2010.
Thanks goodness
Aaron Heilman was / is terrible.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
for the first time
i agree with blou wholeheartedly
1 Aaron down, 1 to go
by jesus christos on Nov 19, 2009 7:08 PM CST up reply actions
BEST BASEBALL NEWS OF THE OFF SEASON....
So far anyways …….I thought the Cubs would be stuck with him forever ….
Glad I was wrong
I had a feeling they were going to hang on to Heilman and I’m glad I was wrong. They can do as well or better with one of the young pitchers. If one of these prospects makes it to the majors, that would be a bonus. Credit Heilman for pitching pretty well at the end of the season.
Talked
to a couple of my buddies last night and they said Maine the left hander sports a fastball from 89 to 93, marginal breaking ball they called a slurve and a avg change, tough against left handers. They also said his control is slightly concerning. White the first baseman they likened to Ross Gload who’s kind of hitter with some in the alley power and can fill in at 1b and maybe left field.
White sounds like a Hoffpauir
With better average and less power
So maybe Ross Gload is a good comparison. If he makes it to the pro’s, even as a career backup, the Cubs come away winners IMO
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
The Cubs are already winners.
Remember that the Giants had claimed Heilman last August and the Cubs could have given him away for nothing.
At least there’s now some return for him. Jim Hendry did good here.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And Heilman will
bounce back and have a good 2010. And people will wonder why the Cubs traded him away. He’s a relief pitcher; most of them are volatile. They go up and down.
But Hendry did probably maximize the value of Heilman. He traded him while he wasn’t pitching!
by RiskyBusiness on Nov 20, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions
I don't agree
Heilman isn’t someone whose post-Cubs career will be that closely watched. And I don’t think he’ll be that much better anyway.
the last four years for heilman as a reliever have been
down-down-down-down
1 Aaron down, 1 to go
by jesus christos on Nov 20, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
the reports on maine that I've heard
suggest a solid curveball.
OT (slightly) For the Stats Impaired
Perhaps this has already been done, and if so, I apologize in advance.
I’d really like to have someone knowledgeable (Mr. Goldman) post a stats primer for those of us who just don’t have the time (or inclination) to research on our own. Things like what the major offensive, defensive and pitching indicators are and which web sites are best for obtaining such information.
This thread is a great example of the value of various stats to the discussion of two particular players. Anecdotal discussion is interesting, and sometimes valuable, but the positing of scientific analysis certainly gives one pause to take a second and third look at a each argument posted here. Just a thought.
And so it goes.
I Forgot to Add
That Shawn Goldman’s posts have been very interesting but I find them a bit above my level of understanding. I’m glad he’s on Al’s staff. I’d just like to see a breakdown of the various statistical categories, what they mean and what the standard for each is. That along would go a long way to enhancing the various discussions. Just sayin’.
And so it goes.
Rec'd
Al/Shawn, this might be a great thing to have on the side, where the “rules for BCB” listing is, etc
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Good-bye To Heilman
We knew you and we will hardly miss you
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
Wow we totally fleeced the D'backs
The ironic thing is I was calling for Heilman to start during Spring Training… he actually looked really good for a while there… then he faced major league hitters and it was soon evident he had to go. I’m REALLY glad this was the first move in the Ricketts era… I’m anxious to see what else Jim can pull off now.
heilmn deseved a better chance to actually have had
a more fair shot at starting, where he might’ve had had excelled; while marshall had had had had had had had had had had had not quite as good spring training, yert marshall’ve had had wound up in the bp, anyway..
by brian custer on Nov 22, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions
there's little chance
someone who hasn’t had success relieving would have success starting
relieving is generally far easier since you don’t have to go through a lineup multiple times.
by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 22, 2009 9:41 PM CST up reply actions
There goes the bullpen
2009:Mark DeRosa::2010:Aaron Heilman
by cubbybear on Nov 20, 2009 10:02 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
LMAO
+1 rec
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
Chicago Tribune
The Tribune has also picked up on that:
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/11/cubs-explore-bradley-deal-that-would-net-castillo.html
The fact that Phil Rogers has the byline makes it dubious by default
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Nov 20, 2009 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
For this to happen some big $ would have to go to Texas
Hicks has already said that he is basically out of money.
Excellent news...
I can now enjoy my vacation!
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/CBB rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Nov 20, 2009 11:14 AM CST reply actions
nice
to see him gone.we found out fast why met fans disliked him so much. he had some good games but too inconsistent. bye.
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