Cubs Sign Rodrigo Lopez
by Al Yellon on Jan 19, 2012 4:25 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs News
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Since I've been posting about minor league deals for the Cubs recently, I suppose I need to include this one:
@purobeisbolfb
Puro Beisbol Rodrigo López firma contrato de ligas menores con los Cachorros de Chicago....sólo quedan Dennis Reyes y Luis Ayala como agentes libres.
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Courtesy of Google Translate:
Rodrigo Lopez signs minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs are just .... Dennis Reyes and Luis Ayala as free agents.
Hmmm. Not sure what the Reyes and Ayala references mean, but there you have it.
I'm sure Lopez is a fine fellow, loves his mother and is nice to puppies and kittens.
But I don't want him on the Cubs any more. Hopefully, he'll be released at the end of spring training.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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At least we are cheap!
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 20, 2012 3:34 PM CST up reply actions
Though, I will say, he's not on the MLB roster, maybe he's the Theo compensation. lol
by ubercubsfan on Jan 19, 2012 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm sure we could throw in some packin Minor A prospect.
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 20, 2012 3:36 PM CST up reply actions
I simply don't like this signing...
… because it reminds me of Jim Hendry.
"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." - Yogi Berra
... who, by the way, almost ran me over
backing out of his parking space at Wrigley Field while talking on his cell phone. This happened two days before he signed Soriano. Part of me wishes he ran me over and forgot to call Soriano’s agent back.
"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." - Yogi Berra
by wrigley's ivy on Jan 19, 2012 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
That would've been really taking one for the team!
I enjoy this website because it's so interesting to see folks pole vaulting over mouse turds.
Think of it....
we coulda been rid of Hendry that much sooner!
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 20, 2012 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
This is a very troubling bit of news for my liver.
Rorris López pitching=
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
Speaking of nicknames
now they don’t have to add a “y” to the end of everyone’s name. I like Dunston Jr.’s nickname for Dan Vogelbach: Vogel-BOOM-OH YEAH!
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
She plied me with bourbon so sour!!!
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
I'll be soakin' up drink like a sponge!!!!
"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
by cooliogirl47 on Jan 19, 2012 5:53 PM CST up reply actions
I loved that so song so much in college...
…I figured out how to play it on guitar. Still do.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Great post.
"Hey Hey, Holy mackerel, no doubt about it,!"
by scottsdalecubs on Jan 20, 2012 7:37 PM CST up reply actions
The only way he makes the team is
if he is the 12th pitcher and takes the Ramon Ortiz roll as inning eater and if he gets hurt “oh well”. Plus, now we have our ninth pitcher!
For the record, I hope he gets cut in spring training, I don’t want him eating anyone’s innings at any level.
the only way he makes the team
Gatorade machine repair man, and even then, he should be second fiddle
The 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp is in THREE days!!!!
by VegasCubFan on Jan 19, 2012 11:30 PM CST up reply actions
Every time I've seen him pitch in person,
the Cubs have won. So if he plays, we just have to make sure I’m there.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
Thanks, but I don't want to get greedy.
My record isn’t so good with the other pitchers.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
Some times you just gotta say WTF.
WTF?
I enjoy this website because it's so interesting to see folks pole vaulting over mouse turds.
When I first saw the title of this post
I thought for sure it was just a joke.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" - Frank Chance
I checked the date to see if it was April 1 already.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run FOR Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Just outta curiosity
but remind me again why everyone hates this guy? Didn’t he pitch pretty well for the Cubs last year?
"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
Didn’t he pitch pretty well for the Cubs last year?
No.
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The SBNation's page for him
Is way off, it said he had a 2.59 ERA, that seemed off so I looked at his baseball-reference page, tells a much different story
"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
I have no idea where those numbers came from.
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Yeah, those numbers are way off
I wasn’t quite sure of his stats so I took a look and was pretty shocked. Wish they were mire accurate than his actual stats.
"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
He ate innings
His performance was probably the minimum than you would want from a #5 starter. I do not have a problem with this signing if it is just a thank you for coming in during a very tough situation for the Cubs and giving more innings a game than Casey Coleman and other options were capable of doing. I expect the plan is to get him a touch of visibility and some proper conditioning so that if a team has an injury cascade early in the year, he could be ready to help them as he helped the Cubs last year. It would take 3-4 starters getting hurt in March for Lopez to make the Cubs opening day roster IMHO.
No, he did NOT eat innings.
He started 16 games. He went six or more innings only six times. That’s not “eating innings”.
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You know who else didn't "eat innings"??
Davis, Ortiz, Russell, & Coleman.
Hopefully, no pitcher of that “ilk” has to start a game for the Cubs this year. I assume Theo didn’t sign him with the plan that he’ll start a game for the Cubs, either.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I agree.
And Davis and Ortiz are gone, and Russell is a reliever, and Coleman likely fills out the Iowa rotation.
The Cubs have other pitchers who can pitch better than any of those four AND Lopez.
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They certainly do.
And I would wager that they’ll all be called on to start games before RoLo is.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Which, again, makes this signing pointless, IMO.
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What DCR said.
And if all the viable “young guys” in Iowa pan out, he’ll pitch in the pen there or be released.
As I mentioned in the longer post, this is a lot of angst over a non-guaranteed minor league contract.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
BULL. You're more than misrepresenting those stats
He pitched 5.1 or more innings as a starter TWELVE TIMES. When your retread, washed ip, free agent fifth starter can get you at least 16 of 27 outs TWELVE TIMES, he hasn’t failed.
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I'm not misrepresenting anything.
Six innings is considered competent. You can get a “quality start” with a 4.50 ERA if you go at least six innings.
Lopez failed to do this 10 of 16 times. He was a failure.
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Felix Hernandez failed to get a QS 12 of 34 times last year.
Does that make him a failure? a QS is not considered “competent” by anyone, it’s a measure of performance that no experts really like. Going 5.2 innings with no earned runs isn’t a QS but going 6 innings with 3 ERs is? Going 9 innings with 4 runs isn’t a QS? It’s a pointless stat that measure an arbitrary amount of success.
Look up the average % of QS among 5th pitchers in MLB (which RoLo wasn’t, he was technically a 7th starter forced to become the 5th), and I bet RoLos numbers are extremely comparable.
by bdlugz on Jan 20, 2012 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
That means he DID get a QS 22 of 34 times.
Pretty good, IMO.
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For kicks...
Here are the MLB leaders in QS%.
To me, they go with a giant grain of salt… as BeerCub noted, you can go 5.2 shutout innings and not get a QS but give up 3 in 6 counts. So the stat is inherently flawed.
Lopez was obviously not real good. He’s not nearly as bad as Al has made him out to be… and he’s largely comparable to other teams’ 9th starters.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Trade for Blake Beavan!!!! GETITDONETHEO!!!!
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
To extrapolate...
RoLo was tied for 142nd in MLB for all pitchers that threw at least 80 innings. Out of 30 teams, that puts him towards the back end of all #5 pitchers for QS%.
His ERA was 4.42, which ranked 109th out of all pitchers with at least 80 IP. That would put him towards the back end of all #4 starters for ERA.
He was 127th in K/BB%, right at the top third of all #5 starters in MLB with 80+ IP. His WHIP was 143rd, back end of all #5….
Point is, no, he wasn’t a great pitcher… but I bet he’s probably one of the best #9 pitcher options in baseball for 2012, and that’s important.
Acting like he was the worst player to touch a baseball last year is ridiculous (and that isn’t at you, FSU, just in general.
When you start making up your own definitions.....
… there’s no talking about this.
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MINOR league contract.
That’s it. Unless he’s lights out in AZ, he’s filling a roster spot in Iowa. No reason for angst.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jan 20, 2012 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
He was fine
He did what he was asked to do. The level of hatred for him here is irrational.
Help bring Boys of Spring The Movie to life!
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Hey, if some here can have irrational hatred for Koyie Hill
… I can have irrational hatred for Rodrigo Lopez.
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cost of hatred. Koyie's was 800,000
Rolo is 480? if/when he’s pitching on the major league staff….
So i you can give you can take it.
No, that's not correct.
RoLo gets $900,000 if he makes the MLB roster.
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And there's no guarantee of that.
Koyie was signed to a big-league contract.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
that's BLOU after getting banned
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
by Hammer on Jan 19, 2012 4:53 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
IT'S HAPPENING!!?!?!1!!
Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?
by jasperthepilot on Jan 19, 2012 5:06 PM CST via mobile reply actions
The angst over this signing is way overblown
It’s a minor league contract. Most likely outcome: he spends most of the year in Iowa praying for one last taste of the show and checks in as the #9th or 10th (Garza, Dempster, Maholm, Volstad, Wells, Wood, Sonnanstine, Coleman, and McNutt) SP for the big league club.
Another possible / likely outcome: he goes to the bullpen as the “long reliever / spot starter”…. aka the designated arm to abuse in games the Cubs are winning or losing by 5+ runs (file this all under the caveat that Sveum understands a long reliever can pitch more than 1.2 innings). Possibly/Probably competing with Sonnanstine and Coleman for this spot.
Another possible / likely outcome: he is released or traded for 3 hotel room upgrades so a couple of our scouts won’t have to double up.
As for the “he reminds me of Hendry”… get over it. If you want to wash your hands of everything Hendry touched, that means Castro, Garza, KWood, Geo, Barney, Wells, Marmol, Brett Jackson, Matt “Scrabble”, Trey McNutt, and the entire 2011 draft class (and then the cast of guys we would say ‘good riddance’ to) need to be out the door, too.
And for those that love numbers… his “mainstream” stats were awful last year along with a WAR of -0.3. But he did post a 4.48 xFIP… right in line with his career average.
Chances RoLo spends some time on the 25 man roster this season? I’d say roughly even money.
Chances he’s on the 2013 Cubs as Theo continues the organizational overhaul? Less than 1%.
Re-signing RoLo doesn’t “represent Hendry’s failures”. It represents signing an ‘old guy’ to a non major league deal to abuse him and eat innings in Des Moines and / or Chicago while the search for actual baseball talent continues.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
by fsuapollo on Jan 19, 2012 5:10 PM CST reply actions 5 recs
The Cubs already had decent starting pitcher depth.
They didn’t really need a 36-year-old retread.
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Did they NEED to sign him?
No.
To me, the age doesn’t matter. You’re talking about filler innings when the Cubs don’t have many near big league ready options in AA and AAA.
I agree that the Cubs SP depth is decent. Of course, you could have said the same thing this time last year… and Hendry got broiled for not having a better plan for the #10 starter.
You say “what’s the point?” and I say “what’s the harm?” We aren’t going to agree… and that’s fine.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I think the depth is already deep enough.
And, there’s the association with last year’s failed regime. I think that does matter.
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As noted, I agree in part on the depth, to a point.
And, there’s the association with last year’s failed regime. I think that does matter.
I don’t think it does. You do. Okay…. then, as I noted above, if we need to rid ourselves of all Hendry connections……. there are a lot more moves to make. Where would you like the house cleaning to start? Castro? Jackson?
You can’t play both sides and say that good players Hendry acquired don’t have an association with the former GM, but less productive / bad players somehow embody all of Hendry’s failures.
And in particular… the Cubs “face of the franchise” also “represents” the Hendry regime. This player is also soon to be 35 years old. He also plays a highly volatile position where you can find a number of players to fill the role… especially for less than $3M.
But I seem to remember you lauding the signing of Kerry Wood (and rightfully so… I agree he should have been resigned).
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Oh, please.
Obviously, you don’t get rid of EVERYONE associated with the old regime.
I’d say you don’t repeat his grasping-at-straws things like signing Lopez. I’m thinking that’s pretty obvious.
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I thought the Lopez trade was a pretty good one.
We gave up minor league roster filler for a guy to pitch a hell of a lot better than Russell and Ortiz for half the season.
Oh please what?
You stated:
And, there’s the association with last year’s failed regime. I think that does matter.
So only “bad” players are associated with Hendry?? Why? And if so… that’s the fan’s fault if they think Hendry only acquired players who stunk / under performed / were way overpaid / etc.
Why is it “grasping at straws”?? If they’d signed him to a big league deal and installed him in the rotation, I’d agree. But this is a minor league contract. They aren’t “grasping at straws”. They are filling out the bottom end of the major league bullpen or a spot on the Iowa staff. Period.
Were the Sonnanstine, Corpas, Amezega, and Jaramillo signings all “grasping at straws” as well? Why are you not vocalizing your disdain for these players?
Why have you given Theo the benefit of the doubt on every move except this one??
Theo will undoubtedly make bad moves. Maybe this is one. But the worst case scenario is he makes the major league roster, gets paid the vet’s minimum, and pitches some mostly ineffective innings for the Cubs in a punted season. Oh well.
The best case scenario… he fills the long reliever role you have long called for (and we agree on) and still has a negligible impact on the Cubs’ season outcome while pitching in games that most often are already decided.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Once again, you're twisting my words.
Just because I think this ONE acquisition of Hendry’s exposed his regime as a failure, does not mean that every single such acquisition did.
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I'm not twisting anything, Al.
In fact, I’ve been using quote boxes.
Of course every acquisition didn’t “expose his regime as a failure”.
You stated that part (hence the “and, there’s the association…”) of the reason you are opposed to resigning RoLo is his… and I’ll use your quotebox again:
association with last year’s failed regime. I think that does matter.
So… you are saying that being “associated” with a failed regime is at least partial justification for not retaining players.
My point is that “association” doesn’t matter. If it did, you would also need to get rid of the “good players”.
If you want to keep the good players and get rid of the “bad players” (which seems like a sound strategy)….. then any “association” they might have with the “Hendry regime” is irrelevant because you’re using baseball ability as a trump card.
A team shouldn’t be making any decisions that go like this: “well, we think he can be useful to our organization… but he might represent the failures of my predecessor… so let him go.”
Theo thinks RoLo might be useful to the organization. You disagree and it is entirely possible that this one gets scored “Al 1, Theo 0”. That’s all this boils down to.
And… really?? The Rodrigo Lopez acquisition is the ONE that “exposed” the failed regime? That was the last straw? Nobody embodies Hendry’s shortcomings more than Rodrigo Lopez?? My gosh… it’s hard to fathom that trading for RoLo is even in the top dozen moves that would represent Hendry’s failures.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
by fsuapollo on Jan 19, 2012 9:19 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
fascinating examination of a minor league contract
A friend once told me: "I don't buy the idea that a team learns anything from a loss, the only thing they learn is how to lose games."---Knight
Sigh.
Hendry wound up grasping at straws, in hindsight because of many other failures. Lopez represents that.
Do we really need to revisit that? Theo and Jed have signed on quite a number of pitchers, giving the system depth it did not have when Cashner and Wells went down a year ago.
Why revisit Lopez, who I view as a failure?
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Then all you have to do is say NoMo RoLo because he's a bad player
You can expand on that point all you want to fill the space desired, but it seems to me his badness should be enough of an argument to not want him on this team.
No reason to bring up the whole associated with last year’s failed regime thing. Because if you do, you’re opening yourself up for all sorts of logic fail. Lopez didn’t suck last year because of Hendry. Lopez sucked because of Lopez.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
All that is true.
But people seem to want more, so I give them more.
Honestly, I think pretty much every one of us as fans is entitled to a player or two that we have an irrational dislike for. Lopez happens to be on that list for me.
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Marlon Byrd for me.
the way he snatches the ball on the third out and takes his glove off.
So i you can give you can take it.
See, everyone has players like that.
Most fans love Marlon Byrd for his effort. His performance can be lacking at times. But if you want to have an irrational dislike for him, I won’t try to stop you.
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But if you want to have an irrational dislike for him, I won’t try to stop you.
Yes, because you’d never belittle or question someone’s dislike for a player or member of this organization. o.O
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 9:59 AM CST up reply actions
Hey, we all have our irrational dislikes.
Doesn’t mean I can’t criticize others, or that you can’t criticize mine.
As long as you don’t devolve into personal attacks.
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No blanket statements, Al!
All of my dislikes are completely rational… in my head.
Mine is Garza.
Not exactly sure why. Could be the constant trade talk or that I didn’t want him in the first place and need to correct some cosmic wrong or most likely it’s the beard. I’m trying to like him, but I just can’t seem to.
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that I didn’t want him in the first place and need to correct some cosmic wrong
it’s this and only this
Just wee-un.
by jesus christos on Jan 20, 2012 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
Such a good episode.
Saved LOST from its awful third season.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Na-It's the facial hair.
Makes him look like a devil.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
Guessing LaHair is on your list as well.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
You know
… I’m willing to give LaHair a shot, now that it appears he’ll be the opening day 1B.
I’m not expecting much. Hope he proves me wrong.
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Sounds good.
Unfortunately for me, I’m usually proved wrong the other way around. I tend to defend and give the benefit of the doubt too easily.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
I'm actually kind of looking forward to watching LaHair.
I don’t have crazy high hopes, but he might be one of the more interesting storylines this year if he can hit well enough.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I'm more interested in watching him now that I know we have Rizzo in the wings.
As dumb as it sounds…
Just something about going in with LaHair as plan A, B and C wasn’t working for me.
My biggest fear about LaHair
… is his defense.
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I'm extremely interested in seeing what he has to offer
and this is absolutely the perfect season to do so.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 10:00 AM CST up reply actions
I suppose.
Again, I hope I’m wrong. I do worry about his defense.
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Nationals just signed Morse to a contract extension.
Ya never know.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Wait what?
But people seem to want more, so I give them more.
Nobody asked you to make ridiculous leaps in logic. You did that all on your own.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 9:58 AM CST up reply actions
Can we sign NoMo RoLo to a minor league deal, too?
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Ironically, Al...
Hendry was stuck grasping at straws because he did not have enough pitching depth throughout the minor leagues.
Now that Theo is sitting on a pile of starting pitching depth, you’re upset with the move? A minor league contract for 200k?
You’re moving into Easy Ed territory with RoLo, Al… you’re not able to look at this move objectively.
Maybe not.
But I think you made my point. Theo & Jed ALREADY have a pile of starting pitching depth. Why revisit this bottom-of-the-pile guy?
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Because it's a split contract that has absolutely no downside.
If you have a 9th guy on your staff that held down a 4.50 ERA the previous year, I’d say you’re doing alright.
this is where that extra Kerry Wood Million is going...
Rolo’s major league salary!
So i you can give you can take it.
Look at it from the other end - what's the harm?
Can’t be the cost – otherwise you’ll be painting yourself into a penny-wise, dollar-foolish corner.
Player development? Obviously we’ll have to wait until spring training (and possibly regular season) to see how this plays out, but given what we already know about Theo & Jed’s stated long and short-term objectives, do you really think RoLo will be allowed to block the development of another (presumably younger) player with more potential/value/worth to the club?
Again, what’s the harm?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
This is where the argument goes to ...
Al: Why do this?
Many of us: Why not do this?
The truth is the move is so unimportant that either argument is pretty valid.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I disagree that it's unimportant, though.
I think the pitching depth is so important and can’t be overlooked. If we had this last year, we wouldn’t have been nearly as bad as we were.
Again, what’s the harm?
The irony is this is the same argument Al makes about every single other minor league signing in the last five years.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 10:01 AM CST up reply actions
Wow, that's a leap.
EVERY SINGLE ONE? Hardly.
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Ok, other than Rodrigo
Has there been another minor league signing you’ve been upset about?
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
Why can't I have different opinions about different minor league signings?
Because they are about different players.
Or does every opinion I have, have to be set in stone forever?
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I'm not sure how this an answer to my question
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
You have a real problem with people challenging your opinion
On certain issues, and those issues tend to be “because I said so!”
You questioned those of us who wanted nothing to do with Koyie HIll last year to the point where you were belittling us for making too big a deal about a backup catcher. Yet when you make a goddamn front page post about how much you hate a minor league signing, when every other time there has been a minor league signing your dislike has been at most “I don’t get it, but there’s no real harm” suddenly it’s “WHY WON’T YOU LET ME HAVE MY OPINION UNCHALLENGED!!!!!!!?”
Or does every opinion I have, have to be set in stone forever?
Of course it doesn’t. But for god’s sake, when you change an opinion that has been your opinion for quite a while, you should effing expect someone to ask why. You never seem to get that.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 6 recs
Maybe I’ll just stop responding to you until you stop trolling.
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by Al Yellon on Jan 20, 2012 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Ok
But I’m not trolling you and you damn well know it. I challenge your opinion and you bitch about it. I ask you a question and you go on a rant.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
I'll freely admit I get after you, but it's because I've rarely seen
someone who thinks their opinion should simply be taken as gospel the way you do.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 11:49 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I have NEVER said that, nor do I think it.
It’s other people who keep bringing up stuff I said five years ago that they think I still believe.
I, just like anyone else, am entitled to change my mind and admit I’m wrong, which I have done.
Have you?
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It’s other people who keep bringing up stuff I said five years ago that they think I still believe.
Who is doing that here? I said OVER the last five years, I’ve seen you say nothing but “what’s the harm” to a minor league signing. (Which by the way I agreed with you 99 if not 100% of the time)
That’s why I said it was ironic that suddenly signing Rodrigo Lopez to basically the same freaking deal that countless other washed up veterans have been signed to with “no harm” was worthy of your angst.
And I’ll admit I’m wrong, when I’m wrong. Hell, I ASKED you to show me where I’m wrong and you countered with “CAN’T I HAVE AN OPINION?!?!?!”
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 12:41 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not real sure why you're debating nuances and semantics
when your position boils down to:
Honestly, I think pretty much every one of us as fans is entitled to a player or two that we have an irrational dislike for. Lopez happens to be on that list for me.
And I have absolutely no issue with that stance at all.
That’s really all you have to say. I don’t “like” RoLo… I just don’t care that Theo signed him to be the 9th starter.
For the record… my guy is Soriano because of the way he plays the game. His limited production / value and excessive contract are byproducts. But I just can’t stand the way he plays the game… and nobody can convince me any different.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
I think most of us are just having some fun at RoLo's expense.
The only possible role is as the designated arm to abuse. If he starts at any level he is taking innings from someone else.
Whatever, I never hated the dude.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
by shoemile on Jan 19, 2012 5:13 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Eat it up, Cubs fans.
Ohhhhh, sweet spoonfuls of batting practice fastballs!
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Is this a real thing?
I want it more than oxygen itself.
"I'm not a broadcaster! I'm me!"--Ron Santo
No one can resist these.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
I can't endorse
an ice cream whose moniker recalls a German mispronunciation of “Sweaty Balls”.
by English Cub Fan on Jan 19, 2012 9:22 PM CST up reply actions
Still one of the absolute finest SNL routines ever.
“Act now and get my balls on your plate in time for Christmas.”
LOL.
IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!
by Cubfansince1957 on Jan 19, 2012 9:26 PM CST up reply actions
Sadly the Rolo McFlurrry was a limited time deal
I’m usually not a McFlurry fan, but the Rolo ones were awesome.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
by Invalid User on Jan 19, 2012 8:14 PM CST up reply actions
If not, it should be.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Is he getting a raise? Is he going to actually be starting ML games?
If no…then I don’t care.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 19, 2012 5:23 PM CST reply actions
I hear he's asking for Koyie Hill to be his personal catcher.
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The I hope they go out like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid...
in AAA.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 19, 2012 5:34 PM CST up reply actions
GOOD!
Koyie signed with Cards. Works out perfectly!!!
There are no facts, only interpretations.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Lets Go Theo!!! 10/13/2011
OT - Does anyone know if "Camp Colvin" was held again this year?
I recall there was talk about changing the name (even before he was traded), but was it indeed held, and if so who attended?
I enjoy this website because it's so interesting to see folks pole vaulting over mouse turds.
It has been renamed Camp Bussy after Tim Buss.
Campana gained 10 lbs. there. Don’t know who else attended.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
I said this in the Byrd weight thread,
but Barney added 18 pounds according to Muskrat, tremendous work.
The Cubs should set up "Camp 'How to Take a Walk'"
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
by shoemile on Jan 19, 2012 6:13 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Wow, people need to calm down.
It’s a minor league deal, and it’s crazy how much angst the guy gets when you could argue he was our second best starter for a long portion of 2011. Barring multiple injuries, I doubt he’s even considered to battle for a SP role in ST. He’s most likely AAA depth, or maybe they want an actual long reliever instead of the Ramon Ortiz guy who is just there to mop up once a week, in which case he’s competition for Andy Sonnanstine. I’d actually rather see Lopez than Sonnanstine if someone has to make a spot start.
Clarifying reference to Reyes and Ayala:
The correct translation is: “Rodrigo López signs minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs… only Dennis Reyes and Luis Ayala are left as free agents.” I assume the author meant that they are the only Mexican free agents left.
Thank you for the more accurate translation.
Google Translate is OK, but sometimes misses nuance.
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When Cubs are out of it by the trade deadline and half the staff is traded for prospects...
He will come in handy..
They should have announced this at the Convention.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
If Pat would've hyped up the mysterious new signing like he did and then announced Rodrigo instead of Kerry
I would probably be re-watching the video of that for the 9,000th time by now.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
If Pat had done that
… there might have been a riot in the room.
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And it may have replaced the "Thrilla in Manilla"...
…as my all-time favorite sports moment on video.
That would've been hilarious.
Right before they REALLY announced the Kerry Wood re-signing.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Rodrigo Lopez: The Latin Greg Maddux
"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is an option." - Dale Sveum
It's true -- squint and he looks just like him when he pitches.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Good. I didn't go and learn this for nothing...
Go Go de cachorros. Go Go de cachorros. Oye Chicago ¿qué le digo? Cachorros van a ganar hoy!
Hey! I caught the 3rd Castro thread!!
There are going to be a lot of blowouts...
This team is likely to be bad. Wells has a history of blowing up in the 1st. Wood and Volstead are young. Sveum is going to need a guy who can come into a 5-0 game in the top of the 3rd and throw 70 pitches to save the rest of the bullpen.
I’d rather have Ortiz be that guy than one of the young pitchers who actually may have a future. I’m thinking Jon Lieber 2008… 26 games, 25 in relief, of which there were:
- 9 Cub wins – of which twice were in the 4th, twice in the 9th in a road blowout, 4x in the 6th, and once in extras.
- 16 Cub losses, of which 10 times the opposition scored 7+ runs, another game he came in during the 3rd, and another he came in to pitch the last inning down 3-0.
I’m perfectly happy to have Lopez start the season as the "up by 5, down by 3’ pitcher to mop up on irregular rest. I’d rather not stick a rookie in that role, I’d rather the rookie spend time pitching at Iowa on a regular schedule.
It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??
Lopez is one expensive batting practice pitcher
This makes zero sense. Maybe Theo is so paranoid that he needs to keep adding veteran starters.
"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct
I hope he makes the team
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I posted this on 12/6/11 in response to a certain blogger
Remember, all I said was he kept them in most games. His overall ERA was 4.42, relatively decent by today’s standards.
The team was 7-9 in games he started. His last 15 appearances of the year, from July to September, 14 were as a starter. He went 5.1 or 5.2 IP six times, 6.0 or 6.2 five times, 7.0 once. He had two starts of 4.0 and 4.1, making for his 14 starts.
The two four inning starts were his worst, where he gave up six runs in each. However, the team won one of those. His five inning starts he gave up 2,3,5,2 and 5. The team won one of the five run starts. His six inning starts he gave up 3,1,4,1 and 0. His seven inning start was a no run, two hit, no walk start.
Rodrigo Lopez was a competitive pitcher who kept them in games. He has the type of arm that can start, relieve, and he won’t cost that much. If the team signs him to compete for a spot on the roster, it’s because he’s earned the chance.
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by BeerCub on Jan 19, 2012 8:45 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
I really don't get...
your over the top disdain for Lopez. As a starter last year, he was 6-5 with a 4.50 ERA. If I told you on March 31st last year that the Cubs 5th starter would have a 4.50 ERA, you’d probably think they’d be a playoff contender… right?
Garza was the only starter with a better ERA than Lopez!
Some of the hatred over this minor signing, especially by Al, is ridiculous. He probably won’t even pitch for the major league team. Some people need to look at the stats of other pitchers on the team before they bash this guy.
by DMBCub on Jan 19, 2012 10:07 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Ayala and Reyes References
Lopez, Ayala, and Reyes are all Mexican and Puro Beisbol is a Mexican sports page that is tracking Mexican free agents.
Check out the news on Oliver Perez , they seem very excited that he signed a minor league deal with the Mariners:
So anyway, according to Twitter dude, Ayala and Reyes are the only major Mexican FAs left on the market.
by Kyle From Chicago on Jan 19, 2012 10:49 PM CST reply actions
Worse ideas than signing Rodrigo Lopez:
Signing Ramon Ortiz;
Signing Doug Davis;
Installing Casey Coleman in the ML rotation;
Moving James Russell out of the bullpen;
Moving Shark out of the bullpen (maybe)
by Limey Cub Fan Jay on Jan 20, 2012 3:46 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Remove the maybe on Spellcheck
And I agree 100%.
Lopez is serviceable, and one of nine or ten starters.
Szamardija FINALLY had an acceptable season as a sixth/seventh inning guy with a strong arm that can go two innings often. He needs to be left there. Not smart enough, doesn’t locate well enough, to start, ever again.
-- Jerome Horwitz
by KO Stradivarius on Jan 20, 2012 9:29 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I think Zach Duke would have been the better option
To me, duke has better stuff and is younger. He could be the inning eater that’s been talked about. Duke also has a better WAR and better HR/9
by ChicagoBlues1983 on Jan 20, 2012 6:56 AM CST via iPhone app reply actions 1 recs
DINGDINGDING!
And, he’s lefthanded, too.
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Because no one has yet made him an offer.
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I didn't realize you were Zach Duke's agent.
C’mon Al, you know you can’t claim that. Theo may have offered him and Kazmir the exact same offer he gave RoLo and they both turned it down.
Maybe.
Doesn’t seem likely, as you’d think either of those guys would have signed somewhere by now.
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Or they could wait until
someone gets hurt in ST and better position themselves for a major league job, knowing they can probably catch a minor league deal at most any point.
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
Lopez and Hill
The overthetop ridiculous hate of these 2 has gone beyond the pale. I think that the President, Governor, Mayor, Cook COunty Board President and the Head of the UN should hold a conference today and announce these 2 are to blame for the world problems.
Nothing is as bad as the hate of Crane Kenney especially since its based on people not knowing the first thing about how an organization runs and don’t know he has nothing to do with the onfield product.
Nothing happens unless it's first a dream
Heh.
Al, this is such a weird crusade you’ve started. Earlier in the offseason — when Theo said the team was interested in bringing RoLo back — you objected because you thought RoLo would be a cog in the big-league rotation. Many of us pointed out that RoLo would be nothing more than the team’s No. 8-9 starter, based on other comments TheoJed had made.
And that’s precisely what happened! The Cubs signed Maholm, traded for TWood, replaced Z with Volstad and now have six goodish starters at the big-league level. As fsu correctly pointed out, Casey Coleman and Andy Sonnestine will probably be the seventh and eighth options … leaving RoLo as the No. 9 guy if someone like Trey McNutt doesn’t step up.
You mentioned Zach Duke, but Duke might not have accepted a minor-league contract to fill this role. RoLo is an insurance policy on a couple other insurance policies. Remember that he was the best of the bad Russell-Davis-Ortiz-RoLo squad that filled out the rotation last year. Still, I’d bet you dollars to doughnuts that he starts no more than two games in Chicago in 2012.
As for the whole “reminder of Hendry’s failures thing,” you really just need to get over that. Not signing RoLo because of his time with the Cubs last year would be as ridiculous as not signing Kerry Wood (to a reasonable contract) because he’s some sort of reminder of the failures between 2003-08. What we all need to realize is that TheoJed are not making decisions based on fan or franchise anguish from the past decade. They’re simply making decisions that they think are in the best interests of the team.
You’ve patted them on the back for doing that regarding Kerry. I’d suggest you consider their approach regarding Rodrigo Lopez.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
by elgato on Jan 20, 2012 7:30 AM CST reply actions 8 recs
Regarding Zach Duke
… it’s four weeks to spring training, and he doesn’t have a contract. I’d think he’d probably accept a minor league deal — quite a number of players with significant MLB time have done so.
Just as I accept your irrational dislike of Kosuke Fukudome, I ask you to accept mine of Lopez. It’s not something you can necessarily explain to anyone.
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If you can't explain it to anyone, why post about it?
If you didn’t want to have to explain your position, you could have simply written that the Cubs signed RoLo to a minor-league deal, posted the contract details and moved forward. I doubt most of the people who read your post were at all confused or uninformed going in when it comes to your feelings on Rodrigo Lopez.
And I don’t think my dislike of Kosuke Fukudome was irrational, though it was certainly emotional. After a while, I had a visceral dislike of the guy (something I owned up to, BTW) that stemmed from being annoyed with the endless justifications on this site — He made the Cubs more patient in 2008! He made the Cubs more popular in Japan! He just needs another year to get acclimated! His dedication to conditioning will spill over to other players! — for his failure of a contract and time in Chicago.
After I posted comments about Kosuke, I was more than willing to defend my position among the many BCBers who disagreed with me. Respectfully, you can’t expect that no one will call you out when you make a comment that you, yourself, describe as irrational — and you can’t presume that the discussion will stop because you say you KNOW you’re being irrational.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Oh, and the justifications for Kosuke weren't coming exclusively from you, Al.
Want to make that clear.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
I could say the same things about RoLo.
He eats innings! (no, he doesn’t).
He DOES give up a ton of home runs, making him ill-suited to Wrigley Field.
The Cubs already have a ton of pitching depth thanks to Theo & Jed’s deals and signings — and as you note, Zach Duke would have been a better choice. For that matter, if you want to take a flyer on someone who might have a chance at a real comeback, why not sign Scott Kazmir?
Lopez is 36. He represents the past — never mind Hendry, he’s 36. Let’s move on.
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Kazmir and Duke might not have taken split contracts.
This isn’t a spot where a pitcher should expect to make a comeback. Again, RoLo has to know that his chances of starting more than a couple games in Chicago in 2012 are incredibly low. Duke and Kazmir, because they’re younger, probably want more of a shot to actually make a big-league club and produce, whereas RoLo, at 36, apparently doesn’t take issue with hanging in the PCL until he’s needed.
As for the eats innings thing, it’s important to note that RoLo ate more innings than the other fifth starters we went through. So if we’re picking a No. 9 starter …
Now, if you wanted to argue that this signing is pointless and a waste of $200,000 — we have Garza, Dempster, Maholm, Volstad, Wood, Wells, Sonnestine, Coleman, McNutt, etc. — then there would be fewer disagreements. Some might cite the Looper, Wellemyer backups last year, but I think it’s safe to assume that the crop I just listed even without RoLo will be more reliable than Dempster, Zambrano, Garza, Wells, Cashner, Silva, Coleman, Wellemyer and Looper. No Z outbursts, no unproven rookie, no jerkwad Silva, no old guys coming off major injuries.
But the pointless argument can be turned around. It’s just as easy to ask why as it is to say ‘why not’, considering RoLo’s price tag.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Kazmir and Duke might not have taken split contracts.
And yet, they still sit unemployed.
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Possibly because they wouldn't take split contracts. ;)
If Duke or Kazmir ends up taking a split contract in a similar situation to this one, I’ll definitely rethink my position.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
The closer we get to spring training
… the more likely that the remaining free agents (other than someone like Prince Fielder) have to take minor league deals or split contracts.
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Or, they can sit out and wait.
RoLo, setting everything else aside, genuinely wants to keep playing baseball, even if it means doing so in the minor leagues. I don’t think you can assume that Dukes and Kazmir would (or wouldn’t) be willing to do the same.
All we can do is judge TheoJed’s actions based on available evidence.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Depending on their age,
some might rather retire.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
Regarding Duke and Kazmir
… both lefthanded, Duke is 28, Kazmir 27.
Sometimes lefties mature later. I’d take a chance on either or both of them before Lopez.
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Kazmir...
what the H happened to that guy? wasnt he the second coming of Cy young in tampa a few years ago?
So i you can give you can take it.
Yeah.
Hurt his arm. But he’s only 27 — what’s the downside? If he’s recovered, you have a 27-year-old lefthander who was once dominant and might be again.
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what’s the downside?
There must be one. Because as you’ve pointed out NO ONE has signed him yet. I highly doubt every single major league general manager just forgot he existed.
Perhaps there are reports out there that neither Kazmir or Dukes are mechanically sound. You said “if he’s recovered” perhaps he hasn’t and that’s patently obvious to those who have actually scouted/talked with him.
Rodrigo Lopez is the very definition of filler. He’s a healthy body. Perhaps that isn’t the case with these other guys.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 10:08 AM CST up reply actions
Perhaps.
I think it’s worth it. Obviously, up to now all 30 GM’s disagree.
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We also might be comparing apples and oranges.
RoLo accepted a split contract knowing he’s the Cubs’ ninth option (if that) for the rotation. The other guys might not be willing to do that.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Kazmir because HE CAN'T PITCH
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Until someone brings him into camp
… and he shows that, that is not a true statement.
He’s been injured. Sometimes injured pitchers come back. If he were, oh, say, 36 like Rodrigo Lopez is, I’d agree.
But he is TWENTY SEVEN.
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28 (in four days) and DONE
The Angels could not fix him. They paid him millions to stay away. They gave up. Mike Scioscia decided he’d had enough. If you talk to people around their organization, they question his mental toughness, his dedication to his craft, and willingness to listen and adjust the way he pitches. The Anti-Lopez, if you will.
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by BeerCub on Jan 20, 2012 11:26 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Does that mean Kazmir is done?
Or maybe the Angels organization isn’t the right place for him?
IMO, it is worth a NRI. If the same issues happen again, you cut him with zero risk.
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Who's to say the Cubs didn't give both Duke and Kazmir NRI.
At least with Lopez, they know for sure, right now, they have a 9th man.
by ubercubsfan on Jan 20, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
Other than his age.....
….. point to one thing he’s done the last three years on the field to merit anything at all.
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I believe he's probably injured.
Injured pitchers who are 27 can recover and be productive.
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but 36 year old healthy pitchers who are marginally decent
have no place in our minor leagues?
So i you can give you can take it.
So you pointed to his age anyway...
….. and nothing on the field. The Angels had him checked out thoroughly before they paid him several million dollars not to pitch for them. He’s not injured.
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The Angels had him checked out thoroughly before they paid him several million dollars not to pitch for them. He’s not injured.
Any chance he could have been injured AFTER he was signed?
Sure there is.
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You're guessing, trying to support your opinion
Maybe I wasn’t clear. Before they released him, he had been sent to team doctors. All agreed, including Kazmir, his problem was mechanics. Tampa had signed him to a huge deal, and the Angels were obligated to honor that deal. He came with a huge contract. He made $12M in 2011, and he was done by June. All of Arte Moreno’s horses and all of his men couldn’t put Scott Kazmir together again. He.can’t.pitch.
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If mechanics are the only issue
… SOMEONE should be able to fix that.
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Well, I don't know how you can say he isn't or wasn't injured
I mean, the dude went from dominant to dookie in the matter of a year.
I have a hard time believing none of his problems are physical.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 12:43 PM CST up reply actions
Didn't Hill actually get injured?
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 4:03 PM CST up reply actions
If Kosuke Fukudome had signed to a minor league deal
you’d have an argument.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
Truly, if you can't explain it, maybe you shouldn't say it
I can articulate why Lopez deserves a shot to make the team. I said it to you last month and I’ve reposted here. All you can offer is “no, I don’t want him”. At least back it up with something. If you can’t explain why, then you’ve got nothing to offer here.
People here that have been worshipping at the Boy Geniuses Throne are going to have to be consistent if the Geniuses make moves like this. We’re told their baseball acumen is unparalled in today’s game. They made the decision to sign Lopez. They see something he might be able to offer. End of discussion if these guys are so smart.
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by BeerCub on Jan 20, 2012 11:17 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
"End of discussion"?
You mean these guys are ALWAYS RIGHT?
Yes, I trust their vision for this team. It does not mean that every single decision they make is the right one.
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You probably won't answer this
But other than being a throwback to the Hendry era, what exactly is the harm in signing Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league contract?
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
Because the Cubs have enough pitching depth
… that they shouldn’t need him.
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Al, promise i'm not Nunya Part two here but
i thought the old adage is, " you can never have enough pitching"?
So i you can give you can take it.
I don't disagree with that.
I just feel the Cubs have already reached that point.
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Or to put it more precisely
you can never have enough quality pitching
Not sure how keeping RoLo helps with that.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jan 20, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
Coleman?
Probably.
Sonnanstine? I’ll take my chances with the younger guy.
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Lopez was just about the worst rotation starter in the NL in 2010.
Again, I’ll take my chances with the younger guy maybe putting it together, than the 36-year-old retread.
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Eh. There were guys that pitched worse than Lopez in 2010.
I’d feel more confident if Lopez was thrown out there over Sonnanstine, and he was much better than Andy’s ever been since ‘08, but I can agree to disagree. And even though Sonnanstine is younger, he’s still going to be 29 in March, so he really shouldn’t be expected to get any better because he’s not really that young. Let’s just say neither is an ideal choice.
I'd agree with your conclusion here.
I still maintain that at 29, it’s still possible for Sonnanstine to get better. Will he? Probably not, but it’s more possible than Lopez, at 36, to improve.
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Honestly your constant assertions that the younger guys are always the better choice
ranks right up there with Ed’s “never bring ex players back ever…..EVER” crap
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 22, 2012 9:09 PM CST up reply actions
Clearly the organization disagrees with you. Also, having too many pitchers in your minor league isn't actually harmful
So…..What is the HARM.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
And I'll ask a completely different question that just occurred to me.
Because the Cubs have enough pitching depth
So they have too much depth for Rolo, but not enough for Kazmir and Dukes?
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
OK, let me spell this out again.
IF the Cubs were going to sign another pitcher — which I am not convinced they had any need for — I would have rather seen a younger LHP like Kazmir or Duke.
Do I really have to explain every single thing I post to you?
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Only when they contradict themselves.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 12:50 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Or someone changes his mind.
Again, you seem to be in the “AL’S OPINION ONCE STATED IS IMMUTABLE AND CAN NEVER BE CHANGED” camp.
That. Is. Just. Wrong.
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Are you changing your opinion by the hour now?
Because I’m talking about statements that contradict themselves in this thread
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 4:02 PM CST up reply actions
Isnt there an old saying?...
You can never have too much pitching. As long as he’s better than the fifth starter at Iowa who’s spot he’s taking, then it’s not a bad deal.
As a Hendry hater
I’m not really experiencing the whole “reminder of Hendry’s failure thing” now that he’s gone. Koyie was (rightfully) non-tendered, and I think I’ll lay off DeWitt this year. It’s just not the same now that Hendry has been replaced.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
Rodrigo Lopez is not exactly the Free Agent splash I am expecting from the great Theo Epstein
Only a minor league deal, which is the good news.
I guess I’ll still be patiently. waiting.
I am a veteran of the Internet - I will suffer fools gladly. And then mock them. And then post cat pictures.
you might be waiting
for a year or two
Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?
by jasperthepilot on Jan 20, 2012 9:32 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
We've basically sat through the entire offseason
If it hasn’t dawned on you yet that there isn’t going to be a big free agent splash this year….I don’t know what to tell you.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 10:10 AM CST up reply actions
I know, I know - just expected a bit more out of the gate I suppose
I am a veteran of the Internet - I will suffer fools gladly. And then mock them. And then post cat pictures.
by BoilerUp1982 on Jan 20, 2012 1:49 PM CST up reply actions
The gate's been open for a while.
There may have been a point in time over the past several months when TheoJed were setting their sights a LITTLE higher, like maybe before the new CBA rules came into effect. But if you were expecting much more based on anything in the past month or so, you weren’t paying close enough attention.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Stock up time!
Let’s get a look at as many players with Major League ability in camp. Lopez isn’t great, but at least he can be a credible option to fill in for a few starts if someone goes down for a short time.
More, more more! Now is the time to go bargain shopping. I expect Theo/Jed to sign a few of the many unsigned free agents to deals soon. I’d like to see deals for Dave Aardsma, Wilson Betemit, Connor Jackson and Juan Cruz. Most on minor league deals. We need some depth and competition in the bullpen and infield.
Wow, just went and looked at Conor Jackson's stats
He sure fell off a cliff. I would imagine he is one we wouldn’t go after (at least right now) Because Rizzo will be manning 1st base in Iowa.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
And Carlos Pena was just signed by the Rays again
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Aaron Gleeman on Lopez at Hardball Talk.
First he says:
Rodrigo Lopez did a decent job in 98 innings for the Cubs last season, posting a 4.42 ERA in 16 starts and 10 relief outings
But then he says:
He also served up 18 homers in 98 innings last season, which along with sub par strikeout rates and mediocre control makes him a pretty marginal big leaguer at this point.
So was it decent? Or not? Sounds like “not” to me.
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As many have tried to point out to you
He was decent for what he was. He was the 9th option in a field of bad options.
For some fans, Kerry Wood is that dollap of pumpkin paste.
by Nunyabidness on Jan 20, 2012 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
So a marginal big leaguer was signed to be a ninth starter?
Sounds okay to me.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
If this is the best you got, you ain't got
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Sounds like marginal.
But granted we can toss around stats all day… but…
Which is more important: ERA or how he gives up runs (HRs) or gets outs (Ks).
I’m not saying those stats have no meaning. They do. But I would think that ultimately ERA is more important.
And then there’s more stats on RoLo here… for perspective on how he compares to other 5th starters (which he is still awfully unlikely to be).
"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."
by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST
C'mon, Al.
Gleeman used the word ‘decent’. Clearly, Gleeman thought Lopez did a decent job.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
But then he said 18 HR in 98 innings wasn't very good.
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You're really reaching.
He said he did a decent job, and then elaborated about his overall performance. But he didn’t say, “Oh, on second thought, Lopez is the sum of all evil that Al Yellon says he is.”
I know, I know — you didn’t say he’s the sum of all evil. I was exaggerating for the sake of humor. Now, you could argue that Gleeman is indicating that Lopez has nowhere to go but down, and that if he went down any further, he’s not worth a roster spot.
But, again, RoLo isn’t getting a roster spot. He’s insurance on insurance who won’t block anyone and who costs relatively little money in baseball terms.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
How he got the results wasn't always impressive...
The results were decent. It’s not difficult to follow.
Good Gawd......
200+ comments on a minor league signing of RoLo……..only at BCB.
Sometimes I think a few of you just like to argue
for the sake of arguing.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
I object to that assumption!
I am a veteran of the Internet - I will suffer fools gladly. And then mock them. And then post cat pictures.
by BoilerUp1982 on Jan 20, 2012 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
Just an observation.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
BCB: Where we all get along and everyone loves every decision the Cubs make.
is boring.
So i you can give you can take it.
When the arguing gets predictable and routine
it gets boring too.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
i'm sorry i fell asleep during your predictable and routine reply...
(are you going to AZ with your husband?)
So i you can give you can take it.
Go back to sleep. You're not missing anything.
(Later in the week, yes.)
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
...................
(awesome! have a blast…hope its awesome for him, too!)
So i you can give you can take it.
I bet the vast majority of Cubs fans forgot this guy even pitched last year.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
I tried...
but Al kept bringing his name up over and over again….and now this.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 20, 2012 2:26 PM CST up reply actions
That's the only reason I remember him.
Did you know Ramon Ortiz pitched for the Cubs last year too? Crazy.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
I just irrationally liked the guy.
There weren’t many players to rationally like, anyways.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
Hey.
If you can have irrational hate for Koyie Hill, I can have irrational hate for RoLo.
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I don't consider any of my hate of Koyie Hill to be based on irrationalities.
He underperformed and was overpaid to do it….while blocking cheaper alternative that may or may not have been better..but couldn’t have ever been worse.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 20, 2012 3:37 PM CST up reply actions 6 recs
I'm considering creating two additional BCB accounts so I can turn this green myself.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
What exactly was Hill supposed to do?
Discard his paycheck, just quit to step aside for the cheaper, younger option that may or may not have been better? Hating Hill for this seems irrational to me, while hating Hendry and/or Quade for how much he was paid and how he was used would seem more rational.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
By that logic, the only player people should dislike are the a-holes.
DUMP GARZA. CORRECT THE COSMIC WRONG.
I'm not debating whether or not to like him,
just whether or not it’s rational or irrational.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
Is it rational to like or dislike a baseball team?
If you like a team and he’s hurting that team, isn’t that grounds for dislike?
Well ...
it comes down to whether SWL hates Koyie Hill the human being (which would be irrational) or if he hated Koyie Hill as a baseball player for the Chicago Cubs.
I don’t hate Hill. He shouldn’t have been a Cub in 2011 and I’m glad he won’t be in 2012. But, clearly, certainly posters decide that certain players embody the worst parts of the Hendry years.
Personally, I hated Kosuke as a baseball player (though not as a human being) because his signing was the first of many dominoes that set the Cubs in the wrong direction — his failure forced the Cubs to make an escalating series of bad signings to work around him — and for the ridiculous justifications made to excuse the signing on this site between 2008-11.
But, clearly, we all have different opinions as to who embodies the failures. TJ would probably pick Soriano. Al would pick RoLo. SWL would pick Koyie Hill. I’m sure someone (Worf?) would pick Zambrano and someone else (Easy Ed) would pick Kerry Wood.
As long as our arguments are based on something, and as long as we don’t hate these players as human beings … I think the emotion is probably rational, if overly strong.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
by elgato on Jan 20, 2012 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry, the judgment is rational, not the emotion.
Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Now I'm just confused.
Maybe my definition of irrational is irrational.
The best husband in the world is going to the 2012 Randy Hundley Cubs Fantasy camp!
"Old, boring, tired, repetitive and self soothing"
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Cubs win....what a lucky break!!" ---Harry
Better get a bucket.
"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach
Who the hell cares
The love for Wood and the hatred of Lopez is comical. Neither one will be on the team in 2015 when we win a World Series tiitle
not the
best for sure but they’re stockpiling pitching just in case one of these delicate flowers go on the dl for half the season like last year. lopez had some good moments last year.
by NOMAR on Jan 21, 2012 7:55 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
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