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Around SBN: Explaining Jeremy Lin's Early, Surprising Success

Oh, No. Not ALREADY.

I had a post almost finished and got a browser burp. It was one of the most magnificent pieces of writing I've ever done.

But you'll never see it. Instead, you'll have to make do with this one.

The Cubs cranked up their bats again today and beat the Giants 10-5, but that's likely not what you want to talk about.

Derrek Lee left the game in the second inning after an awkward slide into second base, "tweaking" his groin. It didn't seem serious, and after something like that you'd leave a spring training game right away as a precaution anyway.

But we worry, given this club's starcrossed last couple of years.

Henry Blanco also left early after fouling a ball off his knee; it was likely almost time for Geovany Soto to get some playing time anyway.

Carlos Zambrano threw 72 pitches in four innings, which is a lot. He walked two, which is too many, and struck out five, and gave up only three hits. He almost matched that at the plate, hitting a double and a triple (which the TV guys said might have been an inside-the-park HR had Z not slipped nearing third base) and driving in a run.

Jeff Samardzija threw two scoreless innings, but allowed five baserunners after the first two batters made easy outs in both innings. This is, obviously, something he has to work on, keeping his focus. I hope he gets to do it in High-A or even Double-A; it's been Cub policy to start college players at levels that are really too low for them, and with a talent like his I think they should start him higher, because he could be fast-tracked to the majors with his fastball and mound presence. His first-ever encounter with Barry Bonds resulted in a lazy little single to RF, after which Bonds left for a runner.

Other good things today: Jacque Jones had two more hits, and I'd like to see him get some PT in CF, even though Alfonso Soriano looked a little less tentative out there today. Jake Fox cracked another two-RBI double, but he's ticketed for Iowa anyway. Will Ohman struck out the side in his inning of work. Cliff Floyd -- yes, he really exists! -- had a two-run single in his first spring at-bat.

Bob Howry gave up a home run to a guy named Chad Santos -- I wouldn't worry about Howry, perhaps he was working on something.

I had more, but it was lost in the browser belch. And I thought I had copied it to the clipboard before everything closed. Oh, well. Tomorrow, Wade Miller will face the Diamondbacks in Tucson, and Rich Hill, whose turn would come up on the off-day Wednesday, will throw "an inning or two" in a minor league game and then resume his regular turn the next time around.

Don't worry too much about the injuries. There haven't been any updates -- good OR bad -- yet, on this, and as I said, neither seemed too serious.

Oh, go ahead. Cross various body parts and entreat whatever source you plead or pray to. Can't hurt.

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Where's...
...these roster cuts we've been hearing about.  Did anyone see the D.Lee slide?  How bad was it?

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 12, 2007 6:42 PM CDT reply actions  

cuts and lee
i think we're supposed to hear about the cuts by tomorrow morn?

Lee was decoyed going into 2nd. He first tried to slide, then held up and his spike caught. He didn't scream in horror or anything. he just walked around and they decided he'd better not finish the game. who knows at this point.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 12, 2007 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

Two things Al
  1. where the heck is Brenly?
  2. I think Jeff Samardzija needs time to learn to work out of the stretch, that's something to work on in the minors, his pitches aren't as sharp in the stretch right now.  He also needs time to develop more pitches if he is going to be a starter.  A good year in the minors and you might see him in September.

by cubswin on Mar 12, 2007 6:42 PM CDT reply actions  

I don't know about Brenly.
It does seem odd that they're doing all these games without him.

Good point about Samardzija pitching out of the stretch. He can work on that in minor league camp. I think his future is as a reliever.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions  

Dan Plesac...
... is absolutely brutal. He makes the same comment multiple times, even in the same at bat. He's monotone and adds nothing to the broadcast.

DmL

by dmlichte on Mar 12, 2007 7:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yes.
Mostly for Milwaukee and Toronto, though he spent two years as a Cub, 1993 and 1994.

Man, I hadn't thought it was that long ago.

Dan Plesac's career stats at baseball-reference.com

His 1064 games rank sixth on the all-time list for pitching appearances.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

OT
lance briggs says he will sit out the season if the Bears don't trade him. Often this is just saying something to get what they want, but he seems pretty intent on this.
That sucks. Hopefully they can get something worthwhile out of him. He's a good player and seems like a good guy, the Bears need to stop alienating everyone, or nobody will ever come there.
DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Mar 12, 2007 7:15 PM CDT reply actions  

I like him...
I can't believe he's being like this. I really don't understand why, but then again I only watch Bears games and I know nothing about football.

I hope they figure him out because I love watching Briggs, and he's a great player.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Mar 12, 2007 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

Why?
Because the Bears' ownership and front office is notorious for being cheap, and.....well, REALLY cheap.

The Bears will only continue to alienate players and keep better ones from coming as long as the McCaskeys own the team and Phillips is President.

CARL CRAWFORD, PLEASE!!!

by southerncubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

Actually.....
the Bears have done quite well in FA.

FWIW, the teams who have won consistently do not stock up via free agency.  They do it through the draft.

I agree about McCaskey.  He is a weasel.  I like Phillips.  He has done a good job thus far.

For those who have Bears season tickets, I recently received my 2007 invoice.  My tickets went from 75 to 82.  The price of success?!?

I never thought I would utter these words: Mark Prior = Jason Marquis!

by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

Briggs
I thought they made a pretty good offer to Briggs before the season and he turned it down.  I don't like the franchise player tag, because Briggs played out his deal and he should be allowed to be a free agent.  That being said, Briggs could have accepted the Bears offer, and got a couple of rings while making more money than his grandchildren will ever need.  If he wants to sit out fine.  That didn't really work out so well for Todd Bell and Al Harris in 1985.      

by MHef08 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 12, 2007 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Well...
... its Briggs players association who agreed to a CBA that allows for a franchise tag. The Bears are playing within the rules that the players agreed to. The Bears did nothing wrong here. Briggs should shut the hell up and play.

DmL

by dmlichte on Mar 12, 2007 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

Stupid....
move by Briggs IMHO.

If he shut his mouth, the Bears most likely would have moved him.

Now, the other GMs smell blood and will not give up what the Bears will demand in return.

I am amazed that Rosenhaus continues to sign clients.  He continues to either offer bad advice or can't get through to his players.

I never thought I would utter these words: Mark Prior = Jason Marquis!

by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

ok
i started by reading al's post over the game today which i missed becuse i worked until 8 tonight. i read alot of good things in that post, hopefully the lee thing isnt very bad and he comes right back. then i scroll down and read this dissapointing news. this is horrible, who in the hell do they have to replace him and still contend. i dont know about anyone else but green bay scares me in this division. they are improving greatly on defense and IF they trade for Moss i know they will be better than the bears. all this money fans spend on this team the organization listening to all of these fans wanting briggs on this team. this is going to be an ugly season, if this continues out.

by tbizzle83 on Mar 12, 2007 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Not worried yet.....
Briggs will play.  No way he sits out.  My guess is he shuts his mouth, says he was misqouted and plays nice.  If he does this, the Beloved will trade him and acquire a draft pick (late first?).

If not, he will miss some of the camp but ultimately play.   If he sits out, he loses out more than the Bears.

Look for the Bears to draft a LB on the first day.

I never thought I would utter these words: Mark Prior = Jason Marquis!

by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

totally agree..
Briggs diminishes his trade value by whinning. He cannot hold out the entire year or he'll lose it as an eligible year and the Bears can simply franchise him next year. I think he needs to play at least 6 games in '07 to be a UFA in '08.

I usually side on management's side. That said, football is a bit different. Very little of total deals are guaranteed and guys are often cut so the clubs don't have to pay the salaries they had signed guys for.

Briggs should not have escalated this to the media. Perhaps the Bears would have an easier time moving him and all would be happy.

Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Mar 12, 2007 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

the only thing
is that i wonder if he did all those things and Angelo told him flat-out no. its best for the team if Briggs stays under the franchise tag, and Angelo seems to have no problems pissing people off if he thinks its what he should do (see Lovie Smith).

From all reports Briggs is a classy guy, and i have to wonder if he exhausted all the clsoed door options and did this to force the bears hand. he still a star player, and if he plays well he'll probably make more in the long run if he plays under the franchise tag this year and then signs a big free agent contract next year.

For all the people that threaten to hold out, for some reason i believe briggs. that is kind of scary, because he's not relpaceable in the short term.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Mar 12, 2007 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

FWIW....
Angelo had no say in the Smith negotiations.  It was Phillips.  All money decisions are made by him and the McCaskeys.
I never thought I would utter these words: Mark Prior = Jason Marquis!

by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

i didn't know that
i thought angelo hired/fired the coaches, but i guess he doesn't handle the money end.

i don't like the mccasky's. i wish they'd sell. they are part of the halas legacy but i don't think they really give a crap about that--seems like its just about money to them.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Mar 12, 2007 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

From.....
everything I read, it is that damned inheritance tax that is stopping them from selling.

If the day ever comes that they do sell, I would personally drive Michael to the nearest airport and wish him a fond farewell.

The Bears have actually spent money on players.  It is the BS like jacking up the parking during the playoffs (40 to 80) that piss me off.

I never thought I would utter these words: Mark Prior = Jason Marquis!

by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

Briggs is gonna play
and he's gonna get 7-10 mil for the year. He's a fool if he sits out, and Mr. Jerry Maguire will make sure that won't happen.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 12, 2007 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

Paging Al Harris
I'd page Todd Bell as well, but unfortunately he has passed away and cannot respond to the page.

Skipping a year in the NFL has negative long-term expected value.

by Invalid User on Mar 13, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions  

cuts
The Chicago Cubs today announced its first round of roster cuts, reducing its spring roster from 58 players to 44 players.

Infielder Scott Moore and left-handed pitcher Clay Rapada have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. In addition, infielder Brian Dopirak has been optioned to Double-A Tennessee and right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija has been optioned to Single-A Daytona.

Ten non-roster invitees have been returned to minor league camp, including right-handed pitchers Jason Anderson, Sean Gallagher, Adam Harben, Ben Howard, John Webb and Randy Wells. Infielders Mike Kinkade and Eric Patterson, as well as outfielders Tyler Colvin and Chris Walker, have also been returned to minor league camp.

Chicago's spring roster of 44 players consists of 22 pitchers (three non-roster invitees), five catchers (two non-roster invitees), 10 infielders (three non-roster invitees) and seven outfielders.

by cubswin on Mar 12, 2007 7:17 PM CDT reply actions  

I'm sorry to see...
... Samardzija go to Daytona. That's slow-tracking him. He should go to Double-A.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions  

he won't be there long if
he can dominate, which I think he will.  And it's a great place to work on pitches.

by cubswin on Mar 12, 2007 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions  

Was he there last year?
I wanted him to come to me. Apparently, I will not be watching him here.
"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Mar 12, 2007 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

No
Samardzija was in Boise last season with a quick look in Peoria before football season started.

I don't see how Daytona is slow tracking him.  His second year in professional baseball (and  he didn't even play the whole season last year) and he's in High A.  That actually seems like a bit of a fast track to me.

And Jody Davis will be managing him, which, as far as I can tell, is a good thing.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 12, 2007 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Amen to that...
...I have to say that after seeing him today, he's got some stuff to work out, but he looked pretty damn good against MLB hitters.....

I can't believe he's not good enough for AA_West TN.

CARL CRAWFORD, PLEASE!!!

by southerncubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

FYI
The Cubs AA affiliate is no longer West Tenn it is the Tennessee Smokies in eastern, TN. Kodak, TN to be exact, east of Knoxville

by FullyKraeusened on Mar 12, 2007 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions  

BCB..
A great place to learn Tenn geography!  :)
Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Mar 12, 2007 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

I just had no idea...
where Kodak, TN was so I had to look it up. My sister is moving to TN and I thought I might be able to catch a game there this summer. No such luck as it is a little to far away.

by FullyKraeusened on Mar 12, 2007 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think....
he may be better off going to Daytona due to his lack of "polish".  In some of the scouting reports I read his development has been delayed due to him being a two sport athlete.

With as much talent as he has, I like the path the organization has put him on.  Build a strong base and watch him grow.  It will be exciting to follow his progress.

I never thought I would utter these words: Mark Prior = Jason Marquis!

by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agreed.
I'd guess that if he has a good first half, he'll be in Double-A by July, and maybe get a September callup (if such a callup is not already mandated by his contract).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

Lets hope....
I wonder how many innings the Cubs will want him to throw this season.   My guess is that he has not been stretched out yet.  I hope that they don't push too fast.  Power arms don't grow on trees.
I never thought I would utter these words: Mark Prior = Jason Marquis!

by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

True.
As a reliever, they can control his innings, and I'm sure they will.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions  

Samardzija, Impressive....
....haven't watched the kid pitch until today, but after today, I can tell you that he definitely made the right decision.

He displayed the confidence, presence and power to have what everyone's calling a really "high" upside.  

He's pretty intimidating out there on the mound, with a fastball that was working between 93 and 95 today--Best of all....he throws strikes.

Samardzija, Veal, Gallagher, Guzman......

Mark who?

CARL CRAWFORD, PLEASE!!!

by southerncubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:35 PM CDT reply actions  

Yep..
Everything that was said about Prior..:(
Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Mar 12, 2007 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions  

Tennessee Smokies AA
I am anxious to see who makes the roster here.  I live an hour from the Smokies field, which is beautifu and a great place to see a ballgame.  We are planning to go to a few games this season (and go to Gatlinburg which is 15 mins away) so I will keep notes and report back how the players are doing.  I was so glad when the Cubs made this their new AA home since I am so far away from Chicago.
My 11 year old grandaughter told me the Cubbies wouldn't win a WS in my lifetime, ya reckon? I still believe.

by TnLadyCubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:53 PM CDT reply actions  

That'd be great!
I always appreciate on-the-scene diaries from people who live in, or travel to, Cub road games or Cub minor league games. Please do post on your experiences when you go.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2007 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

that would be beautiful
I guess I was talking southern lol.
My 11 year old grandaughter told me the Cubbies wouldn't win a WS in my lifetime, ya reckon? I still believe.

by TnLadyCubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:55 PM CDT reply actions  

Brenly
Just a guess, but Brenly's son is a catcher for UNLV.  It might be that he has permission to spend some time watching him this spring.

by Walt on Mar 12, 2007 8:40 PM CDT reply actions  

cuts
MLB.com has a listing of 14 roster cuts the Cubbies made today.  The big one--one that no one should be surprised to see anyway--was Jeff Samardzija getting cut and optioned to A ball in Dayton.  Brian Dopirak is going to AA Tennessee and Clay Rapada and Scott Moore are going to AAA "Its not hell but you can see it from here" Iowa.  For a complete list, here's the link

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070312&content_id=1840385&vkey=spt2007news&fex t=.jsp

Hope this helps anyone hoping to catch a quick glimpse at some of the spring moves.  Just a quick note to all those of you lucky enough to be able to bask in the heaven that is spring training baseball at Ho Ho Kam--I truly hope you enjoy it and remember all us working class slobs you left behind.

by snowyman28 on Mar 12, 2007 10:19 PM CDT reply actions  

Cuts revisited
The article says Samardzija is going to A Daytona, not Dayton as I misquoted.  Sorry to anyone living in Dayton hoping to see him in that beautiful little park you have downtown there.

by snowyman28 on Mar 12, 2007 10:21 PM CDT reply actions  

Javy Lopez released by Rockies
I didn't realize he'd fallen that far..
Well, sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by wicubfan on Mar 12, 2007 11:38 PM CDT reply actions  

I'm not surprised.
Lopez is a perfect example of someone parlaying a late-career "career year" into a big-money deal, then falling on his butt.

He had a monster, 43 HR, 109 RBI, .328/.378/.687 year in 2003 with the Braves -- got a big-$ deal with Baltimore out of that. He was decent in 2004, but was already 33 and rapidly declined after that. He's 36 now and likely done.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 13, 2007 4:27 AM CDT up reply actions  

IMHO.......
Performance Enhancing.........
"I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this." Sue369

by timeforachange on Mar 13, 2007 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions  

I don't know about Jones in CF Al..
..did you see his throw to third on the Bonds single off of Samardja?  He claimed last year he was having problems because of his shoulder but that ball was in shallow RF and he reared back and threw the ball about half way to third.  I think Pierre actually does have a better arm than Jones and we saw how many players earned extra bases last year on Pierre.
Here's to a new year!!

by santo for prez on Mar 13, 2007 12:08 AM CDT reply actions  

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