The Good:
Kris Bryant hit a 2-run shot in the 7th.
Darwin Barney went 2-2 with a solo shot
Paolo Espino, Tommy Hottovy, and Carlos Pimentel each threw a scoreless inning.
The "Big 4" went 2-8 with a double by Albert Almora and a homer by Kris Bryant
Cubs only struck out 4 times as a team
The Bad:
Rusin gave up 4 runs in 2 innings with a walk and a pair of punchouts
James McDonald (6) and Jonathon Sanchez (3) gave up 9 runs combined.
Allowed the Halos to score 15 runs
Mike Trout hit a grand slam and drove in 5
Friday, February 28, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Former Cubs infielder Ryan Theriot retires
Former Cubs SS/2B Ryan Theriot retired today. Theriot played 8 seasons in the MLB with 6 as a Cub, 2 months as a Dodger, and 1 season with the Cardinals and the Giants. Theriot will probably be most remembered for scoring the run that secured the World Series for the Giants in 2012 in his last MLB appearance.
Ryan Theriot was the Cubs 3rd-round pick in 2001 in a draft the Cubs drafted Mark Prior and Andy Sisco. Theriot made his MLB debut in 2005 playing in 9 games that season collecting 13 at bats. After hitting .328 in part time duty in 2006 Theriot became the Cubs shortstop in 2007 having his first of 5 100 hit seasons. Theriot had his best season for the Cubs in 2008 when he hit .307/.387/.359 in 149 games for the Cubs. He was average defensively with 58 errors and a .972 fielding percentage in his career at shortstop.
Towards the trading deadline in 2010 the Cubs were out of the race and were looking to unload players. They traded Ted Lilly and Theriot to the Dodgers for Blake Dewitt, Brett Wallach, and Kyle Smit. Theriot hit .242 in 54 games for the Dodgers before being traded that offseason to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Theriot played in 132 games for the Cardinals in their championship season hitting .271/.321/.342 with 1 home run and 47 RBIs. After that season with the Cardinals Theriot spent his final MLB season with the championship winning Giants hitting .270 in 104 games with them. He scored the run in the 10th inning in Game 4 of the World Series that won the series for the Giants.
Overall the 34-year old infielder had a solid career hitting .281/.341/.350 in his career with 17 home runs and 257 RBIs while stealing 121 bases in his career.
Ryan Theriot was the Cubs 3rd-round pick in 2001 in a draft the Cubs drafted Mark Prior and Andy Sisco. Theriot made his MLB debut in 2005 playing in 9 games that season collecting 13 at bats. After hitting .328 in part time duty in 2006 Theriot became the Cubs shortstop in 2007 having his first of 5 100 hit seasons. Theriot had his best season for the Cubs in 2008 when he hit .307/.387/.359 in 149 games for the Cubs. He was average defensively with 58 errors and a .972 fielding percentage in his career at shortstop.
Towards the trading deadline in 2010 the Cubs were out of the race and were looking to unload players. They traded Ted Lilly and Theriot to the Dodgers for Blake Dewitt, Brett Wallach, and Kyle Smit. Theriot hit .242 in 54 games for the Dodgers before being traded that offseason to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Theriot played in 132 games for the Cardinals in their championship season hitting .271/.321/.342 with 1 home run and 47 RBIs. After that season with the Cardinals Theriot spent his final MLB season with the championship winning Giants hitting .270 in 104 games with them. He scored the run in the 10th inning in Game 4 of the World Series that won the series for the Giants.
Overall the 34-year old infielder had a solid career hitting .281/.341/.350 in his career with 17 home runs and 257 RBIs while stealing 121 bases in his career.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
My 2014 Hall of Fame Ballot
This years Hall of Fame ballot is filled with numerous stars and very talented players that makes it tough to determine who should get in.
1. Greg Maddux
Easily one of the best pitchers of all time. Had great command and got outs without throwing too much pitched. He had a lifetime 3.16 ERA with 999 walks in 5008.1 innings. At one point in his career he won 4 straight Cy Young Awards posting a 1.98 ERA in that time period. He pitched for the Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, and Padres.
2. Craig Biggio
One of the greatest hitters to ever play on the Astros. He hit .281/.363/.433 with 3060 hits and 291 home runs as primarily a second baseman for the Astros. He hit well compared to other second baseman.
3. Frank Thomas
A great power hitter with 521 career home runs and a .555 career slugging percentage should lead him into the HOF. He had his best years in a White Sox uniform hitting .307/.427/.568 for them with 448 home runs. His plate discipline was also well known as he walked more times than he struck out in his career with 1667 walks and 1397 punchouts. He played for the White Sox, A's, and Blue Jays.
4. Barry Bonds
Despite being dogged by steroid rumors Bonds still makes my ballot. He is baseballs all-time home run leader and is the only player eligible for the Hall of Fame with an OPS over 1.000. He drew an unprecedented 2558 walks in his career for an OBP of .444. The 7-time MVP played for the Giants and Pirates in his career.
5. Sammy Sosa
The Cubs most prolific slugger hit .273/.344/.534 in his career with 609 career home runs. He is probably best known for chasing Mark McGwire in 1998 for the single season home run record. The 7-time All Star played for the Cubs, White Sox, Rangers, and Orioles.
6. Jack Morris
One of the most underrated pitchers of all time Morris pitched 3824 innings in his career with a 3.90 ERA. He punched out 2478 and walked 1390. He is best known for his 10 inning complete game in game 7 of the 1991 World Series in which the Twins eventually won. Morris pitched for the Tigers, Twins, Blue Jays, and Indians.
7. Roger Clemens
The great pitcher pitched to a 3.12 ERA in 4916.2 innings in his career with a 354-184 W-L record. Clemens punched out 4672 in his career while walking 1580. He is also known for his involvement in baseballs steroid scandal being a suspected user and his involvement in multiple bench clearing brawls. He played for the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, and Astros in his career.
8. Mike Piazza
One of the best hitting catchers of all time Piazza hit .307/.377/.545 in his career with 427 career home runs. He was drafted in the 60th round of the MLB draft as a favor but he has become a Hall of Fame caliber player. Piazza had a .922 career OPS and has been one of the best hitting catchers of all time.
9. Tom Glavine
A member of Atlantas "Big Three" in the 90's Glavine was one of baseballs best pitchers during the 90's with a 164-87 record with 2228 innings pitched and 1465 strikeouts and adding 2 Cy Young Awards. Glavine finished 305-203 in his career with 2607 strikeouts and 4413.1 innings pitched. He pitched for the Braves and the Mets in his career.
10. Tim Raines
A very underrated hitter has been on the ballot far too long without induction but I am going to vote for him. He was a very good hitter and quick on the base paths. He hit .294/.385/.425 in his career with 808 career stolen bases. He had 2604 career hits and hit 170 career home runs. Raines played for the Expos, White Sox, Yankees, A's, Marlins, and O's in his career.
1. Greg Maddux
Easily one of the best pitchers of all time. Had great command and got outs without throwing too much pitched. He had a lifetime 3.16 ERA with 999 walks in 5008.1 innings. At one point in his career he won 4 straight Cy Young Awards posting a 1.98 ERA in that time period. He pitched for the Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, and Padres.
2. Craig Biggio
One of the greatest hitters to ever play on the Astros. He hit .281/.363/.433 with 3060 hits and 291 home runs as primarily a second baseman for the Astros. He hit well compared to other second baseman.
3. Frank Thomas
A great power hitter with 521 career home runs and a .555 career slugging percentage should lead him into the HOF. He had his best years in a White Sox uniform hitting .307/.427/.568 for them with 448 home runs. His plate discipline was also well known as he walked more times than he struck out in his career with 1667 walks and 1397 punchouts. He played for the White Sox, A's, and Blue Jays.
4. Barry Bonds
Despite being dogged by steroid rumors Bonds still makes my ballot. He is baseballs all-time home run leader and is the only player eligible for the Hall of Fame with an OPS over 1.000. He drew an unprecedented 2558 walks in his career for an OBP of .444. The 7-time MVP played for the Giants and Pirates in his career.
5. Sammy Sosa
The Cubs most prolific slugger hit .273/.344/.534 in his career with 609 career home runs. He is probably best known for chasing Mark McGwire in 1998 for the single season home run record. The 7-time All Star played for the Cubs, White Sox, Rangers, and Orioles.
6. Jack Morris
One of the most underrated pitchers of all time Morris pitched 3824 innings in his career with a 3.90 ERA. He punched out 2478 and walked 1390. He is best known for his 10 inning complete game in game 7 of the 1991 World Series in which the Twins eventually won. Morris pitched for the Tigers, Twins, Blue Jays, and Indians.
7. Roger Clemens
The great pitcher pitched to a 3.12 ERA in 4916.2 innings in his career with a 354-184 W-L record. Clemens punched out 4672 in his career while walking 1580. He is also known for his involvement in baseballs steroid scandal being a suspected user and his involvement in multiple bench clearing brawls. He played for the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, and Astros in his career.
8. Mike Piazza
One of the best hitting catchers of all time Piazza hit .307/.377/.545 in his career with 427 career home runs. He was drafted in the 60th round of the MLB draft as a favor but he has become a Hall of Fame caliber player. Piazza had a .922 career OPS and has been one of the best hitting catchers of all time.
9. Tom Glavine
A member of Atlantas "Big Three" in the 90's Glavine was one of baseballs best pitchers during the 90's with a 164-87 record with 2228 innings pitched and 1465 strikeouts and adding 2 Cy Young Awards. Glavine finished 305-203 in his career with 2607 strikeouts and 4413.1 innings pitched. He pitched for the Braves and the Mets in his career.
10. Tim Raines
A very underrated hitter has been on the ballot far too long without induction but I am going to vote for him. He was a very good hitter and quick on the base paths. He hit .294/.385/.425 in his career with 808 career stolen bases. He had 2604 career hits and hit 170 career home runs. Raines played for the Expos, White Sox, Yankees, A's, Marlins, and O's in his career.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Javier Baez is a Top 5 Prospect
According to Baseball Prospectus writer Jason Parks Javier Baez will be in the Top 5 in BP's top 101 Prospects due out early next year. It should come as no surprise as Baez had a wonderful season for Daytona and Tennessee hitting .282/.341/.578 with 37 home runs in 130 combined games. He also showed some speed with 20 stolen bases and 4 triples.
One of the concerns about Baez is his plate discipline. He was able to walk 40 times in 577 plate appearances but also struck out 147 times which is a 25% rate which is up from 21% in 2012. The issue is not a big one yet. He still has another season to improve his discipline before he is considered big league ready.
Baez was better defensively than current Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro. Baez fielded only .932 with 44 errors but he had a range factor of 4.88 which is much better than Castros 4.11.
Baez has the potential to be a superstar and with the "Big Four" of Jorge Soler, Baez, Albert Almora, and Kris Bryant coming up soon the Cubs could be contenders as soon as 2015.
One of the concerns about Baez is his plate discipline. He was able to walk 40 times in 577 plate appearances but also struck out 147 times which is a 25% rate which is up from 21% in 2012. The issue is not a big one yet. He still has another season to improve his discipline before he is considered big league ready.
Baez was better defensively than current Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro. Baez fielded only .932 with 44 errors but he had a range factor of 4.88 which is much better than Castros 4.11.
Baez has the potential to be a superstar and with the "Big Four" of Jorge Soler, Baez, Albert Almora, and Kris Bryant coming up soon the Cubs could be contenders as soon as 2015.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Cubs should sign Tanaka
The Cubs are building from the farm, but the problem is that they do not have many top pitching prospects at higher levels which means they need to go the trade route/open market to find pitchers. The Cubs do have Kyle Hendricks, a 24-year old RHP who was lights out in 166.1 innings pitched for AA and AAA. But they could always add more and adding Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka would add to their rotation.
Tanaka is a very special talent posting a 24-0 record last season which is absolutely amazing. Over a quarter of Rakutens wins came from Tanakas season. He has a splitter which drops out and he can command it. He doesn't have the power Yu Darvish has but he can locate his pitched effectively and efficiently. Tanaka also rarely gives up home runs with 6 given up in 212 innings.
Cubs rotation if they sign Tanaka:
1. Tanaka
2. Jeff Samardzija
3. Travis Wood
4. Edwin Jackson
5. Jake Arrieta
Cubs rotation if they do not sign Tanaka:
1. Samardzija
2. Wood
3. Jackson
4. Arrieta
5. Chris Rusin/Kyle Hendricks
Tanaka is a very special talent posting a 24-0 record last season which is absolutely amazing. Over a quarter of Rakutens wins came from Tanakas season. He has a splitter which drops out and he can command it. He doesn't have the power Yu Darvish has but he can locate his pitched effectively and efficiently. Tanaka also rarely gives up home runs with 6 given up in 212 innings.
Cubs rotation if they sign Tanaka:
1. Tanaka
2. Jeff Samardzija
3. Travis Wood
4. Edwin Jackson
5. Jake Arrieta
Cubs rotation if they do not sign Tanaka:
1. Samardzija
2. Wood
3. Jackson
4. Arrieta
5. Chris Rusin/Kyle Hendricks
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Very early 2014 Cubs predictions
Starting Lineup:
C Welington Castillo .265/.321/.452 16 home runs 72 RBIs
1B Anthony Rizzo: .273/.351/.478 28 home runs 95 RBIs
2B Darwin Barney .221/.274/.321 2 home runs 26 RBIs
SS Starlin Castro .290/.336/.412 7 home runs 58 RBIs
3B Luis Valbuena .231/.326/.401 5 home runs 32 RBIs
LF Junior Lake .286/.321/.426 17 home runs 67 RBIs
CF Justin Ruggiano .251/.321/.436 22 home runs 71 RBIs
RF Nate Schierholtz .256/.308/.421 11 home runs 55 RBIs
Pitching Rotation:
SP Travis Wood 12-11 3.43 ERA 156 strikeouts
SP Jeff Samardzija 13-13 3.61 ERA 212 strikeouts
SP Edwin Jackson 8-12 4.12 ERA 143 strikeouts
SP Jake Arrieta 10-6 4.16 ERA 112 strikeouts
SP Chris Rusin 11-13 4.63 ERA 104 strikeouts
These are very early predictions so don't put too much weight on them. When Spring Training rolls around we will know more about who looks good and who doesn't. Also the offseason isn't done so any of these players could be traded as well.
C Welington Castillo .265/.321/.452 16 home runs 72 RBIs
1B Anthony Rizzo: .273/.351/.478 28 home runs 95 RBIs
2B Darwin Barney .221/.274/.321 2 home runs 26 RBIs
SS Starlin Castro .290/.336/.412 7 home runs 58 RBIs
3B Luis Valbuena .231/.326/.401 5 home runs 32 RBIs
LF Junior Lake .286/.321/.426 17 home runs 67 RBIs
CF Justin Ruggiano .251/.321/.436 22 home runs 71 RBIs
RF Nate Schierholtz .256/.308/.421 11 home runs 55 RBIs
Pitching Rotation:
SP Travis Wood 12-11 3.43 ERA 156 strikeouts
SP Jeff Samardzija 13-13 3.61 ERA 212 strikeouts
SP Edwin Jackson 8-12 4.12 ERA 143 strikeouts
SP Jake Arrieta 10-6 4.16 ERA 112 strikeouts
SP Chris Rusin 11-13 4.63 ERA 104 strikeouts
These are very early predictions so don't put too much weight on them. When Spring Training rolls around we will know more about who looks good and who doesn't. Also the offseason isn't done so any of these players could be traded as well.
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