SB Nation User Blog: BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness

Hendry scapegoats Bradley

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:38:15 -0000

Another perspective about Bradley's suspension from Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus.

Here are the main points:

Who the hell has ever been suspended for two weeks for what they said to the media? This is a severe and unwarranted overreaction, a cynical public-relations ploy designed to curry favor with fans and the media and distract both groups from a Cubs season that is ending with a whimper.

[Bradley's] comments in the Herald weren't particularly new or enlightening, and they didn't attack any individual. They weren't profane or notably inflammatory. For this, he gets sent home for two weeks. By doing so, Hendry is blatantly pandering to the disgruntled fan base and the local media, as Carrie Muskat reported as far as Hendry's comments on the subject for MLB.com:

"I'm not going to let our great fans become an excuse, I'm not going to tolerate not answering questions from the media respectfully."
Really, now. This is why you've suspended one of your best players for two weeks, because it's mission-critical that your players respect the fans and treat the media well? That's nonsense, and the rush to back up Hendry and tear down Bradley is yet another example of the co-dependent relationship between baseball teams and the free media they rely upon.

Personally I think everything in the opinion piece is spot on. Hendry overreacted in order to protect himself from the fan's backlash this winter. Do I agree with what Bradley said? No. Was it an affront to Cubdome? No. Was it a guy venting after a really crappy season on many different levels? Yes. But hey the Cubs fans want a pound of flesh from someone and Hendry was willing to serve up Bradley oh so quickly.

The funny thing is this blog and it's strong personalities on this site have fallen for Hendry's cheap trick.

That being said I still think Bradley needs to be off the team. If Dempster is willing to pile on Bradley after he's forced out (which again is a little cynical because he to signed a big contract and played like crap this year) then it is clear the locker room wants him gone. Bradley clearly has created a hostile work environment which cannot be overcome by his baseball talents. For that reason Bradley must go.

But after Hendry threw Bradley under the bus, it is also clear to me that Hendry need to follow Bradley out the door.

The Tough Road to the Playoffs

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 04:34:34 -0000

I know it is very hard to predict anything in baseball. What makes the game great is anything can happen, anytime.

But as statheads point out while history never repeats itself it often rhymes.

So I did a little number crunching to see what the Cubs have to do make the playoffs.

I agree with conventional wisdom. 90 wins should get the Cubs the division.

So looking at the schedule I said what if the cubs win ever 3 game series the rest of the season and split all the 4 game series how many wins would they have:

Cubs Series

Pittsburgh     2 of 2
@ San Diego     2 of 3
@ LA Dodgers 2 of 4
Washington     2 of 3
NY Mets     2 of 3
Houston     2 of 3
White Sox     1 of 1
@ NY Mets     2 of 3
@ Pittsburgh     2 of 3
Cincinnati     2 of 3
Milwaukee     2 of 4
@ St. Louis     2 of 3

@ Milwaukee 2 of 3

@ San Francisco 2 of 4
Pittsburgh 2 of 3
Arizona 2 of 3
Rest of the season W 31
Rest of the season L 17
Total wins for the Season 90

So sure enough with that rosy outlook the Cubs get to 90 wins by doing that formula. No sweeps (except this series and the one game series against the White Sox), just win series wins and ties. It’s doable, but the Cubs have to play .650 ball the rest of the season.

Then I took a look at the cards schedule. I made a prediction that they win all series except against legitimate playoff contending teams (Dodgers, Atlanta, Miami, Cubs, Roxs). They lose those series two games to one and split all 4 game sets.

Cards     Series
San Diego     2 of 3
@ LA Dodgers 1 of 3
@ San Diego     2 of 4
Houston     2 of 3

Washington     2 of 3
Milwaukee     2 of 3
@ Pittsburgh     2 of 3
@ Milwaukee     2 of 3
Atlanta     1 of 3
Florida     1 of 3
Cubs     1 of 3
@ Houston     2 of 3
@ Colorado     1 of 3
@ Cincinnati     2 of 3
Milwaukee     2 of 3
Rest of the season W 25
Rest of the season L 22
Total Wins for the season: 89 wins

That means they play .540 baseball (what they have been playing year long) and they get to 89 wins.

So you can see the Cubs can make the playoffs, but a great deal has to go right to make that happen.

I think the Cubs can play .650 baseball if they are healthy. I really do. But they really can’t have any more big losing steaks or they will have to have some huge winning streaks.

The one thing I took from my analysis is that unless the Cards just pull a NY Mets the rest of the season the Cubs can only really afford to lose (at most) 20 more games.

To me that’s the magic number (20 losses) and that is what I will be counting for the rest of the season. The other number to watch is 30 Cards wins (29 after tonight). If they get there then the Cards will win the division.

2009 Trades Graded

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:05:57 -0000

You may not agree with grades but at least you can see all the trades in one post.

Enjoy!

Player to Red Sox C-1B Victor Martinez (C)



Players to the Indians RHP Justin Masterson, LHP Nick Hagadone, RHP Bryan Price (A)

The Scoop: The Sox over paid but needed a bat. Hagadone will be the guy we all remember from this trade.

=======================================



Player to White Sox RHP Jake Peavy (B)

Players to Padres LHP Aaron Poreda, LHP Clayton Richard, RHP Dexter Carter, RHP Adam Russell (C-)

The Scoop: The Sox get the guy they wanted weeks ago and gave up very little to get him. At the same time they traded their systems depth for a guy on the DL. By the way I think the Padres are wishing they sold to the Cubs this winter.

=======================================



Player to Twins SS Orlando Cabrera (C-)

Players to A's SS Tyler Ladendorf (B+)

The Scoop: The Twins were the only team really wanting Cabrera but he could help this team win now. The A’s get something for a guy that is washed up and walking at the end of the year.

=======================================



Player to Tigers LHP Jarrod Washburn (C+)

Players to Mariners LHP Lucas French, LHP Mauricio Robles (A)

The Scoop: Unlike many other teams that needed arms the Tigers actually got one to help there team but overpaid with French who will be a stud. The Mariners admit they will not win this year and manage to sell Washburn very high.

=======================================



Player to Braves 1B Adam LaRoche (D)

Player to Red Sox 1B Casey Kotchman (A-)



The Scoop: I still think the Sox got Kotchman to flip him later in the day for a bigger deal but either way they gave up an average hitter for a guy who you could switch James Loney with and never know by the numbers if had switched.

=======================================



Player to Marlins 1B Nick Johnson (A)



Player to Nationals LHP Aaron Thompson (D-)

The Scoop: The Marlins get an OBP machine to hit in front of their big three and only give up a LHP with a record of 5-9.

=======================================

Player to Rockies LHP Joe Beimel (A+)



Players to Nationals RHP Ryan Mattheus, RHP Robinson Fabian (F)

The Scoop: The Roxs get real Bullpen help and give up two minor leaguers with a records of 4-8. Who the hell runs the Nats?

=======================================



Player to Dodgers LHP George Sherrill (A)

Players to Orioles 3B Josh Bell, RHP Steve Johnson (B)

The Scoop: Sherrill is the real deal and cheap and the dodgers underpaid in order for the O’s to fill the void at 3B when Mora leaves. The O’s still filled that hole so it was a good trade for them

=======================================



Players to Cubs LHP John Grabow, LHP Tom Gorzelanny (B+)

Players to Pirates RHP Kevin Hart, RHP Jose Ascanio (C+)

The Scoop: The Cubs fill a void in the Bullpen and get a reclamation project tossed in. The Pirates get deeper in the Minors but might have bought Hart a little high.

=======================================



Players to Giants 2B Freddy Sanchez (D)



Players to Pirates RHP Tim Alderson (A)

The Scoop: The Giants overpay big time for an injured player. The Pirates must have pinched themselves when they got that call.

=======================================



Players to Phillies LHP Cliff Lee, OF Ben Francisco (A)



Players to Indians RHP Jason Knapp, RHP Carlos Carrasco, C Lou Marson, SS Jason Donald (B)

The Scoop: Phils needed a front line starter and used Halladay to drive down the price. The Indians still make the right long term move and get a few front line prospects in the process.

=======================================



Players to Mariners SS Jack Wilson, RHP Ian Snell (F)



Players to Pirates C/1B Jeff Clement, SS Ronny Cedeno, RHP Aaron Pribanicm, RHP Brett Lorin, RHP Nathan Adcock (A)

The Scoop: The Pirates were in Sell mode and let everyone know they were in sell mode. The Mariners over pay for two average at best players and then start to sell two days later. WTF?

=======================================



Player to Giants 1B Ryan Garko (A)

Player to Indians LHP Scott Barnes (C-)

The Scoop: Garko is a Major League hitter who should do well in the National League and the Giants got him by selling only one prospect very high.

=======================================



Player to Cardinals OF Matt Holliday (A)



Players to A's 3B Brett Wallace, OF Shane Peterson, RHP Clayton Mortensen (B+)

The Scoop: The Cards are going for it and got the best bat at their price range to help. The A’s get three + prospects but were forced to sell Holliday a little lower than expected but still sold him at an above market price.

=======================================

Player to Rockies RHP Rafael Betancourt (D)



Player to Indians RHP Connor Graham (A)



The Scoop: The Roxs turned the Indians for bullpen help and actually gave up a prospect for said help. Has anyone from the Roxs watched an Indian’s game this year?

=======================================



Player to Cardinals IF Julio Lugo (B)



Player to Red Sox OF Chris Duncan (B)

The Scoop: The Sox got something for someone they DFAed and the Cards kept the other teams (Cubs) from picking up someone they had their eye on.

=======================================



Player to Red Sox 1B Adam LaRoche (C)



Players to Pirates SS Argenis Dias, P Hunter Strickland (B)

The Scoop: LaRoche is an average player that the Red Sox really didn’t have to have but they didn’t overpay too much. The Pirates got deeper in the Minors again

=======================================



Player to Brewers 2B Felipe Lopez (B+)

Players to D-backs RHP Roque Mercedes, OF Cole Gillespie (C)

The Scoop: The Brewers got one their holes filled without getting much yet the D-backs were lucky to get anything for Lopez

=======================================

Player to Mariners 3B Jack Hannahan (-D)



Player to A's RHP Justin Souza (A)

The Scoop: The Mariners thought they were buyers and the A’s took advantage of that miscalculation.

=======================================



Player to Mets OF Jeff Francoeur (B-)



Players to Braves OF Ryan Church (A-)

Cash considerations



The Scoop: Classic “Change of Scenery” trade. Church has more upside but Francoeur is getting key hits for the Mets.

=======================================

Player to White Sox RHP Tony Pena (A)



Player to D-backs INF Brandon Allen (C)



The Scoop: Tony Pena is a serviceable arm for a team that is trying to win now and the Sox didn’t give up much to get him.

=======================================

Player to A's OF Scott Hairston (D-)

Players to Padres RHP Ryan Webbm, RHP Craig Italiano, Player to be named (B+

The Scoop: Padres got anyone for that scrub is a good hall

=======================================

Player to Yankees IF-OF Eric Hinske (C-)



Players to Pirates RHP Casey Erickson, OF Eric Fryer (B+)

The Scoop: Pirates did well to get a deeper minor league system the Yanks got some insurance

=======================================

Players to Nationals OF Nyjer Morgan, LHP Sean Burnett (A)



Players to Pirates RHP Joel Hanrahan, OF Lastings Milledge (C)

The Scoop: Pirates did well to get a Hanrahan but will kick themselves for years as Nyjer Morgan progresses and Milledge ends up pumping gas.

=======================================

Player to Cardinals IF-OF Mark DeRosa (B)



Players to Indians, RHP Chris Perez, Player to be named later (A)

The Scoop: The Cards got DeRo at a high price but did get a guy who filled holes. The Indians got much more than they should have for him.

=======================================

Player to Braves OF Nate McLouth (A)



Players to Pirates RHP Charlie Morton, OF Gorkys Hernandez, LHP Jeff Locke (C+)

The Scoop: The Braves picked up a very good player without giving up major part in their minor league system but the Pirates did get deeper.

In closing, the one great thing we got was this board can all knock off the trades for PV crap.

But we will always have Eric Hanna and ADAM LIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phil Rogers = Moron X 5

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:00:11 -0000

Phil Rogers = Moron X 5

This is about the dumbest things I have ever had the misfortune of reading.

It is time to reassess this team

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:13:42 -0000

The Cubs are getting very close the halfway point of the season.

I would like to start this discussion with a few simple assumptions:

1: The current team make up makes it nothing more than a .500 team. No more, no less.

2: With all these back loaded contracts it is clear the Cubs have to try to win now.

3: There is no guarantee that AmRam comes back 100% let alone can bring 10 wins to the team with his offense.

Here are my predictions going forward on these guys. Grades are for what they should be for the rest of the season if they stay in their current roles.

The Starters:

1) Sori C+(Great start, scary bad since)

2) Dome C+ (Nothing Great, he can’t hit lefties)

3) Game Board C- (He looks like a .250 hitter, with a little pop from the Right side)

4) DLee B (A good May/June has shown he’s still a very good pro hitter)

5) Soto B (He looks like he has found his stroke again)

6) LBR D+ (He looks like a role player. Nothing more)

7) The Riot B+ (The consistent player on the team)

8) Aaron Miles F (He is done)

Role Players:

The Hoff B (He is a good pitch hitter and good role player.)

Bobby Scales C- (Great story that can help in a pinch)

K Hill C (An average back up catcher)

Freel Incomplete (Hasn’t had a chance to play, but he could be helpful)

Fox B+ (He looks like a MLB hitter and he will not be returning to Iowa)

RJ B (A good back up outfielder)

Andy Blanco C (An Average light hitting, good fielding backup infielders)

Starting Pitcher:

Z A- (He is an Ace)

Lilly B (He is good)

Dempster B (He is good and should have 2 more wins)

Harden B- (Still gives up too many homers, but he can wow sometimes)

Wells C+ (The MLB will figure him out, but he looks like a big league starter)

Marshal C (He’s a starter and could be a very good 5 starter)

The Pen

Closer: Gregg C+ (An Average MLB Closer. Nothing more, Nothing less)

8th Inning Guy: Marmol B (His stuff is electric, but walks are killing him)

7th Inning Guy: Guzman B (He’s learned to be a relief pitcher)

Others in the Pen:

Ascanio D (AAAA pen guy)

Heilman C (Average pen pitcher. Should never be asked to do more)

Patton C (Should be in Iowa but whatever, He can get outs)

Hart D- (AAAA pen guy)

LOOGY: NONE

This is what this team is at the current moment. If you average the grades together you will get a C+ team. I see a team that will win 85 games and if they make the playoffs will be swept again in the first round.

So how do you fix this team?

First the offense is sad and DeRo will not fix it.

First: Sori needs some mental health days. Get RJ/Hoff more At Bats in Left.

Second: Fox is a MLB Hitter and should get the Starting Job at 3B till AmRam gets back.

Third: Release Miles and platoon LBR and Andy White at 2B

Fourth: Platoon Hoff/Dome and Gameboard

Fifth: Let RJ take 50% of the At Bats in CF

RHSP Line-up:

Sori

Dome

DLee

Hoff

Fox

Soto

The Riot

LBR

Pitcher

LHSP Line-up:

Sori

The Riot

DLEE

Game Board

Fox

Soto

Andy White

The Pitching is good. The pen could be upgraded but it is the lack of hitting that is killing the cubs not the pen.

The Start Rotation:

Lilly

Dempster

Wells

Harden

Pen:

Closer: Gregg

8th: Marmol

7th : Guzman

Others:

Heilman

Patton

Marshal

I think with these changes you can pick up a few wins here and there you might get to 88 wins which should get the cubs into the playoffs.

The only way I see the Cubs getting better than that would be to get AmRam back at 100%, Find a new LH Power bat and find an everyday all starting center fielder or Second Baseman both via a trade. Who those folks are I do not know.

Oh and...Peavy

It is time to sacrifice the goat

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:40:28 -0000

You might be thinking this is a post about Bob Howry. Well it is not, kind of. You might be thinking this is a post about Z or Marquis. It not, kind of.

No, this post is about sacrificing a goat, more specifically the Cubs Goat.

[History: This might be boring]

Although many Hindus are vegetarian, there are some temples in India where goats and chickens are sacrificed. These sacrifices are mainly done at mandirs following the Shakti school of Hinduism where the female nature of Brahman is worshipped in the form of Kali Ma.

Kali Ma is a Hindu goddess associated with death and destruction. The name Kali means 'force of Kala or time' which makes all things transient. Despite her negative connotations, she is not actually the goddess of death, but rather of Time and Change.

The point: Hindus would sacrifice goats to bring about change. That is what this team needs is change. So I say we need to sacrifice the Cubs’ Goat.

So I propose we vote to see which goat gets it. Will it be Howry, Z, Marquis, or someone else. It should be cathartic and it would be nice to get all our frustrations out at once.

So vote and make your case for who we should sacrifice. Hopefully by tomorrow the Cubs will have won and all our frustrations will be tabled for a few days.

Poll

23 votes

You are a pagan and a heathen and clearly hate God and America.

13 votes

88 votes | Poll has closed

Bad News: Z to See Dr. about Arm

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:37:09 -0000

Sun-Times Says:

Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano complained of soreness in his right arm when he left his start early Wednesday night, throwing into doubt his status for the remainder of the season and postseason.

Read the whole thing HERE.

According to Lou, Z is hurt and will see a doctor on Wednesday.

What does this mean for Z?

What is best case scenario?

What is the worst case scenario?

Are you scared?

Does it matter that Z is missing?

Please Discuss, I will update when more info comes in.

OFFICIAL: Motion to the Chair (Al) of BCB.

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:31:04 -0000

******************************************************
In the interest of:
Not counting chickens before they hatch,
Focusing on just winning the next game/ regular season series,
Not bringing the wrath of the baseball gods,

I hereby motion that:
We as a members of the BleedCubbieBlue institution will not post any "Magic Numbers" until the Chicago Cubs' "Magic Number" for making the playoffs is no greater than 10.

Acceptable "Magic Number" postings will be the following (if appropriate): 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.

[Badger Amendment] The "Magic Number" cannot be posted in the month of August, regardless of how low it may be.

******************************************************

So Al the ball is in your court. This is just a friendly suggestion from 40% of your loyal readers.

Here are the official results of the poll (337 respondents):

Yes: The motion should pass as is -- 137 votes 41%
Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 15 games -- 29 votes 9%
Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 20 games 85 -- votes 25%
No: I don't care about the baseball gods. Put "Magic Number" up right now. -- 86 votes 25%

----------------------------------------------------------------------

On a personal note. It is interesting that 50% of folks agree that we shouldn't mention the "Magic Number" until at least 15 games out or less. And 50% think it should be 20 games or more.

I wonder if a fair compromise between the two sides would be 15 games.

Just a suggestion.

Thanks to everyone who participated and voted.

OFFICIAL: Motion to the Chair (Al) of BCB.

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:17:46 -0000

*

******************************************************

So Al the ball in your court. This is just a friendly suggestion from 40% of your loyal readers.

Here are the official results of the poll (337 respondents):

Yes: The motion should pass as is -- 137 votes 41%
Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 15 games -- 29 votes 9%
Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 20 games 85 -- votes 25%
No: I don't care about the baseball gods. Put "Magic Number" up right now. -- 86 votes 25%

----------------------------------------------------------------------

On a personal note. It is interesting that 50% of folks agree that we shouldn't mention the "Magic Number" until at lease 15 games out or less. And 50% think it should be 20 games or more.

I wonder if a fair compromise between the two sides would be 15 games.

Just a suggestion.

Thanks to everyone who participated and voted.

Poll

Vote on the stated motion above:

Yes: The motion should pass as is

137 votes

Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 15 games

29 votes

Amendment to the motion: BCB should be able to talk about "Magic Numbers" at 20 games

86 votes

No: I don't care about the baseball gods. Put "Magic Number" up right now.

87 votes

339 votes | Poll has closed

Crow...it's what's for dinner

BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:15:22 -0000

Yesterday I spent all day talking about how Micah Hoffpauir should replace Daryle Ward on this Cubs team. I kept using Micah hot streak in AAA and his stats from earlier in the season to justify my conclusion while completely discounting those that were consistently saying, "Do not discount the usefulness of an experienced Major League hitter."

So I would like to take this opportunity to, with my first fan post, say:

I was wrong.

I was very very wrong.

I would like to also point out that Drew was right.

Congratulations Darlye and thank you for not giving up on yourself.

I will not be questioning his place on this team again for the rest of the year.

Go Cubs!