SB Nation User Blog: dat cubfan daver

Hey, remember me? I'm Casey McGehee!

dat cubfan daver — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:30:16 -0000

Hey, remember me? I'm Casey McGehee!

This is a topic I've been meaning to bring up for a few days now, and if I wasn't so damn busy at work, I would've written a Fanpost about it myself. Fortunately, Harry Pavlidis, who occasionally posts here, beat me to the punch.

To wit, Casey McGehee. Y'know, the former Cubs farmhand who PLAYS THIRD BASE and has a hard to spell name and who PLAYS THIRD BASE and was unceremoniously released last fall. Did I mention he PLAYS THIRD BASE?

When Aramis went down, it would've been awfully nice to have been able to leave Fontenot at second base, skip the whole Freel/Farney hamstring debacle and simply bring in a guy now putting up a .927 OPS (!!!) in 70 ABs. (I know that probably won't last, but c'mon...)

The point is, this once again begs the question of what Jim Hendry was thinking in terms of providing the Cubs with any depth whatsoever at the third base position this season. Did he really think Aramis Ramirez was made of steel? Did he really think Aaron Miles could play the position? If it was a pure gamble on Jimbo's part, it came up snake eyes all the way.

Jake Fox on Baseball Prospectus Radio

dat cubfan daver — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:03:07 -0000

Jake Fox on Baseball Prospectus Radio

I subscribe to the Baseball Prospectus Radio podcast and, when I updated it yesterday, an interview with Jake Fox popped up as the most recent episode. I(Right now, it's the first link on the page provided.)

Of particular interest, Jake recounts that he repeatedly pleaded with Iowa Cubs manager Bobby Dickerson to play third base - especially after Aramis Ramirez's injury - but was basically stonewalled.

Do wins equal pitching success?

dat cubfan daver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:54:27 -0000

Do wins equal pitching success?

This article showed up in my Twitter stream this morning and, as I said there, I find it well-written and interesting - even though I don't completely agree with the author's premise. I posted a comment, which provoked some interesting discussion (if I do say so myself). Feel free to weigh in here, there and everywhere.

Ryne Sandberg Photo Gallery from Chattanooga

dat cubfan daver — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:09:33 -0000

Ryne Sandberg Photo Gallery from Chattanooga

This showed up in my Yahoo! newsfeed today. Ryno looks like he's all business.

OK, once and for all, Vizcaino is an Indian

dat cubfan daver — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:53:47 -0000

OK, once and for all, Vizcaino is an Indian

At long last, the Tribe has made up its mind about our erstwhile reliever with the perfect ERA. This article doesn't go into financial details, but I assume this is good news for the Cubs.

Looks like Vizcaino is headed to Cleveland

dat cubfan daver — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:33:17 -0000

Looks like Vizcaino is headed to Cleveland

OK, this may be one of the odder and more dubious sources ever (a very first tweet?!), but if it's good enough for mlbtraderumors, it's good enough for me. Looks like Da Viz is joining DeRo and Woody in Cleveland. I'll try to post another, more trustworthy link in the comments as it presumably arises.

In closing, let me just say that I am completely certain that this will be THE BIGGEST BASEBALL-RELATED NEWS STORY OF THE DAY. I repeat, VIZCAINO SIGNING WITH THE INDIANS IS THE BIGGEST NEWS STORY OF THE DAY!

Is Tony Graffanino worth a look?

dat cubfan daver — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:17:59 -0000

Is Tony Graffanino worth a look?

I noticed this news item this weekend, and even though I'd sworn off speculating about potential 3B/SS backups, I can't resist throwing this name out there for discussion.

Aramis' continued gimpiness - not to mention the fact that Ryan Theriot has appeared in every game so far this season - means the lack of depth on the left side of the infield is still a glaring Achilles' heal on this already battered team.

Granted, Graffanino appears to be a pretty awful hitter. (Career OPS+ 89). But, in 1,207.2 career innings at third base he shows a decent 6.7/8.6 UZR/UZR 150 rating. He's also played 714.1 career innings at shortstop for a just-above-water UZR/UZR 150 rating of 1.0/4.0. In addition, as far as I can tell, he hasn't been injured recently.

So I ask you, BCB, is Tony Graffanino worth a look?

The Wall Street Journal weighs in on baseball's X factor

dat cubfan daver — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:14:26 -0000

The Wall Street Journal weighs in on baseball's X factor

Interesting piece from today's edition about how scrappy has-beens can often make a baseball team.

Rosenthal reports on ex-Cubs Edmonds, Gaudin

dat cubfan daver — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:22:10 -0000

Rosenthal reports on ex-Cubs Edmonds, Gaudin

I gotta give Ken Rosenthal some credit. Today's column is rich with intriguing items - some loosely Cubs related.

Looks like Jimmy Ballgame is still game for a comeback. (See bullet points at bottom.) And check the sidebar for the apparent news that Kevin Towers is shooting to install Chad Gaudin as his fourth starter. Hope that works for ya, Kev.

No. 1 Cubs fan Bill Murray plunks woman on golf course.

dat cubfan daver — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:35:24 -0000

No. 1 Cubs fan Bill Murray plunks woman on golf course.

He's on his final hole. He's about 455 yards away, he's gonna hit about a 2 iron I think.

Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac... It's ~~in the hole~~ upside her cranium! It's ~~in the hole~~ upside her cranium! It's ~~in the hole~~ upside her cranium!