SB Nation User Blog: zambranofan

Understanding fangraph stats -- help?

zambranofan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:57:55 -0000

Understanding fangraph stats -- help?

I've been looking to do some analysis on how the Cub lineup stacks up against different types of pitchers. I just saw the stats on pitch type and pitch value on fangraphs. But I'm not sure how to interpret all the numbers.

For example, the link takes you to Soriano's page. I believe this shows that he created 7.4 runs above average off fastballs in 2009 (wFB). This is a huge drop from past years. So, as much as he had problems with breaking balls, he lost most of his value with an inability to hit the fastball. He was also thrown more breaking balls than in the past (the Pitch Type table).

Am I interpreting this correctly? If so, I'm willing to put together a summary of the Cub lineup, and where it went wrong in 2009. Let me know.

Auction includes rare Cubs items

zambranofan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:54:27 -0000

Auction includes rare Cubs items

Hat tip to Maury Brown and BTF for noting this. Link takes you to a photolisting of 700 items up for bid at a Nov. auction held at the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.

For example, here's a Chicago baseball team lamp from 1876. Think his first name is Dennis?

Only Five Roster Changes, Lou?

zambranofan — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:36:34 -0000

Only Five Roster Changes, Lou?

Carrie Muskat quotes Lou as saying that the team may only need to swap out about five players this Winter. His first three wishes are (1) to stay healthy, particularly Soriano and Soto (2) an RBI guy, and (3) a leadoff man.

If you could only change five players on the Cubs roster, who would they be? I'm not thinking of specific trades, just which positions (defense 2-9) and slots in the rotation and bullpen would change from where the Cubs are right now?

Contracts similar to Milton Bradley's

zambranofan — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:19:55 -0000

Contracts similar to Milton Bradley's

Link goes to Cot's Baseball Contracts homepage.

I searched Cot's to find other deals that expire in two years and have a similar amount due as the Cubs owe Bradley. I'm not saying they will or should trade him straight up for someone else with a multi-million dollar contract, but the list is interesting because it shows how often these deals turn out badly.

Here's the list:

Gary Matthews, $23
Brian Fuentes, $18
Juan Pierre, $18.5
Rafael Furcal, $20.5
Carlos Silva, $25*
Oliver Perez, $24
Francisco Rodriguez, $26.5*
Brad Lidge, $24.5*
Raul Ibanez, $23
Francisco Cordero, $25*
Brandon Phillips, $18.75*
J.D. Drew, $28
Daisuke Matsuzaka, $28 (3 years)
Todd Helton, $40.3*
Aaron Cook, $18.75*
Gil Meche, $24
Magglio Ordonez, $18 (one year)
Carlos Guillen, $26
Curtis Granderson, $25.75* (3 years)
Joe Nathan, $22.5
Mark Buehrle, $28
Jorge Posada, $26.2
Robinson Cano, $21*
Nick Swisher, $16.75*

*includes buyout of one more year

Just for discussion.

Asking for an update after returning from 2 weeks away

zambranofan — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:36:48 -0000

Asking for an update after returning from 2 weeks away

A few questions, if you don't mind the fanshot. I've been in rural Peru and have seen no Cub games for two weeks.

1. Has the approach at the plate changed in general (i.e., more patience), or has the increased offense been due more to facing poor pitching?

2. Has Jake Fox continued to play decently in the field, and did he catch any innings?

3. What is different about Harden the second half?

4. Other than Lilly and Johnson, any minor injuries that seem to be affecting Cub players?

Thanks!

Welcome to new members. Post here!

zambranofan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:08:40 -0000

We've clearly had a lot of new people joining BCB this year, perhaps because of the Yahoo! link. Welcome!

We understand that you want to introduce yourself and share your ideas with the group. Most of us probably have that crazy trade idea somewhere in the back of our minds.

However, what has been interesting before in this community is for people to post something about themselves, rather than just their ideas about the team. No, I don't want to see your social security number (unless it spells something funny when upside down).

Here's an example of a thread where some members talked about why we are Cub fans. The link is on the right-hand sidebar of the main BCB page, if you ever want to read through it. Feel free to add your story to that thread.

Or, why not just post here, rather than creating a whole new fanpost just to introduce yourself? Tell us:

1. Who you are (general info like what state you live in or your alma mater)

2. How did you become a Cubs fan?

3. Who is one of your favorite current or former Cubs?

4. What would you suggest the Cubs do to improve the club this year?

I'm not the site moderator, I just thought I'd try this idea to pull a lot of comments together. You will probably get more readers, and a friendlier reaction, if you post to this thread rather than start your own fanpost.

Again, welcome! GO CUBS!

Poll

How did you learn about Bleed Cubbie Blue?

Search engine (e.g., Google)

25 votes

Yahoo! Sports link

8 votes

Saw it referenced in another publication or website

25 votes

Friend told me about it

12 votes

Drifted over from another blog on SBNation

5 votes

Al Yellon called my house right when I sat down to dinner

26 votes

101 votes | Poll has closed

A prediction game for distraction purposes

zambranofan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:00:04 -0000

It's not exactly halfway through the season or the All-Star break yet, but it IS July 1. Perhaps time to look ahead, rather than behind, and take this opportunity to confront one another with our wit and wisdom.

Here's the suggested format:

You create a comparison that could go either way, based on the performances of Cub players the rest of 2009. Other people vote or discuss which they believe is more likely to happen.

When we have a comparison that seems to be evenly split, I will edit this fanpost to create a poll about just that question. If there are at least 100 votes, and the split is within 3 points of 50/50 either way, you will win a genuine Wrigley Field Cubs souvenir, one of last year's giveaways. (You would have to tell me your address to receive the prize.)

Some examples:

Who will have the higher OPS versus RH pitching the rest of the year, Soriano or Bradley?
Who will have more wins, Wells or Harden?
Who will hit more homers from here out, Soto or Fox?
Who will record more strikeouts, Samardzija or Marshall?
Who will have more stolen bases, Fukudome or Theriot?

You get the idea.

What would you do to shake up the team?

zambranofan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:48:44 -0000

Good bounceback by the team and bullpen today. I don't mean to start another discussion about whether the Cubs need to make major changes or not. But, ASSUMING you wanted to give this team a kick in the pants, what would you try?

As Lou, a dirt-flinging tirade at the ump?

Benching a veteran in a slump?

Shaking up the bullpen (again)?

Putting a starter NOT named Marshall or Wells in the pen?

As GM, make a major trade, even if it costs top prospects?

White flag trade, hoping the rest of the guys will react with greater effort?

Keep in mind there are some things you can't do:

You can't put a player on the DL who doesn't agree he's hurt. He can appeal through the union.

You can't send a player down who's out of options.

You can't kill a man simply with your mind. (You're not Ted Lilly.)

Here's a poll, or add your own ideas below.

Poll

What would you do to give the Cubs a kick in the grass? (Yes, many of these are crazy ideas. That's the point--Shock and Awe!)

Make Guzman, Harden, or anyone not Gregg or Marmol the closer

14 votes

Move Soriano to centerfield while Bradley is out

0 votes

Move Soriano to second base while Ramirez is out

6 votes

Give Lee a hotfoot; when he hurts his neck jumping around, play Hoffpauir/Fox

5 votes

Fire Gerald Perry; promote Von Joshua

3 votes

Freak out at an ump, preferably C.B. Bucknor

1 votes

Sell the farm: Vitters for an unmistakable godsend named ???

3 votes

Send Soto to AAA; give him Henry Blanco's Skype info

8 votes

Name Reed Johnson team captain and blogmaster

4 votes

Have Milton Bradley coach first when not playing, scream at opposing pitcher

12 votes

Deal anyone and everyone without a no trade clause

1 votes

Fire Lou Piniella

8 votes

Fire the trainer

0 votes

Draw the lineup out of a hat

6 votes

Bat the pitcher somewhere other than 9th

2 votes

73 votes | Poll has closed

Cubs' next opponent: Diamondbacks Analysis and Deals

zambranofan — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:20:33 -0000

Cubs' next opponent: Diamondbacks Analysis and Deals

I thought I might try this at the start of the next couple of series to see if it could generate interesting discussion.

What do you know about the Cub's next opponent?
Who has been hot or not?
Anyone you could see the Cubs acquiring later in the year?
Any player that has been overlooked in fantasy leagues?

Let's start with the Diamondbacks!
(Link is to batting stats on Yahoo.)

Sandy Alderson, Cubs CEO?

zambranofan — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:57:22 -0000

Sandy Alderson, Cubs CEO?

Paul Sullivan passes along the rumor in this link.

What say you, Cub fans? Crane Kenney or Sandy Alderson, or both?