Spring Training 2012 IGT And Random Discussions

[dabynsky]

Probably on his way to Iowa. Got an option left, needs to work on not sucking.

Yeah it seems like Wood is pretty much guaranteed to be in Iowa due to performance and having an option year left. Volstad is out of options and with how he has pitched that almost guarantees him a rotation spot. Shark has been pretty much named a starter by Sveum. I can't find if Wells can be sent down or not. A trade may be in the offing if the answer is no since the Cubs won't want to risk losing a guy that has some value for nothing.

*Found a blog that mentioned a Muskat article that said Wells has an option left. Wood and Wells in Triple A seems all but assured at this point to me if that is the case.

 

[Mr. Cub]

I would rather see Wells in the rotation than Maholm...

 

[Rice Cube]

All things being equal I feel like they need to either trade Wells or have him in the rotation while keeping Samardzija in the bullpen. If they're dead serious about starting Samardzija I don't think you want to have Wells festering in the bullpen.

 

[Rice Cube]

I would rather see Wells in the rotation than Maholm...

I know this usually shouldn't matter, but Maholm does have pretty good numbers for a starter and he kind of gets paid more. You don't want to have that money burn in the bullpen either, in my opinion.

 

[dabynsky]

I know this usually shouldn't matter, but Maholm does have pretty good numbers for a starter and he kind of gets paid more. You don't want to have that money burn in the bullpen either, in my opinion.

There is also the idea that if things play out the way we expect them to, a crafty lefty on a one year deal could be a pretty enticing piece to deal at the deadline this year. Especially since more than likely there are going to be more buyers this year than last year.

 

[Mr. Cub]

I know this usually shouldn't matter, but Maholm does have pretty good numbers for a starter and he kind of gets paid more. You don't want to have that money burn in the bullpen either, in my opinion.

Well Maholm is 20 games under .500 for his career and has an ERA over 4. He may be more expensive but I liked the way Wells ended last year. And while this Cubs team is probably not going to be much better than the Pirates have been in years past, I don't see his numbers changing much and Maholm is still in the same division. But we will see. That is why baseball is awesome!

 

[nickofypres]

Well Maholm is 20 games under .500 for his career and has an ERA over 4. He may be more expensive but I liked the way Wells ended last year. And while this Cubs team is probably not going to be much better than the Pirates have been in years past, I don't see his numbers changing much and Maholm is still in the same division. But we will see. That is why baseball is awesome!

Meh, not really a good way to judge a pitcher.

He has a career ERA+ of 95 (slightly below average)

Last year it was 105, and he had an average BABIP, and a FIP of 3.78

I'd give him a spot, he doesn't seem likely to implode or, given a bad defense or luck, look to regress.

 

[Mr. Cub]

Meh, not really a good way to judge a pitcher.

He has a career ERA+ of 95 (slightly below average)

Last year it was 105, and he had an average BABIP, and a FIP of 3.78

I'd give him a spot, he doesn't seem likely to implode or, given a bad defense or luck, look to regress.

What? Haha I understand the more normal baseball stats and what not but the sabermetrics stuff I don't quite get yet. I may have to go educate myself.

But, you can look and see that Maholm has only won 10 games once and has losses in the double figures 4 times with 9 each in his other two full seasons. That's got to tell you something right?

 

[dabynsky]

What? Haha I understand the more normal baseball stats and what not but the sabermetrics stuff I don't quite get yet. I may have to go educate myself.

But, you can look and see that Maholm has only won 10 games once and has losses in the double figures 4 times with 9 each in his other two full seasons. That's got to tell you something right?

When the team you pitch for is the Pirates that also has to tell you something given a very team dependent stat like wins and losses.

 

[waldo7239117]

I'd rather have Maholm over Wells, no question in my mind.

 

[Rice Cube]

There is also the idea that if things play out the way we expect them to, a crafty lefty on a one year deal could be a pretty enticing piece to deal at the deadline this year. Especially since more than likely there are going to be more buyers this year than last year.

Ah, for some reason I thought he was on a two year deal but definitely you want to build some value so that he (and just about anyone else on the roster) becomes good trade fodder.

 

[Rice Cube]

Ah, one year deal with option:

Cubs Sign Paul Maholm: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

 

[dabynsky]

Ah, one year deal with option:

Cubs Sign Paul Maholm: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

So we were both right. Really the club option ought to make him an even more attractive target if he gets off to a good start this year.

 

[Rice Cube]

Nice of the Cubs to give Travis Wood some run support before he gives it all back. Work on that stuff faster, buddy.

 

[dabynsky]

Nice of the Cubs to give Travis Wood some run support before he gives it all back. Work on that stuff faster, buddy.

I hear Des Moines is lovely this time of year...

 

[Rice Cube]

Here's hoping Wood improves and Samardzija doesn't turn back into a pumpkin.

 

[Rice Cube]

Hmmm. He's getting hit hard. Lots of line drives and that Ichiro homer. Pitchf/x available today, suggests he's hitting too much of the heart of the plate.

 

[Rice Cube]

Cubs lead again. Let's see how long that lasts.

 

[Rice Cube]

Couple strikeouts for Brett Jackson. That's probably the only weakness in his game.

 

[dabynsky]

Couple strikeouts for Brett Jackson. That's probably the only weakness in his game.

And that is what makes Jackson promising. If he didn't do everything else well he wouldn't be a top 50 prospect. Hopefully he maxes out that potential, but I fear that his ceiling might not be that impact level player we really need him to be.