Why the 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Will Suck
Editor’s Note: Yes, it’s that time of year again - the time for us to settle back into our protective bubble where the Chicago Cubs are destined for greatness, and every other team in the National League Central is bound for spectacular failure. If you’d care to check out last year’s fare:St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros. Already featured for 2010: Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros.
The 2010 Major League Baseball season is nearly upon us, and that means two things: (1) we’re all so deprived of real baseball action that we’re willing to treat meaningless Spring Training games like they’re the playoffs, and (2) the prognosticators are out in full force. Yes, every sports publication in the world puts out a season preview. Some are interesting, some aren’t. For the most part, folks just don’t have the time necessary to do the kind of in-depth preview that is going to be of any use to a reader that actually follows the team being previewed.
So most previews end up being pretty surface level, and boring. Well, we’re not going to do that here at Bleacher Nation. It’s much more interesting (notice how I subtly pat myself on the back?) to simply examine why the team currently sucks and is going to suck in 2010.
So enjoy - we’ll be previewing the suckiness (suckosity?) of the other teams in the National League Central over the next five weeks. Up next, Bud Selig’s favorite beer-swillers, the Milwaukee Brewers. Read the full preview on why the 2010 Milwaukee Brewers will suck, after the jump.
ShareWhy the 2010 Houston Astros Will Suck
Editor’s Note: Yes, it’s that time of year again - the time for us to settle back into our protective bubble where the Chicago Cubs are destined for greatness, and every other team in the National League Central is bound for spectacular failure. If you’d care to check out last year’s fare:St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros. Already featured for 2010: Cincinnati Reds.
The 2010 Major League Baseball season is nearly upon us, and that means two things: (1) we’re all so deprived of real baseball action that we’re willing to treat meaningless Spring Training games like they’re the playoffs, and (2) the prognosticators are out in full force. Yes, every sports publication in the world puts out a season preview. Some are interesting, some aren’t. For the most part, folks just don’t have the time necessary to do the kind of in-depth preview that is going to be of any use to a reader that actually follows the team being previewed.
So most previews end up being pretty surface level, and boring. Well, we’re not going to do that here at Bleacher Nation. It’s much more interesting (notice how I subtly pat myself on the back?) to simply examine why the team currently sucks and is going to suck in 2010.
So enjoy - we’ll be previewing the suckiness (suckosity?) of the other teams in the National League Central over the next five weeks. Up first, the home of Fat Elvis: the Houston Astros. Read the full preview on why the 2010 Houston Astros will suck, after the jump.
ShareWhy the 2010 Cincinnati Reds Will Suck
Editor’s Note: Yes, it’s that time of year again - the time for us to settle back into our protective bubble where the Chicago Cubs are destined for greatness, and every other team in the National League Central is bound for spectacular failure. If you’d care to check out last year’s fare: St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros.
The 2010 Major League Baseball season is nearly upon us, and that means two things: (1) we’re all so deprived of real baseball action that we’re willing to treat meaningless Spring Training games like they’re the playoffs, and (2) the prognosticators are out in full force. Yes, every sports publication in the world puts out a season preview. Some are interesting, some aren’t. For the most part, folks just don’t have the time necessary to do the kind of in-depth preview that is going to be of any use to a reader that actually follows the team being previewed.
So most previews end up being pretty surface level, and boring. Well, we’re not going to do that here at Bleacher Nation. It’s much more interesting (notice how I subtly pat myself on the back?) to simply examine why the team currently sucks and is going to suck in 2010.
So enjoy - we’ll be previewing the suckiness (suckosity?) of the other teams in the National League Central over the next five weeks. Up first, the ward of the gentleman to the right: the Cincinnati Reds. Read the full preview on why the 2010 Cincinnati Reds will suck, after the jump.
ShareLive Together, Die Alone: LOST and the Chicago Cubs
“Every man for himself is not going to work. It’s time to start organizing. We need to figure out how we’re going to survive here. Now, I found water. Fresh water, up in the valley. I’ll take a group in at first light. If you don’t want to go, then find another way to contribute. Last week most of us were strangers. But we’re all here now. And God knows how long we’re going to be here. But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” - Jack Shephard
I have generally avoided using this space to pontificate on things personal and outside of baseball. I figure you all come here to read about the Cubs, not my thoughts on health care reform. And for a guy who has an obsession with the television show LOST that is equaled only by his obsession with the Cubs, it’s hard not to go off about the show from time to time. Warning: this is one of those times.
But the truth is, this post is as much about the Cubs as it is about LOST. The parallels weaving their way through the show, the Chicago Cubs, and Cubs fandom are worth at least one, little article as we approach tonight’s premiere of the much-anticipated final season and dramatic conclusion of LOST. The article’s a bit longer than our usual fare here at Bleacher Nation, but I think it’s worth your time if you’re a fan of the Cubs or a fan of the show. Keep reading up on the Cubs-LOST crossover.
ShareNo Joe Nelson for the Cubs
Free agent reliever Joe Nelson has signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox, effectively taking him off the Chicago Cubs’ radar, if he was ever on it to begin with.
The Red Sox reached agreement with veteran reliever Joe Nelson on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training on Monday, the 35-year-old right-hander confirmed to MLB.com.
After a solid bounceback year for the Marlins in 2008 — when he sported a 2.00 ERA in 54 innings — Nelson struggled with the Rays this past season, posting a 4.02 ERA in 42 relief appearances before spending August and September in the Minor Leagues.
In 2009, Nelson sported an 8.53 ERA in May, but an ERA no higher than 3.00 in April, June or July.
For his five-year career, Nelson is 7-2 with a 4.07 ERA.
As of now, Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard, Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez (the one who posted a 2.84 ERA in 70 games for the Red Sox last season) look to have solidified spots in Boston’s bullpen. redsox.com.
Nelson was recently quoted as saying he really wanted to come to the Cubs, and given that he accepted a minor league deal on a team with a relatively crowded bullpen, we can surmise that the Cubs never made him an offer.
ShareReliever Joe Nelson Wants to Be a Chicago Cub
The Chicago Cubs continue to look for a reliever, but maybe they should just let the reliever come to them.
Free-agent pitcher Joe Nelson, who has made 101 appearances over the past two seasons, has expressed an interest in the Cubs.
Nelson, 35, is seeking an opportunity to be a late-inning reliever and help a young staff.
Nelson had a 2.86 ERA with Florida and Tampa Bay in 2008-09. He has allowed only 74 hits in 94 innings while striking out 96. His best season was in 2008, when he posted a 2.00 ERA in 59 appearances with the Marlins. He also has pitched for the Braves, Red Sox and Royals. Chicago Breaking Sports.
Nelson has had a bizarre professional career, having not really broken through until age 33 with the Marlins. He pitched in the bigs in 2001, 2004, and 2006 with an assortment of teams, with long minor league stints in between, before having a dominating year in 2008 for the Marlins. He was good, but not great, last year for the Rays. Given his erratic career, he’s unlikely to get a big money deal - just a one-year, small money deal. It might not even be a big league contract.
And by the way: could there be a guy who better proves that middle relievers are a total crapshoot?
ShareCubs Are Negotiating with Kiko Calero
The Chicago Cubs may be close to landing their veteran right-handed reliever. According to s a source of Jon Morosi’s the Cubs are in negotiations with free agent Kiko Calero. Calero, 35, was all kinds of awesome for the Florida Marlins last year - 1.95 ERA over 60 innings - but he largely did not pitch in 2008 after suffering a torn rotator cuff. Thus, the Cubs are handling this negotiation with care.
As much as I feel like spending on middle relief - particularly on a team with so many in-house options - is a misallocation of the Cubs’ resources, for the right money, Calero can only make this team better. No, expecting a sub-2 ERA is not realistic. But a return to Calero’s career numbers, meaning an ERA in the low 3s, is both realistic and attractive.
ShareJim Hendry Hearts Relievers: Cubs Remain Interested in Kiko Calero
Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry continues his search for a right-handed veteran reliever, and one name that has popped up from time to time is Kiko Calero. It’s popping up again because the Cubs are interested if the money is right.
Calero, 35, is a free agent after putting together a very good 2009 season with the Florida Marlins. He went 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA in 67 appearances.
It can be said with certainty that few available relievers are coming off a better year. His 60 innings were a career high, even though he missed roughly three weeks with inflammation in his right (throwing) shoulder.
More than anything, that shoulder probably explains why Calero hasn’t been signed already. He was also sidelined by a torn rotator cuff in 2008, when he made only five big-league appearances with Oakland.
The Cubs are among the teams that have checked on Calero, two major league sources said Tuesday. But their interest is probably contingent on how confident their medical officials are in the health of Calero’s shoulder.
While the Cubs are committed to Carlos Marmol as their closer, they would like to add another late-inning reliever, the sources said. FOX Sports on MSN.
The market for a guy with dominating 2009 numbers has been surprisingly thin; obviously this is based on the shoulder issues. Hence, from the Cubs perspective, if the money is right, they’ll happily take a chance on Calero (as they should).
But counting on him would be a tremendous mistake.
Share
