MLBits: Cardinals Continue Caution, Baez and the Dodgers, Extreme Park Factors, More

As usual, there’s plenty to discuss around baseball. So let’s jump right into some news from around the league ….

  • After years of (50%) self-proclaimed and (50%) genuinely-earned excellence, the St. Louis Cardinals appear to finally be looking up at the Chicago Cubs with some envy. The Cubs, as we know, are coming off back-to-back playoff seasons (the first of which featured the Cubs knocking the Cardinals off in the NLDS), and a World Series win. They didn’t lose much this offseason, and figure to be good once again in 2017.
  • At FanGraphs, Travis Sawchik examines the Cardinal’s apparent attempt to “Keep up with the Joneses,” but praises them for their restraint. Aside from a couple of big-ish moves (primarily signing Dexter Fowler), the Cardinals have resisted the urge to try to “keep up with the Cubs.” Had they done so, they may have put themselves in a worse position than they are in now (and maybe would have made things even worse than that in the long run).
  • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • Of course, there are areas in need of improvement – namely, defense and baserunning – according to Sawchik, but the Cardinals have already begun to address those problems in practical, low-risk ways. 2017 might not be the Cards’ season on paper, but they’ve done well not to overreact to the Cubs’ success, and that’s not nothing.
  • The brother of new Miami Marlins Pitcher Edinson Volquez has tragically passed away in the Dominican Republic. Reportedly, after being involved in an early-morning fight with two brothers, Brandy Volquez, Edinson’s brother, was stabbed to death in a barbershop. I’ll leave this terribly sad story at that, and offer this USA Today article to those interested in further details.
  • Former Cubs farmhand Brandon Guyer (who was traded by the Cubs to the Rays along with Chris Archer and others in exchange for Matt Garza) has agreed to forego both of his remaining arbitration eligible seasons with a two-year deal from the Cleveland Indians. In total, he secured $5 million across 2017 and 2018, with a $3 million club option in 2019, as well. If you don’t remember Guyer from the trade I brought up, you might recognize his name from his .300/.563/.400 slash line for the Indians in the 2016 World Series, including a big hit off of Aroldis Chapman late in Game Seven.
  • MATH and SCIENCE ALERT: At The Hardball Times, David Kagan takes a significant (albeit conveniently chart-aided) dive into the physics behind (upper case) Barreled Balls. Traditionally (or rather, statistically), a ball is considered officially “barreled” if it was struck with the specific exit velocities and launch angles that historically led to a minimum of a .500 batting average and a 1.500 slugging percentage. To Kagan, however, there’s a more to it than that (namely, top spin, back spin, and side spin). And a whole lot more.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • Rangers reliever Jake Diekman, who suffers from ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease), will miss at least half of the 2017 season due to surgery. He was originally diagnosed with the illness when he was just 11 years old, but has since achieved a lot, including bringing attention to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America with an awareness campaign called “Gut It Out.” Best of luck to Diekman, who just avoided arbitration with the Rangers last Friday (agreeing on $2.55 million), and we hope to see you back out there soon.
  • Remember, money is not an unending resource in MLB, and the scope of an organization’s budget is not limited to the team’s payroll. Specifically, this could be a rather unfortunately-timed, forced decision for the Nationals:
  • In a tweet that might soon be deleted, Bryce Harper responded to Bowden’s report with this: “Matt Wieters/Greg Holland > Team Store! #NatsNatsNatswoooooo.” Harper has thoughts on spending priorities.
  • [adinserter block=”3″]

  • If I asked you to pick the Major League park with the most-extreme home run factor, I’m guessing you’d immediately jump to say Coors Field. And to an extent, you’d be right. Coors Field has traditionally been the most hitter-friendly ball park in baseball for a while now. But what if I reminded you that home run factors work in both directions. In other words, an extremely unfriendly hitter’s park could have a more (negative) extreme park factor, than a friendly one. Would you change your mind with this information, or stick with Coors?
  • Well, at FanGraphs, Jeff Sullivan points out that the distinction actually belongs to AT&T Park – home of the San Francisco Giants. Last year, for example, that stadium carried a FanGraphs park factor of 84 (or 16% below average (100)). Coors field, on the other hand, was tied with Great American Ball Park with a park factor of 113 (or 13% above average). More on the explanation, history, and effect at FanGraphs.
  • The Dodgers and the Twins have long been connected via rumors over Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. The Dodgers need offense, particularly the type that can hit lefties, and have an opening at second base. The Twins are trying to get all they can out of an asset (Dozier) who appears to be at his maximum value. Unfortunately, those talks have been publicly referred to as “stalled,” and there’s no indication of anything happening any time soon. So, Dave Cameron took a shot at finding the Dodgers a second basemen elsewhere and came up with some interesting ideas.
  • [adinserter block=”4″]

  • Among the many options, the Rays’ Logan Forsythe and the Rangers’ Jurickson Profar lead the list, but it is the third option you’ll find most interesting (not necessarily in a good way): the Cubs’ Javy Baez. Although Cameron admits that this is almost certainly not going to happen (for more reasons than I care to get into here), the fit between the two teams  – Cubs have an extra second basemen, the Dodgers have young, talented pitching prospects close to the Major Leagues – is undeniable. Of note, Cameron does not believe top Dodgers pitching prospect Jose De Leon (the center piece in the Dozier talks), alone, would be enough to net Baez.
  • At Baseball is Fun, we watched in awe as the new White Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech fired a training ball a whopping 110 MPH. Even if he wasn’t technically pitching at 110 MPH, it’s pretty wild to see.
  • Have you ever wondered what the worst season of baseball’s best players looked like? At Baseball is Fun, I examined the worst season from Hall of Famer Ted Williams, and was surprised to learn … it wasn’t all that bad (even if it was far off his video-game career numbers).
  • [adinserter block=”5″]

    written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

    Cubs Farm Report | May 13, 2024: Homers by Davis, Mervis Not Enough in Iowa on Sunday

    Brennen Davis and Matt Mervis hit home runs on Sunday for the Iowa Cubs, but it wasn't enough to earn the team a victory against the Columbus Clippers. That and more are in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report...

    How I Feel About Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs Rotation Plans After Yesterday’s Start

    Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs won a game started by Kyle Hendricks and closed by Adbert Alzolay. Factually, that is what happened. I know. That's wild. Of course, that's what would've been the expected outcome last season for two of the...

    A Very Good Week for Cubs Prospect Brennen Davis

    After two years lost to injuries mixed in with underperformance at Triple-A, I think it's nice to be able to celebrate a great stretch of baseball from Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. Thanks to a particularly hot week, Davis...

    Cubs Have Some Elite Bat Speed, PCA Elite in Center Field, Elite Injury Rates, and Other Cubs Bullets

    We had a very nice Mother's Day with the kids, who were very kind to her and each other, and sometimes that's all you're looking for. They got a good mom. Starting in 2024, Statcast has begun tracking bat speed,...

    Let’s See How They Measured Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

    Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

    Cubs Announce (Part of) the Rotation for Atlanta

    Meaning no offense to Kyle Hendricks, but if you had to choose a veteran right-handed in the Cubs' rotation to face the Atlanta Braves this week, you're probably going with Jameson Taillon. We may never know if that was part...

    Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Make Their Mothers Proud

    There is something about seeing Cubs players homer with pink bats that makes me smile extra wide. I suppose it's PROBABLY at least a little because this is one of my favorite Cubs memories: https://twitter.com/ChiSportsDay/status/1788291377333170611 Javy Báez, with the pink...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Pirates 4 – May 12, 2024

    It's Mother's Day. I'm hanging with the family. I don't feel like being as pissed off as a game like that threatened to make me. So I am QUITE relieved by that 10th inning (and the fact that the Cubs...

    Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

    I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

    Latest News

    Luka Doncic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    On Monday at 9:30 PM ET, the Dallas Mavericks meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Luka Doncic's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires three triples.Luka Doncic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    On Monday at 9:30 PM ET, the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 3-pointer over/under for this clash requires two trifectas.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

    Kyrie Irving Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    Kyrie Irving needs to make three 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Dallas Mavericks meet the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday at 9:30 PM ET, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.Kyrie Irving's Three-Pointer Prop...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Cavaliers Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 13, 2024

    Player prop bet odds for Jayson Tatum and others are listed when the Boston Celtics visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday at 7:00 PM ET.How to Watch Celtics vs. CavaliersDate: Monday, May 13, 2024Time: 7:00 PM...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Mavericks vs. Thunder Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 13, 2024

    Player prop betting options for Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others are available in the Dallas Mavericks-Oklahoma City Thunder matchup at American Airlines Center on Monday (starting at 9:30 PM ET).How to Watch Mavericks vs. ThunderDate: Monday, May 13, 2024Time:...

    David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

    Diamondbacks vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    Ketel Marte will look to extend his 13-game hitting streak when the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) take on the Cincinnati Reds (17-23). The Diamondbacks are listed as -151 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 9:40 PM ET...

    Angels vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) serve as underdogs on the moneyline (-109) in Monday's contest with the Los Angeles Angels (15-26). The game starts at 9:38 PM ET on BSMW. The Cardinals are favored against the spread in this one...

    Mariners vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners will take the field against the Kansas City Royals (25-17) on Monday. The game begins at 9:40 PM ET on ROOT Sports NW, with the Mariners listed as -147 favorites on the moneyline.George Kirby will get the...

    Padres vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Colorado Rockies (12-28) will put their four-game win streak to the test when they visit the San Diego Padres (22-21) Monday at 9:40 PM ET on SDPA. Oddsmakers consider the Padres to be -221 favorites, while the Rockies are...

    more cubs news