Cubs Ain’t Buyin’ the Low Projections, Machado and the Padres, Single Game Tickets, and Other Bullets
Tweaked my right shoulder a few weeks ago, that after long battling soreness in my left shoulder that still hasn’t dissipated, and only after getting over a previous right shoulder issue a couple years ago. Thing is, you just can’t completely get over the shoulder stuff when you’re in a phase of life where you’re lifting kids up and down all the time, playing with them, protecting them from falling objects with quick jerky movements, etc. I am just about ready to acquiesce to the fact that my shoulders are gonna be effed for a few more years.
- The Cubs were unsurprisingly unimpressed and unencumbered by the PECOTA projection that has them winning just 80 games, and finishing last in the Central:
#Cubs predicted to finish in last place in latest PECOTA projections? "I don't think we'll do that, so next question," Kyle Schwarber says. "I think we all know what we have in this clubhouse." https://t.co/2UGyYV5UX7 via @suntimes
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 15, 2019
- Joe Maddon, who wants the Cubs to “Own It Now,” described the projections as “entertaining.” I say, sure, why not?
- I read Michael’s update on the Harper-Machado Saga, with word that they might not be signed for another month yet, and then I got really excited when I saw a Machado article about the Padres taking a second meeting with the 26-year-old infielder. Maybe there was just some bluster, and actually he’s getting close to a decision – second meetings, after all, mean progress! … and then I saw this line: “It is not believed Machado is close to settling on his next team, with the Padres being among the contenders along with the Phillies and White Sox and possibly others.” Okey dokey. Status quo it is.
- Cubs single game ticket sales:
https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1096157446211538944
- ESPN ranked Javy Baez as the third best second baseman in baseball, behind only Jose Altuve (fair) and Robinson Cano (hmm). Those three together comprised the top tier, though. Among the things I learned from that piece: didn’t realize just how bad Ozzie Albies was for the Braves in August and September after his scorching start to the year. He wound up finishing the season with a .261/.305/.452, 100 wRC+ line. I totally missed that.
- Dreaming, dreaming on Carl Edwards, Jr.’s unique natural ability:
Only 5 MLB pitchers had a 2,600+ rpm avg 4-seam spin rate last year, per @statcast (min. 150 thrown):
1. Carl Edwards Jr: 2658
2. Tyler Bashlor (!): 2651
3. Ray Black: 2640
4. Justin Verlander: 2618
5. Garrett Richards: 2602(Also: Feels great to be looking up spin rates again) https://t.co/3PdIz4rkvk
— Matt Kelly (@mattkellyMLB) February 15, 2019
Hottovy noted that Edwards' "in-zone" stats are some of the best in baseball. Looking only at pitches in zone at @statcast, among P's with min. 100 results, Edwards ranked 9th in MLB in wOBA.
Context:
7. Treinen .211
8. Hicks .218
9. Edwards .224
10. Sale .225
11. deGrom .229— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 14, 2019
- Good point from Bryan here:
David Bote’s added muscle is a pretty good argument on behalf of paying minor leaguers. This was likely David’s first offseason that money wasn’t a huge concern, allowing him to just focus on getting better at his profession. How is this a thing. https://t.co/TrD3mikn5A
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) February 14, 2019
- Lulz, whoops:
Some of the data (via Rapsodo, etc.) collected on Carl Edwards Jr.'s bullpen session Wednesday was scrambled due to the TV cameras filming his session and affecting the wifi.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 14, 2019
- People really seemed to like this dumb tweet:
Roses are red,
Violets are lit,
The thing about St. Louis,
Is that it's boring as shit.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 14, 2019
- Speaking of which, this makes sense, since many feel the triple is the least boring type of hit:
In 2018, Javier Báez had as many triples (9) as the St. Louis Cardinals
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) February 14, 2019
- Although he was viewed by many as merely an attempt at an underslot signing, there are folks out there who really like Cubs second rounder (compensatory) Paul Richan:
#Cubs Prospect Thread: RHP Paul Richan
The latest in a line of polished college arms drafted by the Cubs over the past few years. Richan posted a 7.77 K/BB ratio over 89.2 college IP prior to the draft then followed up with a 6.2 mark in 29.2 IP as a pro in Eugene. 1/ pic.twitter.com/02NimFZJzH
— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst) February 15, 2019
