OT: Baseball Free Agents

NU Houston

Junior
Apr 12, 2010
6,307
229
63
And if they do, Aaron Sanchez might be a better option than Miley anyway.
Aaron Sanchez had pectoral surgery a few weeks ago and is out for the year. Possibly damaged goods at time of the trade with Toronto, though the Astros didn't really give up much.
 

NU Houston

Junior
Apr 12, 2010
6,307
229
63
There is nothing in Miley’s peripherals that suggests anything beyond him having a bit of luck and playing for a very good team. He’s a low K rate (7.2 /9), ground ball guy (>50%) whose mistakes get punished (15% HR /FB). He has forsaken his 90 MPH FB for a cutter, but appears to live off his changeup. His BABIP is a tad low (.280) and his strand rate a tad high (75.9%), so a bit of luck on a good team has him with a winning record. But his FIP says “Average Joe.”
Hopefully the Average Joe is good enough as a playoff fourth starter. Pitch one game a series and don't screw up too badly.
 

corbi2961

Senior
Sep 9, 2005
30,524
786
0
This is kind of a pointless discussion, given that injuries are part of the game and that the aggressiveness of assignments is not just a function of player skill. I also think it's fair to say that the industry consensus is that Madrigal is a better prospect than Hoerner. For one, there isn't a ton to go off of that would suggest a massive jump in Hoerner's HR rate, at least not more than Madrigal. I think the other thing is that Hoerner's defense is a stretch for shortstop, and he likely won't hit well enough to overcome that lack of quality. The exciting thing is that we'll get a good look at Hoerner for the next few weeks and we can answer a lot of these questions.

Your views of Hoerner’s game are dated. They are pre draft views that caused some to be surprised the Cubs took him on the first round. Sure injuries are part of the game but it’s not pointless to say that several scouts and reports about the thinking inside the Cubs front office indicated that Hoerner, pre injuries last year and this year, was poised to make the jump to the big leagues. If you read some reports from scouts based on Hoerner’s performance in the minors and last year’s Arizona Fall League, they acknowledge that pre draft views on his power potential and ability to stick at shortstop were flawed. There is a reason he went from a player who was a surprise first round pick to a player many think will crack BA’s top 50 when their next rankings come out. Lastly, I will point out Hoerner is playing shortstop for the Cubs right now and there is nothing that looks like a stretch about his game at that position. You should tune in and watch him play.
 

mission_cat

Redshirt
Nov 9, 2012
91
1
0
Your views of Hoerner’s game are dated. They are pre draft views that caused some to be surprised the Cubs took him on the first round. Sure injuries are part of the game but it’s not pointless to say that several scouts and reports about the thinking inside the Cubs front office indicated that Hoerner, pre injuries last year and this year, was poised to make the jump to the big leagues. If you read some reports from scouts based on Hoerner’s performance in the minors and last year’s Arizona Fall League, they acknowledge that pre draft views on his power potential and ability to stick at shortstop were flawed. There is a reason he went from a player who was a surprise first round pick to a player many think will crack BA’s top 50 when their next rankings come out. Lastly, I will point out Hoerner is playing shortstop for the Cubs right now and there is nothing that looks like a stretch about his game at that position. You should tune in and watch him play.

This is probably going to be my last response on this, as this feels like a one-sided conversation. Please just go ahead and look at any of the prospect rankings, many of which have been updated quite recently. Hoerner is typically ranked well below Madrigal, just using that as an example. What, exactly, is the emergent evidence that Hoerner has somehow altered his power profile? His second half numbers in AA were downright bad, especially considering the Cubs' AA affiliate has home games in a stadium with the highest park factor in all of the Southern League. So far, his MLB offensive game looks well below average, which isn't really surprising given the chasm in talent between AA, where he was slightly above average, and the MLB.
 

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
36,365
1,912
67
Hoerner should retire. He has a career 201 wRC+ as a major leaguer. That's God-like. He can only get worse.
 

NUCat320

Senior
Dec 4, 2005
19,469
495
0
Harper made an awesome throw tonight. He’s fun to watch, both because he’s talented and athletically gifted and because he’s embraced his own villainy.
 

Fitz51

Senior
Oct 21, 2008
10,115
649
0
What is amusing is that very few people venture into "Taxpayers Ballpark".

I am among those who don't. I think I've attended 5 games the last three seasons total. Used to do double digits a year.

But by all means, keep that Attendance Trophy shined up! You guys are so ultra proud of it.

How is that dynasty working out, by the way?
 
Jun 1, 2014
4,774
292
70
I am among those who don't. I think I've attended 5 games the last three seasons total. Used to do double digits a year.

But by all means, keep that Attendance Trophy shined up! You guys are so ultra proud of it.

How is that dynasty working out, by the way?

Brewers just tied them up in the standings and I have been grinning ear to ear because of that ALL DAY
 

Alvious

Junior
Sep 6, 2010
2,592
321
83
Find someone in your life that cares about you as much as Cubs fans care about the Sox's attendance.
 

Purple Pile Driver

All-Conference
May 14, 2014
25,970
1,448
113
What is amusing is that very few people venture into "Taxpayers Ballpark".
Sounds like an argument to deflect from another year of underachievement on the North side.

Nebraska also held onto the travel attendance trophy last week. They are proud if it despite the loss to Colorado.
 

willycat

Junior
Jan 11, 2005
21,448
318
0
Find someone in your life that cares about you as much as Cubs fans care about the Sox's attendance.
The Sox "fans" should care. that empty ballpark, screams Montreal or Las Vegas, Here WE Come!
I am among those who don't. I think I've attended 5 games the last three seasons total. Used to do double digits a year.

But by all means, keep that Attendance Trophy shined up! You guys are so ultra proud of it.

How is that dynasty working out, by the way?
Post season appearances for last 4 years, including World Series Championship in 2016!
 
Jun 1, 2014
4,774
292
70
The Sox "fans" should care. that empty ballpark, screams Montreal or Las Vegas, Here WE Come!

Nope. No it doesn't. They have the best stadium lease in all of professional sports.

Do some research before talking out of your ***. You have zero clue what you're talking about
 
Jul 25, 2011
7,656
532
0
Nope. No it doesn't. They have the best stadium lease in all of professional sports.

Do some research before talking out of your ***. You have zero clue what you're talking about
My favorite part is the disincentive built right into the document re: boosting attendance.

That and the liberal use of public money.
(Please don't yell at me, I'm not a die hard Cubs fan, I just don't like the use of public money in private enterprise like sports).
 
Jun 1, 2014
4,774
292
70
My favorite part is the disincentive built right into the document re: boosting attendance.

That and the liberal use of public money.
(Please don't yell at me, I'm not a die hard Cubs fan, I just don't like the use of public money in private enterprise like sports).

I don't disagree with you, I don't either. But idiots who yell "THEY'RE MOVING THE SOX TO VEGAS!!!" piss me off because they don't know wtf they're talking about
 

corbi2961

Senior
Sep 9, 2005
30,524
786
0
What does that make 5 in his professional career?

In about 40 games. Take a look at how he jacked that ball to straight away CF. Take a look at his frame. Read up on how the Cubs tweaked his swing after he was drafted. This kid is not going to be a punch and judy hitter.
 

Fitz51

Senior
Oct 21, 2008
10,115
649
0
In about 40 games. Take a look at how he jacked that ball to straight away CF. Take a look at his frame. Read up on how the Cubs tweaked his swing after he was drafted. This kid is not going to be a punch and judy hitter.

Good. Because Russell already is a punch Judy hitter.
 

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
36,365
1,912
67
What a mind-bending series. Cub fans must be apoplectic.

4 straight one-run losses at home? That’s nuts.
3 of those losses coming in the final frame? That’s nuts.
2 blown saves on homeruns yielded by Kimble? Whodda thunk it?
Darvish losing today after beguiling the Cards lineup for 8 innings like some sort of Svengali in pinstripes? Unreal.

Baseball is such a weird game.