The Cubs agreed to a one-year, $4.2MM deal with Kerry Wood. As Dempster appears headed into the rotation, Wood vies with Carlos Marmol for the closer job. If things go perfectly, Wood and Marmol could combine for a pretty wicked one-two punch.
In his limited action last year, Wood looked good. 18 scoreless appearances out of 22 total was a good first taste of Wood's potential as a reliever. His 3.33 ERA was a bit higher than you would like, but 8 of his 9 runs given up were surrendered in only 3 appearances (at Colorado, at Pittsburgh and the Dodgers). Marmol looked almost unhittable at times, posting 96 strikeouts in 69.1 innings with a 1.43 ERA and a .169 opponents' batting average.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Keying on Kaz
The Cubs are reportedly taking a run at Kaz Matsui. Matsui revived himself in Colorado after failing to blossom in the Big Apple. He posted 118 hits, over 84 runs and 32 stolen bases. However, his average was skewed heavily toward the home field (.330 vs .249). Despite this fact, Kaz did hit well with RISP (.295) and RISP and 2 out (.388) and hit .355 over 107 lead-off at bats. Additionally, Matsui batted slightly better during the day (.300) than he did in night games (.283).
Certainly not a sexy name, Matsui wll still likely be an affordable addition, a solid glove and, as a switch-hitter, adds the intrigue of a lefty.
This forces some wrangling over what happens with Theriot (who slumped down the stretch in his first full season) and DeRosa (perhaps now part of the outfield quagmire), as well as how the offensive lineup shakes out. Presumably, Kaz would be destined for the leadoff spot. This early on, I shan't even speculate.
Certainly not a sexy name, Matsui wll still likely be an affordable addition, a solid glove and, as a switch-hitter, adds the intrigue of a lefty.
This forces some wrangling over what happens with Theriot (who slumped down the stretch in his first full season) and DeRosa (perhaps now part of the outfield quagmire), as well as how the offensive lineup shakes out. Presumably, Kaz would be destined for the leadoff spot. This early on, I shan't even speculate.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
First Free Agent Salvo
The first major impact for the Cubs this offseason was felt Tuesday as the club President, John McDonough, resigns and takes the same position for the mighty Black Hawk. I can't say that I'm not glad to see a competent front office man moving over to help the Hawks. On the other hand, I have mixed feelings about the Cub loss.
McDonough has only been in the position since October 2006, after Andy MacPhail stepped down. However, it's never good to see the uncertainty of a pending sale seep into day-to-day operations (see any number of lengthy corporate transitions for evidence of the negative impact this period can have). No doubt, the fact that McDonough had no job security under the future owner's regime influenced his decision. Additionally, the Cub job seems like a tense situation. The club needs to maintain a full house, placate the community and fans, and compete during the aforementioned transition period. Business as usual for one of baseball's premier teams. The Hawks, on the flip side, are on the come. Finally emerging from a lengthy period of atrocious play, they look like the coach and a mix of young and veteran players are finally meshing. Attendance has no where to go but up, and the pending broadcast of some home games is a boon fans have been clamoring for.
In other news, looks like the Brewers are going to take a flyer on Kendall, the Mariners have offered something to Kuroda, and Boston has their eye on Kid K, Kerry Wood.
The ball is in your court, Cubbies.
McDonough has only been in the position since October 2006, after Andy MacPhail stepped down. However, it's never good to see the uncertainty of a pending sale seep into day-to-day operations (see any number of lengthy corporate transitions for evidence of the negative impact this period can have). No doubt, the fact that McDonough had no job security under the future owner's regime influenced his decision. Additionally, the Cub job seems like a tense situation. The club needs to maintain a full house, placate the community and fans, and compete during the aforementioned transition period. Business as usual for one of baseball's premier teams. The Hawks, on the flip side, are on the come. Finally emerging from a lengthy period of atrocious play, they look like the coach and a mix of young and veteran players are finally meshing. Attendance has no where to go but up, and the pending broadcast of some home games is a boon fans have been clamoring for.
In other news, looks like the Brewers are going to take a flyer on Kendall, the Mariners have offered something to Kuroda, and Boston has their eye on Kid K, Kerry Wood.
The ball is in your court, Cubbies.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Z5
Zambrano finished fifth in the NL Cy Young voting (as he did in '04 and '06).
Big Z ended the 2007 campaign with 18 wins. However, he also notched 13 losses and career highs for runs (100), earned runs (95), home runs (23) and ERA for a season with more than 7 starts (3.95). Z also gained a decision in 31 of his 34 starts, a solid 6 1/3 innings per start.
Despite a rough start and an even rougher August, Zambrano posted a 4-2 record and 2.53 ERA in June and a sizzling 5-1, 1.38 in July that was a primary contributing factor in the Cubs surge back into the NL Central race. The stretch included a 3-start block where Carlos went 8, 9, and 8 innings, respectively and gave the bullpen a much needed break.
Sometimes maddeningly inconsistent (as was the case for the entire team), Zambrano also provided glimpses of the fire and brilliance fans have come to love, including a .247 batting average, a .346 slugging percentage and a .980 fielding percentage while sprinkling in 9 runs and 5 RBIs.
Big Z ended the 2007 campaign with 18 wins. However, he also notched 13 losses and career highs for runs (100), earned runs (95), home runs (23) and ERA for a season with more than 7 starts (3.95). Z also gained a decision in 31 of his 34 starts, a solid 6 1/3 innings per start.
Despite a rough start and an even rougher August, Zambrano posted a 4-2 record and 2.53 ERA in June and a sizzling 5-1, 1.38 in July that was a primary contributing factor in the Cubs surge back into the NL Central race. The stretch included a 3-start block where Carlos went 8, 9, and 8 innings, respectively and gave the bullpen a much needed break.
Sometimes maddeningly inconsistent (as was the case for the entire team), Zambrano also provided glimpses of the fire and brilliance fans have come to love, including a .247 batting average, a .346 slugging percentage and a .980 fielding percentage while sprinkling in 9 runs and 5 RBIs.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Where's Ditka When You Need Him?
MLB and Baby Ruth are going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the opening week of the 2008 season.
You can blame composer Jack Norworth for the horrid screetching of the guest conductors at Wrigley these days and for the Clive Barker-esque horror scene that is the Harry Caray statue.
You can blame composer Jack Norworth for the horrid screetching of the guest conductors at Wrigley these days and for the Clive Barker-esque horror scene that is the Harry Caray statue.
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