Comments for Wrigleyville

Comment on Player Profile 2019: Kris Bryant by Sherparick

Sherparick — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 21:04:52 +0000

I worry about the nagging, chronic nature of soft tissue shoulder & wrist injuries. Generally, players are not the same.

Comment on Drill Instructors, Whammy Men, and Senseis: A Brief History of Cubs Gimmick Fails by Kevin McCaffrey

Kevin McCaffrey — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 20:53:10 +0000

“Perhaps the best way to sum up the program was this: Mack Newton was what would happen if you taught a Mitch Albom book how to kick someone in the face.”

This is how all sportswriting should be. Sorry, Ken, you’re gonna have to write everything else, too.

Comment on Farewell For Now From BP Wrigleyville by Dan

Dan — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 20:13:36 +0000

Thanks for all your work!

Comment on When You Want It Is As Important As What You Want by LetsPlayTwo

LetsPlayTwo — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 04:03:15 +0000

I think you’ve hit on it. There’s a decent chance that if the Cubs end up in 3rd place and a couple games under .500 at next year’s All-Star Break, that Ricketts will declare Mission Accomplished and blow up the team.

Comment on Player Profile 2019: Steve Cishek by Christopher Hunt

Christopher Hunt — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 17:01:18 +0000

“No, no, don’t shoot him. You’ll only make him mad.”

Comment on Player Profile 2019: Jon Lester by Christopher Hunt

Christopher Hunt — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 00:37:18 +0000

Good summary.

Comment on The Cubs Can Afford Any Free Agent They Want by Matt

Matt — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 17:52:59 +0000

Isn’t it a progressive tax? ie, each marginal rate is applied only to the amount between the thresholds?

$20M*.2+$20M*.32+$30M*.625=$29.15M in overages, if so. That’s even less than the $44M you calculated.

I think it’s pretty well accepted that any party wealthy enough to own a professional sports team *could* blow out the payroll at any time, but none do. I certainly don’t disagree with your assertion, though. The Cubs should be willing to pony up for a year and be that much more magnetic a product for when their TV network is being formed.

Comment on The Cubs Can Afford Any Free Agent They Want by The CHI Sports Fan

The CHI Sports Fan — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 20:16:50 +0000

If your goal is to become the Nationals, I agree with you. However you didn’t mention that under your scenario going over the cap you completely wipe out not just your International Pool options you have effectively hamstrung the Cubs ability to buy in-season talent/keep existing talent in 2021 and after. Harper hasn’t had a 5+ WAR season since 2012, and ranks among the lowest in FG CLUTCH rankings. Everyone hates it – but that’s been the single biggest problem with KB as well. He puts up great numbers – except when you need it down 1 in the 9th with a runner on 2nd. And he has virtually no versatility whatsoever.

Afford is a relative term, but while I want to see the Cubs improve (which they will if Morrow and Darvish return to form), but this approach took the Yankees out of the national picture for 3+ years saddled with huge contracts from increasingly deteriorating talent.

Comment on The Cubs Can Afford Any Free Agent They Want by Dan

Dan — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 15:01:47 +0000

Superb job.

Comment on Offseason target: Manny Machado by Christopher Hunt

Christopher Hunt — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 01:00:25 +0000

Well put.