sircaffey

QUOTE (chw42 @ Mar 10, 2010 -> 02:27 AM) You don't decline for two, have one slightly better year, and then go back to being better. He pitched fewer innings last year and his lower FIP could be due to a lack of sample size. The truth is, even though Zambrano is a decent K pitcher, he relies heavily on contact outs, which is why his FIP is usually in the 4s. His FIP has been in the 4s since 2006 with the exception of last season. Zambrano's health issues in the past few seasons also tell me that he will start making less and less starts, he's starting to reach his 30s and with his stature, he looks to be a guy who is going to regress very early. It has already started to show up. And I am definitely not exaggerating Lilly's injury. He has both a shoulder and a knee problem. He's coming off surgery on the shoulder and now his knee is banged up. Try pitching with those two body parts hurting. It's going to affect him for at least two months this year. I have a feeling that Cubs management will have to put Silva somewhere in order to save face. He will get a couple of starts and Marshall, as a left hander, is very big for that bullpen since it's extremely right handed outside of Grabow. Once Lilly gets back, it's a formidable bunch, but until then, it could go real bad. Just because Zambrano isn't what he was 4 years ago, doesn't mean he's in steady decline. I never said he was going to improve, but I don't see reason to believe he is going to get worse. I guess you have read different reports on Lilly than I. I haven't seen anything that even hints at him not being 100% 4-5 weeks into the season. He says he'll be ready to pitch in ST later this month. The loser of Marshall/Gorzelanny will go to the pen. My money is on Marshall winning. Or they'll go with John Gaub, one of their better prospects.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 10, 2010 -> 01:23 AM) I wouldn't outright say the Cubs suck and have no shot at the playoffs, but they need some things to go right. They need a lot of older players to performs at levels they put up in their younger days, and that will be difficult. Even their older players who still perform at a pretty high level are due to regress at their age. There just isn't enough young talent being infused into their major league club. Addtionally, Randy Wells is going to be in for a rude awakening this year IMO, which along with Harden being gone will damage their rotation even if all else goes well. I'd say the Cubs have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs, but it's definitely a noteably underdog shot. I don't see the wild card coming out of the central, and that's probably their best shot since St. Louis seems to be noticably better than them. Agreed. 81-83 wins with a chance at 87-88. Health may be the biggest factor. Way too many injuries last year leading to inconsistent lineups/rotation. Ramirez, Soriano, Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and Lilly all missed good chunks of time. Especially the rotation. You can handle one injury, but when multiple SP start missing time you're F'd. I think the loss of Harden is overrated. Not only was he in and out of the rotation, but he rarely lasted deep into games taxing the bullpen. Sure, he was electric, but he often did more harm than good.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Mar 10, 2010 -> 12:15 AM) You have a fake ace in Zambrano. The guy's peripherals have declined for the past 2-3 years with the exception of last season, which was a smaller sample size than usual. Before last year, his FIP was constantly in the 4s and you can expect more of that from him and health is another issue with him. He's starting to make only about 27-28 starts now annually and that's not going to go up any time soon. Dempster's a pretty good pitcher. He took a 1.5 WAR dip last year in comparison to 2008 and that's where he'll probably stay for 2010, a 3.5 WAR pitcher. Good, but not great. He's probably the best pitcher on the staff. Ted Lilly is hurt and he might not be ready for a month or two. Then you have a recovering period with him and he might not be the same guy he was until June or July. Randy Wells overachieved considerably last year. His xFIP and FIP say he's a guy who will post a ERA around 4.2, not 3. He'd be your average middle of the rotation starter on most teams. Huh? Zambrano's been in "decline" the last 2 years except for last year? And thus is declining? What kind of statement is that? His numbers went down after he was fantastic 3 years ago giving up 50 less hits than IP. And he's starting to make 27-28 starts annually? He's never made less than 28, once. One year constitutes annually? I'll have to remember that one. He's not an ace, but he is a solid SP. You are exaggerating Lilly's injury. That's exactly what I think of Wells. Regression is going to happen. Nothing wrong with middle of the rotation. Hell, I even said average #4. Why even talk about Carlos Silva? Marshall and Gorzelanny are ahead of him on the depth chart. Dempster, Zambrano, Lilly, Wells, and Marshall isn't bad at all. It's going to keep the Cubs in a lot of games. The offense/pen are going to be the determining factors.

I don't get why their rotation will be their downfall. They have 3 established above average SP, 1 breakout SP who will likely regress to an average #4, and an open #5 spot. In comparison to the rest of the league, that doesn't look bad at all.

Who you going with in game 7, 2-1 lead? Rivera or Nathan? I'm going with Rivera.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Mar 9, 2010 -> 09:17 PM) Their offense was below average last year. Among NL teams, they ranked 12th in BA, 10th in Runs, 10th in OBP, 10th in OPS. They were 5th in HR's. But it's never good when you're in the top 5 in HR's and only 10th in runs scored overall. And that was with Derek Lee having by far his best season since 2005. History says he won't have another season like last year. Just look at the rest of their projected lineup. You got guys either rapidly declining (Soriano), or making A LOT more money than what they actually produce (Fukodome), and just a bunch of average to below average guys filling out their lineup. I will concede that a healthy Aramis Ramirez will help. Their SP isn't all that impressive. I know their overall SP ERA was good (more indicative of how lame the NL is than anything). But what are the chances Randy Wells repeats his '09? Rich Harden, as injury prone as he was, was their filthiest starter when he did take the mound. Now they're going with Carlos Silva? lol. Lilly is hurt. Dempster is OK, I guess. Zambrano is more name than game. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see their rotation take a big step back this year. I won't even get into their bullpen. Their system appears to be in better shape than it has been the last 5 years or so (sounds familiar). But they don't have anybody that's capable of helping them this year or maybe even next year. Of course they were below average last year. They got absolutely nothing out of LF, 2B, and C (one being the leadoff hitter which explains why they were 5th in HR and 10th in R). Not to mention they missed 80 games from Ramirez and 20 games from Lee. A lot of things went wrong last year offensively. I see a lineup full of respectable hitters, minus Fontenot. It's ok to say Dempster, Zambrano, and Lilly are good SP too. I know that it goes against your stance that the Cubs suck, buts it's ok to at least acknowledge certain things. No one's saying they are going light the world on fire, but they have a strong middle of the order and a strong top of the rotation. They are not a "horses***" team. The Royals and Pirates are horses*** teams. If Soto and Soriano can get back to close to what they were the year before, I think they could contend for the Wild Card. But I guess you have taken the approach that what went wrong will likely continue to go wrong, and what went right likely won't continue to go right.

I don't think the Cubs are that bad. Nothing to get too excited about, but I wouldn't say they suck. Their rotation and offense are above average. Ramirez/Lee is the one of the better 3/4 in the NL. The pen sucks, but I'd peg them for 82-83 wins granted Lilly can make 27-28 starts. Their future is just as mediocre. Though I think Cashner and Jay Jackson get overlooked. A lot of people think Jay Jackson is one of the more underrated SP prospects in the game. So much hype for Castro and Vitters, I'd say Cashner and Jackson make more of an impact, perhaps as early as this year.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Mar 9, 2010 -> 01:05 PM) This is why the numbers of comparatively few innings that you state do not tell the whole story. Look at boston where Papelbon could be a top of the line starter but they keep him as a closer because he can handle it. Or the opposite end like LaTroy Hawkins who continues to put up good numbers as a set up man but folds as a closer. There's no team in MLB that would make someone a closer over a top of the line SP. They have Papelbon in the pen because he can barely handle 60 innings a year without getting injured.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Mar 9, 2010 -> 11:07 AM) I agree with you for the most part. I think the one thing you are leaving out is the possibility of whomever they initially insert into the role failing. Not saying it should happen, but for whatever reason, some guys seem to handle the responsibility better than others. If I had to guess, I say Gardy goes with the closer by committee approach. Seems more like his style.

If anyone can overcome an injury like this, it's the Twins. I'm sure they'll sign Smoltz and he'll go on to save 40 out of 42.

No way Jonah Hill is playing DePodesta. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill? Could there be more direct opposite actors?

Would you P90X'ers say that it's possible to supplement traditional strength training into the program?

QUOTE (Reddy @ Mar 1, 2010 -> 04:02 PM) 140 some grams of carbs, yeah. it's a beast. i also have just learned not to drink it before you work out - even if you wait like 2 hours. the last third of chest and back i was nauseous as all hell. Def saving it for afterwards in the future... Personally, I'd split that shake into 2. You'll get more out of it. Your body is not going to need all of the carbs/proteins/fats that are in it all at once. I'd do half before workout and half after. You'll retain more from the shake, and your muscles will be able to put it to better use. Shakes like that are just overkill.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Feb 27, 2010 -> 12:03 PM) the world's going to flippin' fall apart any second. maybe 2012 was on to something. 12/21/12...Things are going to get progressively worse. Bring it.

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Feb 20, 2010 -> 09:44 PM) Agreed. Pierre is a totally different player and he's better at what he does these days than Dye is. To an earlier point, Pierre isn't replacing Dye, Quentin is. So who is Pierre replacing in the lineup then...Quentin? How do you replace someone that's still in the lineup?

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Feb 20, 2010 -> 03:42 PM) I see him batting higher than .300; his eye is too good and he can put any outside pitch down the line. He's going to become one of the toughest outs in the league. I see his prime years at .350 with 200+ hits, 50+ 2Bs, 30+ HRs, 100+ RBI and more walks than strikeouts. I think he's Jeter but better. 40+ SB?

QUOTE (chunk23 @ Feb 19, 2010 -> 09:14 PM) We don't need versatility at this point. There is plenty of that. I posted this a few pages back but I guess it needs to be repeated... C: A.J., Castro, Flowers, and they're even having Retherford take reps at C. 1B: Konerko, Kotsay, Flowers - really anybody. 2B: Beckham, Teahen, Alexei, Nix, Vizquel, Retherford, Lillibridge, SS: Alexei, Beckham, Vizquel, Nix, Lillibridge, 3B: Teahen, Beckham, Vizquel, Nix, Retherford, Lillibridge RF: Quentin, Rios, Kotsay, Jones, Teahen CF: Rios, Jones, Pierre, Alexei LF: Pierre, Quentin, Jones, Kotsay We don't need more versatility. We need someone who will give the Sox strong offensive production. Jones/Kotsay will not do that. A rotation would be fine if it was the result of too much talent in a crowded lineup, something like 4 really good OFers. That's not the case here. Right. I love these cries for versatility. I'm glad we can make 12 different lineups that can maybe score 4 runs. Wait a couple months and they'll be screams for offense.

Going from turf to grass (and they'll probably grow it long), is only going to help the pitching staff. With solid infield defense, I think the Twins will end up performing better in this new stadium. The home field advantage won't be nearly as great, but imo, these two factors will probably cancel each other out over the long haul.

My keepers: Hanley Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Adam Wainwright, C.C. Sabathia, ________ Up for the 5th Spot (guys that are tradable): Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Joakim Soria, Curtis Granderson, Joey Votto Will trade multiple players for 1.

QUOTE (supernuke @ Feb 14, 2010 -> 04:28 PM) I was in that league and would like to be again. I need to redeem myself after a completley dismal season. As was I. How many keepers was it again? 2 hitters, 2 pitchers, 1 other?

I find chewing gum more of a help to stave off sweet craving more than overall hunger. But drinking water is important especially during the night and in the morning. Your body will dehydrate overnight, and it's important for metabolism to keep it as hydrated as possible. Studies have shown that when you consume about 20 oz of cold water immediately upon waking up, your metabolism experiences a nice boost. Also, it takes about 5 calories for your body to warm up a glass of cold water to body temperature leading to more calories burned.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Feb 14, 2010 -> 09:48 AM) My worst thing is that I eat well throughout the day, morning to dinner, but after dinner I binge eat. Grab some dark chocolate M&Ms, some ice cream and the likes. I wish I could just cut out my foods after dinner, but I can't. Any tips for curbing hunger or how to not eat after dinner. I eat around 7 p.m. and go to sleep around 11. Chew gum. The act of chewing has some psychological effect on hunger, plus it tastes good. Also, drinking plenty of water with help curb hunger; at least a gallon per day.

Your stomach fat is the last area of fat loss. You'll see definition in your arms/legs well before you see your abs. If you have good definition in your arms and legs, you aren't far away from definition in your midsection. There's no such thing as hitting an area harder than another (in terms of fat loss).

I don't mind Law. I think he's pretty close on this one as well. The system is far too thin.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 27, 2010 -> 08:55 PM) Interesting. Then it would make sense to have Kubel in the OF & Thome as DH vs. RHP, then Young in OF vs. lefties. Although, I wouldnt expect a team like the Twins that counts on playing such fundamental baeball all the time to play a butcher in the OF like Kubel for over 100 games. I could see it. The upgrade offensively from Young to Thome is far more influential than the downgrade defensively from Young to Kubel.