Who is Harvey?

 

The wonder hamster.

I did not realize that 6 years for a 31 y.o. pitcher was unprecedented. That he has had health issues (unrelated to pitching, I know) makes it more even so. And it could vest to 7 years? That's awful.

 

Still, they have given themselves a pretty decent four year window to win. If they don't, Jed and Theo likely won't have to deal with years 5, 6 or 7. Given the team's cash and their century + of futility, this is a move that only the Cubs make, and I don't mean that as ridicule.

 

Funny to think that the A's added Lester and Shark to a first place ball club and ended up winning dick.

ESPN just told me that Joe Maddon is worth 16 wins to the Cubs, yup.

ESPN just told me that Joe Maddon is worth 16 wins to the Cubs, yup.

I need context.

I need context.

 

His glasses. His glasses are the context.

 

Just saw the signing bonus is actually for 30mil lol

Just saw the signing bonus is actually for 30mil lol

And to think that money could have gone towards rushing the bleacher reno.

ESPN just told me that Joe Maddon is worth 16 wins to the Cubs, yup.

 

No manager can add 16 wins to a team. It's asinine.

No manager can add 16 wins to a team. It's asinine.

Joe Maddon can, and anyone who replaces Robin Ventura adds a lot more than that.

Joe Maddon can, and anyone who replaces Robin Ventura adds a lot more than that.

 

I'm one of the first people to tell you that a good manager can make a big difference in a team, but 16 wins is, like I said, completely asinine.

 

Lineup optimization adds something like 1.5-2 wins over 162 games and that's one of the manager's biggest roles on a team. I haven't seen the numbers on bullpen management, but I'm pretty damn positive it's not at 14.5 wins.

Edited December 10, 201411 yr by chw42

I'm one of the first people to tell you that a good manager can make a big difference in a team, but 16 wins is, like I said, completely asinine.

 

Lineup optimization adds something like 1.5-2 wins over 162 games and that's one of the manager's biggest roles on a team. I haven't seen the numbers on bullpen management, but I'm pretty damn positive it's not at 14.5 wins.

Read a gamethread. If the 2014 White Sox had Joe Maddon managing the team, if they even had one of several Soxtalk posters managing the team, they go from 73 wins to well over 120.

No reason to be p!ssy about it but the Cubs are having a very good offseason. Gotta give credit where credit is due. This would worry me much more if it were the Tigers, Tribe, Royals or Twins doing what the Cubs have done. Regardless they're in a different league so at the end of the day who cares.

No reason to be p!ssy about it but the Cubs are having a very good offseason. Gotta give credit where credit is due. This would worry me much more if it were the Tigers, Tribe, Royals or Twins doing what the Cubs have done. Regardless they're in a different league so at the end of the day who cares.

 

I agree. Also very happy Lester is out of Boston although they have so many trade pieces I am sure they will get pitching. But after Sale, Lester may be the best lefty in MLB.

 

Let's not forget Maddon is moving from AL to NL so it will be interesting to see how many wins his baseball acumen gets for Cubs.

Edited December 10, 201411 yr by SCCWS

I agree. Also very happy Lester is out of Boston although they have so many trade pieces I am sure they will get pitching. But after Sale, Lester may be the best lefty in MLB.

 

Let's not forget Maddon is moving from AL to NL so it will be interesting to see how many wins his baseball acumen gets for Cubs.

 

I think this Kershaw guy in LA just might squeeze in ahead of those two.

I think this Kershaw guy in LA just might squeeze in ahead of those two.

 

As would Price

As would Price

 

I have a bad feeling Price winds up in LA after this year wearing the blue and white.

Phil Rogers ‏@philgrogers 2m2 minutes ago

 

While the AAV in Lester's contract is $25.83 million, yearly salary will average $19.17 million. Reported $40 mill in signing bonus/buyout.

I have a bad feeling Price winds up in LA after this year wearing the blue and white.

No chance because the Chicago media will annoit Price as the next big name the cubs will sign.

Joe Maddon can, and anyone who replaces Robin Ventura adds a lot more than that.

 

Statistically speaking, RV was the best in baseball at bullpen management last year.

 

He's a good manager.

Statistically speaking, RV was the best in baseball at bullpen management last year.

 

He's a good manager.

 

I'd be curious to see the supporting data there.

I'd be curious to see the supporting data there.

Google statistical data from eye test Chicago 3B manager bullpen heat

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 17m17 minutes ago

 

Note on Lester and #Cubs: Union will consider present-day value to be more than $155M due to $30M signing bonus, $20M of which is up front.

So the contracts with Boston and the cubs are even except the cubs gave him $20M to sign and the potential for a 7th year.

It will be interesting to see if the Rays consider dealing Longoria to the Cubs after the Maddon tampering fiasco

I'd be curious to see the supporting data there.

Trying to find it, but in the meantime: http://baltimoresportsandlife.com/baltimor...s/manager-year/