Theo Epstein Sploosh Thread

[Chuck to Chuck]

I'm still all set on trading Baez and some dudes not named Bryant, Russell or Soler for Hamels.

So, your point is that with 6 in the bag the expectation would be that he won't do this again?

[Shooter]

I'm guessing Slaky is referring to pitch framing, which doesn't fall under the traditional definition of catcher defense (blocking pitches, throwing out runners), and the measurement of which is still tough to rely on.

The recent obsession with pitch framing metrics is bizarre. I refuse to believe any of it is reliable and I refuse to be swayed otherwise.

Ok well either way - do you think Castillo is a good catcher, defensively? I mean he's fine. I think they can do better.

Pretty sure they can do better defensively and offensively at catcher.

Castillo is just a guy.

Somebody's gotta bat eighth.

[PenFoe]

I'm still all set on trading Baez and some dudes not named Bryant, Russell or Soler for Hamels.

So, your point is that with 6 in the bag the expectation would be that he won't do this again?

I want the Cubs to get Hamels, so I'm not sure what you're saying.

[Eli]

So, your point is that with 6 in the bag the expectation would be that he won't do this again?

No, because Pen is not you.

[InternetApex]

I'm still all set on trading Baez and some dudes not named Bryant, Russell or Soler for Hamels.

I'm glad you're not running the Cubs because you just left Eric Patterson off your untouchable list and now he's going to be a 10-time All-Star for the Phillies.

Most of the guys on the list up there are old. Some of them are dead.

Some?

Was shocked to learn that Steve Carlton is still alive. I thought he'd died in a cave somewhere a long time ago.

[Bort]

So, your point is that with 6 in the bag the expectation would be that he won't do this again?

No, because Pen is not you.

I have been trying to parse Chuck's post since last night. I should have realized that the Rosetta Stone for understanding Chuck is to be Chuck.

[PenFoe]

I'm pretty sure this is the thread where we talk about free agency and moves and such - so today Fangraphs posted their top 55 Free Agents and stuff. 

I'm not exactly sure how to read this, but I'm sure a bunch of you are. 7/$168 for Scherzer is pretty damn high as the top one, but considering this list of attractive guys falls off awfully fast, the top couple are probably reasonable. 

[ChuckD]

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/04/29/chicago-cubs-joe-maddon-tampering-investigation

The Chicago Cubs did not violate MLB's tampering rules when they hired manager Joe Maddon, the league announced Wednesday.

[Saul Goodman]

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/04/29/chicago-cubs-joe-maddon-tampering-investigation

The Chicago Cubs did not violate MLB's tampering rules when they hired manager Joe Maddon, the league announced Wednesday.

No evidence found of tampering but plenty found of Tampa Bay butthurt.

[PenFoe]

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/04/29/chicago-cubs-joe-maddon-tampering-investigation

The Chicago Cubs did not violate MLB's tampering rules when they hired manager Joe Maddon, the league announced Wednesday.

No evidence found of tampering but plenty found of Tampa Bay butthurt.

I wish Kurt was still alive so he could make an awesome photoshop of Preparation-H with Stuart Sternberg's face on it.

And then Fork could say "Needs something big." 

And then BC could say "BIG HEMORRHOIDS improve everything."

And then I could hate my internet life. 

[Powdered Toast Man]

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/04/29/chicago-cubs-joe-maddon-tampering-investigation

The Chicago Cubs did not violate MLB's tampering rules when they hired manager Joe Maddon, the league announced Wednesday.

No evidence found of tampering but plenty found of Tampa Bay butthurt.

I wish Kurt was still alive so he could make an awesome photoshop of Preparation-H with Stuart Sternberg's face on it.

And then Fork could say "Needs something big." 

And then BC could say "BIG HEMORRHOIDS improve everything."

And then I could hate my internet life. 

All of this.

[Quality Start Machine]

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/04/29/chicago-cubs-joe-maddon-tampering-investigation

The Chicago Cubs did not violate MLB's tampering rules when they hired manager Joe Maddon, the league announced Wednesday.

No evidence found of tampering but plenty found of Tampa Bay butthurt.

I wish Kurt was still alive so he could make an awesome photoshop of Preparation-H with Stuart Sternberg's face on it.

And then Fork could say "Needs something big." 

And then BC could say "BIG HEMORRHOIDS improve everything."

And then I could hate my internet life. 

You're forgetting:

• Veet
• Fart bubble
• drunk Patrick Kane
• Adrian Zmed

Fro is the worst.

[Saul Goodman]

Cola Melz? From MLBTR:

"The Cubs have continued to touch base with the Phillies" about Hamels, sources tell Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.  The likes of Kris Bryant or Addison Russell are "unquestionably off the table," yet Chicago has enough prospect depth to get the Phillies' attention.  Whether it's Hamels or another notable arm, Wittenmyer expects the Cubs to target starting pitching at the trade deadline.

[CT III]

Cola Melz? From MLBTR:

"The Cubs have continued to touch base with the Phillies" about Hamels, sources tell Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.  The likes of Kris Bryant or Addison Russell are "unquestionably off the table," yet Chicago has enough prospect depth to get the Phillies' attention.  Whether it's Hamels or another notable arm, Wittenmyer expects the Cubs to target starting pitching at the trade deadline.

Didn't Wittenmyer also expect that Epstein would be fired and the team in Chapter 11 by now?

[SKO]

Cola Melz? From MLBTR:

"The Cubs have continued to touch base with the Phillies" about Hamels, sources tell Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.  The likes of Kris Bryant or Addison Russell are "unquestionably off the table," yet Chicago has enough prospect depth to get the Phillies' attention.  Whether it's Hamels or another notable arm, Wittenmyer expects the Cubs to target starting pitching at the trade deadline.

Didn't Wittenmyer also expect that Epstein would be fired and the team in Chapter 11 by now?

Who can forget Javy Baez and Jordan Zimmerman's contributions to the 2015 Cubs so far, either?