Cubs 2012-2013 Offseason "Epstink is Terrible" Thread

[Eli]

There are people on the internet that are very angry about the Cubs signing of Feldman.

I just don't get these people.

That guy is like 12 years old. Don't worry about him.

[Quality Start Machine]

God Damnit, Marie.

Okay, I LOLed.

That is amazing

Congrats to BC for moving up from his radio gig.

[PenPho]

There are people on the internet that are very angry about the Cubs signing of Feldman.

I just don't get these people.

That guy is like 12 years old. Don't worry about him.

[Tonker]

His K/BB last year was 3 to 1.  So there was that.  Otherwise... meh.  He's only pitched more than 160 innings once, has a career ERA+ of 95 and WHIP of 1.417.  His HR/9 last year was 1 which isn't terrible but isn't good either.  Is Arlington still a bandbox?

I guess $6MM is a lot of money for a guy who, on the face of it at least, is slightly below league average in almost every way.  I'm certainly not angry about it, but I'm not exactly thrilled.

And yes, I know it's not my money.

[Internet Apex]

... meh. 

THI

[R-V]

... meh. 

THI

Counterpoint. I'm guessing we had the same mehs for Paw Maw Hollum and that worked out pretty well.

Feldman might not have the reputation of a quality starter yet, but he's shown the skills necessary to become a perfectly acceptable middle-of-the-rotation innings eater. Last year, he ran a 3/1 K/BB ratio while maintaining an average ground ball rate, putting him in the same xFIP range as guys like Kyle Lohse, Ryan Dempster, Edwin Jackson, and Dan Haren,. He doesn't have the same track record of success as those guys, but he's also going to cost a fraction of the price, and offers the same low BB/average K/average GB skillset.

In a more friendly home ballpark and with better results at stranding runners, Feldman projects to be something not too far from a league average starting pitcher in 2013. And, while he's going to be labeled a stop-gap type of signing, he doesn't turn 30-years-old until February, so there's no reason to think that the Cubs can't extract longer term value from him if he pitches well in 2013. With Feldman and Baker, the Cubs have added a couple of pieces to their rotation who aren't just pump-and-dump guys, but could be solid pieces to build future rotations around as well. This isn't just patching a hole because the Cubs need arms for next season – these deals are investments in buying low on pitchers who could be part of the next good Cubs team, even if that team is still several years away.

[Gilgamesh]

... meh. 

THI

Trade bait at the deadline, placeholder in the rotation until then.

They're going to suck next year anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

[Chuck to Chuck]

They're going to suck next year anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

CAN'T YOU LET ME BE OPTIMISTIC THAT THE CUBS WILL WIN A WHOPPING 75 GAMES!?!

[Internet Apex]

They're going to suck next year anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

CAN'T YOU LET ME BE OPTIMISTIC THAT THE CUBS WILL WIN A WHOPPING 75 GAMES!?!

Knock yourself out.

[Quality Start Machine]

They're going to suck next year anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

CAN'T YOU LET ME BE OPTIMISTIC THAT THE CUBS WILL WIN A WHOPPING 75 GAMES!?!

Geez, get one guy named Feldman, and suddenly Chuck's an optimist.

[Slaky]

... meh. 

THI

Trade bait at the deadline, placeholder in the rotation until then.

They're going to suck next year anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

It's a fucking one year deal.

Get a brain morans. Pitching isn't free.

[Internet Apex]

... meh. 

THI

Trade bait at the deadline, placeholder in the rotation until then.

They're going to suck next year anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

It's a fucking one year deal.

Get a brain morans. Pitching isn't free.

I don't think anyone here is against this signing.

[J. Walter Weatherman]

Is Arlington still a bandbox?

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor

At least marginally above average hitter's park in all categories:

Season   RUNS    HR      H       2B      3B      BB
2012     1.183   1.168   1.117   1.157   1.029   1.000
2011     1.409   1.500   1.134   1.188   2.333   1.030
2010     1.091   1.160   1.066   1.065   0.769   0.989
2009     1.085   1.194   1.062   1.074   1.455   1.072
2008     1.142   1.229   1.070   1.042   2.227   1.030
AVG      1.182   1.250   1.090   1.105   1.563   1.024

Definitely a decent place to hit a homer.

Wrigley for comparison:

Season   RUNS    HR      H       2B      3B      BB
2012     1.024   0.962   0.981   1.077   0.930   1.134
2011     0.934   0.987   0.977   0.858   1.321   1.047
2010     1.170   1.134   1.115   1.078   1.269   1.019
2009     1.146   1.006   1.024   1.052   0.920   1.040
2008     1.068   1.163   1.032   0.975   0.658   0.939
AVG      1.068   1.050   1.026   1.008   1.020   1.036

[Brownie]

They're going to suck next year anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

CAN'T YOU LET ME BE OPTIMISTIC THAT THE CUBS WILL WIN A WHOPPING 75 GAMES!?!

Interesting comment.

[Slaky]

... meh. 

THI

Trade bait at the deadline, placeholder in the rotation until then.

They're going to suck next year anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

It's a fucking one year deal.

Get a brain morans. Pitching isn't free.

I don't think anyone here is against this signing.

I'm against morans and I will continue to say so.