The Muskbox Plays GM

Posted by Bad Kermit
Posted on October 12, 2009

Carrie Muskat is watching you interview.At the Mathematical Elimination Party this Saturday, one of my friends told me she was rooting for the Cardinals to win the World Series. “Why the hell would you do that?” I asked. “Because you have to root for the NL Central when your team gets eliminated,” she replied. “Why the hell would I do that?” I inquired. She had no answer, which sort of made me feel like a dick. But the point of the story is, I rubbed it in when the Cardinals were gloriously eliminated from the playoffs. I also truly enjoyed listening to ESPN 1000 as the amazingly obnoxious Jonathan Paplebon and the Red Sox were eliminated in gut-wrenching fashion by the Angels. My last real rooting interest, the Twins, were also eliminated last night due, in part, to some terrible baserunning in Game Two and Game Three combined with the fact that the Yankees are obnoxiously awesome. That’s three sweeps in the first four series, if you’re counting. But this week’s Muskbox has nothing to do with any of that. I just thought I’d catch you up on what’s happening with the canceled postseason. Moving on, it’s Muskbox time! This one is just about as tedious as any I’ve seen, so be forewarned.

If you were to take a guess, what players do you see not returning to the Cubs in 2010, and do you see the acquisition of Kevin Gregg as a big mistake or just him having a bad year? I assume Carlos Marmol has cemented himself as next year’s closer, so is Gregg traded or put in the bullpen?
– Jeremy B., Denver

I think they should re-sign him, just so they can trade him. That’ll teach him!

CARRIE: Gregg most likely will file for free agency after the World Series ends; that’s when the madness begins.

CARRIE: Gregg still wants to be a closer. However, it’s clear that’s Marmol’s job now. Gregg is not expected back. He won’t be traded; he’s not under contract. I don’t think the signing was a “big mistake.” He was 4-1 with 11 saves, no blown saves, and a 2.21 ERA at Wrigley Field. The problem was the road, where Gregg was 1-5 with a 7.59 ERA and seven blown saves. And those blown saves were in big ballparks, too.

So, if you take away all the appearances in which Gregg was absolutely terrible, he was really good. Got it.

CARRIE: As for who else won’t return, technically, there are five other free agents: Reed Johnson, Rich Harden, John Grabow, Chad Fox and So Taguchi. We can dismiss Fox and Taguchi. They won’t be back.

Don’t be too sure about Fox. That’s what you said in 2005. And 2008. And 200- HOLY SHIT HE HAD A 135.00 ERA this year!

CARRIE: Grabow is experienced, a lefty, good against left-handed hitters, and durable. Hendry already has had talks with his agent about a new deal. Johnson is a great teammate, and if he hadn’t broken a bone in his foot, might have helped the offense when it stalled in August.

If Johnson really wanted to help the offense in August, he should have broken a bone in Soriano’s foot.

CARRIE: He’s great in the clubhouse, too. The problem with keeping Johnson could be money — he was paid $3 million and that’s a lot for a fourth outfielder.

So is the $16M, the $11.5M, and the $9M the Cubs are paying to their other three fourth outfielders.

I know Rich Harden is a free agent but are the Cubs not even considering him for their starting rotation next year? They have a solid rotation but it seems odd that Harden put up very good numbers and is not even considered to be a Cub next year. And, if the plans are that he no longer remains a Cub, why would he sit at the end of the year to “save his arm?”
– Andy C., Baltimore, MD

Wow, even I think it’s a dick move to suggest a team with no playoff hopes should destroy a guy’s arm just because they’re not going to bring him back next year. Unless that guy is Shawn Estes. Because screw that guy.

CARRIE: Piniella doesn’t mention Harden’s name when he talks about the 2010 rotation because the right-hander is not under contract. Harden did give the Cubs a lot more than they expected and that’s a credit to him, athletic trainer Mark O’Neal, and pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

A 9-9 record, a 4.09 ERA, a 1.340 WHIP, and 141 innings pitched in 26 starts is more than the Cubs expected? Maybe they should raise their expectations a little bit.

CARRIE: But, do you give a multiyear deal to a pitcher who made 16 appearances total in 2006 and ’07?

No. Multi-year deals are reserved exclusively for pitchers like Jason Marquis, who lost thirty games in 2005 and 2006.

CARRIE: He’ll most likely ask for $10 million a year. Or, do you look at the Cubs pitchers under contract — Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, Tom Gorzelanny — and say that’s enough? Those are the kind of debates that go on between the front office staff.

Other kinds of debates:

What’s the tentative schedule for the approval of the Cubs purchase this winter? This has to be one of the longest club ownership sagas in years.
– Michael M., Chicago

Three years, to be exact. Just ask the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals.

CARRIE: Now that Major League Baseball owners have approved the Ricketts family, all that’s left is for the bankruptcy court to give its approval, and that most likely will happen by the end of the month. The Cubs’ budget is not expected to change much from the $135 million figure this year. The team’s organizational meetings will be in early November, and, as Lou Piniella says, the Cubs only need a few touches here and there.

Yes. They need a touch of the plague, the touch of death, and some Touch of Gray.

Do we agree that the offense was the biggest problem this year?
– Kenny D., Atlanta

Do we agree that you have asked the worst, most pointless question in the history of the Muskbox?

CARRIE: Actually, the lack of offense by some players who were counted on, such as Bradley, Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto, and Mike Fontenot.

So, yes, we agree.

You said a leadoff hitter is Piniella’s No. 3 priority. What are his other priorities? I’m guessing closer/bullpen help is one of them, but a center fielder who can bat leadoff would seem to be the greatest need.
– Mark M., Richmond, VA

How about a middle infield that doesn’t need to sit on booster seats during team flights? Or a catcher with smaller tits than Marla Collins? I hate the offseason.

CARRIE: No. 1 was having healthy and productive years from Soriano and Soto, and No. 2 was another RBI guy. The bullpen situation is actually in good shape heading into 2010, and don’t know why you’d suggest they need a closer. That’s Marmol’s job. However, if there’s another Ken Griffey Jr. out there — or someone like Brian Roberts — the Cubs would be set.

There are guys like Griffey and Roberts out there. Their names are Griffey and Roberts.

I’m curious what the Cubs’ won-loss record was in games that Milton Bradley did not start. Lastly, what was the Cubs’ record each month?
– Paul H., Providence, RI

I say this with all sincerity and with best intentions. Who gives a shit? Seriously. It’s over.

CARRIE: The Cubs were 27-27 when Bradley did not start, and 56-52 in games he started. They went 10-11 in April, 15-13 in May, 11-14 in June, 18-9 in July, 11-17 in August, 17-12 in September, and 1-2 in October.

That’s better than their normal October showing.

I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering about this, but what are the chances we see Bradley in the lineup next season? I know we spent a lot of money to get him and he still has two years left on his contract but is a replacement on Lou’s wish list? He obviously didn’t live up to expectations and doesn’t seem to want to remain a Cub anyways.
– Jake W., Little Chute, WI

Have people been discussing this “Bradley” character? First I’ve heard of him.

CARRIE: I’m not going to guess what Bradley wants or doesn’t want. Hendry will try to move the outfielder and the $21 million remaining on his contract this offseason, and it would be better for all parties if Bradley did go to a new team. Bradley can still contribute, but would be a better fit for a team with a bigger clubhouse. Hendry has gotten some inquiries about Bradley, and there was a recent report that the Tampa Bay Rays might be interested.

Wait. Like, a physically bigger clubhouse? That’s what Milton Bradley needs to stop acting like an asshole? A bigger locker?

The Cubs almost had five starting pitchers with at least 10 wins with each of them having ERAs under 4.00. I hope Zambrano gets his 10th win before the season ends but it appears Harden will not have a chance at 10 or get a chance to lower his ERA. My question is, have the Cubs ever had a starting five with 10 or more wins and all of them having ERAs under 4.00?
– Bud B., South Pekin, IL

You’d think Carrie would have pointed out that this question was asked before the season ended, so Bud wouldn’t look like a total asshole. Unless- Maybe this question WASN’T asked before the season ended.

CARRIE: The last time the Cubs had five starters with double-digit wins and ERAs below 4.00 was in 1972 with Milt Pappas (17-7, 2.77 ERA), Burt Hooton (11-14, 2.80), Rick Reuschel (10-8, 2.93), Bill Hands (11-8, 3.00) and Fergie Jenkins (20-12, 3.20). Prior to 1972, the 1945 Cubs did the trick with Hank Borowy (11-2, 2.13), Ray Prim (13-8, 2.40), Claude Passeau (17-9, 2.46), Hank Wyse (22-10, 2.68) and Paul Derringer (16-11, 3.45). Thanks to Ed Hartig for the info.

Now back in your cage!

Broadcasters & Journalists, Cubs, Muskbox

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to get future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Comments

5 Responses to “The Muskbox Plays GM”

Leave Comment

(required)

(required)