MLB 2017 Season

[jsglow]

If the Brewers play ~.500 baseball the rest of the way, the Cubs (and Cards) will need to go at least 42-32 to catch them for the division lead at season's end.

If the Brewers continue at their current pace (.549 win%), the Cubs (and Cards) would need to go 46-28 to catch them at season's end.

It's the Brewers' division to lose at this point.

While true, ease up there stache. 2014 isn't very long ago.  One series at a time.

[rocket surgeon]

i smell a coaching change in wrigleyville-they need something to wake them up, but personally, i like what i've seen so far this year. maybe cutler could give 'em a lil pep talk er something life's a beach down there, eyhn'a?

[StillAWarrior]

That Judge kid can hit the ball a little.   

[cheebs09]

Did he set the record for most opposite field homers? I was shocked how many he took the other way with no effort.

[StillAWarrior]

Did he set the record for most opposite field homers? I was shocked how many he took the other way with no effort.

Yeah, that was impressive.  There were an awful lot of times I thought, "Oh, he missed that one," only to see the ball carry to the second deck in right.

Here's a really cool graphic that shows the distribution of HRs during the derby.  You can click on each player and see where his went.  Judge really stands out as the only one that hit to the opposite field.

[#UnleashSean]

Not a fan of the head to head tournament style they have now. 3 of the best eliminated right away

[MerrittsMustache]

Cubs not interested in Verlander but are supposedly willing to offer Schwarber to Detroit for Michael Fulmer. I can't imagine Detroit having any interest in that deal unless the Cubs throw in a whole lot more.

[Benny B]

Yeah, that was impressive.  There were an awful lot of times I thought, "Oh, he missed that one," only to see the ball carry to the second deck in right.

Here's a really cool graphic that shows the distribution of HRs during the derby.  You can click on each player and see where his went.  Judge really stands out as the only one that hit to the opposite field.

If I'm seeing this correctly, out of the other seven contestants, only six HR's went to the opposite field: Sanchez 5, Stanton 1.

Judge hit nearly as many to right as he did to left.

[tower912]

Cubs not interested in Verlander but are supposedly willing to offer Schwarber to Detroit for Michael Fulmer. I can't imagine Detroit having any interest in that deal unless the Cubs throw in a whole lot more.

Not a chance straight up.   Fullmer is an ace in the making.   Tigers would want a king's ransom in return.    So Schwarber PLUS 1-2 top (read major-league-ready) prospects. 

[StillAWarrior]

If I'm seeing this correctly, out of the other seven contestants, only six HR's went to the opposite field: Sanchez 5, Stanton 1.

Judge hit nearly as many to right as he did to left.

Yeah, I think that's right.  And even most of those were of the "RC" variety, and not full-on opposite field (especially Stanton's).  Judge was spraying them all over.  Using straight center as a divider, by round, Judge was 12/11; 7/6; and 5/6.  There are a couple in there that were pretty straight center, but I picked a side.

[GB Warrior]

That Judge kid can hit the ball a little.   

I'm not a fan of this new format, especially when Judge is hitting second. Let the kid hit as many dingers as his heart desires.

[Lennys Tap]

Cubs not interested in Verlander but are supposedly willing to offer Schwarber to Detroit for Michael Fulmer. I can't imagine Detroit having any interest in that deal unless the Cubs throw in a whole lot more.

Before the season this deal (straight up) would have been reasonable. But as you point out, not any more.

[MerrittsMustache]

Not a chance straight up.   Fullmer is an ace in the making.   Tigers would want a king's ransom in return.    So Schwarber PLUS 1-2 top (read major-league-ready) prospects.

It actually wouldn't be surprising to see them offer up Almora or even Russell along with Schwarber. With Happ and Baez able to man CF and SS, it would be worth it for a 24-year-old top of the rotation guy. That said, my guess is that Detroit would want young pitching in return and the Cubs simply don't have that outside of Dylan Cease.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I don't understand why Maddon doesn't play Almora more. In fairness sake I haven't looked at his advanced metrics but I think Jay or Almora in center with Happ in left and Javy at second would be better than rolling out Zobrist and Schwarber every day.

[MU82]

It actually wouldn't be surprising to see them offer up Almora or even Russell along with Schwarber. With Happ and Baez able to man CF and SS, it would be worth it for a 24-year-old top of the rotation guy. That said, my guess is that Detroit would want young pitching in return and the Cubs simply don't have that outside of Dylan Cease.

Why would Detroit want to trade him at all? He's just finding his groove and they have him under control for several more years. And it's not as if the Tigers are hurting for cash. He's the kind of guy you want to ACQUIRE if you're the Tigers.

[GB Warrior]

Damnit. Did not see that coming (per Cubs official Twitter):
#Cubs today acquired LHP José Quintana from the #WhiteSox for OF Eloy Jimenez, RHP Dylan Cease, and INFs Matt Rose and Bryant Flete. https://t.co/R8E9u9anls

[MerrittsMustache]

Cubs acquire Jose Quintana for Jimenez, Cease and a couple other minor leaguers.

Theo's done messing around!


(I was 5 seconds too slow)

[DegenerateDish]

Wow, Sox got a haul, love it, absolutely love it.

[MerrittsMustache]

Wow, Sox got a haul, love it, absolutely love it.

The Sox now have 9 Top 100 prospects, including 3 in the top 11. 

[GB Warrior]

If that's what it took to get it done, I'm glad the Brewers refrained. Top 2 prospects is steep. The difference is that the Cubs will be able to resign him at the end of it all.

[DegenerateDish]

Needs to be said...incredibly smart by Cubs. The FA market is terrible for pitching this offseason, their rotation (especially moving forward) is a mess. They gave up a lot, but they have an outstanding pitcher under control at a great price, one less need to address moving forward. I love Quintana, hope he does well on the Cubs.

[Jockey]

Woo Hoo!!!!


Now the cubs have TWO aces with ERAs over 4.25 and WHIPs over 1.30

[jsglow]

If that's what it took to get it done, I'm glad the Brewers refrained. Top 2 prospects is steep. The difference is that the Cubs will be able to resign him at the end of it all.

Agreed.  That would absolutely go against the plan.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If that's what it took to get it done, I'm glad the Brewers refrained. Top 2 prospects is steep. The difference is that the Cubs will be able to resign him at the end of it all.

I agree with this analysis

[MerrittsMustache]

If that's what it took to get it done, I'm glad the Brewers refrained. Top 2 prospects is steep. The difference is that the Cubs will be able to resign him at the end of it all.

The Brewers didn't need to make a big move at this point. The Cubs are in their championship window and will be for 3-4 more seasons. The Brewers' window hasn't opened yet. No need to trade for a pitcher who will become an UFA as your window is opening.