Sport Chit Chat

The Chicago Cubs are currently the league’s best team based on team records. It’s also been 100 years since they last won a world series (yes 1908) and could they be poised for another one? My prediction is yes, not only it’s the story most baseball would want to see (after their own respective teams falter) but the team is more then capable. Let’s take a look at their team to dissect what makes it’s good.

Pitching: Acquiring Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin in what is referred to as robbery regardless of Harden’s health puts the rotation as Zambrano, Lilly, Harden, Dempster and (shudder) Marquis. The top 3 is as good as you’ll probably get with two guys who are aces and Lilly is a respectable #3. Dempster has been pitching out of his skin, I can see him struggling down the road but you never know. Thankfully Marquis won’t need to pitch during the playoffs. The pen is held by Kerry Wood, Marmol, Gaudin (who can start), Howry, Cotts and Marshall as well as Samardzija. The bullpen is a wildcard but he’s been good so far.

Hitting: Lee, Ramirez, Soto and Soriano have been the star performances. They’ve gotten great work out of their role players like Sparky (Reed Johnson), DeRosa and Theriot. One downside would probably be Fukudome but he takes a walk so is useful in that regard.

The Cubs aren’t a very sexy pick to be honest. They’ve just been an all-around good time with come back victories and winning important series in one of the tougher divisions in baseball. They’ve played great when they needed and aren’t a shabby team themselves.

Here are their opponents:
Chicago White Sox and/or Minnesota Twins: I see either or both hard press to make it out of the AL against the likes of Tampa Bay, Boston and LAA.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: The Angels are good but not as good as you think. They are in the worst division in baseball with their next competition coming in the way of the Texas Rangers who they are 16 games up on and will be the first team to clinch a playoff spot. They almost got swept by Tampa Bay but they did own the Red Sox and Yankees when they came into town. I think both Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders are more likely then good and the only pitcher that can probably hold their own during the playoffs is Lackey. Their pitching has been lucky for the most part, their Pythagorean record is 72-61 9 games worse then their record, suggesting that they are winning close games (as evidenced by KRods save count). I think their regression will either occur during the end of the season in which they are due for a slump or in the playoffs. It’s nice having an awesome closer but not good enough.

Tampa Bay Rays - great team. Inexperienced. Would be cool if they made it to the playoffs and while I think they are capable, generally veteran experience is sometimes needed.

Boston Red Sox - everyone says that Boston will likely face the Cubs in the WS, I tend to agree. Unless their injuries creates further problems (which they may even miss the playoffs with the Twins very close). I think I would’ve said the Red Sox would be still winning it BEFORE the Manny deal. I’m not sure now and when the Red Sox go to the NL, the Ortiz problem creates an issue.

Milwaukee Brewers - Cubs owned them.

Phillies/Mets - whomever wins, I doubt they would stand a chance against the Brew Crew’s pitching.

Arizona Diamonbacks - this first round match will be a tough one. They have a great rotation and may be hard press to win the first two games (Haren + Webb)…but Arizona’s defense with Dunn in right and a lot of their offense out, Chicago may squeak out against them. I think Arizona gives the Cubs a big enough push that they don’t look back and win it.

We’ll see come October. I’m rooting for the Cubs nontheless even though I’m not a fan. It’s just a feel good story with the most popular team in baseball worldwide (suck it Yanks/Bosox) looks to win one after a century of futility.

The Arziona Diamondbacks added a huge piece to their bullpen by acquiring 6′11 right-handed Jon Rauch for Emilio Bonifacio. This is an interesting trade even though I love quick and easy 1 for 1 deals.

I absolutely love Jon Rauch. 2 years with the MinorLeagueBall community I held control of the Nationals and wheeled and dealed my way to get guys like Josh Barton and Chase Headley and McGowan to name a few. I was on fire to say the least but the one guy the whole league wanted was Jon Rauch and I wouldn’t bite on anything. Rauch has been the model of consistency since pitching for the Montreal Expos organization. This season he was the closer for the Nationals sporting 17 saves with a nice 2.98 ERA. Also a great bonus is that his contract is dirt cheap with 2M for ‘09 and and a 2.9 M club option (that will be picked up). If you think his value is at 8-9 M a year that’s saving at least 11 million for the next two seasons not including the rest of the season.AZ Snake Pit calls him Chad Qualls v. 2.0 which seems to be selling him a bit low, as Rauch proved he can close and he’s slightly better statistically anyway.

Emilio Bonifacio is a speedy 2nd basemen who plays very good defense. He was rated C+ by Sickels. Bonifacio has age on his side as he’s just 23-years old but his problem is that he doesn’t walk enough and has next to zero power. Bonifacio will be a major league player. He’s a .300 hitter in AAA but in what capacity is the real question. He can easily be a utility guy or comes off the bench to pinch run (at worst). Perfect for the National league. He strikes a bit too much or does not walk enough to justify the lack of power. He may turn out to be a bottom of the order player but has a ton of time to improve. Federal Baseball salivates at a future lineup of Ryan Zimmerman, Esmailyn Gonzalez, Emilio Bonifacio and Chris Marrero around the infield.

I personally think Arizona made a great trade. Some people were suggesting that this leaves no options for Arizona to back up Orlando Hudson and they must sign in (Scutaro would be a nice plan B). I wouldn’t want Bonifacio on 2B for this Arizona team that will be on top next year too. Too many growing pains this year for Arizona already anyway.

As for Washington, I don’t understand why they didn’t acquire a top flight talent. Rauch is cheap and isn’t a rental player in the least bit. I really like him too as he’s got decent stuff and he’s been an above average reliever for 4 years. Now that’s not saying much but loogy’s are making 4 million a season if that helps you put it into perspective how important consistent talent is in the majors.

All I know now is bye bye Felipe Lopez. He’ll likely be a bench guy on a playoff team. Belliard will likely be moved too but I’m not sure how much he could fetch anyway.