There is a very real and sad possibility that last week’s Muskbox may be the last one of the season. Meaning they will certainly address those last remaining questions you have about the Cubs. All of the important stuff, like HOW DID THE CUBS FARE WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION IN 2000??? The Muskbox is nothing if not relevant.
So, nothing then.
I don’t understand even the idea of not re-signing Ramirez.
The Rickettses hate spending money, and they hate evaluating baseball talent. And, let’s face it, NO ONE CAN EVER REPLACE RON SANTO!!!
You mentioned a four-year deal is a stretch. Ramirez would only be 37 then and he has not showed any signs of dropping in production. He’s led the Cubs in home runs and RBIs since he came here in 2003, aside from Derrek Lee’s season in ’05. There is no one in the Minor League system good enough to take his place in the near future, and there are not many all-around third basemen out there, either. To me, the Cubs are asking to lose if they let Ramy go.
Holy shit, Mike Quade wrote in to the Muskbox!
They would be losing half of their offensive production. Even when he has had injuries, he still leads the team in almost every offensive category. It’s absurd to me. How many other third basemen have had numbers close to Ramirez since 2003?
— Alycia T., DeMotte, Ind.
A-Rod. But no third basemen who DON’T wear lipstick are really close.
CARRIE: The Cubs were considering picking up Ramirez’s $16 million option for 2012, but…
…then someone explained to Todd Ricketts how many Xboxes $16 million can buy.
CARRIE: …his agent told the team on Wednesday that the third baseman will test the free-agent market. Ramirez, 33, will be the best third baseman available this offseason and may get a three- or four-year deal from a team. You’re right that the Cubs don’t have an heir apparent. As I said Sept. 8: “The main question is whether he wants to stay with the Cubs.” Evidently, he’s answered that question.
The Muskbox is quoting old Musboxes? It’s a Muskbox within a Muskbox! MUSKBOXCEPTION!!!
What are the chances of seeing an outfield of Tyler Colvin in left, Brett Jackson in center and Bryan LaHair in right in 2012?
Shockingly, the exact same chances of me NEVER WATCHING THE CUBS AGAIN.
That would give the Cubs young left-handed power that the team hasn’t seen in years. Marlon Byrd’s 35 RBIs in 460 at-bats in the middle of the order is pathetic.
— Ron M., South Bend, Ind.
/checks stats
Holy shit, Marlon Byrd really DOES only have 35 RBIs. And Aramis is the only player on the team with over 90 RBIs. This season could mark two years in a row that the Cubs didn’t have a player who drove in more than 100 runs. Hell, in 2010, they didn’t even have a guy who drove in 90. This team. She’s not-a so good.
CARRIE: The chances aren’t real good.
Is it because all of those guys are terrible?
CARRIE: Alfonso Soriano is signed through 2014, so unless he’s moved this offseason, he’ll be back in left. Colvin (.154/.208/.313) has a lot of work to do. Jackson would have to wow the team this spring. Right field is risky for LaHair.
Did you know some teams actually hit FLY BALLS out there???
CARRIE: Byrd has some work to do this offseason, and he admitted that on Wednesday, saying it’s a mechanical thing. Said Byrd: “I’m sure it’s an easy fix, and I’ll get it done for 2012.”
So, wait, he was too busy during the season to fix this simple mechanical problem?
RUDY JARAMILLO: Marlon, I just want to talk to you really quickly about your swing.
MARLON: Hang on, coach, gotta go play center field for a little bit.
TIME PASSES
RUDY: Marlon, seriously, we need to work on your swing.
MARLON: Right NOW? I was going to go down to Toshi Station to pick up some power converters!
RUDY: You know I get paid more than half the hitters on this team, right?
With all the talk about how bad the Cubs’ average with runners in scoring position has been this year, I am curious to compare this year’s to each of the past 10 years, but I can’t find the stat anywhere.
— Tim G., Burbank, Ill.
That’s because you’re a terrible person who asks awful questions. That took me less than 30 seconds to find.
CARRIE: Here you go:
2011: .233
2010: .262
2009: .241
2008: .278
2007: .278
2006: .262
2005: .258
2004: .266
2003: .259
2002: .241
2001: .269
2000: .269
Ed Hartig is somewhere smoking a cigarette.
CARRIE: For comparison’s sake, the National League West-leading D-backs are batting .252 with RISP this year, the East-leading Phillies are hitting .267 and the Central-leading Brewers are at .264.
And Marlon Byrd is hitting .200!!!
With the Cubs’ first-base situation next year, why is Mike Quade not letting LaHair show what he can do at his normal position?
— John P., Swifton, Ark.
While Mike Quade is an idiot, LaHair is also 28 years old, and has played in 63 MLB games. I don’t think where you play in the field affects how you hit, right?
CARRIE: Quade wants to give Carlos Pena a chance to hit 30 home runs this year.
Holy shit, Mike Quade : Carlos Pena :: Don Baylor : Fred McGriff.
What a season, folks. What. A. Season.