2K24: Chicago Cubs

[Pauly]

So how many weeks does it take for last year's mirage to turn into a trend? I sense a fire sale coming.

[revo]

Not exactly sure what the issue with Kyle Hendricks is, but here's some alarming stats:

Career HR rate: 1.0 HR/9
2021: 3.3 HR/9

2020: 0.9 BB/9
2021: 2.7 BB/9

Career FB%: 18.7%
2021: 27.3%

Career GB%: 46.9%
2021: 37.4%

Career HR/FB %: 11.8%
2021: 31.4%

Soft Contact %
2016: 25.5%
2017: 22.5%
2018: 22.4%
2019: 19.7%
2020: 17.4%
2021: 16.2%

Career IFFB%: 10.0%
2021: 2.9%

His pitch mix and velocity are the same as his career norms. So whatever he's doing, the balls that used to be hit on the ground or were meek infield flies are now getting hit harder to the OF or over the wall. Since he doesn't throw hard or strike anyone out, he really needs to find what's wrong and adjust it soon. Despite being a soft tosser, he was effective, and now he's not.

[cavebird]

I wonder if it could be related to the way baseball is changing in the stat cast era. Just as pitching is going more and more to velocity and K's, hitting is going to hard contact as the key, rather than trying to put balls in play. Maybe that is making it harder and harder for a soft-tosser to keep the soft contract rates up? Or maybe his location has just been off this year.

[madducks]

What happened to Kris Bryant this month? Is the trade talk getting in his head?

April .322/.412/.667
May .327/.400/.561
June .114/.205/.241

[rhd]

1st 4 hitters Tonite for Arrieta:
2B
HBP
1B
GS

This guy is absolutely killing me!

[rhd]

Arrieta's line tonite:

1.7 IP, 7R, 6ER (they might all be ER), 6H, 2BB, 4K.

Did I mention I have him in 2 leagues and, because of league rules, cant bench him rt now in either one?

[chancellor]

Did I mention I have him in 2 leagues an, because of league rules, cant bench him rt now in either one?

Ouch. That'll leave a big mark. You may be saved - rumors are flying the Cubs will DFA him soon.

[rhd]

Arrieta placed on the IL today. At least I wont have to worry about another bad start from him on Sunday.

[Gregg]

Arrieta placed on the IL today. At least I wont have to worry about another bad start from him on Sunday.

He will not pitch another pitch in a Cubs uniform. The Cubs will NOT pick up his option next year.

[Bene Futuis]

Joc attack traded to the Braves

[Pauly]

Bryant trade coming in 7....6....5....4...

[chancellor]

Joc attack traded to the Braves

Hmmm…so the guy the Cubs signed to replace the guy who has hit a jillion HRs and is an All- Star is traded for a guy in Single-A who isn’t even a Braves top-ten prospect.

If I were hired as GM, even as a Brewers fan, I don’t think I could screw up this team worse.

[Bene Futuis]

Hmmm…so the guy the Cubs signed to replace the guy who has hit a jillion HRs and is an All- Star is traded for a guy in Single-A who isn’t even a Braves top-ten prospect.

If I were hired as GM, even as a Brewers fan, I don’t think I could screw up this team worse.

I mean, I guess if you think of it as "is this prospect worth $8M?" it gets mildly better? Probably doesn't help that I have no idea who this 23 year old 1B prospect in Single A is, lol.

[Bene Futuis]

I mean, I guess if you think of it as "is this prospect worth $8M?" it gets mildly better? Probably doesn't help that I have no idea who this 23 year old 1B prospect in Single A is, lol.

$4.5M - my bad.

[chancellor]

I mean, I guess if you think of it as "is this prospect worth $8M?" it gets mildly better? Probably doesn't help that I have no idea who this 23 year old 1B prospect in Single A is, lol.

And I missed that he was 23 in single-A. Wow. Just wow.