Ideas and Questions

The Cub's 25 Man Roster on Openig Day

2009-04-05T17:08:00.000-07:00

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/04/cubs-release-chad-gaudin-keep-angel-guzman-david-patton.html

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090405&content_id=4131752&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnerId=rss_chc

The two links above are stories on the Cubs final roster moves before opening day.
The Cubs released Chad Gaudin and sent Jeff Samardzija to Triple A.
Both moves come as a surprise to me. The Cubs had five pitchers battling for the final three spots in the bullpen. I think Samardzija was the third most talented pitcher in the bullpen after Gregg and Marmol. The reason he was sent to the minors is because he still had options available. Guzman and Patton were out of options and the Cubs would most likely have lost them if they did not make the 25 man roster. I think Samardzija will still spend the majority of the season in the majors and will be the first call up once a pitcher gets hurt or is not pitching well.
Both Gaudin and Vizcaino were inconsistent this spring. If the Cubs would have released Vizcaino they would have lost more money and it would make the Marquis trade look bad. The Tribune story said the Cubs had tried to trade Gaudin and I assume that Vizcaino is on the trading block also.
Guzman has a lot of talent and hopefully can be successful after a difficult spring. Patton is a interesting story and has never pitched above single A. I would be surprised if he lasts the entire season.
It will be interesting to see who the Cubs would use if they need another starter. Will they call up Samardzija or would they use someone that is in the bullpen now. Both Guzman and Heilman have starting experience.
Overall I am pretty excited about the Cubs roster and hope everyone stays healthy.

Your 2009 Chicago Cubs

2009-03-18T14:11:00.001-07:00

Here is my projection of the Cub's 25 man roster and the role for most players.

Pitchers
Starting Five -- 1. Zambrano 2. Dempster 3. Lilly 4. Harden 5. Marshall (I think he would be more valuable as a lefty out of the bullpen, but earned a spot as a starter with his pitching in spring training.)
Bullpen -- Closer - Gregg, Set-up - Marmol (Marmol is the better pitcher and he is more valuable coming in with men in scoring position) 6th/7th inning - Samardzija, Cotts, Heilman Long Relief Gaudin, Vizcaino (both have been disappointing so far this spring) I have read good things about left hander Jason Waddell. Guzman and Hart will also compete for a spot in the bullpen. Gaudin, Guzman, and Heilman could also start when needed.

Batting Order

1. Soriano - LF
2. Fukudome - CF
3. Lee - 1B
4. Bradley - RF
5. Ramirez - 3B
6. Fontenot - 2B
7. Soto - C
8. Theriot - SS

Bench
Hoffpauir - left handed bat to pitch-hit , can play the corner outfield spots and first base.
Miles - can be back-up across the infield.
Johnson - any outfield spot and can replace Fukudome if he struggles.
K. Hill - back-up catcher. He is outplaying Bako in spring training, but it would be nice to have a experienced back-up catcher.
Gathright, German, or Koskie - Miles has a hurt shoulder so they may need another infielder. Gathright would add speed, but there is already two back-up outfielders.

There is my view, let me know what you think.

Even More from Grandma's

2008-12-28T16:18:00.001-08:00

More Grandma Schwab's House

2008-12-28T15:57:00.001-08:00

For best viewing - Click full screen on the bottom right and zoom in on the top right.

Grandma Schwab's House

2008-12-28T15:46:00.001-08:00

It a great place to live but I would not want to visit there.

2008-12-26T13:40:00.001-08:00

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-12-25-main-street-sioux-falls_N.htm?csp=Daily%20Briefing

Schwab Christmas

2008-12-25T17:00:00.001-08:00

Christmas Tree in Sioux Falls

2008-12-25T16:45:00.000-08:00

Even More Christmas

2008-12-25T16:32:00.001-08:00

More Christmas

2008-12-25T16:12:00.001-08:00

Christmas!

2008-12-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

Some pictures from the Schwab Christmas!

Push the full screen button on the bottom right of the picture, push the play button and the zoom in button on the top right of the picture.

Crazy Dogs

2008-12-07T09:44:00.001-08:00

Christmas Tree

2008-12-07T09:20:00.001-08:00

Snow Dogs

2008-12-01T19:00:00.001-08:00

Dogs

2008-12-01T15:24:00.001-08:00

Latest BCS

2008-11-30T07:40:00.000-08:00

BCS Bowl Projections --

Rose - USC vs. Penn St.

Orange - ACC champ (BC/Virginia Tech) vs. Cincinnati

Sugar - Loser of SEC championship (Ala/FL) vs. Utah

Fiesta - 2nd place team in Big 12 South (Texas/OU) vs. Boise St.
Ohio St. and Texas Tech appear to be next in line for a BCS game. It would be great to have both Utah and Boise St. in a BCS game. I do not think three teams from the same conference can be in BSC games, so that disqualifies Texas Tech. Ohio St.'s recent failures (and boring style of play) in BCS games should disqualify them. I do not know if both Utah and Boise St. could bring enough fans to the games and eyes to the TV for them both to be picked, but I think it would be cool if both were in BCS games.
*If Missouri wins the Big 12 title game (they would probably play in the Fiesta Bowl) then the loser of that game would be out of the BCS and the 2nd place team in the Big 12 South could play in the National Championship Game. Penn St. and USC would then have very strong arguements for playing in the National Championship Game. Also, if Florida beats Alabama in a well played, close game there could be a desire for a rematch in the National Championship Game.

FedEx BCS National Championship Game -- Winner of SEC title game (Florida/Alabama) vs. Texas/OU (As stated above, multiple scenarios could play out that could put either team in this game.)

Best Case Scenario

2008-11-28T06:34:00.000-08:00

If you like chaos in College Football's BCS system, this would be the perfect scenario -

Auburn beats Alabama and Florida State beats Florida. This would likely put both teams out of running to playing in the National Championship.

Oregon St. beats Oregon and USC beats Notre Dame. This gives Oregon St. the PAC-10 title, but USC would have a higher BSC rating.

Oklahoma St. beats Oklahoma and Texas Tech beat Baylor. This would give Texas Tech the Big-12 South title.
Texas Tech would then lose to Missouri in the Big-12 Championship (Which is practically a home game for the Tigers in Kansas City).

This scenario would most likely put USC and Texas in the National Championship despite either team winning their conference.

This scenario might seem unlikely but crazier things have happened in College Football.

Likely BCS Bowl games if the above scenario plays out --

Rose Bowl -- Penn St. vs. Oregon St.
Orange Bowl -- ACC champ vs. Big East Champ
Sugar Bowl -- Missouri vs. SEC champ (Florida/Alabama)
Fiesta Bowl -- Utah vs. Boise St. - probably unlikely, but it would be cool if both teams could make a BCS bowl. Most likely Oklahoma, Texas Tech, the loser of Fl/Al, or Ohio St. would play in this game despite having two losses.

National Championship -- Texas vs. USC -- This game would put the two teams that are playing the best right now against each other. The media would love this game because it is a rematch of one of the greatest National Championship games of all time. However, there would be a lot of people complaining because neither team won their conference's title.
This scenario would put even more pressure on the BCS to create a playoff.

Nebraska's Safe Haven Law

2008-11-18T18:24:00.000-08:00

The Safe Haven Law in Nebraska has created a lot of controversy and has made people throughout the United States think about children and parenting.

Here is a link from the Omaha World Herald on the Safe Haven Law --

http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10458731

and also from the World Herald a story about a child that was abandoned --

http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10490703

Published Tuesday November 18, 2008
'He doesn't act like he has a conscience'
BY KARYN SPENCER
"Then 24, Cowburn was living in North Carolina when a woman begged for money, then asked her to hold her baby, who was dirty and wearing only shorts, while the woman shopped for groceries.
The mother never returned.
Cowburn contacted police and eventually agreed to keep the 16-month-old.
She had had miscarriage after miscarriage and had been adopted as a baby. Her parents had been foster parents, taking in 39 children over the years.
"He was like this miracle who had come into my life," she said. "I thought, really naively, 'All he needs is someone to love him.'"
The first signs of trouble were his screaming fits, hollering for seven hours without shedding a tear. He hoarded food, hiding it in vents and behind furniture.
He has reactive attachment disorder, a lack of emotional attachment that results in disturbed and inappropriate behavior; disruptive behavior disorder, a consistent pattern of breaking rules; and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
"It's like a disruptive 13-year-old in a 5-year-old's body," Cowburn said. "Most mothers wake up to, 'Mommy, I'm hungry.' I have to hear, 'If you don't get up, I'll slit your dog's throat.' This is like a horrible nightmare that never ends."
On Christmas, T pushed Cowburn's 90-pound mother, who fell. She fractured her hip and pelvis and spent seven weeks in a nursing home recovering. Her doctor said the boy cannot come to her home anymore.
The boy has broken Cowburn's nose, cut her forehead with a snow brush and left deep bruises from biting her calf. He has put a kitten inside an oven and blinded the family's parrot."

A link to a recent episode of the NPR show On Point about the safe haven law --

http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2008/11/nebraskas-safe-haven/

Curse of the SEC

2008-11-17T09:06:00.000-08:00

From the Chicago Tribune --

Cubs bidder Cuban accused of insider trading

November 17, 2008 at 10:44 AM
"Mark Cuban, Internet entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was charged with insider trading Monday related to the stock of an online search engine, the Securities and Exchange Commission said.
The SEC alleges that in June 2004, Mamma.com Inc. invited Cuban to participate in a stock offering that would be conducted at a discount to the company's prevailing market price.
Within hours of receiving this information, according to the civil complaint, Cuban called his broker and instructed him to sell his entire position in the company. By selling his stock before the public announcement of the offering, Cuban avoided losses of more than $750,000, the SEC said.
Messages for Cuban and his legal representatives were not immediately returned.
It's unclear how the civil charges will affect Cuban's ability to continue to participate in the sale of the Chicago Cubs, owned by Tribune Co."
-- Ameet Sachdev

This can not help Cuban's chance of buying the Chicago Cubs. Even if he is found not guilty, this severely hurts his reputation. Baseball owners are a very conservative group and they probably do not like this too much. It will be interesting to see watch actions NBA commissioner David Stern will take right away.

A response from Cuban can be found at his blog.
http://blogmaverick.com/

Sad, but Understandable!

2008-11-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

It is not surprising that the Cubs did not resign Kerry Wood, especially if he was looking for a three or four year deal. Wood was very good this past year, but his health is inconsistent. He has done a lot of great things for the Cubs and the city of Chicago (http://www.kerrywoodstrikezone.com/). Hopefully this does not come back to hurt the Cubs like Greg Maddux (the first time the Cubs let him go). It is sad, but not surprising that the Cubs are not bringing back Wood if he is looking for a long term deal.

From the Chicago Tribune --
"Hendry met this week with Wood and his agent, Pat Rooney, and told him the Cubs were going in a different direction. "I think we all feel that Kerry is certainly deserving of a three- or four-year contract," Hendry said. "He’s done everything this organization has asked for the last 14 years, been a warrior the last couple of years. He's come back and health-wise stood the test of time, taken the ball every day we needed, and had no hang-ups, except for (missing one month with a blister injury). "We’re just in a situation, as Kerry fully understands, that that length of deal, for the kind of salary he’d command right now, is not our first priority. We certainly have to finish our rotation, we have offensive situations to address, and by having the prominence that (Carlos) Marmol now brings to the table, it certainly doesn’t come before the other needs we have. We felt it was time Kerry goes out and does what’s best for him and his family, and gets a huge multi-year deal if possible."'
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/11/cubs-wave-bye-t.html

Marmol has the stuff to be closer, but does he have the mental make-up to deal with the pressures of closing games. The pick up of Kevin Gregg will help the bullpen but he is not a closer anymore.

From the Trib --
"The Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Kevin Gregg from Florida on Thursday to plug a hole in the bullpen, sending Double-A prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins. Whether Gregg will be a closer, as he was in Florida, or a set-up man depends on whether or not Kerry Wood re-signs, or if Carlos Marmol is ready to step into a more significant role. The 30-year-old Gregg, who was 7-8 with a 3.41 earned-run average and 29 saves in 72 outings for the Marlins, has an 18-21 career mark and a 4.00 ERA. He started out well in Florida last year but wound up blowing nine saves, and was not expected to get a shot at the closer’s job if he returned to Florida in ’09. He was 0-4 w2ith a 10.13 ERA in August before moving to middle relief. The Cubs certainly like his salary, which fits into their 2009 budget. Gregg is arbitration eligible, after making $2.5 million last year. Ceda, 21, was ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Cubs organization by Baseball Prospectus, and was acquired from San Diego in the Todd Walker trade two years ago."
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/11/cubs-acquire-po.html

The Cubs bullpen is becoming younger (and cheaper) and can hopefully hold up to the pressures and innings of a long season and post-season. It looks like they will be relying on Marmol, Samardzija, Hart, and Guzman.
It would be amazing if the Cubs could pick up Francisco Rodriguez, but he probably will want too much money and too many years.
Another interesting idea would be signing Randy Johnson if he was interested in pitching out of the bullpen.
The Cubs still need to go after Jake Peavy, especially if they do not sign Ryan Dempster.

Go Cubs Go!!

2008-11-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

I am excited about the news that the Chicago Cubs are interested in Jake Peavy.

Associated Press November 7, 2008, 9:11 AM ET

"Jake Peavy probably will be traded by the San Diego Padres before the winter meetings next month. Peavy's initial list of teams San Diego should concentrate on included Atlanta, the Chicago Cubs, Houston, the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis. The Braves, Cubs and Dodgers appear to be the most likely candidates for a trade."

Padres GM acknowledges ace Peavy likely to be traded within month

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3687064

The Cubs should trade three or four players for Peavy, probably two field players and two pitchers. Here are some players I think the Cubs could trade --Ronny Cedeno, Felix Pie, Jake Fox, Koyie Hill, Sean Marshall, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill (if he gets his control back this winter), and Michael Wuertz.
Marshall, Pie, and Cedeno would be the players that the Padres would be the most interested in. There may also be some minor league players that I am not aware of that the Padres might be interested in.
Young players that should not be traded by the Cubs -- Mike Fontenot, Micah Hoffpauir, Geovany Soto, Angel Guzman, and Carlos Marmol. (Jeff Samardzija has a no trade clause)

My projected roster for the Chicago Cubs in 2009
1st Base - Derrek Lee 2nd Base Mike Fontenot SS Ryan Theriot 3rd Base Aramis Ramirez
Catcher Geovany Soto Right Field Alfonso Soriano Center Field Kosuke Fukudome
Right Field Mark DeRosa
Starting Pitchers - Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster, and Sean Marshall (or Peavy)
Relief Pitchers - Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, Jeff Samardzija, Neil Cotts, Angel Guzman, Chad Gaudin, Kevin Hart.
Bench - Reed Johnson (can play center field against left hand pitchers), Micah Hoffpauir (can play 1st Base or Right Field against right hand pitchers), Henry Blanco (Catcher), Cedeno (if he is not traded he can be an utility infielder), Pie (same as Cedeno, but in the outfield)

Free Agent - RHP Ryan Dempster, RHP Kerry Wood, CF Jim Edmonds, RHP Bob Howry, OF/1B Daryle Ward, RHP Jon Lieber, RHP Chad Fox.

It is very important that the Cubs resign Wood and Dempster (as long as the contracts are not too long). The rest of the players can be let go. Ward and Edmonds have played important roles, but it is time to let Hoffpauir and Pie have their chance. There are rumors that the Cubs are after Raul Ibanez, this could be a good answer for a left handed batting right fielder if they do not pay too much. The idea of going after Brian Roberts should end, especially with the recent good play of Fontenot. One other piece the Cubs could add would be a left handed relief pitcher (especially if Marshall is traded).

Comments on my projected 2009 roster -
The two major problems for the Cubs going into the season are center field and adding more left handed bats. If Fukudome plays center field he can focus on his defense and Johnson can give him a day off against left handed pitchers. Fontenot showed he can hit in the big leagues last year and he deserves to play 2nd base everyday to add a left handed bat. DeRosa is the key to everything for the Cubs, he should be the most of the time right fielder, he can play 2nd base against lefties to give Fontenot the day off, and play third to give Ramirez a day off. Hoffpauir can play right field against righties to give DeRosa a day off (or when he plays 2nd or 3rd). He can also play 1st to give Lee a break. It is important that Piniella continues to give Lee, Soriano, and Ramirez more days off so they are fresh for the playoffs. This will also give Fontenot, Hoffpauir, Pie, Cedeno, and DeRosa more at bats.
Pitching - Samardzija, Guzman, and Gaudin should stay in the bullpen. Gaudin can make a spot start if needed. But Guzman and Samardzija should stay in the bullpen to gain experience and to save their arms as long as they are not needed as starters.

Opening Day Starting Line-Up (back-ups in parenthesis)
1. RF - Soriano (Pie), he would be better off farther down the line-up, but you have to keep him happy.
2. 1B - Lee (Hoffpauir), his power has gone done too far for him to bat 3rd.
3. 2B - Fontenot (DeRosa), to add a left handed bat to the middle of the line-up.
4. 3B - Ramirez (DeRosa/Cedeno), the best run producer/clutch hitter the Cubs have.
5. RF - DeRosa (Hoffpauir/Pie), it would be great to be able to bat Fukudome here, but he is too inconsistent.
6/7/8 - Some mix of Theriot (Cedeno), Soto (Blanco), and Fukudome (Johnson/Pie) depending on how well they are hitting and which back-ups are in the line-up. Theriot and Soto are capable of batting higher in the line up but there is no place for them. If Fukudome is hitting he would be great at lead-off or the second spot.

Island of Blue

2008-11-07T21:48:00.000-08:00

Published Saturday November 8, 2008
Obama wins electoral vote in Nebraska
BY ROBYNN TYSVER
Obama wins electoral vote in Nebraska
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10481441

"Democrat Barack Obama won the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District on Friday, scooping up one of the state's five electoral votes.

In the process, he made history and shone the spotlight on Nebraska's unusual electoral college system.

Obama won 8,434 of 15,039 mail-in ballots counted Friday by Douglas County election officials. These early ballots arrived in the election commissioner's office too late to be included in Tuesday's election results.

The additional votes gave Obama a 1,260-vote lead over Republican John McCain in unofficial returns. McCain won the popular vote statewide and four electoral votes."

Hilarious!!

2008-11-07T17:13:00.001-08:00

5 Obama Hair Don'ts

"Our 44th president can change many things in the next four years--his hair isn't one of them. The high-top fade worked for Kid, and we love Charles Barkley's shiny chrome dome. We even have a soft spot for James Brown's process. But sadly, none of these beloved styles can make the cut in the White House."

From --
The Root
http://www.theroot.com/id/48779

Fix It!!

2008-11-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

The Buffett Commision

From the New York Times --

"CHICAGO — President-elect Barack Obama convened a new economic advisory board to meet here on Friday as he moves to swiftly fill top administration posts and form his response to the economic crisis."

"In a long list of forthcoming appointments, aides said, Mr. Obama is acting with the greatest urgency toward choosing a Treasury secretary and is said to be considering Lawrence H. Summers, who held the post during the Clinton administration, and Timothy F. Geithner, president of the New York Federal Reserve Bank."

"Assembled to offer wide-ranging advice, the group of 17 includes Mr. Summers and his predecessor as Treasury secretary, Robert E. Rubin; Paul A. Volcker, a former Federal Reserve chairman, and Eric E. Schmidt, the chief executive of Google. The billionaire investor Warren Buffett is to attend by speakerphone.Other participants scheduled to attend include Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa of Los Angeles; former Commerce Secretary William Daley; William Donaldson, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission; Anne Mulcahy, chairman and chief executive of Xerox; Laura Tyson, former chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, and Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm of Michigan."

Obama Convenes Economic Adviser

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/08transition.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

What will Sarah Palin do next?

2008-11-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

Will she be the next Senator from Alaska?
Will she run for President?

Tensions between McCain and Palin camps come to light
McCain aides talk about the Republican vice presidential nominee's wardrobe controversy and other issues.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/la-na-palin6-2008nov06,0,6793014,print.story
"Sarah Palin left the national stage Wednesday, but the controversy over her role on the ticket flared as aides to John McCain disclosed new details about her expensive wardrobe purchases and revealed that a Republican Party lawyer would be dispatched to Alaska to inventory and retrieve the clothes still in her possession."
"Fox News reported Wednesday that Palin's lack of knowledge on some topics also strained relations. Carl Cameron reported that campaign sources told him Palin had resisted coaching before her faltering Katie Couric interviews; did not understand that Africa was a continent rather than a country; and could not name the three nations that are part of the North American Free Trade Agreement -- the United States, Canada and Mexico."

From my uncle in Alaska --

"The law about filling vacant Congressional seats was recently changed in Alaska. In 2002 Senator Frank Murkowski won the governor's seat and proceeded to appoint his daughter Lisa to fill out his term in the Senate. That didn't sit too well with Alaskans so the law was changed to require an election to fill any vacant Congressional seats. It seems ludicrous to me, but it appears that convicted felon Ted Stevens is leading in the Senate race; however, there are thousands of absentee ballots to count. If Stevens is elected, it would be up to the Senate to determine whether or not he should be censured. I haven't heard any media chatter about Palin running for his Senate seat, but I imagine that she is thinking about it. It would certainly help keep her in the national spotlight and allow her to gain more experience in international affairs where her resume is currently lacking."

Who is next?

2008-11-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

Who will replace Obama and Biden in the Senate?

What Now?

2008-11-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

What issue should President Obama pass legislation on first?