JME
@jmesnottweets.bsky.social
Former journalist, current sports fan, future somethingorother.
Huge fan of the decision to keep the Marlins luxury payroll estimate written as $69.69M instead of rounding up to $69.7M.
Excellent work.
Excellent work.
November 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Huge fan of the decision to keep the Marlins luxury payroll estimate written as $69.69M instead of rounding up to $69.7M.
Excellent work.
Excellent work.
Put another way - pitching has advanced by leaps and bounds over the last 10-15 yrs and hitters have clearly been unable to keep up. And I simply think that's bad for the game.
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Put another way - pitching has advanced by leaps and bounds over the last 10-15 yrs and hitters have clearly been unable to keep up. And I simply think that's bad for the game.
I'm pretty open to how MLB accomplishes this - I could be persuaded on anything from lowering/moving back the mound to shrinking the strike zone to implementing some stricter guidelines around starting pitcher usage, or anything in between. But the game being 75% K/HR/BB is not baseball at its best.
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I'm pretty open to how MLB accomplishes this - I could be persuaded on anything from lowering/moving back the mound to shrinking the strike zone to implementing some stricter guidelines around starting pitcher usage, or anything in between. But the game being 75% K/HR/BB is not baseball at its best.
And you know the thing about those last two?
The 10 seasons with the fewest balls in play in MLB history? The last 10 seasons.
The 10 seasons with the most strikeouts per game in MLB history? The last 10 seasons.
It's a problem that's trending worse over time.
The 10 seasons with the fewest balls in play in MLB history? The last 10 seasons.
The 10 seasons with the most strikeouts per game in MLB history? The last 10 seasons.
It's a problem that's trending worse over time.
November 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM
And you know the thing about those last two?
The 10 seasons with the fewest balls in play in MLB history? The last 10 seasons.
The 10 seasons with the most strikeouts per game in MLB history? The last 10 seasons.
It's a problem that's trending worse over time.
The 10 seasons with the fewest balls in play in MLB history? The last 10 seasons.
The 10 seasons with the most strikeouts per game in MLB history? The last 10 seasons.
It's a problem that's trending worse over time.
To that end, I look at these stats:
MLB 2025 stats:
.245 Batting Avg (T-12th lowest ever)
24.43 balls in play per game (T-7th fewest ever)
8.36 strikeouts/game (8th most ever)
MLB 2025 stats:
.245 Batting Avg (T-12th lowest ever)
24.43 balls in play per game (T-7th fewest ever)
8.36 strikeouts/game (8th most ever)
November 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM
To that end, I look at these stats:
MLB 2025 stats:
.245 Batting Avg (T-12th lowest ever)
24.43 balls in play per game (T-7th fewest ever)
8.36 strikeouts/game (8th most ever)
MLB 2025 stats:
.245 Batting Avg (T-12th lowest ever)
24.43 balls in play per game (T-7th fewest ever)
8.36 strikeouts/game (8th most ever)
Relievers are notoriously fickle, sure, but there are exceptions, and if we are talking about Devin Williams, he's a pretty notable exception.
The ERA was ugly last year, but his FIP stayed pretty well in line with his career. In fact his FIP/WHIP were better than 2021 when he had a 2.50 ERA.
The ERA was ugly last year, but his FIP stayed pretty well in line with his career. In fact his FIP/WHIP were better than 2021 when he had a 2.50 ERA.
November 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Relievers are notoriously fickle, sure, but there are exceptions, and if we are talking about Devin Williams, he's a pretty notable exception.
The ERA was ugly last year, but his FIP stayed pretty well in line with his career. In fact his FIP/WHIP were better than 2021 when he had a 2.50 ERA.
The ERA was ugly last year, but his FIP stayed pretty well in line with his career. In fact his FIP/WHIP were better than 2021 when he had a 2.50 ERA.
*In fairness I have no idea how good his defense actually is at any of those positions.
November 20, 2025 at 5:44 PM
*In fairness I have no idea how good his defense actually is at any of those positions.
Of the players on contracts that expire after '26, he's absolutely atop the list of those the Cubs should try hard to extend.
November 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Of the players on contracts that expire after '26, he's absolutely atop the list of those the Cubs should try hard to extend.
And, having two different injuries that cost him significant parts of two different seasons already in his career, both of which seemed to be the result of overuse and/or potentially bad mechanics (fractured elbow, pinched nerve) does worry me.
November 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
And, having two different injuries that cost him significant parts of two different seasons already in his career, both of which seemed to be the result of overuse and/or potentially bad mechanics (fractured elbow, pinched nerve) does worry me.
You're not wrong; it's not an amazing market for FA SP. Ideally I'd love to see the Cubs just find their solution via trade.
Ultimately, King is fine. But his track record as an SP is basically that he had one really good season and then half of a good but not great season before injury
Ultimately, King is fine. But his track record as an SP is basically that he had one really good season and then half of a good but not great season before injury
November 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
You're not wrong; it's not an amazing market for FA SP. Ideally I'd love to see the Cubs just find their solution via trade.
Ultimately, King is fine. But his track record as an SP is basically that he had one really good season and then half of a good but not great season before injury
Ultimately, King is fine. But his track record as an SP is basically that he had one really good season and then half of a good but not great season before injury
In fairness, one of the reports mentioned in the article also mentions Dylan Cease.
November 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
In fairness, one of the reports mentioned in the article also mentions Dylan Cease.
But tbh my bigger gripe is mainly the Cubs once again potentially trying to out-smart everyone and get max value out of the cheaper, (kind of, in this case) rebound option rather than just using their financial might and taking the risk on the best available player.
November 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM
But tbh my bigger gripe is mainly the Cubs once again potentially trying to out-smart everyone and get max value out of the cheaper, (kind of, in this case) rebound option rather than just using their financial might and taking the risk on the best available player.
And those four post-injury appearances didn't go spectacularly.
15.2 IP, 10 ER (incl. 6 HR), 10 hits, 8.43 FIP. Very small sample, but still. I'd be curious (I looked but couldn't find) if there was any associated movement change/velocity dip in those final starts.
15.2 IP, 10 ER (incl. 6 HR), 10 hits, 8.43 FIP. Very small sample, but still. I'd be curious (I looked but couldn't find) if there was any associated movement change/velocity dip in those final starts.
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
And those four post-injury appearances didn't go spectacularly.
15.2 IP, 10 ER (incl. 6 HR), 10 hits, 8.43 FIP. Very small sample, but still. I'd be curious (I looked but couldn't find) if there was any associated movement change/velocity dip in those final starts.
15.2 IP, 10 ER (incl. 6 HR), 10 hits, 8.43 FIP. Very small sample, but still. I'd be curious (I looked but couldn't find) if there was any associated movement change/velocity dip in those final starts.
The org philosophy I get. But the injury stuff doesn't feel entirely overstated.
The knee & finger injuries don't worry me.
But the fractured elbow in '22 (apparently from overuse) and the '25 pinched nerve in the shoulder (even if they found no structural damage at the time) feel more worrying.
The knee & finger injuries don't worry me.
But the fractured elbow in '22 (apparently from overuse) and the '25 pinched nerve in the shoulder (even if they found no structural damage at the time) feel more worrying.
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The org philosophy I get. But the injury stuff doesn't feel entirely overstated.
The knee & finger injuries don't worry me.
But the fractured elbow in '22 (apparently from overuse) and the '25 pinched nerve in the shoulder (even if they found no structural damage at the time) feel more worrying.
The knee & finger injuries don't worry me.
But the fractured elbow in '22 (apparently from overuse) and the '25 pinched nerve in the shoulder (even if they found no structural damage at the time) feel more worrying.
This would be such a Cubs move that it seems destined to happen.
Multiple SP available in FA/trade who've been more consistently healthy, have longer track records of success as a SP, and/or have higher upside... but they go with the (cheaper) "if we can just keep him healthy, he could be..." guy.
Multiple SP available in FA/trade who've been more consistently healthy, have longer track records of success as a SP, and/or have higher upside... but they go with the (cheaper) "if we can just keep him healthy, he could be..." guy.
November 19, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This would be such a Cubs move that it seems destined to happen.
Multiple SP available in FA/trade who've been more consistently healthy, have longer track records of success as a SP, and/or have higher upside... but they go with the (cheaper) "if we can just keep him healthy, he could be..." guy.
Multiple SP available in FA/trade who've been more consistently healthy, have longer track records of success as a SP, and/or have higher upside... but they go with the (cheaper) "if we can just keep him healthy, he could be..." guy.
I agree King(/Gallen) was most likely all along given the FO's tack record of (not) spending, but I'm curious why you feel he makes the most sense?
I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around why the "Could be good if he stays healthy" profile is the option that makes the most sense.
I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around why the "Could be good if he stays healthy" profile is the option that makes the most sense.
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I agree King(/Gallen) was most likely all along given the FO's tack record of (not) spending, but I'm curious why you feel he makes the most sense?
I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around why the "Could be good if he stays healthy" profile is the option that makes the most sense.
I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around why the "Could be good if he stays healthy" profile is the option that makes the most sense.
It obviously shortens the bullpen a bit, and recent history has taught us somebody probably spends some time on the IL next year anyway, so perhaps the whole point becomes moot. But if the Cubs do add another SP and all 6 guys are healthy... Seems worth a shot, IMO.
November 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
It obviously shortens the bullpen a bit, and recent history has taught us somebody probably spends some time on the IL next year anyway, so perhaps the whole point becomes moot. But if the Cubs do add another SP and all 6 guys are healthy... Seems worth a shot, IMO.
- It controls Boyd's innings; we saw the impact of fatigue in '25
- It controls Horton's innings in what will be his first full MLB season (& only FULL pro season to date)
- It allows Steele to control his innings in his return from surgery
- Imanaga typically pitched on longer rest in Japan anyway
- It controls Horton's innings in what will be his first full MLB season (& only FULL pro season to date)
- It allows Steele to control his innings in his return from surgery
- Imanaga typically pitched on longer rest in Japan anyway
November 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
- It controls Boyd's innings; we saw the impact of fatigue in '25
- It controls Horton's innings in what will be his first full MLB season (& only FULL pro season to date)
- It allows Steele to control his innings in his return from surgery
- Imanaga typically pitched on longer rest in Japan anyway
- It controls Horton's innings in what will be his first full MLB season (& only FULL pro season to date)
- It allows Steele to control his innings in his return from surgery
- Imanaga typically pitched on longer rest in Japan anyway
You start the year with some combo of Horton, Imanaga, [addition], Boyd, and Taillon. Then, assuming everyone's healthy when Steele returns, the rotation can theoretically expand to 6. With this specific group, I see a ton of benefits.
November 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
You start the year with some combo of Horton, Imanaga, [addition], Boyd, and Taillon. Then, assuming everyone's healthy when Steele returns, the rotation can theoretically expand to 6. With this specific group, I see a ton of benefits.
I am not allowing myself to fall for it again.
I will believe the Cubs are willing to spend big in the rotation and/or spend real money on a multi-year reliever contract when I see it and not a millisecond before.
I will believe the Cubs are willing to spend big in the rotation and/or spend real money on a multi-year reliever contract when I see it and not a millisecond before.
a man stands behind a podium with the words pledge across america on the back
ALT: a man stands behind a podium with the words pledge across america on the back
media.tenor.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I am not allowing myself to fall for it again.
I will believe the Cubs are willing to spend big in the rotation and/or spend real money on a multi-year reliever contract when I see it and not a millisecond before.
I will believe the Cubs are willing to spend big in the rotation and/or spend real money on a multi-year reliever contract when I see it and not a millisecond before.