Numbers Breakdown: Rich Aurilia VS Nomar Garciaparra

The Cubs need someone to back up first and 3rd. Nomar and Aurilia are both free agents who can play both corner infield spots. The Cubs have interest in both these guys. So who should they get? Let's break it down.



Career BA:
Nomar- .314
Aurilia- .277
point Nomar



2008 BA:
Nomar- .264
Aurilia- .277
point Aurilia



Career OBP:
Nomar- .363
Aurilia- .330
point Nomar

2008 OBP:
Nomar- .326
Aurilia- .332
point Aurilia

Career SLG %:
Nomar- .446
Aurilia- .413
point Nomar

2008 HR:
Nomar- 8
Aurilia- 10
point Aurilia

Final Score: Aurilia 3, Nomar 3

Most Cubs fans seem to be hoping Nomar returns, in some ways I would like to see him back as a back-up, but I think Aurilia could be a better option because of the chance that Nomar could get hurt.

We can only wait and see. I'll have another Numbers Breakdown next weekend.

Don't forget coming up in 17 days at 2:00 CT Pat Hughes will say thoses 7 magical words,
"Chicago Cubs baseball, is on the air!"

Numbers Breakdown: Joey Gathright VS Felix Pie

Well, the Cubs have signed Joey Gathright this off season and traded Felix Pie. These to guys are similar players on defense so I decited to compare the 2 to find out who is a better hitter. I look at 2008 SB, career SB, career HR, 2008 HR, career BA, 2008 BA, career OBP, and 2008 OBP.

2008 SB:
Gathright- 21
Pie- 3
point Gathright

career SB:
Gathright- 78
Pie- 11
point Gathright

career HR:
Gathright- 1
Pie- 3
point Pie

2008 HR:
Gathright- 0
Pie- 1
Should I really give Pie a point? Alright fine, pointe Pie.

career BA:
Gathright- .263
Pie- .223
point Gathright

2008 BA:
Gathrght- .254
Pie- .223
point Gathright

career OBS:
Gathright- .328
Pie- .284
point Gathright

2008 OBP:
Gathright- .311
Pie- .312
point Pie

Final Score: Pie 3, Gathright 5
Based on the numbers, the Cubs did the right thing. It's possible that Felix would finally have a break out year at the plate in 2009, but not likely.

I'll have a numbers breakdown every weekend leading up to opening day.

Take a look at my past numbers breakdowns:
Bako VS Blanco
Big Z VS Peavy
Lead off man
Miles, Fontenot, and DeRosa
Manny Ramirez

I'll have a rumors update sometime tonight.
Live Cubs chat on Wednesday right here on this site.

Numbers Breakdown: Henry Blanco VS Paul Bako

Yes, the Cubs say they want to get a guy who can hit left handed as the back up catcher. But how important is that? I'm sure they can still have 2-3 left handed bats off the bench even if they kept Blanco. Bruce Levine reported yesterday that if the Cubs sign Paul Bako it will be for the same amount or more than what Blanco signed for with the Padres (750,000). Let's compare the 2:

Clubhouse/personality/fan favorite/mentor
Blanco is a great guy in the clubhouse, he did a great job as the mentor for Soto in 2008, the fans love him, and he has a great personality. Nothing against Bako, but he isn't as great of a guy to have around as Henry.
Point Blanco.

Batting Average in 2008:
Blanco: .292
Bako: .217
point Blanco

BA for career:
Blanco: .292
Bako: .231
point Blanco

SLG % for 2008:
Blanco: .392
Bako: .328
point Blanco

SLG % for career:
Blanco: .364
Bako: .317
point Blanco

OBP for 2008:
Blanco: .325
Bako: .299
point Blanco

OBP for career:
Blanco: .289
Bako: .305
point Bako

Fielding % 2008:
Blanco: .992
Bako: .993
point Bako

Fielding % career:
Blanco: .993
Bako: .990
point Blanco

runners CS/ SB for 2008
Blanco: 10 CS, 12 SB
Bako: 22 CS, 55 SB
point Blanco (close)

Past Balls per 9 innings 2008:
Blanco: .1048
Bako: .1051
Point Blanco

The Cubs want a left handed hitter so we'll give Bako +1.
Final score: Blanco- 9, Bako- 3
I think you get my point.

Please comment with your thoughts!
Next weekend I'll compare Felix Pie and Joey Gathright.

Numbers Breakdown: Zambrano VS Peavy

How does Jake Peavy compare to Carlos Zambrano. I broke this down into career ERA, 2008 ERA, career record, 2008 record, BB for 2008, K's for 2008, BB/K's for career, and also looked at these 2 guys at the plate.

Career ERA:
Carlos: 3.48
Peavy: 3.25
point Peavy

2008 ERA:
Big Z: 3.91
Peavy: 2.85
point Peavy

career record:
Big Z: 96-61
Peavy: 86-62
Point Zambrano

2008 record:
Carlos: 14-6
Peavy: 10-11
Point Zambrano

Walks/K's 2008:
Z: 72/130
Peavy: 59/166
point Peavy

Walks/K's for career:
Big Z: 62/172
Peavy: 407/1256
point Peavy

Hitting (2008 BA/career BA/ 2008 HR/ career HR):
Zambrano: .337/.239/4/16
Peavy: .265/.168/0/2
point Zambrano

So, the final score is Peavy 4, Zambrano 3. It think you get the point.

I'll have another numbers breakdown tomorrow (Sun.) that will compare Paul Bako and Henry Blanco.

Please comment with your thoughts! Also, please add this blog to your favorites because I will have Cubs posts everyday leading up to opening day and then everyday all season long. And if you haven't voted on the poll on the right side of the main page, please do so, only 1 day left of the poll.

By the way, I'll have numbers breakdown every Saturday and Sunday until Spring Training.

Check out my past numbers breakdowns:
Lead off man
Miles, Fontenot, and DeRosa
Manny Ramirez

I'll keep you posted.