.286/.385/.393

Jason Kendall in a Cubs uni.

Kendall's OPS+ so far as a Cub: 102.

Of course that's going to go down. But quick comparison time:

With San Diego, Micheal Barrett's at: .228/.235/.287 with an OPS+ of 41.

Their lines for the entire season:
JK: .236/.283/.299
MB: .247/.285/.381

Sure Barrett has the OPS+ lead, but that overstates their differences because it weighs SLG the same as OBP, when they're even by the latter. When you factor in Barrett's excramental defense and ballrunning this year, as well as Barrett's greater number of GIDP (in fewer at bats), then not only have the Cubs improved themselves in the clubhouse, but also on the field via their two catcher trades.

Bump.

3 more hits last night.

Kendall is now hitting .317/.414/.417 in a Cubs uni.

I know it can't continue, but still...

Kurt Suzuki is going to be hard-pressed to be a league-average catcher, but just the improvement from Jason Kendall to Non-Joke is just about the biggest positional upgrade any contender will make this season.

Other than, you know, Koyie Hill/Rob Bowen to Jason Kendall.

Yes, Kendall can be expected to regress substantially, but Szym completely missed the boat on this one.

I know it can't continue, but still...

Not forever, but I won't be shocked if he continues to hit somewhere in that neighborhood for awhile. Lately he seems to be hitting the ball hard, unlike right after the trade, where it looked like he was trying to swing an I-beam.

Not forever, but I won't be shocked if he continues to hit somewhere in that neighborhood for awhile. Lately he seems to be hitting the ball hard, unlike right after the trade, where it looked like he was trying to swing an I-beam.

Kendall has been MUCH better than I expected, but he's only played 18 games for the Cubs and, interestingly, has played exactly TWO games for the Cubs in a ballpark with a park factor under 100 (under 102 for that matter) (St. Louis - park factor of 98). I get the average OPS+ of the parks he's played in as a Cub so far at 104 (which is Wrigley's Batting park factor this year). Nevertheless, even with that caveat, he's still a HUGE upgrade over Hill/Bowen.

When you factor in Barrett's excramental defense

I guess it hasn't been Barrett-level bad but Kendall's defense has struck me so far as pretty unimpressive. At least none of his starting pitchers have felt the need to beat the crap out of him, though.

Yes, Kendall can be expected to regress substantially, but Szym completely missed the boat on this one.

Well, technically, that's not the part that I've missed the boat on - the A's do now have a starter with an OPS 150 points better than Kendall did with the A's!