****Official Cubs 2015 Thread****

[hawkisak]

9 over at this point, and 13-8 in June so far. Even if they lose the last 6 in June, they'll be 3 over. Good stuff beating Kershaw and Greinke on consecutive nights.

This team still has some flaws, but they sure are fun to watch.

I am a man of my word and am thrilled that Cubs have battled through the first 2 weeks of a 4 week brutal stretch. Honestly, the schedule is just a gauntlet until they get through these 2 upcoming STL series. The starting pitching has been much better than I expected of late. I just hoping they can be +5 games over or better by the AS break. Then anything can happen. Still hard to believe that the best 3 records in the NL are all in the Central. At some point STL has to have a rough patch. Pittsburgh is also getting tremendous SP and will be there for the long haul.
The Cubs need another reliable starter and could use another quality arm in the bullpen.

 

[lucas80]

I am excited as a fan. I keep telling myself this team is young, and there are holes in the roster. But, they keep winning, and my expectations keep getting harder and harder to keep in check. The bullpen should get a boost from Neil Ramirez any day now. Raphael Soriano is caught in some quagmire that many foreigners are caught in. There is some big glitch in the customs system for people to get into the system who already have status allowing them to come here to work, or study. He can't leave the Dominican Republic until that's cleared up. That will be a much stronger bullpen. So, the attention turns to a starter for me.
To be 9 over .500 at this point of the season is just astounding.

 

[hawkifann]

The Cubs need another reliable starter and could use another quality arm in the bullpen.

I wanted to resurrect this thread anyway, and figured a good poke at your prediction would be a good way to do it. Just tweaking a little. I just hoped they could get through June around .500 and they have a really good chance now to do better.

I do agree about the starter (I agree with Lucas that Ramirez should give a real boost), but I do think the Cubs still need to keep the long view in mind. There are seasons where you sell out to win, but I don't think the Cubs are quite there yet. So, they should either make a deadline deal to get a rental who won't cost much or put together a package for a guy who will be around awhile (like Hamels if Philly ever lowers the ridiculous asking price).

Either way, though, I think the Cubs are going to hang around awhile and will be a factor into September.

 

[torbee]

The question now is how serious are they about contending THIS year - and does that change their thinking on giving up some prospects for another strong arm.

I'm on the fence on that one - I hate to see them give up some of their young talent, but if there's a chance to win now, whoa nellie, maybe you do it.

 

[lucas80]

The question now is how serious are they about contending THIS year - and does that change their thinking on giving up some prospects for another strong arm.

I'm on the fence on that one - I hate to see them give up some of their young talent, but if there's a chance to win now, whoa nellie, maybe you do it.

What good is a prospect? They only have so much value, and if you aren't using them on the field the value goes down. There are several guys I would consider trading in my Column A. Maybe a team like the Phillies get 1 from Column A, but, if the deal takes two of them, then pass. There will be a ton of pitching on the market this offseason. So, in the long term view don't overpay for this year.

 

[lucas80]

It was interesting to see that the White Sox will change radio affiliations next season. They will go to 890 WLS. That leaves the Cubs likely to move to 670 the Score. 780 WBBM does not do justice for the pre and postgame shows. The Score would be a huge platform, and it would be fun to hear Bernstine kiss Cubs fans rear ends.

 

[bagdropper]

You can never, ever have enough talent in the system. You never get rid of guys you don't have multiple duplicates in the system.

Stay the course, Cubs. Obsessively stick to the plan.

 

[hawkifann]

What good is a prospect? They only have so much value, and if you aren't using them on the field the value goes down. There are several guys I would consider trading in my Column A. Maybe a team like the Phillies get 1 from Column A, but, if the deal takes two of them, then pass. There will be a ton of pitching on the market this offseason. So, in the long term view don't overpay for this year.

There's a delicate balance on prospects. They are perishable. That said, you have to have depth of talent in the system. At this point, Javier Baez is not going stale -- he was getting his bat going before the injury. Schwarber is obviously a big hitting prospect. You don't trade guys like that unless you get clear value back. Long term, they do have a bit of a logjam up the middle, so it wouldn't surprise me if one or more of Castro, Baez, Russell, Alcantara (if he gets his bat back to form), Almora and some other kids get dealt at some point.

In an ideal world, you try to have a deep, talented system and get a reputation for having a lot of talent in the minors. That allows you to maybe sell guys on a hot streak that you don't see projecting up as well as other kids on the farm. In another year or possibly two, if the Cubs young players continue to develop and grow, I think they could find themselves in a position to sell out to win and be more aggressive on the trade market. Now, I think they're probably still a year away, so I'm all for making some lesser moves to improve in the short-run without giving up top prospects. If there's a blockbuster on the table, though, that allows the Cubs to fill a hole for multiple years, then go ahead and deal a top kid.

 

[torbee]

It was interesting to see that the White Sox will change radio affiliations next season. They will go to 890 WLS. That leaves the Cubs likely to move to 670 the Score. 780 WBBM does not do justice for the pre and postgame shows. The Score would be a huge platform, and it would be fun to hear Bernstine kiss Cubs fans rear ends.

That is the best news I've heard all day. I can't STAND the White Sox eating up so much airtime on the Score. And then they are obligated to talk about them as well. The funny thing is, if it weren't for Hawk Harrelson and to a lesser extent, Ed Farmer, I could probably root for the Sox. But they are insufferable, whiny blowhards.

 

[dgordo]

It was interesting to see that the White Sox will change radio affiliations next season. They will go to 890 WLS. That leaves the Cubs likely to move to 670 the Score. 780 WBBM does not do justice for the pre and postgame shows. The Score would be a huge platform, and it would be fun to hear Bernstine kiss Cubs fans rear ends.

Is 67o a cbs channel too? I think the contract with wbbm is a 7 year deal but maybe if they are both cbs channels they can get around that.

 

[lucas80]

Is 67o a cbs channel too? I think the contract with wbbm is a 7 year deal but maybe if they are both cbs channels they can get around that.

The deal is with CBS Radio, and they own both stations. Both WSCR and WBBM are 50,000 watt stations. That was a requirement for any team and any affiliate in Chicago. There is some speculation that CBS went hard after the Cubs last year, and put them on WBBM this year with it in mind that they may put them on WSCR for 2016 if they lost the White Sox. Some even speculated if they kept the Sox they'd go to WBBM and the Cubs would go to WSCR. The platform is bigger, and there is more revenue potential as the Cubs improve.
As Torbee said, there is far too much talk on WSCR about a crappy baseball team.

 

[lucas80]

There seems to be a lot of talk about Johnathan Pappelbon coming to the Cubs. I am sure the Red Sox are wanting a market for him to develop. Clubhouse cancer seems to come up along with his name.
This is classically a move I wouldn't overpay for. If Maddon and Bosio sign off on Pappelbon then I'm okay with it. However, as I mentioned before with Ramirez coming back I don't think it's critical to add bullpen right now. And, Motte has been a very pleasant surprise. His velocity has been slowly increasing all season.

 

[LuteHawk]

Jon Lester is having a bad year at 4 wins and 6 losses
and an ERA around 4.00. He needs to get his act on
track. For the supposedly ace of the pitching staff,
Lester is a disappointment.

 

[HawkinMN]

I watched the Cubs up here last Friday against the Twins. I thought part of the game was catching and throwing the ball?

 

[bagdropper]

Jon Lester is having a bad year at 4 wins and 6 losses
and an ERA around 4.00. He needs to get his act on
track. For the supposedly ace of the pitching staff,
Lester is a disappointment.

Being the staff ace is more than stats. Much more. It's setting a work ethic/example mostly...a bell cow for the rest of the herd so to speak. And I think farther down the road (years from now) Cubs fans will be glad they had him starting this year.

 

[lucas80]

I'm glad they got Lester. He is a true TOR guy. Doesn't mean I am disappointed in his performance, especially today when he seemed more engaged yelling at the home plate umpire than in locating his pitches.

 

[hawkisak]

Yes, I too am glad they have Lester, but unlike the Cardinals or Pirates, there is not one Cub starter who I trust break a losing streak or come with a big outing. I would rate Arrieta and Hammels as above average, Lester average at best, Wada below average and Hendricks borderline MLB material. They have got to add a better starter. It doesn't need to be Hammels or Cueto, but they need someone that is at least in the Arrieta/Hammels category.

Not sure what pitching is in AA or AAA at the starting level, but Hendricks days in the rotation have to be numbered.

 

[hawkifann]

I hope they stick with Hendricks. I like his approach and think he has a good future ahead of him. If his struggles continue, maybe he gets a stint in AAA to get back on track. As for adding another starter, I'm good with that as long as they don't overpay for a rental. Give the team a chance to compete this year, but this isn't quite the year to sell out for a playoff run.

 

[lucas80]

Yes, I too am glad they have Lester, but unlike the Cardinals or Pirates, there is not one Cub starter who I trust break a losing streak or come with a big outing. I would rate Arrieta and Hammels as above average, Lester average at best, Wada below average and Hendricks borderline MLB material. They have got to add a better starter. It doesn't need to be Hammels or Cueto, but they need someone that is at least in the Arrieta/Hammels category.

Not sure what pitching is in AA or AAA at the starting level, but Hendricks days in the rotation have to be numbered.

Not much. The weak part of the system has been starting pitching. Logical since that can take the longest to develop. The strongest levels for starting pitching are lower down. Cast off Donn Roach is the most likely AAA pitcher to come up, which isn't heart warming as a Cubs fan.
Duane Underwood seems to have pointed himself in the right direction after scuffling last year. There are a couple of other names, but I've always thought Underwood was the best bet to be a TOR guy.

 

[ihawk in FWB]

Besides Stroup, Herrera, and the dumb ass right fielder who couldn't throw the ball 65 feet at the end, who else needs to be sent down tomorrow?

 

[iCRUNCH]

Next year

 

[hawkisak]

The death of the Cubs, 2015 is starting. They are so mentally weak against STL and I expect them to lose 6 of 7 over the next week + to them. That will greatly demoralize this young team. The lack of productivity with RISP is horrendous. RIP 2015 Cubs. You are getting better and will win around 78 games this year. They have to shore up SP, bullpen and on base percentage/contact...too many K's.

 

[like-woahh]

I hate the Cardinals with every fiber of my being. Can they please just suck one year of my existence... just one?

 

[bagdropper]

I hate the Cardinals with every fiber of my being. Can they please just suck one year of my existence... just one?

I think you may get your wish in a couple years. The farm is a tad bit dry in offensive prospects currently. They have pitchers...but they're a couple years away.

Losing Luhnow was merely huge...just look at Houston now.

This year ain't over either. They cannot keep this pace up. I'm happy they're building up a cushion cause I think they're gonna need it.

 

[HawkinMN]

It is great being a Cardinals fan. They won't win every year, at some point there will be a drop off. I'm lucky enough to have seen them in ten WS and win five of them. They owe me nothing.

 

[ihawk in FWB]

I can tell Rizzo is hurt. I hope he can hang in there.

 

[lucas80]

As a Cubs fan it will be nice when Yadier Molina retires and takes his Mexican drug lord tattoos out to pasture. He can still hit in the clutch even after going off the PED's. His body has to be close to falling apart.

 

[Big_Palooka]

As a Cubs fan it will be nice when Yadier Molina retires and takes his Mexican drug lord tattoos out to pasture. He can still hit in the clutch even after going off the PED's. His body has to be close to falling apart.

---------------------------
So his initials (tribal Y and M and then some musical notes are Mexican drug lord tattoos? who knew?
PED's? Hey let's just make stuff up !
It's funny reading your posts because I have never seen anyone before who can be wrong on virtually everything he ever posts. It is actually pretty amazing. Good job.

 

[HawkinMN]

---------------------------
So his initials (tribal Y and M and then some musical notes are Mexican drug lord tattoos? who knew?
PED's? Hey let's just make stuff up !
It's funny reading your posts because I have never seen anyone before who can be wrong on virtually everything he ever posts. It is actually pretty amazing. Good job.

Yadi is King!

 

[bagdropper]

When Cabrera with Detroit says Yadi's the best player out there...pretty telling. His value I believe is immeasurable. He could hit .200 and still be their most important player. They'll most likely never be a bad team as long as he's able to catch daily.

Irreplaceable...the only catcher that's even remotely close is Perez with KC. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think KC has the best record in the AL. He I believe is the main reason why. They're both the common denominator as to why they both pitch so well.

 

[HawkinMN]

When Cabrera with Detroit says Yadi's the best player out there...pretty telling. His value I believe is immeasurable. He could hit .200 and still be their most important player. They'll most likely never be a bad team as long as he's able to catch daily.

Irreplaceable...the only catcher that's even remotely close is Perez with KC. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think KC has the best record in the AL. He I believe is the main reason why. They're both the common denominator as to why they both pitch so well.

I told others when Albert left that it bothered me, but not nearly as bad if Yadi had left. He's the glue to that team. I say hall of famer.

 

[lucas80]

Soler got his first rehab start with the I-Cubs today. That's encouraging. Olt is probably ready to come back up.
With all the talk about the Cubs needing another starting pitching, it's been woeful hitting with RISP that has been the bigger issue the last week. It will be nice to get Soler in the lineup again, and have Olt on the bench. Especially as the season wears on. He could fill in several times a week plus pinch hit.

 

[lucas80]

Nice three game sweep of the Mets puts the Cubs back to seven over .500, and puts the team in a good spot as they start a nine game home stand before the ASB.
The bigger news of the day was the Cubs blistering their way through the IFA signing limits again. I applaud this strategy. Get the players you want to focus on, and don't limit yourself. These are 16-17 year olds, but, there could be legitimate MLB players here in a few years. You only have to look at the signings the Cubs made two years ago. Multiple guys from the 2013 class are progressing through the Cubs system.

 

[lucas80]

Big game tonight. Taking 3-4 from the Cardinals would be a huge developmental step for the Cubs.
Raphael Soriano has gotten his custom issues resolved and is pitching in the minors. Adding him to the bullpen mix could be a boost if he proves capable. Wada made a rehab start. Adding him or the intriguing Clayton Richard to the rotation/bullpen will be a boost.
I don't know what kind of a move Theo and Jed will make to bolster to roster from here on out. It's so great to have an interesting team again.

 

[HawkinMN]

The sad part is I think I could get the Cardinals out with my 57 year old arm. They can't hit, need to get some players healthy.

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Nice three game sweep of the Mets puts the Cubs back to seven over .500, and puts the team in a good spot as they start a nine game home stand before the ASB.
The bigger news of the day was the Cubs blistering their way through the IFA signing limits again. I applaud this strategy. Get the players you want to focus on, and don't limit yourself. These are 16-17 year olds, but, there could be legitimate MLB players here in a few years. You only have to look at the signings the Cubs made two years ago. Multiple guys from the 2013 class are progressing through the Cubs system.

Torres, and Caldemeir (sp) and Tseng get me excited

 

[lucas80]

Torres, and Caldemeir (sp) and Tseng get me excited

Torres has shown a higher ceiling than I thought. He is showing some really good 2b potential. I don't think he sticks at short forever, but, he's a surprise with the bat. Tseng has struggled a bit, but he's actually at a high level for his age. Jimenez has huge potential.
There is great potential in the 2015 class, too. Forgetting his name, but the catcher projects very well.

 

[lucas80]

Pedro Strop cannot close games. He looks all fidgety and nervous when they let him go out in the 9th.

 

[SIXERS24]

Go Memphis the Cardinal triple A team splits with the Cubs!

 

[hawkifann]

Pedro Strop cannot close games. He looks all fidgety and nervous when they let him go out in the 9th.

That's obviously one of the long-term holes the Cubs need to close, no pun intended. I think the Cubs have a good stock of set-up guys. I love Strop, Motte, Ramirez & Grimm in the 6th/7th/8th. Rondon has looked much, much better since he lost the closer job. But that does leave the Cubs without one guy they can count on in the 9th.

The "how" last night was brutal. Losing Hammel in the 2nd to a bad hammy sucked and had they never dug out of the 0-4 hole, I could have just chalked that up to some tough luck. If Wacha had totally shut the Cubs down, I could have just tipped my cap to a good starter. After battling back on Wacha for 5 runs to take a lead that they carried into the 9th, though, that was a tough one to give back. Taking 3 of 4 now, including beating Wacha in the finale would have been a good start to getting the Cards out of the Cubs' heads.