*****Official Cubs 2023 thread*****

[MeetTheFerentzes]

If PCA, Caissie, Alcàntara and Canerio live up to the hype but are getting block by Happ and Suzuki I’m going to be pissed. I don’t care how much money they’re making.

That's actually a fairly legitimate concern. Obviously, no way all 4 can be superstars in MLB with the Cubs. PCA is the only one I would consider "untradable." Happ and Suzuki have no-trade clauses, but that doesn't mean they can't be traded. If those other 3 eventually start taking playing time away from EH and SS, those two would likely consent to trades if it meant more playing time. Plus, you have to give to get, and if trading away one or more of those other 3 meant the Cubs obtained a player they really need, so be it.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

I can see them calling him up in September as an extra glove and PR. He’ll get a couple starts, but he’ll get to experience a playoff race and get used only in spots where the Cubs think he can succeed. Could be a great way to get his feet wet.

That's a tough call. I don't think the Cubs are bringing up PCA unless they are in "very highly likely" playoff position by Aug 31, which is just a little more than 2 weeks away. I also don't like a 21-year-old being called up and then not playing every day. In addition, the Cubs need 40-man roster availability this off-season, and it would be a shame if they lost someone like Luke Little to the R5D because they wanted to give PCA some MLB experience in a year that didn't really matter. Also consider that PCA has needed some time to adjust to each new level he's been promoted to - his offensive number at each new level has been pretty bad for the first 1-2 weeks.

 

[SoDakHawk]

These are good problems to have.

 

[hawkifann]

That's a tough call. I don't think the Cubs are bringing up PCA unless they are in "very highly likely" playoff position by Aug 31, which is just a little more than 2 weeks away. I also don't like a 21-year-old being called up and then not playing every day. In addition, the Cubs need 40-man roster availability this off-season, and it would be a shame if they lost someone like Luke Little to the R5D because they wanted to give PCA some MLB experience in a year that didn't really matter. Also consider that PCA has needed some time to adjust to each new level he's been promoted to - his offensive number at each new level has been pretty bad for the first 1-2 weeks.

All fair points, especially the 40-man roster concern. I don’t think there’s any chance the Cubs would bring PCA up by Aug. 31, but the main key to playoff eligibility is being on the 40 before Sept. 1. The 40-man is a concern, but if the FO sees enough value bringing PCA up in mid-Sept to provide speed & D in the extra roster spot, they’ll sort out the 40-man later.

 

[lucas80]

Guess Inshoukd have watched to the end?

 

[hawkifann]

Guess Inshoukd have watched to the end?

Cubs might have won if they hadn’t DFA’d Fulmer in May.

 

[ZachJump]

The Cubs may win the World Series with Happ and Suzuki on the team, but they wouldn't be their 2 best players, just like they aren't now.

I am ok with winning the World Series with players that are not good enough for double A in some one elses world.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

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Just noticed that Bellinger and Swanson almost screwed the pooch at second base …

That was fun last night. Let’s do it again.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[hawkifann]

Just noticed that Bellinger and Swanson almost screwed the pooch at second base …

That was fun last night. Let’s do it again.

Nah, I think that was just good baserunning all around. Shot hit in the air to deep right and Belli went back for the tag. Dansby was going hard to 2nd and you can see him start to slow up and look back as he’s getting to the bag. If it’s caught, he’s going back to first and Belli is tagging. If it’s off the wall, Belli is scoring for sure and Dansby is going to third at the least.

 

[Bonerfarts]

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Love the contrast here

 

[lucas80]

It's amazing that they had such a great win last night, and the bulk of the morning show on the Score was about Stroman's mystery injury. How did he go from a blister, to a knee, to having good bullpen sessions, to broken cartilage? How and when did that happen?
Guess he picks up his option, now.

 

[ICWestfan]

It's amazing that they had such a great win last night, and the bulk of the morning show on the Score was about Stroman's mystery injury. How did he go from a blister, to a knee, to having good bullpen sessions, to broken cartilage? How and when did that happen?
Guess he picks up his option, now.

What if he picks up the option and then the Cubs trade him to LAA for Trout?

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[HawkeyeHitman]

Happ and Suzuki need to go.

 

[QChawks]

Happ and Suzuki need to go.

bundle together for a decent starter

 

[lucas80]

Rob Drake has just been absolutely awful behind the plate today.
The Royals are 40+ games under .500, so, of course the Cubs are losing to them.

 

[lucas80]

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Not the biggest rant in the world, but I don't think baseball did itself a favor by moving up the trade deadline and eliminating waiver deals. If it adds a little action and excitement, why not?

 

[lucas80]

What if he picks up the option and then the Cubs trade him to LAA for Trout?

Then the Angels GM should be fired.
You'd need 3-4 of the best prospects plus Stroman to get Trout with all the years he has left on his deal.
Ohtani would just cost the Cubs a giant pile of money. That's the move to make.

 

[ihawk in FWB]

The Cubs with twelve Ks today 🤬

 

[QChawks]

terrible loss

 

[ihawk in FWB]

The Cubs with twelve Ks today 🤬

My bad, 13 Ks

 

[lucas80]

Could have been a sweep series, now it's critical to take the next two games. You cannot lose this series to a garbage team like the Royals.

 

[HawkeyeHitman]

I’m beginning to wonder if Dansby Swanson really cares anymore. I hope Suzuki and Happ didn’t get to him.

 

[QChawks]

Could have been a sweep series, now it's critical to take the next two games. You cannot lose this series to a garbage team like the Royals.

agreed

obviously we knew they couldn't keep up the offensive numbers from the Reds series but we need more production from the bats

 

[blhawk]

Texas Toast Taillon just doing his thing. I keep hearing he'll be fine and maybe he will be over life of contract but he is taking a dump on this season. Sick of looking at him

 

[lucas80]

Texas Toast Taillon just doing his thing. I keep hearing he'll be fine and maybe he will be over life of contract but he is taking a dump on this season. Sick of looking at him

Two errors led to two runs. He wasn’t the problem today.

 

[darylhawk]

Barnhart finally gets DFA’d!

 

[lucas80]

Barnhart finally gets DFA’d!

You got me excited until I saw that they are bringing up Miles Mastrowhatever.
Jed really pissed away some money on Barnhart.

 

[hawkifann]

You got me excited until I saw that they are bringing up Miles Mastrowhatever.
Jed really pissed away some money on Barnhart.

It wasn’t that much money - about $6.5M over 2 years. Still, some real whiffs this offseason - Hosmer, Mancini, Barnhart all DFA and ate real money on the last two, Hosmer was always just a flier.

At least Mastrobuoni now gives them much more versatility in that last bench spot - he can play all over the field and he can pinch run, so the Cubs can be much more free with pinch hitting and late game situations.

 

[HawkRugged17]

Bet the over!

 

[lucas80]

Nico Hoerner with his 31st stolen base today. The first Cub with more than 30 in a season since Tony Campana (The Flying Squirrel), in 2012.

 

[lucas80]

Bet the over!

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The dude is prophetic.

 

[ihawk in FWB]

Man that wind really took Belli's a long way. Did anyone see the speed off the bat?

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[QChawks]

Belli- 💣 X 2

 

[HawkRugged17]

And another ...

 

[ClarindaA's]

Look, let’s lock Bellinger up, pay Ohtani whatever he wants, and see if we can’t make some key trades