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*****Official Cubs 2024 Thread 🪦*****

I think it’s going to be bumpy for FAs this year and next. Too much uncertainty over TV money to create a big market. The big fish will eat up all the money quickly this offseason
Yeah, I think if Jed is able to steer this ship in the right direction, the biggest changes offensively will come from trades, unless he’s actually able to sign Soto or Anthony Santander. It’s time to shuffle the deck and use some of that prospect capital he’s built for major league upgrades. I’m certainly not saying they’ll all be traded, but at this point, I think only Happ, Dansby and maybe Busch are absolute locks to be on the roster next year (on the hitting side).

Is Jed willing to do what needs to be done? Assuming they don’t completely change this thing around and make the playoffs, I think Jed will go into the offseason as a lame duck and not get extended. He’d be running it back at the expense of his job if it doesn’t work.
 
2 hits against a guy with an ERA of over 5?

I’m so ready to blow it all up and fire Jed.

I didn’t mind running it back this year, but just don’t understand why they didn’t go get a bullpen piece with some of their young talent when he who shall remain nameless was blowing 10+ saves in the first 3rd of the year …
 
2 hits against a guy with an ERA of over 5?

I’m so ready to blow it all up and fire Jed.

I didn’t mind running it back this year, but just don’t understand why they didn’t go get a bullpen piece with some of their young talent when he who shall remain nameless was blowing 10+ saves in the first 3rd of the year …
Top 50 prospect.
 
2 hits against a guy with an ERA of over 5?

I’m so ready to blow it all up and fire Jed.

I didn’t mind running it back this year, but just don’t understand why they didn’t go get a bullpen piece with some of their young talent when he who shall remain nameless was blowing 10+ saves in the first 3rd of the year …
I get this thinking, but it’s a little short-sighted. People use ERA as a static title as if it doesn’t move around. Festa is a quality young arm with really good stuff that got absolutely rocked his first two starts (especially his 2nd) and then has clearly adjusted and started to figure some things out:

First two starts: 10 IP, 16 H, 12 ER, 8 K
Last 2 starts + 1 long relief outing: 14.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 22 K

Sometimes a guy really is just a 5 ERA guy. Sometimes a guy has only thrown 25 career innings and got lit up early.

That said, Jed is clearly running up against it and may well find himself without a job at some point over the next 14 months.
 
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Cubs starting lineup tonight are all hitting above .200 . (PCA @ .202)

When was the last time that happened?
I don't know whether to like this post with a sad face or smiley face...I'll be an optimist and go with the smiley face cause we're "moving on up". Hopefully PCA keeps it up and isn't back below .200 tomorrow...
 
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Happy Word GIF by Ethan Barnowsky
 
I don't know whether to like this post with a sad face or smiley face...I'll be an optimist and go with the smiley face cause we're "moving on up". Hopefully PCA keeps it up and isn't back below .200 tomorrow...
PCA’s approach is improving almost by the game at this point. That ball he hit in his first AB was smoked and would have gone out most days at Wrigley. Even when a pitcher makes him look bad, he’s back the next time up staying with that pitch on the outer half more often than not. Worth noting that in the first game of the series, the Cubs struck out 14 times as a team and PCA was one of only two guys who didn’t K (Dansby was the other). I love what I’m seeing at the plate for him.
 
Top pick Cam Smith is going to Myrtle Beach for his first assignment as a pro. That field has to be a mess, but hopefully he gets some game action in soon.
 
PCA’s approach is improving almost by the game at this point. That ball he hit in his first AB was smoked and would have gone out most days at Wrigley. Even when a pitcher makes him look bad, he’s back the next time up staying with that pitch on the outer half more often than not. Worth noting that in the first game of the series, the Cubs struck out 14 times as a team and PCA was one of only two guys who didn’t K (Dansby was the other). I love what I’m seeing at the plate for him.
Comparing where PCA was 6-8 weeks ago at the plate to now is a huge improvement. I hope we see it continue.
 
So, he was injured all along, and Jed didn’t have a Plan B at closer? That is how I read this, and Alzolay’s timeline has been pushed to 2026. He’s been injured a lot, and maybe he didn’t want surgery, but this was a horribly managed situation by the Cubs.
 
Bethancourt should have gotten a homer on that ball in the ivy. The LF pulled it out before the umpires got out there.
Or, Phil Cuzzi is getting lazy and took the player’s raised hands as proof the ball was not playable. Cuzzi was awful behind the plate last night.
 
So, he was injured all along, and Jed didn’t have a Plan B at closer? That is how I read this, and Alzolay’s timeline has been pushed to 2026. He’s been injured a lot, and maybe he didn’t want surgery, but this was a horribly managed situation by the Cubs.
Plan B (Merryweather) went down before Adbert.
 
So, he was injured all along, and Jed didn’t have a Plan B at closer? That is how I read this, and Alzolay’s timeline has been pushed to 2026. He’s been injured a lot, and maybe he didn’t want surgery, but this was a horribly managed situation by the Cubs.
Not the only one. I'm holding my breath on news on Wesneski, Wicks, Brown, Little and Almonte. Wouldn't surprise me if all of them have major surgery of some kind and miss all of next season. And what's up with all the broken ribs? The entire Cubs training staff needs to be replaced.
 
Not the only one. I'm holding my breath on news on Wesneski, Wicks, Brown, Little and Almonte. Wouldn't surprise me if all of them have major surgery of some kind and miss all of next season. And what's up with all the broken ribs? The entire Cubs training staff needs to be replaced.
What is going on with Brown? He initially went on the IL due to neck stiffness or something similar.
 
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Not the only one. I'm holding my breath on news on Wesneski, Wicks, Brown, Little and Almonte. Wouldn't surprise me if all of them have major surgery of some kind and miss all of next season. And what's up with all the broken ribs? The entire Cubs training staff needs to be replaced.
Wicks may be starting a rehab stint this week, based on what was reported Sunday or Monday.
 
Not the only one. I'm holding my breath on news on Wesneski, Wicks, Brown, Little and Almonte. Wouldn't surprise me if all of them have major surgery of some kind and miss all of next season. And what's up with all the broken ribs? The entire Cubs training staff needs to be replaced.
I think Almonte has been shutdown for the year. The others appear to be in some form of rehab somewhere. Others have mentioned it, but all the achy stretchy stiff necks injuries are troubling. The Cubs need to do a deep dive on their S&T programs. Blown elbows and shoulders are going to happen, but some of these injuries seem like guys who don't put in the time with the training program, or need to take up yoga.
 
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I think Almonte has been shutdown for the year. The others appear to be in some form of rehab somewhere. Others have mentioned it, but all the achy stretchy stiff necks injuries are troubling. The Cubs need to do a deep dive on their S&T programs. Blown elbows and shoulders are going to happen, but some of these injuries seem like guys who don't put in the time with the training program, or need to take up yoga.
Bring Arrieta back to teach Pilates.
 
Cubs vs Sox Friday and Saturday

Predictions??

I say Sox sweep 🧹
It's your classic trap series. The worst team in baseball, chasing the worst season ever is due to play inspired for their new manager.
Side note, this series is an odd one with a Sunday off. It's almost like the Sox couldn't stand the thought of a rainout that couldn't be made up later that would cost them some money.
 
It's your classic trap series. The worst team in baseball, chasing the worst season ever is due to play inspired for their new manager.
Side note, this series is an odd one with a Sunday off. It's almost like the Sox couldn't stand the thought of a rainout that couldn't be made up later that would cost them some money.
The timing of this series couldn't be worse for the Cubs. Of course they're catching the Sox when they're hot. They've won one of their last 2. dws
 
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