Chicago Cubs fans - Rebuilding Year 2023

[FINFAN]

Jon Jay bat still hot! KB windbreaker Bomb! Hit that into 25 mph...scoreboard helped a bit, maybeRiz didn't get the same, lol. Kyle looked a little shaky but CB behind he plate..so yeah. Everybody did their jobs tonight
and Wilson did great!
had to put extra sparkle on the W to help take the sting out of the Brewers beating the Nat's. STL with a huge break..Bum scratched due to flu at the last minute. Good game, work the calendar Cubbie's!

 

[Pacolovestacos]

These supposed Top 2 NL teams are really laying down for the Brewers. Jesus.

 

[Kewz1]

Glad to get a win after the blowout last night!

Keep it up!!

 

[FINFAN]

Addie out an additional 3 weeks...someone bubble wrap Javy

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Do we even wan't Addie back at this point? We're playing better now than we were when he was out there. I like Javy's D at short and I like Happ at 2B.

 

[Kewz1]

Do we even wan't Addie back at this point? We're playing better now than we were when he was out there. I like Javy's D at short and I like Happ at 2B.

I would say yes. Javy is great but Addie was good too. And I like having a backup. But an additional three weeks out? Yikes.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I would say yes. Javy is great but Addie was good too. And I like having a backup. But an additional three weeks out? Yikes.

I'm okay with him as backup. What I don't want is Maddon to just insert him back into the lineup just because. He was hitting what .220? Sorry, but I want Baez playing everyday the way he's going right now. And Happ is crushing the ball. There is absolutely zero reason to mess with that right now.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Verlander to Houston. Nice job Theo, idiot!

Seems like the contenders are making moves and the Cubs are standing pat. Hope this works out for you Theo.

 

[FINFAN]

Verlander to Astro's. Fine with me. Cubs did dabble tho~ per Patrick Mooney:
Full trade: #Mariners send Leonys Martin and cash to #Cubs for player to be named later or cash. Martin is not part of 40-man roster.

Looks like he has some speed..and possible as a back up on days Zobie/Happ are giving Javy a rest? Theo must have his reason's. Last trade w/Seattle got us Monty, hopefully this works out as well.

 

[robinb]

Cubs Win!

 

[docsoliday1]

Noooooooo!

I was supposed to go to the Cubs game next Friday afternoon, my first trip to Chicago and Wrigley. Just found out the game was moved from 1:00 to 7pm, and now we have a conflict

Anyone want 3 tix ;p

That stinks. Sorry. Hope you can find someone to buy them so you don't lose your shirt. Doesn't like I'm going to make it up there this year. Was trying to go back in August and catch the air show also, but conserving finances. Had to cancel our Disney trip for later this month for same reason.

 

[docsoliday1]

Verlander to Astro's. Fine with me. Cubs did dabble tho~ per Patrick Mooney:
Full trade: #Mariners send Leonys Martin and cash to #Cubs for player to be named later or cash. Martin is not part of 40-man roster.

Looks like he has some speed..and possible as a back up on days Zobie/Happ are giving Javy a rest? Theo must have his reason's. Last trade w/Seattle got us Monty, hopefully this works out as well.

I don't know anything about Martin, so not sure if it's good, but...I trust there's a method to the madness.

 

[docsoliday1]

The Verlander thing...Just because the Cubs have $$$$ doesn't mean they should dump it all into 1 aging pitcher when we need to replace at least 2 soon. We also need bullpen arm(s), and have a bit of a SS issue now. Addie getting MRI about now, I think.
Latest update...good to hear on Maples
The Cubs are likely to add four players on Friday when rosters expand including Justin Grimm (finger) who's been on the disabled list. Catcher Victor Caratini will return while infielder Mike Freeman will get a spot as a backup to Javy Baez at SS. But the most intriguing player is reliever Dillon Maples. He began the season at Single-A but flew through the system while striking out 100 batters in 63.1 innings at three different minor league levels. His slider is said to be electric. The Cubs will have to make some 40 man moves to accommodate Freeman and Maples.

I'm torn. I liked Caratini, but I really like what Rivera has done in the time he's been here. Having a veteran is a GOOD thing and he's already proven his worth in many ways. I just hope he's not one of the ones used to "make room".
I wonder if there's any video on Dillon Maples. Off to scour the net.

 

[docsoliday1]

Glad to get a win after the blowout last night!

Keep it up!!

I know that's RIGHT! Broke that cycle and praying it stays broken.

 

[Kewz1]

I'm okay with him as backup. What I don't want is Maddon to just insert him back into the lineup just because. He was hitting what .220? Sorry, but I want Baez playing everyday the way he's going right now. And Happ is crushing the ball. There is absolutely zero reason to mess with that right now.

I agree with you. I don't know what Maddon is going to do when Addie returns. I remember being nervous last year when Schwarbs was coming back so late in the season. And that worked out pretty well.

I'm not about to scroll back through 100+ pages but I'm fairly confirdent somewhere in those pages you were pretty unhappy with Happ's performances at one point. That has also worked out in the Cubs favor. So the lesson for you (and me!) is let's just trust Maddon and Theo to make the decisions. Good or bad, they've brought us this far.

 

[docsoliday1]

I agree with you. I don't know what Maddon is going to do when Addie returns. I remember being nervous last year when Schwarbs was coming back so late in the season. And that worked out pretty well.

I'm not about to scroll back through 100+ pages but I'm fairly confirdent somewhere in those pages you were pretty unhappy with Happ's performances at one point. That has also worked out in the Cubs favor. So the lesson for you (and me!) is let's just trust Maddon and Theo to make the decisions. Good or bad, they've brought us this far.

Not sure if this is addressed to me or someone else.
If me, yes, I was getting frustrated with Happ and Schwarbs because they were both trying to hit home runs every at bat and striking out a bunch. Happ figured out before Schwarbs that just hitting the ball hard will get good results also. Schwarbs got there, but after being sent down to Iowa. Yeah, the long ball is more thrilling, but fundamental baseball (get 'em on, get 'em over, get 'em in) doesn't require a HR to make it happen. Our weakness is in pitching, not in players. Every one of our guys are solid hitters and sometimes they have streaks (goes with the territory). Any one of them can hit a HR (and have)...I love seeing aggressive baseball...that steal of home the other night was more thrilling to me than a HR. I was literally whooping and my wife asked me what was so special. I said THAT's baseball and THAT's Cubs!

It's kinda a nice problem to have, but also a sucky one...which great player do we sacrifice to make room for a much needed pitcher. Double edged sword.

 

[Kewz1]

Not sure if this is addressed to me or someone else.
If me, yes, I was getting frustrated with Happ and Schwarbs because they were both trying to hit home runs every at bat and striking out a bunch. Happ figured out before Schwarbs that just hitting the ball hard will get good results also. Schwarbs got there, but after being sent down to Iowa. Yeah, the long ball is more thrilling, but fundamental baseball (get 'em on, get 'em over, get 'em in) doesn't require a HR to make it happen. Our weakness is in pitching, not in players. Every one of our guys are solid hitters and sometimes they have streaks (goes with the territory). Any one of them can hit a HR (and have)...I love seeing aggressive baseball...that steal of home the other night was more thrilling to me than a HR. I was literally whooping and my wife asked me what was so special. I said THAT's baseball and THAT's Cubs!

It's kinda a nice problem to have, but also a sucky one...which great player do we sacrifice to make room for a much needed pitcher. Double edged sword.

I was talking to Paco! But add me to the club of those frustrated with our bats at times. Oy! And that was kind of my point...while some of us were frustrated with decisions made at the time those decisions wound up working out in the Cubs favor.

And Javy stealing home??? Whew! I'm glad he's on our team.

 

[docsoliday1]

I was talking to Paco! But add me to the club of those frustrated with our bats at times. Oy! And that was kind of my point...while some of us were frustrated with decisions made at the time those decisions wound up working out in the Cubs favor.

And Javy stealing home??? Whew! I'm glad he's on our team.

Like I said, I was ecstatic. That's good, hard, heads up play and I'll take that over a HR EVERY time.

I think the maddening part for me is it seems like they're all hitting at the same time or all sucking at the same time. The thing you have to remember is a good opposing pitcher has a lot to do with that. On the counter argument, if one guy is on and nobody else is, it's hard to manufacture runs that way. That guy might get on base every time, but without someone to bring him in, it doesn't matter, so having everybody on in the same night is good, but tends to lend itself to the blowout games. On those games we've left a ton in scoring position, that hurts badly, but then again, you have to give credit to the pitcher. For instance, last night when Edwards Jr stranded two in the 8th...we give him credit for the good pitching not that Suzuki failed. As Fin has said (and so have I), it's a game of inches (sometimes millimeters). If Rizzo had gotten just a millimeter less under his hit, it would have carried. He got under it just a touch too much and got caught up in the wind. Same with Suzuki...if he'd gotten less under that ball in the 8th, it could have been a 3 run HR and different game (possibly end result).
We must all recognize although we WANT them to win every game and we WANT everyone to be at the top of their game all the time, it's not realistic.
To quote the stones...you can't always get what you want.

 

[FINFAN]

Forgot to inform that the game is on CSN today, not WGN as orig scheduled. That *other* Chicago team was previously scheduled on WGN today. My apologies for not posting in time to set DVR's before work . Lackey on the mound~lets get our first series of the season! I think Milwaukee is going to be dang good this year..and then we face the Dodgers for our Home Opener.3 great match-ups right outta the gate. LETS GO CUBS!

so back in April (I remember posting last season as well )I posted about the Brewers and Dodgers and they didn't make a liar out of me. Now granted , when MIL beat the Dodger's they didn't face Kershaw or Wood like we did, and Darvish was just off rehab and pretty lousy. No excuses tho, they have been solid, their pitching is a force to be reckoned with (excluding Garza who they will prob barely use anymore) Knowing how the competition is stacking their arms, I applaud Theo for not doing a panic trade for Verlander...would have cost Addie, AAJ someone that would not have been worth it. Theo has that eye for the upcoming talent(proof, as our *farm* guys are already up early and all have rings, lol) and he will do his job. I still think his pitching goal is Shohei Otani~ 2 year-ish timeline on that one unless Theo get's to him somehow before that and then signs the long -term. Going up against Dodger $ tho, and one of the big deals on Darvish for the Dodger's is he apparently is is Otani's idol, hoping to also lure Otani .

I guess we can thank the Brewers for starting the Dodgers on a losing streak..too bad it's with a 15+ game cushion. Both Nat's and Dodger's resting guys, but it is just a pleasant reminder that come October, any team can win. Theses next few years of the Cubs are going to be DANG fun!


WELCOME SEPTEMBER BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FINFAN]

Today's Lefty lineup~ (Rivera has decent numbers against Folty, may be PH today. )

Need Big John to keep it in the park, but wind is blowing by me...hopefully blowing in at Wrigley

also I tweeted a welcome to Leonys and he (or someone for him) *liked* it, so thumb's up fror him from me so far, lol.





LETS GO CUBS!