••• 2026 Official Chicago Cubs Thread •••

[CYdTracked]

Philosophically where I align, and have been this way for years, is that the Cubs should ALWAYS have a paid true Ace and a paid #2, spending $60-70M on both arms. Every other starter should be a team and cost controlled arm.

3-5 years ago, the Cubs were not in a position to do this due to poor organizational planning, hence the Taillon, Shota, Stroman, Rae, Boyd, Davies, Williams, Smyly deals. They were $8-17M deals for #3, 4, and 5 starters because you needed arms as you had none developed.

As books clear, I do foresee the Cubs wanting to be more aligned with my philosophy - Cabrera, Horton, Steele, Birdsell, Wicks, Wiggins being cheap allows for you to get the Skubals and Peraltas. Unfortunately, 4 of those 5 now have serious injuries

That works in theory but not in practice given the Cubs farm system right now. I would love to be in that position though, but they haven't exactly had a consistent pipeline of healthy and/or productive starting pitchers in a while. Just look at the health issues Steele, Wicks, Birdsell and Horton have had. Assad has also had issues with health as well, Wiggins is on the IL right now too. They tried to trade for some pitching prospects too and that has not always worked out such as Wesneski and Kilian. Outside of Horton and Steele who was the last starting pitcher to come up through the organization that has been able to stick in the rotation? Let's not forget Alzolay and Marquez in this discussion too as injury riddled prospects that never panned out.

 

[Cyforce]

No on a QO, and maybe resign if the price tag and years are right. Depends on who they are in on in the offseason and how he finishes out this year I would entertain bringing him back if the fit is right. You can do a lot worse than him as one of your last 2 guys in the rotation. Having someone that is already familiar with the organization and proven to be fairly reliable and healthy is a plus. Guys that can eat 5-7 innings consistently at the backend of your rotation will always have some value and he will not have an issue finding a job in the free agent market.

I don't get your obsession with him. You aren't this hard on Boyd and he makes $17 mil too. Between those 2 right now I have more concerns on Boyd this season than I do Jamo. Taillon has gone 4.2 6 6 6 5 and 7 innings in his starts this year and the Cubs are 4-2 in his starts. One of those losses was his first start that he threw 85 pitches in 4.2 innings and we lost 2-0 and he didn't give up a run. Boyd 3.2 5.2 4.2 4 innings 2-2 in his 4 starts and an IL stint. I'm starting to think we got lightning in a bottle with Boyd early last season when he was healthy and now he's come back down to earth a bit. Health was an issue for him in the past as he threw more innings last year than he had for almost the 4 seasons prior combined.

I’m over it when he sucked it pissed me off because the way he would fail seemed like he wasn’t willing to adjust and preferred to miss middle middle instead of off the edge. He’d be cruising along and the bottom would fall out. This spring his ERA was around 20 and I thought like many he’s not an option. But his velocity has gone up a couple ticks and he’s serviceable. Yet certain posters are going to take a shot at me every chance they get.

You like to point out every time CC makes or doesn’t make a move that doesn’t work. That’s fine because I think it’s your honest opinion. It’s fine when I don’t necessarily agree with it because I understand when you ware your heart on your sleeve over something you’re passionate about.

 

[isucy86]

It’s pretty much universally acknowledged the the minimums for a quality start (6IP 3ER) isn’t considered quality. I heard it numerous times by multiple broadcaster. I don’t understand your logic that big markets should be willing to pay more for average starters than small markets do.

I'll take 6 innings & 3 runs out of my starter EVERY game.

I don't know the win % when a team gets a quality start, but I bet it's equivalent to around 95 win season.

 

[isucy86]

Why do we have to wait till July to make a trade?

Cubs don't have to wait, but doubt there are any teams ready to tank their season 30 games in.

I doubt Cubs would get a 1-3 starter this early. Probably only scenario that happens is trading Shaw for some teams top 5 prospect starter in AAA.

 

[ScottyP]

Every time this thread gets bumped not during a game, I assume there is a post about a new injury.

 

[VeloClone]

Every time this thread gets bumped not during a game, I assume there is a post about a new injury.

Mrs. Velo cut her hand at work yesterday trying to take the pit out of an avocado during her lunch break. Does that count?

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I'm going to start a Jameson Taillon fan club and none of you are invited!!!!

 

[ProStateCubs]

Why do we have to wait till July to make a trade?

The Trade Market never heats up in April....teams are not going to quit on the season this early. Look at last year. Needed SP and didn't even get one because the market was too high.

 

[David Freshman1982]

The Trade Market never heats up in April....teams are not going to quit on the season this early. Look at last year. Needed SP and didn't even get one because the market was too high.

Mid-June is pretty much the earliest you ever see trades getting going. There is always the rare exception, but no one wants to do anything until we can sniff the All-Star break coming. Given how April has gone, you could see teams like the Phils, Mets and BoSox ready to bust things up by June if nothing has improved between now and then. It helps that all three teams have somewhat aggressive front office teams.

 

[ProStateCubs]

I'll take 6 innings & 3 runs out of my starter EVERY game.

I don't know the win % when a team gets a quality start, but I bet it's equivalent to around 95 win season.

Teams win 66%-69% when your team gets a quality start so that is correct

 

[BigJCy]

 

[Cyforce]

Gallen v. Rea basically what we have v. What we were chasing last summer. I still like our chances.

 

[Cyforce]

Teams win 66%-69% when your team gets a quality start so that is correct

Wonder what that number is when it’s a 6inning 3 run variety

 

[ProStateCubs]

Wonder what that number is when it’s a 6inning 3 run variety

Minimal Quality Start (6 IP, 3 ER): Teams win about 55.1% of the time. This performance results in a game ERA of 4.50, which is near or slightly above the league average.

 

[Cyforce]

Today is my youngest’s 23rd birthday. He’s a Busch Light drinker so I put a hundie on 2+ RBI.

It was +480
Which is nice.

 

[Cyforce]

Minimal Quality Start (6 IP, 3 ER): Teams win about 55.1% of the time. This performance results in a game ERA of 4.50, which is near or slightly above the league average.

Personally I think it should be adjusted. I’d say minimum six innings. ERA under 4.00.

So if you give up three you’d need to go seven to earn a quality start.

And I understand why a five inning shutout isn’t. You’re taxing the bullpen. Which is the bigger side of keeping your team in the game.

 

[ScottyP]

Today is my youngest’s 23rd birthday. He’s a Busch Light drinker so I put a hundie on 2+ RBI.

It was +480
Which is nice.

youngest is 23? Dang, you are old!

 

[Cyforce]

youngest is 23? Dang, you are old!

You have no idea. I enjoyed my 20s.

 

[MNCBadger]

Ugh now Nico is out of the game

 

[cyfanatic13]

"Left-sided neck tightness" for Nico