MLB: ***Official 2019 Chicago Cubs Season Thread***

[CYdTracked]

I'm usually pretty optimistic with the Cubs but based off what I have seen so far this team is at a crossroads for the future. If you can't compete this year you have to figure out who your guys are going forward and gut the rest of the roster at the deadline. I'm predicting they might be 10 games out of 1st by the All-Star break which means they will probably be sellers at the trade deadline.

Lester: Probably won't get traded because he was the 1st signing that built this team that won the World Series but if they through nostalgia out the window if he is having a decent season you have to consider trading him at age 35 if you can get something of value in return while cutting payroll
Zobrist: 38 and in the last year of his contract. get any kind of prospect for salary relief
Hamels: 35 and last year of contract. get what you can for a veteran rental
Chishek: could be the most valuable guy in the bullpen and could net a decent prospect
Strop: would hate to see him go but could net a decent return

Everyone else is under player control or has a contract that the Cubs would have to eat a lot of money. Heyward and Darvish the Cubs are probably stuck with and have to hope they figure it out because no one will be offering meaningful returns with their contract. Chatwood sucks but he only has 1 more year left after this season and they won't get anything of value for him in a trade so will not be shocked when the day comes that he is released.

 

[CYcoFan]

Strength is inherently a weakness? Lol! That's like saying defense is a weakness because if you pitch well enough no one should ever put a ball in play.

No if you pitch well enough to keep guys off base that is a strength. If you are looking for the equivalent from a pitcher it would be a pitcher with a great pick off move. I didn't think what I said was that hard to comprehend.

The defensive responsibility of a catcher is to be good at the things that keep runners off base (framing, calling a game) not throwing them out.

 

[CycloneErik]

I'm usually pretty optimistic with the Cubs

When did that start?

 

[NorthCyd]

No if you pitch well enough to keep guys off base that is a strength. If you are looking for the equivalent from a pitcher it would be a pitcher with a great pick off move. I didn't think what I said was that hard to comprehend.

The defensive responsibility of a catcher is to be good at the things that keep runners off base (framing, calling a game) not throwing them out.

It's hard to comprehend because it makes no sense, but by all means keep trying to explain it.

 

[NoCreativity]

I'm usually pretty optimistic with the Cubs but based off what I have seen so far this team is at a crossroads for the future. If you can't compete this year you have to figure out who your guys are going forward and gut the rest of the roster at the deadline. I'm predicting they might be 10 games out of 1st by the All-Star break which means they will probably be sellers at the trade deadline.

Lester: Probably won't get traded because he was the 1st signing that built this team that won the World Series but if they through nostalgia out the window if he is having a decent season you have to consider trading him at age 35 if you can get something of value in return while cutting payroll
Zobrist: 38 and in the last year of his contract. get any kind of prospect for salary relief
Hamels: 35 and last year of contract. get what you can for a veteran rental
Chishek: could be the most valuable guy in the bullpen and could net a decent prospect
Strop: would hate to see him go but could net a decent return

Everyone else is under player control or has a contract that the Cubs would have to eat a lot of money. Heyward and Darvish the Cubs are probably stuck with and have to hope they figure it out because no one will be offering meaningful returns with their contract. Chatwood sucks but he only has 1 more year left after this season and they won't get anything of value for him in a trade so will not be shocked when the day comes that he is released.

I'll be shocked if they sell off anyone at the deadline. This team still has a ton of talent so for them to completely collapse is unlikely to happen. The scenario I see happening is they are in the race all season with Milwaukee and St Louis and finish in the 84-86 win territory, not enough to make the playoffs, but not bad enough to have a fire sale.

 

[Clonefan32]

I'll stick to what I said going in to the season. The first 20 or so games will tell the story. If this keeps up through April, the wheels will come completely off this thing. And if it does, in my mind Bryant, Javy ad Hendricks, with his new contract, are about the only three who are untouchable.

 

[Walden4Prez]

We have Hendricks $55mil?!?!?!?!

Starters have had poor showings, bullpen is a dumpster fire (shocker).

Could Joe be gone by the break?

 

[KnappShack]

We have Hendricks $55mil?!?!?!?!

Starters have had poor showings, bullpen is a dumpster fire (shocker).

Could Joe be gone by the break?

Was thinking the same thing. That was barely a professional effort last night.

A few more of those and he could be packing. Still early. Still early.

 

[Halincandenza]

Starting pitching seems to be a big problem so far.

 

[cyfanatic13]

We are 4 games in. 2.5% of the season and there’s talk about being sellers at the deadline. Let’s at least get through April before writing off the season

 

[Walden4Prez]

Starting pitching seems to be a big problem so far.

And the bullpen...and defense

 

[Halincandenza]

And the bullpen...and defense

The pitching acquisitions the past few years have been less than stellar.

 

[laminak]

The pitching acquisitions the past few years have been less than stellar.

Too bad they signed Yu over resigning Jake.

 

[Walden4Prez]

Too bad they signed Yu over resigning Jake.

Over/Under on the number of starts Yu makes before he is done for the season? I put it at 5.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Joe's body language in the dugout is horrible. No energy, doesn't look like he cares at all.

 

[Walden4Prez]

Joe's body language in the dugout is horrible. No energy, doesn't look like he cares at all.

I love Joe...I can't not love Joe....but he has made some strange moves in his tenure.

I more and more expect Girardi to be the guy next year.

 

[Shawker]

Does anyone understand MLB's scheduling? Cubs played opening day, then had an off day for no apparent reason before resuming the series with the Rangers. Now the Cubs start their series with the Braves, only to have another seemingly inexplicable off day before resuming the series. I don't get it.

 

[Rabbuk]

Does anyone understand MLB's scheduling? Cubs played opening day, then had an off day for no apparent reason before resuming the series with the Rangers. Now the Cubs start their series with the Braves, only to have another seemingly inexplicable off day before resuming the series. I don't get it.

The 2nd day of the season is always a day off in case it rains opening day

 

[BigJCy]

Does anyone understand MLB's scheduling? Cubs played opening day, then had an off day for no apparent reason before resuming the series with the Rangers. Now the Cubs start their series with the Braves, only to have another seemingly inexplicable off day before resuming the series. I don't get it.

When a team has a Home Opening Day they usually leave the next day open in case of bad weather.

 

[NorthCyd]

The team could use a day to collectively remove their heads from their butts.