***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[ZRF]

I am all for using him out of the pen. Not only do you have to pay him but he fits a role this team doesn't have right now. With the off days and Stroman coming back its the perfect time to make the move.
He can come back next year out of the pen and as a depth starter in a pinch.

As long as he shows he can be effective, I agree. But...if he goes into the pen and stinks I think you evaluate replacement options and make a move if there is one to be made.

Nobody likes eating money but you know what's worse than eating money? Refusing to admit you made a mistake or severing ties with a transaction that just isn't working out. Hopefully he goes to the pen, is effective, and shows he can be a pinch starter every once in a while. But I wouldn't stop 8 million from cutting a guy who stinks and has no role on the team. In 2023 sports money 8 million isn't much, and when you put a value on wins and realize how irreplaceable wasted starts are (in his current role), you make a move when you can find one.

I also think they need to keep his innings under 100. His best seasons as a starter were when he was under (as in didn't starter much) or juusssstttt over. The last 3 seasons his workload has been waaaaayyyy too heavy. Want to keep him effective AND healthy? That needs to come down, at least his career history suggests as much.

 

[RivClone23]

As long as he shows he can be effective, I agree. But...if he goes into the pen and stinks I think you evaluate replacement options and make a move if there is one to be made.

Nobody likes eating money but you know what's worse than eating money? Refusing to admit you made a mistake or severing ties with a transaction that just isn't working out. Hopefully he goes to the pen, is effective, and shows he can be a pinch starter every once in a while. But I wouldn't stop 8 million from cutting a guy who stinks and has no role on the team. In 2023 sports money 8 million isn't much, and when you put a value on wins and realize how irreplaceable wasted starts are (in his current role), you make a move when you can find one.

I also think they need to keep his innings under 100. His best seasons as a starter were when he was under (as in didn't starter much) or juusssstttt over. The last 3 seasons his workload has been waaaaayyyy too heavy. Want to keep him effective AND healthy? That needs to come down, at least his career history suggests as much.

I don't disagree. I just don't see a scenario where he's not given a chance next year, at least out of the pen, at that price. 8 mil isn't breaking the bank but its not nothing. He's proven he can get big league hitters out, especially if you keep his innings down. You and I are on the same page there.

 

[ZRF]

I don't disagree. I just don't see a scenario where he's not given a chance next year, at least out of the pen, at that price. 8 mil isn't breaking the bank but its not nothing. He's proven he can get big league hitters out, especially if you keep his innings down. You and I are on the same page there.

I'd still snoop around and if they find something they truly feel is better, while being palatable, in the offseason that salary shouldn't stop them from making/exploring a move. But, if I'm being honest, you are probably right provided he doesn't stink. If he goes to the pen, struggles, and some of the callups thrive I think he's either dealt (eating salary in the process) for a bag of balls, or DFA'd (easily clearing waivers).

The problem with the bold is he hasn't done that consistently. And with his age and recent workload the confidence in him rebounding shouldn't be too high.

But yeah, see what he does from the pen and go from there.

 

[ISUCubswin]

I really hope we went after Alonso at the deadline. 14 dongs in 26 games against us.

 

[BigJCy]

Alonso is killing us.

 

[Walden4Prez]

Up to Adbert

 

[DSM4Cy]

Up to Adbert

*Save to Adbert

 

[cyfanatic13]

I love Tauchman

 

[clonebb]

Go Cubs Go!!

 

[HFCS]

Wow Brewers getting blown up in 10th.

 

[RoseClone]

Wow Brewers getting blown up in 10th.

Reds and Brewers both lose.

 

[NoCreativity]

6-3 so far to start that crucial stretch. Even taking 1 in Toronto assures they will finish the 13 game stretch over .500. I'll take that any day of the week given the competition level.

After this weekend the real fun starts as we get the Pirates, Royals, Tigers, and White Sox.

I think there's a real chance now we end August 2 or more games up on Milwaukee and Cincinnati for the stretch run.

 

[cyfanatic13]

6-3 so far to start that crucial stretch. Even taking 1 in Toronto assures they will finish the 13 game stretch over .500. I'll take that any day of the week given the competition level.

After this weekend the real fun starts as we get the Pirates, Royals, Tigers, and White Sox.

I think there's a real chance now we end August 2 or more games up on Milwaukee and Cincinnati for the stretch run.

This will come back to bite me I’m sure, but I’m not too concerned with Cincinnati down the stretch as their pitching is just horrendous. The three games against Milwaukee to end August are gonna be HUGE. Wrigley is gonna be rocking

 

[CyState85]

After the White Sox series on Sunday, the Brewers play 18 straight games against teams with a winning record including road series against the Dodgers, Rangers, Cubs to round out August/start of September. Woof!

 

[Clonefan32]

Heck of a win last night. Props to Tailion for figuring it out in a big way after the early homer. And the offense did just enough to get a win.

I honest to God think Hendricks may consider walking Alonso every time at the plate tonight. If he puts one of his 87 MPH fastballs over the middle Alonso may hit it to Canada.

 

[Cyforce]

Taillon can take Smyly's spot Sunday on normal rest. Then they can start Stroman, Brown or Wesneski early next week. So it's the perfect time to make the move. They opened a 40 man spot so Brown is definitely a possibility to at least come up for some long relief while Smyly try to figure things out.

 

[ZRF]

I love Tauchman

Finally the Cubs have their version of Bo Hart, a career minor leaguer that plays the best baseball of his career at the big league level. Love it.

 

[ISUCubswin]

My money is on Wesneski getting the start in Toronto. His only flaw his first time around was getting **** stomped by lefties. He tore it up in AAA and the Blue Jays are a right-hand dominant team. Varsho and Belt are their only two main starters that hit left handed and I don't know how big of threats they are.

I'd rather not start the service time clocks on guys like PCA, Brown, Wicks, and Canario until next year. Let Wesneski, Assad, or Killian fill in where needed.

 

[ISUCubswin]

A long way to go but you couldn't draw up a much better picture playing 26 of 27 straight days given the cupcake schedule the Brewers had and the hole we dug ourselves in the first half of the year.

 

[Cyforce]

My money is on Wesneski getting the start in Toronto. His only flaw his first time around was getting **** stomped by lefties. He tore it up in AAA and the Blue Jays are a right-hand dominant team. Varsho and Belt are their only two main starters that hit left handed and I don't know how big of threats they are.

I'd rather not start the service time clocks on guys like PCA, Brown, Wicks, and Canario until next year. Let Wesneski, Assad, or Killian fill in where needed.

I'd be shocked if Brown doesn't get a call up down the stretch.