Should we be glad we gave up a run in the 9th? I mean this kind of hitting could be the spark our offense needed.
***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter CycloneErik
- Start date
Win ugly. Our bullpen is a sieve. Gave up three runs in order to get three outs in the 10th. Good thing we had a few to go.
It probably was a balk, but agree with JD on the broadcast. Most umps I would guess would tell the pitcher to take a little more of a pause before calling it, and maybe they did.
Well I doubt Brown goes to the bullpen anytime soon. That leaves to glaring questions.
1. What do you do with Wicks?
Bullpen or AAA???
2. How much are we willing to spend in prospects to get a closer?
1. What do you do with Wicks?
Bullpen or AAA???
2. How much are we willing to spend in prospects to get a closer?
Not sure a rental closer that cost some prospects is worth it until we figure out what else we can improve first. Bridging the gap between the starter and closer is still an adventure with this bullpen and the offense has really struggled lately. An upgrade at catcher that still has team control beyond this season may be worth parting with some prospects. We're kind of in a holding pattern until we know what we have with the glut of OF prospects ad guys like Shaw and Horton too.
We'll see if Busch can get back on track after his game last night but he was about at that point where you send him to AAA for a bit to get things figured out, move Belli to 1B and call up PCA to be the everyday CF and see of that sparks some more offense. Vasquez is barely getting used right now while Madrigal and Whiffdom still get some spot starts. That's a problem right now that when we do dip into the pool at Iowa no one really has gotten much of a runway. PCA has gotten the most of any and even that was not exactly regular action. There kind of is no point calling up guys that are just going to sit on the bench and maybe get a handful of AB a week when they can continue developing starting everyday at Iowa.
If the struggles continue in June and they fall under .500 and near 10 games back in the division then the conversation could turn into if they would be sellers at the deadline. Gotta clear some spots eventually for the prospects in Iowa so even if they are still buyers have to wonder if Tauchman would be a piece to sell regardless to make room for Davis or Canario as they 4th OF. Not a ton of tradable veterans on the roster really, won't get more than a lotto ticket prospect at best for guys like Madrigal, Wisdom, Gomes, Hendricks, or Smyly.
With Steele finally back on track. Brown, Imanaga, and Assad performing like all stars i think we'll get back close to Milwaukee soon. We need a big bat. Whether that's 1B or full-time DH I don't know. As for the closer as I stated how much are we willing to part with to get one? Regardless we're going to see some pieces added.
6 man for a while to protect everybody. Everybody is pitching well and the more innings you can take off Shota, Brown, Wicks and Steele the better. You've got enough multi-inning guys in the pen (Wesneski, Smyly, Miller) to make it work.
Then re-evaluate at the break.
Agreed. Given how/why they moved Shota's start after the rainout, all the injuries, and all the young guys who haven't had full-season starter workloads, I think there's a good chance that's the plan.
Problem is he has to stay stretched out if you want him to start on occasion. Can't just sit him.on a shelf.
I doubt that happens. I could see him in the rotation and guys like Imanaga, Brown and Taillon take a turn getting skipped.
That's definitely an option. Basically a de facto 6-man rotation, but with only 5 of the 6 actually pitching every 5 games with the 6th one taking a rotation off. Essentially what happened with Shota.
That's about as good as you can hope for injury wise. Well.maybe blister. At least it isn't arm related.
