***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter CycloneErik
- Start date
Nice win today, Steele finally got some offense for a change. Neely rebounded well after a rough debut.
PCA is starting to figure out MLB which is nice to see heading into the offseason. Today's game is not in the game log yet but through yesterday he was batting .269 in August which a big improvement from his .197 in July. Swanson is batting .281 this month too. The crazy thing is the bullpen which was just awful to start the season has been very good for quite a stretch lately. Still too little too late right now to make the playoffs, just like last season you can't give away games in the 1st half and expect to make it up in the 2nd half.
PCA is starting to figure out MLB which is nice to see heading into the offseason. Today's game is not in the game log yet but through yesterday he was batting .269 in August which a big improvement from his .197 in July. Swanson is batting .281 this month too. The crazy thing is the bullpen which was just awful to start the season has been very good for quite a stretch lately. Still too little too late right now to make the playoffs, just like last season you can't give away games in the 1st half and expect to make it up in the 2nd half.
Shaw is on a tear. Do you dare trade Hoerner this winter but resign Bote for a year as insurance?
I get what your saying that it may be too late for a playoff push. But being 5.5 games out with 34 left is doable if the Cubs play .666 ball over the rest of season.
But realistically, you're probably right as this team has not shown the ability to play near that level over an extended period since their 17-9 start.
But IMO the FO isn't going to fold until they are mathematically out of wildcard. So I am skeptical we see any youth movement until last until last 10 days of season.
That means they essentially only lose one game each series from here on out. They still have a home series with the Yankees and road series with the Dodgers and Phillies. This upcoming 9 game road series will tell you alot. If they want to get into the wild card conversation, you need to win 6 or 7 of those games.
I think you probably wait one more year, but I would be fine with it. Gotta take some chances.
The Cubs have to play at such a high level (.666 ball) over the rest of the season the teams that have been meandering in the standings with the Cubs over the last month (Pirates, Giants and Cardinals) are more noise than competition.
The race basically comes down to the Cubs playing .666 ball and the Braves/Mets play .500 ball or less.
Yes that has to be a strong consideration by the front office to change the lineup for 2025. Hoerner is an attractive trade piece because he's a solid all-around player and he doesn't become a FA until 2027.
It's not only Shaw who is prepped for a bigger role in Chicago. But I would also include Vazquez and Triantos in that discussion for September and 2025. Vazquez has played enough with the I-Cubs that the FO needs to have a clear vision on a role for him in Chicago. I feel at a minimum he can be the Cubs utility middle-infielder in 2025.
So I don't feel a need to re-sign Bote. Determine if Triantos or Shaw is ready to play 2B in Chicago and go with Vazquez as utility/pinch hitter.
I'll also throw out a wildcard, could Busch play 2B for the Cubs? He's got the experience in the minors. He's shown a great glove at 1B. His arm still scares me. And I don't know if he has the range to play 2B. But having a 20HR guy playing 2B would be attractive. That opens a path for a big slugging 1B.
If he could play a passable 2B, he'd still be a Dodger. He's a 1B and top 5 in OPS at the position and a gold glove candidate. Leave him be.
Guessing Bote is getting DFA'd. He's sunk money anyway and might be doing him a solid to see if a contender wants to grab him before the waiver deadline.
Wouldn't be surprised. Wisdom and Tauchman are candidates too.
Could be a surprise IL for someone too. Bleacher Nation has an article that says Paredes has had a shoulder that is bothering him. I'm ok if it's a DFA move too, Wisdom and Bote likely won't be back next season
Paul Sullivan confirms it's Bote.
Also claimed RHP Gavin Hollowell from Arizona and sent him to Iowa.
Also claimed RHP Gavin Hollowell from Arizona and sent him to Iowa.
Honestly. I take a league minimum flyer on him, send him to AZ for the winter and see if you can get anything back.
