There is a lot to be optimistic about in the future. I think they also found their man in Renteria. Has had a big positive affect on this team.
MLB: 2014 Chicago Cubs
- Thread starter Bret44
- Start date
I was going to create an account named Felix Pie just so I could like this one post.
I like the way its coming together too (although as I fan I wish it was quicker) but I still don't think they'll be close to competing next year unless they bring in some major free agent talent.
There are 4 players hitting over .250 and 2 players with more than 29 RBIs. Castro and Rizzo are in both groups. Even if Bryant comes up and hits like Rizzo, the Cubs are still 2-3 players away from even being competitive on the offensive side of the ball IMO.
Conversely, there are six (6!!) players with more than 100 at bats batting under .207 for the year. That's awful and needs to be addressed before they compete for anything.
The WAR of a gold glove caliber player compared to a league average player defensively isn't a lot. WAR is generally based on how you hit.
I can if you want, but it would literally be the opposite of everything you said. No joke.
So .....
Don't try to win now
Wait till wriggley renos are done
Flip switch to win in 2017
Maybe geared up by 2019
I'm not arguing but I just don't think that will work. When you start extending dealines you create more risks. Ricketts is also losing fans by the thousands every year. Why ever volunteer to lose?
I am all for building the farm system. That should be goal #1 but goal #2 shouldn't be the Videoboard it shoudl be stay competitive in the division.
I really think the Cubs are about two years away from being competitive. In watching them this year, while their record isn't great you can tell their approach and focus is much better. They've been competitive at times, and the starting pitching has been really good. I honestly feel their record this years with the likes of Ruggiano, Olt, Schierholtz, Lake, Barney and Coghlan being in the lineup consistently, I take that as progress.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Next year has a nice shot at 80-88ish wins. Not contending, but very competent.
I agree that two years is very possible. The building process is looking very good, and the improved amenities at Wrigley will make it possible if we need to add a free agent here or there. As it is, I don't see why anyone would sign with us that wasn't desperate for a job.
The Cubs weren't going to be competitive right now without spending a bunch of money in weak FA class, and that's likely to be true next year, too. I'd rather be stuck losing a ton right now and building to win for the long haul, than writing another batch of ****** contracts that might get us to being around .500 and then be stuck with those when the team's young is actually ready to start seriously competing.
As far as this approach "losing fans by the thousands"? Who cares? The Cubs shouldn't change their approach just to cater to the fans who aren't smart enough to see what's going on, and those people will come back in droves the minute the Cubs start contending, anyway.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
On another note, kind of hoping someone throws at Papi tonight. Walking out of the batter's box before the pitch was thrown is a **** move.
Here's a better idea. Actually throw something within a foot of the strike zone. I couldn't care less that he started to walk. He knew exactly what was coming.
Last years attendance was down 657,518 patrons from where it was 5 years prior. That makes a pretty sizabale diffrence in organizational revenues.
He acts like he's the only person who has ever been pitched around, although I will admit it was a strange position to pitch around someone. Stand up there and then take your base without making a show out of it.
Footnote: I've never liked Big Papi.
Yeah, but their payroll has also gone down considerably. It was one of their worst seasons ever. Should it be surprising numbers were down?
Rickets is all about business and I can't argue too much with what he's done financially with the contract terms he had to accept when buying the Cubs.
I still wonder if it's worth it to stay in Wrigly with all the hoops he has to hop through dealing with the city of Chicago. When the Yankee's and Cardinals can both get away building a new stadium, it makes me wonder why he puts up with the baloney.
So he doesn't bite his tongue (so to speak) when it comes to his frustration with being pitched around. Big deal. He's frustrated with it and he shows his frustration just like many other athletes do when they get frustrated with something. Plus, in last night's situation, anyway, he seemed to give the crowd a little bit of a boost with that. And considering that perhaps the best clutch hitter of our generation just had the bat taken out of his hands late in a close ball game, that wasn't exactly a bad thing.
If the Spring Training home is any indication of the design skills then they should stay at Wrigley forever.
That Cubs Park is void of comfort and charm. It's like they thought to take all of the ****** traits of Wrigley (tight seating, angry ushers, difficult concessions, poor parking) and import that to Arizona. At least Wrigley has Murphy's across the street.
That mascot can suck it too. I need an Old Style!
