I'm old enough to remember when Christian Hernandez was getting A-Rod comps...Updated Prospect Rankings - Biggest Risers
#3: Caissie
#6: Shaw (2023 1st Round Pick)
#7: Ballesteros
***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
One thing that always gets me about player changes is the over-reliance on stats/splits/etc versus what's actually happening in THAT particular game, you know, the one you are playing in? Everyone has good days and off days, both on the mound and in the batters box. It always amazed me how often a manager will pull a pitcher (often a reliver) who has good command/stuff that particular days to play Russian roulette again with the bullpen. So many times I've seen that move made only for the bullpen pitcher not "have it" and it blows up in everyone's face. Same for hitters that have gone 0-4 and shown no semblance of putting together a decent at bat, specifically when the starter wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire.
Now, as for Madrigal, that entire inning was rough with how the Cubs were hitting. You have Amaya (who actually has good plate discipline), Morel, and Hoerner up after the runners reach. Morel was one of the few guys with multiple decent at bats (results + working the count) in the game. BUT, if you are looking to move guys over he's not the guy you want up there to "make contact". He's got plenty of natural power, yet went up there and nearly spun himself into the ground. That was a really ****** at bat.
I'm with you in saving Madrigal. I would have preferred to have Amaya lay down the bunt (or even swing) and save Madrigal for Morel or one of the 3-5 guys (who basically all had nothing but ****** ABS the entire game) depending on how it played out.
You'd have to be pretty thin skinned to take a comment about something you said as a personal attack. I could apologize if you want but you probably wouldn't like it.
Locked on Cubs did a nice job of painting a picture of just how boneheaded our lineups are and it's pretty interactive.
Simply list who you want to bat with the game on the line, 1 out, and runners on 2nd and 3rd. Your first 5-6 guys should be your first 5-6 hitters since they have the most opportunities.
My list, in order, Bellinger, Tauchman, Hoerner, Swanson, Candelario, Gomes/Amaya.
You know who I don't want with the bat in their hands and the game on the line with runners on 2nd and 3rd? Morel and Ian ******* Happ. Don't get me wrong, Happ is great if you are looking for a walk. But give your best 5 hitters a chance to hit more than Happ and Morel.
Simply list who you want to bat with the game on the line, 1 out, and runners on 2nd and 3rd. Your first 5-6 guys should be your first 5-6 hitters since they have the most opportunities.
My list, in order, Bellinger, Tauchman, Hoerner, Swanson, Candelario, Gomes/Amaya.
You know who I don't want with the bat in their hands and the game on the line with runners on 2nd and 3rd? Morel and Ian ******* Happ. Don't get me wrong, Happ is great if you are looking for a walk. But give your best 5 hitters a chance to hit more than Happ and Morel.
I’m not sure why you’d call someone stupid and I don’t need an apology. Judging by your post history, you don’t really contribute to conversations other than odd comments and put downs.
I like the bunt call and I don't have any issues putting Morel in that situation but as a hitter you absolutely have to figure out a way to make some contact and get the tying run in. He's up there looking like Baez trying to hit it to Long Island. Just absolutely terrible situational awareness and low baseball IQ by Morel and the coaching staff both.
If you think I called you stupid you really aren't very bright.
This team is winning the division if Assad keeps pitching like this.
Working on my guess at playoff roster this morning.
Think they'd go with 11 pitchers
Starters 4
Stroman
Steele
Taillon
Assad
Long relief
Hendricks
Pen 6
Alzolay
Leiter
Fulmer
Merryweather
Cuas
Smyly
11 obvious
Gomes
Amaya
Candelario
Hoerner
Swanson
Madrigal
Happ
Tauchman
Bellinger
Suzuki
Morel
For the rest I'd take
PCA as PR/D replacement
Mervis L PH
Canario R PH
Wisdom R PH
leaving these 3 off
Barnhart 3rd C
Wesneski and Horton ( role filled by Hendricks)
Think they'd go with 11 pitchers
Starters 4
Stroman
Steele
Taillon
Assad
Long relief
Hendricks
Pen 6
Alzolay
Leiter
Fulmer
Merryweather
Cuas
Smyly
11 obvious
Gomes
Amaya
Candelario
Hoerner
Swanson
Madrigal
Happ
Tauchman
Bellinger
Suzuki
Morel
For the rest I'd take
PCA as PR/D replacement
Mervis L PH
Canario R PH
Wisdom R PH
leaving these 3 off
Barnhart 3rd C
Wesneski and Horton ( role filled by Hendricks)
Love it
Only change I'd make is Horton for Canario. Orgs can't seem to get enough arms and Horton in short bursts where he only has to go FB/Slider might be deadly at this point.
You then finish him in Iowa pre-break next year and by mid-2025 you've got your second home grown, cost controlled TOR guy.
I love it and love these discussions. My only critiques is that I don't see a world Hendricks isn't a starter. 3.12 postseason ERA and his only poor postseason performance was the only game he came out of the bullpen. He's had a few blowups this season, but I think he has the mindset to keep that from happening in the postseason.
And I don't want to take anything away from Assas in saying all that - ******* love the balls that guy had last night.
You're probably right but strictly on merit( this year) Hendricks would be my odd man out.
Some big assumptions with some guys that have not even made their MLB debuts yet, Horton only in AA at the moment being the biggest. Don't think you can rule out Palencia for a bullpen spot if he turns it around. He was pretty good in July but last 2 outings has been roughed up but prior to that had not given up a run in 8 of his 9 outings since his call up. While PCA Canario and Mervis all have potential they will have to be called up when rosters expand and hit the ground running before I would be comfortable trusting any in a big spot in the playoffs with very little MLB expirience.
Offensively they probably would be upgrades to Wisdom and Barnhart. Expirience will likely play a role in some of the decisions too so Hendricks not in the rotation would be a little surprising unless he just stinks from here on out. Playoffs still aren't a lock yet but will be some decisions to be made if some of the top minor league guys get their feet wet in Chicago and look good. From a development standpoint might be hard for the FO to call them up when they don't have an everyday role for them and their minor league season is still going on.
Yeah I think it'd be a tough conversation but you can't really afford to trot out a guy who pretty likely will get dinged for 5+ and go short into the game
