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***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***

Last night was a rare one, maybe the only one this year, where I think the umpires can be 100% blamed for the loss.

Up 5-3. 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th. 2-2 count, Hodge got a guy to definitively check his swing. Should’ve been strike 3 but the ump said he held up. Next pitch ball, next pitch dong, Cubs lose in extras.
 
Thinking to 2025

I think I’d be comfortable committing to Shaw being the backup 2B, 3B, SS, and then rostering 3 catchers assuming one could handle first base as well.
 
ISUCubswin said:
Thinking to 2025

I think I’d be comfortable committing to Shaw being the backup 2B, 3B, SS, and then rostering 3 catchers assuming one could handle first base as well.
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Yea felt up to the Rockies series there was still hope. Odds weren't good, but a miracle was possible. But losing the Rockies series is a dose of reality.

Prospect development at the major league level is an area I hope Counsell has a strong influence go forward. Over the last 3-4 years it seems like players languish with the I-Cubs. Even if they don't ever make a splash in Chicago, they end up losing their trade value.

I'm a big believer now that the NL has the DH, there is no reason most position players shouldn't play the field at least 1x a week. The only exception for me is PCA because he's an elite fielder and 22. IMO the Cubs need to go into 2025 spring training with the mindset that Shaw, Vazquez and Triantos are in a battle to be the Cubs 2025 utility infielder. And that means 3 starts a week on days that Hoerner, Swanson and Paredes sit or play DH.
 
isucy86 said:
Yea felt up to the Rockies series there was still hope. Odds weren't good, but a miracle was possible. But losing the Rockies series is a dose of reality.

Prospect development at the major league level is an area I hope Counsell has a strong influence go forward. Over the last 3-4 years it seems like players languish with the I-Cubs. Even if they don't ever make a splash in Chicago, they end up losing their trade value.

I'm a big believer now that the NL has the DH, there is no reason most position players shouldn't play the field at least 1x a week. The only exception for me is PCA because he's an elite fielder and 22. IMO the Cubs need to go into 2025 spring training with the mindset that Shaw, Vazquez and Triantos are in a battle to be the Cubs 2025 utility infielder. And that means 3 starts a week on days that Hoerner, Swanson and Paredes sit or play DH.
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I don’t see it happening but I’d like to see Hoerner moved and Busch moved to a platoon 2B which opens the door for Shaw to guarantee start at 2B vs lefties and get the occasional start at 3B and SS.

I don’t think Busch needs to platoon but they’ve clearly shown they don’t believe in his ability against lefty pitchers since they’re letting a guy hitting .151 against left handed starting pitchers start over him.
 
ISUCubswin said:
I don’t see it happening but I’d like to see Hoerner moved and Busch moved to a platoon 2B which opens the door for Shaw to guarantee start at 2B vs lefties and get the occasional start at 3B and SS.

I don’t think Busch needs to platoon but they’ve clearly shown they don’t believe in his ability against lefty pitchers since they’re letting a guy hitting .151 against left handed starting pitchers start over him.
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If Busch could play a passable 2B, he'd still be a Dodger. I think he's the 1B for the foreseeable future and that's why they're treating him with kid gloves to an extent plus he's become a plus defender there.

You hope Bellinger opts out to get more guaranteed money rather than a bigger AAV from the option. Hoerner gets moved for pitching. You've got decisions to make on Shaw and Triantos, you can only keep one.

Going to be an interesting winter.
 
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Do the Cubs give up a top 6/7 prospect and a guy like Paredes for a closer like Miller this winter?

Shaw is the only untouchable player in the minor league system in my opinion.
 
One Report Indicates Cody Bellinger is "Fully Expected" to Not Opt Out of His Cubs Deal - Bleacher Nation

If true I'm not surprised. I am in the belief that he is not opting out because if the longer term contract offer was not there last offseason I don't see how it will be there this offseason either unless he takes a lower AAV on a deal. This not only changes the amount of money the Cubs will have available to spend but also how they make moves in the offseason with the logjam they have in the OF and prospects knocking on the door. Him coming back means they have 4 OF under contract for 2025 with Suzuki likely being the primary DH in that scenario. They could move him to 1B but then what do you do with Busch. The no trade clauses that Happ and Suzuki have combined with PCA is not going anywhere means Belli on the roster is blocking them from doing anything related to the OF both prospect wise or a run at Soto which probably was not likely anyways.

Offseason is going to be really interesting. I think the best use of funds is to get a top tier SP and a couple bullpen arms. If you are going to make any bold trades or signings it would have to involve 1 of the infield positions probably to clear a path for a position upgrade. Anything involving the OF would be to clear a path for one of our own prospects or trading OF prospect depth to upgrade another position the way the roster is constructed right now.
 
Nightengale expects Belli to opt in.

Rosenthal and FullCountTommy expect him to opt out.

$27 MM decision certainly plays a large factor in offseason moves.

Noticed FullCountTommy, using Mooney as a source, thinks the Cubs will be going after guys matching Eovaldi or Frieds profiles.

So again, instead of going after bonafied aces, finding B-ceiling players and hoping they perform to expectations
 
1UNI2ISU said:
If Busch could play a passable 2B, he'd still be a Dodger. I think he's the 1B for the foreseeable future and that's why they're treating him with kid gloves to an extent plus he's become a plus defender there.
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Just FWIW, the Dodgers have had Lux, Betts, Rojas, and Taylor all at 2B this year. In fact, Betts was their #1 2B before they had SS problems. Take away defensive ability, I’m not sure Busch plays much on that team this year.
 
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Pretty amazing to look at the Cubs typical starting lineup and currently there are ZERO sub .225 hitters!!! A far cry from middle of the summer when Morel, Amaya (.232) and PCA (.242) were all hitting sub .200. And Swanson (.237) was around .215.

Still think the order needs some tweaking in the off-season:
  1. Need a big slug hitter
  2. Happ doesn't seem like the solution at leadoff. But the paradigm has changed over the last decade from a high average/speed guy to best hitter.
  3. Do the Cubs move Hoerner and/or Paredes to make room for Shaw, Triantos or eventually Cam Smith. Maybe we see one moved over the winter and the other possibly next summer if development of the prospects continues.
Regarding pitching, finding a proven, solid closer would be great. But not sure the FO would spend the money/prospects to win a battle for the A's Miller. I have less of an issue of the Cubs not going after an elite FA starter. It seems like too many starting pitchers are suffering serious arm injuries. Not excited about investing $150M+ in a starter and he ends up injured. IMO get a solid starter, hopefully with some velocity (94mph+) and then focus on building an elite bullpen.
 
With the Cubs essentially out of the playoff hunt now would like to see them move PCA to leadoff to finish the season and get Vazquez a few spot starts. Probably no reason to bring up any other position players from Iowa at this point because they aren't going to play them with 5 OF already on the roster. Just no reason to keep things status quo to finish the season when there is nothing to play for anymore. Would like to see Kilian get a start or 2 as well.
 
Steele will get the start tomorrow. Kind of wish they just shut him down for the year and make sure he's completely healthy going into 2025.
 
Steele and Lopez activated, Palencia and Nealy optioned. Wesneski is also in Chicago right now apparently which makes you wonder if another pitching move is coming this week. Realistically even if they win out the rest of the season they still probably will fall short of the last WC as they'd need a lot of help for the teams ahead of them to just tank. Would like them to use these last 2 weeks to get a look at a few guys for 2025 and not try to push it with guys recently injured but that doesn't appear to be the case given how the roster moves and lineups have been set lately.
 
CYdTracked said:
Steele and Lopez activated, Palencia and Nealy optioned. Wesneski is also in Chicago right now apparently which makes you wonder if another pitching move is coming this week. Realistically even if they win out the rest of the season they still probably will fall short of the last WC as they'd need a lot of help for the teams ahead of them to just tank. Would like them to use these last 2 weeks to get a look at a few guys for 2025 and not try to push it with guys recently injured but that doesn't appear to be the case given how the roster moves and lineups have been set lately.
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Interesting box score for I-Cubs in yesterday's 3-0 win. Could we see the first 3 guys all called up and do they shut down some starters/waive Smiley (send him home).

Wesneski 2IP/ 0R / 4 K's (Started)
Merryweather 1IP/ 0R / 1K
Killian 5IP/ 0R / 4K's
Brewer 1IP/ 0R / 0K's

Big improvement over Sunday where I-Cubs pitchers gave up 17 runs. And Lopez who was called up gave up 6 runs in 2/3 of an inning.
 
isucy86 said:
Still think the order needs some tweaking in the off-season:
  1. Need a big slug hitter
  2. Happ doesn't seem like the solution at leadoff. But the paradigm has changed over the last decade from a high average/speed guy to best hitter.
  3. Do the Cubs move Hoerner and/or Paredes to make room for Shaw, Triantos or eventually Cam Smith. Maybe we see one moved over the winter and the other possibly next summer if development of the prospects continues.
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1) Identify trade chips
2) Identify STARS. Cut out the B-level player ********.
3) Lock in positions

$70 MM to spend.

Add $15 MM when you cut Bote and Smyly. Add $27.5 MM if Belli leaves. Add $29 MM if you trade Hoerner and Taillon.

I plan on posting specifics later and I realize it won’t happen because it’s against organizational philosophy to have great players on the team, but

- Sign Soto and Burnes and Sasaki. It is 100% is financially possible whilst also staying under the first tier, even if Belli comes back.
- Trade Hoerner, Taillon, Alcantara for relief help and low-level prospects to replenish the farm
 
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isucy86 said:
Interesting box score for I-Cubs in yesterday's 3-0 win. Could we see the first 3 guys all called up and do they shut down some starters/waive Smiley (send him home).

Wesneski 2IP/ 0R / 4 K's (Started)
Merryweather 1IP/ 0R / 1K
Killian 5IP/ 0R / 4K's
Brewer 1IP/ 0R / 0K's

Big improvement over Sunday where I-Cubs pitchers gave up 17 runs. And Lopez who was called up gave up 6 runs in 2/3 of an inning.
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I don't know why they haven't called Kilian up for a few starts by now. I posted this not long ago but he's finally healthy and has been pitching really well at Iowa lately. Instead of pushing Steele back from the IL for probably 2 more meaningless start, throwing the corpse of what used to be Kyle Hendricks out there still, and Wicks has not looked good so far since he's been back either. Killian could be getting a few of those starts or even some bullpen innings at worse. Not even going to waste time talking about possibilities with position players as it's obvious by now they have no intent on giving any prospects a meaningful look if they haven't by now.

It feels like they are still playing like they are in the playoff hunt and maybe mathematically they are but realistically anyone with common baseball sense knows they are out of it now and they aren't fooling anyone by playing like they think they still have a chance to make it.
 
3 wins in the last 9 at Wrigley. If the Cubs would have just won half of the games they lost at home in this "easy stretch", they would 2 games out of the Wild Card.
 
CYdTracked said:
I don't know why they haven't called Kilian up for a few starts by now. I posted this not long ago but he's finally healthy and has been pitching really well at Iowa lately. Instead of pushing Steele back from the IL for probably 2 more meaningless start, throwing the corpse of what used to be Kyle Hendricks out there still, and Wicks has not looked good so far since he's been back either. Killian could be getting a few of those starts or even some bullpen innings at worse. Not even going to waste time talking about possibilities with position players as it's obvious by now they have no intent on giving any prospects a meaningful look if they haven't by now.
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Thought Killian had a realistic shot at being the 5 with how much he dominated in the Spring prior to getting hurt. Wouldn’t hate using the last 2 weeks to let him make the most of that shot
 
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Steele was on a pitch count tonight and didn't make it through 3 innings so dont get the point of activating him to finish the season. Smyly and Pearson blew it too. Time for the front office to waive the white flag and use these last games to get a look at some guys for 2025. Make Hendricks next start his last and make it a home game so he gets a proper send off. Go ahead and DFA Smyly and anyone else not coming back next year and give some of the Iowa guys a look where it makes sense.

The Cubs basically brought back the same flawed core roster from last year hoping for better results and once again it didn't work.
 
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