*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

Welp, not a good week for the Cubs. With the schedule strength changing HAVE to make some hay now coming up.
 
Yay, Cubs bullpen! Yay! Only 10 blown saves or losses and it's just Mother's Day. They can beat last year and surely get to 30 blown losses! Yay for us!
:puke::mad: (Boyd looked great again. And I might be ready to try Keller as closer.)
 
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We knew the bullpen was going to be an issue before the season started so this is not surprising. I just hope Jed does not trade away the farm for some mediocre rentals. Should have paid the price for a couple elite guys and not take on Braiser and Pressly who they are paying $13 mil combined which is money that could have been better spent.
 
Have to wonder how much longer they stick with Turner if he doesn't get the bat going. He was not brought in for his glove obviously and when your bench is essentially him, Brujan and Lopez who can't hit either, and whichever catcher is not starting that day there isn't much for pinch hit options and a significant drop off in hitting if a guy has to sit a day for rest or injury.

We know that a roster move will have to happen when Shaw is eventually called back up and that likely will be DFA Brujan or Lopez but I don't know how much longer they can go with Turner even if he is a good clubhouse guy when there are guys hitting well in Iowa that would be better bench options. If we are worried about who is the backup 1B would be I wouldn't necessarily be against seeing if Rizzo would be interested in a minor league deal to ramp up and see what he has left in the tank with some kind of deadline to be added to the big league team if the Cubs think he could help. From what I am reading though sounds like he does not want to play on a minimum contract but don't think he has much choice at this point with no other offers. Granted Rizzo hits lefty too but would essentially fill the clubhouse role that Turner does with maybe some more pop in his bat as a pinch hitter or spot start at 1B or DH. Probably not likely but the alternative is calling up one of the prospects to play a bench role which may not be best for their development.
 
Have to wonder how much longer they stick with Turner if he doesn't get the bat going. He was not brought in for his glove obviously and when your bench is essentially him, Brujan and Lopez who can't hit either, and whichever catcher is not starting that day there isn't much for pinch hit options and a significant drop off in hitting if a guy has to sit a day for rest or injury.

We know that a roster move will have to happen when Shaw is eventually called back up and that likely will be DFA Brujan or Lopez but I don't know how much longer they can go with Turner even if he is a good clubhouse guy when there are guys hitting well in Iowa that would be better bench options. If we are worried about who is the backup 1B would be I wouldn't necessarily be against seeing if Rizzo would be interested in a minor league deal to ramp up and see what he has left in the tank with some kind of deadline to be added to the big league team if the Cubs think he could help. From what I am reading though sounds like he does not want to play on a minimum contract but don't think he has much choice at this point with no other offers. Granted Rizzo hits lefty too but would essentially fill the clubhouse role that Turner does with maybe some more pop in his bat as a pinch hitter or spot start at 1B or DH. Probably not likely but the alternative is calling up one of the prospects to play a bench role which may not be best for their development.
I’d rather see Ballestareos get a shot before we bring in another vet.
 
I’d rather see Ballestareos get a shot before we bring in another vet.

I want to see him get a chance too but if they want to develop him as a catcher, being the 3rd catcher on the roster and getting sporadic playing time I'm not sure is the best route to go. If the long term plan is to DH with some time at 1B and possibly C then by all means there is no harm in bringing him up if you can find some regular AB for him. My guess is Alcantara or Caissie gets a call up before Moises does.

The Rizzo thing is a long shot that likely won't happen but if he's just sitting around doing nothing and finally backs off his demand of a MLB deal for more than the minimum I would not be against throwing him a bone on a minor league deal with an opt out clause. If he looks good then would be a nice bench piece otherwise some other team maybe gives him a call and he benefits from it 1 way or another. I still have a soft spot for Rizzo as he's one of my favorite all time Cub and I hope before he retires the Cubs bring him back even just for a short stint.
 
I want to see him get a chance too but if they want to develop him as a catcher, being the 3rd catcher on the roster and getting sporadic playing time I'm not sure is the best route to go. If the long term plan is to DH with some time at 1B and possibly C then by all means there is no harm in bringing him up if you can find some regular AB for him. My guess is Alcantara or Caissie gets a call up before Moises does.

The Rizzo thing is a long shot that likely won't happen but if he's just sitting around doing nothing and finally backs off his demand of a MLB deal for more than the minimum I would not be against throwing him a bone on a minor league deal with an opt out clause. If he looks good then would be a nice bench piece otherwise some other team maybe gives him a call and he benefits from it 1 way or another. I still have a soft spot for Rizzo as he's one of my favorite all time Cub and I hope before he retires the Cubs bring him back even just for a short stint.
K rates are miles apart Ballestareos 10, Alcantara 30%, Caissie even higher. If we truly are win now mode. Ballestareos will get the opportunity.
 
Would have loved for Workman to succeed, but even playing for the Sox he only got two at bats. He needs some AAA reps.
Yup, he was just not ready for the moment jumping from AA to MLB without any time in AAA yet. That's why these Rule 5 picks rarely work out as they are guys that are left unprotected for a reason. Usually guys that have not quite broke out yet (or may never) in the minors that still need some more time in the minors before getting a shot in the big league. Maybe he goes back to AAA in the Tigers system and works some things out and gets another shot later this season or next year. With his defensive issues at 3B he has a lot to work on there if he will ever become a regular MLB player some day.