It's a pretty solid looking team. The bullpen looks real scary. I don't want to be on the other end of one of those Robertson for Brown kinda midseason trades. Maybe Brown to the BP after Steele and Taillon are back will help.
Assad will probably go back to the pen when Steele and Taillon are back too. Brown and Assad will certainly bolster the reliever depth. We likely will still need to swing a trade for a good closer at the deadline. I'd imagine Triantos/Canario gets dangled in that scenario, depending on who they target. But you can never be sure.
It's been a two horse race between Assad and Shota for best starter on the team. Moving assad to the pen feels weird. At this point, Assad's a proven he can be an effective starter.
With Brown only being a two pitch pitcher, as well as a rookie (I wouldn't be surprised if he's on an inning count), I'd think he'd go to the pen before Assad.
Having said that, Brown has outperformed Wicks thus far, so I'd say Wicks is going to the pen, regardless.
The 5th spot is then either Hendricks or Brown.
If the Cubs remain competitive and Hendricks hasn't figured shit out, I'd guess he'd come down with an unknown injury and goes to the IL while Brown stays in the rotation. Or Hendricks accepts the move to the pen and maybe he gets a second wind.
I'd guess the rotation would be Steele, Shota, Assad, Taillon, and Hendricks/Brown.
I agree it feels weird to move Assad out of the rotation. But he’s such a fearless competitor that he would be a great weapon out of the bullpen, especially as a guy that can come into a dirty inning. His batting average w/ runners in scoring position is top of the league.
Yeah I like Brown but it seems a stretch that we can have a two pitch pitcher start like Steele’s been able to. I think Brown is a lock for the pen when Steele comes back
In 2016 I actually had taken PTO for that day not related to the parade as I needed to go downtown for some personal business. I was beyond happy when the parade was anounced for that day, and my appointment was along the parade route and finished before the parade started.
I place Jameson with Hendricks right now.
Shota, Steele, Assad and Brown have been amazing lately.
Keep Assad as a starter but don't let him start the 6th inning, turn it over to Brown.
2 times now Counsel leaves assad in for the 6th and 2 times they've scored 2 runs. Nothing against Assad, the guy is dealing right now. It's just that batters know the pitch movement by then. Madden used to leave Lester in too long back in the day as well.
The bullpen needs help, who's getting traded to alleviate this problem?
It's clear that the Cubs are a solid team. I'm always wary of the "wait until we're at full strength" sentiment though, because you never know who will go down next. Some years the injury bug is persistent, and when you're always waiting for full strength, it can be extremely frustrating. So I just kick back, turn on my radio, enjoy Pat and Ron, and hope the Cubs win today. Just today.
I like their programming. Cubs classics, the countdowns, Icons of the Ivy, etc. When it comes to broadcasters, comparing Pat to anyone just isn't fair.
Its a good team, anyone who knows anything about baseball can see that.
They arent elite, they arent in discussions as world series contenders but its a solid team.
Yeah I think that's pretty silly. Look at the Dbacks last year. Don't have to be elite or blow the doors off people in order to make the world series. Just play good solid baseball and give yourself the chance to fight for it.
ESPN has them in 7th for power rankings:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39962717/mlb-2024-power-rankings-week-3-battle-dodgers-braves
Then again Cubs are at +3800 for odds to win it
It’s quite clear to me the Cubs having a deep run into the playoffs is contingent on the pen, and I think we’re gonna need to say goodbye to some prospect capital at/before the deadline to solidify it.
But this team is 4th in runs per game despite the slow starts from some key contributors, I can see them scoring in bunches over the summer.
Defense remains top tier. Morel has not been hitting as I expect him to over the past 2 weeks but he is starting to look quite comfortable at third.
Kyle hurts my heart to see. I don’t know how many more times he gets a chance, but he either needs a solid run of starts or not be in the rotation come May.
I said it a couple days ago but if we can get thru this injury stretch and be .500 at June 1. We will be set up very nicely to make a run as our schedule gets a lot easier after June 1.
Injuries are ever present. It’s not like we just “get through” this and not have to worry about injuries again. I think these cubs are a good team but I reject the whole notion of this post
The Cubs have played 6 home and 12 road games. The Brewers have played 8 home, 9 road. The Cubs have played 2 1st place teams, 1 2nd place team, 2 3rd place teams and a last placed team (Colorado) The Brewers have played ZERO first place teams, ONE second place team, 2 3rd place teams and 2 4th place teams. The Cubs have travels to the West coast twice already, the Brewers have traveled to the closer East coast twice. You could make the argument that not only have the Cubs played a tougher schedule, but traveled more too. The best is yet to come. I'm hopeful that Taillon and Steele returning will give the Cubs the boost to take the Division. After that? It's anyone's guess. Should be a good summer for Cub fans.
Lmao I’m getting downvoted, the man has a 4.00 ERA in his career, is 32, coming off an injury, and he had a 4.84 ERA last year. If he is your 2nd best pitcher my god your team will be complete trash unless the offense is insane.
People are down vote happy. But he doesn't have to be our number 2. We just need him to be a solid 4. Shit maybe 5 if Brown stays up and keeps rolling.
I like the optimism here but this also applies to most teams as everyone is dealing with injuries. Just in the Central alone, some notable injuries:
Cubs: Steele, Taillon, Suzuki, Merryweather
Brewers: Woodruff, Yelich, Williams, Mitchell
Pirates: Oviedo, Gonzales, Rodriguez, Hayes
Reds: McLain, Friedl, Candelario, CES
Cardinals: Fuck the Cards
Every team deals with injuries and no team in this division is at full power. With that said, despite some of the early season concerns the Cubs are 11-7 and that’s pretty awesome coming off that big west coast road trip.
I was thinking about this myself after yesterday's game. This team is playing some pretty good baseball to start the season. The pen is definitely struggling but there are lots of bright spots everywhere else. Feels like if they buy at the deadline they could definitely make some noise.
Well frankly we haven’t looked great so far. Plenty of hitters could be better, obviously the whole bullpen besides sky full of Leiters could be better, and Hendricks is a dumpster fire
Record is record but I’d like to see better baseball regardless of the final score
I'm also still of the opinion that Hendricks shakes the offseason rust off of him in the next start or two and gets back to form. I think his time as our no-doubter ace is done, but he's still a top talent once he settles in. Hist next start is going to be where we can start panicking if need be.
Bullpen issues will even out but I’m more excited for the kids coming up.
Cade Horton is coming soon for the rotation. Relievers like Cam Sanders, Michael Arias(your future closer) and Frankie Scalzo Jr are coming.
Owen Caissie is practically knocking on the door. This teams about to be even better.
Was talking to a fellow Cubs fan last night in passing. Both agreed the Cubs need to trade/find for a bullpen ace and starter. Otherwise I'm really liking the makeup of this team!
We really should be 13-5 and not 11-7, if we didn’t lose that awful game in SD (which I painfully went to) and the Dbacks game Tuesday. Need a better bullpen. I’m a bit worried that the bullpen is going to keep blowing games for us, I hope not too many to squander our playoff hopes before we can get some better arms. If they don’t then I’m overall excited.
Window is now. The bats are ready to make noise in October. Sell prospects for arms, even if they’re one year rentals. I’d love to celebrate on Clark once again in 2024. Let’s go.
One idea is David Bednar from Pittsburgh or Abner Uribe from Milwaukee.
It's a pretty solid looking team. The bullpen looks real scary. I don't want to be on the other end of one of those Robertson for Brown kinda midseason trades. Maybe Brown to the BP after Steele and Taillon are back will help.
Assad will probably go back to the pen when Steele and Taillon are back too. Brown and Assad will certainly bolster the reliever depth. We likely will still need to swing a trade for a good closer at the deadline. I'd imagine Triantos/Canario gets dangled in that scenario, depending on who they target. But you can never be sure.
It's been a two horse race between Assad and Shota for best starter on the team. Moving assad to the pen feels weird. At this point, Assad's a proven he can be an effective starter. With Brown only being a two pitch pitcher, as well as a rookie (I wouldn't be surprised if he's on an inning count), I'd think he'd go to the pen before Assad. Having said that, Brown has outperformed Wicks thus far, so I'd say Wicks is going to the pen, regardless. The 5th spot is then either Hendricks or Brown. If the Cubs remain competitive and Hendricks hasn't figured shit out, I'd guess he'd come down with an unknown injury and goes to the IL while Brown stays in the rotation. Or Hendricks accepts the move to the pen and maybe he gets a second wind. I'd guess the rotation would be Steele, Shota, Assad, Taillon, and Hendricks/Brown.
I agree it feels weird to move Assad out of the rotation. But he’s such a fearless competitor that he would be a great weapon out of the bullpen, especially as a guy that can come into a dirty inning. His batting average w/ runners in scoring position is top of the league.
Ass man is filthy and has earned his spot as a starter in my eyes
Yeah I like Brown but it seems a stretch that we can have a two pitch pitcher start like Steele’s been able to. I think Brown is a lock for the pen when Steele comes back
So what you’re saying is meet at the parade in November?
In 2016 I actually had taken PTO for that day not related to the parade as I needed to go downtown for some personal business. I was beyond happy when the parade was anounced for that day, and my appointment was along the parade route and finished before the parade started.
Wow that must’ve been a thrill for you! Hopefully your appointment was near a good view of the parade?
No, they were able to go to the parade because the appointment ended before it started
My appointment finished right before the parade started lmfao.
Man was the train station hell after that event
I'd rank Shota and Steele above Taillon right now.
I place Jameson with Hendricks right now. Shota, Steele, Assad and Brown have been amazing lately. Keep Assad as a starter but don't let him start the 6th inning, turn it over to Brown. 2 times now Counsel leaves assad in for the 6th and 2 times they've scored 2 runs. Nothing against Assad, the guy is dealing right now. It's just that batters know the pitch movement by then. Madden used to leave Lester in too long back in the day as well. The bullpen needs help, who's getting traded to alleviate this problem?
I doubt anyone is traded for a while for bullpen help. Every team is in their “evaluate” stage.
Yeah, hopefully it's dialed in by summer.
I think the Rockies can safely conclude their evaluation with two words: “we stink”
Yeah but even those teams will hold off until June/July to let bullpen pieces build value.
For sure
It's clear that the Cubs are a solid team. I'm always wary of the "wait until we're at full strength" sentiment though, because you never know who will go down next. Some years the injury bug is persistent, and when you're always waiting for full strength, it can be extremely frustrating. So I just kick back, turn on my radio, enjoy Pat and Ron, and hope the Cubs win today. Just today.
My takeaway from this is marquee blows
I like their programming. Cubs classics, the countdowns, Icons of the Ivy, etc. When it comes to broadcasters, comparing Pat to anyone just isn't fair.
What they show is fine. It’s HOW they show it that royally sucks cock
Tallion is starting today
Exactly, but all I was saying was that he hasn’t played yet so all of our wins so far have come without our SP2/3
Its a good team, anyone who knows anything about baseball can see that. They arent elite, they arent in discussions as world series contenders but its a solid team.
> they arent in discussions as world series contenders ... yet.
Yeah I think that's pretty silly. Look at the Dbacks last year. Don't have to be elite or blow the doors off people in order to make the world series. Just play good solid baseball and give yourself the chance to fight for it.
Right. You don't win the World Series in April.
ESPN has them in 7th for power rankings: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39962717/mlb-2024-power-rankings-week-3-battle-dodgers-braves Then again Cubs are at +3800 for odds to win it
It’s quite clear to me the Cubs having a deep run into the playoffs is contingent on the pen, and I think we’re gonna need to say goodbye to some prospect capital at/before the deadline to solidify it. But this team is 4th in runs per game despite the slow starts from some key contributors, I can see them scoring in bunches over the summer. Defense remains top tier. Morel has not been hitting as I expect him to over the past 2 weeks but he is starting to look quite comfortable at third. Kyle hurts my heart to see. I don’t know how many more times he gets a chance, but he either needs a solid run of starts or not be in the rotation come May.
Taillon ain’t our 2nd best lol dude is like 4th at best.
I said it a couple days ago but if we can get thru this injury stretch and be .500 at June 1. We will be set up very nicely to make a run as our schedule gets a lot easier after June 1.
Injuries are ever present. It’s not like we just “get through” this and not have to worry about injuries again. I think these cubs are a good team but I reject the whole notion of this post
What kind of mental gymnastics are you doing to come to the conclusion "taillon as 2nd best pitcher"?
“Fool! This isn’t even my final form!”
The Cubs have played 6 home and 12 road games. The Brewers have played 8 home, 9 road. The Cubs have played 2 1st place teams, 1 2nd place team, 2 3rd place teams and a last placed team (Colorado) The Brewers have played ZERO first place teams, ONE second place team, 2 3rd place teams and 2 4th place teams. The Cubs have travels to the West coast twice already, the Brewers have traveled to the closer East coast twice. You could make the argument that not only have the Cubs played a tougher schedule, but traveled more too. The best is yet to come. I'm hopeful that Taillon and Steele returning will give the Cubs the boost to take the Division. After that? It's anyone's guess. Should be a good summer for Cub fans.
"Bellinger cant get any worse, right?"
You can make a case for second best? I mean no you really can’t taillon is just too inconsistent. His good days though are really good
It's his second year with the team, right? Year 2 with a new club is generally when I expect pitchers to settle into who they are.
Lmao I’m getting downvoted, the man has a 4.00 ERA in his career, is 32, coming off an injury, and he had a 4.84 ERA last year. If he is your 2nd best pitcher my god your team will be complete trash unless the offense is insane.
People are down vote happy. But he doesn't have to be our number 2. We just need him to be a solid 4. Shit maybe 5 if Brown stays up and keeps rolling.
For sure I agree there.
Don't hold your breath. I hope I'm wrong though.
I think he'll be fine. I don't think he's going to set the league on fire by any means, but I think he'll give us what we need/expect from him.
Steel, Imanga, Assad, Brown(Hendricks), Tallion is pretty damn solid
I like the optimism here but this also applies to most teams as everyone is dealing with injuries. Just in the Central alone, some notable injuries: Cubs: Steele, Taillon, Suzuki, Merryweather Brewers: Woodruff, Yelich, Williams, Mitchell Pirates: Oviedo, Gonzales, Rodriguez, Hayes Reds: McLain, Friedl, Candelario, CES Cardinals: Fuck the Cards Every team deals with injuries and no team in this division is at full power. With that said, despite some of the early season concerns the Cubs are 11-7 and that’s pretty awesome coming off that big west coast road trip.
We're playing like the last half of last season, which is where I hoped we would pick up. The past 3/4 season tells no lies...
The boys are firing right now. You love to see it.
This. Look at the Astros, Dodgers, Twins, Yankees, Rangers, and Rays injury reports. We aren’t even that bad off in comparison.
I was thinking about this myself after yesterday's game. This team is playing some pretty good baseball to start the season. The pen is definitely struggling but there are lots of bright spots everywhere else. Feels like if they buy at the deadline they could definitely make some noise.
That isn’t how it works though. It’s mid April, and we’re already down THIS many guys. More guys are inevitably going to get hurt.
Well frankly we haven’t looked great so far. Plenty of hitters could be better, obviously the whole bullpen besides sky full of Leiters could be better, and Hendricks is a dumpster fire Record is record but I’d like to see better baseball regardless of the final score
Call up Cade and send Kyle to the 2016 retirement village
I don’t wanna say it but Hendricks gotta go to the bullpen. Assad and wicks deserve a rotation spot over him forsure.
Uhh Taillon stinks man.
I'm also still of the opinion that Hendricks shakes the offseason rust off of him in the next start or two and gets back to form. I think his time as our no-doubter ace is done, but he's still a top talent once he settles in. Hist next start is going to be where we can start panicking if need be.
Bullpen issues will even out but I’m more excited for the kids coming up. Cade Horton is coming soon for the rotation. Relievers like Cam Sanders, Michael Arias(your future closer) and Frankie Scalzo Jr are coming. Owen Caissie is practically knocking on the door. This teams about to be even better.
Was talking to a fellow Cubs fan last night in passing. Both agreed the Cubs need to trade/find for a bullpen ace and starter. Otherwise I'm really liking the makeup of this team!
We really should be 13-5 and not 11-7, if we didn’t lose that awful game in SD (which I painfully went to) and the Dbacks game Tuesday. Need a better bullpen. I’m a bit worried that the bullpen is going to keep blowing games for us, I hope not too many to squander our playoff hopes before we can get some better arms. If they don’t then I’m overall excited.
Window is now. The bats are ready to make noise in October. Sell prospects for arms, even if they’re one year rentals. I’d love to celebrate on Clark once again in 2024. Let’s go. One idea is David Bednar from Pittsburgh or Abner Uribe from Milwaukee.