2015 Cubs Offseason Discussion

[Shawon0Meter]

The Cubs have a potentially outstanding offense, but much of that relies on Soto producing similar to his AAA numbers, Pie getting back on track, and Fukudome being a true force in the MLB. Could their offense be deadly? Sure. Soriano, DeRosa, Lee, Ramirez, and Fukudome could be the strongest top 5 in the league. Where it gets interesting is with Soto, Theriot, and Pie. They have a lot of question marks, and the team's offensive success could rely on them.

As for pitching, their bullpen is fantastic (whoever said it isn't hasn't followed it that well). Marmol is a stud, Wood is back on his usual dominant track, Dempster (yes, he'll be back in the bullpen) is not as bad of a closer as everyone believes, and Howry are a pretty damn good foundation. Not many, if any, bullpens have that strong of a core four.

Starting pitching should be fine. Zambrano is always good for 15 wins, and Lilly should bring in 13ish. Hill is strong, and Lieber is adequate at #4. Marshall/Marquis/Gallagher are sufficient at #5. Pitching is fine.

This team has the talent. The only question is can they stay healthy and produce as they should on paper? If they can do this, I see no reason why the Cubbies could not push for a title.

 

[CSF77]

The Cubs have a potentially outstanding offense, but much of that relies on Soto producing similar to his AAA numbers, Pie getting back on track, and Fukudome being a true force in the MLB. Could their offense be deadly? Sure. Soriano, DeRosa, Lee, Ramirez, and Fukudome could be the strongest top 5 in the league. Where it gets interesting is with Soto, Theriot, and Pie. They have a lot of question marks, and the team's offensive success could rely on them.

As for pitching, their bullpen is fantastic (whoever said it isn't hasn't followed it that well). Marmol is a stud, Wood is back on his usual dominant track, Dempster (yes, he'll be back in the bullpen) is not as bad of a closer as everyone believes, and Howry are a pretty damn good foundation. Not many, if any, bullpens have that strong of a core four.

Starting pitching should be fine. Zambrano is always good for 15 wins, and Lilly should bring in 13ish. Hill is strong, and Lieber is adequate at #4. Marshall/Marquis/Gallagher are sufficient at #5. Pitching is fine.

This team has the talent. The only question is can they stay healthy and produce as they should on paper? If they can do this, I see no reason why the Cubbies could not push for a title.

Feel like we got pushed into the the way back machine.

 

[JosMin]

Feel like we got pushed into the the way back machine.

Just like the last time the Cubs won the World Series....

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

The Cubs have a potentially outstanding offense, but much of that relies on Soto producing similar to his AAA numbers, Pie getting back on track, and Fukudome being a true force in the MLB. Could their offense be deadly? Sure. Soriano, DeRosa, Lee, Ramirez, and Fukudome could be the strongest top 5 in the league. Where it gets interesting is with Soto, Theriot, and Pie. They have a lot of question marks, and the team's offensive success could rely on them.

As for pitching, their bullpen is fantastic (whoever said it isn't hasn't followed it that well). Marmol is a stud, Wood is back on his usual dominant track, Dempster (yes, he'll be back in the bullpen) is not as bad of a closer as everyone believes, and Howry are a pretty damn good foundation. Not many, if any, bullpens have that strong of a core four.

Starting pitching should be fine. Zambrano is always good for 15 wins, and Lilly should bring in 13ish. Hill is strong, and Lieber is adequate at #4. Marshall/Marquis/Gallagher are sufficient at #5. Pitching is fine.

This team has the talent. The only question is can they stay healthy and produce as they should on paper? If they can do this, I see no reason why the Cubbies could not push for a title.

Are you a new fan? Don't forget Fontenot and Matt Murton!

 

[brett05]

Well, one comparison that has been made, has been to Adm Dunn due to HRs and strikeouts. All or nothing at the plate type players. Maybe that comes to be the case. Adam Dunn had value, but it was always diminished by the fact that he was that all or nothing guy at the plate with no real defensive position.

To be honest, if you tell me one of our guys will be another Adam Dunn, I would initially be disappointed. But f you told me he'd have over 400 HR's, certainly we wouldn't be disappointed. So if he can get to that level we'd be lucky.

But Adam Dunn as a middle infielder? Suddenly that sounds a lot more valuable.

If any spec becomes Adam Dunn you've done quite well

 

[brett05]

O/U on Wins

81.5

What are you guys picking?

Under...a lot to mesh and a lot to ask a young club. Not shocked if I'm wrong. I see 70-83 as the range

 

[CSF77]

I'm thinking 15 wins out of Lester and Arrieta. 12 from Hammel, 10 from Hendricks, 10 from the #5 spot and I feel it will be more than 1. 72 wins there. 10 from the pen. 82 wins.

What could break that is the Pen being weak and blowing leads but I believe the pen will be the strongest point on this team.

The biggest weakness will be run support. Now with Soler, Rizzo and Castro alone it should pick up alone. Add Bryant and Baez putting up plus WAR production then the dynamic changes.

 

[TL1961]

If any spec becomes Adam Dunn you've done quite well

And yet, I look at that as a disappointment. I guess because he seemed so one dimensional. But who would complain about 400 HRs?

 

[SilenceS]

Dunn played for some bad teams. It kind of made his homers void to people. If he was jacking the homerun a for say the Yankees, people would be sucking him off for his home runs.


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[DewsSox79]

And yet, I look at that as a disappointment. I guess because he seemed so one dimensional. But who would complain about 400 HRs?

Obp and power. Strikeouts are an out


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[DewsSox79]

Under...a lot to mesh and a lot to ask a young club. Not shocked if I'm wrong. I see 70-83 as the range

78.


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[SilenceS]

78.


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Reasonable estimate

 

[Boobaby1]

Reasonable estimate

As of right now, yes. There is still a lot of moves to be made. Barring injuries of course, and if the Cubs and Maddon can find table setters, this club is poised for an above .500 team IMO.

Judging by the end of the year, when Hendricks and Wada were a #2 and # 3 and the Cubs were playing good ball, now they are a #4 and #5 in the rotation. That is huge if you ask me.

Couple that with a Cincinnati Reds team that has traded off pitching, and the jury is still out on Milwaukee as to players like A-Ram and Braun, I can see the Cubs having much more of an impact in the teams they need to beat in the NL Central.

In fact, I think the Cubs will match up well with even Pittsburgh for once.

 

[TL1961]

The Cubs will win 83 games as currently constructed. That's my prediction. 10 game improvement. (So far)

 

[JosMin]

Reasonable estimate

..... for the number of wins we get through the first 78 games

 

[DewsSox79]

Reasonable estimate

81+ if specs don't flop in their first full season. It's such a hard call. They can win 70 they can win 90 that's the unknown factor with this team


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[Chief Walking Stick]

81+ if specs don't flop in their first full season. It's such a hard call. They can win 70 they can win 90 that's the unknown factor with this team


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OMG GO AWAI SOX TROLL!!! :-v

 

[brett05]

I'm thinking 15 wins out of Lester and Arrieta. 12 from Hammel, 10 from Hendricks, 10 from the #5 spot and I feel it will be more than 1. 72 wins there. 10 from the pen. 82 wins.

What could break that is the Pen being weak and blowing leads but I believe the pen will be the strongest point on this team.

The biggest weakness will be run support. Now with Soler, Rizzo and Castro alone it should pick up alone. Add Bryant and Baez putting up plus WAR production then the dynamic changes.

Your math comes out to 62 wins from the starters and 72 overall.

 

[brett05]

And yet, I look at that as a disappointment. I guess because he seemed so one dimensional. But who would complain about 400 HRs?

focus more on his career esp his career prior to the Sox

 

[Boobaby1]

Your math comes out to 62 wins from the starters and 72 overall.

10 is way too low for the bullpen. There are too many walk-offs, or tied games where the Cubs will end up getting the win. A little high on the front end starters IMO, and the bullpen is probably closer to 20.

And Dews is right, the pendulum swing could me massive either way.

I am not sure if the Cubs are getting a lot stronger, the Central is getting weaker, or both. But I am liking it. :beerbang: