How do you feel about the Cubs now that April is over?

[Captain Obvious]

Simply answer the question.

Here is how I feel about the team:

I don't think there is much hope for us. However, I do want to see Soriano, Castro, Garza, Marshall, and Marmol do well. I want to see BJax and JJax. I really want Cashner and Wells to get healthy so we can see them pitch. Mostly, I want to see Prince Fielder a Cub.

I think there are a lot of positive signs for this team going forward with how Garza has pitched, with how Castro has hit, with how Soriano has managed to slug his opponents into fear. I think that we're pretty much screwed with Dempster.

Dempster turns 34 this week. I think that we all knew that the back end of this deal would kinda suck and it really is. I would love for us to try to move him. While he has been really unlucky, his slider, what was his best pitch has turned into one of his worst. His fastball has been god awful this year too.

It's nice to see that Z and Garza are able to perform. Kind of funny, considering how the off season went and what people were saying about both of them. I think that in the bullpen, Marshall and Marmol being amazing is no surprise to anyone. However, I would like to see Russell back in the bullpen. He actually pitched really well in the bullpen, which is the exact opposite of what he has done in three starts.

My biggest disappointment is of course, Pena. He has just played bad. I am guessing that he got injured in that game vs. AZ where he got hit in the hand and unfortunately, I was there. I'm not all that surprised that Colvin is doing terrible, but it's not like he has been given a chance, since he has faced a ton of LHP this year. Byrd has surprised me a bit with how much dick he has sucked. I didn't know Byrd's could suck a dick the way Marlon has.

But, the bright spot is of course Castro. As much as this pains me to say it, Barney has also performed extremely well. I can't stand him. I think that Fukudome is definitely looking good and with the way he has gotten his great stats, I think he should have a really nice year. I'm shocked at how well Baker has hit righty's and while I don't expect that to hold up, it doesn't really help Pena that Baker and Barney are playing so well.

How do you guys feel about the team? What are your thoughts?

 

[Jntg4]

Rotation: Want Cash Money and Wells back now!
Bullpen: Still loving Kerry Wood and Samardzija's been great lately!
Catcher: Geo's starting slow and somehow Hill has an HR!
First Base: At least it will be better at this position next year!
Second Base: Barney for Rookie of the Year!
Shortstop: Castro hitting great!
Third Base: Ramirez is getting a lot of hits, but need more HR!
Left Field: Soriano!
Center Field: Though Byrd hasn't been tall that bad lately, call up Brett Jackson now!
Right Field: Kosuke doing great, but get Colvin some AB's vs. RHP so he can get back to last year!

Basically, there are positives and negatives all over the place and I want to see J/BJax.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

I don't feel great about the team but I also wouldn't count us out.

I like Big Z and Garza so once Cashner and Wells come back, I'll actually like our rotation again. Besides Dempster...that guy is garbage and won't be improving. But he can feel free to prove me wrong.

I can still see Pena having 20 HR. Why? I don't really know..he just has to.

Castro is awesome of course and Barney has been a nice surprise because I was not looking forward to Dewitt starting. Let's hope Soriano can keep up the power.

 

[X]

I feel much better than I thought I would a month ago. Not because the Cubs have impressed me at all, but b/c the rest of the division sucks soooo bad.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

we still suck dick w/ RISP

soriano is hitting pretty well...which is a good sign

castro and a ram are not doing too bad

our pitching is a little iffy....but garza has looked pretty good so far

i hope pena wasnt a waste of money..because thats what it seems like to me so far

 

[SouthTXCubbie]

I really wish the starting rotation would have consistent quality starts.

 

[AddisonStation]

The are two problems that need to be fixed IMO are the starting pitching and power.

Gotta get more power. I'd like to think that A-Ram and Pena will start hitting some bombs but who knows....

 

[HeavyD]

All and All im optimistic about our chances in this so far weak division.

Barney, Castro, Baker, Sori all playing well. I think we need to make the quick decision on what to do with Pena. We are paying him big money to play like shit while Jeff Baker can fill that spot and crush the ball the way he has.

I dont know why everyone is giving hell to Ramirez for not hitting for power. He is hitting a well over .100 more then he was last year. Correct me if i'm wrong but historically dude seems to bat around .200 in april. He is batting .295 as of today.

Once we get wells and cashner back I think we can do some damage.

 

[AddisonStation]

All and All im optimistic about our chances in this so far weak division.

Barney, Castro, Baker, Sori all playing well. I think we need to make the quick decision on what to do with Pena. We are paying him big money to play like shit while Jeff Baker can fill that spot and crush the ball the way he has.

I dont know why everyone is giving hell to Ramirez for not hitting for power. He is hitting a well over .100 more then he was last year. Correct me if i'm wrong but historically dude seems to bat around .200 in april. He is batting .295 as of today.

Once we get wells and cashner back I think we can do some damage.

This is Aram's lowest HR total in April since 2003.

Im not saying he won't have a good year but it'd have been nice if he could have cracked a couple more in April.

Also, writing off Pena this early is an overreaction.

 

[HeavyD]

Also, writing off Pena this early is an overreaction.

Not at all, you bat .159 after the first month and are making that much money you need to sit until you can prove you can actually hit the ball.

He is a career .239 hitter, even if he gets better it wont be by much. Rent-A-Carlos was a big freaking mistake.

 

[X]

Not at all, you bat .159 after the first month and are making that much money you need to sit until you can prove you can actually hit the ball.

He is a career .239 hitter, even if he gets better it wont be by much. Rent-A-Carlos was a big freaking mistake.

Meh, his glove alone is worth $6M...probably saved us 3-5 more Castro errors in the first month.

 

[AddisonStation]

Not at all, you bat .159 after the first month and are making that much money you need to sit until you can prove you can actually hit the ball.

He is a career .239 hitter, even if he gets better it wont be by much. Rent-A-Carlos was a big freaking mistake.

Yeah... He is really going to prove he can hit by riding the bench.

 

[HeavyD]

Yeah... He is really going to prove he can hit by riding the bench.

He certainly isn't proving it by being a daily player. Put him in 1 game of every 3 till he shows us something. Pinch hit opportunities when it doesn't matter what happens.

Even riding the bench players can get an at bat a game

 

[daddies3angels]

I expect the team to be around what they are now...around .500....they will prolly get 2 or 3 over at some point and prolly 5 or 6 under at a point. I thought the Big 3 SP would be better. Barney huge surprise....Castro looking great...need more HR for Cubs though. only 21 and 10 came from Sori

 

[AddisonStation]

He certainly isn't proving it by being a daily player. Put him in 1 game of every 3 till he shows us something. Pinch hit opportunities when it doesn't matter what happens.

Even riding the bench players can get an at bat a game

True he isn't but you signed him for big money and he plays solid D at first. He's hopefully going to start hitting for power soon and everyone will stop bitching. He's not the first player ever to have a bad first month.

 

[X]

After the top half of the first inning in May...I can safely say I liked them better in April.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

gonna be a long season

 

[The Bandit]

Pros-Castro, Barney, Kosuke, Z, Garza, Ramirez, Shark, Marmol,Soriano
Cons-Ramirez(Power), Pena, Cash, Wells, Wood, Byrd, Soto but hes doing better, bits and pieces of the bullpen, and lastly Ryan Dumpster I mean Dempster....

Fact is that Ramirez has showed no power so far, Pena the same way, Cash and Wells are hurt, Garza has been unlucky but still by far our best pitcher so far. Kosuke is hitting well, Byrd is struggling so far, Castro has been amazing, Barney has earned that spot in the lineup, Z is pitching great, Dumpster is pitching like a dumpster, Not a fan of Coleman or Russell though