IST: Cardinals at Cubs

[Fred Garvin]

Can't wait for the softball questions on the postgame. "Rossi...you came up a little short today on the scoreboard...but how good does it feel to still be in 1st place and in control of the division still'?

 

[Fred Garvin]

The 2020 Chicago Corpses.

 

[CSF77]

At least we have Darvish. About it.

 

[CSF77]

I believe that the simple reality is that the Cubs can not be taken serious until Hendricks is the 3rd best starter on the team I was hoping with Chatwood's early showing that we might have struck gold. But figured. Healthy and you don't want him. When you want him then he goes through injury.

Oh well. That is what I believe is the major issue going on here. Sure they will have to trade some talent but that should be a return goal.

 

[CSF77]

They just DFA:ed Souza. No word on what they are going to do with Alozay and Miller.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

They just DFA:ed Souza. No word on what they are going to do with Alozay and Miller.

Lol my dad was talking about Souza sucking in game 1 and wondering why he was on the team. I saw he got DFA in between games of the DH

 

[CSF77]

From the Cubs site:

Over the first 16 games of this season, Chicago's rotation went 12-3 with a 2.55 ERA, which was the second-lowest mark in the Majors. In the next 22 games, leading up to Saturday's twin bill, the rotation had gone a collective 6-8 with a 5.15 ERA, and 2-8 with a 6.48 ERA without Darvish's stellar starts.

Lester has an 8.55 ERA in four starts during that stretch, while Alec Mills has a 7.66 ERA in five outings. The Cubs need them to get back on track, while the team considers its options the next time the need for a No. 5 comes around (Thursday vs. the Reds).

“I'm here to help the team in whatever spot they need me, you know?” Alzolay said. “For this year, it doesn't matter if it's out of the bullpen or a spot-start like I've been doing lately. Like I said, that's my mindset right now.”

Alzolay remains the top choice -- with righty Tyson Miller also an option after being recalled between games Saturday, as the club designated Steven Souza Jr. for assignment. Then, there is the question of whether the Cubs would consider promoting lefty Brailyn Marquez, their No. 1 prospect. It might not be out of the question before the season ends.



This last bit is just a muse by the writer but it is not stupid. Marquez has ace quality stuff and the current environment is ideal to see how that plays against the top tier.

 

[CSF77]

Lol my dad was talking about Souza sucking in game 1 and wondering why he was on the team. I saw he got DFA in between games of the DH

He was really good before his injury. The Cubs would have never got him if not for that. I wouldn't call him done as most injurys take 18 months to fully recover and he might be still in that phase.

 

[CSF77]

But on the rotation Lester knows how to pitch with less. Mills at this point is a innings eater.

Sadly they would be better off being bad where they could push Alozay and consider promoting Marquez to gear up for 2021. As is they have to play for this year and those 2 will get pushed aside for Chatwood and Q.

 

[DrGonzo]

I'm no expert which is why I rarely post in this forum (where casual fans are not treated with great kindness). But I don't get the "blow it up and rebuild" vibe at this point.

If Baez and/or Bryant start hitting closer to their career averages, either Chatwood and/or Quintana get healthy, and the pen can stay patched together they could roll into the post-season as the kind of underdogs no one is exactly scared of but no one is looking past either.

I'm not sleeping on this team. Shit, what else am I supposed to do at this point, get excited about the Bears?

 

[SilenceS]

I'm no expert which is why I rarely post in this forum (where casual fans are not treated with great kindness). But I don't get the "blow it up and rebuild" vibe at this point.

If Baez and/or Bryant start hitting closer to their career averages, either Chatwood and/or Quintana get healthy, and the pen can stay patched together they could roll into the post-season as the kind of underdogs no one is exactly scared of but no one is looking past either.

I'm not sleeping on this team. Shit, what else am I supposed to do at this point, get excited about the Bears?

Nationals showed last year no one should sleep on anyone. Also, I do think Bryant will be odd man out with them focusing around Baez and happ.

 

[DrGonzo]

Nationals showed last year no one should sleep on anyone. Also, I do think Bryant will be odd man out with them focusing around Baez and happ.

The way Bryant is playing it could be like addition by subtraction. I'm not exactly sure how arbitration works though. Can they just decline to make an offer and he becomes an FA?

 

[SilenceS]

The way Bryant is playing it could be like addition by subtraction. I'm not exactly sure how arbitration works though. Can they just decline to make an offer and he becomes an FA?

Na, he still is trade bait. They wouldn’t release a guy like him. We will see what happens but they going to say they don’t have the money and the happ has played the past season or so. It’s going to be something to do. Rizzo club option is probably too good to decline

 

[CSF77]

This year is not over but the team flaws are glaring and they need to shed Q and Chatwood to begin. They really need a #2 starter also. Lester is done and giving him the 10 mil buyout is the correct choice. FA wise. I would go with Ray as his value is down right now but will be at the right age and should be able to be fixed. Walker is another option.

Having Alozay and Marquez as the 4-5 is the correct decision for next year.

This year they have to get Q and Chatwood healthy. Until then it is just going to get ugly.

I fully expect the Cubs to get in. But how deep really depends on if Q and Chatwood come back dominating.

 

[CSF77]

Na, he still is trade bait. They wouldn’t release a guy like him. We will see what happens but they going to say they don’t have the money and the happ has played the past season or so. It’s going to be something to do. Rizzo club option is probably too good to decline

I agree with this. The issue is that they don't have a 3B If they target Simmons and move Javy to 3B and upgrade 2B it could prove to be a good choice.

 

[TL1961]

The Cubs will rue the day they let Bryant go.

 

[jooo83]

It's hard to watch Lester this season.

 

[jooo83]

The way Bryant is playing it could be like addition by subtraction. I'm not exactly sure how arbitration works though. Can they just decline to make an offer and he becomes an FA?

Owners can do whatever they want with their money, but any team that would pay Bryant 200-300 million or more is nuts.

 

[TL1961]

I do not need to see ESPN talking to a player who is on the field while the game is being played

what the living fuck

 

[Diehardfan]

How many hitting coaches have the Cubs gone through with this bunch.....3 or 4 maybe? Time to own up to the fact that it's not the coachs. This group has always been some of the most undisiplined hitters in Cub history. They swing at almost anything, so much so that opponents know they don't have to throw strikes get the Cubs out....the Cubs are more than willing to get themselves out. They managed to get one ring.....damn lucky they got it when they did.