IST: Chicago Cubs (37-46) at Washington Nationals (46-38)

[dabynsky]

I know that. But, you dont get a different vibe from the players? Im just trying to look at the brightside. I just want us to be half way relevant come August.

Yes the team is playing well now and I love that it is coming from guys that are likely to be around for a while. Hell even Ruggiano and Valbuena have arb years and probably will stick around with Castro, Rizzo, Arrieta. That said I am bracing for a free fall after the deadline like the past two years. Reasons for optimism, but frankly we had reasons for optimism last year as well.

 

[chibears55]

Yes the team is playing well now and I love that it is coming from guys that are likely to be around for a while. Hell even Ruggiano and Valbuena have arb years and probably will stick around with Castro, Rizzo, Arrieta. That said I am bracing for a free fall after the deadline like the past two years. Reasons for optimism, but frankly we had reasons for optimism last year as well.

I dont see much of a free fall this year like the past 2 , unless players go into slumps..

The only player that helping the team win I see moving is Hammel, I just dont see teams all that willing to give up what the cubs are asking for to get samardzija otherwise I think hed be gone by now.

Villanueva schierholtz barney sweeney
Their production to date wont be much of a lost and could easily be matched or improved on by replacements..

I just dont see much of a roster chanfe in 2nd half unless its to bring up the top kids in baez bryant and alcantara

 

[dabynsky]

I understand reasons for optimism, but last year key guys slumped bad after the deadline. I am hopeful that it won't happen, but I am not going to sit here and predict that it won't based on available information right now.

 

[TL1961]

OT from the game itself today, but.....

WGN signed off with Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful, while showing clips from all around Washington D.C. - Vietnam Memorial, Korean, WWII, etc, along with shots from the ballpark of the flag unfurling, fans waving flags, etc.

I really thought it was very well done. Nice work by WGN!

 

[beckdawg]

I wouldn't be surprised if they are both buyers and sellers at the deadline. They need to add OF help and the offseason isn't going to be particularly deep there. Originally when Hammel was off to a decent start I had thought they might trade him for a Arrieta like OF that they could hopefully get on track. However, given how well he's pitched you're probably looking at 1 really good prospect(eg top 50 prospect).

I'm not sure what's out there and they could possibly trade during the off season. However, given Rizzo's success it might be worth considering trading Vogelbach + stuff for a solid outfielder because even if you project Bryant or Alcantara to the OF you're still talking 2-3 years on Almora and Schwarber and Soler hasn't really stayed healthy for long stretches. Ruggiano, Sweeney and Lake wouldn't be a terrible 3-5 but you really need something there going forward especially with the presumable loss of Nate.

By trading at the deadline you set yourself up for FA that if you don't get a guy you have fallback options. Arguably, you could send Lake back down to the minors for some more work even if they did go HAM on Melky and Span/Rasmus. The downside is you're probably paying thru the nose for a bat this time of year.

 

[CSF77]

They would be better off moving Bryant to RF.

Lake I'm not sure ever evolves into a quality hitter.

Ruggiano is a ok cheap producer.

That leaves CF and I'm still in the move Alcantara to CF boat.

3B they have 2 years of control with Valbuena.

All they have to do is bring Bryant, Baez and Alcantara up. Replace Olt, Barney and Schierholtz.

That is moving in the right direction.

 

[dabynsky]

Alcantara we might get to see this month, but I am pretty sure we will see this year. Bryant and Baez I would be shocked to see at this point. Next May-September could be a huge infusion of talent with Baez, Bryant and if he could stay healthy Soler.

 

[SilenceS]

Soler is back with the Smokies tonight. Also, the free fall may have began. lol

 

[SilenceS]

Another run, 6 to 0

 

[SilenceS]

7-0 Nationals. I bet their players were glad the trade happened last night.

 

[beckdawg]

Soler is back with the Smokies tonight. Also, the free fall may have began. lol

If you're wanting them to sign people this off season it's honestly probably a good idea they did the trade sooner rather than later. The had crept up into that 10ish range in terms of draft picks which means they were risking losing their first round pick. And given they have such a large pool of money going into the off season you'd really prefer to have them giving up 2nd/3rd round picks. Sadly though if they are giving up 2nd/3rd round picks they are probably limited in their pool flexibility next year and may struggle to sign certain top prospects. Might be really nice if the Sox decided to trade Lester thus killing any chance of a QO for him.

 

[beckdawg]

7-0 Nationals. I bet their players were glad the trade happened last night.

Well this was Shark's turn in the rotation right.... i mean them not scoring would have happened anyways

 

[chibears55]

Well this was Shark's turn in the rotation right.... i mean them not scoring would have happened anyways

Yea, it was more likely they were gonna lose this game anyway

Instead of losing 2-0 or 4-2, their getting their ass whooped

 

[SilenceS]

If you're wanting them to sign people this off season it's honestly probably a good idea they did the trade sooner rather than later. The had crept up into that 10ish range in terms of draft picks which means they were risking losing their first round pick. And given they have such a large pool of money going into the off season you'd really prefer to have them giving up 2nd/3rd round picks. Sadly though if they are giving up 2nd/3rd round picks they are probably limited in their pool flexibility next year and may struggle to sign certain top prospects. Might be really nice if the Sox decided to trade Lester thus killing any chance of a QO for him.

From what I read, Lester wont talk contract during the season. I dont see the Cubs doing a trade for him if they couldnt extend him as part of the trade.

 

[beckdawg]

From what I read, Lester wont talk contract during the season. I dont see the Cubs doing a trade for him if they couldnt extend him as part of the trade.

Oh no I didn't mean the cubs would trade for him. I meant the Sox would trade him similar to Garza and if you do so in the last year of a contract you can attach a QO on a player.

 

[chibears55]

From what I read, Lester wont talk contract during the season. I dont see the Cubs doing a trade for him if they couldnt extend him as part of the trade.

Dont see the cubs trading any of their top prospects now anyways, and especially as you said without a commitment of extending as part of deal.

I think if they truly want lester going forward, they wait til off season when he a FA.

 

[nwfisch]

NOSE DIVE

 

[SilenceS]

9-0. Should be 10-0 but the Nationals took mercy on us.

 

[SilenceS]

11-0. Should be 13 or 14-0 but the Nats are only going one base at a time now. lol

 

[JZsportsfan]

This is going to be a long rest of the season....