https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/page/196/?d=7enhttps://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/how-the-cubs-playoff-hopes-tumbled-in-may-and-what-they-mean-r115/In a bold, innovative stroke, the 2023 Cubs got their June swoon out of the way in May. Thanks to the performance of the rest of the division, they aren't yet out of the race, but the Playoff Odds at various sites remind us how urgently they need a turnaround. Even at their early apotheosis,...115Thu, 01 Jun 2023 12:05:14 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/this-is-the-seiya-suzuki-who-was-promised-r114/Because of the odd circumstances of his first season and the lousy injury luck that opened his second, it took us far too long to see the real Seiya Suzuki on any kind of consistent basis. At last, it's happening, and we can start to discern the size and shape of his value in an MLB outfield....114Wed, 31 May 2023 12:09:36 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/five-hitters-the-cubs-could-target-with-the-number-13-overall-pick-r110/In the coming weeks, we’ll spend some time going in-depth on players whom the Cubs could target with their first pick in the 2023 Draft. They didn't get lucky in the lottery in December, so they'll pick 13th, but there should still be some interesting talent on the board at that time. We’ll...110Tue, 30 May 2023 14:18:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/what-a-marcus-stroman-extension-could-look-like-r113/Just when things seemed almost hopeless, Marcus Stroman might have saved the Cubs’ season. Their record is lousy, but Stroman is one argument for persisting in optimism. Let’s talk about what a contract extension might look like for him. Already this season, we’ve seen multiple reports that...113Tue, 30 May 2023 12:22:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/david-ross-and-the-peeps-in-the-chili-pot-r112/One year ago Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal wrote a column saying that firing Joe Girardi wouldn't solve the disappointing Phillies' problems. A few days later, the Phillies fired Girardi, and it immediately solved their problems. Firing David Ross won't solve the Cubs' problems, but, you know?  ...112Mon, 29 May 2023 12:23:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/will-the-cubs-bullpen-look-completely-different-in-a-week-r111/Though it's suddenly far from being their only flaw, the Cubs' bullpen has been a persistent problem this year. Three relievers currently pitching for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs could change that, and it's nearly time to give them their chance.   It's no secret that the Cubs' relief corps i...111Sun, 28 May 2023 12:20:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/jed-hoyer-is-not-getting-fired-before-david-ross-period-r107/Most Cubs fans agree that the early stages of this season have been disappointing. Increasingly, there have been calls for changes in baseball leadership for the team. Those aren't out of line, but we need to clarify a couple of things. A couple of weeks ago, after another close and winnable...107Sat, 27 May 2023 12:35:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/bad-luck-wasnt-the-culprit-in-kyle-hendrickss-rough-return-r108/A couple of softly-hit balls fell in, and the defense behind him wasn't what it needs to be. That said, the Cubs' erstwhile ace made too many mistakes Thursday night to excuse his loss on those bases. It would have been wildly unfair to expect vintage Kyle Hendricks on Thursday night. In his...108Fri, 26 May 2023 12:29:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/nygaard-mock-draft-v-10-r106/Mock Draft Season is upon us. We're still a solid seven weeks from having any clarity, but it's always fun to start to speculate. Last year's draft got crazy early. Even crazier than normal when you consider two pitchers went in the Top 7 and barely anyone saw a pitcher going in the Top 15. Othe...106Thu, 25 May 2023 20:20:57 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/christopher-morel-magic-and-what-he-needs-to-do-for-his-next-trick-r105/Folks…we need to talk about Christopher Morel.  Normally, when I preface a piece with that type of phrasing, it’s not a harbinger of positivity. I can think of at least two occasions where this was the case (and weirdly, they both involved San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer). But in...105Thu, 25 May 2023 11:59:06 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/this-time-the-four-seamer-is-working-for-marcus-stroman-r104/When the Cubs signed Marcus Stroman on the eve of the lockout in late 2021, they envisioned helping him reclaim the top of the strike zone with his four-seam fastball. In 2022, it didn't work. This year, though, that's changing. There's no full-scale reinvention happening here. Marcus Stroma...104Wed, 24 May 2023 12:25:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/consensus-mlb-draft-board-v2-r98/The Cubs enter the 2023 MLB Draft with the 19th most money to spend ($8,962,000) They hold three top 100 picks (13, 68, and 81). 2023 is one of the deeper draft classes in recent years. Let's take a look at some of the prospects available to teams in July. How to Use This Tool This is hope...98Tue, 23 May 2023 14:12:00 +0000