Could the Cubs finish 3rd?

[texascub]

While I would rather see the Cubs stay low in the rankings and collect the draft pick, I think at this point a 3rd place finish could be easily had. Everyone above us has gone .500 or less in the last 10 games while the Cubs have gone 7-3. How would everyone feel if we did finish 3rd, and how would that affect our offseason?

[mul21]

God I hope not. As painful as it is to see them play so poorly, I think it has to continue for Hendry to be able to see that a major overhaul is needed and that his "speed and defense" theory is total crap.

[Derwood]

a 3rd place finish would mean an extension for Baker and the front office thinking they are on the right track with the team, which they're not.

[Hosak8]

a 3rd place finish would mean an extension for Baker and the front office thinking they are on the right track with the team, which they're not.

 

So, a third place finish this season without Lee for the majority, without Wood for the entirety, and without Prior for the majority is on the wrong track?

 

Come on, I hate Dusty too, but some of these comments are ludicrous.

 

We could finish 3rd, despite having 2 *virtual* rookies in the lineup and Marmol, Hill, Rusch, and Sean Marshall in our rotation at any given time. That is hardly the "wrong direction".

 

No, I don't want Dusty extended. No, I don't like our current 25 man roster. No, I don't think Hendry is a competent GM. However, this could be much worse than it is.

[QcCubFan]

By 3rd what would our record be? 75-87? That's still a bad year.

[goonys evil twin]

a 3rd place finish would mean an extension for Baker and the front office thinking they are on the right track with the team, which they're not.

 

So, a third place finish this season without Lee for the majority, without Wood for the entirety, and without Prior for the majority is on the wrong track?

 

Come on, I hate Dusty too, but some of these comments are ludicrous.

 

 

However, this could be much worse than it is.

 

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/Claypool1/rick1.jpg

 

 

Yeah, it's the wrong track. Don't give me the excuses, show me the results. Short-term blips are one thing, but we're talking about a team that will go 4 straight years with a top 3-4 payroll in the NL and no 90 win season, plus back to back sub .500 seasons. I don't give a crap about those excuses, this is the wrong track.

[cubsjunky95]

Finishing third wouldn't really matter the only thing that matters is 1st or 2nd (if it gets you the wildcard) To me if you dont make the playoffs the season is a failure...almost doesn't count.

[d_money]

Finishing third wouldn't really matter the only thing that matters is 1st or 2nd (if it gets you the wildcard) To me if you dont make the playoffs the season is a failure...almost doesn't count.

 

Exactly. The current formula is not working. Jim has to adjust the pieces to make it work. I want to see some type of plan for next year. Seeing Neifi play makes me puke, he's not going to be around - so why is he here? (Jim)

[neely crenshaw]

we can not finish third. we are more likely to finsh last. this reminds of the .500 by such and such date threads. we are a very bad team with very young pitchers.

there are no pieces to shift around, this jim that you speak has built a 95 million dollar crap can...how can you even hope that he has any idea of what to shift around?

have you noticed that florida with all our young pitchers is 4 games out? while we spent big money to compete this year and we are 20 games under

[CubsWin]

While I would rather see the Cubs stay low in the rankings and collect the draft pick, I think at this point a 3rd place finish could be easily had. Everyone above us has gone .500 or less in the last 10 games while the Cubs have gone 7-3. How would everyone feel if we did finish 3rd, and how would that affect our offseason?

I really don't want the Cubs to starting winning meaningless games now. Even Hendry concedes that the Cubs are out of it. Its time to run the youngsters out there and assess talent for next season. I certainly don't want them playing a veteran line-up with the intention of purely trying to win. They need to do both assess young talent and play to win. But I believe in doing so, they will find it hard, not impossible, but certainly hard to move up in the standings.

 

By the end of this season, I would like to know as much as is possible about Hill, Marmol, Marshall, Guzman, Theriot, Fontenot, Cedeno as a 2B, Wuertz, Aardsma and possibly some others.

 

I would wait on Pie and EPatt. If we know they need at least one more season in the minors, why bring them up to assess them now?

 

But as far as winning goes, I want the highest draft pick possible.

[Rusch33]

Finishing third wouldn't really matter the only thing that matters is 1st or 2nd (if it gets you the wildcard) To me if you dont make the playoffs the season is a failure...almost doesn't count.

 

 

Then how are you a Cubs fan?

[Laura]

Finishing third wouldn't really matter the only thing that matters is 1st or 2nd (if it gets you the wildcard) To me if you dont make the playoffs the season is a failure...almost doesn't count.

 

 

Then how are you a Cubs fan?

 

The same question can be asked of anyone here ...

 

That's why people still care about how this season plays out. What plan does the Trib have?

 

I tend to be pessimistic, but others tend to be optimistic in that regard.

[cubsjunky95]

Finishing third wouldn't really matter the only thing that matters is 1st or 2nd (if it gets you the wildcard) To me if you dont make the playoffs the season is a failure...almost doesn't count.

 

 

Then how are you a Cubs fan?

 

Probably because I grew up in the Chicagoland area and the Cubs were always on WGN day in and day out. I think I'm like everyone on this board in that I love the Cubs win or lose.