Cubs "Team to Beat" in NL Central

[killthegoat06]

Nice article from SI.com

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/john_donovan/12/13/cubs.notes/index.html

[Post Count Padder]

Are people ever gonna stop insisting our bullpen is a problem?

[jersey cubs fan]

The keys are Soto and Pie. Assuming both get the starting nod, if they can give the Cubs something close to the average level of production at their respective positions, they should be able to handle the central, as long as most everybody else at least stays level. Fukudome probably isn't going to be a tremendous improvement over what they got out of RF last year, but it should be an improvement nonetheless.

 

Pie clearly has the tougher task. The average CF production is signficantly better than the average C production, not to mention much better than what Pie has shown in the majors. Even if he eventually turns out to be a bust though, he may be able to at least flirt with the .273/.335/.427 line NL CFers put up last year. Although if Soto manages that or better, then they can probably get away with Pie going .256/.318/.393, the 2007 average line for NL catchers, and still win the division.

 

SS is likely to be bottom of the barrel again, unless Cedeno gets the nod and reaches his potential, or they make a move. But I think they can get away with one black hole. Last year's 3 black holes, coupled with some disappointing mediocrity in RF is what sunk the lineup. The rest of the crew just isn't good enough to makeup for those issues.

 

I still think they need one more significant improvement to solidify their position at the top of the division, and possibly the NL.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/2004/0405_large.jpg

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

This line was great..

 

Fukudome, alone, doesn't guarantee the Cubs a second straight title. They still have Ryan Theriot at shortstop

[XZero771679666304]

http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/2004/0405_large.jpg

 

You didn't have to do that.

 

 

:evil:

[Roast]

http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/2004/0405_large.jpg

Meanie-bopper :evil: :evil:

Edited December 13, 2007 by brinoch
Inappropriate language.

[Sammy Sofa]

http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/2004/0405_large.jpg

Bottomhole :evil: :evil:

 

Easy there.

[Drew Doughty]

http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/2004/0405_large.jpg

Meany-bopper :evil: :evil:

=D>

Edited December 13, 2007 by brinoch
Inappropriate language.

[Keener98]

Isnt it a little early to be declaring who the teams to beat are?

[Andy]

Isnt it a little early to be declaring who the teams to beat are?

I think it's fair to say that the Cubs are the best team in the Central as of this moment, and I think it's also fair to say that could change before April.

[jersey cubs fan]

A bullpen can ONLY go as far as the closer will take it.

 

How so? The Cubs had a mediocre closer last year and the bullpen was perfectly fine.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Meany-bopper?

[brinoch]

Meany-bopper?

 

When you break the language rules I get to pick the lamest possible replacement insult to make you look like a doofus. Oh, and you get a warning and might get banned.

[Ender]

While the Cubs are probably the team to beat in the NL Central (I mean they are defending division champs and all), that article is putrid. I'd be embarrassed if that had my name on it.

[TruffleShuffle]

the team that wins the nl central will be the team that has the least degree of incompetence and ineptitude from its front office and ballplayers. sadly, this may be the cubs, which is really saying something.

[Coach C]

Are people ever gonna stop insisting our bullpen is a problem?

 

Eh, the closer is what probably concerns me a little bit. I'm also a bit concerned how Marmol will do, considering seeing his PECOTA stat line.

[Roast]

Meany-bopper?

 

When you break the language rules I get to pick the lamest possible replacement insult to make you look like a doofus. Oh, and you get a warning and might get banned.

 

He speaks the truth.

 

 

Anyway - I apologize to anyone I offended. I thought it was clear I was joking but either way I broke the language rule i guess, So my bad. Won't happen again.

[RazzinGTO]

http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/2004/0405_large.jpg

Meany-bopper :evil: :evil:

=D>

 

Wow that was something I didn't need to be reminded of. Anyone got that cover page with the Cubs "potential" starting rotation that year?

 

Remember the pictures of Maddux, Clement, Zambrano, Wood, and Prior? Oh what could have been but never was.

 

Since then....no preseason rankings mean anything to me.

[David]

The closer isn't even the most important role in the bullpen.

 

Most overrated "position" in baseball.

[Rob]

The closer isn't even the most important role in the bullpen.

 

Most overrated "position" in baseball.

 

Leadoff hitter is up there too.

[David]

The closer isn't even the most important role in the bullpen.

 

Most overrated "position" in baseball.

 

Leadoff hitter is up there too.

 

 

Yea.. 1a and 1b as far as I'm concerned.

[Banedon]

The closer isn't even the most important role in the bullpen.

 

Most overrated "position" in baseball.

 

Leadoff hitter is up there too.

 

Agreed, but I still wanna see Soriano moved down....

[Clem Fandango]

I think whoever wins the NL Central is going to be the team who ends up with the best record in that division.

 

[/McCarver]

[AllStarMe]

Well, by definition the defending division champion is the "team to beat". I think the Cubs stand a good chance at repeating that even if they stood pat right now. Advancing in the playoffs is still another story, however. It's been pointed out that Pie and SOTO are the biggest x factors, and if Felix can develop even a modicum of patience he can help the team a good deal more. Our defense looks admirable, and our SP should reap some benefits. I'm expecting big things from Rich Hill, and Z and Lilly should round out a nice 1-3.

 

Our divisional rivals don't terrify me all that much, though we'll be worrying about the Brew Crew as long as Prince and Braun are at their corners, but I hoping like crap that with all the defense work he's doing in the offseason. he completely forgets how to hit. They spent a spitload of money on relievers, which as such a volatile commodity I hope blows up in their faces. St. Louis has two black holes on the left side of their infield, though Pujols is just so damn good he can carry a team for stretches at a time. Houston seems to be making a run for it, cashing in all their chips for a declining Tejada (though he may love that short LF porch) and a particularly inconsistent though talented closer. The Reds could be interesting, especially if they land Bedard, but I still have to think this is our division to lose.

 

Come on Jim, get us a REAL SS and make us a bona-fide juggernaut!