05/05 CUBS (Lilly) @ Pittsburgh (Morton) 6:05 CDT, CSN+

[Irrelevant Dude]

I think an ugly losing season will result in a slashed payroll, personally. I'm already starting to hear "The Rickett family is cheaper than the McCaskeys" rumblings

Cutting payroll for the sake of cutting payroll isn't the answer, but I wouldn't be opposed to it as part of a longer-term plan. Mixing and matching veteran players isn't working, so if the Cubs continue to play poorly the rest of the season then why not start a mini-rebuilding phase while waiting for some of the restrictive contracts to expire?

[Sammy Sofa]

How many impossible stretches can there really be in this schedule? The NL sucks this year. What teams do you consider good? The Phillies, Cardinals, Giants, and Dodgers would probably be my top 4. I'm not sure any other team in the NL is even better than us. We're going to play like 40 games against really good teams.

 

Even that top 4 really isn't that awe inspiring outside of the Phillies. The NL is just bad.

[UMFan83]

It's really sad how good this team can look at times and how piss poor it can look at others.

 

It's the Pirates, for god sakes, not the 1927 Yankees.

 

Well, even a good team is going to look piss poor over the course of a 162 game season, and lose to bad teams.

 

Not that this is necessarily a good Cubs team.

 

the problem is that by far the cubs easiest part of the schedule is right now and almost over. We are going to be having way too many "impossible" stretches in the coming months. If we can't beat the pirates nats and astros how are we going to fare against the cards and phils?

 

A somewhat .500 team after playing this schedule makes me feel like we are dealing with an

85-90 loss team when all is said and done

 

How many impossible stretches can there really be in this schedule? The NL sucks this year. What teams do you consider good? The Phillies, Cardinals, Giants, and Dodgers would probably be my top 4. I'm not sure any other team in the NL is even better than us. We're going to play like 40 games against really good teams.

 

Fair point. I'm just saying the schedule we've played so far is almost all teams you should be beating up on.

 

We'll have to see how we're doing in 3 weeks after we get done playing this upcoming stretch

 

2 vs. COL

2 @ PHI

3 @ TEX

3 vs. LAD

3 vs. STL

 

Who knows we could be playing good ball and play .500 or slightly over in that stretch.

[Sammy Sofa]

So predictable

 

Then why bother?

Because I am a Cubs fan. Have been for well over 30 years. I want them to win as much as anyone else. It kills me to see them fail time and time again, yet I can't walk away. I blame my dad for inflicting me with the sickness.

 

Are you my long-lost brother, because we're the same.

 

Look, I know two of you will take this the wrong way, but it really comes across like you just generally don't like the team or being Cubs fans. It's like you prefer when things are going bad because it gives you an excuse to be as melodramatic and "woe is us" as possible. I obviously don't know either of you, but that's just how the posts come across. I'm not saying this to start drama or whatever; it's just something that keeps coming up and surely you've seen how so many people respond to your posts because of their tone and repeated bouts of self-loathing.

[chasinf5s]

If the Rickets came in and spent 90-100 million wisely, they could field a contender. I doubt they will truly house clean, after all the stands arent even filled now, it would only get worse.

[Sammy Sofa]

I think an ugly losing season will result in a slashed payroll, personally. I'm already starting to hear "The Rickett family is cheaper than the McCaskeys" rumblings

Cutting payroll for the sake of cutting payroll isn't the answer, but I wouldn't be opposed to it as part of a longer-term plan. Mixing and matching veteran players isn't working, so if the Cubs continue to play poorly the rest of the season then why not start a mini-rebuilding phase while waiting for some of the restrictive contracts to expire?

 

Yeah, there's definitely a huge difference between fielding a cheaper team due to more internal development and smarter signings and just slashing payroll to make more of a profit.

[erik316wttn]

I think an ugly losing season will result in a slashed payroll, personally. I'm already starting to hear "The Rickett family is cheaper than the McCaskeys" rumblings

 

They have been owners for 6 months. Even the McCaskeys took the Bears to 2 Super Bowls. I see nothing wrong with them cutting payroll, it has not done any good having a 150 million payroll.

 

I disagree.

 

It's not the mere fact that our payroll is $150 million (or whatever) as the reason that we haven't been living up to expectations; it's the fact that we've squandered $150 million.

 

it's not the amount being spent, it's how it's being spent. Slashing payroll only gives us less wiggle room and a bigger percentage of our payroll is tied up in some massive contracts (Z, Soriano).

[RedFlash]

So am I off base when I say that the window of opportunity to win with this core (Lee, ARam, Zambrano, Theriot, and Soriano) is prolly shut now?

[Sammy Sofa]

Theriot is not part of any "core."

 

Zambrano is only 28.

 

They've got Soriano for 4 more seasons, so who knows?

[Little Slide Rooter]

So I guess merely bad pitching isnt enough anymore. We have to face absolutely horrendous pitching to stand a chance. Cant wait to see pitcher TBD throw 8 shut out innings tomorrow.

[Little Slide Rooter]

So am I off base when I say that the window of opportunity to win with this core (Lee, ARam, Zambrano, Theriot, and Soriano) is prolly shut now?

 

The good thing about being a big money team is that the rebuilding process is a lot faster. Basically, we'll be building something around Soriano, Soto, and maybe Aramis. With Lilly and Lee more than likely gone after the year, thats a nice chunk of change to work with, although If prefer wait another year for Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez to become available.

[Sammy Sofa]

So am I off base when I say that the window of opportunity to win with this core (Lee, ARam, Zambrano, Theriot, and Soriano) is prolly shut now?

 

The good thing about being a big money team is that the rebuilding process is a lot faster. Basically, we'll be building something around Soriano, Soto, and maybe Aramis. With Lilly and Lee more than likely gone after the year, thats a nice chunk of change to work with, although If prefer wait another year for Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez to become available.

 

Prince is, I believe, a FA after this season, not next.

[RedFlash]

Theriot is not part of any "core."

 

Zambrano is only 28.

 

They've got Soriano for 4 more seasons, so who knows?

 

Well you are being silly. As long as Piniella and Hendry are here, Theriot IS a part of the Cubs core. Now if Piniella and Hendry happens to no longer here, then that's another story, but until then he is a part of the core.

[chasinf5s]

I really think change has to start at the top and Hendry and Lou have to go. As each games goes by, Lou just looks more and more lost. The game has past his managing style long ago. Yes there was 2008 but like those spectacular M's teams, he was out managed and beat when it counted most. It's also very sad to hear the manager of the team say "well i dont know, what do you want me to do". I personally think this team has quit playing hard for him. Hendry's bad signing and trades far outweigh Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. He traded Nolasco, Pinto and i forgot the other guy for slappy, signed a mental midget in Bradley and then spent all last off season trying to fix his mistake and screwing the 2010 team over. He kept Neifi Perez around and has a fetish for mediocre IF's. He gives a ton of money to Grabow but didn't take Capps, seriously It goes on and on..

 

and the worst trade of all, getting rid of Jason Marquis for a player we cut 2 weeks into the season so that total piece of crap Shark could be called up. So in affect, they traded Marquis for Shark

Edited May 6, 2010 by chasinf5s

[TruffleShuffle]

Theriot is not part of any "core."

 

Zambrano is only 28.

 

They've got Soriano for 4 more seasons, so who knows?

 

Well you are being silly. As long as Piniella and Hendry are here, Theriot IS a part of the Cubs core. Now if Piniella and Hendry happens to no longer here, then that's another story, but until then he is a part of the core.

 

if theriot is part of the core then why isn't dempster, fukudome, lilly, marmol, etc?

[erik316wttn]

Theriot is not part of any "core."

 

Zambrano is only 28.

 

They've got Soriano for 4 more seasons, so who knows?

 

Well you are being silly. As long as Piniella and Hendry are here, Theriot IS a part of the Cubs core. Now if Piniella and Hendry happens to no longer here, then that's another story, but until then he is a part of the core.

 

if theriot is part of the core then why isn't dempster, fukudome, lilly, marmol, etc?

 

Fukudome can walk after his contract is up. He's not anything special for the amount of his contract. Demp is good, but not worth what he's making. Lilly I'd like to keep, and Marmol should be locked up long-term.

[Sammy Sofa]

Theriot is not part of any "core."

 

Zambrano is only 28.

 

They've got Soriano for 4 more seasons, so who knows?

 

Well you are being silly. As long as Piniella and Hendry are here, Theriot IS a part of the Cubs core. Now if Piniella and Hendry happens to no longer here, then that's another story, but until then he is a part of the core.

 

Uh, no, that's not "being silly." The core of a team are the players most critical to the team's success. Theriot is not that kind of player.

[Sammy Sofa]

Fukudome can walk after his contract is up. He's not anything special for the amount of his contract. Demp is good, but not worth what he's making. Lilly I'd like to keep, and Marmol should be locked up long-term.

 

Why is Dempster not worth what he's making?

[TruffleShuffle]

Theriot is not part of any "core."

 

Zambrano is only 28.

 

They've got Soriano for 4 more seasons, so who knows?

 

Well you are being silly. As long as Piniella and Hendry are here, Theriot IS a part of the Cubs core. Now if Piniella and Hendry happens to no longer here, then that's another story, but until then he is a part of the core.

 

if theriot is part of the core then why isn't dempster, fukudome, lilly, marmol, etc?

Fukudome can walk after his contract is up. He's not anything special for the amount of his contract. Demp is good, but not worth what he's making. Lilly I'd like to keep, and Marmol should be locked up long-term.

 

everybody can walk when their contract is up. lee can walk after this season. obviously i consider lee much more of a "core" player than fukudome because he's been around longer, but if theriot (starter since 2007) is a core player then why isn't fukudome, dempster, lilly, etc.? it makes no sense.

[chasinf5s]

Fukudome can walk after his contract is up. He's not anything special for the amount of his contract. Demp is good, but not worth what he's making. Lilly I'd like to keep, and Marmol should be locked up long-term.

 

Why is Dempster not worth what he's making?

 

I agree with you, He has been very good since he changed back over to a starter with over 200 innings both years...

[RedFlash]

Theriot is not part of any "core."

 

Zambrano is only 28.

 

They've got Soriano for 4 more seasons, so who knows?

 

Well you are being silly. As long as Piniella and Hendry are here, Theriot IS a part of the Cubs core. Now if Piniella and Hendry happens to no longer here, then that's another story, but until then he is a part of the core.

 

if theriot is part of the core then why isn't dempster, fukudome, lilly, marmol, etc?

Fukudome can walk after his contract is up. He's not anything special for the amount of his contract. Demp is good, but not worth what he's making. Lilly I'd like to keep, and Marmol should be locked up long-term.

 

everybody can walk when their contract is up. lee can walk after this season. obviously i consider lee much more of a "core" player than fukudome because he's been around longer, but if theriot (starter since 2007) is a core player then why isn't fukudome, dempster, lilly, etc.? it makes no sense.

 

Why don't you go ask Jim Hendry that question, cause I don't have clue. I didn't say I believe is a core player, just saying the impression I get from Hendry regarding Theriot.

[TruffleShuffle]

i get the impression they play theriot there because he's cheap and adequate.

[Sammy Sofa]

i get the impression they play theriot there because he's cheap and adequate.

 

Exactly. Regardless of what Hendry or Lou think of him, Theriot is not a core player to this team. He simply doesn't have the talent or ability.

[RedFlash]

i get the impression they play theriot there because he's cheap and adequate.

 

Exactly. Regardless of what Hendry or Lou think of him, Theriot is not a core player to this team. He simply doesn't have the talent or ability.

 

I never said he was, but judging what Hendry and the last two managers thought of him, may me believe they think he is a core player.

[SouthSideRyan]

So I guess merely bad pitching isnt enough anymore. We have to face absolutely horrendous pitching to stand a chance. Cant wait to see pitcher TBD throw 8 shut out innings tomorrow.

 

I hope we get to face more shitty pitchers like Dan Haren.

 

The after-game thread posts are even worse than the knee-jerk during game posts. It's hilarious