Cubs name Mike Quade Manager

[CubColtPacer]

No point in spending big money on a manager in order to manage a team that probably won't be able to contend next season.

 

I know this is popular sentiment but there is really no reason this team can't contend for the division in 2011.

There's a lot to be done. They're not particularly good at anything, besides quality starts.

 

The only entire component they were horrible in was bullpen though. And the below average offense was dragged down by 2 positions last year (2B and 1B). Both of those positions were awful last year. One of them they've upgraded to be very close to average during the season, and the other one they have the ability to turn from a major weakness into a major strength this offseason. Every other position was above average to great and if they keep Fukudome all of them would be projected to be above average again next year.

 

They're definitely going to need a couple breaks. They'll need to not have everything go wrong with the young pitching as what happened to the bullpen this year and they'll need some decent starting pitching health. But they definitely have a shot and they're not nearly as far away as it might initially appear when looking at the roster player by player.

[KingCubsFan]

No point in spending big money on a manager in order to manage a team that probably won't be able to contend next season.

 

I know this is popular sentiment but there is really no reason this team can't contend for the division in 2011.

There's a lot to be done. They're not particularly good at anything, besides quality starts.

 

As bad as this division is they really don't need to "do" much in terms of how the team is constructed right now. Adding someone like Dunn would go a long way.

Dunn would be a good start, but he's not going to make us a 90 win team. He doesn't do anything to a pitching staff that was one of the worst in the league.

[daske17]

The only entire component they were horrible in was bullpen though. And the below average offense was dragged down by 2 positions last year (2B and 1B). Both of those positions were awful last year. One of them they've upgraded to be very close to average during the season, and the other one they have the ability to turn from a major weakness into a major strength this offseason. Every other position was above average to great and if they keep Fukudome all of them would be projected to be above average again next year.

 

They're definitely going to need a couple breaks. They'll need to not have everything go wrong with the young pitching as what happened to the bullpen this year and they'll need some decent starting pitching health. But they definitely have a shot and they're not nearly as far away as it might initially appear when looking at the roster player by player.

 

Not to quibble but 3B and LF weren't doing us any favors in the offense department either.

[Sammy Sofa]

No point in spending big money on a manager in order to manage a team that probably won't be able to contend next season.

 

I know this is popular sentiment but there is really no reason this team can't contend for the division in 2011.

There's a lot to be done. They're not particularly good at anything, besides quality starts.

 

As bad as this division is they really don't need to "do" much in terms of how the team is constructed right now. Adding someone like Dunn would go a long way.

Dunn would be a good start, but he's not going to make us a 90 win team. He doesn't do anything to a pitching staff that was one of the worst in the league.

 

The starting pitching was decidedly average. I have no idea why you think it's one of the worst in the league. If you're lumping in the bullpen, fine, but they have a plethora of arms throughout their system that they can use instead of spending money on relievers. Focus on signing Dunn and acquiring a decent starting pitcher and they can easily be competitive next season.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Not to quibble but 3B and LF weren't doing us any favors in the offense department either.

Except for the fact that LF wasn't that bad.

[CubColtPacer]

The only entire component they were horrible in was bullpen though. And the below average offense was dragged down by 2 positions last year (2B and 1B). Both of those positions were awful last year. One of them they've upgraded to be very close to average during the season, and the other one they have the ability to turn from a major weakness into a major strength this offseason. Every other position was above average to great and if they keep Fukudome all of them would be projected to be above average again next year.

 

They're definitely going to need a couple breaks. They'll need to not have everything go wrong with the young pitching as what happened to the bullpen this year and they'll need some decent starting pitching health. But they definitely have a shot and they're not nearly as far away as it might initially appear when looking at the roster player by player.

 

Not to quibble but 3B and LF weren't doing us any favors in the offense department either.

 

3B: Cubs: .262/.321/.450

NL average: .265/.331/.421

LF: Cubs: .261/.321/.473

NL average: .266/.337/.433

 

So both positions were a little light on OBP (hopefully Ramirez makes 3B better in that department next season) but both positions were average or maybe just slightly above.

[Cubswin11]

Will Trammell be back as bench coach?

[KingCubsFan]

The starting pitching was decidedly average. I have no idea why you think it's one of the worst in the league. If you're lumping in the bullpen, fine, but they have a plethora of arms throughout their system that they can use instead of spending money on relievers. Focus on signing Dunn and acquiring a decent starting pitcher and they can easily be competitive next season.

I meant the pitching as a whole, including the bullpen. Regardless of how much luck is involved in bullpen success, we can't just keep on relying on the "plethora of arms throughout" the system, because most of them either walk too many people or are too hittable. I don't want to waste what little money we have on "veteran" relievers, but Hendry needs to get a little more creative. Do what Kenny Williams does and go get some guys for cheap with real talent. People like Justin Berg don't belong on a major league roster, particularly one that wants to contend.

[jersey cubs fan]

The starting pitching was decidedly average. I have no idea why you think it's one of the worst in the league. If you're lumping in the bullpen, fine, but they have a plethora of arms throughout their system that they can use instead of spending money on relievers. Focus on signing Dunn and acquiring a decent starting pitcher and they can easily be competitive next season.

I meant the pitching as a whole, including the bullpen. Regardless of how much luck is involved in bullpen success, we can't just keep on relying on the "plethora of arms throughout" the system, because most of them either walk too many people or are too hittable. I don't want to waste what little money we have on "veteran" relievers, but Hendry needs to get a little more creative. Do what Kenny Williams does and go get some guys for cheap with real talent. People like Justin Berg don't belong on a major league roster, particularly one that wants to contend.

 

It won't be that hard to avoid needing guys like Justin Berg.

[Sammy Sofa]

Using pitchers you already control when you have a decent amount of pitching talent in your farm system is plenty creative enough for me, especially given the current financial situation.

[jersey cubs fan]

Using pitchers you already control when you have a decent amount of pitching talent in your farm system is plenty creative enough for me, especially given the current financial situation.

 

One of the reasons why I really don't have a huge problem with Cashner in the bullpen.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I finally got around to looking up some stats for the season. Who the hell is Scott Maine? He had some decent numbers in limited appearances.

[KingCubsFan]

Using pitchers you already control when you have a decent amount of pitching talent in your farm system is plenty creative enough for me, especially given the current financial situation.

That sure worked out well last year. Cashner's already in there due to necessity, and his career is probably ruined because of it. Can't wait to see Jay Jackson and Chris Archer warming up in the 6th and 7th next year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Using pitchers you already control when you have a decent amount of pitching talent in your farm system is plenty creative enough for me, especially given the current financial situation.

That sure worked out well last year. Cashner's already in there due to necessity, and his career is probably ruined because of it. Can't wait to see Jay Jackson and Chris Archer warming up in the 6th and 7th next year.

 

I'd hardly say a career is ruined by going to the bullpen. Maybe he will never be a 220 inning $20m ace, but there odds weren't all that great of it happening in the first place. You can have a great career in the bullpen, whether you stay there forever or move out of it eventually.

[SouthSideRyan]

Using pitchers you already control when you have a decent amount of pitching talent in your farm system is plenty creative enough for me, especially given the current financial situation.

That sure worked out well last year. Cashner's already in there due to necessity, and his career is probably ruined because of it. Can't wait to see Jay Jackson and Chris Archer warming up in the 6th and 7th next year.

 

I'd hardly say a career is ruined by going to the bullpen. Maybe he will never be a 220 inning $20m ace, but there odds weren't all that great of it happening in the first place. You can have a great career in the bullpen, whether you stay there forever or move out of it eventually.

 

Are the odds that much greater of him turning into a 70 inning 10M reliever that it's worth abandoning his starting for no reason?

[jersey cubs fan]

Using pitchers you already control when you have a decent amount of pitching talent in your farm system is plenty creative enough for me, especially given the current financial situation.

That sure worked out well last year. Cashner's already in there due to necessity, and his career is probably ruined because of it. Can't wait to see Jay Jackson and Chris Archer warming up in the 6th and 7th next year.

 

I'd hardly say a career is ruined by going to the bullpen. Maybe he will never be a 220 inning $20m ace, but there odds weren't all that great of it happening in the first place. You can have a great career in the bullpen, whether you stay there forever or move out of it eventually.

 

Are the odds that much greater of him turning into a 70 inning 10M reliever that it's worth abandoning his starting for no reason?

 

I don't know. But there is a reason so that's a moot point.

[NewUserName]

I think another huge factor in the Cubs competing next season is that I can easily see the Reds regressing next season and they only won 91 games this season. It isnt inconceivable to me at this point to see the winner of the NL central only winning 86 or so games.

[Guest]

The Cubs middle relief was one of the worst in the league. Everything else on the pitching staff ranged from fine to great. If the pitching staff's problem is "what on earth are we going to do for the 6th and 7th inning", then it's not a problem.

[SouthSideRyan]

Using pitchers you already control when you have a decent amount of pitching talent in your farm system is plenty creative enough for me, especially given the current financial situation.

That sure worked out well last year. Cashner's already in there due to necessity, and his career is probably ruined because of it. Can't wait to see Jay Jackson and Chris Archer warming up in the 6th and 7th next year.

 

I'd hardly say a career is ruined by going to the bullpen. Maybe he will never be a 220 inning $20m ace, but there odds weren't all that great of it happening in the first place. You can have a great career in the bullpen, whether you stay there forever or move out of it eventually.

 

Are the odds that much greater of him turning into a 70 inning 10M reliever that it's worth abandoning his starting for no reason?

 

I don't know. But there is a reason so that's a moot point.

 

What was the reason for putting him in the bullpen this year?

[jersey cubs fan]

What was the reason for putting him in the bullpen this year?

 

He was the best option in the organization, there was a decent chance that was what he was going to end up being eventually anyway, it got his arbitration clock started earlier and the team needed pitching help in the majors. It was not the ideal usage for the guy, but he hasn't been ruined or had his career destroyed.

[KingCubsFan]

The Cubs middle relief was one of the worst in the league. Everything else on the pitching staff ranged from fine to great. If the pitching staff's problem is "what on earth are we going to do for the 6th and 7th inning", then it's not a problem.

It's a problem when they have no good options and our GM, in an attempt to save his job, puts our top prospects in there.

[Sammy Sofa]

They have plenty of good options.

[Guest]

The Cubs middle relief was one of the worst in the league. Everything else on the pitching staff ranged from fine to great. If the pitching staff's problem is "what on earth are we going to do for the 6th and 7th inning", then it's not a problem.

It's a problem when they have no good options and our GM, in an attempt to save his job, puts our top prospects in there.

 

I'm pretty sure they've already quoted someone saying Cashner is in the running for a rotation spot next year.

 

The other part of the point is that you can't plan on awesome middle relievers, they're the most unpredictable performers in baseball. I guess you could have 3 awesome relievers to help, but that gets expensive. As it stands, the Cubs have 2 awesome relievers, plus a lot of farmhands that only need 1 or 2(if you don't trust Russell) to be okay. Plus Guzman potentially coming back.

[SouthSideRyan]

What was the reason for putting him in the bullpen this year?

 

He was the best option in the organization, there was a decent chance that was what he was going to end up being eventually anyway, it got his arbitration clock started earlier and the team needed pitching help in the majors. It was not the ideal usage for the guy, but he hasn't been ruined or had his career destroyed.

 

Archer and Jay Jackson were probably better options than a lot of guys that appeared in the pen this year, would you be ok with them being there?

[KingCubsFan]

The Cubs middle relief was one of the worst in the league. Everything else on the pitching staff ranged from fine to great. If the pitching staff's problem is "what on earth are we going to do for the 6th and 7th inning", then it's not a problem.

It's a problem when they have no good options and our GM, in an attempt to save his job, puts our top prospects in there.

 

I'm pretty sure they've already quoted someone saying Cashner is in the running for a rotation spot next year.

 

The other part of the point is that you can't plan on awesome middle relievers, they're the most unpredictable performers in baseball. I guess you could have 3 awesome relievers to help, but that gets expensive. As it stands, the Cubs have 2 awesome relievers, plus a lot of farmhands that only need 1 or 2(if you don't trust Russell) to be okay. Plus Guzman potentially coming back.

You don't need to pay a lot to get serviceable guys, teams like the Padres and Cardinals do it all the time. And while relievers are unpredictable, the one stat that's a pretty good predictor of whether someone will be a bad reliever is walks. And the Cubs young pitchers, basically without exception, excel at walking people.