What do most of us expect from some of the question marks?

[Guest]

 

I don't see how that offense is slightly below average. Last year's team was a little below average offensively and you have two major upgrades (Pena over Lee and Ramirez being a ton better). Then you have Castro being better and DeWitt being the same which is an upgrade over what Theriot gave the Cubs last year. To counter that, you only have 1 position getting worse. If all that goes true, the Cubs are probably a top 5 offense.

 

I was thinking the same. Just getting decent production out of Pena and a bounceback year from Ramirez would be major upgrades on last year's offense... and if you even got repeat season from the rest of the lineup, you probably would get pretty good run production.

[Guest]

Didn't want to post a thread for this..

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110208&content_id=16594376&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

 

Jesus Christ...

 

Is there a chance Soto hits higher in the lineup? He had a very good on-base percentage last year.

-- Nate A., Chicago

 

Soto did lead the team with his career-best on-base percentage of .393 after an OBP of .364 his rookie year in '08 and .321 in '09. But you want runners at the top of the order who can go from first to third on a base hit. Soto's strength is driving in runs, not scoring them.

 

 

Ugh.

[Sammy Sofa]

Eh, that's not the end of the world. If the response is talking in terms of having him hit 5th then I'm fine with it.

[CubColtPacer]

Didn't want to post a thread for this..

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110208&content_id=16594376&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

 

Jesus Christ...

 

Is there a chance Soto hits higher in the lineup? He had a very good on-base percentage last year.

-- Nate A., Chicago

 

Soto did lead the team with his career-best on-base percentage of .393 after an OBP of .364 his rookie year in '08 and .321 in '09. But you want runners at the top of the order who can go from first to third on a base hit. Soto's strength is driving in runs, not scoring them.

 

 

Ugh.

 

To defend that comment a little bit, I think she's probably talking about all the questions about trying out Soto at 1st or 2nd in the lineup. Is it still poor philosophy? Sure. But I don't think that she ever meant by her comment that Soto should stay at the bottom of the order.

[Guest]

I don't disagree. I just think it's incredibly stupid to say that someone with an OBP near .400 is a bad option at the top of the order in favor of guys who can "go from first to third."

[UMFan83]

Didn't want to post a thread for this..

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110208&content_id=16594376&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

 

Jesus Christ...

 

Is there a chance Soto hits higher in the lineup? He had a very good on-base percentage last year.

-- Nate A., Chicago

 

Soto did lead the team with his career-best on-base percentage of .393 after an OBP of .364 his rookie year in '08 and .321 in '09. But you want runners at the top of the order who can go from first to third on a base hit. Soto's strength is driving in runs, not scoring them.

 

 

Ugh.

 

Yes well Soto will go from home to first plenty more times than Blake DeWitt or whoever hits 2nd will.

[Northside Blues]

The funny thing: Soto had a better EqBRR than Kosuke Fukudome in 2010, who hit lead off about 30 percent of the time for us last year. Granted a large reason of that is that Fukudome was thrown out 8 times out of 15 attempts, but I find it mildly amusing.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

My thoughts / predictions.

 

If i were to take a chance on calling a player a breakout to me it is Blake DeWitt. I know previous numbers do not support his but I see Rudy helping him become a solid major league starter, I think DeWitt has a chance to be a solid player in the likes of Todd Walker. My prediction is a line similar to this: .280/.335/.455 12-14 hr's 60-70rbi's.

 

Rammy and Pena are the biggest question. I believe they are both going to bounce back i would expect Rammy to go back towards .285/.365/.500 line and Pena .240/.360/.490.

 

I think the Cubs seriously need to keep an eye on Byrd's playing time, he played more last year than ever before and fatigue started to show near the end of last season, especially in the power numbers.

 

I have more faith in Colvin than most. In no way do I think he develops into a start but I do believe his power is legitimate and he has solid contact skills... If he gets 400-450 AB's I do not see .260/.320/.490 or better out of the possibility with a slim chance of a true breakout campaign.

 

To me other than Ramirez and Pena the key to the lineup is Soto. He continues to be pushed aside as a key hitter because of health. If he can be in the likeup 460-500 times the Cubs will not hesitate to consider him in the 3-4-5-6 part of their lineup. But if he injuries keep him limited to under 400 AB's Qaude will most likely keep him lower in the order. A healthy Soto is a lock for .275/.380/.500 and would easily approach 25hr's 85+ rbi's.

 

This Cubs lineup has potential to be very solid but if all or most goes wrong like it did last year it could be extremely frustrating.

 

In the pitching staff I see a couple of pitchers progressing and a few taking a minor step back.

Improving: Carlos Zambrano, Randy Wells, Matt Garza, John Grabow(hate to say his name), Jeff Samardjiza(just a feeling he will end up as a mediocre to solid middle reliever for this team, which is an improvement over released.)

Declining: Carlos Silva, Ryan Dempster(Slight), Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall

Maintain: Andrew Cashner, Kerry Wood, James Russel

 

Sprint games cannot come soon enough.

[TruffleShuffle]

i think pena is going to stink.

[Guest]

I wonder how the team will respond to new management. Lou acted like he gave up on the team and the team played like they joined him in giving up on the season.

 

I have a bit of renewed vigor for this coming season, although not overwhelmingly so. I don't think the Cubs made any bad moves, and I do like quite a few of them. The bullpen looks to be one of the strong points this year, and they have a bunch of arms that can get games to the bullpen with a lead.

 

One can only hope that Soriano, Ramirez and Pena all did some offseason training to be healthy and ready to produce at a level their contracts expect them to produce. None are really at the end of their careers by any stretch, although they played 2010 like they were. I don't really know what to expect from this group. They could finish in 4th or 1st, but it's going to take a few career type years from several players in order to finish in 1st, mostly from the pitching staff. I wouldn't call any position on the field a weakness going into the season, but there aren't many positions that stand out, either.

 

Hopefully Quade didn't put too many of Lou's bad habits into his portfolio and the team can get off to a good start.

 

 

Don't we all in early February?

 

Normally I say yes to that question. However, I was so disillusioned by the offseason moves made by this organization, that I had no desire to watch a full on train wreck taking place.

 

This year they added talent rather than covering up previous year mistakes. New management is in place and I actually look forward to this coming season.

[Guest]

Whoever said Pena>Lee. I don't see it as being THAT big of a > to be meaningful

[Guest]

Whoever said Pena>Lee. I don't see it as being THAT big of a > to be meaningful

 

 

Over the Lee of last year?

[CubColtPacer]

Whoever said Pena>Lee. I don't see it as being THAT big of a > to be meaningful

 

It depends on which Pena shows up. 1B for the Cubs was a black hole last year to the tune of a .254/325/.397. If Pena 2010 shows up, him and his backups will probably be around the same. If the Pena of several of the years before that show up that position will be a whole lot better. Even if he's in between and puts up a .790 OPS the Cubs can probably get a .775 OPS overall out of first base. Over a 50 point upgrade is certainly meaningful.

[Guest]

lol carrie doing her best to piss me off again

 

When healthy, Ramirez has been a big presence in the middle of the Cubs' lineup, reaching at least 25 homers and 80 RBIs in six of his seven full seasons in Chicago. That's all good. But besides the low batting average last year, what also was disappointing was Ramirez's dip with runners in scoring position. In 2007, Ramirez batted .338 with RISP, and he batted .310 in '08, earning him the title of Mr. Clutch. Last season, his RISP average was .278.

 

so much :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: there

 

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110210&content_id=16609902&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

 

 

 

an interesting tidbit - seems like the rift between rudy and aramis was real

 

"[Ramirez] should be motivated this year, but the whole key is does he want to continue playing?" Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo said. "He's got all the money in the world. I think he'll do a lot better. Our rapport is a lot better. I took a lot of stuff that I usually don't, but I had to be patient and I think it'll work out in the end."

 

During the Cubs Convention, Ramirez said he wasn't healthy last season and stressed that he has a good relationship with Jaramillo, who is entering his second season with the team. It just took time for the two to develop that.

 

"I believe he trusts me more," Jaramillo said. "Some guys are harder than others."

 

don't think aramis would like that first part (questioning his motivation) too much.

[Guest]

by the way, even if these splits mattered at all, his OPS with RISP was .922 :banghead:

[SouthSideRyan]

I remember the day Aramis first earned the moniker "Mr. Clutch" He's probably gonna live with that nickname the rest of his life.

[XZero771679666304]

I fully expect ARam to post at least a .280/.340/.500 line. Unless he repeats it, I think his first half of 2010 was an aberration.

 

A whole lot of the offense will hinge on Pena. He could be bad, but I'm feeling something in the neighborhood of a .240/.360/.490 coming from him, maybe slightly better. He played most of 2010 with plantar faciitis, so while he is getting older, I don't think last season is entire indicative of where he is as a player.

[Guest]

I remember the day Aramis first earned the moniker "Mr. Clutch" He's probably gonna live with that nickname the rest of his life.

 

hahahahahaha

[apete6]

Improve: Ramirez, Pena, Fuku, Castro (defense), Zambrano, Wells, Cashner,middle relief, manager

Maintain: Soriano, Castro (offense), DeWitt/Baker, Soto, Dempster, Samardzjia, Garza

Decline: Byrd, Colvin, Koyie Hill (if that's possible), Marshall & Marmol (they'll both still be really good)

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I really hope Quade gives Byrd more rest, he really showed fatigue near the end of the season and OPS'd under .700 in the 2nd half. With his leg histories I think playing CF takes a toll on him over the length of the season. 152 was the most he ever played.

 

I do not know why I just have a good feeling about DeWitt putting up a couple of Todd Walker like seasons.

[Cubswin11]

lol carrie doing her best to piss me off again

 

When healthy, Ramirez has been a big presence in the middle of the Cubs' lineup, reaching at least 25 homers and 80 RBIs in six of his seven full seasons in Chicago. That's all good. But besides the low batting average last year, what also was disappointing was Ramirez's dip with runners in scoring position. In 2007, Ramirez batted .338 with RISP, and he batted .310 in '08, earning him the title of Mr. Clutch. Last season, his RISP average was .278.

 

so much :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: there

 

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110210&content_id=16609902&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

 

 

 

an interesting tidbit - seems like the rift between rudy and aramis was real

 

"[Ramirez] should be motivated this year, but the whole key is does he want to continue playing?" Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo said. "He's got all the money in the world. I think he'll do a lot better. Our rapport is a lot better. I took a lot of stuff that I usually don't, but I had to be patient and I think it'll work out in the end."

 

During the Cubs Convention, Ramirez said he wasn't healthy last season and stressed that he has a good relationship with Jaramillo, who is entering his second season with the team. It just took time for the two to develop that.

 

"I believe he trusts me more," Jaramillo said. "Some guys are harder than others."

 

don't think aramis would like that first part (questioning his motivation) too much.

The difference in a .278 and .310 RISP average has to be like what 7-10 hits over a full year? Adjust that for a dip in BABIP (I am just guessing his BABIP was higher in 07/08 than 10') and he pretty much performed like always with RISP.

[Guest]

I fully expect ARam to post at least a .280/.340/.500 line. Unless he repeats it, I think his first half of 2010 was an aberration.

 

A whole lot of the offense will hinge on Pena. He could be bad, but I'm feeling something in the neighborhood of a .240/.360/.490 coming from him, maybe slightly better. He played most of 2010 with plantar faciitis, so while he is getting older, I don't think last season is entire indicative of where he is as a player.

 

Yeah, like CCP said, any improvement from Pena is going to be an upgrade from last year. Even when he bottomed out last year with horrendous luck, Pena still posted a slightly higher OPS (.732) than Cubs first basemen did (.722), though he was a bit worse than Lee (.751). If Pena can rebound to close to his 08-09 levels and stays healthy, it will be a significant improvement from last year.

 

I expect the same as you from Ramirez. He had a .889 OPS after coming off the disabled list last year, which is only slightly down from the .908 he put up from 2006-09.

 

If both Ramirez and Pena remain healthy and have .850+ OPS's, it will be a huge boost for the offense.