2013

[CubColtPacer]

The question becomes does Valbuena become the likely starter for 2013?

 

Possibly, at least at the start. But unless Theo/Jed go outside the organization again, I'm thinking Stewart is still a distinct possibility. And if we're looking at another "lost" season, I'm fine with seeing how much of a problem his wrist really was. If Valbuena is the alternative, at least.

 

Valbuena vs Stewart is an interesting discussion. Valbuena doesn't have as high of a ceiling, but probably has a better chance of reaching his ceiling. And with Stewart only having 2 years until free agency compared to Valbuena just hitting arbitration (will Valbuena have 3 years of service time after this year or will he be a Super 2?), I personally would rather take the chance on Valbuena. They're practically the same age as well (Stewart is 7 months older).

[hawkeyecub]

i'm also a big, big fan of his defense at 3rd

 

He's been really impressive defensively in my eyes. I like him a lot more than I probably should.

[neely crenshaw]

For the record, hendry coached creighton university for 10 years, was national coach of the year, took them to the college world series and built them into a midwestern power that regularly battled Witchita state for the valley/gateway title and ncaa bid. All at a very expensive Div 1 private school.

I don't think he was great as a GM but he has forgotten more baseball than anyone on this board, and anyone who thinks they know more about baseball, and/or doing the job of GM just shows how little they know. Real life isn't fantasy sports, you don't just say I want that guy and add him to your team. There is so much more to the business/relationship side. Just because he wasn't a great GM doesn't mean he doesn't know baseball. Bill Parcells knows a heck of a lot about Football, and is a great coach but has been pretty bad as a GM/President in his career. It certainly doesn't mean he doesn't know football.

[SouthSideRyan]

Maybe he should go back to coaching then.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't think he was great as a GM

 

You almost got the point; people who criticize Hendry are saying he was a bad GM. They're not saying anything like this...

 

but he has forgotten more baseball than anyone on this board

 

Who cares? He was unable to apply that knowledge well as a GM.

[jersey cubs fan]

For the record, hendry coached creighton university for 10 years, was national coach of the year, took them to the college world series and built them into a midwestern power that regularly battled Witchita state for the valley/gateway title and ncaa bid. All at a very expensive Div 1 private school.

I don't think he was great as a GM but he has forgotten more baseball than anyone on this board, and anyone who thinks they know more about baseball, and/or doing the job of GM just shows how little they know. Real life isn't fantasy sports, you don't just say I want that guy and add him to your team. There is so much more to the business/relationship side. Just because he wasn't a great GM doesn't mean he doesn't know baseball. Bill Parcells knows a heck of a lot about Football, and is a great coach but has been pretty bad as a GM/President in his career. It certainly doesn't mean he doesn't know football.

 

This was a pointless post.

 

He sucked at GM, I don't care how good of a gym teacher he was back in Florida.

[C.C.]

Looking at Rizzo, Vitters, and Jackson I wish we snagged Céspedes.

[Guest]

Looking at Rizzo, Vitters, and Jackson I wish we snagged Céspedes.

 

rizzo has been good, and still projects to be be good.

[EhDubya]

Looking at Rizzo, Vitters, and Jackson I wish we snagged Céspedes.

 

Yep, let's get rid of all 3. No good and cost way too much money. We'll never win the WS next year with those guys.

[C.C.]

Looking at Rizzo, Vitters, and Jackson I wish we snagged Céspedes.

 

We'll never win the WS next year with those guys.

 

True.

[C.C.]

Looking at Rizzo, Vitters, and Jackson I wish we snagged Céspedes.

 

rizzo has been good, and still projects to be be good.

 

True. Good is not what this team needs. We need some great players.

[Guest]

it's weird how sometimes good 23 year old players turn into great players

[C.C.]

it's weird how sometimes good 23 year old players turn into great players

 

Key word.

[davell]

As opposed to the fact that ALL 23 year olds need to be MVP candidates at that age or they suck?

[C.C.]

No. This team doesn't need average players. We need some super stars.

[KingCubsFan]

No. This team doesn't need average players. We need some super stars.

It needs both.

[jersey cubs fan]

No. This team doesn't need average players. We need some super stars.

It needs both.

 

They need super starts a hell of a lot more than they need more average players. There's plenty of average guys already here, or easy to acquire in a hurry.

[davell]

Both Castro and Rizzo can become superstars and it means zilch right now that at 22 and 23 they aren't yet.

[KingCubsFan]

No. This team doesn't need average players. We need some super stars.

It needs both.

 

They need super starts a hell of a lot more than they need more average players. There's plenty of average guys already here, or easy to acquire in a hurry.

Every team needs superstars more than average players. But the Cubs don't have a lot of either (especially pitching-wise) and, like you said, average guys are easier to acquire/develop.

[C.C.]

Both Castro and Rizzo can become superstars and it means zilch right now that at 22 and 23 they aren't yet.

 

Let's hope. You never know, but the talent is there.

[C.C.]

No. This team doesn't need average players. We need some super stars.

It needs both.

 

No. They need the goods. Average players are a dime a dozen on the MLB level. We need impact players. Right now we have none.

[jersey cubs fan]

No. This team doesn't need average players. We need some super stars.

It needs both.

 

They need super starts a hell of a lot more than they need more average players. There's plenty of average guys already here, or easy to acquire in a hurry.

Every team needs superstars more than average players. But the Cubs don't have a lot of either (especially pitching-wise) and, like you said, average guys are easier to acquire/develop.

 

But some teams already have them, the Cubs do not.

[C.C.]

I'm just glad all the "future" lineups with Rizzo, Vitters, and Jackson - That's the future! are gone. Been there, done that last decade with shitty players. I mean what the [expletive]! I don't mind building a team from within, but it better not be a 3-4 year [expletive] plan!

[davell]

I'm just glad all the "future" lineups with Rizzo, Vitters, and Jackson - That's the future! are gone. Been there, done that last decade with [expletive] players. I mean what the [expletive]! I don't mind building a team from within, but it better not be a 3-4 year [expletive] plan!

 

If you want to build from within and you're starting with basically nothing, how long is it supposed to take? And if you want to build from the outside, are you supposed to just conjure up those guys, because they're not exactly plentiful and there's more than one team bidding on them.

[KingCubsFan]

No. This team doesn't need average players. We need some super stars.

It needs both.

 

They need super starts a hell of a lot more than they need more average players. There's plenty of average guys already here, or easy to acquire in a hurry.

Every team needs superstars more than average players. But the Cubs don't have a lot of either (especially pitching-wise) and, like you said, average guys are easier to acquire/develop.

 

But some teams already have them, the Cubs do not.

Right. And I think the expectation is that Rizzo and Castro will eventually become those players.