Random Cubs Musings

[Soul]

I don't think it really matters how much losing he has to endure in terms of his preparedness for it being "time to win."

 

Does it suck for everyone involved, him and us included? Absolutely.

 

Should it make him less prepared to continue to play well when the rest of his teammates are good too? Not really.

 

I feel better now, knowing that Castro will continue to prepare well and play hard - as we lose for years upon years more.

[Guest]

I don't think it really matters how much losing he has to endure in terms of his preparedness for it being "time to win."

 

Does it suck for everyone involved, him and us included? Absolutely.

 

Should it make him less prepared to continue to play well when the rest of his teammates are good too? Not really.

 

I feel better now, knowing that Castro will continue to prepare well and play hard - as we lose for years upon years more.

 

I have no idea what you think you just read but it's not what I wrote.

[Guest]

I don't think it really matters how much losing he has to endure in terms of his preparedness for it being "time to win."

 

Does it suck for everyone involved, him and us included? Absolutely.

 

Should it make him less prepared to continue to play well when the rest of his teammates are good too? Not really.

 

It's all well and good to say it shouldn't, but prolonged exposure to excessive losing could very easily have a negative affect on his career.

 

Or maybe all the losing will make him appreciate winning even more and have a positive effect when the team is good.

 

Unless there's actual evidence behind it it's just silly conjecture.

[jersey cubs fan]

Here's the article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/27550054-573/starlin-castro-cant-imagine-starting-career-like-derek-jeter-did.html#.U3umAvldXT8

 

This is the only thing that's even a passing knock on Castro:

 

But how much losing can a player — even one with All-Star talent — endure and still be prepared to win when it’s time? Would Jeter still be a champion and Hall of Famer if he’d been a Cub? Would Castro be as criticized and occasionally inattentive if he had been a Yankee?

 

Derek Jeter on that '98 team? That could have been pretty sweet to replace Jeff Blauser with Jeter. Although the only thing that probably would have accomplished is not needing the play-in game (arguably the greatest event in Cubs history from '84-'02). Probably would have helped them make it a little closer in 2001 as well.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't think it really matters how much losing he has to endure in terms of his preparedness for it being "time to win."

 

Does it suck for everyone involved, him and us included? Absolutely.

 

Should it make him less prepared to continue to play well when the rest of his teammates are good too? Not really.

 

It's all well and good to say it shouldn't, but prolonged exposure to excessive losing could very easily have a negative affect on his career.

 

Or maybe all the losing will make him appreciate winning even more and have a positive effect when the team is good.

 

Unless there's actual evidence behind it it's just silly conjecture.

 

Then maybe you shouldn't be conjecturing if you think it is so silly.

[Soul]

I don't think it really matters how much losing he has to endure in terms of his preparedness for it being "time to win."

 

Does it suck for everyone involved, him and us included? Absolutely.

 

Should it make him less prepared to continue to play well when the rest of his teammates are good too? Not really.

 

I feel better now, knowing that Castro will continue to prepare well and play hard - as we lose for years upon years more.

 

I have no idea what you think you just read but it's not what I wrote.

 

I honestly don't know why you decided to take this up as something to argue.

[Guest]

I don't think it really matters how much losing he has to endure in terms of his preparedness for it being "time to win."

 

Does it suck for everyone involved, him and us included? Absolutely.

 

Should it make him less prepared to continue to play well when the rest of his teammates are good too? Not really.

 

I feel better now, knowing that Castro will continue to prepare well and play hard - as we lose for years upon years more.

 

I have no idea what you think you just read but it's not what I wrote.

 

I honestly don't know why you decided to take this up as something to argue.

 

Because I don't like when writers make shitty points to fit their narrative?

 

Like any other time we pick apart an article?

[Gmoney08]

Here's the article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/27550054-573/starlin-castro-cant-imagine-starting-career-like-derek-jeter-did.html#.U3umAvldXT8

 

This is the only thing that's even a passing knock on Castro:

 

But how much losing can a player — even one with All-Star talent — endure and still be prepared to win when it’s time? Would Jeter still be a champion and Hall of Famer if he’d been a Cub? Would Castro be as criticized and occasionally inattentive if he had been a Yankee?

 

Derek Jeter on that '98 team? That could have been pretty sweet to replace Jeff Blauser with Jeter. Although the only thing that probably would have accomplished is not needing the play-in game (arguably the greatest event in Cubs history from '84-'02). Probably would have helped them make it a little closer in 2001 as well.

 

Maybe Jeter wouldn't have pissed his pants on those groundballs in the 8th inning of game 6 in 2003. But, yes I do know AGon was probably a better SS glove than Jeter ever could of dreamed of being.

 

Imagine Jeters bat in the lineup in 03, 04, 07, 08.. Jeter in that 08 lineup instead of Theriot.. oh my.

 

Maybe in 04 we could have traded the assets we traded for Nomah for a stud closer and we would be talking about the 2004 WS champion Cubs.. Bah, why do I even contemplate these things.

[KingCubsFan]

Here's the article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/27550054-573/starlin-castro-cant-imagine-starting-career-like-derek-jeter-did.html#.U3umAvldXT8

 

This is the only thing that's even a passing knock on Castro:

 

But how much losing can a player — even one with All-Star talent — endure and still be prepared to win when it’s time? Would Jeter still be a champion and Hall of Famer if he’d been a Cub? Would Castro be as criticized and occasionally inattentive if he had been a Yankee?

 

Derek Jeter on that '98 team? That could have been pretty sweet to replace Jeff Blauser with Jeter. Although the only thing that probably would have accomplished is not needing the play-in game (arguably the greatest event in Cubs history from '84-'02). Probably would have helped them make it a little closer in 2001 as well.

 

Maybe Jeter wouldn't have pissed his pants on those groundballs in the 8th inning of game 6 in 2003. But, yes I do know AGon was probably a better SS glove than Jeter ever could of dreamed of being.

 

That's what I immediately thought of as well. Doubt he chokes like Gonzalez did.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I bet he also doesn't hit like 20 HRs in the playoffs leading up to it. Or however many Gonzalez hit.

[KingCubsFan]

I bet he also doesn't hit like 20 HRs in the playoffs leading up to it. Or however many Gonzalez hit.

Probably gets more than 3 hits in the last five games of the series too.

[BeerHere]

The Cubs deserve to be insulted, but I'll admit not to liking the clear implication that Starlin Castro isn't a WINNAR because the teams he's on have been [expletive].

 

ETA: I'm also probably reading too much into that.

 

Read into it what you will, I think it's a pretty clear jab at the powers that be for wasting early quality years of Castro.

I read that as more of a jab at Castro than the FO. I'm not sure where you get the FO angle given that picture. That is a stretch, even for you.

 

Screw you [expletive].

 

It's pretty easy to interpret the story that is being told. The Yankees are a winning organization that win every year and won a lot when their superstar shortstop came into the league and are still winning now. Yankee Stadium is where you go to win. On the opposite field, Wrigley Field, the front office is openly trying to lose as much as possible for several years and there is no pressure from anybody to try and win anytime during Castro's contract. Losing is not just accepted but expected. The Cubs are wasting Castro's value on a stupidly long rebuilding project while the Yankees keep ignoring every call for them to scrap their aging roster and just keep winning.

 

The one thing these organizations have in common right now is that an 85 win season is unacceptable.

 

I have to admit, I didn't read the article this morning. After reading it in full, I will change my statement - it was a clear shot at the front office and ownership. Not surprising considering the author.

 

My apologies Goony.

[SouthSideRyan]

Here's the article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/27550054-573/starlin-castro-cant-imagine-starting-career-like-derek-jeter-did.html#.U3umAvldXT8

 

This is the only thing that's even a passing knock on Castro:

 

But how much losing can a player — even one with All-Star talent — endure and still be prepared to win when it’s time? Would Jeter still be a champion and Hall of Famer if he’d been a Cub? Would Castro be as criticized and occasionally inattentive if he had been a Yankee?

 

Derek Jeter on that '98 team? That could have been pretty sweet to replace Jeff Blauser with Jeter. Although the only thing that probably would have accomplished is not needing the play-in game (arguably the greatest event in Cubs history from '84-'02). Probably would have helped them make it a little closer in 2001 as well.

 

Maybe Jeter wouldn't have pissed his pants on those groundballs in the 8th inning of game 6 in 2003. But, yes I do know AGon was probably a better SS glove than Jeter ever could of dreamed of being.

 

That's what I immediately thought of as well. Doubt he chokes like Gonzalez did.

 

Jeter might not even get to that ball

[Guest]

@ValTsports: @robneyer In the NL Central, the first- place Brewers have a negative run differential. Last-place Cubs have a positive run differential.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

@ValTsports: @robneyer In the NL Central, the first- place Brewers have a negative run differential. Last-place Cubs have a positive run differential.

http://i.imgur.com/dGWDtUT.gif

[RynoRules]

Cubs pythag now 22-21.

[Soul]

Looks like the Cubs are the most divergent pythag team in the majors right now.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Looks like the Cubs are the most divergent pythag team in the majors right now for all eternity.

[UK1679666180]

Looks like the Cubs are the most divergent pythag team in the majors right now.

 

I should be more optimistic than I currently am.

 

Positives:

Samardzija, Castro, Rizzo, Hammel, Jackson lately, bullpen this past month, pythag. record.

 

If you told me in March that they would be outscoring their opponent with substantial improvements from Castro and Rizzo, I would've be pleased. Yet, I'm not.

Edited May 21, 2014 by UK

[jersey cubs fan]

Looks like the Cubs are the most divergent pythag team in the majors right now.

 

I should be more optimistic than I currently am.

 

Positives:

Samardzija, Castro, Rizzo, Hammel, Jackson lately, pythag. record.

 

If you told me in March that they would be outscoring their opponent with substantial improvements from Castro and Rizzo, I would've be pleased. Yet, I'm not.

 

Probably because if they go 60-59 the rest of the way (which will be tough considering the likelihood of dealing away their best pitcher(s)), they will finish 76-86.

[Guest]

At least 60-59 would be entertaining and watchable, though.

[jersey cubs fan]

At least 60-59 would be entertaining and watchable, though.

 

true

[UK1679666180]

Looks like the Cubs are the most divergent pythag team in the majors right now.

 

I should be more optimistic than I currently am.

 

Positives:

Samardzija, Castro, Rizzo, Hammel, Jackson lately, pythag. record.

 

If you told me in March that they would be outscoring their opponent with substantial improvements from Castro and Rizzo, I would've be pleased. Yet, I'm not.

 

Probably because if they go 60-59 the rest of the way (which will be tough considering the likelihood of dealing away their best pitcher(s)), they will finish 76-86.

 

It's the wear and tear of 5 poor consecutive seasons more so than one non 80 win season as well as the likelihood of Ricketts being a complete failure of an owner.

[ConstableRabbit]

Looks like the Cubs are the most divergent pythag team in the majors right now.

 

I should be more optimistic than I currently am.

 

Positives:

Samardzija, Castro, Rizzo, Hammel, Jackson lately, pythag. record.

 

If you told me in March that they would be outscoring their opponent with substantial improvements from Castro and Rizzo, I would've be pleased. Yet, I'm not.

 

Probably because if they go 60-59 the rest of the way (which will be tough considering the likelihood of dealing away their best pitcher(s)), they will finish 76-86.

If we go 33-31 or so through July 30th, do we necessarily trade Shark?

[jersey cubs fan]

If we go 33-31 or so through July 30th, do we necessarily trade Shark?

 

I believe that will still be the preferred option, yes.