Reminder: Cubs are on 30 Clubs in 30 Days tonight (3/5) on MLB Network

[David]

[David]

i'm enjoying this way too much

[StylesClash]

Awful awful episode. I don't think most Cub fans want to hear discussions about the head shaving fundraiser or how everyone will handle increased expectations. What do you expect Rizzo or Bryant to say in response to all eyes being on them this season? You're just going to get generic responses.

 

Also I think O'Dowd was off about the bullpen being a weakness. Rondon may not have Chapman caliber electric stuff, but he has quietly become one of baseball's best Closer's the past two seasons. And if Rondon gets hurt or underachieves Strop, Grimm or Cahill would have the potential to at least be tolerable replacements.

 

CJ Edwards may become a late inning possibility down the road too because of his ability to severely limit home runs allowed. That's obviously an incredibly valuable trait come the Summer (when the wind tends to blow out at Wrigley).

[Tim]

If this team has a potential weak spot, I'd agree that the pen is most vulnerable. Of course, that's only because I think the rest of the team is going to be really, really good.

[Stu]

If this team has a potential weak spot, I'd agree that the pen is most vulnerable. Of course, that's only because I think the rest of the team is going to be really, really good.

 

 

But if they perform to their abilities -- Grimm, Ramirez, Strop all throwing nasty stuff and Rondon performing to his baseball card numbers -- wouldn't that potentially be an elite, or at least top 10 BP?

[NOLA]

I mean, outside of a few teams, isn't the bullpen a potential weakness for every team? You never know. I like the Cubs chances of having a solid to good pen given their options.

[bukie]

If this team has a potential weak spot, I'd agree that the pen is most vulnerable. Of course, that's only because I think the rest of the team is going to be really, really good.

 

 

But if they perform to their abilities -- Grimm, Ramirez, Strop all throwing nasty stuff and Rondon performing to his baseball card numbers -- wouldn't that potentially be an elite, or at least top 10 BP?

It was 8th last season. It only seems like a weakness because the rest of the team is so insane.

[David]

Awful awful episode. I don't think most Cub fans want to hear discussions about the head shaving fundraiser or how everyone will handle increased expectations. What do you expect Rizzo or Bryant to say in response to all eyes being on them this season? You're just going to get generic responses.

 

What exactly were you expecting?

 

These things are just fun fluff pieces.

[David]

http://m.mlb.com/video/search?query=cubs

 

You can watch most/all of the clips from the show here.

[Derwood]

Awful awful episode. I don't think most Cub fans want to hear discussions about the head shaving fundraiser or how everyone will handle increased expectations. What do you expect Rizzo or Bryant to say in response to all eyes being on them this season? You're just going to get generic responses.

 

What exactly were you expecting?

 

These things are just fun fluff pieces.

 

Not enough Cardinals clips

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm less optimistic about the bullpen than most, still want a power armed lefty

 

Hey, I want a rocket car, but I'm not likely to get one.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm less optimistic about the bullpen than most, still want a power armed lefty, but there's plenty of trade bait and good relievers on bad teams (McGee, Logan on the Rockies, Smith on the Brewers come to mind).

 

Food for thought:

 

Player    FIP    K%-BB%   HR/FB   BAA    FB Vel

McGee    2.33    27.2%    7.3%   .196     94.4
Smith    2.47    25.4%    8.9%   .218     93.3
Logan    3.62    16.1%    8.1%   .274     92.6
Wood     2.53    18.7%    3.7%   .207     ~91

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I'm cautiously optimistic that Brothers makes the team and returns to his form a couple of years ago. If that happens I don't see how this bullpen is not one of the best in baseball again.

[StylesClash]

Awful awful episode. I don't think most Cub fans want to hear discussions about the head shaving fundraiser or how everyone will handle increased expectations. What do you expect Rizzo or Bryant to say in response to all eyes being on them this season? You're just going to get generic responses.

 

What exactly were you expecting?

 

These things are just fun fluff pieces.

 

Why does it have to be a fluff piece. If I were one of those two MLB reporters I would have asked Joe Maddon questions about topics that will actually effect the team in 2016. I guarantee you that would lead to a more interesting product for the viewer at home. A few questions off the top of my head:

 

-Wilson Contreras has been dubbed by some as the Catcher of the future. After watching him in person and on tape does he remind you of any Catcher in particular?

 

-You coached John Lackey with the Angels and saw him pitch extensively last season as well. Talk about how his repertoire has changed over the years and what allowed him to be so effective as a 37 year old.

 

-Talk about the changes in Kris Bryant's swing and how you believe it could potentially effect his performance this season.

 

My interview with just those three questions alone would have been better.

 

Awful awful episode. I don't think most Cub fans want to hear discussions about the head shaving fundraiser or how everyone will handle increased expectations. What do you expect Rizzo or Bryant to say in response to all eyes being on them this season? You're just going to get generic responses.

 

What exactly were you expecting?

 

These things are just fun fluff pieces.

 

Not enough Cardinals clips

 

Phuck off, you lame troll. ;)

[jersey cubs fan]

Awful awful episode. I don't think most Cub fans want to hear discussions about the head shaving fundraiser or how everyone will handle increased expectations. What do you expect Rizzo or Bryant to say in response to all eyes being on them this season? You're just going to get generic responses.

 

What exactly were you expecting?

 

These things are just fun fluff pieces.

 

Why does it have to be a fluff piece. If I were one of those two MLB reporters I would have asked Joe Maddon questions about topics that will actually effect the team in 2016. I guarantee you that would lead to a more interesting product for the viewer at home. A few questions off the top of my head:

 

-Wilson Contreras has been dubbed by some as the Catcher of the future. After watching him in person and on tape does he remind you of any Catcher in particular?

 

-You coached John Lackey with the Angels and saw him pitch extensively last season as well. Talk about how his repertoire has changed over the years and what allowed him to be so effective as a 37 year old.

 

-Talk about the changes in Kris Bryant's swing and how you believe it could potentially effect his performance this season.

 

My interview with just those three questions alone would have been better.

 

 

What exactly were you expecting?

 

These things are just fun fluff pieces.

 

Not enough Cardinals clips

 

Phuck off, you lame troll. ;)

Your preferred questions are dumb.

[Sammy Sofa]

I would have preferred a harsh Senate committee investigation, with McCain in full crazy mode up there banging his shoe on the podium and waving around sheets of paper and screaming "ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A MEMBER OF THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS?!?!" at the team.

[biittner77]

 

What exactly were you expecting?

 

These things are just fun fluff pieces.

 

Why does it have to be a fluff piece. If I were one of those two MLB reporters I would have asked Joe Maddon questions about topics that will actually effect the team in 2016. I guarantee you that would lead to a more interesting product for the viewer at home. A few questions off the top of my head:

 

-Wilson Contreras has been dubbed by some as the Catcher of the future. After watching him in person and on tape does he remind you of any Catcher in particular?

 

-You coached John Lackey with the Angels and saw him pitch extensively last season as well. Talk about how his repertoire has changed over the years and what allowed him to be so effective as a 37 year old.

 

-Talk about the changes in Kris Bryant's swing and how you believe it could potentially effect his performance this season.

 

My interview with just those three questions alone would have been better.

 

 

Not enough Cardinals clips

 

Phuck off, you lame troll. ;)

Your preferred questions are dumb.

 

They would also result in cliché answers that wouldn't be any more interesting than the other fluff they did cover.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Food for thought:

 

Player    FIP    K%-BB%   HR/FB   BAA    FB Vel

McGee    2.33    27.2%    7.3%   .196     94.4
Smith    2.47    25.4%    8.9%   .218     93.3
Logan    3.62    16.1%    8.1%   .274     92.6
Wood     2.53    18.7%    3.7%   .207     ~91

 

Possible I underrate Wood, he's got some similarities to a JP Howell-esque reliever and that's good, but looks to me like he's a good bet to give up more HRs this year.

 

That's a possibility, but I think the alternate causation is more likely. Wood doesn't have a big 4 seamer so he doesn't get thought of as an end of game option(also because he's only been a reliever for < 1 season), but this is partially by design. While he's not going to hit 98, he's also less likely to give up HR because everything he throws darts around, and he's more effective than as a starter because the velocity does tick up in short stints.

[Derwood]

[Phuck off, you lame troll. ;)

 

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/tumblr_lpq4ce9J0J1qjnfl4.gif

[Bull]

[Phuck off, you lame troll. ;)

 

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/tumblr_lpq4ce9J0J1qjnfl4.gif

Bampersand?