General Cubs Chit-Chat

[Post Count Padder]

Damn, didn't realize it was COVID related. That sucks. Always seemed like a good dude. And that's one of my favorite baseball cards of ever. I remember reading his book in high school, was entertaining stuff.

[David]

i had never heard of this guy, but he seems cool based on those pictures. RIP JJ.

 

also, a quick google search indicates he was really fond of those umbrella hat things.

[Brian]

[tweet]

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[Ding Dong Johnson]

Man, it really sucks he got no fans in his last season with the team. What a huge signing that was.

[17 Seconds]

the 10m buyout is a sunk cost, right? so what's stopping them from bringing him back on a cheap 1-year deal for next year to fight for a spot in the rotation? Edited September 29, 2020 by 17 Seconds

[CubinNY]

i bet he'll be back

It would be nice for him to get his 200th win with the Cubs. I can’t believe it’s been almost 6 years.

[Brian]

the 10m buyout is a sunk cost

 

It's already paid in the luxury tax sense as it's been included in his AAV for the past 6 years, but that doesn't mean it won't be included in the Cubs internal accounting for their 2021 payroll

[17 Seconds]

the 10m buyout is a sunk cost

 

It's already paid in the luxury tax sense as it's been included in his AAV for the past 6 years, but that doesn't mean it won't be included in the Cubs internal accounting for their 2021 payroll

 

but they have to pay it regardless of what happens

[Brian]

the 10m buyout is a sunk cost

 

It's already paid in the luxury tax sense as it's been included in his AAV for the past 6 years, but that doesn't mean it won't be included in the Cubs internal accounting for their 2021 payroll

 

but they have to pay it regardless of what happens

 

I think they could do an extension before a decision on the option comes due that would nullify it but that seems highly unlikely at this point.

[17 Seconds]

theo's last 2 years fixing the offense:

 

[stitchface]

I think it's rebuild time. Not exactly a hot take but I don't see this group winning another WS so no reason to keep them around. sad day.

[Backtobanks]

I think it's rebuild time. Not exactly a hot take but I don't see this group winning another WS so no reason to keep them around. sad day.

 

Theo would have to find some other team(s) willing to ignore this years stats while trading 1 or 2 of the core players. I don't think Baez or Rizzo are going anywhere and I'm not sure what Bryant and/or Schwarber would get in return. Contreras/Caratini would bring something of value because of their position.

[stitchface]

I think it's rebuild time. Not exactly a hot take but I don't see this group winning another WS so no reason to keep them around. sad day.

 

Theo would have to find some other team(s) willing to ignore this years stats while trading 1 or 2 of the core players. I don't think Baez or Rizzo are going anywhere and I'm not sure what Bryant and/or Schwarber would get in return. Contreras/Caratini would bring something of value because of their position.

 

 

yea, might be better at the deadline and with a new GM. I don't have a ton of confidence in this management team to identify the right prospects and get the best value.

[Guancous]

Stunning news

 

[Rob]

Knuckleballer, of course.

[17 Seconds]

a cub has the longest postseason hr since 2015, but i bet almost nobody here would guess who it was

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/longest-playoff-home-runs-c297296892

[Andy]

a cub has the longest postseason hr since 2015, but i bet almost nobody here would guess who it was

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/longest-playoff-home-runs-c297296892

I knew that just because it was discussed after Robert's homer.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

450 feet on the wild card river HR? Yeah okay sure

[Bertz]

 

Not a ton here, which is normal for Mooney but disappointing for Sharma. I think the only thing that seems fairly clear is that everyone sees Hoyer as the guy after Theo leaves. I imagine he steps up, they bring in a #2 from outside the org, and everything else stays largely in place.

 

Payroll's also coming down, and they're meeting this week to figure out by how much. Sounds like the expectation is they'll have enough to tinker, but not do anything of substance without moving salary out. It's still possible that it's worse than that though, and they have to move out more money than they bring in. Personally, if it's that bad just burn it down. Don't bother pretending to compete with a $150M payroll.

[CubinNY]

 

Not a ton here, which is normal for Mooney but disappointing for Sharma. I think the only thing that seems fairly clear is that everyone sees Hoyer as the guy after Theo leaves. I imagine he steps up, they bring in a #2 from outside the org, and everything else stays largely in place.

 

Payroll's also coming down, and they're meeting this week to figure out by how much. Sounds like the expectation is they'll have enough to tinker, but not do anything of substance without moving salary out. It's still possible that it's worse than that though, and they have to move out more money than they bring in. Personally, if it's that bad just burn it down. Don't bother pretending to compete with a $150M payroll.

Theo's tenure, bust-boom-bust. He brought a WS, but a very mediocre overall result. The boom was great fun while it lasted.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Not a ton here, which is normal for Mooney but disappointing for Sharma. I think the only thing that seems fairly clear is that everyone sees Hoyer as the guy after Theo leaves. I imagine he steps up, they bring in a #2 from outside the org, and everything else stays largely in place.

 

Payroll's also coming down, and they're meeting this week to figure out by how much. Sounds like the expectation is they'll have enough to tinker, but not do anything of substance without moving salary out. It's still possible that it's worse than that though, and they have to move out more money than they bring in. Personally, if it's that bad just burn it down. Don't bother pretending to compete with a $150M payroll.

Theo's tenure, bust-boom-bust. He brought a WS, but a very mediocre overall result. The boom was great fun while it lasted.

 

They tanked, then were great and declined into well above average. They had 4 90+ win seasons which is a benchmark for actually being a good team rather than just in the running. 3 straight NLCS appearances, four straight playoffs appearances, 5 in 6 years.

 

I think bust boom bust is a fairly inaccurate assessment.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Yeah, Trueblood was trying to push a similar narrative earlier this week and it doesn't land. On top of what jersey said, since 2015 the Cubs are 3rd in MLB in wins, including more than the Yankees, who were Trueblood's 'consistent excellence' barometer they were failing to meet. The short to medium term outlook isn't as good as it could or should be, and you can blame various proportions of ownership, the front office, and luck for that. But that frustration is creating a desire for some to downplay what they actually achieved.

[CubinNY]

Yeah, Trueblood was trying to push a similar narrative earlier this week and it doesn't land. On top of what jersey said, since 2015 the Cubs are 3rd in MLB in wins, including more than the Yankees, who were Trueblood's 'consistent excellence' barometer they were failing to meet. The short to medium term outlook isn't as good as it could or should be, and you can blame various proportions of ownership, the front office, and luck for that. But that frustration is creating a desire for some to downplay what they actually achieved.

I'm more than happy to lay the majority of the blame on the Ricketts.

[Post Count Padder]

Contreras, Rizzo, Hoerner, Javy, Heyward, Mills and Professor are all Gold Glove finalists

[Gmoney23]

Yeah, Trueblood was trying to push a similar narrative earlier this week and it doesn't land. On top of what jersey said, since 2015 the Cubs are 3rd in MLB in wins, including more than the Yankees, who were Trueblood's 'consistent excellence' barometer they were failing to meet. The short to medium term outlook isn't as good as it could or should be, and you can blame various proportions of ownership, the front office, and luck for that. But that frustration is creating a desire for some to downplay what they actually achieved.

 

Yeah since 15 third most wins in baseball. Same amount LCS appearances as the Yankees. Actually won a World Series which NY & LA (as of this week) havent won. Nobody has dynastied & won 2 titles during this stretch. Goes to show how important 2016 was. Great organizations like LA, NY, and CLE are still shutout of rings during this stretch.

 

It sucks the waves and waves & dynasty didnt happen but hard to give Theo anything but an A for this stretch of consistent good with a few years of great baseball.