The 2018-2019 Cubs Offseason Rumors & Discussion Thread AKA The Rickettssss take a dump on EVERYTHING

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's maddening how many Cubs fans (on other sites) still think that a) leadoff hitter is a "thing", b) that it's a major need, and c) that not having one is the reason the Cubs didn't go far last year.

 

2018 leadoff hitting statistics are basically identical to 2016 numbers. Of all the things we can point to about how horrendously the 2018 offense performed, the person who happened to be penciled first in the batting order wasn't one of them

 

They are similar to 2016 because they put Rizzo there for 25% of the season and he put up a .979 OPS at leadoff.

 

It’s not high on the priority list but there is a lack of a good person for that role that gets a ton of PA. Zobrist is probably a better option than most reasonable external options though.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Talking about baseball is barely tolerable here. Doing it with rando cubs fans is a “doctor it hurts when I go like this” moment.

[Derwood]

It's maddening how many Cubs fans (on other sites) still think that a) leadoff hitter is a "thing", b) that it's a major need, and c) that not having one is the reason the Cubs didn't go far last year.

 

2018 leadoff hitting statistics are basically identical to 2016 numbers. Of all the things we can point to about how horrendously the 2018 offense performed, the person who happened to be penciled first in the batting order wasn't one of them

 

They are similar to 2016 because they put Rizzo there for 25% of the season and he put up a .979 OPS at leadoff.

 

This is a problem to idiots because Rizzo is a "cleanup hitter" and not a "leadoff hitter", as if either of those are things after the 1st inning

[NOLA]

It's maddening how many Cubs fans (on other sites) still think that a) leadoff hitter is a "thing", b) that it's a major need, and c) that not having one is the reason the Cubs didn't go far last year.

 

2018 leadoff hitting statistics are basically identical to 2016 numbers. Of all the things we can point to about how horrendously the 2018 offense performed, the person who happened to be penciled first in the batting order wasn't one of them

 

They are similar to 2016 because they put Rizzo there for 25% of the season and he put up a .979 OPS at leadoff.

 

This is a problem to idiots because Rizzo is a "cleanup hitter" and not a "leadoff hitter", as if either of those are things after the 1st inning

Agree, but don’t you think there’s something to be said for having someone on base ahead of your best hitters? Sure, Rizzo did fine there, but then you’re taking his bat away in potential RBI situations.

[Sammy Sofa]

As pointed out already, repeatedly, the Cubs already have Zobrist.

[ConstableRabbit]

Talking about baseball is barely tolerable here. Doing it with rando cubs fans is a “doctor it hurts when I go like this” moment.

People talk about baseball here?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

zobrist is not fast and does not play CF so he can’t lead off

[Cubswin11]

The Padres have asked about Bote/we’ve had discussions with them about him. Allegedly. Figure out a way to have them take Chatwood for him.

[Bull]

zobrist is not fast and does not play CF so he can’t lead off

While I agree with the sarcastic sentiment here, Zobrist is old and crusty, and there’s no guarantee he’ll continue to get on base at a —— holy crap! He had a .378 OBP last year?!? Nevermind.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

zobrist is not fast and does not play CF so he can’t lead off

While I agree with the sarcastic sentiment here, Zobrist is old and crusty, and there’s no guarantee he’ll continue to get on base at a —— holy crap! He had a .378 OBP last year?!? Nevermind.

 

Plus he needs like four days off per week.

[Cubswin11]

zobrist is not fast and does not play CF so he can’t lead off

While I agree with the sarcastic sentiment here, Zobrist is old and crusty, and there’s no guarantee he’ll continue to get on base at a —— holy crap! He had a .378 OBP last year?!? Nevermind.

 

Plus he needs like four days off per week.

The optimal lineup has him leading off, IMO. But yeah he needs 2-3 days off a week at this point and with Joe being Joe (I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing) you know so many guys are going to be in and out and in different spots in the lineup it doesn’t really matter. Just have the best 3-5 batters/platoon split guys on a given day hit at the top and we’ll be fine. We’ll end up having 6-8 different leadoff hitters by year end anyways with how Joe works things (off the top of my head I’d be shocked if all of Zobrist, Almora, Rizzo, Descalso, Happ, and Heyward don’t get at least 1 game at leadoff and probably another guy or two will as well).

[SouthSideRyan]

Too bad Acee ain't in charge no more.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

Too bad Acee ain't in charge no more.

[Bluescale]

He had a .378 OBP last year?!? Nevermind.

 

And .318 the year before. There are no guarantees at his age.

[Cubswin11]

He had a .378 OBP last year?!? Nevermind.

 

And .318 the year before. There are no guarantees at his age.

I definitely agree on the age thing. If he’s complete garbage or limited this year we shouldn’t be surprised. But we do know he had the wrist injury for most of 2017 that he was stupidly playing through that and it clearly affected him (thanks again medical staff!). There was a cause of his below average 2017.

[Hunter]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

Arcia in 40 games with the Angels last year: .204/.226/.427

 

I don't know how he grades defensively, but I hope he isn't our planned backup catcher.

[Tim]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

Arcia in 40 games with the Angels last year: .204/.226/.427

 

I don't know how he grades defensively, but I hope he isn't our planned backup catcher.

I somehow doubt that Iowa is going to carry six catchers.

[d_money]

The Cubs aren’t even listed as one of the 5 teams listed by RichRd Justicd on MLB.com that MIGHT be a mystery team for Machado/Harper. The Cardinals are on that list.

 

Theeeeeeeeeoooooo

 

I suppose it would be less mysterious if the Cubs were on that list

The Cards scare me as a team able to afford one of those guys. Talk about a team with money that doesn’t put back into payroll.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Sammy Sofa]

MORE LIKE BORINGSTEIN.

[jersey cubs fan]

MORE LIKE BORINGSTEIN.

I could have sworn it was Boringstain my whole life

[Brian]

Mark Loretta hiring already paying off

[chopsx9]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

Arcia in 40 games with the Angels last year: .204/.226/.427

 

I don't know how he grades defensively, but I hope he isn't our planned backup catcher.

I somehow doubt that Iowa is going to carry six catchers.

 

Jim Adducci?!?!?! Who says you can't go home again!

[Cubswin11]

Now we are cooking with gas

 

[Cubswin11]