8/14 - Off-Day Cubs Chatter

[Brock Beauchamp]

It's an off-day, what's on your mind?

The Cubs are back out of a postseason spot but barely. FG still has them at 53% to make the postseason, which speaks to their remaining strength of schedule.

[Brian707]

horsefeathers White Sox couldn't even win a game this weekend on the South Side. SMH

[CubinNY]

It's going to be quite an exciting end of the season with this many teams still in the hunt. Those last three in Milwaukee could be huge, might I even say, "must win"?

[Derwood]

I remain terrified of our starting pitching

[Outshined_One]

The minors have been fun to watch recently.  PCA continues to look like a legitimate stud and will probably end up in the top 10 of a heck of a lot of national Top 100 MLB Prospect lists, while Matt Shaw is wrecking A+ ball.  Assuming everyone keeps healthy, the Cubs might have some really fun choices to make come next season.

Oh yeah, and the MLB team is pretty good, so there's also that.

[UMFan83]

3 hours ago, Brian707 said:

horsefeathers White Sox couldn't even win a game this weekend on the South Side. SMH

I'm sure they'll roll over for us too this week right?

[Brian707]

51 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

I'm sure they'll roll over for us too this week right?

I would like to hope, but not likely

[Derwood]

They rolled over for us last series

[chibears55]

4 hours ago, Outshined_One said:

The minors have been fun to watch recently.  PCA continues to look like a legitimate stud and will probably end up in the top 10 of a heck of a lot of national Top 100 MLB Prospect lists, while Matt Shaw is wrecking A+ ball.  Assuming everyone keeps healthy, the Cubs might have some really fun choices to make come next season.

Oh yeah, and the MLB team is pretty good, so there's also that.

I'd like to see Shaw end the season with the Smokies,  and start next season there.

Then next season see if he can get to Iowa and then make a push to the cubs in the second half.

[Irrelevant Dude]

34 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I'd like to see Shaw end the season with the Smokies,  and start next season there.

Then next season see if he can get to Iowa and then make a push to the cubs in the second half.

Shaw's possible rapid movement makes for some interesting decisions at the big league level.  2B and SS are locked down for the foreseeable future, so do the Cubs think highly enough of him that they want to avoid blocking his path to 3B?  Does that mean they might stay away from a big contract for a guy like Chapman, and maybe even Candelario unless they can get him to sign a shorter term deal?  3B might call for more of a stopgap solution as long as they can lock down a significant offensive threat at the other corner (Bellinger or otherwise).

[UMFan83]

Since the Cubs are off, this is what other teams we're competing against are doing tonight:

Marlins (0.5 GA in WC3): Home vs. Astros (Garrett vs. Valdez)

Reds (tied in standings):  Idle

Giants (2 GA in WC2): Home vs. Rays (Walker vs. Glasnow)

Phillies (3.5 GA in WC1): Idle

Diamondbacks (2 GB): Away vs Rockies (Kelly vs. Flexen)

Brewers (3.5 GA in Central): Idle

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by UMFan83

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

Shaw's possible rapid movement makes for some interesting decisions at the big league level.  2B and SS are locked down for the foreseeable future, so do the Cubs think highly enough of him that they want to avoid blocking his path to 3B?  Does that mean they might stay away from a big contract for a guy like Chapman, and maybe even Candelario unless they can get him to sign a shorter term deal?  3B might call for more of a stopgap solution as long as they can lock down a significant offensive threat at the other corner (Bellinger or otherwise).

If they brought Bellinger back I am ok with giving Morel a real shot at 3rd. I am one who still thinks Mervis will be the first baseman next year. I don’t think they should give him the job, but I think he will earn it. If he does, DH can go between any OF who is not PCA (hopefully he is in center next year), Mervis and Morel (when they want Madrigal at 3rd once in a while for defense. Otherwise, just let Morel play 3rd and Madrigal is a bench guy, strictly. And if Mervis falters, Bellinger goes to 2st, Madrigal 3rd and Morel DH. I don’t think they need to invest big on a 3rd baseman. 

[chibears55]

2 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

Shaw's possible rapid movement makes for some interesting decisions at the big league level.  2B and SS are locked down for the foreseeable future, so do the Cubs think highly enough of him that they want to avoid blocking his path to 3B?  Does that mean they might stay away from a big contract for a guy like Chapman, and maybe even Candelario unless they can get him to sign a shorter term deal?  3B might call for more of a stopgap solution as long as they can lock down a significant offensive threat at the other corner (Bellinger or otherwise).

Shaw will likely end up being a multi positional guy like Zobrist/Morel to play everyday. It wouldn't surprise me if they had him play some corner OF next season in the minors to see if he can handle it.

I'm hoping Hoyer put more focus on pitching and keeping Bellinger in the offseason.

[CubinNY]

3 hours ago, chibears55 said:

I'd like to see Shaw end the season with the Smokies,  and start next season there.

Then next season see if he can get to Iowa and then make a push to the cubs in the second half.

Right now that have nowhere to put him on the big league roster. If he blows up, I’m sure they find space, but he’s blocked at every position. They even used him in the outfield a few games. 

[chibears55]

3 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Right now that have nowhere to put him on the big league roster. If he blows up, I’m sure they find space, but he’s blocked at every position. They even used him in the outfield a few games. 

Talking more for closer to or in the second half next season 

[stitchface]

Cubs next four series are: White Sox, Royals, Tigers, and Pirates.

Brewers: Dodgers, Rangers, Twins, Padres

 

Be good to make up some ground. Maybe go 8-4 and see Brewers go 5-6? 

[CubinNY]

6 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Talking more for closer to or in the second half next season 

Even next year. 

[chibears55]

4 minutes ago, stitchface said:

Cubs next four series are: White Sox, Royals, Tigers, and Pirates.

Brewers: Dodgers, Rangers, Twins, Padres

 

Be good to make up some ground. Maybe go 8-4 and see Brewers go 5-6? 

Yep, this is where the cubs gotta pull even or ahead of the Brewers before going into September. 

[chibears55]

5 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Even next year. 

We have no idea of where at or what this roster will look like in July of next season to say today he is blocked.

If this kid at 21/22 ends up putting up solid numbers in AA and AAA, and looks like he ready for mlb action, you find a spot for him.

I mean, outside of Amaya, Hoerner, Swanson, and Bellinger if he resign , no position player on this current roster is untouchable.

[thawv]

31 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

We have no idea of where at or what this roster will look like in July of next season to say today he is blocked.

If this kid at 21/22 ends up putting up solid numbers in AA and AAA, and looks like he ready for mlb action, you find a spot for him.

I mean, outside of Amaya, Hoerner, Swanson, and Bellinger if he resign , no position player on this current roster is untouchable.

Agreed.  But who is going to want Happ or Suzuki, unless the Cubs pick up all or most of their contract?

[17 Seconds]

20 minutes ago, thawv said:

Agreed.  But who is going to want Happ or Suzuki, unless the Cubs pick up all or most of their contract?

happ is good 

[Irrelevant Dude]

2 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

happ is good 

Good-ish

[17 Seconds]

Just now, Irrelevant Dude said:

Good-ish

his contract is fine and definitely movable 

[UMFan83]

So far so bad tonight.  Marlins lead the Astros 2-1 in the 8th.  Diamondbacks up early too

 

edit: 4-1 now. Looks like the Cubs will be 1 GB tomorrow. Miami will be 6-1 in their last 7 after a long down stretch. 

Edited August 15, 2023 by UMFan83

[Irrelevant Dude]

14 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

his contract is fine and definitely movable 

Yeah, it's not a bad contract, and he's probably trade-able if that's the direction they want to go.  He's fine and affordable and does some things really well, but he's also lacking in power that then needs to be made up elsewhere in the lineup.