2024 Spring Training Game Thread

[Stratos]

19 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I dont disagree with you, I just feel this is the route Jed is taking. I think he's trying to replicate 2015 in some ways with a big difference being that they have more young pitching in system and they have more young talented depth throughout.

But, I think he has his eyes on the OF talent they have in system to go along with Shaw as far as position players goes.

Who we sign this offseason isn't relevant much to the future because players can be traded in the future, whether that's veterans on contracts or prospects.  Having too much talent is a great problem for us to have.   Trading a vet means we get to reload the farm or trade for a more glaring mlb need.

Sitting on that money and not spending it is silly because we're just sitting on assets

Edited February 24, 2024 by Stratos

[Irrelevant Dude]

18 minutes ago, Andy said:

This one isn't on Ricketts specifically. The letters (among many things) look ridiculous on all these MLB jerseys with the new Fanatics design. I think/hope something will be done before the regular season.

I don't love the look of the lettering, but we would probably get used to it eventually if they stick with it.  I can't imagine EVER buying one of those new jerseys though.  Nike's sweatshop-produced clothing has never been the greatest quality, but can you imagine how Fanatics must be operating if they can produce the uniforms for less than Nike could?

[Petrey10]

These are the jerseys this team deserve…

[Derwood]

I love that this off season has been so boring that the biggest controversy people can come up with is lettering on the jerseys. 

[BigbadB]

1 hour ago, Derwood said:

I love that this off season has been so boring that the biggest controversy people can come up with is lettering on the jerseys. 

first thing I noticed about the jersey's yesterday. My guess is they went small to try to make Crow-Armstrong fit better. Didn't work. When I pointed it out to my wife, she suggested they just do Crow-Armstrong all the way around the number. I guess that isn't much worse than a half circle. 

 

[Derwood]

1 hour ago, BigbadB said:

first thing I noticed about the jersey's yesterday. My guess is they went small to try to make Crow-Armstrong fit better. Didn't work. When I pointed it out to my wife, she suggested they just do Crow-Armstrong all the way around the number. I guess that isn't much worse than a half circle. 

 

This is a Fanatics problem, not a Cubs problem.

[Bertz]

[TarzanJoeWallis]

2 hours ago, Derwood said:

This is a Fanatics problem, not a Cubs problem.

Yeah I’m surprised anyone would think this is specific to the Cubs. This has been a huge story throughout baseball all spring. 

[chibears55]

16 hours ago, Stratos said:

Who we sign this offseason isn't relevant much to the future because players can be traded in the future, whether that's veterans on contracts or prospects.  Having too much talent is a great problem for us to have.   Trading a vet means we get to reload the farm or trade for a more glaring mlb need.

Sitting on that money and not spending it is silly because we're just sitting on assets

He signing guys to minimal deals in years, that who he can flip if he wants,  he not really looking to sign guys for long term to maybe trade in 2-3 yrs.

They've been sitting on money the last 3 seasons,  they're about 30 mil under now, I dont expect them to spend anymore then 20 of that if they do add another bat and or arm this offseason.

[chibears55]

27 minutes ago, TarzanJoeWallis said:

Yeah I’m surprised anyone would think this is specific to the Cubs. This has been a huge story throughout baseball all spring. 

Weren't the Dodgers or Padres complaining about how thin the pants were that you could see through them the other day ?

[chibears55]

Any chance if Davis has a really good ST and they dont add Bellinger he could get a chance to start opening day ?

[Bertz]

10 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Any chance if Davis has a really good ST and they dont add Bellinger he could get a chance to start opening day ?

I read this AM they told him he will 100% start at Iowa.  They want him to make up for lost time and get consistent everyday at bats and build his confidence back up.

[Rcal10]

17 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Any chance if Davis has a really good ST and they dont add Bellinger he could get a chance to start opening day ?

None. No chance at all. Counsell actually talked to Davis before the sorting games started and told him he would not make the team. 

[UMFan83]

Would love to see Davis emerge. At this point no one is really counting on him to be anything so anything we get from him would be awesome. 

[Bertz]

The new market inefficiency is outfielders who've been basically dead for the better part of two years

[Rcal10]

12 minutes ago, Bertz said:

The new market inefficiency is outfielders who've been basically dead for the better part of two years

I know he isn’t making the team, but it would be nice to see him play an injury free year and produce. Kid has had some bad luck. If he doesn’t make it to the majors it would be nice if that decision was made based on ability instead of injury. 

[Illiterate Scholar]

The glove Alcantara is wearing is one of the coolest things I've seen on a baseball field. 

[chibears55]

2 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I know he isn’t making the team, but it would be nice to see him play an injury free year and produce. Kid has had some bad luck. If he doesn’t make it to the majors it would be nice if that decision was made based on ability instead of injury. 

Right, it's not like CF is being blocked by Tauchman now, I think if there no Bellinger then whether it Davis or not, CF is going to be open for someone to take over at any point during the season. 

[Rcal10]

15 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Right, it's not like CF is being blocked by Tauchman now, I think if there no Bellinger then whether it Davis or not, CF is going to be open for someone to take over at any point during the season. 

I am not sure about this. I don’t rhink centerfield is an option for him. Not anymore. And he has a long way to go to even be considered. There are probably 3 young outfielders ahead of him for centerfield. I just want to see a healthy year at AAA. 

Edited February 24, 2024 by Rcal10

[chibears55]

Cubs pitching is definitely going to be their strength this season,  the depth should be pretty good.

[chibears55]

13 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I am not sure about this. I don’t rhink centerfield is an option for him. Not anymore. And he has a long way to go to even be considered. There are probably 3 young outfielders ahead of him for centerfield. I just want to see a healthy year at AAA. 

Probably right, he might even be a trade asset at some point.

[CubinNY]

1 hour ago, chibears55 said:

Probably right, he might even be a trade asset at some point.

He was a top 50 prospect. If he can come back to that level there are other guys to trade. 

[CubinNY]

Cubs are hot to start ST. Then have a little swagger too. 

[CubinNY]

Aliendo has put some muscle on that frame since I saw him in Montgomery last spring 

[UMFan83]

36 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Cubs are hot to start ST. Then have a little swagger too. 

Cool to see but obviously means absolutely nothing.