Cubs (Steele) vs Giants (TBD): 6/24/24, 8:45pm

[Cubs206]

The talent is a D+ at best but the managerial decisions are an F 

[DYMNO]

2 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

The only players they can "unload" are Bellinger and Hoerner. What prospects that aren't already on the team are you calling up to see what they can do?

I want to see Ballesteros. I want to see Owen Caisse. I want to see Alcantara and/or Davis when they’re healthy. I want to see Cade Horton. I couldn’t care less about who they have on the MLB roster, because they are not producing. Give me something. Anything. Rationality be damned. 

[Cuzi]

1 minute ago, Cubs206 said:

The talent is a D+ at best but the managerial decisions are an F 

There's quite literally not a single pitcher in the bullpen right now worthy of going to in ANY situation.

[Cuzi]

2 minutes ago, DYMNO said:

I want to see Ballesteros. I want to see Owen Caisse. I want to see Alcantara and/or Davis when they’re healthy. I want to see Cade Horton. I couldn’t care less about who they have on the MLB roster, because they are not producing. Give me something. Anything. Rationality be damned. 

Brennan Davis is the only name you mentioned that is a reasonable ask. He and PCA should probably swap it up. Having PCA as mostly a defensive replacement in MLB does him no good.

[Wilson A2000]

10 minutes ago, DYMNO said:

Seriously, what is it going to take to see some change? Why not unload what you have and see what these “prospects” can do? How is the hitting coach still employed? This is beyond ridiculous. 

Can’t give up on the season with the Comcast-Marquee contract looming 

[Irrelevant Dude]

1 minute ago, Wilson A2000 said:

Can’t give up on the season with the Comcast-Marquee contract looming 

You know it.  Jed is going to get the Reinsdorf mandate to push for the playoffs.

[DYMNO]

2 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

Brennan Davis is the only name you mentioned that is a reasonable ask. He and PCA should probably swap it up. Having PCA as mostly a defensive replacement in MLB does him no good.

Why are the others unreasonable asks? Development? Roster space?  We are choked full of underperforming AAAA guys that are simply not getting the job done, and maybe we can catch lightning in a bottle with a little irrationality. I don’t want to keep waiting while wading in mediocrity. I know I’m being a bit of a meatball, but I’m pissed. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

I stopped watching and came back to see they blew it, Steele is never going to get a win. And the bullpen still sucks ass. Counsell needs his head checked if he keeps throwing Brewer out there. 

[UMFan83]

14 minutes ago, GoCubsGo1978 said:

On a positive, Steele was really good tonight again. And Dansby looked good at shortstop and at the plate for a change

I’m happy for those individual players but none of it really matters from a team perspective does it?  This team will seemingly never get all its pieces working at the same time. 
 

Jed will blame injuries for the pen even though it’s glaringly obvious that Merryweather was the only one to miss significant time and not the difference between a playoff team and what we’ve actually got. 

Edited June 25, 2024 by UMFan83

[GoCubsGo1978]

1 minute ago, UMFan83 said:

I’m happy for those individual players but none of it really matters from a team perspective does it?  This team will seemingly never get all its pieces working at the same time. 
 

Jed will blame injuries for the pen even though it’s glaringly obvious that Merryweather was the only one to miss significant time and not the difference between a playoff team and what we’ve actually got. 

Just like so many other games this season, the Giants didn't win this game; the Cubs lost it.

[Cuzi]

9 minutes ago, DYMNO said:

Why are the others unreasonable asks? Development? Roster space?  We are choked full of underperforming AAAA guys that are simply not getting the job done, and maybe we can catch lightning in a bottle with a little irrationality. I don’t want to keep waiting while wading in mediocrity. I know I’m being a bit of a meatball, but I’m pissed. 

Cade Horton was just promoted to AAA not too long ago. He's pitched 18 innings, has a 7.5 ERA, given up 4 HRs, and is walking 5.5 batters per 9.

Ballesteros has played what? all of 1 week in AAA? What's his position? Is he on the 40 man?

Alcantara needs to be traded more than he needs to be promoted to MLB. The guy has a 106 wRC+ in AA with 1 option year left. What is he possibly going to do that bumps Bellinger out of CF? Why would you want to promote him when he clearly is not ready and is one of the more obvious trade pieces this team has.

Owen Caissie isn't on the 40 man and the position he plays isn't exactly a glaring need right now. He has a 117 wRC+ while having a .373 BABIP. He's not exactly pressing the issue either.

Edited June 25, 2024 by Cuzi

[GoCubsGo1978]

Just now, GoCubsGo1978 said:

Just like so many other games this season, the Giants didn't win this game; the Cubs lost it.

I will gladly tip my cap when the the Cubs get beat straight up.  But when you watch the final product they are putting out there on the field most days, they are playing to lose these games.  Have to find a way to turn it around and soon!

[DYMNO]

7 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

Cade Horton was just promoted to AAA not too long ago. He's pitched 18 innings, has a 7.5 ERA, given up 4 HRs, and is walking 5.5 batters per 9.

Ballesteros has played what? all of 1 week in AAA? What's his position? Is he on the 40 man?

Alcantara needs to be traded more than he needs to be promoted to MLB. The guy has a 106 wRC+ in AA with 1 option year left. What is he possibly going to do that bumps Bellinger out of CF? Why would you want to promote him when he clearly is not ready and is one of the more obvious trade pieces this team has.

Owen Caissie isn't on the 40 man and the position he plays isn't exactly a glaring need right now.

You’re 100% correct. I’m just being overly reactionary and stupid to boot. 

Edited June 25, 2024 by DYMNO

[Cubs206]

It’s like they’re playing to tank and get a better draft pick 

[17 Seconds]

why do people still watch? seriously

[Irrelevant Dude]

2 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

Cade Horton was just promoted to AAA not too long ago. He's pitched 18 innings, has a 7.5 ERA, given up 4 HRs, and is walking 5.5 batters per 9.

Ballesteros has played what? all of 1 week in AAA? What's his position? Is he on the 40 man?

Alcantara needs to be traded more than he needs to be promoted to MLB. The guy has a 106 wRC+ in AA with 1 option year left. What is he possibly going to do that bumps Bellinger out of CF? Why would you want to promote him when he clearly is not ready and is one of the more obvious trade pieces this team has.

Owen Caissie isn't on the 40 man and the position he plays isn't exactly a glaring need right now.

The only one I possibly disagree with is Ballasteros.  The Cubs catching situation is dire right now.  IF Ballasteros can handle catching a Major League staff, and that's a big "if", then I'm not opposed to taking a chance and giving him a shot.

[Irrelevant Dude]

3 minutes ago, Cubs206 said:

It’s like they’re playing to tank and get a better draft pick 

It's going to be both depressing and hilarious when they end up with a better pick than the White Sox.

[Cuzi]

9 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

The only one I possibly disagree with is Ballasteros.  The Cubs catching situation is dire right now.  IF Ballasteros can handle catching a Major League staff, and that's a big "if", then I'm not opposed to taking a chance and giving him a shot.

I guess. We are looking for offense, so naturally the focus goes to the least productive offensive positions on the team. But, catcher isn't exactly the position to go looking for it. Ballesteros is helium right now. Let him settle in at AAA for a month. There's no need to rush him because you want offense from the catching position.

This team needs a damn bullpen more than anything.

Realistically the Cubs are 9 games back in the division and have more teams to leap for a playoff spot than are below them in the standings. The Cubs are an AS break away from punting the season and looking at moves for '25+. No real reason to be doing what the Cardinals do with their top prospects and hinder their development for a season like this.

Edited June 25, 2024 by Cuzi

[UMFan83]

Steele has started 11 games, has a 3.08 ERA and has 0 wins

6/24 - left with a 4-2 lead in the 8th, lost 5-4

6/18 - left with a 2-2 tie in the 7th, won 5-2

6/13 - left with a 2-0 lead in the 7th, Leiter blew up and lost 3-2

6/8 - left down 3-1 with the difference being Amaya unable to hold on to a strikeout that would have ended the inning, and the next batter doubled home 2 runs, lost 3-2

6/1 - left tied 5-5, with 3 runs scoring on a horrific error by Suzuki that would have ended the inning

5/27 - left in 8th tied 0-0, Leiter and Wesneski gave up 5 runs in the next inning. Lost 5-1

5/22 - left in 7th down 3-1, Cuas let all of Steele’s inherited runners score and the inning ended down 8-1

5/16 - left down 5-3, Cubs lost 5-4

5/11 - left down 6-1. Cubs scored 7 runs to take 8-6 lead but then immediately blew it and lost 10-9. 
 

there were 2 more but I lost interest in documenting the rest

[UMFan83]

21 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

why do people still watch? seriously

I say that every day and then they hook me. Check the score and it’s the 6th and they’re up 4 runs. Ok fun let’s wind down my night by watching the last couple innings. They can’t surely blow every game they play right? It’s definitely a shame on me situation. That said I’ve emotionally distanced myself from the team a few weeks ago, these finishes are more amusing than anything. 

[Proven Veteran]

I was at this game. I missed the ferry home so that added to an awesome end to the evening.

[We Got The Whole 9]

52 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

I’m happy for those individual players but none of it really matters from a team perspective does it?  This team will seemingly never get all its pieces working at the same time. 
 

Jed will blame injuries for the pen even though it’s glaringly obvious that Merryweather was the only one to miss significant time and not the difference between a playoff team and what we’ve actually got. 

I hate defending Jed right now but Merryweather, Alzolay, and Almonte will each miss multiple months. 

[Stratos]

I want to urinate on this team.

[NorthsideAvenger]

1 hour ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

You know it.  Jed is going to get the Reinsdorf mandate to push for the playoffs.

I'm cool with that as long as Jed knows it's playoffs or unemployment.

[Eeyore]

Cubs have the seventh spot in the draft lottery with a 3.84% chance at the #1 overall pick.