Cubs (Steele) vs White Sox (Flexen): 8/10/24, 6:15pm

[CubUgly]

10 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Kind of how I feel. But I do think the offense will be better with guys they have just being better. 

I hear this but that's kinda what we've all been waiting and hoping for this year and yes it is finally happening, but it may have taken too long.   So mostly playing it all back and hoping for the same thing.....mostly the same guys to play to their reasonably expected levels....it just seems like we're treading water.

 

Now Paredes is a factor, and I hope he can continue to play to his numbers of the last 3 years, but is that enough?

[Rcal10]

22 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

I hear this but that's kinda what we've all been waiting and hoping for this year and yes it is finally happening, but it may have taken too long.   So mostly playing it all back and hoping for the same thing.....mostly the same guys to play to their reasonably expected levels....it just seems like we're treading water.

 

Now Paredes is a factor, and I hope he can continue to play to his numbers of the last 3 years, but is that enough?

I get that. Like I said, I know it wouldn’t be popular. And I would much rather get a big bat. But it is not inconceivable the same guys they have now so have a better year next year. The talent is on this team. Paredes all year and PCA with a year under his belt should help. Then some guys can play to their career numbers instead of below them, like this year. Add a TOR starter and you have a 90 win team. 

[CubinNY]

11 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I am sure this will not be a popular belief, but if Bellinger comes back I am not sure they have a apt or a need for any extra bat. Just go with a solid catcher to share time with Amaya(Kelly) and then spend on someone like Burnes to improve the starting staff. Maybe also sign a pen arm. That is about it. Offense gets better by guys just having better years. Swanson should be better. So should Nico. PCA should be better next year. Plus they have Paredes ass year. None of the guys they have are doing well to a level they shouldn’t expect to at least be the same next year, and probably better. If their offense is middle of the pack (7th or 8th in the NL) but their rotation is too 3 and their pen is decent and they play great defense, there is no reason that team can’t win 90 games. It should be good enough. Of course, I would love for Bellinger to opt out. Then spend big and get Soto. PERIOD. That would be the ideal situation. But I am not sure they will do that. If Bellinger opts out they can also trade some young talent for Vlad or Tucker. Maybe even Robert, depending o  his cost. But if not, just add to the staff. 

Yes, that is not a popular belief from where I sit. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

When you're talking about half the lineup's worth of positions(OF+1B+DH), if you have one person per spot you're actually short.  If you have 6 players for 5 spots you've got an average of 135 games per person, a very reasonable target.   Case in point, we're 120 games into the season as of tonight, and Seiya & Bellinger have missed 30 games each.  Throw in 10 games each(at least, given Busch and PCA's uncertain platoon strength) for the other 3 spots for rest and matchups and you've got a near full time work load for someone.  Also players can have long term injuries, pitchers could figure out PCA or Busch and make them unplayable, etc.

 

What this does do is make it a little bit harder to convince certain players to join your project.  Juan Soto won't care, he's at the top of the food chain no matter what lineup he joins.  But any bat-first FA they approach might have second thoughts about how long they'd be allowed to work through any struggles.  That JD Martinez/Anthony Santander caliber of player that may be a fallback(or primary depending on other moves of significance) is the type of guy who may go elsewhere so he doesn't have to worry about a PCA breakout ruining his ability to get another contract.