Cubs (Horton) vs Twins (Festa): 7/9/25, 6:40pm

[PeanutPunch33]

3 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

So then every team is exposed. Cool, good talk. 

It's hard to have a "good talk" with someone that takes things out of context and is determined to have the last word.   Congrats I guess. I have better things to do than to argue with you 

[chibears55]

12 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Even with a loss today the Cubs are one game from the best record in the  NL with what apparently you feel is a team that is very flawed and can’t possibly win in the playoffs. They are 16 games over .500 with this apparently bad team. I think we all know they need to add a few pitchers and I think they will. But I also think you are overreacting to a few bad games. 

Correct, it is amazing theyre where theyre at with having key injuries to the rotation, and having multiple bats going through struggles for long periods of time.

Let just hold hitting that panic button for a couple more weeks and see how they respond to start the second half and what Hoyer does to upgrade where it's needed.

 

[chibears55]

18 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Just can’t believe 48 hours ago we were up 4 games with the Brewers starting a series against the Dodgers and us against the Twins

Didn't we just go through this a couple weeks when they went from being up like 6 games to 2 in a matter of a week and then boom they got it back up to 5.

But yea, did not expect to lose 2 game to the Brewers during these series , hopefully tomorrow they'll get 1 back and both the Dodgers and Cubs will take care of Buisness. 

[cubfansince77]

10 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Correct, it is amazing theyre where theyre at with having key injuries to the rotation, and having multiple bats going through struggles for long periods of time.

Let just hold hitting that panic button for a couple more weeks and see how they respond to start the second half and what Hoyer does to upgrade where it's needed.

 

Good post and points 55...what do you REALISTICALLY think Jed is going to do at the deadline? Most of us agree we need another MOR starter, another bullpen arm and a 3rd baseman due to Shaw's lack of success thus far.

Gotta give to get, how many of the big 3 (Alcantara, Ballesteros, Cassie) do you see being dealt? 

Edited July 10, 2025 by cubfansince77

[squally1313]

It becomes way less annoying if you set your sights higher and you appreciate the dodgers six game losing streak keeping the path wide open to a first round bye, which is way more impactful than division winner three vs wild card one. 
 

(Ok, done being that guy for the night. Probably)

[Derwood]

What a wet fart of a series

[chibears55]

3 minutes ago, cubfansince77 said:

Good post and 55...what do you REALISTICALLY think Jed is going to do at the deadline? Most of us agree we need another MOR starter, another bullpen arm and a 3rd baseman due to Shaw's lack of success thus far.

Gotta give to get, how many of the big 3 (Alcantara, Ballesteros, Cassie) do you see being dealt? 

I personally feel they need better then just a MOR arm as a start, they need, if they can get, a guy who can slot between Imanaga and Boyd. They also can use another Starter if they wanna push Rea out of the rotation and I hope they do.

I'd like to see them have a rotation in August of Imanaga, TOR type, Boyd, inning eater, Horton.

They could use a backend reliever to help Palencia and keep him fresh, preferably LHed.

Lastly,  a 3Bmen that can slot in the middle of lineup between PCA and Busch would be ideal.

 

Be nice if they can add a power bat for the bench and a super utility guy that can give outfielders and middle infielders a breather here and there  but not counting on it, I think we'll probably just see a couple guys from Iowa come up to fill that need.

 

 

 

[gflore34]

Homework for tomorrow don't spot the Twins a two run lead in the bottom of the first.  In fact, I'll make a prediction, if the Cubs hold the Twins scoreless in the first tomorrow, they'll win.

[17 Seconds]

gonna feel good to lose cam smith for one year of tucker and still finish behind the brewers

[JHBulls]

3 hours ago, chibears55 said:

Boy, not much fight those last 2 innings from the top of order on down.

4 games left til break, be cool if they can find a way to at least split them, then take a deep breath and start the second half.

No panic but it would be nice if during the break Hoyer can give these guys a positive shot in arm with a solid acquisition to give them a little boost.

 

That would be nice, but clubs take “deadline” too literal and do all their trading in the final 1-2 days. 

[Geographyhater8888]

7 hours ago, chibears55 said:

I personally feel they need better then just a MOR arm as a start, they need, if they can get, a guy who can slot between Imanaga and Boyd. They also can use another Starter if they wanna push Rea out of the rotation and I hope they do.

I'd like to see them have a rotation in August of Imanaga, TOR type, Boyd, inning eater, Horton.

They could use a backend reliever to help Palencia and keep him fresh, preferably LHed.

Lastly,  a 3Bmen that can slot in the middle of lineup between PCA and Busch would be ideal.

 

Be nice if they can add a power bat for the bench and a super utility guy that can give outfielders and middle infielders a breather here and there  but not counting on it, I think we'll probably just see a couple guys from Iowa come up to fill that need.

 

 

 

Only pitchers available are MOR arms who won’t quite move the needle like a true TOR stopper who can miss bats and win you that needed game.

 

A MOR arm would certainly help, but an Alex Bregman would move the needle ans much as anyone on the trading block. This team will have to slug their way to a pennant and rely on defense and a rotation that can keep in the park at an acceptable level and let the defense make plays.
 

The most glaring hole is third base and turning a weakness into a strength on a lineup that scores at a high runs/game clip, albeit sporadically would be a huge addition

Edited July 10, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Only pitchers available are MOR arms who won’t quite move the needle like a true TOR stopper who can miss bats and win you that needed game.

 

 

A MOR arm would certainly help, but an Alex Bregman would move the needle ans much as anyone on the trading block. This team will have to slug their way to a pennant and rely on defense and a rotation that can keep in the park at an acceptable level and let the defense make plays.
 

The most glaring hole is third base and turning a weakness into a strength on a lineup that scores at a high runs/game clip, albeit sporadically would be a huge addition

You suggest only MOR starters are available and then suggest the Cubs should go after Bregman when none of us has any idea who is truly available and who will be available later. Do we know Gore isn’t available? Is Alcantara or Cabrera better than a MOR starter? Gallen? Maybe he turned the corner. I would be fine with guys like Gallen, Kelly, Lugo, Keller, Cabrera, Gore, Ryan, Alcantara, etc…. The real problem here is some of those guys might not even be available. Which is the same issue with suggesting Bregman and Suarez(who you didn’t mention, but many have). I realize 3rd base is a need. However, with the 3rd baseman they already have they are a top 3 offense in baseball. I don’t see them spending big time assets to get a stud there. I am thinking their sites are lower there, like Moncada, Urias, Castro, etc… But again, who is available? I think the bulk of their prospect assets should go towards 2 pitchers. Just have no idea who is available.

[Rcal10]

5 hours ago, JHBulls said:

That would be nice, but clubs take “deadline” too literal and do all their trading in the final 1-2 days. 

The problem is with 3 wild card teams in each league no team wants to believe they aren’t in the race on July 10th. A mini streak and they are back in it. So teams are not selling until last minute. There is nothing the Cubs can do about it except work with the few teams who are obviously out of it. But that cost is probably very high right now. 

[Geographyhater8888]

34 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

You suggest only MOR starters are available and then suggest the Cubs should go after Bregman when none of us has any idea who is truly available and who will be available later. Do we know Gore isn’t available? Is Alcantara or Cabrera better than a MOR starter? Gallen? Maybe he turned the corner. I would be fine with guys like Gallen, Kelly, Lugo, Keller, Cabrera, Gore, Ryan, Alcantara, etc…. The real problem here is some of those guys might not even be available. Which is the same issue with suggesting Bregman and Suarez(who you didn’t mention, but many have). I realize 3rd base is a need. However, with the 3rd baseman they already have they are a top 3 offense in baseball. I don’t see them spending big time assets to get a stud there. I am thinking their sites are lower there, like Moncada, Urias, Castro, etc… But again, who is available? I think the bulk of their prospect assets should go towards 2 pitchers. Just have no idea who is available.

Being the number 2 scoring offense shouldn’t deter you from a needed upgrade, especially if and when one becomes available. Did the Dodgers not need Ohtani because they were the 2nd highest scoring offense in 23 with 907 runs?

 

Another starter is a big need; that’s beating a dead horse at this point. The idea is to score more runs than your opponent, turning a hole in the lineup into a strength is just as effective. If Bregman becomes available he’d transform the offense to a significant enough degree to get by without a true ace in a perfect world.

 

so with the information we currently about available players on the trade market, that’s the ideal route in my opinion and a hypothetical but more than possible scenario where the Redsox are shopping Bregman.
 

This is also predicated on how much money the Ricketts are willing to spend and Tuckers future as a Cub, I’d feel a lot more comfortable with flipping an Owen Cassie if I trusted ownership to open their wallets.

Edited July 10, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[CubUgly]

11 hours ago, Eeyore said:

I was only six years old but the Bill Madlock trade was my first taste of what it is to be a Cubs' fan. My Cardinal's fan father rubbed that in for years.

They traded Madlock and Rob Sperring (I don't remember him) to the Giants for Bobby Murcer, Steve Ontiveros, and minor league pitcher Andy Muhlstock."

I thought Bobby Murcer was pretty good as a Cub? Maybe not, i was very young but he was one of my favorite players in the late 70's.   At least in 77 he was good, certainly better than Ian Stewart. 

[BigbadB]

18 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

I thought Bobby Murcer was pretty good as a Cub? Maybe not, i was very young but he was one of my favorite players in the late 70's.   At least in 77 he was good, certainly better than Ian Stewart. 

Meanwhile, Madlock was winning the World Series with the Pirates.

[BigbadB]

5 hours ago, JHBulls said:

That would be nice, but clubs take “deadline” too literal and do all their trading in the final 1-2 days. 

This is me being lazy and quoting this post instead of the one I meant to quote, but I've seen about 98% of the innings the Cubs have played this year, and based on what I have seen, Tucker is a below average outfielder. I can't even remember a play that would have made it on Sportscenter's plays of the game. He misplays a lot of balls out there. I still want them to sign him long term, but if he has a gold glove award, he got Palmeiro'd. 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, BigbadB said:

This is me being lazy and quoting this post instead of the one I meant to quote, but I've seen about 98% of the innings the Cubs have played this year, and based on what I have seen, Tucker is a below average outfielder. I can't even remember a play that would have made it on Sportscenter's plays of the game. He misplays a lot of balls out there. I still want them to sign him long term, but if he has a gold glove award, he got Palmeiro'd. 

I will say I agree he is NOT a gold glove outfielder. I am not sure he is below average. This is not to say he is good. I think he is just average. I don’t really feel he misplays many, but I agree he doesn’t seem to make nice plays either. IMO, he is ok. Definitely not GG. 

[Rcal10]

31 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Being the number 2 scoring offense shouldn’t deter you from a needed upgrade, especially if and when one becomes available. Did the Dodgers not need Ohtani because they were the 2nd highest scoring offense in 23 with 907 runs?

 

Another starter is a big need; that’s beating a dead horse at this point. The idea is to score more runs than your opponent, turning a hole in the lineup into a strength is just as effective. If Bregman becomes available he’d transform the offense to a significant enough degree to get by without a true ace in a perfect world.

 

so with the information we currently about available players on the trade market, that’s the ideal route in my opinion and a hypothetical but more than possible scenario where the Redsox are shopping Bregman.
 

This is also predicated on how much money the Ricketts are willing to spend and Tuckers future as a Cub, I’d feel a lot more comfortable with flipping an Owen Cassie if I trusted ownership to open their wallets.

I understand what Bregman does. But the Cubs only have so many assets to deal. Because they have a very good offense already, even with Shaw, I would put the bulk of my assets towards pitching. As I said, maybe add a bat who can play 3rd but doesn’t cost a lot. (Assets, not money) 

[CubUgly]

20 minutes ago, BigbadB said:

Meanwhile, Madlock was winning the World Series with the Pirates.

One could argue that if Murcer were playing with Parker, Stargell and Tekulve, he would have too, but that's pure speculation.  Madlock was better than Murcer no doubt, but Murcer did hit 27 homers in 77 he was not a terrible player. 

[Geographyhater8888]

11 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I understand what Bregman does. But the Cubs only have so many assets to deal. Because they have a very good offense already, even with Shaw, I would put the bulk of my assets towards pitching. As I said, maybe add a bat who can play 3rd but doesn’t cost a lot. (Assets, not money) 

I get all of that. The assets you’ll have to give up for a guy like Cabrera vs a Lugo or even Mitch Keller who might cost less less considering the Pirates are always game for dumping salary at the expense of talent, I wonder if you’d have enough left over assets to make another splash for a third base right handed slugger without really having to sweat the cost too much,

 

in the end they’ll grab a pitcher and I see little chance they make a significant upgrade at 3rd base in a trade.

Edited July 10, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[BigbadB]

4 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

One could argue that if Murcer were playing with Parker, Stargell and Tekulve, he would have too, but that's pure speculation.  Madlock was better than Murcer no doubt, but Murcer did hit 27 homers in 77 he was not a terrible player. 

I still would have much rather seen Madlock retire a Cub. He was so amazing. 

 

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

I get all of that. The assets you’ll have to give up for a guy like Cabrera vs a Lugo or even Mitch Keller who might cost less less considering the Pirates are always game for dumping salary at the expense of talent, I wonder if you’d have enough left over assets to make another splash for a third base right handed slugger without really having to sweat the cost too much,

 

in the end they’ll grab a pitcher and I see little chance they make a significant upgrade at 3rd base in a trade.

We pretty much agree on what we think will happen. I think definitely a starting pitcher will be added. I also think an upgrade at 3rd/bench will be added. Not a major upgrade. The question comes in as to what else, if anything? Pen arm, second starter or a bigger upgrade to the line up? 🤷 Whatever it is I hope it is enough. 

[CubUgly]

9 hours ago, squally1313 said:

It becomes way less annoying if you set your sights higher and you appreciate the dodgers six game losing streak keeping the path wide open to a first round bye, which is way more impactful than division winner three vs wild card one. 
 

(Ok, done being that guy for the night. Probably)

I think it's tough for us to remove ourselves from the passion of being a Cubs fan to see other good teams struggle during a 162 game season....hell even more than us.  The Mets and Phillies have both had much worse stretches than any we've had this year and both recently were swept by the Pirates.  The Dodgers have looked like a cellar dwelling team the last 6 games and have been emasculated in their own building!!

Still hard to watch the Cubs forget to hit and make boneheaded defensive plays that cost runs the last two.  It doesn't help to say other good teams struggle to, at least it doesn't help me....but it's true. 

[BigbadB]

If they could have swept Minnesota, maybe they could have come back home with Willi Castro. Not so sure they end up with Suarez. Not so sure they add 3 guys. 2 guys, yeah. Maybe a SP and a 3b. Maybe a SP and a reliever.