Cubs (Horton) vs White Sox (Civale): 7/26/25, 6:10pm

[JD94]

Such a dilemma with riding with Shaw or trading for Suarez. Glad I’m not making that decision. I mean obviously if the baseball gods promised Jed that post ASB Matt Shaw would play this way ROS, he likely doesn’t make that trade. But what if Shaw is just on a heater and can’t really sustain this level of play? Again, tough decision and I don’t know where I stand. If we did get Suárez, I agree that Shaw should stay up and be a super utility player and still get a good bit of playing time. Deepens the bench and provides insurance in case of injury. I’m absolutely not making the move for Suarez if Caissie, Wiggins, or Bally is involved. 
 

Also while I’m posting, shoutout Cade Horton. He looks great. I hate that there is potentially a massive innings decrease in his future because he’s rolling, but regardless it’s good to see him looking the part of future TORP. 

[Bertz]

11 minutes ago, Donzo said:

Don't know if Counsell's managing has anything to do with it, but Cubs rookies sure have played well after the ASB the last two season with Counsell.

I think the "Hey we're gonna have you take 3-4 days off to work on mechanics and mentally reset" thing seems to have clearly been big for both Shaw and Amaya.  Clearly good managing from Craig.

That said I think the timing is because these guys are getting up to 300ish PAs around this point.  I think that's enough experience to have your feet under you a bit and start fighting back against MLB pitcbers.  For instance Busch seemed to settle in early June last year, but he already came into last season with ~100 at bats under his belt.

[Wilson A2000]

3 minutes ago, JD94 said:

Such a dilemma with riding with Shaw or trading for Suarez. Glad I’m not making that decision. I mean obviously if the baseball gods promised Jed that post ASB Matt Shaw would play this way ROS, he likely doesn’t make that trade. But what if Shaw is just on a heater and can’t really sustain this level of play? Again, tough decision and I don’t know where I stand. If we did get Suárez, I agree that Shaw should stay up and be a super utility player and still get a good bit of playing time. Deepens the bench and provides insurance in case of injury. I’m absolutely not making the move for Suarez if Caissie, Wiggins, or Bally is involved. 
 

Also while I’m posting, shoutout Cade Horton. He looks great. I hate that there is potentially a massive innings decrease in his future because he’s rolling, but regardless it’s good to see him looking the part of future TORP. 

You give up your best non-pitching non-Caissie prospect for Suarez. If you want Merrill Kelly too, it’s probably Caissie. 

[Irrelevant Dude]

If the Nationals asked for Caissie and Horton as the key pieces in a deal for Gore, would that be worth it? 

Horton has looked really good, but his contributions to the team down the stretch may be limited.

[Donzo]

4 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

If the Nationals asked for Caissie and Horton as the key pieces in a deal for Gore, would that be worth it? 

Horton has looked really good, but his contributions to the team down the stretch may be limited.

I wouldn't do that. I'd give Cassie & Wiggins as the key pieces, and I like both of them a lot.

[JD94]

12 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

You give up your best non-pitching non-Caissie prospect for Suarez. If you want Merrill Kelly too, it’s probably Caissie. 

I’m not giving up Rojas or Bally for Suarez. Not with Shaw seemingly figuring it out. Plus Matt’s defense is legit at 3rd which provides great value by itself. The more I think about it, the more I lean towards not trading for Suarez. I won’t be mad if they do, but I’m just not sure that’s where our resources are best spent 

[JD94]

14 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

If the Nationals asked for Caissie and Horton as the key pieces in a deal for Gore, would that be worth it? 

Horton has looked really good, but his contributions to the team down the stretch may be limited.

Caissie yes. Horton no. 

[UMFan83]

18 minutes ago, JD94 said:

Such a dilemma with riding with Shaw or trading for Suarez. Glad I’m not making that decision. I mean obviously if the baseball gods promised Jed that post ASB Matt Shaw would play this way ROS, he likely doesn’t make that trade. But what if Shaw is just on a heater and can’t really sustain this level of play? Again, tough decision and I don’t know where I stand. If we did get Suárez, I agree that Shaw should stay up and be a super utility player and still get a good bit of playing time. Deepens the bench and provides insurance in case of injury. I’m absolutely not making the move for Suarez if Caissie, Wiggins, or Bally is involved. 
 

Also while I’m posting, shoutout Cade Horton. He looks great. I hate that there is potentially a massive innings decrease in his future because he’s rolling, but regardless it’s good to see him looking the part of future TORP. 

My thing is, young hitters often go through a series of adjustments as pitchers learn how to exploit them.  Even if Shaw has figured out something, it doesn't necessarily mean he won't go through another period of adjustments.  To me I'd rather have a 50 HR righty bashing HRs than take the chance that Shaw is going through adjustments with pitchers exploiting a weakness.  There is 0 chance we resign Suarez and the 3B role is almost certainly his next year.  He can still get 3 starts a week to keep him in the lineup if we trade for Suarez.

All that said Suarez only makes sense to me if it comes with 2-3 arms added.  If they get Suarez and like a pen arm or Suarez and a back of the rotation starter, I'd much rather go a different route and ride with Shaw.

[Eeyore]

Can the Cubs trade for somebody who knows how to win on Sundays?

[UMFan83]

16 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

You give up your best non-pitching non-Caissie prospect for Suarez. If you want Merrill Kelly too, it’s probably Caissie. 

Rumors are the DBacks are looking for pitching prospects specifically in trades.  Doesn't mean it can't be done without them but it seems to be what they are pushing for.

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Eeyore said:

Can the Cubs trade for somebody who knows how to win on Sundays?

6-4 in our last 10 Sundays 🙂

[UMFan83]

Tomorrow's starter...........Ben Brown

[gflore34]

1 minute ago, UMFan83 said:

Rumors are the DBacks are looking for pitching prospects specifically in trades.  Doesn't mean it can't be done without them but it seems to be what they are pushing for.

Think Brown could get it done for Suarez?

[cubfansince77]

48 minutes ago, Donzo said:

Horton two statrs since the ASB:

Horton is NICE guys....we've got a good one and you can slot him in for next season too. But I do have to ask...what kind of innings count will he have this season? Still a long way to go. TIA

[cubfansince77]

8 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Tomorrow's starter...........Ben Brown

Meh....look at the bright side, if he gets in trouble I'd think Craig would have a very short leash

[Neuby]

Brown at his prospect value brought the Phillies Robertson for a rental. I think the best Bat on the market on pace for 57 home runs could net a better piece than Brown at this point. 

[Wilson A2000]

20 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Tomorrow's starter...........Ben Brown

Not sure what other option the Cubs have at this point unfortunately 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I know Ben Brown is capable of pitching well. I've seen it. Right?

[cubfansince77]

1 hour ago, Derwood said:

I would gladly take Tauchman back if it meant jettisoning Brujan or Berti into the sun

Amen to that. Really liked Mike and also wish he was still on the team. Palatine pounder....

[UMFan83]

1 hour ago, cubfansince77 said:

Meh....look at the bright side, if he gets in trouble I'd think Craig would have a very short leash

Most likely you are correct.  The downside of that is taxing your bullpen a day before a big 3 game series in Milwaukee.

[UMFan83]

I don't know why I just realized this, but with:

-the ASB

-6 game homestead coming out of the break

-a day off

-3 game series vs. White Sox

-3 game series in Milwaukee

-another day off

-6 game homestead

-yet another day off

The Cubs are currently in a 25 day stretch where they only have to leave Chicago once, to Milwaukee for 3 days (close enough to technically sleep in their own beds if they wanted to).  Of course I'm sure a lot of the team went somewhere else during the break, but cool little schedule quirk.

Edited July 27, 2025 by UMFan83

[Tryptamine]

Really surprised by the complete lack of Ks for Cade so far. Like I didn't expect him to retain his 10+K/9 from the minors, but I certainly didn't expect him to be neck and neck with Colin Rea in the K/9 department. I also think that makes him pretty exciting. He's not really missing bats yet and he's still a solid pitcher with decent peripherals. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

40 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Really surprised by the complete lack of Ks for Cade so far. Like I didn't expect him to retain his 10+K/9 from the minors, but I certainly didn't expect him to be neck and neck with Colin Rea in the K/9 department. I also think that makes him pretty exciting. He's not really missing bats yet and he's still a solid pitcher with decent peripherals. 

It's very strange. The chase and whiff percentages are there, but for some reason he's had trouble putting people away.

[Stratos]

Does Berti end up with more ABs or innings pitched post-ASB by the end of the year?

[NorthsideAvenger]

That swing by Shaw on the homerun felt very Dustin Pedroia to me. Not comparing the players, mind you, just saying that particular swing felt very Pedroia like.