Pirates (Ashcraft) vs Cubs (Rea): 8/15/25, 1:20pm

[Geographyhater8888]

2 minutes ago, Derwood said:

I just laugh and laugh. We went from MVPete to "dumbest player in history" in 2 weeks. Over react much? 

Some people don't have the mental toughness to be baseball fans

Some people don’t have the mental toughness to be Cubs fans. This current core isn’t a seasonal playoff contender exactly and they’ve had month long implosions each of the last 3 seasons. Everything will be fine isn’t a mentality most have developed as cubs fans.

[Derwood]

Just now, Geographyhater8888 said:

Some people don’t have the mental toughness to be Cubs fans. This current core isn’t a seasonal playoff contender exactly and they’ve had month long implosions each of the last 3 seasons. Everything will be fine isn’t a mentality most have developed as cubs fans.

"Everything will be fine" isn't even necessarily true. But the absolute backlash against PCA (who was, let's face it, the only positive on offense yesterday) because he overslid a base is mind-numbingly stupid. 

[Geographyhater8888]

3 minutes ago, Derwood said:

To be fair, do we KNOW that Tucker thinks he's on that level? Or is his agent just trying to get him the best deal?

His agent has conned tons of baseball fans if so.

[Brian707]

At this point might as well hope the Brewers sweep the Reds. Cincinnati is closer in the standings than Milwaukee.  Get thru the WC round then beat the Brewers in the playoffs.

 

[Geographyhater8888]

4 minutes ago, Derwood said:

"Everything will be fine" isn't even necessarily true. But the absolute backlash against PCA (who was, let's face it, the only positive on offense yesterday) because he overslid a base is mind-numbingly stupid. 

I agree with that. It’s a forgivable mistake when you look at the aggregate of 2025. Same with blaming Counsell for the offensive woes because he doesn’t get tossed from games like Lou. There’s only so much he can do.

Edited August 16, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

His agent has conned tons of baseball fans if so.

He may not be in the Soto, Ohtani, Judge level, but he is in the same level as Guerrero, who signed for $500M. He will get paid well. But he might get more if he played another year to show this year was not a downward trend. 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, Brian707 said:

At this point might as well hope the Brewers sweep the Reds. Cincinnati is closer in the standings than Milwaukee.  Get thru the WC round then beat the Brewers in the playoffs.

 

Definitely. Go Brewers, for now. 

[Geographyhater8888]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

He may not be in the Soto, Ohtani, Judge level, but he is in the same level as Guerrero, who signed for $500M. He will get paid well. But he might get more if he played another year to show this year was not a downward trend. 

He’s also 2 years older than Vlad which will definitely affect his price tag. I can’t think of an example off of the top of my head where a player has this level of regression in a contract year who’s projected as the highest paid free agent. Corey Seager comes to mind but it was mostly injury related and not performance. 
 

He needs to figure it out otherwise this team is toast.

[Rcal10]

27 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

He’s also 2 years older than Vlad which will definitely affect his price tag. I can’t think of an example off of the top of my head where a player has this level of regression in a contract year who’s projected as the highest paid free agent. Corey Seager comes to mind but it was mostly injury related and not performance. 
 

He needs to figure it out otherwise this team is toast.

But he is also a guy who offers more than Vlad. He should age better. I agree with you as to age should be taken into account. So maybe he gets a few less years. But I would think he would expect the annual to be similar, at least prior to this year. It is not a tech to have thought something like 12/$450 was his goal prior to this season. I don’t see him getting that at this time. 

[Geographyhater8888]

8 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

But he is also a guy who offers more than Vlad. He should age better. I agree with you as to age should be taken into account. So maybe he gets a few less years. But I would think he would expect the annual to be similar, at least prior to this year. It is not a tech to have thought something like 12/$450 was his goal prior to this season. I don’t see him getting that at this time. 

Paying him into his age 41 season would be interesting but definitely in the $400-$450 range. I’d expect deferrals too. The question is if there’s a silver lining here where he might actually sign at a price Tom can stomach if this trend continues. Of course he could use it as an excuse not to pay him too.
It’s hard to believe one of the games top sluggers forgot how to slug without either a lingering injury or perhaps the lack of protection he had with Alvarez and Bregman? Even then it doesn’t completely add up. His bat speed has also dipped too. He’s tied with Swanson for 18 homers.

Edited August 16, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[We Got The Whole 9]

This team wouldn't be in the playoff picture if it werent for PCA. I tend to pretty much give him an unlimited leash.

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Outshined_One said:

I think we all can just agree that this horsefeathers month can't end soon enough.

Unfortunately we play the Brewers for 5 games ostartingMonday.  The momentum for both teams going in is about the worst we could script.  I hope we step up, but things could get ugly, a ton of pressure on the Cubs and not nearly aa much on the Brewers.

There's no way a month ago any of us would believe we'd be. 9 games back.  What a crazy month.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Paying him into his age 41 season would be interesting but definitely in the $400-$450 range. I’d expect deferrals too. The question is if there’s a silver lining here where he might actually sign at a price Tom can stomach if this trend continues. Of course he could use it as an excuse not to pay him too.
It’s hard to believe one of the games top sluggers forgot how to slug without either a lingering injury or perhaps the lack of protection he had with Alvarez and Bregman? Even then it doesn’t completely add up. His bat speed has also dipped too. He’s tied with Swanson for 18 homers.

I know paying guys that long is not the best idea. But look at all the star mega deals. They get paid to 40-42 years old. Before the season started I am positive that was what he would have gotten. He might still get it. But if he doesn’t he might want a short term, opt out deal to gain value. If he has the season most expected, OPS about .900 and an OBP of around .400 he would have been given that 12 year deal. 

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Ok, Stratos, for starters, beaning means hit in the head. PCA was not beaned. He was hit on the side. Second, Cruz is on the IL. Even if you pick Reynolds instead, what purpose does that serve to “bean” or hit him?

Do you really think the Pirates hit PCA on purpose? Come on? And on the hip where you suggest he got hurt and should have been taken out of the game? Really? He seemed fine after that play. Got another hit and beat a throw to send easily on his SB attempt. I know you view baseball differently than I do, but I do generally respect your opinion. But in this post you are way off in so many ways. 

They hit PCA on the spot he injured the previous inning.  Is this the most incredible coincidence ever?  Do we give them the benefit of the doubt?

[Stratos]

What are the odds Tucker is injured?  Seems likely

Edited August 16, 2025 by Stratos

[Rcal10]

15 minutes ago, Stratos said:

They hit PCA on the spot he injured the previous inning.  Is this the most incredible coincidence ever?  Do we give them the benefit of the doubt?

No, it isn’t close to the most incredible coincidence ever. But it is 100% a coincidence, even if it was the exact spot. What reason do they have to hit PCA? Why do they want to hurt him? Why would they put him on base? Teams just don’t hit people to hurt them. They also don’t send messages any more by hitting players. And, frankly, what would be the reason to send PCA a message anyway? 

[Rcal10]

17 minutes ago, Stratos said:

What are the odds Tucker is injured?  Seems likely

I agree. He just doesn’t seem right. I think something is bothering him and he is trying to play through it. 

[Derwood]

25 minutes ago, Stratos said:

What are the odds Tucker is injured?  Seems likely

high, but he probably doesn't want to lose AB's in a contract year

[fromthestretch]

31 minutes ago, Stratos said:

They hit PCA on the spot he injured the previous inning.  Is this the most incredible coincidence ever?  Do we give them the benefit of the doubt?

Wasn't it an 0-2 pitch? You're not intentionally hitting a guy with elite speed and subpar plate discipline when ahead two strikes in a close game.

[Rcal10]

16 minutes ago, grassbass said:

Wasn't it an 0-2 pitch? You're not intentionally hitting a guy with elite speed and subpar plate discipline when ahead two strikes in a close game.

Let’s make it simpler. You are not intentionally trying to hurt anyone at any time in any game, period. What is being suggested is the Pirates saw PCA hurt his knee and then thought, hey wouldn’t it be a good idea to further his pain by hitting him on the knee. Why would they do that🤷 They wouldn’t. 

[chibears55]

12 hours ago, Stratos said:

PCA has 10/10 athletic talent and the baseball IQ of a box of rocks.  His extreme aggression gets him into more trouble than it helps him.  He's absolutely not El Mago on the bases so he needs to dial it down a notch.

At what point does a coach or veteran teammate sit this kid down and show him how to play baseball instead of flying all over the field like a gazelle with rabies lit on fire?  How has this not happened yet?  And if it has, why hasn't he listened?   How are you allowed to get past double-A when you can't do things kids in the Little League World Series should be able to do?

Strap a shock collar to his neck (and Nico's) and zap him every time he swings at a pitch headed towards his face or the Cubs dugout.  The walks would start to accumulate real quick.

Can't really do much of this during the season but normally offseason into ST is when a player will go over the season with someone they trust and have those deep talks and work on adjustments. 

This being PCA first full season where he is experiencing both ups and downs of a full baseball season personally and team wise, hopefully he goes into the offseason and evaluates it all and comes back next season ready and a bit more matured to handle it all better to make adjustments when needed.

[Stratos]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

Let’s make it simpler. You are not intentionally trying to hurt anyone at any time in any game, period. What is being suggested is the Pirates saw PCA hurt his knee and then thought, hey wouldn’t it be a good idea to further his pain by hitting him on the knee. Why would they do that🤷 They wouldn’t. 

Maybe he rubs them the wrong way.  Maybe they're a bit salty and frustrated because their team sucks?  Maybe they did it 0-2 so they could get seat with it.  We dont know.   Losing an AB or a game doesn't matter when your season is lost.

Edited August 16, 2025 by Stratos

[Rcal10]

24 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Maybe he rubs them the wrong way.  Maybe they're a bit salty and frustrated because their team sucks?  Maybe they did it 0-2 so they could get seat with it.  We dont know.   Losing an AB or a game doesn't matter when your season is lost.

I think you are on an island on this one Stratos. Like I said, I respect your opinions, but this one is way off base. Just not something a team would do. 

[Stratos]

3 hours ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

This team wouldn't be in the playoff picture if it werent for PCA. I tend to pretty much give him an unlimited leash.

Therein lies the problem.

If a player is doing something incorrectly it's ok for a coach to tell them and help them correct it.  If he's throwing home when he should throw to 2b he needs to be told and have it corrected and learn from it.  Fans come to watch the Cubs win, it's not just "The PCA Show" out there.  Why he hasn't learned basic baseball skills after several seasons in the minors is alarming.  If a player is being told and not listening then at some point you have to bench the player.  They need to be held accountable.

He probably thinks the rules of thumb don't apply to him because he thinks he's so amazingly talented he's going to break the rules and do things normal players can't.  Sometimes that's true but many times not.  He needs to learn when to tap the breaks.  A gazillion All-star and HOF caliber players winning World Series trophies for decades and he thinks he's better than them?  C'mon Pete.

He's not a savant like Javy was, his overzealous play hurts the team.  Trying to make the big play every time because you see that 5-10% chance to make it isn't a smart decision most of the time.

[Stratos]

12 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I think you are on an island on this one Stratos. Like I said, I respect your opinions, but this one is way off base. Just not something a team would do. 

It's all good brother.

Enjoy the game today.  I won't be watching lol.  I'll catch the highlights probably. I'll watch the Brewers series.  Go Cubs.