Our window of opportunity is closed

[Lefty]

After losing the 2003 NLCS, there was no clearly dominant team in the NL. The Cubs attempted to step into that void by specifically filling their perceived needs. They traded for an established hitter (Lee), signed a reliever to a long and expensive contract (Hawkins), and signed a reliable veteran starting pitcher for a lot of back loaded money (Maddux), to be paid mostly when the pitcher would likely be less effective. I would add that the Nomar trade was part of the same 'movement,' if you will, as an attempt to save last season.

 

The Cubs' great strength to which they were building around was their starting pitching. Prior, Wood, Zambrano, and free agent to be Clement were all young and potentially dominant. A decent supporting cast would make years of contention a near certainty. In the process the Cubs became the highest payroll team in the NL. I know someone has to have the highest payroll, but does anyone think that this is a permanent situation?

 

Well now it is apparent that the moves of last season were an attempt to win last year, and not necessarily in the future. The signing of Maddux pretty much pushed Clement out the door. Bad trade. Spending the money on an established reliever, historically a bad way to spend money, probably hurt our flexibility somewhere else. That somewhere else was LF where Hendry spent all winter telling us we didn't have to have a star in every position and that someone had to win Rookie of the Year. Meanwhile, we have shortstop production coming out of leftfield.

 

Maddux is at best average. He has one and a half years left on his contract. Wood's new mechanics are worse than before he got hurt and will probably make him less effective to boot (see Will Carroll's article on BP). I think he is no longer part of any kind of big three, and I would support trading him (never did before). Prior and Zambrano could be great, but two great starting pitchers isn't as unique as 3 or 4 of them. And the Cubs offense is terrrible. So basically the Cubs who have lost 25 games in the standings to the Cardinals over the last year, and are several behind the Astros in that time as well, no longer have anything on anybody. They're starting over.

[E.J.]

:willynilly: :ohnoes:

[1wizard]

I do agree with you on some levels, yet the Cubs are in a better position than most. As long as the Cubs have Prior and Zambrano, they will always be in contention for the Central Division. Plus, the Cubs supposedly have a talent in the minors. I say supposedly because I do not follow the minors that closely.

[Lefty]

As long as the Cubs have Prior and Zambrano, they will always be in contention for the Central Division.

 

Are they in contention now? I don't think so.

[XZero771679666304]

As long as the Cubs have Prior and Zambrano, they will always be in contention for the Central Division.

 

Are they in contention now? I don't think so.

 

I think the point was that as long as we have the starting pitching we do, the Cubs wil be a very dangerous team.

[1wizard]

I think the point was that as long as we have the starting pitching we do, the Cubs wil be a very dangerous team.

 

Exactly!

[1wizard]

Are they in contention now? I don't think so.

 

I don't think the Cubs are out of contention. It is a long season and the Cubs have enough talent to make a run at my Redbirds.

[Ryan]

They could still be in contention. The point is...with the pitching and a decent closer... you're going to have to manage this team to a couple of victories, and that just isn't going to happen at present.

 

I've stuck with Dusty all through last year, but a lineup without Cedeno and Hairston in it is a WASTE. An absolute WASTE of talent, and a stuborn move. I'm sick of it, it's not enjoyable to watch, and when the idiots at the game who don't know jack about lineup construction can start whining about it, I think it's a problem.

[Lefty]

As long as the Cubs have Prior and Zambrano, they will always be in contention for the Central Division.

 

Are they in contention now? I don't think so.

 

I think the point was that as long as we have the starting pitching we do, the Cubs wil be a very dangerous team.

 

Well I guess my point is that we don't have that pitching anymore. If Wood is not going to be effective, something that won't be settled here, is Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux and Williams so terrific? Is it any better than Carpenter, Morris, Mulder, Marquis and Suppan? And then there is the small matter of 100 runs on offense.

[J.R.]

They could still be in contention. The point is...with the pitching and a decent closer... you're going to have to manage this team to a couple of victories, and that just isn't going to happen at present.

 

I've stuck with Dusty all through last year, but a lineup without Cedeno and Hairston in it is a WASTE. An absolute WASTE of talent, and a stuborn move. I'm sick of it, it's not enjoyable to watch, and when the idiots at the game who don't know jack about lineup construction can start whining about it, I think it's a problem.

 

I thought the FIRE DUSTY deal was taking flight amongst the rank and file awhile back, but was wrong. Hopefully people will be driven past the point of acceptance this time around the dump.

[neely crenshaw]

hendry blew this last year. we had a chance to really put a move on the rst of the nl but didn't. we talked about from the end of 2003, we needed a lead off man,a closer and a shortstop(an upgrade on gonzo).we were heading towrd some flexibility because of losing contracts. we added maddux, which is still a good move. i know some are pining for clement butr forget it. he is getting 10 runs a game and would never,ever get that here or be 9-1. he has always been a .500 pitcher.he has never won 15 games. maddux is not an ace anymore. he is steady and he has never not won 15. he is heading there again this year. he is 7-6..the team is 3 games below .500 he has done more foor the cubs than just win. he is way above .500 for a team that is simply not very good(especially when you don't factor in starting pitching.)

this team is a contender for 2 reasons and 2 reasons only

1- starting pitching..they could still cause damage if they got in

2-they have a very easy schedule in the central

 

we are more expensive this year than last and we are far worse. hendry has put together a truly bad team. not very good offensive players.not particularily good defensive players and a very young and green bullpen.

[Lefty]

we added maddux, which is still a good move. i know some are pining for clement butr forget it. he is getting 10 runs a game and would never,ever get that here or be 9-1. he has always been a .500 pitcher.he has never won 15 games. maddux is not an ace anymore. he is steady and he has never not won 15. he is heading there again this year. he is 7-6..the team is 3 games below .500 he has done more foor the cubs than just win. he is way above .500 for a team that is simply not very good(especially when you don't factor in starting pitching.)

 

You're a little disingenuous here. You deride Clement for his excellent run support, but mention Maddux' record as proof of something. Maddux has good run support too, and Clement has pitched much better than Maddux. It's not even close who is a better pitcher for the money.