Cubs-Brewers Game One Thread, By The Numbers

Just now, Pinerider said:

I'm getting Miggy 2003 vibes with this kid and I think he's capable of big things in this series at the plate. If Tucker could play RF that would obviously be ideal.

Then what would you do with Seiya, who has been one of the team's best hitters?  I do think Mo is a quality hitter who is only going to get better, but there just isn't a spot for him right now.

11 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

I don't blame Jed for not getting another starter at the deadline in retrospect considering what the asking prices were for the top shelf ones. Kelley and Bieber were pretty good, but not great additions. The Cubs staff has been really good in the second half. It's the hitting that went from the 3rd most runs scored before the All Star break to 13th. I'm more worried about the top and middle of the order than the pitching staff. 

disagree. Alcantara changes the post season dramatically  

7 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

I'm just sitting here sulking in this performance (although the series is far from over) and thinking, I really want Schwarber next year.  I know Jed won't do it, but give me that elite power bat in the lineup.

I hear you ID...losing him for nothing is an all time Eff up. Worse than the Brock/Broglio trade IMO

Cubs need to put a ton of resources into getting Mo to be an average C.

This team is such an enigma. They were able to hit, pitch, defend and win a series against a really tough team in the Padres but right now they look like a little league baseball team. Very embarrassing to see. I hope they play better the rest of the series

7 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

I'm just sitting here sulking in this performance (although the series is far from over) and thinking, I really want Schwarber next year.  I know Jed won't do it, but give me that elite power bat in the lineup.

I would like Schwarber too, but are you assuming that Tucker is going somewhere else? I think he will because someone is going to pay Tucker despite his uneven 2025 and it's not going to be Jed. I also don't see Tucker signing a shorter deal either. 

Just now, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Cubs need to put a ton of resources into getting Mo to be an average C.

I agree, would be huge. Is it plausible to send him to Arizona Fall League to do so or not? Kelly and Amaya make a nice duo but Miguel's health is sketchy

1 minute ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Cubs need to put a ton of resources into getting Mo to be an average C.

Definitely. Got work him bigtime at catcher this winter

Just now, Wilson A2000 said:

I would like Schwarber too, but are you assuming that Tucker is going somewhere else?

Absolutely

At least I have the 0-4 UCLA Bruins driving down the field for a score against my Nittany Lions to distract me

In a perfect world we bring back the same four outfielders and Ballesteros gets 2026 to learn catcher and hit .400 in Iowa. Given the way the payroll has been trending, one of the outfielders, at least, is likely gone and Moises is the DH next year. 

1 minute ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

Exactly why Jed won't do it, and perhaps rightfully so.  But that doesn't stop me from wanting him!

My expectation for this offseason is that Tucker walks and they fill his spot in-house with Seiya and Mo/Caissie/Alcantara/Long and maybe a FA RHB platoon bat.  I don't see any major position player acquisitions happening.  They'll need to bank on improvements from young guys like PCA, Shaw, Amaya and the rookies to help make up a bit for losing Tucker.

I think they do the usual with the pitching by grabbing bargain pen arms and try to acquire a good value deal at SP like Imanaga/Boyd were.

Some people won't like me saying this but I think this is what's most likely to happen.  Hoyer surprised us with the Tucker trade so maybe he does something bold again.  We have a guy like Conrad they could deal.

4 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

I would like Schwarber too, but are you assuming that Tucker is going somewhere else? I think he will because someone is going to pay Tucker despite his uneven 2025 and it's not going to be Jed. I also don't see Tucker signing a shorter deal either. 

Caissie

2 minutes ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

disagree. Alcantara changes the post season dramatically  

I just can't blame Jed for not wanting to give up a ton of assets for a guy who had been as hot and cold (and mostly cold) at that point as Alcantara was 

Just now, squally1313 said:

In a perfect world we bring back the same four outfielders and Ballesteros gets 2026 to learn catcher and hit .400 in Iowa.

I don't think you can keep his bat in Iowa any longer.  He needs to be seeing big league pitching at this point, and the Cubs just might have to let him learn to catch on the fly.

Guess this was over after they scored 2. Yeesh.

Ballesteros has 794 PA's in AAA. Why send him back to AAA after 66 PAs in MLB with a 143 wRC+?

3 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

I just can't blame Jed for not wanting to give up a ton of assets for a guy who had been as hot and cold (and mostly cold) at that point as Alcantara was 

a ton of assests who cant crack the starting lineup

 

 

Just now, Cuzi said:

Ballesteros has 794 PA's in AAA. Why send him back to AAA after 66 PAs in MLB with a 143 wRC+?

Because he can’t catch and our DH is a better hitter. 

Surprisingly, Shaw has been the only one besides Busch to put up good at bats today

There’s a surplus of pretty good players and a deficit of any perennial all star talents.

Brewers have scored 9 runs with no HR.   I guess this is how they do it.

11 minutes ago, Derwood said:

Awesome. Hahah.

5 minutes ago, Pinerider said:

Definitely. Got work him bigtime at catcher this winter

He's not going to get starts next year over Amaya and Kelly no matter how much he improves in the offseason. I just don't think you become a good catcher in an offseason he's probably already older than you'd like to develop into a MLB caliber one. The Cubs value how a catcher handles the staff too much (see letting Contreras walk as evidence). Mo is a DH.