UMFan83

It does look like a light SOS, but I wouldn't say its easier. I believe last year's SOS was 5th worst in the NFL.

This is perfectly said

Shockingly, only the negative outcome will be considered in my head

This really isn’t based on any logic but I hate going undefeated in the preseason because it reminds me of how the 2 teams to go winless this millennium both went undefeated in the preseason. If the Bears go 0-17 you’ll remember this post 😂

Yes, there's a point every season where the fanbase thinks Happ is a worthless player who should be DFA'd and then the season ends and his numbers are fairly consistent from year to year. But we have the memory of a goldfish so when Happ slumps next year we'll do the same thing. There was at least one prominent poster (cant remember who) who adamantly insisted Busch needed to be sent down to Iowa in the middle of his slump/adjustment period in May/June And PCA was pretty much considered a bust in terms of his hitting as recently as 3 weeks ago. Now we're doing the same thing with Paredes. I mean I'm not necessarily criticizing people, I've been known to be overreactionary in my 20+ years of posting at NSBB. It's really frustrating when a player sucks for 6+ weeks, looks completely lost, you almost forget what it looks like for them to square up a ball, etc. Nothing guarantees that they will turn it around but looking at past performance should give people comfort when talking about someone like Paredes. Maybe he won't turn it around and this is the start of a run that leads to him being out of baseball this time next year. But history suggests that its very unlikely that's the case. Though have to say, this is certainly concerning to hear him say if you are hoping for him to turn it around in the near future: Feel like normally when you talk to a slumping hitter they typically project confidence of a turnaround. Jarring to hear him say he doesn't feel good and is lost out there.

You can look it up. Since 2022 (1457 PA) 9.2 fWAR (11th among 3B) .341 wOBA (9th) 125 wRC+ (8th) .216 ISO (7th) 11% BB% (4th) 17.4% K rate (9th lowest among qualified 3B) That includes this 3 month slump.

I really dont understand what happened this season. They were always a decent team, they just stopped hitting for 2.5 months and the bullpen blew a bunch more games than the average team does. Very frustrating that such a thin line seemingly separated this team from actually being enjoyable and exciting. But then again, this team was seemingly built in a way where the margin for error wasn't big, thus always making this a potential outcome.

Wouldn't be the first, or second, or even third player to do that. I'm not saying Paredes is in the same class of hitters as Arenado or Jose Ramirez but those are 2 guys off the top of my head that regularly ourperform their wxoba

Every time PCA hits a ball to the wall and doesn't end up on 3rd base, I feel a little disappointed even if its not fair.

Really interested in what the Cubs do at catcher now this offseason. 2 months ago it was a no brainer that they needed to make a big investment in a starting catcher. Maybe they still go that route but Amaya is making it harder for them.

Wait, Tauchman's not injured? I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't seen him in awhile so assumed he was on the IL lol

Not quite pining for Mike Olt yet though

Welcome to the bigs kid

Makes sense. Not sure what they drew last night but this is the first home series since most of the kids in the area went back to school.

I still think its way too soon to give up on a player with 1600 mostly above average MLB PAs, as annoying as this stretch is. Though I imagine I'd be much more frustrated if I was still watching the team regularly and actually seeing him fail so frequently, but I mostly just watch an inning or two here and there.

Also the most 1 run losses in MLB (though have also played the most 1 run games overall). That said, offense is as big of a reason for that as bullpen, if not bigger. The Cubs didn't hit for basically 2.5 months. Way too many games the Cubs could have pulled away in but didn't causing the pen to eventually blow it. Fixing the offense is the number 1 offseason priority for me, ideally by finding a way to acquire a star middle of the order bat. Easier said than done but if they can't find a way to do that, their ceiling is always going to be limited IMO.

Javy is so done and it’s damn sad. Tigers are gonna bite the bullet and cut him after this year. He’s not even playing above replacement level defensively. Lots of money and years left but that roster spot can be used more effectively.

No need to do a tribute to Neris Hodge

Unless he gets PH for or Torkelson is doubled off base Javy will be due up as the tying or go ahead run

Paredes 0 for his last 15 with 0 walks. Yikes

Please keep it coming!

Yep....this is exactly how a professional sports team should be viewed, but obviously these rich horsefeathers owners only care about making the most money possible with the least amount of risk. horsefeathers the Ricketts and horsefeathers Reinsdorf. Probably McCaskey and Wirtz too but they at least pretend they aren't greedy horsefeatherss (some of the time).

CJ Stroud last preseason: 11/20 89 yards 4.5 YPA 1 TD 1 INT Man that guy must have really sucked last year.

That’s the one! I know it’s just one moron I should just ignore but for whatever reason his moronic arguments about body language and completion percentage (after 20 throws) gets me riled up.

It keeps popping up in my feed! If I didn’t keep seeing it I wouldn’t feel the need to get triggered by it. i can’t wait for him to slink away after Caleb starts balling out.