Tim

That should be an easy throw for an NFL qb.

bloody hell, Trubisky

Even with this HOF that you suggest, Harold Baines should not be in it. Can you remember one memorable moment in his career? If you let Harold Baines in you have to consider people like Tim Wallach, Paul O’Neill, Kent Hrbek, Ray Lankford Until Big Frank came around, Baines was possibly the best player (career) in White Sox history. But that's more because the Sox sucked than he was all that good. He doesn't deserve to be close to the Hall unless he buys a ticket.

It's funny how you disappeared when the cubs were on top of the world and now you're back with a vengeance at the slightest hint of trouble. I never disappeared as you keep claiming, but what is this trouble that you talk about? I see posters claiming we're a 95 win team without making any moves. We just need Harper to put the cherry on top of the cupcake. I read most every post and I don't remember a single person saying that we're a 95 win team without making any moves. I came closest, I think, and I said 91-93 with the addition of a couple relievers. But exaggerate as much as you like to make a point, I guess.

Brantley isn't really a CF anymore. If we're looking for a CF addition, I'd go Pollock.

I’d really like to see these numbers actually since it’s been a topic we often discuss and find out if the offense is really all that volatile and varies that much compared to other teams. I feel like on surface every teams fans thinks their offense isn’t “consistent” enough. The numbers would be very interesting to see if that’s actually the case if someone wants to take the time to run them, because I’m not aware of a site or stat that tracks it. My gut feeling is we don’t vary all that differently from other teams and most teams don’t just score 3-4 runs a game all that much more consistently than us (if we’re assuming around there is the magical being consistent number) most teams probably cluster around 2 or less and 5 or more. Sharma took a look at this last summer and the 2018 Cubs were abnormally inconsistent. I remember not being a fan of his methodology, but generally agreeing with the conclusion.

I can't believe I missed the fact that his dad is Reggie Theus during the draft.

Tim did say he was talking about decline based on age. I read it that Zobrist is the only guy who is so old you have to expect decline. He also specified offense. I can't speak for Tim, but I'm sure he'd agree that Baez is also likely to regress, but thats a matter of regression to the mean, not way-past-peak age. I have to say I agree with what he wrote, and think you would too if he expounded. Yep. Even with the entire team (except Baez) playing *way* below expectations in the second half, we ended up fifth in hitting WAR. Rizzo and Heyward are at the age where you don't expect them to get better, but their expectations shouldn't be much lower heading into this year than last. A healthy Bryant alone does an awful lot to fix the offense. All the other guys are still young enough to be improving. Every single team can have the IMB doom and gloom scenarios written for them. It's easy to do for this team because of how it ended. However, add a couple more quality relievers into the pen and this team should once again be predicted to win 91-93 games. I'm certainly not satisfied with that. I want the Cubs to raise a big middle finger to baseball and sign Bryce, Lowrie and Pollock, drop Russell, and trade Almora and Happ for the best relievers you can get for them. But the doom and gloom about this team is getting ridiculous.

I'm curious how it is a worse squad. The only person on offense who should decline based on age would be Zobrist. Rotation is nominally stronger with the addition of Hamels. Javy’s going to regress, even if it’s to 2-3 WAR. He can’t be a 5+ win player with his profile. KB being KB should make up for it though. So...It's just as good a team.

I'm curious how it is a worse squad. The only person on offense who should decline based on age would be Zobrist. Rotation is nominally stronger with the addition of Hamels.

Warms my heart to read this: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/did-the-packers-squander-aaron-rodgers/

Russell had a 527 OPS in 109 at bats versus lefties last year. If we're two months into the season and that trend continues I think it should be a serious consideration. Plus in some respects Baez represents an upgrade (particularly in power). I also like the idea of not having anyone in the lineup start more than 145 or so games. That way come September and October they're more likely not to wear down. I hate to break it to you but two months into the season will be addison Russell's first games . He will strike out a lot trying to hit for power if he hit using launch angle like the new batting coach for the Cubs is Anthony Iopoce who uses launch angle much more than chilli Davis did. Remember the 2017 Red Sox ? They fired Chili Davis and they signed JD Martinez. The Cubs need to sign Harper. It's too good a fit and $30M over 12 years is probably worth it. The guys going to be hitting into his 30s just like Mike Trout. If the Cubs could sign Mike Trout now would they? To have the best player in the game at his or really any position. He can kill the ball. He gets on base at like a .400 clip. That's MVP type numbers and I honestly think the Cubs are fools if they fail to sign Harper. It's all about horsefeathering money so just let the capricious pig have his $30 a year over 10+ years. He has to be the biggest and the best but the thing is eventually its all going to be money. It's already all about the money. Unless Harper and Machado make $30M free agency isn't going to be that big. Someone will give Bryce $30 and I really hope it's the Cubs. Do you know how much money that dude draws to the seats? Buy PSL pay 60% up year over year for season tickets. Now one costs like $100k . Its because the Cubs have been so damn good. But yeah they overpaid in Heyward and Darvish is a huge ? but you can't overpay for Harper. The guy has been dropping hints all year about coming to Chicago. Is he just the world's worst troll?!! Why would he name his dog Wrigley if he didn't want to play for the Cubs he can play for any team he wants and if he wants to play for the Cubs that's awesome. He should experience winning consistent winning over and over again. Going to the world series back to back. As as the writing of this Bryce Harper is still an unsigned free agent able to sign with any team. What is the guy thinking about? Imagine the powerhouse at Wrigley every day. Where we run out Whit Merifield who if theo doesn't unload Happ for Merrifield. I don't really know. Imagine though Zobrist Bryant Harper Rizzo Baez Realmuto Russell. Looks like a murderer's row especially when you consider that Russell won't be the Cubs shortstop. Baez will be. So we need a second baseman DJ Lamehieu is a free agent and we have to unload Schwarber Happ and or Almora. Maybe all of them. They are like super prospects because they're so young but they are good as hell. We need to get a lefty reliever or two. Should have gotten Jean Segura and Edwin Diaz. I knew they were available. How the hell did the Cubs not try to come up with something. But I'll bet trades came at them fast and they saw all the young controllable arms that the Mets gave up but horsefeathers Edwin Diaz in the NL . Watch out for the Mets this year possibly because they will have great starting pitching but no offense and they pay cespades like $28M a year to be hurt. And then come back and screw everything up. They have no bats and they score no runs Welcome to the forum. also - paragraphs are fun. Feel free to try them out!

Where are you getting that they *profit* $1-2B per year?

Holy hell, Robinson

I would prefer it, but I can't even be mad about that throw. That was aTD and Ogeltree made a ridiculous play. That throw would have been short anyway

Pretty sure that ball to Gabriel was tipped.

Why?

Maddux, Glavine & Smoltz. But that's cheating because they didn't come up as prospects together.

Ambiguous grammar. He could claim in retrospect that he just meant that a weekend did happen.

Homewood Sun Dogs

Paired with a lovely red, of course.

Thin crust all the way

You shush. The guy is telling me what I want to hear, so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt, damn it.

I'm going to guess Parkey is willing to put in work. Yeah, article in the Athletic made it clear that was a coach's decision, not Parkey's.

Trading for Dexter's contract would be a very Stan Bowman-esque move.