Regular Show

Great news. I wonder if the Cubs would send Nico back to the AFL a second time to makeup for lost ABs this season? I doubt it.

Wow. It sounds like Maddon is done. I don't think he's getting fired, but it really seems like he won't be coming back next year. I wonder if we should start a thread about replacements and who we want or think the Cubs should target. I'm a big fan of Minnesota bench coach Derek Shelton (plus he's from my hometown). https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-managers-perspective-derek-shelton-on-managerial-philosophy/

Outstanding news. I honestly can't remember a story quite like this for a position player to come out of nowhere (or basically nowhere) and rise through the minors in such quick fashion. He can legit crush fastballs so I hope the Pirates are dumb enough to challenge him with some fastballs tonight.

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[tweet] [/tweet] Good stuff. Nothing really new in the article for people following him closely. He could be a late season addition if he continues dominating at AAA.

https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/07/02/cubs-sign-the-top-catcher-in-the-ifa-class-to-the-largest-bonus-in-team-history/ Wasn't the Araujo money in the 2018-2019 period? Yeah, that money only counted towards the last signing period and I believe the Cubs spent the majority of that money before the June deadline.

Making the playoffs will be nice (even as a 6 to 8 seed), but I don't like it if it gives GarPax more job security and validation for their rebuild efforts. I don't see how they break into the elite group atop the Eastern Conference in the next few years. The only way is if Markkanen and LaVine both take the leap to legit superstar All-NBA status (which is doubtful). I think you would have to follow the Nets model right? Fun young group of scrappy players but no superstars, good enough to make the playoffs, financially flexible enough to quickly open up enough cap space for 2 max guys. Basically you just have to make your team appealing enough to be a viable team up spot. I don't think Chicago is in the top tier of NBA towns (and the FO's reputation around the league doesn't help), but I think its a strong enough market to be a spot where superstars would consider teaming up to play in. Tier 1: Miami, LAL, LAC, GS, Brooklyn, NY (based on market alone) Tier 2: Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, Philly, Phoenix Tier 3: Orlando, Charlotte, New Orleans, San Antonio (Any other warm weather city) Tier 4: Most of the rest of the league Tier 5: Cleveland I don't understand why Chicago isn't in that top tier. I mean I agree with you based on how FAs choose cities in the NBA. Players always list Chicago as one of their favorite cities to visit, but I guess they just don't wanna live here? On the radio yesterday I was listening and the host (I think Matt Spiegal) mentioned how the Bulls need to get more creative to lure top FAs. He mentioned maybe selling a small ownership stake to Obama or trying to get Chance involved with the franchise. The Nets are popular now, in part, because Jay Z had an ownership stake and was involved with the team. They also hired a new GM who has done an outstanding job with the rebuild there. I totally agree with his point about creativity. Our ownership group doesn't matter and GarPax and the rest of our FO is not well regarded by players. Obviously, firing GarPax and revamping the FO would be the first priority but getting more creative as a franchise should also help tremendously.

I'm not too worried. When we trade for a reliever at some point this month the Cubs will probably ask for some IFA money to be included as well. Some teams aren't going to use all their pool money. So these hard caps really suck and forces teams to do shady things like negotiating with players when they're only 13. MLB is working really hard behind-the-scenes to implement an international draft in the next CBA. Foreign MLB players are really opposed to a draft, but I think it's happening at some point unfortunately. Anyway, I wish the Cubs had been even more aggressive before the hard cap system was put in place. I'm surprised we haven't heard anything about Mexican prospects (maybe a down year or something) during this period. Cubs did really well in that area a few years ago.

Making the playoffs will be nice (even as a 6 to 8 seed), but I don't like it if it gives GarPax more job security and validation for their rebuild efforts. I don't see how they break into the elite group atop the Eastern Conference in the next few years. The only way is if Markkanen and LaVine both take the leap to legit superstar All-NBA status (which is doubtful).

I'd be fine with keeping him in the pen and trying to fast track him to the bigs, but after the success (so far) of the Riley Thompson experiment, I'd have no issues if the FO wanted to go that route with McAvene as well. Yeah, I mean he can hit triple digits as a reliever right now so he could be a dominant arm out of the pen. The stuff will tick down as a starter, but I think you have to give him the chance first. I believe Jim Callis said he has the best chance to be a starter out of all the college relievers taken in this draft.

I just hope they aren't rushing him back after the Hamels injury. Me too. I was going to write the same thing. I prefer he come back after the All-Star break.

Okay, I didn't want to respond but here we are ... First off, no one roots for a prospect to fail unless you're a psychopath. The second thing is it doesn't matter if the Cubs have a "pretty good SS" at the major league level; you always try to go BPA and weigh high ceiling vs. high floor. Third thing is I wouldn't say our SS prospect depth is anything to brag about right now. Even with great depth at SS the best thing about that is that SS prospects can move all around the field and play other positions. That's part of the appeal and why teams like targeting SS prospects in the draft. Fourth thing is that's a terrible comp you made calling him a "taller LHH juiced ball era Nick Ahmed". WTH? No one considers his defense on that level and scouts question if he can stick at SS (which I think he can). You're really bad at comps... I could continue, but I think I've made my point(s). Just don't argue or question my judgement on these things because you're probably wrong. I'm not saying I'm always right or that Braden Shewmake is guaranteed to develop into an amazing prospect/player. I like him and said so multiple times and we'll see if I'm right in a couple years. If I'm wrong I'll admit it (I'm not an expert) which is something you have a serious problem admitting here. If you question something I write or post just keep it to yourself from now on. I have no interest in talking minors/draft/Cubs prospects with you here.

[tweet] [/tweet]It'll be fun to follow this guy just so I can bring it up (and get someone to shut up). A bunch of players are off to good/great starts. Riley Greene is a surprisingly advanced hitter (for a HS bat) and looks like a great pick. Kody Hoese is doing really well. CJ Abrams is tearing it up and I think teams might regret passing on him at the top of the draft. Chase Strumpf is doing fine, but needs to move up to a higher level to really be challenged. I've watched video of him (and seen UCLA games on TV) and I like the swing. I wonder what Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen meant by "needs some swing changes to be an everyday guy". He goes into a little bit of a crouch right before the ball reaches home plate. I honestly can't tell if the top half just dips a bit or if he starts crouching a little bit. It's nothing too bad. Great hands and is well-balanced in the swing. The swing looks pretty good and not something you really want to mess with. Seems really solid on defense at 2B also. I think he starts next year at High-A and moves pretty fast through the system. [tweet] [/tweet] Final note: I'm not looking to start a conversation about 2019 draft prospects with anyone (Well, maybe with Raisin and UK). So don't bother responding to this post.

Not cool :? No Robel Garcia in the Iowa lineup tonight. Giambrone hit another HR (#18).

Proof of said stupidity (kinda disgusting):

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[tweet] [/tweet]Huh, he got less than I was expecting. I definitely think he has a chance to be a starter like Riley Thompson.

I seriously don't understand why we brought him back. The Cubs are getting zero value back in a trade now. Send him down to the minors and call up Ian Happ or Robel Garcia (yes, I know he has to be added to the 40-man roster).

[tweet] [/tweet]Adbert Alzolay and Miguel Amaya are the only Cubs prospects on the roster.

[tweet] [/tweet]Me too :D [tweet] [/tweet]For those that don't follow the minors that closely Nico Hoerner is back. Should be up to AA in a few days.

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Are Mormons especially afraid of lightning or something?

Wat? When did I say that was something important or valuable? I take it you're not familiar with expressions in English? When someone says "... so that's something" that means it's usually not that important or worthy of much consideration. I was going to say "...so that's something (I guess)". It's a cool factoid, but nothing more and everyone knows that. Did you not read the rest of my post? Man, what a dumb statement (by you). I did read it. And not really a dumb statement by me because it’s a true statement. If you are defensive about your original statement then that’s on you. I could care less who the mgr grew up a fan of other than possibly pulling a philosophical bias or culture or something along those lines. Ironically, maddon grew up admiring the cards primarily. I wish the cub played as an organization more like the cards did through much of their history because not only were they a winning organization but one that consistently plugged and played their players and won with them. And they played “team baseball” instead of this hr or bust [expletive] that theo seems to love Wow. That's like a Backtobanks bad take... It's a dumb statement because everyone already knows that. No one hires a manager based on childhood allegiance/fanhood. No one cares about that for very obvious reasons. I'm going to stop now because this is a large waste of time lol.