CubUgly
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Everything posted by CubUgly
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Hell, yeah - these last two are the type of games we've been losing all year. Finally got some luck going our way the last two games - they say it all evens out - maybe that is what will start to happen. At least I can hope so. The broadcast kept bringing up how Milwaukee is worse than us in almost every statistical category except wins and losses this year. I think over 162 that works itself out.
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I don't think so, he still batted and he played the next night, of course I can't prove that, but one could make that argument to defend the coach on almost any move. Look, I realize managers have information we don't I always try to factor that into my evaluations and opinions. I'm not oblivious. As to "it's good to put a bad fielder in left in Houston because it's quirky", I could not disagree more. The same fly ball Morel botched Happ was waiting under for 3 seconds for a routine catch the next night. I was there for two of the 3 games including the first when Morel was inexplicably (Rossi was never even asked by the press) put in left. And while Morel has played outfield guess where he's played by for the least - you guessed it.....LF. And just to repeat so as not to be misunderstood, I'm not absolving the front office and dismissing roster issues. I'm just saying it can be both - roster construction/development and managing issues. And I think it is both and I do think a different manager would have us in a better position right now in a weak and vulnerable Central. I like Rossi but likes got nothing to do with it.
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I do keep hearing this comparison, but Rizzo was several years younger then Mervis when he was sent back down by the Padres, he was 21. Mervis is 25. That's a fairly significant difference. He'll get another shot, but maybe just one more. You can rationalize it any way you want he was not good the first trip and even in spring training. Let's hope second time is the charm.
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Not a good game to rest Happ, not a good park to rest Happ. And again, Morel a kid who had hardly ever played left anywhere in his baseball career in that left field???? - get Happ a rest back in Wrigley - if he can't play 3 more games shame on him - or better yet don't put Morel in a position to fail miserably. You say let's try to figure out why this happened, I've been trying to figure out what happened. Your explanation honestly doesn't convince me and no one in the press asked Rossi after the game so we still don't know his reasoning. I believe that decision cost us that game. I could do this with SEVERAL other very questionable Rossi decisions and you could come back with your view of a reasonable explanation and we could do that dance all day the rest of the day. Let's just say this - I think we could be several games better than we are now with the same roster and a different manager and right in contention in this division. You don't. We part as friends.
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I would put it like this TT, my baseline expectation is that when you have to win on the margins, which this team has to do - you have less rope to make "inexplicably bad" decisions as a manager. Even given that he's made in my opinion more than most. As one of my examples, I don't know how much inside info was used to put Morel in left in Houston - one of the hardest left fields in all of baseball to play, and a kid that's hardly played left anywhere in his life. That was not a coin flip decision that was black and white don't do this. Again, I could go on an on with what I think are legit WTF decisions, but I get it, we ain't gonna agree here and that's fine - this forum is for debate and discussion and we've done that. I realize the roster limitations I just think Ross has exacerbated that.
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Playing Hosmer as much as he was played, and batting him 5th in the order was on Ross. Playing Mancini at first in England when Belli was available to play first was also on Ross. Man, I can go on an on. I get Jed's/front offices part in this and I don't disagree. Both can be true. But we all knew we'd have to win on the margins with the team we went into this season with and we knew the Central was not that strong. Hell it's been worse than we expected even I think. The division was there for the taking even given the limitations you have laid out. Look at the Brewer's roster - they are one of the worst hitting teams in all of baseball and their pitching has not been as great as advertised and they are what 6 games over .500. They are winning games on the margins. This matters!! That's where managing comes in when your margin for error is small. It ain't all on Rossi but to rationalize his part is leaving a significant part out in my opinion.
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Sorry, I I'll reiterate my take in that I just can't agree with this. Sighting specifics would take me some time but in particular bring Kay in the other day and inexplicably playing Morel in left in Houston were both inexcusable errors in my view. That's two - I could site multiple more in time. I really could go on and on. He really makes some hard to understand decisions that I don't think most managers would make in the same position....and with good reason. Of course we could debate most of them I suppose, but I really think he makes some real head scratchers and he got a pass his first 3 years which you can debate the merits of but it's a fact, so no need rehashing, but he is finally getting some legit questioning at least from the fans, the Cubs press still seems reluctant to question him for the most part which is not all that surprising.
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Not sure I agree that this is not a .500 team even with a good manager. Now would we be able to compete for a WS....no but that's a whole other conversation and then you can dig into Jed's territory and roster construction, development etc. But this team could definitely be competing for the Central Division this year as is and poor and mind boggling managing decisions have played as big a role as anything else in why we are not in my opinion.
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He may end up being the next Schwindell, but yeah - ride that hot streak till it's done.
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Posted Saturday at 04:46 PM 4th of July maybe?? I think we have a winner!!
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I think he (Mastro) goes back down when Steele comes back?
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Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 6-14-23
CubUgly replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Cubs Minor League Talk
We could sure use some more swing and miss at the big league level. -
He's looked bad at every position we've tried him at defensively.
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And you gotta figure the guys who are supposed to be hitting who have been slumping badly like Nico, Happ, Seiya and Dansby.....at least some of them will start hitting...there were signs last night. HAVE to have that happen starting now!!
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I'm good with the Pirates sweeping the Cards because I still don't believe the Pirates have the staying power for this year, and because it's the Cards. But yeah I would have preferred a better showing from the Reds. I would have sacrificed 3rd place to be closer to the Brew Crew for the here and now.
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He looks almost feeble, There seems to be little or no athleticism. I assume since he occasionally plays RF that at one time he had some athleticism?
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Article: Nick Madrigal Has to Go
CubUgly replied to Matthew Trueblood's topic in North Side Baseball Front Page News
It's clear that the front office at least wants to win this year, and to send the message that they're serious about performance and accountability. Letting go of Madrigal is a necessary step in that process. Madrigal neither hits for power....at all...nor walks. For him to be a viable contributor to this team he has to hit at least .300 to make up for that. And he's not even coming close to that. He's played a better 3rd than I ever would have thought, but that ain't nearly enough. Look at the OPS man!! There's a small niche there were you need a contact guy - one out man at third type situations but that just ain't enought to keep him around. Everyone says trade him...well you ain't gonna get much of value I wouldn't think but if you can get anything...do it. -
I agree in that it was a flimsy argument, and the signs were there. Now, I cannot say nor do I think any of us can with any certainty how much say Rossi has in personnel/lineup decisions and that is part of it...who is playing and when and and what spot in the lineup, etc. But also some in game decisions have been head scratchers. Keeping Assad in for the ninth most recently, all the bunting, curious pinch hitting decisions....those are all on Rossi. I like the guy, but as I heard him tell an ump once....you've gotta be better.
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Yeah, Not going to be a lot of opportunities at the positions he's played here in the past and he'll have to share DH. Gonna be tough to get him regular at bats which won't help his cause.
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Yes, I agree with this as a fair and noble course of action. Could the Cubs have handled some aspects of this better...sure. But I find it a bit amusing that it took the Cards all of a month to find out what the rest of MLB already knew. I mean you don't have to take the Cubs from offices and coaches word for it, listen to the Cubs pitchers. Their constant and almost unanimous praise of Gomes spoke volumes. And the hands off from contending teams that needed a catcher at the deadline last year, specifically Houston's flat out telling you why they did not go through with the trade should have all been clues. Yes, he can hit....for a catcher. But now and it's not all that surprising honestly - the Cards are paying 5 years - $85 million for a .250 hitter with 15-20 HR power for an DH and part time outfielder. One more cheer for the memories. he got well enough send off at Wrigley on multiple occassions last year, one more is sufficient.
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I'm sure they are hoping so - he signed a 14-year $25 million a year contract that the first two years of have been an unmitigated failure. He reportedly was a major locker room problem as both he and the team's performance nose-dived at the end of 2021 and we all know about last year.
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Agreed, two out and a man at third when you are 1-run down is a Madrigal situation. Bases loaded down four with one out is definitely not. That situation screamed DP. Happ or even Rios who could run into one and tie it with one swing are much better choices. Not so keen on letting Torrens in the 9th either. I
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"Joe Maddon used to call the set of relievers he really trusted his "even and ahead guys." The 2023 Cubs' relief ace came in to pitch two innings with the team trailing by two runs Sunday, though. Is that a habit David Ross needs to correct?" Though I will say I was surprised to see it and I agree about "wasting" Thompson in that situation...I don't think referencing Madden in regard to handling bullpens helps anyone's argument.
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Has solid start changed your expectations for 2023 Cubs?
CubUgly replied to UMFan83's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
I would agree that the lineup as constructed now is mediocre, with too many holes right now, that could change if let's say Mervis and Morel continue hitting and come up and provide more upside in that regard. But I would not say the pitching, whether it be starters or bullpen is mediocre, I think it's at the very least above average.
