Billy62

Absolutely Matt! Gomes has been solid this year. He calls a good game, hits about what you would expect from a catcher a little bit into his twilight. He has some thunder in his bat and he seems to have a penchant for the dramatic or even clutch situations. He has a little less power than say Jody Davis in the 80's, but seems to be just as reliable. If post season aspirations are in the teams future, Gomes will definitely be part of it. As far as the Barnhart move. It was pretty predictable, we probably would have been better off not to make the deal in the first place. But hindsight is 20/20 and the addition of Barnhart did eat up some innings and served as insurance if Amaya did not work out. He has been pleasant to watch this year too.

Yeah, I get it. He is way to young to even be considered for a DH. His fielding is ok at best. But, he is still a kid. Of course the roster will dictate where there is an available spot. Down to brass tacks, I think I would take him over Wisdom or Madrigal as our starting 3rd Baseman. The question is has Wisdom overstayed his welcome? Sure, he has power, but way too much swing and miss with a total absence practically of productive outs.

This is just how good teams win ball games. We know Morel has power. Sometimes not the best at pitch selection. But, he is still a kid. Last night he took a giant step into the heart of every cub fan. He was already near there just by his persona, but this was tangible super stardom stuff. Absolutely loved it.

Nice observation Brandon! I think I only differ on identifying Cody as a "comeback player". I think that moniker could be used for older, established players in the league that have suddenly found a new fountain of youth in their current or new team setting. Cody is still a young ballplayer, this is just his 7th year in the majors. 2017-2019 he was without a doubt a house on fire. Injuries took their toll in 2020-2021, and last year was his first full-season since 2019. His numbers could have been better, but I think his first full-season back and getting back into the swing of where he was when the career first started, and maybe even the environment in L.A. may have been factors of where he was in 2022. Maybe a legitimate off-season and a new home were just the ticket. Hence, this would be the very definition of "comeback player" albeit if he were just a bit older. I think when the dust settles this year, Cody is going to have good numbers. I see him hitting over .300, closing in on the 30 Hr mark and probably around 80-85 RBI. I think this is the real Cody, and the Cubs would be foolish not to keep him. Because any dynasty the Cubs might envision, are going to revolve around him and others as the nucleus. I see more of the same for Cody down the road, and I hope that it is in cubbie blue.

This is one example of not giving up on a player. Alzolay could easily have been dealt a couple of seasons ago. Today, he is a vital piece of the Cubs resurgence!

I think you nailed it here CubinNY! This might be a case of overcoaching and listening to too many people (through an interpreter to boot). I know they are expecting more power out of him, and that part of the game has been lacking. His average hasn't been horrible and his defense has been stellar. I think he is working it out and is going to be o.k. Fortunately right now the team is tearing the cover off of the ball, so his bat is not yet missed. Mentally I think he has been turned around and just needs to get back to basics and handle the AB the way he is comfortable. In the end the cream will rise to the top. 🙂

I know I have not been a member here for long. But one thing that I have noticed is that some of the fans here seem challenged by the Cubs success as of late. So much so that they seem to be wandering around just waiting for that other shoe to drop. I get it.....really I do. I have been a fan for more than half a century and have seen more than my share of late season swan dives. But I think this year is a little different folks. Seems we are catching fire in the second half. So many years I remember us kicking tail early on and then fade at the finish line. I know it is dangerous to be a cheerleader for our boys, but this year I get the feeling that the team is like the Rodney Dangerfield of the MLB. Getting no respect. I feel like we all should be enjoying this for what is. People can say what they want, but I think this is a pretty solid team and think we are going to be on a pretty neat ride going into October. If not.....so be it......I have been through it before. But for now I am thoroughly enjoying our team and am optimistic about our chances.

I am trying to stay grounded here, but it is hard. Granted the Braves are coming to town and most of the posters here are saying "look out for the Braves" Truth is that the team with the highest winning pct. in the majors right now plays their home games at Wrigley. Sure, it could be a let down, but I am staying positive. I think we are better than most people give us credit for. Lets go boys!

I don't think this is exactly true Matt. I'll give you the fact that the chances of this team making the playoffs this year is not probable.......but it is possible. I don't think that just because your team is coming up short at the all-star break is necessarily the time to start breaking out the fire-axe and going to work taking apart the team. This team will probably be in the equation right up to the final gun. The nucleus for a winner is already here. Maybe just a few tweaks to put us over the top. Analytics are fine, but they don't tell the entire story. Way to many variables. What analytic predicts Tauchman's game-saving catch?, Which one predicted Morel's offensive onslaught last month? I think the addition of Candelario is a plus. I also think that we have not seen the team reach its full potential yet. I know the cry "when Billy when". Maybe it doesn't happen this year. I remember 2016.....sure, but I remember 2014 and 2015 as well. If we stripped the team and say dumped Rizzo in 2014, would 2016 have been a reality? I wise man once said that the best trade of the season is the one that you didn't make. If we were 20 games under .500 and holding on to the cellar in the division, Lord knows we have been there before, I think I would be in agreement for wiping the slate and starting over. But I think we are too close that this year, and should ride this season out. At least from a fan's perspective it has to be healthy for the franchise.

I think I am pretty much with you right down the line. I don't want to see the Cubs be sellers again this season. First, I think they have a shot at contending. Maybe not probable but, at least possible. Which means they are probably on the cusp of contending. So the team needs a little infusion of talent to put them over the hump and not necessarily a strip down to bare wood. I think Stroman and Bellinger should stay. I also think Suzuki should stay. I know he has struggled a bit, but he has hit the ball into some pretty bad luck. You figure that sooner or later has to change. I think Morel should stay, as well as Swanson and Hoerner. So what do we use as trade bait? I think Smyly has shown himself to be too inconsistent to be part of a winning formula. Barnhart is like 3rd man out. For the right deal, I would move Ian Happ, but I wouldn't like it. The bullpen needs some work. Clean innings at the end of the game seem to be an issue. Maybe a steady veteran reliever could help pull them together. I only hope that Mervis, PCA, and Amaya are hitting major league pitching consistently down the stretch. If they are, this team could really make some noise down the home stretch and turn this team into a dark horse contender. Then that brings us to Patrick Wisdom. This guy really is the tale of two cities. A lot of swing and miss (but admittedly, less lately) with good power. Each at-bat brings you to the edge of your seat. Will he be taking the bat back to the dugout? Or, will he be circling the bases? If the kids are ready, I could see moving Patrick. That said though, I don't just want to give these guys away, I think any deal we make should bring value with it, and not be some sort of ad hoc fire sale. Anyway that's me. A fan for more than half a century. Is it from the head or from the heart? I guess October will have to be my judge!

Yeah, they played earlier this season. I don't know why they do this. I thought one of the reasons for creating the Marquee Network was to create a place that the Cubs could call home. I thought we were creeping back to the way it was in the WGN era. But now you get some games on Apple, some on ESPN. Maybe its just me being too old school. But there was something comforting knowing what channel the team was going to be playing on any given day.

So the Cubs continue to show their Jekyll/Hyde approach to this season. They stumbled out of the gate after the break. Then, when you think well this is them, they literally destroy the Nationals 17-3. It was fun to watch. But, what is going to happen tomorrow?

This is where I am really on the fence. I have seen good cub teams and I have seen bad cub teams. This team is on the cusp of contending. I think Stroman and Bellinger can play a role in that. Especially if we get some late season surprises like a dialed in Wisdom down the stretch and if Taillon seems to finally be locked down. Add to that some of the kids coming up from Iowa, and this team could be making some late season noise. Then there is the fanbase. Morale of the fan goes down the sewer if they see another cub team stripped to bare wood as part of some sort of rebuilding phase. We have all seen that movie before. Understanding that contenders want these guys because they feel they can win with them. Well......so can we. Part of me wants us to stand pat and see what we can do with this time. Maybe even be a buyer and get that piece that puts us over the top. Then there is that other part of me that says maybe we could have a better chance with even more youth. It can make your head swim.

Before the season started I slated this team for 87 wins. Hell, even bet a bottle of whiskey on it. There are times that I think I'll be drinking whiskey in October and then there are times I think I will be buying whiskey in October. So 85 wins......possible if not probable.

A lot of food for thought here Matt. This team appears to be on an upswing, but then again they have done this before and then hit the basement. I agree that the team needs to part ways with Tucker Barnhart. He has not been up to major league standards all season. There have been isolated flashes of brilliance but overall his hitting has been sub-standard. Wisdom is a head scratcher. Yep right now cold as a block of ice, clueless at the plate. But we know his history. He can suddenly turn it around and crank 5-7 homers in 10 games. Mervis might be ready for another shot, and then again he might not be. I pray this is not going to be him. "A triple AAA monster but ineffective major leaguer." How about taking a look at PCA or some other young bats? Call me the optimist or just another old guy wrapped in Cubbie Blue, but I think this team can still contend this year and I just am not ready to write them off just yet.

I get it Stitch, If this team were in any other division I think you would be absolutely correct. But this division is full of teams that are under-performing. I know they usually say all that you have to get is a ticket to post-season play. I do not think that is the case with this division. Whoever wins it will likely exit in the first round. But, just to get there would be a huge feather in the cap for this team, and would be something to build on. Remember, there was a 2014 and 2015 before 2016. This team will definitely have to improve, but I think they will be helped along by a Reds team that I feel will begin to fade, and a Brewers squad that hasn't as of yet reached for the brass ring. I know it probably isn't probable, but it is possible. Afterall, the chance of real success is why are Cub fans after all. 🙂

In a nutshell Matt this has been the Cubs this year. They can be so "Jekyll and Hyde". There are times that this team comes on like world beaters and can stand toe to toe with the leagues elite. Then there are times when this team can't seem to get out of its own way. Inconsistency seems to be their mantra. Offensively, still a whole lot of swing and miss. I can only hope that as a team they can improve on this in the second half. Starting pitching so far has been this teams saving grace. The starters have been doing the job. The pen has been both sides of the coin. I still feel this team is going to improve as the season progresses. The division is not out of reach and nobody really has a handle on it. I am hoping that the team can start ripping the cover off the ball like they were a month ago. If this team can do that, anything is possible.

Very intrigued by the performance of Morel. He showed some flashes of brilliance last year and even more this year. I don't think he is ready to put the team on his back and carry them forward. But, he is definitely worth considering in the vein of who you think you want to build around. Like most youngsters he is consistently improving. Being nearly star quality right now, the future seems bright.

I think I see it here from both sides. Obviously, Marcus likes it here and has been spot on this year as arguably one of our two best starters. Perhaps he is looking to make Wrigley his home until he is through. That will require millions of dollars and multiple years, simply a multi-year big money deal. Not that he isn't worth it.......now. The Cubs I think are gun shy on multi-year, big money deals. The Heyward and Soriano deals come to mind when they later turned into an albatross around the Cubs neck in their later years. He has quickly become a fan favorite, and when not pitching one of our biggest cheerleaders. He seems to be well-liked by his teammates as well as the front office. So the fan in me says "yeah, sign him, lock him up in Cubbie blue from now on." But then the pragmatic side says "wait, we got to be careful to not have a mediocre Marcus a few years down the road, unable to move because of his deal. Tough call for Jed here.

This take is interesting to me. One, because I am and have been a fan of this team for more than half a century. So, I've seen bad Cubbie teams and good Cubbie teams. Two. I've been all in on the 2023 team since they broke camp. Not only because they improved the roster with a sprinkling of veterans but because of the glut of young talent that's coming up. At the break wherever the team is at in the standings, I see a team that will continue to improve throughout the season. Given the fact that no team has stepped forward in the division and said "I'm the king." I don't think it is too much of a stretch to say that it could be us. So yes, I am all for adding that one guy that will put us over the hump. Be that a consistent power hitter or a good arm or two out of the pen. I was intrigued with the talk of the Cardinals possibly be willing to part with Goldschmidt. I wonder if that was a possibility what they would be looking for in return? Don't get me wrong, I would love to have him, he would look great in blue, but I don't want to trade away our future. We have done too much of that in the past.