PeanutPunch33

I remember in CC's first year, the Cubs ended with the same record as the previous season under Ross. Do I think that replacing the manager will suddenly make this team elite? No. Not really much you can do when on any given night, the 3 most talented players on the field all belong to the other team. However, getting a new manager could mean a new philosophy, a new vibe in the club house, bullpen being managed differently, possibly new pitching/hitting coaches. Look at the Phillies firing Thompson and now they are back to firing on all cylinders. Probably the best team in baseball the last 25-30 days. The Cubs won't do it for financial reasons but I do think they would be better without Counsell. Sad to say but it's time to call it what it is.

Trade Wiggins + Shaw for the best hitting prospects that they can find. I know Shaw isn't a prospect anymore but basically, a prospect for prospect trade makes a lot of sense.

I wasn't aware that I need to be a scout or a former coach to have an opinion? There's a track record of mediocrity in drafting in the current regime - no need to get defensive or be dismissive when I'm only pointing out what's obvious to most fans. Otherwise, point to me where all of these incredible players are that Jed has drafted. In either event, the dude is a walking injury so it's hard to tell what he is when he's never on the field. After 6 years you'd think they could nail 1 draft pick. Horton is the only solid pick that comes to mind and he's also a walking injury.

So deflating

What an impressive horsefeathers outing by Brown. Honestly, he's one of the only guys right now that gives me any enthusiasm about this team. If he becomes a true ace, it changes a lot.

To me, his profile looks more like a "do a little bit of everything" type of guy like Ian Happ. In fact, I think they drafted him specifically so that he could replace either Suzuki or Happ next year and get to the majors quickly. Maybe he's a better hitting prospect than I give him credit for, not sure. But when I watch highlights of the kid I don't see a big time hitting prospect. I see a guy who chases a lot, who also doesn't have a lot of pop.

Yeah, Conrad doesn't even profile as a + hitter even if he ever does get past the injury issues. More of the same garbage from this team. Drafting mediocre players that can make it to the big leagues quicker instead of making any attempt to draft franchise cornerstone type of players. Of course, that would require taking some actual risk. From my recollection I can't remember them ever drafting a high schooler in round 1 in Jed's entire tenure here. They will never go for the "high risk, massive reward" move. I wonder what Jed does if/when he ever goes to a casino. Probably watches his wife gamble while he sits at the bar.

Two iconic franchises being run into the ground by morons. At least the Red Sox can fire Breslow after this season, the Cubs are stuck with Jed for 4 more years and probably longer since the Ricketts family loves him so much. From his very first draft here, he's been a horsefeathers idiot. They pick Jordan Wicks and the 2 picks immediately behind them end up being Gavin Williams (current MLB leader in strikeouts) and Colson Montgomery (probably a top 3 shortstop). I get that the draft is a crap shoot and it's easier to criticize moves years later, but when you are getting outshined by the horsefeathers White Sox and Guardians, it's time to have honest conversations. Fast forward 6 years and they still don't have a single guy in the rotation as good as Williams or a position player as good as Montgomery. In fact, they've never developed a home grown bat worth a damn, the more I think about it. Caissie looks terrible for the Marlins, Cam Smith is probably a few weeks away from being sent back to the minor leagues, Shaw looks exceptionally average, Ballesteros has already been benched. Alcantara is a strikeout machine. I like Pedro Ramirez but I highly doubt he's going to take the league by storm as a hitter. The only 2 great moves they've made in 6+years are acquiring PCA and Busch. And I bet if Busch came up with the Cubs he'd probably stink, we got the Dodgers to thank for his development.

They need to fire someone. Hitting coach, pitching coach, manager, doesn't matter.

They are mismanaging Ballesteros' development. I mean this guy was your best player in April and now he plays once or twice a week. Either send him down or find a way to get him into the lineup consistently. Me personally, I'd rather see him behind the dish then Kelly.

Conforto has been the best hitter on this team and it feels like he's not playing enough. Ballesteros is the only young prospect on this team with legitimate upside as a hitter and he's not playing enough. Instead we watch the overpaid underperforming vets sucking the oxygen out of this team. Not really sure what the solution is anymore tbh. They've put all their eggs into this core.

It’s alright. They are unlucky!

Finally. Nice HR PCA!

I'm just hoping they can play well enough to force Jed into making a big move in July. If they look like just a good but not great team, they might have a trade deadline like last year. And that would be disappointing.

Depends on what your definition of "fine" is. I see a team that will make the playoffs (via wildcard) like last season. But I don't see a team that can compete with the Braves or Dodgers once they get there. There's a noticeable talent gap.

Nico just hasn't been the same since he got plunked in the head in that Padres series. Hoping there's nothing more to it than just a bad stretch

When the Cubs are struggling, the implication is always that they are just unlucky and things are fluky and it's no big deal because the sample size is small. Of course, the reason can never be that they might just not be as good of a lineup as we think.

If they want to shake things up, put Busch back in the leadoff spot against RHP. Literally no reason to still have Nico in that spot when he's produced a .<600 OPS since that Padres series. Busch played well in that role last year, and he's been the best (and only good) hitter on this team over the last 2-3 weeks.

Well, at least we got Caleb Williams

He was available at the trade deadline last year so I don't buy that for a second.

Everything is relative. We know Caissie stinks now but at the time he was what, a top 50-60 prospect. They gave up 3 names for Cabrera when they could have given up 5 names for Joe Ryan. They consistently settle for mediocrity. Anyways I wasn't trying to be a dick about Cabrera. I hope he gets healthy soon and starts dominating. I think we're all just a bit frustrated watching this team right now.

Seems like cope to me. He's been mediocre in basically every start as a Cub outside his first 2. Sucks that he got hurt but that doesn't mean I have to pretend that he's good. Also all I've been told here is that this is a top 3 offense full of difference makers so surely that can't be used as an excuse.

Not trying to take a victory lap but last season I posted a lot about how badly I didn't want the Cubs to get Cabrera. Dude is Javier Assad with a better baseball savant page lol. A mental ****** who will never live up to his ridiculous, undeserved hype.

Michael Busch is probably my favorite player. I wonder if you guys have ever noticed that I've never criticized him on here - not once - lol. With that being said, he's not Freddie Freeman lol. He did have a great great year last year though. But Freeman is a 1st ballot HOFer. I'm a huge Seiya fan too - but it's hard to call a guy who's never made an all star game a superstar. Pitching won't really be a problem once Boyd and Steele get back and the Cubs likely make another trade at the deadline. But upgrading this lineup is hopeless. Nearly everyone is locked into long term contracts and there aren't any big time hitting prospects left in the minors.

Brewers deserve credit for fixing Harrison. He's been a stud. Great challenge for this lineup tonight