The Cubs continued their post-All-Star streak, beating the Brewers again and moving 2 1/2 games up. Lackey pitched well for a change.
The Cubs also filled two minor holes in preparation for a playoff run. They added Justin Wilson, who has been functioning as Detroit's closer and doing pretty well. He is a left-hander, which will give the Cubs a pretty balanced bullpen and allow Montgomery to move into a long relief spot starter role. They also picked up the veteran catcher Avila, who is having a good year and will likely fill the role vacated by the abrupt departure of Miguel Montero.
The Cubs gave up a good major league ready prospect in Candelario. I liked Candelario even though he didn't produce much in his brief stints in the majors. However, lets face it, he was blocked at both his positions by Bryant and Rizzo, so he was unlikely to get much playing time ever with the Cubs. The other guy in the trade was a Class A prospect, Isaac Parades, a shortstop. He's supposed to be good, but, again, the Cubs have so many infield prospects that it hardly matters.
All in all, I like the deal. I also like that they struck first to get the best controllable starter available in Quintana. Things are looking up.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Saturday, July 29, 2017
On a Roll
The Cubs are 12-3 since the All-Star Game and back in first place. I feel pretty good about their chances right now. The series with Milwaukee has been unexpectedly tight, however. The Cubs game after the winning 11 of 13 and the Brewers were headed in almost the exactly opposite direction.
These games, though, have been decided by one run in each case with identical scores, 2-1. The pitching has been terrific on both sides with the exception of Milwaukee's Saturday night starter Guerra, who was just awful. The Cubs should have put him away early on. Speaking of Saturday's games, both managers acted as if they were playing the World Series, pulling starters early, multiple pitching changes in the same inning, etc. The Cubs did manage to come back in the second game on Heyward's home run, but 17 strikeouts is just too much. Baez, in particular, is out of control. I saw somewhere where he has swung and missed a greater percentage of down and away sliders this year than in his rookie season.
I would imagine if they were going to trade anyone on the 25 man roster, Baez would be the guy, but Maddon says that won't happen, that if they make a deal it will involve minor leaguers. I don't expect any more blockbusters in any case, maybe a backup catcher to let Caratini develop more in the minor leagues and provide veteran support for Contreras. Maybe also a reliever, but there too they seem set. The weak link in the bullpen is Grimm. The weak link in the starting rotation is Lackey, as Hendricks seems to be back in form since coming off the DL and Arrieta is much improved.
These games, though, have been decided by one run in each case with identical scores, 2-1. The pitching has been terrific on both sides with the exception of Milwaukee's Saturday night starter Guerra, who was just awful. The Cubs should have put him away early on. Speaking of Saturday's games, both managers acted as if they were playing the World Series, pulling starters early, multiple pitching changes in the same inning, etc. The Cubs did manage to come back in the second game on Heyward's home run, but 17 strikeouts is just too much. Baez, in particular, is out of control. I saw somewhere where he has swung and missed a greater percentage of down and away sliders this year than in his rookie season.
I would imagine if they were going to trade anyone on the 25 man roster, Baez would be the guy, but Maddon says that won't happen, that if they make a deal it will involve minor leaguers. I don't expect any more blockbusters in any case, maybe a backup catcher to let Caratini develop more in the minor leagues and provide veteran support for Contreras. Maybe also a reliever, but there too they seem set. The weak link in the bullpen is Grimm. The weak link in the starting rotation is Lackey, as Hendricks seems to be back in form since coming off the DL and Arrieta is much improved.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
As Advertised
So far that trade looks like gold. Quintana pitched seven scoreless innings against an Orioles team that can hit even if they cannot pitch at all. Cubs bats did the rest. A few more series like that and they may be back on track and headed to the playoffs.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Whew!
The Cubs played a wild one in Baltimore, blowing an 8-0 lead before winning it on an Addison Russell home run in the top of the ninth inning. All I can say is that after allowing the Orioles to tie the score, they more or less had to win it to save the season.
The Cubs continued some of habits that limited their progress in the first half of the season, primarily the weak starting pitching and occasional bullpen lapses. This one was on Montgomery, who sailed through three innings before he weakened the second time through the order, was hit hard in the fifth, an inning he was unable to compete. The wreckage continued with the appearance of Justin Grimm, who was just plain awful. Grimm is becoming more and more expendable as the first man out of the pen in the middle innings.
The Cubs bats were certainly alive Friday night. They hit five home runs. The thing is that was the only way they scored, which is a habit they cannot sustain. By the way, I've never been to Camden Yards, but I would be curious about its dimensions. The ball just flies out of there. No wonder Baltimore usually leads the league in home runs.
On a positive note, the Cubs played great defense, getting several spectacular plays.
The Cubs continued some of habits that limited their progress in the first half of the season, primarily the weak starting pitching and occasional bullpen lapses. This one was on Montgomery, who sailed through three innings before he weakened the second time through the order, was hit hard in the fifth, an inning he was unable to compete. The wreckage continued with the appearance of Justin Grimm, who was just plain awful. Grimm is becoming more and more expendable as the first man out of the pen in the middle innings.
The Cubs bats were certainly alive Friday night. They hit five home runs. The thing is that was the only way they scored, which is a habit they cannot sustain. By the way, I've never been to Camden Yards, but I would be curious about its dimensions. The ball just flies out of there. No wonder Baltimore usually leads the league in home runs.
On a positive note, the Cubs played great defense, getting several spectacular plays.
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Are the Cubs a Bust?
It's hard to say for certain. Personally, I don't think so. They will probably win their division. But they might just fail. The past two seasons they won fifty games after the All-Star Break, so there is no reason to expect they are not capable of doing so again. On the other hand, the 2016 and 2015 teams were on a roll before the break, or at least had played well. This team has not.
The addition of a proven starter in Quintana is a big plus, and again the Cubs have beat the market and, in a way, set it for the other contenders. There are a few more controllable pitchers out there, but the price is going to be way high for their competitors. Before the trade, I thought they might have to settle for a rental, but Epstein and Hoyer have proved me wrong.
Just assessing the team's performance thus far, however, they are going to have to show improvement all over the place to advance. They are likely correct in thinking the basic core of young talent is where it is at. However, there is no doubt some players have been disappointing. Russell for one, although he has historically improved in the second half. Heyward, although he has not returned to his dismal 2016 level, has not exactly been an inspiration. Similarly, Schwarber has genuinely been awful. You can argue they won without both these guys last year, but, in Schwarber's case, someone else was playing every day. In my mind, Zobrist has been the biggest flop. He is going to have to pick it up for them to contend, especially if Maddon continues to bat him fourth.
As far as other trade possibilities go, it would not hurt to kick the tires on Avila, who would be a rental, but I would imagine they would not want to give up a first tier prospect in exchange. Similarly, they might take a shot at the left-handed reliever Hand from the Padres who would be more costly. Alternatively, they may be content to move Montgomery back to the bullpen and sit tight.
The addition of a proven starter in Quintana is a big plus, and again the Cubs have beat the market and, in a way, set it for the other contenders. There are a few more controllable pitchers out there, but the price is going to be way high for their competitors. Before the trade, I thought they might have to settle for a rental, but Epstein and Hoyer have proved me wrong.
Just assessing the team's performance thus far, however, they are going to have to show improvement all over the place to advance. They are likely correct in thinking the basic core of young talent is where it is at. However, there is no doubt some players have been disappointing. Russell for one, although he has historically improved in the second half. Heyward, although he has not returned to his dismal 2016 level, has not exactly been an inspiration. Similarly, Schwarber has genuinely been awful. You can argue they won without both these guys last year, but, in Schwarber's case, someone else was playing every day. In my mind, Zobrist has been the biggest flop. He is going to have to pick it up for them to contend, especially if Maddon continues to bat him fourth.
As far as other trade possibilities go, it would not hurt to kick the tires on Avila, who would be a rental, but I would imagine they would not want to give up a first tier prospect in exchange. Similarly, they might take a shot at the left-handed reliever Hand from the Padres who would be more costly. Alternatively, they may be content to move Montgomery back to the bullpen and sit tight.
Quintana Trade
First impression is I like it. Quintana is a very good pitcher. He will benefit from changing leagues as well as playing with a team that can actually play defense. The biggest problem so far has been the starting pitching.
As far as giving up top prospects, this is the way contenders and rebuilding teams work. Jimenez may be a future superstar, but he is 20 years old and playing in Class A. It's not like they traded a golden boy like Bryant before they brought him up. Similarly with the pitcher Cease, another A ball prospect.
Five years from now, we might change our minds, but the Cubs need to win the division at a minimum to retain their confidence. I should also remark that the Cubs got better returns when they dealt off Feldman and Hammel and Samardzjia in their rebuild phase.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Rumors
The Cubs played a pretty lackluster game on July 4 and lost again, this time to the Rays. Granted the Rays took advantage of some scratchy hits in their big inning, but Lester should have been able to shut the door. The Cubs could do little against Chris Archer. I never could understand how they traded him away for Matt Garza six years ago.
On the trade rumor front, rumor has it the Cubs have kicked the tires on the Tigers catcher Avila and pitcher Verlander. Avila makes some sense if you think you are going to make a run. He is a rental, but is having a really good year. Verlander, on the other hand, though once a dominant starter, is having an awful year and may be running out his string, much as Lackey has been, though he is four years younger. The story is the Tigers want a lot for a 34 year old pitcher with a history of arm trouble and a $28MM annual salary. I rather hope the Cubs steer clear of that part of the bargain.
The Cubs really need an experienced starting pitcher. Their sights seem directed toward controllable arms, but these guys, as we have noted before, are either not readily available or come with some risk. They might be better off looking for a rental if they can find one. Not sure who is on the market.
My apologies for misreading the schedule up to the All-Star break. I thought the Cubs closed out the first half with Milwaukee, but it turns out they play only a makeup game on Thursday and finish off with the Pirates. They still need to sweep these inter-divisional games to prove they are real.
On the trade rumor front, rumor has it the Cubs have kicked the tires on the Tigers catcher Avila and pitcher Verlander. Avila makes some sense if you think you are going to make a run. He is a rental, but is having a really good year. Verlander, on the other hand, though once a dominant starter, is having an awful year and may be running out his string, much as Lackey has been, though he is four years younger. The story is the Tigers want a lot for a 34 year old pitcher with a history of arm trouble and a $28MM annual salary. I rather hope the Cubs steer clear of that part of the bargain.
The Cubs really need an experienced starting pitcher. Their sights seem directed toward controllable arms, but these guys, as we have noted before, are either not readily available or come with some risk. They might be better off looking for a rental if they can find one. Not sure who is on the market.
My apologies for misreading the schedule up to the All-Star break. I thought the Cubs closed out the first half with Milwaukee, but it turns out they play only a makeup game on Thursday and finish off with the Pirates. They still need to sweep these inter-divisional games to prove they are real.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Coming Home
The Cubs managed to limp home Sunday, beating a genuinely inferior Reds team to salvage at least one win in a series they should have swept or at least won. I was going to opine that should the Cubs not sweep the Reds after spitting the Nats series, they are in trouble. So they come back for the final homestand before the All-Star break at 41-41, two games behind the Brewers. I'd like to see them win these six games or at least five of them. That would, in my mind, mean they were on the way to righting the ship.
Anyway, the Cubs played well on Sunday. Ian Happ had two home runs and an RBI single. Happ has been a revelation since his promotion. He had a stretch when he was striking out and not being patient, no doubt because the league was adjusting to him after his spectacular debut. Now he seems to have made some adjustments and is really smashing the ball. Arrieta finally pitched to form, allowing one hit over seven innings.
Speaking of the All-Star break, no Cubs were elected to the game and the only Cub chosen was Wade Davis, who does really deserve it. Kris Bryant is on the ballot for the final spot. My guess is he will be selected. Given the season the team is having, that's OK with me. They need to get hot over the next few games and then rest up for a final push. The coming Brewers series is a statement series. They need to sweep.
Anyway, the Cubs played well on Sunday. Ian Happ had two home runs and an RBI single. Happ has been a revelation since his promotion. He had a stretch when he was striking out and not being patient, no doubt because the league was adjusting to him after his spectacular debut. Now he seems to have made some adjustments and is really smashing the ball. Arrieta finally pitched to form, allowing one hit over seven innings.
Speaking of the All-Star break, no Cubs were elected to the game and the only Cub chosen was Wade Davis, who does really deserve it. Kris Bryant is on the ballot for the final spot. My guess is he will be selected. Given the season the team is having, that's OK with me. They need to get hot over the next few games and then rest up for a final push. The coming Brewers series is a statement series. They need to sweep.
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