I hate to say this but the Cubs are playing crappy baseball right now. After coasting to an opening day win, the team has gone into hibernation at the plate. This seems to be the same old story as last year. No clutch hitting, suckers for the high fastball, no situational hitting, stymied by left-handed pitching, impatient at-bats. Every now and again they have a good inning or two. But 58 Ks in five games against teams projected to lose 90-100 games. Come on.
Russell and Schwarber have been the exceptions as hitters, as have Bryant and Zobrist. Heyward has achieved a level of mediocrity that makes him look good in comparison to everyone else. Maddon, of course, suggests they are too good a hitting team to continue like this. Lets hope things improve quickly, as this team now looks very complacent.
The bullpen and defense have been the two bright spots. Also Hendricks and Chatwood turned in excellent starts. Lester and Darvish were disappointing, as was Quintana, although the latter pitched a lot better than the bottom line reflects. I should confess also that I have been knocking Butler for the better part of a year, but he turned in a stellar performance in relief Friday night only to lose a tough decision. Mea culpa.
Incidentally, I really hate this batting order. Happ and Almora have so far not delivered. Also, have I mentioned how much I hate Bryant batting second with no one ever on base. They need to move someone up to the two spot, especially as their leadoff hitters are having problems. Schwarber or Russell might fill the bill.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Friday, March 30, 2018
As Advertised
The Cubs opened the season with an 8-4 win over the Marlins. Not that the Marlins are likely not to lose t least 90 games this year, but the Cubs dominated from the start. Ian Happ opened the game with a leadoff first-pitch home run. They batted around that inning to add two more runs, mostly with patient at-bats resulting in a bunch of walks and hit-batsmen.
Later on the Cubs added home runs by Rizzo and Schwarber as well as some clutch hits by Russell and LaStella. The latter's pinch hit double clinched the game.
The bullpen looked good in relief of Lester who was pretty awful through three plus innings. Lester lacked command and seemed to be pitching with zero confidence. Besides Lester's lackluster performance, the only other glitch on the day was Schwarber's rather adventurous fourth inning in left field where he pretty much played a leadoff double into a triple, nearly killing himself in the process, then overran a routine single. You really cannot say that those plays cost any runs as the Marlins would have scored anyway, but it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence either.
Later on the Cubs added home runs by Rizzo and Schwarber as well as some clutch hits by Russell and LaStella. The latter's pinch hit double clinched the game.
The bullpen looked good in relief of Lester who was pretty awful through three plus innings. Lester lacked command and seemed to be pitching with zero confidence. Besides Lester's lackluster performance, the only other glitch on the day was Schwarber's rather adventurous fourth inning in left field where he pretty much played a leadoff double into a triple, nearly killing himself in the process, then overran a routine single. You really cannot say that those plays cost any runs as the Marlins would have scored anyway, but it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence either.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Nearring Final Roster Decisions
The Cubs are nearing the end of spring training as well as finalizing the opening day roster. Nothing earth-shattering is happening. They cut Peter Bourjos even though Maddon has professed his profound respect for his talents. In this matter, I'm not sure what Maddon is looking at. Bourjos had a couple of decent seasons early in his career with the Angels, but he hasn't been much to write home about since then. He is a mediocre hitter whose speed and glove work has been in decline for a couple of seasons.
Slightly more surprising was shipping Chris Gimenez to Iowa and retaining Victor Caratini on the big league roster as backup catcher. Apparently, the search for the next David Ross has been at least temporarily abandoned. I like this move. Caratini is a player with a future. Gimenez really cannot hit a lick.
Strop appeared Saturday in a live game for the first or second time this spring. I guess he did OK. Assuming he is ready to go, that leaves only the 13th pitcher spot open. Butler started against the Mariners on Saturday. His performance was not disgraceful, but he was the losing pitcher. I don't honestly see much upside to this guy. Should the Cubs hold on, it would only be because they don't want to lose him on waivers. He would in that case be the eighth reliever who is only called in to eat innings in games that are out of reach.
Bass, Ryan, and Hancock have all shown better form this spring, though all of them are non-roster invitees who would cost the Cubs a slot on the 40-man roster should they win the battle. Presumably that spot would be Butler's. Bass and Ryan have some major league experience, though each of these guys was terrible last season. Hancock has bounced around the minors for a few years without earning much success.
None of these contenders, including Butler, looks to add much either way, so you kind of wonder why they feel they need so many relievers to start the season to begin with. That seems to be baseball these days.
Slightly more surprising was shipping Chris Gimenez to Iowa and retaining Victor Caratini on the big league roster as backup catcher. Apparently, the search for the next David Ross has been at least temporarily abandoned. I like this move. Caratini is a player with a future. Gimenez really cannot hit a lick.
Strop appeared Saturday in a live game for the first or second time this spring. I guess he did OK. Assuming he is ready to go, that leaves only the 13th pitcher spot open. Butler started against the Mariners on Saturday. His performance was not disgraceful, but he was the losing pitcher. I don't honestly see much upside to this guy. Should the Cubs hold on, it would only be because they don't want to lose him on waivers. He would in that case be the eighth reliever who is only called in to eat innings in games that are out of reach.
Bass, Ryan, and Hancock have all shown better form this spring, though all of them are non-roster invitees who would cost the Cubs a slot on the 40-man roster should they win the battle. Presumably that spot would be Butler's. Bass and Ryan have some major league experience, though each of these guys was terrible last season. Hancock has bounced around the minors for a few years without earning much success.
None of these contenders, including Butler, looks to add much either way, so you kind of wonder why they feel they need so many relievers to start the season to begin with. That seems to be baseball these days.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Grimm Released
I cannot say I'm surprised. Grimm's performance has declined steadily since 2015, when he was actually pretty good. Last year he was awful and he hasn't exactly turned any heads this spring. I always thought he was on the bubble anyway as he is out of options.
That leaves the open question of who takes his spot on the 40-man roster and who makes the team as the eighth reliever. People seem to think it will be Eddie Butler as he is out of options as well. I hope not. I actually see very little upside for Butler.
Of course, hardly any of the marginal relievers have turned any heads this spring. Randy Rosario has put up the best numbers, but he is a non-roster invitee. The Cubs seem to be high on Maples stuff, but he has been shelled more or less every time he has seen action in spring training. This will be a tough choice for the Cubs, especially as Strop has been hurt all spring and is likely to open the season on the DL.
The immediate speculation is that this opens a spot for Gimenez to be added to the 40-man roster and win the backup catcher spot. Gimenez is alright and the Cubs in general have preferred veteran backups in the past. Gimenez is pretty much an automatic out though. Caratini has a future and has actually earned a trip north even if the Cubs prefer him gaining at-bats and experience in AAA.
Personally, I wouldn't be entirely shocked should the Cubs elect to bring three catchers north, something they have done in the past. Given Strop's injury, though, they might not think this wise. Strop is a key setup guy for the Cubs, so if he isn't ready to go, they might well feel adding two inferior relievers is the preferred option.
Of course, they may well be watching the waiver wires to see who gets cut by other teams.
That leaves the open question of who takes his spot on the 40-man roster and who makes the team as the eighth reliever. People seem to think it will be Eddie Butler as he is out of options as well. I hope not. I actually see very little upside for Butler.
Of course, hardly any of the marginal relievers have turned any heads this spring. Randy Rosario has put up the best numbers, but he is a non-roster invitee. The Cubs seem to be high on Maples stuff, but he has been shelled more or less every time he has seen action in spring training. This will be a tough choice for the Cubs, especially as Strop has been hurt all spring and is likely to open the season on the DL.
The immediate speculation is that this opens a spot for Gimenez to be added to the 40-man roster and win the backup catcher spot. Gimenez is alright and the Cubs in general have preferred veteran backups in the past. Gimenez is pretty much an automatic out though. Caratini has a future and has actually earned a trip north even if the Cubs prefer him gaining at-bats and experience in AAA.
Personally, I wouldn't be entirely shocked should the Cubs elect to bring three catchers north, something they have done in the past. Given Strop's injury, though, they might not think this wise. Strop is a key setup guy for the Cubs, so if he isn't ready to go, they might well feel adding two inferior relievers is the preferred option.
Of course, they may well be watching the waiver wires to see who gets cut by other teams.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Roster Competition
That's pretty simple. Barring injuries, there is virtually none.
Among the position players, twelve players are pretty much locks to leave spring training with guaranteed spots, viz., Contreras, Rizzo, Zobrist, Baez, Russell, Bryant, Happ, Schwarber, Almora, Heyward, LaStella, and a reserve catcher.
The catcher will either be Gimenez or Caratini. Most people are betting on Gimenez because of his prior success catching Darvish, but I wouln't count necessarily on that. Caratini is on the 40-man roster; Gimenez is not, so basically someone is going to have to be dropped from that set to make room for Gimenez. Maybe one of the marginal pitchers, but, still, that could be a reach.
The Cubs could elect to add a thirteenth position player, though, for some reason, they always seem to like having thirteen pitchers. Should they choose to go with thirteen position players, they might elect to carry three catchers. That still leaves a 40-man roster problem to accommodate Gimenez, though. More likely they would choose an outfielder, seeing as they have only two pure outfielders on the roster now. In that case, they might go out and grab a one-year contract for a Jon Jay type player. Maybe Jon Jay himself, as he is still unsigned.
As far as pitchers go, again, I don't see a lot of competition. Lester, Hendricks, Darvish, Quintana, and Chatwood are the five starters. Montgomery is the swingman. Morrow seems to be the closer. That leaves five or six more bullpen slots. You have to figure Edwards, Strop, Cishek, Duensing, and Wilson are certain to remain. That leaves one more spot should the Cubs go with thirteen and none should they go with twelve.
Grimm is likely to have quite a battle retaining his roster spot as he, along with Eddie Butler, is among the pitchers on the bubble who are out of options.
Among the position players, twelve players are pretty much locks to leave spring training with guaranteed spots, viz., Contreras, Rizzo, Zobrist, Baez, Russell, Bryant, Happ, Schwarber, Almora, Heyward, LaStella, and a reserve catcher.
The catcher will either be Gimenez or Caratini. Most people are betting on Gimenez because of his prior success catching Darvish, but I wouln't count necessarily on that. Caratini is on the 40-man roster; Gimenez is not, so basically someone is going to have to be dropped from that set to make room for Gimenez. Maybe one of the marginal pitchers, but, still, that could be a reach.
The Cubs could elect to add a thirteenth position player, though, for some reason, they always seem to like having thirteen pitchers. Should they choose to go with thirteen position players, they might elect to carry three catchers. That still leaves a 40-man roster problem to accommodate Gimenez, though. More likely they would choose an outfielder, seeing as they have only two pure outfielders on the roster now. In that case, they might go out and grab a one-year contract for a Jon Jay type player. Maybe Jon Jay himself, as he is still unsigned.
As far as pitchers go, again, I don't see a lot of competition. Lester, Hendricks, Darvish, Quintana, and Chatwood are the five starters. Montgomery is the swingman. Morrow seems to be the closer. That leaves five or six more bullpen slots. You have to figure Edwards, Strop, Cishek, Duensing, and Wilson are certain to remain. That leaves one more spot should the Cubs go with thirteen and none should they go with twelve.
Grimm is likely to have quite a battle retaining his roster spot as he, along with Eddie Butler, is among the pitchers on the bubble who are out of options.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Finally!
Frankly I was getting a little tired of all these Darvish rumors. I am glad the deal is finally done. Apparently six years, $126 MM. less than Lester got and less than I thought he would command.
One guesses the Cubs are done for the Winter unless they add a veteran utility player. One may also surmise that now that Darvish is off the board, the remaining free agent pitchers, Arrieta, Cobb, Lynn, will sign pretty quickly.
Pitchers and catchers report next week
One guesses the Cubs are done for the Winter unless they add a veteran utility player. One may also surmise that now that Darvish is off the board, the remaining free agent pitchers, Arrieta, Cobb, Lynn, will sign pretty quickly.
Pitchers and catchers report next week
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Brian Duensing
The Cubs have signed Brian Duensing to a two-year deal. I wasn't surprised, and the deal makes a lot of sense. Duensing was very effective after his early season problems. He should continue to be a valuable middle reliever, especially as the Cubs were a little light on experienced talent from the left side.
Duensing rejoins holdovers Strop, Edwards, and Wilson from last year's team, as well as Mike Montgomery as the swingman, and new additions Cishek and Morrow. Justin Grimm will compete for the eighth spot along with a bunch of unproven players like Dillon Maples and some other marginal guys like Randy Rosario.
Personally, I think seven relievers is quite enough for any team with a solid rotation, but Maddon often likes to carry eight relievers. Should the Cubs not sign a proven starter in free agency, Montgomery would be the logical choice to move up to a starting role, opening up another bullpen slot.
It's looking more and more as if the Cubs are content with the position players they have now and that they are unlikely to make a trade that separates them from any of their younger talent. I'm sure they would move Heyward and/or Zobrist in a minute, but they are not going to find takers for these players. Victor Caratini also is looking like the option of choice for backup catcher.
Realistically, there is no reason for the front office not to be happy with the roster of position players. They may lack a natural leadoff hitter, but, with the exception of Caratini or whoever emerges as the backup catcher, every other position player of the twelve guys who are a lock to make the team could start full time with a contending team and be productive.
Duensing rejoins holdovers Strop, Edwards, and Wilson from last year's team, as well as Mike Montgomery as the swingman, and new additions Cishek and Morrow. Justin Grimm will compete for the eighth spot along with a bunch of unproven players like Dillon Maples and some other marginal guys like Randy Rosario.
Personally, I think seven relievers is quite enough for any team with a solid rotation, but Maddon often likes to carry eight relievers. Should the Cubs not sign a proven starter in free agency, Montgomery would be the logical choice to move up to a starting role, opening up another bullpen slot.
It's looking more and more as if the Cubs are content with the position players they have now and that they are unlikely to make a trade that separates them from any of their younger talent. I'm sure they would move Heyward and/or Zobrist in a minute, but they are not going to find takers for these players. Victor Caratini also is looking like the option of choice for backup catcher.
Realistically, there is no reason for the front office not to be happy with the roster of position players. They may lack a natural leadoff hitter, but, with the exception of Caratini or whoever emerges as the backup catcher, every other position player of the twelve guys who are a lock to make the team could start full time with a contending team and be productive.
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