MLB: ***Official Cubs Offseason Thread***

[stormchaser2014]

Brewers clinch September 5th.

 

[CycloneErik]

Brewers clinch September 5th.

If you'd added Jake or Alex Cobb, there was a real shot.
Lineup is worthy, but you gotta pitch, too.

 

[CyJack13]

If you'd added Jake or Alex Cobb, there was a real shot.
Lineup is worthy, but you gotta pitch, too.

Naw there still wouldn't have been a real shot, most projection systems have the Cubs 15-17 wins ahead of the Brewers, one or two guys isn't closing that gap.

 

[CycloneErik]

Naw there still wouldn't have been a real shot, most projection systems have the Cubs 15-17 wins ahead of the Brewers, one or two guys isn't closing that gap.

Touche. That still leaves 12+ wins there. Point well taken.

 

[CyJack13]

I do think the Brewers have a good shot at a wild card this year, there's a big drop off after the three division leaders and if the Brewers match last year's win total I think that probably gets them a wild card this year.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Cubs
Brewers
Reds
Pirates
I-Cubs
Memphis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals

 

[CyJack13]

I want to just say how much I enjoy that people are talking about the Cubs bouncing back this year, following a year that saw them win 90+ games, an NL Central title and come three games from playing in the World Series. It's a long way from 2012.

 

[Shawker]

Any predictions for the NL central this year? Here's mine.

1. Cubs
2.Brewers
3. Pirates
4. Cardinals

Have you seen the Pirates roster? They will be lucky to finish ahead of the Reds.

 

[CyJack13]

Have you seen the Pirates roster? They will be lucky to finish ahead of the Reds.

And I think it's pretty likely they decide to go full tank at some point this year, so it will probably get worse before the year ends. It would be tough being a Pirates fan, it looked like they were going to have a run of being the best team in the NL Central for a few years but the Cards stayed better a little longer than people thought and the Cubs got really good, really quick and the best Pirate team of the bunch ended up with a 98 win season and one and done playoff appearance. Now they are in a half ass rebuilding phase at this point and seem likely to struggle to stay out of last place in the NL Central for the next few years.

 

[CycloneErik]

Watching that final spring training game on ESPN.
They're interviewing Boston's RF live during game action. It's interesting but really weird.

 

[cyfanatic13]

Watching that final spring training game on ESPN.
They're interviewing Boston's RF live during game action. It's interesting but really weird.

Is it Mookie? I'm a huge fan of him. Fun to watch. That's pretty funny though

 

[CycloneErik]

Is it Mookie? I'm a huge fan of him. Fun to watch. That's pretty funny though

It was. Pretty fun on a couple balls he had to run after. One went foul, the other was a KB triple.

 

[BigJCy]

Here is Betts running after the Bryant hit. Funny:

 

[BigJCy]

 

[ClonesTwentyOne]

Cubs projected starting line up and starting rotation is scary good. This team should get close to 100 wins this year. Especially with a very down NL Central this season.

 

[CyJack13]

Cubs projected starting line up and starting rotation is scary good. This team should get close to 100 wins this year. Especially with a very down NL Central this season.

I don't think it's that down. Not as good as the West, but not as bad as the East. Milwaukee and St Louis both could put up mid 80's wins and challenge for the wild card. Cincy should be better, the bottom could fall out for Pittsburgh though.

 

[laminak]

And I think it's pretty likely they decide to go full tank at some point this year, so it will probably get worse before the year ends. It would be tough being a Pirates fan, it looked like they were going to have a run of being the best team in the NL Central for a few years but the Cards stayed better a little longer than people thought and the Cubs got really good, really quick and the best Pirate team of the bunch ended up with a 98 win season and one and done playoff appearance. Now they are in a half ass rebuilding phase at this point and seem likely to struggle to stay out of last place in the NL Central for the next few years.

I assumed they were already doing full-tank after trading Cole and McCutchen.

 

[ClonesTwentyOne]

I don't think it's that down. Not as good as the West, but not as bad as the East. Milwaukee and St Louis both could put up mid 80's wins and challenge for the wild card. Cincy should be better, the bottom could fall out for Pittsburgh though.

Why is everyone thinking the Cardinals are going to be decent? I don't think they'll finish over .500

I think they will get close, but finish a few games under.

 

[BigJCy]

Here are the USA Today "Expert" Predictions:

 

[KnappShack]

Here are the USA Today "Expert" Predictions:

I'll throw out a wild ass guess and say the White Sox take the AL Central.