***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
Just saw the replay, what an awful way to lose that perfect game. Usually always something stupid.
I think we're at the point where we can just come out and say it. The Cubs are good again.
In 19 games, they've won games against Corbin Burnes, Luis Castillo, and Julio Urias (x2). They've got an offense that's in the top 5 in runs per game and OPS and ranked 7th in slugging...all while ranking outside the top 10 in home runs. They're a serious threat on the bases, play elite defense, and have a pitching staff that ranks among the league leaders in virtually every category. There's nothing under the hood that screams that they're just getting lucky.
If I eat my words at the end of all this, so be. I'm fully invested.
In 19 games, they've won games against Corbin Burnes, Luis Castillo, and Julio Urias (x2). They've got an offense that's in the top 5 in runs per game and OPS and ranked 7th in slugging...all while ranking outside the top 10 in home runs. They're a serious threat on the bases, play elite defense, and have a pitching staff that ranks among the league leaders in virtually every category. There's nothing under the hood that screams that they're just getting lucky.
If I eat my words at the end of all this, so be. I'm fully invested.
In March, I put $50 on the Cubs to win the World Series at +9000. They are now +10000—Vegas doesn’t believe!
Don't we do this every year. Look good early in the season, then batters get figured out and the wheels fall off.
That’s a lot easier for teams to do when the lineup they’re trying to figure out is littered with guys like Frank Schwindel, Jason Heyward, Rafael Ortega, Alfonso Rivas, Franmil Reyes, etc.
I’m under no illusions that this team is a WS contender. But I do think they can be a serious threat to win the central (which may not even take 90 wins to do).
If we're in contention we add a closer. At least 3 really solid bats at AAA.
Looking like Hendricks could be back around mid-May if there are no setbacks
Cubs' Kyle Hendricks ready to start rehab assignment (espn.com)
Depending on how Taillon's groin heals I am guessing he could be back in May at some time too. Going to be some decisions to make in the rotation. Assad will likely be the 1st to go down then probably Wesneski unless he puts together some good starts before then. Wesneski looked so good in spring training but has had some command issues lately. Still think he is going to be a big piece of the rotation for the future but he may need to fine tune some things at AAA still if he doesn't get his command issues figured out soon.
It's nice to actually have some depth in pitching as it wasn't long ago they were trying to find any kind of pitching off the scrap heap to make it through 5 innings when they had injuries. Got Morel, Mervis, and Velazquez off to hot starts too for some position depth, at some point won't be able to keep Morel and Mervis down any longer if they keep mashing. Would think at some point would not carry 3 catchers and bring one of them up. Even if you hold onto Hosmer there are still enough AB for Mervis if you want to DH him regularly. Good problem to have I guess
Cubs' Kyle Hendricks ready to start rehab assignment (espn.com)
Depending on how Taillon's groin heals I am guessing he could be back in May at some time too. Going to be some decisions to make in the rotation. Assad will likely be the 1st to go down then probably Wesneski unless he puts together some good starts before then. Wesneski looked so good in spring training but has had some command issues lately. Still think he is going to be a big piece of the rotation for the future but he may need to fine tune some things at AAA still if he doesn't get his command issues figured out soon.
It's nice to actually have some depth in pitching as it wasn't long ago they were trying to find any kind of pitching off the scrap heap to make it through 5 innings when they had injuries. Got Morel, Mervis, and Velazquez off to hot starts too for some position depth, at some point won't be able to keep Morel and Mervis down any longer if they keep mashing. Would think at some point would not carry 3 catchers and bring one of them up. Even if you hold onto Hosmer there are still enough AB for Mervis if you want to DH him regularly. Good problem to have I guess
I'm pretty firmly in support of keeping Hosmer and DHing Mervis. As reliant as this team will be on their defense, I'd like to keep Hosmer's glove at first base if possible.
Mervis is from the DC area and the Cubs play a 4-game stand there 5/1-5/4.. We have to see him there, right?
Especially anxious to get production at first base after how bad it has been in a surprisingly good lineup
Morel, Velasquez and Mervis all seem major league ready as they're destroying AAA. The one I think that needs to happen now is Morel for Rios. Velasquez is likely only going up if there's an injury. Mervis at some point will force the Cubs to bring him up. His bat is just too good. My guess he'd replace Torrens on the roster instead of Hosmer.
I don't see them bailing on Hosmer unless his bat is just so bad they have to make a move to open up a roster spot and there is no other logical move to make. Someone that remembers Hosmer from the Royals world series team texted me the other week after watching a Cubs game and said it's sad to see how much he has regressed since his time with the Royals.
If Mervis can replicate the kind of hitting he has done in the minors he's going to have to be in the every day lineup whether that is at DH or 1B. Hosmer is going to be 1 and done with the Cubs most likely so at some point they will need to let Mervis play some 1B in the big leagues to give him some experience there. With the way Mervis Morel and Velazquez are hitting Torrens has to be the odd man out here very soon you'd think.
Rios should be sent packing soon as well, Hitting. 063 and Madrigal has shown he's a capable lefty bat that can handle 3B.
