••• 2026 Official Chicago Cubs Thread •••
- Thread starter Cyforce
- Start date
But it was a solo shot and people are losing their mind about it on face book, but since he was leading off the inning it would be hard to hit more than a solo homer. kinda hope he can get a little more untracked.
I'm starting to wonder if we really upgraded when we fired Ross to hire Counsell. Ross was given a roster that was in flux then eventually got gutted when the front office realized the core of the 2016 roster was not cutting it. Take out the middle 2 seasons and Ross went .567 and .512 in his bookend seasons over 4 years.
Counsell is .538 in 3 seasons so far with the Cubs and had much more support from ownership and front office with spending. .512 in his 1st season, .564 last year and .514 this season so far. He's the 2nd highest paid manager in MLB behind Dave Roberts of the Dodgers by just 100k. Our starting pitching has been decimated by injuries this year but Craig has been given a much better roster than Ross ever did and still can't win the division.
Counsell is .538 in 3 seasons so far with the Cubs and had much more support from ownership and front office with spending. .512 in his 1st season, .564 last year and .514 this season so far. He's the 2nd highest paid manager in MLB behind Dave Roberts of the Dodgers by just 100k. Our starting pitching has been decimated by injuries this year but Craig has been given a much better roster than Ross ever did and still can't win the division.
When we signed Counsell it was a pretty huge deal and I was very excited. But honestly like I said in this thread before, it’s really obvious that Pat Murphy was the mastermind the whole time in Milwaukee and Counsell was just the title and name.
He will for a a week. Then he'll suck for 2 weeks. Then he'll be good for a week. Then.....
Nah, it's front office and scouting/development/analytics.
Managers do next to nothing in MLB other than manage egos. Nobody is managing by feel anymore.
Counsell isn’t in the batter’s box and Counsell isn’t the one who put together a rotation that 60% is currently is comprised of Taillon, Rea, and Assad. Injuries have been brutal.
I agree about the bench coach aspect of being a Manager. But where Counsell made a mistake is hitting coach. Dustin Kelly is a Ross holdover and IMO the approach is all about launch angle & put 150% into every swing. Not sure if Kelly (& Hottovy) staying on was dictated by Hoyer or Counsell respecting their coaching.
I don't believe the Cubs roster from a physical size/strength perspective matches Kelly's approach.
Do you think those three are much worse than Imanaga Cabrera and Boyd?
Isn’t Taillon still on the IL?
I’d definitely take Brown Assad and Rea over our three 20ish mil pending UFA.
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I think Counsell is a VERY GOOD manager and was upset when he left Milwaukee. But I think the difference, right now, between Milw and the Cubs is culture within the organization. I read an in-depth interview about the Brewer's organization. What is preached and practiced from the owner to the players and everyone in-between, is that it is NOT about 1 person. Sure, everyone has an ego, but you better not let that ego manifest to the detriment of the team or even in meetings where you imply that you are the reason for success or that you have the best idea for the team - and, again, that expectation is there for Arnold, Murph as well as the players. It's why the Crew did not pursue some of the available power hitters at the trade deadline last year. Those considered were known to have egos that demanded that they make hero swings, for example, rather than taking a few pitches OR bunt in a situation that would warrant such a strategy. I do agree that the Cubs have had terrible luck with injuries & still believe you will still contend for the Central this year. While I don't believe Counsell is perfect, I neither feel he is the main reason for the Cubs' recent struggles. Anyway, good luck the rest of the year (although not TOO much ; )
My bigger point is I don't think Counsell is really at all to blame for the slide we went on, but everyone needs someone to blame so I get it.
Bregman has so far not panned out, Nico can't hit worth a lick right now, Dansby is just useless with a bat in his hands, Seiya and Happ are incapable of driving a run in from 3rd with less than 2 outs... none of that is really on the manager.
Rotation wise is really tough to blame anyone other than I guess strength/conditioning staff? Going into the year, felt pretty darn good about a rotation of Horton, Boyd, Shota, Cabrera, Taillon with Steele supposed to be back sometime in June.
Young or not, I really hope PCA lets the veterans behind him in the batting order that it's not acceptable to strand a guy after getting a leadoff triple. Can't do it by himself.
I look at the rotation w/ strength and Conditioning this way.
Horton, no reason to mess with. He had sufficient velocity. If they did it was criminal.
Boyd wore down second half so it was likely they tried to build him up.
Cabrera probably wasn’t here soon enough to screw with.
Taillon. Everyday he’s on IL the alternative gives us a better chance to win.
Imanaga. No idea if they tried to increase velocity but he wins with location and movement.
Now look at 6-8 for us
Rea. He eats innings and you feel like you have a chance when he’s out there.
Assad right now he’s our #2 starter
Brown #8 option now a potential All Star
Left out Steele none of us really know if his setback was avoidable
I wonder how many players have hit for the cycle and only scored on their own home run? Hope he doesn't join that club tonight.
How is Shaw’s triple stands? Regardless of the divot ( clearly fair). The ball clearly hit the ground before the wall. There isn’t enough foul territory for a ball not to land completely foul.
