***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

So while not completely eliminated yet, the only chance the Cubs have at this point is the following:

1. Win the next two games.
2. Marlins lose the next two games plus blow a 9th inning lead to the Mets on a suspended game Monday.
3. Reds lose at least one of their next two.
 
So while not completely eliminated yet, the only chance the Cubs have at this point is the following:

1. Win the next two games.
2. Marlins lose the next two games plus blow a 9th inning lead to the Mets on a suspended game Monday.
3. Reds lose at least one of their next two.
I think Cubs will lose next two games and end the season losing 6 in a row.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Skyh13
I think Cubs will lose next two games and end the season losing 6 in a row.
I said months ago that the Cubs would essentially need to have the playoffs wrapped up before this week. This week was going to be a grind regardless of what happened. Let's be perfectly clear, this week didn't cause the Cubs losing the playoffs. It was the previous 2 weeks.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: CYdTracked
I said months ago that the Cubs would essentially need to have the playoffs wrapped up before this week. This week was going to be a grind regardless of what happened. Let's be perfectly clear, this week didn't cause the Cubs losing the playoffs. It was the previous 2 weeks.
We could have won last four games if we had competent bullpen. We can’t count on relief pitchers like Cuas, Palencia, Leiter.
 
Hope so but not holding my breath. According to Ross, this is not the place for development. How’d that work for ya, David?
Does anyone else see the irony in these words coming out of the mouth of a person who had zero coaching experience when he was hired?

No David, this isn't the place for development.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: GT25Ump
I'd be way more comfortable in the Dansby range. $30M AAV for a guy on a bounce back year seems like trouble. If $210M is the number add an 8th year for tax purposes.
If you believe Kap knows what he is talking about....

I said it earlier...I don't believe this front office pays for Bellinger. It's not their MO.



 
Last edited:
It’s so pathetic it’s laughable how many games the Cubs lose by one run late in games or in extras. No spine. See ya, Ross. Please leave.
Just feels like 1 run losses are your closest stat to seeing how a manager has performed. Sure, some of it is luck, but…

Brewers - 29-18
Reds, 34-28
Marlins, 33-13

Cubs 21-24
 
If you believe Kap knows what he is talking about....

I said it earlier...I don't believe this front office pays for Bellinger. It's not their MO.




Kap is pretty well connected so I can certainly believe him.

Belli just wants to be paid like a center fielder. There's absolutely no reason they can't pay him that way and still roll with PCA. Belli is still a gold glove first baseman.

3rd or 4th highest revenue in baseball and you act like you're the Pirates...
 
I am fairly confident 2024 will be Hoyer's last year if they don't make the playoffs - 2019 was the last time the Cubs made the playoffs in a full season, and going 5 years with the Cubs market is cause for firing.

Which is why I'd be shocked if the Cubs plan on PCA being full-time off the rip in center field. Which would also likely lead to Mervis being full time at 1B. And having unproven players at 2 spots and 3B being a hole, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Kap is a tough read because sometimes he nails information and sometimes he's not close. For example, was confident we'd be going after Aaron Judge and there wasn't another source out there, national or local, who could corroborate that story.
 
I am fairly confident 2024 will be Hoyer's last year if they don't make the playoffs - 2019 was the last time the Cubs made the playoffs in a full season, and going 5 years with the Cubs market is cause for firing.

Which is why I'd be shocked if the Cubs plan on PCA being full-time off the rip in center field. Which would also likely lead to Mervis being full time at 1B. And having unproven players at 2 spots and 3B being a hole, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Kap is a tough read because sometimes he nails information and sometimes he's not close. For example, was confident we'd be going after Aaron Judge and there wasn't another source out there, national or local, who could corroborate that story.
PCA as everyday CF will be a disaster. He is totally overwhelmed at the plate. I don’t think he has even made a good contact yet.
 
Just watched the reKap. His claim that the individual who said we aren't getting Belli said it's because we already have a CF, and when asked what the plan is at 1B, the individual said 1B doesn't matter.

Being that he never said "source," I am fairly confident the individual Kap was talking to was a buddy or media member, not a member of the Cubs.

It's entirely possible they don't get Bellinger, but they aren't going to decide right now they aren't going after him and leave open holes.
 
There could be some truth behind the Bellinger rumor if he doesn't want to play 1B full time as long term that would need to be his role given we have 2 corner OF spots locked up the next 3 years with no trade clauses and a glut of OF talent coming up. Still should make an effort to sign him if he's willing to play mostly 1B. He is a Boras client which is going to make it difficult regardless. If they don't then either need to go after Ohtani or Chapman or trade for a corner infielder. 3B and 1B are the biggest holes right now.
 
There could be some truth behind the Bellinger rumor if he doesn't want to play 1B full time as long term that would need to be his role given we have 2 corner OF spots locked up the next 3 years with no trade clauses and a glut of OF talent coming up. Still should make an effort to sign him if he's willing to play mostly 1B. He is a Boras client which is going to make it difficult regardless. If they don't then either need to go after Ohtani or Chapman or trade for a corner infielder. 3B and 1B are the biggest holes right now.
Even in the instance he doesn’t want to play 1B much, you can DH Happ and/or Suzuki, both of whom have a negative defensive WAR
 
He's had 11 at bats. Let's see how the spring goes before we start making sweeping generalizations...
Yes, it is only 11 at bats but he looked totality overmatched by major league fastball. No hard hit thus far, either strikeouts or softly hit balls.
 
I am fairly confident 2024 will be Hoyer's last year if they don't make the playoffs - 2019 was the last time the Cubs made the playoffs in a full season, and going 5 years with the Cubs market is cause for firing.
They didn't make the playoffs in 2019, I think they only won 83 games. They technically didn't make the playoffs in 2018 either because they lost the 1 game wildcard to the Brewers.

It's been 6 years since they made it, I dont count 2020 either, they rode Darvish in a small sample size of a season.
 
I think it’s fair to say this if you want to be a championship team in 2024

- It is crazy to say PCA will NOT be the guy because his at bats so far in the majors

- It is crazy to say PCA WILL be the guy based on minor league track record, an optimistic Spring Training, or what the Cubs stupid ass computers project

Either way, it is crazy to say PCA has CF locked down in 2024. He doesn’t deserve that until he shows, in games, he deserves that.
 

Help Support Us

Become a patron