Is it bad I'm having trouble caring too much about this? I just don't know if Bellinger moves the needle a ton in terms of this season's success, and I'm also afraid that contract-year Cody wont be quite the same as what we get this year.
***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
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Is it bad I'm having trouble caring too much about this? I just don't know if Bellinger moves the needle a ton in terms of this season's success, and I'm also afraid that contract-year Cody wont be quite the same as what we get this year.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Don't know. It shows that the front office isn't doing a whole lot for a team with a bunch of holes. It definitely drops my excitement for the season to about nothing.
Why Cody Bellinger moves the needle:
You have questions at 1B, 3B, and CF.
Cody automatically fixes 2 of those 3
No, he can't play two positions at once, but he does allow the best manager in baseball decide if he wants to start a gold glove caliber CF (PCA) or a mashing 1B (Busch) on a day by day basis.
In other words, Cody relieves PCA and Busch of the immediate pressure they would otherwise face if they are expected from Day 1 to be "the guy" at their position.
You have questions at 1B, 3B, and CF.
Cody automatically fixes 2 of those 3
No, he can't play two positions at once, but he does allow the best manager in baseball decide if he wants to start a gold glove caliber CF (PCA) or a mashing 1B (Busch) on a day by day basis.
In other words, Cody relieves PCA and Busch of the immediate pressure they would otherwise face if they are expected from Day 1 to be "the guy" at their position.
I want Bellinger back just so I can rip my shirt off and slap my belly while yelling “Belly Bomb” when he hits dingers.
Glad to see the young guys have a good day. PCA looks like he is out to earn an opening day roster spot with his hustle.
Love seeing Counsell leading off Happ yesterday.
Only one game but lots of positives from what I saw. Had a moment I thought “who is this behemoth at the plate?” only to see a hard oppo liner right to the outfielder get caught. Turns out it was Brennan Davis. How nice it’ll be if he’s back to his old form
Only one game but lots of positives from what I saw. Had a moment I thought “who is this behemoth at the plate?” only to see a hard oppo liner right to the outfielder get caught. Turns out it was Brennan Davis. How nice it’ll be if he’s back to his old form
I hope Shaw breaks through this year and can be our super-utility guy by the end of the season. If he could somehow find a home at 3B, Busch runs with the 1B job, and PCA can hit as a respectable clip, I think the lineup is set up for a multi-year run.
I get it but to be honest I really can't blame the front office for being smart.
It seems apparent many of their biggest targets weren't seriously considering the Cubs. Not much you can do about that. In the past, the Cubs have went out and overspent (Soriano, Hayward) for a quick fix only for that to hurt the team in the long run. I think they are (smartly) trying to prevent that again this time around, especially with a pipeline of talent waiting in the wings. If we're being honest, the Cubs are just as likely to get a collective level of production from the young guys than spending a bunch of money on questionable players.
Even Bellinger, who I think they are still keen on, has his risks. Ultimately I think he signs with the Cubs. Realistically it would have been nice to have added another starter and reliever but it is what it is for now. The Dodgers have a behemoth of an organization and the Cubs aren't catching them by throwing money at free agents. They need to draft, develop, and consistently get production from those players. Until they get close to that level there isn't much use in making bad baseball decisions.
Man, I'd love to see this guy put a season together free of injury and get a shot.
Most recently they've targeted the best fit and recruited them. Suzuki, Stroman, Swanson and now hopefully Imanaga. With all the young OF talent plus Happ and Suzuki tied up through 2026 Bellinger isn't exactly a perfect fit.
I'm going to say a name that many here despise but Wisdom makes a nice platoon at first with Bush. Morel is going to drive in a lot of runs if he can play a decent third. PCA/Canario could cause a lot of damage. Shaw many be pushing for time soon and Hoerner has apparently added some pop over the winter. Any of these that fail can be dealt with at the deadline. We have the prospects.