***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
He's exhausted and probably still dealing with the heel problem. I get that he's a vet but you have to give him a day here and there.
Well. Lets start collecting off-season discussion ideas.
Will Ross be back?
Which Ace do we sign?
What must happen for this off-season not to be a failure?
Will Ross be back?
Which Ace do we sign?
What must happen for this off-season not to be a failure?
Honestly, if the Cubs miss the playoffs, I'll be off the Ross bandwagon. I've defended him most the year, but the way he's handled the team down the stretch after rosters expanded is horrible. Reminds me of when Dusty Baker refused to take Neifi Perez out of the lineup.
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Our relief pitchers have horrible control. Some are wild in the strike zone (e.g. Merriweather) and some just can’t throw strike (Cuas, Palencia).
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
What a presser from Ross post-game. More fire than I’ve seen from him since he was a player, some things he probably wishes he didn’t say publicly - wonder if the FO has stated expectations.
Dusty broke Prior, brought him back after a rain delay when he'd already thrown 5 inning. Can't stand to look at the SOB.
There was a lot that went wrong last night. Plus, guys didn't make plays like when they were winning. Are they tired, pressing or is that just baseball?
- The offense floundered the first 5 innings, leaving 9 with 5 in scoring position.
- The DEFENSE is a big reason for the loss. Swanson handcuffed on grounder, Happ drop while sliding to make catch and Mastrobuoni errant throw during rundown resulted in 4 Pirate runs. Would like to see replay, but it also looked like Bellinger was slow to get off first on Bai's triple in 8th.
- Relief pitching is frustrating. Sure injuries to Fulmer and Alzolay have put guys in high leverage situations, that aren't proven. Why throw Smiley 1 inning? Merryweather and Boxberger walked 3 players of which 2 scored. It just seems like relievers are trying to get too many strikes out of the zone. Be to precise. On the home run, would have liked to seen a 98mph fastball from Merryweather. Went back to the well once to often with slider.
Ross will be back but the leash will be pretty short early next year.
Yammamoto for a rotation of Steele, Yammamoto, Stroman, Wicks, Taillion. They will choose to decline Hendricks option after Stroman opts in. Cade Horton is up by July after he annihilates AAA.
Re-sign Bellinger and figure out 3rd base even if it's a one year deal with somebody while you wait for Matt Shaw.
Dusty didn't help but it was the freak line drive off the point of the elbow that was the end of Mark Prior.
Here's my current roster breakdown for next year
Steele, obvious return
Stroman, he'll take the option for next year
Hendricks, yes at minimum insurance
Taillon, got some work to do but he'll be here
Wicks, probably up and down next year.
Smyly, I think a bottom feeder would take him at a reduced price.
Wesneski, I see him getting a bigger role
Assad, perfect long relief / spot starter
Brown, should be in the mix here
Fulmer, FA won't resign
Palencia, to talented to give up on AAA.
Cuas, doubt he makes the 40.
Little, going to be a high leverage contributor
Boxberger, helps deepen our back of the rotation
Merryweather, stays as prime set up guy
Leiter, hopefully comes back rejuvenated
Alzolay, just get healthy
If we can get back to healthy this group should be deeper and won't wear down. Add an ace (Yamamoto) and a lefty reliever ((Hader)
As for in the field, resign Bellinger, replace the end of the bench with prospects.
C Gomes Amaya
1B/CF Bellinger, PCA, Mervis
2B/SS Hoerner Swanson, Morel (should get 20 starts)
3B Madrigal, Morel (Shaw is coming)
LF/RF Happ,Suzuki, Canario
Leaves one spot either Tauchman or a cheap vet to play some 3rd.