We got what we paid for. The best we could do at the trade deadline was Cuas and Candelario?
***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
This was our problem. Took to long to find our best team, and once we did, we would still put a **** around lineup out there on Sundays, when we won the first two games of a series, or if we were facing a lineup instead of putting out our best players.
It has been painful. Silver lining is this may be for the best long-term. You get to see who doesn’t have that clutch gene in a season where you probably weren’t getting out of the NLDS even if you have a really great manager. (And speaking of…Ross is almost certainly done. Love what he brought in ‘16 though. Will always be thankful for that.)
I won't lie....the Craig Kimbrel trade experiment still hurts......that year was a world series team but the f&$ed off securing a reliever...then they finally bucked up to get Craig.....hamsonly, yes. and it was the right thing I guess.....but he sucked that fall. basically took us out with his performance and contract toxicity to the team chemistry. He got better.....but that was a lost opportunity year.
We could’ve done better than Cuas at RP, but in fairness to the FO, Candelario was the best bat at the deadline. It was a historically bad deadline in terms of available bats.
Really, the Tigers, White Sox, Royals, A’s, Pirates, Cardinals, Nationals, and Rockies were the only teams open to sell. You won’t find anyone on those rosters but Candelario that would’ve been available
He has been horrible since he joined Cubs. He had 8 hits in his first 2 games with Cubs. Since then, he is hitting .174. I would rather have Wisdom than Candelrario. At least Wisdom has a potential to hit 30+ homeruns.
I don’t disagree he’s been terrible. His defense doesn’t seem stellar, either.
I would like to think the FO, if they plan on winning in 2024, have plans at 3B other than Wisdom or Candelario.
If Matt Shaw can somehow improve his arm strength, he is our 3B for the foreseeable future starting May of next year.
Why, Wisdom is a bad bench player that hits for power. Candelario really doesn't do anything and will garner a decent contract. But i don't think you'll need to worry. Mastrobuoni will fill that bench spot next year.
Agree, but it is a failure of a FO if you believe you are a playoff caliber team but bank on any unproven player to be “the man” at any position.
The FO should go into the season next year hoping he can be brought up sometime next year and provide bench depth, anything more is a win.
Odd that the suspended the Mets/Marlins game. I doubt it will matter in the end, but it will be funny if it does.
Saw him play for years at Iowa, he was a pedestrian talent at best. He's one of those guys that looked good when he got to teams like Detroit and Washington because the talent around him was so bad.
I understand what you're saying but Madrigal when healthy has been pretty good (amazing on D) and Mastrobuoni has hit 340 since the all star break. That seems good enough to wait on Shaw for now. If you can add a star OK but why throw salary at a league average guy when that money can be better used on pitching . I know we need a thumper in the lineup. Probably going to be easier to find that guy at 1st rather than 3rd. I say 1st because Bellinger will likely be in center as PCA was a trainwreck in every aspect of the game.
Since the playoffs are out of the question, the last time we won a playoff game was October 18, 2017, 6 years ago. They have lost 6 out of their last 7 post-aeason games also dating back to that year.
Honestly, even if the Cubs had somehow squeaked into the post-season instead of screwing the pooch in September, they'd have gotten their ass kicked by any of the other NL playoff teams. Two or three quick road games and your season is over. BFD.
If this choke job gets Ross fired, it was worth it.
If this choke job gets Ross fired, it was worth it.
I do think one of the things we’re missing is a true threat to hit a bomb every time they’re up to bat. I get we haven’t had this many guys hit 20 HRs since ‘16 or whatever, but I don’t think any are really homerun threats when they’re up to bat.
Swanson hits dingers on fastballs, Morel hits em on hanging sliders, but I’d like to see a dude who is a threat even if there isn’t a mistake pitch outside of Bellinger.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Well, see, it improves the focus of the squad on the other days if you punt on a given day, like, say, Sundays, and creates a steady sense of routine.
Or I'll just never understand leaders and managers who totally lack the sense of urgency to at least make the best effort all the time.
As a Royals fan, a huge thanks for Nelson Velasquez. Dude is a beast.
Happ, LF
Hoerner, 2B
Belli, CF on 7 year, $210 million deal
Alonso, 1B in
Suzuki, RF
Gomes, C
Canario/Mervis DH depending on pitcher hand
Swanson, SS
Mastro/Madrigal/Shaw, 3B
Seems doable and elite, then use all other resources to get pitching
Hoerner, 2B
Belli, CF on 7 year, $210 million deal
Alonso, 1B in
Suzuki, RF
Gomes, C
Canario/Mervis DH depending on pitcher hand
Swanson, SS
Mastro/Madrigal/Shaw, 3B
Seems doable and elite, then use all other resources to get pitching