Chicago Cubs

[GenJac]

The hype is getting real and it's about time to talk this out.

The current Cubs are a baaaad defensive team. Castro. normally too erratic at SS, has played like a drunk all spring. Bryant projects as a below-average 3B in the field, and could be worse as a rookie. LaStella has no range at 2B, and Alcantara is deficient both there and in CF. Montero hasn't looked good behind the plate. Fowler (CF) and Coghlan (LF) are proven as subpar in their respective spots. Rizzo fields well, and Soler should; that's it!

I like the Cubs and totally buy into '15 improvement and great things ahead, but the fielding is between bad and amusingly atrocious. It'll get a lot better down the road, tho. Starting with Addison Russell displacing Castro within a year or sooner.

 

[navamind]

The hype is getting real and it's about time to talk this out.

The current Cubs are a baaaad defensive team. Castro. normally too erratic at SS, has played like a drunk all spring. Bryant projects as a below-average 3B in the field, and could be worse as a rookie. LaStella has no range at 2B, and Alcantara is deficient both there and in CF. Montero hasn't looked good behind the plate. Fowler (CF) and Coghlan (LF) are proven as subpar in their respective spots. Rizzo fields well, and Soler should; that's it!

I like the Cubs and totally buy into '15 improvement and great things ahead, but the fielding is between bad and amusingly atrocious. It'll get a lot better down the road, tho. Starting with Addison Russell displacing Castro within a year or sooner.

Agreed. The lineup has potential, but you should expect several of those young players to struggle.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Agreed. The lineup has potential, but you should expect several of those young players to struggle.

Not so fast I say. We've seen scouting reports be wrong before. We have also seen players start sluggishly on defense and get better within two years or so. I would be patient with this particular Cubs team given just how green it is. It'd be a good bet, but I am not so hardline about it like I am about say, the Twins defense.

 

[podsox]

they have a ton of young talent but the expectations here are insane right now and I really don't understand why. I still don't see them break the 500 mark. a couple yrs they will be scary though

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Steve Bartman approves the Cub's 2015 and beyond team...his legacy depends on their success.

 

[tducey]

Yeah, they've been overhyped this year, think they'll have a good season but doubt they win the NL Central.

 

[GenJac]

I set the over/under of Cubs wins this year at 74, and I think they could get even higher than that. Remember this team got to 73 wins last year while trading two good starting pitchers away in July. Factor in that they won't be sellers at the deadline, the addition of Maddon, Lester, Montero, and Hammel, and the subtraction of EJax from the starting rotation, and it becomes pretty clear that this team could make some noise in the NL Central.

 

[GenJac]

I said from the beginning this would take 5 years, and I believe I will have nailed it. '12 thru '14, all about amassing young talent. '15, the kids start to arrive. '16, the kids start to settle in at the top level, and Theo keeps adding impact veterans where needed. '17 will be the true launch point for sustained dominance. But I fully understand dunderheaded fans will keep taking the position that Cubs can't win 'cuz they haven't for so long.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[gowazzu02]

Yeah, I dont see it either. They're young kids will struggle. For every Mike Trout there are Dustin Ackley, Justin Smoak, Jesus Monteros..... Oh am I just listing Mariners high flying prospects that fell on their face???? doh.

 

[powerchord86]

Starlin Castro batting cleanup? WTF is Maddon smoking?

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

It's the same old Cubs. Just a different year.

 

[Microwahevo]

A lot of over reacting already. Cubs won't be bottom of the barrel, but they also won't win the division. Things will be on the up and up, especially once Bryant gets his feet wet and Addison Russell makes his way up.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[HammerDown]

Anyone watching last night when my favorite MLB player Chris Denorfia hit a walk-off sac fly off Jansen? Was amazing. "Go Chris, go!" they were chanting. Loved it.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Well the defense has been middle of the pack. Addison Russell has been very good, Castro/Bryant/Coghlan have struggled, while everyone else has been average. Theo does have a history of moving pieces to improve defense. Cubs have been open to trading Castro but his value has taken an obvious hit this year. He isn't a free agent until 2020 and if they are willing to take on a good portion of his $45 million or so left on his contract, he should still get a solid return.

At this point, Addison Russell is their best choice at shortstop.

 

[Blitzville]

Cubs have the 26th ranked offense for 5 years running - how is adding 2 pitchers for this year only (and giving up prospects for meaningless players) going to help anything? Come on Theo you're better than this.

 

[navamind]

A good chunk of the Cubs starting position players (Schwarber, Bryant, Castro, Russell, Soler, Rizzo) are 25 or younger.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

I said from the beginning this would take 5 years, and I believe I will have nailed it. '12 thru '14, all about amassing young talent. '15, the kids start to arrive. '16, the kids start to settle in at the top level, and Theo keeps adding impact veterans where needed. '17 will be the true launch point for sustained dominance. But I fully understand dunderheaded fans will keep taking the position that Cubs can't win 'cuz they haven't for so long.

Premature self pat on the back there or what?! IT WAS APRIL SIXTH… JEEZ

 

[Arizona_Sting]

A good chunk of the Cubs starting position players (Schwarber, Bryant, Castro, Russell, Soler, Rizzo) are 25 or younger.

The Cubs and Astros core of young players just aren't fair. Both should be good for a while.