NL Central Thread 2016

[scoutyjones2]

The pitching falling apart mostly. They had a team ERA relative to most teams Aces until about the last 2 months of the season and their ERAs ballooned. Cardinals were the 100 win team everyone wanted to play going into the playoffs.

You're fucked in the head...they lead the NL in ERA as a staff until Sept and second in Sept in Team ERA only to the Stro's...then they had a poor month...and still were 16th in the league for the month and 7th in the NL

Lordy...the Scrubs haven't even dominated thru half a season and you're comparing them to the Cards of last year?!

Look up the 2014 Brewers...

 

[GNG]

The Brewers are competing with mostly a minor league roster after trading away their best players. They still might trade away Braun or Lucroy to the highest bidder.

 

[Clayton]

Look up the 2014 Brewers...

I really don't need to. That was only two years ago.

I saw some stat websites comparing this year's Cubs to some of the best teams of all time.

 

[navamind]

The 2014 Brewers hot start was one month (19-8 in March/April). And a +17 run differential is nothing to write home about. The Cubs hot start was 2.5 months of baseball (47-20). And even with their recent struggles, they still own a +128 run differential (which would be among the best in baseball at the end of most seasons) and have underachieved their pythag by 5 games. And they still sit at 53-35.

Cubs pitching wasn't going to sustain a sub-3 ERA forever, and anyone thinking it was sustainable was delusional. But anyone thinking they'll continue to allow over 5 runs per game is just as delusional.

 

[JohnU]

Cubs pitching is flawed but whose pitching isn't? There's a plethora of outfielders on the market this summer but not too many arms.

Cubs hitting is as good as any NL lineup since the 2007 Phils and when Fowler gets back, they will keep scoring runs. They need an upgrade behind the plate.

 

[navamind]

Cubs pitching is flawed but whose pitching isn't? There's a plethora of outfielders on the market this summer but not too many arms.

Cubs hitting is as good as any NL lineup since the 2007 Phils and when Fowler gets back, they will keep scoring runs. They need an upgrade behind the plate.

Willson Contreras?

 

[JohnU]

Willson Contreras?

Presumably that happens after Fowler/Soler are back. I think they like his bat. Ross is marginally OK once a week behind Montero, who is really not that great a catcher. Is Contreras ready for the main stage?

 

[navamind]

Montero's looked pretty cooked for a few years now, though he was OK last year. But he has a 79 OPS+ and his defense has never been an asset. David Ross has actually been pretty good (.234/.351/.439, 110 OPS+ in 135 PA). He's looked a lot more like pre-Red Sox Ross (who was a great backup catcher and possibly better than most starting catchers).

 

[JohnU]

It would be a sin to suggest Lucroy going to Wrigley, but ... somebody's gonna get the guy.

Cubs will get Schwarber back next year and he can catch, though apparently not well.

 

[navamind]

Schwarber may not be catching after the injury.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Schwarber may not be catching after the injury.

Its doubtful he could catch before the injury

 

[navamind]

Its doubtful he could catch before the injury

Yup. Him sticking at catcher was a long shot before the injury. His outfield work leaves a lot to be desired too, but his bat will work just about anywhere.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Yup. Him sticking at catcher was a long shot before the injury. His outfield work leaves a lot to be desired too, but his bat will work just about anywhere.

Yep, 1B...oh wait

 

[navamind]

Yep, 1B...oh wait

His bat is still very good for LF IMO, but the Cubs should absolutely be listening to offers on him from AL teams.

As for Rizzo, I really wish the Sox had never pulled off the A-Gon trade. They could have still had Beltre and Rizzo. Not only that, but maybe Youkilis would have aged a bit better (the Sox moved him back to 3rd base in 2011). Beltre's been a huge bargain for the Rangers (.306/.356/.507 with 34.7 WAR in 5.5 seasons). Rizzo looks like he's starting to tap into his real power potential, and he was already one of the best hitters in the league prior to this year.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Would be wise to listen

 

[JohnU]

I heard a report from NYY that the only way the Cubs could pry a closer from them was Schwarber. I suppose it depends on whether the Cubs are all-in this year. Clearly, they can afford to sign Chapman.

 

[Clayton]

I heard a report from NYY that the only way the Cubs could pry a closer from them was Schwarber. I suppose it depends on whether the Cubs are all-in this year. Clearly, they can afford to sign Chapman.

I'd be shocked if the Cubs make any drastic all-in moves like that.

 

[JohnU]

I'd be shocked if the Cubs make any drastic all-in moves like that.

I agree. I don't think they see themselves as desperate, though history tells a slightly different tale. They can upgrade their bullpen easier than that.

 

[Mitziman]

I'm just say'in, how long will it be before @scoutyjones2 hides back in his basement and realizes his cardinals are not not the team to beat in the national league central anymore? CUBS are on the rise bitches!

 

[calsnowskier]

I'm just say'in, how long will it be before @scoutyjones2 hides back in his basement and realizes his cardinals are not not the team to beat in the national league central anymore? CUBS are on the rise bitches!

Tough NOT to rise when you start below the cellar...