The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

[Basketball GURU]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

He had an up and down career filled with many injuries but he still one of my fav. pitchers.

[Happy29]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Can't help but wonder what could have been if he and Prior would have stayed healthy and Zambrano played to his potential.

[Jr.]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Can't help but wonder what could have been if he and Prior would have stayed healthy and Zambrano played to his potential.

Zambrano clearly couldn't handle the mental side of being the staff ace. If Wood and Prior could've stayed healthy, he would've remained the #3 and I believe he would've continued to dominate as he did prior to being "the guy"

And farewell to Kerry. I loved watching him pitch over the years. I'm not sure why he decided to retire in the middle of the season and it definitely hurts an already terrible bullpen.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

we knew we were in for a stinker, but this is silly.

Castro is mailing it in, and the organization seems unconcerned with addressing his issues.

Some people are calling for LaHair to be sat, but the guy deserves a little slack. They'll probably bring Rizzo up just before June, but LaHair doesn't deserve to be benched.

The OF will be crowded, with Soriano, Campana, and DeJesus already there, however. Soriano has heated up, Campana is delivering, and DeJesus doesn't really deserve to be benched, either. A platoon with Soriano may be the only halfway decent solution...

either way, if this season ends like it has began, it will be a huge disappointment.

[JODYE]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I feel like it was only right the skid ended at 12.


This image sums up my life as a Cubs fan.

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

from USA Today, "The Cubs are letting teams know that nearly everyone but starter Jeff Samardzija is available"

"Shortstop Starlin Castro already is a star at 22 but can be obtained for two impact prospects. "

[k_mac]

from USA Today, "The Cubs are letting teams know that nearly everyone but starter Jeff Samardzija is available"

"Shortstop Starlin Castro already is a star at 22 but can be obtained for two impact prospects. "

I couldn't see us taking anything less than a Bundy/Machado or a Bauer/Skaggs deal for Castro. I think that's the kind of "impact" prospects that we'd consider. Not that I think those deals are going to come knocking at our door anytime soon, but I'd be disappointed if it was anything less than that. At 22 Castro is an All Star shortstop and the face of our franchise right now. I'd hate to see him go. I think we're just testing the market, and there's nothing wrong with that.


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[BleacherBum2310]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Bob Nightengale has entered Jon Heyman status when it comes to the Cubs.

Don't believe a word.

[JODYE]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

If the Cubs even have a thought of trading Castro at this point in his career with the amount of upside he has and that fact that hes only 22, is an all star and one of the top hitters in the league, they would be fools.

That said, nothing they do can surprise me anymore.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

My guess is that the Cubs have realized they have no freaking idea how to groom a young player.

My bet is that by 2015, the team is made entirely of vets over the age of 27, since the entire organization consistently fails to develop talent.

At this point, it doesn't seem as if they are trying to coach Castro at all. He has all the same problems as he did when he came up...

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

hmmm... (almost) major-league-ready pitcher falls to you in the draft... and you take a HS OFer?

The organization is relatively well-stocked in the OF...but not so much in the SP department...

Appel will be ready next year.

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

hmmm... (almost) major-league-ready pitcher falls to you in the draft... and you take a HS OFer?

The organization is relatively well-stocked in the OF...but not so much in the SP department...

Appel will be ready next year.

I dont blame them, I dont want to draft Mark Prior Jr.

[k_mac]

hmmm... (almost) major-league-ready pitcher falls to you in the draft... and you take a HS OFer?

The organization is relatively well-stocked in the OF...but not so much in the SP department...

Appel will be ready next year.

If Almora's leadership is where they said it was, I'm fine with the pick. I really like his credentials. He played on 6 U.S. National teams, I'm pretty sure that number is close to being right; but anyways, he was a proven leader of that team for many years and leadership is a great quality to have. Seems like he's got a great work ethic as well. There was a reason Appel fell, we just don't know it yet.

We went out and drafted two pitchers in the next round, so we've added some nice depth. If Pierce Johnson's healthy, I really like that pick. I've watched the kid pitch, and while he didn't play in the toughest of conferences, he still looked impressive.


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[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I'm not exactly angry over the pick, I just find it hard to see where he fits in the near-future plans of the big club.

He seems to be another Brett Jackson (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Presumably, then, the Cubs OF will in 3-5yrs be defensively sound but lacking in offensive power.

If Rizzo pans out, and a powerful corner OFer can be brought in, that would be less of an issue, though.

As for Appel being "Prior II", I haven't found anyone claiming his mechanics are as dangerous...but I haven't looked real hard, either.

The field-players project well for the next couple of years--Castro, Rizzo, Jackson, Vitters(?), Szcurzuzcuz and a couple of others.

The rotation, however...not so much...Samardzija (27yrs old), Garza (almost 30).... the top pitching prospects seem marginal by all accounts, though McNutt seems to be getting back on track.

On a side note, I hope Rizzo is brought up asap. Not because I want the team to win or anything...I think the big club needs some kind of "shot in the arm"...especially Castro. Get somebody in there that will take the spotlight off of him...and challenge him for "best Cub" status. Same thing for Jackson... If they are going to dump 100 games this year, I would simply like to see what

Campana--DeJesus--Castro--Rizzo--LaHair--Barney--Stewart--Catcher

could do. on second thought, better break up those two lefties...Rizzo--Castro--Lahair? Seems weird...sure are a lot of Ks to be found 3-4-5, though.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Almora was #1 on the Cubs board so I have no problem with the pick. There was some leaks earlier in the week, If they had #1 Pick He'd still be the pick.

If you Remember with Prior, his Mechanics were supposedly flawless and "Injury Proof". That's where the Prior comparisons come in.

Cubs Fans are way to enamored with Lake and Scuzur. Lake may be good but I don't think too much of Scuzur. So This DP also fills a need.

Most of the Cubs Draft was pitching, I trust Theo/Hoyer. To Upgrade the system in that area.

It's just going take some time.