The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

[PlusTheHarm]

I am really excited for the upcoming season. I know it's gonna be "one of those years," but that isn't doing anything to quell my anticipation for the next chapter. There have been some really rough years this past decade, and even this year might not be pretty ... but it's that anticipation of things to come. I do think the Cubs can run close to a .500 team this year, so long as everyone can stay on track. I don't think it's a question of people like Demp turning it around ... last year was such an awkward situation.

I think a lot of pressure has been lifted for this year and it is going to show in the way people come out and play. And I honestly think they will perform.

I love that this isn't a "hope for the best, prepare for the worst" year, but a "sit the heck back, pop a cold one and watch ya some games" year. No question in my mind that the guys like Demp can get back. I'm actually really excited.

The life of a Cubs fan ... some folks will just never understand.

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Source out there saying Boston will get a pitcher on the 40 man roster as part of the Theo compensation.

my money is on Chris Carpenter

At least it's not McNutt, he's not on the 40 man. IMO it doesn't matter who we give them, getting Theo is a huge boost for our franchise. If not Carpenter I see Mateo, Beliveau or Dolis going.

[Mo]

And it's official, Carpenter and PTBNL.

Sent while having McPheever

[PlusTheHarm]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Boston was kind of reaching, initially, but I think that is a pretty fair offering.

-edit-

missed that PTBNL and am just hearing Bruce, Carp as main comp with a little side of small name salad

[authentic]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I can officially say I called it. Carpenter was my first guess because Boston needs a prospect that is almost MLB ready. Makes sense for the Cubs, free up a spot on the 40 man roster. Carpenter could've been really good with the Cubs, but I can live with him being gone. I'd rather have McNutt, Dolis, and Whitenack.

[1Rose]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Glad that is over with though.

I still LOL everytime I read that Boston actually thought the Cubs would agree to give them Castro.

[1Rose]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Rizzo exuding quite a bit of confidence. I like it.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/7970/rizzo-envisions-cubs-series-title

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Compensation from <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Cubs">#Cubs</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Padres">#Padres</a> for Hoyer will be low-level minor leaguer aand probably happen late spring. Will be b4 opening day.</p>&mdash; Scott Miller (@ScottMCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMCBS/status/172738874097934336" data-datetime="2012-02-23T17:45:31+00:00">February 23, 2012</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>List of 12 or so plyrs Cubs & Padres have agreed on re. compensation. 1 player will come from that list later in spring.</p>&mdash; Scott Miller (@ScottMCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMCBS/status/172739797675290624" data-datetime="2012-02-23T17:49:11+00:00">February 23, 2012</a></blockquote>
******** src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets****" charset="utf-8"></script>

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Rizzo exuding quite a bit of confidence. I like it.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs...s-series-title

I really like Rizzo's confidence and his attitude. I think he's a remarkable story, battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma had to be tough, but he stuck it out and is still one heck of a ball player. He has big things ahead of him and I'm proud that he's wearing our Cubbie blue. I could only hope we get that series title in the near future.

[1Rose]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Some old news, but good to hear that the Cubs are making a concerted effort to improve fundamentally. Has always been lacking in this franchise. One of the reasons we haven't made a deep run in a long time. Even our 2003 team was average defensively.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/8037/cubs-look-serious-about-improving-defense

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Some old news, but good to hear that the Cubs are making a concerted effort to improve fundamentally. Has always been lacking in this franchise. One of the reasons we haven't made a deep run in a long time. Even our 2003 team was average defensively.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs...roving-defense

I'm glad there's an emphasis on defense and baserunning this year. I know it's cliche, but defense really does win championships and it's something that we've been mediocre-at-best/not good at for quite some time now. I also like how everyone in the organization is going about this season. Many think that it's just a stepping stone, and don't expect big things, but I don't think this season is lost at all. I'm not implying a title or anything, but I don't think we'll suffer through 2012.

Tom Ricketts has also said there aren't any plans to play anywhere but Wrigley regarding the renovations and possible games played at the Cell. That could mean a number of things, no plans right now, etc. I just hope that isn't what it comes down to.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Sorry. I'll believe it when I see it. I've heard things about defense for Years. And Haven't improved much. Also Look Cubs have had 2 1B Gold Glovers in the last 5 Years and it's still been bad. Cubs will be near or dead last as long as Soriano is our LF.

It's nice to say that, but I need to see it on the Field.

[yougo1000]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Cubs Win!!!!! 1-2

[1Rose]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7673011/chicago-cubs-sign-cuban-left-hander-gerardo-concepcion-five-year-deal

Cubs ink Concepion. Now time to get Soler.

[1Rose]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Mather looks like he has been playing his way into the lineup.

Jackson has been RAKING. Think we should let Byrd play the first half of the season, hope he plays well and get a prospect or 2 for him from a contender and let Jackson get burn at the ML level.

We aren't contending this year anyway.