2018 Chicago Cubs

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

I can't figure out how they lead the NL in runs

Remember when you said this 9 days ago?

Because after tonight, the Cubs will be 6th in the NL in runs scored with the Brewers quickly trying to take that away from us also at just 10 runs back.

Somehow a new hitting coach (Chili), adding 1 month of Daniel Murphy, improvements from veterans like Heyward/Zobrist, suffering some untimely injuries, plus another year of development for the young core of Bryant/Contreras/Baez/Schwarber/Russell/Happ/Almora has resulted in the Cubs falling from a virtual tie for 1st in runs scored last year (Rockies scored 2 more, but no fair) to middle of the pack this year.

I don't really get why nobody except for Baez actually got better this year. Given how prime years/aging curves are supposed to work. I feel like the franchise was heavily dependent on some of these young players becoming/remaining stars. It just seems really unlikely that this would happen with all of them.

Player (wRC+ last year/wRC+ this year)

Contreras (122 / 102)
Rizzo (134 / 124)
Baez (98 / 134)
Russell (85 / 80)
Bryant (146 / 126)
Schwarber (103 / 119)
Almora (103 / 88)
Happ (113 / 103)

OK, so Schwarber is hitting marginally better this year. (but not really because his BABIP went up from a ridiculous .244 to a more average .290). Unfortunate.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Spoiler

https://www.mlb.com/cut4/john-lackey-comes-back-to-wrigley-field/c-296342044

[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Remember when you said this 9 days ago?

Because after tonight, the Cubs will be 6th in the NL in runs scored with the Brewers quickly trying to take that away from us also at just 10 runs back.

Somehow a new hitting coach (Chili), adding 1 month of Daniel Murphy, improvements from veterans like Heyward/Zobrist, suffering some untimely injuries, plus another year of development for the young core of Bryant/Contreras/Baez/Schwarber/Russell/Happ/Almora has resulted in the Cubs falling from a virtual tie for 1st in runs scored last year (Rockies scored 2 more, but no fair) to middle of the pack this year.

I don't really get why nobody except for Baez actually got better this year. Given how prime years/aging curves are supposed to work. I feel like the franchise was heavily dependent on some of these young players becoming/remaining stars. It just seems really unlikely that this would happen with all of them.

Player (wRC+ last year/wRC+ this year)

Contreras (122 / 102)
Rizzo (134 / 124)
Baez (98 / 134)
Russell (85 / 80)
Bryant (146 / 126)
Schwarber (103 / 119)
Almora (103 / 88)
Happ (113 / 103)

OK, so Schwarber is hitting marginally better this year. (but not really because his BABIP went up from a ridiculous .244 to a more average .290). Unfortunate.

This speaks to everything. Really bad regression from nearly every contributor. The starting pitching turned back into the strength down the stretch and the offense has gone AWOL aside from a few nice games in September.

I'm fully expecting the Cubs to be 2 hit tonight with a Rizzo or Baez solo shot and get beat 2-1 after Carl Edwards walks the first two batters he faces in the 7th and Brandon Kintzler gives up a 2 run double.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

My user name checks out.

The Cubs died just as they lived this season. Scoring 2 runs in their final 22 innings after scoring 10 in the game before.

May the 2018 Chicago Cubs R.I.P. I sure won't miss watching this hot mess.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Just to double post it onto a happier note...the hot stove season should be pretty compelling for the Cubbies. I don't think Theo can just sit up in his high castle signing a pitcher or two while doing nothing else. Could be some larger scale changes coming.

Getting a bit younger in the rotation would be nice (though unlikely without shipping a veteran SP or 2 away). Beefing up the bullpen considerably is a must (can't go into the playoffs ever again without an Elite Closer(TM). Breaking up the logjam of all these interchangable, young position players that are gonna hit .240 and strike out too much should be a thing. KB might not be a lineup anchor anymore, so a very high level bat could be a thing as well.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Addison Russell gets a 40-game suspension for violating the MLB Domestic Abuse and Violence policy. Has already served 11 of them retroactively. Seemed like a pretty open and shut case with how quickly the verdict came down following the ex-wife coming forward. It will be interesting if the Cubs even tender him contract, between his declining performance, advancing service time clock, and now this reputation-busting thing hanging over him.

[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Addison Russell gets a 40-game suspension for violating the MLB Domestic Abuse and Violence policy. Has already served 11 of them retroactively. Seemed like a pretty open and shut case with how quickly the verdict came down following the ex-wife coming forward. It will be interesting if the Cubs even tender him contract, between his declining performance, advancing service time clock, and now this reputation-busting thing hanging over him.

Gotta find another shortstop to spell Javy if not. I'm fine with moving on though. Addison hasn't been the same since his hamstring pull in 2016

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[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Chili Davis fired after one season

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[decga]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Chili Davis fired after one season

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That's weak, but it's their team!

Sent from my LM-X210(G) using Operation Sports mobile app

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Here's a really interesting piece by Gordon Wittenmyer about the hitting coach situation/Chili Davis. Lots of quotes from Chili himself and it's pretty apparent why the change was made.

“Hopefully, he [the next hitting coach] has better success at this than I did,” said Davis, who stressed no hard feelings with the Cubs. “But regardless of who’s there, certain players there are going to have to make some adjustments, because the game’s changed, and pitchers are pitching them differently. They’re not pitching to launch angles and fly balls and all that anymore. They’re pitching away from that.

“They’re going to have to make that adjustment whether I’m there or not.”

“I learned a lot this year,” he added. “I learned that the next situation I get in, before I say yes to a job, I need to make sure I know the personnel I’ll be dealing with in the clubhouse.

“I hope that the next guy connects better with the players, because I felt that there were multiple players there I didn’t connect with. It wasn’t that I didn’t try. It just wasn’t there.”

I mean that doesn't really sound super harmonious, right?

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/chili-davis-not-going-to-blame-myself-wishes-next-cubs-hitting-coach-better-fortunes-anthony-iapoce/

[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Here's a really interesting piece by Gordon Wittenmyer about the hitting coach situation/Chili Davis. Lots of quotes from Chili himself and it's pretty apparent why the change was made.





I mean that doesn't really sound super harmonious, right?


https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/...nthony-iapoce/

Doesn't sound great, but this is consecutive years where the team he's coached has struggled. And with two completely different group of players.

Truth probably does lie in the middle. I'm sure there were some guys resistant to his teaching, but it doesn't sound like he's too willing to alter his approach either.

Teaching hitting these days is really tough. Guys have so much information at their disposal, it's tough if you're teaching something they don't agree with.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Good riddance Chilli what a disaster at least the Dingers will be back next year.

[fugazi]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

The real questions are:

"Who is the real Kris Bryant?"

and

"Where does the SP improvement come from?"

I'll be honest...given Russell's regression offensively, Zobrist's age (can he beat the clock again?), Heyward's albatross of a contract, and Schwarber's seeming to plateau (though he had 10 less k's and 19 more walks)...plus the slight decline of Hendricks and heavy use of Strop...I'm kinda bearish on the Cubs. Last season did not inspire confidence...but maybe having the post-season off will do them some good...2015-2017 they played an awful lot of baseball.

I hope we see what Schwarber/Bryant/Rizzo or Schwarber/Baez/Rizzo/Bryant looks like in a lineup next year.

[k_mac]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Rodgers did an interview yesterday and all but said Hickey wouldn't be back as pitching coach in 19. Theo had "no comment" on it. Would be a strange turn of events and a ridiculous amount of turnover in the last few years for our positional staff.

[fugazi]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

The problem isn't the staff...

The rotation was taxed for three years, with very little reinfrocement...bullpen, not so much, but it's still there.

KB has regressed. Shoulder injury aside...I understand the motivation to decrease the launch angle and all that, but he's been figured out or something...his career .900 OPS is starting to feel empty. HR/AB numbers trending down, strikeout rate will always be high, but it's getting worse...

I hope it's just the shoulder and next year we see him return to form.

The team needs a jolt of energy...even with Baez being electric everywhere...and another High-OBP bat to stabilize the lineup.

Another year of Heyward, Russell, and Almora isn't going to get it done...Happ regressed offensively, but still outpaced the three of them by a good bit...I'm hoping one or two of those will either step it up or be traded.

Edit: Sonny Gray is available...I wonder what it would take to get him? The Yanks are kinda set at most positions...doubt the Cubs have anything to offer, but maybe...