2023 Team

[MrSheps]

I don't know that the Cubs would be better off tanking this year. Maybe, but several of the players they added are guys they can flip at the deadline if their playoff chances are low. Really, the Cubs added Swanson and Taillon to the longer term plans, most of the rest are placeholders.

[1060Ivy]

Agreed that adding Swanson and Taillon - like additions of Suzuki and Stroman last season - sets the foundation for improving the roster. Unfortunately, with playoff odds still below 10% and most top prospects at least a season or more away, the Cubs spent money to likely add another 3-7 wins so around a 500 team - not enough to be playoff competitive. Hopefully, Cubs have improved enough to get more fans going to Wrigley and watching Marquee so the money will continue flowing in.

Unfortunately, being 500 is a terrible position for a rebuilding team. Another season or two with 2-3 significant free agent additions and prospects development and Cubs should be competitive.

Of course, this is baseball so Bote may just be the NL MVP, Stroman wins Cy Young, and Happ drives in over 120 RBIs leading the 2023 Cubs to World Series

[funkster]

Provides overview of Cubs and points out that Cubs had little choice but to spend in offseason - rating were down 56% and attendance was also taking a hit.

Cubs spent $310 MM in offseason trying to plug significant holes in roster - oh yeah, it’s about sustainability and long term success. Yeah, right. Long term, the Cubs probably would be better off tanking another season or two and learn if changes to MiLB staff can better develop prospects and allow outfield and other key prospects in pipeline to develop/mature.

Ricketts response on why the Astros have strived and Cubs have fallen since their initial rebuilds as absolute BS.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/26/sport...-cubs.html

You'd be bitching just the same if they hadn't spent anything this offseason.

[1060Ivy]

I’m not a fan of tanking nor am I a fan of a deep pocketed billionaire declaring poverty and being out bud by teams with significantly smaller revenue base.

The additions to base are necessary but don’t make club playoff competitive.

[1060Ivy]

No word on Suzuki’s timeframe for baseball activities so likely can forget about April for MLB starts. That assumption is based on all my medical training

https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2023/3...kis-return

[Butcher]

Count me all-in on Wesneski.

[MrSheps]

Yeah, he feels like the real deal, in part because of the way he talks about pitching. Wouldn't be surprised to see him become a star.

Also, Assad looked awesome last night against team USA. The Cubs have plenty of pitching, just hope they can score enough runs.

[rok]

It hurts me to say this out loud, but I don't really want Hendricks to pitch again for the Cubs.


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[MrSheps]

You think he's likely washed, or more so ready for new blood?

[rok]

Both.


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[1060Ivy]

Hendricks is smart, hardworking, and gets the most out of his limited physical talents. I would like for him to regain his form this summer and take his talents to a playoff club to knock the Cardinals out of the playoffs.

Agree that he’s likely done but his name would still bring some Cub fans to buy tickets this season, and maybe even next season so Cubs will pay him to rehab this season - and might give him a deal next season even if he struggles this season.

[Butcher]

I'm feeling slightly more optimistic about the season after some things I've seen this spring. Scoring runs is still going to be a problem, though.

[MrSheps]

Yeah, I feel pretty optimistic actually. I don't think a playoff spot is going to happen this season (unless Bellinger and Mancini somehow replicate their best seasons), but if the Cubs aren't hit by injuries or other bad luck scenarios, I think they play .500-ish ball, which I'll happily take. Get one young position player to breakout next season in the outfield, add a serious bat next off season in free agency while replacing who likely leaves (I assume Happ) with a near-equivalent via free agency or call up, and they'll be primed to make the playoffs in 2024.

The 2016 team was so good defensively. I think we (or at least I) tend to forget that. I like that the team is focusing on that again, and I feel like our pitching, at least in terms of depth, is better than it was then. Obviously we don't have the elite guys we had then at the top of the rotation, which may mean more than depth in the playoffs, but the Cubs seem to be better at developing pitching then they ever have been, which also makes me optimistic.

[1060Ivy]

Hoping that Steele, Smyly, Taillon, Stroman, Wesneski, Assad and Sampson will all become great, dependable Cub starters one day but shouldn’t attempt comparisons to 2016 roster.

Agree that 2023 pitching roster is 7-8 deep with guys who could legitimately start MLB games but no reason to mention 2016 roster as it is far too big a stretch.

In 2016, Lester, Arrieta, Hendricks and Lackey were all significantly more established and better than the current Cubs roster. The 2016 spring had Arrieta coming off one of the most dominant pitching performances in modern baseball with his 2015 season. The 2016 club played outstanding defense which benefits pitchers but those starters each had above average to great pitching repertoire as foundations. Believe that Hammel, Montgomery, Cahill, Wood and others provided solid depth despite the starting 5 taking almost all of their scheduled starts.

[Butcher]

I was going to make a similar comment about the 2016 pitching staff. As noted, elite defense absolutely helped with run prevention, which of course makes a pitching staff look better. But that 2016 starting rotation was insanely good.

Lester finished 2nd in Cy Young voting and Hendricks finished 3rd. Plus, Hendricks led the league in ERA. Not to mention, Arrieta finished 9th in Cy Young voting. *Three starting pitchers in the Cy Young top 10.* Lackey won 11 games with a 3.35 ERA and Hammel won 15 games with a 3.83 ERA *and didn't even make the playoff roster.*

It's unlikely we'll ever see a starting rotation like that again in our lifetimes.

The current pitching staff might have more organizational depth, but there isn't anything close to that 1-2-3 punch. Stroman, who is likely our #1 starter, is probably the #5 starter in the 2016 rotation.