2022 Team

[Butcher]

I'm kind of in both camps (Brick and Ivy). There's a constant negative undercurrent to everything right now. But I still try to find pleasure in little things as much as possible. It isn't always easy, but if I focused on all of the horrible shit going on all the time, I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning...

[1060Ivy]

Yeah, Rick is a tool but Ricketts hasn’t invested in team payroll. Awaiting the ‘this player wouldn’t have made the difference in getting to the playoffs’ mantra. Yup, one player doesn’t but a roster with 6 - 8 key players can make the difference and the current roster may only have 2 or 3 and that’s before Willco gets traded

https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2022/6...ts-wrigley

[Butcher]

I agree that the Cubs shouldn't be in a perpetual rebuild/blowup cycle. That's what the Marlins do. But saying it's because of the fans' expectations is fucking stupid and it's such a lame and tired narrative. It's actually exhausting to read that kind of shit.

He makes some valid points. But he also glossed over the fact that the 2016 World Series wasn't just that season. The Cubs had their best stretch of baseball any of us have ever seen from 2015-2020. It wasn't just 2016. The Cardinals do win more consistently, but in this current "super team" era, I don't think their strategy is going to lead to many World Series wins.

Anyway. We sucks.

[1060Ivy]

Which current Cub pitcher makes the biggest difference for a playoff race - after he is traded to a contender: Wiley, Smyly, Mills, Givens, or Robertson?

[Butcher]

I think you've gotta go with Robertson. But you don't think Stroman will be on the trade block?

[1060Ivy]

Thought Stroman’s deal included a no trade

Plus, he’s not having a good season due to some bad games so I doubt Cubs get much in return without throwing in cash. Don’t see Cubs being that motivated to move him

[Butcher]

I forgot he had a no-trade. I was pretty excited about the signing at the time. And I still think he's a good pitcher...but whatever. I can't bring myself to care all that much either way. Maybe when the roster has more of the up and coming players on it who will make an impact when we're competitive I'll start paying more attention.

[funkster]

This team sucks.

[Butcher]

They are so much worse than I even imagined.

[funkster]

I knew the Yankee series would be bad, i'm glad they exceeded my expectations lol

[Butcher]

Playing the Yankees and the Dodgers really highlighted how far they are from being a good team. They really shouldn't even be playing in the same league as those guys.

[1060Ivy]

The trends this season are reminiscent of last August and September’s squad - an over performing bullpen becomes overworked due to inability for starters to regularly handle 5-7 innings so turns to crap coupled with an inconsistent offense.

Yeah, someone can point out that the Cubs schedule has led to lack of work for both starters and bullpen lately but that didn’t fit the narrative and Cubs just dropped their 8th game in a row.

Cubs were up 5-0 in 5th and lose 12-5 to the Padres

On positive notes Hendricks looked good for a change despite the wind blowing out and Willco is a stud going 3-4 with 3 RBIs and scored 3 runs.

Maybe this losing streak will provide the front office coverage to trade Wrigley Field along with any MLB talent on the roster for a series of 4-8 year old prospects who’s developmental time line aligns with the next potential competitive window for the club’s sustained success.

[1060Ivy]

Last place in NL Central in midst of 10 game losing streak with the hottest team in baseball coming into town.

Yeah, ‘let’s not call it a rebuild’ isn’t the biggest issue that Jed faces for this squad. ‘Let’s not call the Cubs a MLB team’ - is likely a bigger issue

[funkster]

This team is an absolute disgrace. I realize a lot, if not most is the fault of the Rickett family, but I really am starting to wonder if Jed should have been given a thanks for everything plaque when Theo left and they just started fresh.

[Butcher]

I went to the game yesterday. Going to Wrigley is always delightful, but there was a very different vibe there. It was kind of sad.

And, yes, this team is powerfully bad...