Chicago Cubs 2024
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bdutts
- Houston, Texas
ESPN (I think) had an interesting article that essentially said once Baez was done for the year, the team started on its tear. Baez has had a pretty horrible year and he's still owed ~73M. Detroit would be well served to eat that contract.
Not just ex-Cubs, but ex-Cubs that always threw hard, but for whatever reason, the Cubs weren’t able to translate that into performance. They then blossomed with other teams. See also Trevor Megill with the Brewers.
It leads me to believe that the Cubs’ lack of hard throwers out of the bullpen there past several years has been a conscious choice in development than just a sad accident.
I’m almost certain they will.
Hoyer - 4 years on the job, no playoff appearances, not a hint of being on the hot seat. Sort of tells you all you need to know about ownership and its priorities.
it’s really as if the only metric Ricketts thinks about money . seriously
The last time a Cubs GM/POBO went beyond 4 seasons without making the playoffs was Bob Kennedy who was GM from 1977-1981.
.500 or slightly over isn't good, it's average. In a down year they should sneak in as the final wildcard. Most years they should win the division or solidly be a no-doubt wildcard.
A little Cub news I thought some people might have interest in. Recap is from Arizona Fall League and written by Chris Clegg who specializes in dynasty fantasy baseball.
Moises Ballesteros, C, CHC, 20
Mo Baller was at it again, collecting two hits, including his third AFL home run. It was a no-doubt shot to right-center field. While there was no statcast, I can tell you it was hit hard. Ballesteros now trails Josue Briceño and Colt Emerson for the AFL lead in hits. He has walked as often as he has struck out. His impressive performance on the plate has continued his entire professional career. The biggest question in my mind is where he fits in the field?
Moises Ballesteros, C, CHC, 20
Mo Baller was at it again, collecting two hits, including his third AFL home run. It was a no-doubt shot to right-center field. While there was no statcast, I can tell you it was hit hard. Ballesteros now trails Josue Briceño and Colt Emerson for the AFL lead in hits. He has walked as often as he has struck out. His impressive performance on the plate has continued his entire professional career. The biggest question in my mind is where he fits in the field?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
It's time for Jed to cash some of the chips he's developed so well in for major league impact players.
Depending on how the offseason develops, 3rd catcher/part time DH ?
I’m not sure if his catching is currently major league ready — even for 3rd catcher. Good news is he’s only 20 and has shown very good hitting skills. I believe he had less than 100 strikeouts in a little over 500 ABs last year. He has played a little 1B, though not sure how he did there and he’s listed at only 5-8 I think. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he spends next year in the minors except maybe for a late cup of coffee. Possibly if Cubs get hit with a rash of injuries and need a DH, we might see a little of him.
Way-too-early 2025 MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. 1?
The Dodgers just won the 2024 World Series -- and we're already looking ahead to next year.
Cubs at #8 right ahead of the yankees for some reason. Don't know why they are so optomistic.
Edit: ESPN has another story on most likely to win the WS. Cubs are 12th.
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Way-too-early 2025 MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. 1?
The Dodgers just won the 2024 World Series -- and we're already looking ahead to next year.www.espn.com
Cubs at #8 right ahead of the yankees for some reason. Don't know why they are so optomistic.
Edit: ESPN has another story on most likely to win the WS. Cubs are 12th.
I think the former ranking is just looking at current rosters, while the latter is guessing at what rosters will look like after free agency.
The Cubs basically don’t lose anyone important in free agency, while the Yankees lose Soto, Torres, and a good chunk of their very good bullpen.
The Yankees, of course, are very likely to re-sign Soto and will spend to reconstruct their pen, while the Cubs are less likely to make a free agency splash.
I hope that things move quickly this offseason. No waiting for the big name, Soto this time, to sign and set the market. Bellinger make his decision, Cubs respond right away by building the team that they believe will win at least 90 games and make the playoffs. Include Counsell in the decisions because he is smarter in this area than they are.
I saw this. No way the Cubs are the 8th best team in baseball next year. They have not had a season with greater than 6 games over 500 since 2018.Way-too-early 2025 MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. 1?
The Dodgers just won the 2024 World Series -- and we're already looking ahead to next year.
Cubs at #8 right ahead of the yankees for some reason. Don't know why they are so optomistic.
Edit: ESPN has another story on most likely to win the WS. Cubs are 12th.
We’ll know Bellinger’s decision in the next three days.
My hope is that they could be #8 if Hoyer feels the heat and makes a splash in free agency and trading some minor league assets.
1) Will they be the right moves?
2) Will Ricketts give him some financial freedom so he can make an informed decision whether to keep him at year's end?
1) Will they be the right moves?
2) Will Ricketts give him some financial freedom so he can make an informed decision whether to keep him at year's end?
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I'd be shocked if he doesn't exercise his option. Unless he's willing to take a large cut to win a WS. He's not going to get more than he's getting from the Cubs next year from any other team.
He probably wants more guaranteed years.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Whoa Bellinger opts in.
A lot of factors of course, but it strikes me that since the renovations (which radically changed the home clubhouse situation) and the reduction in the quantity of day games (which cause a lot of sleep/travel issues), players seem to uniformly love playing for the Cubs. Wrigley has always held a special appeal, but that was often not the case in previous decades.
A lot of factors of course, but it strikes me that since the renovations (which radically changed the home clubhouse situation) and the reduction in the quantity of day games (which cause a lot of sleep/travel issues), players seem to uniformly love playing for the Cubs. Wrigley has always held a special appeal, but that was often not the case in previous decades.
knowing your future is playing in todays Wrigley while making 30 million per year , not bad .
what a change from the 1980’s when you could see a player & get an autograph ball at the local car dealer or savings & loan
Paredes was an All Star last year.
Paredes was pretty awful with the Cubs, and pretty awful away from home with Tampa too. I would not expect Paredes to be close to an All-Star moving forward. Unless the Cubs play home games in the new "open air" Trop.
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