Chicago Cubs 2026

#251      
champaignchris
Tyler Austin is going to miss significant time with a knee injury.

Which means instead of one of Alcantara, Carlson, McCormick and Conforto making the team out of Spring Training, two are. Figure it’ll be one of the righties (McCormick and Alcantara) and one of the lefties (Conforto and Carlson).

Also probably means Shaw is going to see even more time as the top right handed bat off the bench.
 
#252      
bdutts
champaignchris said:
Tyler Austin is going to miss significant time with a knee injury.

Which means instead of one of Alcantara, Carlson, McCormick and Conforto making the team out of Spring Training, two are. Figure it’ll be one of the righties (McCormick and Alcantara) and one of the lefties (Conforto and Carlson).

Also probably means Shaw is going to see even more time as the top right handed bat off the bench.
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It seems as if Alcantera will be granted a fourth year of options so if that’s true, he’ll be sent down unless he tears it up resulting in McCormick sticking.

Both Carlson and Conforto were -WAR last year so it’s 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Whoever the better defensive player is will stick, IMO.
 
#254      
Emerson Bigguns
bdutts said:
It seems as if Alcantera will be granted a fourth year of options so if that’s true, he’ll be sent down unless he tears it up resulting in McCormick sticking.

Both Carlson and Conforto were -WAR last year so it’s 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Whoever the better defensive player is will stick, IMO.
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I’d guess the edge would go to Carlson, since he can play CF. Being 4-8 so far doesn’t hurt either. He’s also young enough (26) that there could be some upside… though it’s a long shot.
 
#257      
EyeoftheIllini
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m ready for a new season to start. Maybe it’s just because I finished my fantasy baseball draft yesterday. Ended up with three Cubs on my team — all SPs. Boyd was one of my fifteen keepers. I then drafted both Shota and Justin (we have an IL spot).

Go Cubs Go!
 
#265      
2X2L
Watching Cubs/Mets 8/9/88 on Marquee right now. Baseball is the most beautiful sport ever invented, imo. No contest.

But the season doesn't really get started until I've seen "It Happens Every Spring" with Ray Milland.
 
#268      
Mr. Tibbs
IanKEvans2 said:
Palencia was as filthy as Team USA was an embarrassment the entire tournament.
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it’s a good example of players who really wanted it more . kind of sadly , it’s hard for players making 30 million or more per year to all of a sudden play for their country and not for a paycheck .

disappointing that our offense took thr last two games off . we were totally lucky vs DR
 
#269      
DeonThomas
champaignchris said:
The haters can hate, but I love the WBC. Fun baseball is fun. Even in March.

Go USA!
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I have to admit....

While I consider myself the ultimate baseball fan (I watch 162 Cub games per year; I play fantasy baseball in a league that has 40-deep rosters). However, I did not watch even 1 pitch of the WBC.

I stand with Robert here --- it has to be MY team playing, where I'm 100% invested and I've grown close to the roster and the players over a period of time.

Curmdudgeon? Yes. I feel pretty much the same way about the Olympics.
 
#270      
Grandpa
I have to admit....

While I consider myself the ultimate baseball fan (I watch 162 Cub games per year; I play fantasy baseball in a league that has 40-deep rosters). However, I did not watch even 1 pitch of the WBC.

I stand with Robert here --- it has to be MY team playing, where I'm 100% invested and I've grown close to the roster and the players over a period of time.

Curmdudgeon? Yes. I feel pretty much the same way about the Olympics.
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I watched about a half inning. I'm pretty busy. I have to make time to watch my teams. I will see the Illini this evening, maybe in real time.
 
#271      
Mr. Roberts
DeonThomas said:
I have to admit....

While I consider myself the ultimate baseball fan (I watch 162 Cub games per year; I play fantasy baseball in a league that has 40-deep rosters). However, I did not watch even 1 pitch of the WBC.

I stand with Robert here --- it has to be MY team playing, where I'm 100% invested and I've grown close to the roster and the players over a period of time.

Curmdudgeon? Yes. I feel pretty much the same way about the Olympics.
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Ditto. Did not watch a pitch - these are exhibition games in March. All I do is hope no one gets hurt. Hopefully, Palencia going full out so early doesn't bite us later.
 
#272      
Warren Carter Fanclub
I think it comes down to which country gets the most willingness to play from its players.
USA seems to have the least percentage of players that are willing to play........ or FULLY commit. (ie. Skubal)
Not to pick on one guy but why wasn't Kyle (Mr. Baseball) Tucker involved?
 
#273      
DeonThomas
Warren Carter Fanclub said:
I think it comes down to which country gets the most willingness to play from its players.
USA seems to have the least percentage of players that are willing to play........ or FULLY commit. (ie. Skubal)
Not to pick on one guy but why wasn't Kyle (Mr. Baseball) Tucker involved?
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Regarding Tucker:

He just wasn't motivated to play. Motivation/exuburance --- just sort of a day-to-day thing for Kyle. (Similar to Rizzo, Contreras, Lester, Arieta and Bryant, I'm really glad we let him go.)
 
#274      
Warren Carter Fanclub
DeonThomas said:
Regarding Tucker:

He just wasn't motivated to play. Motivation/exuburance --- just sort of a day-to-day thing for Kyle. (Similar to Rizzo, Contreras, Lester, Arieta and Bryant, I'm really glad we let him go.)
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It just never felt right like he didn't fit in.
I predict that Bregman will give us better results this year than Tucker gave us last year after all the smoke clears including being a better bench/clubhouse guy.
 
#275      
DRS
DeonThomas said:
Regarding Tucker:

He just wasn't motivated to play. Motivation/exuburance --- just sort of a day-to-day thing for Kyle. (Similar to Rizzo, Contreras, Lester, Arieta and Bryant, I'm really glad we let him go.)
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Are you saying that you believe Tucker wasn't motivated to play similarly to how Rizzo, Contreras, Lester, Arieta and Bryant weren't? or that you were happy we let them go?
 
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