Chicago Cubs 2026

#326      
ChiefGritty
IanKEvans2 said:
Tangentially related, I really appreciate Montemurro as a reporter. Illinois graduate, too, if I recall!
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She was, I had classes with her back in the day.

Jeremy Werner has been a huge success from that era of U of I College of Media as we all know about but Meghan has done great too. There are some folks who I've seen with some proper news journalism success too. It's a very hard industry to crack these days.

But of course the biggest star is Sean Evans who I swear I never met at UI despite being just a year behind him and also from Crystal Lake (lol wouldn't it be funny if I got outed as this board's most obnoxious poster AND the host of Hot Ones?)
 
#333      
Jimbo
It’s early. Going 4-6 in the first 10 games isn’t a disaster. The starting pitching staff leaking oil already is a bit concerning, but it sounds like we’re being extra cautious in order to avoid serious injuries.
 
#334      
EyeoftheIllini
Emerson Bigguns said:
Assad is a better option than most teams would have. He has been pretty solid when he has had his opportunities. Hopefully, he can keep that going.
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My point is if we hadn’t acquired Cabrera, Assad would already be in rotation. That would leave us ummmm hmmmm ummm to replace Boyd and Horton. Hopefully neither are out for long.

Caissie is having a good start in Miami, hitting about .300 with a couple of dingers. I’m sure at some points over the next 10 years that we’ll lament having traded him. Cabrera looking just fine too though. And that’s a trade I make 10 out of 10 times. Can never have too much pitching, especially of the starting variety. Cubs still have Alcantara and Triantos (looks like might be putting that injury plagued 2025 season behind him) on the farm as well as veteran McCormick. Pickings on the pitching side are much slimmer.

Speaking of Iowa, was checking out the stats and Pedro Ramirez is having a nice start to his season. He already has 3 HR after only 8 all of last year in AA. Obviously small sample size but his slugging percentage is .667 compared to .386 at Knoxville last year. That’s after putting together a very solid spring training with the big club — .367/.432/.633 in 37 plate appearances with 2 HR, 12 RBI, 5 SB and 4 walks with only 1 strikeout. At 5-9, 165, power isn’t Ramirez’s game. But if he can develop 15 home run capabilities, with his bat skills and being a switch hitter, could be a valuable piece on roster or as a trade chip.
 
#335      
Emerson Bigguns
EyeoftheIllini said:
My point is if we hadn’t acquired Cabrera, Assad would already be in rotation. That would leave us ummmm hmmmm ummm to replace Boyd and Horton. Hopefully neither are out for long.

Caissie is having a good start in Miami, hitting about .300 with a couple of dingers. I’m sure at some points over the next 10 years that we’ll lament having traded him. Cabrera looking just fine too though. And that’s a trade I make 10 out of 10 times. Can never have too much pitching, especially of the starting variety. Cubs still have Alcantara and Triantos (looks like might be putting that injury plagued 2025 season behind him) on the farm as well as veteran McCormick. Pickings on the pitching side are much slimmer.

Speaking of Iowa, was checking out the stats and Pedro Ramirez is having a nice start to his season. He already has 3 HR after only 8 all of last year in AA. Obviously small sample size but his slugging percentage is .667 compared to .386 at Knoxville last year. That’s after putting together a very solid spring training with the big club — .367/.432/.633 in 37 plate appearances with 2 HR, 12 RBI, 5 SB and 4 walks with only 1 strikeout. At 5-9, 165, power isn’t Ramirez’s game. But if he can develop 15 home run capabilities, with his bat skills and being a switch hitter, could be a valuable piece on roster or as a trade chip.
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I liked the Cabrera trade when it happened, and even more now. He has looked fantastic so far. Cassie is a good prospect, but he didn't have a clear path to play every day, at least until Suzuki got hurt... It's easier to find a corner outfielder than a TOR type pitcher. Cabrera has everything you need to be a #1. He just has to locate. So far, so good.
 
#336      
KBLEE
https://twitter.com/x/status/2041506081533218877

Sad Cry GIF by Piñata Farms: The Meme App
 
#342      
Illiniaaron
Officially out for year, to the surprise of no one. Thank goodness they have Assad, and eventually Steele coming back.
 
#344      
champaignchris
Plus side of a knee injury is finally having an excuse to sit in bed and watch a game all the way through.

The Rays’ left fielder is awful. The Cubs are running on him every chance they get.
 
#348      
Warren Carter Fanclub
Did anyone else notice that during Matt Shaw's at bat in the 9th inning last night he hit a foul ball in the stands down the right field line. A large person with a glove tried to catch the ball and his/her pants (and underwear) came completely down when they fell over. JD said "Is everything all right down there?" and the booth went completely silent for 30 seconds.
It was the funniest thing I ever saw in my life. You've got to love baseball.
I still have it on my DVR but afraid to show it here. It's also on YouTube.
 
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