Chicago Cubs 2026

[Emerson Bigguns]

I’d say no. Who else needs a very back end of the rotation guy?

It would be tough to blame him either way he goes, accept a minor league assignment or soft retire. He’s been in the majors for nearly a decade. Made more than enough money to do whatever he wants for the rest of his life. (Unless drugs and strippers are what he wants to do…)

Amazing support for terrible pitching performances!

Jame-0 has lost his radar. His stuff has never been great;

Not in the majors, anyway. He could throw 99 in high school, and was a #2 draft pick. Tommy John in 2014, followed by a hernia in 2015, cancer in 2017, forearm surgery in 2019, elbow, again in 2020, back issues in Chicago…
He’s a tough SOB. it’s a wonder he was still out there at all.

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

It would be tough to blame him either way he goes, accept a minor league assignment or soft retire. He’s been in the majors for nearly a decade. Made more than enough money to do whatever he wants for the rest of his life. (Unless drugs and strippers are what he wants to do…)

Not in the majors, anyway. He could throw 99 in high school, and was a #2 draft pick. Tommy John in 2014, followed by a hernia in 2015, cancer in 2017, forearm surgery in 2019, elbow, again in 2020, back issues in Chicago…
He’s a tough SOB. it’s a wonder he was still out there at all.

Tells me all I need to know about his character. Tough way to end. I thought that he should have gotten one more start after his IL stint(three total), but can't blame the Cubs for pulling the plug.

 

[DRS]

Listen, I was also on the Taillon ain't gonna cut it train, from spring training on something was off. Tons of meatballs this year and I am not sure why. But lets not act like this guy sucks or something. Even with this horrific season his ERA with us over 2 1/2 years(66 starts) is 3.95. He current career era is 3.99 and that is with a host of major and minor injuries. He is a pro.

Somebody asked who needs a a back of the rotation guy?? that is the entire league. Philly, NY the list is massive. But if he accepts an assignment from us, it would be great to have him go down to AAA for a spell, who the hell knows what is going to happen to the rotation the rest of the way with all the issues they've had this year.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

Listen, I was also on the Taillon ain't gonna cut it train, from spring training on something was off. Tons of meatballs this year and I am not sure why. But lets not act like this guy sucks or something. Even with this horrific season his ERA with us over 2 1/2 years(66 starts) is 3.95. He current career era is 3.99 and that is with a host of major and minor injuries. He is a pro.

Somebody asked who needs a a back of the rotation guy?? that is the entire league. Philly, NY the list is massive. But if he accepts an assignment from us, it would be great to have him go down to AAA for a spell, who the hell knows what is going to happen to the rotation the rest of the way with all the issues they've had this year.

Thanks for posting that. When I read someone saying his stuff has never been great, it made me smile. Sure injuries have chipped away at his arsenal and it depends exactly how you define great stuff, but he has had plenty of stretches of great effectiveness. So I’m not going to let this poor season distort things to the point I forget his 23-15 record with a 3.41 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over the two previous seasons. And if I’m not mistaken, the Cubs won both his starts in the playoffs last year.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2081873939492421691

 

[champaignchris]

Thanks for posting that. When I read someone saying his stuff has never been great, it made me smile. Sure injuries have chipped away at his arsenal and it depends exactly how you define great stuff, but he has had plenty of stretches of great effectiveness. So I’m not going to let this poor season distort things to the point I forget his 23-15 record with a 3.41 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over the two previous seasons. And if I’m not mistaken, the Cubs won both his starts in the playoffs last year.

He’s one of those “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” guys. He was awful for the first half season right after he signed. He was quite good for his last 15 appearances in 23 and then put up very solid numbers each of the last two seasons, but a lot of Cubs fans never altered their opinion of him after those first 15ish starts.

 

[Grandpa]

I've been a Taillon supporter. As in people say that he sucks and I reply with "Oh huh!"

OTOH if we have to score 14 runs to win any game that he starts, they had better try someone else.

 

[DRS]

He’s one of those “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” guys. He was awful for the first half season right after he signed. He was quite good for his last 15 appearances in 23 and then put up very solid numbers each of the last two seasons, but a lot of Cubs fans never altered their opinion of him after those first 15ish starts.

this is very true. there are cub fans who have done this for a couple of others on the team. Seiya takes a lot of abuse online and he has been easily one of our most productive guys when you look at him in totality.

 

[Illinirog70]

Let's discuss who's left on the roster to pitch in August and September (and October?)
With JT gone, what should our rotation be? What do we need to add?

I'd love another ground ball-oriented starter (or two) and a fire balling reliever. The other eight positions are well-manned by decent hitters and superior fielders (with the possible exception of right field where Suzuki is a very good hitter and a so-so fielder.)

So, what do we need to strengthen our non-pitching players? What can we afford to give up for that pitching and not cripple our future?

 

[champaignchris]

Bregman has raised his OPS from .682 to .713 in the last two games.

 

[champaignchris]

Pretty nice to win the worst pitching matchup on paper of the series 10-2. Split the last 2 far more favorable matchups and that’s a 5-2 roadtrip.

 

[DRS]

Bregman has raised his OPS from .682 to .713 in the last two games.

Good lord he has needed this stretch. since his back to back homer games against Cincy he is slashing .314/.386/.627. He so badly needs an extended hot streak. Like a month or more, just to feel good heading into the playoffs.

 

[DRS]

Let's discuss who's left on the roster to pitch in August and September (and October?)
With JT gone, what should our rotation be? What do we need to add?

I'd love another ground ball-oriented starter (or two) and a fire balling reliever. The other eight positions are well-manned by decent hitters and superior fielders (with the possible exception of right field where Suzuki is a very good hitter and a so-so fielder.)

So, what do we need to strengthen our non-pitching players? What can we afford to give up for that pitching and not cripple our future?

Sieya is so-so in right but this year he is grading out above average. We do not have a single fielder that is an average big leaguer by advanced metrics all of them are at least better then average. This defense is the best I've seen from the Cubs.

and love a reliever and the dream is Mason from the As. I would center a package around Wiggins and Shaw but unfortunately it will take quite a bit more.

 

[champaignchris]

What do we need to add?

I'd love another ground ball-oriented starter (or two)

The entire list of starting pitchers on likely sellers that produce ground balls at a league average or better rate:

Framber Valdez, Detroit - First year of a massive contract with 2 years and $80+ million guaranteed remaining. Detroit might want to cut bait at this point and he could probably be gotten without giving up much in the way of prospects, but I don’t see the Cubs taking on that contract given his performance this year. Still 52.5% ground ball rate on the year, 60.6% for his career, would probably play amazingly well with the Cubs defense behind him.

Logan Webb, SF - obviously should be a top target if made available. Another year on a reasonable contract. I suspect the Giants will hold on to him and try to extend him in the off season. Would take a massive haul of prospects to get from the Giants.

Jose Soriano, Angels - One arbitration year after this one. Would be pricey in terms of prospects, but this is a guy that could get got if the Angels are reasonable and actually decide to try to rebuild. Would expect something on the order of the package that got Cabrera. Something like Shaw or Alcantara plus another couple lesser prospects.

Landon Raup, SF, JT Ginn, A’s, Nolan McLean, Mets; Keider Montero, Det - All have 4+ years of team control left. Not going anywhere.

 

[Warren Carter Fanclub]

Sieya is so-so in right but this year he is grading out above average. We do not have a single fielder that is an average big leaguer by advanced metrics all of them are at least better then average. This defense is the best I've seen from the Cubs.

and love a reliever and the dream is Mason from the As. I would center a package around Wiggins and Shaw but unfortunately it will take quite a bit more.

Mason Miller from the Padres?
I think there is a more pressing need for a starter or 2 to get the game in one piece to the relievers.
Also, with all these guys that are allegedly coming back to the bullpen (Palencia, Milner, Steele, Harvey, Brown), even if just a couple stick, the bullpen is getting crowded. Rea might be back in the bullpen too if we get 2 starting arms.
I realize that none of these are Miller but he might be a luxury we can't afford.

 

[KBLEE]

I think there is a more pressing need for a starter or 2 to get the game in one piece to the relievers.

I would like to see them add someone like Kevin Gausman. He hasn't been great this year, but he's been better of late. His main selling point is that he's an innings eater.

 

[tatupu70]

The entire list of starting pitchers on likely sellers that produce ground balls at a league average or better rate:

Framber Valdez, Detroit - First year of a massive contract with 2 years and $80+ million guaranteed remaining. Detroit might want to cut bait at this point and he could probably be gotten without giving up much in the way of prospects, but I don’t see the Cubs taking on that contract given his performance this year. Still 52.5% ground ball rate on the year, 60.6% for his career, would probably play amazingly well with the Cubs defense behind him.

Logan Webb, SF - obviously should be a top target if made available. Another year on a reasonable contract. I suspect the Giants will hold on to him and try to extend him in the off season. Would take a massive haul of prospects to get from the Giants.

Jose Soriano, Angels - One arbitration year after this one. Would be pricey in terms of prospects, but this is a guy that could get got if the Angels are reasonable and actually decide to try to rebuild. Would expect something on the order of the package that got Cabrera. Something like Shaw or Alcantara plus another couple lesser prospects.

Landon Raup, SF, JT Ginn, A’s, Nolan McLean, Mets; Keider Montero, Det - All have 4+ years of team control left. Not going anywhere.

Clay Holmes?

 

[mhuml32]

Needs:

(1) Controllable starter who can start a playoff game
(2) High-leverage reliever

 

[champaignchris]

Clay Holmes?

I missed him because he didn’t have enough innings to qualify for the list I was looking at. He’d totally be a guy to go after with that 55% ground ball rate. Basically a rental. He has a player option for next year that he’s almost certain to decline.

 

[Illiniaaron]

Also, with all these guys that are allegedly coming back to the bullpen (Palencia, Milner, Steele, Harvey, Brown)

Why did you leave out Maton?

 

[Warren Carter Fanclub]

Why did you leave out Maton?
View attachment 51016

Who?

 

[DRS]

Mason Miller from the Padres?
I think there is a more pressing need for a starter or 2 to get the game in one piece to the relievers.
Also, with all these guys that are allegedly coming back to the bullpen (Palencia, Milner, Steele, Harvey, Brown), even if just a couple stick, the bullpen is getting crowded. Rea might be back in the bullpen too if we get 2 starting arms.
I realize that none of these are Miller but he might be a luxury we can't afford.

yes, sorry, Padres not As, of course he started with the As but is now with the Padres. if Palencia is healthy and clicking i'm all good. this pen still worries me. Webb is the only guy I really trust, now if Brown is in there, that is a different story. lots of ifs. a big arm would be amazing. Palencia>Miller would be like Royals 2015 stuff.

 

[DRS]

The entire list of starting pitchers on likely sellers that produce ground balls at a league average or better rate:

Framber Valdez, Detroit - First year of a massive contract with 2 years and $80+ million guaranteed remaining. Detroit might want to cut bait at this point and he could probably be gotten without giving up much in the way of prospects, but I don’t see the Cubs taking on that contract given his performance this year. Still 52.5% ground ball rate on the year, 60.6% for his career, would probably play amazingly well with the Cubs defense behind him.

Logan Webb, SF - obviously should be a top target if made available. Another year on a reasonable contract. I suspect the Giants will hold on to him and try to extend him in the off season. Would take a massive haul of prospects to get from the Giants.

Jose Soriano, Angels - One arbitration year after this one. Would be pricey in terms of prospects, but this is a guy that could get got if the Angels are reasonable and actually decide to try to rebuild. Would expect something on the order of the package that got Cabrera. Something like Shaw or Alcantara plus another couple lesser prospects.

Landon Raup, SF, JT Ginn, A’s, Nolan McLean, Mets; Keider Montero, Det - All have 4+ years of team control left. Not going anywhere.

Soriano is the top of my starter list. I would love to secure him for the arb years left.

 

[oldman]

P C A !!!

 

[EllderIlliniFan]

P C A !!!

NOT ENOUGH, Pitching?