Chicago Cubs 2026
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.
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?
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?
Bregman has raised his OPS from .682 to .713 in the last two games.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
- Montgomery, IL
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.
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
- Geneseo, IL
Who?
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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.
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Soriano is the top of my starter list. I would love to secure him for the arb years left.
NOT ENOUGH, Pitching?
Cool moment and that should have done the trick. The offense was obviously awful for the first time in a LONG time, which is a whatever. That's baseball. They really, really, really need to get guys back to deepen that bullpen. Having to go to a guy like Thornton isn't ideal. He should be a low leverage arm.
By in large, the pen has over performed given the insane amount of injuries. That has given them a nice cushion with regards to playoff positioning.
Can't give away games like that though.
I know I am cherry picking after a tough loss, but I do standby my call for another big arm in the pen. We are putting all our eggs in the Palencia basket and if he gets back and is healthy that isn't a bad basket but bullpens can derail a team quick. I know this isn't advanced metrics'y' enough for some, those don't look great for our entire staff, but we are now below league average in blown saves at 19th in the league and, this stat I like even less, we are 27th in save percentage at 55%. Not in freakout mode or anything but giving away games late is a demoralizing thing and it is happen to the Cubs more often then most other teams.
Bullpen era is 3.99 on the year and that is 14th in the league, so again this pen has not been a disaster but we really do need to get a big boy, either back or through a trade, at the back end. Just think if we had two along with Webb! that is what I am dreaming about.
Bullpen era is 3.99 on the year and that is 14th in the league, so again this pen has not been a disaster but we really do need to get a big boy, either back or through a trade, at the back end. Just think if we had two along with Webb! that is what I am dreaming about.
Baling wire, duct tape … it is amazing what management has done putting together a pitching staff given the number of injuries. Last night was Thornton returning to form after over-performing for an extended stretch. I just hope the pitchers expected to return in the next few weeks are able to pitch at a level consistent with where they were before their injuries.
Um...tenth inning last night?
Um . . . first four innings of Sunday’s game. And none of those players the poster mentioned are back yet.
Definitely think we need help in the pen and a power arm there would be great. But I wouldn’t pay the tariff for Miller. My prospect do not trade list only consists of Hartshorn and Rojas. I’ve always been high on Ramirez, and he might have earned his way on to the list with his performance and what he has meant to team this year. But I don’t see getting Miller without including one of those first two, and even if you could it would probably deplete farm system to the point adding other parts would be difficult.