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Chicago Cubs 2018 Season
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<blockquote data-quote="champaignchris" data-source="post: 1404744" data-attributes="member: 26283"><p>I don't see how the Quintana trade can end up being a loser. They traded for a guy who is contributing to the team's championship window for some guys who wouldn't be contributing to the Cubs' championship window. The fact that Quintana is underachieving a bit doesn't mean that he isn't a plus pitcher for a team that has a good shot at another World Series. You were going to have to trade Eloy or someone off the MLB roster eventually. They traded Eloy. He might end up better than Schwarber or Happ. He might not. But Schwarber and Happ are contributing to the team right now. Dylan Cease might be a great starter. He might be a reliever. His arm might fall off tomorrow. He's a lottery chip. </p><p></p><p>They hit on nearly every one of their buy-low free agent starters early on and used them and the pitchers that were currently in the Cubs' system (Shark, Garza, Dempster, Cashner, etc.) to build a large chunk of the current team. They've done a good job targeting relief pitchers with strong, consistent track records. They've done a good job targeting developmental starters and turning them into producers (Hendricks, Arrieta, Montgomery). They're about 50-50 in terms of signing back of the rotation free agents. They've spent big money on front end free agents three times. Lester has been a slam dunk. Edwin Jackson was a disaster. And Darvish is too early to tell, but not looking good so far. If he comes back and pitches well in September and the playoffs, no one will care about the first two thirds of this season. </p><p></p><p>It really comes down to the drafting. The early commentary on the Theo/Hoyer not having drafted a pitcher to make the majors was silly. Pitchers take longer to develop and they hadn't been with the Cubs long enough. </p><p></p><p>Johnson, Blackburn and Underwood from 2012. Zastryzny and Godley from 2013. (And Poncedeleon, who didn't sign that year.) Norwood from 2014. </p><p></p><p>Yeah, Godley, who was traded for Montero, is the only one who has made any sort of mark. But what do you expect? Underwood, who was drafted in 2012 is still only 23 years old. He could still be a couple years away from being a contributor. </p><p></p><p>The Cubs used their high draft picks in the drafts from 2012 to 2015 on position players. And the drafted very well, getting Almora, Bryant, Schwarber and Happ. The best pitcher to come out of the 2012 draft so far is Gauseman or Stroman. 2013, Sean Manaea and Sonny Gray. 2014 Aaron Nola. 2015 and later... nobody. It just takes more time for guys to develop and establish themselves. </p><p></p><p>Given the examples of the early 00s Cubs, or the Mets of right now, or the Cardinals' experience in trying to compete with a really young starting pitching staff, or the Nats perpetually waiting for Strasburg to be healthy in the playoffs... I'm perfectly happy with the direction Theo and co. have taken.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="champaignchris, post: 1404744, member: 26283"] I don't see how the Quintana trade can end up being a loser. They traded for a guy who is contributing to the team's championship window for some guys who wouldn't be contributing to the Cubs' championship window. The fact that Quintana is underachieving a bit doesn't mean that he isn't a plus pitcher for a team that has a good shot at another World Series. You were going to have to trade Eloy or someone off the MLB roster eventually. They traded Eloy. He might end up better than Schwarber or Happ. He might not. But Schwarber and Happ are contributing to the team right now. Dylan Cease might be a great starter. He might be a reliever. His arm might fall off tomorrow. He's a lottery chip. They hit on nearly every one of their buy-low free agent starters early on and used them and the pitchers that were currently in the Cubs' system (Shark, Garza, Dempster, Cashner, etc.) to build a large chunk of the current team. They've done a good job targeting relief pitchers with strong, consistent track records. They've done a good job targeting developmental starters and turning them into producers (Hendricks, Arrieta, Montgomery). They're about 50-50 in terms of signing back of the rotation free agents. They've spent big money on front end free agents three times. Lester has been a slam dunk. Edwin Jackson was a disaster. And Darvish is too early to tell, but not looking good so far. If he comes back and pitches well in September and the playoffs, no one will care about the first two thirds of this season. It really comes down to the drafting. The early commentary on the Theo/Hoyer not having drafted a pitcher to make the majors was silly. Pitchers take longer to develop and they hadn't been with the Cubs long enough. Johnson, Blackburn and Underwood from 2012. Zastryzny and Godley from 2013. (And Poncedeleon, who didn't sign that year.) Norwood from 2014. Yeah, Godley, who was traded for Montero, is the only one who has made any sort of mark. But what do you expect? Underwood, who was drafted in 2012 is still only 23 years old. He could still be a couple years away from being a contributor. The Cubs used their high draft picks in the drafts from 2012 to 2015 on position players. And the drafted very well, getting Almora, Bryant, Schwarber and Happ. The best pitcher to come out of the 2012 draft so far is Gauseman or Stroman. 2013, Sean Manaea and Sonny Gray. 2014 Aaron Nola. 2015 and later... nobody. It just takes more time for guys to develop and establish themselves. Given the examples of the early 00s Cubs, or the Mets of right now, or the Cardinals' experience in trying to compete with a really young starting pitching staff, or the Nats perpetually waiting for Strasburg to be healthy in the playoffs... I'm perfectly happy with the direction Theo and co. have taken. [/QUOTE]
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