Chicago Cubs 2021 season

#101      
...despite having one of the best bullpens in the league.
?

The Cubs were 6th in the league in relievers ERA despite the fact that they were sheltered by pitching the third fewest innings in the league. The top two guys from that pen in terms of innings pitched (Jeffress and Tepara) are both gone and the Cubs have made zero major league signings to replace those innings. The guy set to be the closer has a 6.00 ERA and 24 BBs in 36 innings pitched over the last two seasons.
 
#102      

illini80

Forgottonia
Still in the belief that the Cubs are the best team in the division this year like last. Arenado has to prove he can hit away from Coor's still. He will always give you gold glove defense, but still don't think it's enough to catch the Cubs.
I don’t follow it close enough to lay out an argument, but the consensus from the sports reporters I’ve heard think the Cards are strong enough to make a WS run, not just win the division. We will see, but history says don’t bet against them.
 
#103      

KBLEE

Montgomery, IL
I don’t follow it close enough to lay out an argument, but the consensus from the sports reporters I’ve heard think the Cards are strong enough to make a WS run, not just win the division. We will see, but history says don’t bet against them.
I don't see it. Pitching wins championships, and the Cards starting rotation will be lucky to be in the top half of all MLB rotations.
 
#105      
MLB announces the new Professional Developmental League and the 120 clubs that will be license holders: https://www.mlb.com/press-release/p...ernized-player-development-system-and-the-120

Here is the full list of teams in the league: https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/quiavqz8g3mjnxelmnmr.pdf

For the Cubs, their minor league affiliates will be the Iowa Cubs (Triple A East), Tennessee Smokies (Double A South), South Bend Cubs (High A Central), and Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Low A East). The Iowa Cubs will be in the Midwest division with Columbus (Cleveland), Indianapolis (Pittsburgh), Louisville (Cincinnati), Omaha (Kansas City), St. Paul (Minnesota), and Toledo (Detroit). The Tennessee Smokies will be in the north division with Birmingham (White Sox), Chattanooga (Cincinnati), and Rocket City (Angels). The South Bend Cubs will be in the west division with Beloit (Miami), Cedar Rapids (Minnesota), Peoria (St. Louis), Quad City (Kansas City), and Wisconsin (Milwaukee). The Myrtle Beach Pelicans will be in the south division with Augusta (Atlanta), Charleston (Tampa Bay), and Columbia (Kansas City).
 
#106      
MLB announces the new Professional Developmental League and the 120 clubs that will be license holders: https://www.mlb.com/press-release/p...ernized-player-development-system-and-the-120

Here is the full list of teams in the league: https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/mlb/quiavqz8g3mjnxelmnmr.pdf

For the Cubs, their minor league affiliates will be the Iowa Cubs (Triple A East), Tennessee Smokies (Double A South), South Bend Cubs (High A Central), and Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Low A East). The Iowa Cubs will be in the Midwest division with Columbus (Cleveland), Indianapolis (Pittsburgh), Louisville (Cincinnati), Omaha (Kansas City), St. Paul (Minnesota), and Toledo (Detroit). The Tennessee Smokies will be in the north division with Birmingham (White Sox), Chattanooga (Cincinnati), and Rocket City (Angels). The South Bend Cubs will be in the west division with Beloit (Miami), Cedar Rapids (Minnesota), Peoria (St. Louis), Quad City (Kansas City), and Wisconsin (Milwaukee). The Myrtle Beach Pelicans will be in the south division with Augusta (Atlanta), Charleston (Tampa Bay), and Columbia (Kansas City).
So it looks like they’re getting rid of the half-season A- leagues.

And it looks like this doesn’t effect the post-season Fall leagues.

This set up is nice for the teams in what was the Midwest League. They’re moving up from low A to high A. They’ll be seeing a bit higher caliber of prospect.
 
#107      

bdutts

Houston, Texas
Is the American Association essentially the old independent league? But under MLB?
 
#108      
I was behind a car with the license plate NYM 1968. It had a New York Mets frame around the plate. When I got back to the office I told my secretary about it. She was not very impressed and that occurred years before she was born. My wife on the other hand was born when it was going on. She was looking at the newspaper every day and screaming, "NOOOO!!!" She would have rammed the car and told them to go back to New York or something.
 
#114      

bdutts

Houston, Texas
I don't know about it being independent but the American Association, Atlantic League, and Frontier League are all now considered MLB Partner Leagues.
Looks like all three leagues are still independent but like you said, all are partners with MLB, whatever that means.
 
#116      
Kinda surprised they could meet his salary requirements. Just another 5th starter in a pile of 5th starters the Cubs will open up camp with.
Well, considering that's what they're looking for ( a 5th starter), they coulda done worse. Veteran arm with hopefully a little left in the tank. Injuries have set him back the past couple seasons.
 
#117      

bdutts

Houston, Texas
Well, considering that's what they're looking for ( a 5th starter), they coulda done worse. Veteran arm with hopefully a little left in the tank. Injuries have set him back the past couple seasons.
not sure why they are looking for a 5th starter, they have plenty on their roster already. Should be looking for #2, #3 starters. But that’s for teams actively trying to win their division.
 
#118      
not sure why they are looking for a 5th starter, they have plenty on their roster already. Should be looking for #2, #3 starters. But that’s for teams actively trying to win their division.
Oh, I forgot the Cards will be trotting out 5 Cy Young candidates. My bad.
 
#122      

KBLEE

Montgomery, IL
not sure why they are looking for a 5th starter, they have plenty on their roster already. Should be looking for #2, #3 starters. But that’s for teams actively trying to win their division.

Zach Davies was actually very good last season. If he can continue that, he's clearly the #2.
 
#123      
That escalated very quickly.
Just sarcasm, nothing more. Practically every team not the Dodgers is loading up on starting pitching due to last season's shortened schedule and going back to a full slate of games this year. Some will pan out, many won't. This will decide the fate of most teams, Cubs included.
 
#124      
The 2016 reunion continues with Strop signing a minor league deal. If he's healthy (which he hasn't been since 2018), this is a great signing. If he's not healthy, then it won't hurt anything. I think Trevor Cahill is available.

Also the Cubs signed Brandon Workman. Except for 13 miserable innings with the Phillies last year, he's been good to great ever since he was converted to a reliever.

I expect the Cubs will sign or trade for a left handed hitting infielder. Eric Sogard is out there. Have to think Frazier from the Pirates would be a top target. Other than that, I think these are your 2021 Chicago Cubs.
 
#125      
The 2016 reunion continues with Strop signing a minor league deal. If he's healthy (which he hasn't been since 2018), this is a great signing. If he's not healthy, then it won't hurt anything. I think Trevor Cahill is available.

Also the Cubs signed Brandon Workman. Except for 13 miserable innings with the Phillies last year, he's been good to great ever since he was converted to a reliever.

I expect the Cubs will sign or trade for a left handed hitting infielder. Eric Sogard is out there. Have to think Frazier from the Pirates would be a top target. Other than that, I think these are your 2021 Chicago Cubs.
Hats to the side!

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