Nothing like starting the game with your right fielder making a 2 base error that little leaguers catch 100 times out of 100.
This guy has no shame. Pathetic baseball player.
This guy has no shame. Pathetic baseball player.
Chicago Cubs 2025
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pretty sure they were
There's that $40,000,000 Craig Counsell brain for you baby!!!
Pasquantino 2-2 with a HR and a double, both 110 MPH exit velocity rockets off Rea the first 2 at bats, so definitely smart to let him face him a 3rd time with RISP.
Who could have predicted that he would hit another HR and put the game out of reach? Just bad luck.
Craig is brilliant. Our right fielder is a certified stud! YEP!
Day off tomorrow so definitely couldn't have went to the bullpen there. No sir! Great moves, Craig!
Pasquantino 2-2 with a HR and a double, both 110 MPH exit velocity rockets off Rea the first 2 at bats, so definitely smart to let him face him a 3rd time with RISP.
Who could have predicted that he would hit another HR and put the game out of reach? Just bad luck.
Craig is brilliant. Our right fielder is a certified stud! YEP!
Day off tomorrow so definitely couldn't have went to the bullpen there. No sir! Great moves, Craig!
We need help. Next Thursday can't come quick enough.
Seth Lugo with a fantastic audition for his next team today at Wrigley.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
That was a bad series loss to KC. Brewers pounding Seattle and will take 2 out of 3 from them. I heard how tough their remaining schedule is but 9 out of their next 12 are against the Marlins, Nats, and Braves. This is a huge two weeks coming up. Cubs don't have much room for error.
For the Boston Braves it was once Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.
Now for the Cubs its Imanaga and Boyd, and then avoid.
I'll see myself out.
Now for the Cubs its Imanaga and Boyd, and then avoid.
I'll see myself out.
are there rumors of a trade with the Cubs ?
Frustrating series at home against a mediocre team. Feels like we really need to sweep the Sox this weekend. Marlins have been playing better lately - would be nice if they could take a game or two in Milwaukee.
It pains me to say this but the Brewers' roster as we speak today is better than the Cubs roster. Yes, a good portion of that is caused by injuries but the facts are there. We will have to overpay at the deadline in order to legitimately talk World Series contender. It is a miracle we have gotten this far being short 2 starters.
Such a bad spot that they had the best record and best run differential in baseball when you woke up on July 23rd. Such a terrible spot to be in.
You people are insufferable.
You people are insufferable.
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Fangraphs predicts our roster to generate 16.9 WAR the rest of the season and the Brewers roster is at 14.4.
Depth Charts - Team WAR | FanGraphs Baseball
2026 projected WAR for major league baseball teams
A month and a half ago Fangraphs also predicted the Cubs to easily win the division.
Fangraphs predicts our roster to generate 16.9 WAR the rest of the season and the Brewers roster is at 14.4.
Depth Charts - Team WAR | FanGraphs Baseball
2026 projected WAR for major league baseball teamswww.fangraphs.com
The eye test as of today shows that the Brewers pitching staff is miles ahead of the Cubs in both starters and relievers. Much much greater than the Cubs advantage offensively. I hope that it all changes next week at the deadline.
I was looking at ESPN’s running trade deadline column and came across a couple of interesting names from the Twins — Danny Coulombe and Willi Castro. Names might not sound too exciting, but they fill two needs. Coulombe has been one of the more consistent relievers in the game past few years and is having a real good year. Castro is a switch-hitting super utility guy who can play 3B as well as just about every other position. So he isn’t just a replacement for Shaw — though could take a big chunk of ABs against righties — but could spell other players around the diamond. Both would be one-year rentals.
I then ran across a mock trade for these two players going to the Mets. As we know, mock trades can be pretty crazy when it comes to prospect returns, but based on the return RPs we’re bringing at last year’s deadline this one — Mets’ number 7, 16, 22, 24 prospects — might actually be in the ballpark with the addition of Castro in the deal. So while having my morning coffee, I put together a potential prospect package from Cubs based on the Mets mock trade. Obviously, if this trade came off, at most might be one name that is correct. But I’m curious given the “I wouldn’t give up a top prospect” and “I wouldn’t give up much” for him comments I’ve seen, what would be people’s reaction to a trade like this be.
Cubs receive:
Danny Coulombe
Willi Castro
Twins receive:
Pedro Ramirez (#7) — SS/3B — AA — 2026 ETA
Angel Cepeda (#17) — INF — A — 2028
Brett Bateman (#22) — OF — AA — 2026
Nazier Rule (#26) — RHP — A — 2028
I then ran across a mock trade for these two players going to the Mets. As we know, mock trades can be pretty crazy when it comes to prospect returns, but based on the return RPs we’re bringing at last year’s deadline this one — Mets’ number 7, 16, 22, 24 prospects — might actually be in the ballpark with the addition of Castro in the deal. So while having my morning coffee, I put together a potential prospect package from Cubs based on the Mets mock trade. Obviously, if this trade came off, at most might be one name that is correct. But I’m curious given the “I wouldn’t give up a top prospect” and “I wouldn’t give up much” for him comments I’ve seen, what would be people’s reaction to a trade like this be.
Cubs receive:
Danny Coulombe
Willi Castro
Twins receive:
Pedro Ramirez (#7) — SS/3B — AA — 2026 ETA
Angel Cepeda (#17) — INF — A — 2028
Brett Bateman (#22) — OF — AA — 2026
Nazier Rule (#26) — RHP — A — 2028
Fangraphs also had the Cubs with a 90+% of making the playoffs in September of 2023.
Shaw is on a little heater the last few games. Riding a 6 game hit streak.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I'll play along. First thought is that it seems to be too much to give up for a bench guy and a non-closer relief pitcher.
After checking the stats, Coulombe has been very good for the past 5 years and not many innings pitched. I like this pick up. I didn't check this stats v righties and lefties, though.
Castro seems to be "just a guy". Yes, he can play all over the field, which is good, but he's at or below average defensively (as per Baseball Reference) in 2024 and 2025. He's a switch hitter which is good. He has a bit of pop, not a great OBP guy. He might be slightly better than "just a guy".
I'd be ok giving up 17, 22 and 26 but not sure about #7. Maybe somewhere in the 12-15 range instead, along with those three.
One or two starters, one or two relief arms and bench help. Would love a corner infield backup type guy or even a versatile Happ-type OF/IF.
I hope they get two starters, but with Assad and Taillon coming back at some point in August, I expect Hoyer to only get one. I would epect a middling reliever, no Aroldis Chapman studs, which is probably OK. I sure hopes he builds up the bench - it is embarrassing as it sits. Right now if another SP or about any position player goes down, we are toast.
Thanks for playing.
I think people tend to underestimate what relievers cost at the trade deadline. To get a guy who is closing on his current team likely takes a top 5 prospect plus more based on last year’s trade deadline deals. Tanner Scott plus a middle relieve garnered a #2, 4, 5, 24 prospects. Jason Adam cost a #3, 8 and 12 prospects. Lucas Erceq was the cheapest only bringing back #4, #18, and another prospect. So while Coulombe is not a closer, he has been a high leverage reliever last 3 seasons — and a very good one. He’s gonna cost. Don’t think Cubs would get him with #12-15 prospect being the best in the package.
I agree Castro isn’t a big gun, but I think he is a bit more than “just a guy” at this point of the season for a contender, especially for the Cubs and their bench. If he’s just a guy, what does that make Brujan and Berti? To have a switch hitter who can give rests to every position except 1B and C is pretty valuable late in season. It’s good to see Shaw in a hot streak, but having a guy who can spell him against tough righties (think he’s batting only about .210 against them) as well as give a rest to so many others would help this team. The fore mentioned Brujan and Berti have 18 ABs between them thus far in July. An all-in-one bench guy would go a long way to keeping the team fresher while not creating a black hole in the lineup 4 or 5 games a week.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
That’s all fair.
Brujan and Berti, I’d guess, are -WAR and thus would be less than just a guy.
after reading your post responding to mine, I could go with your original proposal.Rental Josh Naylor goes to Mariners for two pitchers (prospects #13 and #16).
Looks like could be an expensive trade market.
EDIT: Maybe not. Just looked at the prospects’ scouting reports and stats. Arizona might have got a bit fleeced.
Looks like could be an expensive trade market.
EDIT: Maybe not. Just looked at the prospects’ scouting reports and stats. Arizona might have got a bit fleeced.
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Illinell
'03 IMPE All Star
- Bridgeport, Chicago
First, apologies for a Southsider coming to the dark side for a post ahead of the games this weekend. Wanted to share that my brewery did a pretty funn collab beer with Gene Honda. His favorite style beer, and the label had to be orange and blue. If you hit Rate Field for the game you can get it at Marketplace 123, 154, 522, 542, and the Craft Corner. We did an IPA with Jeff (has worked w Sox for 42 years and is the unofficial Sox / Bulls historian) as well.
Hoping for a good series and Go Illini!!
Hoping for a good series and Go Illini!!
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