Chicago Cubs 2026

#1,176      
I wonder if he's a catcher in the Ballesteros mold...
As others have pointed out, he’s better defensively with his arm being his main calling card. He’s only been catching full-time since his last year in college, having split time in previous seasons between there,OF and 1B. So not sure it is accurate as someone said that he is a defensive catcher first. He still has a ways to go defensively, but with his arm he’ll stick there. Definitely has taken a big step forward with his hitting. He’ll likely be given every chance to break training camp with the Cubs next year.
 
#1,178      
As others have pointed out, he’s better defensively with his arm being his main calling card. He’s only been catching full-time since his last year in college, having split time in previous seasons between there,OF and 1B. So not sure it is accurate as someone said that he is a defensive catcher first. He still has a ways to go defensively, but with his arm he’ll stick there. Definitely has taken a big step forward with his hitting. He’ll likely be given every chance to break training camp with the Cubs next year.
Maybe he won’t wait until next season to join the big league club.
 
#1,179      
Ayers is definitely an exciting prospect after this insane breakout this year but I can't see anyway they bring him up this year to be a backup to Kelly. Cubs catchers have been awesome the last year and half, 1st in WAR last season and 5th season so far. Kelly has been one of Jed's masterstrokes on the free agent front. We are getting his absolute best stretch of baseball in his career. Amaya is serviceable as a back-up currently and used to that role at least. Let Ayers prove it at triple A and then battle it out in spring training.
 
#1,180      
Ayers is definitely an exciting prospect after this insane breakout this year but I can't see anyway they bring him up this year to be a backup to Kelly. Cubs catchers have been awesome the last year and half, 1st in WAR last season and 5th season so far. Kelly has been one of Jed's masterstrokes on the free agent front. We are getting his absolute best stretch of baseball in his career. Amaya is serviceable as a back-up currently and used to that role at least. Let Ayers prove it at triple A and then battle it out in spring training.
I agree. Was joking to further emphasize the year he’s had. As my previous post said, next Spring Training is when he’ll likely truly gain relevancy at the MLB level.

Somewhat interesting is that Ayers DHed in his first AAA game and Cards had 4 SBs against Moises. He caught yesterday, went 0-4 with a run, had a passed ball and Cards were 2 for 2 against him on SBs.
 
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#1,181      
I agree. Was joking to further emphasize the year he’s had. As my previous post said, next Spring Training is when he’ll likely truly gain relevancy at the MLB level.

Somewhat interesting is that Ayers DHed in his first AAA game and Cards had 4 SBs against Moises. He caught yesterday, went 0-4 with a run, had a passed ball and Cards were 2 for 2 against him on SBs.
0 for 4? send him back down! Runners steal on pitchers , not necessarily catchers
 
#1,184      
Doing a good job in this 12-game stretch of mediocre to bad teams. 6-3 so far, take 2 of 3 from Detroit and go 8-4.
 
#1,185      
Would be tied for the best record in the AL...well, one behind Tampa in the loss column.

I think much of the grumbling has to do with continually getting outclassed by the Brewers.
That’s certainly a part of it, but I don’t know about much of the grumbling. Plenty on the Cubs team, individual players and staff not being up to snuff. I’m not saying some of it hasn’t been warranted and expected. Fans in general and probably more so those on boards and social media tend to get too excited when things are going well and complain when they’re not. I’m not positive, but I seem to remember at least one post on the season being over and Cubs had no chance to make playoffs. It’s a long season and despite some inconsistency and injuries Cubs have been one of the better teams in baseball.
 
#1,186      
Drew Pomeranz DFA'ed.
Hunter Harvey still MIA. Authorities now consider it a cold case. Immediate family continues to hold out hope.
Phil Maton back to 15 day IL with a fractured stat line.
 
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