2014 Wait Til Next Year Cubs Thread

[Chitown_Badger]

I need to get this going over here. I found myself venturing over to the other board simply for that thread. So anyway, I was correct to the game on my prediction of the Cubs record last year. And this year I was going with 66-96, but its looking like I may have been too confident. Worst record in baseball right now, but actually playing much better the last couple.

[Death Roe]

What happened to Theo's 3-5 year plan? Isn't it going to be a 20 year plan soon?

[Chitown_Badger]

What happened to Theo's 3-5 year plan? Isn't it going to be a 20 year plan soon?

Safe to say it's going a little slower than anticipated or hoped for. But, on the flip side, they've cleared out the horrible contracts and built up the farm system pretty well. I believe they have four of the top 36 prospects ready to call up (though Javier Baez is struggling this year).

Just checked. They've got numbers 6, 8, 15, and 35. Not bad.

[gvsparty]

Cubs Talk ‏@CubsTalkCSN 38m
Rizzo just swung at back-to-back pitches that hit him. 3 times in 2 games. Weird. Very weird.

Cubs Talk ‏@CubsTalkCSN 36m
That was easily one of Rizzo's worst at-bats in a Cubs uniform. Runner on 3rd, 1 out and he swings at 2 pitches that hit him, then Ks.

[Chitown_Badger]

Cubs Talk ‏@CubsTalkCSN  38m
Rizzo just swung at back-to-back pitches that hit him. 3 times in 2 games. Weird. Very weird.

Cubs Talk ‏@CubsTalkCSN  36m
That was easily one of Rizzo's worst at-bats in a Cubs uniform. Runner on 3rd, 1 out and he swings at 2 pitches that hit him, then Ks.

So you're saying the hole in his swing is his actual body?

[Chitown_Badger]

Made it up to Miller Park for the only game the cubbies won in the series this last weekend. Really love the scene and stadium up there. Definitely worth the trip if you've never been.

[Giant Moose]

Made it up to Miller Park for the only game the cubbies won in the series this last weekend. Really love the scene and stadium up there. Definitely worth the trip if you've never been.

I caught a game there a couple of years ago, and it really is a great atmosphere. It is crazy how much people from Milwaukee can drink, too.   

[bullwrinkle]

What happened to Theo's 3-5 year plan? Isn't it going to be a 20 year plan soon?

The Cubs operate on the 100 year plan.

[Phil McCrackin]

I'm going to the games tomorrow and wednesday.

[MasonGuy]

Friend of mine is a Cubs FREAK! He has a facebook page dedicated to the Cubbies with something like 40k followers. He won't miss a weekend game at Wrigley but he lives in Motown. No problem, just head west down I-94. We went with him to a single game two years ago. It was a slaughter - 17-1 against the Mets. All the Cubs games are like this. The ball park is cool, the bison dog is kind of tasty and the whole Wrigleyville thing going on across the street from the park is fine, but the team sucks and always, and I mean ALWAYS has.

[steveschneider]

A bad day at the park is better than a good day at the office.

[gomersbro]

Cubs elimination number is 94 for the division and 99 for the wild card. What are the chances they are officially out by August 15th?   

[Chitown_Badger]

Friend of mine is a Cubs FREAK!  He has a facebook page dedicated to the Cubbies with something like 40k followers.  He won't miss a weekend game at Wrigley but he lives in Motown.  No problem, just head west down I-94.  We went with him to a single game two years ago.  It was a slaughter - 17-1 against the Mets.  All the Cubs games are like this.  The ball park is cool, the bison dog is kind of tasty and the whole Wrigleyville thing going on across the street from the park is fine, but the team sucks and always, and I mean ALWAYS has.

Except when they didn't suck...as recently as 2007 and 2008, and 2003 was a magical year before, well, you know.

So someone tell me how to feel about this? The Cubs have tons of needs, and Samadsijizkaskza as a trading chip could fill a lot of them, but at some point you need to have a decent pitching staff to compete. Do we want him to go, or get signed to a huge deal?

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/28123847-419/cubs-talking-again-to-jeff-samardzija-about-multiyear-extension.html#.U6Bs-RD3HNo

[Punisher98]

Not a Cubbies Fan really but they've grown on me a bit since moving here. They're getting closer, they've been playing a lot better recently and their run differential is almost even which is a good sign.

They're starting to find a few pieces in their lineup with Rizzo, Valbuena and Castro having nice years. Looks like Junior Lake is making strides, a lot of pop and athletic ability if he can ever learn to work a pitch count he's got a shot to be a nice player.

Also Chris Bryant is tearing it up in AAA and the organization is excited about a few prospects in the system. I think its important for them to get to 70-75 wins and then this offseason you may seem them spend some money. Definitely creeping closer.

[gomersbro]

Also Chris Bryant is tearing it up in AAA and the organization is excited about a few prospects in the system. I think its important for them to get to 70-75 wins and then this offseason you may seem them spend some money. Definitely creeping closer.

Bryant is in AA this season. He actually won the home run derby during that level's All-Star game this week.

As for the Shark, at the start of this season he showed signs that he is becoming more of a pitcher and not just a thrower. But at this point in the season I am already starting to see him slip back into bad form. For a guy that is already 30, I wouldn't put long term dollars there. Other than the first 3 months of this season has he shown anything to think he is more than a 3rd or 4th stop in the rotation guy? Personally I don't think so and think it is crazy to invest long term on those three months and hope. His value is high now, get what you can for him.

[Phil McCrackin]

Except when they didn't suck...as recently as 2007 and 2008, and 2003 was a magical year before, well, you know.

So someone tell me how to feel about this? The Cubs have tons of needs, and Samadsijizkaskza as a trading chip could fill a lot of them, but at some point you need to have a decent pitching staff to compete. Do we want him to go, or get signed to a huge deal?

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/28123847-419/cubs-talking-again-to-jeff-samardzija-about-multiyear-extension.html#.U6Bs-RD3HNo

I want him to go because he is a douchebag who played football at Notre Dame and my hatred for all things Notre Dame knows no bounds.

[Phil McCrackin]

Bryant is in AA this season. He actually won the home run derby during that level's All-Star game this week.

As for the Shark, at the start of this season he showed signs that he is becoming more of a pitcher and not just a thrower. But at this point in the season I am already starting to see him slip back into bad form. For a guy that is already 30, I wouldn't put long term dollars there. Other than the first 3 months of this season has he shown anything to think he is more than a 3rd or 4th stop in the rotation guy? Personally I don't think so and think it is crazy to invest long term on those three months and hope. His value is high now, get what you can for him.

The Shark? Really?
Did his bros at Notre Dame give him that nickname?

[Chitown_Badger]

I want him to go because he is a douchebag who played football at Notre Dame and my hatred for all things Notre Dame knows no bounds.

I have a hard time overlooking that as well, but that's in his past, and speaking from a baseball standpoint, he's one of my guys...for now at least.

[MasonGuy]

Except when they didn't suck...as recently as 2007 and 2008, and 2003 was a magical year before, well, you know.

So someone tell me how to feel about this? The Cubs have tons of needs, and Samadsijizkaskza as a trading chip could fill a lot of them, but at some point you need to have a decent pitching staff to compete. Do we want him to go, or get signed to a huge deal?

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/28123847-419/cubs-talking-again-to-jeff-samardzija-about-multiyear-extension.html#.U6Bs-RD3HNo

That is fair. I was probably menstruating when I posted that. Here is a link to his facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/betweenthevines

He has something like 48,500+ likes on that damn page. Cubbie fans are like gristle.

[Chitown_Badger]

That is fair.  I was probably menstruating when I posted that.  Here is a link to his facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/betweenthevines

He has something like 48,500+ likes on that damn page.  Cubbie fans are like gristle.

I was 48,800   

[Chitown_Badger]

I need to get this going over here. I found myself venturing over to the other board simply for that thread. So anyway, I was correct to the game on my prediction of the Cubs record last year. And this year I was going with 66-96, but its looking like I may have been too confident. Worst record in baseball right now, but actually playing much better the last couple.

In the end, the Cubs actually bested my 66-96 prediction at 73-89. The second half of the year they didn't look terrible and they actually finished with a winning record at home. I think a .500 record can be expected next year, and being kind of in the discussion for a wild card spot.

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