Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Season Thread Vol: (17-17)

[CP1708]

I was on vaca last week, so I hadn't updated the title. Sorry about that.

47-40 is pretty good, but that one pitch keeping us from being 48-39 HURTS.

Still, Schwarber bein Futures game MVP is another feather in our cap, Bryant and Rizzo tonight, (and maybe tomorrow) the Cubs are well represented nowadays in these types of things. Baez hitting a home run in last years futures game, etc.


Still more building required, but we're getting there.

 

[CP1708]

This would swap two players losing value rapidly because of performance and money left on their contracts, but putting them in places where they fit better.

The best chance for the Cubs to maximize Castro and get a young, controllable starter back has come and gone. For the second time in three seasons, he is having a poor season. There continue to be concerns about his concentration, especially taking bad at-bats into the field.

The 25-year-old Castro is still young, but he is not a novice player. This is his sixth full season. Maybe he grows into a more consistent player, but how many teams are going to give up something valuable and take on the four years at $38 million left after this season to find that out?

How about San Diego? Especially if the Padres can offload the three years at $64 million remaining for Shields after this season. Shields remains a workhorse, but perhaps the innings are catching up to him at the age of 33. His numbers away from the pitching haven of Petco Park and against lefties are worrisome.

In this deal, the Padres would get out of the long money and at least have an interesting player to try to solve their shortstop deficiency. The Cubs would reunite Shields with his one-time Rays manager Joe Maddon, and put him behind Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta. They also would put Russell at shortstop, where he belongs.

There also are executives in the game who think the Cubs might try to make a run at Justin Upton to play left field. Even with Upton a free agent after the season, San Diego would expect significant prospects in exchange. The Cubs — even protecting Bryant, Russell, Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber — have significant prospects to deal.

I see us as a fit for Shields, but not at the expense of Castro.

But I remember us being a rumor for Upton before last year, so it's possible there could be interest there, but Coghlan has been playing pretty well lately. I wouldn't give up prospects for a 2 month rental.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

You can get away with Castro for Shields, but I'd rather wait and see what happens with Price first. See if you can sign him before committing to moving Castro for an arm.

 

[CP1708]

1. Kyle Schwarber, C - Iowa

2. Gleyber Torres, SS - South Bend

3. Billy McKinney, OF - Tennessee

4. Duane Underwood, Jr., RHP – Myrtle Beach

5. Mark Zagunis, OF – Myrtle Beach

6. Carl Edwards, Jr., RHP – Iowa

7. Dylan Cease, RHP – AZL Cubs

8. Albert Almora, Jr., OF – Tennessee

9. Willson Contreras, C – Tennessee

10. Pierce Johnson, RHP – Tennessee

Current Top 10 prospects, without even mentioning Eloy Jimenez or Ian Happ yet.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

If you're still in a wild card race, you think Schwarber gets promoted before the post season cut off so he can be eligible for the playoff roster?

 

[CP1708]

I think so.

They brought up Baez, and Soler and Alcantara last year for seasoning, even tho they were out of it. Schwarber is better than those 3, and if the games actually matter, his bat (even off the bench) is worth it.

We have guys named Mike Baxter, and somebody Herrera on our bench, I can't fathom why they wouldn't want that kid up here getting a taste of the atmosphere while being a bigger threat than either of those dudes.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Baxter grew up in my cousin's neighborhood

 

[sportsjunkie]

I don't Kyle gets called up, when if we in the playoff race.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

If you're still in a wild card race, you think Schwarber gets promoted before the post season cut off so he can be eligible for the playoff roster?

I don't Kyle gets called up, when if we in the playoff race.

Kyle wont get called up this year.
Unless Montero gets a season ending injury, were looking at Kyle to be in the lineup next year.....now we just gotta find a spot for him. I think LF is solid for now ( Coughland & Denorfia are solid ). I still think Theo and co. see him as the future C.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

You bring him up before the post season cut off at the end of August though, you can have him on your bench in October. It's a good move to deepen the team. Gets him experience and a taste of success.

 

[CP1708]

The Tigers are on the cusp of being a buyer or a seller, but David Price – a free agent after this year – told Bill Shaikin that he doesn’t expect to be traded. Extension talks with the Tigers are not happening, for what that’s worth.

 

[CP1708]

View media item 1628217
Wow.

Not including Sosa is

And no Fergie Jenkins?

 

[sportsjunkie]

its pointing more and more that he will be a Chicago Cub

 

[johnnyredstorm]

He's got great mechanics and relies on pitch variation to get outs rather than raw velo. One of the few guys you can truly give big money to and not worry at all down the road.

 

[CP1708]

Keith Law’s midseason list just came out at ESPN, and it’s a premium article, so I won’t give you too much. I will say that the Cubs once again placed three on the list, and they’ve become something of a consensus top three in the Cubs’ system: Kyle Schwarber is at number 10, Gleyber Torres is at number 30, and Billy McKinney just makes the cut at number 47.

Ian Happ, the Cubs’ first round pick this year who was among Law’s favorite bats in the draft, gets an honorable mention, so you can figure that he’s currently viewed as the Cubs’ fourth best prospect to Law. Draft picks were included in Law’s list.

Again, you have to read the article for yourself for the particulars on each prospect, but Schwarber’s glove remains the only question on him, Torres is extremely well-praised, and McKinney sounds more and more like Chris Coghlan (and I mean that in a good way) every time I read about him. Indeed, McKinney could soon become a guy with Coghlan’s power, but a better hit tool, similar walk rate, and better defense in left field.

 

[CP1708]

Schwarber back up tomorrow.


**** but that means Montero to the DL, and that's bad for our pitching staff. Ross should be back tho, and he can handle a game or two extra per week, Schwarber won't be catching every single day, yet.

 

[sportsjunkie]

Schwarber back up tomorrow.


**** but that means Montero to the DL, and that's bad for our pitching staff. Ross should be back tho, and he can handle a game or two extra per week, Schwarber won't be catching every single day, yet.

So Kyle will be playing against the Braves this weekend?

 

[CP1708]

Schwarber back up tomorrow.


**** but that means Montero to the DL, and that's bad for our pitching staff. Ross should be back tho, and he can handle a game or two extra per week, Schwarber won't be catching every single day, yet.

So Kyle will be playing against the Braves this weekend?

Yep. But not sure if he starts today, or off the bench, but either way, he will be in the dugout.

Just hope Montero isn't gonna be out for 6 weeks.

 

[CP1708]

Schwarber batting second tonight.

 

[CP1708]

Not a good start to the second half, AT ALL. :x

 

[CP1708]

Wasted a chance at a sweep, but overall, tremendous response from Lester and Arrieta.

If Hammel can pitch like he did in the first half, we should be in great shape.

Now we have 4 vs the Reds, and we don't face Cueto. Split works, but would LOVE 3 outta 4.

11 days to the deadline, hope we can make a small move or two, nothin too expensive this first year of bein good again.

 

[CP1708]

Rafael Soriano joining the Cubs, Edwin Jackson DFA.

 

[CP1708]

Fowler
Schwarber
Bryant
Rizzo
Soler
Coghlan
Castro
Richards
Russell

Absolutely love this lineup.

Need them to get some rhythm going at the dish, but the lefty/righty balance throughout is top notch.

 

[sportsjunkie]

after last night lost, I expect the Cubs to win the next 3 games. we cant split with a below average Reds team.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Schwarber is special