I know you don't love Joe, and maybe that extends to the whole staff, but I like Rothschild. Cole is a guy that would be successful wherever he goes. He's a legit TOR arm. Pitt won't trade within the division I'm sure, but I'd love to have him in Chicago.

Theo really focuses on good clubhouse guys, so Harvey will never happen, but he's worth a flyer for someone in the playoff hunt.

(05-08-2017 09:40 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  I know you don't love Joe, and maybe that extends to the whole staff, but I like Rothschild. Cole is a guy that would be successful wherever he goes. He's a legit TOR arm. Pitt won't trade within the division I'm sure, but I'd love to have him in Chicago.

Theo really focuses on good clubhouse guys, so Harvey will never happen, but he's worth a flyer for someone in the playoff hunt.

Ehh, Larry is more worthless than Joe. He's clueless on how to work with young guys. Only reason Sevy got straight is he worked with Pedro in the off season. We have had numerous guys under Larry's watch leave NY and get better. I'm not a fan at all. If Pineda keeps it up i'll give him credit. But he arguably had three guys last year with some of the nastiest :stuff" in the game in Evovaldi, MP, and Sevy and they all sucked!

I think coaches, specifically hitting and pitching coaches, get too much blame and credit. Last year, Chicago had the best staff in baseball, this year they're ranked around 25th. Bosio is still a good coach.

(05-08-2017 09:48 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  I think coaches, specifically hitting and pitching coaches, get too much blame and credit. Last year, Chicago had the best staff in baseball, this year they're ranked around 25th. Bosio is still a good coach.

Different situation, you have some aging guys that have fallen back to earth a bit(And i honestly think they will pitch better). In the case of Nova, they adjusted his mechanics, Larry couldn't identify it. In the case of Sevy, same deal, Pedro caught it Larry didn't. When you are a pitching coach you supervise these guys daily, it's your job to spot flaws and make adjustments. Larry however has shown time and time again he has zero ability to do that.

(05-08-2017 10:04 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  

(05-08-2017 09:48 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  I think coaches, specifically hitting and pitching coaches, get too much blame and credit. Last year, Chicago had the best staff in baseball, this year they're ranked around 25th. Bosio is still a good coach.

Different situation, you have some aging guys that have fallen back to earth a bit(And i honestly think they will pitch better). In the case of Nova, they adjusted his mechanics, Larry couldn't identify it. In the case of Sevy, same deal, Pedro caught it Larry didn't. When you are a pitching coach you supervise these guys daily, it's your job to spot flaws and make adjustments. Larry however has shown time and time again he has zero ability to do that.

Fair enough. I'm not dying on the Rothschild hill. I don't follow NY enough to know or care.

(05-08-2017 10:07 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  

(05-08-2017 10:04 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  

(05-08-2017 09:48 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  I think coaches, specifically hitting and pitching coaches, get too much blame and credit. Last year, Chicago had the best staff in baseball, this year they're ranked around 25th. Bosio is still a good coach.

Different situation, you have some aging guys that have fallen back to earth a bit(And i honestly think they will pitch better). In the case of Nova, they adjusted his mechanics, Larry couldn't identify it. In the case of Sevy, same deal, Pedro caught it Larry didn't. When you are a pitching coach you supervise these guys daily, it's your job to spot flaws and make adjustments. Larry however has shown time and time again he has zero ability to do that.

Fair enough. I'm not dying on the Rothschild hill. I don't follow NY enough to know or care.

I honestly considered going to a game this weekend before the season, kinda glad i didn't it was freaking freezing!

Cubs really really really need to get it together. I didn't like it in the off season when they didn't really spend any money on arms. Now they're going to have to trade away talent to get it done, because the current pitching is atrocious.

(05-08-2017 12:14 PM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  Cubs really really really need to get it together. I didn't like it in the off season when they didn't really spend any money on arms. Now they're going to have to trade away talent to get it done, because the current pitching is atrocious.

What arm did you want? I don't recall there being anyone out there that we had to have. Probably the biggest mistake we made this offseason was letting Hammel walk when we could have exercised his option. We traded Soler for Wade Davis, and I think we came out on top in that trade, and we have money saved for either Arrieta or the Ohtani.

(05-08-2017 12:23 PM)bricksnivy Wrote:  

(05-08-2017 12:14 PM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  Cubs really really really need to get it together. I didn't like it in the off season when they didn't really spend any money on arms. Now they're going to have to trade away talent to get it done, because the current pitching is atrocious.

What arm did you want? I don't recall there being anyone out there that we had to have. Probably the biggest mistake we made this offseason was letting Hammel walk when we could have exercised his option. We traded Soler for Wade Davis, and I think we came out on top in that trade, and we have money saved for either Arrieta or the Ohtani.

This off season is the year of the arms, even with what would have been the best of the bunch(Jose, RIP) missing.

I'd have much rather had the Yankees spend a mid level guy and get Davis than spend 100 mil on Chapman who Maddon abused last year.

(05-08-2017 12:23 PM)bricksnivy Wrote:  

(05-08-2017 12:14 PM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  Cubs really really really need to get it together. I didn't like it in the off season when they didn't really spend any money on arms. Now they're going to have to trade away talent to get it done, because the current pitching is atrocious.

What arm did you want? I don't recall there being anyone out there that we had to have. Probably the biggest mistake we made this offseason was letting Hammel walk when we could have exercised his option. We traded Soler for Wade Davis, and I think we came out on top in that trade, and we have money saved for either Arrieta or the Ohtani.

Hammel is currently struggling too though. I dunno, I just feel like we didn't really add much outside of Wade and it's looking bleak with what we have. Arrieta isn't helping himself out for his FA offseason coming up, so we may still could get him for cheap, if we still want him after this year. I honestly believe his best time on the hill is behind him.

What does you guys think of ole Jake? He's killing me in one of my fantasy leagues, he's been pre Cubs Jake for the most part this year.

(05-10-2017 01:52 PM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  What does you guys think of ole Jake? He's killing me in one of my fantasy leagues, he's been pre Cubs Jake for the most part this year.

Pitching is single-handedly going to prevent the Cubs from even reaching the playoffs if they don't get it together.

(05-10-2017 02:04 PM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  

(05-10-2017 01:52 PM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  What does you guys think of ole Jake? He's killing me in one of my fantasy leagues, he's been pre Cubs Jake for the most part this year.

Pitching is single-handedly going to prevent the Cubs from even reaching the playoffs if they don't get it together.

Lackey's dominant start in Colorado yesterday was definitely a big step in the right direction.

Jake's command is a huge concern right now. Lackey was brillant yesterday, some even saying the best start by a visiting pitcher at Coors ever. 7 IP, 10k, 4 hits, 4 walks, no runs. Really impressive. Don't expect him to maintain anything close to that because of his age, but it came at a good time. With two off days this week, plus contributions from AAA guys in the pen, the regular pen guys are now rested.

I'm concerned about Arrieta for sure. Lower velo and lack of command is a troubling trend. Wonder if he's kicking himself from turning down the 5 year offer from Chicago because, "aces get 7 years."

Their struggles aren't all on pitching though. Defense has failed them through the first six weeks, and Rizzo, Schwarber, Zobrist, and Russell aren't hitting. All things considered, to be above .500 and only 1.5 back is pretty good. Cardinals usually figure out a way to hang around until September, but I'm not buying the Reds at all. I'm still confident Chicago can win the Central.

Pretty funny Chapman is hurt. I blame that solely on Maddon and the 350 pitches he threw in one week! I said in the off season spending that much money on him was a mistake, so far, I'm right unfortunately. Good move by the Cubs to stay clear of that contract!

Maddon's probably partially to blame, but not completely. Hopefully, he's only out 1 month like they're saying. If not, he got his ring and he got his money.

Chicago knew from the trade deadline forward they weren't going to keep Chapman long-term. That wouldn't be consistent with Theo's approach.

(05-15-2017 11:21 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  Maddon's probably partially to blame, but not completely. Hopefully, he's only out 1 month like they're saying. If not, he got his ring and he got his money.

Chicago knew from the trade deadline forward they weren't going to keep Chapman long-term. That wouldn't be consistent with Theo's approach.

I have a sneaky suspicion it's more than they are saying. Hope i'm wrong. Yankees have a habit of downplaying injuries.

(05-15-2017 11:21 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  Maddon's probably partially to blame, but not completely. Hopefully, he's only out 1 month like they're saying. If not, he got his ring and he got his money.

Chicago knew from the trade deadline forward they weren't going to keep Chapman long-term. That wouldn't be consistent with Theo's approach.

Who else would you blame for Maddon over pitching a guy ? The entire organization ? Maddon is a ass clown-IMO. The most overrated buffoon around in baseball today.

(06-06-2017 10:03 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  

(05-15-2017 11:21 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  Maddon's probably partially to blame, but not completely. Hopefully, he's only out 1 month like they're saying. If not, he got his ring and he got his money.

Chicago knew from the trade deadline forward they weren't going to keep Chapman long-term. That wouldn't be consistent with Theo's approach.

Who else would you blame for Maddon over pitching a guy ? The entire organization ? Maddon is a ass clown-IMO. The most overrated buffoon around in baseball today.

also... a World Series Champion.

I've always maintained that i thought he was a good manager, best in baseball. After the WS, i dropped him down a few pegs. He managed scared and got really lucky. And HE is 100% the reason Chapman has arm issues, no doubt in my mind! But, they won the title, and also knew they had no interest in resigning him, so why not!