Cubs Predictions
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hawkfarmer
Well-Known Member
I'm generally a very optimistic cubs fan, but over the past few years I have been high on certain parts of the club and they have not delivered. I like where the cubs are heading but don't think they get much done this year and some of my predictions might surprise some people.
I think the cubs are a sub .500 club and call them to win about 73 games this year.
That is bad, but here are some of my predictions:
Samardzija surprises and win 8
Garza wins 12+
Byrd, Marmol, and Soto are gone by the trade deadline (assuming no injuries and decent performance which I think happens)
Rizzo and Jackson called up
I think the rotation is much better than expected but there is no sense of consistent offense. I think Castro's numbers will be down because there isn't much around him to help him out. I think he still makes plenty of errors, but more due to LaHair not saving him like Pena did.
That's rough, but that is what I think happens.
I think the cubs are a sub .500 club and call them to win about 73 games this year.
That is bad, but here are some of my predictions:
Samardzija surprises and win 8
Garza wins 12+
Byrd, Marmol, and Soto are gone by the trade deadline (assuming no injuries and decent performance which I think happens)
Rizzo and Jackson called up
I think the rotation is much better than expected but there is no sense of consistent offense. I think Castro's numbers will be down because there isn't much around him to help him out. I think he still makes plenty of errors, but more due to LaHair not saving him like Pena did.
That's rough, but that is what I think happens.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Farmer's predictions are about in line with what I expect. I don't have any expectations for the Cubs this year - they're in rebuild mode, which isn't a bad thing IMO. It will just take some time. But this year, sub-500 I think. .500 or better and I will be pleasantly surprised.
hawkfarmer
Well-Known Member
I think next year we can expect some improvement as we will definitely see Rizzo and Jackson. Dempster and Byrd's contracts will come off of the book as well. I think the rotation is actually solid, though there's no #1 even though Garza is a 2 guy in my mind. I think next off-season the cubs play more in the Free agent market. It will interesting to see if they can get some top quality prospects in any trades that get made.
I think it will be an average year but nobody expects much. I just want to see the young guys build and see what this organization can get done. They have signed some good young guys with the last draft, and with Concepcion and hopefully Soler, then in about 3 years I expect some really good things.
Big needs:
An ace, Garza is not an ace right now, but he would make a great 1-2 punch
Big bat:
Rizzo could provide this, and maybe Soriano still can, but I don't see the cubs getting a guy that can hit 50 hrs a year
Corner infield/outfield:
Stewart is holding the place for someone, Junior Lake (I think he's a 2B to be though) or Baez in the longer future. LaHair is holding for Rizzo.
Soriano is gone as soon as possible and I think DeJesus is a contingency plan for Szcur or another outfielder that could provide some power.
I think it will be an average year but nobody expects much. I just want to see the young guys build and see what this organization can get done. They have signed some good young guys with the last draft, and with Concepcion and hopefully Soler, then in about 3 years I expect some really good things.
Big needs:
An ace, Garza is not an ace right now, but he would make a great 1-2 punch
Big bat:
Rizzo could provide this, and maybe Soriano still can, but I don't see the cubs getting a guy that can hit 50 hrs a year
Corner infield/outfield:
Stewart is holding the place for someone, Junior Lake (I think he's a 2B to be though) or Baez in the longer future. LaHair is holding for Rizzo.
Soriano is gone as soon as possible and I think DeJesus is a contingency plan for Szcur or another outfielder that could provide some power.
woodyk1
Well-Known Member
hawkfarmer
Well-Known Member
I hope this one is right.
most of their starters are bench players or triple A players for other clubs. 2B & SS are not as good as people tend to think, role players expected to do more than they should be. they are the 4th or 5th best team in their division by a ways and the division is considerably weaker than last yr.
hawkfarmer
Well-Known Member
You must be a Cardinals fan:
the rotation isn't bad. I think all 5 could start for other teams. The cubs don't have an ace, but all 5 could start, and their bullpen is ok. They could use some more veterans and lefties but most of those guys could find a role some where.
Castro is a starting SS on most MLB teams, and Barney isn't bad, he's adequate but might start on half the teams in MLB.
Byrd starts most places, Soriano has a bat but wouldn't play OF anywhere else and DeJesus can do it, but needs to bounce back.
Soto isn't a bad back stop, calls a good game, on and off with offense.
To say most are AAA kids is dumb. I will give you LaHair.
jesterapparel
Well-Known Member
Every time I listen to the Cubs or watched them on TV last year they lost. So I'm thinking I'm going to not pay attention so they can win the world series.
theantiAIRBHG
Well-Known Member
I agree, I'm not sure how you come off saying Castro isn't as good as we think, when all those who surround Major League baseball think he's the next big SS.
As a Cub fan, this is actually exciting to have a future multiple-year all star that we don't have to worry about being traded away for 3 AA pitching prospects.
As a Cub fan, this is actually exciting to have a future multiple-year all star that we don't have to worry about being traded away for 3 AA pitching prospects.
Igothawked
Well-Known Member
70-75 wins. Rough year. Just don't have anybody that is really good or exciting. Starlin could be that guy, but there is nobody around him, at all.
there rotation is not good. garza is a #3 at best on a good team and he is the best pitcher they have. the bullpen is erradict which is a terrible thing to call the bullpen. castro is a second basemen stuck playing shortstop because they dont have one. barney should be coming off the bench. soto is average at best. soriano is a liability on both sides as he is a huge K victim and terrible defensively. byrd is solid as a guy you expect to compliment better players and he is the best offensive player.
i am not a cardinals fan. i am a braves fan, but more so a baseball fan. i played college baseball and tried out for multiple teams. i know the game and have coached it. they are weakly put together and epstein is just waiting to unload some of the weak talent that is eating money so that he can rebuild it like he did in boston. if someone can do it it is him. but it is yrs away.
Hawkfromnorwalk
Well-Known Member
A note for any fans who were expecting to watch the game tomorrow. If you have DirecTV you are **** out of luck. WGN and DirecTV are having a ******* match so WGN has been pulled since last Sunday. The last few years a group of us would always go to Sullys in West Des Moines for the opener but this year we will have to go to a friends house who has Dish Network.
SamsonHawk515
Well-Known Member
After a rough 2-32 start to the season, the in Theo we trust grows into Theo must go.
