Monday, May 25, 2020

State of the Cubs


The Cubs are in MLB's third largest market yet seem to be hamstrung by payroll limitations.  I guess now that they have their ring, they don't care?

Ownership:  So, I looked up the Cubs ownership and found a photo of managing owner Thomas Ricketts.  It looks like he and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz were separated at birth which is enough for me to drop them at least one letter grade right there.  On top of that, the Ricketts family had to scramble to distance themselves and the Cubs from a series of racist and anti-Muslim e-mails by dad Joe Ricketts in 2019.

More specific to their ownership of the Cubs, the family sits on a $ multi-billion fortune and operates in the third largest MLB market yet has apparenly clamped down on spending on a team that is still in a contending window that may not last much longer.

Grade D.

Management:  GM Theo Epstein is a legend for bringing championships to the Red Sox and Cubs, but now the Cubs seem to be in a very similar trajectory as the one that led to Theo's departure from the BoSox.  Maybe Theo can build a winner, but can't take it through more than one cycle?  What have you done for the Cubs lately, Theo?

Joe Maddon departs.  David Ross gets a shot at the job he's been auditioning for as a long-serving backup catcher with a reputation for being the glue that holds a clubhouse together and a mentor to younger players.

Grade C+

Current Roster:

Starting Eight:  Willson Contreras C, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Nico Hoerner 2B, Kris Bryant 3B, Javier Baez SS, Kyle Schwarber LF, Ian Happ CF,  Jason Heyward RF.

 Bench:  Victor Caratini C/1B, David Bote IF, Daniel Descalso IF, Steven Souza Jr OF, Albert Almora OF.

Starting Rotation:  Jon Lester LHP, Yu Darvish RHP, Kyle Hendricks RHP, Jose Quintana LHP, Tyler Chatwood RHP.

Bullpen:  Craig Kimbrel RHP(Closer), Kyle Ryan LHP, Rowan Wick RHP, Alec Mills RHP, Jharel Cotton RHP.

The Starting 8 still looks formidable, but the rotation is getting very long in the tooth and there is not a lot to get excited about in the bullpen behind Kimbrel.

Grade B(but with a lot of age risk, especially on the pitching side).

Farm System:  Top Prospect Nico Hoerner is ready to step up and take over the starting 2B role.  The system falls off a cliff after him.

Grade D.
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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 25, 2020 at 7:47 AM

    One of the many things I like about your blog, Doc, is it is 99% politics free.
    I wonder if you would publish an opposing comment to your remarks about downgrading because of a resemblance to an outspoken and somewhat unlikable conservative.
    IMO, at a time when we again have two suspect candidates who split the nation, at least we have sports to unite us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DrBGiantsfanMay 25, 2020 at 8:51 AM

      It was a lame attempt at humor and more about the personality than the party affiliation.

      Delete
    2. DrBGiantsfanMay 25, 2020 at 8:54 AM

      ....but I don't think I've kept it a secret that I am a proud resident of the left coast. I just want the blog to be focused on baseball in general and Giants baseball in particular.

      Delete
    3. DrBGiantsfanMay 25, 2020 at 8:56 AM

      One more political comment then that's it: I believe there is virtue in moderation and compromise. If you get too far to the left, you meet the right on the dark side.

      Delete
    4. AnonymousMay 25, 2020 at 11:48 AM

      It WAS a funny comment!
      And I'd vote for you for President -- of Baseball!
      MLB could use you, too bad you're busy with making people well!
      Thanks for that.
      Between the virus and the years gone by, I feel really, really OLD.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 25, 2020 at 2:13 PM

    You might be selling Epstein at Boston a little short.
    Perhaps he doesn't deserve all the credit in his 2nd year for the 1st Red Sox WS championship in 86 years (2004), although he did acquire Bill Mueller and Curt Schilling among others. They would not have won in '04 without Schilling.
    Then they won in 2007 and in 2013, the 3rd championship a year after he left for the Cubs.
    Cubs went from 101 losses in 2012 to 103 wins in 2016 followed by 2 close but no cigar years.
    As everyone knows, the Cubs' 108 year drought broken in Epstein's era was even longer then Boston's.
    Should we be glad he didn't go to the Dodgers -- their championship drought is going on 32.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LGMay 25, 2020 at 2:41 PM

    That was a funny comment. They really do look like identical twins after checking out Mr. Ricketts photo on the net, lol

    ReplyDelete

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