The Cardinals Are Awesome and the Cubs Are Awful and Other Bullets

Fingers crossed that the mid-50s weather holds out today, as we might get to take the kiddo to the zoo.

  • Patrick Mooney profiles the Cardinals’ organization, standing in stark contrast to the Cubs’ organization over the last 10 years, in a way that will make you respect the Cardinals, and then feel depressed for doing so. In the piece, a reminder in the form of a sobering quote from GM Jed Hoyer: “From Day 1, we’ve been staring at the same picture. It’s a minor-league system that was devoid of pitching prospects. Its upper levels aren’t producing the depths that we need. It’s not a problem we’re going to fix this offseason. We’re going to do our best and spend our money as wisely as possible this offseason to improve it, but organizationally it’s a three-, four-, five-year project. It’s drafting pitchers. It’s trading for pitchers. It’s signing pitchers. I guess you never feel like you have enough pitching depth.”
  • Keith Law chatted on a variety of subjects, as he does, and touched on some bits relevant to the Cubs: (1) Keith saw Paul Blackburn (Cubs second supplemental first round pick in 2012) twice in the AZL, and said he looked like a back-of-the-rotation type, with velocity around 93 mph; (2) Keith likes the Scott Baker and Scott Feldman signings (much like Sahadev said on the most recent podcast, who would you rather have: Ervin Santana, or Scott Baker AND Scott Feldman for the same money? When viewed through that lens, the Cubs played this one just right); (3) On those signings, Law says, “figure one of them works out and becomes trade bait in July”; (4) reworking Brett Jackson’s swing is the right thing to do, and the only way he’ll make it in the bigs; and (5) Matt Szczur is the next Cubs prospect who needs a reworked swing, because he barely looks like a big league 4th outfielder at this point (to Law).
  • Brett Jackson isn’t thrilled about knowing he’s going to open 2013 at AAA, but he’s using the offseason to work on the things that hampered his game when called up to the bigs in late 2012. He’s working hard on his approach, and plans to be back in Mesa by January. Hopefully his unsuccessful call-up, which included a 49% K-rate, showed him the things he needs to work on, much in the way that Anthony Rizzo’s unsuccessful 2011 debut helped him going into the offseason.
  • More on new assistant hitting coach Rob Deer, who’s already started to help the Cubs by working with Jackson and Darwin Barney in Mesa this week.
  • For you early draftniks, Baseball America has released its top college prospects and top high school prospects lists for the 2013 Draft. They are subscription-only content, but the names at the top – given that there’s still an entire season of amateur baseball to be played before the draft – shouldn’t surprise you: Austin Meadows and Clint Frazier at the top on the high school side, Mark Appel, Sean Manaea, and Ryan Stanek at the top on the college side. Sure, the Cubs could be choosing from among those five when June rolls around, but it’s still way, way, way too early to say. Sorry – I know that’s deeply unsatisfying to some of you, but it’s true. Far too many things can change between now and then to make any kind of credible predictions. But at least you know some of the top names to follow.
  • An interesting take on why Sammy Sosa’s Hall of Fame candidacy isn’t going to get much of a fight. In short, he doesn’t have a strong sabermetric case, so those folks won’t be all about him, and he doesn’t have a great “traditional” case, because, although he’s got the big homer totals, he’s also got the steroid cloud.
  • NSBB is crowd-sourcing a top 30 prospect list, and you can participate here. In some ways, this kind of process nets the most reasonable version of a top 30, because it is distilled by dozens of opinions, and it comes from folks who tend to know their own prospects well.
  • The MLBullets at BCB look at the rash of extensions lately, with David Wright and the Mets being the latest.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

    The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

    Cubs Roster Moves: Wisdom and Taillon Are Back, Wesneski and Mastrobuoni Are Out

    Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...

    Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

    The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

    MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

    If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

    Back to Wrigley: Cubs vs Marlins – Series Preview

    Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...

    Taillon Coming Back, Busch’s Integrity and Success, Bad News for the White Sox, Wicks, Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

    As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 18, 2024: Caissie, Alcántara Go Yard, South Bend and Myrtle Beach Smoked, More

    Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...

    Cody Bellinger Sticking With Scott Boras

    Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...

    You’ll Be Even More Impressed with Hayden Wesneski, When You Hear What it Took to Get Him to Arizona

    Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...

    Latest News

    Reds vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Cincinnati Reds (9-9) hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat when they host the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) Friday at 6:40 PM ET on BSOH. The Reds are listed as -124 favorites to snap their losing skid, while the...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    Coming off of a 3-1 series win over the Red Sox, the Cleveland Guardians (13-6) are -169 favorites to pick up the win in Game 1 of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics (8-11). The series begins at Progressive...

    Pirates vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox (10-10) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-105) in Friday's contest versus the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8). The game starts at 6:40 PM ET on SportsNet PT. The Red Sox are favored against the spread in this...

    Astros vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    Jose Altuve, batting .388 this season, leads the Houston Astros (6-14) into a matchup with Jesse Winker (.364 AVG) and the Washington Nationals (8-10). The Astros are -166 favorites on the moneyline for the matchup at Nationals Park, beginning at...

    Phillies vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) and Kyle Schwarber (2 HR in his last game) are favored (-182) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Chicago White Sox (3-15) on Friday at 6:40 PM ET on NBCS-PH.Spencer Turnbull takes the mound...

    Yankees vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    Amed Rosario will look to extend his 10-game hitting streak when the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) take on the New York Yankees (13-6). The Yankees are listed as -162 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 7:05...

    Braves vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    Two of the league's top power hitters meet Friday when the Atlanta Braves (12-5) and Texas Rangers (11-9) take the field at 7:20 PM ET, live on Apple TV+. Marcell Ozuna has eight home runs for the Braves (-203 favorites...

    Orioles vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    After winning four games in a row, the Baltimore Orioles (12-6) play on the road against the Kansas City Royals (12-7) at 7:40 PM ET on Friday.The Orioles will give the ball to Dean Kremer (0-1, 4.96 ERA), who is...

    Brewers vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    The St. Louis Cardinals (9-10) kick off a three-game series on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers (11-6). The matchup begins at 8:15 PM ET at Busch Stadium.The Brewers will look to Freddy Peralta (2-0) against the Cardinals and Kyle Gibson...

    Twins vs. Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    The Detroit Tigers (10-9) begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins (6-11) on Friday at Target Field. First pitch is at 8:10 PM.The Twins will look to Joe Ryan (0-1) against the Tigers and Jack Flaherty (0-1).Twins vs. Tigers...

    more cubs news