23 replies to this topic

[TWC]

No, seriously.

I cannot wait for Chicago Cubs baseball to commence anew. Fuck all them haters. We might not be great, we might all want more, but DAMN the off-season sucks.

[King Jeff]

Me too, it's only December and I've already checked the spring training countdown clock twice.

[Tommy]

I hear ya. I fully expect our team to be competitive, and some of the things I'm excited about are:

• See how the new pitchers perform.
• Full year of Rizzo and Castillo.
• New closer from Japan.
• Stewart post-surgery (just in!)
• Full year of Castro without worries about contract.
• The team in their 2nd year under Sveum with Bosio as the pitching coach.
• Full year with the new hitting instructor.
• New right fielder!

On a side note, will be nice to see how our farm system progresses, as well. If it continues to improve the way it did last year, we should be looking at a pretty impressive system through at least AA, and hopefully by next year, we'll be stacked all the way up to the AAA club.

Anyhow, I hear what you're saying, and I don't ever need a reason to be excited about the Cubs. I do know we're heading in the right direction, and I think we finished sifting the players last year. Things are definitely looking up!

[CubChymyst]

I agree, I want the Cubs to get back to playing games and follow all of the things Tommy mentioned plus more. There is still a lot of time left in the offseason to continue to make moves to improve both the major and minor league clubs. The offseason is like opening a christmas gift a few days early but not being able to play with it untill the new year.

[Spencer]

[fromthemitten]

LET'S GET SOME RUNS!


(and another veteran setup man)

[FFP]

I think the one of the biggest improvements is going to be the hardest to measure.

Field Manager will be one of the most improved position on the team. He was good last year, but I'd bet he has some real, measurable goals for himself that will increase his effectiveness, and his just-as-real, old-school intangibles are maturing.

[Tommy]

That's a great point I hadn't even considered, FFP. That's an area we really struggled with prior to Sveum taking over as manager and you're right - it will be interesting to see how it improves next year! Another awesome reason to be excited!

[justinjabs]

This offseason seems very productive so far, honestly. New RP, almost new SP, a healthy 3B, backup OF, two SPs.

[Spencer]

This offseason seems very productive so far, honestly. New RP, almost new SP, a healthy 3B, backup OF, two SPs.

The only thing I'm not really on board with is Schierholtz, because I would've liked the Cubs to pursue Bourn. Maybe they still will; the Schierholtz signing doesn't exactly preclude that from happening. But that's the one guy I would've liked to see them spend some dolla bills on. Maybe McCarthy, too. We'll see how it plays out.

[TWC]

This offseason seems very productive so far, honestly. New RP, almost new SP, a healthy 3B, backup OF, two SPs.

The only thing I'm not really on board with is Schierholtz, because I would've liked the Cubs to pursue Bourn. Maybe they still will; the Schierholtz signing doesn't exactly preclude that from happening. But that's the one guy I would've liked to see them spend some dolla bills on. Maybe McCarthy, too. We'll see how it plays out.

I'd really rather they pick up McCarthy and/or Sanchez instead of anyone else. I. Want. Pitching. It seems that a league average RF or CF is easier to find than a league average pitcher, and between Sanchez and McCarthy, we'd (probably) at least have that.

[Spencer]

Word. I just dunno if those guys would be discouraged from coming here because the rotation is "full". I'm sure they wanna start, and it might be a slap in the face to Baker or Feldman if they get brought in and are promised starting gigs.

[butlerdawgs]

I'm actually pretty excited, too. We should have a pool going as to when Len and JD will just give up in the booth and entertain us. I can't wait to crack open some beers and watch some baseball though.

[Stinky Pete]

I enjoy how angry people are about the 2013 Cubs. Some are even angry about the 2014 Cubs. Sheesh. I s'pose I'll be angry about the stuff I'm dealing with RIGHT NOW and maybe see how baseball turns out before I get ANGRY. Oh yeah, and if you're not angry, well, you're pretty stupid.

I did catch some dialogue (With Kyle, even.) about WAR coming out to 78-80 I think. Is that feasible that this team could dabble with .500? Am I too optimistic to think everything could come together for a Baltimore like season? Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting any money down in Vegas or anything.

[Tommy]

I enjoy how angry people are about the 2013 Cubs. Some are even angry about the 2014 Cubs. Sheesh. I s'pose I'll be angry about the stuff I'm dealing with RIGHT NOW and maybe see how baseball turns out before I get ANGRY. Oh yeah, and if you're not angry, well, you're pretty stupid.

I did catch some dialogue (With Kyle, even.) about WAR coming out to 78-80 I think. Is that feasible that this team could dabble with .500? Am I too optimistic to think everything could come together for a Baltimore like season? Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting any money down in Vegas or anything.

Stranger things have happened in sports, and the offseason isn't over yet! If anything, now is the time to think positive and hope for the best!