Are Players Better When the Team is Competitive? And Other Bullets

starlin castro featureThere will be Cubs baseball games tomorrow. Two of them. Sure, they’re just Spring Training games. But they’re coming. Tomorrow. My excitement cannot be tempered.

  • Patrick Mooney wrote a great piece on Starlin Castro, with a variety of angles. Give it a read. One aspect that really jumped out at me, and it’s something we’ve discussed around here a little bit, but never intensely: will Castro up his game if he’s playing on a competitive team? And, if so, is it understandable that a guy might not be at his absolute best when he’s played only on fifth place teams, routinely out of the running by May? That he might lose some focus, especially if he’s young? Do we have a problem with that kind of reality? Do we, as fans, realistically expect that every player will be at his 100% best, regardless of the situation surrounding the team? Do we buy the idea that players generally play just a touch better when their teams are competitive?
  • I don’t think there’s a right answer to those questions, and I also don’t think there’s a perfect set of answers with respect to all baseball players as a group. This is a tricky discussion, because you can simultaneously be offering understanding about a player’s performance … and be seen as criticizing the player’s lack of effort or desire or whatever. It’s easy for fans to sit back and think we’d be 100% focused, and 100% max effort every single game of the year regardless of the standings, but, man, 162 games is a really long time. Even a gamer like Miguel Montero mentioned this weekend that it’s tough being at your best when you don’t feel like you have a real shot of winning anything. Maybe, then, we’ll see guys on the Cubs stepping up even more early on in the year now that they feel like there’s a winning culture coming on? And, speaking of which, the whole idea of “winning culture” is a debate around the game, but some organizations subscribe to it from bottom to top, really trying to get their farm teams to expect to win (the current Cubs administration seems to be of that mindset). Maybe we’ll start seeing that aspect play out, too. Or maybe I’m just trying to talk myself into some ethereal reason why various Cubs players will be great this year.
  • Jorge Soler must be having a good Spring – bench coach Dave Martinez has been awarding hat stars (kind of looks like helmet stickers) for good work or good deeds, and Carrie Muskat says Soler already has three. Did Soler get one just for being a physically amazing freak of awesomeness?
  • The Ricketts Family recently sold limited partnership shares (i.e., non-voting minority stakes) in the Chicago Cubs, and, while we knew South Bend Cubs owner Andrew Berlin was one, four more have been revealed by the Cubs, as you can see in this Tribune report : William Comrie, the DeVos family, Cory Thabit, and O.C., L.L.C. You can read the Tribune’s piece for bits on each new partner, except for the mysterious O.C., LLC, which I choose to believe is the company that owns the distribution rights to MTV’s ‘Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County’ (but not Fox’s scripted ‘The O.C.’). Prove me wrong, Cubs. When we see Lo singing the Seventh Inning Stretch, we’ll know for sure.
  • With the schedule for the opening of the bleachers a little questionable following the Cubs’ apparently failed attempt to get permission to work longer hours, the Tribune asked Cubs players how they felt about not having fans behind them in the bleachers for a couple months. Short version? It kind of sucks for everyone, but the players have to focus on playing, the atmosphere will still be great, and eventually it’ll work out.
  • Gordon Wittenmyer writes about Kyle Hendricks as a “technician,” with a little more on how the righty utilizes the tools available to him at the big league level – so, so much more than in the minors – to improve his game.
  • Grantland’s Michael Baumann takes a look at the human side of the Kris Bryant promotion/service time question. The discussion isn’t going away any time soon.
  • Vine Line offers a lengthy, lovely look at the Cubs’ facilities in Mesa, including Sloan Park.
  • Baseball in the Dominican Republic, via the Tribune. A great look at the evolution there, and the complicated relationship between MLB teams, spending, buscones, and young players.
  • Don’t forget: today’s the last day if you want to get $5 off of BN store purchases over $30. Just use the code PARTY15 when you checkout.
  • If you missed Michael’s great piece on the Cubs’ last decade (or more) of underperforming projections and expectations, it’s really worth a read. Being “bad” is one thing, but so consistently underperforming projections and expectations (which often already baked in the “bad”) is a head-scratcher.
  • 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

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

    On Friday, the San Diego Padres (2-1) take on Jorge Soler and the San Francisco Giants (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to find out how to watch the San Diego-San Francisco matchup...

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) host Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Los Angeles-St. Louis matchup below.When is Dodgers vs. Cardinals and...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The New York Yankees (1-0), led by Juan Soto, visit Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1) at 8:10 PM ET on Friday.Find out how to watch the Houston-New York matchup below.When is Astros vs. Yankees and when does it...

    How to Watch Rays vs. Blue Jays: Live Stream or on TV

    The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) visit Yandy Diaz and the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:50 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Tampa Bay-Toronto matchup below.When is Rays vs. Blue Jays and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    more cubs news