18 replies to this topic

[Fishin Phil]

This is really for all those doom & gloomers on the front page, but I'd much rather talk to you people. I've been hearing all these dire predictions about maybe getting 60 wins in 2012, and I don't believe it for a minute.

I am willing to bet my fur-lined, jewel-encrusted, BN banana hammock that the Cubs have a better record in 2012 than they did in 2011.

Feel free to ridicule me all you want.

[Hawkeye]

Although I don't think they are going to be the drastic sub 60 win team everybody is talking about, I don't believe they are going to surpass last years win record either. I wouldn't be surprised in they came within 3 games either way of their record last year. Hows that for a "fence riding" answer.

[Fishin Phil]

Put your banana hammock where your beak is!

[Hawkeye]

What a classy puppet. I tell you what, they broke the mold (pun intended) when they made you.

[TWC]

I, too, would be shocked if the Cubs lost 100 games like the buffoons some people have suggested. I don't think they're gonna be great, mind you, but I have a hard time imagining them any worse than they were last year. Last year was a drag.

[scorecardpaul]

sorry, I start every season with the tired old saying of, this could be the year!!
baseball is a wonderful game, because the little details, and human element can make a difference.
there is always hope.

[JasonB]

I'm not sure how many games we'll win but part of me isn't really concerned about it because we know we aren't going to be good. I'll be happy to watch a team full of young guys that play hard, that play together and that try to improve. At this point, it's better than watching Z demolish a Gatorade container or watching Soriano act like the reincarnation of the Easter Bunny in LF.

[HoustonTransplant]

I think the Cubs can get to 71 wins again. While this 2012 team will be raw, young, unproven, and at times absolutely terrifying, at least there's "high upside" in most positions. The '12 Cubs just might
surprise us, but by surprise I mean be a .500 team.

Either way, that's better than the '11 incarnation of the Cubs. Overpaid, declining veterans whose better days were behind them. Always hoping that they'd "revert to form" but knowing deep down they wouldn't because they're too old, use too heavy a bat, or can't keep their cool. If that sack-of-crap team can muster 71 wins, why the hell can't a bunch of young kids who will play hard every day?

One can hope.

[Brett]

Over/Under - 70 wins.

As currently constructed, it looks like the under to me.

[King Jeff]

I'm going to take the over. I know it's optimistic, but here's my reasoning:

I don't think LaHair/Stewart is going to be as dramatic of a drop from Pena/Ramirez as the consensus does. I think both LaHair and Stewart are fully capable of hitting .250 and hitting 20+ homeruns. I think the improvements to the starting rotation, will balance out anything lost from Pena/Ramirez. I also think that this team playing a style of baseball that suits it talent will help it win a few more games. As long as the bullpen is somewhere near the level it has been the last few years, it is not impossible to see this team playing near .500 this year.

[Katie]

It completely goes against all rational thought but I'll say they win over 70 games. I think there will be a new energy in the clubhouse with Z gone. If we could send Soriano to an AL team for say, I dunno, 4 kegs of Old Style and a bucket of balls, let's make it happen.

[Rick Vaughn 99]

78-84, BAM, take that to the bank.

Honestly, I think I'll cheer harder for this team than any other Cubs team over the last few years. Last season was the first year since MLB.TV was invented that I missed a Cubs game. And that was just a handful in August and September. But I didn't have much interest in the ones I did watch after the second half anyway. Just a bunch of half assed efforts. This year, I just have a feeling that even if they're losing, the effort will be noticeably improved.

I love the moves they've made. Thought it would cost more for Rizzo. Thought we would get slightly less for Marshall. I just wish Ryne Sandberg would be the manager to lead us into the new era. He and Mark Grace are what made me Cubs fans (that and the fact WGN and TBS were the only channels showing baseball in Alaska at the time). I also FINALLY got the MLB network added by my cable provider. I sent them an email every other week for the last year demanding it. Not sure if I made the difference, but I like to think I'm that big of a deal.

I'm stoked.

[Katie]

Vaughn, I switched to Directv when my local cable provider didn't carry Comcast Sports Chicago. I called them every week for months and finally made the switch several years ago and I'm thrilled.

[wvcubsfan]

Disclaimer: This post contains an idiot talking out of both sides of his mouth.

Now, with that out of the way. If I was betting money I'd have to take the over. i agree with others that the gloom and doom crowd are over blowing the situation.

However, if the best that is to be expected is 75 to 80 wins, what I'll be hoping for is 60 or less. If we are going to blow it up and start over, then may as well do it right. let the kids play, let them take their bumps and bruises along the way and get the top pick in the draft. Spend the money coming off the books next off season in the rotation. Then go all in next year.

[Tommy]

My guess is we start off pretty poorly and get better as the year goes on, and I think this team definitely wins more games than last years based on heart alone. Honestly, last years team didn't look like they were having fun or even wanted to be there, while I think these young kids are going to find ways to win, and I think this pitching staff is going to surprise a lot of people.

I'm saying 80 wins - definitely more than last year. LaHair and Stewart will have to provide decent power with Soto bouncing back (even years, right). If all that happens, we'll have better speed, defense, and plate discipline. No Big Z to drag down morale, and no expectations to weigh on their shoulders. The sky is the limit. But then, I'm an eternal Cubs optimist (especially this time of year).