Spring Training

[karch34]

We open against the D-back this Thursday. Figured start a thread for miscellaneous thoughts as we get read for "Wait Til Next Year" to begin.

First thought I had is saw a bunch of articles about Olt and his improved vision. Wondering if anyone thinks this is going to make a difference or if he's like Jackson, Vitters, and others who had some high points early on and then nothing?

[karch34]

Castro off to a good start and Bryant 1 for 1 with a HR. Not a good start record wise though.

[Posey H8er]

Baez is a baller. If he continues to produce like he has been then he'll definitely be playing at Wrigley this summer.

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[HBK9]

Baez is a baller. If he continues to produce like he has been then he'll definitely be playing at Wrigley this summer.

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One would hope. But they need to make a decision NOW as to where they are going to put him and stick with it. None of the Corey Patterson Syndrome TM By that I mean the bring him up, send him down, etc etc. Or what they did with Shark by saying, starter, no reliever, no closer......blah blah. Pick the position stick with it. Same with Bryant. He needs to go to the OF because I think that they got the Olt that was projected to be very good. OR put him at first. I have never been a fan of Rizzo but that is just me.

End of ramble

[karch34]

Agreed. Baez is going to make it hard not to bring him up this year and we need to figure out where him and Bryant play.

If Bryant moves to OF it could get crowded in a year or two.

[hermes]

alright what should my expectations going into this year be? are we going to be bad again? try to be good and it maybe not work out? things fall into place and we surprise people and do alright? another fire sale at the deadline?

what are we looking at?

[karch34]

Crap I had posted a long reply. Basically I think if
- bullpen is improved
-shark and Jackson are more consistent
-Wood maintains his level of play
-Castro and Rizzo bounce back
-Olt gives us something at 3rd

Then 75 wins might be reasonable.

Anything more requires a Baez shot in the arm come July, Arietta breaking out, and at least one other unexpected or significantly improved contributor with all the other stuff I mentioned still needing to happen as well.

Moved out to AZ in July last year so majorly pumped to see my first spring training game on St. pattys vs the Angels. Drove by the new park twice and it is beautiful.

[Dr Positivity]

alright what should my expectations going into this year be? are we going to be bad again? try to be good and it maybe not work out? things fall into place and we surprise people and do alright? another fire sale at the deadline?

what are we looking at?

Probably something like 70-92

[hermes]

70+ wins would be cool to get i'd say - its the level above really bad

[karch34]

alright what should my expectations going into this year be? are we going to be bad again? try to be good and it maybe not work out? things fall into place and we surprise people and do alright? another fire sale at the deadline?

what are we looking at?

Probably something like 70-92

Hope it's more than a 4 win improvement.

[karch34]

Not much to really report from my first spring training game. A little disappointed Baez's first go at 2B was at the A's stadium. Cubs Park is great, but they weren't ready for all the sellouts, IMO.

Edwin Jackson looked good, but not sure if the competition was anything more than the Angels bench. McDonald looked faster than expected and I could see Bonafacio being a decent signing.

[karch34]

Baez sent down. Not really a huge surprise. Probably to get more time to work at 2B before call up.

[karch34]

Olt and Kalish make the opening day roster, which I like. Rizzo led the team in batting average and Valbuena in HR.

And with that I bid adieu to this thread.

[hermes]

i'm excited for the season to get going

[Posey H8er]

Opening Day is soooo close! How do we want to do game theads? One for every series/month?

[hermes]

doesn't matter to me, how many cubs fans are going to come out of the woodwork and chat with us this year do you think?