The offseason introspection has already begun for the Cubs in the wake of last night’s 13-inning loss to the Rockies in the NL wild card game, and the team’s early exit from the postseason caught many inside and outside the Cubs organization by surprise. Here is some of the initial aftermath of Chicago’s loss, and what questions the club will be facing this winter…
- One of the more pressing matters could be Joe Maddon’s future, as the manager’s contract is up after the 2019 season. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), “talk has persisted within the industry that [Theo] Epstein and Maddon are not always on the same page,” and the Cubs’ elimination could allow a reason for a change in the dugout. As Rosenthal notes, however, Maddon did well to lead the Cubs to 95 wins despite a number of down years from several hitters and a lack of production (either due to injury or under-performance) from Yu Darvish, Tyler Chatwood, and Brandon Morrow — the front office’s three big signings from the 2017-18 offseason.
- Maddon received votes of confidence from players such as Anthony Rizzo, Willson Contreras, Kris Bryant, and Javy Baez, who all praised the manager to reporters (including Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times). Despite the Cubs’ issues this season, Rizzo said that “we still figured out a way to win. That’s all credit to [Maddon]. Without his leadership here, guys aren’t playing the way they play. [Rookie] David Bote is not coming up here and playing the way he plays without Joe’s leadership.”
- Cole Hamels is hoping the Cubs pick up his $20MM option for 2019, telling The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney (Twitter link) and other reporters “Hopefully, I did everything I can to convince them that [exercising the option] would be something that would be valuable.” Few trade deadline acquisitions had a bigger impact than Hamels this season, as the southpaw posted a 2.36 ERA, 8.7 K/9, and 3.22 K/BB rate over 76 1/3 IP after coming to Chicago in a deal with the Rangers. The $20MM club option can be bought out for $6MM, leaving the Cubs with a $14MM decision on the veteran lefty’s services. The Cubs already have over $70.5MM committed to Darvish, Chatwood, Jon Lester, and Jose Quintana (assuming Quintana’s own club option is exercised) next season, though even with that heavy investment in the rotation, one would think Chicago is leaning towards retaining Hamels given how well he pitched.
- Another midseason trade acquisition was even more adamant about returning to the Cubs, as ESPN.com’s Marly Rivera reports (via Twitter) that Jesse Chavez was telling teammates “If I’m not wearing this [uniform] next year, I’m done.” Chavez, also acquired from the Rangers in a separate July trade, was almost untouchable over 39 innings out of Chicago’s bullpen, posting an eye-popping 1.15 ERA and 8.4 K/BB rate, striking out 42 batters and issuing just five walks. Chavez turned 35 last August, though it would be surprising to see him hang up his glove if a return to Chicago wasn’t in the cards, as one would imagine several teams would have interest in the impending free agent. It could also be that Chavez was simply speaking in the heat of the moment, after the grueling elimination game.
It’s a shame the dynasty came to an end so quickly. Bryzzo was like finding Waldo, where are they? If it weren’t for Baez they would have never had any offense. They need a shakeup, Machado would put them over the top..
You watched one game (and Rizzo singled to allow Gore the SB, not as if he were non existent). Bryant was hurt all year.
That’s why they scored 1 run or less in 40 contest this year, only Baltimore was worse.
Bryant was playing with one arm all year. Darvish hurt all year. 2 closers out at the end of the year. Rizzo,Zobrist,and Baez had decent years. Theo has some decisions to make on Schwarber,Happ,Contrares. Heyward isn’t going anywhere. Bryce Harper will make the decisions easier.
If only Maddon had the courage to bat his pitcher 7th or even 6th…
The cole hamels decision is NOT a $14mm decision – the Rangers cover the buyout if the cubs don’t pick up the option. This was a big discussion earlier in the year!
Please correct that in the article if possible.
As much as your paying Heyward, I bet you wish he could go somewhere. But only Theo would pay 20 mil a year for a 4th outfielder. And you guys say AJ needs to be fired. Theo had a dynasty then got froggy and made a half a dozen bad signings in two winters. Dynasty over.
Machado makes them favorite, Harper helps them but not sure if it puts them over top especially at 30+ million per year
Theo isn’t the problem, it’s the lack of production from those signings. And the “dynasty” is hardly over. Their big contracts all have a staggered end date, coinciding with the arbitration dates for their studs.
Yea… Theo has made bad signings. If anything, he is guilty of looking at past production over future production. But he hasn’t buried them in a hole.. yet.
The benefit of being in a gigantic market
BAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
There were quite a few teams interested in paying Heyward 20+ mil. The Cardinals outbid the Cubs
Baez had a decent year? He was proclaimed as MVP for most of the year and now it was only decent?
Correct. Rangers are only on the hook for the $6 million buyout. Cubs would be wise to decline and to offer a 2 year / $30 mil instead. That’s still over market value based on last year’s market. But they’d keep Hamels.
Hard to write the cubs off just yet. They still have Rizzo, Bryant, and Baez leading the team. The rotation is old but they’ll presumably have darvish back next year. I think they have one more strong chance at a title. After next season, I don’t know what that staff is going to look like and the minors isn’t bustling with top talent to help fix it either.
How do you figure 2/30 is over market value for Hamels? Arrieta got 3/75 coming off a worse season but he’s not a real good comp either. Hamels looks like a different pitcher in Chicago with the pedigree to match. There’s no comp from last years market that matches Hamels and I can imagine any number of teams would happily give Cole 30 MM over 2 years
Yes they still have the young core of players and the dynasty can begin under new leadership. A house cleaning is in need. I hope it is coach “Ryneberg” and a staff filled with former Cub greats.
The injuries that you talk about have effected every team, it’s part of the process the hope is that someone can fill in without the team missing a beat.
Dynasty in this context is tongue in cheek
No clue. Cute. Convenient. But you have ZERO clue.
I think you need more than one World Series win to be considered a dynasty…
agree
Can you say the same to LA Dodgers??
Six division straight no World Series??
I think it’s absolutely ridiculous to claim the window for the Cubs is even close to closing. How many other teams would have won 95 games and made a fourth straight playoff appearance without one of their key starter, their closer, their second closer for a key stretch, and one of their best hitter who was never right even after returning? Also, if any of you think Ricketts and the front office won’t spend to fill the holes, you’re sadly mistaken. The way this season ended was a huge disappointment, but they still have the best overall talent in the league.
The Brewers won 96 without Nelson and Davies who were arguably their best starters last year, losing Suter, Knebel struggling after missing months at the beginning of the year, Albers hitting the DL, Arcia and Villar struggling all year. My point is excuses mean nothing. Every team has injuries and underperformers. The bottom line is the Cubs didn’t get it done.
boom roasted
No, MIL has had numerous well over achievers that are unsustainable. Starting with Yelich and Hader. Including Miley, Chacin, Cain, Aguilar…face it, it’s been a crazy fortunate year in MIL. The giddy rhetoric will allege this is just the start but you’d be fooling yourself. Regression is ahead for that franchise and pay attention to the Cubs….progress isn’t always linear.
Look up unsustainable in the dictionary and you’ll see a picture of Javier Baez.
I don’t think what Yelich did this year is sustainable for him either, but I’d happily bet on him coming closer to this level of production next year over Javy having another season like this.
And Hader has been excellent for almost 2 full years now, so I wouldn’t bank on any meaningful regression anytime soon…
Overall, it’s pretty clear that a handful Brewers had uncharacteristically good seasons, while a handful of Cubs had uncharacteristically bad ones. If you can take off your homer cap and just compare past stats and you’ll see exactly that.
Dynasty? They won one ring
A dynasty? Hardly
Hey Cole remember when you said the Brewers/Cubs wasn’t a rivalry? Or Baez when you said “they know were the best that’s why they run their mouths”? LOL
i spoke to the chief, he said that this in fact, is not it
It’s not, their most meaningful matchup was a regular season game lol. They’ve never even met in the postseason. If that’s a rivalry it isn’t a good one.
Should have met this year. Not the Brewers fault the Cubs couldn’t get it done at home.
The Brewers have come alive… finally. But you guys are still an ace away from being a real contender.
Nonetheless, good year. Hope you guys can get past the Dodgers. (and this is from a life long Cubs fan, dating back into the 70s).
What good is ‘an ace’? Ask the Mets.
How about this….MIL with 25-man rosters, .555. With 40-man rosters, .740. The rotating bullpen is real and the rule is asinine. Worked to the only advantage MIL had in 2018.
Brewers/Cubs? I thought the rivalry was Cubs/Cardinals.
Since when was brewers-cubs a rivalry?
They’re not. It’s like a Lions or Vikings fan saying their rivalry is with the Packers when everyone else in the world knows the Packers rivalry is with the Bears.
Pretty sure Hamels was referencing it not being a rivalry because the cubs fans that show up to Miller and how one sided it was. Unless I’m mistaken the Brewers has about 50% of the crowd game 163 and handled the cubs the second half of the year. Are the cubs/cards a bigger rivalry yes. To say the brewers and cubs aren’t rivals is crazy. That’s why the fans hate eachother so much. You think if it wasn’t fans would care or have so much hate for the other? Come on now
You are mistaken, I was at the game Monday, it was not 50/50, more like 30/70.
So postgame when the entire lower bowl was full is only 30% of Wrigley? Maybe the Cubs can get em next year.
The cubs and Cards aren’t a true rivalry either. One team has been in a World Series one time and had only been in one the last 60 or so years while the other team wins and appears in multiple World Series and wins most of them. Clearly not a rivalry.
Stupid comment, as usual.
By the way, the Cubs CLEARLY have been better than god’s gift to baseball, and if I was a betting man, I would say it will continue next year.
At least the Cubs made the playoffs….the last three years. Someone else has not. At least the Cubs dont feel the need to hack another team’s system. Someone else has not.
In the last 7 years the Cards have been in twice as many World Series as the cubs have been in the last 75 years.
“Making the playoffs” discounts the fact that they have been to the last 3 NLCS and won a World Series. The Brewers make a couple big signings and suddenly think they can take out Boston or the Astros.
And?
Let me take a moment and put on my impressed face.
Did you know in the past 3 years the Cubs have been to infinitely more playoff games than the Cards?
What’s the difference between the last three years and the last 110 years. Let’s do that comparison.
Cardinals have never beaten the Cubs in a playoff series.
How predictable! Didn’t we all know themed would come out of his rathole to revel in the Cubs elimination?
The Cardinals are 3-4 in the WS over the last 50 years.
So you like living the past eh?
Let me guess. If you actually have a job, if thats possible, let me guess….you still use an Apple IIc? Mimeographs? Swear by Lemonade Stand?
Get a clue….and live in the present. And its a present where gods gift to baseball is basically middling.
Heres the best part: an low-brow cardinal fan who gloats the morning after a better divisional team is eliminated. Real character you have. Gloating after a dismal fade and failure on Cards part over the past 3 weeks.
That’s because the cubs haven’t been to too many playoffs over the years if you need to check back.
Excuse me but 6 out of 12 son. Three times as many wins as the cubs have had in there entirely.
Where’s all the middle infield talk today?
I’m sorry, 3-5 in the last 50 years. Let’s stop acting like the Cardinals have been some other world force in baseball the last half century.
Been here all year mom. Where’s your son been?
Um, in the postseason all four seasons of his career.
Your living in the past also. Clinging to your 1 and done and only championship in the last 110 years.
The fact of the matter, is you are absolute radio silence, a fake fan, that is thankfully missing until cards go on a winning streak or the cubs lose. You are a joke. A loser.
If I was a cards fan, I would call you an embarassment and tell you to STFU.
Well if we’re just talking about the present…Brewers > both of em
Yes they have: 1876 and 1886. Though at the time the organizations were called the White Stockings and Brown Stockings. I must admit I didn’t attend, however.
Clinging to accomplishments that happened before the civil rights act was passed is one hell of a hill you’re dying on.
And the cubs are Over the same 50 years?
Good thing you were there to witness 1 Brewer infielder get more hits than the whole other team.
Is that a concession you don’t know what you’re talking about?
Do the Brewers and Vikings lease the same trophy case? Asking for a friend….
“David Bote is not coming up here and playing the way he plays without Joe’s leadership.”
1 WAR according to BB Reference, 90 OPS+
So he’s not coming up and being a below average player without Joe’s leadership.
5/6 HRs to tie or take the lead
He swung at everything and ran into a few. Id be surprised if he got 300 at bats next year.
How about them Padres?
Currently in the same position as the Cubs…sitting at home. Anymore asinine questions?
“Currently in the same position as the Cubs…sitting at home” Minus a cut of playoff money. Anymore salty answers?
A cut of playoff money? You mean ONE WC game? lol. I’d rather not be in the playoffs than lose that miserably at home back to back nights
I actually predict the Padres do worse next year, if that’s possible.
Yes 1 and done. Big cut of playoff money for the cubbies. I can’t stop laughing at that one.
Hey brewcrew, your team has had a great season and deserves to be where they are, but don’t diminish what the Cubs accomplished without several key players. Show some class. The rivalry won’t even come to close to approaching Cubs/Cardinals until the Brewers prove they can win every year.
If you’d rather not be in the playoffs than lose back to back home games (which the Brewers did several times this year), then you’re not an actual fan of your team.
There’s a difference between losing back to back home games in June compared to losing the two biggest games of the year and scoring 2 runs in 22 innings.
Cubbiesjz9 – The Cubs fans on this site have bashed the Brewers all season long. Now that they are at home watching you can’t take it? Where was the class from all you Cubs fans during the season? The Brewers didn’t have Davies, Nelson, Knebel for months, Suter and we still got it done. Don’t make excuses about what ifs. The Cubs didn’t get it done plain and simple.
Not as big as Chatwood’s cut for throwing balls at your fanbases’s chin LOL
The cubs couldn’t win for years and years yet claimed there was a rivalry with the Cardinals. They still have only one blimp on the map the last 110 years.
Padres-Chargers-Clippers=worst ran franchises in sports
You’d definitely know about getting balls thrown at your chin.
They’re never going to have Nelson back. Get over it, he’s done.
I’ll take 1 WAR from a minor league call-up in 200 plate appearances.
You and about a dozen other teams as well. And that’s just about every year, doesn’t mean a thing.
Well, by definition the average minor league call-up gets you 0.0 WAR. Bote had some key contributions, which Rizzo attributes to Maddon’s leadership. Just because the Cubs ultimately got eliminated doesn’t invalidate the above-average performance by a rookie with inconsistent playing time.
If we’re giving credit to Maddon for Bote being good for a month, can we also blame him for Bote coming back down to earth and being god awful for a month?
Sure the Cubs made an early exit from the playoffs, but firing Maddon would be a big mistake. Too many injuries and an unforeseen 40 games in 41 days to finish the season doomed the Cubs this year.
They use this extended offseason to heal-up and prepare for a World Series run in
The Rockies played 3 games in 3 days in 3 different time zones and seemed fine?
yeah cause that’s just as bad as 40/41???
I’m not a big fan of that logic of 40/41. Every team started in late March, every team ended on Sunday, every team plays 162, every team has brutal stretches like that.
Off the top of my head, from June 7th to July 8th that padres played only 5 home games and they were those two series were not together. But it eventually evens out. Yeah I guess it’s tough to play like that at the end of the season but every team goes through something like that.
Any more excuses you can come up with? No reason the Cubs should score 2 runs in 22 innings at home. Not like they were facing Kershaw and DeGrom either. Their offense laid an egg the last month of the season.
The Cubs were 24-15 in the last month and a half of the season. Why don’t you take the credit of how well the Brewers played? Maybe the Cubs just got caught. Congrats to the Brewers–great, great run….but stay focused on your team—you are “possibly” only a couple bad games from being out as well. The Brewers are a very likeable team. Let’s keep it that way. Good luck going forth.
I’d argue that’s significantly worse than 40/41.
For a team so deep with superstars and a great manager, you’d think they would’ve been able to figure out how to rest some guys during that stretch…
Boohoo about that ridiculous 40/41 thing. They don’t even work 8 hour shifts. Quit whinnying
Hey I believe we’ve heard this one from cub fans before. Wait till next year!
So what exactly is the message from the greatest front office in sports today??
Oh, I found the message!
“Dear fans,
We are trying!
Brewers123…[wrong]
Brewers2018…[wrong]
Brewcrew2018…[wrong]
2018Brewers…[wrong]
BrewersBraun…[wrong]”
I don’t think Joe is getting fired, but some changes are needed. I think Russell has played his last game in Chicago. I don’t know how they run Chitwood out there again. Long man? I don’t know but he was awful. Really love to see Hamels and Chavez back. Both pitched extremely well for us. Baez, Bryant, Schwarbz, and Willy are all gonna start to get more expensive. Let’s be honest here too, this team hasn’t been the same without a Fowler type at the top. Kinda hard to set the table without that consistent leadoff guy. Be nice if Almora could be that guy, but with a different lineup every day, hard to get a rhythm there. Lots to ponder this offseason, and unfortunately, we have to start considering it all, a lot earlier than expected. Gonna be a long winter.
Very well written–but please, can we get off the Almora thing—he thrived when Maddon used him to best matchups early in the season. Correctly, he earned more playing time, but as soon as that happened, he had a terrible second half and by late August/September he was back in a platoon role. He’s way above average defensively, but other than that he is below average as a hitter and surprisingly poor on the bases. And he just has poor at bats at the wrong time. To me the single most turning point last night was his at bat in the 11th inning. After Baez walked, there is NO reason for him to bunt in that situation….a) most importantly, if he gets a sacrifice (he did) the takes the bat out of Murphy’s hand (he did) and further increases that chance that they get to pitcher’s spot in the order (they did) and forces Maddon to use the last player on the bench (he did). b) he bunted to try for a hit (ok) but to Arenando who was expecting it anyway. Just stupid baseball. Even if he hits into a double play or strikes out or doesn’t advance the runner—Murphy gets to bat. Just an all around dumb baseball move and I can guarantee that the bunt was not called from the bench—there is no way Maddon is taking the bat out of Murphy’s hand in the 11th inning of an elimination game. Just stupid baseball and Almora has been guilty of those things numerous times…lot of times on the bases. He had a great matchup to start the game—Freeland, hard throwing, high strike lefty–and had a couple of solid hits, but in the critical stage—just an absolutely unforgiveable brain freeze. Or maybe that’s how his brain has worked all year.
Good player, yes—-keystone guy, no way.
All that said—there are tweaks every year. I don’t see anything to seismic here. I think LeMahieu is a good option—solid defensive player, high average guy. You have to think Russell is going and Zobrist is entering last year. If they make a play for Harper that could domino into Schwarber/Happ leaving. (and in that case, I will defend Almora—with Bryant, Baez, Rizzo, Harper in the lineup Almora can just play defense and be valuable and anything offensively would be a plus).
Most of the pen, minus Wilson is signed next year so there will be plenty of arms to go around.
New TV deal being finalized so need to know impact of that on payroll, although they don’t seem to be hurting now.
Im sure the cards would give fowler back.
Fowler for Chatwood
Two bad contracts
They need to get rid of Chilli Davis for sure. The Red Sox’ offense exploding and the Cubs’ offense cratering is a huge indictment of his ability to do his job.
I’m on the fence about Maddon. Sometimes he outsmarts himself with some of his in-game decisions and playing around with the lineup too much. But he also has fostered a tight-knit team and there’s something to be said for that. One factor not really considered is he’s making a very high salary the market no longer seems to bear for managers and that may be a factor in if he stays long term with the club.
Davis has to be gone, first decision to be made if I was GM.
That and another Short Stop Ey,’ Ray? You gotta still be picking crow outta those teeth. Good grief, man.
Great season. Well deserved wild card participation this year from the cubbies.
Imagine being a fan of team that didn’t make the post season in any capacity because they’re an inferior ball club. Wait, that’s you.
Absolute best comment. Love it. He wont have anything remotely intelligent to respond…which is normal.
I read somewhere the Rangers would only pay the 6 million if they opt out, so it is a 20 mill decision? I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure I saw that.
You are correct – the author omitted that detail
Cubs lost their magic last year. The dynasty that never happened is what we will call them
True, and we’ll also correctly put much of the blame on their overrated gm, who’s made many really flawed moves.
Anyone who ever call baseball teams dynasty’s nowadays probably doesn’t know what they’re talking about. It’s the hardest sport to repeat in and there’s so many variables and luck involved. And Theo is in no way overrated. I don’t know how you look at what has been built and how big their contention window is and fault him for anything. Even the bad moves he’s made (like everybody makes) hasn’t blocked them from adding even more players to a stacked roster
It hasn’t blocked them because they’re in one of the biggest markets in all of sports. I’d like to see him build something in a small-to-mid market situation before we crown him (I know, it’s already too late for that with Cubs fans).
It’s also probably fair to say Theo wouldn’t go out and sign guys like heyward if he were running a mid market team. To be honest, if he were in a mid market he probably would’ve made less mistakes because he couldn’t go out and sign these jumbo deals. Hard to evaluate someone in situation x and put him in situation Y. Andrew Friedman runs the dodgers much differently than he did the rays. Unfortunately we’ll probably never know what Theo could do in a mid market unless he decides he’d like to take on that challenge one day.
In short, the GM’s of large market teams can afford to make mistakes. But even that will catch up to Theo, who as I’ve said has made an increasingly long list of big mistakes.
I thought Texas was not the hook only in the event of a buyout.
You are correct – the author omitted that detail
I know Degrom will win the the Cy Young. But Freeland should be 2nd, and Chacin should be at least top 5. I’m not a Cubs fan, but they got 2 tough draws in the postseason, the had to face a killer relief corp in both games.
That’s the way it goes. Doesn’t hold a candle to Bucs getting Bumgarner in ‘14 then Arietta in ‘15 in one-and-dones.
The wildcard game doesn’t count towards the awards.
Chacin top 5?? He is barely top 15. He reached 192 innings of 3.50era ball. He was hardly over powering with 156k and sure he didn’t walk many people or give up many home runs but he’s far from a top 5 cry young candidate. Degrom, Scherzer, Nola, Freeland, Mikolas and Folty are mired deserving. Just to name a few
More* cy* autocorrect is the worst
A hahahahahahahah! Maybe they lost because of all they’re plantar facetious! Or arrogance thinking they are somehow now the Yankees of the NL.
I thought we were friends. Oh well. We’ll always have the 2015 wild card game… ah memories.
Have fun with the more recent 2018 wild card game. Don’t live in the past!
Says the guy touting WS victories from the depression era.
Cardinals World Series winners in my lifetime 64 67 82 06 11. Losses 68 85 87 04 13. I believe that’s a total of 10 World Series I’ve witnessed. Won 5 and lost 5. I seen the cubs in one. Great percentage. For every one I’ve seen the cubs in I’ve seen the Cardinals in 10 times more. So in a 1000 years at the current rate the cubs should catch up.
I thought we were only allowed to talk about recent success, but here you are talking about stuff that happened before man landed on the moon. You must be senile.
Cubs should sign Hamels to a 10 year, $750 mil contract. Better lock him up, Cubbies. I want to see that payroll balloon up next year.
You mad or something about the trade cause I told you before the trade Hamels wasn’t worth anything and Happ was the better trade target due to the money owed? Eventually people on here will figure out the trade market has changed and nobody wants to take on huge money commitments.
Dont bother. This guy was screaming about how the dodgers had to trade Buehler and Verdugo or else they wont get Darvish.
*Joe Girardi*
Where are the naysayers now that when milwaukee signed/traded for two outfielders that the brewers wouldn’t even compete?
I think the blame for the cubs 2018 season is mostly on Epstein. Too many what ifs/hopeful for a bounce back injury signings. They should have traded russell for machado when they had the chance.
Odd the cubs offense disappeared last year and this year in the 2nd half. Contreras carried them through the second half last year, but this year there was regression. Baez carried them this year. The cubs needed production from all players not just one 2nd half of season.
Their Brewers hit 90th percentile projections across the board. They’re a good club that had a lot go their way. It’s part of the game. Cubs were counting on their depth to be serious contributors for way too much of the season.
Theo gave 50 million just this year to Darvish, Chatwood, Morrow & Smyly. They got 3 good months out of Morrow, nothing else and lots of money still owed to them!
Hey Cubs fans, how about admitting that Rox are a pretty good team. And Buddy Black is a pretty smart guy……the right team won.
Don’t expect that out of these Cubs fans. They will give you excuses as to why they couldn’t win at home before they admit another team is better.
Props to the Rockies for outplaying the Cubs last night.
Their pitching held the Cub offense to 6 hits and 1 run.
Their reward is a tough Brewer team which is on a roll!
Might be a good series, but I take the Brewers over the Rockies.
Maybe they’ll go after Bryce Harper. Murderers Row lefty-righty: Rizzo-Bryant-Harper-Baez…
Cubs fans, season in review –
March 2018 – “Cubs have the best rotation in all of baseball. And you’re an idiot if you disagree”
June 2018 – “Darvish and Chatwood are terrible”
July – “Hamels and Lester are unbeatable, brewers don’t have any pitching”
October 3, 2018 – ?
Enjoy the offseason Cubs fans.
So happy the Cubs lost. Even better it happened at Wrigley.
Worst fans in baseball!
ray_derek, who trash talked about the horrible Brewers’ front office moves all season, has some ‘splainin’ to do.
Ain’t that the truth
Cubs lost the last game of the season to end up in a tie, then lost the tiebreaker, then lost the wild card game. Two separate teams celebrated on their home field in two consecutive days. I don’t think that’s happened ever in MLB history.
I just wanted to point that out.
Actually, they won on Sunday to stay tied. But yeah, losing 2.5 games in the standings the last week was rough despite going 4-3. And props to the Brewers and Rox during the last couple of days.
Bats were like icicles at the end. But the future is still bright for the next couple of years.
Why Mom? It clearly looks like the cubs are on a downhill slide and will go back to there 5 year tank plan in a couple of years.
Following the Cards??
Cards don’t have a losing record this century. No need to tank with a producing farm system year after year.
cubs farm system is barren after the trades the past 3 years.
name one cubs regular starting p from the past 3 years (2015 – on) the cubs developed, not traded for. (Hendricks dont count since that was earlier)
signing Harper or Machado would not be a great move (unless they take a short or team-friendly deal). Just look at the total of the financial and minor league projected assets for the Cubs over the next several years. They already have a good amount of money committed next year, I believe i read somewhere it was around $179 mil if all player options are picked up but before arbitration raises for players like Bryant, Baez, Contreras,etc. Those core players will all become free agents around the same time too and need to be paid or moved, and they’ll likely land fairly large deals based on production to this point/expected production. They will also be stuck with Hayward and Darvish’s contracts as well. Granted some salaries will fall of from that $179 over the next few season, like Lester. That and the combined inability to develop front-line starting pitching from within the organization will lead to the need to spend (mo money, mo problems) or trade from the major league roster with a weak farm. Diamond the rough finds have helped them so far (I.e. Hendricks/Arrieta) but that isn’t a reliable way of player development. So adding Machado or Harper will make them very competitive and dangerous in the short-term but will likely end with a team experiencing luxury-tax problems that would make the the old Yankees laugh or they will have to majorly shake-up the roster. I think banking on their current core with talented players like Baez, Rizzo, Bryant (coming back to norm), etc., resigning them and investing the Harper/Machado money into pitching would benefit the franchise the most.
Are you saying the Cubs might likely become the “old” Yankees considering their spending habits????
Oh my gosh, shame on you……
According the baseball reference, the 2019 Cub payroll is as follows:
Guaranteed contracts – $138.3M
Maximum value if options are exercised – $50.8M
Estimated value of all arbitration cases – $31.4M
Estimate of Remaining Players Costs – $6.1M
Est. Payroll w/ Options (Guaranteed + Options + Arb + Other) – $223.5M
baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/chicago-cubs-sala…
Padres should jump on Maddon if he’s fired. He’d def be an upgrade over Andy Green. Padres could also look into trading for Russell or sign him if released. Depending on the outcome, hes most likely gonna get a chance somewhere. Padres need a SS til Tatis is ready.
Anyone else loving the fact that the Cubs are out so early? Now that arrogant and immature fanbase can have a big slice of humble pie.
Beautiful said Ronnie!
Anyone else also loving the fact that the Cardinals yet again failed to make the playoffs? Now that arrogant and immature fanbase can have a big slice of humble pie.
Oh abosu.utey. I can’t decide which fans are worse – the Cubs fans, because they finally won one ring and grew into annoying and arrogant smack-talkers or Yankees fans, who have won tons of rings and think their team is leagues better than everyone else’s and deserve to be the home to every elite player ever.
As a fellow Pirates fan… yes. Yes, I am enjoying it. If anyone from the Central is going to succeed other than the Bucs I’d rather it be the Brewers, who aren’t in an enormous market with a giant payroll yet somehow got it done while the Cubs (and the Cards) get most of the headlines but are watching the playoffs at home.
Cubs should trade Addison Russell, Ian Happ, Mike Montgomery with their top prospect catcher Miguel Amaya to the Mets for Jacob deGroom
They should sign Javy to a long term contract like rizzy and Castro, then trade him while his value is high.
Maybe if they throw in Tommy LaStella they can get Thor too
Russell, Happ, and LaStella for DeGrom, Thor, and Nimmo. Done. Ok, maaaaybe we’ll throw in Duane Underwood. But only if you also take Tyler Chatwood.
“You serious Clark?” Cubs cannot get DeGrom or Thor alone for that package! They missed out on the opportunity to sell high on Schwarber & Russell
Maddon needs to come home and be the Angels manager
What about are new hitting coach Chili Davis being a problem?
Also, from my experience, pulling a player out of the lineup when your on a roll is wrong. When a player has momentum, keep him in the lineup. Not Maddon’s way of doing things.
If the Cubs don’t exercise the option on Hamels, the Phillies should bring him back to stabilize their starting staff. He would be welcomed back with open arms and give them a veteran, playoff tested arm they need. 2/45 with a player option for 3/60 should get it done.
This team is done lmao. Cubs fans acting like they still have a chance, adding machado or harpers salarys could close the door on cubs for at least the next decade. Cubs need to rebuild farm and find balance between mlb roster and lower levels. Sports is all about depth and cubs showed they lack depth in all areas. Also need to not be cheap out in bullpen look where that got you signing morrow and chatwood?
Also the dodgers will scoop up maddon if you guys get rid of him. He is the least of your guys problems and is a great coach!
I’m reading an awful lot of stupid in this thread from both sides.
Down seasons happen. When your down season is 95 wins, you’re in good shape.
As for those who fear a “closing window,” the only key position player over 30 is Zobrist.
Meanwhile, you have Bryce Harper who’s publicly expressed his desire to sign with the Cubs and Manny Machado who’s expressed interest.
And Brewer fans, wait and see if your team can do anything with their opportunity before running your mouths. Because going forward, their starting pitching leaves an awful lot to be desired, Hader’s had a hell of a season, but so did Dan Kolb and Derrick Turnbow once upon a time, and they’re a Christian Yellich injury away from being a .500 team at best.
Mic. Drop.
I was all for agreeing with you, then you pulled out a cringey mic drop.
Newsflash: Yu cannot give yourself a “Mic. Drop.” on a post!
That was a mediocre retort and you’re adding a mic drop? Your position players may be young but your starting pitching isn’t, and your bullpen has seen better days. You know that last couple $100+ million players you signed didn’t exactly set the world on fire (Heyward, Darvish), but hey, toss more money at the problem. Third time’s the charm, right champ?
I didn’t realize Yelich was a 15-16 WAR player? Must be better than even us Brewers fans thought. Also Hader has done it a year and a half now. He’s got 129IP, 2.30 ERA and 211K. To compare him to Kolb or Turnbow is just reckless. Big name free agents can be “interested” in any team they want. Until the Cubs sign one of them who cares you’re speculating. The same reference you made about the Cubs positions players can be made for the Brewers as well. They have one offensive player over 30 and that’s Cain.
You just got smoked by the brewers. Take your ball and go home
I can’t believe some of the comments here. The Cubs were beaten in 2 X 1 game shoot outs, sometimes you just need a bit of luck in baseball and it just didn’t come their way.
Who here could have foreseen two divisions tying for 1st place and then having to play a tie breaker and then a wildcard play off.
You can go back and look at the play of Story on Murphy’s LD tailing away through shortstop and Story catches it-brilliant play. If that gets past who knows-that’s the bit of luck either way that can either win or lose a game.
I can’t see how people can dump anything on Maddon when he won 95 games with the injuries he had to contend with on his roster.
The only thing that I think he erred with is keeping Hamels in the game-you win or lose the game with him staying in the game as he is a champion.
I think Maddon was thinking about the future a little bit when he took out Hamels…I know it was a one game playoff but he would have been hamstrung in the next series a little bit…plus bringing in Hendricks wasn’t a bad replacement…
I am hurting today because i decided to stay up and watch this game…it was a great game though… lester was amazing hitting those corners…but so was the Rockies pitching….one thing for sure was that ESPN needs to understand that their bias was showing for the Cubs big time
I used to like you, and then Francisco Cabrera happened… oh Sid Bream, once upon a time, a Pittsburgh treasure.
Sid, still can’t believe you and your knee brace out ran Barry Bonds’ throw………
Who do you think was slowest…. Sid Bream, Jason Thompson or Adam LaRoche? Good lord, I just scared myself with that question.
The Cubs had plenty of luck go there way, and they still couldn’t take advantage.
1) Ball staying in the ivy – likely saving them a second run.
2) RF’er overrunning a popup.
3) Catcher’s interference.
Those are just 3 examples off the top of my head, all of which are luckier than a guy making a nice catch on a line drive.
With the new TV deal and Ricketts saying blow past the salary cap I think we will be getting Harper and or Machado plus Miller. Trade Almora and Anaya plus Carantini for Degrom or what ever it takes. We have the ML talent to land him.
Degrom
Lester
Hendricks
Smyly
Darvish
Baez
Harper
Bryant
Rizzo
Machado
Schwarber
Heyward
Contreras
Brewers advance! Cardinals don’t make playoffs and Cubs knocked out! Bottom line! That’s the cold hard truth! I’m a cardinals fan but they weren’t good enough! Plain and simple
Cardinals young arms gave out on them….with a little retooling next season looks like it will come down to these three teams again….once again being the best division in the NL…might even see all three make the playoffs
Don’t sleep on the Pirates. They have the potential for a pretty solid pitching staff coming back.
even better…and you are right they still have some talent so you shouldn’t count them out
It is a 20 mm decision for the cubs on Hamels. The rangers agreed to pay the buyout if they don’t exercise the option.
It brings me joy seeing two very arrogant players (Baez & Almora) strike out to end the season for the Flubs. Rizzo was laughing and goofing around before game, where’s the focus and sense of urgency? Amazing how his tune changed when game was over. You had Lester complaining to the ump in 2nd inning and then later yelling & swearing at Bryant for not diving for a ball. Lester is a head case and horrible teammate. His catchers and defense make him look good. You had Contreras who was PED raging and running around hooting and hollering stuff. Never seen a guy before bat flip after walking twice!!! Ironically later he cramps up and it was like a home run derby break where they’re giving him fluids and toweling him off.
But as game ended I could hear former White Sox announcer, Hawk Harrelson shouting, “He Gone”!!!!!
Fly that L til next year!
Please, just leave. Your thoughts are invalid.
You called it exactly how the rest of the baseball world seen it. One of the better well thought out post here. Congratulations whose your mama!
Lester is a tool
Is this the same Lester who accused Thames of juicing after Thames rocked him at Wrigley?
I think the Cubs have the better team of the three clubs,Cubs ,brewers and cards! The Brewers are playing the best and have for the last month or so. The Cardinals ran out of gas and probably are not as talented! The cubs just didn’t play well enough at the end!
These clowns in the comments. Why is Maddon’s job even a debate?
Yes, the Cubs underachieved this year but look at all the injuries and the lack of production by key guys who didn’t make the next step in light of the injuries. Contreras being a notable one. (Also, some clown just blamed his bad year on roids. Give me a break.) All is that to say, to say the window is closing is bafoonary. They have plenty of young talent still in the system. The Chatwood and Darvish are huge missteps that Maddon shouldn’t be blamed for but Epstein and management should.
Cubs should have hired Joe Girardi before they hired Pinella. They also should have signed Scherzer over head case Lester. You put Scherzer on the Cubs with that defense and catching and he would have been even more unstoppable. Obviously they should NOT have signed Heyward, what a waste of money! But if they did those two other little things, Cubs would probably be going for a 3 peat this year (with maybe couple other Championship rings in the years past also)!
Well if Whislers mother had baseballs…she be Whislers father loll
Looks like a lot of these people just made accounts to trash talk like this is Facebook. It’s ok Chicago is a big market and everyone hates us. No big deal. I’ll still be a real fan and root for the Brewers cause they deserve a championship too.
Yes, Maddon out-thinks and out-manuevers himself sometimes. Yes, he and Theo probably don’t see eye-t0-eye on things all the time. But let’s be honest: if the Cubs decide to fire Maddon, he’d practically have his pick of managerial jobs if he wanted to. Any team who could afford him would be insane to not interview him, he’s that good at his job.
The problem is NOT Maddon. The problem is front office with bad free agent signings, bad trades and poor drafting outside of top 10 picks. In 6 years not a single pitcher on the major league roster nor a starting position player. In fact, only Bote .239 ba has made the club from 6 drafts. Let’s start with a new GM and a new director of scouting. Perhaps this might change the Cubs fortunes!
Lot of salty mfers in this thread. Man. Lol
Wow didn’t expect a response from Epstein loll
My prediction is Cubs trade Russell, Schwarber and or Happ for bullpen help. They go after Machado and yes, Harper also. They pick up Hamels option and possibly resign Chavez. The tv deal coming up is more than enough financial power to make this happen
I thought all the Cubs position players were untouchable?