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Post by batman66 on Mar 12, 2024 15:41:31 GMT -5
Doesn’t sound like there’s much optimism for an opening day ready Taillon. Boras licking his chops. The Cubs are not signing Montgomery or Snell and I doubt they were even seriously thinking about signing either and it hasn't changed. It's all blogger, website etc fodder , just like all the Chapman stuff was. Wicks is ready , no sense wasting him in AAA or using him in the pen and they aren't going to sign another lefty starter when they have 4 already if you count Smyly. Counsell has already said at times they will go with a 6 man , and there are plenty of in house options. I know you aren't high on their SP but I'm not sure why other than no clear legit #2 type. Steele , Imanaga, Hendricks, Wicks can be a solid 4 while Taillon is out and then you can also figure in Smyly , Assad, Brown , Wesneski at some point as your 5 and then 5 or 6 when Taillon is back and then the biggest wild card fpr the season Horton. I'm not saying Montgomery would not make the rotation better , I just think they had no aspirations of signing him and still don't with the Taillon situation.
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Post by batman66 on Mar 12, 2024 15:52:15 GMT -5
Was just having a conversation with a friend who, like many here, holds the opinion that the Cubs rotations is a strength with all its impressive depth. Err, well, perhaps it’d be better to say he “held” that opinion up until Taillon’s uncertain status was accounted for. As of March 13th he has yet to throw an in game pitch and it’s a pretty safe bet that he is likely out until mid-late April at best when ramp up time is accounted for. I asked him, what changed now for youthat Taillon is so likely to miss opening day? His response: “the dude had a 3.7 era in the second half last season. That’s a huge hole now in the 2-3 spot we have without him.” And that brings me back to my shared opinion all this time. A) if a competitive Cubs team is expecting Taillon to sustain that 3.70 mark this season we are in big trouble (reminder: his lowest ERA since 2019 is 3.91 sandwiched between robust 4.30 and 4.84 marks) and B) depth is necessary but depth alone can only take you so far. If the Cubs want to compete next season (and if they don’t what was the point of signing Bellinger?) then they needed front line help even before Taillon’s status was thrown into uncertainty. All it took was for a guy coming off a 4.84 ERA season to hit spring training bumps for an opinion to flip. Yes, that is just one opinion out of millions. But your rotation for at least the likely first month of the season looks something like Steele, Hendricks, Imanaga, two of Smyly/Assad/Wicks. How are people feeling about the rotation now with Taillon missing starts? I share your concerns with the rotation. I think my thought was to piece the rotation together with Tallion in the #2 spot until June when hopefully Brown and/or Horton might be able to contribute.
Trouble is, I don't see any major trades being made at this point. I don't know what Cleveland was asking for, for Bieber, but I feel like that's no longer an option this close to opening day. And the two big names still on the free agent market are both left handed, and I just can't really see the Cubs going with 4 left handers in their rotation.
I would kind of have to wonder if Bauer could possibly be in play. If he proves to be a cancer in the clubhouse you can always cut him - again focusing on June when Brown or Horton might be ready to contribute at the major league level. That's been in the back of my mind this offseason.
I would love to sign Bauer, but I don't see it happening and I think he's pretty much been blackballed because he should have been signed by some team by now. It's not just the scandal he was in , although it's still going to be a P R issue because people judge and don't care to know the facts that came out, that's the main part teams are staying away. But even before this all, there were a lot of teams that didn't want anything to do with him because he won't listen to pitching coaches and he tries to influence other players. The worst thing that ever happened to his career probably wasn't really the scandal , it was him saying he wants to sign one year contracts and play for a different team every season so he can spread the word around about his philosophies on training and pitching . Teams don't want that friction in their clubhouse.
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Post by okeecub on Mar 12, 2024 16:15:03 GMT -5
I share your concerns with the rotation. I think my thought was to piece the rotation together with Tallion in the #2 spot until June when hopefully Brown and/or Horton might be able to contribute.
Trouble is, I don't see any major trades being made at this point. I don't know what Cleveland was asking for, for Bieber, but I feel like that's no longer an option this close to opening day. And the two big names still on the free agent market are both left handed, and I just can't really see the Cubs going with 4 left handers in their rotation.
I would kind of have to wonder if Bauer could possibly be in play. If he proves to be a cancer in the clubhouse you can always cut him - again focusing on June when Brown or Horton might be ready to contribute at the major league level. That's been in the back of my mind this offseason.
I would love to sign Bauer, but I don't see it happening and I think he's pretty much been blackballed because he should have been signed by some team by now. It's not just the scandal he was in , although it's still going to be a P R issue because people judge and don't care to know the facts that came out, that's the main part teams are staying away. But even before this all, there were a lot of teams that didn't want anything to do with him because he won't listen to pitching coaches and he tries to influence other players. The worst thing that ever happened to his career probably wasn't really the scandal , it was him saying he wants to sign one year contracts and play for a different team every season so he can spread the word around about his philosophies on training and pitching . Teams don't want that friction in their clubhouse. I would be fine with a short term low save incentive loaded contract, easy to cut loose if he becomes a problem. Let him know just shut up and pitch and you may open the door back to MLB for a few more years. Many transgressions have been forgiven for second chances, and as has been said he apparently didn’t even do what he was suspended for. He is a tool, but I think not a fool so maybe he knows to be on best behavior as this would be last chance
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Post by Mike on Mar 12, 2024 16:41:26 GMT -5
I'm sure many guys who've been over and back can attest to this, but Japan is an honor culture, so I'm sure that experience has to be taken into consideration as well. Everything he's said trying to come back to major leagues has been decent.
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Post by batman66 on Mar 12, 2024 17:11:23 GMT -5
I'm sure many guys who've been over and back can attest to this, but Japan is an honor culture, so I'm sure that experience has to be taken into consideration as well. Everything he's said trying to come back to major leagues has been decent. He's handled himself and the situation very admirably since he was able to finally come out and talk about it and show the truth of what happened. He was pretty much robbed of his career in a scandal that's been proven to be a full blown money grab and a he's lost a lot of millions on top of it so in a way baseball owes him a chance at redemption yet it seems it's like they are just going on like he was guilty and they want nothing to do with him.
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Post by fine09 on Mar 12, 2024 18:16:48 GMT -5
Was just having a conversation with a friend who, like many here, holds the opinion that the Cubs rotations is a strength with all its impressive depth. Err, well, perhaps it’d be better to say he “held” that opinion up until Taillon’s uncertain status was accounted for. As of March 13th he has yet to throw an in game pitch and it’s a pretty safe bet that he is likely out until mid-late April at best when ramp up time is accounted for. I asked him, what changed now for youthat Taillon is so likely to miss opening day? His response: “the dude had a 3.7 era in the second half last season. That’s a huge hole now in the 2-3 spot we have without him.” And that brings me back to my shared opinion all this time. A) if a competitive Cubs team is expecting Taillon to sustain that 3.70 mark this season we are in big trouble (reminder: his lowest ERA since 2019 is 3.91 sandwiched between robust 4.30 and 4.84 marks) and B) depth is necessary but depth alone can only take you so far. If the Cubs want to compete next season (and if they don’t what was the point of signing Bellinger?) then they needed front line help even before Taillon’s status was thrown into uncertainty. All it took was for a guy coming off a 4.84 ERA season to hit spring training bumps for an opinion to flip. Yes, that is just one opinion out of millions. But your rotation for at least the likely first month of the season looks something like Steele, Hendricks, Imanaga, two of Smyly/Assad/Wicks. How are people feeling about the rotation now with Taillon missing starts? I share your concerns with the rotation. I think my thought was to piece the rotation together with Tallion in the #2 spot until June when hopefully Brown and/or Horton might be able to contribute.
Trouble is, I don't see any major trades being made at this point. I don't know what Cleveland was asking for, for Bieber, but I feel like that's no longer an option this close to opening day. And the two big names still on the free agent market are both left handed, and I just can't really see the Cubs going with 4 left handers in their rotation.
I would kind of have to wonder if Bauer could possibly be in play. If he proves to be a cancer in the clubhouse you can always cut him - again focusing on June when Brown or Horton might be ready to contribute at the major league level. That's been in the back of my mind this offseason.
I’d take Bauer in a heartbeat & have felt that way for a long time. He’ll have a job very soon..
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Post by fine09 on Mar 12, 2024 18:19:00 GMT -5
I share your concerns with the rotation. I think my thought was to piece the rotation together with Tallion in the #2 spot until June when hopefully Brown and/or Horton might be able to contribute.
Trouble is, I don't see any major trades being made at this point. I don't know what Cleveland was asking for, for Bieber, but I feel like that's no longer an option this close to opening day. And the two big names still on the free agent market are both left handed, and I just can't really see the Cubs going with 4 left handers in their rotation.
I would kind of have to wonder if Bauer could possibly be in play. If he proves to be a cancer in the clubhouse you can always cut him - again focusing on June when Brown or Horton might be ready to contribute at the major league level. That's been in the back of my mind this offseason.
I would love to sign Bauer, but I don't see it happening and I think he's pretty much been blackballed because he should have been signed by some team by now. It's not just the scandal he was in , although it's still going to be a P R issue because people judge and don't care to know the facts that came out, that's the main part teams are staying away. But even before this all, there were a lot of teams that didn't want anything to do with him because he won't listen to pitching coaches and he tries to influence other players. The worst thing that ever happened to his career probably wasn't really the scandal , it was him saying he wants to sign one year contracts and play for a different team every season so he can spread the word around about his philosophies on training and pitching . Teams don't want that friction in their clubhouse. No, it was 100% the scandal. The guy is almost genius level so he’s hardly stupid, just a very very odd duck..
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Post by batman66 on Mar 12, 2024 18:31:48 GMT -5
I would love to sign Bauer, but I don't see it happening and I think he's pretty much been blackballed because he should have been signed by some team by now. It's not just the scandal he was in , although it's still going to be a P R issue because people judge and don't care to know the facts that came out, that's the main part teams are staying away. But even before this all, there were a lot of teams that didn't want anything to do with him because he won't listen to pitching coaches and he tries to influence other players. The worst thing that ever happened to his career probably wasn't really the scandal , it was him saying he wants to sign one year contracts and play for a different team every season so he can spread the word around about his philosophies on training and pitching . Teams don't want that friction in their clubhouse. No, it was 100% the scandal. The guy is almost genius level so he’s hardly stupid, just a very very odd duck.. I'm not saying he's stupid at all , but he sometimes doesn't make smart choices in what he sayd and him wanting to play for a team a year to spread his word eliminated a lot of teams right off the bat from wanting to sign him. I know he kind of went back on that when he signed the multi year deal in LA , but saying that and his past struggles with teams pitching coaches had him already in a thin market of teams who would chance putting up with him. Teams simply don't want him trying to influence their other pitchers and not listening to their coaching staff . And I'm sure Hawkins knows him well so if he felt he would not be a hinderance and the Cubs could overcome a PR struggle he'd already be a Cub.
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Mar 13, 2024 9:07:34 GMT -5
I have always been of the belief that the Cubs pitching staff will be fine. I really wanted the Cubs to get Hader, but it didn't happen, oh well. That being said, watching Steele pitch, I know it's ST, but with a full season under his belt in 2023, I really think he's going to win the CY in 2024, that's my prediction, of course injury free. Watching Steele pitch, he just looks so much like a young Jon Lester.
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Post by rvn11 on Mar 13, 2024 10:29:37 GMT -5
I'm not overly concerned, they have lots of depth, but if it goes too long it could be something of a slow motion domino effect. Someone like Assad could cover for him, but that opens up spots in the bullpen and they get stretched a bit. Then any injury (that will happen) and they're suddenly struggling again. I see Taillon as something of a rotation glue guy, if that makes any sense. Nothing spectacular, just eating innings on a (hopefully) regular basis. Something like what Lackey was when he was here. Never gonna be your best guy, just going to give you 5-6 innings per night and have you in the game most of the time. I think they can absorb his loss for a while, but if it continues on for too long the cracks might start to show.
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Post by TheChico on Mar 13, 2024 11:20:35 GMT -5
Taillon injury does not sound serious and likely be back by mid to late April, so no need to have a knee jerk reaction and go after Montgomery or Snell. Now it is time for Jordan Wicks to cement himself into the rotation going forward.
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Post by batman66 on Mar 13, 2024 12:23:41 GMT -5
I have always been of the belief that the Cubs pitching staff will be fine. I really wanted the Cubs to get Hader, but it didn't happen, oh well. That being said, watching Steele pitch, I know it's ST, but with a full season under his belt in 2023, I really think he's going to win the CY in 2024, that's my prediction, of course injury free. Watching Steele pitch, he just looks so much like a young Jon Lester. Yep, I think the starting staff will be fine, especially if Horton arrives on the scene at some point, he could be a game changer. And Hader would have been the only high dollar pitcher I felt it was worth spending on . Steele is a legit ace now , not sure why some people still don't see that from the all star break in 2022 until now he's been one of the best pitchers in baseball , it wasn't just last season. he totally reminds me of a young Lester, same type of confidence, he pitches with a you're not beating me attitude and if you watch Wicks pitch , we have another Lester clone in the making.
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Post by batman66 on Mar 13, 2024 12:26:51 GMT -5
Taillon injury does not sound serious and likely be back by mid to late April, so no need to have a knee jerk reaction and go after Montgomery or Snell. Now it is time for Jordan Wicks to cement himself into the rotation going forward. True, doesn't sound serious, but it's a back thing and you never know, but it's going to take him a while to get honed in , as it is, he was already just doing sim stuff so it might now be until late April to mid May before we see him in Wrigley. There should be enough depth , as it is , they don't have enough starting spots for all the guys who could/should be starting. No chance they sign Momntgomery or Snell.
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Post by trav768 on Mar 13, 2024 13:09:07 GMT -5
Taillon injury does not sound serious and likely be back by mid to late April, so no need to have a knee jerk reaction and go after Montgomery or Snell. Now it is time for Jordan Wicks to cement himself into the rotation going forward. and its the Cubs, he'll be out till mid May
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Post by kfidd on Mar 13, 2024 13:54:51 GMT -5
Taillon injury does not sound serious and likely be back by mid to late April, so no need to have a knee jerk reaction and go after Montgomery or Snell. Now it is time for Jordan Wicks to cement himself into the rotation going forward. and its the Cubs, he'll be out till mid May I’m of the opinion that injuries should be treated as relatively significant until word comes out otherwise, especially when the Cubs are their veil of injury secrecy is considered. Lower back issue for Taillon that was veiled for two weeks and ultimately led to him being a morning of scratch in his spring season debut? Him making his 2024 regular season debut in the month of April should be considered optimistic at this point.
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Post by irishcubfan on Mar 13, 2024 13:59:51 GMT -5
Who pitches first in a MLB reg season game,Cole or Taillon?
Should be Taillon but I'll go with Cole.
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Post by bryzzobrist on Mar 13, 2024 14:31:41 GMT -5
Who pitches first in a MLB reg season game,Cole or Taillon? Should be Taillon but I'll go with Cole. Taillon. Won't miss him very much.
He rarely kept us in games last year. Usually ended them for us pretty quickly. People worrying about him being gone - it'll be juuuust fine.
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Post by batman66 on Mar 13, 2024 15:41:32 GMT -5
Who pitches first in a MLB reg season game,Cole or Taillon? Should be Taillon but I'll go with Cole. Taillon. Won't miss him very much.
He rarely kept us in games last year. Usually ended them for us pretty quickly. People worrying about him being gone - it'll be juuuust fine. First half he sucked bigtime, 2nd half 3.76 ERA and 2.76 in 6 games the last month
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Post by bryzzobrist on Mar 13, 2024 15:46:22 GMT -5
Taillon. Won't miss him very much.
He rarely kept us in games last year. Usually ended them for us pretty quickly. People worrying about him being gone - it'll be juuuust fine. First half he sucked bigtime, 2nd half 3.76 ERA and 2.76 in 6 games the last month About about the last 10 games? Different story Fingers crossed though because were stuck with him
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Post by batman66 on Mar 13, 2024 16:00:20 GMT -5
First half he sucked bigtime, 2nd half 3.76 ERA and 2.76 in 6 games the last month About about the last 10 games? Different story Fingers crossed though because were stuck with him Not really the last , he had a shitty august ERA wise but was still decent most of the time, had 1 real bad start He was basically what we were hoping for almost 3 of the 6 months April 4.50 May 10.90 didn't make it into the 6th inning in any starts June 5.60 made it into the 6th in 2 of 5 starts July 2.67 and made it into the 6th or later in 5 of his 6 starts August 5.23 made it into the 6th inning in 4 of 6 and had an 8 run game that blew up his ERA for the month Sept/Oct 2.76 made it into the 6th inning in 4 of 6
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