Chicago Cubs

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Chicago Cubs actually improved last season, posting an 89-73 mark but finishing sixteen games behind the ridiculously hot Cardinals in the NL Central. The Cubs finished three games behind the Astros for the wild card.

 

Many blamed the Cubs' failure to reach the postseason on their lack of a "proven" closer. I do not buy that theory. Certainly the Cubs would like an ace in the bullpen, but those players are not often readily available. This give a club two options. One, either reach and give up more than they should, or make do. The Cubs used LaTroy Hawkins, who I believe pitched effectively. Hawkins posted a 2.63 ERA with 69 strikeouts and just 14 walks. And five of those walks were intentional. Nine unintentional walks in 82 innings is impressive. Hawkins has a bad rap from his days attempting to close for the Twins in 2001, but this is an improved pitcher. You cannot have a star at every position, and Hawkins is as good a guy as you will find without dipping into the elites.

 

Despite a littany of injuries, the Cubs finished second in runs allowed, behind only the Cardinals. Glendon Rusch finally pitched to his potential, posting nearly a 3:1 K/BB ratio. The Cubs only lost Matt Clement from the rotation, and if Wood and Prior can make more than 22 starts apiece, this staff is in good shape. The back of the bullpen is a concern. The Cubs need Todd Wellemeyer and Jon Leicester to mature and produce.

 

Many cite strikeouts as a problem in the Cubs' offense. However, strikeouts have little effect on a team's run production. They are no worse than any other type of out. The Cubs' true problem was that while they ranked second in slugging percentage and first in home runs, they ranked 11th in OBP and 14th in walks. Derrek Lee and Moises Alou led the team with 68 walks apiece. The Cubs desperately need plate discipline.

 

The Cubs lacked production at shortstop for most of the season. This season, a full year of Nomar Garciaparra should add a much needed bat. The outfield is lacking, but Jeromy Burnitz and Jason DuBois are reasonably good players, and should produce. The team gains alot of production from third base thanks to Aramis Ramirez, and Derrek Lee is one of the most underappreciated players in the game.

 

As long as Wood and Prior and company are healthy, this team will compete. They could even make a run at the division title, if everything breaks right. However, I think a wild card berth is more likely. The Cubs are the favorites to grab it, in my opinion.

[sfaJack 0]

I agree with Al about the bullpen taking too much heat for last year's collapse; while some of it was deserved, the real problem was the Cubs failing to score on a consistent basis.

 

However, I'm not as optimistic going into this season as I was a year ago. The fact that both Woody and Prior are already sore is a big concern for me, despite whatever the Cubs say. Remember last year--Prior was supposed to be ready in late April/early May and didn't pitch until June (and was inconsistent when he finally did pitch); Wood was supposed to only miss one or two starts and ended up being out two months.

 

Without those two, their chances aren't good at all and I have my doubts about how healthy they will be. Add in the questions of who will fill out the bullpen and how well will they fill the lineup holes created by Alou's and Sosa's departures and I just don't know how good this team will be. Their baserunning should be improved, at least.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I'd like to see Corey Patterson hand over the leadoff duties to Jerry Hairston, and concentrate more on hitting for power.

 

Yeah it's all about healthy pitching. I think the Cubs made some changes to their training staff (the old guy wasn't licensed to practice in the state of Illinois or something), so that could be an invisible improvement of sorts. Still, the aces have gotta stay healthy. We're not winning the Central with a Zambrano-Maddux-Rusch-Mitre-??? rotation, that's for sure.

 

 

I've just gotta trust the moves Hendry and MacPhail made with jettisoning Alou and Sosa. Surely they wouldn't consciously make the team worse.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I guess Len Kasper is passable. I don't think I care for Bob Brenly at all. Looks like I've gotta do 720 for commentary and mute the TV. I'm telling yout they should have just put Pat and Ron on both.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Is Len Kasper the former Marlins' announcer? They hired someone who is good, but I can't remember the name.

 

On an aside, I heard Ron Santo on the radio the other day. I respect him as a player, but how can anyone listen to him?

[The Czech Republic 0]

Well, Al....

 

look a pony!

[Vern Gagne 0]

I guess Len Kasper is passable. I don't think I care for Bob Brenly at all. Looks like I've gotta do 720 for commentary and mute the TV. I'm telling yout they should have just put Pat and Ron on both.

Brenly is a friend of Dusty, so if you're looking for an an ass-kisser, Brenly's your man.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Is Len Kasper the former Marlins' announcer? They hired someone who is good, but I can't remember the name.

Yeah, that's him. The two of them make a bland announcing duo, which is probably what they were shooting for when they hired them.

[the max 0]

Len Kasper is as funny as his color guy.

 

He and Tommy Hutton did very well as the Marlins tv team for FSN.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I guess Len Kasper is passable. I don't think I care for Bob Brenly at all. Looks like I've gotta do 720 for commentary and mute the TV. I'm telling yout they should have just put Pat and Ron on both.

Brenly is a friend of Dusty, so if you're looking for an an ass-kisser, Brenly's your man.

Oh man. It's gonna be a long summer.