The Cubs

[iortiz]

I really really like how the Cubs look like just a week to start the season. I had my doubts regarding Theo as GM since he left a mess in Boston, but IMO he has learned and matured a lot since then. Good for him and the Cubs.

 

I see a great combination of proven super stars and high caliber young players, I see a balanced team all the way; great pitching and good bats. Also they have arguably the best fan base in baseball and a lot of money.

 

They have all the pieces together to win. On paper, they must be the fav to win it all this year. Imagine a WS between the Red Sox and the Cubs, would be epic.

[Kimmi]

The Cubs look to be set to be real contenders for several years to come. Theo did a great job with that franchise.

 

FTR, he did not leave this team in a mess. The higher ups did that. And Theo did not learn and mature a lot since then. He already knew how to build a team, he just wasn't given the autonomy to do it the way he wanted to do it. Same with Ben.

 

I would love to see a Red Sox/Cubs World Series, with the Sox winning, of course. But if it's not the Sox, I really hope the Cubs win it all.

[iortiz]

He left a clogged team at the time. His tenure in the last years in Boston weren't good at all. I think he learned of that. At the time he had more autonomy than Ben by far IMO, but we will never know. On the other hand Ben was always a puppet.

 

Anyways, I like the Cubs, but still we have to see how they perform in the field.

[Palodios]

Theo had a 5 year plan. Hoard elite prospects and top picks. Make shrewd, excellent trades. Spend money intelligently.

 

Cashner for Rizzo. Feldman for Strop and Arrieta. Shark for Addison Russell, Billy Mckinney. Dempster for Hendricks. Jorge Soler on the cheap.

 

Its a shame that they let Theo go instead of Loopy Larry.

[iortiz]

I think Theo's cycle in Boston was already finished. Both, Boston and Theo needed fresh air. Boston already won a WS with LL. Theo seems to be in that way. IMO Both took the right the decision at the time, Boston let him go and he took a rebuilding franchise where he is showing his abilities as GM.

[mvp 78]

f*** the Cubs and their s***** fanbase.

[User Name]

I really really like how the Cubs look like just a week to start the season. I had my doubts regarding Theo as GM since he left a mess in Boston, but IMO he has learned and matured a lot since then. Good for him and the Cubs.

 

I see a great combination of proven super stars and high caliber young players, I see a balanced team all the way; great pitching and good bats. Also they have arguably the best fan base in baseball and a lot of money.

 

They have all the pieces together to win. On paper, they must be the fav to win it all this year. Imagine a WS between the Red Sox and the Cubs, would be epic.

 

Theo was a great GM while he was in Boston. He fell victim to the same backstage politicking that drove Cherington out of town. Just admit he's way better than many of you gave him credit for and move on. He's one of the premier executives in the game, and was so during his tenure in Boston as well. How good would it be to have him as president of baseball ops right this instant.

[iortiz]

the credit was always there, but he had to go. You just can't hide his performance as a GM in the last years here. As I said, he left a mess, reason why they let him go. On the other hand if I had to choose a GM for this team I would chosee Friedman over anyone in the game in a heartbeat.

 

Anyways, and back to topic, I see the NYM, LAD and the Cubs as the front runners in the NL.

Edited March 28, 2016 by iortiz

[a700hitter]

They are all a bunch of overpaid suits imo. Even the good ones are fungible. I don't give a hoot about any of them. Just make the right moves, boys, and give me a good team to watch.

[iortiz]

They are all a bunch of overpaid suits imo. Even the good ones are fungible. I don't give a hoot about any of them. Just make the right moves, boys, and give me a good team to watch.

Well, I have seen better ideas here than the executed by our FO in recent years LOL!

[Kimmi]

Theo was a great GM while he was in Boston. He fell victim to the same backstage politicking that drove Cherington out of town. Just admit he's way better than many of you gave him credit for and move on. He's one of the premier executives in the game, and was so during his tenure in Boston as well. How good would it be to have him as president of baseball ops right this instant.

 

Spot on post. I would take Theo back in a heartbeat. Francona too. Not many appreciated the greatness that we had in those two.

[mvp 78]

Spot on post. I would take Theo back in a heartbeat. Francona too. Not many appreciated the greatness that we had in those two.

 

Theo's problem was that he couldn't figure out how to swim with the sharks (LL, Muppet Werner and Vlad Dracul).

 

Francona was a great coach. He's the best Sox manager I've seen in my lifetime.

[Thunder]

They fell apart in the NLCS, and have only added to their roster. At they legit WS favorites? Sure. Of course. The Spx choked in the LCS the year before breaking their curse. I'm not drawn to the Cubs. I like their management, and their new attitude of running the team. It's great for baseball that they're good again, but I feel like I can't note their achievements and all Theo and Maddon's hard work until they win a World Series. Until last year, they'd been a last place team basically my whole conscious lifetime, so I stil associate them as such.

[Kimmi]

Theo's problem was that he couldn't figure out how to swim with the sharks (LL, Muppet Werner and Vlad Dracul).

 

Francona was a great coach. He's the best Sox manager I've seen in my lifetime.

 

There is only so much anyone can do when their boss is mandating how to run things.

[Kimmi]

They fell apart in the NLCS, and have only added to their roster. At they legit WS favorites? Sure. Of course. The Spx choked in the LCS the year before breaking their curse. I'm not drawn to the Cubs. I like their management, and their new attitude of running the team. It's great for baseball that they're good again, but I feel like I can't note their achievements and all Theo and Maddon's hard work until they win a World Series. Until last year, they'd been a last place team basically my whole conscious lifetime, so I stil associate them as such.

 

The Cubs look like the odds on favorites on paper, but of course they still need to play the games.

 

As far as their recent achievements go, in 4 short years, Theo took the Cubs from being perennial bottom dwellers with losing records to having the 3rd best record in baseball and being a long term contender. That is quite an achievement.

[a700hitter]

The Cubs look like the odds on favorites on paper, but of course they still need to play the games.

 

As far as their recent achievements go, in 4 short years, Theo took the Cubs from being perennial bottom dwellers with losing records to having the 3rd best record in baseball and being a long term contender. That is quite an achievement.

Perennial bottom dwellers? Theo took over in 2012. In 2009, the Cubs finished 2nd, and they won their division in 2008.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Perennial bottom dwellers? Theo took over in 2012. In 2009, the Cubs finished 2nd, and they won their division in 2008.

 

I think she meant more in general, referring to the century leading up to their recent resurgence. 2008-2009 is still pretty recent as baseball history goes, and despite that spark of brilliance they were 20 games under .500 in 2010 and 2011. Plus, they didn't exactly put up a fight to remember in 2008.

[Spudboy]

Yeah I think that Sox fans, for the most part, have some empathy for the Cubs and their fans.

 

This year the Cubs really need to put it together. That blend of vets and youth won't last very long.

 

I count 6 ex-Sox on the Cubs. That is kind of cool to see.

[User Name]

I count seven. Lackey, Lester, Ross, Machi, Victorino, Kalish, Federowicz.

[Kimmi]

Perennial bottom dwellers? Theo took over in 2012. In 2009, the Cubs finished 2nd, and they won their division in 2008.

 

Why is it so hard for you to admit that Theo has done a great job?

[a700hitter]

Why is it so hard for you to admit that Theo has done a great job?

I didn't say that he didn't do a good job. I have said that he is far better than BC. I just think you overstated the "perennial bottom dweller" aspect.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Yeah I think that Sox fans, for the most part, have some empathy for the Cubs and their fans.

 

This year the Cubs really need to put it together. That blend of vets and youth won't last very long.

 

I count 6 ex-Sox on the Cubs. That is kind of cool to see.

 

Yeah, they remind me of the A's of a few years ago.

[Jasonbay44]

I count seven. Lackey, Lester, Ross, Machi, Victorino, Kalish, Federowicz.

 

I wish I could forget Jean Machi's time with us, that dude was so awful last year.

[Northern Star]

"Now batting for the Cubs, the leftfielder, number twenty, Matt Sch....Matt Shu....Matt Sha.... number twenty."

[Northern Star]

Arrieta is pitching a good game. Cubs are picking it behind him tonight, too.

[Northern Star]

I count 6 ex-Sox on the Cubs. That is kind of cool to see.

 

They want any more?

[Northern Star]

David Ross - headsup baserunning scores a fifth run then he puts one over the wall.

[iortiz]

Arrieta is pitching a no-no game.

[Northern Star]

Arrieta is pitching a no-no game.

 

cmon, dude....you don't just out and say it. Probably just jinxed him.

[Northern Star]

Holy f***, Bryant grand slam. They're destroying Cincinnati tonight.