Wait til never

6Oct2008 Filed under: Cubs, Uncategorized Author: Mike

All weekend, I’ve been pondering exactly what I would write about the Cubs this morning. Why did I wait until Monday to write about the Cubs pathetic loss to the Dodgers on Saturday? Because if I had written something yesterday, it would have been a string of obscenity.

So what can you say after 100 years and back-to-back post-season sweeps? Nothing.

There is no next year, not this year. This was the year. 97 wins. Best record in the National League. Great pitching. A deeply consistent offense. Around mid season I remember telling my wife, “If the Cubs can’t do it this year, they just can’t do it.” I was right.

Can the Cubs get better in the off-season? Not really. Can I watch the same team take the field next year with any enthusiasm? Not really. Maybe they should fire the whole team and bring everyone up from AAA. At least it’d be a different team.

This team is sadly broken. Individually, I love many of the players. DeRosa, Theriot, Johnson, Ramirez, even D.P. Lee. As a team, I truly don’t know that I’ll be able to watch next year. But, if the definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior but expecting different results, then watching this team and expecting them not to get swept in next years playoffs is certifiable.

If something good happens to them next year, it will be dumb luck. And I’m not even sure I want to watch it.

Thank god the Bears won yesterday, otherwise I might have done something foolish. I would say I’m rooting for the White Sox now, but after hearing White Sox fans cheering Jmes Loney’s grand slam last Wednesday, I’ll never root for them again.

Tags: Chicago Cubs

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12 Responses to “Wait til never”

DGM
October 6th, 2008 at 9:03 am

Mike, FYI - I will NOT be purchasing tickets next season for our annual (well over 10 years now) game that you, Ed, Dave and I go to. I can’t…I just can’t.
Especially after comments from players like Soriano stating that the fans need to “be patient…” If anything, it shows how STUPID Soriano is…his lack of history in his statement is a glaring example of how stupid he is.

I do NOT share your love for some of the players - I have NEVER liked Lee, and Soriano was a HUGE mistake signing, as I said so upon the announcement of his signing.

Now, we have a team with massive back-loaded contracts & no trade clauses that will look essentially the same next season…meaning, if they couldn’t get it done this season, expect more of the same NEXT season and beyond.

There is NO big “scary” bat in this lineup either. No Manny Ramirez, No Albert Pujols…who is afraid of this line-up? NO pitcher. None.

I am going to make every effort to ween myself off of the drug that is the Cubs…
Patrick
October 6th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

On the other hand, if the starting pitchers are all retained and stay health, and one or two improvements in the bullpen happen (cough Bob Howry cough), there is really no reason to think they won\’t win again next year. Before folding in the playoffs.

The real problem is the playoffs. Methinks that the \"experience\" factor that Lou brought to the playoffs may not be the answer. Maybe we need more Fontenot and less DeRosa. More Sam Fuld and less Strikeout Soriano. They were all so tight, you couldn\’t pull a needle out of their ass with a John Deere 8330.
Mike
October 6th, 2008 at 3:47 pm

Agreed. It looks more and more as if the only way the Cubs can win in the playoffs is if they are not expected to … one of the reasons we came so close in 2003.
Mike
October 6th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

But do you change anything offensively speaking.
Patrick
October 6th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

1. Get whoever helps Ichiro in to talk to Kosuke. It seems like the Asian lefthand hitters all have that “swinging while running” thing, but Kosuke seems to bail out and get off balance when he’s not hitting. I think he’s salvageable, and his defense is worth having him in there hitting .280 with a high OBP.
2. I’d take the money bath and get rid of Soriano. I think his defense (not catching balls) outweighs his positives (throwing and hitting bombs). Or just tell him you’re batting third and your that’s that.
3. Trade D Lee, Jason Marquis and Howry for one new stud starter and a backup first baseman. Or bring Maddux back for the third time.
4. I think Hoffpauir is ready to be your first baseman, if you can teach him to dig out low throws.
5. Have Jim Edmonds on a short leash next year. Pie needs to prove he can or can’t do it. Edmonds contract should be tied to him teaching Pie how to play center field and replace him.
6. Start Fontenot more. Up high in the order, maybe leadoff. Also, teach him to play shortstop to spell TheRiot.
7. Play DeRosa at third more, and not in the outfield EVER.
8. Have Reed Johnson be your supersub in the outfield.
9. Give up on Ronny Cedeno already.
Dan
October 6th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

Patrick-
1. Ichiro is a different type of hitter then Fukudome…they both bat left and look similar swinging, but Fukudome was more of a power hitter in Japan. Ichiro is a contact hitter, and is faster and has a stronger arm then Fukudome.

2. Take a money bath on Soriano? NOT going to happen. That is a TON of money, and a STUPID 8 year contract I bitched about at the time it was announced (who the hell gives an 8 year deal to ANYONE?!). NO TEAM will be as dumb as the Cubs, and take him.

3. Trade D Lee, Jason Marquis and Howry for one new stud starter and a backup first baseman….(to what team(s)???) Let’s be realistic here, who the hell would want Marquis…or Howry…perhaps someone would take Lee. Maddux (I loved him) but come on! He is DONE.

4. I think Hoffpauir is ready to be your first baseman, if you can teach him to dig out low throws. Agree, give the guy who can hit a shot.

5. Wave bye-bye to Edmonds. He did well, but come on, don’t pull another Gary Gaetti signing.

6. Fontenot has shown that he can hit, but he is no lead-off hitter.

7. Uh…I don’t get that one (DeRosa at 3rd???). And DeRosa was not atrocious in RF…Hell, Soriano is WORSE and he is your starting LF.

8. Have Reed Johnson be your supersub in the outfield. Agreed.

9. Give up on Ronny Cedeno already. WHY? He is a decent, albeit not great bench guy.

Want to make a splash? Make a run for CC Sabathia…Manny Ramirez…a big bopper who bats lefty…

I think we will see essentially the same roster in 2009 as we saw this season, with some minor tweaks… in all likelihood they will get to postseason and falter again.
Patrick
October 6th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

1. OK, I wasn’t comparing them for style. I was mainly talking about a coach that can speak to the Asian style of player, including cultural differences, length of season, etc.

2. No team would be as dumb as the Cubs. You forget, the Yankees are still in the league.

3. Yeah, Maddux is done. He sure made the Cubs look like Daytona the other day.

5. My point was, he can field and he might be able to teach the young’un a thing or two.

6. We disagree on what it takes to be a leadoff hitter. A .395 OBP is pretty high up there for me.

7. Ramirez looks tired at times, and needs regular rest. Who else ya got?

9. I think you can do better off the bench, and he’s brutal in the field when you spot start him. So off with his head.

Obviously, I skipped the two things you correctly agreed with me on.
Patrick
October 6th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

OK, just looked up the contract list.

1. Take the option on Blanco and Harden.
2. Here are the arbitration-eligibles:
C. Gaudin
R. Cedeno
M. Wuertz
R. Johnson
N. Cotts
Resign Johnson. Lost the rest.
3. Here’s the free agent list:
R. Dempster
K. Wood
J. Edmonds
B. Howry
D. Ward
J. Lieber
Resign Dempster and Wood. Ward if he comes cheaply.
Mike
October 7th, 2008 at 8:06 am

Agreed, except that I might be tempted to keep Cedeno as well. Edmonds, it was fun while it lasted, but just not fun enough. I’d rather see Reed Johnson starting in center and playing everyday.

The elephant in the room though is Soriano. Is there anyway to deal him? He has star power, maybe some small market team would be willing to give up some prospects?
Mike
October 7th, 2008 at 8:08 am

Dan, is Manny a free agent at the end of the year. If so, I definitely think we should make a run for him … same with Sabathia.
Patrick
October 7th, 2008 at 8:27 am

Well, if you’re going to go for Sabathia, you have to let Dempster and Wood go, otherwise you haven’t got the cash. I’m not sure I’d make that swap.

If you go for Manny, you have to get rid of Soriano. I thought at the time, and still think that one of the worst Hendry deals ever. His attitude after the game 3 loss was one of absolute cluelessness. Too much time off, and didn’t think the Dodgers would play that well? WTF?
DGM
October 7th, 2008 at 9:17 am

Let’s deal in reality here shall we?

Again, what team would be DUMB enough to sign Soriano to an 8 year deal? That’s right, YOUR Chicago Cubs. NO team will take on that contract, UNLESS economic circumstances directly affect baseball…and existing contracts, with approval of player & agent are amended to reflect economic times/uncertainties…which again, is unrealistic and won’t happen.

I don’t see a Japanese “trainer” helping Fukudome. We need to accept that there are Japanese players that flame-out, or don’t last long in MLB, or don’t play as well as they did in Japan. Look at Kaz Matsui (formerly Mets). Seattle’s Ichiro is the exception…and he doesn’t hit for power at all, although he could, as they say he crushes the ball in BP.

Patrick, what are you smoking with regard to Maddux? He is at the tail end of his career, as he himself will admit. At best he is a #5 pitcher. He is a 1st ballot Hall of Famer, and a class act, but what the hell are you smoking to think a guy who’s ERA is UP and record DOWN the last 3 seasons (is under .500) can contribute to the Cubs?

Edmonds will in all likelihood retire. He is 39 after all…with regard to “teaching” the young players…who would that be on this team? Cubs are mostly veteran players, and its apparent they don’t listen or seek advice.

I see no indication Fontenot can be a lead-off hitter. Try it in Spring Training I guess…

As for Ramirez being tired…I also think he is LAZY. There is every indication of his laziness in his lack of effort at running out balls to 1st.

IF the Cubs can open their wallet, I make a run for Sabathia…absolutely. Manny would be big bat in lineup they don’t have. But where would you play him?

The sad fact is, the team will look essentially the same next season as it looked this season, which means expect more of the same in the disapointment department.