We feel your pain Theo, and we don't like this anymore than you do...
30. The
Chicago Cubs
by Hayden Hughes
With a rotation of Jeff Samardzija, Edwin Jackson, and Travis Wood as the 1-2-3, the Cubs’ faithful could reasonably expect an improvement over the 66-96 2013 season which resulted in the firing of their manager of just two seasons, Dale Sveum. Dumping veteran outfielder Alfonso Soriano to the New York Yankees was a solid start to raising expectations – or so it seemed. Turns out the Yanks are getting Chicago to pay $13M of the $18M the 38 year-old in 2014. After an apparent all-out attempt for Japanese export Masahiro Tanaka, the Cubs fell short of New York’s offer (Score: Yankees 2, Cubs 0). Furthermore, there seems to be trouble in paradise between the Cubs and their Ace, Jeff Samardzija, as the two have had difficulties coming to terms on a long term extension, and just recently avoided arbitration. Past all the issues, Epstein and co. have one thing have to look forward to in their overall relative youth. Star-in-the-making Starlin Castro has been relatively consistent, and first baseman Anthon Rizzo enters his year 24-season still progressing in the right direction. But still, 2014 will not be the year Chicago finally lifts a blue World Series banner.
Where the promise lies is in 2015, 2016, and beyond. Once Nate Schierholtz isn’t batting clean-up for the
Cubs, but instead the lineup card is filled with names like Beaz, Bryant, Almora, and Soler, Cubs fans will
then justifiably spend their week nights at Wrigley Field. 2014 will be a transition year when questions will be
answered. Those questions revolve around former Texas Rangers prospect-now-transplant Mike Olt,
second year left fielder Junior Lake, and strikeout-prone catcher Welington Castillo. Whether or not these
assets are a part of Chicago’s future doesn’t change the fact that Chicago’s crop of upcoming prospects are
nothing short of thrilling for fans; but the above players need to prove their worth as the next batch of
prospects threaten current starters’ jobs.
One thing worth watching this year with the Cubs is the productivity, overall perceived happiness, and
(while we’re at it) body language of shortstop Starlin Castro. Still maturing, Castro’s 2013 slash-line of
.245/.284/.347 didn’t fit well with fans, as the 23-year-old’s WAR fell to below replacement level for
the first time in his career. One bright spot in Castro’s 2013 was his cut down of errors – but only slightly
– from 27 in 2012, and 29 in 2011, to a mere 22 in 2014. One dark spot on that bright spot is that 22
errors still lead the Major Leagues among shortstops (tied with Alexei Ramirez). In fact, the only player
with more than 22 errors was Pittsburg 3B Pedro Alvarez with 27 – who hit 36 homers and won a Silver
Slugger. But hey, you can’t have your cake and eat it too, Cubs fans.
I expect the Cubs to not only finish last in the NL Central, but also potentially be the lone 100-loss team in
the big leagues. That being said, I expect with the right development, the Cubs could be serious
contenders in the future.
1. Last Year & Offseason
a. 66-96
b. Fired Dale Sveum and hired Rick Renteria
c. Traded for George Kottaras for $$$$
d. Traded Brian Bogusevic to MIA for Justin Ruggiano
e. Signed Jose Veras, Wesley Wright, Jason Hammel
f. What they didn’t do
i. Extend/Trade Samarbfajbva
ii. Acquire Tanaka
2. Projected Lineup / Rotation
Lineup:
1. Starlin Castro SS
2. Ryan Sweeney / Justin Ruggiano CF
3. Anthony Rizzo 1B
4. Nate Schierholtz RF
5. Welington Castillo C
6. Junior Lake LF
7. Mike Olt 3B
8. Darwin Barney 2B
Rotation:
1. Jeff Samardzija
2. Edwin Jackson
3. Travis Wood
4. Jason Hammel
5. Jake Arrieta
3. Favorite/Least Favorite
a. Nick's Favorite – Throwback uniforms
b. Hayden's Favorite – Farm System
c. Nick's Least Favorite – New mascot: “Clark the Cub”
d. Hayden's Least Favorite – Big league Club & lack of offseason
4. High Heat Impact Player
a. Anthony Rizzo
i. Will be 24
ii. AVG dipped, OBP stayed at .323
iii. Needs to get AVG up to .270, while maintaining walks
iv. Power numbers will grow, Goldschmidt comp. (was 24 in 2012)
5. Prospect to make impact
a. Javier Baez – SS/3B
b. Mike Olt – 3B
6. Mid-Season Status
a. FIRE SELLERS!!!!
i. Edwin Jackson and/or Jeff Samardzija are the Weakest Link…goodbye.
b. Starlin Castro becomes a walking cancer and hurricane. Dawns new nickname “Hurricane Castro”
c. Olt doesn’t pan out
7. Bold Prediction
a. 61-101; Samardzija is gone by deadline, Castro wants trade – Change of Scenery guy, Epstein sends memo to fans in May promising a better tomorrow.
b. Trade Samardzija to SEA for Nick Franklin (2B) and James Paxton (LHP)
Podcast Playlist:
"Keep it Comin' Love" by KC and the Sunshine Band
"Wannabe" by the Fugees
"Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake
We feel your pain Theo, and we don't like this anymore than you do...
30. The Chicago Cubs
by Hayden Hughes
With a rotation of Jeff Samardzija, Edwin Jackson, and Travis Wood as the 1-2-3, the Cubs’ faithful could reasonably expect an improvement over the 66-96 2013 season which resulted in the firing of their manager of just two seasons, Dale Sveum. Dumping veteran outfielder Alfonso Soriano to the New York Yankees was a solid start to raising expectations – or so it seemed. Turns out the Yanks are getting Chicago to pay $13M of the $18M the 38 year-old in 2014. After an apparent all-out attempt for Japanese export Masahiro Tanaka, the Cubs fell short of New York’s offer (Score: Yankees 2, Cubs 0). Furthermore, there seems to be trouble in paradise between the Cubs and their Ace, Jeff Samardzija, as the two have had difficulties coming to terms on a long term extension, and just recently avoided arbitration. Past all the issues, Epstein and co. have one thing have to look forward to in their overall relative youth. Star-in-the-making Starlin Castro has been relatively consistent, and first baseman Anthon Rizzo enters his year 24-season still progressing in the right direction. But still, 2014 will not be the year Chicago finally lifts a blue World Series banner.
Where the promise lies is in 2015, 2016, and beyond. Once Nate Schierholtz isn’t batting clean-up for the
Cubs, but instead the lineup card is filled with names like Beaz, Bryant, Almora, and Soler, Cubs fans will
then justifiably spend their week nights at Wrigley Field. 2014 will be a transition year when questions will be
answered. Those questions revolve around former Texas Rangers prospect-now-transplant Mike Olt,
second year left fielder Junior Lake, and strikeout-prone catcher Welington Castillo. Whether or not these
assets are a part of Chicago’s future doesn’t change the fact that Chicago’s crop of upcoming prospects are
nothing short of thrilling for fans; but the above players need to prove their worth as the next batch of
prospects threaten current starters’ jobs.
One thing worth watching this year with the Cubs is the productivity, overall perceived happiness, and
(while we’re at it) body language of shortstop Starlin Castro. Still maturing, Castro’s 2013 slash-line of
.245/.284/.347 didn’t fit well with fans, as the 23-year-old’s WAR fell to below replacement level for
the first time in his career. One bright spot in Castro’s 2013 was his cut down of errors – but only slightly
– from 27 in 2012, and 29 in 2011, to a mere 22 in 2014. One dark spot on that bright spot is that 22
errors still lead the Major Leagues among shortstops (tied with Alexei Ramirez). In fact, the only player
with more than 22 errors was Pittsburg 3B Pedro Alvarez with 27 – who hit 36 homers and won a Silver
Slugger. But hey, you can’t have your cake and eat it too, Cubs fans.
I expect the Cubs to not only finish last in the NL Central, but also potentially be the lone 100-loss team in
the big leagues. That being said, I expect with the right development, the Cubs could be serious
contenders in the future.
1. Last Year & Offseason
a. 66-96
b. Fired Dale Sveum and hired Rick Renteria
c. Traded for George Kottaras for $$$$
d. Traded Brian Bogusevic to MIA for Justin Ruggiano
e. Signed Jose Veras, Wesley Wright, Jason Hammel
f. What they didn’t do
i. Extend/Trade Samarbfajbva
ii. Acquire Tanaka
2. Projected Lineup / Rotation
Lineup:
1. Starlin Castro SS
2. Ryan Sweeney / Justin Ruggiano CF
3. Anthony Rizzo 1B
4. Nate Schierholtz RF
5. Welington Castillo C
6. Junior Lake LF
7. Mike Olt 3B
8. Darwin Barney 2B
Rotation:
1. Jeff Samardzija
2. Edwin Jackson
3. Travis Wood
4. Jason Hammel
5. Jake Arrieta
3. Favorite/Least Favorite
a. Nick's Favorite – Throwback uniforms
b. Hayden's Favorite – Farm System
c. Nick's Least Favorite – New mascot: “Clark the Cub”
d. Hayden's Least Favorite – Big league Club & lack of offseason
4. High Heat Impact Player
a. Anthony Rizzo
i. Will be 24
ii. AVG dipped, OBP stayed at .323
iii. Needs to get AVG up to .270, while maintaining walks
iv. Power numbers will grow, Goldschmidt comp. (was 24 in 2012) 
5. Prospect to make impact
a. Javier Baez – SS/3B
b. Mike Olt – 3B
6. Mid-Season Status
a. FIRE SELLERS!!!!
i. Edwin Jackson and/or Jeff Samardzija are the Weakest Link…goodbye.
b. Starlin Castro becomes a walking cancer and hurricane. Dawns new nickname “Hurricane Castro”
c. Olt doesn’t pan out
7. Bold Prediction
a. 61-101; Samardzija is gone by deadline, Castro wants trade – Change of Scenery guy, Epstein sends memo to fans in May promising a better tomorrow.
b. Trade Samardzija to SEA for Nick Franklin (2B) and James Paxton (LHP)
Podcast Playlist:
"Keep it Comin' Love" by KC and the Sunshine Band
"Wannabe" by the Fugees
"Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake
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