I know projections show the Cubs having one of the better rotations, but I’d feel a lot better if they could add a young #3 with #2 upside. They have enough depth to get through the regular season, but we saw what happens when you only have two dependable starters. Arrieta really tired down at the end. Lester can be run on. I get not spending $200m on another starter, but they have the resources to make sure depth is not a problem.
“I know projections show the Cubs having one of the better rotations”
Really? I think they have a ton of questions and the potential for things to go very wrong. Age, middling back end, Arrieta shot all his bullets last year, etc.
As a Cardinal fan, the Cubs starting rotation is what gives me hope that the Cards can still win the Central.
Not that the cardinals don’t have concerns. But, Arietta isn’t going to put up another season like last year (duh) and they will experience more injuries than last year (again, duh), and if a few things go against them like W-L in 1-run and/or extra inning Games, bullpen regression/volatility, then you can see where they want to add quality depth.
StL survived a ton of injuries last year and and thrived due to depth. Not that the Cubs copy everything the cardinals do (before someone suggests that’s what I am saying), but I’m sure it illustrated to teams in the central how you can survive injuries with depth.
We heard a couple of years ago that StL might have too much pitching. Ha. Well, you do until you don’t. The atrition rate is pretty high.
Funny but I just had a conversation like this on twitter. Both of us are cub fans. He was doing the old ws is ours thing. I pointed out to him my worries about pitching injurys and depth. Of course he is young and way to confident to actually know.
I guess I will have to give him another 30 yrs to understand it is not that easy. We do have a hole still. We do have to hope to have some luck again in 16. Oh well.
I did, and ANY team would benefit from a “young #3, with #2 upside”. The Cubs may not get that however. I’m not saying the Cubs won’t be very good, their lineup is insane and will score enough runs for them to win a lot of games. But, if I was a Cubs fan I would be a bit worried that the rotation won’t hold up their end of the deal.
Dude… that’s what I said… I read elsewhere on this site that they projected to have one of the top rotations, but I felt better if they added some depth. I watched as they rode two starters (with Arrieta struggling) through the playoffs and felt like they needed to add two guys. Lackey is nice depth, and they may not need an ace, but I do feel like they need to add a talented guy. If they’re not going to buy one, with their resources, they have the talent to give up what it costs to get a younger guy. My whole entire point was that I didn’t think they had enough.
It turns out you probably should have left off that initial phrase. What you appear to have intended as conciliatory appears to have been misread by others as your premise, which unfortunately led to them not reading your comment because they assumed they would disagree with you. Ah, communication. Next time, we’ll all do better.
Would it make more sense to see what Schwarber can fetch? He did have the better showing last year, and has obvious struggles in the OF. He should be able to fetch a young starter who can be a difference maker. Or is he basically untouchable?
I gotta think he’s untouchable. He hit a pair of post season homers out of the building!!! Neither of those moon shots was his farthest of the post season! That was reserved for the missile he launched off Matt Harvey. Holy Cow!!! He’s 23. He might still stick at catcher, at least as a personal caddy for one of their starters ( if I was in the Cubs rotation I would beg Maddon to pair me with Schwarber. Sit back and watch the laser show:). I think Schwarber is probably as close to untouchable as they come. Maddon loves versatility. Theo loves winning in the post season, especially with mighty lefty power bats leading the way. My guess is that Schwarber is staying.
I think Schwarber would be eminently moveable for the right price, his value may never be higher than it is now (like Inciarte). He may get exposed somewhat after some more exposure, and I’m not sure that “poor OF/possible C” would qualify as being versatile.
I don’t intend that to say that I’m totally down on him, think he sucks, etc., just that there is some downside or bust potential there.
I know projections show the Cubs having one of the better rotations, but I’d feel a lot better if they could add a young #3 with #2 upside. They have enough depth to get through the regular season, but we saw what happens when you only have two dependable starters. Arrieta really tired down at the end. Lester can be run on. I get not spending $200m on another starter, but they have the resources to make sure depth is not a problem.
“I know projections show the Cubs having one of the better rotations”
Really? I think they have a ton of questions and the potential for things to go very wrong. Age, middling back end, Arrieta shot all his bullets last year, etc.
right here, buddy…
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/how-badly-do-the-cubs-need-a-starting-pitcher/
I agree with Dave.
As a Cardinal fan, the Cubs starting rotation is what gives me hope that the Cards can still win the Central.
Not that the cardinals don’t have concerns. But, Arietta isn’t going to put up another season like last year (duh) and they will experience more injuries than last year (again, duh), and if a few things go against them like W-L in 1-run and/or extra inning Games, bullpen regression/volatility, then you can see where they want to add quality depth.
StL survived a ton of injuries last year and and thrived due to depth. Not that the Cubs copy everything the cardinals do (before someone suggests that’s what I am saying), but I’m sure it illustrated to teams in the central how you can survive injuries with depth.
We heard a couple of years ago that StL might have too much pitching. Ha. Well, you do until you don’t. The atrition rate is pretty high.
I feel like STL has (so far) a lot less depth in the rotation than The Cubs.
I’m not saying I don;t have concerns with StL’s starting rotation. There’s legit concerns, pretty much top to bottom.
Funny but I just had a conversation like this on twitter. Both of us are cub fans. He was doing the old ws is ours thing. I pointed out to him my worries about pitching injurys and depth. Of course he is young and way to confident to actually know.
I guess I will have to give him another 30 yrs to understand it is not that easy. We do have a hole still. We do have to hope to have some luck again in 16. Oh well.
By the way, did you read my *whole* comment, or just the first line?
I did, and ANY team would benefit from a “young #3, with #2 upside”. The Cubs may not get that however. I’m not saying the Cubs won’t be very good, their lineup is insane and will score enough runs for them to win a lot of games. But, if I was a Cubs fan I would be a bit worried that the rotation won’t hold up their end of the deal.
Dude… that’s what I said… I read elsewhere on this site that they projected to have one of the top rotations, but I felt better if they added some depth. I watched as they rode two starters (with Arrieta struggling) through the playoffs and felt like they needed to add two guys. Lackey is nice depth, and they may not need an ace, but I do feel like they need to add a talented guy. If they’re not going to buy one, with their resources, they have the talent to give up what it costs to get a younger guy. My whole entire point was that I didn’t think they had enough.
I’d like to apologize if my comments are coming off as bitchy. Wasn’t my intention.
It turns out you probably should have left off that initial phrase. What you appear to have intended as conciliatory appears to have been misread by others as your premise, which unfortunately led to them not reading your comment because they assumed they would disagree with you. Ah, communication. Next time, we’ll all do better.
Reading Comprehension for teh win!!??!!?!?!
Would it make more sense to see what Schwarber can fetch? He did have the better showing last year, and has obvious struggles in the OF. He should be able to fetch a young starter who can be a difference maker. Or is he basically untouchable?
I gotta think he’s untouchable. He hit a pair of post season homers out of the building!!! Neither of those moon shots was his farthest of the post season! That was reserved for the missile he launched off Matt Harvey. Holy Cow!!! He’s 23. He might still stick at catcher, at least as a personal caddy for one of their starters ( if I was in the Cubs rotation I would beg Maddon to pair me with Schwarber. Sit back and watch the laser show:). I think Schwarber is probably as close to untouchable as they come. Maddon loves versatility. Theo loves winning in the post season, especially with mighty lefty power bats leading the way. My guess is that Schwarber is staying.
I think Schwarber would be eminently moveable for the right price, his value may never be higher than it is now (like Inciarte). He may get exposed somewhat after some more exposure, and I’m not sure that “poor OF/possible C” would qualify as being versatile.
I don’t intend that to say that I’m totally down on him, think he sucks, etc., just that there is some downside or bust potential there.