Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Season Thread Vol: (17-17)

[CP1708]

Kyle ******* SCHWARBER!!!!!!!!!

 

[CP1708]

Last 4 Cubs with 2 HR in 9th inning or later:
7/21/15 Kyle Schwarber
5/4/93 S. Sosa
5/8/90 A. Dawson
6/23/84 R. Sandberg (Sandberg Game)

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Schwarber is special

 

[sportsjunkie]

I went to sleep on the game kinda pissed. Kyle Schwarber saves the night.

btw I have to take advantage of this free MLB Package. Directv doing the free trail from July 17-26

 

[CP1708]

13 inning game, night before a doubleheader.

 

[CP1708]

Matthew Trueblood @MATrueblood
Kyle Schwarber's Win Probability Added tonight was the highest for any hitter in any game this season.

Schwarber’s WPA on the game was .860, which is absolutely mind-boggling, and underscores just how critical those homers were (that part’s pretty obvious).

On the year, Schwarber is now hitting .410/.439/.744 through 41 plate appearances with a .499 wOBA and a 224 wRC+. Sure, the .542 BABIP will come down (though he looks like a high BABIP guy to me because, like Jorge Soler, he hits the ball so hard), and it’ll be interesting to see what happens to the 4.9% BB rate and 29.3% K rate as he gets a more significant number of plate appearances. There will be struggles along the way.

But, for now, it’s quite clear that Schwarber has the ability to barrel the ball – different types of balls, in fact – with serious authority. That’s a great first step, and it’s OK to start dreaming long-term about a lineup that features a developed and productive Schwarber-Bryant-Rizzo-Soler-Russell-Baez at the heart. Heck, you can’t even call it the heart at that point. It’s just the lineup.

So far today he's 2-3 with an RBI. Should get an at bat in the 9th. Not sure if he will play in game 2 tho.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

that first inning for Hendricks looked like he settled down decently after

 

[CP1708]

Huge inning from the Cubs. Down 5-0 in the 3rd, now 5-5.

 

[CP1708]

A new era is being built. Not even about the 100+ years stuff, just an era of youth, and hope built the right way by a guy with a proven track record.

Your future for the next generation of Cub fans.

SS Starlin Castro
View media item 793932
1B Anthony Rizzo
View media item 793940
OF Junior Lake
View media item 793951
OF Javier Baez
View media item 793961
3B Kris Bryant
View media item 793968
OF Jorge Soler
View media item 793969
2B Arismendy Alcantara
View media item 793981
OF Albert Almora
View media item 793986


All under the age of 25. Not even including CJ Edwards, Arodys Vizcaino, Pierce Johnson, Eloy Jimenez, Corey Black, or the #4 pick we have coming up in June.


This isn't about winning a World Series this year, or any curses, this is simply a new era for the Cubs, being run properly, building thru the draft, and not having a single 100 million dollar contract on the books.


Soooooon.


Let's Play Ball.


Edit 9/2

SS Addison Russell
View media item 1162675
C/OF Kyle Schwarber
View media item 1162677
OF Billy McKinney
View media item 1163735
SP Jake Arrieta
View media item 1162684
SP Kyle Hendricks
View media item 1162686

The Cubs first big Free Agent buy in the Theo era

SP Jon Lester
View media item 1534183

Edit 7/22/2015
Next wave of prospects

SS Gleyber Torres
View media item 1640152
OF Eloy Jimenez
View media item 1640153
2B/OF Ian Happ
View media item 1640154

Updated the OP, these photos make me happy.

 

[CP1708]

As discussed yesterday, the Competitive Balance Lottery was held today, and the results do not include the St. Louis Cardinals getting an extra free draft pick next year:

Competitive Balance Round A
1. Reds
2. A’s
3. Rockies
4. D-backs
5. Marlins
6. Pirates

Competitive Balance Round B
1. Padres
2. Indians
3. Twins
4. Brewers
5. Orioles
6. Rays

at the Cardinals finally not getting one!!!

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Gleyber Torres sounds really special.

 

[CP1708]

If you look at all the 21-, 22- and 23-year-olds up and down the Cubs' lineup, it would be tough to convince yourself this is a team ready to win the World Series THIS year. So the Cubs don't fit the profile of a team ready to make a go-for-it July blockbuster -- except for one thing:

They're the Cubs.

So even a trip to the wild-card game would register on the Richter scale in Chicago. And that means the Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer regime will be energized to do SOMETHING in the next week and a half. The questions are: How big will that SOMETHING be? And do the Cubs and Phillies match up?

The answer to the first question is: Get back to us. Depends on how the dominoes fall. The answer to the second question is: Not very neatly.

Other clubs say the Cubs are dangling Javier Baez and Starlin Castro as the centerpieces of a potential deal. But the Phillies appear no more than lukewarm about either of them. And it's hard to see how the Cubs could structure an alternate package without trading young players they'd planned to build around, not move.

But an exec of one team that has talked to them said: "I don't think they'll be in the rental market. So the value to them, with Hamels, is the three years [left on his contract]. This isn't just about selling out to go for the wild card. It's about getting ahead of [the free-agent ace market] this winter."

In other words, don't take your eye off the Cubs. That would be a biiigg mistake.

I still don't see Theo giving up talent right now, BUT, that does make sense, that Hamels IS still under contract for 3 more years after this, meaning he'd have his 3 aces in hand, right now.

And, presumably, if he dealt either Baez or Castro, it would free up the logjam they have in the middle infield.


But, Philly better not even THINK of asking for Torres. I will be furious if the cost was Baez/Torres and 1-2 other lesser pieces. I can handle 1 + some parts, but not 2.

Don't let me down Theo.

 

[CP1708]

Gleyber Torres sounds really special.

Dude, I follow multiple Cubs guys that work in and around the farm clubs. They RAVE about him. He was the #3 International Prospect in 2013, #1 was Eloy Jimenez, and he's playing in Eugene right now with Ian Happ.
Every damn day I see multiple tweets about Torres did this, or Torres did that. And he's only 18.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Word I've seen a lot of those tweets that you RT'd everything I've read about him sounds impressive. Kid could very well be called up in a few years. Gotta love all that depth Theo has given y'all.

 

[sportsjunkie]

I think Theo needs to be patient and not trade no one. David Price will be in FA at the end of the season. Wait it out. However this season unfolds, it unfolds.

 

[CP1708]

Cubs were at the Tigers game today, scouting Price.

Welp.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Price will be a Cubbie.

 

[CP1708]

Darron @Darron1908
@JLester34 @JArrieta34 You two make a great 1-2 punch. Wouldn't @DAVIDprice14 be an excellent #3?

Jake Arrieta [emoji]10004[/emoji]@JArrieta34
@Darron1908 @JLester34 @DAVIDprice14 Price a #3?

David Price [emoji]10004[/emoji]@DAVIDprice14
Jake I always loved you...but that right there makes me love u more!! RT @JArrieta34: @Darron1908 @JLester34 @DAVIDprice14 Price a #3?

Oh boy.........

I need to know cost before I get behind this. I would prefer to wait until November and just sign him outright and keep as many pieces as I can in the system. I have a feeling the Tigers would want Torres, right?

Both the Cubs and Tigers are scouting each other’s systems in the event a swap can be agreed to.

Names I have seen so far

CJ Edwards, Billy McKinney, and Wilson Contreras. (and I assume another lottery ticket type arm from lower levels)

 

[arstyle27]

^^^ Maybe, but not this season.

 

[CP1708]

Bob Nightengale [emoji]10004[/emoji]@BNightengale
The Chicago #Cubs say they would like to acquire another pitcher by the deadline,but insist they will not pay a premium price for a rental.

 

[CP1708]

Yeah, it's that time of year obviously.........

With the Major League Baseball non waiver trade deadline just eight days away the rumor mill is cranking out potential trade scenarios almost non stop. While the Cubs sit nine games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central they are in the hunt to make the playoffs as a Wild Card team sitting 1/2 game ahead of the San Francisco Giants for the second Wild Card spot. That surprising emergence of the Cubs young roster has the team's front office kicking the tires on various trade scenarios that would help to bolster the starting rotation and perhaps the team's bench.

MLB sources confirmed to me this afternoon that the Cubs have been in discussions with the Philadelphia Phillies on a deal for Cole Hamels who has three years left on his current contract plus an option year. While he is an expensive piece he fits the needs of the team to upgrade their rotation while adding a player who would be a part of the team beyond the rest of this season. The Cubs will probably add an additional starter for depth perhaps as a rental type but that is not expected to be a significant acquisition.

In addition, multiple sources have confirmed to me that the Detroit Tigers have not put starting pitcher David Price on the trade block yet. Teams that have called and expressed interest have been told that the Tigers are not yet willing to discuss him until they make a decision on giving up on their playoff hopes this season. That decision could come this weekend or by Wednesday of next week. Several reports have indicated that the Cubs have been in discussions with Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski regarding Price's availability but those do not appear to be accurate at this point. Cubs sources insist they have had no substantive discussions regarding him yet.

In addition, the Cubs front office is hesitant to add a high profile player in the final year of his contract because the players they are being asked to give up in return are significant and with the team likely not able to catch the Cardinals for the division title the thought of paying a high price to make it to a one game Wild Card playoff is not appealing to Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer after they spent the past three seasons in last place and trying to overhaul a minor league system that in 2011 was ranked 28th in baseball and is now one of the game's very best. "I would not trade away significant young players to add a rental type if I was in Theo or Jed's shoes. What if you lose the Wild Card playoff game and then you don't re-sign the player or players that you overpaid to get? Hamels is a player that I would definitely make a strong run at because you will have him for at least the next three seasons but I would stay away from the Price, Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake or Jeff Samardzija types who you have no guarantee of keeping beyond this season because the cost to obtain them is currently unrealistic," a former NL GM told me.

Conflicting rumors.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Darron @Darron1908
@JLester34 @JArrieta34 You two make a great 1-2 punch. Wouldn't @DAVIDprice14 be an excellent #3?

Jake Arrieta [emoji]10004[/emoji]@JArrieta34
@Darron1908 @JLester34 @DAVIDprice14 Price a #3?

David Price [emoji]10004[/emoji]@DAVIDprice14
Jake I always loved you...but that right there makes me love u more!! RT @JArrieta34: @Darron1908 @JLester34 @DAVIDprice14 Price a #3?

Oh boy.........

I need to know cost before I get behind this. I would prefer to wait until November and just sign him outright and keep as many pieces as I can in the system. I have a feeling the Tigers would want Torres, right?

Both the Cubs and Tigers are scouting each other’s systems in the event a swap can be agreed to.

Names I have seen so far

CJ Edwards, Billy McKinney, and Wilson Contreras. (and I assume another lottery ticket type arm from lower levels)

In every article I've written about potential trades involving Cubs, I always include McKinney I could see him being moved along with Vogelbach and potentially Torres. I really wouldn't want to trade Gleyber, but man, if that's what's needed to get Price, I might have to do it. I know it's year one, but it's tough to not get him on the team as soon as possible.

 

[CP1708]

I would accept Torres IF, we got Price signed right away. Right away, I mean, immediately. Then, I would be ok with Torres.

But if we trade Torres, and Price signs with someone else in 3 months, I would be rioting. There's no way I move a guy like that for 2-3 months of a starter giving me 12-13 starts. No damn way.


Eventually I expect Torres to be a piece of a very large trade, in 2015, 2016, or 2017, absolutely 100% expect it to happen at some point, but for a guy that's locked up for 3-4-5 years. Not 3 months.


Theo is smart enough to know that tho. He won't mess this up. I have faith in him.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Oh yeah, I agree with you on the extension part. That would be a must if you pursue Price.

I wish Theo was my GM. Man knows how to run a team.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Apples to oranges, but I don't want to give away young talent to acquire a guy who would almost be sure to sign in free agency......Melo scenario all over again.

This time last year I was hoping to see Max and Price in the Chi....but Lester, Price, and Jake