When I first started considering putting a piece together comparing this Cubs troupe to The Big Red Machine, I expected it to be an exercise in reflecting on similarities. This star compares to that star. That role player is similar to this turd. I was hoping to find and delicately express how one silver haired genius […]
Author: Isaac Bennett
Maintaining Financial Flexibility: 2017 Vintage – Part Two
Following the same path as last year, part one of this series looked at each of the Cubs’ offseason transactions to gauge whether they allowed the Cubs more or less financial flexibility in the years moving forward. This offseason was clearly different than last, as winning the World Series definitively changed the trajectory and unbridled […]
Maintaining Financial Flexibility: 2017 Vintage – Part One
The Chicago Cubs spent a tremendous amount of money last offseason, as they correctly identified the beginning of an open window of contention their young, cost-controlled players gave them. I argued that even the larger contracts that the Cubs signed (namely Jason Heyward, John Lackey and Ben Zobrist) all angled towards keeping the Cubs’ longterm […]
Prospect Day: The “Next Five”
To complement the main site releasing the Cubs’ top 10 prospects, the staff here has once again collaborated to bring you the 11th-15th best prospects in the Cubs’ system. Before you check out our conclusions below, head over to the main site to read Jeffrey Paternostro’s top 10 write-up of the best prospects in the system. […]
Player Profile: Tommy La Stella
Position: Second Base, Third Base 2016 Stats: 74 GP, 169 PA, .270/.357/.405, .287 TAV, 0.4 WARP Year in Review: The 2016 season was a roller coaster for Tommy La Stella, but it wasn’t what transpired on the field that created the most compelling storylines. In early August, the return of Chris Coghlan from the disabled list […]
PLAYER PROFILE: ANTHONY RIZZO
Position: First Base, first in Cubs fans’ hearts. 2016 Stats: .292/.385/.544, .334 TAV, 7.o WARP Year in Review: How do you review something that Hollywood couldn’t do justice to in a movie script? A century of futility artfully ending as the dashing leading man slips as he fires the ball into the trustworthy mitt of his affable […]
MARK MELANCON: POTENTIAL OFFSEASON TARGET
Position: Right-Handed Reliever 2016 Stats: 71 1/3 IP, 24.1 K%, 4.4 BB%, 1.64 ERA, 2.91 DRA, 0.90 WHIP, 1.7 WARP The Cubs built their bullpen the last two seasons in a manner suggesting they almost viewed it as an afterthought. They had a scrap heap pickup for a closer in Hector Rondon. Setup men Pedro Strop, […]
The Captain’s Instincts Come Through
On an unusually cold early April day, I stepped out of my car at Principal Park with no clue how to do the job I was there to do, and even less idea what would transpire over the next seven months. I was on a mission to conduct my first professional interview, seeking to discuss with […]
Second City October: Backs Against The Wall
The Cubs entered Game 4 of the World Series in an unexpected—albeit familiar—position: down 2-1 and desperately needing a slumping offense to awaken. Tonight’s challenge was exacerbated by facing the indomitable Corey Kluber, the former Cy Young winner who shut them down in Game 1. The wind reversed from last night, steadily blowing in and […]
Second City October: A Wrigley Renaissance, And a Tough Loss
Game 3 featured two of the softest-tossing right-handed starters in the game, with Cleveland’s Josh Tomlin (87.8 mph average fastball) and Chicago’s starter Kyle Hendricks (89.9) squaring off in the momentous contest. Game conditions were a classic Wrigley Field experience, with gusting winds between 20-40 mph blowing straight out. The scene was everything you could […]