If you had asked me during spring training where I expected my beloved cubbies to be in the NL central division standings at the all star break, I would have passionately exclaimed that this was in fact the year to win it all and they would almost certainly have a comfortable 8 game lead mid-July. This is always the optimal scenario for me because I hope it to be the case. However, I also develop an annual worst-case scenario to prepare me in the event that they do not meet this goal to avoid a state of mid-season "cubbie depression". If I had devulged this less-than-optimal possibility in spring training, I'd wager about middle of the pack.... maybe around a .500 record, behing the cards and reds and maybe even the brew crew. Whatever expectations I honestly had, the cubs have underachieved this season in practically every way. Here are the painful facts at this point...
*5th place in the NL Central Division
*2nd worst record in all of MLB (36-54)
*2nd worst record in all of MLB (36-54)
*Team batting average - 3rd in the NL
*Team home runs - 8th in the NL
*Team pitching ERA - 28th in all of MLB (3rd worst)
*Team stolen bases - 29th in all of MLB (2nd worst)
*Team errors - 30th in all of MLB (worst)
*Team errors - 30th in all of MLB (worst)
So what does this tell us? We can hit decent for average and occasionally hit a few homers. We can't pitch at all, we are slower than dirt, and need to go back to little league to learn how to catch the ball. A moment of silence for the Cubs' 2011 season, please.
(silence out of respect)
Thank you... Now, how to start fixing this disaster? For the record, I love Mike Quade. He gets a lot of heat (as Cubs managers often do) for the decisions he makes, but I think his positive attitude yet work til it hurts, no-nonsense mentality fits well in this organization in this particular situation. He is tough and direct, but a great baseball man. The players love him. I stand by my thinking 6 months ago that he was the right choice over hall of famer, Ryne Sandberg. The issue issue here is the GM, Jim Hendry. I've tried to stand by him, but he has unfortuanely put this team into such a hole with decaying veterans, inflated contracts, and injury-ridden rookies, that I now proclaim it time to give him the boot. I mean this team, one of the most loved in professional sports, has given out more money (Jim Hendry) to players than every other major league team with the exception of the red sox and the yanks. Such bling deserves a little more production than the 2nd worst team in baseball. He should be gone. Lets not fire Quade because Hendry game him a poor team.
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If we've learned one thing over the past few years in baseball, its that the game has changed - it is now officially a hurlers game. Pitching, speed, more pitching, hitting with runners in scoring, more pitching, and defense win now. The San Francisco Giants should have taught us that last season. Funny how the Cubs are the worst at all of these as I previously noted. And so, I've started to ponder how such change is to come about. Oh how I wish I could be general manager. The inflated, worthless contracts have to die out and we have to get more athletic. And we have to learn how to pitch! The cubs' farm system is ranked as one of the worst in the bigs, and who is to argue? But there are a few bright gems that I strongly believe will help to turn this organization around by providing the very things that I just said.
1) Bryan LaHair
Maybe the only power threat the cubs have coming. Currently he is tearing up triple-A by hitting .360, with 25 homers and 73 RBIs.... AT THE ALL-STAR BREAK. I know we've seen this before in Mr. Micah Hoffpauir who didn't amount to much in the bigs and is now playing in Japan. Yes, LaHair is 28 years old. But I think he's the real deal and could be the cubs starting 1st baseman next season, hitting anywhere from 3rd to 6th in the lineup. Current cubs 1st baseman Carlos Pena is a fine leader, great defensive player, and hits homers like some hit singles.... but he is hitting .220. That doesn't cover it at this level. Although many don't seem to believe in this guy or consider him a "top prospect", the cubs need to give him a chance pronto.2) Tony Campana
I LOVE what this kid can do. Actually, after faring well at triple A for the first few months, he is now with the cubs at the majors as their 5th outfielder... he comes off the bench late in the games. He is young, he needs to work on his getting on base and bunting, but he has one thing the cubs havn't had in a long, long time and they badly need. He can absolutely fly. Mike Quade said in his almost 30 years in baseball, he's never seen anybody faster. He can almost beat out any ground ball and is a threat to steal at almost any time. I mean, he can really run. Its a good thing too, because he weighs 160 lbs and is 5'8''! He has no power, and has to learn to slap the ball around a bit before he will be a starting MLB centerfielder, but he can fly and has already won a few games for them because of his speed late in the game. Whats more, this guy had and beat cancer when he was just 7 years old. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and a passion to win. More than any other dude, I want this guy to succeed.3) Matt Szczur
No, I did not get the sport wrong... this guy man be the ying to campana's yang. He just completed his degree at Villinova after playing baseball and football there and leading the football team to a division II championship, scoring two touchdowns. So he has only been in professional baseball for a year.... because of this he's at single A Daytona but is hitting a very respectable .312 and should climb quickly. Like Campana, his intangibles are off the chart. Like Campana he can absolutely fly. The possibility of two guys in the lineup who are this fast is making this cubs fan dream of the havok they could create on the basepaths. He is a winner and is on the fast track to being a mlb outfielder.4) DJ LeMahieu
I didn't think this guy would really amount to anything at first. But I'm now starting to be impressed. He won college championships at LSU a few years back, but is now shooting through the system. He isn't super fast and doesn't have a ton of power, but he hits a very high average, gets on base, and is a big, tall, defense 2nd baseman. He lit up single A, and was tearing up double A when the cubs called him up to the big leagues because of injuries.... he won quite a few people over. Now he's at triple A and is continuing his hot streak. The one issue for DJ is the cubs young stars right now, Castro and Barney, have SS and 2B locked down for years to come. The Cubs could use this guy at 3B if he develops some power or as a super utility guy.5) Wellington Castillo
With Geovany Soto struggling, this guy may take his spot if he is not careful. Castillo had a monster spring training, hitting over .600, but injured his thumb and needs a little time in the minors still. Soto is one of the best offensive catchers in the game when he is on, but has had a misrable year, reminicent of 2009. This guy is beating up triple A pitching while playing the most physically demanding position on the diamond. I expect to see him with the cubs soon... watch out Geo, this guy is coming for your job.6) Brett Jackson
The ladies don't seem to mind Mr. Jackson too much! Ranked as one of the top 5o prospects in all of major league baseball, this guy has exceptional potential. Because of he has baseball's coveted 5-tool status (average, power, speed, defense, and throwing) he is the crown jewel of the cubs farm system and is expected to start in the cubs outfield by 2013. He does have a lot of work to do before then. He did fantastic at single A last year and this year has put on some more muscle and is performing respectably by hitting .272, with 10 homers, and 15 stolen bases at double A. He continues to progress, and if he reaches his potential, could be the difference in making the cubs contenders. Mr. Jackson could be very good for a very long time.7) The other guys
There are indeed a few others. Tyler Colvin hit 20 homers for the Cubs last year, but struggled early this year and is at tripple A getting his swing back. Hopefully he can get it because we need someone to drive in runs. Lou Montanez and Brad Snyder hit well at tripple A, but are both 28 and havn't had the chance they'd like with the big league club. Ryan Flahery is hitting well at double A, but lacks the true power of a 3rd baseman. And of course, Josh Vitters, the 3rd pick in the mlb draft a few years back has been nothing short of mediocre for such a high pick (although he may be starting to turn it around at double A).
In conclusion, these guys should make the cubs much more athletic. No more relying on aging players with 9 figure contracts who don't play the game the right way because they are now financially secure. And its ok not to have a ton of power in the lineup if you can hit for average, run like the wind, and play excellent defence...... and pitch. Oh yea, the big problem for the cubs. Perhaps I mentioned that we can't pitch and have never been able to. It is an unspoken rumor that cubs pitchers are cursed.... that excellent prospects arms implode (kerry wood, mark prior, andrew cashner?) and experienced vets' arms fall off. Cashner is the best pitching prospect in some time, yet he was injured after one start this season. The cubs have absolutely no pitching in the minors.... its pretty sad. No starter at triple A has an ERA under like 27.00 or something like that. BUT, here is where Mr. Ricketts (owner) and the cubs big-market revenue can and should help. I submitt that the strategy the cubs need to take is to let the prospects who play the field develop (like barney and castro, anyone?) and then go after and give the big contracts to proven young starters on the free agent market who want the big money.
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Trade deadline is July 31st at 4pm eastern time. We will see what happens with trades and such, but hey they could come back and make a run in the second half, right? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure... if this year isn't the year, then next year most certainly is.
Come on prospects, we need you bad. Like stat.
COMING SOON: WHAT SHOULD THE CUBS DO FOR THE 2012 SEASON?
