MLB 2017 Season

[Jockey]

I think Hendricks will still be fine. He's only what, 26? He won't pitch like he did the second half of last season but he can be a solid rotation guy.

I agree. He had his career year last year, but can still be a solid #3 guy - I think.

[jesmu84]

Cubs rotation needs help big-time.

[wadesworld]

They've got Bosio.  They'll be fine.

[Marqus Howard]

I see no way right now that they can get past Washington or LA - if they make the playoffs, that is.

I'm a Nationals fan but their bullpen problems are going to be an issue for them all season. Even if they trade for a closer, they're going to have trouble closing out games. And Turner broke his wrist yesterday, so it remains to be seen how long he'll be on the DL.

[MU82]

I'm a Nationals fan but their bullpen problems are going to be an issue for them all season. Even if they trade for a closer, they're going to have trouble closing out games. And Turner broke his wrist yesterday, so it remains to be seen how long he'll be on the DL.

That injury to Turner sucks for them. He was having a really good season and he's a lot of fun to watch.

[jficke13]

Arcia has a knack for late inning defensive gems:

http://m.mlb.com/mil/video/v1559827283/miamil-arcia-vogt-connect-to-nab-realmuto-at-home/?affiliateId=clubMEGAMENU

[GB Warrior]

Arcia has a knack for late inning defensive gems:

http://m.mlb.com/mil/video/v1559827283/miamil-arcia-vogt-connect-to-nab-realmuto-at-home/?affiliateId=clubMEGAMENU

His defense is every bit as magical as billed, and his offense is slowly coming around. He's been spectacular.

[jsglow]

His defense is every bit as magical as billed, and his offense is slowly coming around. He's been spectacular.

Kid is special.  Incredible glove and arm. Solid bat. I sincerely hope he loves MKE because he could be the man for a long time.

[DegenerateDish]

The more I think about it, a Quintana trade to the Brewers makes a ton of sense. Not even for the rest of this year, the Brewers would get 3 more years of inexpensive cost control for top of the rotation production.

[GB Warrior]

The more I think about it, a Quintana trade to the Brewers makes a ton of sense. Not even for the rest of this year, the Brewers would get 3 more years of inexpensive cost control for top of the rotation production.

He's definitely a buy-low candidate. He's much better than his recent production.

[buckchuckler]

He's definitely a buy-low candidate. He's much better than his recent production.

I don't think the Sox will be selling low at all on Q.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

With the Yankees, Astro,  and Braves heavily interested,  I can't imagine the price would be low enough for the brewers.  Can't jeapirdize the rebuild just for a chance at a first round playoff exit.

[GB Warrior]

I don't think the Sox will be selling low at all on Q.

I should qualify. Lower than it would  (should) have been at this time last year. High, but nowhere near the Sale-esque haul they could have gotten when he was dealing. 

[DegenerateDish]

With the Yankees, Astro,  and Braves heavily interested,  I can't imagine the price would be low enough for the brewers.  Can't jeapirdize the rebuild just for a chance at a first round playoff exit.

I'm not talking taking a chance just for this year. They won't be able to afford someone with his credentials on the market at this affordable a salary over the next three years. If they're looking to contend in 2019, grab him now.

[buckchuckler]

Just to pile on the Arcia love, that rundown play to day was fun as heck. 

[GB Warrior]

Just to pile on the Arcia love, that rundown play to day was fun as heck.

It took some defensive mental lapses to make that happen, but some really heady running to pull that off

[#UnleashSean]

Believe today is when the cubs make a run. Most of the guys are back from the dl. Day off after an 11 game road series. Hopefully they come out firing.

[jficke13]

It took some defensive mental lapses to make that happen, but some really heady running to pull that off

[wadesworld]

Believe today is when the cubs make a run. Most of the guys are back from the dl. Day off after an 11 game road series. Hopefully they come out firing.

It's possible they're just waiting until Thursday's sun-out makeup game to flip that switch on.

[jsglow]

Believe today is when the cubs make a run. Most of the guys are back from the dl. Day off after an 11 game road series. Hopefully they come out firing.

Umm, nope.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rays-vs-cubs/2017/07/04/491361#game_state=final,game_tab=videos,game=491361

[MU82]

Umm, nope.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rays-vs-cubs/2017/07/04/491361#game_state=final,game_tab=videos,game=491361

Didn't see the game, but the boxscore says the Cubbies stranded 22. That's not easy to do!

Also, the "ace" is 5-5 with an ERA around 4.

Interesting season for the boyz. Maybe Maddon should try batting the pitcher leadoff, put Bryant at catcher and have Rizzo bat right-handed. He likes to experiment!

[tower912]

OK, Cubs fans.   Verlander and Avila are available from the Tigers.    What kind of package do you think it will take to get them?

[MerrittsMustache]

OK, Cubs fans.   Verlander and Avila are available from the Tigers.    What kind of package do you think it will take to get them?

It depends. How much of Verlander's remaining salary are the Tigers willing to pick up? I can't imagine Theo wanting to pay a struggling, past-his-prime pitcher $56M over 2 seasons. On top of that, Avila is having his best season since 2011, which was really his only strong season. Is he actually going to keep it up for a few more months while playing part-time?

The 2017 Cubs obviously aren't the 2016 version. They're more than one big piece (Chapman) away. There's no reason to give up top-tier prospects (Happ, Jimenez, etc) and I don't see them wanting to give up any young pitching. Would the Tigers accept a deal built around 3B Jeimer Candelario? They already have Castellanos.

I just don't see Verlander and Avila being the answers to the Cubs' problems.

[tower912]

I've watched enough Cubs games to agree somewhat.   Another 30-something starter may not be the answer.     Avila as a back up catcher/left handed bat off of the bench with playoff experience couldn't hurt.    To my eyes, the Cubs are suffering a post world series hangover, failing to reproduce the lightning-in-a-bottle and are going through growing pains.    So the question is whether Theo wants to spend big to go for a repeat, or is willing to sacrifice the end results this season for longer term stability.     
  If the Cubs DO pull the trigger on the deal, I expect they will end up Verlander's entire contract.   

[MUBurrow]

Verlander's tough. I think its hard to see him ever replicating last season ever again. He's conservatively probably a guy that will have an ERA between 3.5 and 4 for the next year or two, strike out 7.5 and walk 3 per nine.  That's worth a fair amount over an entire season, but not much in trade value compared to the contract, and he's still not a guy you want to try to pitch three times in a 7 game playoff series - he's pretty much guaranteed to get shelled at least one of those times. Tough to see Verlander being the difference between getting bounced in the Divisonals and making another WS appearance.

I think the Cubs have two big needs to be real WS contenders. One is that legit, reliable front line pitcher. Arrieta looks busted and I think the real Kyle Hendricks is the 2015 & 2017 version, not the 2016 version. Still valuable, but won't be more than maybe the third starter in the playoffs.

They also need a table setter with some speed. Fowler had a career year in that respect last year. His .393 obp was his highest since 2012. In 2012, the OBP was a product of once-in a carer a .300 BA (25 pts higher than his second best season) buyoed by a .390 BABIP playing half his games at Coors. Moral of the story - I get why you don't pay Fowler, but that production in that place in the lineup is really missed, and there just aren't smart, veteran baserunners annoying pitchers when Bryant and Rizzo are trying to do their damage.