Cub fans, can you give me a run down on how club looks?

The team is better, but they IMHO did not get enough hitting to reasonably expect a playoff team this year.

The biggest bright spot for the organization is that their pitching infrastructure is a legit strength now. They are developing their own guys very well....see Steele, Hughes, Thompson, Alzolay and the guys they are getting via trade or free agency they are mostly making better.

And for all the grief they took from breaking up the core, they really improved their farm system significantly and that will pay dividends in the near future I'm very confident in that.

I see about an 80 win team this year, just not enough bats or power, but the floor has been raised and guys like Pete Crow Armstrong, Cannarrio, Brennan Davis, Mervis and Alcantra - I see at least two or 3 of those being good major league players in the near future.

That coupled with the pitching development I think bodes well for the future.

Yes, I wish they had spent a bit more $ to bring 1 or 2 more bats in for the here and now, but I do believe what they are building will make a more sustainable template for consistent success in the future.

frick the cubbies, Brew Crew to the top

Thanks for your input guys. Been a Cub fan since 1964. I like this trajectory

we're pretending to try to compete this year

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Thanks for your input guys. Been a Cub fan since 1964. I like this trajectory

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I do think they are building it the right way this time. They are not spending as much as they could or maybe should in free agency to win right now, but I do think the infrastructure and development has improved drastically and I think that is the more sustainable model for repeated success.

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Bellinger isn’t all that

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Yeah, I think the theory there is at least you get good centerfield defense which has been sorely lacking in recent years and if he gives you anything at all offensively it's lagniappe until some of the glut of young outfield talent in the Cubs system develops.

It's a one year show me deal and if he hits .230 with 20 homers and plays great centerfield defense until then IMHO it's a win.

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I think Jed will spend more money on the real deal, no more Jason Heyward deals

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I think he's gun shy on long term deals and I'm actually in agreement on that. Seeing all these 10-13 year deals that the Padres, Phillies and Mets are doling out that will hamstring them for years I think are bad business.

But I do think there were some opportunities the Cubs had for reasonable deals that they didn't/couldn't get done in the past couple of years.

The good news is they have poured money into the farm and better player development and as I said earlier I think that bodes well for repeated success in the future, but the Cubs do have $ so Cubs can still get a free agent or trade piece to help get their a bit quicker.

Really need a big bat or two and third baseman would be my top priority.

[quote]I’ve been a Cubs fans since the 70’s with WGN.
Been to Wrigley several times over the years. A special place.[/quote

It's been a tough couple of years and some of the criticisms of Rickets/Jed are warranted IMHO.

But they have done some good things and I think it was time to part with the core for several reasons - and I think the return they got has and will pay dividends as well as their new approach insofar as player and farm development and as I said particularly with their pitching infrastructure which is in about a good a place as I can remember and I've been a Cub fan as long as you have.

Gonna be there for opening day - can't wait.

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I’ve been a Cubs fan since the 70’s with WGN

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I've been one since 73, and it was well before WGN got down here but once it did in the early 80's it cemented my fandom being able to watch every day.

First game at Wrigley was 1993, but have been to over 100 games there since including the rooftops for game 4 of the World Series. Always a great time and many great memories.