The Cubs?

[jitter77]

I am confused by the Cubs. They traded Jeff Samardzija last year, but now acquire Lester for the highest starting pitcher salary ever. I would think if they had plans of getting Lester they would have kept Samardzija and have a good 1-2 combo. Seems like a Bi-lateral move at best. I do not follow baseball or the Cubs that much just seemed odd to me...

 

[Scott T]

and they resigned Hammel as well

 

[hamster]

and they resigned Hammel as well

Too bad. Maybe they should have kept him, and re-signed him.

 

[Lmob0621]

The Cubs are moving in the right direction imo... they are still looking to add more players... the NL Central is going to be a very tough division to make it out of over the next few years...

 

[Steeltime]

The Cubs have no pitching prospects, at all, and have a lot of money since their core group - Rizzo, Baez, Alcantara, Russell, and Bryant - are so young and affordable right now.

They think they can compete in 2016, once they shake out the middle infield situation, get a better defensive catcher, and add maybe one more top-line starting pitcher to go with Lester and Arrietta. They believe that Lester, [New Guy], Arrietta, and Kendrick will give them enough pitching.

However, my take is as follows:

• The history for long-term pitching contracts is bleak.
• Sabathia, Oswalt, Verlander, J. Santana, Cain, Zito, M. Hampton, K. Brown, and on and on - duds one and all, particularly later in the deal.
• Further, the Cubbies have some incredible swing-and-miss guys: Baez, Lake, Alcantara, Castillo and Valbuena are all north of 20%, and the first 3 are north of 30%.
• Until those guys prove they can get on base, their offense will struggle.
• Further, having zero pitching depth and counting on all your starters to remain healthy is a fools errand.

 

[Hineswardkickedurpanzyass]

They are the Cubs, much like the Browns no matter what they do they will always suck.