Nifty move by Theo to pick up Darvish and Morrow from the Dodgers.
That’s a +2 for the Cubs (they couldn’t hit either one of those guys last year) and a -2 for the Dodgers, the team they met in the NLCS the last two years, who have to replace two of their best pitchers.
Today’s weather would’ve been some of the best Opening Day weather you could ever ask for… so I expect to be at Wrigley with 36 degree weather, sleet-like rain pellets…
Yikes, Kyle Schwarber, he lost enough weight to create at 2nd grader. Let’s see if it translates to a better average and RBI production.
Darvish was a big get, and if in the first three years of that contract the club gets another ring, it will be worth every dime they are going to pay him.
- No Longer A Lurker - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:07 pm:
It’s nice to see the game on WGN today even though it’s just a spring training game. Long time Cubs fan here however I am interested to see the Sox’s grow into real contenders over the next few years.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:08 pm:
Gotta feeling Sox are going to have a good year.
Don’t know who the Cubs are.
The Sox are 2-3 years behind the Cubs. Arguably the most exciting baseball this year will be played on the South Side. Those kids are going to make a lot of mistakes, but they’re also some of the premier up-and-coming talent in all of baseball. Regardless of their record, they should be fun to watch.
Oh I know, and while I love me a good 1-0 pitching duel, you can’t beat a 10-9 back and forth game either. That’s the kind of unpredictable excitement I was referring to. Ricky will get his guys running the bases and yes, no lead will be safe, but they should have the bats to hang with anybody (if not the defense).
- Cubs in '16 (and '18) - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
Cubs have a renewed determination and hunger. Should be a fun season on the north side.
I can not begin to relate how happy I was last week when KMOX preempted Rush to broadcast the very first game of the year. Wish there would be more games to broadcast between 11 and 2.
Not a Cubs fan but the recent issue of Sports Illustrated had the Cubs predicted starting line up in the list of the top 100 major league players. Yikes.
=–Arguably the most exciting baseball this year will be played on the South Side. –
No pitching. That’s how they got the kids.=
I wouldn’t bet on that one. They have some talent. They need bullpen help, but my guess is that they are waiting for the team to develop before they buy a bullpen. They have several strong pitching prospects and some talent already on the roster.
- Veil of Ignorance - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
Strange as a White Sox fan to say that I’m looking forward to this season…even though we’ll still probably lose 90+ games. Growing pains, but at least we’re growing.
RNUG. After nearly a century of national league domination, my beloved Redbirds are purposely taking a few years off. This way they can rathole a few more million. This fact, coupled with their sweetheart tax deals surrounding ballpark village, should allow them to completely destroy all the competing businesses around Busch. When mission complete they should be able to buy all the players money has to offer. Watch out then Cubbies.
@BlueDog - “— coupled with their sweetheart tax deals surrounding ballpark village, should allow them to completely destroy all the competing businesses around Busch.”
Sad, but true, about destroying existing competing businesses in the Downtown/ballpark area.
Yet, I guess the multi-billionaire owners feel entitled to these perks.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:25 pm:
Today is the day for Cards fans to cheer on the Cubs and switch sides.
I understand that as part of the deal to get Amazon to brings a second HQ to Chicago, Rham gave Bezos new naming rights to Wrigley.
- The Magnificent Purple Walnut - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 5:28 pm:
In the Modern Era of baseball(1903-2017), the Cardinals have won 11 World Series. Cubs have won 3. I am not a Cardinal fan I am A south side White Sox fan. I married a Cardinal fan.
I like the cubs. They are too proud of an ownership group to take sweerheart taxpayer deals.
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 5:41 pm:
Sox pitching will be interesting - Fulmer looked much better last fall than he did in his first stint up, Lucas and Reynaldo looked good too, hopefully Rodon can have a healthy second half, and Kopech should get a fall tryout (maybe Dylan Chase too). By next year when they’re ready to compete Shields’ contract will be nearly up and they can go free agent hunting early like the Cubs did with Lester.
Cubs could easily afford Darvish ADN Arietta - they were the most profitable team in baseball before the current run, I can’t even fathom how much money they have now (and that’s with bad tv deals, which are going to expire soon).
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 5:45 pm:
Plus the Cubs are “born on 3rd base” - they play in a division with only 5 teams and the other four are in the smallest markets in baseball. Well, three - the Cardinals are in a small market but they draw from a region and they have deep pocket ownership, but still an easier route to a division title than most teams.
I am sick both for him and for the Sox that our 21 year old first round draft pick last year (Jake Burger) is down with a ruptured Achilles and will be out for the season.
Baseball gods operate in cycles. The Cubs have had their success because trades worked out, no major injuries to key players, etc. Now it’s back to the Cardinals cycle.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:51 pm:
They could have played that game in Chicago today and had similar weather. It sure feels like baseball weather today.
- SAP - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:51 pm:
Chicago weather or Arizona? With the Hawks crashing and the Bulls tanking, I’m ready for some of that baseball stuff.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:52 pm:
Regrettably, cubs win nl central. Again.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:53 pm:
Nifty move by Theo to pick up Darvish and Morrow from the Dodgers.
That’s a +2 for the Cubs (they couldn’t hit either one of those guys last year) and a -2 for the Dodgers, the team they met in the NLCS the last two years, who have to replace two of their best pitchers.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 2:56 pm:
Today’s weather would’ve been some of the best Opening Day weather you could ever ask for… so I expect to be at Wrigley with 36 degree weather, sleet-like rain pellets…
Yikes, Kyle Schwarber, he lost enough weight to create at 2nd grader. Let’s see if it translates to a better average and RBI production.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:02 pm:
Darvish was a big get, and if in the first three years of that contract the club gets another ring, it will be worth every dime they are going to pay him.
- No Longer A Lurker - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:07 pm:
It’s nice to see the game on WGN today even though it’s just a spring training game. Long time Cubs fan here however I am interested to see the Sox’s grow into real contenders over the next few years.
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:08 pm:
Gotta feeling Sox are going to have a good year.
Don’t know who the Cubs are.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:08 pm:
The Sox are 2-3 years behind the Cubs. Arguably the most exciting baseball this year will be played on the South Side. Those kids are going to make a lot of mistakes, but they’re also some of the premier up-and-coming talent in all of baseball. Regardless of their record, they should be fun to watch.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:15 pm:
–Arguably the most exciting baseball this year will be played on the South Side. –
No pitching. That’s how they got the kids.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
===No pitching.===
Oh I know, and while I love me a good 1-0 pitching duel, you can’t beat a 10-9 back and forth game either. That’s the kind of unpredictable excitement I was referring to. Ricky will get his guys running the bases and yes, no lead will be safe, but they should have the bats to hang with anybody (if not the defense).
- Cubs in '16 (and '18) - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
Cubs have a renewed determination and hunger. Should be a fun season on the north side.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:24 pm:
Looks like Arrieta and Boras badly overplayed their hand. Those cybermetrics are gonna cost them plenty.
- Ben - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:26 pm:
Don’t overlook the Cardinals. Best outfield in NL and some young potential pitchers. How old is Lester now?
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:26 pm:
Cubs in 16. Not so fast. If a contenders number one or two goes down in spring training. Arrietta will make out like a bandit(or Illinois politician).
- illini - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:27 pm:
I can not begin to relate how happy I was last week when KMOX preempted Rush to broadcast the very first game of the year. Wish there would be more games to broadcast between 11 and 2.
Go Cards.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:29 pm:
Not a Cubs fan but the recent issue of Sports Illustrated had the Cubs predicted starting line up in the list of the top 100 major league players. Yikes.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:30 pm:
*Sabermetrics
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:33 pm:
Good point Blue dog. If a top flight starter goes down early Arrieta is arguable the best option still available.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:34 pm:
*arguably ugh
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:40 pm:
– Not so fast. If a contenders number one or two goes down in spring training. Arrietta will make out like a bandit–
Yeah, well, that definitely wasn’t the game plan.
Arietta was looking for max guaranteed years. He’s not going to get it, and it’s going to cost him plenty.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:48 pm:
=–Arguably the most exciting baseball this year will be played on the South Side. –
No pitching. That’s how they got the kids.=
I wouldn’t bet on that one. They have some talent. They need bullpen help, but my guess is that they are waiting for the team to develop before they buy a bullpen. They have several strong pitching prospects and some talent already on the roster.
- Veil of Ignorance - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
Strange as a White Sox fan to say that I’m looking forward to this season…even though we’ll still probably lose 90+ games. Growing pains, but at least we’re growing.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:56 pm:
I hear rumors of the Sox relocating to Vegas…
- RNUG - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:57 pm:
== Regrettably, cubs win nl central. Again. ==
-blue dog-, They’ve made some moves that should help their odds. I hope you’re right; I’ll be happy.
- Blimp - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 3:58 pm:
I actually can afford Hawks tickets now. I’m a Sox Fan.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:03 pm:
RNUG. After nearly a century of national league domination, my beloved Redbirds are purposely taking a few years off. This way they can rathole a few more million. This fact, coupled with their sweetheart tax deals surrounding ballpark village, should allow them to completely destroy all the competing businesses around Busch. When mission complete they should be able to buy all the players money has to offer. Watch out then Cubbies.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:19 pm:
–RNUG. After nearly a century of national league domination, my beloved Redbirds ..–
What century was that, that Cards “domination?”
Both the Giants and Dodgers have won more NL pennants (23 each).
Cards are third at 19. Braves and Cubs are tied for fourth at 17.
I guess since the Cubs are only two pennants behind the Cards, they almost “dominated” the last century, by your logic?
- illini - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:25 pm:
@BlueDog - “— coupled with their sweetheart tax deals surrounding ballpark village, should allow them to completely destroy all the competing businesses around Busch.”
Sad, but true, about destroying existing competing businesses in the Downtown/ballpark area.
Yet, I guess the multi-billionaire owners feel entitled to these perks.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:25 pm:
Today is the day for Cards fans to cheer on the Cubs and switch sides.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 4:37 pm:
I understand that as part of the deal to get Amazon to brings a second HQ to Chicago, Rham gave Bezos new naming rights to Wrigley.
- The Magnificent Purple Walnut - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 5:28 pm:
In the Modern Era of baseball(1903-2017), the Cardinals have won 11 World Series. Cubs have won 3. I am not a Cardinal fan I am A south side White Sox fan. I married a Cardinal fan.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 5:34 pm:
I like the cubs. They are too proud of an ownership group to take sweerheart taxpayer deals.
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 5:41 pm:
Sox pitching will be interesting - Fulmer looked much better last fall than he did in his first stint up, Lucas and Reynaldo looked good too, hopefully Rodon can have a healthy second half, and Kopech should get a fall tryout (maybe Dylan Chase too). By next year when they’re ready to compete Shields’ contract will be nearly up and they can go free agent hunting early like the Cubs did with Lester.
Cubs could easily afford Darvish ADN Arietta - they were the most profitable team in baseball before the current run, I can’t even fathom how much money they have now (and that’s with bad tv deals, which are going to expire soon).
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 5:45 pm:
Plus the Cubs are “born on 3rd base” - they play in a division with only 5 teams and the other four are in the smallest markets in baseball. Well, three - the Cardinals are in a small market but they draw from a region and they have deep pocket ownership, but still an easier route to a division title than most teams.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 7:36 pm:
I am sick both for him and for the Sox that our 21 year old first round draft pick last year (Jake Burger) is down with a ruptured Achilles and will be out for the season.
- justacitizen - Tuesday, Feb 27, 18 @ 8:48 pm:
Baseball gods operate in cycles. The Cubs have had their success because trades worked out, no major injuries to key players, etc. Now it’s back to the Cardinals cycle.