Before the season, most of us thought that the strength of the club would probably be starting pitching. As it turns out so far, the major weakness of the club is starting pitching.
Also surprising is that Cubs currently lead the NL in batting average (.275), that this is a whopping 21 points better than NL average (.254), and has propelled Cubs to #3 in the NL in OBP.
What has been entirely predictable is that Cubs have very bad overall team defense and poor team speed. Indeed, it is almost stunning to watch a guy with blazing speed (Campana) come up and play for the Cubs. Too bad he's not a very good player.
I guess what I'm saying is that, to those who were pessimistic about the season going in, Cubs are predictably bad but not for all the reasons one would expect. It's like getting the right answer but with a strong bit of faulty reasoning.
To those who thought the primary vice of the club was that too many key players collectively are just plain old, it seems that is correct two months into the season. And, the Quade hiring seems to be turning out poorly too. Still, I would like to see a turnaround in the 2nd half so that 2012 will require less of a dramatic turnaround. Hopefully, the players don't go into the tank in terms of trying to win.
Let's see, I thought their pitching would suck. Got that one. I thought players being counted on heavily were too old. You give me that one. I thought their defense would suck. Check. I thought they would have no meaningful speed. Yup. I also thought they would not score well. Missed that one, but that does not quite qualify as getting the right answer based on faulty reasoning. I remember in the off-season when some were discussing the projections PECOTA(?) and others were producing for the Cubs and how so many here scoffed at them, convinced the individual players would do better. I was not so convinced as to join the crowd.
If the team does well the rest of the season all it will do is result in a lower draft pick and less pressure to finally do things differently.
I would much rather they end up at 62-100 than 81-81.
Everyone is tired of hearing it, and I am tired of pointing it out, but this team needs a full rebuild, dedicated to collecting and developing prospects and allowing them to percolate up until the roster is simply stocked with talent and the team has a strong shot of being dominant for several years.
You will always have teams like the 2011 Giants who defy everyone's expectations and convince people that their team can similarly get lucky and win it all. But that is a foolish course to pursue.
Build a strong team, then supplement the talent as needs develop and opportunities appear.
Do NOT make foolish moves like signing Soriano and a host of others in order to make a crappy team into a winner over night. It is like a sugar high. Feels good for a few minutes, but the after-effect is prolonged and negative. The only FA I would like to see the team sign for the next couple of years are scrap heap players who are unable to find anyone offering real money and who might inexpensively fill a roster spot as a placeholder where the team has no 4A player like Bobby Scales to fill in for a year or two. Do NOT sign a Pujols and hope he rebounds. And do NOT worry about the W/L record for at least a couple of years.