Author Topic: Cubs in '19  (Read 72230 times)

Ron

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4530 on: September 29, 2019, 09:47:19 pm »
Multiple Cub players already endorsing the idea of David Ross as the next manager: Rizzo, Baez, Bryant and Lester (so far). 
« Last Edit: September 29, 2019, 09:49:33 pm by Ron »

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4531 on: September 29, 2019, 10:05:04 pm »
Multiple Cub players already endorsing the idea of David Ross as the next manager: Rizzo, Baez, Bryant and Lester (so far). 

I think concerns over his being too close to those guys are legit, though certainly not disqualifying.  Not everyone can make the transition from peer to boss, and you worry that guys who weren't here when Ross was playing will feel they aren't getting equal treatment.

ben

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4532 on: September 30, 2019, 07:40:11 am »
Maddon to Pirates?

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4533 on: September 30, 2019, 08:09:04 am »
Angels or Pads for sure.  Outside chance Giants.

Bennett

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4534 on: September 30, 2019, 08:52:41 am »
Joe and Carl Edwards together again is my guess.

Ron

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4535 on: September 30, 2019, 08:53:07 am »
This belongs in the Cubs in '20 thread, but there isn't one yet.  Sahadev Sharma thinks David Ross is the "odds on favorite" to be the Cubs manager next season.

https://theathletic.com/1252171/2019/09/30/its-going-to-be-a-zoo-david-ross-seems-like-the-obvious-choice-to-replace-joe-maddon-as-cubs-manager/

Ron

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4536 on: September 30, 2019, 09:00:21 am »
I've kept meaning to ask this of those of you have seen Strop pitch in recent weeks. Just going by his pitching line, he seems to have been effective.  How has he looked to those who've seen him pitch?  Has his slider been working well and how has his velocity been? 

I sure would like to believe that his streak of ineffectiveness was a blip and that he could be an important piece of the bullpen next year if the Cubs bring him back.


dev

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4537 on: September 30, 2019, 09:01:47 am »
That's one reason someone like Farrell or Girardi - who's been through the wringer and dealt with a tough media market - might make more sense than a rookie manager.
Girardi, if he accepts a reasonable salary, no more disco road trips...and I like Maddon.
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Ron

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4538 on: September 30, 2019, 09:30:48 am »
Jesse Rogers has an interesting piece on Maddon's departure, the issues the team has had and what they need in a new manager.  It includes the following:

"The Cubs might already have their next manager in mind, but at the very least they should know the qualities they need. Maddon worked hard to connect with a younger generation of players, but a younger manager and former major leaguer will inherently speak the millennial language. Whether the next manager has experience or not, he had better understand the ever-changing dynamics within a pitching staff, especially as it relates to the National League. If people wondered about Maddon's bullpen maneuvers, what will they say of a rookie manager's?

"Just as important as any in-game decision, the new manager must work with a firmer hand. By their own admission, Cubs players have been pampered by owner Tom Ricketts and team brass. It's first class all the way, but the players haven't always reciprocated. In a sense, it feels as if they've taken advantage of their parents and now need a little more discipline in their lives."


Maybe it's just an outside impression that the front office has seen David Ross as potential successor to Maddon (whenever Maddon left), but it seems to be widely shared.  Yeah, Ross was a friend to his fellow players, but he was also frequently reported to be a mentor and the guy who firmly called out guys on their mistakes, doing so in a tough love way.  And he obviously has an understanding of pitching that, among position players, only catchers have.  My recollection is that he was considered a smart catcher in terms of understanding and working with his pitchers (not just Lester).  If my memory is correct, I also recall that Ross even expressed surprise at some of Joe's bullpen decisions during the World Series.

Following Maddon, a living legend, will be difficult for anyone, but especially a rookie manager.  And Ross, also a living legend to Cub fans, will certainly be risking the universal love and adulation he currently has with those fans if he becomes the manager. The expectations here will be very high and extremely difficult to meet.  But my sense is that neither Ross nor Theo would shy away from  the risk if they believe Ross is the right guy for the job.

It almost seems too obvious a choice, but my guess is that he will be Theo's choice.

CUBluejays

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4539 on: September 30, 2019, 09:41:12 am »
I was listening to the Cubs Related podcast.  One of the two guys that does the podcast had an unpaid internship in the Yankees FO during the time Girardi was the manager there.  Girardi didn't get along with the FO and didn't use the analytics that the Yanks were giving him.  He also didn't have a good relationship with the young players, in addition to the questionable line ups and bullpen management.   This was also reported in the NY media apparently, so I doubt that Girardi was much of a shot.

One guy that they mentioned outside of Ross, Lorreta, etc.. was Carlos Beltran.  I think if Ross can keep the culture that the Cubs have cultivated in addition to being able to bringing some intensity he could be really interesting if he is paired with a veteran bench coach.  Maybe they can bring Lackey back as the Intensity coach.

I've kept meaning to ask this of those of you have seen Strop pitch in recent weeks. Just going by his pitching line, he seems to have been effective.  How has he looked to those who've seen him pitch?  Has his slider been working well and how has his velocity been? 

I sure would like to believe that his streak of ineffectiveness was a blip and that he could be an important piece of the bullpen next year if the Cubs bring him back.

I didn't watch but his last 2 games he averaged 94.5ish and topped out at 95.5ish on his fastball, which is the hardest he had thrown since May.  On a cheap enough deal he might be worth bringing back just for his affect on Javy and then hope the fastball returns with some better health.

craig

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4540 on: September 30, 2019, 09:41:56 am »
Twins hired rookie Rocco Baldelli as their manager.  He's been great.  Really smart, nice, articulate, saber-smart, straightforward, sincere, honest, etc.. 

Obviously the Cubs don't have the Twins talent and no manager is going to show up and win >100 games like Baldelli did. 

I just mention him as a rookie who showed up and was immediately terrific.  So I think the qualities the guy brings is more important than experience or lack thereof.  I'm fine with a rookie manager, *IF* he's got the right attributes. 

CurtOne

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4541 on: September 30, 2019, 09:43:03 am »
Winning the World Series created the new curse.  I read it here on the board often.  “Hey, we’re winning, stop complaining.”  “We won a World Series, relax.”  “ In the playoffs, 4 straight years.”  “This is so much better than the past 100 years.”

I don’t really disagree with any of those view points, but whenever I saw truly real Cub fans like Ben and Ron and others post those thoughts, I respected their love for the Cubbies, but I still cringed.  To me, that just sounded like “Wait til next year” in a different form and tenor.  In his first two years, Joe had the guys loose, relaxed and having fun.  His style made them forget about the pressure of winning, and it’s what the kids needed.

Joe’s biggest error was in 2017.  Remember?  The team got off to a bad start, and Joe publicly stated that he didn’t want to put a lot of “we have to repeat” pressure on the team, and even though the team rallied to finish fairly strong, it fell short.

Rizzo says that Joe was like a Dad to them.  I believe him.  Unfortunately they all became his sons, people that he hated to be critical of.   We all loved them; we being the fans and the front office.  We tried to keep Fowler, just couldn’t.  We tried to keep Arrieta, but couldn’t justify the salary.  And when we needed to trade some people to juggle the team, we couldn’t.  We loved these guys. 

Since I live in Cardinal country, I saw their team operate differently.  David Freese was their hometown World Series hero, but in the next couple years when he didn’t produce, he was traded.  Last year they traded several popular youngsters for Goldschmidt.  There is a paradox with the fandom here.  They are very faithful to their players, but they’re okay with almost any trade.  Except, of course, with the addition of Fowler.  They still hate him.

I think Theocracy was trying to build a team that would dominate for years, but just struggled to make some moves because of an allegiance to the guys who ended the “curse.”  Totally understand that.  But Branch Rickey probably wouldn’t.  He would have traded his mother if it meant a championship.

Anyhow, Joe is gone.  Great manager.  I think some of our heroes will be dispersed this winter.  Time will tell if we are rebuilding or reloading.  Hope it’s the latter.
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Playtwo

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4542 on: September 30, 2019, 10:02:57 am »
I think it's not unusual for young players when they experience early success to have trouble sustaining it and building on it.  That's where a little discipline imposed from above can be helpful.  Hopefully that will come from our next manager.
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Bennett

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4543 on: September 30, 2019, 10:12:49 am »
In his first two years, Joe had the guys loose, relaxed and having fun.  His style made them forget about the pressure of winning, and it’s what the kids needed.

A “nice guys finish last” manager like Leo Durocher isn’t the answer but there are times during a season when some of that attitude is needed.  I’m not sure Joe had that in him.

Bennett

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #4544 on: September 30, 2019, 10:14:57 am »
I think it's not unusual for young players when they experience early success to have trouble sustaining it and building on it.  That's where a little discipline imposed from above can be helpful.  Hopefully that will come from our next manager.
I did not see your post until after I had posted mine.  Well said.