Game 2

0-2. Not a start a starved fan base wants. Thank god for the fact that this team has 160 games left this season. And now the pros and cons list of game 2:

Pros:

*Rizzo - Even with a 1-9 start to the season, last night was some progress. He is taking better at bats. That late inning sequence in which he battled to 3-2, to take an inside pitch yard was a look of a more mature Rizzo. I am liking the set hand position in his swing's pre-load, more opportunity to square up the ball with less dancing around.

*Bonifacio - Beyond the pickoffs (so frustrating), he has been a nice early surprise. Two 4 hit games already this season with a .750 BA. I like what he brings to the top of the lineup. 

*Jackson - It wasn't the prettiest start, but there were some bright spots. He battled for 5.1 innings for 5Ks, 4B, and scattered 2 hits with 1 ER. He worked his way into trouble a few times, but made good pitches to get out of some bad situations. 

Cons:

*The Lineup - I do NOT like Castro in the 3 hole. Castro was out a few weeks with the Hamstring injury and his timing may be a little off. That is not the description of a player that I want in the 3 spot of the lineup. Additionally, I do not like having Olt on the squad just to bench him game 2. There may be some resting strategies at play due to that shoulder soreness he was dealing with this spring. That being said, the Cubs lineup is better with Olt protecting Rizzo in the lineup. I think the best options for 1-2 in the lineup are Bonifacio and Castro. Castro is a contact hitter with some legs. The hit and run potential with those two makes me excited. 

*RISP - 1 for 27 after two games. This team is starved for a big hit. I am looking to Rizzo, Olt and Castro to step up as leaders for these situations. The silver lining is that this is a series Vs. a team that won over 90 games last year due to there solid staff and bullpen. 

Coming up next!

Jason Hammel in his Cub debut vs. Wandy Rodriguez at 11:35 Ct. 

-CC

Opening Day

It's here. After a long few weeks of training camps, the games begin to count!! 

I don't know about you Cub fans, but I am excited for 2014. Yes, EXCITED. I think we can chalk that up to about a 50/50 split between brainwashed optimism and nostalgia. 

I'll calm down just a second to address my point: the 2014 Cubs are something to be excited about. Here's why:

1.) New Management: 

I don't have anything personal against Dale Svuem, but I am glad to see him gone. He was handed a tough situation and did not contribute anything to at least keep the ship afloat. So now we turn to Rick Renteria, ex-Padres bench coach, to man the helm. He brings a new attitude and a fresh look that focuses on developing talent at the Major League level. Many players have commented on his great attitude and the change in the overall atmosphere, but that is all talk. Time to take Ricky to the park and see what he can do.

2.) Rizzo and Castro:

There are not two Cubs happier that there is a new season. After what was noticeable regression in '13, these players are starved for a opportunity to prove they are better than last year. Castro came into camp healthier (until the injury) and with a new attitude. Rizzo has worked with new hitting coach Bill Mueller on taking the movement out of his approach. Can these guys get back to form? 

3.) The kids are coming...

If you have been living under a rock, let's bring you up to speed: Javier Baez had a great spring. Even though he is starting the year at Triple-A, he is knocking on the door of a call up. Kyle Hendricks is waiting in the wings as well. He had what Rick Sutcliffe described as the "it" factor. That future that Theo and Jed tell is about. It is almost here.

4.) "Happy birthday to...

Wrigley! On April 23, Wrigley Field turns 100 years old and the marketing team has a bunch of decade themed promotions at the park all season. That alone is worth the price of admission.

So sit back. Relax. Turn on that familiar WGN broadcast (potentially for the last year) and enjoy the thing we love through and through: The Cubs. It's a new year, and baseball is beautifully unpredictable. For that alone, it is good to be back home.

-CC

The "Olt" of Lightening They Need

7 days. 7 days from today I return to a magical world that is second to none: Baseball season. With the sounds of post-fantasy draft discussions and the stress of final spring cuts upon us, I need to get something off of my chest that has been weighing on me all spring: Mike Olt should be the Cubs' Opening Day third baseman.

If you have read my tweets during the spring, this is not a shocking revelation. My love fest for Olt started this offseason. I have drooled over the metrics of a 2012 untouchable from the Rangers. I have day dreamed about the protection he can provide to a maturing Rizzo. Mumblings of being a "competitive" team have creeped into my conversations. But all Roses have thorns. And all fans have Rose-colored glasses.

Olt is 25 years old and in a different conversation than "The Core." He has seen success in Triple A. He has seen (or not seen...because of last year's eye issues) struggles in Triple A. He has experienced all that needs to be experienced on the internal Theo/Hoyer Report Card. 

Back in July 2012, when the Cubs were in the middle of a losing season, Theo was taking calls about the price for Ryan Dempster. When the Rangers came calling, Olt was UNTOUCHABLE. Olt hit 28Hrs in 354 ABs with a solid .579 Slugging. The Cubs have seen a glimpse of that potential this Spring. Olt has been Solid with a .273 average with 5Hrs in 44 ABs. 

Let's be honest here. The Cubs will struggle to compete this season. As I have stated in many blogs, the future is bright. But the time is now for Olt. I see the argument to use Valbuena given his spring performance (.294, 6Hrs), but Olt is a whole different level. Olt is a .280, 25-30HR guy that solidifies a lineup that is starving for a solid 4. He looks rusty at 3B, but countless scouts believe he will be an above average fielder. Bring the kid up, have him solidify an order that is begging for production. Let's lock up the revolving door 3B has become Post-Aramis. Given the Cubs immediate situaton, what is the worst that can happen? He may be just the "Olt" this team needs...

-CC

Love is in the Javier

CRACK. The sound of sweet lumber as another now dubbed 'Baez Bomb' leaves the yard. 

It's hard not to get excited this spring. To us Cub fans, we are experiencing what I call the Christmas Eve phenomenon. We all remember Christmas Eve as a child. It was a day of wonderous anticipation, of impossible dreams, of excitement. We spent so much time building up the joys of Christmas and fantasizing about what 'Santa' could have under the tree. Sometimes our expectations would even trump the festivities of the actual day.

Flash forward from your youth  to March 2014. It is Spring Training, the 'Christmas Eve' of baseball season. No matter how many seasons you have followed or glimpses of success you have seen ('69, '84, '89, '98, '03, '07, '08), we all are watching one thing: the "Core."

You would have to be living under a rock to not have heard the countless sitings of Soler, Bryant, Almora, and Baez. This year at spring camp, we are getting a glimpse of most this group. That concept itself pays for the price of admission. These four players have become the coatracks for my dreams of a post-rebuild team. But let me get to the point.

Javier Baez should not break camp with the major league club. I'm sorry Cub fans, I know we are hungry. I know we have seen in a small sample so far what this kid can do (.417, 2 HRs this spring, .282, 37 HRs combined in A/AA). The fact of the matter regardless of service time issues, spring training performance, etc; the kid should see some Triple A. 

With some promising progress from Olt, an interesting option in Bonifacio, and a chance at redemption for Barney, there just is not any room right now. Let Barney prove his worth as a caliber second baseman. Let's see what Olt can do at third. If Barney shows a turnaround at the plate and Baez is scorching AAA, Barney has become a chip to get more arms for the rebuild. If Olt doesn't develop at third, then Baez is an option to take those duties. The Cubs still need to see what kind of things they have on the major league roster. This approach will only be beneficial for the team as a whole.

Unfortunately, the addition of Baez to this lineup right now does not make the Cubs a playoff team. Let the team execute the plan they have for the team they have on the field. If Baez produces at Triple A, then bring him up as an early call up to potentially invigorate an offense in May/June. Let him get everyday at bats to work on his opposite field driving (which has looked better) and his plate discipline(147 SO in 514 ABs in '13). Put him in a place where he will see regular at-bats and everyday playing time to work on his glove(44 errors, .932 fielding % in '13).

 It's almost 'Christmas' Cub fans, and Santa has Bryant, Baez, and maybe a few other surprises as gifts. It stinks sitting here on Christmas Eve dreaming of what coming. But sometimes, even though it kills us, these things are still worth the wait.

-CC

http://youtu.be/o91s0broyZ4

February 27th - A Historic Day of sorts

Today the Cubs marked another date on there ever growing history. Today was the first official game at the beautiful new Cubs Park in Mesa, AZ. Though what can be interpreted as a small event, this day was a celebration of the work to ring this state-of-the-art facility to Mesa.

The game was your standard Spring Training game. When I look at a box score for a Spring Training game (ST), I always look at a few specific things. First, I look to see the performance of potential opening day roster players and the work of the starting pitcher.

Today we saw the return of Jeff Samardzija to the mound. After a rocky start, he turned in a pretty solid spring debut. Additionally, it was nice to see Starlin Castro hitting the ball well.

I want to take a moment to address a fun trend I noticed on twitter. Baseball is a beautiful game that is driven by an amazing concept: failure. This is a sport in which it is celebrated when a player fails to reach base around 70% of the time. This being said, its time for the talk. Just because certain players didn't have a great day 1, does NOT mean they are going to have a bad spring.

The Cubs have the Halos tomorrow with our first look at Chris Rusin on the mound. I am interested to see how he looks early in the spring. I think he has a great shot at the rotation after putting together a solid base of work at the tail end of 2013. Additionally, Mr. Baez is seeing his first start of the spring. I would like to see him against MLB pitching, and no better example than Jared Weaver.

-CC

Questions are my questions

Spring training is finally here. While I look out the window and see a considerable amount of snow, it is comforting to know that in Arizona baseball activities have resumed. 

That being said, it is hard to really dig up excitement on a team that is coming off a few 90+ Loss seasons with minimal change to the roster. In reality, it is likely that this Cub team will win around 70-75 games. So what are the keys to being better than that? That is a great question. I would like to point out the following:

1.) Protection in the Lineup - It is fair to say that Anthony Rizzo did not have the flashiest season Batting average wise (nor did most the team). That being said, there are plenty of positives one can look too. The man had 63 extra base hits last year, which is near tops in the national league. Last year was his first full year in the Majors. It is natural to assume that fatigue set in and some adjustments needed to be made after he became the sole offensive threat in the Cubs lineup. Anthony needs protection in this lineup. I look to a few candidates to fill these spots. Junior Lake was a nice surprise last year. This year he needs to build on last years successes and help this Cubs offense that is starved for production. As I have tweeted quite regularly, I look to Mike Olt to be a steal at 3B. This guy was UNTOUCHABLE when we traded Garza. My hope is the vision problems and injuries are behind him and he can really get back to form.

2.) Bullpen - Twenty-six. TWENTY-SIX!!! Per ESPN.com, the Cubs had 26 blown saves last year, 4th worst in baseball. If this offseason hasn't been enough proof, Theo and Co. have addressed this issue. The Cub are loading up on arms; the key piece being Jose Veras at closer. On paper, this bullpen is already night and day better than last year's bullpen. There are even arms in the minors to help if there is an injury. If the Cubs convert just 7 more saves next year, this is a different team. 

3.) Starting Pitching - I cannot say enough good things about Travis Wood last year. Travis had a career year on which he was rewarded (rightfully so) with a trip to the All-Star game. I wish I could say great things about the rest of the staff. This is a very intriguing group. Jake Arrietta had electric stuff, but has yet to put it all together. Chris Bosio has worked wonders with some, so I look to Arrieta taking the next step now that he has left the atmosphere of Baltimore. Edwin Jackson became the face for angry Cub fans to point blame on Theo. I do agree it was a bit odd to be aggressive in a pitcher like Edwin, but I also do not believe he is as bad as he was last year. 

This list could go on for the questions for this years team. The answers are only a short few weeks away. My question for you is: What are your answers?

Until next time. 

CC

Excitement is building...

Yesterday was a National holiday for all of us baseball fans: Pitchers and Catchers reported. I have always felt that this time of year was the true beginning of spring. My mind begins to fill with the many hopes and dreams for the season, while trying hard to balance dreams with reality. 

After a LONNNNNNGGGGGG winter in Chicago, I am ready to fix my mind on anything that is not snow. With my mind focused on baseball season, what am I thinking about?

1.) Starlin Castro - Last year was not ideal for one of the cornerstones. Statistically, there was a significant drop in what we had come to expect from our All-Star shortstop. My take always from the end of the year last year was his defense was improving (compared to a horrendous start) and he was beginning to look more comfortable at the plate. This season for me is make or break for Castro. I would like to believe that he will be motivated with the new Regime and will perform significantly better than last year...I hope.

2.) The Four - When I look at this year's lineup, my biggest concern is the 4th spot in the lineup. I have full confidence in Rizzo in the 3, but who will protect him in the 4th spot. I see this part of the lineup going a few ways. I am looking for Mike Olt to be a surprise pick-up. As many Cub fans know, Mike Olt was the bell of the Ranger's ball when the Cubs came knocking with Dempster. After a season of some vision issues, the Rangers were humming a different tube when the Cubs had Garza to offer. Olt has plus power and could be the bat we need in the lineup to solidify the lineup. That is, if he wins the starting job. The other person I see in this spot would be Baez. If the kid has a torrid spring, I think there is a fair argument that he should get a shot at the big club.

As the pitchers stretch their arms out, I'm stretching my heart out for the pain expected of watching this team struggle for 70 wins. Their are exciting things coming, they just are not here yet. That being said, I look forward for the return of my North side heroes.