among the predictions:

Cubs contend in 2016.

Baez probably not a SS. Stud Hitter.

Bryant not a 3B. Stud Hitter.

Almora is your starting CF for the next 5 years.

Nothing earth shattering. I really thought he'd still be ripping the Cubs.

Cant say I disagree with much there except getting a little ahead of himself on Almora and I think they can contend next year

No remarks from Bernstein on the remote location being at beth murphy's bar?

> Cubs contend in 2016.

I thought thigns were supposed to be rolling decently by next year. I'm keeping that expectation regardless. Unless he explicitly means top 4 favorite to win the World Series ... that I don't expect next year ... absolutely in the post-season though.

Honestly, not knocking Cubs at all. Looks like Stone thinks it will work. I will wait and see. Pirates, Royals and many others have had similar plans.

Even Stone has to fess up at this point, because he knows the offense is coming to make them a good team, but they still lack front end pitching, which is tough to get and is why they went $160M on Tanaka this year. Next year the offense needs to show the potential at the big league level, then look for the Cubs to make pitching deals.

NO NO NO....Stone is not allowed on this damn bandwagon now! The guy spent the better part of the decade ripping the cubs and this plan. At best he would say "It might work". Now he likes it? fuck no

I'm still not sure why they felt the need to sign Edwin Jackson when they did, but once they feel the offensive talent is here to stay, they are going to add the pitching needed to accelerate the progress of the team.

. Depending on when some of these guys are up in the majors for good, it's not unreasonable to think that they could contend as early as 2015..

Yes, it really is.

If you use the most optimistic expectations of player progress and everyone (Almora, Baez, Bryant, Soler and that pitcher) leaves Arizona with the team next year, you still are not factoring learning curve at the MLB level.

The MOST optimistic ETA for contending is 2016 and even that is pretty optimistic when factoring normal player progress. I'd say 2017 is reasonable, just in time for Theo to save his ass as his contract runs out.

Unless one of the younger pitchers breaksthrough this year. Then you need one less.

They have two very good starters right now

Who will be here next year?

I think you are being bamboozled on projections of Edwards as a starter. Maybe he is Sale and can be the rail thin guy who still can go 200. Most likely he is a middle reliever.

You're way overthinking this.

They can certainly be an 80 win team next year. Thats not a stretch at all and that would be in the playoff picture

No remarks from Bernstein on the remote location being at beth murphy's bar?

Who will be here next year?

I think you are being bamboozled on projections of Edwards as a starter. Maybe he is Sale and can be the rail thin guy who still can go 200. Most likely he is a middle reliever.