Akiem Hicks is a go versus Miami!

Whelp, if they're not going deep into the playoffs, one and out is fine by me. The playoff money will make a nice dent in next season's bill.

_________________

Well, time to turn the page and figure out how to reconstruct this team, including getting a legitimate leadoff hitter. Decide whether to go after Harper or Machado and who to manage the team next season.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Don't slug .220 the last month of the season.

Enjoy Miami or Texas.

_________________
"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I think you tell Joe that you are not going to renew his contract without a WS appearance next year, and give him the option of being bought out by Anaheim in exchange for salary relief in taking Chatwood with him.

_________________
"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I think Machado is the first priority. They have to non-tender Russell, and getting Machado means that three of 2S3L are locked up with him, Baez, and Bryant.

Second, you need to get Bryant under the knife this week and ready to return at full strength by May 1. Fuck April, he's not going to hit for any kind of power when it's cold and he's still rehabbing, and Zobrist can stand there for a month.

Third, Schwarber, Happ, Almora is two guys too many. Trade them for whatever prospects you can get. Sign a RH platoon 4th OF masher type to play against lefties, and bring back Jon Jay to be the backup CF.

Fourth, decide if you can be in the market for Realmuto.

Fifth, work something out with Hamels if you have any money left.

The pitching staff is not the problem. Scoring 1 run or less as many times as the motherfucking Orioles is the problem.

_________________
"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Maddon auditioning for his next gig, folksy country lawyer: "we left too much chicken on the bone" "work's all done, hay's in the barn" Staring at his post-game snack apple: "Fruit don't talk. Fruit just listens... and waits" before crunching into his apple.

I think they will just let Joe talk to other teams, come to an agreement to negate the final year of his deal and let him go.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

i heard that. what does it mean? he never addressed why they couldnt hit.

Seems awfully byzantine to me. I'd just fire him.

_________________

First caller on ZZ,

shit on ZZ

said he defends the Cubs like a 10 year old father


i wonder if it was one of our guys

lol

No idea. But wherever Maddon ends up next season, predict that team ends up with multiple players on the DL after pulling hammies during a team field-trip to a farm to bale hay and drink moonshine.

lol nice

Now that the prototype for a field manager is A.J. Hinch, whose front office is even retrograde enough for Wacky Joe? The Twins fired Molitor surely to install a body that does what the stat wizards want. The Angels wouldn't fire Scioscia to put in Scioscia's longtime bench coach. Baltimore, maybe?

_________________

ZZ granted is in a tough spot critiquing his employer. But, come on ease up on the bs. ZZ this year might of replaced Les as the Scores biggest clown, and that's a tall order.

Les is good. ya his act is 20 years too old, but at least he respects the callers. ZZ seems to not.

ZZ is quoting Theo's graduation speech back from 2008. WTF. He really pours it on doesn't he. Maybe that saved his job for next year.

Baltimore's front-office situation makes them a less than desirable landing spot for any manager. Angelos should've picked one or the other of his sons to hand the reigns to the team to. Now the Orioles front-office has two Angelos sticking their nose in team business and mucking things up.

Tho B'More is the closest opening to Maddon's beloved hometown in Eastern PA. Country Clint Hurdle and the Hebrew Hammer are ensconced in their respective jobs in Pittsburgh and Philly. Maybe Nationals fire Martinez to bring in Maddon.

Anaheim's history of trying to buy relevance via signing big-names beyond their sell-by date makes LA the most likely landing spot, as they'll bid the most for his services.

Rangers would be out, the timing's not right. That makes sense about the Angels but it doesn't feel likely to me. Marlins? But that timing is never gonna be right.

_________________

Yeah, Marlins job would have to be a 5+ year contract; cuz Marlins farm system is in like year 1 of the "process". Phillies and Braves look to be taking care of business in the NL East in the interim. But btw Marlins and Orioles--take the Marlins job.

Not to mention, you get fired there, you get a red X stamped on your picture at chicagofanatics.com

_________________

before that, the first minute ZZ gets on the air he throws out the "Cubs played 42 of 43 days and that certainly affected their performance".

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Excuses are for losers and guys like me who call in sick to work.

_________________
favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Maddon needs to go. I really like some of his approach - keeping all the guys playing all season long, putting guys in different situations, keeping everyone fresh and loose. All of that is good and he is really good at it. But as far as in-game management goes, he is nothing short of terrible. He panicked last night, went to the pen way to early, burned through all his guys and has no options in a tight game late. If you are going to pinch hit for Lester in the 6th in an effort to get the run, then why not put Gore in in THAT situation so that you can get the run and get him OUT OF THE GAME quickly and not have to watch him BAT twice? If you have plans on using Hamels, why not pitch him after Lester so that you dont burn through your entire bench pinch-hitting and double-switching and kill your bullpen with all these situational moves? He is way to smart for his own good, and makes way too many panic moves.

this team needs a vacation.

Maddon is taking a lot of heat, and there are definitely MANY reasons to get on him. Pinch hitting for Lester is not one of them, IMO. You can't start the 6th inning with your pitcher leading off in a 1-0 game. The Cubs needed offense, and Lester isn't the guy that will start a rally. Him getting pulled early is a direct result of the Cubs failing to score. If they had even 1 run, I believe Lester stays in the game and pitches (at least) one more inning. As it was the guy who hit for Lester drew a walk after being down 0-2, and then twenty minutes later, after a hit, and a catcher's interference ( ) your $180 million right fielder strikes out with the bases juiced. The Rockies were trying to give away a run in that inning, and the Cubs simply couldn't execute.

_________________

For all the crap baseball gets for being behind the times no other sport can give you a game like last night's.

The Cubs caught every single lucky break, bad umpiring call and player error but still only scored one run. This wasn't a game they were going to win

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

If it was a Tuesday night in June against the Reds they would have won. The team was built for 162.

not in the 6th inning of a winner-take-all game in which he is dealing. BUT i will bend somewhat on that IF, after getting the lead-off man on, you play for the one run! You defeat the purpose of pinch-hitting for him if you dont use Gore at that time and steal that base and get the run!

That lineup is filled with bum slayers.