I think Bauer should embrace it and start a podcast talking about consensual rough sex and other fetishes, sports groupie stories, etc.

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

The Cubs are joyous their deterrent to winning dreadful "up the middle defense" (excl P) is now cleaned up.

'22 UTMD (excl P) % total team errors.

Cubs 48 of 96 50%
White Sox 46 of 101 46%
Astros 45 of 72 63%
Phillies 29 of 69 42%
Padres 30 of 76 39%
Yankees 44 of 74 59%

Gordon Wittenmyer and Kap both leaving NBCSC so that'll be it on them sparing on Cubs Talk Podcast. For as ass kissing they could be about Heyward and Grandpa, they were brutally honest about the organization, Theo, and Jed. Also too positive about the Cubs free agent haul. Overall was some good Cubs talk despite the braindead horrendous Tim Stebbins struggling to articulate his disjointed tripe.

While I frequently agree with Gordon, he's a fucking PTFB douchebag. Good riddance.

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

Some how in the first hour of ITC caller Mickey slipped by the screener and had some critical comments about the Cubs and the Score. Haugh was blah blah blah of course. Mickey said the Score asks Cubs brass softball questions (I think they let them off the hook with no follow-ups actually). I couldn't believe my ears when Levine admitted he's at fault for soft Cubs questions and vows to improve. He must be sick and tired of having to toe the company line and being such a Cubs ass kisser.

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Sherman remarked, "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" Grant looked up. "Yes," he replied, followed by a puff. "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."

I

Next time log in as Simple Frank, you awful mult.

Me

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The modern world is divided between those that would numb itself to its meaninglessness through various substances and various hedonisms and those that realize it and go crazy

in 2011, that would have excited me. These days, not so much.

Seems more like a White Sox move. Kenny Williams running things over there?

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The modern world is divided between those that would numb itself to its meaninglessness through various substances and various hedonisms and those that realize it and go crazy

Dont have real strong feelings either way. I was hoping they would sign Mancini. But this just means they have a cheap option to go with if they decide that Mervis is not the guy at 1B.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Hosmer, Bellinger, Barnhardt signings are proof they still don't want to win. If they're dictating FA signings in line with prospects arrival there's nothing set in stone that any prospects will be all-star caliber major leaguers. The pitching staff is a bright spot. But to duplicate their 5th era rank 2nd half will be a tall order. Especially an injury prone staff coming off an unfathomable 1458 IL days in '22. If the pitching staff '23 full year era is again in the bottom 3rd (20th) their record could be worse than last year. I don't see this team scoring a lot of runs like in '22 (22th).

On paper, the 2023 Cubs look very middle of the road. They don't look awful, but they sure didn't sign any wow factor this off-season. Hoping the teams in front of you regress is not a sound strategy

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They are going to be a better defensive team. Possibly a better pitching team. But there is a huge problem with lack of power. Unless Bellinger finds his former form and Suzuki really comes on this team is going to struggle to score a lot.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I'm just happy that they finally have their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion priorities in order!!!!

I hate this Hosmer signing, put Alcantara there, he's 6'6" and give him 500 mlb abs.

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I am not happy to inform Cub fans the only team they are poised to compete with is the Pirates.

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If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

lol wut? He hasn't even played at high A ball yet

dont be silly mike. The Cubs are better than the Pirates and Reds, get it right

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

The Cubs are still going to suck next year. Does this organization have any blue chip prospects? That's the only way this thing turns around.

Forgot Reds. Yes the best of the three worst will be?

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If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

I don't care, I don't want to see one AB by Hosmer.

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its hard to hate too hard on a one-year deal but this guy is way past his prime and is clearly a placeholder. the problem is, a placeholder for what? I think their best prospects are pretty low in the system, there is nothing in the pipeline right now that is going to give them immediate impact. They need some unexpectedly excellent pitching for this team to contend for anything beyond 3rd place.

Alcantara hasn't even played 1B ever, he's a CF by trade.

That is where I was going. Decent but not great. Lots of outs and question marks in the bottom half of the order.

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It’s not that hard. Tell him Wash…

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It's incredibly hard.

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The modern world is divided between those that would numb itself to its meaninglessness through various substances and various hedonisms and those that realize it and go crazy

Anybody can play 1st.

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See Rizzo.