Re: Fly the W, El Mago injured, Rizzo hits dinger, Cubs eyeing closer, more

Hot Dog Vendor [54]

CubPulse: 100%

Posts: 115

Joined: 2019

May 21, 2019, 2:28 PM

Hopefully the heel issue is minor and Baez will be back in the lineup soon. We need him in the lineup, he makes everyone better around him and the opposing team nervous.

Now to a more critical issue, that being a closer.
Last night's came was of the more disappointing and demoralizing losses. After fighting back only to again to have it tied in the 9th and lose it in the 10th. That hurt. Darvish didn't pitch badly, he just can't seem to catch a break at Wrigley. He was more efficient until the 6th and I actually believe he out pitched Arrieta. We have been giving up too many runs with two outs.

I've sound like a broken record but we have got to have a bona-fide closer. Morrow is done, even if he gets healthy which given his history is a big question mark, it will take several outings to become a serious threat. I feel bad for him but it's time for the Cubs to move on.

If they are serious, and they should be, to go after Ken Giles I doubt it will happen without a trade. So Russell and Happ are the two most likely the candidates to be traded. If they could get Giles for a cash deal that would be great, but I don't think that will happen. Overall our bullpen hasn't been horrible but there is a lot of room for improvement. I don't think they can continue to stretch out Montgomery every 2-3 days, he may be needed as a spot starter at some point. The pen is so unpredictable at this point you never know what you're going to get when you bring someone in. It's nerve wrecking to watch.

We can't wait for the trade deadline to find a closer. We need one now, someone that can come in and get that last big out and not come in and immediately walk the first or second guy they face.

I'm not sold on the Brach or Ryan in a high leverage spot. Maddon can only manage with what he has, but he has to have a closer that can get three outs and lock down a win.

Happ is not d well in AAA so I'm not sure what his trade value is and there will be teams that may not want the baggage that Russell brings with him, so if the Cubs don't have the money to make a deal, who else is there to trade? Zagunis? I wouldn't like that, but as the saying goes "To get something, you're going to have to give up something" I for one don't relish the idea of continuing to give up some of our top prospects. We've seen enough of that.

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

Hey Brusch653, great comments.

I'm not yet sold on going out and getting a closer. Last night was the 8th blown save of the season for the Cubs which ties them for 2nd in the NL behind the best team in the NL, the Dodgers. So the top two team have the most blown saves, why because they are also the top few teams in save opportunities.

Teams are not going to win every game. Tommy Lasorda once said teams are going to win a third of their games no matter what, they're going to lose a third of their games no matter what, it's how the do in the remaining third that determines their season.

For me the biggest issue with this team is still scoring runs with runners in scoring positions. They still are on these terrible streaks of 2 for 24 and 1 for 10 and 3 for 47. That has to end and someone has to start knocking guys in early in games.

Russell is not going to be traded but don't be surprised if Schwarber, Happ, and other bigger names are.

CubsHQ Boards

Fly the W, El Mago injured, Rizzo hits dinger, Cubs eyeing closer, more