Bananarchy

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 11:12 PM) Which is why they keep sticking to drafting pitchers. I heard the same segment that you did on the radio. Positional prospects are the currency of the modern MLB. Even more so than pitchers.

QUOTE (Flash Tizzle @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 11:09 PM) We're hopeless, but it's not nearly as bad. Whenever you have a pitcher of Sale's calibur leading Rodon and Quintana it's not terrible. However, where it's similar is we're both hopelessly behind several divisional opponents who are in a MUCH better position to compete. My question is, how do we compete with Kansas City and Detroit come 2016 and beyond? When that question is answered, we'll be no better than those clubs dealing with their divisional leaders. First, you lose Kenny Williams. Second, you figure out how to go back and move Shark. Third, you play out the rest of the season and then try to move Sale for top position prospects. Do the same with Abreu, because Hahn has the uncanny ability to make team friendly contract. You take or leave Alexei. Play through one or two thin seasons to gain draft picks. That's how you do it. The problem is our scouting can't draft positional talent.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 11:05 PM) Not even close. Those teams could only dream of having Rodon. Those teams are also in stacked divisions going forward. Go take another look at the White Sox position players draft under Williams by career WAR. It's not a performance close to that of a winner. Bad doesn't begin to describe our scouting.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:58 PM) "Smart money" Hahaha One team is setting up for winning long term. The other is trying to overpay gimmick free agent signing to win it once. I'd feel more comfortable with a competent coach and a real GM making signings.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:56 PM) But you didn't answer the question It is a silly question. The Cardinals don't have to watch their 2006 World Series DVD. They just win it all again. That is the goal.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:54 PM) God it must have been terrible being a Cubs fan in that timeframe, huh? Sox won the World Series, Cubs couldn't win a playoff series, had to have a priest bless a dugout, blowing money on Soriano, Zambrano going nuts, being incredibly awful for years, White Sox winning that stupid Crosstown Cup. Smart money says they are about to be repaid for that. Their whole organization is stacked.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:53 PM) How many titles have the Cubs, Brewers and Rockies won in the last 30 years (ie. in your lifetime)? At least the Cubs are headed in the right direction.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:52 PM) 2008 was the worst! Even then. Your MVP candidate takes a baseball to the arm and is never the same.

QUOTE (OmarComing25 @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:49 PM) Man you sure do whine a lot. The outlook is not as bleak as you claim. It has been a terrible 9 seasons since 2006.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:48 PM) No we aren't. We have three of the top 30 players in baseball, they don't. We are equally as irrelevant. Again. Spinning the wheel going for it all. Fail. Repeat.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:45 PM) Not even close. Rock bottom would be Milwaukee Brewers or Colorado Rockies Have you looked at us recently? We are a mirror image of both of those clubs.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:35 PM) They did win 90 games the season following the World Series, and that's enough to get into the post-season more often than not these days...so you had the anomalies of the Twins/Tigers both being better in one season (same as the NL Central this year). They got to the playoffs in 2008, and made strong/competitive runs in 2010 and 2012, as well as adding Peavy/Rios/Beckham/Quentin/Floyd/Danks/Alexei Ramirez/Viciedo. Unfortunately, it didn't work out...but it's not like they immediately collapsed. If anything, they held onto the veteran core pieces for too long instead of starting the rebuilding in 2007-09 instead of pushing it all the way back to 2012/2013, essentially. It was more faded into obscurity...rather than being driven into the ground. Bringing in Thome, Mackowiak and Javy V. seemed like solid moves at the time. Of course, their FA moves this off-season were applauded by many as well, and we all know how that worked out. Regardless, this is rock bottom. This organization isn't going anywhere.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:20 PM) At the end of the day all that matters is WS titles and both franchises have been historically awful by that measure. It just so happens that the Cubs have been even more futile by this measure. How old are you? Do you even remember the 2005 championship? That was only 10 years ago. I'm sure your comeback will be what have they done the last 10 years blah blah blah but no Cubs fans have experienced a WS title in their lifetime so I will take 10 years all day. I'm 30. I watched the World Series team just like you did. The organization celebrated by continually driving into the ground.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:12 PM) Yep, the great Joe Maddon left Lester in to die last night, but he'll get credit for keeping them loose What is Robin's plan?

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:09 PM) absolutely and so will the cardinals if they get past the pirates in the play-in game God this we are so White Sox fans. What matters is the Cubs are in it and we are perpetually garbage.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:05 PM) I have more of an idea for offense, but how is that figured out for pitchers? Seems ridiculous if the difference between Sale and Arrieta is almost same between Arrieta and Q. One of them will possibly have that opportunity.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:04 PM) fWAR: 1) Kershaw: 6.6 2) Sale: 5.8 ... 8) Arrieta: 4.9 ... 14) Quintana: 3.8 The funny thing is, if it weren't for about two starts this season, Sale is the best pitcher in baseball.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 10:01 PM) And exactly how many of those huge $125-150+ million contracts for 5-6+ years for pitchers at age 29/30/31 or over have worked out well for their teams? A couple? If the Cubs win the World Series and Lester and Price fall off a cliff in a couple of years, it won't matter...but it's not like Price guarantees anything any more than the Dodgers spending $300 million has even guaranteed them a place in the playoffs. The cap is play money in the MLB when you develop talent in your own system. The offense is still dirt cheap.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 09:59 PM) Sox fans with Cubs fan friends like me, brace yourself for the Arrieta > Sale comments this week... He's certainly no Sale, but next season he won't have to be.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 09:57 PM) so was yours... My comment was true, yours was uninformed.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 09:57 PM) if he signs Price in the offseason, can he afford Arrieta after the 2017 season when hits free agency? MLB has no cap and the team has 4 contributing rookies on offense.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 09:57 PM) Nowhere close The Cubs are happy for a no hitter, but the stakes are raised. It is about building something.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 09:55 PM) Cubs aren't even a playoff team in the AL. they'd be fortunate to be 5 games over .500 Cubs still aren't in the AL, so this comment is irrelevant.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 09:53 PM) They currently have two starting pitchers they can rely on. Still think Theo absolutely screwed up trade deadline. You would be wrong. This season is gravy. You better believe the Flubs are the favorite for David Price. Epstein isn't shortsighted. No high end Cub prospect is worth a rental.

QUOTE (JUSTgottaBELIEVE @ Aug 30, 2015 -> 09:52 PM) see that's the thing it's not just the DH factor. yes, that's part of it but as a league the NL has FAR worse hitters (and pitchers) than the AL. Yeah and we are still horses***