Cubs coverage getting odd....

[SoxFan562004]

OK, bear with me... I am forced to work Saturday mornings at my job which basically involves filing and doing nothing else. So I was listening to WSCR and Paul Sullivan was a guest, since he covers the Cubs that's obviously where the conversation went.

 

some of the "highlights"

 

-a caller calls in sounding like he was on the verge of tears complaining that "the Cubs have Prior this year" and they'll be different since he's one of the "top 5 pitchers in baseball." Seriously, this guy was on the verge of a breakdown. Now, Prior is a phenomenal talent, but it's only his third year, and he had serious health issues last year, so let's not act like he's a 100% guarantee.

 

-Sullivan actually said something anti-Cub (he should look for the memo from the Cubune brass soon). He basically called out Kerry Wood and said the guy really needs to step up this year both on the field and in the clubhouse. He said he really lives off his reputation from his first year, and since his injury he hasn't lived up to the hype he gets.

 

-Also added that the Cubs minor league system "isn't great"

 

-The oddest part was when someone asked him why the Cubs didn't pursue Mulder. Sullivan said "there's no room at the inn" meaning there's no place for him in the rotation. Really? Last time I checked the Cubs plan on running out a rookie or Rusch for the 5th starter spot... Rookies are always shaky, and Rusch in the bullpen would help a glaring weakness of the team. They didn't just dismiss the callers idea, they acted like it was the dumbest idea they ever heard... well with the great health of Wood and Prior, Maddux's age and the fact that Zambrano pitched a significant amount of innings last year, it wouldn't hurt to have a Mark Mulder on your staff.

 

 

sorry this is long, but I'm bored and got paid to sit here at work to do it!!

[Nokona]

I was listening in the car too. It was nice to see a reporter not on the Cubbie Kool-Aid

[Kalapse]

Cubs Rotation:

 

>Kerry Wood - Overrated, living off his rookie year and 20 SO game VS Astros.

>Mark Prior - Phenominal talent but had injury problems last season, but no means is he a guarantee.

>Carlos Zambrono - Currently best pitcher on staff, has to get better away from home and control his emotions

>Greg Maddux - Getting old, still has some in the tank but showed that he is starting to break down at times last year.

>Glendon Rusch - Fluke last year, has to prove that he is a legitiment starter and not revert back to 1 and 12 with a 6.42 era like he had a year ago with milwaukee.

 

Just a little analysis straight from my brain to your computer screen b****es.

[soxman352000]

I was listening in the car too.  It was nice to see a reporter not on the Cubbie Kool-Aid

Tank god there is one media man in this town who isn't a total dope

[GoodAsGould]

well their staff is good enough that they should of pursuid a hitter or closer instead of mulder i can see that explanation.

[SoxFan562004]

I forgot the one odd bit from this conversation... it was about Maggs

 

-Sullivan basically says the Cubs kind of got left out in the cold by the Tigers insane offer, they were really high on Maggs and thought they were going to get him for a one year, Nomar like deal.

 

-Then Sullivan says he talked to Maggs in November and was sure he was going to the Cubs, but Boras must have talked to him, and he thinks he should still sign with the Cubs for one year because, and this is a quote, "he would have more fun"

 

-now, I'm all for fun and think athletes should care about winning, but it's insanity if you've already turned down 70m from the Sox to turn down a guaranteed 12m this year and a possibility of a 5-7 year deal if you're healthy, for a one year deal from the Cubs.

 

the whole interview had a weird tone to it, it seemed like all the Cub people were expecting Maggs to sign with them and when looking at their off-season it seems people are kind of shocked that they didn't improve. (Am I crazy with how weird this interview was Nokona or anyone else who heard it, or was i just in a work related haze?)

[SoxFan562004]

well their staff is good enough that they should of pursuid a hitter or closer instead of mulder i can see that explanation.

I guess, but they ended up with no improvement in hitters or a closer. I think if you could of thrown a rotation of:

 

zambrano

wood

Prior

maddux

Mulder

 

(obviously not in that order)

 

you have to make an effort to do make that happen, especially since St. Louis didn't give up a ton to get him...

 

I don't think you're major offseason accomplishment can ever be "The other teams in our division got worse"

 

You can argue St. Louis and Houston took some hits, but the bottom of the division got a little better. I'm not saying the Brewers or Reds are going to make a run at the division, but those 18-19 games against those teams got a little harder.

[Chisoxfn]

Cubs Rotation:

 

>Kerry Wood - Overrated, living off his rookie year and 20 SO game VS Astros.

>Mark Prior - Phenominal talent but had injury problems last season, but no means is he a guarantee.

>Carlos Zambrono - Currently best pitcher on staff, has to get better away from home and control his emotions

>Greg Maddux - Getting old, still has some in the tank but showed that he is starting to break down at times last year.

>Glendon Rusch - Fluke last year, has to prove that he is a legitiment starter and not revert back to 1 and 12 with a 6.42 era like he had a year ago with milwaukee.

 

Just a little analysis straight from my brain to your computer screen b****es.

I still wouldn't have a problem taking there rotation. Cause if that team can get into the playoffs, it won't take much other then some good defense (which they won't get) and some situational hitting (don't really think they are built this way either).

 

Hendry has had a godawful offseason, but at the same team any team with that front four (rotation wise) has a shot, but I don't see them beating the Cards and well I think the wild card comes out of the East this year.

 

I don't think Houston or the Cubs will be threats this year.

[MurcieOne]

I still wouldn't have a problem taking there rotation.  Cause if that team can get into the playoffs, it won't take much other then some good defense (which they won't get) and some situational hitting (don't really think they are built this way either). 

 

Hendry has had a godawful offseason, but at the same team any team with that front four (rotation wise) has a shot, but I don't see them beating the Cards and well I think the wild card comes out of the East this year.

 

I don't think Houston or the Cubs will be threats this year.

 

Im going to pick the cubs for the central this year, just because Dusty Baker always seems to get his teams in the playoffs or close to it just about everyseason. and you cant dispute the talent they have in their rotation and the middle of their order (Rameriz, Lee, Nomar) The cardinals will be tough, but i think without the top of the lineup they had last year... they're boppers are gonna suffer.

[SoxFanForever]

I really don't think the Cards will suffer that much. Woack had a good season, there is no taking that away from him. But I think that Eckstein healthy can put up similar, maybe a little lesser numbers. Also, Grudzielanek can be pretty decent offensively if he is healthy, bit if. I think those two can really soften the blow of losing Renteria and Womack. Also, they will have Walker for the whole year which never hurts. I think the Cards offense will be fine.

[shakes]

I think the only thing that could hurt the Cardinals is thier bullpen depth. Although, that is a fairly easy place to upgrade with a midseason trade. I still think they are the favorites.

[Nokona]

It was a different interview than all the other ones I've heard concering the Cubs this year. Sullivan kinda hopped on both sides of the fence, praising and then bashing the next second, then defending his bashing and then bashing his defense. It was odd.