Off-season pick-ups which leaves Wrigleyville wanting better

After a terrible season the Cubs go out and acquire a new pitcher in Dan Haren and veteran catcher Dioneer Navarro.  Sure they're both credible players with good potential yet where on earth are the big-time signings?  Waiting around until February, about the time Spring Training begins to make any major moves isn't going to cut it.  The decimal offense is almost always in question.  What does Cubs management plan to do about that?  Don't run the risk by putting all the pressure on the new rotation until a starter or two get injured.  Trying to piece together a low market level of players won't build much strength and ample depth to an already mediocre roster right now.  Chicago might as well fill the void at third base and pick up a power bat for the outfield.  Oh, the club did sign yet ANOTHER pitcher in Scott Baker for a one-year contract.  That seems to be okay to aid the rotation.  Still Baker was injured the entire 2012 season.  Fans get the point by now with the pitching.  Making the Cubs flourish in any way, however will take extra hitting off the bench and enough pop combined into a respectable lineup.  Until Spring Training the Wrigley faithful will see what other probably useless, impractical managerial decisions will be made.

Cubs near 100 losses for season, Rizzo and Castro remain gems beyond the total humility

AP Photo/Matt York

To admit the Cubs have endured the worst record in over 5 seasons is a shame yet true. Closing in on 100 losses in 2012 the franchise has put too much time in lollygagging to piece together an unnamable and incomplete, poorly executing lineup in Wrigleyville. Sighs and complaints from the numerous fan base doesn’t seem to do much justice. New ownership from Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein have the team spinning in the wrong direction still. Instead of bringing new prospects from the minors to fill spots in a lineup the least the management team can do is acquire veteran leaders with enough pop in their bat plus find real quality, durable pitching. Trading away veteran starters, Ryan Dempster and Geovany Soto to Texas in July was a big mistake. The ball club had no one reliable to go to for big results or effective leadership (As Reed Johnson plus Paul Maholm departed to Atlanta shortly later).

With the demising offense the Cubs place low in most hitting categories and average only around 3 runs per game. That is not near enough to win. Chicago bats didn’t come alive to rally at all during the season and struck out in too many key run scoring situations. The Cubs only power support in 2012 came from Alfonso Soriano (31 homeruns, 106 RBIs). It’s stunning how the club managed all season long with the following outfield rotation alignment: David DeJesus/Brian LaHair RF, CF Marlon Byrd/Brett Jackson, and Alfonso Soriano LF. Besides the fact the Cubs really struggled with runners in scoring position the players which were added to the roster in August really had no effect on scoring frequency and hits-to-runs ratios. Scraping for run support for their starting pitchers was what the Cubs showed with agony on the field. Stranding runners on base decimated their chances to win even close games. Nothing to be content with at all.

  There is truly not much to applaud in the dismal 2012 season. The only real bright gems which remain are Andy Rizzo (acquired from the Padres in 2011) and Starlin Castro who signed a long-term contract extension. The star shortstop has drove in 78 RBIs so far and was hitting over .325 in April and May(currently .285). Anthony Rizzo came along from Triple-A Iowa in July/August to bash 15 homeruns with 92 total hits in 83 games. He provides a stinging effect to opposing NL pitchers. Rizzo is a definite potential superstar at first base for Chicago who needs to see bawdy offensive numbers from guys like him next season. This off-season the GM and owner have to think intelligent moves for the Cubs to fill the gaps to put a defined, potent offense back on the map in Chicago. Fans want to see their beloved franchise break away from the NL Central’s underbelly. Time to get serious as ever at Wrigley Field and learn to how to win again.

Cubs faltering even more after losing veterans, drop series to Reds

Coping with a rebuilding season the negatives have seemed to add on for the Cubs. After trading away four veterans in Reed Johnson, Paul Malhom, Ryan Dempster, and Geovany Soto to two teams the positive reinforcements for later success have declined fast. For Franchise Management pulling the trigger to unload these players only to bring new prospects (unlikely to get many starts) was definitely not an intelligent move. Everyone knows the Cubs struggle to manufacture enough run support for the starting pitchers. Why they didn't go out and acquire other veteran hitters is beyond logic. Not only to get the Cubs strain with the injury to Matt Garza and the early setback to former ace Ryan Dempster, but they have virtually no good role players now off the bench. Plus the backup catcher spot isn't fulfilled well either. Too many losses have piled up this season.

 In the past week the Cubs have not performed up to par against the first place Reds. They lost the series, 3-of-4 games in Cincy giving limited run production and having not so effective starting pitching as they have reached a 47-73 mark. Getting swept twice on the road in August has shown the club to be sloppy at times with errors, bad decisions on the base paths, and totally lack of execution with runners in scoring to develop offense. Being 20 games under .500 is the pits for any MLB team. In Chicago the front office should have their priorities in order and meet the team's needs by now. Only reaching 44 wins by mid-August is downright pitiful.

The efforts are there again though from Alfonso Soriano, Starlin Castro, and newcomer Anthony Rizzo yet the lineup fans too many times in important run scoring chances. This is not the coach's fault for low offensive production. It appears as if the Cubs are fine when they get off to an early lead (usually 3-4 runs ahead) compared to when they trail in a game, generally 60-70 % of the time. That's just not good to see. Fans can't take but so much fallouts and poor outcomes during the season.

With the Cubs switching players from Triple-A Iowa to the Majors in final 2 months the prospects like Brett Jackson will sure to get their experience by being in the lineup. They don't however have a solidified starting rotation still. So far the minor leaguers brought up have not answered the call to come in and deliver good enough results. It looks to be a total bummer for the rest of the way. Next year without big bats to go with reliable, healthy starters to go the distance nothing will change much in the standings. At least the Cubs can avoid last place which belongs to the truly struggling Houston Astros. Man, this Chicago franchise needs to turn potential into success again. To achieve they have to gather the leadership and talent necessary to rise from their collapse.  Then the franchise can reach their goals. 

Soto, Cubs gang deliver to beat Marlins 5-1 before rain follows

Brian Kersey/ Getty Images

When a recent turnaround the Cubs have performed better than average in recent weeks. With last night's 5-1 win over Miami it makes 7 of their last 8 at home. Way to go Chicago! At Wrigley before the rain arrived the Cubs were tied at 1 thanks to a Starlin Castro homer in the 4th inning. That was his 8th of the season and 45th RBI. After that Geovany Soto ripped a hard ground hopper over 3rd base which scored a run to make it 2-1. After another runner reached and wild pitch came to the plate Jeff Baker busted out a sharp 2-run double down the line. He made the score 4-1 in the 7th. Then David DeJesus notched an additional insurance run via a sac fly. All in all good game for the Cubs who are trying to make a quality run with streakiness in their favor to close out July. Winning 2-of-3 to capture the series in New York gave the club a lift too.

The Cubs are at current 37-53. The big series which most fans await is set this weekend against the Cardinals in St. Louis. With good patience and timely hitting Chicago can take this series also against a not so potent rival which doesn't possess any great pitching right now. Dave Sveum and his coaching staff may want to select offensive options for hit-and- runs and sacrifice bunts to get the wheels rolling for team blue's advantage. With a more balanced starting rotation and a few new faces in the bullpen Chicago can muster up to a serious challenge against their nemesis.

With trade talks swirling around about Ryan Dempster leaving, the Cubs better get the best available top hitter if not another starter for their trouble. Knowing how one area offsets another with this club it may be best to leave him off the table for a while. After the St. Louis series the men in blue travel to Pittsburgh to combat the Pirates for 3 games. Best of luck on their efforts there, go Cubs!

Cubs drop consecutive games to Tigers, falling back too far in Central

Since there hasn't been much to discuss here in the past month no need to post anything, but once. As of June the Cubs have really fallen back in the Central. At 21-42 there has been very little to get excited about. For good measure and to salvage another series Chicago avoided the swept against the Tigers, but lost yesterday 5-3 at Wrigley. Darwin Barney had a nice RBI double off the left field wall to plate a run. A new prospect was called up from Triple-A Iowa, Luis Valbuena who went 0-for-3 with an RBI groundout. An injury to Ian Stewart sent him to the 15-day DL as the lineup scrambles to find a solution to extra offense. Dave Sveum has tried different combinations with the outfield, used pinch runners at times yet doesn't seem to have a set everyday lineup.

Despite their record the Cubs are getting experience for their young prospects fresh out of the minors like Travis Wood who pitched Thursday and gave up 8 hits and 3 earned runs which is decent. Still with the starting pitching varying (exemption here is Ryan Dempster) with their output there are no trades being made by the Cubs. Offense is stifling to watch most of the time and really needs a tune up with another veteran, top position player with a few other good supporting bench players. If not it's going to be a long summer in Wrigleyville. Fans aren't going to like it by August, seeing how the standings are shaping up. Though coming up this weekend it looks to be a fun series with the Red Sox to resume Interleague Play. Run production will be key again to who will take the series.

Dismal Production From Lineup, Cubs Get Swept By Sox

Photo by Associated Press

The atmosphere became Unwrigley-like today against cross-town rivals the White Sox in Interleague Play. Nothing developed with the offense as the Cubs lost 6-0 behind a tough pitching showcase by Jake Peavy. Only 5 hits total mounted by the Cubs! This contest wasn't worth watching (the 2012 club has yet to give fans a reason to cheer much). Paul Maholm(4-3)left many in the crowd at Wrigley speechless. He went 6.1 innings to allow 5 earned runs on 9 hits with no walks. Yes, one game to truly want to forget. Starlin Castro and the boys in blue failed to produce any real offense. This has to sting a bit for the Cubs who just hit their 6th straight loss. Optimism won't be enough to fuel the club until the half-way point in the season. Nothing seems to be working right on consistent basis, bench-hitting, outfield rotation, call-ups from Triple-A, decisions on the base paths just name it.

At 15-26 the problems grow for the Cubs. They don't have the veteran leadership or the power in the lineup to make comebacks often. A struggle to reach at least 4th place right now is SERIOUS with no insults being made here. Theo Epstein is the new guy in Wrigley with the power to make all the top decisions so good trades have to be made sooner than later. If he can piece together a contender like so in Boston than it's time to make history positive again in Chicago for once again a uncertain, struggling franchise. The best which can be noted in the recent week is the Kerry Wood strikeout in relief and his farewell (giving a curtain call to a near sell-out home crowd). He pitched with dominance in his early career and led the Cubs to the playoffs twice. Finished out his career with a positive stride while performing at a lesser control level as a reliever. Yet he as a player with his talent will be missed.

As for the present time the Cubs don't want to put their season on ice and let everything falter around them. Their goal needs to be to keep working on hitting techniques to prove they can sustain the bad and avoid the real ugly games to get back within .500 ball. The NL Central is shaping up to be a toss up so far. For now the Cubs have to play with intensity and earn runs (average 3-4 per game) truly on offense and pray the starters stay healthy and effective for the best overall results. This club looks to snap the losing streak with new life in the lineup against the upcoming series with the Astros and Pirates.

Lahair, Soto Power Cubs to 5-1 Final Plus Game 2 Predictions

Photo by David Bank/Getty Images  
The game last night turned out well to the Cubs' advantage.  With the bats coming around Starlin Castro slapped an RBI single early.  Brian Lahair followed suit with his 8th homerun in the 4th inning.  The pitching proved to be outstanding by Jeff Samardzija who finished the game with this statline:  7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K. 
That's what the Cubs deserve: a fine starting pitching performance which was backed by ample offense.  In route to the win, Samardzija moves to 4-1 on the season.  Later in game 1 during the 8th Geovany Soto who'd been rotating with Willington Castillo, drove a ball into the bleachers for a 2-run homer.  He went 2-for-4 on the night amongst the lingering fog at Wrigley. 

  The Cubs have a lot of promise in 2012 with young prospects and talented starting pitching.  Making up ground lost in the NL Central will be a true test.  I like the Cubs' chances with them averaging around 4.5 runs per game and maintaining the three staples in the starting rotation: Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, and Jeff Samardzija.  The club needs that appeal from the pitching with their gritty performances as well as having production from third base and the outfield to keep the runs pouring in for a while. 

  As for Game 2, Ryan Dempster(0-1) vs. Randall Delgado(2-3), will be to the Cubs' favor. Dempster is shooting for his 1st win in 2012. He's sitting on a 0.95 ERA, which I'm guessing he only will allow 1-2 runs in this game at home. Predictions for this contest are certain to be close. Starlin Castro must get on base. I believe he reaches 2 times with at least a walk and a hit while boosting his batting average. Alfonso Soriano if inserted in the lineup will get a big hit and drive in around 2 runs. The rest of the lineup must get enough pinetar on those bats as they aim for 10-12 total hits. As for Demp, it's going to fun to watch. He may have a bit of trouble with the Braves' middle of the order.

Other than that the savvy veteran right-hander probably will be fine as he tries to keep it close for the Cubbies. Coach Sveum may elect to make a few defensive switches on the infield and outfield. Reed Johnson can have a chance to enter late in the game and get an at-bat. Expect the score to be a 4-2 final for the Cubs. Definitely should be worth the watch as Chicago tries to climb up to .500. Enjoy it while it last Cubs fans because this month may get to be nagging with a challenging schedule. Go Cubs!

Garza delivers with big 1-hit outing, Cubs route Phillies 5-1

A special day at Citzens Bank park in Philadelphia showed the Cubs earning their second win of the series against the Phillies. The Phillie Phanatic celebrated a birthday. The offense churned about for the Cubs as Tony Campana ignited the team with a 2-hit display in the lead-off spot. He stole a base and went around to score on a sac fly by Starlin Castro in the 3rd. Later the speedy Campana followed up with a run at the plate on a fielder's choice. With small ball offense for support early, starter Matt Garza was excellent all game. He went 7 strong innings only allowing a mere hit. What a huge difference that makes compare to previous weeks where the bullpen faltered with the bats struggling to produce enough runs. With the kind of lineup the Cubs have the starters are going to be needed to go deep into games. The offense is lacking still without another quality outfielder and power from the catcher's position (let's see if Soto can change that).

 Joe Mather got the start in left field today and delivered with a solo homerun. The first for the Cubs outfield. Gave extra insurance as the Cubs welcomed it. In the 8th Jeff Baker added an RBI single which plated Brian LaHair. With the second victory over the Phillies, Matt Garza records a 2-1 record as given the final decision. The bullpen was okay. Dolis made quick work against the opposition in 1 inning and despite walking 3 batters Carlos Marmol closed out the game for the 5-1 final. With new faces all around the clubhouse and guys platooning in the outfield and infield the Cubs still can benefit by trading for a few power hitters. Possibly bringing up from the minors another reliable and consistent hitter to place in the outfield can add to the offense. Another similar player towards Micah Hoffpauir (find him) caliber can steady run production for the Cubs.

 At 8-14 the schedule is going to become more tough heading into May. The guys in blue need to get better at home. They truly owe it to the fans. With injuries and now rehab stints for Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood other young players will have to help carry the load. The two pitchers are scheduled to pitch soon at Triple-A Iowa. Hope all works out well there to have the veterans back as soon as possible. If the Cubs can muster a win Monday to take the series in Philadelphia then they'll catch a break. Luckily the big bats for the Phillies aren't in the lineup due to injuries. The Cubs kinda needed to sweep the Cardinals at Wrigley, but that's okay as there will more chances for the tri-factor this season. To finish out the first month the ballclub isn't doing up to the standards mainstream fans' expect yet the experimentation is there to see how different players can add value with special roles on given days. The best bet for the Cubs before the veterans return is Jeff Samardzja. He's got the best skill right now on the team. Look for him to be a real game changer and home crowd pleaser. With him in May and of course the lineup coming alive it should be an interesting time to see if the Cubs can progress.

Samardzija enables Cubs to avoid sweep with 4-3 final

With the return to Wrigley Field to kick off the season it was a bad start with an unreliable bullpen. Game 1 and 2 didn't go to the Cubs' satisfaction. Comebacks by the Nationals on back-to-back days became an annoyance for fans. Still with good weather and a sure fire starter in Jeff Samardzija the Cubs rebounded on Easter Sunday. A sac fly by Alfonso Soriano in the 4th got Chicago blue on the board. Later another hit by the left fielder drove in the second run.

Jeff Samardzija did more than what was needed for the win. He hit an 110 pitch count into the 9th, nearly capitalizing on a complete game. Yielding only 4 hits and one earned run through 8 quality innings the big right-hander played well to the home crowd's approval. It wasn't until a error from Starlin Castro in the 9th off a Ryan Zimmerman ground ball put a bit of uncertainity into the air. The next batter, Adam LaRoche connected on a 2-run homer to make a 4-3 game after the Cubs got 2 insurance runs with an RBI double by Castro and a line drive single for a run off Ian Stewart's bat.

Carlos Marmol, having stinging outings in the opening series, came in to relieve Samardzija with 1 out to record. His mechanics and control looked off as in the previous 2 games at Wrigley. Luckily he got a pop-up to end the game. As a result the starter, Samardzija picked up his first win. Kerry Wood and Marmol must be reliable in the coming months ahead as they both were shaky prior to Sunday. The rest of the bullpen will probably see enough action to get tested in the next series against the Brewers. Chicago needs to pick up the intensity to give proper run support for the starting pitchers.

All and all the Cubs didn't prove much in the opening series versus the Nats. They definitely should have got a sweep. They'll really have to strengthen the bullpen and find good results from a platoon outfield. Fans expect to see smart improvements. The Cubs under new manager Dale Sveum have to find ways to pack their offense with rally hitters and have the bullpen be under control. It won't be easy in April where they play the Cardinals on the road and at home plus contend in the division with the hard-hitting Reds and Brewers.