I admit it...

[CT III]

I have just two fears: that Ricketts is somehow as stupid as Chuck makes him out to be (probably unlikely) and gives Theo and Jed a premature Dallas Green-esque boot, or that Rizzo/Almora/Soler fail to pan out and no young core to build around develops. Otherwise, it's not hard for me to accept that things were so poorly mismanaged and the farm system neglected for so long that the rebuild's going to take a while.

So we're all afraid that this might go bad and the Cubs might not win the World Series for a really long time...

[Chuck to Chuck]

I have just two fears: that Ricketts is somehow as stupid as Chuck makes him out to be (probably unlikely) and gives Theo and Jed a premature Dallas Green-esque boot, or that Rizzo/Almora/Soler fail to pan out and no young core to build around develops. Otherwise, it's not hard for me to accept that things were so poorly mismanaged and the farm system neglected for so long that the rebuild's going to take a while.

While I think Ricketts isn't very smart (unlike his dad or eldest brother), I don't think he's stupid enough to fire anyone prematurely.  He's also not smart enough to fire anyone prematurely (see: Hendry, Jim; Kenney, Crane), even when postmaturely and appropriate.

The second part is a valid concern.  I personally think they will start to bid on free agents that don't resign to mitigate this.  Cano is a Cub next year if the Yankees are stupid and/or overly luxury tax concerned.

[Slaky]

I have just two fears: that Ricketts is somehow as stupid as Chuck makes him out to be (probably unlikely) and gives Theo and Jed a premature Dallas Green-esque boot, or that Rizzo/Almora/Soler fail to pan out and no young core to build around develops. Otherwise, it's not hard for me to accept that things were so poorly mismanaged and the farm system neglected for so long that the rebuild's going to take a while.

So we're all afraid that this might go bad and the Cubs might not win the World Series for a really long time...

Roasted

[SKO]

I have just two fears: that Ricketts is somehow as stupid as Chuck makes him out to be (probably unlikely) and gives Theo and Jed a premature Dallas Green-esque boot, or that Rizzo/Almora/Soler fail to pan out and no young core to build around develops. Otherwise, it's not hard for me to accept that things were so poorly mismanaged and the farm system neglected for so long that the rebuild's going to take a while.

So we're all afraid that this might go bad and the Cubs might not win the World Series for a really long time...

Roasted

Well, now I'm never sharing my thoughts, opinions, or feelings on the internet again. Thanks a lot, CT.

[Slaky]

I have just two fears: that Ricketts is somehow as stupid as Chuck makes him out to be (probably unlikely) and gives Theo and Jed a premature Dallas Green-esque boot, or that Rizzo/Almora/Soler fail to pan out and no young core to build around develops. Otherwise, it's not hard for me to accept that things were so poorly mismanaged and the farm system neglected for so long that the rebuild's going to take a while.

While I think Ricketts isn't very smart (unlike his dad or eldest brother), I don't think he's stupid enough to fire anyone prematurely.  He's also not smart enough to fire anyone prematurely (see: Hendry, Jim; Kenney, Crane), even when postmaturely and appropriate.

The second part is a valid concern.  I personally think they will start to bid on free agents that don't resign to mitigate this.  Cano is a Cub next year if the Yankees are stupid and/or overly luxury tax concerned.

He's also not smart enough to fire anyone prematurely (see: Hendry, Jim; Kenney, Crane), even when postmaturely and appropriate.

What.

free agents that don't resign

Huh.

[Internet Apex]

I have just two fears: that Ricketts is somehow as stupid as Chuck makes him out to be (probably unlikely) and gives Theo and Jed a premature Dallas Green-esque boot, or that Rizzo/Almora/Soler fail to pan out and no young core to build around develops. Otherwise, it's not hard for me to accept that things were so poorly mismanaged and the farm system neglected for so long that the rebuild's going to take a while.

While I think Ricketts isn't very smart (unlike his dad or eldest brother), I don't think he's stupid enough to fire anyone prematurely.  He's also not smart enough to fire anyone prematurely (see: Hendry, Jim; Kenney, Crane), even when postmaturely and appropriate.

The second part is a valid concern.  I personally think they will start to bid on free agents that don't resign to mitigate this.  Cano is a Cub next year if the Yankees are stupid and/or overly luxury tax concerned.

He's also not smart enough to fire anyone prematurely (see: Hendry, Jim; Kenney, Crane), even when postmaturely and appropriate.

What.

free agents that don't resign

Huh.

I didn't even try.

[Oleg]

So, the new regime has been in place for just over a year.

They have three All-Star caliber players already on the ML roster (assuming Snork continues to pan out).
The system has at least 3 top-level prospects, albeit incredibly young, who will be important pieces of the next Cubs contender (4 prospects in all on the BP101).
They have the second pick in the upcoming draft and will have another top 3 pick next June.
The system currently boasts some pretty good hitting talent/depth below the top-3.
The minor league system currently ranks 12th (after ranking 20th during Hendry's last year) according to Baseball Prospectus.

Yeah, as a Cubs fan, I see no reason to get excited or to continue to care.  Fuck that.

[Quality Start Machine]

What makes me sad is that the Cubs organization isn't even apologetic about the product that they have put on the field.  I feel sad for the ticket holders.  True, I am paying to go to three Cub games this year, but I can console myself with the fact that most of the money that I am spending will go to the A's.

Why feel sad for the ticket holders? The Cubs haven't sold tickets under any false pretenses. If you buy a ticket to see the 2013 Chicago Cubs with the expectation of seeing anything other than bad baseball being played by the home team, then you deserve to have a pigeon shit on your bologna sammich.

[Eli]

Cano is a Cub next year if the Yankees are stupid and/or overly luxury tax concerned.

I'd be stunned. He's at tail end of his peak and middle infielders age rapidly. I imagine Theo is aware of all this.

[PenFoe]

What are you guys admitting?

MODS

[CBStew]

What makes me sad is that the Cubs organization isn't even apologetic about the product that they have put on the field.  I feel sad for the ticket holders.  True, I am paying to go to three Cub games this year, but I can console myself with the fact that most of the money that I am spending will go to the A's.

Why feel sad for the ticket holders? The Cubs haven't sold tickets under any false pretenses. If you buy a ticket to see the 2013 Chicago Cubs with the expectation of seeing anything other than bad baseball being played by the home team, then you deserve to have a pigeon shit on your bologna sammich.

I am admitting that I feel sorry for folks who have a right to expect more.  (Not the corporations that buy tickets to give away or the guys who just come for the party.) Last year the Cubs lost 101 games.  In 1966 the Cubs lost 103 games.  In 1967 they won 87 games with a roster including Hundley, Banks, Beckert, Kessinger, Santo, Williams, Phillips, and Landrum,  and a pitching staff with Jenkins, Holtzman, Nye, Hartenstein, and Hands.  They had a decent manager too.

[CT III]

I have just two fears: that Ricketts is somehow as stupid as Chuck makes him out to be (probably unlikely) and gives Theo and Jed a premature Dallas Green-esque boot, or that Rizzo/Almora/Soler fail to pan out and no young core to build around develops. Otherwise, it's not hard for me to accept that things were so poorly mismanaged and the farm system neglected for so long that the rebuild's going to take a while.

So we're all afraid that this might go bad and the Cubs might not win the World Series for a really long time...

Roasted

Well, now I'm never sharing my thoughts, opinions, or feelings on the internet again. Thanks a lot, CT.

Mission Accomplished.

[Quality Start Machine]

What makes me sad is that the Cubs organization isn't even apologetic about the product that they have put on the field.  I feel sad for the ticket holders.  True, I am paying to go to three Cub games this year, but I can console myself with the fact that most of the money that I am spending will go to the A's.

Why feel sad for the ticket holders? The Cubs haven't sold tickets under any false pretenses. If you buy a ticket to see the 2013 Chicago Cubs with the expectation of seeing anything other than bad baseball being played by the home team, then you deserve to have a pigeon shit on your bologna sammich.

I am admitting that I feel sorry for folks who have a right to expect more.  (Not the corporations that buy tickets to give away or the guys who just come for the party.) Last year the Cubs lost 101 games.  In 1966 the Cubs lost 103 games.  In 1967 they won 87 games with a roster including Hundley, Banks, Beckert, Kessinger, Santo, Williams, Phillips, and Landrum,  and a pitching staff with Jenkins, Holtzman, Nye, Hartenstein, and Hands.  They had a decent manager too.

What gives them that right? You can't pay for chicken shit and then complain that it's not chicken salad.

[CBStew]

What makes me sad is that the Cubs organization isn't even apologetic about the product that they have put on the field.  I feel sad for the ticket holders.  True, I am paying to go to three Cub games this year, but I can console myself with the fact that most of the money that I am spending will go to the A's.

Why feel sad for the ticket holders? The Cubs haven't sold tickets under any false pretenses. If you buy a ticket to see the 2013 Chicago Cubs with the expectation of seeing anything other than bad baseball being played by the home team, then you deserve to have a pigeon shit on your bologna sammich.

I am admitting that I feel sorry for folks who have a right to expect more.  (Not the corporations that buy tickets to give away or the guys who just come for the party.) Last year the Cubs lost 101 games.  In 1966 the Cubs lost 103 games.  In 1967 they won 87 games with a roster including Hundley, Banks, Beckert, Kessinger, Santo, Williams, Phillips, and Landrum,  and a pitching staff with Jenkins, Holtzman, Nye, Hartenstein, and Hands.  They had a decent manager too.

What gives them that right? You can't pay for chicken shit and then complain that it's not chicken salad.

I rest my case.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

What makes me sad is that the Cubs organization isn't even apologetic about the product that they have put on the field.  I feel sad for the ticket holders.  True, I am paying to go to three Cub games this year, but I can console myself with the fact that most of the money that I am spending will go to the A's.

Why feel sad for the ticket holders? The Cubs haven't sold tickets under any false pretenses. If you buy a ticket to see the 2013 Chicago Cubs with the expectation of seeing anything other than bad baseball being played by the home team, then you deserve to have a pigeon shit on your bologna sammich.

I am admitting that I feel sorry for folks who have a right to expect more.  (Not the corporations that buy tickets to give away or the guys who just come for the party.) Last year the Cubs lost 101 games.  In 1966 the Cubs lost 103 games.  In 1967 they won 87 games with a roster including Hundley, Banks, Beckert, Kessinger, Santo, Williams, Phillips, and Landrum,  and a pitching staff with Jenkins, Holtzman, Nye, Hartenstein, and Hands.  They had a decent manager too.

What gives them that right? You can't pay for chicken shit and then complain that it's not chicken salad.

I'm not complaining.

Also, Gil opts out of watching the Cubs in favor of the Sox?  Jesus, aren't they just as awful at baseball?  What point is *that* asshole trying to make?