2015: The Back To The Future Season

[ChuckD]

I'd really like to see Baez compete for a spot in the middle infield. If he can figure out how to put wood on the ball a little more and be the same solid/plus defender at 2B or SS, it would be amazing. At the very least, he would probably put a little pressure on Russell and Bryant to improve defensively. They've both had a couple of errors/mental lapses that were pretty ugly -- and costly.

[SKO]

Can I get angry at Castro continually batting cleanup without being The Angry Guy? Because while Jorge isn't necessarily laying waste to everything in his path he and Montero are both putting together better ABs than Starlin and I think either would be more productive.  Or move Jorge back to the 2 hole where he was to start the year and put Bryant back there. Either way I'm done with Castro anywhere above the 6 hole until/unless he warms up.

[Slaky]

I'd really like to see Baez compete for a spot in the middle infield. If he can figure out how to put wood on the ball a little more and be the same solid/plus defender at 2B or SS, it would be amazing. At the very least, he would probably put a little pressure on Russell and Bryant to improve defensively. They've both had a couple of errors/mental lapses that were pretty ugly -- and costly.

Same. I want Baez up asap. I don't know why I'm rooting for him more than other guys but here we are. I'm really glad to see he's putting it together in Iowa. I think Maddon could really be good for him - or at least, that's what I'm hoping.

[Chuck to Chuck]

I'd really like to see Baez compete for a spot in the middle infield. If he can figure out how to put wood on the ball a little more and be the same solid/plus defender at 2B or SS, it would be amazing. At the very least, he would probably put a little pressure on Russell and Bryant to improve defensively. They've both had a couple of errors/mental lapses that were pretty ugly -- and costly.

Same. I want Baez up asap. I don't know why I'm rooting for him more than other guys but here we are. I'm really glad to see he's putting it together in Iowa. I think Maddon could really be good for him - or at least, that's what I'm hoping.

13 days at least before he comes up. Service time is now a factor again. On June 9th, the Cubs get that 7th year of control.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

I'd really like to see Baez compete for a spot in the middle infield. If he can figure out how to put wood on the ball a little more and be the same solid/plus defender at 2B or SS, it would be amazing. At the very least, he would probably put a little pressure on Russell and Bryant to improve defensively. They've both had a couple of errors/mental lapses that were pretty ugly -- and costly.

Same. I want Baez up asap. I don't know why I'm rooting for him more than other guys but here we are. I'm really glad to see he's putting it together in Iowa. I think Maddon could really be good for him - or at least, that's what I'm hoping.

13 days at least before he comes up. Service time is now a factor again. On June 9th, the Cubs get that 7th year of control.

But will they call him up on the road?  #tonkpoke

[SKO]

I'd really like to see Baez compete for a spot in the middle infield. If he can figure out how to put wood on the ball a little more and be the same solid/plus defender at 2B or SS, it would be amazing. At the very least, he would probably put a little pressure on Russell and Bryant to improve defensively. They've both had a couple of errors/mental lapses that were pretty ugly -- and costly.

Same. I want Baez up asap. I don't know why I'm rooting for him more than other guys but here we are. I'm really glad to see he's putting it together in Iowa. I think Maddon could really be good for him - or at least, that's what I'm hoping.

13 days at least before he comes up. Service time is now a factor again. On June 9th, the Cubs get that 7th year of control.

But will they call him up on the road?  #tonkpoke

Oh, good. More service time talk *chugs draino*

[Eli]

I'd really like to see Baez compete for a spot in the middle infield. If he can figure out how to put wood on the ball a little more and be the same solid/plus defender at 2B or SS, it would be amazing. At the very least, he would probably put a little pressure on Russell and Bryant to improve defensively. They've both had a couple of errors/mental lapses that were pretty ugly -- and costly.

Same. I want Baez up asap. I don't know why I'm rooting for him more than other guys but here we are. I'm really glad to see he's putting it together in Iowa. I think Maddon could really be good for him - or at least, that's what I'm hoping.

13 days at least before he comes up. Service time is now a factor again. On June 9th, the Cubs get that 7th year of control.

[Tonker]

I'd really like to see Baez compete for a spot in the middle infield. If he can figure out how to put wood on the ball a little more and be the same solid/plus defender at 2B or SS, it would be amazing. At the very least, he would probably put a little pressure on Russell and Bryant to improve defensively. They've both had a couple of errors/mental lapses that were pretty ugly -- and costly.

Same. I want Baez up asap. I don't know why I'm rooting for him more than other guys but here we are. I'm really glad to see he's putting it together in Iowa. I think Maddon could really be good for him - or at least, that's what I'm hoping.

13 days at least before he comes up. Service time is now a factor again. On June 9th, the Cubs get that 7th year of control.

But will they call him up on the road?  #tonkpoke

[R-V]

I wondered on the internet this morning if Starlin had any trade value left. This 1,500 plate appearance sample wouldn't seem to indicate he would have much more value than your Jordy Mercers of the world.

[SKO]

I wondered on the internet this morning if Starlin had any trade value left. This 1,500 plate appearance sample wouldn't seem to indicate he would have much more value than your Jordy Mercers of the world.

Yeah I think it's safe to say that unless he gets hot as shit between now and the deadline he's not going to blow anyone away as a trade chip. Sadly 2013 is looking like less of an aberration each day.

More ugly Castro numbers: his OPS against right handed pitchers this year is .593 and his OPS in the cleanup spot is .525. This madness has to stop.

[SKO]

Gonna finish May above .500 no matter what, so feeling pretty good, all things considered.

[Tony]

Gonna finish May above .500 no matter what, so feeling pretty good, all things considered.

That doesn't sound like a big deal to me, so I guess it's nice that expectations have changed a lot since this time last year. Not that I'm down on the team at all... just saying 500 is expected at this point, which is nice.

[SKO]

Gonna finish May above .500 no matter what, so feeling pretty good, all things considered.

That doesn't sound like a big deal to me, so I guess it's nice that expectations have changed a lot since this time last year. Not that I'm down on the team at all... just saying 500 is expected at this point, which is nice.

Well I mean in terms of playoff hopes, if you're above .500 at the end of May you're pretty much always in it especially since you assume reinforcements are coming before too long.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Gonna finish May above .500 no matter what, so feeling pretty good, all things considered.

That doesn't sound like a big deal to me, so I guess it's nice that expectations have changed a lot since this time last year. Not that I'm down on the team at all... just saying 500 is expected at this point, which is nice.

Well I mean in terms of playoff hopes, if you're above .500 at the end of May you're pretty much always in it especially since you assume reinforcements are coming before too long.

We were told this will be the worst of the next 5-8 seasons and I believe it.

Still, 3/8 of their offense are rookies (even if one plays like a veteran All-Star already), they've had a large sucking sound coming out of left field,  they've had a spotty bullpen and, until very recently, 3/5 of a starting rotation.

Hell yeah I'll take it.

[PenFoe]

Gonna finish May above .500 no matter what, so feeling pretty good, all things considered.

That doesn't sound like a big deal to me, so I guess it's nice that expectations have changed a lot since this time last year. Not that I'm down on the team at all... just saying 500 is expected at this point, which is nice.

Well I mean in terms of playoff hopes, if you're above .500 at the end of May you're pretty much always in it especially since you assume reinforcements are coming before too long.

We were told this will be the worst of the next 5-8 seasons and I believe it.

Still, 3/8 of their offense are rookies (even if one plays like a veteran All-Star already), they've had a large sucking sound coming out of left field,  they've had a spotty bullpen and, until very recently, 3/5 of a starting rotation.

Hell yeah I'll take it.

I was hoping for .500 this year, maybe a game or two over, and that they'd be in contention for the Wild Card in August and maybe September.

I'll definitely take .500 through May.