2015: The Back To The Future Season

[InternetApex]

I'm going to do that stupid thing where I predict what the 25 man roster will look like in a couple months, because I'm stupid. Sorry SKO, but Ross & Coghlan are still there.

Trade: Castro, Vogelbach, Welington, Hendricks to Phillies for Hamels
DFA: Coke, Jackson, Wood

Lineup
CF Fowler
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
RF Soler
C  Montero
2B Baez
LF Coghlan
SS Russell

Rotation
Lester
Arrieta
Hamels
Hammel
Wada

Bullpen
Rondo
Strop
Ramirez
Grimm
Carl's Jr.
Rosscup
Motte

Bench
Ross
La Stella
Alcantara
Denorfia
Sczur

I thought everybody was out on Rondo after he torpedoed the Mavs this year. But whatever, you can probably get him cheap.

[Tony]

Are we *sure* they won't just put Javy or Castro at third and Bryant in left? I could see Javy putting together a solid month at the plate and suddenly we hear he's playing third base. A week later he's up and Bryant's out in left.

I mean that lineup would be crazy good and Baez would be so much more comfortable knowing everyone's not focused on him all the time.

People might focus on the guy that moved Bryant out of his position though.

[Shooter]

Since I'm inclined to like Joe Maddon, I'm going to say he's saying to the front office "here look what you've given me. watch these bozos pitch or fix it."

Since I think he's very smart, that's almost the most reasonable assumption. I think that's what he did with Schlitter. The trouble is if you blow a game or two trying to make a point, you're probably not going to get that back unless you're replacing the crappy player with Craig Kimbrel or something.

That sounds like a tactic to use when the relationship between the manager and GM is totally dysfunctional. I would think that at this stage, if Joe wants to shuffle the bodies in the bullpen, he could just ask.

[Shooter]

Cubs position players struck out just 5 times despite the ridiculous stuff Syndergaard was throwing so hopefully IAN feels soothed.

Aside from the Cubs' nice win, I really enjoyed watching Syndergaard pitch. The life on that fastball is amazing.

ETA: The wiffleball curve isn't so bad either (this looks like it's in slow motion, but it's not).

Yeah he's got absolutely bonkers stuff. They worked him expertly. A few stressful innings due to walks and patience,  then struck him when he got tired.

Here to say I agree, Syndergaard is incredibly talented. The Cubs achieved nothing small by waiting him out and knocking him around and then out. He's going to tear up a few lineups. He's got an injury history though, no?

Bryant's hustle to beat out the infield single really helped in that regard. It was a nine-pitch inning if Bryant gets thrown out. Instead, Syndergard threw another 17 pitches to get out of the third.

Edit: I see this was mentioned already in the sploogefest. Oh, how humiliating.

[Eli]

Such a great win. Hope they can grab one more tomorrow before they face Colon on Friday.

[SKO]

Such a great win. Hope they can grab one more tomorrow before they face Colon on Friday.

Beat DeGrom,  Syndergaard, and Harvey (okay not really) back to back to back? Boners have come from far less

[CubFaninHydePark]

Such a great win. Hope they can grab one more tomorrow before they face Colon on Friday.

Intrepid Reader: Bartolo Colon

When was I traded to the Pirates?

[ChuckD]

Such a great win. Hope they can grab one more tomorrow before they face Colon on Friday.

Intrepid Reader: Bartolo Colon

When was I traded to the Pirates?

Intrepid Reader: Bartolo Colon

'Is me. Bartolo Colon.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

So would a deal for a quality starting pitcher (involving Castro) still be such a good idea if the Cubs still have a giant sucking sound in left field, or do they not make a deal, and put Bryant in left when Baez returns and just try to bash teams to death with their bats and hope their 3/5 of a rotation gets them the rest of the way?

[Eli]

Such a great win. Hope they can grab one more tomorrow before they face Colon on Friday.

Intrepid Reader: Bartolo Colon

When was I traded to the Pirates?

Miss a little, miss a lot.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Such a great win. Hope they can grab one more tomorrow before they face Colon on Friday.

Intrepid Reader: Bartolo Colon

When was I traded to the Pirates?

Miss a little, miss a lot.

I thought about pointing and laughing at that comment but elected not to.

[CubFaninHydePark]

Such a great win. Hope they can grab one more tomorrow before they face Colon on Friday.

Intrepid Reader: Bartolo Colon

When was I traded to the Pirates?

Miss a little, miss a lot.

I thought about pointing and laughing at that comment but elected not to.

I figured it was an inside joke, so I decided to play the straight guy.

[Powdered Toast Man]

I'm about done not hating Travis Wood.

[SKO]

Boners

[Quality Start Machine]

Such a great win. Hope they can grab one more tomorrow before they face Colon on Friday.

Intrepid Reader: Bartolo Colon

When was I traded to the Pirates?

Miss a little, miss a lot.