2017-2018 Cubs/MLB Offseason: HOT FUCKING STOVE

[SKO]

before the Darvish signing PECOTA had the Cubs at 89 wins, Fangraphs had them at 92. Now 92 and 94 respectively. considering how conservative PECOTA especially tends to be I'll take it. Much more breathing room in the division and now I really like any postseason rotation they could put together if everyone is healthy.

[Andy]

Test

[Brownie]

Test

Not a test.

Andy gains a co-worker, and perhaps some readers just west of the Mississippi.

[Bort]

FUCKING FINALLY.

1. Lester
2. Darvish
3. Hendricks
4. Quintana
5. Chatwood

That's more like it.

Actually, Fangraphs has it more like:

1. Quintana (4.9 zWAR)
2. Yood Arvish (4.0)
3. Lester (3.5)
4. Hendricks (3.2)
5. Chatwood (1.7)

... on which basis, the Cubs have added their top two starters in the last six months.  EPSTINK IS TERRIBLE.

Arrieta is projected for 3.0 zWAR and Johnny Longball just 1.6, by the way.

Also WAR consistently underrates Hendricks anyway bc it refuses to believe his success is legitimate since he doesn't have a gaudy FIP, but he's done it for almost four years now so

Yooda Vish?

Darvanzo beans

I positive this.

[Quality Start Machine]

Test

icles

[Saul Goodman]

FUCKING FINALLY.

1. Lester
2. Darvish
3. Hendricks
4. Quintana
5. Chatwood

That's more like it.

In your face, laptop humpers.

[SKO]

FUCKING FINALLY.

1. Lester
2. Darvish
3. Hendricks
4. Quintana
5. Chatwood

That's more like it.

In your face, laptop humpers.

Pretty sure they made Lester the opening day starter bc then he misses the right handed thumpers in Milwaukee's lineup. Not that I care, Jon is the balls.

[Oleg]

FUCKING FINALLY.

1. Lester
2. Darvish
3. Hendricks
4. Quintana
5. Chatwood

That's more like it.

In your face, laptop humpers.

Pretty sure they made Lester the opening day starter bc then he misses the right handed thumpers in Milwaukee's lineup. Not that I care, Jon is the balls.

Also, does anyone really still believe that rotation order matters?

[SKO]

FUCKING FINALLY.

1. Lester
2. Darvish
3. Hendricks
4. Quintana
5. Chatwood

That's more like it.

In your face, laptop humpers.

Pretty sure they made Lester the opening day starter bc then he misses the right handed thumpers in Milwaukee's lineup. Not that I care, Jon is the balls.

Also, does anyone really still believe that rotation order matters?

Yeah the Cubs in Joe's time have never used the same starter for game 1 of the playoffs that started opening day. Arrieta was clearly the better pitcher in 2015 and got the WC game, Lester/Hendricks was a toss up in 2016 but the Giants were more vulnerable to lefties so Joe went with Jon in Game 1 of the 2016 LDS. Last year Hendricks was the clear answer for game 1 against the Nats. However it shakes out during the regular season the one aspect of Joe's managing I've probably never bitched about is how he's set up his playoff rotations.

[Saul Goodman]

FUCKING FINALLY.

1. Lester
2. Darvish
3. Hendricks
4. Quintana
5. Chatwood

That’s more like it.

In your face, laptop humpers.

Pretty sure they made Lester the opening day starter bc then he misses the right handed thumpers in Milwaukee's lineup. Not that I care, Jon is the balls.

Also, does anyone really still believe that rotation order matters?

Yeah the Cubs in Joe's time have never used the same starter for game 1 of the playoffs that started opening day. Arrieta was clearly the better pitcher in 2015 and got the WC game, Lester/Hendricks was a toss up in 2016 but the Giants were more vulnerable to lefties so Joe went with Jon in Game 1 of the 2016 LDS. Last year Hendricks was the clear answer for game 1 against the Nats. However it shakes out during the regular season the one aspect of Joe's managing I've probably never bitched about is how he's set up his playoff rotations.

Give it time.

[SKO]

FUCKING FINALLY.

1. Lester
2. Darvish
3. Hendricks
4. Quintana
5. Chatwood

That's more like it.

In your face, laptop humpers.

Pretty sure they made Lester the opening day starter bc then he misses the right handed thumpers in Milwaukee's lineup. Not that I care, Jon is the balls.

Also, does anyone really still believe that rotation order matters?

Yeah the Cubs in Joe's time have never used the same starter for game 1 of the playoffs that started opening day. Arrieta was clearly the better pitcher in 2015 and got the WC game, Lester/Hendricks was a toss up in 2016 but the Giants were more vulnerable to lefties so Joe went with Jon in Game 1 of the 2016 LDS. Last year Hendricks was the clear answer for game 1 against the Nats. However it shakes out during the regular season the one aspect of Joe's managing I've probably never bitched about is how he's set up his playoff rotations.

Give it time.

I also said "probably" never bitched about bc I don't remember it but I also maybe definitely did to that at some point who knows.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

As much as I've been advocating for Almora to get 150 starts in center, it's looking increasingly likely that he'll be in another platoon, this time with Happ, which would not only be an improvement over JUSTICE BUTTHOLE, but based on the white-hot start Happ's had in the Cactus League, is something I could live with. I have actually been on record as suggesting  Happ might have a bit of a regression in his second year, but holy shit if he can actually improve, and play passable centerfield, then Almora may just have to wait a little longer.  Supposedly, when asked, last year, which player he expected to break out, Epstein said Contreras, and he was proven spot-on.  When asked the same question this year, he said Happ.

[Saul Goodman]

As much as I've been advocating for Almora to get 150 starts in center, it's looking increasingly likely that he'll be in another platoon, this time with Happ, which would not only be an improvement over JUSTICE BUTTHOLE, but based on the white-hot start Happ's had in the Cactus League, is something I could live with. I have actually been on record as suggesting  Happ might have a bit of a regression in his second year, but holy shit if he can actually improve, and play passable centerfield, then Almora may just have to wait a little longer.  Supposedly, when asked, last year, which player he expected to break out, Epstein said Contreras, and he was proven spot-on.  When asked the same question this year, he said Happ.

And Micah Hoffpauir has been the league's greatest hitter ever since that torrid start in the Cactus League back in 2008.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

As much as I've been advocating for Almora to get 150 starts in center, it's looking increasingly likely that he'll be in another platoon, this time with Happ, which would not only be an improvement over JUSTICE BUTTHOLE, but based on the white-hot start Happ's had in the Cactus League, is something I could live with. I have actually been on record as suggesting  Happ might have a bit of a regression in his second year, but holy shit if he can actually improve, and play passable centerfield, then Almora may just have to wait a little longer.  Supposedly, when asked, last year, which player he expected to break out, Epstein said Contreras, and he was proven spot-on.  When asked the same question this year, he said Happ.

And Micah Hoffpauir has been the league's greatest hitter ever since that torrid start in the Cactus League back in 2008.

I have a recollection of Hank White just PWNING the Cactus League one year but can't remember if it actually happened.

[Canadouche]

I feel like people don't give enough consideration to the fact that Happ's rookie campaign was as good, or better than Schwarber's.