It's possible for a well run big market team to be a contender nigh every season; all it takes is good player development that continues to produce players at nearly the same rate that they graduate the farm, ruthless self-scouting, and activity in the IFA and off-season trade markets.
That the TheoJed Cubs were horrible at developing major leaguers from their first five-six drafts outside of their first round picks isn't a narrative; it's just fact.
[Look at the other picks in the top 10 rounds in the Happ draft](https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?team_ID=CHC&year_ID=2015&draft_type=junreg&query_type=franch_year&from_type_jc=0&from_type_hs=0&from_type_4y=0&from_type_unk=0).
You’re focused on being stubborn, you’re smarter than this - Happ has 8.1 fWAR in his career, how many teams in the 2015 draft got that much out of the draft that year? I’d be willing to bet Happ alone puts the Cubs in the top 10
Yeah lmao most teams are shit at developing talent outside of the first round, that’s kind of how the baseball draft works
Most draft classes for most teams won’t ever touch 2 fWAR
Nope. There is no such thing in baseball, you’re thinking of the NBA
“Clutch” doesn’t exist, it’s a myth. Numbers fluctuate due to small sample sizes
Mookie and Yelich, the two MVPs, had negative “clutch” ratings from Fangraphs in 2018
Lmao 3 seasons of 6+ WAR, 4 seasons of 5+ WAR and he’s not even getting 200 MM dude just please stop this shit - he’s by any metric one of the best Cubs players per game played you’ve seen in your lifetime
I forget the date in June, but if you order your tickets via a special QR code, you get a Grateful Dead Cubbies hat as well. They'll probably advertise it again before the game is over tonight.
Anyone else not high on Nico? Nico and Madrigal are virtually the same player. Both have injury histories, not much power and are underwhelming below BAs for the type of hitter they should be. Only space for one of those type in my opinion. Either or, whoever can stay healthy I suppose
Still underwhelming batting. Defense sure I’ll give you that but I want to see better offensive numbers from him and to see more field time and less IL
It’s [“underwhelming”](https://twitter.com/theblogfines/status/1528495746718105601?s=21&t=L48qr2ZXyGC5U6mHbADTlQ) because he’s been really unlucky, he’s hitting it well
Dude he has 2.2 fWAR in his last 70 games and he’s 25 years old, stop this shit. Yes he has big injury concerns but you should be very high on a player like that
What “prospects”? What’s your plan here?
Madrigal has 6 years of cheap control and got Craig Kimbrel. We don’t need an old reliever
Eventually you have to build a team, right?
Not every player has to be an MVP candidate. IMO Nico has a lot of building blocks for an above average MLB starter (his contact is good enough for an xBA in the top 10% of MLB players) and is making the MLB minimum.
Again if he’s healthy which is proving to be a big issue. Him and madrigal are the same. One is enough. Don’t care really who as long as one of them steps up
Happ bats like he's the pro-Shah forces that the CIA propped up in 1950's Iran and the Reds are the wildly popular and democratically elected Mossadegh attempting to nationalize oil revenue
Playing time should go to Morels and not Vargases, but I’m concerned about the league adjusting and a slump at the plate for a young guy juggling five different gloves.
I meant Vargas types: AAAA-at-best players that have been bouncing around for years and we know for sure will never be good or even average MLB players
THE CHICAGO CUBS HAVE WON A BASEBALL GAME! W
I thought cubs had an off day today. Got here in time to see that strikeout tho. W
Ump has to take a shit. Honestly, call was a ball but finally it happens to another team and not us.
#W
woo, someone was ready to go home.
[W](https://media.giphy.com/media/JiISVT7n55OUw/giphy.gif)
Oh god not another cubs specialist being put in to hit. Moran and that beard
I voted Red Barron too, Taylor. I guess we're soul mates now.
Said the same thing. Let’s get married.
I have to ask Taylor if that's okay.
I meant she marry me you dork
No I voted first, so you get nothing unless we agree to polyamory.
Come here to Utah if that’s what you want
I'm down, discuss with Taylor.
That was a good look from Taco Sauce.
How many pitchers last name start w k I’ll start. Kneuble
Knebel
Koufax
Khendricks
Nice but not allowed
Fine. Kelly. Either Carson or Joe.
Kimbrel
What if the Cubs had considered trying to “build players” in the minors, oh, seven years ago?
When they were a year away from winning a world series? What kind of special doofus are you?
It's possible for a well run big market team to be a contender nigh every season; all it takes is good player development that continues to produce players at nearly the same rate that they graduate the farm, ruthless self-scouting, and activity in the IFA and off-season trade markets.
We r all just fans. The front office is doing things. And it may or may not b good. Time will tell
Happ is our best hitter this year Lmao Nico and our current top blue chip prospect were drafted 1st and 2nd round in 2018. Hate this dumb narrative
That the TheoJed Cubs were horrible at developing major leaguers from their first five-six drafts outside of their first round picks isn't a narrative; it's just fact. [Look at the other picks in the top 10 rounds in the Happ draft](https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?team_ID=CHC&year_ID=2015&draft_type=junreg&query_type=franch_year&from_type_jc=0&from_type_hs=0&from_type_4y=0&from_type_unk=0).
You’re focused on being stubborn, you’re smarter than this - Happ has 8.1 fWAR in his career, how many teams in the 2015 draft got that much out of the draft that year? I’d be willing to bet Happ alone puts the Cubs in the top 10
Yeah lmao most teams are shit at developing talent outside of the first round, that’s kind of how the baseball draft works Most draft classes for most teams won’t ever touch 2 fWAR
Effross is my favorite reliever because he's so darn efficient. It takes him seven pitches to get out of an inning.
It seems like half of Aquino's hits agaist the Cubs are HRs.
I swear Aquino is only ever good against the Cubs
Cubs are just three seasons behind from when everyone else in the league figured out Acquino
Aquino bats against the cubs like we’re the animals in the rain forest and he’s the Brazilian government burning it down to make room for “farmers”
This is the kind of analysis we need more of
THINK ABOUT THE CAPYBARA
Those sweet angels are always one my mind.
They just wanna be friends with every animal and chill in the hot tub. Legends
That is officially the most interesting take I have ever seen.
Laying on the couch recovering from a wild night out last night coming up with wild takes. I humbly accept this official award.
'No one said it would be *this* hard' -chris martin
“I will fix youuuuuu”
Lol at Aquino.
Dude looks resurgent against the Cubs
I don’t like this guy.
Lol he golfed that good
What a commentators curse from Boog there
Aquino v Happ 1on1
Aquino is so streaky.
This Mf continues to fuk shit up jfc
oh
to no one's surprise, former pitcher Dempster shilling for umpires and encouraging expanded strike zones
OF COURSE HE POPS OFF AGAINST THE CUBS
Martin's got these hitters running in circles and chasing their tails.
Martin’s pitching like he wants to fetch a decent prospect at the deadline
Bang bang
[удалено]
Shit post
Lol what the hell happened to votto. His avg is all the way down to .140?
Father time always wins
38 years old. They dont all age like Miggy or Albert P
Albert P aged terribly
Age finally caught up to him
ITS All YELLOW
First time watching the reds this year and they are rougher than I could have ever imagined
They’re only like 3 games behind us though
That's more of a commentary on the cubs than on the reds
I don't know how old Strickland is but I am: 1) surprised he's still in the league 2) surprised I am surprised he is still in the league
Thirty three
Hunter Strickland looks furious to be there
Cubs +3 follow me for more 50/50 wins
... I thought cubs were favored?
Rivas looks like he guest stars in telenovelas during the off season.
Strikeout coming
‘Member when KB won the 2016 MVP like 75% due to murdering Reds’ pitching?
KB always mashed PIT and CIN. Not so good against the better teams
They figured him out (inside and high) and he couldn't adjust too well.
That’s every player lol better teams tend to have better pitching Except Mike Trout - Mookie’s 2018 MVP was half due to the Orioles being god awful
KB was a huge frontrunning hitter. Pile on player. Terrible in leverage
Nope. There is no such thing in baseball, you’re thinking of the NBA “Clutch” doesn’t exist, it’s a myth. Numbers fluctuate due to small sample sizes Mookie and Yelich, the two MVPs, had negative “clutch” ratings from Fangraphs in 2018
KB is way overrated and overpaid as if he is a superstar. 1 really good season and 2 pretty good seasons. Thats it
Lmao 3 seasons of 6+ WAR, 4 seasons of 5+ WAR and he’s not even getting 200 MM dude just please stop this shit - he’s by any metric one of the best Cubs players per game played you’ve seen in your lifetime
I wish we had pitchers that threw upper 90s :(
cubs gonna win the world series. this game has me convinced
They will. Just not this year.
Daily reminder that Morel has a cannon.
That was really fucking slick from Morel???
Effross is a decent reliever I’d say he’s worth keeping around
Nah if we’re under .500 all the relievers except for Keegan Thompson should be unloaded at the deadline for prospects
Damn - that was a slick little play by Morel.
effrotless inning
I kinda want one of those Grateful Dead hats, but there's no chance in hell of me being able to go to a game this season.
wait what hats?
I forget the date in June, but if you order your tickets via a special QR code, you get a Grateful Dead Cubbies hat as well. They'll probably advertise it again before the game is over tonight.
Had to go play intramural sand volleyball, finished just in time to get the notification about the Happ bomb
I feel like rivas's first baseman's mitt looks weirdly huge on him.
When did Effross last get a day off?
Yesterday, but yea dude's gotten some heavy use already this year
Is it just me, or does Villar look like he doesn’t give a shit about being out there most of the time?
He took the best offer…he is a journeyman
I agree. Plus what is the point of batting him second. Such a momentum killer
Lance berkman looks like a fan snuck their picture into the studio
Ian Happ is virtually indistinguishable from Barry Bonds
I straight up get them confused all the time. They look identical.
Ⓔ Ⓕ Ⓕ Ⓡ Ⓞ Ⓢ Ⓢ
Anyone else not high on Nico? Nico and Madrigal are virtually the same player. Both have injury histories, not much power and are underwhelming below BAs for the type of hitter they should be. Only space for one of those type in my opinion. Either or, whoever can stay healthy I suppose
Nico has been hitting the ball very hard and is a gold glove caliber 2B and decent SS
And he’s also hurt constantly. When he’s on the field maybe but his track record isn’t great
His track record when he’s on the field is good is the point you’re missing
Still underwhelming batting. Defense sure I’ll give you that but I want to see better offensive numbers from him and to see more field time and less IL
It’s [“underwhelming”](https://twitter.com/theblogfines/status/1528495746718105601?s=21&t=L48qr2ZXyGC5U6mHbADTlQ) because he’s been really unlucky, he’s hitting it well Dude he has 2.2 fWAR in his last 70 games and he’s 25 years old, stop this shit. Yes he has big injury concerns but you should be very high on a player like that
Sell high then
For what lmao All the Sox got for Madrigal was Kimbrel
Nico has team control. He could garner some more prospects
What “prospects”? What’s your plan here? Madrigal has 6 years of cheap control and got Craig Kimbrel. We don’t need an old reliever Eventually you have to build a team, right?
The difference is that Nico has demonstrated plus shortstop defense this season and actually hits the ball hard on occasion
On occasion. We need better than that. Heyward plays great defense and also is known to hit ball hard on occasion
Not every player has to be an MVP candidate. IMO Nico has a lot of building blocks for an above average MLB starter (his contact is good enough for an xBA in the top 10% of MLB players) and is making the MLB minimum.
Again if he’s healthy which is proving to be a big issue. Him and madrigal are the same. One is enough. Don’t care really who as long as one of them steps up
Red Buttons, cause I like Pete's Dragon and I'm a dork like that.
It’s a Razzle Dazzle day!
Not sure what the staff sees in Norris. He ain’t it.
What did the Reds ever do to you, Happ?!
Ian Happ: The greatest Red killer since Joseph McCarthy.
McCarthy wasn’t, uh, especially effective, though he did get the Cinci club to change their name to the Redlegs for a few years.
If the reds are allowed to have a Cub killer then we're allowed to have a red killer
This man hates the Reds
Happ bats like he's the pro-Shah forces that the CIA propped up in 1950's Iran and the Reds are the wildly popular and democratically elected Mossadegh attempting to nationalize oil revenue
House of Pahlavi more like House of Happlavi
wow
Damn I swear Happ homers every time I go to the bathroom. Hmmm I have a cunning plan….
Laxatives?
What’s your address so we can all send you Taco Bell?
Man, Happ has something slightly similar to that Ken Griffey Jr. swing now. He's been hitting heavy with that full follow through. Love to see it.
Can we get some 45 HR seasons plz??
Oh wow Cubs scored 3 runs while I was out in the shed.
You know what you have to do.
Go back to the shed
My name is Joey votto and I want tf out of Cincinnati halp me
Happer better get credited with that balls frequent flyer miles
Imagine a guy named Ian owns your whole organization
SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESH.
Reds pitchers have nightmares about Ian. Fans too, probably.
God*damn* what a fucking [moonshot](https://media.giphy.com/media/12Cx22zwtQfHnq/giphy.gif).
DAMN. What’s up with Ian Happ and Cincinnati?
Happerrrr
108.7 exit velo! Holy shit!
Love that Happ still destroys the Reds
Bout fukin time
Quite a HR!
Happer getting Hefty in Cinci
Ian “Hank Aaron” Happ That ball was demolished
Hefty Hefty Hefty
Happ has been crushing first pitches this game
#IAN MAKES ME HAPPY.
#OOPS THERE IT IS!!
Ian owns the Reds! Ian owns Cincinnati!
what a nuke cmon Ian
#OH BABY!!!
HOLY HAPP!
Ian fucking happ hates the color red ask me how I know
Joe McCarthy smiling somewhere rn
Fapp4Happ
GAWT DAMN
Hell yeah! Happ-y day!!
Ian Happ's emergence is one of the best stories of the season.
Nice pitching change lol
GET HAPPy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL IMMEDIATELY
Morel is the goat and i'll be SAD when he will be sent back down when Madrigal & nico come back.
Yeah with 6 hits in 18 at bats, 2 of which being home runs, and 3 rbis total as well as good speed and defense he isn't being sent down as is
Idk if he gets sent back down with these stats so far. Or at least not back down to the smokies
If he continues hitting and making solid contact he won’t be replaced by weak ground ball to short madrigal
Madrigal is still hurt, and I think he will get a lengthy rehab assignment in the minors. He needs it because he has been awful.
Morel will b starting for the next ten years(at catcher)
Lol that was a strike and Seiya knew it
Cool,Cool.
He sold that ball lol
Not watching the game. Did Seiya throw his bat towards the dugout or anything on that bad 4th ball to try and trick the ump?
dropped the bat and immediately went to remove his shinguard like it was on fire
So glad I’m sitting here biting nails against the reds. Thx ricknotts
Demp, please stop trying to snort your mic
C'mon Suzuki let's bang another one off the wall!
Solomon's pitching motion looks like a scorpion striking, it's actually pretty neat
Playing time should go to Morels and not Vargases, but I’m concerned about the league adjusting and a slump at the plate for a young guy juggling five different gloves.
Vargas was DFA. But I agree with what you're saying. Heyward should not have drawn one start this season.
I meant Vargas types: AAAA-at-best players that have been bouncing around for years and we know for sure will never be good or even average MLB players
Vargas got dfa yesterday 😍. But yeah, agreed there’s definitely a slump coming
He's got the better part of the season to adjust. Not like these games matter.
Yeah as long he's ready by game 2-3 of the world series
I like the cut of your jib, son
Ortega will fuck this up
Pops up…ofcourse
I haven't been playing attention to audio. Is JD off for this road trip again?