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#Post#: 360473--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: guest61
Date: October 17, 2018, 2:48 am
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I'd rather have Machado than Harper.
He just fits better and is a better player too.
#Post#: 360481--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: October 17, 2018, 6:52 am
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Maybe they should bring in Lackey as a mental skills coach.
#Post#: 360486--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: BearHit
Date: October 17, 2018, 8:32 am
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Lackey definitely has EDGE
#Post#: 360488--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: Robb
Date: October 17, 2018, 9:11 am
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I think the edge comment is mostly directed at the players. It
is inevitable that the players who broke the curse could be
feeling a sense of entitlement, especially when they were able
to sleep walk through the first half of 2017 and turn it on to
win the division. Yes, they failed in the NLCS, but hey, you
can't expect to win it all every year; right? I don't know that
they had a sense of entitlement coming into this year. Schwarber
worked his tail off this offseason to improve his conditioning.
Contreras seemingly worked himself to death this offseason.
Bryant is always trying to improve over last year and before his
injury it was working. The starters were certainly underwhelming
the first half but carried the team the second half. Were they
lacking that edge? Or were the numbers plagued by a mediocre to
bad Darvish and just horrible Chatwood? The bullpen had the edge
early but was so overworked they struggled down the stretch, a
consequence of injury and starters struggles in the first half,
not a lack of an edge. Maybe there was a sense of entitlement by
a few. But the biggest problem the team had this year could be
attributed to nearly every move Theo made in the offseason
blowing up. Darvish, Chatwood, Morrow, Chili Davis. Not one of
those were around or helping in the second half. Theo should
probably look in the mirror if he wants to see the primary
culprit for 2018 ending in disaster. And I say this as a big fan
of his.
#Post#: 360489--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: craig
Date: October 17, 2018, 9:12 am
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They are maybe somewhat touchy about edge, though? Montero had
some edge.
*Maybe edgy enough to question whether Maddon communicated well
to him as one of the non-star little people?
*And edgy enough to say what should have been obvious, that
Arrieta and other pitchers showed little urgency about little
parts of the game like holding runners on?
I suspect there's a fine line in management's view between being
a little edgy and urgent and pushing both yourself and other
people in a good way, versus being a little edgy and maybe
pushing other people and management not liking that.
#Post#: 360493--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: October 17, 2018, 9:48 am
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I think the Cubs coming off a disappointing season will have
some of that edge back next year. 1 WS win and 3 straight NLCS
could cause some complacency.
#Post#: 360495--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: Bennett
Date: October 17, 2018, 10:16 am
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--- Quote from: CUBluejays link ---
>
> I think the Cubs coming off a disappointing season will have
some of that edge back next year. 1 WS win and 3 straight NLCS
could cause some complacency.
>
--- End Quote ---
Doug Glanville with a compelling essay on team expectations
--- Quote ---
> The language the Cubs players used throughout the 2018
campaign and after they were knocked out reflected the highest
of expectation. The idea that every year is not just a playoff
appearance, a 90-win season, a better-than-last-year
achievement. It is a year measured by the singular
accomplishment of being a world champion.
--- End Quote ---
HTML https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/glanville-changing-expectations-have-made-it-so-95-wins-not-enough-cubs-world-series
#Post#: 360497--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: method
Date: October 17, 2018, 10:28 am
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Its funny to read the Edge comments here... same thing happened
for Madden with the Rays. Folks started questioning if the
players lost their edge due to the type of atmosphere Madden
runs in the club house. where is the sense of urgency?
#Post#: 360500--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: BearHit
Date: October 17, 2018, 10:48 am
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You see some at-bats where the guy is fouling off pitch after
pitch - even if may be out of strike zone - and then finally
getting a hit or walk
And then you see some at-bats (like pitchers) who look like they
have no plan when they go up there...
If these guys batted as if their salary depended on it each
at-bat - wouldn't we see better offense?
#Post#: 360529--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: Deeg
Date: October 17, 2018, 5:25 pm
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--- Quote from: CUBluejays link ---
>
> I think the Cubs coming off a disappointing season will have
some of that edge back next year. 1 WS win and 3 straight NLCS
could cause some complacency.
>
--- End Quote ---
One would have hoped the way last year ended would have had that
effect, and it didn’t. Why should a repeat have any more impact?
Every baseball move was made for valid reasons. But look at who
the Cubs lost, collectively, since the WS: Ross, Lackey, Fowler,
Montero, Arrieta. A lot of intensity removed from the equation
collectively, and a lot of low-key guys left behind (including
the manager). Maybe the mix has gotten a little out of balance
now.
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