DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Bleacher Bums Forum
HTML https://bbf.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Bleacher Bums Forum
*****************************************************
#Post#: 523945--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: CurtOne Date: January 27, 2026, 8:15 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Ron link=topic=663.msg523939#msg523939
date=1769538377]
The article makes absolutely no sense. How could he be turning
down some other offer (while still under contract with the Cubs)
in order to remain a Cub? Way too much bullshit on the internet
these days.
[/quote]I don't think you're allowed to post things that aren't
true on the internet, Ron. Don't be naive.
#Post#: 523956--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: Reb Date: January 28, 2026, 1:18 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Cubs pitchers and catchers due to report exactly two weeks from
today.
The Chicago Cubs' pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report
for their first workout on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The
first full-squad workout, which includes all position players,
is set for Monday, February 16, 2026.
#Post#: 524032--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: Deeg Date: January 30, 2026, 6:37 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
ZIPS has the Cubs at 87-75 median. That seems about right.
#Post#: 524034--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: CUBluejays Date: January 30, 2026, 11:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Mid-80’s, weird.
#Post#: 524040--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: craig Date: January 31, 2026, 9:54 am
---------------------------------------------------------
HTML https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-late-january-zips-projected-standings-update/
ZIPS projections don't run very high. Only Dodgers above 91,
Phillies the only other big-league team over 90.
-87 for Cubs would ZIPS 4th in the NL.
-8th in mlb.
Those seem pretty reasonable. ~4th in NL, ~8th in mlb, 1st in
division. Last year, we finished 4th in NL, and 6th in mlb; so
projecting at 4th and 8th seems in line with where we stand.
Obviously ZIPS method doesn't tend to project really high
win-totals. Only Dodgers ZIPS above 91 wins; but last year 6
teams actually won more than 91. So for sure there are going to
be a handful of teams that exceed ZIPS projection. Hopefully
the Cubs will be one of those.
No AL team ZIPS above 90. Cubs 87 same as the spendthrift
Yankees, Toronto got to 90. ZIPS has four AL EAST teams bunched
87-90. (Boston and Toronto 90; Baltimore 88; Yankees 87.). If
Baltimore signs Valdez, I wonder if they'd bump up to 89?
#Post#: 524041--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: craig Date: January 31, 2026, 9:58 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Obviously I'm a Kool-Aid optimist. And am not a betting man.
But if I was, I think I'd take the "over" on 87 wins.
Hoyer is always talking depth. For OF I'm not sure we've got
much, so that's a risk. But I think we've got sufficient depth
to protect against ending up very far below the projected wins.
#Post#: 524151--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: craig Date: February 8, 2026, 5:11 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
HTML https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/how-cubs-can-meet-2026-projections
5 ways the Cubs can reach growing expectations in '26. Think
article is pretty good at capturing 5 hinges.
1. PCA
2. Continued development from Horton and Cabrera
3. Imanaga and Steele returning to previous form
4. A successful bullpen turnover
5. Progression from young position players
#Post#: 524152--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: craig Date: February 8, 2026, 5:26 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
HTML https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2026/02/07/how-were-feeling-about-daniel-palencia-as-closer-and-other-cubs-bullets/
Cerami worrying about Palencia. Worries reflect Alzolay and
Hodge being expected young closers entering the last two
seasons, and both failing miserably.
That's a fair point. If you COUNT on Palencia being good, he
may easily revert. Maybe some of his velocity is off; maybe his
control regresses. Cerami doesn't say this, but I do: maybe
after getting worked so hard in playoffs, his velocity will
never ever come back as it was? (Years ago, I recall Latroy
Hawkins being worked super hard, then coming back for spring and
his arm wasn't close to the same.). So yeah, no guarantee that
you're going to get 2025-version Palencia back. And given that
not only young "closers" but also old "closers" ahve all busted
recently (not just Alzolay and Hodge, but also Neris, Pressly,
and also Merryweather), being confident that any anticipated
closer will actually be any good is unsafe.
That said, Palencia is his own guy; and there is no reason to
assume he's going to suffer the same failures that other guys
have. Cubs have no monopoly on disappointing relievers, nor
guarantee that theirs will fail.
Palencia is NOT the anointed closer, I don't think? I think
he's one of a crowd of relievers, and health and performance
will shake out how they are used. He may not be the closer: in
fact, I don't expect he's the preferred default? My guess is
that Hunter Harvey will be the preferred closer, if healthy and
if he looks OK? Obviously he may not be healthy, or have full
stuff, we'll see. But while we can worry the worst scene where
Palencia fails and Harvey also, we can also hope for a dream
scene where Harvey, Palencia, and Hodge are all fully healthy
and locked in; potentially three big-arm, big-stuff late-inning
guys.
#Post#: 524163--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: Deeg Date: February 9, 2026, 8:14 am
---------------------------------------------------------
It would be a miracle if Harvey is ever healthy for a long
enough stretch to be considered for a closer role. I think you
hope to get two or three 10-15 appearance runs from him where be
can be a setup guy.
Don't forget Maton. He hasn't closed much but Counsell seems to
have a preference for grizzle in the 9th if it's a realistic
option.
#Post#: 524166--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘26
By: chgojhawk Date: February 9, 2026, 9:24 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I ran into Boog in Lawrence, Kansas yesterday. We had a nice
chat. He thinks the Cubs will be good. I mentioned that I would
like to see them add another piece. He quickly responded that he
would like to see the Cubs add a starter with the ability to
accumulate strikeouts. Great guy! As a Jayhawk and Cubs fan he
put a smile on my face when he said he believes Allen Fieldhouse
and Wrigley Field are the 2 greatest venues in sports.
*****************************************************
DIR Previous Page
DIR Next Page