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       #Post#: 114039--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: Cactus
       Date: January 17, 2013, 9:14 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Dale Sveum ---
       > The one thing you hate doing is saying .500 would be good.
       Because it’s not good. It’s not 101 losses, but .500 isn’t
       getting you to the playoffs, either.’’
       --- End Quote ---
       --- Quote from: Theo Epstein ---
       > The 2013 season can be considered a failure if the Cubs don’t
       make the playoffs.
       --- End Quote ---
       Making an effort to keep ticket sales from dropping too much?
       In 2012, I said the Cubs would finish at .500 with a record of
       81-81.  Instead they were 61-101.
       It’s too soon to be pinned down to a specific number for 2013 so
       for now I’ll say the Cubs will win more than 61 games and fewer
       than 81 in 2013.
       There are 12 fewer games against the Houston Astros (8-7 in
       2012).
       Alfonso Soriano is unlikely to have as much success.
       Same for Darwin Barney.
       Anthony Rizzo will suffer from the sophomore jinx.
       Contributions from catcher and third base will be minimal.
       What pitching help there is in the farm system is still a ways
       away.
       #Post#: 114046--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: Jes Beard
       Date: January 17, 2013, 9:46 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Do you have a link to that Hoyer quote?  Hard for me to believe
       he is saying that.
       Right now I'll predict 65 wins.  I think last year I predicted
       71.
       #Post#: 114098--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: Eastcoastfan
       Date: January 17, 2013, 12:17 pm
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       I'll go 78-84.  I think they will be significantly better.
       #Post#: 114109--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: brjones
       Date: January 17, 2013, 12:59 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I think they'll be significantly better because they just threw
       a minor league pitching staff out there for the last two months.
       And just throwing a below average bullpen out there (as opposed
       to the worst in the league by far) should net the Cubs an extra
       half dozen wins or so.
       But how much better they are is still TBD.  At the very least, I
       expect them to still add a RH platoon/4th outfielder and a RH
       infielder who can minimize the suckiness at 3B.  But I wouldn't
       be shocked at something better than that.
       As is, I'd have them at about 75 wins.  Adding Hairston and a RH
       infielder like Jeff Baker would get them to 77.  Going all out
       with a big name OF (Bourn or Upton) instead of a Hairston type
       puts them right around .500.
       #Post#: 114117--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: Cactus
       Date: January 17, 2013, 1:24 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: brjones link ---
       >
       > But how much better they are is still TBD.  At the very least,
       I expect them to still add a RH platoon/4th outfielder and a RH
       infielder who can minimize the suckiness at 3B.  But I wouldn't
       be shocked at something better than that.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Besides those additions, there are no backups on the present
       roster for Darwin Barney or Anthony Rizzo.
  HTML http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=chc
  HTML http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=chc
       The roster is going to change quite a bit between now and the
       end of spring training.
       #Post#: 114119--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: JR
       Date: January 17, 2013, 1:27 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Valbuena is the top backup for Barney.
       But yeah, there probably are some backup players left to be
       signed, and probably a bench job or two to be up for grabs in
       spring training.
       #Post#: 114122--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: brjones
       Date: January 17, 2013, 1:43 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       It would be nice to find a way to upgrade third base, then let
       Stewart back up 1B and 3B (with someone like Jeff Baker being
       signed to platoon with him in that role).
       #Post#: 114156--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: Jes Beard
       Date: January 17, 2013, 3:43 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: brjones link ---
       >
       > It would be nice to find a way to upgrade third base, then let
       Stewart back up 1B and 3B (with someone like Jeff Baker being
       signed to platoon with him in that role).
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       If you upgrade at 3B, and relegate Stewart and Valbuena to
       backup roles, the possibility of creating value at 3B is sharply
       reduced.  I think Stewart and Valbuena are going to be the
       options at 3B at least thru the end of May.
       #Post#: 114176--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: Deeg
       Date: January 17, 2013, 7:01 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       71-91.  If there's another fire sale it could be worse, but
       let's be optimistic.
       #Post#: 114188--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Predictions
   DIR By: guest61
       Date: January 17, 2013, 9:18 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Ill say 70-92.
       At least we wont lose 100.
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