Hey Cards...WC, that is

[Eagles_Ball]

What's the latest on the baby Cubs? Read a little about the Bryant thing. Cracks me up a bit what Boras is saying. That guy is so pissed, and he has zero leverage. Now that spring has sprung a bit...What do you think the lineup will look like? And where will they play them all? I guess Russell is still another year away? A year at AAA for him to learn new position? I have to admit, I'm kind of anxious to see all these guys get a chance.

 

[wccards21]

Boras was told by Theo to STFU....and I'm still laughing about it

I'm guessing they finish 3rd,but are competitive all year. You'll see Bryant in May. 9 games (12 days) in Iowa and he'll be in the lineup. Which makes an issue for the lineup that I'm about to tell you....

Fowler
Castro
Rizzo
Soler
Montero
Olt
Baez
Cog
Pitcher

Maddon has also said pitcher might bat 8th. So that, along with Bryant coming up will change things. Depending on how well Baez does,you might see Alcantara/LaStella at 2nd instead of Baez.

Russell....he's intriguing. Great defensive player with the ability to hit. He has proven nothing, so he has no chance of moving Castro any time soon. A lot of people think he could end up at 3rd with Bryant moving to left. I'm thinking Russell ends up at 2nd to keep his glove up the middle.

 

[vbsideout]

Pro baseball is a very hard game to play. All that youth is great but you have to have some adults on the field and in the dugout to succeed. Over 162 games their youth will catch up with them and now this week Lester is having to back off because of a tired arm. I think the Cubs are at least 1 more year away and even then they will finish behind the Cards

 

[wccards21]

All that youth?

Only Rookies will be Soler in Right and Bryant at 3rd. Baez is most likely headed to Iowa, which will put Alcantara/LaStella at 2nd.

Then you have 1 young pitcher in the rotation and 2 young arms in the pen. All 3 of them were in Chicago last year.

Lesters arm issue is an absolute nothing. That's normal this time of the year....and this many starts into ST

 

[vbsideout]

We shall see on Lester I suspect you are right and he will be fine and the birds look like they did last year offensively. (not potent at all) The Cards will pitch and play defense better than anyone else in the division!

 

[wccards21]

Cubs pitching staff finished 6th in the league last year....without Lester and with Jackson & Veras

I'll give you defense.....not pitching.


Speaking of Cards pitching, how is Waino now? Haven't heard anything on him since the initial injury

 

[vbsideout]

He pitched today and looked solid. I think 4 innings and 50+ pitches but not sure. 0 runs. Cubs will have to show me they can win before I concede anything to them!

 

[wccards21]

Opening day or is he still questionable? I'm guessing he is good if he's throwing that much already.

 

[vbsideout]

Matheny has not come out and said he will pitch the opener, but I think if Waino continues to progress he will be the opening day pitcher from everything I read and hear.