The Rebuild Begins Despite Jed Hoyer's Rebuild Denial

 

May 24, 2022

The Chicago Cubs (17-24) are playing as expected. There are a lot of holes that need to be filled. It may take some time, but President Jed Hoyer has done a good job stocking the minors. In the coming months, you may be seeing the future Cubs. Inconsistency has been a major problem.

Hoyer’s biggest free agent signing was Japanese superstar Seiya Suzuki. He lit the world on fire at the start of season and was April’s rookie of the month. He has since fallen on hard times. Pitchers make adjustments and word spread on how to get him out. He is also seeing pitches he’s never encountered. A good example is the ease in which White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito got him out with his deadly change-up. Good hitters adjust and figure out how pitchers are trying to get them out. Being a rookie, it sometimes takes till the end of this or the next season to become acclimated to major league pitching. One thing he has that many rookies don’t, is a great knowledge of the strike zone.  I hate to be a downer but I can only think of two players, Ichiro Suzuki and currently Shohei Ohtani who have had success after playing in Japan.

What was unexpected was the Cubs relievers having more success than the starters. Kyle Hendricks is no longer an elite starter. Although he can be good at times, he has had as many awful starts. He has struggled and put the Cubs behind the eight ball. Hoyer should deal him before you can’t get a big return. Hoyer’s other free agent was pitcher Marcus Stroman who is battling illnesses and his starts have been inconsistent. Drew Smyly had a couple of good starts before coming off the rails, while the jury is still out on Wade Miley. The future lies with Justin Steele. He keeps getting better in his first year as starter and should be the ace of the staff next year. The Cubs do have some reinforcements in Iowa. It shouldn’t be long before the Cubs call up 25 year old Caleb Kilian, who is 2-1 with a 1.31 era.  Next year Keegan Thompson needs to be stretched to join the rotation. 

The Cubs bullpen has been outstanding. They have excellent set-up men for rejuvenated closer David Robertson, who has 6 saves and 1.78 era. Set-up men Keegan Thompson, Rowan Wick and Scott Effross have a combined 1.58 era. Chris Martin, Jesse Chavez are two more reliable set-up men.

The Cubs scored 21 runs against the Pirates, otherwise the offense has been as pathetic as the White Sox. The best hitter on the team is catcher Willson Contreras. Right now he is a little banged up and Yan Gomes is catching. Gomes is not part of the future so I’m wondering why recently called up Brandon Hughes is not catching. The Yankees are looking for catching and could land Contreras at the trade deadline. It may not end up being the Yankees, but he’s almost certain to be gone.  The Cubs have much of the season without their double play combination most of the year. Shortstop Nico Hoerner and second baseman Nick Madrigal were expected to be table setters but have been out most of the season and David Bote’s career is in jeopardy. I didn’t expect first baseman Frank Schwindel to be the hitter he was last year but not as bad as .226. Only an injury kept him from being sent down. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom has nine homers in only 126 at-bats.  He also has struck out a whopping 56 times. Ian Happ in leftfield is having a typical Ian Happ season. His numbers are never overwhelming but he is one of the Cubs most consistent hitters.

One of the Cubs main objectives should be to get younger. Therefore, it was good to bring up Christopher Morel. Morel will turn 23 in June and is filling a hole at second base. When Nick Madrigal comes back, Manager David Ross has to realize that Morel is a better option in centerfield than Jason Heyward. It will be interesting to see if the players Hoyer got in last year’s blockbuster trades pan out.

The Underachieving White Sos

 

May 24, 2022

The labor strife between players and owners shortened spring training. Many early games were postponed or played in frigid temperatures. Despite this many teams have played ¼ of the season. This includes the White Sox and Cubs whose seasons can be described with one word, BRUTAL!

The White Sox (21-20) have not looked like a team capable of reaching the World Series. They trail Minnesota by four games. There is plenty of time left so it’s not time to panic. They are a tad over .500 despite a nine game losing streak. A double header sweep of the Yankees has cushioned the blow of a bad start.

Like last year, the Sox have been besieged by injuries. Before the season started Garrett Crochet needed Tommy John surgery and is out for the year. There number one starter from last year, Lance Lynn also came up with a sore arm and isn’t projected to back until June. Yoan Moncada missed the first 27 games and still is trying to get back to the player he was in 2019. The season started with pitcher Lucas Gioito got hurt after 4 innings in the opener and missed two starts. A. J. Pollock, Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez  all got hurt running to first. Pollock went the 10 day IL, Robert missed 7games and Jimenez is out until sometime in June.   Finally Andrew Vaugh was having a good year until he was hit by a pitch causing him to miss 12 games and is just getting back in the groove.

Like last year the White Sox are one of the worst defensive team. It’s not only errors but there are a lot plays that should be made that are ruled hits or not completing sure double plays. Winning becomes more difficult when your opponents are getting four outs per inning In a loss, Cleveland aided by two errors scored six runs to tie the game in the ninth and won the game in the tenth. Tony LaRussa said they didn’t lose because of the defense.

The Sox have had many managers including the confused Terry Bevington and the comatose Robin Ventura. No one has been worse than LaRussa. Managers don’t win or lose games however most know what to do to give their team the best chance at winning. LaRussa makes many bad decisions that figure into games. Now I could write a three page blog and it still wouldn’t cover his blunders. I will give you a couple and move on. When a team slumping at the plate managers like to shake up the line-up. However, anyone who would put Leury Garcia in the third spot has to have the head examined.  In a tie game the opposing pitcher is struggling. With runners on first and second, LaRussa calls for a bunt. Taking the bat out the hands of their best hitter the Guardians walk Tim Anderson.

The best thing the Sox have going for them is starting pitching. Dylan Cease has developed into an elite starter. He had one hiccup against the Yankees. He is 4-1 with a 3.09 era and leads the league in strikeouts. Michael Kopeck last pitched seven scoreless against the Yankees and his 1.24 era is the second best in the league. When healthy Giolito can be really good No one has a change up like his.GM Rick Hahn made a great move signing Johnny Cueto.  He’s had two starts of six innings and has not been scored upon. When Lynn comes the Sox don’t have to start Dallas Keuchel. The bullpen has been shaky but maybe turning the corner as they stronger and the weather gets warmer.

The biggest problem is the White Sox aren’t hitting. Three players in the line-up have averages below .100 . Tim Anderson. Robert and Vaughn are the only hitters having decent years. Jose Abreu is hitting .214 but has always been a warm weather hitter. Yasmani Grandal is hitting below.200.  without the walks.  LaRussa keeps him in the heart of the line-up. Can anyone explain the fascination with Garcia ?    

Exciting Bulls Relevant Again

 

April 29, 2022

In the first round of the playoffs, led by Demar DeRozan’s 41 points, the Bulls upset the Milwaukee Bucks in game two. The Bulls had wrestled home court advantage with this road win. Later it was learned that all-star Kris Middleton was injured and would not return. This actually helped the Bucks, as they inserted Bobby Portis to join Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounm up front. The Bulls were completely
outsized. This, combined with poor perimeter shooting gave the Bulls no chance. Giannis is going to dominate most games, but it was arch enemy Grayson Allen’s sharpshooting that doomed the Bulls as they were blown out in the last three games. However, gaining experience in the playoffs is a big positive.

The loss in the playoffs shouldn’t overshadow the fine season. The Bulls improved, posting 46 wins, compared to 31 wins last year, and were a 6 seed in the playoffs. If they don’t get beset by injuries, they win 50 games and they get a 1 or 2 seed. The future looks bright and I’m confident that President of Basketball Operations, Arturas Karnisovas, will fortify this team in the off season.

The Bulls immediately get better as forward Patrick Williams becomes a starter. Lonzo Bell should eventually heal from his injury to facilitate their offense. Rookie Ayo Dosunmu was better than expected and should improve. Alex Caruso will be the leader of a tenacious defense. Center Nicola Vucevic was inconsistent most of the year. He is a terrific post-up player, the problem is he spends the majority of
possessions on the outside where his shooting is dismal. You wouldn’t get much in a trade so he stays.

DeMar DeRozen posted the best scoring average in his career. Late game heroics and clutch fourth quarter scoring propelled the Bulls to many victories. However, I cringe every time he brings the ball up court. He is not very good and you know that the play call is for him to dribble to his deadly mid- range shot. The problem here is that he is not a three point shooter, so he can’t pull up or step back. He often gets double teamed because he doesn’t get rid of the ball. Add to that he turns the ball over multiple times. The Bulls desperately need a lights out 3 point shooter and I would trade DeRozen in a heartbeat for that type of player.

The biggest question is do you sign Zach LaVine to a max contract? LaVine is a prolific scorer and improved his defense. His ball handling still leaves much to be desired and he commits multiple turnovers. He, for the most part, disappeared in the playoffs. There are other issues surrounding LaVine. Due to injury, he sat out two games, but selfishly participated in the all-star game. He likely will be having surgery to repair his leg and knee injuries. It would prudent for Karnasovas to see who else is available to replace LaVine before giving him a max contract.