Lou has got the Clues

[Toto]

I honestly think Lou Pinella is a saint. I think Lou is going to have the Cubs playing winning baseball this year, I know probably not good news for most of this board. All media outlets seem to agree with me.

[Lucifer]

To each their own I guess.I really cant see them playing better than 500 ball at best. Lilly is a decent pitcher but lets see what happens when his straight as an arrow fastball ends up on Waveland. Marquis was horrible last year, Marshall already has problems, and lets not forget about Miller, Prior and Wood with their arm problems.

Then theres Soriano, unless something happens they plan on batting him 1st which is stupid IMO cause regardless of his speed he is a HR/RBI producer. He should bat at least 2nd or 3rd to allow batters to get on base for him. Batting 1st with pitcher batting ahead of him only hurts his RBI production and wont be as good as it should be.

Then theres always Zambrano and Lou. Both are hot heads and it should be funny each time Lou goes out to the mound to take Zambrano out for a relief pitcher. Those two are gonna be a fuckin circus act for Sox fans to enjoy.

I guess we will see how it all plays out.:sexyparty:

[SoxFan76]

Eh, The cubs might win 85 games this year. Won't be good enough for a playoff spot though.

Pitching staff = epitomy of average. A lot of teams have their "ace" and 4 other mediocre pitchers.

Bullpen = average to better than average. Not bad, but nothing that stands out.

Offense = you can only improve with Soriano, but Aramis is known for performing in garbage time. DLee, we'll see if he drops down to his career averages, which aren't bad by any means.

Defense = pretty shitty. Soriano in center? Only the Cubs...

[fquaye14ten]

they could make the playoffs. It's possible. That's what happens when you spend like 300 million in the offseason.

I don't think they will, but they could

[SoxFan76]

No, I don't think so. That guy they threw out there today figures to be their fourth starter, which isn't good. I don't need to point out the health prospects of Saint Prior and Knock on Wood. And Soriano hacking away at the top of the lineup should produce an even cooler breeze than they're used to on the north side, even more than last year with all the world class whiffing they displayed.

Having Soriano as your leadoff man essentially means your number 2 hitter is your leadoff man. Assuming Murton bats second, he's either up with a 1-0 lead and nobody on base (which isn't BAD, so to speak), or he's up with bases empty and 1 out after a big whiff from Soriano. That puts a lot of pressure on Murton to get on base.

That's why I never liked him in the leadoff role.

[Prope]

Hey, they play in the NL Central, anything can happen. I think the Brewers will be better but the Cubs should certainly be able to compete with them. Also off the top of my slightly inebriated head......aren't the Cards relying on Izzy to close again and Kip Wells in their rotation??

[Lucifer]

The Chubs still have to try and get past the Cards and the Stros. The Cards will be the same team and the Stros improved so the Chubs have alot of ground to make up cause they cant count on the Cards only winning 83 games again. I see the Chubs in 3rd place at best behind the Stros and Cards which is not good enuff to get them into the play-offs. Thats ok though cause they can stay at home and cheer on the Sox!:rock:

[Efilnikufesin]

Hell Lucifer ..(yes that was on purpose)

I see the Brewers making a huge push this year.. The cubs will improve all the way from 5th place in the division to 4th.. 200mil does that for you!

[Lucifer]

Hell Lucifer ..(yes that was on purpose)

I see the Brewers making a huge push this year.. The cubs will improve all the way from 5th place in the division to 4th.. 200mil does that for you!

So if they could spend 1 Billion then they would be first place contenders right?:devilnana:

[CaptainBallz]

All media outlets seem to agree with me.

:rolleyes:
You certainly can't be using that as a qualifier.

Seriously, Cubs do have a shot. They better have a shot in the worst division in the universe after dumping $300 million. But the thing is, they dumped that much and there's STILL big question marks

They'll choke. Book it.

[Hangar18]

Cubbie Fan Les Grobstein today gushed that seeing Lou Quitter Piniella mad at the team is a refreshing sight. I guess.

[Lucifer]

Its a refreshing sight.......for now. It will get old quik just like everywhere else he's been. Its all cute and funny for now cause the media is used to Bakers passive ass. Wait til the media starts in on him about how he's made all these promises and havent lived up to them. Lets see how long it takes him to throw bases around the diamond.

Hey Sweet Lou.........:gfy: