Rotation has all the makings of decency
Bullpen might be good. Kimbrel seemed to find it last year
Gotta figure a couple of the core guys (Rizzo, Bryant, Contreras, Baez, Happ) will have decent years

They could end up winning 84ish games

Unless they decide to sell

And they might find life on Mars...

Cubs did nothing to fix the hitting problems and lost their ace. I'm not a believer that the core players will somehow channel 2016 and turn it all around.

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This isn’t a terrible team, but the perception is because they didn’t do anything to upgrade. Losing Darvish is tough, but this team defense is stellar and there is enough offense.

The NL central is awful so 85 wins takes this thing. There are a lot of scenarios where that is the Cubs.

They most likely will not be terrible. They'll be average and a could guys having comeback years (not rare) could push them to playoff contender

So it sounds like they are going with 6 starters, who will that 6 be?

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Don't overintellectualize it: the Cubs will bum slay their way to another division title in a down year for the Cards and three other team entirely disinterested in winning.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

We could make a wager that the Brewers have a better record than the Cubs.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Cardinals might be good.

Hendricks
Arrieta
Davies
Mills
Williams
Adzolay

bites at the apple, baby.

I've been saying this for a month now, I rather like this team. I love the Joc signing, Jake's not a terrible add, buncha guys can't go anywhere but up offensively and the division is terrible. i think the Brewers falter again and it ends up Cubs/Cards. Kinda looking forward to it, might be the last year of baseball we have for awhile.

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

So you're saying that the Cubs are going to make the playoffs for the 6th time in the last 7 years?

Cool.

I forgot about Zach Davies, not a top end pitcher but a damn good pitcher for the rotation.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

No reasonable argument can be made that this iteration will be better than any of the 18,19, or 20 squads. And those teams never felt like legit contenders.

With that said, I’m excited for Spring Training and baseball.

There is a college game today between Florida and Miami on the SEC Network at 2, I can't wait.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Disagree. A ton of these guys are on prove it contracts this year. This is the grow-up year that I think Theo thought would happen in '19, The Reckoning"

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

The last 2-3 spots will be a revolving door of sorts.

Bigger story is what does Jed do if this team is within striking distance of a playoff spot in the middle of July?

Have to flip whoever you can right?

Dude. That ship has sailed. More tearing down to come.

Draftkings has them at +325 to make the playoffs and their over at 79.5.

I might just jump on those today.

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They have a chance at the second WC because they have a better divisional schedule than the NL East contenders. 19 games against the Pirates and Reds are better than 19 against the Phillies and Marlins. If they get the second WC, they get to face Darvish in San Diego, where they can't hit against shitty pitchers much less good ones.

I don't think they can beat the Cardinals for the division, but I'd certainly like to be proven wrong.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

So let’s say the Cubs max out this season and win a playoff series.

What combination of Rizzo, KB, Javy, and/or Contreras is on the team next year?

Bernsie and Leila informed us yesterday there is no way a wild card is coming from the NL central. So you can forget that.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

It's just like the football saying, if you have 2 QB's you don't have any. If you have six starters, you probably only have 1 or 2.

whatever pecota says is what will happen so no need to watch baseball until playoffs start

Dan Bernstein here to remind you: "PECOTA IS NOT A PERSON!"

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'Your AT&T Universal Card has arrived'? Oh God, Kick-fucking-ass, I got a Master Card! I don't believe it, man. Life is kinda cool sometimes.

Contreras. I really thought they were going to trade him to an AL East team this off-season. Now that Realmuto didn't get that great of a deal, I think he gets the extension, maybe 5/80 with an opt out after three years and a limited no trade clause.

And maybe Rizzo, if the Marlins don't make a push to bring him home and be their leader the way the Cubs brought in Lester. If the Marlins make a good offer, the Cubs have no shot.

Somebody will overpay for Baez in free agency, and I don't see how Boras lets Bryant come back hat in hand for a new deal.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

it was?

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

I love how the best picture that Fleer could find for him was him missing a pitch for a swinging strike.

https://pin.it/g8372t8

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

The NL central is pretty bad, but I'll take the under on 85 wins for the Cubs. They won't be terrible, but they aren't likely to be a real contender either. 80 wins seems about right.

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3rd place

82-80