Do you like this team?

[mickeyrom51]

With all of the retooling and big time spending ,too much money for Soriano especially.I dont see a lot of team chemistry here.It reminds me too much of the Mets teams of a few years ago.Lots of money for very little results.I dont feel that we will have success with any consistency until we develop more players as an organization.I see this team as pretty much like last years except for the starting pitching.The hitting is very similar,one day hot next day cold.I know it's early,but what do other Cub fans see?

[Webgem]

I think I'll wait to judge this team since only one week of the season has passed.

[mickeyrom51]

I think I'll wait to judge this team since only one week of the season has passed.Well...if I could just put them on "ignore" for a couple of months,that would be possible.Unfortunately we live in the present,so I only described what I see right now.Im not a prophet,so the future is unclear,but what do you think of this team so far,right now.:confused:

[ryno4ever]

I like the team, but there is room for improvement, improvements that will be made if need be later in the season. You can tell Lou is trying to make adjustments, especially with the lineup. I already like the aggressiveness on the basepad... the solid starting pitching. The bullpen? I'm frustrated, but again, it's early, so I will have to wait to pass my judgement on that down the line a little. Dempster has impressed me... he shows more confidence and is throwing strikes. Howry has good stuff, he, along with the others, will make mistakes, and unfortuantely for him, Everett took advantage of it.

[Webgem]

Right now I like the starting rotation. I'm a little concerned with Howry/Eyre. Dempster, Wuertz and Cotts have looked good. I like the fact this team comes back when they are down. I would like to see a little more bunting, especially late in the game and more hit and runs.

[Bockstock]

The starting pitching and middle relief has been very solid so far except for Miller's game. Izturis has been decent offenesively.

Howry and Eyre need to step it up.

I didn't believe this at the beginning of Apring Training, but I think Jacque's days in Chicago are numbered.

[Ivy Killa]

The rotation is solid so far, Lou really needs to leave Murton in the 2 hole of course thats hard to do when he's being platooned. When the offense if stuggling it seems to be lack of patience. Once Howry and Eyre get their **** together and the offense starts clicking, this will be a tough team to beat. Soriano needs to step up though, which mondays game was a good step in that direction.

[roenick99]

Awww, Mickey you are bitching and moaning and it is only 5 games into the season! Shame on you!!! *sarcasm* Sorry, I couldn't resist. My question is at what point may we start complaining when this team that has been built for a championship plays like total crap and loses games they should have won? 20 games in 30 games in. 10 games under .500.

I agree. If this team is as good as everyone likes to portray (and the way we have seen in a couple of games), then why didn't they win the two games they lost due to mistakes and the two guys in our bullpen that are supposed to be the backbone not getting the job done. I am not at all worried about Soriano. I don't really like the fact that Lou is pulling a Dusty and showing zero constancy with the lineup and already taking away half the AB's from Murton. I am really worried about our middle relief. We paid a lot of money for these guys to be the core of our relief pitching and they are all of a sudden unreliable. What's up? And don't give me the "it's still early" crap because these games are just as (if not more) important than the games in the middle and the games at the end. We started out slow last year and NEVER recovered. EVERYBODY has said that we need to get out of the gate quick to compete and so far it has been this on again off again bull**** from the previous 100 years. .500 baseball is just not going to cut it. Sorry I am not an optimist when it comes to the Cubs. Blame that on 33 (really 23 if you only count the time i started paying attention) years of watching bad baseball. They have a lot to prove to me because opening up the wallet and spending a ton of money in the offseason proves nothing.

[ChinMusic22]

Overall I think the lineup is solid. I think since such drastic changes were made in the off season, the regulars should have played more together then they did, but that's hard to do in ST. Overall though, after 1 week, here are my thoughts:

Lineup- Top 3 in the NL. Good balance of speed, power, and average with the potential to score a TON of runs. So far, they're not coming through in the clutch (double plays, strikeouts with the bases loaded, etc.). Someone needs to take some leadership on the team.

Rotation- Room for concern. Zambrano is too busy running his mouth then actually pitching good. I'm waiting for his next appearance against the Brewers to see how they react to his most recent comments. He needs to start pitching a little better, and talking a little less. Lilly will be a solid addition for us and switching leagues will help him. it's too early to speak on Jason Marquis. After his home start, I'll make judgment. Rich Hill hasa ton of potential, and if he lives up to it this season, he'll help overcome a lot ofthe questions. I'd prefer not to comment on Wade Miller, besides, he's not ptiching for another 2 weeks.

Bullpen- Bigger question then the rotation. Dempster needs to hold the fort down, and frankly Howry & Eyre need to get their **** together. If Wuertz ^ Ohlman can step up, maybe they can be the new Howry & Eyre. Neil Cotts is a scrub. He can win the Cy Young award, and I will still call him a scrub. Jsut my opinion.

Defense- So far it appears they're not doing the little things to get the job done ,and that comes with Chemistry as Mickey said. Hopefully as the season progresses that will change.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

This team has shown me some good things and some bad so far. But with only being a week into the season there is no line-up that hasn't struggled in one way or another. This team has very high expectations and they are definatly not playing upto those expectations yet, but I am confident that they will get it together and they will surprise alot of people. I think Lou has done some very good things with this team and they are continuing to work daily on being a better ball club and a champion.

[CubsFan23]

[QUOTE=roenick99;15462]. .500 baseball is just not going to cut it. QUOTE]

Unfortunately in this division .500 may cut it. I am not advocating for a .500 season, I want much more.

I think if Lou ran out the same lineup day in day out, we would be in better shape. Hopefully our bullpen woahs are just a hiccup, and not a trend.

I am worried about the mental mistakes and our lack of leadership. Sure it has only been a week, but bad habits are hard to break. It is time for Lou to quit being Sweet Lou and be the base throwing fiery Lou!

[mickeyrom51]

Well,I see a variety of opinions,but thankfully nobody has trashed me completely.For that I am grateful.

[Webgem]

There's no need to trash you...:)

[roenick99]

There's no need to trash you...:)

Exactly! I am of the idea that if you don't like my (or your) opinion (and that's all it is) then more power to you. I tell it like I see it and don't really like sugar coating it. I think that's why some people were so annoyed with Steve Stone in 2004. He told the exact truth and people (especially the players and coaches) could not handle it. I think this team could be great, but so far we are being subjected to the same Jeckyl and Hyde crap that we have seen since before '03 (except for last year which was all Hyde) Everybody seems to think because the Cards won the WS with 83 wins last year that 83-90 wins will win the division this year. Does anybody remember '03-'04? We won the division with 88 wins and the next year had a better record and were 16 games back in 3rd place. Nobody wants to acknowledge the fact that regardless of the team that the Astros and Cardinials seem to put on the field, they continuously find ways to win and be competative every single year. Not to mention the fact that it seems everybody else in the division has improved this year as well. Maybe we will be lucky and everyone will just pound on each other for the whole year and nobody will be able to put together a good run and the Cubs can stay in it. I would rather see them start strong out of the gate because I think that's what they will need to win this division. Again, just my opinion.

[mickeyrom51]

There's no need to trash you...:)I'm a veteran of the Cubs Forum,so that's what Im used to and the reason I come here most of the time.

[ryno4ever]

That's part of the beauty of the game.... there is always one goal in mind, but everyone has their own ideas and opinions on how to reach that goal. No one way is the "best" way to go!

[HOLYCOW!25]

I'm not saying no one else can complain, though it does annoy me when people do, but I'm not gonna make any descisions on if they're going make it or not.

Yes, they need to work out some stuff. Some of our relievers need to pull it together, Alfonso needs to start hitting more, we need more homers, there are a lot of things they need to work on, but it's early in the season, and they can still work on it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they can wait to work these things out. I think they need to start really pushing to improve as soon as possible. I do wanna see more wins, more hits, and some homers. Things can change because it's a long season, but they should get working now.

[Drockvb]

This team needs players to rise up in the clutch. Thats the difference between contenders and pretenders. It doesn't matter if it scoring runs in a big spot, or getting big outs, it's all the same. We need players to take control and win games. Right now they aren't doing it. And my prediction on this year has not waivered. I think this is a .500 ball club.

[LeeEila's/rant]

It looks alot like last year to me so far . No clutch hitting and stupid errors .

[diehardnorthsider]

I too am a bit concerned at this point. On paper this is a championship caliber team, they just are not playing to their ability right now. I have confidence that Lou will whip the team into shape.

[ARamfan]

I too am a bit concerned at this point. On paper this is a championship caliber team, they just are not playing to their ability right now. I have confidence that Lou will whip the team into shape.

After reading this thread and taking it all in, I have to agree with your post. This is how I honestly feel about it all. There have been a lot of changes and some players have to make adjustments. From what I've read, Soriano has to adjust to not only a new position, but also to playing a lot of day games and to playing at Wrigley. IMO we just have to be patient, which is difficult in light of the fact that winning games this month is critical. :(

[roenick99]

I am concerned that we are about to get swept at home by a team without solid pitching, was worst in the division in hitting last year, and came into Chicago with only one win. Hell, we won't even see their best pitcher and their only good pitcher in my mind. I see a common theme in all of these "negative" posts. I place myself in that group as well and I think we all agree that we are not complaining as much about the losses as we are complaining about the way they are losing them. Good teams do not play crappy baseball day in and day out. I would be less annoyed if they were getting beat by being outplayed by a better team. The Cubs are beating themselves and they had the Astros down after winning only one game in Houston coming into this series and they let them get right back up.

[mickeyrom51]

I am concerned that we are about to get swept at home by a team without solid pitching, was worst in the division in hitting last year, and came into Chicago with only one win. Hell, we won't even see their best pitcher and their only good pitcher in my mind. I see a common theme in all of these "negative" posts. I place myself in that group as well and I think we all agree that we are not complaining as much about the losses as we are complaining about the way they are losing them. Good teams do not play crappy baseball day in and day out. I would be less annoyed if they were getting beat by being outplayed by a better team. The Cubs are beating themselves and they had the Astros down after winning only one game in Houston coming into this series and they let them get right back up.I see 4th place,so relax and enjoy it.

[CubsFan23]

After reading this thread and taking it all in, I have to agree with your post. This is how I honestly feel about it all. There have been a lot of changes and some players have to make adjustments. From what I've read, Soriano has to adjust to not only a new position, but also to playing a lot of day games and to playing at Wrigley. IMO we just have to be patient, which is difficult in light of the fact that winning games this month is critical. :(

You would figure after 99 years of no WS championships we would learn to be patient. I know we will lose games, every team does. I agree that I am more upset of how they are losing them and not the fact that they are losing them!

[Bockstock]

You would figure after 99 years of no WS championships we would learn to be patient. I know we will lose games, every team does. I agree that I am more upset of how they are losing them and not the fact that they are losing them!

I'll tell you it gets depressing sometimes. This organization has had 3 years to build a decent team around the franchise cornerstones (Z,DLee, Aram, some might add Barrett) and the fact they have had to fill so many holes the last year and a half tells you something about the decisions made by the upper management.

Meanwhile in the same period, the Mets have gone from a 65 win team in 2003 to a undisputed juggernaut.

[roenick99]

You would figure after 99 years of no WS championships we would learn to be patient. I know we will lose games, every team does. I agree that I am more upset of how they are losing them and not the fact that they are losing them!

Not sure how a century of losing would make us more patient. The longer you are forced to wait for something that is long overdue, the more your patience dwindles. At least, that's the way it is for me.

[zulusierra]

I think it's hard to tell how good any team is going to be this early in the season, especially with all the cold weather. I thought the cubs looked pretty good against the Brewers in the dome. Then again I also picked the Brewers to win the central. But, just like everyone else's opinions, only time will tell.