Long, arduous, never-ending, horrid, tough, stomach-churning …
I could go on with words and phrases that quickly sum up the Chicago Cubs’ 2012 season.
As we all think, ponder, discuss this season, I am stuck focusing on next season. While a week and change may be left, next spring is all that matters to me when it comes to professional baseball.
And, I hope that a Ramblings column on a Tuesday doesn’t take any off guard. When Neil asks, I do. Because, let’s face, I, like all of you, are simply blessed to have this type of platform to discuss our thoughts.
- Castro, Barney and Rizzo will start in the infield barring any unforeseen circumstance. So what else is to be decided?
- Soriano is in left, DeJesus somewhere and most likely Jackson. However, good ‘ole BJax needs to do something about this “would strike out over 250 times in a full season” thing. It is really not a good thing.
- To borrow an old line, who are going to be the movers and shakers next spring? Will Junior Lake catch some looks? Will Jorge Soler or Albert Almora freak us out? Will Vogelbach come out of a virtual “nowhere?”
- These are the fun games we can play, think about, look forward to …
- What no-name pitchers will come out of nowhere to force management’s hand? Will someone like a Sean Marshall or a David Patton? NOT that I am comparing the two.
- Over the winter, teams will go to the bottom of the purse to sign players, sway players, try to improve, but I just don’t think McThoyer is on board with that right now.
- This team has so many glaring issues, that free agency is just not a smart step. More of the big-money signings are failures than successes. Just look at left field.
- I have been more vocal than most about how impressed I was with Soriano’s season, but I think all Cubs’ fans would like that $136 million to have gone in different directions
- So, my take is nothing big will happen in FA. Of course there may be a DeJesus-type signing or Stewart-like trade, but nothing substantial. And I think that is the right way to go.
- I am sure they have a grand plan, and I could be wrong, but I am not wrong that often. Unless you talk to a litany of ex-girlfriends. They would tell you otherwise.
- Or my future wife, and I do not even know who she is at this time. But she will think I am wrong a lot.
- Getting back to the ’13 edition, I have no idea what the rotation will look like. The Shark will be there along with Travis Wood and Garza. But there are still question marks.
- What about Marmol? Will Russell make a pitch for the rotation in spring training? (You like what I did there, Russell, make a pitch)
- It is currently halftime, and the Packers are losing …
- What is the future of Bryan LaHair? His all-star season was so eerily similar to Kosuke’s that, well, I just don’t see how he fits.
- If Darwin Barney does not win a Gold Glove then the award should be done.
- Tony Campana … any role next season?
- No matter how hard he got hit, Shawn Camp will end the season with 80 appearances and a sub-3.50 ERA … shocking. Simply shocking.
- I know some may not be with me on this based on the fact that they have great jobs, but I am happy for the beat reporters and the broadcasters. It is an extremely long season with so much travel. Throw in a horrible team to beat and it can’t get much tougher … in the industry, that is.
- Brass tacks. Brass tacks. Brass tacks. I have learned my lesson.
And that is all I have for you today. Let’s get some good conversation going about the 2013 roster in front of tonight’s game in Denver.
And until next time …
Stay Classy Cubs Fans!!