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luckymann · 09-03-2020, 08:29 PM

LAST YEAR: 88-52 0 GB, 1st – WORLD CHAMPIONS / .332 / 4.15
BNN PREDICTION: 80-60 1st / .273 / 2.59
FARM SYSTEM: 16th
PAYROLL: 5th, $25,962
HIGHEST PAID PLAYER: C Frank Snyder, $1,855
CASH BALANCE: $243,755

For a team that changed its nickname in the offseason, the Cubs seem unnaturally keen on the whole “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy with regard to their playing personnel. They were noticeably absent in the trade logs over the offseason, limiting themselves to a few depth-based moves. And why not, given their all-conquering 1902 campaign? The “steady as she goes” approach means all of the ingredients to their outrageous success last year are still in place, and in the absence of any quantum improvement in their main competitors they must still be considered favourites to repeat. But it is an undeniable fact that a stationary target is easier to hit, and the main question is: Have they maxed out?

As I see it, the answer to this is both yes and no.

OF Todd Dunwoody will be hard-pressed to reproduce his NL MVP-winning output. But the performance of Joe Connolly last season was completely lost in the Dunwoody brouhaha, and he still seems to have plenty of legs at age 33. Third outfielder Jay Johnstone, who led the league with 127 runs scored and upped his BA by 55 points in 1902, appears to have some upside left. And C Frank Snyder is the sort of franchise cornerstone the other teams dream about.

The Cubs undoubtedly got the best out of a fairly middling rotation last year. That being said, the workmanlike qualities of Danny Duffy, Ray Phelps, new addition Hub Purdue and tyro Jim McAndrew also means a huge dropoff in performance is unlikely. Indeed BNN predicts the Cubs to lead the league in ERA this season. But they wouldn’t want any of them to succumb to injury or form loss, as they do not have the staff to replace them. A strong balance sheet, however, means they could go to the Free Agent market if needs be.

As many questions as answers here, which means the NL is well and truly up for grabs and should be a fascinating competition this year.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: C Frank Snyder, OF Jay Johnstone

Opening Day squad.

09-03-2020, 08:29 PM	#189
luckymann Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 13,403	1903 Chicago Cubs LAST YEAR: 88-52 0 GB, 1st – WORLD CHAMPIONS / .332 / 4.15 BNN PREDICTION: 80-60 1st / .273 / 2.59 FARM SYSTEM: 16th PAYROLL: 5th, $25,962 HIGHEST PAID PLAYER: C Frank Snyder, $1,855 CASH BALANCE: $243,755 For a team that changed its nickname in the offseason, the Cubs seem unnaturally keen on the whole “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy with regard to their playing personnel. They were noticeably absent in the trade logs over the offseason, limiting themselves to a few depth-based moves. And why not, given their all-conquering 1902 campaign? The “steady as she goes” approach means all of the ingredients to their outrageous success last year are still in place, and in the absence of any quantum improvement in their main competitors they must still be considered favourites to repeat. But it is an undeniable fact that a stationary target is easier to hit, and the main question is: Have they maxed out? As I see it, the answer to this is both yes and no. OF Todd Dunwoody will be hard-pressed to reproduce his NL MVP-winning output. But the performance of Joe Connolly last season was completely lost in the Dunwoody brouhaha, and he still seems to have plenty of legs at age 33. Third outfielder Jay Johnstone, who led the league with 127 runs scored and upped his BA by 55 points in 1902, appears to have some upside left. And C Frank Snyder is the sort of franchise cornerstone the other teams dream about. The Cubs undoubtedly got the best out of a fairly middling rotation last year. That being said, the workmanlike qualities of Danny Duffy, Ray Phelps, new addition Hub Purdue and tyro Jim McAndrew also means a huge dropoff in performance is unlikely. Indeed BNN predicts the Cubs to lead the league in ERA this season. But they wouldn’t want any of them to succumb to injury or form loss, as they do not have the staff to replace them. A strong balance sheet, however, means they could go to the Free Agent market if needs be. As many questions as answers here, which means the NL is well and truly up for grabs and should be a fascinating competition this year. *PLAYERS TO WATCH: C Frank Snyder, OF Jay Johnstone* Opening Day squad. Attached Images Last edited by luckymann; 09-05-2020 at 05:14 AM.