Clip Joint said:
I said the same thing in the thread in the main forum, and no one has really answered so I will ask it here too:
Why did you feel this team would be any better than before Baker arrived? What improvements have they made personnel wise?
Their offense is terrible and their pitching staff is the most overhyped in baseball...plus they have no bullpen.
Baker may or may not be doing a good job there...but what lead you to believe this team would be better than when he arrived when the talent is as bad or worse. This is the GMs fault more than Baker.
If you look at the team before the start of the season you could make a great case that they have the stuff to contend.
Prior
Wood
Zambrono
Maddox
Thats a great starting 4 on paper.
Looking at a lineup that consist of
Patterson- Tremendous ability of unbelievable upside that will turn into a star one day soon.
Todd Walker is an offseason upgrade from last season.
Garciaparra- Still a solid player when healthy
Derrick Lee and Ramirez in the middle are about as good as it gets.
Jeremy Burnitz was another off season pickup that upgrades the team.
The bullpen is weak, but when you constantly keep misusing it over and over it makes it look worse than it really is in reality.
They do have a decent closer by the way. The team should more wins then they have. The Cubs are a very talented team on paper. Sure they dont have it all. But they should be playing at a much higher level right now.