Quote:
Originally Posted by jd1020
Makes absolutely 0 sense.
Contreras even in a down year for power is still one of the best hitting catchers in the league.
Rizzo had an extended slump but he's back and hes been better than his career numbers recently.
Baez has been better than ever.
Bryant is an MVP who's "down year" because of a shoulder issue comes out to a 122 OPS+.
Kyle Schwarber is looking like his rookie year with a slight dip in SLG% with 22 HRs.
Jason Heyward is having his best year as a Cub.
The only positions where the Cubs could look to reasonably improve offensively is SS and CF and they just acquired a guy in Daniel Murphy who has a .904 OPS in the 2nd half that allows the team to likely put Russell on the DL with his finger and move Baez to SS. It also frees up Zobrist to play more outfield and move Heyward to CF more often.
If the Cardinals and Brewers were looking to give themselves the best chance to catch the Cubs they both royally ****ed up by not claiming Murphy. Now you just better hope he becomes everything he has shown not to be over his career.
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Good lord man, I only said that lineup is down compared to 2016, and the evidence (you know reality) actually supports that notion. Sure if Bryan and Rizzo return to their 145 OPS+ production it will look differently. Baez has taken a leap, Schwarber is having a nice year, Russell well below average offensively, and Heyward hanging around slightly below average offensively. Contreras has dropped off considerably from 122 to 102. Cubs 2016 OPS+ 103...2018 96
I mean to say it makes absolutely 0 sense seems is strange. Murphy may help give them a boost, time will tell. I think it was a smart signing for you. I don't think it royally screwed us. They went with Adams instead, who I think will also fill a similar need.