Fanshots

Sportsline Playoff Projections: Cardinals and Brewers Wild Cards!

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They like our divisional rivals to make the playoffs which will hurt our seeding as we are projected to finish 3rd, just like last year and the Dodgers are projected to finish 1st (Nationals 2nd). Rounded, they have LA at 100 wins, Washington 98, Cubs 96, St. Louis 86, Milwaukee 85. it won't be close in the division but they have the Dodgers and Nats better than us. The Phillies are at 75 even with Arrieta (we lost a pitcher for the first 2 months). Over in the AL, Cleveland, Houston, Boston, Yankees, and Toronto.

The New J2

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In case you haven't heard the new international free agency rules, this is a mild primer. You might not like the changes.

Dallas Keuchel: "We're Not the Cubs"

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Too bad we're playing the AL Central this year and not the AL West. Maybe we can play them in the World Series.

Kris Bryant vs. Nolan Arenado

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Last year Bryant lost the All Star starting job to Arenado and I thought it sucked, especially coming off the World Series championship. I would think Cubs fans could single handily make Bryant the starter if they wanted so I think maybe it was apathy that allowed Arenado to get voted in. Hopefully this year Kris will start. Or maybe Maddon will let Bryant bat 3rd and get closer to Arenado's RBI total since he's never going to come close to Nolan's total batting 2nd.

College Algebra And The Draft

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Not many people talking the draft yet. I'm one of the few. And, yes. I'll answer your questions.

Kris Bryant Wants to Change the CBA

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We all remember when the Cubs gamed the system to keep him for an extra season. Well Kris didn't forget and this year's free agent class left a bad taste in his mouth and he said he will certainly share his input when it comes to the next CBA. Hopefully the Cubs don't hold this against him when it comes to renegotiating with him.

Arrieta to Phillies?

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It's just in the talking stage and we all know the Phillies aren't interested in a long term deal. But the fact that Jon Heyman's name is on it gives me a sliver of hope.

An interesting article about Dickie Noles

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This article about former Cubs pitcher Dickie Noles appeared in a recent Hall of Fame newsletter.

MLBTradeRumors.com Poll What's Holding Up The Market?

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They list several options. I thought the easy #1 choice would be "Focus on Next Year's Class", which is what I chose. Another choice was "The Competitive Balance Tax" but I guarantee you teams will gladly pay it for Harper and Machado next year. But the #1 choice was "Players Overestimating Their Markets". Scott Boras came in second. They also list "Colllusion" and "Lack of Effort to Win" but there have always been a few teams like the Marlins and Pirates who have "tanked", they just were different teams. By the way in the "Players Overestimating Their Markets", they do state "there are significant question marks surrounding each of them. Darvish had a dreadful World Series performance". So it isn't just me. I'm not doubting Yu is a great pitcher. I'm doubting is he worth the money we are proposing giving him, especially if we can use the same money to bring back our World Series hero.

Article on Two of the Other Free Agent Pitchers

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Contrary to popular opinion there is more than one free agent pitcher available out there.... If it sounds like there is a bidding war for Darvish then it's wise for Cobb and Lynn to wait. But the nightmare is if Yu gets a low offer and it's obvious that's the ceiling for Alex and Lance.