It’s Wednesday February 26th and the Chicago Cubs are 3 weeks out from opening day.
These are some things on my mind:
Jon Berti Is A Complete Stiff
That’s not the clip that generated my original thought but it’s close enough. I saw an interview with him and Taylor McGregor and I puked from how bad he was. It really made me sick, but then I realized nobody has ever actually cared about Jon Berti during his time in Miami. Then he played for the Yankees last year in the postseason where basically everyone cares about everything you say and think. And now he’s a Cub and he’s probably caught in No Man’s land. Does he smile like a normal person and answer basic meatball media questions? Or will he stare a hole through you it’s a hostage negotiation for his emotional well-being?
Something to remember is that none of this matters for our utility infielder. He can be the most miserable sonofabitch and it wouldn’t make a lick of difference to me provided he gets on above a .340 clip and doesn’t strike out more than 15% of his plate appearances. If that’s the case then you can be the lamest guy in the clubhouse and that includes Kyle Tucker.
Kyle Tucker, Also A Stiff
Maybe we just have stiffs up and down the lineup? I think Dansby is a decent interview but he’s also kind of a stiff.
Opposite that, I like Justin Steele, PCA, Seiya, and Nico a lot in the media. I think those guys do a really good job.
Craig Counsell is a boner.
Ian Happ can be a little Sassy McSass Pants.
Everyone has their own cadence and rhythm with the media. Just important to note here that Kyle Tucker’s is monotonous and boring and nobody really gives a fuck about what he has to say anyways so long as he plays 150+ games and helps us forget about Cam Smith.
Welcome Home Sammy
Some great content this week having Sammy around and I just want to reiterate that this better not be a trick pony kinda appearance. I don’t want a soft tease or anything less than an All Gas No Brakes Welcome Home situation with Sammy Sosa. Anything like that is complete bullshit to me.
Instead I want him walking around the clubhouse with full diplomatic immunity. If he wants to hit BP at 3am, then he hits BP at 3am and nobody can say otherwise. That’s the kinda relationship the Cubs need to be pushing if we’re to take this reunion seriously. Otherwise just stop now because I’m strong enough to be hurt again.
Did You Know Wrigley Sucked Last Year?
For hitters.
Wrigley sucked for hitters.
Specifically, I read about how Michael Busch sucked at home last year compared to the road. He had a 137 OPS+ outside of Wrigley but just a 97 OPS+ at the Friendly Confines. Atypical, yes. But so was were the wind patterns in 2024. Specifically, Wrigley played to the 2nd worst OPS in MLB at just .653.
Experts said it was just bad luck with how often the wind howled in.
Fair.
But are we overvaluing a staff that pitches to contact first? Was there overperformance last season from a weaker group because they got so much help from the elements?
Something to keep your eye on this year will be the Wrigley wind patterns and I wish I was joking. We’re going live that deep this year because we don’t have a choice.
His Name Is Ivan Brethowr.
And he looks just like Aaron Judge.
I have been reading up on this dude last couple days and love everything I see. 6 foot 6 and about 230 with all the mannerisms of Judge.
Specifically, the nerds I follow are talking about similarities in the flexor digitorum superficialis of the left arm, but questions about the digiti minimim…
Honestly I just think it’s cool that he’s big as fuck and hits moonballs. The Cubs need more of that in minor leagues because we have absolutely zero of it in the major leagues. Way too much of an emphasis for so long ahs been on fundamental athletes like Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ when we could have been building a stable of donkeys.
Now is the time we pivot down the circus animal freakshow path and it starts with Ivan The Terrible.
Speaking of Animals…
Let’s end here with PCA and about 1,000 words.
I think he’s a difference maker with his bat last, and that could happen later in the season if we’re lucky.
For now, I think he’s elite across MLB in two of the five categories: speed and defense. He has enough in just those two areas to completely change the course of a game and consequently the entire season. I really think he could be a 6-7 WAR player this year if he doesn’t strike out more than 20% of his plate appearances, which is probably a tall ask at this point.
But as it stands, hitting .225 will be enough to get to 5 wins because he’s that special defensively and he’s going to swipe at least 50 bases. There’s no doubt in my mind and it feels unlike any player I’ve watched in a Cubs uniform before.
Like if Tony Campana and Javy Baez mixed into one player. There’s a level of favoritism to his game but also the sensational talent that you can’t stop watching. It’s such a dynamic combination and we’re very lucky to watch him develop. Should his bat come around to the extent that he’s considered a good hitter then I realistically see him like a Jacoby Ellsbury level MVP candidate kinda player.
For now though I just love watching him run and that’s plenty good for me.
Go Cubs.