During the “Boys of Zimmer” summer time in 1989, Don Zimmer informed a narrative of his earlier managing stint just a few years earlier in Texas.
According to Zimmer, Rangers proprietor Eddie Chiles was continuously coming into his workplace and asking why the workforce was dropping so many video games.
“I said, when you get no talent, you try to win a certain amount of games,” Zimmer mentioned.
Zimmer then obtained a small piece of cardboard and wrote “TALENT” on it. Whenever Chiles got here into his workplace and requested the query, Zimmer would merely flash the signal.
“I don’t think he appreciated that,” Zimmer mentioned.
Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts doesn’t have to fret about supervisor David Ross complaining concerning the expertise deficit in 2022, regardless that Ross did casually point out dropping to a “first-place team with a $300 million payroll” after a doubleheader in opposition to the New York Mets.
The Cubs discover themselves 17 video games below .500 getting into Thursday’s opener of a four-game sequence in San Francisco however have received six straight following a nine-game dropping streak. Before a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, a reporter informed Ross that reliever Chris Martin in contrast the clubhouse make-up and expertise to the world champion Atlanta Braves, Martin’s former workforce.
“That’s a great assessment, and the outside perspective is always fun to hear,” Ross replied. “When you hear the fellows who’ve been round different organizations are available right here and see what I really feel and what I feel we all know, is there are good individuals right here with good expertise.
“We’ve got winners. We’ve got guys that know how to win, guys learning how to be successful and win. We’re trying to move in that direction as fast as possible. We’re getting there.”
One of Ross’ duties is to promote hope to Cubs followers. Zimmer was below no such delusions when he managed dangerous groups such because the 1981 Rangers. It’s good to suppose the Cubs can emulate the Braves, however it’s additionally far-fetched based mostly on the course of the 2 organizations.
Here are 5 observations from the minihomestand in opposition to the Pirates.
1. A reported curiosity in Willson Contreras from the Houston Astros may spark a bidding warfare.
The New York Mets reportedly have been within the combine for some time, however the Astros are determined for a two-way catcher.
Contreras could be a pleasant match with both workforce and clearly would have probability at incomes his second World Series ring.
In Houston, he would be a part of former Cubs teammate Martin Maldonado, who spent solely two weeks on the North Side in 2019 earlier than being dealt for Tony Kemp. Maldonado, a defensive specialist who’s common within the Astros clubhouse, is hitting .172 with a .582 OPS.
Contreras could be a major improve for the Astros, who’re preventing with the New York Yankees for the very best document within the majors — and that might imply homefield benefit all through the postseason.
2. Ross declined to make use of nearer David Robertson in save conditions Monday and Tuesday.
Ross opted as a substitute for Scott Effross and Mychal Givens, respectively, and each transformed their save alternatives. Ross insisted he didn’t use Robertson Tuesday as a result of it was a day recreation after an evening recreation, regardless that Roberston didn’t pitch Monday both.
“If it would’ve been a night game, he probably would’ve been available,” Ross mentioned.
That made little sense, as an evening recreation would’ve given Robertson just a few hours extra relaxation.
Robertson is engaged on an reasonably priced one-year deal that makes him a beautiful acquisition for a contender on a good finances. He’s not solely been shopped by the Cubs however is one in all their main commerce chips after Contreras and Ian Happ, who has drawn probably the most curiosity in line with ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
3. Robertson, a former White Sox nearer, may win the Joc Pederson Award as the primary Cubs participant to go.
Pederson led the way in which final summer time, getting dealt to the Braves on July 15 for left-handed hitting first baseman Bryce Ball.
Pederson wound up profitable a hoop and gaining a cult following with the Braves, which he parlayed right into a begin in final week’s All-Star Game. Ball has 9 dwelling runs and 55 RBI in 87 video games at Double-A Tennessee by means of Tuesday, with an .804 OPS. (Spoiler alert: there isn’t a award for first Cub to be traded).
With the Cubs taking part in out the string, Robertson can relaxation his arm till he’s traded. There’s no actual want for the Cubs to threat injuring one in all their prime commerce chips at this level.
4. Brailyn Marquez was a reputation most Cubs followers had heard of in 2019.
The lack of growth of Cubs pitching prospects below the Theo Epstein regime was supposed to finish with the rise of the gifted, younger left-hander. But accidents and COVID-19 saved him out of motion after his one main league look in 2020.
Then Monday, vice chairman of participant growth Jared Banner informed reporters that Marquez underwent a surgical debridement on his left shoulder on June 17 and would miss the remainder of the season. The Cubs count on the pitcher to make a full restoration.
While it’s one other tough impediment for Marquez to beat, the information was one other instance of the evident “transparency” difficulty that’s broken the workforce’s picture within the second 12 months of Jed Hoyer’s ascension to president of baseball operations. The reality the Cubs waited almost six weeks to offer info on the standing of one in all their prime pitching prospects suggests Hoyer nonetheless has work to do to beat criticism he’s obtained in his plan to construct the “next great Cubs team.”
5. Is Marquee Sports Network gaslighting Cubs followers?
The Cubs declined to barter an extension with Contreras, who repeatedly has mentioned he needs to remain. That’s their prerogative, however it additionally means he’s prone to be dealt on the upcoming seven-game street journey to San Francisco and St. Louis.
Yet Marquee Sports, the Cubs’ personal TV community, handled Contreras’ anticipated remaining recreation at Wrigley Field Tuesday as if it was a solemn day for the group. The identical group that didn’t lengthen him within the first place.
Is it an excessive amount of to ask for an opposing view from time to time?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com