By: Jacob Zanolla
Welcome to the first ever mailbag article! I posted on Twitter yesterday asking for some Cubs questions, and now we get to discuss them!
Bleacher Ben (@BenWaisnora): What/who do you realistically add to the active roster to right the ship, or is it just time to fold?
As I’m writing this, the Cubs signed Vinny Nittoli to help with the bullpen. So there is your answer!
Jokes aside, I think that Jed’s hesitancy to call up prospects is really hurting this team. Ethan Roberts and Hunter Bigge sit in AAA-Iowa. Moises Ballesteros most likely won’t see Chicago until later this season, if at all. Owen Caissie is someone that I would love to have promoted, but I have a hard time figuring out how this team can truly compete this season. I’d say it’s not time to fold yet, but we are certainly headed that way.
Spar (@roschontruth06): Do you personally think buying at the deadline will change the fate of this team?
This deadline will be interesting, to say the least. The Cubs are in a position to buy, but the record and production on the field makes everyone think otherwise. Buying at the deadline could help, but will it be too late? Most likely, as it’s clear that the 2024 Cubs are spiraling down faster than we could have ever imagined. Even if Hoyer improves the team with two months left, we would need a miracle to actually compete after the deadline. So no, I sadly don’t think that buying at the deadline can help this team.
Lance Huber (@lancehuber929): How many hitting issues would be solved if the Cubs sign Juan Soto?
If the Cubs were to sign Juan Soto, I’d be a very happy fan. I don’t see it as a real possiblity, but that would be great. This would require moving Happ or Suzuki, which I think is a really solid option that Hoyer should look into when the trade deadline comes around. If the Cubs didn’t sign Bryce Harper, there is little to no way that Tom Ricketts decides to pay up for Juan Soto.
What / who is to blame for the Cubs bullpen woes? Would the Cubs have a better record if Ross were the manager?
I place most of the bullpen problems on Jed Hoyer, but injuries do receive some of the blame at all. Craig Counsell hasn’t been great at managing this bullpen, but he doesn’t have any options to use at this point. This is why I put most of the blame on Hoyer.
I have said as a joke that I thought Ross should have stayed, but I don’t think that’s the case. He had good chemistry with the team, but he couldn’t really manage the bullpen either. I think the problem we are noticing is that manager’s don’t really have as much of an effect as we figured. The real problems start at the top, with Ricketts and Hoyer mainly at fault.
Northside Sluggers (@NrthsdeSluggers): What would you say Dustin Kelly does as an employee of the Cubs and how does he still have a job?
I mentioned this on Tuesday after another offensive meltdown (and bullpen because of course), and think it’s definitely something that needs discussed.
This offense continues to struggle with runners in scoring position, and one of the first people to get blamed is the manager. The Cubs are not going to fire Craig Counsell, that’s obvious. The next person in line could be Dustin Kelly, and I think that needs to happen within the next few weeks. The offense did fine last year, but this year they have forgotten how to hit after the first few weeks.
Bob Sacamano (@Bob6Sacamano):
Seems like we need to trade these core guys or at least try our best to do so. Thoughts on a Nico trade? Lot of buzz about our corner outfielders and Morel but looking at roster composition and prospects coming up it might even make more sense to ship Nico off. Good return too.
First off, great name. You love to see it. 😉
I would have loved to trade Morel, although his hot streak to begin the season started to change my mind. Hoerner is an interesting case. His wRC+ is at 93, with a 1.2 fWAR. He’s only hit two home runs this season, and his average is down to .242. The hope was that if he lowered his average, the power would increase. Instead there hasn’t really been a power increase, as his slugging is down by .58 points. Injuries have once again hurt him, and the Cubs are making him play through them which doesn’t help. If Hoyer trades Hoerner, the Cubs do have many options to fill that hole at second base. Michael Busch could slide over, with Matt Shaw and James Triantos coming through the farm system. We will know more in a few weeks, but I’m worried it could happen.
Adam (Skipper) Bednarek (@abeds15):
When the San Francisco Giants go to New York do you think they go out to dinner with the New York Giants?
This is a hard hitting question. I’d say that yes, you kind of have to. Same as when the St. Louis Cardinals visit Arizona. Speaking of football, Caleb Williams better save this city. The Cubs aren’t doing it. The White Sox aren’t doing it. The Bulls aren’t doing it (Go Rockets anyways). The Blackhawks aren’t doing it (Yet). So Caleb, it’s all up to you. Please, save us. This season should be really fun. Then again, every time I say that my team’s are awful so maybe we won’t win a game. At least we’ll be used to that coming off of the Cubs season!
Ivy League Cubs 
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