[chippewastud79]

Originally Posted by Starscream

Squeal like a pig, boy!


We all feel like we've been @$$ raped by this organization at times, but the fact is that we could have back to back winning seasons. That's something we haven't seen in a while. No, it's not another playoff appearance or a WS win, but it's progress. We can sit here and hate on Dan for being a homer, but I wish I had his optimism at times. I'm sure he knows as well as the rest of us that we never were gonna win the WS this year, but there were plenty of things to feel optimistic about before the All-Star break, and there are a few bright hopes to look forward to next year (I said a few things).

Optimism for next year:
One more season with Votto
Take the option for BP and make him the leadoff hitter
Bruce's numbers (although streaky) have been his best yet
Cozart at SS (hopefully he's the answer, although we haven't seen him for an extended period yet)
Cueto is an ACE
Leake has good command
Willis has made a helluva comeback
Meseraco as catcher next year looks good (provided Ramon doesn't accept arbitration)
CoCo gone, Renteria gone, Janish won't be a starter, Lewis gone (I think)
Bailey hasn't been too bad
Chapman in rotation?
Brewers won't have the same team next year

Things not to look forward to next year:
Arroyo's big contract
Stubbs' Ks (hopefully we won't still be trying the leadoff expirement with him
Bailey still not living up to his potential
Who's gonna be the closer?
Bullpen is shakey

Chapman in the rotation sounds like a terrible idea. He has already shown that he can over pitch and doesn't do well after too many pitches.

They have to stop trying to force players into the hype they have given them. Stubbs was made out to be the protypical lead-lead off and is far from it. Bailey was supposed to be an ace and is far from it. Cordero was supposed to get 50+ saves a season for a division contender. Bruce is supposed to be an MVP candidate. Janish, Gomes, Chapman..... And on and on. Everyone has the hype and few live up to them.

I can't be a homer, I just watch sports. Blind faith does nothing for me, which is bad for me living in the area with so many people who swear alleigance to teams with no knowledge of the sport or even being able to discuss what is going on. Its like Bengals 'fans' who hate Carson Palmer for retiring but love Mike Brown. Some people will like Stubbs no matter how many times he strikes out. To me, striking out more than one time per game as a lead-off hitter just means you suck.