So the Cubs' rotation has gone from non-existent to potentially quite good with Hendricks, Stroman, Miley and Smyly. Bullpen is still pretty much nonexistent, offense relies on Schwindel and Wisdom being for real, etc. Still hard to see them lucking into the 6th playoff spot but, if the rotation is healthy, 100 losses doesn't look so likely either.

Cubs are getting better every day. If they had given Correa that deal why would have ended up in better shape than keeping the old core (value-wise )

Well, the rotation still has zero depth, so projecting it to be a plus is still a leap for me. And even in the best case, relying on Miley and Smyly means that the bullpen is going to be asked to take a ton of IP ... I think the rotation needs at least another guy who can be counted on for 175 IP or so to be considered "potentially quite good".

I guess my point is that I don't think the Smyly signing moves the needle at all for them. He's a 70 win kind of player joining a 70 win kind of team; as we saw last year, his upside on an actual good team is as a fringe contributor. He's a guy who you bring in to take up space, not a sign that they're "getting better every day."

the bullpen is going to be asked to take a ton of IP

Every bullpen does these days. Issues around "openers" aside, the average bullpen threw over 600 innings last year. The fewest were 539 from the A's. The Cubs were a bit above-average at 631.

And not to be pedantic but the Cubs started the offseason with a rotation of Hendricks, Alec Mills, Keegan Thompson, Adbert and a guy who don't actually exist. They are light years ahead of that at the moment. Smyly is indeed nothing special but he takes innings from one of those three and those three being #s 5-7 is pretty reasonable rotation depth in today's game. Obviously if Miley and Smyly aren't healthy or just over the hill finally then the rotation falls apart, covered by "if the rotation is healthy.

Based on recent events, I'm guessing the Cubs target Austin Riley next.

Have you met the new bench coach, Greg Briley?

And not to be pedantic but the Cubs started the offseason with a rotation of Hendricks, Alec Mills, Keegan Thompson, Adbert and a guy who don't actually exist. They are light years ahead of that at the moment.

that's not what the guy's pt was. He simply said they're not yet at: "potentially quite good."

You seem to be doing this quite a bit lately. Someone challenges something you said, albeit mildly and you start by disagreeing on a pt. no one's making. Then dissect that pt. (the analysis of course is good) and then finally get around to sort of mildly conceding the pt ("if the rotation is healthy").

a guy who don't actually exist

If the Rangers could get him, he would be their #2 starter.

By my count Smyly gave up 3,981 home runs last season. I don't know if that's the exact figure, but it feels broadly accurate to me.

I don't know if that's the exact figure, but it feels broadly accurate to me.

But is it in the ballpark?