Surely Soto will be catching next year....right?

[dew1679666265]

(a) the cubs aren't going to get salty, as much as some of you want him

 

(b) soto will probably not get a real chance with the cubs

 

© jim hendry will probably do the dumbest thing possible when it comes to the cubs catching situation

 

Unfortunately, I believe you will be proven correct.

 

While Truffle's probably right about a, I'm still holding out a little hope Hendry will find a way to bring in Salty.

 

I don't think we have the players to get Salty especially now that we're playing too well to trade Zambrano.

 

Again, probably right, but his value at least hasn't risen any since he's been iffy at first. Centering a deal around Hill - IF the Braves like him - might be enough, but you're right that it would take quite a bit to get it done.

[dew1679666265]

(a) the cubs aren't going to get salty, as much as some of you want him

 

(b) soto will probably not get a real chance with the cubs

 

© jim hendry will probably do the dumbest thing possible when it comes to the cubs catching situation

 

Unfortunately, I believe you will be proven correct.

 

While Truffle's probably right about a, I'm still holding out a little hope Hendry will find a way to bring in Salty.

 

I can understand a) and c)

 

But on b) -- how will soto get no chance when its Hendry keeping him out and Hendry's days with the Cubs are numbered?

 

b) and c) go hand in hand.

 

Hendry's job is effectively on the line right now with this season and frankly, if he's too stupid to realize that calling up Soto to the Cubs might actually help the team and therefore help Hendry keep his job, he deserves to be fired.

 

I think Soto may be called up eventually, but I see little reason for Hendry to be chomping at the bit to call him up after his entire minor league career has been iffy at best offensively.

I understand he's doing much, much better this year, but like Tim said, the strong likelihood is that he'll hit closer to career numbers than current numbers.

Would that help? Yes, but not significantly. Especially if Bowen can improve his hitting (which I don't think there's any way he'll stay this bad all year). Fact is, we don't have a good bet at plus offense from any catcher on our roster.

[dew1679666265]

 

I'm guessing you could easily see a line of .220/.280/.290 out of Soto at the major league level. That's a pessimistic projection, but my actual guess wouldn't be all that much higher for his initial campaign.

 

And sadly, that line would be better than what the Hill/Bowen tandem has contributed thus far.

 

I have to believe Bowen will improve over what he's done currently. How good will he be? I have no idea, but surely not this bad.

[killthegoat06]

 

I'm guessing you could easily see a line of .220/.280/.290 out of Soto at the major league level. That's a pessimistic projection, but my actual guess wouldn't be all that much higher for his initial campaign.

 

And sadly, that line would be better than what the Hill/Bowen tandem has contributed thus far.

 

I have to believe Bowen will improve over what he's done currently. How good will he be? I have no idea, but surely not this bad.

 

But surely not good enough.

[CubColtPacer]

(a) the cubs aren't going to get salty, as much as some of you want him

 

(b) soto will probably not get a real chance with the cubs

 

© jim hendry will probably do the dumbest thing possible when it comes to the cubs catching situation

 

Unfortunately, I believe you will be proven correct.

 

While Truffle's probably right about a, I'm still holding out a little hope Hendry will find a way to bring in Salty.

 

I don't think we have the players to get Salty especially now that we're playing too well to trade Zambrano.

 

Again, probably right, but his value at least hasn't risen any since he's been iffy at first. Centering a deal around Hill - IF the Braves like him - might be enough, but you're right that it would take quite a bit to get it done.

 

I'm sure the Braves like Hill, especially after watching him dominate their team three times this year (2 earned runs in 23 innings for Hill against the Braves this year).

[dew1679666265]

 

I'm guessing you could easily see a line of .220/.280/.290 out of Soto at the major league level. That's a pessimistic projection, but my actual guess wouldn't be all that much higher for his initial campaign.

 

And sadly, that line would be better than what the Hill/Bowen tandem has contributed thus far.

 

I have to believe Bowen will improve over what he's done currently. How good will he be? I have no idea, but surely not this bad.

 

But surely not good enough.

 

Probably, but I don't think he'll be that much off what Soto is likely to do. I liken it to the Izturis/Theriot situation. Sure Izturis has been bad, but with consistent playing time Theriot simply isn't much better.

[dew1679666265]

(a) the cubs aren't going to get salty, as much as some of you want him

 

(b) soto will probably not get a real chance with the cubs

 

© jim hendry will probably do the dumbest thing possible when it comes to the cubs catching situation

 

Unfortunately, I believe you will be proven correct.

 

While Truffle's probably right about a, I'm still holding out a little hope Hendry will find a way to bring in Salty.

 

I don't think we have the players to get Salty especially now that we're playing too well to trade Zambrano.

 

Again, probably right, but his value at least hasn't risen any since he's been iffy at first. Centering a deal around Hill - IF the Braves like him - might be enough, but you're right that it would take quite a bit to get it done.

 

I'm sure the Braves like Hill, especially after watching him dominate their team three times this year (2 earned runs in 23 innings for Hill against the Braves this year).

 

Hm, maybe that will work in our favor in a trade. Hill + Eyre + Jones for Salty? :wink:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

 

Again, probably right, but his value at least hasn't risen any since he's been iffy at first. Centering a deal around Hill - IF the Braves like him - might be enough, but you're right that it would take quite a bit to get it done.

 

Actually, his value has probably gone up.

 

Jarrod had a rough season at the plate last year at Mississippi. While most felt he would bounce back, it probably caused some concerns.

 

While he has struggled a little to pick up first base, he has hit 309/358/474 since being called to Atlanta with four homers.

 

He's proven at least thus far that he isn't overmatched by major league pitching. He's also good behind the plate. He's not close to being out of options, so even if the Braves decide he isn't able to help them at first, they can always stash him at Richmond or on the bench until a deal suits their liking.

 

I was talking about Salty to some guys in Mississippi the other night that consider themselves pretty big Braves fans. Most of them believe that the Braves will keep Salty and use him at first. They also think that if he's traded, the Braves won't move him unless it is an exceptional amount or for a player that ensures them a run in the playoffs. They felt he wouldn't be moved for prospects unless it was a package of can't miss, ready to contribute in the majors right now group.

 

One guy said he could see Salty going to the Rangers for Tex and Gagne.

 

I mentioned the Cubs, and they said that if it were for Lee or Zambrano, but that if it were Pie, the Cubs would have to, in his words, "throw in one of those lefty starters....probably Hill." And then the guy said he probably wouldn't do it.

 

Now, I do think these guys are overvaluing Salty a bit, but it goes to show the sentiment on the other side of the fence.

 

Salty is blocked at his best position and the position in which he has the most value, but the Braves aren't in a position where they have to move him. If the deal is for the impact player or players they need, then sure they would do it. But, a deal for Salty where parts the Braves may or may not need go to Atlanta, it's not going to happen.

 

Realistically, as long as the Cubs are trying to contend, we don't have the spare parts to get him.

 

A deal with minor leaguers isn't going to make the Braves bite. Now if we could send players to Texas for Teixeira, then deal Tex to the Braves....ok. But, then if the Braves will deal Salty for Teixeira, I can't see why the Rangers wouldn't take him for themselves.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

(a) the cubs aren't going to get salty, as much as some of you want him

 

(b) soto will probably not get a real chance with the cubs

 

© jim hendry will probably do the dumbest thing possible when it comes to the cubs catching situation

 

Unfortunately, I believe you will be proven correct.

 

While Truffle's probably right about a, I'm still holding out a little hope Hendry will find a way to bring in Salty.

 

I don't think we have the players to get Salty especially now that we're playing too well to trade Zambrano.

 

Again, probably right, but his value at least hasn't risen any since he's been iffy at first. Centering a deal around Hill - IF the Braves like him - might be enough, but you're right that it would take quite a bit to get it done.

 

I'm sure the Braves like Hill, especially after watching him dominate their team three times this year (2 earned runs in 23 innings for Hill against the Braves this year).

 

Not even close. Don't forget Shurholtz didn't win all those division titles by trading away young talent for a marginal starter and spare parts.

 

Hm, maybe that will work in our favor in a trade. Hill + Eyre + Jones for Salty? :wink:

[Guest]

Hill and Pie would be a start, though I'm not sure that will be enough. I don't think the Cubs have the assets needed to trade for Saltalamacchia without really hurting their current team.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hill and Pie would be a start, though I'm not sure that will be enough. I don't think the Cubs have the assets needed to trade for Saltalamacchia without really hurting their current team.

 

Pretty much the point of my long post above.

 

When we were floundering earlier this season, I felt we could get him in a deal where we included Zambrano. Now, I don't think we really have the pieces.

 

And it makes me sad. I've seen Salty play. He's good. He's also a good guy.

[dew1679666265]

 

Again, probably right, but his value at least hasn't risen any since he's been iffy at first. Centering a deal around Hill - IF the Braves like him - might be enough, but you're right that it would take quite a bit to get it done.

 

Actually, his value has probably gone up.

 

Jarrod had a rough season at the plate last year at Mississippi. While most felt he would bounce back, it probably caused some concerns.

 

While he has struggled a little to pick up first base, he has hit 309/358/474 since being called to Atlanta with four homers.

 

He's proven at least thus far that he isn't overmatched by major league pitching. He's also good behind the plate. He's not close to being out of options, so even if the Braves decide he isn't able to help them at first, they can always stash him at Richmond or on the bench until a deal suits their liking.

 

I was talking about Salty to some guys in Mississippi the other night that consider themselves pretty big Braves fans. Most of them believe that the Braves will keep Salty and use him at first. They also think that if he's traded, the Braves won't move him unless it is an exceptional amount or for a player that ensures them a run in the playoffs. They felt he wouldn't be moved for prospects unless it was a package of can't miss, ready to contribute in the majors right now group.

 

One guy said he could see Salty going to the Rangers for Tex and Gagne.

 

I mentioned the Cubs, and they said that if it were for Lee or Zambrano, but that if it were Pie, the Cubs would have to, in his words, "throw in one of those lefty starters....probably Hill." And then the guy said he probably wouldn't do it.

 

Now, I do think these guys are overvaluing Salty a bit, but it goes to show the sentiment on the other side of the fence.

 

Salty is blocked at his best position and the position in which he has the most value, but the Braves aren't in a position where they have to move him. If the deal is for the impact player or players they need, then sure they would do it. But, a deal for Salty where parts the Braves may or may not need go to Atlanta, it's not going to happen.

 

Realistically, as long as the Cubs are trying to contend, we don't have the spare parts to get him.

 

A deal with minor leaguers isn't going to make the Braves bite. Now if we could send players to Texas for Teixeira, then deal Tex to the Braves....ok. But, then if the Braves will deal Salty for Teixeira, I can't see why the Rangers wouldn't take him for themselves.

 

I guess the point I was trying to make was that Salty's move to first hasn't in and of itself raised his value that much because he's unlikely to be able to do it for whatever team he's traded to. A minor issue, I realize, but I take solace in the little things.

 

His value, understandably, is still through the roof though.

[dew1679666265]

(a) the cubs aren't going to get salty, as much as some of you want him

 

(b) soto will probably not get a real chance with the cubs

 

© jim hendry will probably do the dumbest thing possible when it comes to the cubs catching situation

 

Unfortunately, I believe you will be proven correct.

 

While Truffle's probably right about a, I'm still holding out a little hope Hendry will find a way to bring in Salty.

 

I don't think we have the players to get Salty especially now that we're playing too well to trade Zambrano.

 

Again, probably right, but his value at least hasn't risen any since he's been iffy at first. Centering a deal around Hill - IF the Braves like him - might be enough, but you're right that it would take quite a bit to get it done.

 

I'm sure the Braves like Hill, especially after watching him dominate their team three times this year (2 earned runs in 23 innings for Hill against the Braves this year).

 

Not even close. Don't forget Shurholtz didn't win all those division titles by trading away young talent for a marginal starter and spare parts.

 

Hm, maybe that will work in our favor in a trade. Hill + Eyre + Jones for Salty? :wink:

 

I realize it's not even beginning to be enough. I was making a joke (seriously).

 

Like Raisin said, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Schuerholz hung up the phone unless Jim's first words were Hill, Pie and perhaps Colvin. And as much as I want Salty and don't want to concede that we won't get him, I highly suspect you're both right.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I also heard last night that the Braves are telling teams that inquire that Salty is not available. The same person, though, believes he is available in the right deal, but that the Braves would prefer to keep him at this juncture.

 

All in all, it's going to take a heck of deal to get him out of Atlanta.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm guessing you could easily see a line of .220/.280/.290 out of Soto at the major league level. That's a pessimistic projection, but my actual guess wouldn't be all that much higher for his initial campaign.

 

Possible, but his PECOTA projections are much more optimistic than this. He'll probably be a better hitter than Hill, and he certainly may be a better hitter than Bowen. Given the black hole of offense that is the Cubs' catcher, it really wouldn't hurt to find out.

[Danny82]

"certainly may"?

 

Anyway, the way I see it is that the Cubs would try to put Hill through waivers before they would Bowen. Hopefully, they give that a shot in the next couple of weeks and bring up Soto.

[jjgman21]

"certainly may"?

 

Anyway, the way I see it is that the Cubs would try to put Hill through waivers before they would Bowen. Hopefully, they give that a shot in the next couple of weeks and bring up Soto.

 

I asked this in another thread and noone came up with an answer. shouldn't Bowen have options left? it appears to me that he's only been optioned once in his career.

[Lefty]

 

I'm guessing you could easily see a line of .220/.280/.290 out of Soto at the major league level. That's a pessimistic projection, but my actual guess wouldn't be all that much higher for his initial campaign.

 

And sadly, that line would be better than what the Hill/Bowen tandem has contributed thus far.

 

...so doing nothing is really not an option. I remember after '03 we talked about how awful the bottom third of our order was; AGon, Miller and the pitcher. That's murderers row compared to Pagan, catcher and pitcher.