Jim Callis Chat

[andrew9991]

Some interesting stuff...

 

 

from the Insider chat....

 

Bill (Chi-Town): Any chance the Cubs could package Marmol, Pie and Hill for Sanatana? Would the Twins bite at such an offer?

 

Jim Callis: (2:15 PM ET ) The Cubs could package that, though I think they'd like Marmol to be their closer in 2008. Twins would probably consider it, but they'd probably want a little more. That's not a bad start, though.

 

Rob (Chicago, IL): What's your take on Pie? He's brilliant in AAA but can't find the ball at the major league level. What do you foresee in his future?

 

Jim Callis: (2:22 PM ET ) Well, he never has played close to regularly for an extended period of time in the majors. I like Pie, not as much as some, but he's unquestionably talented. Still needs to polish his tools into skills, but he's still young. I think he'll be at least a solid regular in time.

 

Willie (Philly): True or False, young controlable cheap players are the most sought after players in baseball today.

 

Jim Callis: (2:25 PM ET ) True. Well, that and good pitching of any age.

 

Frank (Chicago): Jim, any insight into Geovanny Soto? Fluke year, or legit skill set and our starting catcher next year?

 

Jim Callis: (2:33 PM ET ) I don't think he's .350 AVG/.650 SLG good, but it's not a total fluke. I think you're looking at a potential .280/20 HR catcher with good defensive skills. He will start for the Cubs next year.

 

 

Andrew (Indianapolis): Marmol or Howry for Closer in 2008?

 

Jim Callis: (2:45 PM ET ) Marmol.

 

Jason (Philly): Who is the best future hitter in this years draft? Wieters?

 

Jim Callis: (2:47 PM ET ) Mike Moustakas.

 

Jon (DC): Moustakas over Vitters??

 

Jim Callis: (2:48 PM ET ) Yes.

 

 

Kevin (Manassas): ETA for Vitters, and solid regular or all-star?

 

Jim Callis: (2:49 PM ET ) 2010, all-star.

 

Kevin (Manassas): Rank these three...Veal, Samardzjia, and Gallagher.

 

Jim Callis: (2:50 PM ET ) Gallagher, Veal, Samardzija.

 

Kevin (Manassas): Better future...Colvin or E. Patterson?

 

Jim Callis: (2:51 PM ET ) Colvin.

Jason (Philly): Ok, then Wieters or Vitters?

 

Jim Callis: (2:51 PM ET ) Vitters.

 

Dan (Louisville): Ronny Cedeno or Ben Zobrist?

 

Jim Callis: (2:58 PM ET ) Cedeno. Still think there's a small chance he becomes the Cubs' long-term SS.

Edited November 8, 2007 by andrew9991

[Drew Doughty]

he didn't say all-star by 2010, he said he'd be in the majors by 2010 and will be an all-star at some point.

[Keener98]

Wow Callis has some very high hopes for some of the Cubs youngsters it seems. I hope hes right.

[Guest]

Yay Callis. Kevin Golstein is cool too (this chat is from a few weeks ago):

 

Lou (North Side): Should I try a Cedeno/Theriot platoon next year or does Jim need to get me something in the winter?

 

Kevin Goldstein: How about just a Cedeno/Cedeno platoon? Seriously, this irrational Cub fan love of Theriot makes about as much sense as the irrational Todd Hollandsworth thing a while back.

 

Good to see Callis coming around on Soto, he was one of the last.

[CuseCubFan69]

Yay Callis. Kevin Golstein is cool too (this chat is from a few weeks ago):

 

Lou (North Side): Should I try a Cedeno/Theriot platoon next year or does Jim need to get me something in the winter?

 

Kevin Goldstein: How about just a Cedeno/Cedeno platoon? Seriously, this irrational Cub fan love of Theriot makes about as much sense as the irrational Todd Hollandsworth thing a while back.

 

Good to see Callis coming around on Soto, he was one of the last.

 

That's funny Raisin. It's nice to read a Callis thread, it seems like awhile since we've had one.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't remember Hollandsworth love coming close to the Theriot situation.

[CuseCubFan69]

I don't remember Hollandsworth love coming close to the Theriot situation.

 

That's because Dusty had enough love to cover us all.

[Lefty]

I don't remember Hollandsworth love coming close to the Theriot situation.

 

The love was from Baker. And that's big love.

[YearofDaCubs]

Thanks for posting. Very informative.

[Yanksfan1523]

Soto, Cedeno, and pie should all be given a serious look in the spring. Soto is better than giving Kendall 10 mil. Cedeno should have received time this year as should Pie. Pie can hit, he just needs two weeks to adjust. I saw all play for the Icubs and all looked real. Pie is a beast!

[wade]

I don't remember Hollandsworth love coming close to the Theriot situation.

 

I remeber liking Todd when he filled in for an injured Sammy for a short while, but I don't remember anyone here wanting him to have the starting job. Seems like there was way more Dubois "love".

[CubinNY]

Soto, Cedeno, and pie should all be given a serious look in the spring. Soto is better than giving Kendall 10 mil. Cedeno should have received time this year as should Pie. Pie can hit, he just needs two weeks to adjust. I saw all play for the Icubs and all looked real. Pie is a beast!

Nothing against your post, but I really don't understand the "given a good look in the spring" comments that people occasionally make.

 

Spring training is about the worst time to do talent evaluation. Players should not lose or win jobs based soley on ST performance. Half the regular major leaguers don't go on the road, then you have split squads, pitchers who are "just trying to get in a little work", and most of the competition will be in the minor leagues.

 

Unfortunately we don't really know what Cedeno, Pie, or Soto will do next year becuase they haven't been given regular playing time*, but based on their performances in the past in AAA they should be given a shot to start, they've earned it.

 

Anyway, the Cubs need to evaluate the talent they have over the winter and deicede what they are going to do via trades, free agents and whatnot and use that as a basis for making decision rather than six weeks of exhibition baseball.

 

*Cedeno has been given more than the others but he was 23 and supposedly somewhat immature (late nights). He's have another decent season in the Winter league.

[Yanksfan1523]

Soto, Cedeno, and pie should all be given a serious look in the spring. Soto is better than giving Kendall 10 mil. Cedeno should have received time this year as should Pie. Pie can hit, he just needs two weeks to adjust. I saw all play for the Icubs and all looked real. Pie is a beast!

Nothing against your post, but I really don't understand the "given a good look in the spring" comments that people occasionally make.

 

Spring training is about the worst time to do talent evaluation. Players should not lose or win jobs based soley on ST performance. Half the regular major leaguers don't go on the road, then you have split squads, pitchers who are "just trying to get in a little work", and most of the competition will be in the minor leagues.

 

Unfortunately we don't really know what Cedeno, Pie, or Soto will do next year becuase they haven't been given regular playing time*, but based on their performances in the past in AAA they should be given a shot to start, they've earned it.

 

Anyway, the Cubs need to evaluate the talent they have over the winter and deicede what they are going to do via trades, free agents and whatnot and use that as a basis for making decision rather than six weeks of exhibition baseball.

 

*Cedeno has been given more than the others but he was 23 and supposedly somewhat immature (late nights). He's have another decent season in the Winter league.

 

When I say that about spring, I mean give regular at bats and then give April and possibly May to get regular at bats, then look at them in June and see if they are thriving. You can't give a guy a two week trial.

[Guest]

Soto, Cedeno, and pie should all be given a serious look in the spring. Soto is better than giving Kendall 10 mil. Cedeno should have received time this year as should Pie. Pie can hit, he just needs two weeks to adjust. I saw all play for the Icubs and all looked real. Pie is a beast!

Nothing against your post, but I really don't understand the "given a good look in the spring" comments that people occasionally make.

 

Spring training is about the worst time to do talent evaluation. Players should not lose or win jobs based soley on ST performance. Half the regular major leaguers don't go on the road, then you have split squads, pitchers who are "just trying to get in a little work", and most of the competition will be in the minor leagues.

 

Unfortunately we don't really know what Cedeno, Pie, or Soto will do next year becuase they haven't been given regular playing time*, but based on their performances in the past in AAA they should be given a shot to start, they've earned it.

 

Anyway, the Cubs need to evaluate the talent they have over the winter and deicede what they are going to do via trades, free agents and whatnot and use that as a basis for making decision rather than six weeks of exhibition baseball.

 

*Cedeno has been given more than the others but he was 23 and supposedly somewhat immature (late nights). He's have another decent season in the Winter league.

 

Young players and players competing for a position in the spring aren't just judged on ST at bats.

[badnews]

Remember when the Cubs decided they had to have Freddy Bynum based on a hot spring training? Hiyo!

[JimSorgi]

Kevin (Manassas): Better future...Colvin or E. Patterson?

Is that really a question? Is there something I don't know about Patterson?

[nilodnayr]

Kevin (Manassas): Better future...Colvin or E. Patterson?

Is that really a question? Is there something I don't know about Patterson?

 

That Colvin isn't that great.

[JimSorgi]

Kevin (Manassas): Better future...Colvin or E. Patterson?

Is that really a question? Is there something I don't know about Patterson?

 

That Colvin isn't that great.

Well, I know that. But I didn't think Patterson was supposed to be any good.

[nilodnayr]

Kevin (Manassas): Better future...Colvin or E. Patterson?

Is that really a question? Is there something I don't know about Patterson?

 

That Colvin isn't that great.

Well, I know that. But I didn't think Patterson was supposed to be any good.

 

PECOTA LOVES him

[JimSorgi]

Kevin (Manassas): Better future...Colvin or E. Patterson?

Is that really a question? Is there something I don't know about Patterson?

 

That Colvin isn't that great.

Well, I know that. But I didn't think Patterson was supposed to be any good.

 

PECOTA LOVES him

Well I guess I was wrong then. Maybe I was thinking of another player. Oh well.

[badnews]

Patterson is shabby, and PECOTA saying otherwise doesn't mean anything to me. PECOTA said 2007 would be Zambrano's last year going over 200 innings. PECOTA said Matt Murton would outproduce Carlos Lee this year. PECOTA has predicted a Carlos Guillen collapse every year since he came to Detroit. What did PECOTA say about Carlos Quentin? They pretty much overrate anyone under the age of 26. PECOTA probably projected Jeremy Reed would hit .400 and Alex Escobar would put up A-Rod numbers back in the day. I remember when PECOTA used to project Jose Lopez as Miguel Tejada.

 

If PECOTA loves Eric Patterson that much, they have to have a guy like Howie Kendrick batting .675 next season.

[Mephistopheles]

um you got none of that right. youre not giving pecota enough credit. the projections arent going to be correct all the time.

 

the projections will, however, be more accurate than you or me coming up with statistic lines based on the spine tingling sensation we feel when we think of a player.

 

fyi pecota does not and never has tried to project playing time.

[javy knows my name]

Patterson is shabby, and PECOTA saying otherwise doesn't mean anything to me. PECOTA said 2007 would be Zambrano's last year going over 200 innings. PECOTA said Matt Murton would outproduce Carlos Lee this year. PECOTA has predicted a Carlos Guillen collapse every year since he came to Detroit. What did PECOTA say about Carlos Quentin? They pretty much overrate anyone under the age of 26. PECOTA probably projected Jeremy Reed would hit .400 and Alex Escobar would put up A-Rod numbers back in the day. I remember when PECOTA used to project Jose Lopez as Miguel Tejada.

 

If PECOTA loves Eric Patterson that much, they have to have a guy like Howie Kendrick batting .675 next season.

 

That's quite a cynical assessment of the best thing we've got to predict future talent. I must say the bolded part made me laugh out loud, though.

[Outshined_One]

PECOTA...HAS A LOT OF LOVE! FOR! THE YOUNGER PATTERSON!

 

Fixed.

[Lefty]

Remember when the Cubs decided they had to have Freddy Bynum based on a hot spring training? Hiyo!

 

I've been a Cub fan for over 35 years and you wouldn't believe how long that list is. And I don't know how many of those guys you've ever heard of.