Cub prospects in the news

[Little Slide Rooter]

30. Milwaukee Brewers

 

I can see them having a solid season this year, but once Prince leaves, and the other dominos start falling over the next few years, these guys are pretty much fucked. It wasnt too long ago that their system was stacked, but then they decided they were going to run things like a big market team.

[davell]

Jason Parks has a great article on Baseball Prospectus about what could go right with the Cubs system (subscription required):

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=13315

 

Nice to see some optimism.

 

What was the gist of it? I gathered Carpenter was one of the guys 3-5, but who else was mentioned and what were the hopes for these guys?

[Guancous]

Jason Parks has a great article on Baseball Prospectus about what could go right with the Cubs system (subscription required):

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=13315

 

Nice to see some optimism.

 

What was the gist of it? I gathered Carpenter was one of the guys 3-5, but who else was mentioned and what were the hopes for these guys?

 

1. Trey McNutt (#1 starter)

2. Brett Jackson (Shade under star)

3. Matt Szczur (Household name)

4. Chris Carpenter (Elite bullpen arm)

5. Josh Vitters (Plate discipline improvement)

[davell]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/03/cubs-new-deal-with-szczur-carries-major-implications/

 

We basically have to add Szczur to the 40 man this upcoming offseason, as he's going to be rule 5 eligible, according to this article by BA.

[Cubswin11]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/03/cubs-new-deal-with-szczur-carries-major-implications/

 

We basically have to add Szczur to the 40 man this upcoming offseason, as he's going to be rule 5 eligible, according to this article by BA.

Samardzija out, Szczur in as the the guy who was kind of good at football so lets draft him as a baseball player since he has a hard to pronounce/spell last name.

[Guest]

Szczur officially signed his new contract on March 18. After consulting the commissioner's office, the Cubs determined that the cleanest way to alter Szczur's bonus amount was to first release and then re-sign him to a new minor league deal. By signing him to a second contract, however, the Cubs triggered a provision that will make Szczur eligible for December's major league Rule 5 draft—but only if he's not a member of Chicago's 40-man roster.

 

I have a hard time believing that this was the optimal solution.

[CubColtPacer]

Szczur officially signed his new contract on March 18. After consulting the commissioner's office, the Cubs determined that the cleanest way to alter Szczur's bonus amount was to first release and then re-sign him to a new minor league deal. By signing him to a second contract, however, the Cubs triggered a provision that will make Szczur eligible for December's major league Rule 5 draft—but only if he's not a member of Chicago's 40-man roster.

 

I have a hard time believing that this was the optimal solution.

 

It strikes me as a little strange as well but we know minor league contracts are a little restrictive. They could have signed him to a major league contract but that would have necessitated adding him to the 40 man immediately.

 

Szczur might be eligible for the 4 option rule though if they are used consecutively (it depends on if he was in the minors long enough last season to count as a full season or not). So the Cubs will still have quite a bit of time before he has to be in the majors.

[davearm2]

It seems to me that Szczur would have to have an awfully good year, and climb a few levels quickly, before we'd even have to worry about him being lost in the Rule 5 draft.

 

Nobody really thinks this a guy that might be ready to be in the bigleagues all year in 2012, right?

[Guest]

It seems to me that Szczur would have to have an awfully good year, and climb a few levels quickly, before we'd even have to worry about him being lost in the Rule 5 draft.

 

Nobody really thinks this a guy that might be ready to be in the bigleagues all year in 2012, right?

 

It's not all that inconceivable that a non-contender would use him as a 5th outfielder so they'd have the rights to keep him, especially if he has a good 2011.

[davearm2]

It seems to me that Szczur would have to have an awfully good year, and climb a few levels quickly, before we'd even have to worry about him being lost in the Rule 5 draft.

 

Nobody really thinks this a guy that might be ready to be in the bigleagues all year in 2012, right?

 

It's not all that inconceivable that a non-contender would use him as a 5th outfielder so they'd have the rights to keep him, especially if he has a good 2011.

That seems to happen a lot more with pitchers than hitters though, right? Andy Sisco for example.

 

My sense is that con-contender teams might burn a bullpen slot, and use the guy to mop up, but burning a bench slot is a tougher pill to swallow.

[CubColtPacer]

It seems to me that Szczur would have to have an awfully good year, and climb a few levels quickly, before we'd even have to worry about him being lost in the Rule 5 draft.

 

Nobody really thinks this a guy that might be ready to be in the bigleagues all year in 2012, right?

 

The problem is that he is supposed to be good defensively. So even if his bat isn't ready it could be conceivable that a team would take him and hide him as their 5th OF for a year. While this is more difficult for position players than pitchers, a situation like this rarely comes up where a position player is so talented and yet so far away from the majors at the time of being Rule 5 eligible. Usually a position player has either shown signs of promise and put on the 40 man or mostly flamed out by then.

[Rob]

Given his particular skillset, I wouldn't be shocked if a contending team took him and tried to stash him on the bench. You think Mike Scioscia wouldn't love to have him around as a late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner? For a non-contender, it should be a no-brainer.

[davell]

Without knowing the rules of all this type of stuff, it's hard to tell obviously, but it's definitely possible the Cubs got lazy and forgot about some loophole, making this a necessity. This happened once before or something, just can't remember what it was right now.

 

As for Szczur needing to be added as a necessity for NOT getting stashed on someone else's squad all year, I think he would definitely get picked up by someone and used as a defensive late inning guy/pinch runner.

 

That said, right now I'd say Szczur is a love/hate type prospect for most other teams. It even goes that way with analysts. Callis loves him, Law and Goldstein see nothing special at all.

 

His backstory makes him a very easy guy to pull for though and if he's as hard of a worker as it appears, I'd say there's a solid chance he comes close to fulfilling his potential. The question is whether or not that is as a Carl Crawford type or a 4th OFer type.

[Guest]

Fyi, CCP is right that Szczur would qualify for 4 option years. Probably one of the reasons the Cubs were willing to do this. I'm sure they'll add him to the 40-man next offseason if he even has a mediocre year at Peoria.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I guess it depends on how he does in the minors this year. A lot have people are very high on him, but this isn't Bryce Harper were talking about. I don't think any team would keep a guy that raw on their big league roster. However, if he does tear it up this year, we should definitely add him. Its not like we havny wasted 40 man spots before. As far as I know, Chad Fox is still on it somewhere.

[craig]

The Cubs will roster him, I don't think that's much of a question. And I don't think it's that problematic, given that he'll get four options years. So the Cubs still have control over him for five more seasons, and if he's not ready by then, nobody will mind his options running out.

 

I think the disadvantage is that he (and Wells) may likely be wasting two 40-man spots for a while. Probably not much of a problem, if a Justin Berg or whomever gets bumped off a little sooner, or a Kyle Smit doesn't get put on quite so quickly.

 

I think it might be more risky in future, though. I believe the farm is getting deeper, and younger. For the last five years, getting the guys who are any good rostered was not a problem. But with a deeper farm, I think there will be more qualified prospects coming along. Plus, the farm is bringing in a lot more young players, who may not be very far along yet when they begin to become Rule 5 eligible.

 

Still, compared to ten years ago it's a lot easier to know who's a factor and who isn't, given the extra year before prospects become Rule 5 eligible. So it shouldn't be that big of a problem for Szczur to bump your 40th-guy off the protected roster into 41st place.

[Guancous]

I could see Szczur's camp pushing for this clause. They had all the leverage and it seems like a final negotiaion compromise. No major league deal but a little extra money and a compromise on the 40 man roster date.

[Illini Iceman]

The Cubs will roster him, I don't think that's much of a question. And I don't think it's that problematic, given that he'll get four options years. So the Cubs still have control over him for five more seasons, and if he's not ready by then, nobody will mind his options running out.

 

I think the disadvantage is that he (and Wells) may likely be wasting two 40-man spots for a while. Probably not much of a problem, if a Justin Berg or whomever gets bumped off a little sooner, or a Kyle Smit doesn't get put on quite so quickly.

 

I think it might be more risky in future, though. I believe the farm is getting deeper, and younger. For the last five years, getting the guys who are any good rostered was not a problem. But with a deeper farm, I think there will be more qualified prospects coming along. Plus, the farm is bringing in a lot more young players, who may not be very far along yet when they begin to become Rule 5 eligible.

 

Still, compared to ten years ago it's a lot easier to know who's a factor and who isn't, given the extra year before prospects become Rule 5 eligible. So it shouldn't be that big of a problem for Szczur to bump your 40th-guy off the protected roster into 41st place.

 

It damn well better not cost us Thomas Diamond.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Cubs will roster him, I don't think that's much of a question. And I don't think it's that problematic, given that he'll get four options years. So the Cubs still have control over him for five more seasons, and if he's not ready by then, nobody will mind his options running out.

 

I think the disadvantage is that he (and Wells) may likely be wasting two 40-man spots for a while. Probably not much of a problem, if a Justin Berg or whomever gets bumped off a little sooner, or a Kyle Smit doesn't get put on quite so quickly.

 

I think it might be more risky in future, though. I believe the farm is getting deeper, and younger. For the last five years, getting the guys who are any good rostered was not a problem. But with a deeper farm, I think there will be more qualified prospects coming along. Plus, the farm is bringing in a lot more young players, who may not be very far along yet when they begin to become Rule 5 eligible.

 

Still, compared to ten years ago it's a lot easier to know who's a factor and who isn't, given the extra year before prospects become Rule 5 eligible. So it shouldn't be that big of a problem for Szczur to bump your 40th-guy off the protected roster into 41st place.

 

It damn well better not cost us Thomas Diamond.

Nothing against Thomas Diamond, but considering the young pitching we have, I don't know how much sleep I'd lose over him.

[Guest]

The Cubs will roster him, I don't think that's much of a question. And I don't think it's that problematic, given that he'll get four options years. So the Cubs still have control over him for five more seasons, and if he's not ready by then, nobody will mind his options running out.

 

I think the disadvantage is that he (and Wells) may likely be wasting two 40-man spots for a while. Probably not much of a problem, if a Justin Berg or whomever gets bumped off a little sooner, or a Kyle Smit doesn't get put on quite so quickly.

 

I think it might be more risky in future, though. I believe the farm is getting deeper, and younger. For the last five years, getting the guys who are any good rostered was not a problem. But with a deeper farm, I think there will be more qualified prospects coming along. Plus, the farm is bringing in a lot more young players, who may not be very far along yet when they begin to become Rule 5 eligible.

 

Still, compared to ten years ago it's a lot easier to know who's a factor and who isn't, given the extra year before prospects become Rule 5 eligible. So it shouldn't be that big of a problem for Szczur to bump your 40th-guy off the protected roster into 41st place.

 

It damn well better not cost us Thomas Diamond.

Nothing against Thomas Diamond, but considering the young pitching we have, I don't know how much sleep I'd lose over him.

I believe your sarcasm meter is malfunctioning.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Gotcha. I kind of like Diamond. A better sarcastic choice would have been Justin Berg or Carlos Silva. Again, wouldn't lose any sleep if we released him, but he's still decent.

[chopsx9]

Gotcha. I kind of like Diamond. A better sarcastic choice would have been Justin Berg or Carlos Silva. Again, wouldn't lose any sleep if we released him, but he's still decent.

 

No, he's not. He's crap. Take the hit and move on.

[videographer]

From BA:

 

A pair of Cubs prospects were among five players who received 50-game suspensions from Major League Baseball for violations of the league's drug policy.

 

Erick Castillo, an 18-year-old Venezuelan catcher who had signed with the Cubs in November for $30,000, tested positive for DHEA. Cubs righthander Amalio Reyes, who signed for $8,000 out of the Dominican Republic in November, tested positive for Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid commonly sold as Winstrol.

 

Anyone know what DHEA is?

[Cubs Fan Dan]

From BA:

 

A pair of Cubs prospects were among five players who received 50-game suspensions from Major League Baseball for violations of the league's drug policy.

 

Erick Castillo, an 18-year-old Venezuelan catcher who had signed with the Cubs in November for $30,000, tested positive for DHEA. Cubs righthander Amalio Reyes, who signed for $8,000 out of the Dominican Republic in November, tested positive for Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid commonly sold as Winstrol.

 

Anyone know what DHEA is?

 

"dehydroepiandrosterone"

it is a natural steriod.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I didnt know where else to post this, but I was looking at the Cubs minor league rosters, and I dont know how concrete these are, but they have Chris Carpenter in AA. This doesnt seem right, considering hes argeuably the most major league ready of our minor league pitchers. Certainly over 47 year old JR Mathes, who they may as well convert to a loogy, give a September cup of coffee, and cut the chord.