Silva being scouted by other teams

[Little Slide Rooter]

If they actually follow through with the stated plan of Soto getting 140 starts then who gives a [expletive]? The backup catcher not being awful with the bat only matters if they're going to be stupid and inexplicably "platoon" Soto, in which case they're [expletive] to begin with.

 

Pretty much. No teams playoff hopes have ever hinged on a backup catcher. Its good to have the better bat on the bench, but they rarely go to the backup catcher to pinch hit. After Soto hopefully proving that 2009 was the fluke and not 2010, I cant imagine that they would platoon him with anypne anyway. However, Max Ramirez is an intriguing, out of options player, and Id prefer that we keep him up as backup with Castillo in AAA.

[Sammy Sofa]

Right. If Castillo is actually any good I want him getting regular starts, not being the back up.

[Backtobanks]

If they actually follow through with the stated plan of Soto getting 140 starts then who gives a [expletive]? The backup catcher not being awful with the bat only matters if they're going to be stupid and inexplicably "platoon" Soto, in which case they're [expletive] to begin with.

 

Pretty much. No teams playoff hopes have ever hinged on a backup catcher. Its good to have the better bat on the bench, but they rarely go to the backup catcher to pinch hit. After Soto hopefully proving that 2009 was the fluke and not 2010, I cant imagine that they would platoon him with anypne anyway. However, Max Ramirez is an intriguing, out of options player, and Id prefer that we keep him up as backup with Castillo in AAA.

 

Right. If Castillo is actually any good I want him getting regular starts, not being the back up.

 

Moot point since Koyie "Babe Ruth" Hill will be the backup catcher.

[Sammy Sofa]

And again, if he's only getting something like 20 starts it's really not that big a deal.

[XZero771679666304]

And again, if he's only getting something like 20 starts it's really not that big a deal.

 

 

That's true. But what I wonder is that if Soto gets hurt, who will get those starts? Thing is, Geo has averaged about 104 games the past two years, so what confidence do we have that he will be able to make 140 starts, if they really intend to give him that many?

 

Koyie hill starting 20 games interspersed throughout that season isn't a big deal. Having him start 50-60 starts to drag on the offense. You'd like to think that if Soto gets hurt, the Cubs would be wise enough to bring up Castillo to start games (and not to back up Hill), but I'm not so sure they would.

 

But it is probably true that Castillo would be better served starting in Iowa (if for no other reason but to raise his trade value), but then you have Max Ramirez, who is also a better choice than Hill. And what will happen to Ramirez? Isn't he out of options?

[Sammy Sofa]

Sure, I'd hope they'd bring up Castillo if Soto was injured, too. In a perfect world I'd rather have Ramirez instead of Hill, but hey, maybe Hill IS really well liked and has a great rapport with the pitchers. I don't place too much stock into that stuff, but backup catcher is where you can get away with effectively having a team mascot, so I'm not going to lose any sleep if they have Hill there instead of Ramirez.

[Irrelevant Dude]

And again, if he's only getting something like 20 starts it's really not that big a deal.

It also gives the Cubs one less pinch-hitter on most days. It doesn't happen very often, but seeing Koyie Hill in a 12th inning pinch-hit opportunity just makes me cringe.

[TruffleShuffle]

If they actually follow through with the stated plan of Soto getting 140 starts then who gives a [expletive]? The backup catcher not being awful with the bat only matters if they're going to be stupid and inexplicably "platoon" Soto, in which case they're [expletive] to begin with.

 

given soto's injury history he's unlikely to get 140 starts, so if you have the backup playing 50 games or so and it's koyie hill, you probably should give a [expletive].

[davell]

Maybe I'm the only one, but I truly think that Hill will be our backup catcher, but IF Soto misses time, Castillo will get called up and handle the starting role until Soto gets back. I actually think Quade is going to be smart enough to know the black hole offensively that is Koyie Hill.

[Sammy Sofa]

If they actually follow through with the stated plan of Soto getting 140 starts then who gives a [expletive]? The backup catcher not being awful with the bat only matters if they're going to be stupid and inexplicably "platoon" Soto, in which case they're [expletive] to begin with.

 

given soto's injury history he's unlikely to get 140 starts, so if you have the backup playing 50 games or so and it's koyie hill, you probably should give a [expletive].

 

Why? If he's seriously injured then put him on the DL and call up Castillo. If he's not then Hill gets an extra 5-10 starts. Whoopty-[expletive]. Max Ramirez likely wouldn't make a whole hell of a lot of difference in such a small window.

[questionmarkgrace]

as of a couple days ago Koyie Hill was batting a robust .042, Wellington Castillo .733. Yes its spring training but thats ridiculous. We know hill is a good defender but he's not comparable to benito santiago or Irod in their prime, so his defense probably isnt that big of a difference maker. Also I think its a stretch for Geo to catch 140 games, 120 sounds more reasonable given his injury history the last two years. So why not Castillo?

[Sammy Sofa]

as of a couple days ago Koyie Hill was batting a robust .042, Wellington Castillo .733. Yes its spring training but thats ridiculous. We know hill is a good defender but he's not comparable to benito santiago or Irod in their prime, so his defense probably isnt that big of a difference maker. Also I think its a stretch for Geo to catch 140 games, 120 sounds more reasonable given his injury history the last two years. So why not Castillo?

 

Because if Castillo is actually good enough offensively to start he needs to be starting regularly and not riding the pine as the backup catcher. If Soto does down for a prolonged period of time he should definitely be called up to start, but in the meantime you're effectively wasting him if the goal is for Soto to start 140 games. Remember, backup catcher is typically a dumping ground position. Castillo needs to start regularly so the Cubs can get a better idea down the line as to whether or not they can move Soto while he still has significant value or to up Castillo's trade value.

[biittner77]

as of a couple days ago Koyie Hill was batting a robust .042, Wellington Castillo .733. Yes its spring training but thats ridiculous. We know hill is a good defender but he's not comparable to benito santiago or Irod in their prime, so his defense probably isnt that big of a difference maker. Also I think its a stretch for Geo to catch 140 games, 120 sounds more reasonable given his injury history the last two years. So why not Castillo?

 

I don't get how Koyie Hill is good defensively. He's not particularly good at blocking pitches in the dirt or throwing out base runners. A coach in the dugout calls the game.

 

When they say 140 starts for Soto do they mean at catcher or are they going to try to have him play some 1st base against LH starters? 120 starts at C and 20 at 1st seems like a more realistic plan. In which case Koyie Hill is a terrible choice at backup catcher.

[Little Slide Rooter]

as of a couple days ago Koyie Hill was batting a robust .042, Wellington Castillo .733. Yes its spring training but thats ridiculous. We know hill is a good defender but he's not comparable to benito santiago or Irod in their prime, so his defense probably isnt that big of a difference maker. Also I think its a stretch for Geo to catch 140 games, 120 sounds more reasonable given his injury history the last two years. So why not Castillo?

 

I don't get how Koyie Hill is good defensively. He's not particularly good at blocking pitches in the dirt or throwing out base runners. A coach in the dugout calls the game.

 

When they say 140 starts for Soto do they mean at catcher or are they going to try to have him play some 1st base against LH starters? 120 starts at C and 20 at 1st seems like a more realistic plan. In which case Koyie Hill is a terrible choice at backup catcher.

 

Thats just the thing. Its one thing to carry a light hitting backup catcher because of their defense or history. Henry Blanco, for example couldnt hit his way out of a wet paper bag, but he had proven track record as a steller defensive catcher, and the fact that he was Greg Madduxes prefered catcher didnt hurt, but Koyie Hill was a career minor leaguer who got lucky because we needed a backup catcher at the time and he was called up. Nothing Ive seen from him screams out defensive star. If you dont have catching depth in your system, then go with a Koyie Hill, but we have some. Now I very much agree with keeping Castillo in Iowa to get regular PT, but Max Ramirez, or even Steve Clevenger or Chris Robinson should be given the opportunity rather than wasting any amount of money on Hill. I do think that people are getting far too hung up on whose our backup catcher, as I said before that no teams hopes have ever hinged on a backup catcher, no matter who he is, but on the other hand, there was no reason to offer Hill any contract to begin with, even if it is under 1 mil when we had these other guys in the minors. Even of Max/Clevenger/Robinson fell flat on their face, Im sure their would be a multitude of Koyie Hills or better available for next to nothing.

[Rob]

Koyie himself was surprised when people started referring to him as a good defensive catcher. When he was an actual prospect, everybody always said his bat (which actually profiled well at the time) would have to carry his defense.

[Tyrant]

Koyie himself was surprised when people started referring to him as a good defensive catcher. When he was an actual prospect, everybody always said his bat (which actually profiled well at the time) would have to carry his defense.

 

I think that's because if a catcher sucks at hitting, people automatically assume he's good defensively.

[Rob]

Koyie himself was surprised when people started referring to him as a good defensive catcher. When he was an actual prospect, everybody always said his bat (which actually profiled well at the time) would have to carry his defense.

 

I think that's because if a catcher sucks at hitting, people automatically assume he's good defensively.

 

Jason Kendall is my favorite example. He was always considered a great hitter with an awful glove when he was in Pittsburgh. Now all the talking heads wont shut up about what a great defender he is.

[ConstableRabbit]

Koyie himself was surprised when people started referring to him as a good defensive catcher. When he was an actual prospect, everybody always said his bat (which actually profiled well at the time) would have to carry his defense.

 

I think that's because if a catcher sucks at hitting, people automatically assume he's good defensively.

 

Jason Kendall is my favorite example. He was always considered a great hitter with an awful glove when he was in Pittsburgh. Now all the talking heads wont shut up about what a great defender he is.

To be fair, he was one of the worst at throwing out baserunners before Ned Yost got to him.

[Rob]

Koyie himself was surprised when people started referring to him as a good defensive catcher. When he was an actual prospect, everybody always said his bat (which actually profiled well at the time) would have to carry his defense.

 

I think that's because if a catcher sucks at hitting, people automatically assume he's good defensively.

 

Jason Kendall is my favorite example. He was always considered a great hitter with an awful glove when he was in Pittsburgh. Now all the talking heads wont shut up about what a great defender he is.

To be fair, he was one of the worst at throwing out baserunners before Ned Yost got to him.

 

Jason Kendall's rSB from 2003 through 2010.

 

-4, +2, -4, +4, -8, +8, -2, -1

 

Yeah, he had one very good year after going to the Brewers... but he's coasting on the reputation of a fluke year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Koyie himself was surprised when people started referring to him as a good defensive catcher. When he was an actual prospect, everybody always said his bat (which actually profiled well at the time) would have to carry his defense.

 

I think that's because if a catcher sucks at hitting, people automatically assume he's good defensively.

 

Jason Kendall is my favorite example. He was always considered a great hitter with an awful glove when he was in Pittsburgh. Now all the talking heads wont shut up about what a great defender he is.

 

On the flip side, theres Paul Bako. I dont remember much about his defense, just that every time he came to bat, you could safely assume that there would be 1-2 more outs than there were before.

[Little Slide Rooter]

According to a tweet from MLBTR or Rotoworld, I forget which, the Red Sox are seeking rotation depth. If ever there's a team who could.afford to take 300lbs of dead weight off our hands and maybe send us a few mil or a decent prospect, its them. Granted he wouldn't fare too well in the AL East, but hey, its worth a shot. Hopefully they were scouting his start vs. The A's and missed the rest of them.

[Banedon]

FoxSports.com columnist Ken Rosenthal sent a Tweet out that said trade interest in Silva has not picked up and that he would be sent to the bullpen or released.

[Little Slide Rooter]

FoxSports.com columnist Ken Rosenthal sent a Tweet out that said trade interest in Silva has not picked up and that he would be sent to the bullpen or released.

Hopefully they let him go for somebody else to enjoy.

[Illini Iceman]

If it is him or Looper for the last bullpen spot it may as well be him.

[Backtobanks]

If Silva can pitch decently on Monday:

 

From MLBTR:

•The Rangers aren't looking for a centerfielder as they believe that Julio Borbon will be okay after suffering an elbow injury, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. It's not realistic to expect the club to land a starting pitcher either as there isn't much out there

The Rangers are calling teams about Michael Young and are willing to eat about half of the $48MM remaining on his contract, tweets Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports

 

How about talking Shark into waiving his NTC and offering this deal:

Silva + Samardzija + Stevens/Berg/Diamond/Coello/Maine for Michael Young plus $20 million ($2 million in 2011, $9 million in 2012, $9 million in 2013).

 

Rangers get possible starter plus 2 young pitchers and save $17 million ($3 million in 2011, $7 million in 2012, $7 million in 2013)

Cubs get Young for $3 million in 2011, and $7 million for each of 2012 and 2013.