Constructing the 2012 Cubs

[VicCub]

I believe that the stat is that the Cubs have not had a LH hitter post 30 HRs in 2 consecutive season since Billy Williams did it. Maybe it was Rick Monday but I think it was Williams. Been a long time since it could be said that the Cubs have consistent power from the left side. Humor me just once Cubs!

[Guest]

I believe that the stat is that the Cubs have not had a LH hitter post 30 HRs in 2 consecutive season since Billy Williams did it. Maybe it was Rick Monday but I think it was Williams. Been a long time since it could be said that the Cubs have consistent power from the left side. Humor me just once Cubs!

 

The stat is what he said it was, which was no LH hitters other than Rodriguez with over 30 HR. He looked it up at BR.

[VicCub]

That is a bit confusing considering that 30 hrs, not 31 is a more logical milestone. The main point is that the Cubs have not had a consistent slugger from the left side since Billy Williams. Billy Williams hit over 30 hrs from the left side a few times for the Cubs so obviously there's at least one besides HRod.

[Bull]

That is a bit confusing considering that 30 hrs, not 31 is a more logical milestone. The main point is that the Cubs have not had a consistent slugger from the left side since Billy Williams. Billy Williams hit over 30 hrs from the left side a few times for the Cubs so obviously there's at least one besides HRod.

go re-read the last page carefully. it was fairly obvious; he meant exactly what he said. (he said, "since Billy Williams")

[Bull]

So as compared with one year ago, we project to about the same number of wins. Meanwhile, we're $25 million cheaper, have more upside, many more players under long-term team control, fewer future years on bad contracts, and a better minor league system.

Winner.

And depth. don't underestimate the starting rotation depth.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Just for fun, this is what it could look like by August:

 

Sappelt/Jackson/Cespedes

Stewart/Castro/Barney/Rizzo

Soto

 

If defense really does win championships, then we are great. If it takes some hitting too, well, then we still might be okay.

[jersey cubs fan]

Just for fun, this is what it could look like by August:

 

Sappelt/Jackson/Cespedes

Stewart/Castro/Barney/Rizzo

Soto

 

If defense really does win championships, then we are great. If it takes some hitting too, well, then we still might be okay.

 

There would be nothing fun about Sappelt starting in the OF.

 

And defenses do not win championships.

[davell]

Just for fun, this is what it could look like by August:

 

Sappelt/Jackson/Cespedes

Stewart/Castro/Barney/Rizzo

Soto

 

If defense really does win championships, then we are great. If it takes some hitting too, well, then we still might be okay.

DeJesus is probably still on the team, so he's probably starting over Sappelt. The rotation could be some semblance of Wood/Shark/Volstad/Turner/McNutt, which would be all sorts of interesting, at the very least.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Oh yeah, I forgot about DeJesus.

 

:( Sorry, Dave. I tried.

[Guest]

DeJesus is probably a better defender anyway.

[Old Style]

Plus he has Jesus in his name. That should help break the curse.

[Old Style]

When do you guys think Rizzo, Jackson, Szczuczczuzczcur, etc will be called up? I am hoping to catch the Iowa Cubs play in June in Oklahoma City and I'd like to see these stars of the future play.

[Guest]

June is the gray area for Jackson and Rizzo. I don't think anyone can tell you with any certainty if they'll be there or not. I would be floored if Szczur was in Iowa by June, and if we sign Cespedes, I imagine he would be with the MLB club by that time.

[Bull]

June is the gray area for Jackson and Rizzo. I don't think anyone can tell you with any certainty if they'll be there or not. I would be floored if Szczur was in Iowa by June, and if we sign Cespedes, I imagine he would be with the MLB club by that time.

Would a Szczur move likely be the corresponding move to Jackson being called up? IOW he'd see one or the other.

[CubColtPacer]

June is the gray area for Jackson and Rizzo. I don't think anyone can tell you with any certainty if they'll be there or not. I would be floored if Szczur was in Iowa by June, and if we sign Cespedes, I imagine he would be with the MLB club by that time.

Would a Szczur move likely be the corresponding move to Jackson being called up? IOW he'd see one or the other.

 

I wouldn't think so. Szczur hasn't proven himself at Daytona yet. He'll either start at Daytona and likely move up to Tennessee during the year, or they'll be aggressive with him and have him at Tennessee the whole year. He shouldn't be at Iowa (or Chicago) until 2013.

[Guest]

June is the gray area for Jackson and Rizzo. I don't think anyone can tell you with any certainty if they'll be there or not. I would be floored if Szczur was in Iowa by June, and if we sign Cespedes, I imagine he would be with the MLB club by that time.

Would a Szczur move likely be the corresponding move to Jackson being called up? IOW he'd see one or the other.

 

Szczur had a sub .700 OPS in a partial season at Daytona last year. He'll be moved with some speed because of his age, but having him in Iowa after two months is a bit much. More likely, you'd see Jae-Hoon Ha in Iowa as a Jackson fill in, and really, he's about as strong a prospect as Szczur is.

[davell]

It's a great situation for us honestly; We're selling youth this year, as it is.n So, when we sell off at midseason or whenever, bringing up Cespedes(if signed), Turner(if traded for), Brett, Rizzo, and maybe McNutt, will keep people interested and coming out to the ballpark, where they might not have previously.

[RynoRules]

I'd much rather watch the teams you guys are describing than the crap we have been putting on the field the last couple of seasons. I find the process very interesting and love the direction we are taking.

[toonsterwu]

If Soto has a good year offensively, I'll be mildly surprised if they don't shop him at the deadline to try and get some talent to build for the future. I wouldn't be stunned if they opted to keep him, but he seems a very likely candidate to be shopped (age, cost, contract situation, position) if he is doing well offensively.

[davell]

I'll take that a step further and say if Castillo or Clevenger have a really solid spring, I can see Soto being dealt before the season starts, if someone(Tampa) gives us a solid enough return.

[huff]

I'll take that a step further and say if Castillo or Clevenger have a really solid spring, I can see Soto being dealt before the season starts, if someone(Tampa) gives us a solid enough return.

 

soto+byrd+ Barney for upton+Brignac+Davis. of coarse this would only be possible if we found a taker for soriano. that outfield defense would be ridiculous Cf-Upton LF-bJAX rf-Dejesus...cespedes waiting in the wings..one word= DEPTH. I"d take it. Upton could net some nice pieces come trade deadline..

[toonsterwu]

I'll take that a step further and say if Castillo or Clevenger have a really solid spring, I can see Soto being dealt before the season starts, if someone(Tampa) gives us a solid enough return.

 

Problem is, I don't see anyone giving up nearly enough to justify a Soto move before the season, unless an injury happens, even if Castillo AND Clevenger are lights out in the spring. Leaving aside the fact that it would leave two young catchers handling things, a catcher like Soto, in his prime, with his offensive ability and not being a horrid guy behind the plate, should net a healthy return (what that is, I haven't really contemplated that much of late), but coming off the down offensive season that he had in 2011 and having 2 sub-par offensive seasons out of his 4 so far, I'm just not sold someone forks over enough. Who knows, though.

[seanimal]

well if he really is trachselvanian, then he should be pretty valuable towards the deadline

[davell]

Like one of the Tampa writers mentioned a few days ago, I could see a Soto for Niemann or Davis trade possibly(unsure whether I like Niemann, don't like Davis) but only if Garza is dealt off before the season as well. But yeah, a deadline deal, hopefully after Soto's having a solid season, could possibly net us a top 100ish type guy, I would think.

[toonsterwu]

I'm not all that enthused about that Niemann for Soto idea that Topkin threw out. 29 year old who is going to get costly soon. A healthy Soto that is hitting closer to his 2008/2010 levels, IMO, should net, if not better value, then at least higher ceiling talent that makes more sense for the organization's long term outlook.

 

In general, I'd rather target minor league talent than young veterans (obviously, dependent upon the names, but speaking more towards timeline here).