CONFIRMED: CUBS GET SOLER!!! 9yrs/30 mill

[Guest]

Was overslotting really a big factor in the Red Sox' success? I don't remember in that way, but I am tired and known to be frequently wrong.

 

My completely unscientific opinion is that they used their resources to get more big talents and then had a better track record at developing them. Now they don't really have the ability to get a bunch more big talents, but since no one else does either, their superior track record at development will still keep them at the top in Drafting/Development.

[treebird]

Was overslotting really a big factor in the Red Sox' success? I don't remember in that way, but I am tired and known to be frequently wrong.

 

My completely unscientific opinion is that they used their resources to get more big talents and then had a better track record at developing them. Now they don't really have the ability to get a bunch more big talents, but since no one else does either, their superior track record at development will still keep them at the top in Drafting/Development.

 

i have no idea how this works.

 

how many coaches throughout the cubs minor league system have been replaced? are the coaches in spring training right now largely the same people who were there last year? will improvement in development come from better directives from the top, or are different people working with the players? if it's the latter, are those people in place now, or is that something that takes time to get set up and hasn't happened yet?

[Guest]

Was overslotting really a big factor in the Red Sox' success? I don't remember in that way, but I am tired and known to be frequently wrong.

 

My completely unscientific opinion is that they used their resources to get more big talents and then had a better track record at developing them. Now they don't really have the ability to get a bunch more big talents, but since no one else does either, their superior track record at development will still keep them at the top in Drafting/Development.

 

i have no idea how this works.

 

how many coaches throughout the cubs minor league system have been replaced? are the coaches in spring training right now largely the same people who were there last year? will improvement in development come from better directives from the top, or are different people working with the players? if it's the latter, are those people in place now, or is that something that takes time to get set up and hasn't happened yet?

 

Considering the sheer number of people involved with the coaching aspect, and the turnover in that group, I have to think the direction from the top is a good deal more important. It's much easier for me to believe that the Hendry regime did not place importance on things of value rather than that they managed to have dozens of below average coaches littering their minor league system.

[Cubfanintheknow]

I think the "Cubbie Way" is going to be very important in player development. The kids in Boise will get instruction from their coaches. That same instruction will be reinforced and enhanced in Peoria and Daytona all the way up to the the big league club. Coordinators will oversee this development to make sure coaches at the next level know the players they're getting and what type of player the organization expects them to develop into. Everybody on the same page as opposed to coaches teaching players their own way of doing things.

[Guest]

I think the "Cubbie Way" is going to be very important in player development. The kids in Boise will get instruction from their coaches. That same instruction will be reinforced and enhanced in Peoria and Daytona all the way up to the the big league club. Coordinators will oversee this development to make sure coaches at the next level know the players they're getting and what type of player the organization expects them to develop into. Everybody on the same page as opposed to coaches teaching players their own way of doing things.

 

It's the cub way, not the [expletive] cubbie way. And thank god.

[El Duderino]

cubs way

 

:stickman:

[C.C.]

What's the deal? Why is there still a hold up on this guy? Is he playing anywhere to check his numbers?

[Guest]

He still hasn't been granted residency, so he isn't a FA.

 

He isn't playing anywhere.

[C.C.]

He still hasn't been granted residency, so he isn't a FA.

 

He isn't playing anywhere.

 

What's the hold up? Does it typically take this long to be granted residency?

[Guest]

He still hasn't been granted residency, so he isn't a FA.

 

He isn't playing anywhere.

 

What's the hold up? Does it typically take this long to be granted residency?

 

It's taken longer than Cespedes and Concepcion but there are so few examples that you can't really get a good idea of how long it typically takes. No idea what's the hold up.

[davell]

I don't want this thing to go past July 2nd. It'll cost us even more cash to sign him at that point. Badler has no idea why it's taking so long, but guesses it'll be done before then. A poster on BCB that people respect says Soler will be here in May. That said, this guy is NOT a Marlin type guy from what I can tell. Just a guy who got some draft pick signings right last year. Could just be an educated guesser.

[C.C.]

I don't want this thing to go past July 2nd. It'll cost us even more cash to sign him at that point. Badler has no idea why it's taking so long, but guesses it'll be done before then. A poster on BCB that people respect says Soler will be here in May. That said, this guy is NOT a Marlin type guy from what I can tell. Just a guy who got some draft pick signings right last year. Could just be an educated guesser.

 

I don't think it matters if he's a Marlin type of guy. He's a highest bidder type of guy.

[davell]

I didn't mean the Marlins. I was referencing a poster on PSD, named Marlin, who's broken quite a few stories. The guy on BCB does NOT have his rep, is what I was saying.

[C.C.]

I didn't mean the Marlins. I was referencing a poster on PSD, named Marlin, who's broken quite a few stories. The guy on BCB does NOT have his rep, is what I was saying.

 

Oh. Didn't know that's what you meant. Sorry 'bout that.

[Little Slide Rooter]

[expletive], I thought the little flurry of activity in this thread meant that their was some news.

[NewUserName]

[expletive], I thought the little flurry of activity in this thread meant that their was some news.

 

No kidding. This thread should be locked until there is actual news to be excited about.

[Cubswin11]

He still hasn't been granted residency, so he isn't a FA.

 

He isn't playing anywhere.

 

What's the hold up? Does it typically take this long to be granted residency?

 

It's taken longer than Cespedes and Concepcion but there are so few examples that you can't really get a good idea of how long it typically takes. No idea what's the hold up.

Hopefully it's not because they think he's really like 27 or something.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

Don't want to start a new thread, but hows about Nick Swisher as a RF option in 2013? Someone mentioned FA OFers the other day and I can't find the thread. Swisher is pretty much the same player he's always been, but that's a damn good player. The extra pluses are that he's gotten serious about his conditioning as his career has moved along and he's probably in the best shape of his life right now. Great guy in the clubhouse too to the point where the Super Serious Bidness Yankees love letting him talk to the press and play a major player part in the community relations and charity work. Plus his wife is almost in the vicinity of being as hot as David DeJesus' wife.

 

Just bored throwing out the idea...I think he makes sense given that they'll probably look for patient bats who can play D and hit for some power (really? yah). Doubt he breaks the bank either on a 3 year deal.

[dew1679666265]

Don't want to start a new thread, but hows about Nick Swisher as a RF option in 2013? Someone mentioned FA OFers the other day and I can't find the thread. Swisher is pretty much the same player he's always been, but that's a damn good player. The extra pluses are that he's gotten serious about his conditioning as his career has moved along and he's probably in the best shape of his life right now. Great guy in the clubhouse too to the point where the Super Serious Bidness Yankees love letting him talk to the press and play a major player part in the community relations and charity work. Plus his wife is almost in the vicinity of being as hot as David DeJesus' wife.

 

Just bored throwing out the idea...I think he makes sense given that they'll probably look for patient bats who can play D and hit for some power (really? yah). Doubt he breaks the bank either on a 3 year deal.

 

If we could get him on a reasonable 3 year deal, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea. Where do you play everybody, though? We'd have DeJesus still, Jackson should be ready sometime this year and certainly by 2013, and then you have guys like Szczur and Ha who could be ready within that 3-year window. I have no problem with Swisher, I just wonder if outfield is the place to be spending money.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

 

If we could get him on a reasonable 3 year deal, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea. Where do you play everybody, though? We'd have DeJesus still, Jackson should be ready sometime this year and certainly by 2013, and then you have guys like Szczur and Ha who could be ready within that 3-year window. I have no problem with Swisher, I just wonder if outfield is the place to be spending money.

 

Big questions on both Szczur and Ha...Ha might be able to put himself into the picture with a great year this year, but unless a guy is close and safe in some capacity they shouldn't affect FA.

 

Definitely depends on cost though...I wonder if a 33 year old with starter potential on a championship squad would even be a fit or interested in making himself a fit.

[dew1679666265]

Big questions on both Szczur and Ha...Ha might be able to put himself into the picture with a great year this year, but unless a guy is close and safe in some capacity they shouldn't affect FA.

 

I wouldn't base the decision on whether or not to pursue Swisher on the presence of Ha/Szczur, but it would affect how much I was willing to pay for a good, but non-impact FA like Swisher. Swisher should age pretty well, but he'll probably still be on a slight decline throughout a contract with us. He's also not a real power threat and while I wouldn't turn away a good player simply because he doesn't hit for significant power, it'd be nice if he had that attribute.

 

None of those alone would be enough for me to decide against Swisher, but the combination of age, lack of power, and depth at the position would make me fairly stringent on what I'd offer him. If he'd take something like DeJesus signed, I'd be interested. My inclination is he'd want more, though, and at that point I'd rather take that money and spend it on an impact player (if one is available, that is).

[Little Slide Rooter]

The 2013 FA corner OF crop is highlighted by B.J. Upton, Swisher, Ethier, Delmon Young and Shane Victorino who I'd have to assume is extended. Upton would be my first choice assuming he can play a corner OF. Young, Ethier, and Swisher each have their advantages as well. However, unless they can move Soriano, I'm not certain that they'll look for OF help unless someone like a Michael Young or another reclamation type becomes available. Even if they do they could go with LaHair, Jackson, and DeJesus across the OF with Sappelt as the 4th.

[PriortoTheoIhadWood]

The 2013 FA corner OF crop is highlighted by B.J. Upton, Swisher, Ethier, Delmon Young and Shane Victorino who I'd have to assume is extended. Upton would be my first choice assuming he can play a corner OF. Young, Ethier, and Swisher each have their advantages as well. However, unless they can move Soriano, I'm not certain that they'll look for OF help unless someone like a Michael Young or another reclamation type becomes available. Even if they do they could go with LaHair, Jackson, and DeJesus across the OF with Sappelt as the 4th.

 

Upton's one of the best defensive CFers in baseball...He's actually pretty damn close to what we're hoping Jackson will be, especially when you consider where he hits for half a season.

 

Edit: Big fan of this player...underrated with a well rounded skillset and I think there's room to go up offensively once he gets out of the Trop.

[XZero771679666304]

Yeah, B.J. Upton is totally underrated.

 

Are you kidding me? He's overrated, still coasting on his 2007 rep, and some team is going to give him far more than he's worth.

[Guest]

Yeah, B.J. Upton is totally underrated.

 

Are you kidding me? He's overrated, still coasting on his 2007 rep, and some team is going to give him far more than he's worth.

I think it depends on who you talk to. He's a pretty polarizing player as far as perception goes. I'd be really happy to have him on the team, but I think he'll end up getting overpaid by someone.