Build your bench

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Five spots, almost certainly. I really doubt we only carry 11 pitchers.

 

 

Catchers

Castillo

Clevenger

 

Infielders

Dewitt

Baker

Cardenas

 

Outfielders

Campana

Johnson

Sappelt

Mather

 

Who I think it will be:

Castillo/Dewitt/Baker/Campana/Johnson

 

Who I want it to be:

Castillo/Baker/Cardenas/Sappelt/Campana

[toonsterwu]

I'll take a stab at

 

Clevenger - He's got more options left. If they don't feel Castillo is completely ready, or if they feel he'd benefit form more regular time, this might be the smart move to make. But could see it go either way. Also provides a bench lefty.

 

DeWitt/Baker - I think both are locked in. DeWitt gets the nod at the start for his lefty bat. It's clear that he's rebounded enough and has impressed Sveum.

 

That leaves 2 spots. I really don't care who gets it, but I imagine it's going to be Reed Johnson (backup CF as well) and Joe Mather (for his versatility). Sappelt and Cardenas probably haven't done enough to force their way onto the roster, and Campana doesn't offer much off the bench other than pinch running and some cult status.

 

I actually didn't anticipate Cardenas starting in the bigs, and I didn't really think Campana should either. I thoguht Sappelt would have a chance, but Mather's had a nice spring and I think that may break in his favor for the final spot.

[MWV]

Who I think it will be:

Castillo/Dewitt/Baker/Campana/Johnson

I largely agree, although I worry they really might go with Mather over one of Campana/Johnson.

Who I want it to be:

Castillo/Baker/Cardenas/Sappelt/Campana

Looks about as good as can be assembled at present.

[Brett]

Who I think it will be (which could obviously change by next week, let alone Opening Day):

 

Clevenger, DeWitt, Baker, Johnson, Mather

 

Who I'd keep:

 

Clevenger, DeWitt, Baker, Campana, Sappelt

 

I'm not crazy about DeWitt, but, unless I'm mistaken, Cardenas can be sent to Iowa. Might as well give DeWitt one last look.

 

I'm also not crazy about Campana, and I know he could be optioned, but he does have that one super-elite ability: speed. In April and May, particularly, that could be quite valuable off the bench. I don't feel strongly about it enough to fight, though.

[jersey cubs fan]

Did the reassignment of Dewitt clear him to play at Iowa?

[Guest]

Yes.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Clevenger C, Johnson OF, Campana OF, Baker IF Cardenas IF.

 

I have a strong hunch that DeWitt will be traded for a PTBNL or some sort of fringe prospect by opening day.

[biittner77]

They wouldn't have given Johnson the inexplicable contract that they did if they weren't going to break camp with him as the 4th OF, so he's in. So is Baker.

 

Clevenger bats LH which is probably enough to justify him as a better backup/ bench option even under a new regime which isn't as obsessed with such things. It's also related to the next point which is that the better long term prospect should be in AAA getting better rather than rotting away on the MLB bench. Which means Campana and Dewitt get the last 2 spots barring a trade.

 

In that scenario, Barney becomes the back up SS, which is fine. Hopefully he'll also be the back up 2nd baseman because he can't get on base. Once Rizzo comes up, Lahair replaces Campana.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/03/20/the-bench-is-taking-shape-and-that-shape-looks-like-an-outline-of-joe-mather/

 

“I’d be lying if I said it was real close,” Sveum said when asked about Mather’s standing in the bench competition. “The guy’s doing everything he possibly can. He can play so many positions, he can hit the ball out of the ballpark. He’s hit all kinds of pitching so far. He’s hit velocity, he’s hit side-arm right-handers. He played a heck of a center field in Vegas. He can steal you a base.”

[Little Slide Rooter]

http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/03/20/the-bench-is-taking-shape-and-that-shape-looks-like-an-outline-of-joe-mather/

 

“I’d be lying if I said it was real close,” Sveum said when asked about Mather’s standing in the bench competition. “The guy’s doing everything he possibly can. He can play so many positions, he can hit the ball out of the ballpark. He’s hit all kinds of pitching so far. He’s hit velocity, he’s hit side-arm right-handers. He played a heck of a center field in Vegas. He can steal you a base.”

 

Here's to righty Bryan LaHair. It's hard for me to care too much if he's just taking a spot from Campana, although I'd prefer Sappelt get it. Too bad Reed Johnson's a lock. Besides, I'd Sappelt takes in Iowa and Mater or Johnson struggle he'll be there. Makes me think more and more that Baker or DeWitt are traded by opening day. I believe that the Phillies and Brewers are both in the market for such a player.

[pitchcs]

I would be very surprised if Baker were traded before opening day.

[Old Style]

I think Castillo should go to Iowa so he can play every day.

[SouthSideRyan]

I think Castillo should go to Iowa so he can play every day.

 

He has 520 PAs at Iowa and would be splitting time with Clevenger anyway. Let Castillo be the backup, give Clevenger the lion's share of starts, and hopefully you have an idea what you're looking at for catcher next year.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think Castillo should go to Iowa so he can play every day.

 

He has 520 PAs at Iowa and would be splitting time with Clevenger anyway. Let Castillo be the backup, give Clevenger the lion's share of starts, and hopefully you have an idea what you're looking at for catcher next year.

 

The good thing with a backup catcher is he can get a lot of playing time in the majors, unlike something like a backup 1B or 3B. He's going to be 25 at the start of the season, has over 1600 professional PA over 6 seasons. Soto has been under 400 PA in 2 of last 3 seasons and hasn't been over 500 PA in 4 years, so there is plenty of opportunity for Castillo to play enough this year to continue developing.

[Guest]

Why would he be splitting time with Clevenger? One of them has to be the MLB backup.

[davell]

I hope Clevenger is the backup. That's his ceiling. To me, a full time gig in AAA for Castillo, even with his at bats there already, trumps playing once or twice a week in the majors. If Soto gets hurt, then you bring him up as the starter. If Soto gets dealt, you bring him up as the starter. But give him constant PT until he's either ready to be a big league starter or is considered a longterm backup, which Clevenger already is.

[SouthSideRyan]

Why would he be splitting time with Clevenger? One of them has to be the MLB backup.

 

Shut up.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I think Castillo should go to Iowa so he can play every day.

 

He has 520 PAs at Iowa and would be splitting time with Clevenger anyway. Let Castillo be the backup, give Clevenger the lion's share of starts, and hopefully you have an idea what you're looking at for catcher next year.

 

The good thing with a backup catcher is he can get a lot of playing time in the majors, unlike something like a backup 1B or 3B. He's going to be 25 at the start of the season, has over 1600 professional PA over 6 seasons. Soto has been under 400 PA in 2 of last 3 seasons and hasn't been over 500 PA in 4 years, so there is plenty of opportunity for Castillo to play enough this year to continue developing.

 

A backup catcher is usually guaranteed at least 1 start per week,but beyond that they're usually riding the bench. They're usually the last resort for pinch hitting so they don't tend to get many at bats, which is why it's rare to have a backup catcher that can hit worth a damn. They don't have to be Koyie Hill bad, but Castillo is much better off playing everyday with Clevenger backing up Soto.