2013

[jersey cubs fan]

Right. And I think the expectation is that Rizzo and Castro will eventually become those players.

 

I don't think there is a lot of expectations that Rizzo will become a superstar. A solid player at 1B for many years, sure, but superstar requires a hell of a lot from a 1B.

[davell]

We need more, even if Castro AND Rizzo do become superstars. But they aren't easily obtainable and there's signs any of Baez, Soler, or Almora could join them. Since we're NOT sure we even have one, why not let these guys develop, and leave the flexibility so when we KNOW what we have, we're not looking at declining production from some guy we've way overpaid. At least let some of the pitching we've drafted or acquired this year get a year in to see exactly where we even think we sit.

[jersey cubs fan]

We need more, even if Castro AND Rizzo do become superstars. But they aren't easily obtainable and there's signs any of Baez, Soler, or Almora could join them. Since we're NOT sure we even have one, why not let these guys develop, and leave the flexibility so when we KNOW what we have, we're not looking at declining production from some guy we've way overpaid. At least let some of the pitching we've drafted or acquired this year get a year in to see exactly where we even think we sit.

 

Because that is a pointlessly cautious, boring and counterproductive way to field a baseball team. you worry about not knowing what we have, I think a much bigger concern is wasting the cost controlled quality years of what we do have fielding 90 loss teams and waiting for that porridge to be just the right temperature before taking a bite.

[illiniguy]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

[jersey cubs fan]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

 

That's a rather random way to define superstar now. I'd want to have Castro more than just about anybody else because of what his future should hold, but that doesn't mean he is currently the best of the best.

[Guest]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

top 5 at a position is a loose definition of superstar, IMO

[Guest]

edit - sorry, got lost and thought i was in the castro thread for a second Edited September 4, 2012 by David

[illiniguy]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

top 5 at a position is a loose definition of superstar, IMO

Really? What do you guys use? Just curious. I just don't think it is at all realistic to lump all hitters together and choose your superstars.

Edited September 4, 2012 by illiniguy

[Cubswin11]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

 

That's a rather random way to define superstar now. I'd want to have Castro more than just about anybody else because of what his future should hold, but that doesn't mean he is currently the best of the best.

A top 5 (probably 3) player at the hardest position to fill/find solid production from in baseball makes someone a superstar, at least in a broad spectrum. IMO

[XZero771679666304]

I don't think Castro is a superstar yet. I'm pretty confident he will be in the near future, though.

[Guest]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

top 5 at a position is a loose definition of superstar, IMO

Really? What do you guys use? Just curious. I just don't think it is at all realistic to lump all hitters together and choose your superstars.

 

superstars are few and far between for me... arbitrary number but maybe top 5, 10 at most, most valuable players in the game.

[illiniguy]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

top 5 at a position is a loose definition of superstar, IMO

Really? What do you guys use? Just curious. I just don't think it is at all realistic to lump all hitters together and choose your superstars.

 

superstars are few and far between for me... arbitrary number but maybe top 5, 10 at most, most valuable players in the game.

Oh wow, I'm ok with that. But, if that's the criteria it is crazy to assume anyone will have multiple superstars on the same team.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

But is he a No. 1?

[imb]

mike trout is a superstar. castro is a good young player with a chance at being really special.

[jersey cubs fan]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

top 5 at a position is a loose definition of superstar, IMO

Really? What do you guys use? Just curious. I just don't think it is at all realistic to lump all hitters together and choose your superstars.

 

Generally I don't "use" any measure because I don't bother trying to label guys with terms like that. In theory I'd say the guy has to be clearly above and beyond all but one or two other guys at his position. Top 5 at a position wouldn't really fit unless 6-10 are such a huge jump below them. If an argument could be made for you not being on the all star team, you aren't a superstar. I think Castro has a really good shot at being a super star in the not too distant future, but right now, what's he's doing in 2012, I'd just have to say he's one of a small group of really good shortstops.

[EhDubya]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

top 5 at a position is a loose definition of superstar, IMO

 

AJ Pierzinski, Superstar!

[Fred Hornkohl]

Are you guys saying that Castro isn't a superstar right now? I'm struggling to think of five shortstops I'd rather have than him. Can't do it. That's a superstar to me.

top 5 at a position is a loose definition of superstar, IMO

 

AJ Pierzinski, Superstar!

 

 

[barf]

[Cubswin11]

Is it time we merge a magic number thread for the #2 pick in this thread? Seems like as good of thread as any to do it in.

[Little Slide Rooter]

@BleacherNation: #Cubs: Who Won't Be Back Next Year? and Other Bullets http://t.co/h2nNpzYU

 

Probably just talk, but if Sveum plans on Soriano, DeJesus, and Garza all being part of the 2013 opening day roster, I'm not sure how much improvement can be made for next years team without significant free agent signings.

[Cubswin11]

@BleacherNation: #Cubs: Who Won't Be Back Next Year? and Other Bullets http://t.co/h2nNpzYU

 

Probably just talk, but if Sveum plans on Soriano, DeJesus, and Garza all being part of the 2013 opening day roster, I'm not sure how much improvement can be made for next years team without significant free agent signings.

I expect all those guys on the OD roster next year as well (especially Garza as his value is way down due to not pitching since June). I don't think anyone should be expecting the 2013 team to be much better than the 2012 team

[jersey cubs fan]

@BleacherNation: #Cubs: Who Won't Be Back Next Year? and Other Bullets http://t.co/h2nNpzYU

 

Probably just talk, but if Sveum plans on Soriano, DeJesus, and Garza all being part of the 2013 opening day roster, I'm not sure how much improvement can be made for next years team without significant free agent signings.

I expect all those guys on the OD roster next year as well (especially Garza as his value is way down due to not pitching since June). I don't think anyone should be expecting the 2013 team to be much better than the 2012 team

 

I don't really take much at all from a list of names Sveum gave in response to who he is confident will be on the team next year. I doubt he's giving out management's game plan for who is on the trade market and who is not. It's probably just a list of names he knows are worthy of MLB roster status.

[Clem Fandango]

Didn't know where else to put this, but these quotes from Garza regarding how Sveum and coaching staff has handled the club this season are pretty awesome to hear in terms of morale. Seems like he keeps the clubhouse satisfied and happy. Feels like it's a good sign for the future whenever the Cubs start fielding a competitive team. Also it pretty much makes, as Brett notes, a big backhanded slap in the face of Mike Quade and the 2011 squad.

 

http://www.bleachernation.com/2012/10/01/matt-garza-takes-a-verbal-chair-to-mike-quade-and-other-bullets/

 

Matt Garza had some supremely high compliments for Cubs manager Dale Sveum, and, in the process of offering them, takes a back-handed swipe at the previous coaching staff. “If this [injury] happened last year, you wouldn’t see me, I’d be home,” Garza said, per Carrie Muskat. “I like coming here and hanging out with the guys. I have a whole different perspective on this thing and a whole different hunger and I’m chomping at the bit …. I told him we’re on the verge of [100 losses] … and I told him last year we were close to .500 and I hated every day of my life coming in here. It was miserable [last year]. I said, ‘This year, I enjoy it, and I look forward to coming in here.’ I said, ‘You brought that back, so thank you.’ Last year was a trying year. This year was a different type of mental fight but I can actually enjoy this one …. [sveum]’s more open, more sociable with us. He treats us like players. It’s not like, ‘This is you, this is you’ — he gives you the opportunity to fail. The way he’s handled the situation we’re in right now, it’s tough. It’s tough for him to keep it the same way each day, that’s huge …. To end up with a guy like Dale is awesome, especially coming from the situation last year — I’m not even going to go into it — but this is awesome.”

[SouthSideRyan]

See, clubhouse chemistry works.

[Soul]

If all we needed was a morale boost to put us over the top, it would be great.

[Clem Fandango]

Morale can't save bad players... but it's nice to know they're not miserable in the clubhouse at least.