2013

[davell]

I'd add Cardenas, Rusin, Parker, and Volstad to that group. We'll be adding McNutt, Watkins, Villanueva, Ben Wells, and possibly Burke, Peralta, and/or Struck back to it.

[KingCubsFan]

I'd add Cardenas, Rusin, Parker, and Volstad to that group. We'll be adding McNutt, Watkins, Villanueva, Ben Wells, and possibly Burke, Peralta, and/or Struck back to it.

I have to think Struck is a lock at this point.

[El Duderino]

Is McNutt even worth adding at this point?

[davell]

Is McNutt even worth adding at this point?

To me, the answer is no. But I guess he's got back end of the pen potential, hopefully he's included in a trade before he takes up a spot.

[El Duderino]

I'm not sure McNutt even has better relief potential than Blake Parker at this point.

[XZero771679666304]

Why are we already declaring Jackson a bust? When he was called up, it was clear that he was going to struggle. He's 24, and still has time to learn even if he starts the season in AAA or as a platoon mate with Sappelt.

 

We're declaring him a bust because he's 24 and just struck out 217 times in 609 PAs in one season, most of it at AAA.

 

 

It's not just that he struck out a crapton that is so discouraging, it's how he struck out. It's not a pitch recognition or discipline issue (he's above average at laying off non-strikes), it's that he can't hit good pitches in the zone. He's basically Mark Reynolds with a lot less power. It doesn't bode well.

 

Prior to this year, if you asked people what the worst case scenario for BJax was, it probably would have been pretty close to what 2012 was. I suppose it's within the realm of possibility that he can find a way to make enough contact to raise his avg/slg to the point where he wouldn't be an offensive liability (even for a CF), but I think prudence dictates that the FO should proceed as if he is in fact a bust.

[TheClash]

Why are we already declaring Jackson a bust? When he was called up, it was clear that he was going to struggle. He's 24, and still has time to learn even if he starts the season in AAA or as a platoon mate with Sappelt.

 

We're declaring him a bust because he's 24 and just struck out 217 times in 609 PAs in one season, most of it at AAA.

 

 

It's not just that he struck out a crapton that is so discouraging, it's how he struck out. It's not a pitch recognition or discipline issue (he's above average at laying off non-strikes), it's that he can't hit good pitches in the zone. He's basically Mark Reynolds with a lot less power. It doesn't bode well.

 

Prior to this year, if you asked people what the worst case scenario for BJax was, it probably would have been pretty close to what 2012 was. I suppose it's within the realm of possibility that he can find a way to make enough contact to raise his avg/slg to the point where he wouldn't be an offensive liability (even for a CF), but I think prudence dictates that the FO should proceed as if he is in fact a bust.

 

can mark reynolds play CF halfway decent?

[Guest]

Why are we already declaring Jackson a bust? When he was called up, it was clear that he was going to struggle. He's 24, and still has time to learn even if he starts the season in AAA or as a platoon mate with Sappelt.

 

We're declaring him a bust because he's 24 and just struck out 217 times in 609 PAs in one season, most of it at AAA.

 

 

It's not just that he struck out a crapton that is so discouraging, it's how he struck out. It's not a pitch recognition or discipline issue (he's above average at laying off non-strikes), it's that he can't hit good pitches in the zone. He's basically Mark Reynolds with a lot less power. It doesn't bode well.

 

Prior to this year, if you asked people what the worst case scenario for BJax was, it probably would have been pretty close to what 2012 was. I suppose it's within the realm of possibility that he can find a way to make enough contact to raise his avg/slg to the point where he wouldn't be an offensive liability (even for a CF), but I think prudence dictates that the FO should proceed as if he is in fact a bust.

 

can mark reynolds play CF halfway decent?

 

no, but brett jackson can't hit for near as much power as mark reynolds, either.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

can mark reynolds play CF halfway decent?

 

No, but he plays another fairly premium defensive position. He's not a 1b/corner outfield guy.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

One of the PSD insidery guys mentioned that the Cubs have taken notice of the A's use of platoons this season and are looking at that as a way to get more production offensively without committing too many years to free agents.

 

Actually good, full-time players would be preferable, but if we were to go that route:

 

Valbuena would be an interesting LH half of a 3b platoon

Castillo could use a left-handed hitting vet to complement him, although he wouldn't need a full platoon partner.

Soriano/DeJesus/LaHair might be an interesting outfield against right-handed pitchers, albeit terrible defensively

Sappelt could probably take the RH 4th outfielder role if you had a good LH CFer and overlooked how terrible he was in Iowa this season.

It really wouldn't kill us to have a RH lefty-masher who could play 2b to get a little more out of the position and the bench (Barney shows no noticeable split).

 

Looking at the free agency list, I don't see much I like to fill any of those roles. Ick.

[SouthSideRyan]

One of the PSD insidery guys mentioned that the Cubs have taken notice of the A's use of platoons this season

 

Sounds like Hendry

[jersey cubs fan]

One of the PSD insidery guys mentioned that the Cubs have taken notice of the A's use of platoons this season and are looking at that as a way to get more production offensively without committing too many years to free agents.

 

Such forward thinking. Amazing.

[TheClash]

can mark reynolds play CF halfway decent?

 

No, but he plays another fairly premium defensive position. He's not a 1b/corner outfield guy.

 

Brilliant observation here.

 

It's not like he played 1B or DH in 120 games this year.

 

EDIT: Oops, yes he did.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

can mark reynolds play CF halfway decent?

 

No, but he plays another fairly premium defensive position. He's not a 1b/corner outfield guy.

 

Brilliant observation here.

 

It's not like he played 1B or DH in 120 games this year.

 

EDIT: Oops, yes he did.

 

That's a fair point. But he was a 3b most of his career before this season, and that's when he was a valuable player. As a 1b/DH, he's essentially replacement-level.

[hankp101]

One of the PSD insidery guys mentioned that the Cubs have taken notice of the A's use of platoons this season and are looking at that as a way to get more production offensively without committing too many years to free agents.

 

Actually good, full-time players would be preferable, but if we were to go that route:

 

Valbuena would be an interesting LH half of a 3b platoon

Castillo could use a left-handed hitting vet to complement him, although he wouldn't need a full platoon partner.

Soriano/DeJesus/LaHair might be an interesting outfield against right-handed pitchers, albeit terrible defensively

Sappelt could probably take the RH 4th outfielder role if you had a good LH CFer and overlooked how terrible he was in Iowa this season.

It really wouldn't kill us to have a RH lefty-masher who could play 2b to get a little more out of the position and the bench (Barney shows no noticeable split).

 

Looking at the free agency list, I don't see much I like to fill any of those roles. Ick.

 

I'll play. Brian Schneider for the LH catcher? Otherwise you just roll the dice on Clevenger filling the role. Can Ty Wigginton play any 2B a little and fill the role of Valbuena's platoon partner? Probably too awful defensively. I think that Baker guy is available. CF is especially tricky if they legitimately still think Jackson is the guy in another year. Pagan or Victorino might be options, but I kind of expect DeJesus to be there on opening day.

 

Yeah that's not a lot ot work with on the platoon route unless they achieve a lot of it via trade.

[Cubswin11]

One of the PSD insidery guys mentioned that the Cubs have taken notice of the A's use of platoons this season and are looking at that as a way to get more production offensively without committing too many years to free agents.

 

Actually good, full-time players would be preferable, but if we were to go that route:

 

Valbuena would be an interesting LH half of a 3b platoon

Castillo could use a left-handed hitting vet to complement him, although he wouldn't need a full platoon partner.

Soriano/DeJesus/LaHair might be an interesting outfield against right-handed pitchers, albeit terrible defensively

Sappelt could probably take the RH 4th outfielder role if you had a good LH CFer and overlooked how terrible he was in Iowa this season.

It really wouldn't kill us to have a RH lefty-masher who could play 2b to get a little more out of the position and the bench (Barney shows no noticeable split).

 

Looking at the free agency list, I don't see much I like to fill any of those roles. Ick.

 

I'll play. Brian Schneider for the LH catcher? Otherwise you just roll the dice on Clevenger filling the role. Can Ty Wigginton play any 2B a little and fill the role of Valbuena's platoon partner? Probably too awful defensively. I think that Baker guy is available. CF is especially tricky if they legitimately still think Jackson is the guy in another year. Pagan or Victorino might be options, but I kind of expect DeJesus to be there on opening day.

 

Yeah that's not a lot ot work with on the platoon route unless they achieve a lot of it via trade.

Is Brian Schneider even in the league anymore???

[davell]

Jonny Gomes would make an excellent part of a platoon, with LaHair or DeJesus.

[Cubswin11]

Jonny Gomes would make an excellent part of a platoon, with LaHair or DeJesus.

But then we'd have to root for a guy who looks like this.....

 

http://omgreds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/gomes_011.jpg

[TheClash]

Jonny Gomes would make an excellent part of a platoon, with LaHair or DeJesus.

But then we'd have to root for a guy who looks like this.....

 

http://omgreds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/gomes_011.jpg

 

Not necessarily. Did anyone root for Neifi in 2006

[Cubswin11]

Jonny Gomes would make an excellent part of a platoon, with LaHair or DeJesus.

But then we'd have to root for a guy who looks like this.....

 

http://omgreds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/gomes_011.jpg

 

Not necessarily. Did anyone root for Neifi in 2006

Nobody rooted for Neifi in 2006 because he sucked as a baseball player and had a manager that continually played him nearly everyday. Not rooting for Gomes is based on his douchebagery more than anything he would/will do on the field.

[Sammy Sofa]

You know what else was awesome about the A's? Cespedes.

[TheClash]

Nobody rooted for Neifi in 2006 because he sucked as a baseball player and had a manager that continually played him nearly everyday. Not rooting for Gomes is based on his douchebagery more than anything he would/will do on the field.

 

To be fair, Gomes sucks as a baseball player. He owns a career 2.3 WAR. He's had 2 good seasons spread apart by six crappy seasons. He's likely to suck next year. And let's not forget that prior to sucking in 2006, Neifi had a 2.1 WAR in 2005. Prior to sucking in 2013, Gomes had a 1.6 WAR in 2012.

 

:hello:

[Sammy Sofa]

Nobody rooted for Neifi in 2006 because he sucked as a baseball player and had a manager that continually played him nearly everyday. Not rooting for Gomes is based on his douchebagery more than anything he would/will do on the field.

 

To be fair, Gomes sucks as a baseball player. He owns a career 2.3 WAR. He's had 2 good seasons spread apart by six crappy seasons. He's likely to suck next year. And let's not forget that prior to sucking in 2006, Neifi had a 2.1 WAR in 2005. Prior to sucking in 2013, Gomes had a 1.6 WAR in 2012.

 

:hello:

 

He has good career numbers against LH pitchers, hence the talk of signing him for a platoon.

[Sammys Boombox]

Does anybody have a clue what the Cubs debt situation is?

[Drew Doughty]

Does anybody have a clue what the Cubs debt situation is?

 

they recently received a threatening phone call from a real mean sounding guy and have heightened security around theo's kneecaps