Re: Projecting the 2013 Cubs

[Tryptamine]

As of right this moment, LaHair would be an upgrade over our current bench. But I'm assuming we'll fix that at some point.

 

I agree that he would certainly be a nice bench player, but I'm willing to have a lesser player there just so I don't have to hear about how great Lahair is from the meatballs again this season.

[jersey cubs fan]

As of right this moment, LaHair would be an upgrade over our current bench. But I'm assuming we'll fix that at some point.

 

I agree that he would certainly be a nice bench player, but I'm willing to have a lesser player there just so I don't have to hear about how great Lahair is from the meatballs again this season.

 

I'm not really sure where he would fit, given the need for real depth at positions he can't play, the fact that the most stable position they have filled is the one he plays the most, and that the number of pre-injured arms on the staff likely means they will have to go with 13 pitchers from time to time.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'm not really sure where he would fit, given the need for real depth at positions he can't play, the fact that the most stable position they have filled is the one he plays the most, and that the number of pre-injured arms on the staff likely means they will have to go with 13 pitchers from time to time.

 

13 pitchers doesn't seem remotely likely.

 

As of right now, our non-C bench consists of Sappelt, Campana, Valbuena and pressing Clevenger into a Tyler Houston corners role. There's definitely room for LaHair there.

[Cubswin11]

Keith Law did his top 25 under 25 guys in the majors today. Anybody have insider/want to share where he has and what he has to say about Castro/Rizzo? Thanks!

[Thed Hoyerstein]

Keith Law did his top 25 under 25 guys in the majors today. Anybody have insider/want to share where he has and what he has to say about Castro/Rizzo? Thanks!

 

8. Castro

 

- Only way that he moves off short is if forced off by another player

- Likely to hit around .300 with good doubles power, can grow into 20-homer power

- Possible to add 15-20 walks/year

 

18. Rizzo

 

- Thinks 2013 will be ~ 25 HR's, high .200s BA along with great defense at 1st

- Moderately patient

- Struggled against lefties in the bigs; thinks he can make adjustments as he has proved in the past

- High mental makeup; isn't Jay Cutler

[treebird]

- High mental makeup; isn't Jay Cutler

 

 

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[VVMattVV]

- High mental makeup; isn't Jay Cutler

 

 

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Rizzo would be a million times cooler if he flipped the ball at the baserunner after making a nice play

[Cubswin11]

Keith Law did his top 25 under 25 guys in the majors today. Anybody have insider/want to share where he has and what he has to say about Castro/Rizzo? Thanks!

 

8. Castro

 

- Only way that he moves off short is if forced off by another player

- Likely to hit around .300 with good doubles power, can grow into 20-homer power

- Possible to add 15-20 walks/year

 

18. Rizzo

 

- Thinks 2013 will be ~ 25 HR's, high .200s BA along with great defense at 1st

- Moderately patient

- Struggled against lefties in the bigs; thinks he can make adjustments as he has proved in the past

- High mental makeup; isn't Jay Cutler

Thanks

[neely crenshaw]

I was pretty clear that I, in no way, think we should have signed Lahair. I just think the hate and pure disdain for even considering keeping him is odd considering some of the other "reclamation" projects we have signed and re-signed.

 

I think it's odd how little thought you put into the notion that the Cubs are desperate for 3B help and that's the only reason they have Stewart around and they are not desperate for 1B so there's literally zero justifiable reason to even consider bringing LaHair back.

 

Pretty sure I said I understand why the signed Stewart but for the record why does having a need at 3b cause the hate for Lahair?

Or for that matter make it any more or less likely that either would hit 20 hrs?

[Guest]

I was pretty clear that I, in no way, think we should have signed Lahair. I just think the hate and pure disdain for even considering keeping him is odd considering some of the other "reclamation" projects we have signed and re-signed.

 

I think it's odd how little thought you put into the notion that the Cubs are desperate for 3B help and that's the only reason they have Stewart around and they are not desperate for 1B so there's literally zero justifiable reason to even consider bringing LaHair back.

 

Pretty sure I said I understand why the signed Stewart but for the record why does having a need at 3b cause the hate for Lahair?

Or for that matter make it any more or less likely that either would hit 20 hrs?

 

You do realize that you brought up Stewart, right?

[Sammy Sofa]

Holy hell, it's like arguing with a semi-sentient capybara.

[Thed Hoyerstein]

- High mental makeup; isn't Jay Cutler

 

 

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I should have put the Cutler part in green, huh?

[neely crenshaw]

Yes, I brought up Stewart.

My first point was- Why is it so improbable that Lahair could hit 20, (as zips predicted) When so many have belief that Stewart will turn it around this year. Which when I looked back at the 3rd base thread, and the signing of Stewart thread and most were fine with it, and even thought he could bounce back because his wrist was the problem.

SO my 2nd point was why is everyone fine with him, but so against Lahair.

Yes, we signed stewart for a need, I acknowledge that. I just don't get the hate from so many posters that then turn around and fully support some other gamble signings. There was actually less "hate" on signing willis, as there was toward even the mention of Lahair. To me that seems odd.

[Guest]

In its simplest terms, LaHair can't hit(I would bet my life on under 20 HR from him this year), can't run, can't throw, can't field anywhere but 1B, is 30 years old, and just had to find work in Japan. He has no place on this roster or any MLB roster for that matter.

 

Stewart in all likelihood can't hit, isn't a runner, but can field and throw very well at a position we have no immediate option. The sentiment when he was brought back was "he's probably not going to be any good, but that's not much different than Valbuena and the options on the FA market are truly awful." He also was brought back for essentially nothing(wasn't his contract not immediately guaranteed?) which doesn't hinder the team from getting another 3B if one presents itself.

 

There's a pretty clear difference here. LaHair is not an MLB hitter and is strictly a 1B, making him a horrible option for any MLB team. Stewart is likely not an MLB hitter but is a plus defensive 3B, making him a stopgap for a team that doesn't have any better option like the Cubs.

[neely crenshaw]

In its simplest terms, LaHair can't hit(I would bet my life on under 20 HR from him this year), can't run, can't throw, can't field anywhere but 1B, is 30 years old, and just had to find work in Japan. He has no place on this roster or any MLB roster for that matter.

 

Stewart in all likelihood can't hit, isn't a runner, but can field and throw very well at a position we have no immediate option. The sentiment when he was brought back was "he's probably not going to be any good, but that's not much different than Valbuena and the options on the FA market are truly awful." He also was brought back for essentially nothing(wasn't his contract not immediately guaranteed?) which doesn't hinder the team from getting another 3B if one presents itself.

 

There's a pretty clear difference here. LaHair is not an MLB hitter and is strictly a 1B, making him a horrible option for any MLB team. Stewart is likely not an MLB hitter but is a plus defensive 3B, making him a stopgap for a team that doesn't have any better option like the Cubs.

 

 

Tiger I agree and understand but i still don't cringe at him being a 5th OF. We have some bad players on our 40 man that fit that same description. I am in now way pining for Lahair nor do i think we will miss him but he is as good as many on the 40 man, and 25 man roster. Of course I will think of him when we have to pinch hit campana,valbuena or even travis wood for a pitcher because our bench is so lacking in major league hitters.

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure that mgmt is hoping Jackson can win the CF job. That would push Schierholtz to the bench and make that a much stronger group.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'm pretty sure Schierholtz was promised playing time. If Jackson wins CF, I'd expect DeJesus or Soriano to be moved.

[Backtobanks]

I'm pretty sure Schierholtz was promised playing time. If Jackson wins CF, I'd expect DeJesus or Soriano to be moved.

 

I would expect Soriano or DeJesus might get moved too, but there wouldn't be much Schierholtz could do about be moved to the bench if they weren't.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm pretty sure Schierholtz was promised playing time. If Jackson wins CF, I'd expect DeJesus or Soriano to be moved.

 

Yeah, you can't upset the likes of Nate Schierholtz.

 

The Cubs don't have a single guy who is a lockdown 160 game OF starter. Even if Jackson starts in CF there should be plenty of space for Nate.

[ConstableRabbit]

- High mental makeup; isn't Jay Cutler

 

 

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I should have put the Cutler part in green, huh?

The sad part is, I totally thought it actually said that. Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to Jay.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm pretty sure Schierholtz was promised playing time.

 

Who gives a [expletive]?

[TruffleShuffle]

i don't know why anyone would guarantee playing time to a 28 year old corner outfielder who can't hit much, let alone care about honoring a supposed playing time commitment to said player. if he bitches about being relegated to fourth OF duties behind a prospect who actually has some promise, then trade him for nothing. who gives a crap.

[biittner77]

i don't know why anyone would guarantee playing time to a 28 year old corner outfielder who can't hit much, let alone care about honoring a supposed playing time commitment to said player.

 

Because he's Jim Hendry and he does right by the players?

 

Given the age, health and possible trade of Soriano, and the fact that their is at least one opening, he should expect to play but I can't imagine anyone promisimg him anything.

[davell]

Theo expects both Garza and Baker to be ready for the start of the season. Mentioned Baker may be around the 75 pitch limit at that point, then raised the possibility of piggybacking with him.

[jersey cubs fan]

Bruce Miles ‏@BruceMiles2112

Mark Prior to address #Cubs minor leaguers today