Random Cubs Musings

[Hairyducked Idiot]

No Russell?

 

I think he's indistiguishable from Rusin, so I'm hoping he gets traded.

[Cubswin11]

No Russell?

 

I think he's indistiguishable from Rusin, so I'm hoping he gets traded.

Can't say I disagree

[davell]

The roster I'm rooting to emerge out of ST, assuming we sign some lame veteran 5th starter like we apparently want to:

 

Vitters/Sweeney/Schierholtz (Ruggiano/Lake)

Olt/Castro/Barney/Rizzo (Valbuena, Watkins)

Castillo (Kottaras)

 

Samardzija/Wood/Jackson/Arrieta/LameVet

Veras/Wright/Rusin/Strop/Villanueva/Rondon/Cabrera

 

Semi-related: The back half of the 40-man is starting to pile up nicely with interesting guys. It's getting harder to find obvious cuts, although there are still a few.

 

Injuries are going to take care of some of it, but I don't know how the heck we're going to cut the pitching down to 12 guys. We've got like 25 who should deserve MLB consideration.

 

Your LF starter is one of the more obvious cuts.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

 

Your LF starter is one of the more obvious cuts.

 

If any other team cut a 24-year-old outfielder that was a No. 3 overall pick most recently seen putting up an .891 OPS in AAA, we'd be falling all over ourselves to add him.

[WrigleyField 22]

Also I know he has had his issues there but are we sure if he was in any other organization he wouldn't still be viewed as a 3B prospect? I mean it's basically never too late to become a LF so if Baez/Bryant/Olt/Villanueva/Valbuena don't exist, I think they're still trying to eek out 3B value from Vitters.

[Gilby]

The roster I'm rooting to emerge out of ST, assuming we sign some lame veteran 5th starter like we apparently want to:

 

Vitters/Sweeney/Schierholtz (Ruggiano/Lake)

Olt/Castro/Barney/Rizzo (Valbuena, Watkins)

Castillo (Kottaras)

 

Samardzija/Wood/Jackson/Arrieta/LameVet

Veras/Wright/Rusin/Strop/Villanueva/Rondon/Cabrera

 

Semi-related: The back half of the 40-man is starting to pile up nicely with interesting guys. It's getting harder to find obvious cuts, although there are still a few.

 

Injuries are going to take care of some of it, but I don't know how the heck we're going to cut the pitching down to 12 guys. We've got like 25 who should deserve MLB consideration.

 

Your LF starter is one of the more obvious cuts.

 

Disagree there. Off the top of my head, Jackson, Cabrera, and Watkins are all guys I'd rather cut instead of Vitters. There's still some potential for him to become a masher of lefties.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

Your LF starter is one of the more obvious cuts.

 

If any other team cut a 24-year-old outfielder that was a No. 3 overall pick most recently seen putting up an .891 OPS in AAA, we'd be falling all over ourselves to add him.

 

Yeah, but then we'd waive him 5 days later when some other guy with the same exact record came along

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I still think both teams have some potential to be formidable in the long run, but the Reds and Pirates both have had awful offseasons and the NL Central isn't as scary as it turned out to be last year, if someone can stop the Cardinals from winning 110 games.

[MWV]

What with all this crazy Vitters talk, I only just realized that he posted a 11 BB% in AAA last season!*

 

 

 

 

*in 100 PA. Which is close to 120 PA. Which is around where BB% begins to stabilize. So "MAYBE" he's starting to figure [expletive] out?**

 

 

 

 

**Probably not, but that would be amazing. I had pretty much forgot that he existed.

[Sammy Sofa]

I still think both teams have some potential to be formidable in the long run, but the Reds and Pirates both have had awful offseasons and the NL Central isn't as scary as it turned out to be last year, if someone can stop the Cardinals from winning 110 games.

 

EVERY SEASON IS PRECIOUS.

[Guest]

The roster I'm rooting to emerge out of ST, assuming we sign some lame veteran 5th starter like we apparently want to:

 

Vitters/Sweeney/Schierholtz (Ruggiano/Lake)

Olt/Castro/Barney/Rizzo (Valbuena, Watkins)

Castillo (Kottaras)

 

Samardzija/Wood/Jackson/Arrieta/LameVet

Veras/Wright/Rusin/Strop/Villanueva/Rondon/Cabrera

 

Semi-related: The back half of the 40-man is starting to pile up nicely with interesting guys. It's getting harder to find obvious cuts, although there are still a few.

 

Injuries are going to take care of some of it, but I don't know how the heck we're going to cut the pitching down to 12 guys. We've got like 25 who should deserve MLB consideration.

 

Your LF starter is one of the more obvious cuts.

 

Disagree there. Off the top of my head, Jackson, Cabrera, and Watkins are all guys I'd rather cut instead of Vitters. There's still some potential for him to become a masher of lefties.

Lake already mashes lefties and can play defense.

[WrigleyField 22]

Is there a good site for minor league splits? Are we sure either if these guys are only lefty mashers and not moderately successful against both sides?

[Cubswin11]

Lake has had varying success against LHP, while Vitters has continually been good-really good.

 

Lake OPS vs. LHP

 

2013 (combined AAA/MLB): .810

2012 (AA): .697

2011 (A+/AA): .786

2010 (A+): .842

2009 (A): .689

 

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=lake--001jun&type=bgl&year=2013

 

Vitters OPS vs LHP

 

2013 (AAA only 37 PA'S): .978

2012 (AAA/MLB): .839

2011 (AA): .803

2010 (A+/AA): .820

2009: (A/A+): .820

2008 (A): .908

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=vitter002jos&type=bgl&year=2013

Edited January 30, 2014 by Cubswin11

[Guest]

The roster I'm rooting to emerge out of ST, assuming we sign some lame veteran 5th starter like we apparently want to:

 

Vitters/Sweeney/Schierholtz (Ruggiano/Lake)

Olt/Castro/Barney/Rizzo (Valbuena, Watkins)

Castillo (Kottaras)

 

Samardzija/Wood/Jackson/Arrieta/LameVet

Veras/Wright/Rusin/Strop/Villanueva/Rondon/Cabrera

 

Semi-related: The back half of the 40-man is starting to pile up nicely with interesting guys. It's getting harder to find obvious cuts, although there are still a few.

 

Injuries are going to take care of some of it, but I don't know how the heck we're going to cut the pitching down to 12 guys. We've got like 25 who should deserve MLB consideration.

 

Your LF starter is one of the more obvious cuts.

 

Disagree there. Off the top of my head, Jackson, Cabrera, and Watkins are all guys I'd rather cut instead of Vitters. There's still some potential for him to become a masher of lefties.

Lake already mashes lefties and can play defense.

 

Lake will mash nothing. NOTHING!

[jersey cubs fan]

Lake will mash nothing. NOTHING!

 

Well, are you not counting cubinny's dreams?

[Guest]

I will be very happy if Vitters can come up and does well. Hopefully he can manage to stay healthy out of ST. His injuries have slowed his progress as much as anything else. Edited January 30, 2014 by CubinNY

[Backtobanks]

I will be very happy if Vitters can come up and do well. Hopefully he can manage to stay healthy out of ST. His injuries have slowed his progress as much as anything else.

 

With the talk of Vitters playing OF and Bryant's future as an OF, I'm wondering if we can find one more 3B to convert to the OF so we can have three former 3B as our starting OF.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

I will be very happy if Vitters can come up and do well. Hopefully he can manage to stay healthy out of ST. His injuries have slowed his progress as much as anything else.

 

With the talk of Vitters playing OF and Bryant's future as an OF, I'm wondering if we can find one more 3B to convert to the OF so we can have three former 3B as our starting OF.

 

Ryan Braun might come cheap?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I think the odds of Starlin Castro being a Cub at this time next year are less than 50/50.

[Guest]

I will be very happy if Vitters can come up and do well. Hopefully he can manage to stay healthy out of ST. His injuries have slowed his progress as much as anything else.

 

With the talk of Vitters playing OF and Bryant's future as an OF, I'm wondering if we can find one more 3B to convert to the OF so we can have three former 3B as our starting OF.

Lake played some 3B in the minors.

[Clem Fandango]

I think the odds of Starlin Castro being a Cub at this time next year are less than 50/50.

 

Not only would it not shock me if he's traded, it wouldn't bother me either. Especially if he bounces back and the kids are ready to go. Castro would likely be moved for pitching and, if his value is restored, would probably bring back something good.

[Guest]

If he actually rebounds, I'd rather just keep the 23 year old 3+ win shortstop.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If he actually rebounds, I'd rather just keep the 23 year old 3+ win shortstop.

 

But what if we have a full set of other 3-win infielders?

[treebird]

I think the odds of Starlin Castro being a Cub at this time next year are less than 50/50.

 

Not only would it not shock me if he's traded, it wouldn't bother me either. Especially if he bounces back and the kids are ready to go. Castro would likely be moved for pitching and, if his value is restored, would probably bring back something good.

 

OH BOY I HOPE WE HAVE A 24 YEAR OLD 4WAR SS TO TRADE AWAY SOON

 

http://i.imgur.com/rBXeQql.jpg

[Guest]

If he actually rebounds, I'd rather just keep the 23 year old 3+ win shortstop.

 

But what if we have a full set of other 3-win infielders?

 

I guess the answer to that all depends on a lot of variables and would be a nice embarrassment of riches to have.

 

I can't really give any other answer than that, lol