Random Cubs Musings

[biittner77]

Bryant should get reps in LF and 3B and play where the bat is needed more. Sign a capable CF/OF and roll with a deep lineup with positional flexibility. Russell may complicate things in 6 months but I don't think you totally move Bryant off what would be his most valuable position unless he can't hack it. But the LF/3B split needs to favor 3B since LF won't be as hard to pick up long term and makes Bryant's bat more valuable.

 

 

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I understand the value argument but Bryant is only more valuable at 3rd if the Cubs don't have someone else they can play there that is better than whomever the have in LF. Something else to consider: The Cubs might want to hold Bryant's perceived value down to save money. If Bryant can do what he's been doing at 3rd, he'd command a lot more money than producing at the same level while playing LF. Though if he produces the way we hope he will it might not matter too much.

[WrigleyField 22]

See my second post. Getting some "whomever" to play LF and put up a 330+ wOBA or whatever Valbuena would put up shouldn't be THAT hard.

 

The point about holding down Bryant's perceived valuable is laughable from all standpoints IMO.

 

 

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[Guest]

See my second post. Getting some "whomever" to play LF and put up a 330+ wOBA or whatever Valbuena would put up shouldn't be THAT hard.

 

 

Doesn't mean the net defensive impact wouldn't still make Valbuena at 3B and Bryant in LF a better option.

[WrigleyField 22]

Even when you consider Russell,that's a plan that involves putting a guy from SS to 3B where his value will decline (shout out Sulley) so it'd make sense to move the loser of that battle because LF is always gonna be easier to fill than 3B. So if Kris can hack it at 3B that's ideal, but if he has some LF experience and can offer some versatility that's also a plus.

 

 

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[WrigleyField 22]

See my second post. Getting some "whomever" to play LF and put up a 330+ wOBA or whatever Valbuena would put up shouldn't be THAT hard.

 

 

Doesn't mean the net defensive impact wouldn't still make Valbuena at 3B and Bryant in LF a better option.

Which I addressed, but I don't imagine we're talking about anyone on the extreme defensive outliers though. And if we are, then we go with it, but it could happen we can match the difference in defensive output from Bryant to Valbuena but if we move Bryant off 3B prematurely that option is gone.

 

 

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[Gilby]

Even when you consider Russell,that's a plan that involves putting a guy from SS to 3B where his value will decline (shout out Sulley) so it'd make sense to move the loser of that battle because LF is always gonna be easier to fill than 3B. So if Kris can hack it at 3B that's ideal, but if he has some LF experience and can offer some versatility that's also a plus.

 

 

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We don't know that for sure. Maybe Starlin shows really good range for a 3rd baseman and the defensive metrics start to like him.

[Guest]

Even when you consider Russell,that's a plan that involves putting a guy from SS to 3B where his value will decline (shout out Sulley) so it'd make sense to move the loser of that battle because LF is always gonna be easier to fill than 3B. So if Kris can hack it at 3B that's ideal, but if he has some LF experience and can offer some versatility that's also a plus.

 

 

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Sure, if you can find that perfect deal with which to optimize value thereafter, go nuts. I don't think you'll find anybody against that. The issue is actually finding that value in return.

 

If not, I don't see why either can't be plenty valuable as a 3B

[WrigleyField 22]

They can be plenty valuable but if you move Bryant to LF full time this offseason you're giving up a really good existing option of Bryant the 3B whereas Bryant to LF option will never really die and you can even plan for that option without giving up the best option of Bryant the 3B.

 

It's really simple. Foster and plan on Bryant the 3B while working in some LF work as a contingency and flexibility plan.

 

 

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[Backtobanks]

I have trouble believing that Bryant is an absolute butcher at 3B. He has played the position all along and nobody felt it necessary to move him to LF before this.

[imb]

I have trouble believing that Bryant is an absolute butcher at 3B. He has played the position all along and nobody felt it necessary to move him to LF before this.

 

He was really bad when I saw him

[Banedon]

I have trouble believing that Bryant is an absolute butcher at 3B. He has played the position all along and nobody felt it necessary to move him to LF before this.

 

He doesn't have to be a butcher at 3B for a move to the OF to be the best move.

[WrigleyField 22]

Also defensive metrics keep liking Valbuena less so it doesn't take much to imagine even a below average Bryant 3B and Coghlan esque LF could outhit Valbuena enough to overcome whatever value he provides on defense+ offense as a 3B.

 

ETA while still giving Valbuena plenty of ABs with injuries, off days, and playing matchups.

 

 

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[Guest]

I'd say this year is an outlier for Valbuena defensively more than they 'keep liking him less'. He was +18 at 3B last year and +27 the year before that.

[Guest]

I have trouble believing that Bryant is an absolute butcher at 3B. He has played the position all along and nobody felt it necessary to move him to LF before this.

 

He was really bad when I saw him

 

Sample size and amateur scout alert, but in the little I've seen on TV he has looked pretty bad to my naked eye. Enough so that I almost think that BA scouting report was made up completely or a joke.

[Guest]

To even be extremely basic about it, he had 21 errors in less than 130 games. He's not thought to be some range monster that might be upping error totals by trying to make 'too many' plays either. I don't think Bryant would be some -20 disaster at 3B or anything, but it's very easy to see why some think his best MLB position is in the OF, and maybe immediately.

[Clem Fandango]

Didn't the Double A coaches vote him the best defensive third basemen in the league? I'm not saying that as a defense, I'm just curious why they would say something that even the most optimistic Bryant-for-3B supporters would chuckle at?

[WrigleyField 22]

I'd say this year is an outlier for Valbuena defensively more than they 'keep liking him less'. He was +18 at 3B last year and +27 the year before that.

Edit can't read

 

Even if you accept a defensive bounce back and this year is the outlier, his wOBA may be an outlier as well and he's more 320 ish.

 

I feel like I'm bashing Valbuena when I actually do like him, I just don't see giving up Bryant the 3B due to the combo of his presence and Russell/Javy. And perhaps it's optimistic but I still see lots of Valbuena ABs available with lots of guys being able to offer positional versatility (including Bryant covering some LF). Only real thing that's lacking is a reliable CF backup who would allow Alcantara to move around even more.

 

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[Vinestal]

To even be extremely basic about it, he had 21 errors in less than 130 games. He's not thought to be some range monster that might be upping error totals by trying to make 'too many' plays either. I don't think Bryant would be some -20 disaster at 3B or anything, but it's very easy to see why some think his best MLB position is in the OF, and maybe immediately.

How many errors did Castro make over his last 130 games in the minors?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

To even be extremely basic about it, he had 21 errors in less than 130 games. He's not thought to be some range monster that might be upping error totals by trying to make 'too many' plays either. I don't think Bryant would be some -20 disaster at 3B or anything, but it's very easy to see why some think his best MLB position is in the OF, and maybe immediately.

How many errors did Castro make over his last 130 games in the minors?

 

Different position, different age

[Guest]

god damnit. i am enjoying the cubs so much right now and i'm so bummed it's gonna be over soon.

[bukie]

Cubs are currently closer to a playoff berth than they are to having the #1 pick.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Bryant could be the worst 3B in the league defensively for all I care (but he wouldn't be), as long as he's top whatever offensively (he may quickly be). Him sticking at 3B is enormously valuable to our best lineup possible.

 

Wouldn't you rather build from

 

3B Bryant

1B Rizzo

OF Soler

OF _______

 

than

 

OF Bryant

1B Rizzo

OF Soler

3B _______

 

if even for just 5 years (2015-20), max?

 

Everyone wants Stanton and not give up Bryant or Soler in the process - and that most likely includes Theo, too - so obviously the only way to accommodate that is if KB sticks at 3rd through Soler's contract, then moves to his spot (LF) once he's moved on, because Stanton will theoretically have RF locked up through 2022+, by that point.

 

But that's if you think we'll deal for Stanton, which I'm not sure we will, but I'd most likely be ok with.

[Guest]

I think one of the middle infielders will get traded if Theo thinks Bryant can handle 3rd. My opinion is that he'll be in the outfield sooner rather than later. I think Theo is tipping his hand a little with his recent comments.

 

I would love to see the Cubs use one of the surplus middle infielders in a package to nab Stanton, but I really don't think that is in the plans. I think Theo has his hand picked boys (minus Baez) and wants to see what they can do. It will be a pretty sick team even if all of them as a group only average 80% of their projections, 27-29 Yankees sick. I cannot wait for Bryant to start mashing. There will be no one to pitch around 1-7.

[Guest]

Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat 2m

#Cubs have won 6 straight home games for 1st time since June 29-July 15, 2002, vs Astros, D-backs

 

kind of shocked this didn't happen once in 08

 

i realize it's more of a happenstance thing but we were pretty awesome at home

[chuckywang]

Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat · 59m

Ryan Kalish was packing up his apartment and eating at Chipotle when agent called, telling him #Cubs wanted him at Wrigley

 

Patrick Healy ‏@phealy847 26m

@CarrieMuskat how could he be packing up his apartment and eating at chipotle at the same time?