Random Cubs Musings

[Guest]

Don't say 3rd because that would be stupid.

[Guest]

At least understand what average means. If Bryant is handling 3rd base you don't move him in the middle of a [expletive] season so you can put a guy from AAA in. if the LF tandem stinks who is more likely to make the transition to a new position easier in LF a SS or a 3rd?

How about I say the guy that's played outfield before?

[Guest]

At least understand what average means. If Bryant is handling 3rd base you don't move him in the middle of a [expletive] season so you can put a guy from AAA in. if the LF tandem stinks who is more likely to make the transition to a new position easier in LF a SS or a 3rd?

How about I say the guy that's played outfield before?

How many games and how long ago?

[Guest]

At least understand what average means. If Bryant is handling 3rd base you don't move him in the middle of a [expletive] season so you can put a guy from AAA in. if the LF tandem stinks who is more likely to make the transition to a new position easier in LF a SS or a 3rd?

Also, a quick quiz: which player stole more than twice as many bases in 2014: Bryant or Russell?

 

(not that this proves anything other than how stupid your blind assumptions are based on position)

[Splendid Splinter]

At least understand what average means. If Bryant is handling 3rd base you don't move him in the middle of a [expletive] season so you can put a guy from AAA in. if the LF tandem stinks who is more likely to make the transition to a new position easier in LF a SS or a 3rd?

 

You do realize that if Russell goes to LF that you are moving him in the middle of a [expletive] season right?

[Guest]

At least understand what average means. If Bryant is handling 3rd base you don't move him in the middle of a [expletive] season so you can put a guy from AAA in. if the LF tandem stinks who is more likely to make the transition to a new position easier in LF a SS or a 3rd?

Also, a quick quiz: which player stole more than twice as many bases in 2014: Bryant or Russell?

 

(not that this proves anything other than how stupid your blind assumptions are based on position)

What's the average flying distance of an African Swollow? I can ask questions too.

 

I think Russell has a better chance taking over at 2nd than 3rd.

[Guest]

At least understand what average means. If Bryant is handling 3rd base you don't move him in the middle of a [expletive] season so you can put a guy from AAA in. if the LF tandem stinks who is more likely to make the transition to a new position easier in LF a SS or a 3rd?

 

You do realize that if Russell goes to LF that you are moving him in the middle of a [expletive] season right?

No, it never occurred to me.

 

Do you think he's going to play SS when he comes up? If the answer is no...

Edited January 28, 2015 by CubinNY

[imb]

Holy [expletive] you are one dumb son of a bitch

[Guest]

Holy [expletive] you are one dumb son of a bitch

Nice.

[SABR Gamer]

At least understand what average means. If Bryant is handling 3rd base you don't move him in the middle of a [expletive] season so you can put a guy from AAA in. if the LF tandem stinks who is more likely to make the transition to a new position easier in LF a SS or a 3rd?

 

Haha, bringing up an old conversation that you were wrong about to begin with? You admit you aren't very talented with the English language, so this is probably a time to just try to play it off as you not understanding a word properly, if you want.

 

Back on topic, as it has been pointed out, Bryant has outfield experience. It's unlikely he completely forgot how to play the outfield in the past couple of years, so he would probably be more comfortable in the OF than Russell, in addition to Russell being the better infielder. I'd much rather have Bryant in LF and Russell at 3B in any situation, midseason transition or not.

[SABR Gamer]

Holy [expletive] you are one dumb son of a bitch

 

I'd be terrified of him educating anyone I cared about. Sorry if that's too personal, but damn.

[RammyFanny]

Russell is likely a plus plus defender at 3rd, and Bryant is likely a plus defender in left.

 

Bryant is likely below average at 3rd, maybe average. Who knows what Russell is in left?

 

One guy has never played outside of the infield in his life, and the other was surprising scouts 2 years ago by playing a solid CF and a great RF at San Diego (not a massive sample size of course, but enough to get an idea for scouts to make fair projections).

[treebird]

Bryant is likely a plus defender in left.

 

is that true?

[RammyFanny]

Bryant is likely a plus defender in left.

 

is that true?

Scouts were dropping Jason Werth (saying "gold glove") comps on his D in RF at San Diego. His arm out there was apparently awesome. Obviously he'll probably take a little time since it's been awhile, but the tools are there.

[SABR Gamer]

Bryant is likely a plus defender in left.

 

is that true?

 

I think "likely" is too much, but he's got the physical tools to be above average, so it's definitely possible he becomes one.

[RammyFanny]

I think "likely" is too much, but he's got the physical tools to be above average, so it's definitely possible he becomes one.

Pretty much where I'm at. I think he'd get there with time. There were probably more, but a few random quotes from predraft time:

 

The only question remaining is whether Bryant will be a third baseman in the big leagues or a corner outfielder. Bryant has played some right field this year and even center, showing scouts a plus to plus-plus arm and good instincts. He’s an average runner from home to first and a little better than that underway. Hill used to say that he thinks Bryant has Gold Glove right fielder written all over him, but the more Bryant improves at the hot corner, the better his chances to stay at third base look.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/college-player-of-the-year-kris-bryant/

 

“Some guys think he’s a third baseman,” a scout says. “Some scouts think he could be a Gold Glove right fielder, like Jayson Werth. He’s got that kind of body. And he can really throw.”

http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/scott-miller/22356953/budding-slugger-kris-bryant-brings-scouts-back-to-glaus-werth

 

His own head coach:

Hill said Bryant would be an adequate big-league third baseman but had Gold Glove potential as a right fielder.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/sports/baseball/kris-bryant-could-power-his-way-into-top-5-of-baseball-draft.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1

 

Keith Law (a little more recently):

He’s a good athlete for his size and has a chance to remain at third base; if he has to move to the outfield, he’ll be above average to plus in right, with plenty of arm for any position on the field. At worst, he’ll be an impact power bat with good defense in right and adequate OBPs

http://vineline.mlblogs.com/2014/01/29/espns-keith-law-unveils-top-farm-systems-prospects/

 

Etc etc...

 

And keep in mind all of these quotes are about RF, which is generally considered a tougher position than LF.

[imb]

Holy [expletive] you are one dumb son of a bitch

Nice.

 

I mean I like you but [expletive]

[RynoRules]

LOL

 

This board has been fun lately.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

There's going to be some special on MLB Network tonight and a big part of it is Cubs related I guess

 

Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat · 6h 6 hours ago

Want a peek at tonight's @MLBNetwork show on @ARizzo44, Maddon? Here it is. #Cubs http://atmlb.com/1H6hsLg via @mlb

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v37183025/mlb-network-looks-back-at-rizzos-path-to-stardom/?mlbtax=vtp_mlb_network

[jersey cubs fan]

In a world where tenure/time served holds sway over ability, it would make sense to me that the new guy would be forced to move off his normal duties if he wants to work with the organization that already has people at his position. And baseball is absolutely a world in which tenure/time serves holds sway. In the normal course of business there's no doubt to me that a guy like Russell would be forced to play a different position if he was called up to a team that had a competent Bryant at 3B and Castro at SS, and LF may be the most likely destination, given the lack of interesting guys playing there already.

 

 

But the Cubs might do things differently enough that they might actually have Bryant make the move in that situation.

[Fro]

There's going to be some special on MLB Network tonight and a big part of it is Cubs related I guess

 

Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat · 6h 6 hours ago

Want a peek at tonight's @MLBNetwork show on @ARizzo44, Maddon? Here it is. #Cubs http://atmlb.com/1H6hsLg via @mlb

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v37183025/mlb-network-looks-back-at-rizzos-path-to-stardom/?mlbtax=vtp_mlb_network

 

 

Watched it last night... last 40 minutes was all Cubs stuff

- Maddon doing psychotherapy sessions for every Cubs fan he meets

- 2 callers on a crappy radio talk show after Maddon was hired are representative of all Cubs fans being negative

- Surprised TheoJed didn't hire him with the Red Sox when they had the chance

- Lots of Rays fans saying "Good luck" at Maddon's hipster restaurant in Tampa and how they'd have to be Cubs fans again

 

- Rizzo gets his tiny face from his Dad

- Rizzo's family is pretty stereotypical, Italian-Americans, talking about going to the "Jersey Shore". Mom and Dad could be on the Sopranos.

- The story about Rizzo/Lester being cancer bros

- Some college-age cancer dude crying about how Rizzo hit "2 home runs for him" and blew him kisses after the HRs.

[ConstableRabbit]

There's going to be some special on MLB Network tonight and a big part of it is Cubs related I guess

 

Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat · 6h 6 hours ago

Want a peek at tonight's @MLBNetwork show on @ARizzo44, Maddon? Here it is. #Cubs http://atmlb.com/1H6hsLg via @mlb

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/7417714/v37183025/mlb-network-looks-back-at-rizzos-path-to-stardom/?mlbtax=vtp_mlb_network

 

 

Watched it last night... last 40 minutes was all Cubs stuff

- Maddon doing psychotherapy sessions for every Cubs fan he meets

- 2 callers on a crappy radio talk show after Maddon was hired are representative of all Cubs fans being negative

- Surprised TheoJed didn't hire him with the Red Sox when they had the chance

- Lots of Rays fans saying "Good luck" at Maddon's hipster restaurant in Tampa and how they'd have to be Cubs fans again

 

- Rizzo gets his tiny face from his Dad

- Rizzo's family is pretty stereotypical, Italian-Americans, talking about going to the "Jersey Shore". Mom and Dad could be on the Sopranos.

- The story about Rizzo/Lester being cancer bros

- Some college-age cancer dude crying about how Rizzo hit "2 home runs for him" and blew him kisses after the HRs.

 

I know it's to be expected from a guy named Anthony Rizzo, but it was pretty hilarious to see.

[Guest]

i liked the clip of him running around in a tmnt costume

[Guest]

In a world where tenure/time served holds sway over ability, it would make sense to me that the new guy would be forced to move off his normal duties if he wants to work with the organization that already has people at his position. And baseball is absolutely a world in which tenure/time serves holds sway. In the normal course of business there's no doubt to me that a guy like Russell would be forced to play a different position if he was called up to a team that had a competent Bryant at 3B and Castro at SS, and LF may be the most likely destination, given the lack of interesting guys playing there already.

 

 

But the Cubs might do things differently enough that they might actually have Bryant make the move in that situation.

I pretty much agree. I was just putting it out there. I do think his most likely destination for this year will be 2nd base. I'm very pessimistic on Baez and I don't think they'll move Bryant unless he struggling.

[XZero771679666304]

Even if Baez completely flames out, which I think is a distinct possibility (if not probability), you still have Alcantara/La Stella for 2B. As has been mentioned, Bryant's OF potential and experience (albeit limited) combined with Russell's IF fielding ability superiority makes moving Kris to the OF the most likely and sensible move. Obviously you want to keep potent IF bats on the IF to maximize their value, but if circumstances dictate that one of them has to move to the OF, Bryant looks to be the guy, imo.

 

Of course much of this depends on how the LF platoon and the 2B options perform this year. If the platoon is doing well and Arismendy and Baez are struggling, then Russell to 2B makes more sense.