Cubs claim Thomas Neal from Yankees

[Schwarber Fan]

He's raking in AAA and for some reason wasn't on the ML Yankees... Bruce says he's going right to the Cubs.

[Guest]

Raking is probably a strong word to use there, he's not doing much but hitting singles(and lots of them, given his .392 BABIP) to the tune of an .802 OPS. Hopefully he can get some XBH against LHP.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

.802 OPS in AAA with a .392 BABIP.

 

We've entered the phase of the season where we're trying to fill holes with guys we don't mind cutting in the offseason in preparation for some tough 40-man decisions.

[sneakypower]

Raking is probably a strong word to use there, he's not doing much but hitting singles(and lots of them, given his .392 BABIP) to the tune of an .802 OPS. Hopefully he can get some XBH against LHP.

he doesn't really have very pronounced splits (OPS: .810 vs. LHP, .814 vs. RHP last 3 MiLB seasons)

[Clem Fandango]

I remember when he was sort of a "thing" when he had his breakout year in 2009. No clue what happened to his power. Is the California League a notorious hitters environment?

[Guest]

I remember when he was sort of a "thing" when he had his breakout year in 2009. No clue what happened to his power. Is the California League a notorious hitters environment?

 

 

IIRC, big time yes.

[davell]

We've got Baker, Sweeney, Gregg, Guerrier, and Navarro dropping off as FA. We've also got Putnam, Bogusevic, Murphy, Ransom, Gillespie, and now Neal. This isn't even counting guys like Dolis, McNutt, Bowden, Rondon, Sanchez, and Sappelt that most wouldn't bark too loudly about, if they weren't here all of a sudden. Then factor in who has to be added, which is Alcantara and possibly Paniagua and Ben Wells, depending on their contracts- a 40 man crunch isn't an issue this offseason thankfully.

[jersey cubs fan]

I remember when he was sort of a "thing" when he had his breakout year in 2009. No clue what happened to his power. Is the California League a notorious hitters environment?

 

 

IIRC, big time yes.

 

California is notorious for one hitters.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

We've got Baker, Sweeney, Gregg, Guerrier, and Navarro dropping off as FA. We've also got Putnam, Bogusevic, Murphy, Ransom, Gillespie, and now Neal. This isn't even counting guys like Dolis, McNutt, Bowden, Rondon, Sanchez, and Sappelt that most wouldn't bark too loudly about, if they weren't here all of a sudden. Then factor in who has to be added, which is Alcantara and possibly Paniagua and Ben Wells, depending on their contracts- a 40 man crunch isn't an issue this offseason thankfully.

 

After the FAs drop off, you are at 39, with only one catcher. You can boot off that first tier of guys you listed, but then when you add on Rule 5 protectees, you are almost full again.

 

It's nothing we can't work with, but it will be one of the toughest offseasons we've ever had for roster space. There will be a ton of the gaming like we did last year.

[davell]

I don't consider it tough at all. We've got plenty of flexibility, since we have lots of guys we honestly don't care whether they're here or not. I'd drop the 1st group, add Alcantara, and we're at 35. Even if we add 2 catchers, we've still got the second group to take away from.

[Guest]

I remember when he was sort of a "thing" when he had his breakout year in 2009. No clue what happened to his power. Is the California League a notorious hitters environment?

 

 

IIRC, big time yes.

 

You recall correctly.

[wekim81]

two first names, alright

[seanimal]

I remember when he was sort of a "thing" when he had his breakout year in 2009. No clue what happened to his power. Is the California League a notorious hitters environment?

 

 

IIRC, big time yes.

 

California is notorious for one hitters.

 

i think they prefer something a little more blunt

[imb]

two first names, alright

 

he just wants his kids back

[Clem Fandango]

two first names, alright

 

he just wants his kids back

 

Hahahahaha