Spring Training Thread

[Guest]

Matt Spiegel ‏@MattSpiegel670 18m

We're live at the gorgeous Cubs Park in Mesa at 9. Jeff Samardzija, Len Kasper, Rick Renteria, and Theo Epstein all scheduled to join us.

[Backtobanks]

Barney to SS to increase his trade value.

 

Barney to SS because the SS is hurt and people have always thought he'd be able to handle SS...

 

That too.

[Sammys Boombox]

https://www.usatodaysportsimages.com/searchWithinSearch/?searhWithin=searchWithin&q=chicago+cubs&orientation=&widthMin=&widthMax=&frmdate=&todate=&tag=&keywordTypes=None&searchHistory=%5B%5B%22%5C%22chicago+cubs%5C%22%22%2C+%22chicago+cubs%22%2C+null%2C+null%2C+null%2C+null%2C+null%2C+null%2C+null%2C+30%2C+%22simple%22%2C+null%2C+null%2C+null%5D%5D&keyWord=&searchtxt=%22chicago+cubs+photo+day%22&searchWithin=Search

 

Photo Day Pics

 

We have too many Royals rejects on this team.

[Guest]

Mark Gonzales ‏@MDGonzales 10m

Castro had MRI on hamstring "Nothing bad." will walk in the pool today. stiffness has subsided.

[Guest]

I love listening to Theo speak.

 

He's being pretty candid (and still Theo-ey) on with Mac and Spiegs right now.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I love listening to Theo speak.

 

He's being pretty candid (and still Theo-ey) on with Mac and Spiegs right now.

 

 

Nothing really new that I heard, but it was still worth the listen. Reiterated that Baez isn't "knocking down the door" yet and won't be until he's dominating AAA.

[Guest]

I love listening to Theo speak.

 

He's being pretty candid (and still Theo-ey) on with Mac and Spiegs right now.

 

 

Nothing really new that I heard, but it was still worth the listen. Reiterated that Baez isn't "knocking down the door" yet and won't be until he's dominating AAA.

 

 

Well, he did outwardly say that they went as far as they were willing to go on a few really good free agents (that on its own doesn't mean that much) that really interested them even if they weren't the perfect age within the context of saying that the planned pursuit of Tanaka didn't keep them from doing anything else that they wanted to do.

 

I'm not sure how much you can glean from that but I was a little shocked to hear him say as much as he did about it.

 

Again mentioned dropping the financial hammer when it's available to them.

 

I don't think they're just going to sit on money when they have a lot of it and have more MLB talent because the guys aren't 26 years old or whatever.

[SouthSideRyan]

I love listening to Theo speak.

 

He's being pretty candid (and still Theo-ey) on with Mac and Spiegs right now.

 

 

Nothing really new that I heard, but it was still worth the listen. Reiterated that Baez isn't "knocking down the door" yet and won't be until he's dominating AAA.

 

 

Well, he did outwardly say that they went as far as they were willing to go on a few really good free agents (that on its own doesn't mean that much) that really interested them even if they weren't the perfect age within the context of saying that the planned pursuit of Tanaka didn't keep them from doing anything else that they wanted.

 

I don't quite know how to express my reaction to this but it's certainly not positive

[treebird]

I love listening to Theo speak.

 

He's being pretty candid (and still Theo-ey) on with Mac and Spiegs right now.

 

 

Nothing really new that I heard, but it was still worth the listen. Reiterated that Baez isn't "knocking down the door" yet and won't be until he's dominating AAA.

 

 

Well, he did outwardly say that they went as far as they were willing to go on a few really good free agents (that on its own doesn't mean that much) that really interested them even if they weren't the perfect age within the context of saying that the planned pursuit of Tanaka didn't keep them from doing anything else that they wanted.

 

I don't quite know how to express my reaction to this but it's certainly not positive

 

it's probably (hopefully) just a lie. coming out with "yeah we had no idea our offer would be tens of millions of dollars short so we passed on the entire offseason to make it" would not exactly make him sound super competent.

[SouthSideRyan]

I love listening to Theo speak.

 

He's being pretty candid (and still Theo-ey) on with Mac and Spiegs right now.

 

 

Nothing really new that I heard, but it was still worth the listen. Reiterated that Baez isn't "knocking down the door" yet and won't be until he's dominating AAA.

 

 

Well, he did outwardly say that they went as far as they were willing to go on a few really good free agents (that on its own doesn't mean that much) that really interested them even if they weren't the perfect age within the context of saying that the planned pursuit of Tanaka didn't keep them from doing anything else that they wanted.

 

I don't quite know how to express my reaction to this but it's certainly not positive

 

it's probably (hopefully) just a lie. coming out with "yeah we had no idea our offer would be tens of millions of dollars short so we passed on the entire offseason to make it" would not exactly make him sound super competent.

 

I'm not sure "we're not willing to pay market rate for anyone" is much better

[Soul]

I love listening to Theo speak.

 

He certainly is good at talking.

[Guest]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/03/04/epstein-cubs-cooking-the-whole-meal-and-it-will-be-special/

[Clem Fandango]

EDIT: I'm stupid, see below Edited March 5, 2014 by The Logan

[treebird]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/03/04/epstein-cubs-cooking-the-whole-meal-and-it-will-be-special/

 

I like how he said

 

He spent a couple months at Double-A, and he dominated Double-A, and that’s why he earned the right to go to Triple-A. Let’s see him dominate Triple-A as I think he can and will. Once he dominates Triple-A, he’ll start to be in the conversation for the big leagues.”

 

When he played 22 fewer games in AAA last year but still put up 3 more homers, 3 less RBI, 2 less walks, and 110 more points in OPS.

 

Not complaining though, I just thought it was funny talk about needing to see him dominate AAA first when he already put up better numbers there in fewer games than he did at AA.

 

baez was in a+ and aa last year, not aa and aaa

[Clem Fandango]

I swear to God I'm losing my mind. I literally checked the numbers before posting that and made sure he was in AAA. This is the 2nd time in a couple days my comprehension has been completely thrown out of the window posting on this site.

[treebird]

I swear to God I'm losing my mind. I literally checked the numbers before posting that and made sure he was in AAA. This is the 2nd time in a couple days my comprehension has been completely thrown out of the window posting on this site.

 

crack is whack

[Soul]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/03/04/epstein-cubs-cooking-the-whole-meal-and-it-will-be-special/

 

Why does Baez need to prove himself at AAA? Is there something he specifically is not doing well yet, or is this just a Theo philosophy that all prospects need to dominate at that level?

 

If it's the latter, that's pretty bizarre. There have been top prospects who skipped AAA and did just fine -- obviously.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I need to start planning those early season trips to Des Moines.

[Guest]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/03/04/epstein-cubs-cooking-the-whole-meal-and-it-will-be-special/

 

Why does Baez need to prove himself at AAA? Is there something he specifically is not doing well yet, or is this just a Theo philosophy that all prospects need to dominate at that level?

 

If it's the latter, that's pretty bizarre. There have been top prospects who skipped AAA and did just fine -- obviously.

 

Yes, he has further developing to do. He needs to further develop his plate discipline and show that he can handle some craftier pitching (kind of hand in hand, for that matter).

 

And I don't see what's bizarre about expecting your players to dominate every level of the minor leagues before being promoted. Certainly the results of Theo's systems can't really be argued with.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/03/04/epstein-cubs-cooking-the-whole-meal-and-it-will-be-special/

 

Why does Baez need to prove himself at AAA? Is there something he specifically is not doing well yet, or is this just a Theo philosophy that all prospects need to dominate at that level?

 

If it's the latter, that's pretty bizarre. There have been top prospects who skipped AAA and did just fine -- obviously.

 

Yes, he has further developing to do. He needs to further develop his plate discipline and show that he can handle some craftier pitching (kind of hand in hand, for that matter).

 

And I don't see what's bizarre about expecting your players to dominate every level of the minor leagues before being promoted. Certainly the results of Theo's systems can't really be argued with.

 

Let's not pretend this isn't entirely about the money. They have to say that he needs to develop more because they cannot say how stupid it would be to call him up for opening day from a financial perspective.

[Guest]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/03/04/epstein-cubs-cooking-the-whole-meal-and-it-will-be-special/

 

Why does Baez need to prove himself at AAA? Is there something he specifically is not doing well yet, or is this just a Theo philosophy that all prospects need to dominate at that level?

 

If it's the latter, that's pretty bizarre. There have been top prospects who skipped AAA and did just fine -- obviously.

 

Yes, he has further developing to do. He needs to further develop his plate discipline and show that he can handle some craftier pitching (kind of hand in hand, for that matter).

 

And I don't see what's bizarre about expecting your players to dominate every level of the minor leagues before being promoted. Certainly the results of Theo's systems can't really be argued with.

 

Let's not pretend this isn't entirely about the money. They have to say that he needs to develop more because they cannot say how stupid it would be to call him up for opening day from a financial perspective.

 

Entirely about money?

 

Yeah, no, it's not.

[jersey cubs fan]

mostly. Much moreso than it is about making sure he actually dominates AAA. Much more than Epstein himself lets on.

[Cubfanintheknow]

It's also a little bit about what Castro has to prove, too. If Starlin can rebound in 2014 like the organization thinks he will, then some of Baez's development will have to occur in the field learning a new position. He is still considered a shortstop. If Castro shows signs of life at the plate--and in the field--it won't be long before Baez is moved to a new position.

[Guest]

mostly. Much moreso than it is about making sure he actually dominates AAA. Much more than Epstein himself lets on.

 

I think he'll spend a lot more time in AAA than it'll take to delay service time. And ultimately less than it'll take to avoid super two.

Edited March 5, 2014 by David

[Guest]

It's also a little bit about what Castro has to prove, too. If Starlin can rebound in 2014 like the organization thinks he will, then some of Baez's development will have to occur in the field learning a new position. He is still considered a shortstop. If Castro shows signs of life at the plate--and in the field--it won't be long before Baez is moved to a new position.

 

If he's ready at the plate, he can learn the position at the big league level. Maybe a few games in AAA to ease him in, at most.