Spring Training Thread

[abohnhoff]

So how are we feeling, overall, about Olt's chances to open with the team at this point, assuming he manages to get on the field and play 3B?

If the Cubs believe that Olt is "fixed" and is a potential long term Major League player, is there any chance they send him back to AAA for a few months so he doesn't accumulate the service time? He would only need to stay down a few more weeks than Baez.

 

With his age and the organizational depth at 3B, I don't expect they would send him to AAA if they believe he is ready, but I wouldn't put it past this front office to want to buy themselves another year.

 

I believe they would be better off giving Villanueva all the reps at 3B in AAA and starting Olt in the majors. Gives us the chance to showcase another above average trade chip every day at his natural position.

[jersey cubs fan]

So how are we feeling, overall, about Olt's chances to open with the team at this point, assuming he manages to get on the field and play 3B?

If the Cubs believe that Olt is "fixed" and is a potential long term Major League player, is there any chance they send him back to AAA for a few months so he doesn't accumulate the service time? He would only need to stay down a few more weeks than Baez.

 

With his age and the organizational depth at 3B, I don't expect they would send him to AAA if they believe he is ready, but I wouldn't put it past this front office to want to buy themselves another year.

 

I believe they would be better off giving Villanueva all the reps at 3B in AAA and starting Olt in the majors. Gives us the chance to showcase another above average trade chip every day at his natural position.

 

Which one is the trade chip in this scenario?

[Cubswin11]

I think it would be wise to have Villanueva learn a few positions in AAA since, by all accounts, he is an excellent 3B defender. Seems like there is a distinct chance he is blocked at 3B by someone at the ML level long term, but if his bat plays up to some reports this offseason he could be really valuable as a DeRosa type "super-sub." I'd like to see him get some time in the corner OF spots, 2B, and 1B.

[A New Era]

So how are we feeling, overall, about Olt's chances to open with the team at this point, assuming he manages to get on the field and play 3B?

If the Cubs believe that Olt is "fixed" and is a potential long term Major League player, is there any chance they send him back to AAA for a few months so he doesn't accumulate the service time? He would only need to stay down a few more weeks than Baez.

 

With his age and the organizational depth at 3B, I don't expect they would send him to AAA if they believe he is ready, but I wouldn't put it past this front office to want to buy themselves another year.

 

I believe they would be better off giving Villanueva all the reps at 3B in AAA and starting Olt in the majors. Gives us the chance to showcase another above average trade chip every day at his natural position.

 

Which one is the trade chip in this scenario?

 

Whichever one gives them the biggest return.

[Guest]

The Cubs are now a used Car dealership. How about instead of showcasing talent, they keep talent?

[MWV]

Because they appear to have a surfeit at 3B?

[Guest]

So how are we feeling, overall, about Olt's chances to open with the team at this point, assuming he manages to get on the field and play 3B?

If the Cubs believe that Olt is "fixed" and is a potential long term Major League player, is there any chance they send him back to AAA for a few months so he doesn't accumulate the service time? He would only need to stay down a few more weeks than Baez.

 

With his age and the organizational depth at 3B, I don't expect they would send him to AAA if they believe he is ready, but I wouldn't put it past this front office to want to buy themselves another year.

 

I believe they would be better off giving Villanueva all the reps at 3B in AAA and starting Olt in the majors. Gives us the chance to showcase another above average trade chip every day at his natural position.

 

Which one is the trade chip in this scenario?

 

Whichever one gives them the biggest return.

 

Jesus [expletive] Christ man

[Guest]

Because they appear to have a surfeit at 3B?

 

That'll probably take care of itself.

[jersey cubs fan]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan 35s

Samardzija gets openings day nod.

[Banedon]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan 35s

Samardzija gets openings day nod.

 

Openings day is the best.

[Guest]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan 35s

Samardzija gets openings day nod.

 

Wood will go #2

 

So I guess that means EJax 3rd, Hammel 4th, and ?? 5th (assuming Arrieta can't get enough work in to be ready)

[Cubswin11]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan 35s

Samardzija gets openings day nod.

 

Wood will go #2

 

So I guess that means EJax 3rd, Hammel 4th, and ?? 5th (assuming Arrieta can't get enough work in to be ready)

Rusin? Villanueva? McDonald?

[Guest]

Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat 1h

#Cubs Arrieta feeling good after his last side session. Says hopes next step is live BP or sim game

[Irrelevant Dude]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan 35s

Samardzija gets openings day nod.

 

Wood will go #2

 

So I guess that means EJax 3rd, Hammel 4th, and ?? 5th (assuming Arrieta can't get enough work in to be ready)

Rusin? Villanueva? McDonald?

My vote would be Hendricks, but I doubt that will happen.

[Guest]

MESA, Ariz. -- Finally, Chicago Cubs infielder Mike Olt is going to play his natural position. At least, we think he is.

 

Manager Rick Renteria has been saying for a while that Olt would play third base soon. Olt threw from there on Friday during practice as he recovers from a sore shoulder that's nagged him since spring training began.

 

“All things being equal, he’s coming along and showing everybody he’s back on track as to who he was in the past,” Renteria said.

 

That’s a reference to Olt's hitting more than anything else. Olt belted two home runs Wednesday night against the Mariners and raised his batting average this spring to .333. But that’s all happened while playing first base or as the designated hitter.

 

Olt called it a “big week” coming up with his chance to debut at third very soon. He is scheduled to play first base again this weekend, so the soonest he would play third is next week. It sounds like Renteria is aware of the implications.

 

“We were very happy that the day he had (and it) was really important to us,” Renteria said.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/21937/cubs-notes-olt-to-finally-debut-at-3rd

[Guest]

It looks like almost every game left (or almost every day, in the case of split squad days) is televised.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/schedule/broadcast/index.jsp?c_id=chc

[A New Era]

Something worth watching this year. Usually not interested after the prospects are gone. But it will be interesting to follow how Olt is doing.

[Sammy Sofa]

So Castro is out indefinitely.

[Derwood]

So Castro is out indefinitely.

 

meatballs are going to be pushing for Baez to start Opening Day SO HARD

[Clem Fandango]

So Castro is out indefinitely.

 

meatballs are going to be pushing for Baez to start Opening Day SO HARD

 

I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't make me a little giddy if Baez made the opening day lineup

[Sammy Sofa]

Sure, but when it's in part because a guy the Cubs are still kinda counting on being good is out it's kinda bittersweet.

[treebird]

castro could have terminal cancer and baez wouldn't make the opening day lineup

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, kinda thought about that for two seconds after posting and was wondering how Castro being out to start the year would mean Baez would be up.

[Guest]

castro could have terminal cancer and baez wouldn't make the opening day lineup

 

Yes. The only thing that gets Baez to Chicago on opening day is a Longoria-esque extension, and even then he could probably use some time in Iowa to start.

[CubsWin]

Per Jesse Rogers via Twitter, Arrieta threw 30-35 pitches to hitters this morning. 90-92 FB, 85-87 Slider.