Spring Training Thread

[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.

 

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.

 

Yeah, not talking about a long time frame. But I think it'll be more than just "a few games." Given his high error tally at short last year, the coaches will want to make sure he's at least a little comfortable at a new position this year before moving him up.

[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.

 

Yeah, not talking about a long time frame. But I think it'll be more than just "a few games." Given his high error tally at short last year, the coaches will want to make sure he's at least a little comfortable at a new position this year before moving him up.

 

 

Defense doesn't get any harder at higher levels. Sure, there's the fact that he'd be doing it in the spotlight of MLB, but that's not near a big enough concern to delay a promotion.

 

That's not even to mention the fact that going from SS to 2B or 3B isn't really a difficult transition.

[Guest]

Even if the Cubs were projected to win 90 games and Baez already had a 10 year contract, the prudent thing for his development would be to start him in AAA. In that sense, it is not about the money at all. The question of whether to bring him up in May, or June, or September is much more about the money, but starting him in Iowa is 100% development that also happens to coincide with the money aspect.

[jersey cubs fan]

speaking of Baez, on that earlier Kaplan/Haugh interview with Ricketts, it was noted that Kaplan wants the Cubs to sign Baez to a longterm extension now.

[Guest]

Even if the Cubs were projected to win 90 games and Baez already had a 10 year contract, the prudent thing for his development would be to start him in AAA. In that sense, it is not about the money at all. The question of whether to bring him up in May, or June, or September is much more about the money, but starting him in Iowa is 100% development that also happens to coincide with the money aspect.

 

Yeah. If he's playing the way we all expect and he's not in the bigs until September or something, I'm fully willing to admit that the money was a bigger factor than I thought.

 

I think he'll be up well before that, barring a disappointing performance.

[treebird]

i honestly feel like if baez is only solid and not great, there's a real chance we'll be having this same conversation about when to start his clock next march

[Guest]

JIM BOWDEN ‏@JimBowdenESPNxm 4m

#Cubs preview 5pm central Sirius 209 XM 89 guests will include: Samardzija, Hoyer, Rizzo, Bryant, Almora, Barney, Jackson, Wood, Renteria

[SouthSideRyan]

i honestly feel like if baez is only solid and not great, there's a real chance we'll be having this same conversation about when to start his clock next march

 

I fear the same. And it'll be explained that it's ok because the cubs aren't going to compete in 2015 anyway

[Guest]

If he's not clowning on the PCL, I'm not really sure if he's ready for the big leagues

[SouthSideRyan]

Nobody is ready for the bigs until they put up a 950 OPS in PCL??

[Guest]

Nobody is ready for the bigs until they put up a 950 OPS in PCL??

 

Basically, his skill set is such that I'd think something is wrong if he isn't putting up great numbers in Iowa.

 

But yeah, if he doesn't dominate the level I don't see what's wrong with having him stay there for most of an entire season if not all. It's his first crack at AAA.

[SouthSideRyan]

You're acting like it's his first crack at full season ball. Pitchers know how to game plan a batter more at AAA, that's about it. If the cubs start the 2015 season with Baez in AAA something has gone horribly wrong with him or the cubs aren't interested in winning games in 2015

[Guest]

You're acting like it's his first crack at full season ball. Pitchers know how to game plan a batter more at AAA, that's about it. If the cubs start the 2015 season with Baez in AAA something has gone horribly wrong with him or the cubs aren't interested in winning games in 2015

 

I absolutely agree with all of this.

[Guest]

Some Olt fluff from MLB.com

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/chc/richard-justice-now-healthy-mike-olt-optimistic-about-his-future?ymd=20140305&content_id=68751780&vkey=news_chc

 

Things finally appear to be working out they way they were supposed to. Still only 25, Olt is completely recovered from concussion-like symptoms that derailed his career, and he is competing for a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day lineup.

 

Watching him now is a reminder that two short years ago he was one of the top prospects in baseball, a guy who was about as close to a can't-miss talent as anyone.

 

On Tuesday, he launched a towering two-run, pinch-hit home run, and in that one moment, showed the quickness, instincts and power scouts have seen in him since his first days at the University of Connecticut.

 

"He came in off the bench after sitting all day and put a really good swing on it," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "He's very confident and feels very good about everything that's occurring with him now."

 

Renteria offered one of the highest compliments one baseball guy can pay another, saying, "He doesn't panic at the plate."

 

In other words, Olt believes he belongs.

 

Olt hasn't played a game at third base yet this spring because of a sore shoulder, but is expected to be back on the field soon, perhaps by the end of the week. Regardless, he should have plenty of time to win a job.

 

"It's definitely exciting for me," Olt said. "This offseason was a little bit different. I definitely have a mindset to work as hard as I can and know there's an opportunity out there. I wanted to make sure I gave it my all and was really prepared for the situation.

 

"It was very scary," Olt said. "I didn't know what was going on with me, and the doctors didn't know either. I knew something was wrong. It's scary not knowing. But when we found out exactly what could be done, it was an easy fix."

 

That is, he needed time for the concussion symptoms to dissipate and then more time to treat the blurred vision, which doctors believe was caused by allergies.

 

Asked how he got through it, Olt said: "The biggest thing was getting to the field. Whenever I get to a field, I'm able to block out everything that's going on outside. Even if I wasn't playing, just being in the locker room with the guys, it gets you away from all the crazy things that are going on."

 

He was still experiencing the blurred vision last season when he hit .201 for three different Minor League teams. On July 22, he was included in a package of players the Rangers sent to the Cubs for veteran right-hander Matt Garza.

 

Now healthy again, Olt is part of a player development system on its way to becoming one of the strongest in the game. He is aware that Cubs used their top pick in 2013 on University of San Diego third baseman Kris Bryant, who probably won't be in the Minors long.

[Guest]

If Olt is what he used to be, the Garza trade could end up as a huge shining moment for this front office.

[Guest]

Just picture it...Neil Ramirez contributing in the bullpen, CJ Edwards in the middle of our rotation, and Olt hitting 25-30 bombs with a ton of walks and gold glove caliber defense. All for two months of Matt Garza.

 

That's some Herschel Walker [expletive].

[dcvalpo]

How long until we start seeing OLTGASM shirts around Wrigley?

[jumbo]

Just picture it...Neil Ramirez contributing in the bullpen, CJ Edwards in the middle of our rotation, and Olt hitting 25-30 bombs with a ton of walks and gold glove caliber defense. All for two months of Matt Garza.

 

That's some Herschel Walker [expletive].

 

You forgot about Justin Grimm

[Guest]

They'll start serving Jolt late in the year.

[Guest]

Just picture it...Neil Ramirez contributing in the bullpen, CJ Edwards in the middle of our rotation, and Olt hitting 25-30 bombs with a ton of walks and gold glove caliber defense. All for two months of Matt Garza.

 

That's some Herschel Walker [expletive].

 

You forgot about Justin Grimm

 

Good call. I knew I was forgetting someone.

 

Justin Grimm, professional setup man

[Sammys Boombox]

Just picture it...Neil Ramirez contributing in the bullpen, CJ Edwards in the middle of our rotation, and Olt hitting 25-30 bombs with a ton of walks and gold glove caliber defense. All for two months of Matt Garza.

 

That's some Herschel Walker [expletive].

 

Haha. When Len was talking about the trade today I thought of Herschel Walker.

[Sammy Sofa]

Olt is probably the guy I'm most excited about. Not that I think he's the best player out of the prospects or anything, but if he's actually fixed it makes a gigantic difference to how soon this will turn around. Obviously there's key things like Rizzo and Castro kicking it into gear, but something about Olt actually being worth a damn would just finally feel like things are actually, FINALLY, going the Cubs' way.

[MWV]

Olt is probably the guy I'm most excited about. Not that I think he's the best player out of the prospects or anything, but if he's actually fixed it makes a gigantic difference to how soon this will turn around. Obviously there's key things like Rizzo and Castro kicking it into gear, but something about Olt actually being worth a damn would just finally feel like things are actually, FINALLY, going the Cubs' way.

Pretty much sums it up for me.

[Guest]

There's something about CJ becoming Lincecum that does it for me.

[Clem Fandango]

A fixed Mike Olt likely means the acquisition of a top pitching prospect or two, whether it's from trading him or one of the guys who become the odd man out as a result of his awesomeness.