Luis Valbuena has to be starting

[Schwarber Fan]

Yes, I know I shouldn't overreact to spring training games, but he's been unreal. I can't find a place that displays cactus league stats but he's got at least 6 homers and 2 multi-homer games. We know he sees a lot of pitches/PA and it's getting to the point where his offensive abilities have to put him into the lineup, Barney's gloved be damned.

 

At the very least, against RHP he should be playing every day. I wish we would've traded Barney to Detroit.

[Clem Fandango]

Cubs.com has updated stats

 

And I agree. Barney has no place being in the starting lineup. Defensive replacement? Sure. That's about it. He's basically John McDonald at this point.

[Post Count Padder]

His defense rated highly at third last year, didn't it? I've been in favor of him starting at second since the end of last year. Give Olt a shot at third and we also have Bonifacio to back up everywhere. Barney really has no place on the team. I've heard someone say we wouldn't give him up for nothing and he provides good veteran leadership in the clubhouse, but he is a black hole in the lineup. I think that, and his rising salary, would outweigh his "leadership" and glove.

[pitchcs]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

[Guest]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

 

Why would he be trade bait?

 

Either he's something, and we want that, or he's not, and that's not trade bait.

Edited March 24, 2014 by David

[Sammy Sofa]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

 

Why would you trade him? If he's working you want him. Bryant can go to the outfield and Baez can stay at SS or move to 2B.

[Guest]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

 

Why would you trade him? If he's working you want him. Bryant can go to the outfield and Baez can stay at SS or move to 2B.

 

Yeah, and defensively, that would be ideal too.

[Sammy Sofa]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

 

Why would you trade him? If he's working you want him. Bryant can go to the outfield and Baez can stay at SS or move to 2B.

 

Yeah, and defensively, that would be ideal too.

 

Right. Valbuena is nice, but he's either a placeholder or a guy you settle for because the ideally better options didn't work out.

[Guest]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

 

Why would you trade him? If he's working you want him. Bryant can go to the outfield and Baez can stay at SS or move to 2B.

 

Yeah, and defensively, that would be ideal too.

 

Right. Valbuena is nice, but he's either a placeholder or a guy you settle for because the ideally better options didn't work out.

 

I didn't realize he was asking it ina Valbuena thread. Now I think he was joking.

[NOLA]

But is it Olt that is traded? I've wondered who is going to be the odd man out. There's 4 infield positions to be filled and Rizzo, Valbuena, Castro, Baez, Alcantara and Olt. For argument's sake, Rizzo is in the conversation assuming Olt could play 1B.

[Sammy Sofa]

But is it Olt that is traded? I've wondered who is going to be the odd man out. There's 4 infield positions to be filled and Rizzo, Valbuena, Castro, Baez, Alcantara and Olt. For argument's sake, Rizzo is in the conversation assuming Olt could play 1B.

 

You figure that out when you have to; Alcantara isn't pushing anyone out of the way right now, and Valbuena definitely isn't.

[Guest]

But is it Olt that is traded? I've wondered who is going to be the odd man out. There's 4 infield positions to be filled and Rizzo, Valbuena, Castro, Baez, Alcantara and Olt. For argument's sake, Rizzo is in the conversation assuming Olt could play 1B.

 

Worry about Alcantara when he forces that to be an issue.

 

Valbuena is obviously the odd man out with the rest of those guys. He becomes a backup.

[Guest]

Jesus that's twice now that Mojo and I have put up nearly identical replies at the same time.

[Sammy Sofa]

Baseball is just a week away and I am finally feeling ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE.

[Guest]

Baseball is just a week away and I am finally feeling ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE.

Are you going to the opener or did someone else in your group grab those?

[Sammy Sofa]

Baseball is just a week away and I am finally feeling ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE.

Are you going to the opener or did someone else in your group grab those?

 

I put in less money so Opening Day is never mine barring a miracle, but I'm going the next day. I'm more happy I managed to get the Yankee games and the ones with the Dodgers.

[Guest]

Baseball is just a week away and I am finally feeling ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE.

Are you going to the opener or did someone else in your group grab those?

 

I put in less money so Opening Day is never mine barring a miracle, but I'm going the next day. I'm more happy I managed to get the Yankee games and the ones with the Dodgers.

 

Nice.

 

I'll be there. Might even go the next day too depending on how sales go (and how the weather looks...and how excited I still am after the opener, lol)

[Clem Fandango]

Whether or not Olt gets traded, even if he succeeds, hinges heavily on two things, IMO

 

1) Whether the FO likes Villanueva more and he's capable of taking over and being a suitable replacement.

 

2) How badly we need to add more starting pitching to our rotation/upper minors.

 

Obviously you want to keep Olt if he fulfills his potential, but if you have someone who can replace him and you have a glaring need elsewhere, he becomes a very valuable trade piece.

 

If Olt succeeds, though, I personally would want the Cubs to lock him up and make him part of the core.

[Sammy Sofa]

I really just want to start going as much as I can again.

[NOLA]

I envy you guys getting to go to Wrigley anytime you want. I'm resigned to getting psyched when Iowa comes to Zephyr Field.

[pitchcs]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

 

Why would you trade him? If he's working you want him. Bryant can go to the outfield and Baez can stay at SS or move to 2B.

 

Yeah, and defensively, that would be ideal too.

 

I guess I just don't understand where Olt is going to play? His defensive/arm/shoulder/whatever issues seem to be a major issue and I don't want a Ryan Zimmerman at 3B.

[Bull]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

 

Why would you trade him? If he's working you want him. Bryant can go to the outfield and Baez can stay at SS or move to 2B.

 

Yeah, and defensively, that would be ideal too.

 

I guess I just don't understand where Olt is going to play? His defensive/arm/shoulder/whatever issues seem to be a major issue and I don't want a Ryan Zimmerman at 3B.

This is...

I don't...

how what...

Seriously?

[Guest]

There's no indication that Olt's shoulder issue is going to be a persistent problem. I get following it because it may be what determines if he starts the year in Chicago or goes to Iowa for a little while, but in terms of roster construction and where people are going to play, Olt is a very good third baseman and he's going to play third base. It might take him another week or two to get 100% healthy, but the shoulder issue should be in the rear-view mirror by Easter.

[pitchcs]

At what point is Olt trade bait?

 

Why would you trade him? If he's working you want him. Bryant can go to the outfield and Baez can stay at SS or move to 2B.

 

Yeah, and defensively, that would be ideal too.

 

I guess I just don't understand where Olt is going to play? His defensive/arm/shoulder/whatever issues seem to be a major issue and I don't want a Ryan Zimmerman at 3B.

This is...

I don't...

how what...

Seriously?

 

Yes, I do not care to see 21 throwing errors in 140 games. If he really can mash that's different, but call me skeptical on that front as well.

 

From what TT said I guess this shouldn't be a long-term (season lingering) injury, but does it not seem like it's taking him a long time to get it right?

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, but if you're going by ST sample size he's going to hit something like 50 home runs.