2015 lineup or no?

[Guest]

even if we get the all homegrown lineup, will it merit an asterisk or do we get to claim rizzo as home grown?

 

seems like a gray area but since he spent time in the minors that was actual developmental time and while he still had rookie status rather than just a rehab assignment or something, i think we can allow it

[davell]

even if we get the all homegrown lineup, will it merit an asterisk or do we get to claim rizzo as home grown?

 

seems like a gray area but since he spent time in the minors that was actual developmental time and while he still had rookie status rather than just a rehab assignment or something, i think we can allow it

 

Not sure whether WE do, but I'd think the FO can, since he's never left their clutches other than the first part of the offseason when Hoyer and Jason came on board before they dealt for him.

[Cubswin11]

I like the idea of going after Cuddyer as a bench bat, occasional LF/RF/1B starter and possible stop gap until Bryant/Russell get called up after a month. Valbuena, Coghlan and Rugginao gives us a pretty versatile bench and the fact we have 3 guys that can play SS on a given day (Russell, Castro, Baez) we don't necessarily need another IF other than those 3+Valbuena as all the spots are covered. It would be a pretty nice advantage to have a guy like Cuddyer off the bench when everyone is here.

 

Also get a better backup catcher than John [expletive] Baker, please.

[mul21]

Why do people think Russell will be up after a month next year? He hasn't even seen AAA.

[Cubswin11]

Why do people think Russell will be up after a month next year? He hasn't even seen AAA.

Had he not gotten hurt a lot of the prospect writes/rankers thought he could/should be up this year. After seeing what he's done in AA this year I don't think it's out of the question to see him promoted within a month next year if he has a good AFL and first monthish in Iowa.

[Guest]

Why do people think Russell will be up after a month next year? He hasn't even seen AAA.

Had he not gotten hurt a lot of the prospect writes/rankers thought he could/should be up this year.

 

And since his wording allows me to, I'm going to point out that he has, in fact, seen AAA.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Does Coghlan have any trade value? I mean, I would be fine with keeping him, considering he has hit everything for over a month now. But, he is terrible defensively, and we really don't have a spot for one of him or Valbuena depending on how the 3B/corner OF holes shake out... or either of the two if we sign Rusney. And maybe he gives us more value in a trade than as a pinch hitter that starts once every other week.

 

And could Valbuena conceivably see time in the OF next year? It's not optimal since he has more value at 3B or 2B, but maybe he makes a good super-utility guy for us.

 

Eh, [expletive] it, just keep them both and have a stacked starting line-up and a bunch of mashers off the bench, too.

[Guest]

Sulley FYI you're advocating trading Starlin Castro in part to make sure that Chris Coghlan has a place to play. Wanted to make sure you had the chance to see that in writing.

I'm not really. But I like the idea of trading Castro for an established ace.

[Guest]

why on earth would we consider Castro acceptable at a position like 3rd base?

 

Not sure I understand? Do you think he's going to be below average defensively there? Or are you just wanting a bigger bat there? Both?

 

At any rate, we've certainly got enough bats to go around elsewhere. Plus, I still see an .800 OPS out of Starlin myself. And I don't see anything other than Starlin/Russell/Javy at those 3 spots. And if the reports are correct, Russell will move him off SS.

 

If you're going the trade route here in your thinking, I honestly think all 3 of those guys are here longterm.

 

we have any number of guys that would outproduce Castro there. Just let go.

 

Other than KB, I'm not seeing any. And it's far from certain he'll stick there.

Baez. Probably Valbuena.

 

But I do like Coghlan. It's a similar situation to Valbuena and you loved yourself some Valbuena. So did TT.

[DiamondMind]

coghlan is a nothing and we should not care about him.

 

dont agree with this at all

[rawaction]

Does Coghlan have any trade value? I mean, I would be fine with keeping him, considering he has hit everything for over a month now. But, he is terrible defensively, and we really don't have a spot for one of him or Valbuena depending on how the 3B/corner OF holes shake out... or either of the two if we sign Rusney. And maybe he gives us more value in a trade than as a pinch hitter that starts once every other week.

 

And could Valbuena conceivably see time in the OF next year? It's not optimal since he has more value at 3B or 2B, but maybe he makes a good super-utility guy for us.

 

Eh, [expletive] it, just keep them both and have a stacked starting line-up and a bunch of mashers off the bench, too.

 

Your last paragraph is it. Obviously, the prospects are going to get every chance to hold down jobs. But the fact is, Baez has had a good 3 days. Alcantara has had an OK month. Bryant and Soler aren't guaranteed to just carry over their minor league numbers. One of these guys is probably going to fail at some point. Can't go into a season trying to compete with just 7 guys you think are going to be reliable (not counting Catcher).

 

I think you keep both and best case have a loaded bench. I'm sure they can use the "keep everyone fresh" and "not overwhelming the kids" excuses to sit a guy every now and then.

 

Soler may still need a day off a week, since he's never played anything close to 162 games in a season. So, you throw Coghlan or Ruggiano in there. I don't see why Valbuena couldn't play some LF, 2B, and 3B giving time off to Bryant, Soler, and Baez.

[Sammy Sofa]

But I do like Coghlan. It's a similar situation to Valbuena and you loved yourself some Valbuena. So did TT.

 

I like Coghlan, too, but it's not all that similar to Valbuena mainly because Coghlan is a defensive nightmare.

[Tracer Bullet]

Sulley FYI you're advocating trading Starlin Castro in part to make sure that Chris Coghlan has a place to play. Wanted to make sure you had the chance to see that in writing.

I'm not really. But I like the idea of trading Castro for an established ace.

 

Which one? Why not just sign Max and/or Lester and keep Castro until we actually have a plethora of MLB shortstops?

 

I'm with trey - if/when Russell is ready to be our SS, it probably makes sense to trade Castro. But that could be more than a year from now (or longer, or never).

[Guest]

But I do like Coghlan. It's a similar situation to Valbuena and you loved yourself some Valbuena. So did TT.

 

I like Coghlan, too, but it's not all that similar to Valbuena mainly because Coghlan is a defensive nightmare.

But he's been a better hitter and if you can stash him in left field where the damage will be minimized, it should be cool.

[Guest]

Sulley FYI you're advocating trading Starlin Castro in part to make sure that Chris Coghlan has a place to play. Wanted to make sure you had the chance to see that in writing.

I'm not really. But I like the idea of trading Castro for an established ace.

 

Which one? Why not just sign Max and/or Lester and keep Castro until we actually have a plethora of MLB shortstops?

 

I'm with trey - if/when Russell is ready to be our SS, it probably makes sense to trade Castro. But that could be more than a year from now (or longer, or never).

I would deal Castro for Hamels without cash straight up in a second. We may have to wait until the winter meetings for that though.

[davell]

I wouldn't mind trading Starlin for pitching, but it'd have to be for something under quite a bit of control. Yet cheaper than Hamels. We can go get guys like Lester or Scherzer on the 100 mill plus contracts in FA. I'm not sure of who's even available for the type trade I'd look for. Maybe no one. Which is why I'm perfectly fine putting Starlin at 3B and just using money and/or lesser prospects(Almora on down) to acquire pitching.

[KingCubsFan]

I wouldn't mind trading Starlin for pitching, but it'd have to be for something under quite a bit of control. Yet cheaper than Hamels. We can go get guys like Lester or Scherzer on the 100 mill plus contracts in FA. I'm not sure of who's even available for the type trade I'd look for. Maybe no one. Which is why I'm perfectly fine putting Starlin at 3B and just using money and/or lesser prospects(Almora on down) to acquire pitching.

Wheeler and Snydegaard?

[Guest]

But I do like Coghlan. It's a similar situation to Valbuena and you loved yourself some Valbuena. So did TT.

 

I like Coghlan, too, but it's not all that similar to Valbuena mainly because Coghlan is a defensive nightmare.

But he's been a better hitter and if you can stash him in left field where the damage will be minimized, it should be cool.

 

It works when he's putting up an .870 OPS like he is now. The 2015 version of Coghlan, while still probable to provide a good bit of offensive value, is not likely to overcome being a -10 LF to the point where you need to find a way for him to be in the lineup(or potentially the roster, given his lack of positional flexibility).

 

I would deal Castro for Hamels without cash straight up in a second. We may have to wait until the winter meetings for that though.

 

You have gone right out of your tree, son. You're mad, it's madness.

[davell]

I wouldn't mind trading Starlin for pitching, but it'd have to be for something under quite a bit of control. Yet cheaper than Hamels. We can go get guys like Lester or Scherzer on the 100 mill plus contracts in FA. I'm not sure of who's even available for the type trade I'd look for. Maybe no one. Which is why I'm perfectly fine putting Starlin at 3B and just using money and/or lesser prospects(Almora on down) to acquire pitching.

Wheeler and Snydegaard?

 

Yeah, that's along the lines of what I'd want, but it's also why I'm more than OK keeping all of our SS. Because I can't see another team giving us that type of package.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Does Coghlan have any trade value? I mean, I would be fine with keeping him, considering he has hit everything for over a month now. But, he is terrible defensively, and we really don't have a spot for one of him or Valbuena depending on how the 3B/corner OF holes shake out... or either of the two if we sign Rusney. And maybe he gives us more value in a trade than as a pinch hitter that starts once every other week.

 

And could Valbuena conceivably see time in the OF next year? It's not optimal since he has more value at 3B or 2B, but maybe he makes a good super-utility guy for us.

 

Eh, [expletive] it, just keep them both and have a stacked starting line-up and a bunch of mashers off the bench, too.

 

Your last paragraph is it. Obviously, the prospects are going to get every chance to hold down jobs. But the fact is, Baez has had a good 3 days. Alcantara has had an OK month. Bryant and Soler aren't guaranteed to just carry over their minor league numbers. One of these guys is probably going to fail at some point. Can't go into a season trying to compete with just 7 guys you think are going to be reliable (not counting Catcher).

 

I think you keep both and best case have a loaded bench. I'm sure they can use the "keep everyone fresh" and "not overwhelming the kids" excuses to sit a guy every now and then.

 

Soler may still need a day off a week, since he's never played anything close to 162 games in a season. So, you throw Coghlan or Ruggiano in there. I don't see why Valbuena couldn't play some LF, 2B, and 3B giving time off to Bryant, Soler, and Baez.

 

Yeah, ideally you would trade away an .880 OPS guy for help elsewhere, if you are only going to be able to get him around 200 AB's. Since his value in a trade could net you something nice, and we have Ruggiano and Sweeney as back-up options, it makes sense. But, like you said, we also have Soler with an injury history, and everyone is really young and inexperienced. It's probably best to have as many back-up options as possible, in case things go awry with the prospects.

 

Bryant is the main piece of the puzzle for the rest of the line-up, though. If he stays at third, then Coghlan probably gets a lot of playing time in LF next year. Or Rusney -- fingers crossed. And Valbuena becomes a super utility guy. If Bryant is in LF or RF, then Valbuena plays every day at third, and maybe we do move Coghlan.

[Guest]

But I do like Coghlan. It's a similar situation to Valbuena and you loved yourself some Valbuena. So did TT.

 

I like Coghlan, too, but it's not all that similar to Valbuena mainly because Coghlan is a defensive nightmare.

But he's been a better hitter and if you can stash him in left field where the damage will be minimized, it should be cool.

 

It works when he's putting up an .870 OPS like he is now. The 2015 version of Coghlan, while still probable to provide a good bit of offensive value, is not likely to overcome being a -10 LF to the point where you need to find a way for him to be in the lineup(or potentially the roster, given his lack of positional flexibility).

 

I would deal Castro for Hamels without cash straight up in a second. We may have to wait until the winter meetings for that though.

 

You have gone right out of your tree, son. You're mad, it's madness.

Explain

[Guest]

Did 'without cash' mean the Phillies are paying for all of Hamels' deal? Otherwise it's like signing an elite pitching FA and then releasing Castro out of spite. Hamels doesn't come close to Castro in value.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I can't find pitcher abuse points anywhere, but I'm sure Hamels is in the top 5.

[Guest]

He is number one by a large margin this year: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/sortable/index.php?cid=1657933

 

19th last year, and 15th in 2012.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I knew it was bad, but wow.