2015 lineup or no?

[jersey cubs fan]

What additional scouting reports are you looking for? Ones that support your position while you ignore all others? You have ignored every piece of supporting evidence I've posted and keep repeating that I haven't put forward anything to support my position.

 

It makes sense to follow these things. Many of us here follow extremely closely (including me). Russell is a plus defensive SS. The only reason Castro would play SS over Russell is if the team values not upsetting the veteran more than putting the best defensive alignment possible on the field.

 

I don't get your hostility.

[Guest]

Sneaky, Raisin (or anyone else): Anything to add?

eh, not really

 

i posted this immediately following the Russell trade, and my thoughts haven't really changed very much

Alcantara CF, Russell 3B, Rizzo 1B, Bryant RF, Castro SS, Soler LF, Baez 2B, Castillo C

 

also,

Russell is a plus defensive SS.

if i accept this to be true, then he's definitively the best prospect in baseball*, and i'd be happy to see 3B & SS switched on my above lineup (Soler can be pushed ahead of Bryant, too, but that's like, whatever)

 

 

*not named Jorge Soler

wow, I thought you were calling him the #1 prospect in baseball because you were factoring in positional value vs Bryant and Soler. Having him at #1 above Bryant as a 3B must assign a whole bunch of defensive value difference at 3B between the two (well, baserunning, as well).

 

i think it's a combination of that and how high he is on russell offensively along with the contact concerns with bryant

[sneakypower]

wow, I thought you were calling him the #1 prospect in baseball because you were factoring in positional value vs Bryant and Soler. Having him at #1 above Bryant as a 3B must assign a whole bunch of defensive value difference at 3B between the two (well, baserunning, as well).

i mean that being a viable SS makes Russell probably the #1 prospect, even though he'd lose actual production value being relegated to 3B due to roster composition

 

i also suspect Contra probably holds more value as a 2B, which would inflate his prospect ranking, even though it's not reflected in our defensive setup

[Guest]

wait i totally misread what tim said

 

thought he was saying russell as a SS vs bryant as a 3B

[Guest]

wow, I thought you were calling him the #1 prospect in baseball because you were factoring in positional value vs Bryant and Soler. Having him at #1 above Bryant as a 3B must assign a whole bunch of defensive value difference at 3B between the two (well, baserunning, as well).

i mean that being a viable SS makes Russell probably the #1 prospect, even though he'd lose actual production value being relegated to 3B due to roster composition

 

i also suspect Contra probably holds more value as a 2B, which would inflate his prospect ranking, even though it's not reflected in our defensive setup

See, this is what working too much and sleeping too little does to my brain this week...

 

You had Russell at #1 because you felt he'd provide at least mlb average defense at SS and strong offensive value without the contact red flag that adds risk to the profiles of Javy or Bryant.

 

As I semi-ranted about last night, what I'm hearing is that Russell has continued his progress at SS and will likely be considered a plus defender for at least his early career (though he's still short of being a plus plus guy like Lindor). We'll have to wait until after the season to see how that ends up, though.

 

 

 

(Having written that last sentence, I am picturing seanimal's head exploding in response)

[sneakypower]

You had Russell at #1 because you felt he'd provide at least mlb average defense at SS and strong offensive value without the contact red flag that adds risk to the profiles of Javy or Bryant.

this is a fair characterization, yes

 

also, i honestly don't really know what to think of a Bryant infield hypothetical since it's basically a foregone conclusion he's moving off 3B

[Vinestal]

You had Russell at #1 because you felt he'd provide at least mlb average defense at SS and strong offensive value without the contact red flag that adds risk to the profiles of Javy or Bryant.

this is a fair characterization, yes

 

also, i honestly don't really know what to think of a Bryant infield hypothetical since it's basically a foregone conclusion he's moving off 3B

 

Why is it a forgone conclusion? Everything I've read about Bryant's defense at 3rd this year has been positive. Wasn't he recently voted best defensive 3rd baseman for AAA by baseball America or something like recently. I don't know why so many people are sure he's moving off 3rd.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

he can't play 3B if the Cubs keep all three of Castro, Russell, and Baez.

[Vinestal]

he can't play 3B if the Cubs keep all three of Castro, Russell, and Baez.

Well that's true.

[Guest]

Instead of a DH, let's petition to add a fifth infielder.

[WrigleyField 22]

Instead of a DH, let's petition to add a fifth infielder.

I don't even know who you DH from that core group. I guess just switch off Soler and Bryant to keep them fresh.

[Tracer Bullet]

So is Castro who we're assuming moves to 3B eventually?

 

I like Melky as a FA signing.

 

Alcantara didn't take SS from Castro, Baez didn't take it from Castro, and Russell is in AA. So until Russell moves up two levels and takes it from him, I wouldn't assume anything.

 

the older scouting pieces on russell suggest a "frame" or "build" that isn't suited to SS long-term. i'm interested to see the revised outlook on his positional future after this season. my guess is that if castro is still around when russell's time is here, he'll stay at SS

 

How does this benign comment about an interest in gathering more information lead to the hostility that ensued? I did not expect that at all.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Instead of a DH, let's petition to add a fifth infielder.

 

Not only will Javy be one of the greatest hitters the game's ever seen, but he'll be the Ozzie Smith of 4th basemen.

[seanimal]

So you're saying that the ONLY thing you were attempting to convey was a desire to see what the scouts say about his defense at the end of the season?

 

What a weird way to put it.

 

lol sometimes i do this

[seanimal]

As I semi-ranted about last night, what I'm hearing is that Russell has continued his progress at SS and will likely be considered a plus defender for at least his early career (though he's still short of being a plus plus guy like Lindor). We'll have to wait until after the season to see how that ends up, though.

 

longer, really. i think you actually convinced me that i shouldn't expect much doubt - performance-wise - about his suitability at SS coming off of this season. but what if being the best defensive option is not a slam-dunk case for him to actually become the SS for the chicago cubs?

 

(Having written that last sentence, I am picturing seanimal's head exploding in response)

 

explodinghead.gif