The Winter Meetings Thread

[treebird]

if we demand a magic pitch-framing catcher, i sure would like to see us set our sights higher than terrible david ross.

 

if we want ross to prove to lester that we think he's just swell,

 

http://i.imgur.com/6nbRi1c.jpg

[bukie]

i sort of hate the idea of trading Castillo unless it's for an immediate clear upgrade

 

Ross just locks you in to having a bad player for 50 games and/or Montero being required to over-extend himself again

 

Not to mention that Ross as Lester's caddy sorta neuters the idea of playing platoon advantage with his games. I'll have to think some more about how Castillo could have to be part of that 'big bat'. Who would want Castillo that has a good OF to give up? Washington? Dodgers? Rockies?

Castillo to Washington as part of a Harper package? Okay I'll be on board with that.

[gscool89]

Joe Maddon about to be interviewed on MLB Network

[Smack]

Beef's OPS is .845 against lefties for his career and .855 (.301/.350/.505) last year. How much pitch framing is required to offset that kind of offense from the catcher position compared to Ross's corpse?

[Guest]

Beef's OPS is .845 against lefties for his career and .855 (.301/.350/.505) last year. How much pitch framing is required to offset that kind of offense from the catcher position compared to Ross's corpse?

I think Ross's corpse is more about making Lester happy.

[Smack]

Beef's OPS is .845 against lefties for his career and .855 (.301/.350/.505) last year. How much pitch framing is required to offset that kind of offense from the catcher position compared to Ross's corpse?

I think Ross's corpse is more about making Lester happy.

 

If he's a requirement on a Lester deal, I guess. Doesn't Theo like him either way though?

[Clem Fandango]

Beef's OPS is .845 against lefties for his career and .855 (.301/.350/.505) last year. How much pitch framing is required to offset that kind of offense from the catcher position compared to Ross's corpse?

I think Ross's corpse is more about making Lester happy.

 

If he's a requirement on a Lester deal, I guess. Doesn't Theo like him either way though?

 

According to FG, if Ross were a full time catcher he'd be one of the best rated pitch framers in the game

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/jon-lesters-favorite-teammate/

 

With Pierzynski, in three games, Lester has registered five called strikeouts. Three were out of the zone. With Ross, in nine games, Lester has registered 34 called strikeouts, and 24 of them were out of the zone. Ross, as a catcher, doesn’t lead baseball in called strikeouts on balls, but that’s because he isn’t a regular starter. On a rate basis, he’s No. 1.

 

So while his bat is a black hole at least the pitching should be doing just as good with him behind the plate as Montero.

[Elrhino]

i sort of hate the idea of trading Castillo unless it's for an immediate clear upgrade

 

Ross just locks you in to having a bad player for 50 games and/or Montero being required to over-extend himself again

 

Not to mention that Ross as Lester's caddy sorta neuters the idea of playing platoon advantage with his games. I'll have to think some more about how Castillo could have to be part of that 'big bat'. Who would want Castillo that has a good OF to give up? Washington? Dodgers? Rockies?

 

 

If Cubs have no qualms taking on salary, Rangers for Choo? Lefty OBP. You don't even have to put together pieces that specifically fit Texas, because they're probably looking for Justin Upton ammo.

[Cubswin11]

That contract is so bad, he's already 32 and owed $116 million the next 6 years. I'd prefer to do something like Welington, Almora and Watkins for Upton.

[Elrhino]

That contract is so bad, he's already 32 and owed $116 million the next 6 years. I'd prefer to do something like Welington, Almora and Watkins for Upton.

 

Cubs are on Upton's no trade list.

[d_money]

So offensively speaking, the Cubs will have 7 hitters when Lester/Ross are playing.

[Clem Fandango]

What about Castillo + whatever for Span?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If employing a bad player is one of Lester's demands on top of a top-notch salary, invite him to take a ride on your suck stick and go trade for someone.

[Elrhino]

So offensively speaking, the Cubs will have 7 hitters when Lester/Ross are playing.

 

Pretty much what Friedman and Maddon had accepted for 162 games for the last 3 years with the Rays.

[Guest]

What about Castillo + whatever for Span?

 

That's what I had in mind when I brought up Washington, not sure how I feel about that deal quite yet.

 

Castillo in a deal for Cargo?

[Guest]

So offensively speaking, the Cubs will have 7 hitters when Lester/Ross are playing.

 

Pretty much what Friedman and Maddon had accepted for 162 games for the last 3 years with the Rays.

You can get away with a black hole at catcher in the AL with the DH.

[SouthSideRyan]

So offensively speaking, the Cubs will have 7 hitters when Lester/Ross are playing.

 

Pretty much what Friedman and Maddon had accepted for 162 games for the last 3 years with the Rays.

 

What other position did they punt on?

[Vanilla Ice]

So offensively speaking, the Cubs will have 7 hitters when Lester/Ross are playing.

 

Pretty much what Friedman and Maddon had accepted for 162 games for the last 3 years with the Rays.

You can get away with a black hole at catcher in the AL with the DH.

 

why

[Sammy Sofa]

They seriously have to bring along a complete waste of meat like Ross to get Lester? Christ, just give him another year instead.

[Sammy Sofa]

So offensively speaking, the Cubs will have 7 hitters when Lester/Ross are playing.

 

Pretty much what Friedman and Maddon had accepted for 162 games for the last 3 years with the Rays.

You can get away with a black hole at catcher in the AL with the DH.

 

why

 

Because the pitcher isn't hitting.

[Elrhino]

So offensively speaking, the Cubs will have 7 hitters when Lester/Ross are playing.

 

Pretty much what Friedman and Maddon had accepted for 162 games for the last 3 years with the Rays.

You can get away with a black hole at catcher in the AL with the DH.

 

Sure, as long as the opponent you're competing against is also punting a position it evens out. Otherwise it's still an offensive disadvantage you're willing to concede.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Elrhino

[Vanilla Ice]

So offensively speaking, the Cubs will have 7 hitters when Lester/Ross are playing.

 

Pretty much what Friedman and Maddon had accepted for 162 games for the last 3 years with the Rays.

You can get away with a black hole at catcher in the AL with the DH.

 

why

 

Because the pitcher isn't hitting.

but why would that make a difference re: the acceptability of a non-hitting catcher

[Sammy Sofa]

but why would that make a difference re: the acceptability of a non-hitting catcher

 

Because then you only have one offensive black hole you have to tolerate in the lineup.

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cubs are going to be paying WAY too much for terrible catchers next year. Yuck. Pitch framing REALLY needs to be a thing. Edited December 9, 2014 by Sammy Sofa

[Elrhino]

It's obvious that the Cubs simply don't want Welly handling their pitchers (they also probably think he's overdue for a BABIP regression). So you don't want Ross , what offensive terror behind the plate are you getting as the backup right handed catcher to pair with Montero? Edited December 9, 2014 by Elrhino