Rosenthal: David Ross to Cubs (2yr/$5M)

[minnesotacubsfan]

Didn't they also waiver claim that dodgers catcher?

[minnesotacubsfan]

GET ALL THE CATCHERS

 

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=chicagocubs&id=28374&city=chicago&src=desktop

[Deeg]

Absolutely zero chance they keep three catchers.

 

It'll be interesting to see who catches on Opening Day. That will be an early indicator as to whether Ross is going to lean more towards the platoon or caddy side of the equation - assuming we don't face a lefty that night (and I see no reason we would).

[Elrhino]

Despite the lip service, it's apparent that Theo really, really didn't want Welly anywhere near his pitchers any longer. Adding Blanco to the coaching staff + trading for Montero and the entirety his contract + signing Ross to two years .... changing the position from top to bottom in the organization was obviously a huge priority for Theo this offseason. People can scoff at framing if they want, but Theo and his analytics department obviously value it heavily.

[sneakypower]

Despite the lip service, it's apparent that Theo really, really didn't want Welly anywhere near his pitchers any longer. Adding Blanco to the coaching staff + trading for Montero and the entirety his contract + signing Ross to two years .... changing the position from top to bottom in the organization was obviously a huge priority for Theo this offseason. People can scoff at framing if they want, but Theo and his analytics department obviously value it heavily.

all of a sudden

[mul21]

Absolutely zero chance they keep three catchers.

 

It'll be interesting to see who catches on Opening Day. That will be an early indicator as to whether Ross is going to lean more towards the platoon or caddy side of the equation - assuming we don't face a lefty that night (and I see no reason we would).

 

Considering the Cardinals don't even have one of those that's healthy right now, good assumption.

[Andy]

BRB, teaching myself to be a catcher so I can somehow convince an ace pitcher that he has to pitch to me and only me.

[hankp101]

It's an even better gig than punter or long snapper

 

 

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[Bryants Disco Ball]

Trying to decide what I like better: When the Cubs didn't sign any players and people bitched, or when the Cubs signed a good amount of players and people bitched.

[CoachK34]

If Montero gets hurt, does Lopez turn into the everyday catcher?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Trying to decide what I like better: When the Cubs didn't sign any players and people bitched, or when the Cubs signed a good amount of players and people bitched.

 

Why on earth would you think that's something worth posting?

[Sammy Sofa]

Trying to decide what I like better: When the Cubs didn't sign any players and people bitched, or when the Cubs signed a good amount of players and people bitched.

 

Yes, because all anyone wanted was for the Cubs to simply sign a random number of players.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

People can scoff at framing if they want, but Theo and his analytics department obviously value it heavily.

 

The most pessimistic side of me really hopes this isn't a case of discovering a shiny new toy and going overboard.

[Guest]

Ross - elite framing ability, old as balls

Castillo - elite terrible framing ability, relatively young

 

Ross vs. LHP last 5 years (only going this far back because he doesn't get a lot of PAs)

2014 - 120 wRC+ (67 PA)

2013 - 118 wRC+ (61 PA)

2012 - 94 wRC + (88 PA)

2011 - 78 wRC +(58 PA)

2010 - 136 wRC+ (86 PA)

 

Ross overall last 5 years

2014 - 72 (171 PA) - *significant low BABIP outlier*

2013 - 86 (116 PA)

2012 - 109 (196 PA)

2011 - 113 (171 PA)

2010 - 137 (145 PA)

 

Castillo vs. LHP last 3 years

2014 - 139 (100 PA)

2013 - 97 (101 PA)

2012 - 229 (47 PA)

 

Castillo overall last 3 years

2014 - 91 (417 PA)

2013 - 107 (428 PA)

2012 - 102 (190 PA)

 

I see the biggest downside coming in the event of a significant injury to Montero, like TT alluded to. Otherwise, I'm not even sure it's not an upgrade when you factor in the framing.

 

I definitely preferred keeping Castillo around as insurance and because he was a really solid injury replacement who could handle a larger workload, but I don't think there's some crazy gap in value that has to be made up for with a trade heist if/when Castillo is moved either.

There is no such thing as framing ability and even if there was, the amount of time he's going to get to demistrate this nonexistent ability does not justify the amount of money he's getting paid.

 

For some reason I'd rather the Cubs just give Lester the 5 mill and have him pay Ross to caddy.

Edited December 20, 2014 by CubinNY

[Gilby]

Castillo + McKinney for Leonys Martin. Fair?

[Sammy Sofa]

There is no such thing as framing ability and even if there was, the amount of time he's going to get to demistrate this nonexistent ability

 

5 alarm-hot take.

[Guest]

There is no such thing as framing ability and even if there was, the amount of time he's going to get to demistrate this nonexistent ability

 

5 alarm-hot take.

So is your face.

[Sammy Sofa]

Let's just go over this again: you think pitch framing does not exist at all.

[Guest]

Let's just go over this again: you think pitch framing does not exist at all.

WTF do you know about pitch framing? You are about as ignorant about baseball as anybody who posts here.

 

Whatever framing is there is very little evidence it is a skill.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Congratulations on the worst opinion I've seen here since that guy who timed his buddies diving into first.

[Sammy Sofa]

Let's just go over this again: you think pitch framing does not exist at all.

WTF do you know about pitch framing? You are about as ignorant about baseball as anybody who posts here.

 

I LEARNED IT FROM YOU.

[Sammy Sofa]

CubinNY, I have a provocative book for you that addresses the controversial topic of baseballs and birds.

[CubInOK]

Let's just go over this again: you think pitch framing does not exist at all.

WTF do you know about pitch framing? You are about as ignorant about baseball as anybody who posts here.

 

Whatever framing is there is very little evidence it is a skill.

Do you judge the speed of pitches by how loud the sound is when they hit the catcher's mitt?

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Trying to decide what I like better: When the Cubs didn't sign any players and people bitched, or when the Cubs signed a good amount of players and people bitched.

 

Yes, because all anyone wanted was for the Cubs to simply sign a random number of players.

 

All these random players make sense, so they aren't so random.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Trying to decide what I like better: When the Cubs didn't sign any players and people bitched, or when the Cubs signed a good amount of players and people bitched.

 

Yes, because all anyone wanted was for the Cubs to simply sign a random number of players.

 

All these random players make sense, so they aren't so random.

 

So instead of the stupid thing you said, why not just say "I like these moves and other people don't."