Cubs trade Straily/Valbuena for Dexter Fowler

[XZero771679666304]

Not thrilled about the inclusion of Valbuena, since losing him reduces the impact that Fowler's plate discipline brought to the lineup. That said, Fowler in CF is more valuable to the team than Valbuena at 3B, especially with the potential glut of IFs. I doubt Theo & Jed were keen to give Luis up, but if that's what it took, I'm all right with it.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't think this really makes us better. On the other hand, trading infielders not named Starlin Castro makes it more likely he sticks around for the long haul. Yay.

 

It's trading from an area that would be a surplus by midseason

 

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe.

They still have Castro, Baez, Alcantara, LaStella, Bryant and Russell for three spots.

 

Yes, I know.

[The-Kris-Bryant]

Please be a prelude to flipping Castro or Baez for Zimmerman (pref Baez)

[BleacherBadger]

Soler hitting 7th?

[Guest]

Soler hitting 7th?

 

too many of those guys have no idea how good he is

 

law needs to school olney schilling style

[abuck1220]

the white sox gave up a garbage pile to get one year of samardzija. cubs better not trade castro/baez for one year of zimmerman.

[Guest]

Some other things this trade might indicate:

 

- They really do like LaStella

- They're somewhat confident that the loser of the #5 starter/end of bullpen battle can be DFA'd and kept without issue. Is Jackson's contract guaranteed if he refuses assignment and opts for free agency?

- Trading Castillo might be a touch easier now since you're more likely looking at a non-MLB player return

[Hairyducked Idiot]

They still have Castro, Baez, Alcantara, LaStella, Bryant and Russell for three spots.

 

You only listed two players that we are even pretty sure are quality MLB players. And that's only because I really like Alcantara.

[Guest]

Soler hitting 7th?

 

too many of those guys have no idea how good he is

 

law needs to school olney schilling style

 

He also has Coghlan 2nd and Castro 4th, it's pretty all-around goofy.

 

Fowler

Castro

Rizzo

Soler/Bryant

Bryant/Soler

Montero

 

Then do 7-9 any number of ways depending on who you like to play 2B, LHP or RHP, pitcher 8th, etc.

[Guest]

Soler hitting 7th?

 

too many of those guys have no idea how good he is

 

law needs to school olney schilling style

 

He also has Coghlan 2nd and Castro 4th, it's pretty all-around goofy.

 

Fowler

Castro

Rizzo

Soler/Bryant

Bryant/Soler

Montero

 

Then do 7-9 any number of ways depending on who you like to play 2B, LHP or RHP, pitcher 8th, etc.

 

Yeah, that's about what I'm thinkin. Also gave some thought to Montero second and Starlin further down.

[Guest]

Yeah, I could see the argument for hitting Montero 2nd, although I prefer Castro because he'll play every day, it balances L/R/L for late innings, plus Castro projects to be a bit better offensively in total too.

[Some Guy]

I like Castro farther down, in more of a RBI role. Montero 2nd is a nifty idea I hadn't considered.

[Rob]

Losing Valbuena really puts a damper on this one. I guess that's a big vote of confidence in Bryant as a 3B, though.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I could see us starting the year with Castro batting cleanup only because he seemed to like it last year and Maddon being a player's manager, but give him a few shots to keep it. But by midseason I would think Bryant or Soler would be there.

[Guest]

Losing Valbuena really puts a damper on this one. I guess that's a big vote of confidence in Bryant as a 3B, though.

 

Or Russell's ETA

[sneakypower]

the white sox gave up a garbage pile to get one year of samardzija. cubs better not trade castro/baez for one year of zimmerman.

not trying to derail the thread, but i'd probably trade Baez for Marcus Semien

[rawaction]

Not thrilled about the inclusion of Valbuena, since losing him reduces the impact that Fowler's plate discipline brought to the lineup. That said, Fowler in CF is more valuable to the team than Valbuena at 3B, especially with the potential glut of IFs. I doubt Theo & Jed were keen to give Luis up, but if that's what it took, I'm all right with it.

 

Yeah, that's where I am. Would have been sweet to have Fowler AND Valbuena getting on base a ton. Just moved the question mark to another position (for now?), though granted they strengthened the more important position.

[Guest]

In the big picture, isn't it best to do everything possible to make Bryant fit at 3b? Schwarber has a less likely chance of sticking behind the plate, and LF seems like his ultimate destiny.

[Guest]

some quotes from fowler

 

“I’m excited,” Fowler told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart on Monday after being dealt to the Cubs from the Astros for Luis Valbuena and Dan Straily. “I envisioned myself when I first went to the Astros just to go in and help the young guys and see what comes from that. A trade to the Cubs is also an awesome move. It’s a great time to be a Cub.

 

“It’s tough leaving my teammates and tough leaving the relationships I built, but going to a new team, a young team like that, that’s on the way up, on the rise, is awesome as well,” Fowler said.

 

The deal did catch Fowler off guard.

 

“I was a little surprised,” he said. “But at the same time, it’s a business and I realize that, but you’ve got to go and continue grow and continue to play your game.”

 

Fowler will be reunited with hitting coach John Mallee, who held that job with the Astros, and is now with the Cubs.

 

“Mallee’s a good dude,” Fowler said. “He’s real receptive. It’s good to go in and know a coach that’s been with you. He knows your swing so you’re not just starting from scratch with a new guy.”

 

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2015/01/19/119-dexter-fowler-joins-cubs/

[Some Guy]

In the big picture, isn't it best to do everything possible to make Bryant fit at 3b? Schwarber has a less likely chance of sticking behind the plate, and LF seems like his ultimate destiny.

 

Him working out at 3B would be the ideal, but my biggest concern is long term health. Seems like a tall guy diving around at 3B would invite back problems.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

i will miss you and your fly out bat flips luis v :(

 

https://twitter.com/jkmumford/status/557214670520852480/photo/1

[Cubswin11]

Soler hitting 7th?

 

too many of those guys have no idea how good he is

 

law needs to school olney schilling style

 

He also has Coghlan 2nd and Castro 4th, it's pretty all-around goofy.

 

Fowler

Castro

Rizzo

Soler/Bryant

Bryant/Soler

Montero

 

Then do 7-9 any number of ways depending on who you like to play 2B, LHP or RHP, pitcher 8th, etc.

Solar should hit 2nd.

[RynoRules]

This is one of those moves that I am going to need weeks to get my head around. I love Fowler, but want to see who makes the team and where they play. Feels like there's more to come.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Fangraphs upgrades us to 84 wins after this. They mostly think Fowler kinda sucks, but they gave Bryant 150 more PAs of playing time and that bumped us a win.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

In the big picture, isn't it best to do everything possible to make Bryant fit at 3b? Schwarber has a less likely chance of sticking behind the plate, and LF seems like his ultimate destiny.

 

Him working out at 3B would be the ideal, but my biggest concern is long term health. Seems like a tall guy diving around at 3B would invite back problems.