Cubs 2015 spring training

[davell]

ESPN was at Cubs Spring Training today. Kirkjian said something like he expects the Cubs to trade Baez or Castro at some point this year to make room for Addison Russell. Still, the "experts" assume there's no room for everyone?

 

It's a [expletive] great problem to have. Most teams would be excited as hell to have Alcantara as a SS option right now and he's not even a realistic middle infield option for us, much less SS.

[XZero771679666304]

ESPN was at Cubs Spring Training today. Kirkjian said something like he expects the Cubs to trade Baez or Castro at some point this year to make room for Addison Russell. Still, the "experts" assume there's no room for everyone?

 

It's a [expletive] great problem to have. Most teams would be excited as hell to have Alcantara as a SS option right now and he's not even a realistic middle infield option for us, much less SS.

 

It's a great problem that's really not a "problem". There's room for everyone, at least in the immediate future. The only situation involving our top guys in which I can see one of them needing to be moved is if the IF guys all pan out and Schwarber makes it, but can't stick at catcher (Assuming that such a scenario would see Bryant in the OF). These media guys saying the Cubs need to move one of the middle infielders just aren't paying attention.

 

Of course if Baez can't get it together, it alleviates just about any potential problem.

[Guest]

https://instagram.com/p/ziyhQiyBQy/?modal=true

 

just for mojo

[Deeg]

Russell's going to be the SS, period. It's just a question of whether it's this season or next, and what the major move that enables it to happen is going to be.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I like Russell at 3rd so he can bulk up, moving Bryant to OF, allowing him to add weight too and not stress about it. Then, we enjoy Castro's peak years while letting Torres develop in the system. Once he's ready, then we make the decision on who to trade. But not now.

[Guest]

Russell's going to be the SS, period. It's just a question of whether it's this season or next, and what the major move that enables it to happen is going to be.

 

Uhh...if you say so.

[Deeg]

Why Cub fans are so reluctant to accept this inevitability is beyond me, but in the end that they are is irrelevant. If it weren't for Russell being in the pipeline Baez would probably have already pushed Castro to 2B, but there's no point in moving Castro for Baez just to move Baez when Russell comes up. If you have to move Baez anyway, may as well do it upfront and save one position change. It makes absolutely no sense to move two better defenders to leave the weakest defender of the three at SS long-term.

[Guest]

Why Cub fans are so reluctant to accept this inevitability is beyond me, but in the end that they are is irrelevant. If it weren't for Russell being in the pipeline Baez would probably have already pushed Castro to 2B, but there's no point in moving Castro for Baez just to move Baez when Russell comes up. If you have to move Baez anyway, may as well do it upfront and save one position change. It makes absolutely no sense to move two better defenders to leave the weakest defender of the three at SS long-term.

 

lol what? no. that was never in the works and baez was getting reps at 2b long before we got russell.

 

i have no idea who the better defensive SS is of the three, even though you seem to be absolutely certain based off some scouting reports. if management thinks russell is better by a significant enough degree that they decide to move an established major leaguer off his position, then they'll do that and that's great. or castro stays at SS and russell probably plays 3B. either of these scenarios could easily play out and the latter is probably more likely, if i had to guess, despite your certainty otherwise.

 

why you are always so eager to condescend by starting posts that way is beyond me.

[Felix Leiter]

Why Cub fans are so reluctant to accept this inevitability is beyond me, but in the end that they are is irrelevant. If it weren't for Russell being in the pipeline Baez would probably have already pushed Castro to 2B, but there's no point in moving Castro for Baez just to move Baez when Russell comes up. If you have to move Baez anyway, may as well do it upfront and save one position change. It makes absolutely no sense to move two better defenders to leave the weakest defender of the three at SS long-term.

 

lol what? no. that was never in the works and baez was getting reps at 2b long before we got russell.

 

i have no idea who the better defensive SS is of the three, even though you seem to be absolutely certain based off some scouting reports. if management thinks russell is better by a significant enough degree that they decide to move an established major leaguer off his position, then they'll do that and that's great. or castro stays at SS and russell probably plays 3B. either of these scenarios could easily play out and the latter is probably more likely, if i had to guess, despite your certainty otherwise.

 

why you are always so eager to condescend by starting posts that way is beyond me.

 

And why are you always wanting to move Russell to third when it's Castro who should move? Plus with Bryant and possibly still Olt at third it doesn't make sense.

 

Castro brings us pitching later in the year.

[Guest]

Why Cub fans are so reluctant to accept this inevitability is beyond me, but in the end that they are is irrelevant. If it weren't for Russell being in the pipeline Baez would probably have already pushed Castro to 2B, but there's no point in moving Castro for Baez just to move Baez when Russell comes up. If you have to move Baez anyway, may as well do it upfront and save one position change. It makes absolutely no sense to move two better defenders to leave the weakest defender of the three at SS long-term.

 

lol what? no. that was never in the works and baez was getting reps at 2b long before we got russell.

 

i have no idea who the better defensive SS is of the three, even though you seem to be absolutely certain based off some scouting reports. if management thinks russell is better by a significant enough degree that they decide to move an established major leaguer off his position, then they'll do that and that's great. or castro stays at SS and russell probably plays 3B. either of these scenarios could easily play out and the latter is probably more likely, if i had to guess, despite your certainty otherwise.

 

why you are always so eager to condescend by starting posts that way is beyond me.

 

And why are you always wanting to move Russell to third when it's Castro who should move? Plus with Bryant and possibly still Olt at third it doesn't make sense.

 

Castro brings us pitching later in the year.

 

I'm not wanting to do anything (in that post), though I do admit I kinda like the idea of letting Russell muscle back up as has been suggested.

 

Olt is a nothing. Bryant is probably going to end up in the OF at the very least once Russell is ready (regardless of whether Russell plays 3B or SS or elsewhere). Obviously, anything can happen if a good enough offer comes along, but Castro probably isn't being traded. Nobody needs to be traded to make room for anyone. Some are trying to remedy a "problem" that doesn't actually exist.

[Guest]

Russell may end up the best defensive SS of the three, but it's beyond weird to approach it as some cosmic certainty. He was thought to be a lock to be a 3B before he lost the weight high school, he's still got a broad frame that more than a few folks see as a future 3B, and more than one prospect evaluator speculated his best position may be 3B for different reasons.

[Guest]

http://boysofspring.com/camp-maddon/

 

Tim Sheridan's got a bunch of pics up from the first full squad day

[Guest]

Russell may end up the best defensive SS of the three, but it's beyond weird to approach it as some cosmic certainty. He was thought to be a lock to be a 3B before he lost the weight high school, he's still got a broad frame that more than a few folks see as a future 3B, and more than one prospect evaluator speculated his best position may be 3B for different reasons.

 

This [expletive] guy always manages to say what I was trying to say much better

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't get the whole "let him bulk up" storyline. We aren't talking about defensive lineman.

[Guest]

I don't get the whole "let him bulk up" storyline. We aren't talking about defensive lineman.

 

Well, he has a broad frame and reportedly lost a bunch of weight (presumably at least some of it muscle) to prove he could handle SS. I'm just saying I'd like to see him put some muscle back on and hit for more power. Whether that actually would hinder his ability to play SS vs. 3B is a different story that I'm not entirely sure of.

[ConstableRabbit]

We're also talking about moving a perennial All-Star and the longest-tenured player in his organization off of his natural position for a prospect. Not that it outright prevents Russell from becoming the SS with Castro on the team, but it's not something that happens often.

[sneakypower]

2015 2016 opening day

                    Fowler

    Bryant                            Soler


            Castro          Alcantara

Russell                                          Rizzo

                       P


                    Montero

Edited February 26, 2015 by sneakypower

[Guest]

16?

[ctcf]

https://instagram.com/p/zkaH_VwRC9/

 

This is pretty [expletive] great.

[Some Guy]

Castro SS4Lyfe.

 

Ok maybe not forever, but there should be no eagerness to trade a proven veteran who's cheap for a long time and still getting better on both sides of the ball.

[RammyFanny]

I don't know if it's BS but Kurkijan just said Soler put on 20 lbs over the winter (working out). I'm going to doubt it but who knows.

[Guest]

I don't know if it's BS but Kurkijan just said Soler put on 20 lbs over the winter (working out). I'm going to doubt it but who knows.

 

https://instagram.com/p/ziyhQiyBQy/?modal=true

 

just for mojo

 

He sure doesn't look smaller.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

i really want some cake now

[Gmoney08]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to trade any of the young SS's at all?

 

I say flood the infield with Addison, Starlin, & Baez.

 

Let Bryant play LF.

 

 

I don't want to trade any of the guys for pitching unless its a Wow deal. Hell with pitching.

 

I'd rather buy pitching unless we get a crazy offer.

[Guest]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to trade any of the young SS's at all?

 

I say flood the infield with Addison, Starlin, & Baez.

 

Let Bryant play LF.

 

 

I don't want to trade any of the guys for pitching unless its a Wow deal. Hell with pitching.

 

I'd rather buy pitching unless we get a crazy offer.

 

No you're definitely not the only one