Chase Utley

[sontensei]

i guess we will have to see what happens

[Guest]

if the cubs want to sign a price/cueto/grienke type guy and an outfielder like Heyward while trying to lock up arrieta long term they dont have enough money. I guess we could keep castro/montero and go for the best B level guys we can get. that would be a typical cubs move.

 

Or they just do 2 of those things and not all 3.

 

Again, if Castro and Montero's contracts are hindering them from making major moves, then they're completely screwed to begin with.

 

I'm not saying there's any imperative to get rid of Castro's salary (there isn't), but they have a finite amount to spend and we know that. That $22M worth of salary (Castro and Montero) is not an inconsequential amount and they could conceivably get rid of it to get somebody. I don't see how that means they're completely screwed.

 

They are obviously far from completely screwed, even though we obviously all wish they could/would spend a lot more.

[davell]

This isn't fantasy baseball. Is it likely that Schwarber is ready to be an everyday C in the majors? That's technically undetermined, but odds aren't good he will be.

 

I'm as big of a Javy guy as there is on here too, but it's also extremely unlikely they move Castro to give him the job next year. They may(likely will) move Castro, but they would bring in a starting caliber guy to challenge Javy or give them a plan, if he fails(Zobrist).

[Guest]

Yeah, if you assume the budget limitations are real, it might be the best use of resources to move Montero and possibly Castro. However, if they lack confidence in Baez/others to the point where they'd go out and sign someone like Kendrick for second base, then I'd probably prefer to simply keep Starlin.

[Guest]

This isn't fantasy baseball. Is it likely that Schwarber is ready to be an everyday C in the majors? That's technically undetermined, but odds aren't good he will be.

 

I'm as big of a Javy guy as there is on here too, but it's also extremely unlikely they move Castro to give him the job next year. They may(likely will) move Castro, but they would bring in a starting caliber guy to challenge Javy or give them a plan, if he fails(Zobrist).

Have the pitching results noticeably suffered when Schwarber catches?

[jersey cubs fan]

There may be no more risky thing the Cubs can do than trust Baez.

[XZero771679666304]

The sad thing is there are lots and lots of Cubs fans who completely embrace this mentality. I almost think they'd be horrified if they started spending a ton again.

 

That's ridiculous. No one would be upset if the Cubs started spending money, so long as it was spent somewhat wisely (no gigantic contracts for past their prime players, or Hendry-like contracts for relievers). If a good young players come to the market, by all means, throw as much money at them as it takes.

 

As for Utley, I'd be perfectly fine seeing what he has left, though I'm not sure where he'd get his ABs, especially if Baez comes up.

[jersey cubs fan]

The sad thing is there are lots and lots of Cubs fans who completely embrace this mentality. I almost think they'd be horrified if they started spending a ton again.

 

That's ridiculous. No one would be upset if the Cubs started spending money,

 

I think a lot of people would be upset.

[sontensei]

If there was no issue with money they wouldnt have been trying so hard to get a controllable TOR type starter via trade. They don't have infinite money and they dont need 3 catchers either. Castro is a guy they should move because he is keeping Russell away from his future position which is SS, and his performance doesn't justify the salary to me. (especially the long term part of it)

 

Moving Montero and Castro makes sense if your going after some big name free agents that can make a higher marginal impact on the team in 2016, guys like Heyward can play CF and will demand big bucks.. Your price kinda guys will too!

 

Toss in a zobrist kinda guy and your looking at a well improved team over this years already good team where montero and castro arent necessarily carrying the teams success.

[sontensei]

The sad thing is there are lots and lots of Cubs fans who completely embrace this mentality. I almost think they'd be horrified if they started spending a ton again.

 

That's ridiculous. No one would be upset if the Cubs started spending money, so long as it was spent somewhat wisely (no gigantic contracts for past their prime players, or Hendry-like contracts for relievers). If a good young players come to the market, by all means, throw as much money at them as it takes.

 

As for Utley, I'd be perfectly fine seeing what he has left, though I'm not sure where he'd get his ABs, especially if Baez comes up.

 

I kinda dont want baez to come up so his value isnt ruined if he stinks it up

[JennieGarthAlgar]

The sad thing is there are lots and lots of Cubs fans who completely embrace this mentality. I almost think they'd be horrified if they started spending a ton again.

 

That's ridiculous. No one would be upset if the Cubs started spending money,

 

I think a lot of people would be upset.

 

I think a lot of people wouldn't be upset. I think a lot of people wouldn't care. I think a lot of people wear stupid clothing. I think a lot of people have crazy hair.

[Cubswin11]

If there was no issue with money they wouldnt have been trying so hard to get a controllable TOR type starter via trade. They don't have infinite money and they dont need 3 catchers either. Castro is a guy they should move because he is keeping Russell away from his future position which is SS, and his performance doesn't justify the salary to me. (especially the long term part of it)

 

Moving Montero and Castro makes sense if your going after some big name free agents that can make a higher marginal impact on the team in 2016, guys like Heyward can play CF and will demand big bucks.. Your price kinda guys will too!

 

Toss in a zobrist kinda guy and your looking at a well improved team over this years already good team where montero and castro arent necessarily carrying the teams success.

That should always be the goal, even if money is of no concern, it doesn't mean they are going to do it but they should always be seeking out those guys over FA SP entering their 30's. Also moving Montero/Castro and getting Hayward and Zobrist probably adds MORE MONEY to the payroll, before any kind of SP is added

[sontensei]

If there was no issue with money they wouldnt have been trying so hard to get a controllable TOR type starter via trade. They don't have infinite money and they dont need 3 catchers either. Castro is a guy they should move because he is keeping Russell away from his future position which is SS, and his performance doesn't justify the salary to me. (especially the long term part of it)

 

Moving Montero and Castro makes sense if your going after some big name free agents that can make a higher marginal impact on the team in 2016, guys like Heyward can play CF and will demand big bucks.. Your price kinda guys will too!

 

Toss in a zobrist kinda guy and your looking at a well improved team over this years already good team where montero and castro arent necessarily carrying the teams success.

That should always be the goal, even if money is of no concern, it doesn't mean they are going to do it but they should always be seeking out those guys over FA SP entering their 30's. Also moving Montero/Castro and getting Hayward and Zobrist probably adds MORE MONEY to the payroll, before any kind of SP is added

 

yeah but the impact of say those 2 guys salary is lessened by about 21-22 million after moving the aforementioned players.

[Clem Fandango]

This isn't fantasy baseball. Is it likely that Schwarber is ready to be an everyday C in the majors? That's technically undetermined, but odds aren't good he will be.

 

I'm as big of a Javy guy as there is on here too, but it's also extremely unlikely they move Castro to give him the job next year. They may(likely will) move Castro, but they would bring in a starting caliber guy to challenge Javy or give them a plan, if he fails(Zobrist).

Have the pitching results noticeably suffered when Schwarber catches?

 

Looking at the results, it's been a mixed bag. He had some rough results in the middle-to-end of July. Hendricks and Hammel had a couple of nasty outings. But they've both also had some great outings lately. Also, most of the relievers who have performed poorly with him behind the dish are the same guys who would perform poorly even if the world's greatest catcher we behind the dish. Schwarber also has had to catch guys like Clayton Richard and Dallas Beeler, so it's kind of unfair to judge him considering 1/3 of his starts behind the dish come with a musical chair fill in.

[Clem Fandango]

The sad thing is there are lots and lots of Cubs fans who completely embrace this mentality. I almost think they'd be horrified if they started spending a ton again.

 

That's ridiculous. No one would be upset if the Cubs started spending money,

 

I think a lot of people would be upset.

 

It depends on what they spend it on. if they spend it on David Price, I would not be upset. If they spend it on Jonny Gomes, I would be upset.

[jersey cubs fan]

The sad thing is there are lots and lots of Cubs fans who completely embrace this mentality. I almost think they'd be horrified if they started spending a ton again.

 

That's ridiculous. No one would be upset if the Cubs started spending money,

 

I think a lot of people would be upset.

 

It depends on what they spend it on. if they spend it on David Price, I would not be upset. If they spend it on Jonny Gomes, I would be upset.

There were people who did not want the Cubs to spend what they spent on Lester, and have been bitching about Lester not living up to the contract all season. People are dumb, they will be upset if the Cubs "act like Hendry and spend like mad" (ie. sign anybody good)

[Sammy Sofa]

The sad thing is there are lots and lots of Cubs fans who completely embrace this mentality. I almost think they'd be horrified if they started spending a ton again.

 

That's ridiculous. No one would be upset if the Cubs started spending money,

 

I think a lot of people would be upset.

 

It depends on what they spend it on. if they spend it on David Price, I would not be upset. If they spend it on Jonny Gomes, I would be upset.

 

It takes about 2 seconds to find scores of comments online of Cubs fans flipping the [expletive] out every time Lester gives up a run; tons of them are insanely paranoid about the Cubs spending real baseball money.

[Sammy Sofa]

if the cubs want to sign a price/cueto/grienke type guy and an outfielder like Heyward while trying to lock up arrieta long term they dont have enough money. I guess we could keep castro/montero and go for the best B level guys we can get. that would be a typical cubs move.

 

Or they just do 2 of those things and not all 3.

 

Again, if Castro and Montero's contracts are hindering them from making major moves, then they're completely screwed to begin with.

 

I'm not saying there's any imperative to get rid of Castro's salary (there isn't), but they have a finite amount to spend and we know that. That $22M worth of salary (Castro and Montero) is not an inconsequential amount and they could conceivably get rid of it to get somebody. I don't see how that means they're completely screwed.

 

They are obviously far from completely screwed, even though we obviously all wish they could/would spend a lot more.

 

Schwarber as a catcher and Baez as a baseball player, period sure as [expletive] aren't sure things at this point, so I'm not eager to see the Cubs just assuming that they are and casting off players with reasonable contracts to save money. It would be equal parts hubris and financial desperation right now.

[Guest]

Castro is not on a reasonable contract. That's how bad he is.

 

Castro on his contract is every bit as iffy a value proposition as Baez is period. Maybe worse.

Edited August 3, 2015 by David

[davell]

Jesus, are there really people upset with Lester's contract? I honestly thought that was one that we all basically agreed on.

[Sammy Sofa]

Castro is not on a reasonable contract. That's how bad he is.

 

At the moment. Castro bouncing back and being useful and Baez actually panning out aren't as far apart as you want to think.

[jersey cubs fan]

Jesus, are there really people upset with Lester's contract? I honestly thought that was one that we all basically agreed on.

I mean, it's like 50 years later and people still think Soriano's contract was an albatross.

 

 

People are stupid.

[davell]

If I had to place bets, I'd bet Starlin and Javy are dealt in the offseason, but Montero stays.

[Sammy Sofa]

If I had to place bets, I'd bet Starlin and Javy are dealt in the offseason, but Montero stays.

 

Yeah, I've been thinking something similar. I've wanted to package Baez and Starlin up for a while now.

[Guest]

Jesus, are there really people upset with Lester's contract? I honestly thought that was one that we all basically agreed on.

I mean, it's like 50 years later and people still think Soriano's contract was an albatross.

 

 

People are stupid.

 

Zambrano's too.