Cubs Acquire Austin Jackson; DFA Olt

[flyseye]

Who goes from the 40 man ?

[Guest]

Who goes from the 40 man ?

 

Wada or Beeler seem to make the most sense.

[PrimeTime]

Olt has been DFA

[Agony and Ivy]

Olt has been DFA

 

No matter what Jackson does now it was completely worth it.

[Sammy Sofa]

SOMEBODY CHECK ON WSR.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/nb3pbjvgsq9qjlfax6ab.gif

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I really like this move for a lot of reasons. Several have already been pointed out: He's better than Denorfia; he can play center if something happens to Dexter, which can't really be said of anyone else worth a crap on our team; it's a low-risk move.

 

But, also, his peripherals look to be in line with his career norms -- swing and contact rates are where they usually are. His batted-ball profile looks about normal, except he is pulling the ball more and hitting the ball on the ground more. So I am wondering how much playing in Seattle actually depressed his numbers offensively. Before he was traded last year, he was viewed quite highly around the league, as evidenced by what Seattle gave up to get him. He was worth nearly 4 wins a year from his rookie season, in 2010, through 2013. Regardless, he adds speed and defense, which could be nice to utilize in late-inning situations. He's a much better center fielder than Dexter, but even if they leave Dexter in center and have Jackson replace Coghlan/Soler in right, that is a huge upgrade.

 

Really he is the perfect low-risk, late-August addition to this team. I was hoping we might go after him when I saw he passed through waivers. So I am pretty happy about this move.

[rawaction]

I had a feeling Austin Jackson would be a Cub this year. I figured that ship had sailed though once the deadline passed and Fowler became a top 5 player in baseball at some point in July. Love him as the 4th OF. I wonder if the leash on Soler will be short when he's back.

[itisallpartoftheplan]

Cards pick up Olt and you know how the rest goes.

[flyseye]

Glad to see Olt go as opposed to Wada or Beeler. Not so sure either of those two couldn't do better than Haren. But that's another discussion.

[davell]

This keeps Jackson off the Giants too, where he could have helped them. They'll get De Aza now.

[Deeg]

I had a feeling Austin Jackson would be a Cub this year. I figured that ship had sailed though once the deadline passed and Fowler became a top 5 player in baseball at some point in July. Love him as the 4th OF. I wonder if the leash on Soler will be short when he's back.

 

If Soler returns from injury and doesn't start, it's because Baez is at 3B and Bryant is in the OF. I don't think Jackson factors into that debate much.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I had a feeling Austin Jackson would be a Cub this year. I figured that ship had sailed though once the deadline passed and Fowler became a top 5 player in baseball at some point in July. Love him as the 4th OF. I wonder if the leash on Soler will be short when he's back.

 

If Soler returns from injury and doesn't start, it's because Baez is at 3B and Bryant is in the OF. I don't think Jackson factors into that debate much.

 

Why not? Jackson is a better baseball player than Soler.

[Sammy Sofa]

I had a feeling Austin Jackson would be a Cub this year. I figured that ship had sailed though once the deadline passed and Fowler became a top 5 player in baseball at some point in July. Love him as the 4th OF. I wonder if the leash on Soler will be short when he's back.

 

If Soler returns from injury and doesn't start, it's because Baez is at 3B and Bryant is in the OF. I don't think Jackson factors into that debate much.

 

Why not? Jackson is a better baseball player than Soler.

 

Yeah, Soler's been wretched this year. Not sure why Deeg thinks he's such a slam dunk the Cubs would just automatically insert him in there over Jackson or Coghlan.

[PrimeTime]

Would have rather had a guy like Soriano DFA

[UMFan83]

Duke, Jacksons numbers were considerably better at home this year than on the road so probably no help there

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I mean, I think Kyle is stupid for having wanted to see Denorfia play over Soler, for basically the whole season. For one, Denorfia sucks, too. But, mainly, Jorge is a young kid with a ton of potential. So you want to see him getting AB's, as long as he isn't Javy bad. And, if something clicks, then you might just have a big, power bat capable of decapitating infielders with line drives, by the time the playoffs roll around. But, once you get in the playoffs, and there is an option that is clearly better than Soler, why would you not use it instead? All the "getting Jorge ABs" [expletive] goes out the window.

[Sammy Sofa]

I mean, I think Kyle is stupid for having wanted to see Denorfia play over Soler, for basically the whole season. For one, Denorfia sucks, too. But, mainly, Jorge is a young kid with a ton of potential. So you want to see him getting AB's, as long as he isn't Javy bad. And, if something clicks, then you might just have a big, power bat capable of decapitating infielders with line drives, by the time the playoffs roll around. But, once you get in the playoffs, and there is an option that is clearly better than Soler, why would you not use it instead? All the "getting Jorge ABs" [expletive] goes out the window.

 

Right; he was looking a bit better, but now he's injured again and even with his improvement at the plate he still wasn't hitting for anywhere near the power everyone was hoping for. Couple that his horrendous defense and we're now close enough to the end of the season that I'd rather get some one out there more likely to produce than to just keep hoping something is going to click for Soler this year.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Duke, Jacksons numbers were considerably better at home this year than on the road so probably no help there

 

And those sample sizes are big enough to nullify the fact that his peripherals look similar to his norm? Regardless, even if he is what he has been offensively this year, that's pretty much what Jorge has been offensively, too. And Jackson isn't an abortion in the field.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I mean, I think Kyle is stupid for having wanted to see Denorfia play over Soler, for basically the whole season. For one, Denorfia sucks, too. But, mainly, Jorge is a young kid with a ton of potential. So you want to see him getting AB's, as long as he isn't Javy bad. And, if something clicks, then you might just have a big, power bat capable of decapitating infielders with line drives, by the time the playoffs roll around. But, once you get in the playoffs, and there is an option that is clearly better than Soler, why would you not use it instead? All the "getting Jorge ABs" [expletive] goes out the window.

 

Right; he was looking a bit better, but now he's injured again and even with his improvement at the plate he still wasn't hitting for anywhere near the power everyone was hoping for. Couple that his horrendous defense and we're now close enough to the end of the season that I'd rather get some one out there more likely to produce than to just keep hoping something is going to click for Soler this year.

 

Yep. The playoffs aren't a time for [expletive] like learning adjustments and development and growth. It's time to win. And Jorge can still pinch hit, maybe get a start against a lefty. It's not like you just give up on him completely; he just takes a back seat, because we are in the freaking playoffs.

[Little Slide Rooter]

He's certainly better than Denorfia.

Or Matt Sczcur

 

And he's prettier than Bruce Vilanche.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

If you include this in Theo's trade deadline grade, does the F stay an F, or does it get a bump to a D or D+ or so?

 

Really though, what a horrible trade deadline for us. We make two July 31st deals and the best player we add is on August 31st.

[Little Slide Rooter]

SOMEBODY CHECK ON WSR.

 

Have u an affinity for Mike Olt that I wasn't aware of?

[Little Slide Rooter]

If you include this in Theo's trade deadline grade, does the F stay an F, or does it get a bump to a D or D+ or so?

 

Really though, what a horrible trade deadline for us. We make two July 31st deals and the best player we add is on August 31st.

 

I know, right? Hendry would have got Joe Blanton and Johnny Gomes and only given up 3 of our top 10 prospects.

[biittner77]

Even at the deadline, the Cubs weren't going to pass both the Cards and the Pirates and win the division. Would it really be worth trading a valuable long term asset for maybe a shot at hosting the one game playoff? I have no problem with Epstein dumpster diving for guys that might secure that 2nd wild card.