CF Options

[Clem Fandango]

What would it take to get Charlie Blackmon from the Rox? Hendricks, Alcantra and 2 minor league pitchers seems doable.

 

I'm not a fan of Blackmon. He's only a 2.0-2.5 win player (by both standards) and doesn't play great defense in center, and his overall offensive numbers aren't that impressive even with the Coors effect. If anything Hendricks alone is an overpay for his services when you take age and team control into consideration, IMO.

[Felix Leiter]

Could Albert Almora be the default candidate? I've never seen him play, but most reports indicate he is a plus CF defender. The question is his bat and would the Cubs be rushing him in 2016. But this FO isn't afraid of taking chances with rookies being thrust into the starting lineup. Heyward will get a lot of $$$ and I'm underwhelmed by most available CF. Besides, if we do get another CF, it certainly blocks Almora's progress. Would Theo/Jed be willing to take another chance on a kid?

[jersey cubs fan]

Could Albert Almora be the default candidate? I've never seen him play, but most reports indicate he is a plus CF defender. The question is his bat and would the Cubs be rushing him in 2016. But this FO isn't afraid of taking chances with rookies being thrust into the starting lineup. Heyward will get a lot of $$$ and I'm underwhelmed by most available CF. Besides, if we do get another CF, it certainly blocks Almora's progress. Would Theo/Jed be willing to take another chance on a kid?

They'd have to do some crazy ass upgrades elsewhere in order to live with Almora being the CF in 2016.

[Backtobanks]

What would it take to get Charlie Blackmon from the Rox? Hendricks, Alcantra and 2 minor league pitchers seems doable.

 

I'm not a fan of Blackmon. He's only a 2.0-2.5 win player (by both standards) and doesn't play great defense in center, and his overall offensive numbers aren't that impressive even with the Coors effect. If anything Hendricks alone is an overpay for his services when you take age and team control into consideration, IMO.

 

The problem is that every CF we mention has some issues that make it not a perfect fit. From too expensive (Heyward, Fowler, Gardner) to injury affected (Eaton, Span) to mediocre (Blackmon, Maybin). I've accepted the idea that we have enough firepower offensively that we can deal with a mediocre (offensively) CF for a year or two until Almora/McKinney/Happ are ready.

[biittner77]

McKinney hasn't played much (any?) CF in the minors. Is that because he's been on the same team as Almora or does he lack the skill set? Do they see Happ as a realistic option for CF long term?

[KingCubsFan]

McKinney hasn't played much (any?) CF in the minors. Is that because he's been on the same team as Almora or does he lack the skill set? Do they see Happ as a realistic option for CF long term?

McKinney is not a CF long-term and Happ is going to play 2B next year.

[Felix Leiter]

What would it take to get Charlie Blackmon from the Rox? Hendricks, Alcantra and 2 minor league pitchers seems doable.

 

I'm not a fan of Blackmon. He's only a 2.0-2.5 win player (by both standards) and doesn't play great defense in center, and his overall offensive numbers aren't that impressive even with the Coors effect. If anything Hendricks alone is an overpay for his services when you take age and team control into consideration, IMO.

 

The problem is that every CF we mention has some issues that make it not a perfect fit. From too expensive (Heyward, Fowler, Gardner) to injury affected (Eaton, Span) to mediocre (Blackmon, Maybin). I've accepted the idea that we have enough firepower offensively that we can deal with a mediocre (offensively) CF for a year or two until Almora/McKinney/Happ are ready.

 

I know the list has old and cranky CF, then there's Heyward and Upton. Maybe too rich for my blood. My pitching targets via trade are Quintana, Matz and now(at least kick the tires) Shelby Miller. If we can solve CF internally, that leaves plenty of pieces(Castro, Hendricks, etc..) to get two young cost-controlled SP.

[Abe Frohman]

Is Almora's defense so good that his lack of OB skills (taking a walk, particularly) can be overlooked?

[Guest]

Is Almora's defense so good that his lack of OB skills (taking a walk, particularly) can be overlooked?

 

he learned to take a walk this year, but there's no way to know on the defense until you actually see him. and even though he made strides offensively in 2015, he's still not all that close to ready IMO.

 

i'm dubious that it's as good as advertised given his lack of speed. we've seen how wildly off minor league reports on defense can be with multiple guys now. and we've also seen one case (russell) where the reports were pretty much spot on. so i dunno.

[UMFan83]

Sounds like, as mentioned earlier, Ozuna might be available because Loria and co are nutjobs

 

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/11/20/marlins-taking-offers-on-marcell-ozuna-because-jeffrey-loria-cant-stand-the-guy/

 

And now Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that “multiple teams” have talked to the Marlins about acquiring Ozuna, quoting one source who says:

 

I’d be surprised if they keep him. Loria clearly can’t stand the guy and everybody knows it.

 

With any other team that in itself would be news, but with Jeffrey Loria and the Marlins it’s just business as usual.

[Cubswin11]

Sounds like, as mentioned earlier, Ozuna might be available because Loria and co are nutjobs

 

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/11/20/marlins-taking-offers-on-marcell-ozuna-because-jeffrey-loria-cant-stand-the-guy/

 

And now Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that “multiple teams” have talked to the Marlins about acquiring Ozuna, quoting one source who says:

 

I’d be surprised if they keep him. Loria clearly can’t stand the guy and everybody knows it.

 

With any other team that in itself would be news, but with Jeffrey Loria and the Marlins it’s just business as usual.

I wonder what kind of guy Loria can stand? Maybe a player that pays him?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

What would it take to get Charlie Blackmon from the Rox? Hendricks, Alcantra and 2 minor league pitchers seems doable.

 

I'm not a fan of Blackmon. He's only a 2.0-2.5 win player (by both standards) and doesn't play great defense in center, and his overall offensive numbers aren't that impressive even with the Coors effect. If anything Hendricks alone is an overpay for his services when you take age and team control into consideration, IMO.

 

The problem is that every CF we mention has some issues that make it not a perfect fit. From too expensive (Heyward, Fowler, Gardner) to injury affected (Eaton, Span) to mediocre (Blackmon, Maybin). I've accepted the idea that we have enough firepower offensively that we can deal with a mediocre (offensively) CF for a year or two until Almora/McKinney/Happ are ready.

 

 

I really don't understand the point of going through all the trouble of getting good players just to say "Well, now we can get away with using crappy ones at other positions."

[jersey cubs fan]

I really don't understand the point of going through all the trouble of getting good players just to say "Well, now we can get away with using crappy ones at other positions."

 

You don't understand what a budget is?

[Backtobanks]

Sign Austin Jackson, Justin Ruggiano, and Samardzija. Trade Baez (+?) for Ross or Salazar.

 

Rizzo, Castro, Russell, Bryant, Scwarber, Jackson, Soler, Montero. Rotation - Arrieta, Lester, Shark, Ross/Salazar, Hammel, Hendricks.

Bench - Coughlan, Ruggiano, Ross, LaStella, ???

 

OF versatility with Ruggiano and Jackson able to cover all 3 OF spots, Coughlan/Bryant able to cover corners.

Still should be some money and/or prospects to tweak the bullpen, bench, or whatever.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I really don't understand the point of going through all the trouble of getting good players just to say "Well, now we can get away with using crappy ones at other positions."

 

You don't understand what a budget is?

 

My thoughts exactly

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Our financial budget may be limited, but when combined with our trade chips, we have more than enough to fill out the starting lineup with quality.

[Guest]

Our financial budget may be limited, but when combined with our trade chips, we have more than enough to fill out the starting lineup with quality.

Considering we really only need to fill two spots...yeah.

[Guest]

Our financial budget may be limited, but when combined with our trade chips, we have more than enough to fill out the starting lineup with quality.

Considering we really only need to fill two spots...yeah.

 

well, to be fair, i'm pretty sure he was responding to the idea that we punt CF with almora