Unusual CF idea(s)

[Northsider]

Since the Cubs seem to be squeezed for payroll (that is, signing a top-available is unlikely), and since our top CF options seem to be somewhat pricey (Austin Jackson, Span, and Fowler all are predicted to pull at least $10mil/year), I went looking around for other (preferably younger, cheaper) possibilities.

 

I was most intrigued by Ender Inciarte, a 25-year-old CF/RF on the Diamondbacks. His defense has been above league average, which would help Soler and Schwarber in the outfield; and his major league contact rates have been 78.7 and 80.8, which could benefit our strikeout-prone offense.

 

The rub is that the Diamondbacks appear to be looking for young, controllable pitching. My proposal is to use Hendricks as the key piece in the deal; the two players provided similar value last year, although Hendricks has one more year of control so prospects would have to balance the deal. Not spending $$$ on a CF should allow the Cubs to sign 2 of Shark/Lackey/Leake and still maintain the prospects necessary to trade for Teheran or Miller. Gaining a defensive CF like Inciarte should also protect Soler, Schwarber, and Coghlan in the outfield.

 

The pipe dream, of course, would be acquiring Pollock (the DBacks CF), but he just had a career year and I have to imagine the DBacks would demand something like Schwarber and prospects to go along with Hendricks in return.

[Guest]

This is the unusual CF idea I've had germinating for a while: Russell for Pollock

 

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it yet, but the value feels about right, and it certainly simplifies the offseason a bit since it pretty much locks the offense into (majestic) place.

[Northsider]

This is the unusual CF idea I've had germinating for a while: Russell for Pollock

 

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it yet, but the value feels about right, and it certainly simplifies the offseason a bit since it pretty much locks the offense into (majestic) place.

 

I think the DBacks might do that - Russell may not have shown much offense yet, but likely will, and has a LOT more control left than Pollock. I'd actually be nervous from the Cubs side - I'd want an extension on Pollock if that happened.

[Guest]

This is the unusual CF idea I've had germinating for a while: Russell for Pollock

 

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it yet, but the value feels about right, and it certainly simplifies the offseason a bit since it pretty much locks the offense into (majestic) place.

 

I think the DBacks might do that - Russell may not have shown much offense yet, but likely will, and has a LOT more control left than Pollock. I'd actually be nervous from the Cubs side - I'd want an extension on Pollock if that happened.

 

It's definitely a decisive move, like I said I go back and forth on whether I think it's a good idea. It is sacrificing some years of control, but 3 years for Pollock is still more than a rental.

 

In the moments I do want to make the deal, it's because I think you can make a pretty compelling argument that Pollock is the best non-Trout CF in baseball, plus as someone with local familiarity(going to Notre Dame) there at least stands the chance he'd be amenable to an extension at some point.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It's definitely some good outside the box thinking, but I think I just have to pass. I don't like our non-Russell infielders enough to think this is anything but filling one hole by creating another.

[davell]

It's definitely interesting, but I couldn't pull the trigger in the end. I think Javy would be fine, but I think Addison is going to be a stud. Pollock already is and I get that......But damn, I'd pass and try never to think about it again.

[Guest]

To come back to the original idea I hijacked a bit, I like Inciarte a good bit too. I know the Diamondbacks are on the lookout for pitching, but I get the impression that they want really high end pitching in an acquisition(they do have a lot of mid-rotation starters) and they don't seem like a team that would properly value Hendricks.

 

Like with the Pollock/Russell idea though, they do have possibly the worst middle infield in the game. Swanson might help with that, but he still hasn't played full season ball yet, so Castro(who I could see them valuing properly) and possibly Baez being used in a deal instead seems like it could work.

[Northsider]

Well, I did mention Pollock as the pipe dream. The DBacks value him correctly; they declined a Miller/Pollock swap with the Braves, apparently. But you bring up a really good point about the Castro valuation.

 

If the DBacks value Castro enough, the Cubs might still be able to swing Pollock by trading for a pitcher first, then sending Castro and pitcher.

 

Miller would be the best option, but the Braves seem to think that they should get back lots of major-league ready talent (again, they asked for Pollock straight-up) and aren't interested in tanking at all. Trading for Miller seems like an automatic overpay.

 

Quintana might not be scouty enough for the DBacks. Also, convincing the White Sox to take back, say, Candelario, McKinney, Contreras, Vogelbach might take some doing, despite the immediacy of impact (each is likely 2017 callup) and fit. They'd likely demand the further inclusion of (one of) Hendricks, Jimenez, Baez, Castro, Torres, at which point the trade gets a little expensive for my tastes.

 

Cashner might be the easiest; I can't see Preller passing up Cashner plus for Hendricks, and Cashner looks a lot like Miller scouting-wise. The biggest problem here is Cashner's remaining control and age; I have no idea how the DBacks perceive that. I have to imagine such a deal would hinge on Cashner being extended, and/or the inclusion of one of Contreras, Torres, Jimenez, McKinney (depending on how the DBacks value nearness, fit, and tools).

 

Again, though, the above REALLY depends on the Castro valuation. Getting two highly-valued players, at positions of need, might encourage them to give up Pollock; presumably Tomas would take right field with Inciarte shifting over.

[RammyFanny]

I know it wasn't the main point of the thread, but is Austin Jackson really expected to pull 10 mill/year?

[Gilby]

Vogelbach+ for Dalton Pompey

 

I say Vogelbach because Encarnacion will be a free agent after next season. Pompey isn't going to be the Blue Jays' main CFer and guys like Saunders and Revere might even be ahead of him for LF, so he should be available for the right price.

[Bruno7481]

I remember speculation about Pollock and the Cubs during the draft. The Hendry/ND connection was the main driver behind that. The Cubs never got the chance, he went 17th in 2009 and the Cubs went with Jackson at number 31. I remember a lot of the Pollock talk being met with some negativity at the time.

 

Huh..I forgot that the Angles took Grichuk the pick before taking Trout.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?query_type=year_round&year_ID=2009&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg

[SouthSideRyan]

Vogelbach+ for Dalton Pompey

 

I say Vogelbach because Encarnacion will be a free agent after next season. Pompey isn't going to be the Blue Jays' main CFer and guys like Saunders and Revere might even be ahead of him for LF, so he should be available for the right price.

 

Vogelbach+ is not the right price. Nobody is picking him up with the intention of installing him in their lineup the next season

[Cubswin11]

Since we are talking "unusual" ideas what about Javy in CF?

[Gilby]

Vogelbach+ for Dalton Pompey

 

I say Vogelbach because Encarnacion will be a free agent after next season. Pompey isn't going to be the Blue Jays' main CFer and guys like Saunders and Revere might even be ahead of him for LF, so he should be available for the right price.

 

Vogelbach+ is not the right price. Nobody is picking him up with the intention of installing him in their lineup the next season

 

Vogelbach did just put up a .390 wOBA in Double-A. I don't think an ETA of 2017 is out of the question.

[Backtobanks]

Since we are talking "unusual" ideas what about Javy in CF?

 

Staying with the "unusual" ideas theme - Javy plays 3B and Bryant goes to CF. He's played the corners (OF), has decent speed and arm, and has no future at 3B because of his height :lol: . Then we can spend all the money on pitching.

[NOLA]

Since we are talking "unusual" ideas what about Javy in CF?

 

Staying with the "unusual" ideas theme - Javy plays 3B and Bryant goes to CF. He's played the corners (OF), has decent speed and arm, and has no future at 3B because of his height :lol: . Then we can spend all the money on pitching.

Whoever plays CF had better be a plus defender. Even average defense there will make for a really shaky OF.

[Guest]

Since we are talking "unusual" ideas what about Javy in CF?

 

Staying with the "unusual" ideas theme - Javy plays 3B and Bryant goes to CF. He's played the corners (OF), has decent speed and arm, and has no future at 3B because of his height :lol: . Then we can spend all the money on pitching.

Whoever plays CF had better be a plus defender. Even average defense there will make for a really shaky OF.

Which didn't really hurt us this year with Fowler out there.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Height is an issue at 3rd?

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

Height is an issue at 3rd?

Yeah, he has to reach too far down to get to grounders or some such non sense. It was the punch line to most scouting reports that didn't like Bryant's defense at 3B.

[SouthSideRyan]

Vogelbach+ for Dalton Pompey

 

I say Vogelbach because Encarnacion will be a free agent after next season. Pompey isn't going to be the Blue Jays' main CFer and guys like Saunders and Revere might even be ahead of him for LF, so he should be available for the right price.

 

Vogelbach+ is not the right price. Nobody is picking him up with the intention of installing him in their lineup the next season

 

Vogelbach did just put up a .390 wOBA in Double-A. I don't think an ETA of 2017 is out of the question.

 

Having an ETA of 2017 is different than acquiring him with the idea that he can replace Edwin Encarnacion.

[toonsterwu]

Vogelbach+ for Dalton Pompey

 

I say Vogelbach because Encarnacion will be a free agent after next season. Pompey isn't going to be the Blue Jays' main CFer and guys like Saunders and Revere might even be ahead of him for LF, so he should be available for the right price.

 

I'd be fascinated with Pompey, although we'd need a veteran backup that we would feel comfortable about. That said, I'd be surprised if Pompey goes anywhere unless it's for a rotation upgrade.