General Cubs Chit-Chat

[Bertz]

[CubinNY]

So, do the Cubs come out of this layoff rusty or rested?

[Bertz]

 

People will also enjoy this bit. Sounds like Almora is probably on his last chance, and he's gonna have to prove it from the bench.

 

Perhaps it was news to some, but as long as Happ performed, this had been the plan all along. While Almora’s strong spring led to some hope that he could elevate the ball more frequently and be a weapon against left-handed pitchers, there was still skepticism as to whether he’d truly turned a corner. After Happ spent nearly four months at Triple-A Iowa in 2019, there was more trust that he had actually made sustainable changes.

 

In limited playing time this year, Almora has managed just two singles in 16 plate appearances and the aspects of his game the team was hoping would improve (hard-contact and ground-ball rates) haven’t. He needed to produce immediately to deserve more at-bats, especially considering the short season and his recent struggles. Since July 4, 2018, of players with at least 500 plate appearances, only Chris Davis and Brandon Drury have equaled or performed worse on offense than Almora’s 57 wRC+ (100 is league average).

 

Also working against Almora is the fact that Happ has started to hit from both sides of the plate, neutralizing Almora’s value as a potential platoon partner.

 

“His right-handed at-bats have gotten tremendously better for me,” Ross said. “He’s been a staple. Three knocks (in Sunday’s sim game), one off a lefty, two doubles in the gap. He’s the real deal, in my opinion.”

[Forgotmyoldlogin]

This looks fun as hell!

[Backtobanks]

So, do the Cubs come out of this layoff rusty or rested?

 

Hopefully they come out rested because they're not playing the Royals and Pirates anymore.

[CubinNY]

So, do the Cubs come out of this layoff rusty or rested?

 

Hopefully they come out rested because they're not playing the Royals and Pirates anymore.

They looked great last night.

[CubinNY]

On a scale of 1-10, how nuts is it that I want to see Brennen Davis this September?

 

The way I see it:

 

- This team is going to make the playoffs pretty handily

 

- Expanded rosters basically gives as many as two spots to get weird with, he's already just a call away

 

- The starting OF and position group is basically set, roles defined, so he wouldn't be coming up to tookanyonesjerb...more shadowing those guys and maybe small assignments like pinch run or defensive sub late...if he happens to outshine Slaps...Either way he should still open 2021 in High A or AA depending

 

- There's less need to play service time games in this extension happy era on a second round pick with a shot than say the #2 pick and sure thing

 

Davis, Carraway, Mekkes, and Abbott are the four prospects on the 60 I'd really like to see mixed in, once the playoffs are secured...I know Theo or Hoyer said it's not a development year at the ML level but also there's 2-3 more roster spots than what they've won WSs with...so maybe?

I think the service time matters the most on whether they bring him up. I don't see it.

[Brian]

I'd put money on Marquez being the only possibility of a A/High A to MLB jump this season, especially with him needing to be rostered this winter anyways.

[Regular Show]

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[Cubswin11]

Sounds like he could have his final bullpen today if it goes well

 

[Cubswin11]

2018 me couldn’t understand how this is potentially very bad news.

 

[squally1313]

Well, now that the bullpen doesn't look like a total dumpster fire, just slot Quintana into Chatwood's spot and hope Chatwood can provide a live pen arm if he gets healthy this year.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

What is your limit for a Tyler Chatwood contract extension?

 

He’s probably earning himself a million per good start (unless the wheels come off).

[UMFan83]

Man these quirky new rules for the 2020 season...

 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Ryan Tepera currently has the lowest contact% among RP in the league. Only 9 IP but something worth watching. We have drastically altered his pitch mix by majorly reducing the 4 seam usage and upping the cutters and sliders. It could be that the league hasn't yet caught onto this and obviously the sample is far too small to put a ton of stock into. But I think there's a pretty clear intent there.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

Ryan Tepera currently has the lowest contact% among RP in the league. Only 9 IP but something worth watching. We have drastically altered his pitch mix by majorly reducing the 4 seam usage and upping the cutters and sliders. It could be that the league hasn't yet caught onto this and obviously the sample is far too small to put a ton of stock into. But I think there's a pretty clear intent there.

Were his cutter and slider always as nasty as they appear to be? There seems to be a ton of movement, without checking pitch FX.

[Cubswin11]

Ryan Tepera currently has the lowest contact% among RP in the league. Only 9 IP but something worth watching. We have drastically altered his pitch mix by majorly reducing the 4 seam usage and upping the cutters and sliders. It could be that the league hasn't yet caught onto this and obviously the sample is far too small to put a ton of stock into. But I think there's a pretty clear intent there.

Were his cutter and slider always as nasty as they appear to be? There seems to be a ton of movement, without checking pitch FX.

They basically Jake’d him and said “hey your slider and cutter are good and grade out well, throw it more idiot.”

Edited August 20, 2020 by Cubswin11

[Bertz]

Ryan Tepera currently has the lowest contact% among RP in the league. Only 9 IP but something worth watching. We have drastically altered his pitch mix by majorly reducing the 4 seam usage and upping the cutters and sliders. It could be that the league hasn't yet caught onto this and obviously the sample is far too small to put a ton of stock into. But I think there's a pretty clear intent there.

Were his cutter and slider always as nasty as they appear to be? There seems to be a ton of movement, without checking pitch FX.

They were, they basically Jake’d him and said “hey your slider and cutter are good and grade out well, throw it more idiot.”

 

It also doesn't hurt that it's starting to look like Hottovy is the Dave Duncan of cutters

[Bertz]

[Post Count Padder]

Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam and Tom Hatch got his first MLB win last night in the latest edition of "Guys I wish we didn't trade"

[Cubswin11]

Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam and Tom Hatch got his first MLB win last night in the latest edition of "Guys I wish we didn't trade"

I’ll take a division championship and 3 wins from a WS/NLCS appearance over throw away prospects who were buried here every time over prospect hoarding.

[UMFan83]

This...is something

 

[Cubswin11]

This...is something

 

They either just completely suck or a bunch of guys and situational stats are due for some positive regression.

Edited August 22, 2020 by Cubswin11

[We Got The Whole 9]

Our guys salivate at that changeup or the sinker on the outer half. We like to make sure the SS stay sharp!

 

I really feel like we lead the league in roll-over grounders.

[UMFan83]

This...is something

 

They either just completely suck or and bunch of guys and situational stats are due for some positive regression.

 

Here is their OPS rank with the bases loaded each year since 15:

 

2020: 28th

2019: 4th

2018: 11th

2017: 2nd

2016: 15th

2015: 12th

 

So yeah probably some positive regression coming. Still frustrating for now