General Cubs Chit-Chat

[Derwood]

I hope the MLBPA puts this service time horse horsefeathers front and center during the next CBA negotiations

[Bertz]

I'd be pretty okay with this if Iowa was starting on time. But I don't like doing this with him just going to the alternate site, even if it's not going to be the same thing as last year (i.e. there will be *some* games).

 

Keep in mind, a majority seemed to want this coming into ST. I'd thats the case 30 something ST at bats shouldn't change your mind.

[Cubswin11]

Nice culture/organization you’re running there fellas

 

https://twitter.com/Cubs_Live/status/1375674971167584256?s=20

[Bryants Disco Ball]

I haven't been paying enough attention but if they are doing this for service time that seems weird and stupid. Who cares about having Nico under control another season like five years from now? The dude probably will end up sucking or being average, and if he doesn't, he won't be so good that you can't just sign him to an extension early in his tenure.

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[Cubswin11]

I really don’t get keeping Brothers around. He’s 33, his last good season he pitched significant innings was in 2013, he’s a lefty which automatically makes him harder to use with the 3 batter rule with a career .260/.350/.415 slash line against righties, he also walks a ton of dudes. Chafin as the lone lefty is fine with, Ryan, Wieck, Little, Carraway, Brailyn as back up options.

[JeffH]

One thing that Brothers offers is that he's optionable.

 

Kimbrel, Workman, Tepera, Winkler, Maples, Chafin, Mills all unoptionable. Plus the three top starters.

 

Williams and Adam are optionable, but I doubt they'll be used that way.

 

If you want to run an Iowa shuttle, you have to have at least one guy you can and are willing to send down.

[Bertz]

One thing that Brothers offers is that he's optionable.

 

Kimbrel, Workman, Tepera, Winkler, Maples, Chafin, Mills all unoptionable. Plus the three top starters.

 

Williams and Adam are optionable, but I doubt they'll be used that way.

 

If you want to run an Iowa shuttle, you have to have at least one guy you can and are willing to send down.

 

Yeah, I think this is it. Especially with Wick being not *that* far behind. You want a guy with options, which means Megill, Wieck, or Brothers. You probably want a second lefty, which means Wieck or Brothers. And Wieck's been a bit bumpy in camp (likely due to the late start).

 

If Brothers is good, that's awesome. If he's not he'll be gone by Tax Day.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

One thing that Brothers offers is that he's optionable.

 

Kimbrel, Workman, Tepera, Winkler, Maples, Chafin, Mills all unoptionable. Plus the three top starters.

 

Williams and Adam are optionable, but I doubt they'll be used that way.

 

If you want to run an Iowa shuttle, you have to have at least one guy you can and are willing to send down.

That makes sense if you assume the Cubs will and are currently making good decisions.

[Cubswin11]

One thing that Brothers offers is that he's optionable.

 

Kimbrel, Workman, Tepera, Winkler, Maples, Chafin, Mills all unoptionable. Plus the three top starters.

 

Williams and Adam are optionable, but I doubt they'll be used that way.

 

If you want to run an Iowa shuttle, you have to have at least one guy you can and are willing to send down.

I get wanting flexibility and optionable guys but at the same point Brothers having options shouldn’t matter if he horsefeathering sucks and his entire body of work as a major leaguer for the last 8 years says that.

[Bertz]

 

WOAH!

[CyHawk_Cub]

I get wanting flexibility and optionable guys but at the same point Brothers having options shouldn’t matter if he horsefeathering sucks and his entire body of work as a major leaguer for the last 8 years says that.

Maybe they want the flexibility of sucking in multiple ways. Joke's on you.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Sounds like Bote is going to be the regular 2B. I’d rather have Nico on the roster, but I definitely think our best lineup has Bote at 2B, and I can accept that Hoerner getting reps(even alt site reps) could be helpful compared to infrequent MLB starts. At least for a while.

[Bertz]

Sounds like Bote is going to be the regular 2B. I’d rather have Nico on the roster, but I definitely think our best lineup has Bote at 2B, and I can accept that Hoerner getting reps(even alt site reps) could be helpful compared to infrequent MLB starts. At least for a while.

 

Agreed, and here's the quote from Ross:

 

[CubinNY]

Sounds like Bote is going to be the regular 2B. I’d rather have Nico on the roster, but I definitely think our best lineup has Bote at 2B, and I can accept that Hoerner getting reps(even alt site reps) could be helpful compared to infrequent MLB starts. At least for a while.

 

Agreed, and here's the quote from Ross:

 

This is about Sogard, not Bote. It’s about a lifetime backup catcher giving a veteran some more service time.

[Gilby]

I just can't believe that once again after a bunch of roster maneuverings Maples appears to be safe. I would've just gotten on with it and gone right to Miller or Megill. That feels destined to happen within the first month after Maples has a couple low leverage, 3 BB outings.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Should know this but don't: Why are the Cubs able to still control Shelby Miller and send him to minors camp? Can he opt out right now if he wants?

[Gilby]

He signed a minor league contract. Brett has said per the Athletic apparently he has an optout sometime in April. Presumably he'll replace Maples or Brothers then if there's no injured pitcher.

[NonProfitCow]

Should know this but don't: Why are the Cubs able to still control Shelby Miller and send him to minors camp? Can he opt out right now if he wants?

He signed a minor league deal.

[JeffH]

https://theathletic.com/2453838/2021/03/16/cubs-roster-projection-3-0-nico-hoerners-inside-track-adbert-alzolays-option-question-whos-on-the-bubble/?source=dailyemail

 

Miller has an opt-out at some point in April, so if he doesn’t make the team out of camp, the Cubs will have to convince him that his best opportunity is with them and not another organization.

[Bertz]

 

I definitely prefer Duffy making the team above Vargas

[We Got The Whole 9]

Let's not forget that Nico had a monster spring last season as well. But he got eaten alive when the games counted. They can keep working on his swing in a low pressure environment. Im for that. Sucks not having his glove though.

 

Apologies; he had a big spring in 2019, not last season

[Post Count Padder]

I like Vargas better than Duffy, not a big fan of that though it doesn't move the needle much

 

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[Bertz]

 

James Norwood make sure you have a bag packed

[Post Count Padder]

Kohl Stewart is another one who should be an easy DFA.