General Cubs Chit-Chat

[badger]

Seeing as how he can't hit a baseball, get OB, and likely isn't able to throw Bartolo Colon out, the only attribute he has is pitch framing (where he's really good, but so is Willson), I wouldn't mind him being jettisoned but will the Thoyer take a $14m hit for next year?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I would set the odds of Montero going anywhere before the offseason at negative one billion percent(and honestly, maybe only slightly better than that in the offseason). Contreras has played more innings in 1B/LF than at C for a reason, they aren't going to entrust him as the primary catcher with a backup(Ross) who isn't all that great and can't play every day at his age.

 

Before Contreras's callup though I would've been pretty confident in the worse of he and Almora being sent down. If Joe is okay with Contreras in LF and he continues to hit, then Coghlan could definitely be DFA'd when folks get healthy, which is something I would not have guessed at all when he was added.

[Cubswin11]

I forgot about Szczur, he's a perfectly fine player and probably should be on a 25-man roster somewhere. But if/when we are at full health he's pretty redundant/doesn't offer much. Vs. LHP Bryant/Soler/Baez/Contreras (whether it's C/LF/1B)/Fowler all are going to start over him at various positions on the field. He's not all that special of a defender, Almora/Heyward/Fowler are all better and Bryant probably is too, so he's not going to be used for a defensive replacement late, he's nothing special on the bases for late game pinch running that Javy/LaStella/Almora/Russell couldn't give you, Coghlan has more positional versatility as he can play the corner OF and the infield in emergencies, and other than Almora (which it's probably close) and Ross he'd be the worst right-handed PH option off the bench when at full health. So while he is talented and should be in MLB he doesn't bring a lot when we are at full health, it would suck to let a talented, deserving, guy go but I could see him gone if we ever get to full health later in the summer.

[PackLandVA]

After a taste of MLB pitching, I wouldn't mind Almora going back to AAA to play everyday. Maybe being up for a few weeks gives him a different perspective as to what he needs to work on at the plate (discipline, approach, etc.). He can always be recalled if keeping Szczur and/or Coghlan proves to be a mistake.

[David]

I really wouldn't mind having Coghlan around because he's come back and looked really good and has had a nice OBP and walk rate with good contact

 

Coghlan has struck out in 1/3 of his PA and has a 69% contact rate with the Cubs

[David]

After a taste of MLB pitching, I wouldn't mind Almora going back to AAA to play everyday. Maybe being up for a few weeks gives him a different perspective as to what he needs to work on at the plate (discipline, approach, etc.). He can always be recalled if keeping Szczur and/or Coghlan proves to be a mistake.

 

For as long as Almora plays like he's played so far, he's an MLB asset and should stay, IMO. If/when he shows some sustained struggles, different story. Until then, I think Joe can get him enough looks.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I don't really care what they do at this point. We have enough decent options that my biggest concern is with developing the young guys. Chris Coghlan has no future with this team, sucks right now, most likely isn't going to factor into our playoff plans, and probably won't be able to figure things if he's just a bench guy. But, I'm fine with keeping him on the roster if we think Almora would be better served playing everyday in the minors. Szczur... meh. But he is better than Coghlan right now. And he's a nice emergency safety valve that I wouldn't just give up on. So it's down to Cogs and Almora. And they should just choose whichever is best for Almora himself and not the team.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Montero to the DL would be my favorite option. He's not going anywhere. But I need some time away from him.

[Sammy Sofa]

I really wouldn't mind having Coghlan around because he's come back and looked really good and has had a nice OBP and walk rate with good contact

 

Coghlan has struck out in 1/3 of his PA and has a 69% contact rate with the Cubs

 

Yeah, I did a mini-double take at the "he's looked really good" part. He's looked like an oaf.

[Cubswin11]

Montero to the DL would be my favorite option. He's not going anywhere. But I need some time away from him.

Agree, it's my #1 choice right now and it's not even close. Won't hurt the team at all while he's gone (hopefully he can figure something out while he's out to be useful by years end in some capacity) the move gives Joe/FO time to see how things shake out with guys coming back from injury, how some of the young guys keep doing and not having to make a move now that we wish we didn't if someone else goes down (i.e. releasing Coghlan/Szczur and Soler comes back and sucks/gets hurt or one of the other guys going down).

Edited June 30, 2016 by Cubswin11

[David]

I really wouldn't mind having Coghlan around because he's come back and looked really good and has had a nice OBP and walk rate with good contact

 

Coghlan has struck out in 1/3 of his PA and has a 69% contact rate with the Cubs

 

Yeah, I did a mini-double take at the "he's looked really good" part. He's looked like an oaf.

 

His best contribution to anything has been his supporting role in your sig.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

After a taste of MLB pitching, I wouldn't mind Almora going back to AAA to play everyday. Maybe being up for a few weeks gives him a different perspective as to what he needs to work on at the plate (discipline, approach, etc.). He can always be recalled if keeping Szczur and/or Coghlan proves to be a mistake.

 

For as long as Almora plays like he's played so far, he's an MLB asset and should stay, IMO. If/when he shows some sustained struggles, different story. Until then, I think Joe can get him enough looks.

 

I think the problem is that you might be forced to make that decision before you'd ideally like to. You've got Ross, La Stella, Szczur, Coghlan, Contreras, Almora, and Soler for 5 spots, and Sczur and Coghlan can't be sent down. So the moment Fowler(or Soler) is healthy you have to make a call between Almora/Contreras/Szczur/Coghlan where one has to go. If you anticipate Almora struggling more than he has so far, I can see the logic in him being the one to go down so that you can buy some more time Coghlan/Szczur. Especially since there's less playing time available anyway with Fowler back.

[squally1313]

I really wouldn't mind having Coghlan around because he's come back and looked really good and has had a nice OBP and walk rate with good contact

 

Coghlan has struck out in 1/3 of his PA and has a 69% contact rate with the Cubs

 

Nice.

[Sammy Sofa]

I really wouldn't mind having Coghlan around because he's come back and looked really good and has had a nice OBP and walk rate with good contact

 

Coghlan has struck out in 1/3 of his PA and has a 69% contact rate with the Cubs

 

Nice.

 

He's not a solid C+ player like the stars of this team.

[BigSlick]

I really wouldn't mind having Coghlan around because he's come back and looked really good and has had a nice OBP and walk rate with good contact

 

Coghlan has struck out in 1/3 of his PA and has a 69% contact rate with the Cubs

Fair point! His .372 OBP and a handful of lineouts made me happy, but anecdotes aren't laws. This indicates this wont last very long!

[Agony and Ivy]

Has there been anything on when Dexter is expected back?

[UMFan83]

[cwood218]

 

Houston at 6 to 1 looks dam good

[Cubswin11]

 

Houston at 6 to 1 looks dam good

I'm going to Vegas next week, if I get around those odds I'm putting money on that

[Tim]

In the past 24 hours three different people have said to me that the Cubs' problem is Maddon's willingness to play guys out of position. Ignoring that they don't really have any truly major issues, noooooooobody seemed to notice or give a [expletive] when they were winning. Ah well, the wind's going to blow again pretty soon and that will be that.

Ask them who specifically it is hurting. Is it Bryant? Because he's the MVP so far. Is it Javy, who is having the best success of his career? Contreras who is succeeding like crazy in his first MLB stint? Those are really the only guys moving around a lot.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Yeah, at a party this weekend, I had conversations with a few different people who say that Maddon has to:

 

-figure out a set lineup and stick with it

-stop giving his starters so much rest

-stop moving players all over the diamond

-cut it out with all the gimmicks (i.e. themed road trips and putting relievers in LF)

 

also Pedro Strop should straighten his hat.

[David]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHdxEzdBuFA/

 

sooo forget the ocean part, that's obv a joke, but is there some inside joke i'm missing or does rizzo really think that's lake eerie?

 

 

edit: nevermind...commenter got it

 

amannndaMaybe it's a joke...last month he posted a pic on the Chicago River and called it Lake Michigan so now he's being funny

[davell]

Christopher KamkaJuly 4, 2016: first time #Cubs field a starting lineup all born after the lights were turned on @ Wrigley (8/8/1988) https://t.co/akaKj9Jba6

 

 

 

So horsefeathering awesome

[davell]

I enjoyed the heck out of hearing how much the Cubs came together to get Willson Contreras to where he is:

 

https://t.co/ZgdagZXA2r

 

 

Pretty decent Willson article.

[PackLandVA]

40-16 is a purrty record. I like the whole "have 50% more games over .500 than actual losses"

 

Wonder if we'll hit 50 wins before we hit 20 losses. This team is fun. :bow:

 

My, how times have changed. Wonder if the Cubs will win their 60th before their 40th loss. :(