Schwarber: Fully torn ACL and LCL. Out for 172 meaningless games.

[raw]

Schwarber to DH, Contreras to LF, Zobrist to RF for the first 2 games.

[Sammy Sofa]

Schwarber to DH, Contreras to LF, Zobrist to RF for the first 2 games.

 

Ehhhhhhh...say what you will about defensive metrics, but wasn't Contreras rated as being pretty bad when he was out there? Basically just a good arm and not much else?

 

I wouldn't mind doing something like that later in the series, but it would be a crime if the Cubs don't take at least one of those first two games in Cleveland, and it would suck if something as dumb as bad corner OF defense helped keep that from happening.

[raw]

Schwarber to DH, Contreras to LF, Zobrist to RF for the first 2 games.

 

Ehhhhhhh...say what you will about defensive metrics, but wasn't Contreras rated as being pretty bad when he was out there? Basically just a good arm and not much else?

 

Don't care. Heyward was rated as being pretty bad by offensive metrics.

[Sammy Sofa]

Schwarber to DH, Contreras to LF, Zobrist to RF for the first 2 games.

 

Ehhhhhhh...say what you will about defensive metrics, but wasn't Contreras rated as being pretty bad when he was out there? Basically just a good arm and not much else?

 

Don't care. Heyward was rated as being pretty bad by offensive metrics.

 

Where did I say Heyward had to be out there? Just repeat the lineup from last night with Contreras at the DH and Ross or Montero catching.

[Coach C]

 

Ehhhhhhh...say what you will about defensive metrics, but wasn't Contreras rated as being pretty bad when he was out there? Basically just a good arm and not much else?

 

Don't care. Heyward was rated as being pretty bad by offensive metrics.

 

Where did I say Heyward had to be out there? Just repeat the lineup from last night with Contreras at the DH and Ross or Montero catching.

 

Agreed.

 

As much as I like Kyle, I just worry with that such of a long layoff that he won't be able to be ready, and could hurt the team or himself. I know he got medical clearance, just ACL's and LCL's are something not to mess around.

 

Personally, I would like him get caught up and completely ready to go in 2017 and forward.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Schwarber to DH, Contreras to LF, Zobrist to RF for the first 2 games.

 

Ehhhhhhh...say what you will about defensive metrics, but wasn't Contreras rated as being pretty bad when he was out there? Basically just a good arm and not much else?

 

I wouldn't mind doing something like that later in the series, but it would be a crime if the Cubs don't take at least one of those first two games in Cleveland, and it would suck if something as dumb as bad corner OF defense helped keep that from happening.

 

Contreras rated pretty poorly in LF, however:

 

- That was a 20 game sample

- Part of that measurement was him inexplicably not rating well for his arm

- Cleveland has a small and pretty straight forward LF with the 19 foot wall at 325 feet

- Maddon clearly trusts Contreras more than that 20 game sample since Contreras has already finished 2 playoff games in LF

[minnesotacubsfan]

Is this guy for real

 

[tweet]

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[Sammy Sofa]

Schwarber to DH, Contreras to LF, Zobrist to RF for the first 2 games.

 

Ehhhhhhh...say what you will about defensive metrics, but wasn't Contreras rated as being pretty bad when he was out there? Basically just a good arm and not much else?

 

I wouldn't mind doing something like that later in the series, but it would be a crime if the Cubs don't take at least one of those first two games in Cleveland, and it would suck if something as dumb as bad corner OF defense helped keep that from happening.

 

Contreras rated pretty poorly in LF, however:

 

- That was a 20 game sample

- Part of that measurement was him inexplicably not rating well for his arm

- Cleveland has a small and pretty straight forward LF with the 19 foot wall at 325 feet

- Maddon clearly trusts Contreras more than that 20 game sample since Contreras has already finished 2 playoff games in LF

 

Good points. Basically defensive metrics seem like bunk and bone-throwing at this stage.

 

Well, except for Soler. He just sucks.

[raw]

 

Ehhhhhhh...say what you will about defensive metrics, but wasn't Contreras rated as being pretty bad when he was out there? Basically just a good arm and not much else?

 

Don't care. Heyward was rated as being pretty bad by offensive metrics.

 

Where did I say Heyward had to be out there? Just repeat the lineup from last night with Contreras at the DH and Ross or Montero catching.

 

I'm operating under the assumption that if the Cubs activate Schwarber it will be for more than him taking 1 AB per game vs. a non-Andrew Miller reliever, which may not even be possible considering they only basically use 2 RHRPs, and only 1 of them comes into play if their starter goes less than 6.

[Sammy Sofa]

 

Don't care. Heyward was rated as being pretty bad by offensive metrics.

 

Where did I say Heyward had to be out there? Just repeat the lineup from last night with Contreras at the DH and Ross or Montero catching.

 

I'm operating under the assumption that if the Cubs activate Schwarber it will be for more than him taking 1 AB per game vs. a non-Andrew Miller reliever, which may not even be possible considering they only basically use 2 RHRPs, and only 1 of them comes into play if their starter goes less than 6.

 

It's certainly not a given that an extremely rusty player is going to get in there at all, or for more than a handful of AB's. Deep playoff teams seem to always have guys that are there just in case and rarely, if ever, used. Obviously, that's a weird spot to have Schwarber in, but it's not clear cut he's a better option to be getting the DH over Contreras right now. Our guts might say, "horsefeathers it, just put Willson in the OF," but clearly this is a team that greatly values how fantastic their defense is, and it's questionable if they're going to potentially shake that up in the WS to make room for a guy who has been injured since the first week of the season.

 

Basically if all he ends up being is a bench bat, that's still awesome and makes sense and is better than no Schwarber at all.

[David]

Is this guy for real

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

I'm not sure what you're asking

[minnesotacubsfan]

I guess I'm still in a bit of disbelief. about all of it

[raw]

 

Where did I say Heyward had to be out there? Just repeat the lineup from last night with Contreras at the DH and Ross or Montero catching.

 

I'm operating under the assumption that if the Cubs activate Schwarber it will be for more than him taking 1 AB per game vs. a non-Andrew Miller reliever, which may not even be possible considering they only basically use 2 RHRPs, and only 1 of them comes into play if their starter goes less than 6.

 

It's certainly not a given that an extremely rusty player is going to get in there at all, or for more than a handful of AB's. Deep playoff teams seem to always have guys that are there just in case and rarely, if ever, used. Obviously, that's a weird spot to have Schwarber in, but it's not clear cut he's a better option to be getting the DH over Contreras right now. Our guts might say, "horsefeathers it, just put Willson in the OF," but clearly this is a team that greatly values how fantastic their defense is, and it's questionable if they're going to potentially shake that up in the WS to make room for a guy who has been injured since the first week of the season.

 

Basically if all he ends up being is a bench bat, that's still awesome and makes sense and is better than no Schwarber at all.

 

First of all, this is a Schwarber thread....hence my assumption. Secondly, the rumor is he could be added to the roster to DH. There are no comments from Theo or Maddon that mention him as a bench bat. Third, if he IS a bench bat, then you basically shorten your roster by not only his spot, but for a 2nd spot for whoever is going to come in and play the field if A) he doesn't bat in the bottom of the 9th or B) if he doesn't bat for the pitcher at Wrigley.

 

He's either going to DH in Cleveland (bench bat in Wrigley) or he's going to be with the team watching 25 other guys play. 0 doubt about it.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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Schwarber is expected to play in a sim game in Mesa today.

[Sammy Sofa]

 

I'm operating under the assumption that if the Cubs activate Schwarber it will be for more than him taking 1 AB per game vs. a non-Andrew Miller reliever, which may not even be possible considering they only basically use 2 RHRPs, and only 1 of them comes into play if their starter goes less than 6.

 

It's certainly not a given that an extremely rusty player is going to get in there at all, or for more than a handful of AB's. Deep playoff teams seem to always have guys that are there just in case and rarely, if ever, used. Obviously, that's a weird spot to have Schwarber in, but it's not clear cut he's a better option to be getting the DH over Contreras right now. Our guts might say, "horsefeathers it, just put Willson in the OF," but clearly this is a team that greatly values how fantastic their defense is, and it's questionable if they're going to potentially shake that up in the WS to make room for a guy who has been injured since the first week of the season.

 

Basically if all he ends up being is a bench bat, that's still awesome and makes sense and is better than no Schwarber at all.

 

First of all, this is a Schwarber thread....hence my assumption. Secondly, the rumor is he could be added to the roster to DH. There are no comments from Theo or Maddon that mention him as a bench bat. Third, if he IS a bench bat, then you basically shorten your roster by not only his spot, but for a 2nd spot for whoever is going to come in and play the field if A) he doesn't bat in the bottom of the 9th or B) if he doesn't bat for the pitcher at Wrigley.

 

He's either going to DH in Cleveland (bench bat in Wrigley) or he's going to be with the team watching 25 other guys play. 0 doubt about it.

 

Seems unlikely that an org this creative is going to approach it like that. They'll make it work.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17863558

 

In his first action in six-plus months, Schwarber went 0-for-3 with a walk, but that's only part of the story. I had a chance to speak with an AL scout who attended the game, and he had positive -- but cautious -- things to say about the left-handed hitter.

 

"The timing is just a little bit off," the scout said. "But that's to be expected; this guy hasn't played in a game since April. He still showed quality bat speed, he appeared to recognize pitches well, and he's always a threat with the long ball. As talented as this young man is, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he's ready to contribute with the bat in a couple of days."

[raw]

 

It's certainly not a given that an extremely rusty player is going to get in there at all, or for more than a handful of AB's. Deep playoff teams seem to always have guys that are there just in case and rarely, if ever, used. Obviously, that's a weird spot to have Schwarber in, but it's not clear cut he's a better option to be getting the DH over Contreras right now. Our guts might say, "horsefeathers it, just put Willson in the OF," but clearly this is a team that greatly values how fantastic their defense is, and it's questionable if they're going to potentially shake that up in the WS to make room for a guy who has been injured since the first week of the season.

 

Basically if all he ends up being is a bench bat, that's still awesome and makes sense and is better than no Schwarber at all.

 

First of all, this is a Schwarber thread....hence my assumption. Secondly, the rumor is he could be added to the roster to DH. There are no comments from Theo or Maddon that mention him as a bench bat. Third, if he IS a bench bat, then you basically shorten your roster by not only his spot, but for a 2nd spot for whoever is going to come in and play the field if A) he doesn't bat in the bottom of the 9th or B) if he doesn't bat for the pitcher at Wrigley.

 

He's either going to DH in Cleveland (bench bat in Wrigley) or he's going to be with the team watching 25 other guys play. 0 doubt about it.

 

Seems unlikely that an org this creative is going to approach it like that. They'll make it work.

 

My thinking is the exact opposite. I don't think this organization would do something for basically sentimental purposes and have Schwarber as just a guy to try to give them a dramatic late dong. The team's been fine the way it is, all year, all playoffs, without him.

 

You gotta remember, this isn't your typical team. The Cubs have like 3 guys in any given lineup that they are willing to pinch hit for. The catcher's spot, if not Contreras; Heyward's spot; and the pitcher's spot. As good as Schwarber is, he's not going to PH for Fowler, Bryant, Rizzo, Zobrist, Baez, or a now non-slumping Russell. He's not going to hit for Heyward because they are both LH. Same reason he won't hit for Montero if he's in there. And he's not going to hit against LH Andrew Miller who pitched 7.2 of their like 21 relief innings last series. So, if the Cubs activate him and put him on the roster, it's because they think he can help the team more than in just what will basically become 9th inning ABs against Cody Allen only if the lineup is turned over to the bottom.

[toonsterwu]

I'm sure the organization will make the right medical decision based on their evaluators. On the plus side, you put Schwarber in there, if the swing is on and he can run ... he can easily DH and be a useful late inning PH option. With 4 possible games in AL parks (here's hoping not ... and the Cubs win at home), okay. That said ... sure feels like, as talented and hard-working as he is, it might be risky to bring a guy who hasn't faced live major league pitching in months. Arizona is great, but it's different. Add in that it would limit the roster a bit more, in terms of flexibility, particularly if he's not 100% and limited to just hitting and running the bases. I guess, with Maddon, he can find a way around.

 

At the end of the day, it's remarkable Schwarber is even ready to be considered. I trust they'll make the right decision. My hunch is that they'll put him on and take, say, Coghlan off, as Coghlan really isn't going to be used in the field unless it's an emergency.

[David]

I so badly want Schwarbs to have a moment in this World Series

[Gilby]

I'm pretty much over being so concerned about corner outfield defense if it leads to punting spots in the batting order. Almora, while better than Heyward, is still basically punting vs RHP. Zobrist really isn't a bad RFer, either. Personally, I'd go with Contreras in LF and Schwarber at DH the first two games. Schwarber's hella rusty, but Soler and Coghlan have to be fairly rusty themselves. Or if Joe wants to put Coghlan or Soler in LF or DH with Contreras playing the other spot, I don't mind that either. I'd just like to be done with the punting.

[Brian]

I so badly want Schwarbs to have a moment in this World Series

 

If he's on the roster and get's a PH at Wrigley the standing ovation to his name being announced may bring a tear to my eye.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I want Schwarber to be ready this fast just to show how dumb five weeks of spring games are.

[BigSlick]

This is so incredible it's almost surreal. A few days ago we were in hard fought series with the Dodgers and Schwarber wasn't on anyone's mind aside from being involved in dug out celebrations.

 

And now the Cubs are in the World Series and Schwarber, improbably, is looking likely to be on the roster. We joked about it, we wished against hope, and it's really happening? He has an actual chance to Kirk Gibson this horsefeathers.

 

What an incredible year.

[NOLA]

Sorry not sorry if already posted.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

At the end of the day, it's remarkable Schwarber is even ready to be considered. I trust they'll make the right decision. My hunch is that they'll put him on and take, say, Coghlan off, as Coghlan really isn't going to be used in the field unless it's an emergency.

 

I assume the decision would actually be Zastryzny vs La Stella vs Schwarber. Coghlan would still be safe.