Catching depth is now an issue

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I prefer having Contreras stay at Iowa.

 

Though I may have called up Taylor Davis, honestly.

 

I was thinking the same thing. But, Federowicz is a guy we can just burn through. If you call Taylor Davis up, then you either have to keep a 40-man spot reserved for him, or you have to risk losing him. If it's just two weeks, then I'd prefer to roll with our bad AAA replacement-level guy that has some MLB experience.

[Sammy Sofa]

Sorry but that's [expletive] stupid, we have how many other guys that were called up with the same number of ABs? Willson is ready, and this move is stupid as [expletive]. I hate having catchers that can't hit.

 

Well, those other guys were being called up to cover positions people were (mostly) confident they could cover; Schwarber being the big exception. With Contreras, they still really want/need him to work on his defense behind the plate.

Also as good as Contreras is/can be I think it's fair to say he isn't on the baseball savant level that Bryant, Russell and Schwarber were as prospects.

 

There's a lot more factors that go into being ML ready as a catcher, as well. It's not just thinking his bat is ready to throw him out there.

 

Oh, definitely; Contreras is a guy you hope works out and isn't likely the kind of freak you just plug in and he's kicking ass like Schwarber or Bryant (I think it's a mistake to include Russell with them along those lines; he's much more of a traditional good prospect).

[Aaron_Kennelly]

So, are they just really committed to having Contreras get a full season in Iowa?

 

Probably. He's got fewer than 600 ABs above high A. He's probably not ready.

Sorry but that's [expletive] stupid, we have how many other guys that were called up with the same number of ABs? Willson is ready, and this move is stupid as [expletive]. I hate having catchers that can't hit.

 

And, how, may I ask, do you know that he is ready? He just started catching in 2012. He's caught a grand total of 193 minor leagues games in his career. And he really does need some more time to develop. Catching is kinda hard, and he isn't completely acclimated to the position.

 

Also, it's two freaking weeks. And Contreras isn't so good that it is that much of a drop-down in talent from him to Federowicz. And we are 15-5 with a ridiculous run differential, despite Montero playing at a replacement level (not factoring in pitch framing). It's really not that big of a deal. If this is a lingering issue that pops up again, you will eventually see Contreras. But, for now, you're just gonna have to live without him.

[Vinestal]

I think the drop off from Wilson to Federowicz is pretty significant. Schwarber had a lot less time behind the plate in the minors than Willson and they were willing to let him do some catching. It just seems like backing up Ross for 2 weeks wouldn't have been that difficult for him. Why not give him a taste?

[Cubswin11]

Call me crazy, but maybe we should trust te geniuses in the FO/player development department with this move over our own thoughts and feelings.

[SouthSideRyan]

I mean, Blanco is on the big league coaching staff, it's not like Contreras wouldn't be getting any instruction up here.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Federowicz had an OPS of 833 not that long ago

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Right now we have a starting pitching staff with 1 no hitter already this year and aims to add more to it. Selfishly, I'd like to see Contreras only because its fun having someone at each spot in the lineup that you are excited to watch, even if it were a late inning pinch hit/substitution change, but I just don't trust that he's ready yet to handle our staff at the level they will demand out of him. Frankly, I'm not sure Federowicz is either, but he's a better option to. This is the right move. The FO will bring him up when he's ready to succeed, and now must not be it.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I think the drop off from Wilson to Federowicz is pretty significant. Schwarber had a lot less time behind the plate in the minors than Willson and they were willing to let him do some catching. It just seems like backing up Ross for 2 weeks wouldn't have been that difficult for him. Why not give him a taste?

 

Completely different situation. Schwarber was otherworldly with the bat, for one. There was a huge difference between him or another alternative, unlike now. Also, it was in late July, when we were fighting tooth and nail just to get into the playoffs. And, when we called him up, he caught practically every day that Montero was out. Ross is going to be the everyday catcher for the next two weeks. You just said so yourself. Whoever gets called up is going to be his backup and get some starts here and there. Why in the hell would you rush the best catching prospect in the minors up, only to have him be a backup for two weeks? I don't think horsefeathering with his development is worth that.

 

Also, Kyle Schwarber had been catching his whole life. And the Schwarber-as-a-catcher thing was probably destined to be him just filling in here or there. Maybe he sticks, but, even then, he's not going to be very special behind the dish. The hope with Contreras is that he can be an everyday catcher, one that can help us out with the bat and by being a solid backstop. You don't want to horsefeathers that up, because there is no other alternative. With Schwarber, the alternative is: Well, horsefeathers, we'll put the catching on hold and stick him in left field and watch him dong. Contreras has to catch. He's not going to come up to the majors to catch until he is absolutely ready.

 

Also, Schwarber being called back up in the second half was inevitable. He was mashing AAA. And we were gonna need his bat in the lineup. It was a matter of time; you might as well start his clock when Montero goes down. Contreras's timeline is a little more murky. It's stupid to start his clock to be a backup for a couple weeks in April when we are playing at a 120-win pace without him.

 

Any other questions?

[Vinestal]

I think the drop off from Wilson to Federowicz is pretty significant. Schwarber had a lot less time behind the plate in the minors than Willson and they were willing to let him do some catching. It just seems like backing up Ross for 2 weeks wouldn't have been that difficult for him. Why not give him a taste?

 

Completely different situation. Schwarber was otherworldly with the bat, for one. There was a huge difference between him or another alternative, unlike now. Also, it was in late July, when we were fighting tooth and nail just to get into the playoffs. And, when we called him up, he caught practically every day that Montero was out. Ross is going to be the everyday catcher for the next two weeks. You just said so yourself. Whoever gets called up is going to be his backup and get some starts here and there. Why in the hell would you rush the best catching prospect in the minors up, only to have him be a backup for two weeks? I don't think [expletive] with his development is worth that.

 

Also, Kyle Schwarber had been catching his whole life. And the Schwarber-as-a-catcher thing was probably destined to be him just filling in here or there. Maybe he sticks, but, even then, he's not going to be very special behind the dish. The hope with Contreras is that he can be an everyday catcher, one that can help us out with the bat and by being a solid backstop. You don't want to [expletive] that up, because there is no other alternative. With Schwarber, the alternative is: Well, [expletive], we'll put the catching on hold and stick him in left field and watch him dong. Contreras has to catch. He's not going to come up to the majors to catch until he is absolutely ready.

 

Also, Schwarber being called back up in the second half was inevitable. He was mashing AAA. And we were gonna need his bat in the lineup. It was a matter of time; you might as well start his clock when Montero goes down. Contreras's timeline is a little more murky. It's stupid to start his clock to be a backup for a couple weeks in April when we are playing at a 120-win pace without him.

 

Any other questions?

Nah, I disagree with a lot of that, but there's really no point in arguing it. I get what your saying though.

[Tracer Bullet]

So, are they just really committed to having Contreras get a full season in Iowa?

 

Probably. He's got fewer than 600 ABs above high A. He's probably not ready.

Sorry but that's [expletive] stupid, we have how many other guys that were called up with the same number of ABs? Willson is ready, and this move is stupid as [expletive]. I hate having catchers that can't hit.

 

I don't know why, but the passion with which you hold your incorrect beliefs makes them feel more wrong.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If Montero spends the minimum amount of time on the DL, you're talking about 10 games. Ross is going to play regularly regardless of who comes up, so you're talking about 2 games or about 10 PA for whoever is brought up. It's very easy to see how that 10 PA is not terribly consequential and that it's better for Contreras's development to continue getting the regular playing time and not have him interrupted by 10 days on the big league bench so that he can be like one single better than Federowicz in a trivial amount of playing time.

[jersey cubs fan]

So, are they just really committed to having Contreras get a full season in Iowa?

 

Probably. He's got fewer than 600 ABs above high A. He's probably not ready.

Sorry but that's [expletive] stupid, we have how many other guys that were called up with the same number of ABs? Willson is ready, and this move is stupid as [expletive]. I hate having catchers that can't hit.

lighten up francis

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So, are they just really committed to having Contreras get a full season in Iowa?

 

Probably. He's got fewer than 600 ABs above high A. He's probably not ready.

Sorry but that's [expletive] stupid, we have how many other guys that were called up with the same number of ABs? Willson is ready, and this move is stupid as [expletive]. I hate having catchers that can't hit.

 

Willson's defense, framing and pitch calling are certainly not ready. I'd rather be start everyday in the minors than be a backup for 15 days in the bigs.

 

Yes, his bat might be ready.

[Irishoshea21]

Contreras will be the starting catcher in the playoffs. I think he'll be up before Septermber, too.

 

But, no reason to bring him up now. Let him stay in Iowa for a few months. They'll need him way more in September/October than right now.

 

Montero will be off and on injured all year and not very good overall. By September/October, Contreras will end up being their best option behind the plate.

[Hunter]

Contreras will be the starting catcher in the playoffs. I think he'll be up before Septermber, too.

 

But, no reason to bring him up now. Let him stay in Iowa for a few months. They'll need him way more in September/October than right now.

 

Montero will be off and on injured all year and not very good overall. By September/October, Contreras will end up being their best option behind the plate.

 

I would not be willing to have Contreras catching in the playoffs in front of Montero and Ross. If either of them are physically capable of catching, then there is no reason for them not to catch, even if they go a combined 0-60 in the playoffs. We've got other bats to take care of the offense. He has caught less than 300 games professionally. He needs time to learn the position.

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, if Montero is for some reason not good to go in the playoffs you have Ross catch, no question.

[WrigleyField 22]

Thanks for nothing Theo!

[minnesotacubsfan]

This is Ross's chance to become a Cubs legend, lead us to the promise land in his last year. The story writes itself!

[Banedon]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[chitown29]

Wiillson Contreras' development and implementation into the majors could work out well with the Cubs roster. Assuming he gets called up at some point in the second half, it just helps expose him to the major league experience and lifestyle. Next season with Ross retired, Montero and Contreras are your catchers. Contreras can develop with a full season under Montero's leadership. Playing time can fluctuate depending on Contreras' performance and team needs.

[UMFan83]

 

He's excited for the trip back to Iowa?

[Hunter]

 

He's excited for the trip back to Iowa?

 

..or he plans on murdering Montero.

[halplm]

I often wonder in situations like this if there are more important things to Theo and Co. than just the numbers, or even current skills. They signed Federowicz as a backup to the normal backup plans. Well, the Cubs need that right this moment, and while there are other options, it might send the wrong kind of message to the minor league guys if they skip over the guy who was specifically signed for this reason, for a guy that might not be ready.

 

There are also players who are lightning in a bottle when they get a chance for a winning team. Maybe Federowicz only has a couple of really good weeks in the big leagues in his whole career, but it could be now, for this team, and why not give him a shot?

 

I'm just annoyed I have to find his rookie card for my 2016 Cubs team collection...

[biittner77]

 

He's excited for the trip back to Iowa?

 

Chicago has more Poles than Warsaw. He's going to eat Kielbasa in the dugout and endear himself to fans.