It's Willson's turn

[CyHawk_Cub]

that's actually chad noble

 

horsefeathering Muskat.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

give her some time to finish her tweet

[CyHawk_Cub]

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Bull]

Garth, if you just broke rizzos wrist, I WILL FIND YOU.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Garth, if you just broke rizzos wrist, I WILL FIND YOU.

 

Why find me and not Liriano? You people are weird, but I welcome it! We can drink beers and watch Vogelbombs together.

[CyHawk_Cub]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[imb]

hey so he owns i guess

[TruffleShuffle]

given how bad montero has been defensively (except for framing) and offensively (except for drawing walks), i think there's every chance that contreras is the starting catcher in the playoffs. hope he can make the most of this opportunity.

[bukie]

hey so he owns i guess

Most players have power measured in AB/HR. Contreras is measured in pitches/HR.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

given how bad montero has been defensively (except for framing) and offensively (except for drawing walks), i think there's every chance that contreras is the starting catcher in the playoffs. hope he can make the most of this opportunity.

 

Yeah. I'm trying not to overreact to literally one pitch. But Contreras started mashing last year and just hasn't stopped, through several stops. I want to see some data on his framing. And I want to see if Miggy can bounce back. If he's injured, that's probably the best hope right now. Maybe he just needs to get healthy. But, he's been hot garbage. At this point I don't care too much about how often guys play. We're so freaking good, it doesn't really matter. But, if things continue as they have, then Contreras could play a big part in our post-season plans.

[imb]

ok close your eyes for a moment and pretend he turns into buster posey or something

[Aaron_Kennelly]

ok close your eyes for a moment and pretend he turns into buster posey or something

 

No thanks. I'd rather not diminish him. I'm just going to continue pretending that he is Backstop Bryce Harper instead.

[TruffleShuffle]

given how bad montero has been defensively (except for framing) and offensively (except for drawing walks), i think there's every chance that contreras is the starting catcher in the playoffs. hope he can make the most of this opportunity.

 

Yeah. I'm trying not to overreact to literally one pitch. But Contreras started mashing last year and just hasn't stopped, through several stops. I want to see some data on his framing. And I want to see if Miggy can bounce back. If he's injured, that's probably the best hope right now. Maybe he just needs to get healthy. But, he's been hot garbage. At this point I don't care too much about how often guys play. We're so freaking good, it doesn't really matter. But, if things continue as they have, then Contreras could play a big part in our post-season plans.

 

while the cubs don't have a huge number of veterans, ross would provide good leadership and tutelage, and i think some of the other guys in the clubhouse (like rizzo) are mature beyond their years and are good leaders. plus maddon is one of the best managers out there. i know the biggest concern with a young catcher is managing the pitching staff, but i think that the culture around the cubs right now is strong enough that he can grow into that role. plus they've got a better than 99% chance of winning the division, so now's a good time to figure out what they've got with a young player like contreras.

 

i agree that maybe the best case scenario is that montero bounces back and starts playing like he did last year, when he was very good defensive and certainly passable offensively. this year he's been abysmal at throwing out baserunners, he's allowing wild pitches at an alarming rate, his hard contact rate is way down and he's hitting the ball on the ground more than he ever has before. it's not an understatement to say that he's been a liability. it's certainly possible that he'll improve, but it's also possible that this is the start of serious regression (he's about to turn 33) or that physical issues will keep him from playing at his best for the rest of the season.

 

i really like bringing up contreras now because you can start to break him in while still giving montero a chance to improve his play (or possibly get healthy with a DL stint, if his back problems are the source of his bad performance this season).

[imb]

ok close your eyes for a moment and pretend he turns into buster posey or something

 

No thanks. I'd rather not diminish him. I'm just going to continue pretending that he is Backstop Bryce Harper instead.

 

Barry Bonds also had a repeat consonant in his name

[Aaron_Kennelly]

The meatball side of me really liked when, after he hit that homer, they sent him out to help warm up guys in the bullpen. "Alright, Rook, that was impressive, but you've still got some horsefeathers to learn. Back to work."

 

I'm not sure exactly what the process is with him. But, I think they'll figure it out. And Montero and Ross are two great guys to learn from. I'm sure if he keeps hitting, his role will become larger. I think the bat's probably there already. They probably felt that he had seen enough of the minor leagues as a hitter. And maybe they felt that he wasn't going to be motivated enough working behind the plate, knowing that he belonged on a big league roster. Maybe this is a better way for him to develop defensively, even though he's not getting the same reps. I don't know; but I trust we'll make it work.

[Omar]

thanks, jim hendry.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Man, he's got such a beautiful swing. And I love that he has a little bit of an attitude, too. I hope in the catching meetings that Schwarber's giving him lessons on how to pimp his dongs.

[Stu]

The meatball side of me really liked when, after he hit that homer, they sent him out to help warm up guys in the bullpen. "Alright, Rook, that was impressive, but you've still got some [expletive] to learn. Back to work."

 

I'm not sure exactly what the process is with him. But, I think they'll figure it out. And Montero and Ross are two great guys to learn from. I'm sure if he keeps hitting, his role will become larger. I think the bat's probably there already. They probably felt that he had seen enough of the minor leagues as a hitter. And maybe they felt that he wasn't going to be motivated enough working behind the plate, knowing that he belonged on a big league roster. Maybe this is a better way for him to develop defensively, even though he's not getting the same reps. I don't know; but I trust we'll make it work.

 

 

Like essentially they handed him a mop and a bucket..... It was kinda hilarious.

[BigbadB]

The meatball side of me really liked when, after he hit that homer, they sent him out to help warm up guys in the bullpen. "Alright, Rook, that was impressive, but you've still got some [expletive] to learn. Back to work."

 

I'm not sure exactly what the process is with him. But, I think they'll figure it out. And Montero and Ross are two great guys to learn from. I'm sure if he keeps hitting, his role will become larger. I think the bat's probably there already. They probably felt that he had seen enough of the minor leagues as a hitter. And maybe they felt that he wasn't going to be motivated enough working behind the plate, knowing that he belonged on a big league roster. Maybe this is a better way for him to develop defensively, even though he's not getting the same reps. I don't know; but I trust we'll make it work.

 

I don't pay any attention to bullpen sessions. Does Lester only work with Ross on off day throwing sessions? He's going to be need to be weened off of Ross by the time spring training rolls around, and with Montero not really all that long for Chicago given his contract status, Contreras seems like the best candidate for Lester to get dialed in with if he wants to continue having a personal catcher once Ross is gone.

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, he's got such a beautiful swing. And I love that he has a little bit of an attitude, too. I hope in the catching meetings that Schwarber's giving him lessons on how to pimp his dongs.

 

I was cracking up at how much he was enjoying all the attention when he was coming up for his AB. He was digging the hell out of that Pharoahe Monch.

[BigbadB]

Man, he's got such a beautiful swing. And I love that he has a little bit of an attitude, too. I hope in the catching meetings that Schwarber's giving him lessons on how to pimp his dongs.

 

I was cracking up at how much he was enjoying all the attention when he was coming up for his AB. He was digging the hell out of that Pharoahe Monch.

 

Seemed like the Pirates were trying to ice him a little bit. Obviously, the pitcher had no book on him to speak of, so the mound visit made sense. But then after the mound visit was two throws to first base, which would have had my anxiety level in anticipation of that first pitch even more nerve wracking. It might have been a better idea of throwing one outside of the strike zone on that first pitch, because after that long wait, Willson was clearly ready to swing the bat. And that he did.

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, he's got such a beautiful swing. And I love that he has a little bit of an attitude, too. I hope in the catching meetings that Schwarber's giving him lessons on how to pimp his dongs.

 

I was cracking up at how much he was enjoying all the attention when he was coming up for his AB. He was digging the hell out of that Pharoahe Monch.

 

Seemed like the Pirates were trying to ice him a little bit. Obviously, the pitcher had no book on him to speak of, so the mound visit made sense. But then after the mound visit was two throws to first base, which would have had my anxiety level in anticipation of that first pitch even more nerve wracking. It might have been a better idea of throwing one outside of the strike zone on that first pitch, because after that long wait, Willson was clearly ready to swing the bat. And that he did.

 

I loved Joe all but getting someone to chain Baez to 1B.

[Cubfanintheknow]

 

I was cracking up at how much he was enjoying all the attention when he was coming up for his AB. He was digging the hell out of that Pharoahe Monch.

 

Seemed like the Pirates were trying to ice him a little bit. Obviously, the pitcher had no book on him to speak of, so the mound visit made sense. But then after the mound visit was two throws to first base, which would have had my anxiety level in anticipation of that first pitch even more nerve wracking. It might have been a better idea of throwing one outside of the strike zone on that first pitch, because after that long wait, Willson was clearly ready to swing the bat. And that he did.

 

I loved Joe all but getting someone to chain Baez to 1B.

 

Even the worst lip-reader in the world could see Maddon telling Baez, "Stay there. Don't run." F the closer and screw signals.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

I was cracking up at how much he was enjoying all the attention when he was coming up for his AB. He was digging the hell out of that Pharoahe Monch.

 

Seemed like the Pirates were trying to ice him a little bit. Obviously, the pitcher had no book on him to speak of, so the mound visit made sense. But then after the mound visit was two throws to first base, which would have had my anxiety level in anticipation of that first pitch even more nerve wracking. It might have been a better idea of throwing one outside of the strike zone on that first pitch, because after that long wait, Willson was clearly ready to swing the bat. And that he did.

 

I loved Joe all but getting someone to chain Baez to 1B.

 

Reminded me of a travel ball coach I had who would show up kids who missed a sign more than once. He wasn't above yelling "steal second on the next pitch" across the field to a baserunner on his team.

 

I particularly liked that what got the message across was Jones doing the 'be cool' hand signal over to him.

[Tracer Bullet]

 

Seemed like the Pirates were trying to ice him a little bit. Obviously, the pitcher had no book on him to speak of, so the mound visit made sense. But then after the mound visit was two throws to first base, which would have had my anxiety level in anticipation of that first pitch even more nerve wracking. It might have been a better idea of throwing one outside of the strike zone on that first pitch, because after that long wait, Willson was clearly ready to swing the bat. And that he did.

 

I loved Joe all but getting someone to chain Baez to 1B.

 

Reminded me of a travel ball coach I had who would show up kids who missed a sign more than once. He wasn't above yelling "steal second on the next pitch" across the field to a baserunner on his team.

 

I particularly liked that what got the message across was Jones doing the 'be cool' hand signal over to him.

 

Not showing kids up, but I have absolutely yelled across a little league field "don't you dare try to steal second right now" when I couldn't trust that my 1B coach was aware enough to tell the kid that. Screw signs or w/e.

 

The best part is the kids at that age are just old enough to think it might be reverse psychology, so it gets in their heads a little (one or more of the SS, C and P always scream out "watch the steal!!"). Boys, we're down 3 with our best hitters coming up; if that kid on first tries to steal, I'm going to tackle him.