A glut of young position depth, what to do in 2017?

[Jazz]

Looking at our depth chart right now

 

http://i.imgur.com/efc9TZZ.png

 

I'm being captain obvious by noticing that there are clearly more pegs than holes here. So some questions.

 

We're sold on Contreras as our future at C over Schwarber. Will Schwarber get enough PA's between Platooning at LF and backing up at catcher?

 

Do we bring back Fowler next year based on how well he gels with this team?

 

Are we hoping Soler builds himself up to be a centerpiece of a future deal?

 

Is Baez going to be a supersub forever in hopes that he becomes the everyday 2B when Zobrist gets to the end of his contract?

[cubfro]

If we are talking about a 2017 depth chart I think we should add in Almora, Candelerio, and La Stella.

 

Personally I hope we find away to keep Dex and either resign Chapman or add another strong closer type arm to the pen. If 2016 has taught me anything it's the fact that you can never have enough depth. With the current make up of the team we could lose any one individual for a year and still have an above average starter to replace them, while retaining an above average bench to keep guys rested and to cover minor injuries. No other team in baseball can afford to lose a player like Schwarber for a full year, players like Fowler, Soler and La Stella for months at a time with out losing a beat. Right now our position player depth and versatility is our greatest strength, Theo's greatest accomplishment, and a big reason we're the best team in baseball.

[Banedon]

It'll all work out fine cuz they'll add the DH to the NL in the CBA this offseason.

 

http://gfycat.com/WaterloggedConcreteHummingbird

[BigSlick]

It's completely self-serving but the last 2 years have switched me from a non-DH loyalist to a complete DH partisan because I want to see Schwarber, Contreras and Soler dong everyday

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I would be comfortable trading away a maximum of one player from the 'glut' in terms of that not hurting depth to the point of opening a hole. There's definitely roster spots for all of them too so I think it's far less of a problem than we'd like to think, we all grew up on a relatively static 8 man lineup going out most days(maybe with a platoon or two thrown in), and that's not really the reality or ideal any longer.

 

With that in mind, I'd simplify the problem to the idea that Soler, Schwarber, and Heyward are probably not all going to get every day starter at bats in the same outfield. It's possible, especially with Almora as a likely platoon bat and defensive replacement, but I don't think that's the defensive outfield the front office wants to be leading with. So if Soler continues to hit, my hunch is that he gets dealt in the offseason. If he doesn't hit he might yet be traded, but it's easier to justify him as a platoon/bench bat.

[Tracer Bullet]

This is about the point where I'd lose interest in my old baseball mogul teams.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

I would be comfortable trading away a maximum of one player from the 'glut' in terms of that not hurting depth to the point of opening a hole. There's definitely roster spots for all of them too so I think it's far less of a problem than we'd like to think, we all grew up on a relatively static 8 man lineup going out most days(maybe with a platoon or two thrown in), and that's not really the reality or ideal any longer.

 

With that in mind, I'd simplify the problem to the idea that Soler, Schwarber, and Heyward are probably not all going to get every day starter at bats in the same outfield. It's possible, especially with Almora as a likely platoon bat and defensive replacement, but I don't think that's the defensive outfield the front office wants to be leading with. So if Soler continues to hit, my hunch is that he gets dealt in the offseason. If he doesn't hit he might yet be traded, but it's easier to justify him as a platoon/bench bat.

 

I'm starting to come around to the idea of just saying "horsefeathers it" and rolling out a Schwarber/Heyward/Soler outfield. I think the effects of the bad defense get lessened for a number of reasons: 1. Who gives a horsefeathers; look at all those dingers. 2. Like you said, if Almora is still there to fill in as a platoon guy/defensive replacement, that mitigates things a little. 3. If Schwarber can catch, even occasionally, then it allows us to play Bryant out there a little bit, too.

 

So we would have the defensive replacement waiting at all times. And we'd have a couple other options, with Almora and Bryant, so that we wouldn't have to roll with that alignment every single day. Mainly, I'm willing to live with it because of all the dongs, though.

[Bull]

No love for Szczur? I'm a believer!

 

As much as I love Fowler, if letting him walk means you can lock up Chapman, do it. Szczur at or near league minimum over the contract fowler will get (and deserves).

 

At or near equal time for Schwarber, Ceasar, Heyward and Soler.

Edited August 19, 2016 by Bull

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Schwarber's lost catching year sucks so much. Itd be nice to have him backing up Contreras in 17 instead of Contreras and Montero and so that the other spot could be used for Sczuzr/Almora/Candelario/Sealboy.

[davell]

I really see Soler as the odd guy out, if we trade a guy. With his bad D and the injuries, its going to be hard for him to be very valuable, short of becoming an .850 OPS type. If he can bring back a solid mid rotation type(lead piece anyway), I think he's the guy who goes.

[weis21]

i wish to have the entire 2016 team back in 2017 (plus a health Schwarber, of course)

 

i love dex and hope they re-sign him. i'd also be sad if they traded soler because last year's playoffs and that 450 foot HR a couple nights ago are too damn glorious. oh well, trust in theo and i'm sure whatever happens will be logical and for the best.

[BigSlick]

i wish to have the entire 2016 team back in 2017 (plus a health Schwarber, of course)

 

i love dex and hope they re-sign him. i'd also be sad if they traded soler because last year's playoffs and that 450 foot HR a couple nights ago are too damn glorious. oh well, trust in theo and i'm sure whatever happens will be logical and for the best.

This would be ideal but I really don't think they'll be able to hold onto Dex. And Dex leaving does make things a lot easier in the outfield. (Though a Bryant/Soler/Contereras - Dex - Heyward outfield is way better defensively than a Schwarber - Heyward/Almora - Soler outfield, but it is what it is)

[Tryptamine]

I'd like to see if Hammel's option year could be dangled for a pitcher with more years of control. Something like Hammel+Candelario for De Leon,Y.Alvaraez,Musgrove or Martes. If that's not possible, then you almost have to deal one of Javy,Schwarber or Soler.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Schwarber's lost catching year sucks so much. Itd be nice to have him backing up Contreras in 17 instead of Contreras and Montero and so that the other spot could be used for Sczuzr/Almora/Candelario/Sealboy.

Even without Schwarber's injury, I don't think it is ideal for a team's backup catcher to be a starter at another position. I would be in favor of carrying a true backup catcher (Montero or otherwise) and only use Schwarber there in emergencies or in the wacky late inning games where Maddon has half the team playing out of position.

[raw]

Before Fowler signed out of nowhere, Schwarber/Heyward/Soler was going to be the OF. So, if Fowler is not back, that could conceivably be the OF again. Of course, before the season it wasn't known that Szczur would be able to hold his own as a very good 4th OF. It wasn't known that Almora could keep up his 2nd half of 2015 hitting. It wasn't known that Baez would be able to hit ML pitching a be an amazing asset to this team. It wasn't known that Contreras would come up and be a big part of the ML team, including in the OF. So basically, I think Soler's fate has nothing to do with Fowler, and more to do with all the guys who stepped up when he was hurt.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I would be comfortable trading away a maximum of one player from the 'glut' in terms of that not hurting depth to the point of opening a hole. There's definitely roster spots for all of them too so I think it's far less of a problem than we'd like to think, we all grew up on a relatively static 8 man lineup going out most days(maybe with a platoon or two thrown in), and that's not really the reality or ideal any longer.

 

With that in mind, I'd simplify the problem to the idea that Soler, Schwarber, and Heyward are probably not all going to get every day starter at bats in the same outfield. It's possible, especially with Almora as a likely platoon bat and defensive replacement, but I don't think that's the defensive outfield the front office wants to be leading with. So if Soler continues to hit, my hunch is that he gets dealt in the offseason. If he doesn't hit he might yet be traded, but it's easier to justify him as a platoon/bench bat.

 

I'm starting to come around to the idea of just saying "[expletive] it" and rolling out a Schwarber/Heyward/Soler outfield. I think the effects of the bad defense get lessened for a number of reasons: 1. Who gives a [expletive]; look at all those dingers. 2. Like you said, if Almora is still there to fill in as a platoon guy/defensive replacement, that mitigates things a little. 3. If Schwarber can catch, even occasionally, then it allows us to play Bryant out there a little bit, too.

 

So we would have the defensive replacement waiting at all times. And we'd have a couple other options, with Almora and Bryant, so that we wouldn't have to roll with that alignment every single day. Mainly, I'm willing to live with it because of all the dongs, though.

 

 

horsefeathers Schwarbs catching: give me the DH or give me death

[David]

the DH will be for georgie

[Little Slide Rooter]

Zobrist 2B (S)

Russell SS ®

Rizzo 1B (L)

Bryant 3B ®

Schwarber LF (L)

Soler RF ®

Heyward CF (L)

Contreras C ®

 

Wow, that's kind of terrifying, no matter which hand you throw with.

[Tryptamine]

Zobrist 2B (S)

Russell SS ®

Rizzo 1B (L)

Bryant 3B ®

Schwarber LF (L)

Soler RF ®

Heyward CF (L)

Contreras C ®

 

Wow, that's kind of terrifying, no matter which hand you throw with.

 

An offensive juggernaut for sure, but I'm not sure if I like that OF defense. Schwarber and Soler are both at best average, most towards below average, while Heyward loses some of his defensive value going to CF where he's going to have to cover a whole lot of ground.

[Cubswin11]

Almora and Szczur can be late inning OF defensive replacements

[squally1313]

Zobrist 2B (S)

Russell SS ®

Rizzo 1B (L)

Bryant 3B ®

Schwarber LF (L)

Soler RF ®

Heyward CF (L)

Contreras C ®

 

Wow, that's kind of terrifying, no matter which hand you throw with.

 

An offensive juggernaut for sure, but I'm not sure if I like that OF defense. Schwarber and Soler are both at best average, most towards below average, while Heyward loses some of his defensive value going to CF where he's going to have to cover a whole lot of ground.

 

Bryant in right, Baez at third, either to start the game or in the late innings.

[Bull]

Zobrist 2B (S)

Russell SS ®

Rizzo 1B (L)

Bryant 3B ®

Schwarber LF (L)

Soler RF ®

Heyward CF (L)

Contreras C ®

 

Wow, that's kind of terrifying, no matter which hand you throw with.

 

An offensive juggernaut for sure, but I'm not sure if I like that OF defense. Schwarber and Soler are both at best average, most towards below average, while Heyward loses some of his defensive value going to CF where he's going to have to cover a whole lot of ground.

 

Bryant in right, Baez at third, either to start the game or in the late innings.

 

Actually Baez everywhere, and everyone else anywhere he isn't.

 

They kind of treat Baez like an extra regular. Each of those 8 gets a day off. Between Contreras being pushed off catcher and Bryant and Zobrist being pushed off the infield when Schwarbs or Soler has a day off, and a spot start for Scissor, you almost never have a starting OF of Schwarber, Heyward, Soler.

[Cubswin11]

 

An offensive juggernaut for sure, but I'm not sure if I like that OF defense. Schwarber and Soler are both at best average, most towards below average, while Heyward loses some of his defensive value going to CF where he's going to have to cover a whole lot of ground.

 

Bryant in right, Baez at third, either to start the game or in the late innings.

 

Actually Baez everywhere, and everyone else anywhere he isn't.

 

They kind of treat Baez like an extra regular. Each of those 8 gets a day off. Between Contreras being pushed off catcher and Bryant and Zobrist being pushed off the infield when Schwarbs or Soler has a day off, and a spot start for Scissor, you almost never have a starting OF of Schwarber, Heyward, Soler.

[Bear Cub]

Looking at the returning Cubs roster, there are probably only 2/3 spots open in the bullpen. Everything else could be filled.

[Tryptamine]

I wouldn't mind filling CF with someone who can be a menace on the bases. Outside of COL Blackmon is probably only good for 10-15 HR, but he'd be the kind of guy who would be good for 25+ SB. Would be nice to have a guy who could put themself in scoring position during touch match ups. Rajai Davis would be another guy I wouldn't mind if Szczur or Almora is gone.