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

[Cubswin11]

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.

I think it's pretty clear the team doesn't really value SBs and prefers to be menaces on the bases in other, smarter, ways.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Rajai Davis would be another guy I wouldn't mind if Szczur or Almora is gone.

 

Not sure if I like the odds of a soon to be 36 year who relies primarily on the speed game, no matter how many SB he has this year. May as well scoop up Michael Bourn on a minors deal.

[Sammy Sofa]

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.

 

http://i.giphy.com/5xtDarwlnNgxVN2oO0U.gif

[David]

I DO a want to add some speed to the OF this offseason, just let it not be the reason a player is starting. I'd rather it be the 4th or 5th OF role, which is why I always come back to picking up a Pompey or some other post-hype guy who has real potential to carve out a niche.

 

you only say this because you want heyward the CF to happen so bad

[imb]

I DO a want to add some speed to the OF this offseason, just let it not be the reason a player is starting. I'd rather it be the 4th or 5th OF role, which is why I always come back to picking up a Pompey or some other post-hype guy who has real potential to carve out a niche.

 

you only say this because you want heyward the CF to happen so bad

 

So, so, so bad - and with Stanton in RF. :drool:

 

If I could have my way for the 2017 OF:

 

Schwarber LF

Heyward CF/RF

Stanton RF/LF

Pompey LF/CF/RF

Some lucky duck who can do a little of everything

 

that would be great, 120 games of schwarber stumbling around, 150 games of heyward hitting grounders and about 110 games of stanton before he dies.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

what world do you live in where Stanton pays 110 games? fantasyland?

[Sammy Sofa]

horsefeathers Stanton. TROUT OR BUST.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

here could be a fun Stanton game. pick the salaries he will earn on the field...

 

17:$14.5M, 18:$25M, 19:$26M, 20:$26M, 21:$29M, 22:$29M, 23:$32M, 24:$32M, 25:$32M, 26:$29M, 27:$25M, 28:$25M club option

[Cubswin11]

[expletive] Stanton. TROUT OR BUST.

I concur

[TheDude]

I think Soler and Fowler are the odd men out, with Baez pushing Bryant to LF. The OF defense of Bryant-Heyward-Schwarber is more or less average maybe slightly above average, but the infield defense of Baez-Russell-Zobrist-Rizzo is elite. Given that the Cubs pitching staff is ground-ball heavy (and Soler could be moved for a young controlled ground ball starter to further build that profile), you want to emphasize that IF defense and can live with Schwarber in RF.

 

It's absurd how amazing the possibilities are here, there is not a wrong answer.

[Cubswin11]

I think Soler and Fowler are the odd men out, with Baez pushing Bryant to LF. The OF defense of Bryant-Heyward-Schwarber is more or less average maybe slightly above average, but the infield defense of Baez-Russell-Zobrist-Rizzo is elite. Given that the Cubs pitching staff is ground-ball heavy (and Soler could be moved for a young controlled ground ball starter to further build that profile), you want to emphasize that IF defense and can live with Schwarber in RF.

 

It's absurd how amazing the possibilities are here, there is not a wrong answer.

I'm still not all that sold on Javy's bat that he should just be given a full time job and also idk if Soler (for as much as I like him) gets you that coveted "controllable" pitcher of which I don't even know who that target(s) is.

[David]

I think Soler and Fowler are the odd men out, with Baez pushing Bryant to LF. The OF defense of Bryant-Heyward-Schwarber is more or less average maybe slightly above average, but the infield defense of Baez-Russell-Zobrist-Rizzo is elite. Given that the Cubs pitching staff is ground-ball heavy (and Soler could be moved for a young controlled ground ball starter to further build that profile), you want to emphasize that IF defense and can live with Schwarber in RF.

 

It's absurd how amazing the possibilities are here, there is not a wrong answer.

 

Baez isn't pushing Bryant anywhere.

[TheDude]

I don't even get the hurry with Baez getting a starting job. His plate discipline still mostly stinks so starting him won't be merit based, and he's not even arb eligible until after 2018.

 

Baez is going to finish the year as a 2 WAR 23 year old on part time duty whose ceiling is potentially much higher. Maybe he is only a 2 WAR player even at full time duty. His plate game is his only problem area, otherwise he brings very solid all-around game. Is it really a stretch for a team to give that guy a shot at a starting job? Certainly most organizations would as nobody but the Cubs has this insane depth to work with.

 

I'm assuming Fowler gets priced out of range and the Cubs allocate available FA dollars to the closer/bullpen. Which means the choices for Fowler replacement (with position shifting) comes down to Soler, Baez, Almora internally or a cheaper FA than Fowler. To me Baez is the best choice of those options. But again, I wouldn't be disappointed with Soler or even Almora or a rotation of the three. I would be disappointed with a FA other than Fowler, as the in-house options deserve a shot.

[David]

I don't even get the hurry with Baez getting a starting job. His plate discipline still mostly stinks so starting him won't be merit based, and he's not even arb eligible until after 2018.

 

yeah he has to show he can hit righties at all before it's even a consideration

[Bull]

I don't even get the hurry with Baez getting a starting job. His plate discipline still mostly stinks so starting him won't be merit based, and he's not even arb eligible until after 2018.

This. And stop trying to move Soler! Schwarbers injury has shown us that depth is not a problem that needs solving.

[Tim]

I'd just like to take this opportunity to once again state that I'd like the team to make their first move for 2017 RIGHT NOW and sign Greg Holland.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't even get the hurry with Baez getting a starting job. His plate discipline still mostly stinks so starting him won't be merit based, and he's not even arb eligible until after 2018.

 

Baez is going to finish the year as a 2 WAR 23 year old on part time duty whose ceiling is potentially much higher. Maybe he is only a 2 WAR player even at full time duty. His plate game is his only problem area, otherwise he brings very solid all-around game. Is it really a stretch for a team to give that guy a shot at a starting job? Certainly most organizations would as nobody but the Cubs has this insane depth to work with.

 

I'm assuming Fowler gets priced out of range and the Cubs allocate available FA dollars to the closer/bullpen. Which means the choices for Fowler replacement (with position shifting) comes down to Soler, Baez, Almora internally or a cheaper FA than Fowler. To me Baez is the best choice of those options. But again, I wouldn't be disappointed with Soler or even Almora or a rotation of the three. I would be disappointed with a FA other than Fowler, as the in-house options deserve a shot.

 

Against RHP, Baez has a .286 OBP, 1.3% BB% and 26.9% K%. Across the board his numbers have been worse in the 2nd half. He's still hitting for power against RHP and overall his numbers are not unplayable for a player with his defense and offensive potential, but Baez's current role is exactly the role he's earned. He can earn more of a role with the playing time he's been given and will continue to receive, but he's not a guy that you need to do something like move Bryant to the outfield for. Not right now.

 

I do expect Fowler gets priced out of the Cubs range, and I'd expect they try to find a Fowler by proxy(LH, good approach at the plate, CF-capable) at a lower cost, to serve as a hedge if any of Heyward, Almora, or Soler(if he's still around) aren't worthy of at least platoon at bats. Pompey's name has been mentioned, Gregor Blanco is an FA option that might make sense, that type of guy.

[BigSlick]

Does someone like Gregor Blanco even give you an upgrade over say Albert Almora offensively? I get that handedness is an issue, but presumably with Schwarber and Heyward back and giving you something, you have 2 left handed outfield bats there.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Almora's bat stinks, so let's go out and get Aaron Hicks.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Does someone like Gregor Blanco even give you an upgrade over say Albert Almora offensively? I get that handedness is an issue, but presumably with Schwarber and Heyward back and giving you something, you have 2 left handed outfield bats there.

 

Against RHP Heyward and Schwarber are going to be in the lineup already, Blanco is a hedge against Almora(probable), Baez(possible to probable), or Soler(possible if he's still around) not being very good against RHP. He also gives you a hedge against Heyward not being as good as hoped in CF or Almora proving not to be worthy of MLB at bats at all.

[Cubswin11]

What would it take/what would you give to get Inciarte from the Braves?

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Almora's bat stinks, so let's go out and get Aaron Hicks.

 

Foiled by an exact quote yet again!

 

Literally:

 

Sure, Almora's not exactly a widely skilled bat.

 

Aaron Hicks is another name I'd throw onto the pile of backup OFs.

[DonnieD]

 

Foiled by an exact quote yet again!

 

Literally:

 

Sure, Almora's not exactly a widely skilled bat.

 

Aaron Hicks is another name I'd throw onto the pile of backup OFs.

 

I'm aware of what it literally said.

 

CW11, Almora's in is that he has Inciarte traits without the trade cost or obligation to start. If they trade for an outright starting OF hopefully they aim higher.

 

Aim higher than the 25 year old CF with 4 years of control remaining that will have averaged over 4 bWAR and 3 fWAR in his first 3 (less than full) seasons? I doubt there is much available that would be higher.