Cubs offseason thread

[USSoccer]

Also, what are the odds that Baez is on the move this offseason? He is really a similar player, projection wise, as a season ago, but with the high trade value based on performance in the postseason. Someone will be a casualty this offseason other than Soler, who's an obvious choice to go. Javy's the likeliest choice to bring back a guy who will help fill that void when 60% of our starting rotation is gone in 2018 and beyond.

 

horsefeathers You!!!!!!!

 

Javy is going to have more jewelry than Derek Jeter all in a Cubs uniform.

 

What's wrong with exploring the market for a guy with similar flaws to his game that existed 12 months ago, but now has an LCS MVP and a Game 7 Home Run under his belt? I love Javy and think he has a ton of value. But that's precisely why you explore trading him. He should bring you back a young starting pitcher with cost control that should provide excellent value into the years beyond when Lackey, Arrietta (who I think the Cubs have no desire to re-sign), and now Hammel are gone.

 

Baez is inexpensive, an immensely talented defensive player at at least 3 positions in the IF, and can probably play 3 more at at least replacement level if not better. He's got power, improved his approach from 2015 to 2016 and again in the playoffs, WS aside. Maddon loves him, his ability with the glove allows for great flexibility which allows guys to get rest and take advantage of matchups. Lester loves him defensively, and he's got an amazingly high ceiling which he's only scratching the surface of with the bat. He was always going to be slower in reaching his ceiling, but he's making improvements every year.

 

They'd be nuts to deal Javy. If they need cost-controlled pitching that's good, that's what the near-ML ready prospects are for.

[DouglasDorsey]

The meetings this work are usually less active correct? more of a get things started and set the tables kind of deal?

[SRQCub]

Honestly, if the FO is able to turn Fowler, Hammel and Chapman into Reddick, Archer/Gray and Jansen, I can live with that (with the caveat that Baez is not part of the price we pay for Archer/Gray.)

[Banedon]

I don't know why they'd need Reddick. As it is, you need outfield spots for Zobrist and Schwarber. Schwarber LF, Heyward CF, Zobrist RF makes the most sense to me.

[DouglasDorsey]

I don't know why they'd need Reddick. As it is, you need outfield spots for Zobrist and Schwarber. Schwarber LF, Heyward CF, Zobrist RF makes the most sense to me.

 

While this makes a lot of sense from an offensive perspective, the Def would be average at best correct? Obviously late inning replacements with def subs would be used a lot but in bigger parks that OF worries me a little bit. (but we could base enough to offset it, I guess)

[Banedon]

I don't know why they'd need Reddick. As it is, you need outfield spots for Zobrist and Schwarber. Schwarber LF, Heyward CF, Zobrist RF makes the most sense to me.

 

While this makes a lot of sense from an offensive perspective, the Def would be average at best correct? Obviously late inning replacements with def subs would be used a lot but in bigger parks that OF worries me a little bit. (but we could base enough to offset it, I guess)

 

Well what are your choices? They're gonna play Schwarber. And while Baez may not play every single day at 2B, you've gotta think he'll be there most of the time. RF is really the only other spot for Zobrist at that point.

 

Obviously Joe will do all the moving around that Joe does...but I think that arrangement is about as fait de complete as it can be. And that doesn't even account for Soler.

[Cubswin11]

I don't know why they'd need Reddick. As it is, you need outfield spots for Zobrist and Schwarber. Schwarber LF, Heyward CF, Zobrist RF makes the most sense to me.

 

While this makes a lot of sense from an offensive perspective, the Def would be average at best correct? Obviously late inning replacements with def subs would be used a lot but in bigger parks that OF worries me a little bit. (but we could base enough to offset it, I guess)

 

Well what are your choices? They're gonna play Schwarber. And while Baez may not play every single day at 2B, you've gotta think he'll be there most of the time. RF is really the only other spot for Zobrist at that poiny.

 

I really hope Baez playing every day next year isn't plan A for us. He still needs to be very much protected vs RHP. I know health/others performance don't always allow it but he should really only be getting about ~400 PAs and 120 starts next year.

Edited November 7, 2016 by Cubswin11

[Agony and Ivy]

Baez for Berrios would be a very interesting challenge trade. Speaking of the Twins, I'm forever a homer for him but I wonder if Gibson isn't a buy-low guy.

 

No thanks on Minnesota arms.

[jehr]

I don't know why they'd need Reddick. As it is, you need outfield spots for Zobrist and Schwarber. Schwarber LF, Heyward CF, Zobrist RF makes the most sense to me.

Not to mention you have Szczur (unless traded/released) and Almora for depth, both can play any OF position (you're taking risk with Szczur in CF compared to Almora, but not the worst third option), plus you also have KB, Baez or Contreras for emergency OF depth. Unless we make an unexpected move for another CFer, the only OF move I can see is resigning Dex. I think that's more likely than bringing in Reddick.

[USSoccer]

 

While this makes a lot of sense from an offensive perspective, the Def would be average at best correct? Obviously late inning replacements with def subs would be used a lot but in bigger parks that OF worries me a little bit. (but we could base enough to offset it, I guess)

 

Well what are your choices? They're gonna play Schwarber. And while Baez may not play every single day at 2B, you've gotta think he'll be there most of the time. RF is really the only other spot for Zobrist at that poiny.

 

I really hope Baez playing every day next year isn't plan A for us. He still needs to be very much protected vs RHP. I know health/others performance don't always allow it but he should really only be getting about ~400 PAs and 120 starts next year.

 

How protected does he really need to be vs. non-elite RHP?

[imb]

5/100 for Jansen sounds about right. Chapman wants to go back to new york and we dont like him anyway so hit the road. Jansen is better and shores up our backend while weakening a competitor.

 

as for starting pitching i have nfc

[Agony and Ivy]

Baez for Berrios would be a very interesting challenge trade. Speaking of the Twins, I'm forever a homer for him but I wonder if Gibson isn't a buy-low guy.

 

No thanks on Minnesota arms.

 

This seems random. What's up with Minnesota arms?

 

This will cover more than just the Minnesota arms sentiment but here goes...

 

1. They're never good at baseball like ever because they are taught to pitch to contact and it's been that way for a while now. You can go look at all of their hyped pitching prospects and they've never produced a single good MLB starting pitcher.

 

2. Berrios has proven less than nothing at the Major League level while Baez has proven that he has an extremely high floor due to his ability to play elite defense.

 

3. Berrios has no command. He was able to get by in the minors with just pure velocity and stuff but his complete inability to command pitches in the zone has gotten him lit up by MLB hitters. His glove side command is actually funny bad and the ball leaks over the middle of the plate and MLBers dong his trash to death.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

Well what are your choices? They're gonna play Schwarber. And while Baez may not play every single day at 2B, you've gotta think he'll be there most of the time. RF is really the only other spot for Zobrist at that poiny.

 

I really hope Baez playing every day next year isn't plan A for us. He still needs to be very much protected vs RHP. I know health/others performance don't always allow it but he should really only be getting about ~400 PAs and 120 starts next year.

 

How protected does he really need to be vs. non-elite RHP?

 

He hit .258/.288/.401 with 4 BB and 83 K against RHP in a season where he was protected against elite RHP, he either needs to get better against them or not be considered an everyday starter against RHP.

[USSoccer]

 

I really hope Baez playing every day next year isn't plan A for us. He still needs to be very much protected vs RHP. I know health/others performance don't always allow it but he should really only be getting about ~400 PAs and 120 starts next year.

 

How protected does he really need to be vs. non-elite RHP?

 

He hit .258/.288/.401 with 4 BB and 83 K against RHP in a season where he was protected against elite RHP, he either needs to get better against them or not be considered an everyday starter against RHP.

 

I guess I see the improvements and adjustments he's made from year to year and have a lot of confidence he can improve those numbers given consistent time.

[Post Count Padder]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17973532/chicago-cubs-catcher-miguel-montero-critical-manager-joe-maddon-role-team-postseason

 

"It was different for me," Montero said to the Waddle and Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 on Friday. "It was a different emotion because I didn't get a chance to play. I was a little disappointed, to be honest, because I felt like I did a good job in the regular season but was left out a little bit. It made me feel a little like not important or maybe not as good to be in this lineup."

 

I'm sure winning the World Series takes the sting out of being benched because you're the third worst catcher on the team, but it doesn't seem to make sense to keep him anyway at his salary next year. Think they trade him for a lottery ticket prospect and sign or acquire another vet catcher? I do believe Geovany Soto is a free agent........

[DouglasDorsey]

I don't know why they'd need Reddick. As it is, you need outfield spots for Zobrist and Schwarber. Schwarber LF, Heyward CF, Zobrist RF makes the most sense to me.

 

While this makes a lot of sense from an offensive perspective, the Def would be average at best correct? Obviously late inning replacements with def subs would be used a lot but in bigger parks that OF worries me a little bit. (but we could base enough to offset it, I guess)

 

Well what are your choices? They're gonna play Schwarber. And while Baez may not play every single day at 2B, you've gotta think he'll be there most of the time. RF is really the only other spot for Zobrist at that point.

 

Obviously Joe will do all the moving around that Joe does...but I think that arrangement is about as fait de complete as it can be. And that doesn't even account for Soler.

 

I'm in no way disagreeing that this would be the look of our normal lineup with Joe mixing and matching guys to get advantages where necessary. I actually don't mind schwarber or zo in the outfield but both being there and heyward playing out of position (to a degree) gives me pause. I would assume those days that Joe hopes we bash enough that defensive replacements come in around the 8th and the big guys dont miss ABs. Soler is a whole other issue. I would hope for a trade for a more useful piece but I haven't thought enough about what that would be.

[Thrilho]

 

I really hope Baez playing every day next year isn't plan A for us. He still needs to be very much protected vs RHP. I know health/others performance don't always allow it but he should really only be getting about ~400 PAs and 120 starts next year.

 

How protected does he really need to be vs. non-elite RHP?

 

He hit .258/.288/.401 with 4 BB and 83 K against RHP in a season where he was protected against elite RHP, he either needs to get better against them or not be considered an everyday starter against RHP.

My thinking is that if he's going to be in the starting lineup in the playoffs against RHP then he needs all the ABs he can get, and that includes against the good ones. If the Cubs are scrapping tooth and nail for the division maybe that changes things, but I'd think if they've got a solid lead Schwarber should get a lot of PAs against lefties, Baez against righties.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

How protected does he really need to be vs. non-elite RHP?

 

He hit .258/.288/.401 with 4 BB and 83 K against RHP in a season where he was protected against elite RHP, he either needs to get better against them or not be considered an everyday starter against RHP.

 

I guess I see the improvements and adjustments he's made from year to year and have a lot of confidence he can improve those numbers given consistent time.

 

He can, and it's a good enough argument for me not to want a Reddick or similar caliber player added to the corner OF, but for a team with the Cubs aspirations, Baez getting 400 PA against RHP shouldn't be plan A. Doesn't mean that you need to add external players to keep him from getting any chance at them, but we also have to be realistic that the reasons for Baez's struggles against RHP aren't mysterious and are more likely to be structural than curable. There's space between structural and curable for him to be 'good enough', but that takes a lot of time against RHP that the Cubs might not be in position to give.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17973532/chicago-cubs-catcher-miguel-montero-critical-manager-joe-maddon-role-team-postseason

 

"It was different for me," Montero said to the Waddle and Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 on Friday. "It was a different emotion because I didn't get a chance to play. I was a little disappointed, to be honest, because I felt like I did a good job in the regular season but was left out a little bit. It made me feel a little like not important or maybe not as good to be in this lineup."

 

I'm sure winning the World Series takes the sting out of being benched because you're the third worst catcher on the team, but it doesn't seem to make sense to keep him anyway at his salary next year. Think they trade him for a lottery ticket prospect and sign or acquire another vet catcher? I do believe Geovany Soto is a free agent........

 

This has been discussed in like 5 different threads now. Montero was drunk and said things he wouldn't have said otherwise. He isn't going anywhere, no one is taking on his salary anyway, and he's more than fine as a backup to Contreras.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

For those who were interested in Greg Holland:

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

That's the velocity he was at in the last few outings before his arm exploded, if not a bit lower. http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfxo.aspx?playerid=7196&position=P&pitch=FA

[Tim]

For those who were interested in Greg Holland:

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

That's the velocity he was at in the last few outings before his arm exploded, if not a bit lower.

nevermind. :(

[DouglasDorsey]

For those who were interested in Greg Holland:

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

That's the velocity he was at in the last few outings before his arm exploded, if not a bit lower.

nevermind. :(

 

How long has it been since his surgery? (or did he have one?)

 

Edit : Looks like Oct 2015

[davell]

"This guy here is dead. Well, cross him off then."

[Bryants Disco Ball]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17973532/chicago-cubs-catcher-miguel-montero-critical-manager-joe-maddon-role-team-postseason

 

"It was different for me," Montero said to the Waddle and Silvy Show on ESPN 1000 on Friday. "It was a different emotion because I didn't get a chance to play. I was a little disappointed, to be honest, because I felt like I did a good job in the regular season but was left out a little bit. It made me feel a little like not important or maybe not as good to be in this lineup."

 

I'm sure winning the World Series takes the sting out of being benched because you're the third worst catcher on the team, but it doesn't seem to make sense to keep him anyway at his salary next year. Think they trade him for a lottery ticket prospect and sign or acquire another vet catcher? I do believe Geovany Soto is a free agent........

 

This has been discussed in like 5 different threads now. Montero was drunk and said things he wouldn't have said otherwise. He isn't going anywhere, no one is taking on his salary anyway, and he's more than fine as a backup to Contreras.

 

Is that true? That he was drunk during the interview? Sorry if you're being sarcastic. It just seems like it could be legit.

[Banedon]

Good lord...looking through these contracts and I really kinda feel bad about how little we're paying these guys...

 

http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/