Cubs offseason thread

[davell]

Only way Wei-Yin Chen opts out is if he has a monster year. The bulk of the contract was backloaded, so I just don't see him bailing out after a mediocre (or bad) first year with the Marlins.

 

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With the money Ross wants, I'd be surprised if he was amenable to a 2nd year option, unless it's a player option, giving him the leverage. Dunno, if his asking price is around 10 mil (I thought I read that somewhere) ... doesn't seem likely he'll take a team option on Year 2, unless it's a really big team option. Maybe I'm reading it wrong. Seems like he's hoping for a one year rebound and re-establish his market.

 

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As for trading Candelario, it's a shame the Angels don't have anyone that really works, as Jeimer could definitely fit there.

 

With all their contracts and impending rising costs, one would think the Royals might be a fit for Jeimer, although not sure if there's any return that I particularly love that seems realistic.

 

I think we'd need to get very creative, in order to get the extra year(or more) with Ross. Example being a one year deal with 6-7 guaranteed, plus inning based incentives that could push that up towards 15, at 200 innings. Then, a team option of 2/30 or even 3/45, that we'd have to make a decision on, if he pitches well.

 

As for KC, I like Candelario for Skoglund and Junis. Both should be in AAA. We may be able to find a singular guy with a bit higher upside, but I like the progress both appear to be showing.

[David]

What are they planning to do for CF?

 

The Cubs?

 

They're playing Almora and Jay there.

[raw]

What are they planning to do for CF?

 

The Cubs?

 

They're playing Almora and Jay there.

 

Are we not considering Heyward as the de facto full-time CF, with Zobrist in RF and Baez at 2B? Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, but neither Jay nor Almora is likely to deserve more ABs than Javy over the course of the season.

[davell]

What are they planning to do for CF?

 

The Cubs?

 

They're playing Almora and Jay there.

 

Are we not considering Heyward as the de facto full-time CF, with Zobrist in RF and Baez at 2B? Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, but neither Jay nor Almora is likely to deserve more ABs than Javy over the course of the season.

 

My guess is they'll still look at Javy "technically" as the utility guy. But he'll probably get 80+ starts at 2B, unless injuries force him elsewhere.

 

I'm sure Heyward gets some CF starts, but unless Javy is an All Star and we're needing to find most of Zobrists AB's in RF, it won't be more than 20 games or so, short of a Jay or Almora injury AND ineffectiveness by the other.

 

In the end, attrition will take care of all this anyway.

[David]

What are they planning to do for CF?

 

The Cubs?

 

They're playing Almora and Jay there.

 

Are we not considering Heyward as the de facto full-time CF, with Zobrist in RF and Baez at 2B? Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, but neither Jay nor Almora is likely to deserve more ABs than Javy over the course of the season.

 

Jay alone was better than Javy last year even when Javy was propped up by very selective usage.

 

I could see that alignment vs lefties if Almora struggles, but the defense with Almora or Jay in center is so much better. I think Heyward will primarily play as a RFer.

 

Zobrist at 2B, Baez getting mixed in a little less selectively than last year is what I expect, but Baez will struggle more overall at the plate as a result.

[Bull]

I would like to see the return of the Javy in cf experiment during spring training.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I would like to see the return of the Javy in cf experiment during spring training.

 

I would rather not see the best infielder in the game turned into an outfielder.

 

There are so many ways that Javy could be a starter for us in the regular season like he was in the post season, but we don't have to force it. Lets enjoy having him as an above average utility player while Zobrist is still a weapon, and then eventually transition the two if/when Zobrist's skills diminish more and Javy's develop.

[Thrilho]

 

The Cubs?

 

They're playing Almora and Jay there.

 

Are we not considering Heyward as the de facto full-time CF, with Zobrist in RF and Baez at 2B? Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, but neither Jay nor Almora is likely to deserve more ABs than Javy over the course of the season.

 

Jay alone was better than Javy last year even when Javy was propped up by very selective usage.

 

I could see that alignment vs lefties if Almora struggles, but the defense with Almora or Jay in center is so much better. I think Heyward will primarily play as a RFer.

 

Zobrist at 2B, Baez getting mixed in a little less selectively than last year is what I expect, but Baez will struggle more overall at the plate as a result.

I know my only posts are Javy apologist posts but the "Jay was better than Javy" and the "defense is so much better with Jay" are not close to certain. Jay did have a 100 wRC+ vs Javy's 94 and a .319 wOBA vs Javy's .316. But Javy pulled down 2.7 fWAR in 450 PAs vs Jay's 1.1 in 370.

 

Jay was a negative defender last year. Heyward had a 27 UZR/150 in center last year. Career of 19. Zobrist was -1.5ish at both 2B and RF.

 

So on defense, it's largely Jay vs Javy and whether you think Zobrists bad defense is is a bigger hit in the IF or OF. I think IF defense is markedly more important but I'm out drinking with people and don't have a good way to back that up. But my way of thinking (and playoff Joe's) is that you want Zobrist in the OF and the elite glove on the IF if possible.

 

The batting line is questionable; you might think he gets better with more PAs or worse with more PAs against righties. But it really wasn't close as to who was a better player last year and if Heyward is close to as good as Jay in center (seems like a layup to me) I'd think the best defense doesn't have Jay in it.

[David]

Jay's defensive season was an outlier, Javy is never likely to replicate that defensive production (nobody is), and Javy is absolutely going to have worse offensive numbers if he starts facing righties less selectively (barring major approach changes/improvements).

 

Keep using Javy the way he was used to try to hide his major warts as much as possible.

 

There will be plenty of chances to use Javy just like last year. And Jay wasn't signed to not be the primary CF vs RHP. I just do not see that.

[Thrilho]

Javy is never likely to replicate that defensive production (nobody is), and Javy is absolutely going to have worse offensive numbers if he starts facing righties less selectively (barring major approach changes/improvements.

 

These parts are the major things I hold issue with. That it's a given that Javy can't be as good with the glove and that he'll be worse with the bat. While at the same time giving an aging player benefit of the doubt that last year was an injury driven outlier.

 

This is probably why I'm markedly more optimitistic than some on Javy. I see no reason his defense has to drop off and think he's more likely than not to improve with the bat.

 

I do agree that the FO's preferred every day alignment is Jay/Almora in CF, which necessitates Javy on the bench or filling in. But I'm personally not assuming that the best lineup would have Jay in it. He's got at least as much as Javy to prove in my eyes. If he was that much of a given he'd have gotten more than 1/$8.

[Banedon]

Jay's defensive season was an outlier, Javy is never likely to replicate that defensive production (nobody is), and Javy is absolutely going to have worse offensive numbers if he starts facing righties less selectively (barring major approach changes/improvements).

 

Keep using Javy the way he was used to try to hide his major warts as much as possible.

 

There will be plenty of chances to use Javy just like last year. And Jay wasn't signed to not be the primary CF vs RHP. I just do not see that.

 

Can you call him Baez when you're comparing him to Jay? For clarity? One letter difference makes me have to read too closely.

[Tim]

Well, Jay was signed for depth. On days when the "regulars" play, there is one position available for Jay/Almora/Baez. I don't think they are confident of Almora or Baez taking the big step forward, so they signed Jay to guarantee at least okay production for that spot. Then there are rest days. And injuries. I think the team really hopes that Jay is a bench player because everyone is healthy and either Almora or Baez are making a solid claim to a position.

 

However, let's face it - our manager will make out all kinds of lineups with this team. I'm certain we'll see the "All World Defense" more than a few times with Jay - Almora - Heyward in the OF and Bryant - Russell - Baez - Rizzo on the IF.

[David]

Jay's defensive season was an outlier, Javy is never likely to replicate that defensive production (nobody is), and Javy is absolutely going to have worse offensive numbers if he starts facing righties less selectively (barring major approach changes/improvements).

 

Keep using Javy the way he was used to try to hide his major warts as much as possible.

 

There will be plenty of chances to use Javy just like last year. And Jay wasn't signed to not be the primary CF vs RHP. I just do not see that.

 

Can you call him Baez when you're comparing him to Jay? For clarity? One letter difference makes me have to read too closely.

 

How about Javi

[imb]

just do ednel

[Bull]

I would like to see the return of the Javy in cf experiment during spring training.

 

I would rather not see the best infielder in the game turned into an outfielder.

 

There are so many ways that Javy could be a starter for us in the regular season like he was in the post season, but we don't have to force it. Lets enjoy having him as an above average utility player while Zobrist is still a weapon, and then eventually transition the two if/when Zobrist's skills diminish more and Javy's develop.

 

There is a non-zero chance that his bat takes a big step forward. There is a decent chance heyward returns to form or better.

 

If (remote chance) both of these happen, do you prefer zobrist-RF, heyward-CF, Baez 2B or Zobrist 2B, Heyward-RF, Javy CF?

 

 

I'm pretty sure I prefer the first, but I'd like to see (IN SPRING TRAINING) if the second alignment is viable to even do in a pinch.

[davell]

Cubs reclaimed that Rollins guy again, per Rosenthal.

[Bear Cub]

Cubs sign Daniel Moskos LHP, Fernando Rodriguez RHP, Ali Solis C, and Jemile Weeks 2B to minor league deals per Nick eddy.

[Bruno7481]

As for Jay, the more I look into it I think he has potential to be a very productive piece. Before his injury last year in late June, he was slashing 296/345/407 for San Diego. His extra base hit ability is almost entirely built on doubles, so there is going to be a power drop off between him and Fowler.

 

His splits against lefties in his career are almost identical to righties. That helps to offset the advantage Fowler had in being a switch hitter.

 

Assuming the forearm is fully healed, I'm cautiously optimistic at what he can provide offensively in this lineup.

[BigbadB]

As for Jay, the more I look into it I think he has potential to be a very productive piece. Before his injury last year in late June, he was slashing 296/345/407 for San Diego. His extra base hit ability is almost entirely built on doubles, so there is going to be a power drop off between him and Fowler.

 

His splits against lefties in his career are almost identical to righties. That helps to offset the advantage Fowler had in being a switch hitter.

 

Assuming the forearm is fully healed, I'm cautiously optimistic at what he can provide offensively in this lineup.

 

Padres fans were sad to see him go. They don't talk a lot of baseball since they are in an endless cycle of small market wheel spinning with no real direction, but he roped quite a few doubles in a low amount of innings. He was also their prime lead off hitter and hit .299 in that role. He also doesn't strike out much. He seems like a nice addition to what is still a busy outfield, but doesn't block a significant addition in the near future.

[davell]

Cubs sign Daniel Moskos LHP, Fernando Rodriguez RHP, Ali Solis C, and Jemile Weeks 2B to minor league deals per Nick eddy.

 

Fernando Rodriguez is pretty damn solid on a minor league deal.

[UK]

I'm not a fan of Jay.Despite his larger sample size, his Babip isn't sustainable as he ages. He's not a line drive hitter with great bat speed and hopefully that wrist injury has healed. With Maddon, projecting a starting 9 is pointless.

 

I expect regression from Jay, I will be curious to see if he does regress if the Cubs would play Heyward in CF.

 

I'm not disappointed they haven't added more, I'm disappointed that some haven't been locked up to longer deals.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Cubs sign Daniel Moskos LHP, Fernando Rodriguez RHP, Ali Solis C, and Jemile Weeks 2B to minor league deals per Nick eddy.

 

Was the failure of Daniel Moskos injury related or a garden variety bust?

[Post Count Padder]

Cubs sign Daniel Moskos LHP, Fernando Rodriguez RHP, Ali Solis C, and Jemile Weeks 2B to minor league deals per Nick eddy.

 

Was the failure of Daniel Moskos injury related or a garden variety bust?

From the way my Pirates fan friends talked about him, he seemed to be their Hayden Simpson. A reach who then had a bunch of injuries and ineffectiveness.

[UK]

Cubs sign Daniel Moskos LHP, Fernando Rodriguez RHP, Ali Solis C, and Jemile Weeks 2B to minor league deals per Nick eddy.

 

Was the failure of Daniel Moskos injury related or a garden variety bust?

 

Arm injury + overdraft.

[UK]

I apologize if this has been mentioned but if the Cubs have been rumored on value players like Ross, I hope they look at Rubby de la Rosa. His fastball, slider, and inconsistency is similar to Arrieta. No guarantees obviously but I 've been enamored with his stuff.