Cubs Predictions for 2017

[cubweiser03]

Well if super utility is or isn't a thing isn't the point. how many games do you guys think schwarbs will start in LF, I'm using that as a factor as well in how much zobrist is in LF. Zobrist started 113 at 2b last year, I sure don't see that number going up with how awesome javy defense at 2b is.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

Well if super utility is or isn't a thing isn't the point. how many games do you guys think schwarbs will start in LF, I'm using that as a factor as well in how much zobrist is in LF. Zobrist started 113 at 2b last year, I sure don't see that number going up with how awesome javy defense at 2b is.

I think we see Zobrist for about 40 games in RF this year.

[Cubswin11]

Well if super utility is or isn't a thing isn't the point. how many games do you guys think schwarbs will start in LF, I'm using that as a factor as well in how much zobrist is in LF. Zobrist started 113 at 2b last year, I sure don't see that number going up with how awesome javy defense at 2b is.

Some rough and not exact off the top of the head numbers here.... Assuming health Schwarber should get 130-145 starts in LF depending how he handles LHP/how careful they are with rest with him (i.e. maybe they don't ever want him starting more than 6 games in a row or some number no matter what, or he'll always get a game off before/after a scheduled off day).

 

That leaves ~15-30 games in LF for Bryant, Zobrist, and Jay. RF probably has ~15-25 games open without Heyward if we can assume health and he has a moderate bounce back/isn't abysmal vs LHP. Zobrist is going to get 140-145 starts with health, he'll probably only get half those open OF games I listed above so that's 15-25 starts for him in LF/RF which puts him at 115-125 starts at 2B to get to 140-145 total starts, which seems about right.

 

Javy gets ~30-40 of those open starts at 2B and ~30-45 more starts at 3B/SS which puts him in the range of starting around 85 games and then coming in an additional ~50 games for pinch running/hitting and late inning defense bringing his total games to ~135 which also seems about right.

[Little Slide Rooter]

At some point, Tommy LaStella is sent down in favor of an extra arm, and he becomes very angry.

[Post Count Padder]

We hit 900 home runs this year and :flythew:

[David]

To the earlier discussion on this...

 

Zobrist goes into the season as the primary 2B

 

“We have to balance a lot of different things out,” Maddon said this week. “Zo is going to be out there primarily, and then we’ll work Javy in there. But Zo could also do what he’s done in the past, play some outfield.”

 

Baez might yet have a chance to earn the starting job at second — his best position — if not to open the season, then possibly during the season.

 

I'm pretty sure it's going to be like last year with a little more RHP exposure for Baez.

 

http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2b-or-not-2b-baez-fine-with-continued-job-share-in-cubs-infield/

[David]

Just noticed this comment in an article about how the Yankees should emulate the Cubs...nothing earth shattering, but yeah.

 

The Cubs’ brilliant president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, told me last October that he thought the need for 650 plate appearances is passé, and that getting 500-ish was fine as a way to keep the players fresh all season, always have a good contingent on the field and always have strong in-game options for his manager.

 

http://nypost.com/2017/02/21/this-is-how-yankees-can-maximize-their-shortstop-studs/

[Bull]

Just noticed this comment in an article about how the Yankees should emulate the Cubs...nothing earth shattering, but yeah.

 

The Cubs’ brilliant president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, told me last October that he thought the need for 650 plate appearances is passé, and that getting 500-ish was fine as a way to keep the players fresh all season, always have a good contingent on the field and always have strong in-game options for his manager.

 

http://nypost.com/2017/02/21/this-is-how-yankees-can-maximize-their-shortstop-studs/

 

Think this is an overlooked component of the cubs' success. It is especially important for a team that play 20% more day games than anyone else.

[David]

Just noticed this comment in an article [glow=red]about how the Yankees should emulate the Cubs[/glow]...nothing earth shattering, but yeah.

 

The Cubs’ brilliant president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, told me last October that he thought the need for 650 plate appearances is passé, and that getting 500-ish was fine as a way to keep the players fresh all season, always have a good contingent on the field and always have strong in-game options for his manager.

 

http://nypost.com/2017/02/21/this-is-how-yankees-can-maximize-their-shortstop-studs/

 

I just realized I wrote these words without thinking twice about them or even a hint of irony.

[NOLA]

To the earlier discussion on this...

 

Zobrist goes into the season as the primary 2B

 

“We have to balance a lot of different things out,” Maddon said this week. “Zo is going to be out there primarily, and then we’ll work Javy in there. But Zo could also do what he’s done in the past, play some outfield.”

 

Baez might yet have a chance to earn the starting job at second — his best position — if not to open the season, then possibly during the season.

 

I'm pretty sure it's going to be like last year with a little more RHP exposure for Baez.

 

http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2b-or-not-2b-baez-fine-with-continued-job-share-in-cubs-infield/

Hmm. In the Effectively Wild podcast that was posted here yesterday, Sharma said he really gets the feeling that Javy would be the primary 2B.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just noticed this comment in an article about how the Yankees should emulate the Cubs...nothing earth shattering, but yeah.

 

The Cubs’ brilliant president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, told me last October that he thought the need for 650 plate appearances is passé, and that getting 500-ish was fine as a way to keep the players fresh all season, always have a good contingent on the field and always have strong in-game options for his manager.

 

http://nypost.com/2017/02/21/this-is-how-yankees-can-maximize-their-shortstop-studs/

 

This is also why projection systems are going to understate how incredibly good the Cubs' position players are. Outside of catcher and probably CF, the first 500 bench PAs due to rest/injury are going straight to Baez(a 3 win player), thanks to the flexibility of Baez, Zobrist, and Bryant. Montero is a super high quality backup C too. Compare to, say, the Dodgers, whose bench consists of 'well I guess if he has a good year he could be part of a platoon' guys, and whose starting 8 has more injury/performance concerns anyway.

[Cubswin11]

Just noticed this comment in an article about how the Yankees should emulate the Cubs...nothing earth shattering, but yeah.

 

The Cubs’ brilliant president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, told me last October that he thought the need for 650 plate appearances is passé, and that getting 500-ish was fine as a way to keep the players fresh all season, always have a good contingent on the field and always have strong in-game options for his manager.

 

http://nypost.com/2017/02/21/this-is-how-yankees-can-maximize-their-shortstop-studs/

 

This is also why projection systems are going to understate how incredibly good the Cubs' position players are. Outside of catcher and probably CF, the first 500 bench PAs due to rest/injury are going straight to Baez(a 3 win player), thanks to the flexibility of Baez, Zobrist, and Bryant. Montero is a super high quality backup C too. Compare to, say, the Dodgers, whose bench consists of 'well I guess if he has a good year he could be part of a platoon' guys, and whose starting 8 has more injury/performance concerns anyway.

Also, in theory, you get a higher level/top line version of a player more often for 500 PAs vs 650 PAs if that player is "fresher."

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just noticed this comment in an article about how the Yankees should emulate the Cubs...nothing earth shattering, but yeah.

 

 

 

http://nypost.com/2017/02/21/this-is-how-yankees-can-maximize-their-shortstop-studs/

 

This is also why projection systems are going to understate how incredibly good the Cubs' position players are. Outside of catcher and probably CF, the first 500 bench PAs due to rest/injury are going straight to Baez(a 3 win player), thanks to the flexibility of Baez, Zobrist, and Bryant. Montero is a super high quality backup C too. Compare to, say, the Dodgers, whose bench consists of 'well I guess if he has a good year he could be part of a platoon' guys, and whose starting 8 has more injury/performance concerns anyway.

Also, in theory, you get a higher level/top line version of a player more often for 500 PAs vs 650 PAs if that player is "fresher."

 

Yep, helps to prevent some injuries too. The Cubs insane youth is a big part of this as well, but Zobrist isn't getting even the 15 games off he got last year on a lot of teams.