2019 Spring Training Thread

[Cubswin11]

That’s the good stuff

 

[imb]

That’s the good stuff

 

 

we're going to win 100 games again

[Brian]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[squally1313]

Props to the Cubs for seriously testing my resolve these last six months or so, but nope, still really excited about watching a lineup where half the hitters are KB, Rizz, Baez, and Schwarber.

[Sammy Sofa]

That’s the good stuff

 

 

we're going to win 100 games again

 

Over the next three seasons.

[David]

That’s the good stuff

 

 

we're going to win 100 games again

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Brian]

Jen-Ho Tseng announced as opening day starter. (Cactus League)

[imb]

That’s the good stuff

 

 

we're going to win 100 games again

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

i knew my moronic ass would turn as soon as i saw one video of KB swinging a bat and here we are

 

nl central favorites baby

[Brian]

i'm worried about Kyle

 

[Brian]

some hero please photoshop that face on the classic Kyle as a hostage in front of the W flag photo please.

 

 

here's more photo day pics https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/chicago-cubs?family=editorial&phrase=chicago%20cubs&sort=best#license

[jersey cubs fan]

[David]

 

we're going to win 100 games again

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

i knew my moronic ass would turn as soon as i saw one video of KB swinging a bat and here we are

 

nl central favorites baby

 

right there with you

[imb]

some hero please photoshop that face on the classic Kyle as a hostage in front of the W flag photo please.

 

 

here's more photo day pics https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/chicago-cubs?family=editorial&phrase=chicago%20cubs&sort=best#license

 

[Brian]

you are the hero we need and deserve

[ConstableRabbit]

 

we're going to win 100 games again

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

i knew my moronic ass would turn as soon as i saw one video of KB swinging a bat and here we are

 

nl central favorites baby

Yes... let the hate flow through you!

[Cubswin11]

I was just looking at Almora's numbers last year, I know everyone died in the second half but dear lord did he horsefeathering suck from July on. .232/.267/.281 slash line, 48 FORTY horsefeathering EIGHT wRC+, .243 wOBA, 4% BB and 19% K rate and that was with a .282 BABIP. The underlying stuff doesn't say it was all that flukey, he might just really horsefeathering suck. It's crazy we didn't at least bring in an Austin Jackson, Cameron Maybin, Carlos Gomez type and he's just getting a guaranteed job. He won't be part of the discussion but when Russell is back in May (this is going to happen so just dealing in the reality), Almora should definitely be in consideration for the guy to be sent down to make room if Bote is hitting and there's no injuries.

[squally1313]

I was just looking at Almora's numbers last year, I know everyone died in the second half but dear lord did he horsefeathering suck from July on. .232/.267/.281 slash line, 48 FORTY horsefeathering EIGHT wRC+, .243 wOBA, 4% BB and 19% K rate and that was with a .282 BABIP. The underlying stuff doesn't say it was all that flukey, he might just really horsefeathering suck. It's crazy we didn't at least bring in an Austin Jackson, Cameron Maybin, Carlos Gomez type and he's just getting a guaranteed job. He won't be part of the discussion but when Russell is back in May (this is going to happen so just dealing in the reality), Almora should definitely be in consideration for the guy to be sent down to make room if Bote is hitting and there's no injuries.

 

Has there been anything on the record about him having a full time starting job? Or did you mean you're surprised he's getting a roster spot at all? Happ or Heyward should be getting every start in center against a RHP, and Almora is fine against lefties.

 

Is Russell allowed to participate in spring training/spring training games? If he's not MLB ready when the suspension expires, that buys us a couple weeks to figure out the roster move/see his face.

[Cubswin11]

I was just looking at Almora's numbers last year, I know everyone died in the second half but dear lord did he horsefeathering suck from July on. .232/.267/.281 slash line, 48 FORTY horsefeathering EIGHT wRC+, .243 wOBA, 4% BB and 19% K rate and that was with a .282 BABIP. The underlying stuff doesn't say it was all that flukey, he might just really horsefeathering suck. It's crazy we didn't at least bring in an Austin Jackson, Cameron Maybin, Carlos Gomez type and he's just getting a guaranteed job. He won't be part of the discussion but when Russell is back in May (this is going to happen so just dealing in the reality), Almora should definitely be in consideration for the guy to be sent down to make room if Bote is hitting and there's no injuries.

 

Has there been anything on the record about him having a full time starting job? Or did you mean you're surprised he's getting a roster spot at all? Happ or Heyward should be getting every start in center against a RHP, and Almora is fine against lefties.

 

Is Russell allowed to participate in spring training/spring training games? If he's not MLB ready when the suspension expires, that buys us a couple weeks to figure out the roster move/see his face.

Russell can be a full participant in ST stuff I’m 99% sure, just has to sit the first ~month for the suspension. Joe has said some things about how he thought Almora was better vs RHP last year and indicating he’s closer to a full time guys vs short side of platoon guy like he should be at most. I’m saying yes to all that... surprised he’s being guaranteed a roster spot out of camp and he shouldn’t be, imo, Russell or no Russell and we should’ve brought in someone to compete on a minor league deal at the least. He’s the definition of going potential over production to start the year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I was just looking at Almora's numbers last year, I know everyone died in the second half but dear lord did he horsefeathering suck from July on. .232/.267/.281 slash line, 48 FORTY horsefeathering EIGHT wRC+, .243 wOBA, 4% BB and 19% K rate and that was with a .282 BABIP. The underlying stuff doesn't say it was all that flukey, he might just really horsefeathering suck. It's crazy we didn't at least bring in an Austin Jackson, Cameron Maybin, Carlos Gomez type and he's just getting a guaranteed job. He won't be part of the discussion but when Russell is back in May (this is going to happen so just dealing in the reality), Almora should definitely be in consideration for the guy to be sent down to make room if Bote is hitting and there's no injuries.

 

He was also either 4th or 5th among OF(depending on how you want to count Zobrist) in PA in the 2nd half. He was barely that low(all 4 non-Zobrist OF basically split PA equally), and he'll very likely get significant opportunity. But that'll likely come with his strengths(defense, facing LHP) first, especially with Descalso as the new Murphy and Russell not kicked to the curb forcing Zobrist to the OF more.

[UMFan83]

Half baked thought that probably can be torn apart:

 

I was thinking that this year’s Cubs reminds me of the Red Sox coming into last year. Coming off a successful season but one that felt like a disappointment as several of their young players under performed, there was a general power outage (yes Chili being the link) and the team was stomped out of the playoffs quickly leaving many fans critical of the team’s direction and leadership. The next year a lot of the things that went wrong previously went right and the team had a historic World Series season.

 

Obviously the big difference I can immediately see is that the Cubs decided that they were broke instead of ponying up for a JD Martinez caliber player

[Brian]

Kyle found his smile because he spent the offseason in front of a mirror

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Deeg]

Almora has never, even in the minors, shown anything that should encourage a team to call him an everyday player. He sucks against RHP and has shown absolutely no sign of improvement.

 

He's fine for what he is - a platoon guy who's decent against lefties, above average defensively and average on the bases. Unless some GM wants to overpay for him there's no compelling reason to trade him, unless you're that worried Maddon is going to outsmart himself (as usual) and play him every day.

[Brian]

Really should have sold high on Almora when the Sox were collecting players connected to Machado.

[Cubswin11]

Half baked thought that probably can be torn apart:

 

I was thinking that this year’s Cubs reminds me of the Red Sox coming into last year. Coming off a successful season but one that felt like a disappointment as several of their young players under performed, there was a general power outage (yes Chili being the link) and the team was stomped out of the playoffs quickly leaving many fans critical of the team’s direction and leadership. The next year a lot of the things that went wrong previously went right and the team had a historic World Series season.

 

Obviously the big difference I can immediately see is that the Cubs decided that they were broke instead of ponying up for a JD Martinez caliber player

Bryant healthy is just like adding a MVP!

[UMFan83]

Half baked thought that probably can be torn apart:

 

I was thinking that this year’s Cubs reminds me of the Red Sox coming into last year. Coming off a successful season but one that felt like a disappointment as several of their young players under performed, there was a general power outage (yes Chili being the link) and the team was stomped out of the playoffs quickly leaving many fans critical of the team’s direction and leadership. The next year a lot of the things that went wrong previously went right and the team had a historic World Series season.

 

Obviously the big difference I can immediately see is that the Cubs decided that they were broke instead of ponying up for a JD Martinez caliber player

Bryant healthy is just like adding a MVP!

 

 

I was pegging him to play the Mookie Betts role in my head