Luis Vazquez called up

[Transmogrified Tiger]

and some indirect internal confirmation from a scout

No word on who is getting IL'd or sent down to make room.

[Rex Buckingham]

I'm guessing Nico's leg fell off

[Rcal10]

I’m hoping either Madrigal is traded or Mastrobouni is sent down. Or both. 

[Crusader]

Gotta guess they saw enough to know Mastro cannot play SS.

[Stratos]

Mastro can't hit.  I hope Dansby and Nico are back and Mastro is off the 26-man.  Either way I hope Mastro is gone.

[Andy]

8 hours ago, Rex Buckingham said:

I'm guessing Nico's leg fell off

Nah I'm sure this time he'll be back (I'll plan to copy paste this one for the next week)

[gflore34]

Doesn't appear Vazquez is much of an upgrade, if at all, with the bat over Mastrobuoni.  Definitely an upgrade with the glove and maybe, with Hoerner theoretically returning, that's more important.

[Bertz]

This makes me nervous.  Counsell had some comments pregame about "Tuesday being a good day" which implied Swanson and Hoerner were coming back then.  Vasquez can still come up if they're both healthy, it just requires dumping both of Madrigal/Mastro to Iowa.  But what feels more likely is that Swanson will be back, Vasquez will be up, Hoerner will be IL'd, and just Madrigal gets sent to Iowa.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

 

[Derwood]

9 hours ago, Crusader said:

Gotta guess they saw enough to know Mastro cannot play SS.

He was fine defensively

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Bertz said:

This makes me nervous.  Counsell had some comments pregame about "Tuesday being a good day" which implied Swanson and Hoerner were coming back then.  Vasquez can still come up if they're both healthy, it just requires dumping both of Madrigal/Mastro to Iowa.  But what feels more likely is that Swanson will be back, Vasquez will be up, Hoerner will be IL'd, and just Madrigal gets sent to Iowa.

Timing does seem odd and concerning. If Swanson is coming back they have to make  move to take someone off the roster. Now adding Vasquez is a second guy off the roster. I just don’t see both Madrigal and Mastrobuoni being sent down. Maybe a trade? Maybe someone takes Madrigal and Mastro sent down? As you said, more likely is Hoerner isn’t ready. Which really sucks. Not sure if Mastro or Madrigal goes down. BTW, I know people won’t like this idea, but they could send down PCA and one of the infielders if Swanson and Hoerner are in the line up Tuesday. I hate that idea, but it could happen. 

[UMFan83]

If Dansby returns and Vazquez is called up, who are the 2 that go down/DFA'd?

Currently active players with virtually no chance:  Busch, Hoerner, Morel, Amaya, Gomes, Happ, Bellinger, Tauchman and Suzuki

That leaves Mastrobuoni, Madrigal, PCA and Wisdom as the prime candidates

I don't see why they'd send PCA down while he's being a WAR machine but they did say they'd be sending him back down eventually (though might have changed their minds).  Mastrobuoni is almost certainly involved and will be sent back to Iowa.  That leaves Madrigal and Wisdom.  Wisdom has his flaws but he's hitting acceptably well and I think the Cubs really like his bat whenever they want to give the lineup extra juice, especially against lefties.

So the other most obvious target is Madrigal....

UNLESS, as has been discussed here, someone else is going on the IL, whether it be Nico, Morel (been banged up though seems to be playing through it fine), Happ (also been banged up at times) or a mystery injury.

So either Madrigal is being DFA'd, or Nico, Morel, Happ or mystery player are going on the IL, unless im missing an obvious alternate option.

[Rcal10]

9 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

If Dansby returns and Vazquez is called up, who are the 2 that go down/DFA'd?

Currently active players with virtually no chance:  Busch, Hoerner, Morel, Amaya, Gomes, Happ, Bellinger, Tauchman and Suzuki

That leaves Mastrobuoni, Madrigal, PCA and Wisdom as the prime candidates

I don't see why they'd send PCA down while he's being a WAR machine but they did say they'd be sending him back down eventually (though might have changed their minds).  Mastrobuoni is almost certainly involved and will be sent back to Iowa.  That leaves Madrigal and Wisdom.  Wisdom has his flaws but he's hitting acceptably well and I think the Cubs really like his bat whenever they want to give the lineup extra juice, especially against lefties.

So the other most obvious target is Madrigal....

UNLESS, as has been discussed here, someone else is going on the IL, whether it be Nico, Morel (been banged up though seems to be playing through it fine), Happ (also been banged up at times) or a mystery injury.

So either Madrigal is being DFA'd, or Nico, Morel, Happ or mystery player are going on the IL, unless im missing an obvious alternate option.

As I said earlier, not a  popular decision, but it could be PCA. When they brought back Suzuki and Bellinger they sent down Canario, but not PCA. That could have been as insurance for Happ at the time. Before Bellinger and Suzuki got hurt they didn’t have a 5th outfielder. They may want PCA to get regular AB. I think we all feel the obvious guys to not be on the roster would be Mastro and Madrigal. But I am not certain what is who goes down. 

[Bertz]

17 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

If Dansby returns and Vazquez is called up, who are the 2 that go down/DFA'd?

Currently active players with virtually no chance:  Busch, Hoerner, Morel, Amaya, Gomes, Happ, Bellinger, Tauchman and Suzuki

That leaves Mastrobuoni, Madrigal, PCA and Wisdom as the prime candidates

I don't see why they'd send PCA down while he's being a WAR machine but they did say they'd be sending him back down eventually (though might have changed their minds).  Mastrobuoni is almost certainly involved and will be sent back to Iowa.  That leaves Madrigal and Wisdom.  Wisdom has his flaws but he's hitting acceptably well and I think the Cubs really like his bat whenever they want to give the lineup extra juice, especially against lefties.

So the other most obvious target is Madrigal....

UNLESS, as has been discussed here, someone else is going on the IL, whether it be Nico, Morel (been banged up though seems to be playing through it fine), Happ (also been banged up at times) or a mystery injury.

So either Madrigal is being DFA'd, or Nico, Morel, Happ or mystery player are going on the IL, unless im missing an obvious alternate option.

Based on the Mooney article a few posts up, it sounds like Hoerner is also back tomorrow.  So I think Madrigal AND Mastro get banished to Iowa.  I don't believe a DFA is necessary, though Madrigal's got enough service time where I know it starts getting murky.

But tomorrow the opening day lineup should presumably finally be back together finally.  Then the bench is Vasquez as the backup infielder, PCA as the backup outfielder, Wisdom as the power goof, and Gomes the backup catcher.

[PackLandVA]

Can Vasquez play 3B? If not, does that mean the Cubs are good with Morel staying in the game and no late-inning replacement?

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, PackLandVA said:

Can Vasquez play 3B? If not, does that mean the Cubs are good with Morel staying in the game and no late-inning replacement?

I think he can play 3rd. I know they started him there last week. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

In a world where two people are going down because Dansby is back, Nico isn't getting IL'd, and Vazquez is coming up, I assume that Madrigal is the lock to go down.  He's in terrible form, he's duplicative with existing options, and the role he could potentially fill is so narrow that you send him to Iowa to try to get his swing back so you could potentially count on him with something more expansive later.

The second spot is Mastrobuoni v. PCA.  That boils down to a bunch of factors like your expectation for both of their upcoming production along with Tauchman/Wisdom, your faith in Morel's defense or desire to give him a break against certain pitchers, etc.

 

And of course, the wild card is there is another IL stint that we don't know about, though given Vazquez is the call up I'm not sure who it would be if it's not one of the players being discussed for a demotion already.  I guess Morel is the one that would fit best, and he's certainly had enough nagging problems that I wouldn't be shocked if something got worse

[Rcal10]

15 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

In a world where two people are going down because Dansby is back, Nico isn't getting IL'd, and Vazquez is coming up, I assume that Madrigal is the lock to go down.  He's in terrible form, he's duplicative with existing options, and the role he could potentially fill is so narrow that you send him to Iowa to try to get his swing back so you could potentially count on him with something more expansive later.

The second spot is Mastrobuoni v. PCA.  That boils down to a bunch of factors like your expectation for both of their upcoming production along with Tauchman/Wisdom, your faith in Morel's defense or desire to give him a break against certain pitchers, etc.

 

And of course, the wild card is there is another IL stint that we don't know about, though given Vazquez is the call up I'm not sure who it would be if it's not one of the players being discussed for a demotion already.  I guess Morel is the one that would fit best, and he's certainly had enough nagging problems that I wouldn't be shocked if something got worse

Obviously when comparing Mastro to PCA, Mastro would have to be sent down if they want the best roster right now. But, as you said, it depends on how comfortable they are with Morel at 3rd and Vasquez is the back up. But another factor is what is best for a player they have a lot of hope for as a long term solution beyond 24’ what is better for PCA? Should he be getting regular AB at AAA. Do the Cubs possibly sacrifice some extra AB from him in the minors, where he might gain more experience, for a slightly better ML roster now? Not sure what they would do. But if he is sent down, that is the reason. They may want him to be playing everyday. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

18 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Obviously when comparing Mastro to PCA, Mastro would have to be sent down if they want the best roster right now. But, as you said, it depends on how comfortable they are with Morel at 3rd and Vasquez is the back up. But another factor is what is best for a player they have a lot of hope for as a long term solution beyond 24’ what is better for PCA? Should he be getting regular AB at AAA. Do the Cubs possibly sacrifice some extra AB from him in the minors, where he might gain more experience, for a slightly better ML roster now? Not sure what they would do. But if he is sent down, that is the reason. They may want him to be playing everyday. 

Exactly, I suspect it's about 80/20 Mastro goes down in that comparison. But depending on how you weight a couple factors where there isn't a black and white decision, it could make sense to give PCA some more regular at bats while Mastro can be a PR and you have all 4 OF healthy and not needing shielded from the lineup.

[gflore34]

Lopez and Sale going today for the Braves in day-night DH, at least they're removed as possibilities for the upcoming Braves series.  This has got to be good thing right?

And the Padres are up, into the Braves bullpen. Would love to see a team besides the Cubs have to burn through their bullpen prior a series.

Edited May 20, 2024 by gflore34

[chibears55]

PCA should stay up for 2 reasons. 

Obvious one is he provides speed off the bench as a pinch runner when needed.

Second, with Tauchman being used as the primary DH, they need someone else that can play an adequate outfield in case of an injury to one during the game so they don't lose the DH and the pitcher has to hit.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, chibears55 said:

PCA should stay up for 2 reasons. 

Obvious one is he provides speed off the bench as a pinch runner when needed.

Second, with Tauchman being used as the primary DH, they need someone else that can play an adequate outfield in case of an injury to one during the game so they don't lose the DH and the pitcher has to hit.

Wisdom can play the outfield if they need to have someone fill in during a game. 
PCA didn’t make the opening day roster and that only has those 4 guys. So if it didn’t matter then why should it now? Then they had Cooper and now it is Wisdom. So actually Wisdom is a better extra outfielder option then Cooper 

Edited May 20, 2024 by Rcal10

[chibears55]

PCA and Masterboner got sent back to Iowa..

Guess they still figure they need Madrigal for late inning defense at 3B 🤷‍♂️🙄

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

PCA and Masterboner got sent back to Iowa..

Guess they still figure they need Madrigal for late inning defense at 3B 🤷‍♂️🙄

It's not a bad strategy. PCA is more valuable developing versus just sitting. This gives the Cubs another infielder they can choose to give a chance over Madrigal, and Madrigal can take up 26th man duties which Mastrobuni was taking care of earlier this year...when he got like 13 PA's in the first 3 weeks or so (before injury-Armageddon). Someone has to take that role...might as well be him.

[WhyCantWeWin]

6 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

PCA and Masterboner got sent back to Iowa..

Guess they still figure they need Madrigal for late inning defense at 3B 🤷‍♂️🙄

Mastroboner was a given, disappointing to hear about PCA but at least he’ll be getting consistent reps in AAA. I think we’ll be seeing him again soon as Tauchmans numbers continue to fall back in line.