Spring Training Game Thread

[chibears55]

3 hours ago, Bertz said:

Following up on this.

Seiya Suzuki's been our best power hitter the last few years, especially in terms of power to all fields.  He has topped out at 115.5 MPH, and he has 114 balls hit in the air at least 106 MPH the last three years.  If you limit him to just balls in the air and to the opposite field, he tops out at 110.0 and only has 9 balls at/above 106.

Ian Happ only has one such ball , and it was just over the threshold at 106.5.  Kyle Tucker has none!

Cristian Hernandez appears to have big boy power, he's a true shortstop and he just turned 21.  Exciting stuff.

4 years left of Swanson,  gonna need him to start fielding some balls at 3B next season. 

🤷‍♂️

[Petrey10]

Or 2b …. The hope Shaw is a stud at 3rd. 

[Bertz]

 

Split squad today.  One game on TV, the other in front of Statcast

[Bertz]

Seiya Suzuki starting in CF today

Him as the backup CF addresses a number of issues, hopefully he makes the best of this opportunity

[Bertz]

 

 

[Banedon]

Why does it sound like Paul Scheer is doing color on this game?

[Bertz]

That was a dominant inning from Merryweather.  If we could get him even like 80% of the way to 2023 form that'd be amazing

[chibears55]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

 

 

Not sure of the roster rules but for the 2 games in Japan they don't need to add Taillon, Boyd, or Assad to the main roster do they ? They could add a couple bullpen arms and or extra bat if they want cant they ?

[chibears55]

2 hours ago, TomtheBombadil said:

Ha, didn’t even consider that is one way to do a jumbo OF package this season. Suzuki was a perennial GGer in the NPB, and this seems a way to help mitigate any DH stigma as he approaches the last couple seasons under this current contract 

Yea, I can see a merry go round rotation between playing the OF and DH with Happ,PCA,Tucker, and Suzuki giving them rest from the field and days off.

[Rcal10]

33 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Not sure of the roster rules but for the 2 games in Japan they don't need to add Taillon, Boyd, or Assad to the main roster do they ? They could add a couple bullpen arms and or extra bat if they want cant they ?

Assad won’t be there, but I would guess Tailon and Boyd would be. They mainly get 4 or 5 innings from starters. Those guys can also go 3 or 4. Plus, in Boyd’s case, he could be used as a second lefty in the pen. Besides that, they get 29 guys but only dress 26. So if they bring Tailon and Boyd those guys can pitch in the exhibition games and not dress the others. I think the rosters still have to be 13 pitchers and 13 bats. 

Edited March 1, 2025 by Rcal10

[Bertz]

19 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Not sure of the roster rules but for the 2 games in Japan they don't need to add Taillon, Boyd, or Assad to the main roster do they ? They could add a couple bullpen arms and or extra bat if they want cant they ?

They do need to add them I believe.  I might be missing some nuance but basically 

- The team will have a normal 26 man roster for both games

- There will be 5 guys in Japan in case a roster move is necessary (probably all relievers, maybe 4 relievers and Brujan)

- There are three roster spots for guys who will stay in the US.  This is basically a short term IL for guys in a situation like Nico who are good to go for late March but not mid March

Assad will likely go on the regular IL.  I believe Taillon/Boyd will be on the regular 26 man roster, and then those 5 extra guys in Japan will likely be dudes like Keegan Thompson just on the outside of the roster looking in. 

[Radar3454]

They also have 2 exhibition games in Japan and only have the 31 players to use- will be interesting which pitchers start those 2 games.

[Bertz]

Most of the Cubs lefties are starting the night game against Cole Ragans and it is very much not going how you'd expect 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

what's the magic number for the cactus league

[Stratos]

8 hours ago, Bertz said:

Seiya Suzuki starting in CF today

Him as the backup CF addresses a number of issues, hopefully he makes the best of this opportunity

Honestly his metrics in RF aren't that bad,  A few famously glaring misplays though.

I think any of Happ, Tucker, or Suzuki could play CF if needed.  An injury means Alcantara comes up for sure.

[Stratos]

Busch and PCA hitting .500 in ST so far.

Edit:  Amaya also

Edited March 2, 2025 by Stratos

[Stratos]

Seems like Gage Workman has a good chance of making the Tokyo OD roster with Shaw/Nico out it looks like.  When Nico/Shaw are back i'd be interested in trading something for him if he has to slip to down to Iowa.  He seems like an upgrade to BJ Murray on the 3B depth chart, and can play SS as that's his position by trade.

[Irrelevant Dude]

I think Workman has to make the team.  They have very limited offense off the bench and his left handed bat with pop brings something that nobody else on the roster can.

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

I think Workman has to make the team.  They have very limited offense off the bench and his left handed bat with pop brings something that nobody else on the roster can.

Yeah.  Berti and Turner are already on the team and essentially take Nico/Shaw's spots. There's spots for 3 bench guys plus the 2nd catcher, so for Tokyo I think the front runners for those 3 spots are Workman and Brujan (who can also cover the OF), and I'd bet the last spot probably goes to Cowles since he's already on the 40-man and can cover multiple INF positions.  I guess Lopez has a shot too.  Not much of a need for another OF if Brujan makes it.  Workman can also play RF in a pinch.

Vs RHP (e.g. Yamamoto) Workman is likely at 3B and one of Berti/Brujan at 2B.  Vs LHP Berti and one of Brujan/Cowles are in the lineup, with Turner probably playing 1B for Busch.

When Shaw/Nico are back I think Brujan might stay since he can cover CF/OF and INF plus pinch run, and Workman/Cowles go to AAA if the Cubs send a player(s) to the Tigers to keep Workman.  They could send BJ Murray as part of the deal.

[JunkyardWalrus]

Shaw starting at 3b

[Bertz]

Not the most fun lineup aside from Shaw.  Hopefully there's a fun surprise or two on the reliever front.  Horton for instance is about due to get into a game.

[We Got The Whole 9]

No video for PCA or Mo HR last night?

[Eeyore]

Shaw batting second in just a few minutes 

[Eeyore]

Shaw grounded into an out in his first at-bat. Bust.

Edited March 2, 2025 by Eeyore

[EricG]

Who are the announcers today on marquee?