cubsclapp

I don't think it has anything to do with that. They're not losing because their heads aren't in it or they aren't trying hard. They're losing for a ton of baseball reasons. They're awful right now. But (for example), I highly doubt they're getting shut out by a garbage pitcher like Lucas Harrell because they aren't focused or aren't trying to get on base. Or that Hector Rondon is allowing a homer to Nick Markakis because he isn't focused on executing in the 9th inning of a one-run game. It's a big list of things right now and it's all adding up to this god awful stretch of play.

Mooney/CSN Chicago

I've thought about it for a while, but there are a few things to keep in mind that make you hesitant (and I assume all of this would add up to Theo not being big on it). 1. He's making $20 million next year. And the Colorado Rockies are unlikely to eat much of anything. It's not like the Yankees or Dodgers where you could probably toss them an extra prospect or two and they'll pay for much of the deal. And while perhaps the Cubs would allow that kind of payroll add in theory, it would probably prevent them from doing much of anything in the offseason. 2. He has a .737 OPS away from Coors Field. He has a 25.8% K rate away from Coors Field. 2015: .758 OPS and 24.4 K% way from Coors Field. 2014: .544 OPS, 28.2 K% Of course, he seems to love the hell out of Wrigley, and some hitters just do extremely better at home. Can't expect Coors Field better, of course. 3. While he's not "bad", he's been a below average defender the last few years, mainly because he doesn't run as well as he used to. Playing a corner in Coors is brutal though, so maybe that's not a huge thing. And it would still be an upgrade over Soler and Coghlan. 4. And then there's Schwarber. What would that mean for Schwarber? They're both pretty much the same players: Big lefty power, blah corner outfield play, etc etc. Now, perhaps you could say that Cargo could find enough playing time next year between LF and RF, if Fowler is gone and they don't make another move there, where Heyward plays a lot of CF (with Almora playing a lot as well). But, I'm just getting to the point that the Cubs may not think that Cargo brings them enough of something different to justify them giving up prospects AND paying him big money next year.

It's how he starts his hands and all the herky jerky stuff, plus the toe tap he's added this year make it look even wackier. But his hands are getting where they need to be now in the load position. He was all over the place earlier in the year.

And he's 3-for-3 since that post. OPS up to .682, fWAR up to 1.2.

Yeah, he looks much, much better. Swing much smoother and with more authority. Really have to wonder if the wrist was indeed a big issue. He's up to 1.0 fWAR now too.

Votto turns 33 in September and is making $25 million per through 2023 (and with a $7 million buyout in 2024, or $20 million at age 40-41). And while we know he will be much better than -this- and he's going to at least get on base for a long time with his strike zone knowledge and plate approach... he's currently a -0.1 fWAR player on the season. I can't see any team (even the Yankees) touching that contract. Wouldn't bet on anyone getting Brandon Phillips either. Turns 35 in June, currently a 0.3 fWAR player, and makes $14 million next year. Someone will likely give up more than they should for Jay Bruce because everyone wants power, but he's basically as replacement level player as they get at this point. I'm not sure two butchers in left field (without near the bat value of Schwarber) is worth it, especially when you'd have to give one of our division rivals a decent prospect. I'd rather just roll with Baez/La Stella and Bryant in LF if Soler keeps hitting like Rey Ordonez. Lucroy is a guy that's been talked about a bit, and I'm sure Theo/Jed love him. But he'd be a rental, require the Cubs carrying 3 catchers all year, and require the Cubs giving a division rival a very legit prospect or two. While Willson Contreras has the 4th-best OBP in the PCL. Just too many things at play with that one... but who knows. Theo knows you only get so many chances so maybe he'll say let's go for it and make a move like that. Lucroy really would be a perfect No. 6 or 7 hitter on this team. Edit: And as Bryant's Disco Ball alludes to, Lucroy is going to be under team control for another year (a $5.2 million option or $0.2 million buyout). So that would seem even less likely if they really like Contreras.

Agreed. What's really the point of a Szczur/Murton/Victorino when you already have Heyward/Fowler/Schwarber/Soler/Baez/Bryant/Zobrist as outfield options? I understand being reserved about Baez out there, but I bet he's already better than Murton in LF at least. And Szczur/Victorino provide minimal offensive value (and who really cares about pinch-running with this lineup, come on). Would mainly be talking about late-inning defensive improvements in LF over Schwarber/Soler (but then you also lose those bats and that sucks). Could always just put Zobrist or Bryant out there and replace them with La Stella or Baez in the infield too. Like you said, Hammel/Hendricks/Warren can't be trusted more than 4 or 5 usually, and keep in mind all of the talk about trying to limit the workload of the starters early on this year after we saw Jake run out of gas in the playoffs. This is how I'd go with it today myself: Baez Soler La Stella Ross (only because there's no choice here really) Rondon Grimm Strop Cahill Wood Warren Ramirez/Richard/Brothers/Rosscup/Edwards (pick 2) I'd much rather go with 2 of those arms than a 5th outfielder we hardly get any use out of, and may not even want to get use out of, given the flexibility of guys like Baez, Zobrist, and Bryant on the roster. Also, you could just plan the No. 5 starter to basically be a Hendricks/Warren piggyback deal this way if you wanted to. At the end of the day, I just see more value in an extra arm given the rest of this roster construction right now. But if they want to roll with one of those 5th outfielders, whatever. It's not like any of this is going to change their projected record at all anyway.

i believe he was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder Yeah, he was. He took a full season off because of that/depression.

4.6 fWAR, good for 8th among NL position players and 16th for MLB position players.

I am. Hopefully that's not disappointing news but don't worry I won't hate.

Yes. Did it involve the Pearl Jam guy and Lester? I think it was the imminent TV deal that never happened. Ha yep the Fox TV deal stuff. I also heard that one from Youngfelt and watched you guys force it out of Kyle after several pages on here. The only reason I posted in response to this topic is I honestly do think Carl heard some things and from someone he really does consider reliable. Take it all with a grain of salt, believe what you want, etc, etc. Just pointing out that I don't think this is your typical hot stove hot garbage Twitter rumor starting.

What was the trade then? I think you guys can connect the dots especially after I said how if the other move (Soriano) happened, I myself wonder if the other one would be considered as necessary then. But it appears Soriano is going to have to prove it on this minor league deal and they're not necessarily banking on him being late inning help. Also, even with Neil's rehab sounding close, have to be acting as though he won't be a factor. If he is, awesome, and then you just have great depth. So Papelbon then. I don't mind speculating and chatting about rumors we all know are not terribly likely, but the secrecy can rub people the wrong way. This isn't Keith Law scouring the internet to find every time his Insider articles are posted, you can pretty safely say what the random internet guy DMed you. You'd think but I've seen it happen many times honestly between the Cubs boards, blogs, and Twitter over the years. People come to NSBB. I come here pretty much daily and have just 105 posts in a dozen years for example.

What was the trade then? I think you guys can connect the dots especially after I said how if the other move (Soriano) happened, I myself wonder if the other one would be considered as necessary then. But it appears Soriano is going to have to prove it on this minor league deal and they're not necessarily banking on him being late inning help. Also, even with Neil's rehab sounding close, have to be acting as though he won't be a factor. If he is, awesome, and then you just have great depth.

did carl specify minor league deal? because the rest of it could fairly easily be guessed Like I said, a hardly surprising move and especially after the Rondon command issues of late. And Maddon really spoke well of Soriano last week in a way that made you think something could be close, or that Joe would at least talk to Theo about it. All Carl said was he was told was "a Soriano sign" (and I had only asked on Twitter about the trade hinted; he threw in this on his own). Just sharing that one of the things did happen and the next day... So who knows.

And it is happening per Heyman. Soriano on a minor league deal. Wow.

One of two moves he told me he was hearing... sounds like it's about to happen per Gordo fwiw. Not really a surprise move though either.

I've followed him for a bit and he doesn't seem like the type to totally make something up (say what you want about Barstool of course). And then he went out of his way to DM me some details (I had simply asked "any clues besides a big trade?") in reply to his initial tweet. I'll just say if he's completely making it up he's doing a solid job. I think he really may be hearing these things... but it may not be as concrete as his initial tweet made it seem. But I guess we'll see if something (and possibly two things from what he's claiming to be hearing... Although I myself would think one may depend on whether or not the other move happens) happen in the next few days. He seemed pretty confident in what he told me and seems to think only a ntc along with the draft has been the hold-up for the trade. Maybe he is indeed throwing poo against the wall, maybe the info he's getting isn't that reliable, but I'm at least keeping in mind what he told me and going to see if any of it happens soon. So we'll see.

And mortgage the future for a rental? not sure it would cost the future to be honest even papelbon would add to the pen and his contract wouldnt really make us have to sell the farm. The word is the Phillies will take on the contract for better prospects.

hit lots of hr and strike out less than 25% Everyone is going to hate Bryant then.

Staaaaahp. Even if his contact rate and obp continue to be massive issues, someone would love to take a chance on him at the big league level given middle infield defense and insane power, in an era where power is extremely difficult to find. He is still going to hit the ball out of the ballpark plenty, even if he strikes out 35% of the time and hangs around the Mendoza line. And I meant this as pretty much a worst case scenario where there are no adjustments etc.

Staaaaahp. Even if his contact rate and obp continue to be massive issues, someone would love to take a chance on him at the big league level given middle infield defense and insane power, in an era where power is extremely difficult to find. He is still going to hit the ball out of the ballpark plenty, even if he strikes out 35% of the time and hangs around the Mendoza line.

I wouldn't put too much into Soler's defense at Iowa (and perhaps for the rest of this season in the bigs). The Cubs have been very careful with him following the hamstring issues and I'm assuming they told him to take it pretty easy out there. I mean, there's a reason they were having him play half games or every other day for a bit. Most scouts/evaluators have always considered Soler at least solid out defensively, with a clear right field profile, and I remember people around the Cubs being impressed with his defense last Spring Training. So I just googled about that and found these quotes (http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/02/is-jorge-soler-now-the-cubs-top-prospect) from Theo and Dave McKay last February... Theo: McKay: And notice Theo's comments about the baserunning too... Soler has attempted just one stolen base this season. We can only assume that's because of how careful they're being with him/have told him to be.

Not so fast, my friend.