davell

Our defense is better with all 3 of Javy, Starlin, and Russell in it. And the offense that those 3 and Rizzo provide will make it one of the top producing infields offensively in the game as well. That puts KB and Soler on the corners, which very well may be as good as anyone can throw out there. It leaves CF obviously, where offense would be nice to see, but certainly not a necessity for us, considering the rest. Alcantara has looked great out there, Almora is considered elite defensively at this point too. As dumb as it is to look for a top of the order type hitter, I think it's kind of the one spot on the field that kind of needs to produce it for us. A high OBP type that fits at the top of our order. Can it be one of those two guys? I feel fairly confident Alcantara can put up a .330+ OBP in time, Almora needs plenty of work to get there. But this is the only spot we need help at with the first 7 spots as far as I'm concerned. And it's not THAT big of an issue. But in an optimum lineup, Alcantara becomes our Zobrist type, I guess. Catcher? I just want a defensive guy back there, unless Schwarber sticks. Otherwise, this guy is going to hit 8th and offense isn't required. But for me, I think we're going to have the best lineup in the game by 2016 without trading for Stanton and our defense will be very solid as well because of the multiple SS we've got playing elsewhere. It saves money for our actual need-pitching, and it doesn't take any chips away either that we may need to trade to acquire it. Stanton is a luxury, not a necessity. I'm perfectly fine putting our group of kids out there, with a possibly addition in CF and/or C for the longterm and expect to contend with them. But I want each of Starlin, Rizzo, KB, Soler, Javy, and Russell here for the next decade and I expect us to win with that group.

Rosenthal mentioned today the Cubs may add Lester or Scherzer this year, Lester being the likelier, and then adding either Price or Shark the following offseason. Sounds good to me.

Hahaha, damn it. Gleyber comparisons was going to be the subject of my first article for Tim's mystery front page. Particular emphasis on Profar and Mondesi. Damnit, I knew that's who you had to be comping for him. Do it anyway, it's understandable as to why you're this high on him. Scouts were gaga on those two immediately and we'd be hearing more on Torres if we weren't so ridiculously stacked.

Profar put up a .250/.323./.373 line in the Northwest League at 17. Michael De Leon(same age as Torres) put up a .244/.302./.295 line in the MWL THIS year and has played a few games in the Carolina League(4 games at .353/.421/.647 and even a game in the Texas League. And no, I have no idea why they're rushing him THAT much. Mondesi put up a .290/.346/.388 line as a 17 year old in the Pioneer League

I honestly don't think we'll sign a guy tied to a pick this year either way. I think we'll get Lester or Maeda.

I've come to grips-we're not going to have a protected pick. I just hope we get Lester, so we don't lose it.

Is that the guy that made Rizzo expendable? Grandal is a C. 1st rounder from a few years ago. Had a PED suspension and has never taken over for them full time. I think he was drafted by the Reds. Solid bat, good defensively.

No Rizzo either, of course he could miss the night game too.

I'm not the one who brought it up. It's stupid. I have no issue dealing for him on our terms, which is actually what Deeg is saying too. Sulley brought up 2 of the top 5 and I'm not going there for him. Basically, yeah. I wouldn't give up any of our top four guys for him, but if you could make a deal without them I'd be all over it. I just don't think you can sell this guy short - he's one of the very best players in baseball at 24. Not potentially, not if all goes well, not someday - right now. Yeah, we're in basic agreement. But I seriously doubt we can get it done with that. I'm fine with it though, if that's the case.

Grandal is the guy I want from the Pads.

Soler is still going to be a prospect after this season.

I'm not the one who brought it up. It's stupid. I have no issue dealing for him on our terms, which is actually what Deeg is saying too. Sulley brought up 2 of the top 5 and I'm not going there for him.

If you want to cherrypick WAR, Oliver is projecting 6.5 per over the next four years. He's already at 5.6, and he was at 5.6 two years ago as a 22 year-old. Or you could isolate one season where he missed 50 games and dealt with injuries and give that the most weight, your choice. Or you grasp what I said. Your choice. We have a budget. Stanton will start to take up a good bit of it. And Oliver, since that's what you're using, projects the following over the next 4 years for our top 5 prospects on average..... Javy-6.2 KB-4.9 Russell-4.8 Soler-1.2(WTF) Almora-2.9 If you're going to use Oliver, it makes even LESS sense to give up 2 of our 5 for him.

2.3 WAR in 116 games last season. You guys are trying to buy high here. He's awesome, but he's had his fair share of injuries and he's getting expensive. No, that shouldn't be an issue, but it IS when we're literally sitting here being hopeful of a 100 mill payroll. That cuts severely into any pitching additions we make and that's by far our biggest need. Stanton is great, but we need pitching much more than we need him.

JD's call was fantastic. "In case you're wondering Jorge, this is the highest league. They can't call you up again."

Same here, although I catch myself using Starlin quite often.

I'm honestly still concerned about his health moving forward. But obviously, I get what you're saying.

I'm honestly not that interested in trading for him. We don't need him, our offense is going to be ridiculous without him. I'm trying to decide if I'd do Starlin/Almora for him, but I'm not dealing one of Javy/KB/Russell/Soler in a deal-we just don't need him that badly. And I hate putting Russell or Javy over Starlin here, as it just seems wrong to do so, SNTS or whatever, but I have to say it IS how I feel.

Javy is getting close to being due for one of his ungodly hot streaks. All hell is about to break loose.

Manny is done for the year. He's gone home to prepare for winter ball. Hoyer was very complimentary of him, but they don't know if he's coming back next year or not. Certainly seemed like they want him to though.

@dgoold: Home runs are too easy. Offense should have to be earned through the sweat of the brow, the advancement of runners. That's real offense. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

@keithlaw: If you need me I'll be breathing into a paper bag #CirqueDuSoler

Come on Kyle..... Amnesty of the game thread-just agree.

DONGDONGDONGDONGDONGDONGDONG

Seriously, a 3-4-5 of Rizzo/KB/Soler next year may be as good as any set of 3 in MLB.