Sammy Sofa

The point there is that it takes time and games to do that. Schwarber was a college catcher with 36 pro games in the OF(none at AA or AAA) and doesn't have much in the way of physical gifts to fall back on. This isn't Baez getting a few games to see the difference between SS and 2B for a week or two before coming up, it's a larger shift. Especially considering the costs of taking development time away from him at catcher if they still think he can be at least a partial regular there. Of course we're talking about this taking time; isn't the whole idea that he'd come up this year that it would be in September?

Well, yeah, I obviously want them to move him to LF in the minors, too. I thought that was just assumed with anyone who ultimately wants him in LF.

It's all gut, baby. I just don't think anything's happening this year.

Well calling Schwarber up this season is mostly a move to benefit the 2015 Cubs, even if you think he'll never play an inning at catcher in MLB he could still stand to work on OF defense and his bat probably has a tweak or two to work on. So if you're pessimistic about this year's postseason odds, then there's no urgency or immediate reason to bring up Schwarber. If you do want to maximize the 2015 roster, there's a bunch of options. Coghlan, Alcantara, Baez, Schwarber, a trade, etc. Between them I don't think that Schwarber is the far and away best option(or even narrowly the best option) for 2015, so I'm not in a rush to throw him at LF. It's a bit of a cop out, but these types of decisions are what the front office is paid big dollars to ensure they get the best production, so if they do call up Schwarber we should be pretty confident that they lovelovelove his bat. I thought everyone did lovelovelove his bat. And why wouldn't there be a reason to bring him up this year if they're not going to make a run? It seems like the argument is that he wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade because he'd likely have to adjust to the change, so why put that off? The reason I'd want him up working through that sooner rather than later is because I don't think they're going to be truly competitive later in the season.

Ironic shorts to bring joy to the masses are OK. These classy guys know how ridiculous they look.

Those are my feelings as well. So what? Seems like there's a pretty good chance this team will be in a position to give a future hitting god a chance to adjust to the MLB sooner rather than later as opposed to having to make time for Chris Coghlan. If Coghlan's luck changes (currently .90 points below career average BABIP and only .10 points behind career average LD%), it's unlikely Schwarber outhits him. If Schwarber isn't going to outhit him and will probably be similar to slightly better in the field, there's no reason to force him into the ML OF - especially since he's far more valuable to the team being awesome with the bat as a catcher. If there's enough reason to believe he can outhit Coghlan or a potential trade candidate, though, I wouldn't have a problem playing him in LF this season. I'm just pretty skeptical of that. Call it a doom boner, but I really don't think this current team is likely to do much of anything in the postseason and I'd really hate to keep Schwarber from getting MLB time to make space for Coghlan, who likely has zero future with the team.

Those are my feelings as well. So what? Seems like there's a pretty good chance this team will be in a position to give a future hitting god a chance to adjust to the MLB sooner rather than later as opposed to having to make time for Chris Coghlan.

This kid is the best.

Pretty sure Castro could have handled bases loaded and no outs, you bloated avocado. would've grounded into a home to first double play Shut it, you traitorous sack of turnips.

Pretty sure Castro could have handled bases loaded and no outs, you bloated avocado.

Fowler, go step on a duck. Castro, this is your time.

So I guess they're hoping this ends soon, because it sure seems like they're burning through the pen.

Excellent.

Damn. I wanted Castro to be the one.

As much as the focus has been on Castro and Soler to a lesser extent, Fowler is killing them right now. Dude has to make stuff happen at the top. Right now, he's just bad. Soler's not been a problem for a while now; Castro, Fowler and the catcher's spot are just stinkpits right now. Coghlan has been useful, but he's very inconsistent. The offense is definitely going through a prolonged rough patch.

Man, the Cubs are super boring right now.

Wasn't there just a big discussion the other day here about the Brewers and their rebuild options?

Yes. Patrick Mooney challenged him to a duel.

The sooner he can get his mojo back and we can get rid of Herrera or Baxter or some other crappy bench player the better. i agree, but herrera basically doesn't play. there's no point in calling up alcantara so that he can make one plate appearance per week. if he's called up, he would need to see spot starts at 2b and cf. he's been a lot worse against RHP in his major league career, which doesn't make him an ideal platoon guy with fowler and russell, but i'm not sure if that's just a small sample size thing for mendy. Fine, bring him up and let him get time helping spell Castro and Fowler while they both compete to see who can be more terrible right now.

u mad?

Yep. Do not like. Man, you're on a rollercoaster of emotions.

DAMMIT.

LFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLFLF DAT BAT needs to be here much sooner than if they try to shine a turd and keep him at catcher. Keep him at catcher and he's likely not up until, what, a year from now? Maybe longer? No way.

If the Blackhawks lose tonight, as they should, then the dimensional plane will have been corrected and the Cubs will being their true ascendance. If the Blackhawks win, the Cubs are doomed to be mired in misery for the foreseeable future. CHOOSE YOUR FATE.

WHATEVAH.