toonsterwu
-
Posts
4,716 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Never
Content Type
Profiles
Joomla Posts 1
Chicago Cubs Videos
Chicago Cubs Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits
2026 Chicago Cubs Top Prospects Ranking
News
2023 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks
Guides & Resources
2024 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks
The Chicago Cubs Players Project
2025 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker
2026 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker
Blogs
Events
Forums
Store
Gallery
Everything posted by toonsterwu
-
I'm probably one of the most lukewarm people on Rizzo in this thread, but I've made it clear that my lukewarm interest in Rizzo dated back to his Boston days. Just thought he was a bit over-hyped for much of his career online. Not saying he's not good, but over-hyped. The swing issues were there dating back to his Low A days. (it's interesting to note that Kevin Goldstein and Jim Callis both have Rizzo third ... I thought I was in a minority with BJax first, guess it might be closer than I thought. Though I would put Rizzo ahead of Baez, since Baez is so far away.)
-
hmm ... and i just posted about ridling being underappreciated the other day. all that said, oneri is a bit too gushy on rebel.
-
I still find it interesting that Wood is considered the most legitimate of the three and Volstad is considered the biggest risk (or a bigger risk). But that horse has been beat to death.
-
My guess is that Volstad starts to show why he was so highly thought of, and builds on last season and becomes a very good "3". I'm still not sure I see the rest as key pieces long term, and even Volstad, considering his age, may not be a long term piece either.
-
BA & BP's Cubs Top Prospect Lists
toonsterwu replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Cubs Minor League Talk
Well, I decided to start Cates at 15th and see how I feel about it. Part of it is that I like Beeler. -
I think the Nats, much as I think they need a starting CF that can lead off, will hold off on any major OF moves, so I really don't see them moving for Byrd. I think they want to hold RF open for Harper if needed. Honestly, that might be the consideration they are making in the whole Fielder thing right now - when Harper is ready. I'm not sure they even love the idea of Werth in CF, much as they talk about it. Oh, guess you are in the East Coast as well. I spent part of my childhood (very tiny part) near Norfolk, so for awhile, was a Mets fan, with Teufel and Kevin McReynolds cards.
-
Tigers sign Prince - 9/214 - Heyman
toonsterwu replied to ctcf's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
It'd be hilarious if we signed him down now. Actually, in some respects, it might even be smart. Won't happen, but a signed Fielder allows us to potentially sell Rizzo off for assets that they may value more than Cashner. Tis nice knowing ya, 43 page Fielder thread. -
Unfair, but it illustrates the point. As 21 year olds: Rizzo: .331/.404/.652/1.056 in AAA LaRoche: .251/.305/.361/.666 in A+ Sure, don't disagree. There's higher pedigree with Rizzo, and there's higher potential. I was just pointing to what Sickels wrote on his likely prime - a .260-.280 hitter, 25-30 HR's, and plenty of walks, along with a solid glove at first. LaRoche put up those numbers from 06 to 2010 and was hurt last year. Admittedly, this speaks to something else I used to talk about - that I think LaRoche was a bit under-rated. Not a star, but a very solid starting first baseman who always got left behind as teams looked for better or cheaper.
-
BA & BP's Cubs Top Prospect Lists
toonsterwu replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Cubs Minor League Talk
Having a tough time figuring out where to place Cates. Could go as high as back end of the top 10, and will probably be in the top 20. I'll go with Rizzo 2nd, but I imagine many here will put him first. -
LaRoche is slower and worse defensively. LaRoche with plus defense? I'll take that. LaRoche has been fairly good with the glove in recent years. I know coming up, he was considered a bit choppy with the glove, but it's really been solid in recent years. Looking at UZR, his UZR numbers are dragged down by the -19.7 in his 2nd year, which looks like a major outlier.
-
As in Rizzo reminds you of LaRoche, or you thought Rizzo was LaRoche? Write up reminds me of LaRoche.
-
Okay, I'm going to be negative Nancy (is there a negative associated with a guy)? Anyhow, again like the deal, but reading Sickels write up right now reminded me who I thought Rizzo was - Adam LaRoche.
-
If I'm going to get a Soriano deal with the Orioles, I'd rather go for a low level ticket. Tillman (who admittedly, I was never high on when he was good) has lost velocity badly. Some think it's an injury, but if its not, ouch. Uh ... Destin Hood? Which Hood we talking about davell? Oh, and I hope your Garza deal happens. No way could the Blue Jays top that, IMO. But I also think there's next to no chance that happens. 3 high upside arms? Can't recall any deal like that.
-
could be simply keeping up communication while they figure out things on Garza. I doubt Dempster gets moved before the season, but then again, I thought the same about Z.
-
I don't think anyone is moaning. I sound like the most lukewarm person on the deal, and I like it.
-
I'd bet on the Nats still. Don't think Seattle has the dough, or the willingness to pony up said dough, to make the move. Although if the Mariners do, a ton of people will call to see if they would move Smoak.
-
Nothing? Got it. "Swing is too long" is universal fan code for "He didn't hit well in his cup of coffee." Actually, that's fairly true sometimes. And we have to give the kid time to adjust. And many sluggers have had long swings and been fine.
-
supposed to be more than above average I think. I think some folks consider him a plus guy at first.
-
the logic is fine with the deal. I don't think anyone can knock the logic of the deal. I just hope Rizzo becomes this full-fledged corner slugger and stud all around bat that people are making him out to be this year (elsewhere, haven't really paid attention to what the majority think on rizzo here). You seem convinced that Rizzo has to become Adrian Gonzalez for this to be a good deal. That's not even close to being the case. Nah, I stated below that I know that's not the case. It's a logical deal even if Rizzo flops badly, and it's a good deal if he's a decent starter (I think, I haven't really considered the valuation aspect seriously). As I said, I lean towards the positive side anyways. I'm just lukewarm on Rizzo.
-
I imagine the majority will have Rizzo ahead of BJax. Personally, I'm not sold that Rizzo's bat is that much better than BJax's bat to offset for the positional value BJax has over him (although Rizzo is a slick fielder at first), so personally, I'll still have BJax ahead. what do you see from Rizzo's bat that you don't like? Just taking a quick glance at his slash stats, it looks like he's hit wherever he's been accept his admittedly disappointing 118 ABs in the majors this year. There were a lot of folks that voiced concerns on his swing this year, and even in the minors, suggesting that it was long and couldn't catch up with inside fastballs. to be fair, a lot of corner sluggers have had this issue and still been capable starters.
-
Really? We just gave up a high upside upper level arm. Granted, Cashner had big concerns to deal with off of injury, but that's a pretty steep price to pay in a deal these days overall, with how teams protect young pitchers with upside. You could make the case that Cashner was the highest valued asset in the deal, thus they had to toss Cates in, who I think is the clear 3rd highest valued asset in the deal, with us throwing a throw in in. Only because pitching is overvalued. Completely agree. I think it's gotten to the point where it's a bit ridiculous. I remember a San Diego/Oakland trade a few years back (I think for Scott Hairston) where they got three arms and it was considered a win, but to the best of my recollection, all three prospect arms were fairly average. But even though it is over-valued, it is the environment we are in these days.
-
He doesn't have to be elite to have this trade work out wonderfully. That's true. Just has to be a solid starting caliber first baseman and this trade works out well overall.
-
There were a lot of people concerned with Rizzo's swing. It seems clear that they don't view him as their number 1 prospect, because otherwise, they don't make that alonso trade. It seems clear they had some concerns. Now, I've heard others say the swing issues should be worked out, but I don't think this is a case of San Diego feeling like they dealt their top prospect away. At least, IMO.
-
In some respects, it's somewhat smart of them even if Cashner is in the pen. They had an abundance of first basemen, and instead of spending big on pen help, they trade for it because of the park. They have a fair amount of intriguing arms in AA already with starting potential.
-
Ian Stewart at 2nd? Don't see that one.