Backtobanks
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Shohei Ohtani Signs with the Angels
Backtobanks replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
I would think that an Asian millennial probably wouldn't be overwhelmed by a virtual reality presentation. -
Let's hope so. Chatwood is a decent #5.
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Shohei Ohtani Signs with the Angels
Backtobanks replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
I'm sure your opinion is completely unbiased. :lol: -
You're right, but signing all of those players probably wouldn't put as many fans in the seats as getting Stanton. I don’t think the Giants have any issues with attendance (3rd in MLB in 2017). I’d imagine a competitive team puts more people in the stands than Stanton on a bad team. Signing all of those players might make them win more games. but still wouldn't be competitive with the Dodgers.
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Yeah, I think Almora is going to be our CF for quite a few years.
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The Sox will get JBJr. + a whole lot more for Abreu. I wouldn't mind the deal, but I think Almora is just as good or better as a CF, so unless this is tied to another deal I don't see it happening.
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You're right, but signing all of those players probably wouldn't put as many fans in the seats as getting Stanton.
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Shohei Ohtani Signs with the Angels
Backtobanks replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
One of the leading candidates for the Yankee job is Hensley Meulens: "Meulens played with the Yankees from 1989-93 and has served as the Giants’ hitting coach dating back to 2010 (including in each of San Francisco’s three World Series-winning seasons). The Curacao native speaks five languages, including Spanish, Dutch and Japanese, which would serve him well as he communicates with a diverse group of players on the Yankees’ roster." That's not a good sign. -
Don't know anything about him, but his brother Stan came to the U.S., changed the spelling of his last name, and became a great hockey player.
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Shohei Ohtani Signs with the Angels
Backtobanks replied to CaliforniaRaisin's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
That's a tough moral decision: Theo lying to him and we sign him or Theo telling the truth and we have no chance of signing him. I go with Theo lying to him. -
I never said he wouldn't get a lot if offered in a trade. I just mean that I don't think most GMs think of him as an option if they're hoping for Archer/Stroman. Obviously, every team would love to have him. Most fans probably wouldn't think much of him, but most of the MLB GM class is largely beyond the Jim Hendry era of thinking. Meanwhile Hendry still has a top job in baseball and all of us "smart guys" are still posting here on NSBB. LOL
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I don't think so simply because he's not looked at as an ace. He's a great #3 and pitches like a #1 or #2 much of the time, but still doesn't have that "name" factor. He's 19th in pitching fWAR over the last 2 seasons despite missing 6 weeks this year, won the ERA title and finished 2nd in the Cy Young voting in 2016 and is just hitting his 1st year of arbitration meaning he has 3 years of control. His career ERA is 2.94 over 600 innings and his career postseason ERA is 2.88 over 10 starts, including giving up 1 ER combined in pennant and world series clinching games in 2016. GMs don't care about his name value, he gets tons of praise for his ability to locate and inducing weak contact not to mention comparisons to Maddux for his cerebral approach to pitching. He would get a lot if offered for a trade. I never said he wouldn't get a lot if offered in a trade. I just mean that I don't think most GMs think of him as an option if they're hoping for Archer/Stroman. Obviously, every team would love to have him.
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I don't think so simply because he's not looked at as an ace. He's a great #3 and pitches like a #1 or #2 much of the time, but still doesn't have that "name" factor.
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Probably wouldn't happen, but it does make some sense to all involved. I would imagine Heyward's NTC might get in the way. It would look nice with Price in our rotation.
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I don't know where you get Schwarber being near 4 WAR because baseball reference has him at 0 for 2017 and 1.1 for his career. I agree that Almora can be a 3+ CF. You might be right about Happ being a 2-3 player and being as good as it gets. I just don't understand posters willing to be patient with the youth offensive flaws of Russell, Schwarber, etc., but aren't willing to see what Happ can do. The potential of a 30+ HR, switch-hitting, fast, versatile 23year old is not something to quickly dismiss.
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I hate the thought of trading Happ at this point. As you pointed out, He had a very good year at a very young age. His versatility, power, and speed certainly are assets that shouldn't be overlooked. He did strike out a lot, but hopefully Chili can improve the contact rate. He's certainly not the only one on the team that has a problem with strikeouts (i.e. Schwarber, Baez) or awkward clumsy defense (i.e. Schwarber, Zobrist). BTW, those wall scraping HRs count the same as Schwarber's majestic shots. LOL
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I agree with some of what you posted, but Baez has been moved around as a very young player. I think if he was put at SS permanently, you would see him settle in to become an excellent defender in addition to the weekly highlight reel play. Obviously, if the Baez and Russell are both on the team, you don't mess with what works.
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Russell is literally the best or 2nd best defensive SS in baseball, Javy is not Third at best (Simmons and Lindor, for sure) but my God do Cubs fans underrate Russell's SS defense and overestimate Javy's. I'm certainly not underrating Russell's defense, but Baez played 26 consecutive errorless games while replacing him so it's not like we're bringing back Jeff Blauser to play SS.
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Of course he's valuable, which is why he would probably get us some of the big name pitchers we've been discussing. I think you're totally exaggerating by saying "It would be devastating to go from him to Baez in 2018", when he showed that he was more than able to replace him when Russell was out with an injury. The defense would suffer at 2B, but not at SS. Also, there is some concern that his injury and off field problems might end up being a problem.
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I'm starting to think it'd take 2 of them, if you're actually going to convince Tampa or Toronto to deal Archer or Stroman. Yeah, I'm thinking for one of those two, it'd take two of Happ/Almora/Schwarber and prospects (or just Russell plus some prospects?). The alternative would be the Happ-for-closer type trade that was being discussed here a few days ago, and then one of the other two for a mid/back of the rotation controllable starter (ideally a younger pitcher with upside). I'd go for Schwarber and Russell instead of Happ or Almora. Schwarber needs to be in the AL because he was born to DH. Russell can be replaced by moving Baez to SS with Happ/Zobrist playing 2B & LF. Almora has shown me enough to be a solid CF and Happ has the power, speed, and versatility to be a valuable member of the team for the next decade.
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B2B, welcome back. Have you come to terms with Theo being awesome yet? Theo has done a great job. Now let's see if he can get us back to the promised land with the current situation (strong basic core,Heyward, weak farm system, strong competition with Dodgers and Nationals, etc.).
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Since we have to pretty much use players off of the ML roster to trade, my thoughts are the easiest to replace would be Schwarber and then Russell. Schwarber is obviously a DH and should have been traded last year when his value was at its highest point. Trading Russell gives the Reds a young, inexpensive SS to replace Cozart, while we get a great, young, inexpensive closer. Russell is easily replaced with Baez and opens up more opportunities for Happ. Most of the signings are rather low priced leaving $$$ and players (Schwarber, Caratini, Montgomery, etc.) to acquire upgrades at the trade deadline. Hopefully Chili can correct some of the problems with Heyward and Schwarber and Hickey can work some magic with Wilson.
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Sign Cobb, Chacin, Rivera, Maybin/Jackson, Duensing, Kendrick Trade Russell for Iglesias + Lorenzen Minor Trade - ?? for Eduardo Escobar (Twins) Rizzo, Happ/Zobrist, Baez, Bryant, Schwarber/Happ/Zobrist, Almora, Heyward, Contreras Bench- Maybin/Jackson, LaStella, Rivera, Escobar, Kendrick Rotation - Lester, Quintana, Hendricks, Cobb, Chacin BP - Edwards, Strop, Lorenzen, Wilson, Duensing, Montgomery, Iglesias
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Very good broadcaster.
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From MLBTR: The Cubs have remained in “constant contact” with the Rays, reports Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (audio link). It’s previously been suggested that Chicago could have interest in Alex Cobb, but Bowden hints that Jake Odorizzi could make a nice fit for Chicago in a deal. The hang-up, though, is that the Cubs are trying to swing a deal without giving up Jorge Soler, Javier Baez, or other major league pieces.