Backtobanks
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Everything posted by Backtobanks
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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.
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Hopefully your wrong and it's Coghlan + prospects to the Rays for McGee and we will have a 4-headed monster of an OF with Schwarbs-Heyward-Fowler-Soler Expand the deal Soler + Coghlan + prospects for Odorizzi, Jennings, and McGee. Sign Fowler and you have lots of versatility with 3 guys who can play CF or corner OF including a switch hitter.
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Theo's ego is big enough that he won't want to leave a team primed for a long run of success. As for ownership, each 1% is worth about $13 million, so spread over a 5 year contract you add $2.6 million per year. 5 yrs/ $25 million in salary with 2% ownership is worth well over $10 million per year.
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The Dodgers are always an outlier when it comes to money, so I don't necessarily take Friedman's salary as a starting point. I think Epstein is smart enough to know that he's possibly on the verge of a golden era for the Chicago Cubs, so I don't think he would seriously think about leaving. As Ricketts pointed out they're on the same page, so I don't think either side is out to screw the other side. I would think 5 years/$25 million with some ownership options would probably be agreeable to both sides.
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Today's wish list...
Backtobanks replied to Tim's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
I didn't mean that he could play CF as a regular, but he could play the position if needed. He has more experience in CF than Zobrist, Baez, or Coughlan and would have been a decent bat off the bench or part time platoon with Scwarber. -
Today's wish list...
Backtobanks replied to Tim's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
I think we missed out on Ruggiano as a cheap 4th OF. He can play all 3 OF spots and signed for $1.65 million. -
I still don't see that many AB's unless someone is seriously injured. A PH usually gets 1 AB, while a defensive replacement may not get any. I still question how often Baez will start in the OF and I don't believe Joe is going to bench Zobrist too often in favor of Baez.
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With Kiermaier in CF, the Rays might be willing to part with Desmond Jennings. Jennings and Odorizzi for Soler + a bunch of prospects.
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I'd love to see that, but it ain't happening. Baez + Soler + probably 5 more top prospects might start the conversation.
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I think finding a CF (FA or trade) is still very much a possibility. Heyward will be very good in CF, but he's amazing in RF. I wonder if a deal could be expanded with the Rays to get a pitcher (Odorizzi ?) and Desmond Jennings for Soler + prospects.
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Dusty also thinks Arrieta ought to start 65 games.
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Didn't we hear a lot of compliments and a no-trade promise about Castro before he was traded?
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this is probably the case for 90% of white mlbers It would be 99% if they were older and had guns, but they've go rich, white, and golfers covered.
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The TOR (Top of Rotation) pitching options
Backtobanks replied to spaincubsfan's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
I'm not sure about that price, but I'd like Cashner if he can be had relatively cheaply. Do you mean that the Pads would want more? Or maybe both teams add other pieces to balance out the deal in terms of control of the players involved. The Pads will be tanking this year so they might want to keep Cashner around in the hope of a bigger payoff at the deadline. I'm saying I wouldn't give them up. he's pretty MEH, is 29, and only has a year of control left. I've posted a few times that the guy running MLBTR chat a few weeks ago thought that Cashner could be had for an insignificant prospect (his words) because of what you said. If that is the case, I definitely would love to pick up Cashner. -
From MLBTR: After adding Todd Frazier, Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago wonders if the White Sox will grab another big bat off of the free agent market. Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes are potential targets for Chicago, but Alex Gordon makes the most sense for the White Sox, in Levine’s estimation. If you add one of these three, suddenly the WS are looking pretty good. That would certainly solidify the offense to go with Sale, Quintana, and Rodon in the rotation.
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Still waiting for another deal involving Baez or Soler. I'd be surprised if Baez is dealt with Castro gone. Not real excited about moving Soler right now either considering the cost to acquire young controllable elite starting pitching. I don't think Baez is going to see as much playing time on the Cubs as many of you seem to think. He's an unknown about any OF position and Zobrist, Russell, and Bryant aren't coming out of the lineup (barring injury) very often. Soler dealt for young pitching with a prospect deal for a CF (Blackmon?) would move Heyward to RF and make a lot of sense.
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Still waiting for another deal involving Baez or Soler.
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2015 Winter Meetings Thread
Backtobanks replied to Derwood's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
Trade for Norris would need a taker for Montero to clear enough salary for Heyward.