CubsWin

Two of the rehabbers have moved up to Daytona from Mesa. Chang-Yong Lim and Dayan Diaz are pitching for the D-Cubs today.

I'm guessing it's the fact that he's the starting pitcher in the Southern League All-Star Game on the 17th. Perhaps after that, we will see a group of promotions. He was pulled after 5 innings and throwing only 50 pitches. I really hope that has something to do with pitching in the All Star game. Considering he is starting that game and will be on 3 days rest, it makes sense to pull him a little early today.

I'm guessing it's the fact that he's the starting pitcher in the Southern League All-Star Game on the 17th. Perhaps after that, we will see a group of promotions.

It was a line drive, barely cleared the wall but woulda gone 100 ft further Do we call that a Vogeldrive?

Nice! Trade Justin Bour.

Javy does it again!

Upon request, Kyle negs Baez on Wednesday night. Baez breaks his hitless streak on Thursday and goes 4-for-8 with a HR on Friday. I don't know how you do it, but you do it.

The Southern League's All-Star game is on the 17th. Cabrera, Hendricks, Szczur and Alcantara all made the squad (among others). Perhaps they're waiting until then before they make any promotions. Still leaves no explanation for Rosscup...

I haven't looked up any historical data, but this season: Southern League: 4.01 R/G, 3.59 ERA, 8.1 H/9, 3.5 BB/9, 7.5 K/9, 1.29 WHIP. Florida State League: 4.21 R/G, 3.76 ERA, 8.8 H/9, 3.1 BB/9, 7.3 K/9, 1.33 WHIP. Pretty similar with a slight edge towards the Southern League.

It did not go unnoticed that Javy finally broke his hitless streak in the very next game after a Kyle neg. You continue to amaze, dude.

We'll see what Soler does in August and in the fall league. Right now, I still say no. I'm not saying there isn't a good argument for Alcantara moving up the prospect lists, but when your "what have you done for me lately" comes while a guy is recovering from a freak injury, that's a little rough. There's just this moment when you realize Alcantara has a better slash line, at a higher level, in a better pitcher's league, while playing a more difficult position, while being half a year younger. Indeed. That's the argument. And it's a good one.

Vitters played in the Cubs AZL game tonight. He started off the year well drawing more walks than I expected. Walked tonight. I'm interested to see if he can keep this up the rest of the season in AAA. Just stay healthy, dude. He'd make a nice platoon partner with Valbuena next season. Good way to ease him in and see if he can be anything. He's still just 23. Glad to see him back in action.

My sense is between 50 and 60.

I'm going with Daytona.

We'll see what Soler does in August and in the fall league. Right now, I still say no. I'm not saying there isn't a good argument for Alcantara moving up the prospect lists, but when your "what have you done for me lately" comes while a guy is recovering from a freak injury, that's a little rough.

Recognize.

Thanks, CR. Good stuff.

The Yankees will likely be without ARod for the rest of the season when this suspension comes down. They're 3B situation is terrible. David Adams, Kevin Youklis and Chris Nelson have hit .223 with 13 doubles, 4 HRs with 18 walks against 74 strikeouts. Jayson Nix could slide over to the hot corner once Jeter returns, but his line in 28 games as a thirdbaseman is .267/.330/.291. Clearly, the Yankees are in the market for a 3B. The Cubs can offer 27-year-old Luis Valbuena (or 37-year-old Cody Ransom who played for the Yankees in 2008 & 2009). The Yankees have been much more money-conscious lately and would love Valbuena's or Ransom's low price tag, and in Valbuena's case, years of team control. There are better thirdbasemen on the market, but recent reports say the Yankees consider the price too high, especially for Aramis Ramirez, in both money and prospects. Due to his age, recent performance and years of control, Valbuena could bring back a lower level, high ceiling arm. (Clearly, if the Yankees are interested, Ransom could be had for very little which is ironic considering his name.) Should the Cubs deal Valbuena if the returning player is worth it, or is he too valuable to the Cubs with 3B being such a question mark in the coming years and his combination of team control and infield versatility? Personally, I like the idea of a Valbuena/Lake platoon at 3B next season. The FA agent options at third are pretty bad this off-season. What do you think Valbuena could bring back in a trade from a team desperate for 3B help like the Yankees? Is J.R. Murphy too much/too little to ask for? Rafael De Paula? Mike Montgomery? Jose Campos? Delin Betances is throwing decently in AAA this season. He'll be 26 to start next season. Has he lost his luster to the Yanks?

Rumors of Matt Cain being injured might not help the Giants desperation to get a guy like Garza. It might just turn them into sellers. But if they are still wanting to make a run, they have a lot of intriguing depth behind top prospects Kyle Crick and Chris Stratton. Clayton Blackburn, Edwin Escobar, Adalberto Mejia and Ty Blach are names I'd like to learn more about. Anybody have good knowledge on these guys?

Charlie Wilmoth at MLBtraderumors.com suggests the Pirates are good fit for Schierholtz, and that he should bring back something good due to his extra year of control. If Hairston can bring back Pineyro, can Schierholtz bring back Nick Kingham? Tyler Glasnow? Sounds like a lot, but the Pirates need to make a push for the playoffs this year...

I've heard Soriano mentioned in a "this seems logical" sense, since not only is the Cruz thing up in the air, but their LF production is awful and now their DH Berkman is hurt. They may also be interested in Schierholtz for similar reasons. I haven't heard any indication the Rangers are interested in such a deal though. As far as Soriano's worth, from a mathematical perspective, he'd be worth about 10 million in surplus value if you trade him in July and pick up 75% of his salary. That should be worth a player of decent quality. I don't think it's near what Garza is supposed to command, but not too dissimilar than what you might have expected for Schierholtz or Villanueva. Intriguing possibilities are coming as a result of these pending suspensions. Add in that Berkman is currently on the DL, and Soriano might be of even more interest. The best option on their 40-man is Engel Beltre who, unlike Joe Benson, is hitting well in AAA, but he lacks the power and experience Sori can provide. The Rangers are also thought to be interested in a righty bat which narrows down the list of candidates. Given the opportunity to get something of value in return for eating a good portion of his contract, I think Cubs would trade him especially when you consider the in-house and FA options the Cubs have. Sweeney could be resigned. Lake could play some OF. Players like Choo, Pence or Ellsbury could be signed at a steep price. Other FA options are Mike Morse, Chris Young (if his 11 million option is bought-out), Nate McLouth and Corey Hart. Place holders like Jason Bay and Raul Ibanez will also be available. I'm intrigued...

Paniagua last pitched July 2nd. I wonder when he'll take the mound next and for whom. I'd love to see him get an inning or two in for the AZL Cubs while they're evaluating him. Today would be nice...

Yeah, I see him moving to Kane County when Almora gets promoted to Daytona around the 1st week in August.

They sign 2014 contracts actually. Unless they're older, like Mejia. They may get a taste of EXST over the offseason and its possible if they're advanced enough, they could start out in Arizona. Highly doubtful though. More than one year in the Dominican League for those 2 would be a big disappointment. FWIW, Jimenez and Torres will both show up on BA's top 30. Likely in the late teens to mid 20 range. Parks said he'll consider both for his Cubs top 15. Generally a couple of the top 16-year olds start off in the complex leagues the year after they sign (for example, Baretto is in the GCL this year), but I feel like the Cubs under Theo seem are willing to go slower. Off the top of my head, Larry Suarez, Carlos Zambrano and Felix Pie are the only 16-year olds who signed and jumped to the AZL in their first year in the Cubs system. ETA: Forgot Felix Pie. Has there ever been a team that through an extremely talented 16 or 17 year old in Single or Double A? Is there any rare talents like that who had great success in the minors at 16, 17..? http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=628711 also it's not exactly what you asked for, but felix hernandez utterly dominated the top hitter's league in baseball (california league, high A ball) and then another hitter's league (texas league, AA) at age 18. There's the case of the Dodger's Jose Urias this year.

Torreyes was doing better at AA at the same age. Thank you.