Ben32

Tim how can you say that no offense is expected from Clevenger/Chirinos. Clevenger holds a BA. over .300 and the big hype this offseason is Chirinos' power and how he's hitting in winter ball. So how can you say that no offense is expected from those guys? Everything I hear is that Clevenger is a offensive catcher who has no power but can hit for average. People say that his defense is progressing. From his numbers it looks to me that he can play defense and hit. As far as I'm concerned the cubs put the wrong guy on the roster in Castillo. The guy had a losy year and gets rewared for it. Thats a good Flieta and Henry move right there. Also thank them for trading Fox for absolutely nothing and drafting this pitcher in the rule 5 draft that had over a 8 era also coming off surgery in 2008.

Maybe Maestri might slip through but you never know what other teams may have in mind for him. Cubs may see him as one thing and another team may view him as a rotation guy. Its really to hard to know who will slip through the draft

Well Adduci is a very good player and I really like him. The cubs are just idiotic to add another outfielder. People wonder why they haven't won in over a hundred year its because they have idiots running the show like Hendry and Flieta. What are they gonna do with Adduci. They already have Fukudome, Fuld, Soriano, Colvin, Hoffpauir(Can Play outfield), and Jake Fox (who can also play outfield). They also have Bradley. Even if they get rid of him their gonna want another outfielder in return most likely. So all they did was waste a spot by putting Adduci on the roster in my opinion. Parker, Gaub, and Dolis are good choices to put on the roster. They all had very nice seasons and are worth protecting. Wellington Castillo boy don't get me started on this guy. I haven't liked him since they began comparing him to Yadier Molina. The guy is a horrible defender with stone hands. Yes he may throw out 40% of runners but that doesn't make him a good defensive catcher. Every year I look at final numbers defensively and every year Clevenger beats him in almost every category. Castillo had a horrible year hitting and everyone contributes that to him working on his defense BULL****. Clevenger began catching what almost 3 years ago and he never struggled that bad with his bat as a matter of fact I think his first year he hit in the 370's in Boise and finished in daytona hitting in the 320's. The following year he improved on his defense and still managed to hit over 300 in Daytona. So don't tell me improving his defense had to do with his offensive struggles. I maybe wrong but I think the Cubs made a big mistake by not protecting Clevenger I think he will be taken in the rule 5 draft by someone. The guy hits every year he may not hit for power but look at his RBI totals compared to Castillo's their similar and Clevenger doesn't hit nowhere near as many homer's as Castillo. Offense is about driving in runs and scoring them. Clevenger gives you both choices by getting on base alot and he drives in just as many runs then a guy who hits 11-15 homeruns.

I would have to agree with Tim that they signed this guy for an extra mitt not to do any filling in. He will have to have an unbelievable Spring in order to stick around as a backup somewhere. And Wrigley Rat you might be right about Koyie Hill I believe he is out of options and I believe they will let him go sometime this Spring. This is my thoughts of the Catching situation: Iowa:Castillo or Clevenger/Robinson or Richie(who ever doesn't get released)/Chirinos(Also plays infield) Tennesse: Castillo or Clevenger/Reed/Lalli(will also DH,and play 1B) Daytona:Luis Flores/Mario Mercedes/Luis Bautista(Will play alot of 1B) Peoria:Brenly or Carlos Perez(They will split time at first)/New Guy?(Maybe) I think that Castillo and Clevenger will both battle for the Starting AAA and AA Spot whoever ends up AAA the other will be the starter in AA. Usually teams only carry two catchers in AAA and AA but the guys I have listed also play other positions so that allows teams to carry maybe an extra pitcher or two which the manager might consider. I think that Chirinos will skip AA because of his age but I could be mistaken. Reed will be a backup where ever he goes probaly AA. Lalli will be in AA his bat is to advanced to go back a level but he will mainly play 1B and DH and catch when the starter needs a break. Remeber these are my thought not saying that they are right.