XZero771679666304

2 of these things need to happen for Russell to have a position: - Bryant moves to the OF - Baez continues to struggle through a large part of 2015 without immediate signs of optimism - Valbuena struggles OR the Cubs are not in the playoff hunt - One of Bryant, Baez, Castro, and Valbuena are traded Can that happen? Absolutely. Is it a formality or trivial that 2 will happen? Not at all. He's valuable, but I can't possibly believe the FO would let Valbuena complicate things in any substantial way. If Russell is tearing up AAA, trading or moving Valbuena to the bench to accommodate him is something that can and likely would be done in a cold second. If Valbuena is a 3+ win guy on the infield(he's at 3.2 fWAR per 600 PA in nearly 1200 PAs as a Cub), then I don't share your conviction that they'll willingly bench a productive player while they're chasing a playoff spot. It's too easy to keep Russell down for development reasons(he's only 21, his walk rate isn't terrific, if he's 'only' OPSing .825 at AAA or something he's not a slam dunk to be an immediate impact guy) and too important to not sacrifice production for little reason. Okay, I see the validity of that side of the argument too, but if Valbuena continues to be that valuable, Russell is kept in AAA and the team is chasing wins, I don't see how you bench him rather than move Bryant, either (which is what got this debate going). You move Bryant to LF and leave Valbuena where he is. In a vacuum, Bryant is more valuable as a 3B, but if you keep him at 3B to maximize value but sacrifice value in LF by keeping a guy like Coghlan there, it that really of any benefit to the team? In a scenario where there is no trade, I just have a hard time seeing Bryant being kept on third.

Eventually. I don't see any reason to be certain that will happen mid-season 2015. this. guys changing positions mid-season is not as easy as it sounds. Which is why they're going to prep Bryant, as the FO said.

Eventually. I don't see any reason to be certain that will happen mid-season 2015. And I never once said it was a certainty. But it is Russell's performance that will dictate that, not any compunction about position changes.

2 of these things need to happen for Russell to have a position: - Bryant moves to the OF - Baez continues to struggle through a large part of 2015 without immediate signs of optimism - Valbuena struggles OR the Cubs are not in the playoff hunt - One of Bryant, Baez, Castro, and Valbuena are traded Can that happen? Absolutely. Is it a formality or trivial that 2 will happen? Not at all. He's valuable, but I can't possibly believe the FO would let Valbuena complicate things in any substantial way. If Russell is tearing up AAA, trading or moving Valbuena to the bench to accommodate him is something that can and likely would be done in a cold second.

The bottom line here is that if Russell shows he is ready, positions will change to accommodate him. No one is "blocking" him.

the FO has said nothing to indicate they intend to move Bryant off third anytime soon. Sure doesn't sound like it's not being planned on at all (even for next year) That sounds to me like it's clearly on the table, potentially at any time.

So was Starlin Castro. If Russell hits at AAA to start the year, I'm pretty sure he'll move. the difference is no one was blocking Castro. Nobody is blocking one of the 2-3 best prospects in baseball, either. yet, he's still blocked. Nothing is blocking him but a position change that most people are assuming will happen. So nothing, really.

So was Starlin Castro. If Russell hits at AAA to start the year, I'm pretty sure he'll move. EDIT: isn't 2015 the ETA a lot of prospect gurus have for Russell? A lot of them had 2014 6 months ago. So it's very reasonable to think he could be up in the middle of next season. That's not to say we should assume it or count on it, but it's definitely possible, and not necessarily an " optimistic, best case" scenario.

Exactly what I am thinking. If Russell hits to start 2015 and gets called up, the IF gets reconfigured and Valbuena becomes a premier bench guy or gets traded. If he doesn't, that's probably the most productive lineup for 2015.

So was Starlin Castro. If Russell hits at AAA to start the year, I'm pretty sure he'll move. the difference is no one was blocking Castro. No one is really blocking Russell. From the sounds of it, even Theo is assuming position changes.

So was Starlin Castro. If Russell hits at AAA to start the year, I'm pretty sure he'll move. EDIT: isn't 2015 the ETA a lot of prospect gurus have for Russell?

Why? Development time, service time, and lack of need on the MLB roster, weight those in whatever fashion you please. Development time = wasted development time because he doesn't need it. Service time would make it make even less sense for him to be called up in Sept. Either he gets the call earlier or he waits until into 2016, which, well, let's just wait another year every year because we can get another year. Yeah, I definitely think that unless he struggles, more development time isn't a reason that will be used to keep him down. And I think this is the last year that service time games will be played with players who are ready. It may be wishful thinking on my part, but it seems like 2015 is the year that the major league club starts to be prioritized.

Why? I think if he has any success in AAA to start the season, he's going to be up around the ASB.

You can say anyone's value will be higher at 3B than as a corner OF, but someone's going to have to move there (provided there isn't a trade), and Bryant's bat would play better there than just about anyone else's. And the acquisition of Russell (and his subsequent success in AA) has only increased the probability of this happening. And even in a situation in which no one is traded, and if no other OF are acquired, is the team better served in 2015 with Valbuena at 3B and Bryant in LF, or Bryant at 3B and a guy like Coghlan in LF (if the intent is to try and win games next year)?

no question I mean, does it even make sense for him to start at 3B to start next year? As long as the LF option is less productive the Valbuena, I'd say no. At the very least, Bryant is a left fielder the second Russell is ready. We'll just have to see who (if anyone) moves this offseason. Or maybe one of Baez, Russell, or Castro gets moved for Stanton (or something else) and Bryant stays right at 3B where his bat is much more valuable. Possible, but I'd still be very surprised if it goes down that way. And until a trade happens, I see Bryant as a left fielder for the Cubs.

no question I mean, does it even make sense for him to start at 3B to start next year? As long as the LF option is less productive the Valbuena, I'd say no. At the very least, Bryant is a left fielder the second Russell is ready. We'll just have to see who (if anyone) moves this offseason.

Unless one of the infielders are traded, I think the move is inevitable.

I hate that I feel like Soler is gonna be one of those guys where I hold my breath when they run full bore. Like ARam was. And dammit, Castillo, don't do that

To be fair, that little pause before running on a single was kind of peculiar. I suppose it was probably because he was off balance after the swing, but I have noticed him doing that with some frequency. Having said that, it bothers me more that I know J.D. is gonna say something about it afterward than the act itself does.

the list of players i'd trade Soler for is about 1 name long not even bryce? He's still young, but his stock isn't nearly what it was a couple years ago.

Coghlan is just a brutal defender.

I suppose that is what it boils down to for me. I think some people are underestimating just what it will take to get him.

This is one of my problems with a potential Stanton trade, because I do think Bryant is going to end up in the OF sooner than later. Assuming that for the sake of argument, and that trading for Stanton would be contingent on signing him to a high dollar extension, would the Cubs not be better off keeping their position players and spending that money on pitching? Is Stanton going to be worth $20-25 per year more (assuming Stanton would require an AAV of 25-30) per year over the next 5-7 years than either Soler or Bryant? I'd lean toward no, if I were a betting man. And if we're going to deal off some of the IF talent, I'd just as soon do so for an impact pitcher, which seems to be more of a need in the near term.

Including them? Yes. Built around them? Not a chance in hell. That we have the most to offer and the Marlins have to deal him does not mean the FO could get cute in potential negotiations. That we have the best prospects to offer only matters if we offer them. If not, some other team will give up whatever they need to. And you know they're going to deal him this offseason, with Stanton's value at it's peak (provided he doesn't get hurt again in the next month). Frankly, I don't think a deal for Stanton gets done without one of Baez, Bryant, Soler or Russell going to Miami. And frankly, I just don't see an overwhelming need to go out and get Stanton (as thoroughly satisfying as it would be). He's good and he's still very young, but he has, as David pointed out, red flags. At this point, I would be fine if the FO went out and got him, but I'd be just as fine keeping our guys and letting the offense develop. It's going to be really, really good either way.

The sparkle thing isn't fun, it's detestable, contrived for the sake of it nonsense.