downsr30

Yea, by no means would I use Schwarber in a deal for Cargo. I was simply thinking of a deal simply to add an experienced bat that's a threat. His numbers are similar to Coghlans, but he's an overall better hitter when he's on the field. If it wouldn't cost much, I'd be interested but I'm with you - if you can find a younger piece with more upside - do it for sure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you're the Phillies, Schwarber is an extremely attractive piece as they already have one of the best up and coming hitters in baseball as their 3rd basemen in Franco. Trading for young pitching is very dangerous and the Phillies can't really afford to miss - so to speak - on this Hamels deal whenever it happens. Schwarber is by no means a for sure thing, but getting him would be huge for them. On the Cubs side - the Cubs have 4 needs in my eyes as a fan in ranking of most importance: Big-time starter - Lester hasn't been an ace yet this year, Arietta has been more like one. If you add Hamels to the mix you now have a very good 1-2-3 punch and a back end of the rotation that fills out very solid as well. Bench help - we have all seen our share of Herrera, Ross, and Baxter this year. At times these fellas can be OK and serve somewhat of a purpose but all would probably be average at best players at the AAA level. My proposal was to add Andres Blanco - a player with decent speed, some experience and a good versatile bat. Bullpen - our bullpen has been solid of late but there are still uncertainties and I think that's because there's too many floating pieces and uncertain roles - which can be good and bad. Adding a guy like Papelbon to the back end would move everyone else down and allow the other guys to fit into their roles. Also would give us a closer with experience in big spots - which does have value. Big bat - while the Cubs have a very nasty upcoming offense - they don't have a veteran big bat which could be helpful down the stretch. Not something they "need" but would be a very comforting addition. Adding a bat like Carlos Gonzalez (injury free) would be huge - not likely, but huge. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do you have any other stats to back your argument up outside of one case that also happens to be one of the best hitters in baseball history? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My guess has been somewhere between where Dan Uggla was in his prime and where he is now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not buying Baez - show me the guys who have struck out at his rate and been sustainably successful in the MLB - that list is very short. He's an athlete and a middle infielder which are both pluses. The negatives is that it's highly likely he'd get exploited at the major league level. I hope he proves me wrong, and I think he'll get one more REAL chance to prove his changes, and that'll most likely be either in Chicago or somewhere else at the start of 2016. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Could it be possible that the Cubs are holding Schwarber behind the plate to keep his value high as can be? As a catcher, Schwarber's bat is more valuable than any prospect in the game - IF another team believes he can be that guy behind the plate. He came up and took advantage of the week he had at the big league level. You're in the GM seat: Would you give up Schwarber in a trade for Hamels? It might hurt a bit later, but it's something to consider. As much as us Cubs fans want to say "I'll give up Baez, Almora, and Vogelbach for Hamels." That's great - there's a reason you're willing to trade those players - they don't have much value. I'll play GM and probably get torn apart for it: Schwarber and Baez for Hamels, Papelbon, Andres Blanco We lose a couple big pieces but we aren't just trading for a rental in Hamels - we are getting a star pitcher. With Rizzo, Bryant, Castro, Russell, Soler - the Cubs could do something like this, next offseason you sign a Price and a good outfield bat - you have a good size payroll, but you 3 very good starters this year, 4 next year.. A deeper bench and bullpen this year, and if you can grab a good bat next year, you are set with a good farm system still coming up. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can we not overreact to something that didn't happen? Don't we do that enough in this world? ...and then when [expletive] does happen we overreact even worse. Don't worry - if something negative in this world happens involving an athlete - ESPN will not only cover it, they will make sure anyone involved becomes just a step below Bin Laden. So, please for the sake of knowing when [expletive] does actually happen - we will overreact plenty, when [expletive] could have happened, just stfu and be happy it didn't. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am so happy it's not Ross hitting for Montero. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am so happy it's not Ross hitting for Montero. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How sweet would it be if Edwin Jackson became our closer and performed well.. I'm still holding out for him to earn his money with the Cubs Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I want a reliever that when they come in Im really surprised when they blow the lead.....instead of expecting it.. We have DECENT relievers. To be honest though, there aren't many shutdown relievers in the game these days. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bob Costas is a sports genius and I agree with everything he says :) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is where the Cubs need a shutdown bullpen guy.. Or 2.. There's no one I felt comfortable with coming in for this inning or even now... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Whenever (if ever) Matt Carpenter hits the free agent market, can we go after him? The guy is just a flat out good ball player and has great at bats. Reminds me of a versatile Mark Grace. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wada started the other... So I'd consider that rape. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I will never trust any man named Enrique, let alone a man named Enrique with the nickname [expletive]. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In comparison, David Wells weighed 248 at the end of his career standing only 1 inch shorter. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kinda like Kershaw and Greinke? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd say the number reading 240 on the scale when Lester steps on it - and not being able to exactly describe him as "muscular." Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mental blocks are hard to overcome, it explains his struggles with throwing to first as well as drinking beer and eating hot dogs hence his obesity. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cubs outfield right now: Baxter, Szcur, Denorfia.. But it's ok, we have Coghlan, Herrera and Ross on the infield. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guilty. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is the 4th Lester start I've seen him complain about the strike zone.. The first couple I thought maybe he was getting squeezed, now I'm realizing he's kinda just being a baby. Couple things about Lester: Throw over to first base. Get over it. It's called flooding. Face your fear. Stop being a pansy. Secondly, have you heard of a diet? Dude longs bigger and bigger every time he takes the mound. He is very overweight. He spent a bit too much of his newfound salary on his new wife: Little Debbie. I'm Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe Maddon should try giving one player off per day, not 5.. Woof.. We are better off hoping Frias loses instead of hoping we win. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The thing about the Cubs front office is that they have shown they aren't into trading prospects for rentals. They have shown willingness to sign rentals and flip them for prospects. I think if and when the Cubs make a move whether it be for a hitter or pitcher, it'll be a move that helps us this year and beyond unless the asking price for what we received in return was nothing in regards to prospects. This would take some of those key options off the table. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs go after Red Sox pieces. A guy like Buchholz makes a lot of sense considering Theo was at the helm when he was drafted. Wade Miley might be another option after his previous success in the NL. While these aren't exactly sexy options, they wouldn't be too taxing on the farm system and a guy like Buchholz still has a lot of upside. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk