CubUgly
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Everything posted by CubUgly
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I have always been of the opinion that calling a game and the relationship with the pitcher is a catchers most valuable trait and that really is not something that can be measured by analytics. It's IMHO why two teams and now probably a third decided even though Wilson Contreras has a cannon arm, he was still a liability as a catcher. Some say it was his pitch framing, but when it comes out as it did in St. Louis that he was calling pitches one of his pitchers did not even throw.....that is pretty telling. We'll see how this ABS stuff factors in, but the soft factors to me it seems always weight heavily internally for catchers.
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Well, I would agree - it's now or never I think for him, I don't see the point of another full year in the minors to get at bats. Conforto is strictly a why not - sign as many minor league deals as you want - if two make an impact like last year it's worth it.
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Agreed, he does not move the needle for me. He gets a shot to make the team just like McCormick, Carlson, Dean and Alcantara, and I'm not sure he's the favorite at all to win that battle.
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I think lot's of teams to. I think that's why two different teams decided to move on from Contreras as a catcher. I absolutely believe it had more to do with that than pitch framing.
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I get it - a pitcher if he's good is responsible either directly or indirectly for maybe an average 20 outs over 6 half innings every 5 games. I think breaking it down to no of plays/pitches and the value of that is debatable - as there is a lot of nuance to the degree of value that can be attached to every pitch and that pitcher's results every pitch that IMHO are random - but I do see logic referencing that factor. We can go deep down the rabbit hole on this and I'm certainly not saying you are wrong and I am right. But in this direct comaparison - Bregs vs. Valdez, I'm taking Bregs even if before you factor in the unmeasurables like clubhouse leadership and other intangible values, which by all accounts Bregman brings more of. But I do absolutely understand your take here.
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I hear you and understand what you are saying Stratos, I do understand the concept of WAR though it's not my favorite or what I'd call most bullet proof analytical measurement I understand it as a tool, but I just can't get past the fact that an SP can only affect 2/3 of a game out of 5 and a position player has a chance to affect 5 games out of those same 5.
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But Bregman can affect every game and possibly be the deciding factor in those 5 days with a big hit or a stellar defensive play, the pitcher only one game in 5, and with the continued specialization even starters are lucky to be able to put their stamp on 2/3 of a game every 5 games.
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I would prefer a productive every day player over a productive pitcher who plays every 5 games. Hopefully Bregman ages well - Sharma says the Cubs models show that he will and they believe he will - like a Zobrist who signed with the Cubs at 34.
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This^^^^^ I too think he's going to hit. I don't ever see him as a 30 homer guy but a 20 homer guy yes who will hit, walk and not strike out a lot. If he could only make his way to being serviceable as a catcher I think we'll have a good player for a good while.
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Didn't the Dodgers have a wealth of starting pitchers last year and make it work? In fact they ended up using starters in the post-season because their top two bullpen gets in the off-season were abject failures and unusable in leverage in the post season. Someone could get hurt in spring training or two games in. You just never know, it's just as good a chance that happens as not.
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Hard to count on him pitching for 150+, but then again - last year I would have bet the Farm that Boyd would not have pitched over 100 innings.
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Attendance gonna drop significantly again this year. Best fans in baseball leaving - and their fan base was already pretty old, don't think they are all coming back. A shame isn't it?
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100%. He was flat out bad for Seattle after the trade. And he is a below average defender. But he's a Cub killer and we have to face him 13 times - so he'll probably strike out 20 times but hit 7 homers against us.
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I heard the Orioles were interested in him but he does not want to go there? Not sure how realiable that is - heard it on one of the Cub podcasts, can't remember which.
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I got the impression Counsell was pushing more for positional depth than pitching.
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For me and many I think, the hope was that he would have progressed a bit further at the plate by now. Fair or unfair, as he's still relatively young. I do believe he'll get an opportunity at some point this year - it's up to him when he gets it. With possibly both Happ and Seiya being gone by 2027 it's a pretty big opportunity for him.
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Totally agree, solid insurance if Alcantara can't cut it as the fourth outfielder and you can still give Alcantara a fair shot at it.
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Ok, relative to all left fielders in baseball, he's definitely in the top 5.
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I would again agree - he is above average at his position maybe?? but that's all relative - as again most teams put their worst fielders in left field.
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Agreed, it's pretty common that teams put their least accomplished fielders in left - Happ does not have much competition to be honest. I mean one year Yelich and his noodle arm finished second to Happ.....that dude is flat out terrible in left.
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Cubs prospect/player you wanted to make it so bad but didn't
CubUgly replied to CubinNY's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
Maples -
Do you think Hoerner wants to play SS? If so it's a different discussion.
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Kyle is aging well, in fact his last two years have been easily his two best years. It seems to me this is the exception more than the rule for players his age?
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Chicago Cubs Willing To Pay Luxury Tax in 2026
CubUgly replied to Matthew Lenz's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
Good point Rcal, maybe the Cubs are considering imitating the Dodgers model of stockpiling starters, some of whom are injury prone and then magically it seems they all are ready for the playoffs and end up being their playoff relievers because their highly paid high leverage relievers like Scott and Yates crapped the bed and are unplayable in leverage in the post season. -
Chicago Cubs Willing To Pay Luxury Tax in 2026
CubUgly replied to Matthew Lenz's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk
I really do want them to keep Taillon. After those two epic playoff performances last year he's certainly earned it and earned my respect.
