2014 Chicago Cubs In-Season Discussion Thread

[CSF77]

So isn't Liriano up for FA this year? He would be a pitcher I would look into this offseason.

 

[CSF77]

The Angels are among several teams scouting Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. The 26-year-old could be posted over the offseason. He currently has a 2.86 ERA, 7.4 K/9, and 2.2 BB/9 in 148 innings for the Hiroshima Carp.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/09/darvish-rangers-maeda.html

 

[CSF77]

Melky Cabrera has been scouted by at least one NL team for the last three weeks, Sportsnet’s Jeff Blair reports. One of those scouts tells Blair that his team could be willing to offer Cabrera something in the neighborhood of a four-year, $53MM contract in free agency this winter, a deal akin to what Jhonny Peralta received from the Cardinals last offseason. Peralta’s deal was front-loaded, and Blair opines that a similarly-structured deal could await Cabrera given that both players have a PED suspension on their records.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/09/al-east-notes-orioles-melky-ortiz.html

 

[CSF77]

I would almost argue against signing Milkey. 53 mil is a little rich and with more depth 1-2 years away it would be unwise.

I would keep Coghlan in as the lead off still. He gets on base. At least for next year until Alcantara adapts to the league 100%.

I was thinking:
Coghlan LF
Castro SS. (Pump up trade value with more ab's.)
Rizzo 1B
Soler RF
Olt 3B
Baez 2B (Maybe Valbuena here and Baez in AAA if needed.)
Alcantara CF
Castillo C

at least until Alcantara looks the lead off part. I'm expecting Bryant in Iowa until they get another year of control. If Olt is hitting he becomes good trade bait then.

 

[Boobaby1]

I would almost argue against signing Milkey. 53 mil is a little rich and with more depth 1-2 years away it would be unwise.

I would keep Coghlan in as the lead off still. He gets on base. At least for next year until Alcantara adapts to the league 100%.

I was thinking:
Coghlan LF
Castro SS. (Pump up trade value with more ab's.)
Rizzo 1B
Soler RF
Olt 3B
Baez 2B (Maybe Valbuena here and Baez in AAA if needed.)
Alcantara CF
Castillo C

at least until Alcantara looks the lead off part. I'm expecting Bryant in Iowa until they get another year of control. If Olt is hitting he becomes good trade bait then.

You can't keep trotting out the same line-up that obviously struggles and expect them just to mature and elevate all of the numbers across the board, or wait and have Bryant become the savior. The odds are highly stacked against you. The Cubs have the resources to sign a Melky Cabrera, so why not pull the trigger?

He is very proven as a hitter with the OBP and average to boot, plus gives the Cubs very much needed veteran presence at the top of the line-up. A better outfield is Cabrera, Coghlan/Alcantara (play the hotter hand), and Soler IMO. Infield would be Bryant, Castro, Baez, Rizzo, and Castillo.

You have to get a TOR pitcher and a proven OBP outfielder (preferably a left hander to balance), and players like Shields and Cabrera would do just that. Heck, that would be a very interesting team to make a solid run at a WC spot for sure barring no injury setbacks, and even signed to a 4 year deal since he is still in his prime years, he would allow the Cubs to move McKinney, Schwarber and Almora along at a controlled pace, and this gives you the chance to win now while those kids are being groomed since they are still a couple of years away.

Alcantara/Coghlan could lead off, followed by Cabrera, and now you have table setters before the thunder comes rolling in. opcorn:

 

[CSF77]

You are not taking into account that Soler and Rizzo have played 0 games together.

Add to it The chances Baez busts out are lower than he adapts.

That is not even getting into Bryant.

That line up even minus Baez should provide enough run support for the staff.

 

[CSF77]

I would be happy with Rizzo, Soler and if Olt continues what he is doing batting 5th. Cog and Castro get on base. What has been killing the team has been putting Baez and Alancatara into those roles with lower OBA's.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I don't think you sign him. Also, Soler is a 2 hitter. Castro the 6, imho. I like Coghlan. I don't think there is any need to sign another bat with Bryant coming up very early next season. If Olt is getting better swings, keep and figure out who goes to LF.

 

[CSF77]

I wouldn't bat Soler 2 until Baez and Bryant are 100% adapted to the league.

Right now they need guys that get on base and guys that drive home runs. Soler is needed to much as a RBI bat vs a OBA right now. In a few years sure. The team will be stacked with more power where the bats with better OBA skills should be getting more ab's.

 

[CSF77]

I don't think you sign him. Also, Soler is a 2 hitter. Castro the 6, imho. I like Coghlan. I don't think there is any need to sign another bat with Bryant coming up very early next season. If Olt is getting better swings, keep and figure out who goes to LF.

This off season there will be a few 3B on the market. It is a bad time to sell Olt. Now in June if he is producing and a team has a need sure.

I see Olt and Castro sold next year. Also I see Russell as a 2 hitter. Castro is a place holder but with more AB's and his .340 ish OBA he is an asset there.

 

[Parade_Rain]

This off season there will be a few 3B on the market. It is a bad time to sell Olt. Now in June if he is producing and a team has a need sure.

I see Olt and Castro sold next year. Also I see Russell as a 2 hitter. Castro is a place holder but with more AB's and his .340 ish OBA he is an asset there.

Castro is not a placeholder and not getting traded imho.

 

[Boobaby1]

I don't think you sign him. Also, Soler is a 2 hitter. Castro the 6, imho. I like Coghlan. I don't think there is any need to sign another bat with Bryant coming up very early next season. If Olt is getting better swings, keep and figure out who goes to LF.

There most certainly is. You can't have mostly newbies in the line-up hoping they will figure it out. There is too much risk involved, and as we have seen already, players do not hit the ground running like you want them to.

You need to have a proven bat. Even if Bryant joins the team, what kind of struggles is he going to have? Too many question marks, not enough veteran presence IMO. Take some the heat off of the young kids and let them develop instead of thrusting the success of the team on their shoulders.

CF Alcantara/Coghlan
LF Cabrera
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
RF Soler
SS Castro
2B Baez
C Castillo

Does that line-up not look a lot better than having Olt playing everyday which adds another strikeout machine into an already strikeout riddled team? You don't want to go through another year of trying to figure out what sticks and what doesn't do you? If he is good enough, let him battle it out for 3rd base, or be the power hitting bench player and spot starter that all teams need.

Cabrera averages about 65 strikeouts a year with a good average and OBP skill, and has the pop to have 15-20 HR's to boot. This is exactly what the Cubs need.

Olt is plan "D" for me. There are other scenarios that make the Cubs a better with a lot less risk involved, and I don't want to see another season tossed out of the window when seemingly a few things are looking very positive. They are a couple of players away from making some noise in the Central division, and lateral movements are not going to get them anywhere.

 

[chibears55]

There most certainly is. You can't have mostly newbies in the line-up hoping they will figure it out. There is too much risk involved, and as we have seen already, players do not hit the ground running like you want them to.

You need to have a proven bat. Even if Bryant joins the team, what kind of struggles is he going to have? Too many question marks, not enough veteran presence IMO. Take some the heat off of the young kids and let them develop instead of thrusting the success of the team on their shoulders.

CF Alcantara/Coghlan
LF Cabrera
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
RF Soler
SS Castro
2B Baez
C Castillo

Does that line-up not look a lot better than having Olt playing everyday which adds another strikeout machine into an already strikeout riddled team? You don't want to go through another year of trying to figure out what sticks and what doesn't do you? If he is good enough, let him battle it out for 3rd base, or be the power hitting bench player and spot starter that all teams need.

Cabrera averages about 65 strikeouts a year with a good average and OBP skill, and has the pop to have 15-20 HR's to boot. This is exactly what the Cubs need.

Olt is plan "D" for me. There are other scenarios that make the Cubs a better with a lot less risk involved, and I don't want to see another season tossed out of the window when seemingly a few things are looking very positive. They are a couple of players away from making some noise in the Central division, and lateral movements are not going to get them anywhere.

Dont think Olt is in their long term plan, he most likely comes north to play 3B til bryant comes up.

I wouldn't mind seeing olt and Valbuena as the RH n LH power bats off bench..

I would love to see them get Cabrera for LF and bat second. . Might take 3 yrs and 33 to nab him

 

[CSF77]

There is too much risk involved, and as we have seen already, players do not hit the ground running like you want them to.

So they are trying to win? Come on now. If they were willing to spend big on a champ then they would have made an investment.

That said the bats this off season are looking thin. Cab is looking at 53 mil and I doubt they will go there.

Ideal situation is if they trade with Philly with Jackson and Brown and hope he bounces back.

I see them investing into a arm and I believe they will try to trade for a needed bat. But they need a LH bat over a RH bat.

Dark horse would be Headley. GG 3B hoping he bounces back. Then push Bryant out to LF. That is a big reach but would be cost effective.

If they end up pulling that trade and bring in Brown for LF and then send Jackson and cash over to Philly. Then they sign Lester this off season would be a success.

 

[JZsportsfan]

The main thing for the Cubs to do this offseason is decide what position they want to play Bryant at. That will change the entire direction of the offseason. I would not mind having Valbuena or Olt, man 3B with Bryant in LF. I think this sets them up best long-term. They also need to figure out their plans for Castro. I would prefer that we held onto him but I'm not sure that will be the case.

 

[CSF77]

The main thing for the Cubs to do this offseason is decide what position they want to play Bryant at. That will change the entire direction of the offseason. I would not mind having Valbuena or Olt, man 3B with Bryant in LF. I think this sets them up best long-term. They also need to figure out their plans for Castro. I would prefer that we held onto him but I'm not sure that will be the case.

I would start him out of S/T but they wont do that. Again ties to are they really trying to win? I don't see it. They are still in development over winning. Wins will come as a result of good development.

What I see them trying to do this offseason is off loading Wood and Jackson. They will be involved with Lester. I believe the magic number with Lester is 130 mil. If the Bo-sox come close he is going back. Cubs are not close as of yet.

Ok, this is what I would do:

Next year is again going to be a transition year. SWure they should have Rizzo, Castro and Soler in the line up but even so it is not an over powering line up. Adding another bat like Cab is not really going to be a game changer for this team. Spending heavy on Lester is not going to make this team a contender. That is reality.

What has to happen is Baez needs to hit. Alcantara needs to get on base. Bryant needs to get on the team and produce what he has been.

That said it would make sense to shed bad contract this winter. Then stand pat and let the team come together. If they are around .500 then make some deals to add.

Lets be serious about this with a strong O in place this team becomes a good location to sign. Seeing it trying to gell right now? Not really.

Thing is Price and Shark will be in the market after next year. That would be a better time to look into it.

 

[Boobaby1]

So they are trying to win? Come on now. If they were willing to spend big on a champ then they would have made an investment.

That said the bats this off season are looking thin. Cab is looking at 53 mil and I doubt they will go there.

Ideal situation is if they trade with Philly with Jackson and Brown and hope he bounces back.

I see them investing into a arm and I believe they will try to trade for a needed bat. But they need a LH bat over a RH bat.

Dark horse would be Headley. GG 3B hoping he bounces back. Then push Bryant out to LF. That is a big reach but would be cost effective.

If they end up pulling that trade and bring in Brown for LF and then send Jackson and cash over to Philly. Then they sign Lester this off season would be a success.

Why all of the dark horses? You still have to pay Headly, and I don't want another "WHAT IF" or a "HOPE TO". Get the proven bat that you need, and paying Cabrera 52 million for 4 years isn't breaking any bank versusu what someone like Elsbury received.

He is a table setter, left handed (primarily) which would allow blockage for Alcantara at 1st base to swipe bags, or a batter simply to pull the ball and advance him at worst if Alcantara doubles. He doesn't strikeout much , and knows how to work the count. He would be instrumental in helping in the developmental process for the young kids along with Rizzo.

Do we really need another full year of getting one pitcher and letting the kids HOPEFULLY mature? You can do that and have Valbuena, Olt, and Coghlan on the bench just in case it doesn't go as planned. That is how teams win. They don't win resting on their laurels.

And for what it's worth, figure up what a TOR pitcher and Cabrera would add to the payroll considering Cabrera would be 5-6 million less per year than Soriano. I think the Cubs can more than afford both with the payroll flexibility that they will now have.

 

[SilenceS]

Why all of the dark horses? You still have to pay Headly, and I don't want another "WHAT IF" or a "HOPE TO". Get the proven bat that you need, and paying Cabrera 52 million for 4 years isn't breaking any bank versusu what someone like Elsbury received.

He is a table setter, left handed (primarily) which would allow blockage for Alcantara at 1st base to swipe bags, or a batter simply to pull the ball and advance him at worst if Alcantara doubles. He doesn't strikeout much , and knows how to work the count. He would be instrumental in helping in the developmental process for the young kids along with Rizzo.

Do we really need another full year of getting one pitcher and letting the kids HOPEFULLY mature? You can do that and have Valbuena, Olt, and Coghlan on the bench just in case it doesn't go as planned. That is how teams win. They don't win resting on their laurels.

And for what it's worth, figure up what a TOR pitcher and Cabrera would add to the payroll considering Cabrera would be 5-6 million less per year than Soriano. I think the Cubs can more than afford both with the payroll flexibility that they will now have.

I dont see the Cubs investing into a contract of a guy over 30 and has been injured or suspended the last 3 years. Also, you are quick to trade Castro but want to bring a Castro type hitter that plays a non premium position. His power peaked this year. He doesnt steal bases. He is an absolutely solid hitter, but I dont think the Cubs go that way. Ive said it before and I will say it again. The Cubs are going to let these kids make it or fail. Bryant, Russell, Almora, and Schwarber are all 2 years away. If he can be had for 2 years, I can see them being interested. If not, I dont see them going hard after him. People overpay in FA and his bat in not a premium position is not a game changer.

 

[SilenceS]

Also, just read that the Jays will most likely give him a qualifying offer. That will def. turn the Cubs off.

 

[chibears55]

Cubs are really interested in Japanese OFer yasmani tomas 23 YO and has just been cleared by the states , now just waiting to be officially named a FA by MLB