2015 Cubs Offseason Discussion

[JZsportsfan]

The Royals are proving the importance of defense in baseball here during their run. I don't think we see Bryant moved to the OF. One of the MI guys is going to get traded. Don't want them to trade any because they all have great potential, but it's going to benefit the team long-term by doing so IMO. Not sure how Bryant would fare defensively in LF, but I guess if he is solid that throws out this whole post.

Castillo needs to be much better on defense if he is going to post the numbers he posted this year. Schwarber would likely be much better offensively, but a defensive liability at catcher is a recipe for disaster. Royals exploited the A's at that spot

 

[Parade_Rain]

He can't call a game, one of the most essential parts of being a catcher. That's where 'not framing well' comes from. And casting it off under 'glove work' is foolish.

He can't call a game and framing pitches are two very separate items. Calling a game is how you handle a pitching staff. Framing pitches is how you handle the actual pitch.

 

[chibears55]

He can't call a game and framing pitches are two very separate items. Calling a game is how you handle a pitching staff. Framing pitches is how you handle the actual pitch.

Arrieta doesnt mind the games Castillo called for him with some near No Hitters..

Maybe im missing something but how do we know if he calling a bad game or if the pitchers are just bad or missing their spots. .

He seems to have a good game plan for Arrieta and Hendricks

 

[beckdawg]

Schwarber if stays at catcher would be brutal defensively. I wouldnt say Mike Piazza bad, but along those lines.

Not sure it's fair to say that yet. For one, he's reportedly got a far superior arm to what Piazza had. Ultimately I doubt he ends up at C but I think we should give him some time before we start calling him "brutal."

 

[SilenceS]

Epstein laments Jackson deal, but still looking to improve Cubs
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein has stated that he won't be satisfied adding one starting pitcher to the rotation in the offseason.

"We need impact starting pitching," he told CSNChicago.com. "If you can add a top-of-the-rotation starter to what we have with (Jake) Arrieta, et al, it becomes really, really interesting in a hurry. We also could use just another quality, stable arm to go with it. So in an ideal world, we'll add two starting pitchers."

Epstein admitted he made a mistake in his disastrous signing of Edwin Jackson to a four-year, $52 million deal, which will pale in comparison to the money destined for potential free agents Jon Lester and Max Scherzer this winter. Jackson is 14-33 with a 5.58 ERA in two years with the Cubs, who are on the hook for two more seasons. But Epstein realizes that he must return to the free agent market to sufficiently improve his staff.

"I'm very confident that we'll add impact pitching from outside the organization," he said. "It has a chance to happen this winter. But we're not going to make any guarantees."

 

[brett05]

Epstein laments Jackson deal, but still looking to improve Cubs
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein has stated that he won't be satisfied adding one starting pitcher to the rotation in the offseason.

"We need impact starting pitching," he told CSNChicago.com. "If you can add a top-of-the-rotation starter to what we have with (Jake) Arrieta, et al, it becomes really, really interesting in a hurry. We also could use just another quality, stable arm to go with it. So in an ideal world, we'll add two starting pitchers."

Epstein admitted he made a mistake in his disastrous signing of Edwin Jackson to a four-year, $52 million deal, which will pale in comparison to the money destined for potential free agents Jon Lester and Max Scherzer this winter. Jackson is 14-33 with a 5.58 ERA in two years with the Cubs, who are on the hook for two more seasons. But Epstein realizes that he must return to the free agent market to sufficiently improve his staff.

"I'm very confident that we'll add impact pitching from outside the organization," he said. "It has a chance to happen this winter. But we're not going to make any guarantees."

Not saying Theo doesn't regret it, but I have yet to see anyone quote him on it.

 

[Zvbxrpl]

No point dragging feet and getting pissy over the EJax deal. At the time, we all thought he was a solid #3, innings eating pitcher who could often give bullpens a rest by going deep into games, which often was the pitcher he was on the slew of teams he was on before the cubs.

We didn't think his 'out pitch' would be a 90 mph fastball shin high with no movement and everybody lays off of it. It has been. You win some deals, you lose some deals. Theo's won on a lot more than he's lost. Since we're likely to not get rid of him, turn him into a positive. Pitch him short time, yes, that means an 11 million per year bullpen guy. Cubs should have done the same with Volstad when he was here. Decent for 3-4 innings; but that 4th or 5th inning neither can get out of.....

Make sure the next deal is a hit. Cant go wrong with Lester unless he arm falls off....

 

[SilenceS]

My guess is the Cubs are going after Lester and Madea. If they sign one, they wont sign the other and then go with a lower pitcher on like a 3 year deal to give them solid production. Liriano makes a ton of sense and we were interested with him when he signed with the Pirates.

Lester
Arrieta
Liriano
Hendricks
Wood/ Jackson and maybe some others battling for the 5th spot.

That Staff would so some work. I am not one on the bandwagon that we sign any kind of high dollar OF. I think they use COughlan as a filler and seeing where things fall this year. Coughlan gave the same production as Markakis this year. Yes, he is less likely to repeat it but its worth a shot if you are putting all your efforts into pitching. You are looking at Russell coming up this year and Schwarber bat most likely would be ready, but his catching will not. It depends if they want him to really stick at catcher. That would slow down his progression a ton. Also, Almora should hit AAA this year and we dont even talk about the out of nowhere prospects that almost every team gets.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Everything I've read points to Kenta Maeda not being posted this year. Even if he were he seems to only want to pitch in Boston or New York. I think the Cubs have a very good chance at landing Jon Lester. I don't think the Yankees are really that interested in him and instead go after Scherzer hard, maybe as high as 6 years $180 million but certainly lower than the 7 years $230 million his agent is throwing out there to start. I also think that James Shield's poor posteseason has put him back in play for the Cubs even if they sign Lester. I'm guessing Lester is going to get somewhere around 6 years $156 million but Shields, who just a few weeks ago was being talked about at 5 years $105 million, is probably not getting close to that anymore and you're talking a 33 year old arm. I'd say at this point he's probably looking at 4 years $75 million and I think that would be a good number. A rotation of Lester, Shields, Arrieta, Hendricks and your choice of whoever wins the fifth spot out of Wood/Turner/Strailey/Wada could potentially provide a nice cushion for your kids to ease through their growing pains in the field and at bat.

 

[theberserkfury]

Not sure it's fair to say that yet. For one, he's reportedly got a far superior arm to what Piazza had. Ultimately I doubt he ends up at C but I think we should give him some time before we start calling him "brutal."

Yeah, I'm hearing that Schwarber has the potential to be around average as a catcher. Think we could live with that if his bat translates in the majors...

 

[TC in Mississippi]

If he's average he's your catcher. Doesn't even need to be able to throw guys out just call a good game. A high OPS, left handed bat behind the plate would be extremly valuable. Think a better, less jackass-ey A.J. Pierzynski with more HR's, higher average and greater OPS. You're talking about 4.0-5.0 WAR consistently which at that position is an extreme luxury. I hope it works out. If not I'll gladly deal with that bat in left.

 

[SilenceS]

Even if he could be a passable catcher, how long would he last? His knees would not be able to handle his weight. He is a stout boy which would probably affect his bat. I like Schwarber, but I want to see more before I declare cant miss bat that some fans seem to think. He is very limited D wise. His value is much bigger at C then anywhere else he would play.

Me personally, I dont really like to look at college players succeeding at A ball. I want to see it at AA and above before I like to do my firm opinions on them.

 

[beckdawg]

Even if he could be a passable catcher, how long would he last? His knees would not be able to handle his weight. He is a stout boy which would probably affect his bat. I like Schwarber, but I want to see more before I declare cant miss bat that some fans seem to think. He is very limited D wise. His value is much bigger at C then anywhere else he would play.

Me personally, I dont really like to look at college players succeeding at A ball. I want to see it at AA and above before I like to do my firm opinions on them.

Can't say I agree about his value being much more at C. For one, if you assume his bat ends up this good you'll take that anywhere you can get it. In fact, you could make the argument that if it is that good you'd rather him in LF because catchers the the shit beat out of them. Look at what has happened to the Cards when yaddy has been hurt. Additionally, from what I've read there's no reason to believe he'll be a total train wreck in LF defensively. If he's better defensively than say Mark Trumbo there while hitting at the level he appears to be going toward then he is more valuable than your typical LF.

As for buying college players, not sure what else there is to do for him. He hit .302/.393/.560 in 191 PAs in A+. Bryant hit .333/.387/.719 in 62 PAs in A+ the year prior. Does that guarantee Schwarber will be as good as Bryant? Of course not but what else do you want him to do? He'll be starting next season in AA half a season after being drafted. If that's not enough, the team themselves said they thought he was the best bat in the draft which that data obviously backs up to an extent. If you look up the recent fangraphs thing about prospects they put this as his upside from a former scout "Upside: .280/.360/.480, 25 homers, average defense." It'd be one thing if like Baez or even for that matter Bryant had high K rates but he doesn't at 19.9%. His walk rate is also stellar. Everything I've read about him has had 0 questions about his bat and mainly talked about the defensive aspect which should say something.

Additionally, I want to bring up a concept when talking about his value that people really don't seem to be discussing. You theoretically could play someone like Castillo for several games a week and have Schwarber with the versatility to catch on some off days. In other words, he wouldn't have to be a full time catcher but he would give you some additional value over your typical LFs. AFIAK that's kind of rare to do so it might be implausible but it's worth mentioning as possibility. And being that he's left handed he would be an interesting platoon mate for particular tough pitchers for a right handed catcher.

 

[SilenceS]

I dont want him to do anything. I just dont base my opinions on a college player playing A ball is all I am saying. I take little stock in it.

 

[theberserkfury]

Wow... Joe Maddon opted out of his Rays contract and is leaving Tampa.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on...of-contract-leaves-rays-effective-immediately

 

[JZsportsfan]

Joe Maddon likely to land in LA according to ESPN..

Damn Friedman and Maddon to LA is not a good combo for the rest of the NL

 

[brett05]

I thought Don signed an ext

 

[Icculus]

Joe Maddon likely to land in LA according to ESPN..

Damn Friedman and Maddon to LA is not a good combo for the rest of the NL

I'm anticipating a Dodger Dynasty

 

[brett05]

I'm anticipating a Dodger Dynasty

Wasn't that true before this week?

 

[Icculus]

After Friedman got hired yes, but if they hire Maddon it's over for most of MLB. A combination of a team that makes billions in broadcast revenue and an extremely qualified management and coaching staff is bad news for most other teams.