2015 Cubs Offseason Discussion

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Brett Jackson is gone? Who will get on base now?

 

[beckdawg]

I love Alcantara more than anyone but I still would prefer him at 2B. From the eye test he looked quite good there defensively and the metrics albeit small sample size agree. It's just a shame that he wont get a legit shot at 2B unless they absolutely do something with Baez and probably have to move Bryant/Castro or Russell too. I just feel like at best he'll be average in CF which is fine and all but not preferable.

 

[beckdawg]

The Cubs have met recently with Colby Rasmus and are one of several teams to show interest in him, reports Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes identified the Cubs as a potential landing spot for Rasmus back in September while the Orioles and Royals have also been linked to the free agent center fielder.

Kind of an interesting link. Rasmus had some hype coming into the offseason. However, since then there's been like no heat on him. If he's pretty cheap he could be a really interesting pick up.

 

[TL1961]

High K, Low walk, doesn't take coaching from anyone but his meddling father.

No thanks.

 

[beckdawg]

High K, Low walk, doesn't take coaching from anyone but his meddling father.

No thanks.

8.6% career walk rate isn't "low." It's above average. As for wanting him or not, I think he's an interesting 3/4 OF type. Don't think he's an amazing every day starter but he plays decent defense and has some upside.

 

[TL1961]

Plays decent D, hits some HRs, strikeout a lot. We already have that, don't we?

Biggest fear I have is this guy was very hyped by the Cardinal organization. They were high on him, and looked forward to having him. In the middle of a season in which they were contending, LaRussa got sick of him and his dd, and shipped him out. The Cards went on to win the WS without him, after being disappointing with him. (Many factors there, I know)

But his meddling dad was constantly questioning the Cards management publicly, and Colby pretty much used his dad as his hitting coach, and tuned out Cards coaches. Not the kind of guy you want around, IMO.

 

[Parade_Rain]

...Colby pretty much used his dad as his hitting coach, and tuned out Cards coaches. Not the kind of guy you want around, IMO.

A-Ram wasn't that abnormal with his comment that essentially amounted to being his own hitting instructor. By the time MLBers are at that level, most have heard almost everything imaginable.

 

[beckdawg]

Plays decent D, hits some HRs, strikeout a lot. We already have that, don't we?

Biggest fear I have is this guy was very hyped by the Cardinal organization. They were high on him, and looked forward to having him. In the middle of a season in which they were contending, LaRussa got sick of him and his dd, and shipped him out. The Cards went on to win the WS without him, after being disappointing with him. (Many factors there, I know)

But his meddling dad was constantly questioning the Cards management publicly, and Colby pretty much used his dad as his hitting coach, and tuned out Cards coaches. Not the kind of guy you want around, IMO.

Put it this way, would you prefer him or Sweeney/Ruggiano? I mean granted he's probably going to cost more and that's the crux of the issue. But I think he's more interesting option than either of those two if you can get him on say a $5 mil deal.

 

[TL1961]

A-Ram wasn't that abnormal with his comment that essentially amounted to being his own hitting instructor. By the time MLBers are at that level, most have heard almost everything imaginable.

I understand that, and I agree that MLB vets probably need less instruction. But Rasmus was not listening to LaRussa and to his hitting coach when he was a rookie. That is scary.

Living in St. Louis, i know how much they were looking forward to this top prospect. And he was traded midseason. And not for some outstanding package. (They got back Edwin Jackson!)

And I understand Brett's point that he looks better than Ruggiano/Sweeney. That I agree with 100%.

I am just worried that he's trouble. He will cost more than $5 million. And I am concerned about this guy blocking prospects. Alcantara hasn't proven anything at the MLB level, I know that. But he is considered a Top 20 prospect in all of baseball a year ago. I want him to play. Spending %$7 million on a head case to block that seems like asking for trouble.

Maybe I am gun shy right now because I am dealing with the Bears' dysfunction.

 

[TL1961]

To be honest, my first thought was "Rasmus is a good bat / decent fielder and could be a real nice addition" since he costs only cash. I just have reservations.

I guess I am saying, I wouldn't love the move, but I wouldn't hate it.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I understand that, and I agree that MLB vets probably need less instruction. But Rasmus was not listening to LaRussa and to his hitting coach when he was a rookie. That is scary.

Why would a rookie MLBer who hadn't failed yet listen to anyone?

 

[TL1961]

Why would a rookie MLBer who hadn't failed yet listen to anyone?

You sound like you work for the Cubs, pre-Theo.

Any player with a brain - and a hope to continue his career - would listen to the cardinals' management/coaches. There is a reason they are always good, and getting everyone to play The cardinal Way is one of them. Colby wouldn't. The cards have two rings since he was traded, he has none. The Blue Jays are going for it now, and chose to do it without trying to keep him.

It's simple. Smart teams are staying away.

I doubt the Cubs sign him. His influence on the young players sounds like exactly the opposite of what the organization wants.

 

[Parade_Rain]

You sound like you work for the Cubs, pre-Theo.

No. I personally know successful MLBers and MLBers who got a cup of coffee and how hitting instructors function at that level.

Any player with a brain - and a hope to continue his career - would listen to the cardinals' management/coaches.

Let me know when coaches play the game. Lou Piniella was a helluva coach and couldn't get it done. Why? Players play the game, not the coaches. Players are the ones making millions and got there through hard work. Perhaps you don't understand why Manny Ramirez was hired as a player and not a coach at Iowa last season and how he worked with the young players in AAA.

There is a reason they are always good, and getting everyone to play The cardinal Way is one of them. Colby wouldn't. The cards have two rings since he was traded, he has none. The Blue Jays are going for it now, and chose to do it without trying to keep him.

Individual players don't win championships. Rasmus is in the league because he can play ball better than others.

It's simple. Smart teams are staying away.

I doubt the Cubs sign him. His influence on the young players sounds like exactly the opposite of what the organization wants.

I don't know him personally. He could be a good guy or misunderstood or a jerk. I don't know that teams are staying away. What I do know is that I think Coughlan will be solid, if unspectacular, again, which is just fine by me for this season.

 

[brett05]

Boys, don't make me troll you to get you two to unite again.

 

[TL1961]

No. I personally know successful MLBers and MLBers who got a cup of coffee and how hitting instructors function at that level.

Let me know when coaches play the game. Lou Piniella was a helluva coach and couldn't get it done. Why? Players play the game, not the coaches. Players are the ones making millions and got there through hard work. Perhaps you don't understand why Manny Ramirez was hired as a player and not a coach at Iowa last season and how he worked with the young players in AAA.

Individual players don't win championships. Rasmus is in the league because he can play ball better than others.

I don't know him personally. He could be a good guy or misunderstood or a jerk. I don't know that teams are staying away. What I do know is that I think Coughlan will be solid, if unspectacular, again, which is just fine by me for this season.

I personally know an MLB hitting coach. What does that mean?

Saying coaches don't play is missing the point. That would be valid if someone was expecting a WS with bad talent simply because we hired Maddon. No coach wins without talented players. But that has no bearing on the fact that every team in professional sports has coaches. And every individual athlete in pro sports hires coaches - and makes changes, indicating they feel the coaches MATTER. Tiger Woods and Roger Federer have coaches.

If you are seriously making the point that Colby Fucking Rasmus as a rookie did not need to listen to the coaches in the league's most successful franchise, then I simply can't convince you - of anything. That is such a ridiculously absurd statement that I don't even know how to continue to discuss that. If you truly believe MLB players routinely have their daddies interfering and meeting with their managers, I would like to hear other instances. Daddy Rasmus would demand to meet with LaRussa (who has won a few games in his time, BTW), because Daddy thinks he knows more.

Rasmus is in the league because he can play ball better than those not in the league.

Rasmus was traded by the Cards - who won two WS without him with a lesser CF, because they didn't think he was worth the BS that came along with him.

Toronto had no desire to re-sign him.

Yes, he can hit 20 HR's in the majors. But can he do it for a team that wants to win?

P.S. Please fill me in on Manny and what you, and only you, understand.

Manny did such a fine job cutting down on Javy's and Arizmendy's strikeouts and teaching them patience and plate discipline that I can't believe he wasn't given the job at the major league level when it opened up.

 

[Boobaby1]

It might be as simple as can he return to his form from two years ago, and do the Cubs feel safer with him in CF than Alcantara.

Personally, I'd like to see what Alcantara does one way or the other. I believe Colby Rasmus' are there every year to be had via trade or free agency, and at least Alcantara has the HR potential that Rasmus does, is young and cost controlled.

Now if the Cubs want to deal players like Valbuena, Wood, or Castillo to get that top of the order, OBP guy, I am all for that too.

 

[CuttyMarsh2012forOffice]

Manny is in AAA for good reason. His hitting techniques will have a bigger influence on the guys trying to work their hardest to get to the show. It creates a stronger foundation to the Cubs that they can develop solid hitters before they develop bad habits in the mlb. This is strategic, but Manny will eventually become our hitting coach for the Cubs. He's having a blast as a AAA coach

Sent from my LG-C800 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TL1961]

Parade rain, there was no need for me to be so snarky in my response to your post.

I apologize for my response.

(I would like to blame it on earlier interaction with Cards fans, but I must take responsibility for my orneriness. Can't blame them for everything)

 

[Zvbxrpl]

Jason Motte on a 1 year deal.....

I like it.

 

[beckdawg]

So there was quite a bit of debate about how much the cubs had to spend this offseason. The thought peaked my interest this morning. Prior to the offseason that had about $30 mil in committed money before arbitration.

Turner(picked up option) - $1 mil
Wada - $4 mil
Motte - $4.5 mil
Hammel - $9 mil
Montero - $12 mil

Those 5 give you $30.5 mil. Lester's deal is a bit more complicated.

We discussed the particulars of the contract at length last week in a couple posts, so I won’t rehash that stuff here. One new item is a little more detail on the $30 million signing bonus (an MLB record), per the AP: $15 million is paid up front, $2.5 million is paid in 2018, $2.5 million is paid in 2019, and $10 million is paid in 2020.

So, that's $15 mil more plus his base salary. He has a $10 mil option so essentially excluding the various bonus money paid out and that he has a 6 year $115 mil base or $19.167 mil per unless they got fancy with the year to year numbers as well. That would give you a total of $64.667 mil. I also puts their current 2015 commitment to $93.176 mil. I believe I extremely roughly estimated their arbitration cases at $30 mil prior to the offseason. That's likely to change as it seems they are talking on Wood and there's been mention of trading Castillo.

Given all that though I'm guessing their likely pretty closed to tapped unless they get someone to eat Jackson's deal some how. Given the lack of options on Doubront and Turner seems like getting rid of Jackson is all but a given at this point it is just a matter of how painful it will be. Maybe the same can be said for Wood. It might be a tad risky with Hendricks not having a huge track record yet but Johnson is likely on a mid-season call up pace at 24 similar to what Hendricks was this season. You also have Wada who pitched well and hopefully they will fix Doubront, Straily and Turner.