2015 Spring Training Thread

TC in Mississippi

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Man if Olt can be like an Adam Dunn that gives the Cubs a great opportunity to keep Schwarber in the minors long enough to learn catcher at a major league level, as having Olt as a 3b or backup 1b/Lf blocks Schwarber as Bryant would be LF and it forces the Cubs hands to play Schwarber at catcher, or just trade Olt for more minor league depth.

I'm encouraged by Olt's spring so far as well but I still think ultimately his future is in another uniform. It's being reported that the team has no intentions of moving Castro off SS which means that Russell is likely going to be at 3B or 2B so his future is going to be determined by Baez. Bryant could start seeing LF reps as early as today but not just because of Russell but for lineup versatility as well. As far as Schwarber they are going to give him every opportunity to catch and most people in the organization have him further along than expected at C so unless he's really bad in AA this year I would expect him to play most of next year in AAA before maybe seeing time up at the MLB level in late 2016.
 

CSF77

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I'm encouraged by Olt's spring so far as well but I still think ultimately his future is in another uniform. It's being reported that the team has no intentions of moving Castro off SS which means that Russell is likely going to be at 3B or 2B so his future is going to be determined by Baez. Bryant could start seeing LF reps as early as today but not just because of Russell but for lineup versatility as well. As far as Schwarber they are going to give him every opportunity to catch and most people in the organization have him further along than expected at C so unless he's really bad in AA this year I would expect him to play most of next year in AAA before maybe seeing time up at the MLB level in late 2016.

I wouldn't count Coghlan out as a long term LF. The team has a clear need for players with OBA skills. If he can get his HR power around 15 per it justifies it.

I would start Olt full time at 3B. If he takes off let it play out until June. Get Bryant past his super 2 window then push Olt for sale. If he is looking unsaleable there is a need for a RH DH type that can play LF/1B etc.

On Russell I wouldn't get that far yet. At best he will start at Iowa. The season will dictate how things will settle. My opinion is if he is a 15 HR guy I would rather trade him vs losing power at 3B long term. I would rather keep Bryant at 3B and use Alcantara in LF long term. Just my 2 cents. Alcantara in LF, Almora in CF and Soler in RF works fine long term. The team needs more of a LH presence vs another RH stick.
 

TC in Mississippi

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I wouldn't count Coghlan out as a long term LF. The team has a clear need for players with OBA skills. If he can get his HR power around 15 per it justifies it.

I would start Olt full time at 3B. If he takes off let it play out until June. Get Bryant past his super 2 window then push Olt for sale. If he is looking unsaleable there is a need for a RH DH type that can play LF/1B etc.

On Russell I wouldn't get that far yet. At best he will start at Iowa. The season will dictate how things will settle. My opinion is if he is a 15 HR guy I would rather trade him vs losing power at 3B long term. I would rather keep Bryant at 3B and use Alcantara in LF long term. Just my 2 cents. Alcantara in LF, Almora in CF and Soler in RF works fine long term. The team needs more of a LH presence vs another RH stick.

I don't think they're keeping Bryant down until his super 2 date, they're just waiting for the service time. If Olt plays well he'll see time there after Bryant comes up. Again though I don't see himas a long term peice and if his value rises he's a likely trade chip for pitching. Also don't forget that Maddon likes moving lineups. As far as Russell I think he'll be up this year if he can help, could be June, could be August or it could be as a September call up. I think it depends on him and the team. Not sure where you're gettting 15 HR for Russell though, most say he's a 20-25 HR guy, of course we'll all see how that plays out.
 

SilenceS

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BTW: No one cares about the bickering. Get on point about the Cubs guys.

It was about the Cubs. It wasn't off topic


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CSF77

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It was about the Cubs. It wasn't off topic


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:rolleyes:

I don't think they're keeping Bryant down until his super 2 date, they're just waiting for the service time. If Olt plays well he'll see time there after Bryant comes up. Again though I don't see himas a long term peice and if his value rises he's a likely trade chip for pitching. Also don't forget that Maddon likes moving lineups. As far as Russell I think he'll be up this year if he can help, could be June, could be August or it could be as a September call up. I think it depends on him and the team. Not sure where you're gettting 15 HR for Russell though, most say he's a 20-25 HR guy, of course we'll all see how that plays out.

Olt is not long term but he has value. D wise his should be upper 1/3 in the league.

3B: Donaldson 29 HR, Frazier 29 HR, Seager 25 HR, Longoria 22 HR, Rendon 21 HR, Beltre: 19 HR, Arenado 18 HR, Alvarez 18 HR, Sandoval 16 HR, Valbuena 16 HR, Francisco 16 HR, Ramirez 15 HR, Plouffe 14 HR, Harrison 13 HR, Chisenhall 13 HR, Headley 13 HR, Machado 12 HR, Lawrie 12 HR, Johnson 10 HR

Olt had 225 AB's. That is less than 1/2 of Donaldson or Frazier while hitting .160 and still ended up with 12. Looking at 3B over all 12 over a full season is not unheard of. No wonder why Valbuena had strong trade value. 3B in general is weak.

That is why it makes sense to play it out. 3B is a league wide weak position where it lacks power in general. In the past it was considered a strong power position. A player like Olt could end up with strong trade value if he proves to be able to give solid D and HR power. Even with a .250 BA.
 

CSF77

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Oh David Wright: Whopping 8 in 535 AB's....and he is one of the top ones.....did not even come in the top 10. I believe there is a new wave happening with Bryant and Gallo adding to Donaldson and Frazier. But Olt could become a solid 2nd tier. And looking at the power vacuum going on that is not a bad thing.
 

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Too much concern about HR and not enough concern about OBP. Also, if Baez cannot make adjustments and becomes a AAAA player, Russell either becomes -

1) 2B, which would be odd, because if a player projects to perhaps not having the body of a SS, he likely isn't going to have the body of a 2B
2) 3B, which means his D would be better than Bryant's and Bryant moves to corner OF
3) LF, which again you will suggest he's an orphan hitter in LF, so he isn't a good fit

Now, if Baez can't figure things out at AAA level, Alcantara belongs as the daily starting 2B.
 

TC in Mississippi

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Too much concern about HR and not enough concern about OBP. Also, if Baez cannot make adjustments and becomes a AAAA player, Russell either becomes -

1) 2B, which would be odd, because if a player projects to perhaps not having the body of a SS, he likely isn't going to have the body of a 2B
2) 3B, which means his D would be better than Bryant's and Bryant moves to corner OF
3) LF, which again you will suggest he's an orphan hitter in LF, so he isn't a good fit

Now, if Baez can't figure things out at AAA level, Alcantara belongs as the daily starting 2B.

Baez has work to do. He's likely going to do it at AAA. If he's up later this year after making some adjustments fine, but I'm not counting on it. I think you're more likely to see Lastella start at 2B but Alcantara will see time there. As far as the infield Cubs Den has some interesting stuff on that today:

Addison Russell is a possible long term solution at 3B. Starlin Castro, I'm told, is entrenched at SS for the long haul, so it is indeed Russell that will have to move. The question is whether that will be to 2B or 3B.
Where Russell ultimately plays may depend more on what Javier Baez does than anything else. If Baez can lock down 2B then Russell is destined for the hot corner and Bryant then gets pushed to LF. If Baez becomes the odd man out, then one likely outcome is that Kris Bryant stays at 3B and the Cubs move Russell to 2B instead. The Cubs have other options at 2B, most notably Arismendy Alcantara but also Tommy LaStella, so Russell may move to 3B anyway if the Cubs decide to move Bryant to LF long term.
I like the idea of a savvy infielder like Russell in the middle of the field where he can become something of a co-captain of the infield, even with Castro as the elder statesman at SS, the position we normally associate as the infield captain. Then again, we've seen Darwin Barney take that leadership role from the keystone, so maybe Russell can ultimately play a similar role. Russell has been lauded for his awareness and positionimg on the diamond.


http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/...w-does-the-rest-of-the-if-shakeout-long-term/

I think a lot of that makes sense and it's starting to look like Russell could be more ready than Baez and if Baez doesn't progress in AAA Russell could be up before he is. If so you might see him start at 2B when he comes up. If Olt looks good to start the season maybe Bryant does play some LF but the Coghlan/Denorfia platoon could yield results there too. Lots of things that will have to sort themselves out.
 

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Baez has work to do. He's likely going to do it at AAA. If he's up later this year after making some adjustments fine, but I'm not counting on it. I think you're more likely to see Lastella start at 2B but Alcantara will see time there. As far as the infield Cubs Den has some interesting stuff on that today:

Addison Russell is a possible long term solution at 3B. Starlin Castro, I'm told, is entrenched at SS for the long haul, so it is indeed Russell that will have to move. The question is whether that will be to 2B or 3B.
Where Russell ultimately plays may depend more on what Javier Baez does than anything else. If Baez can lock down 2B then Russell is destined for the hot corner and Bryant then gets pushed to LF. If Baez becomes the odd man out, then one likely outcome is that Kris Bryant stays at 3B and the Cubs move Russell to 2B instead. The Cubs have other options at 2B, most notably Arismendy Alcantara but also Tommy LaStella, so Russell may move to 3B anyway if the Cubs decide to move Bryant to LF long term.
I like the idea of a savvy infielder like Russell in the middle of the field where he can become something of a co-captain of the infield, even with Castro as the elder statesman at SS, the position we normally associate as the infield captain. Then again, we've seen Darwin Barney take that leadership role from the keystone, so maybe Russell can ultimately play a similar role. Russell has been lauded for his awareness and positionimg on the diamond.


http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/...w-does-the-rest-of-the-if-shakeout-long-term/

I think a lot of that makes sense and it's starting to look like Russell could be more ready than Baez and if Baez doesn't progress in AAA Russell could be up before he is. If so you might see him start at 2B when he comes up. If Olt looks good to start the season maybe Bryant does play some LF but the Coghlan/Denorfia platoon could yield results there too. Lots of things that will have to sort themselves out.
Good info, TC. My comments about Alcantara are more about, if it's true that Russell's body type/growth make him something other than MIF (there was some discussion about that here last season). Also, moving Bryant to LF would really set the stage to waiting for Schwarber to come up as a catcher, doesn't it? There really is so much to watch this season besides what the final score is. One could get ADD just from all the possibilities. :D
 

CSF77

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I agree with the Baez part. I do not see them bumping to AAA unless he is over matched this spring. 4 SO in 8 AB. 0 BB. That is what will get him in AAA. What I expect them to want is 20% SO and 10% BB. If he is at 50% SO and at 5% BB he will be in AAA.
 

CSF77

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Too much concern about HR and not enough concern about OBP. Also, if Baez cannot make adjustments and becomes a AAAA player, Russell either becomes -

1) 2B, which would be odd, because if a player projects to perhaps not having the body of a SS, he likely isn't going to have the body of a 2B
2) 3B, which means his D would be better than Bryant's and Bryant moves to corner OF
3) LF, which again you will suggest he's an orphan hitter in LF, so he isn't a good fit

Now, if Baez can't figure things out at AAA level, Alcantara belongs as the daily starting 2B.

When the league has a power shortage it increases the value of power at said position. MI is traditionally strong D positions. HR power there is bonus.

The Cubs are in a good situation where they could have power at 3B, 2B, 1B, RF. (Catcher when Schwarber gets up) That leaves LF, CF and SS to try to get OBA/Speed out of.


So with this in mind:

Alcantara LF: Speed (hopefully OBA), Almora D (Seems to be a strong BA guy), SS: Castro who is improving D and is a solid contact hitter. They have 3 players who fit the mold of top of the order.

Middle of the order: Bryant, Rizzo, Soler, Schwarber, Baez.

5 deep. How many teams have 5 guys that can pull 20 up to 50 HR on any year? Of that group Baez is the most likely to bust. Rizzo is proven. Soler IMO just needs to stay healthy. Bryant would be a shocker if he busted. Schwarber looks like a lock as of now.

I've said it before. Russell is the biggest trade chip (Maybe more than Bryant due to his solid all around skills) If they can pull a trade for a young starter that is close with high top end potential I would not be mad.

Someone like Lucas Giolito.

Seeing how Ian Desmond is hitting F/A and they will be forced into payroll decisions it makes sense.
 

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I've always said the Cubs dream is Bryant in left, Soler in right, castro at short, Russell at third, baez at second. I've always thought schwarber would be a piece for a trade.


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When the league has a power shortage it increases the value of power at said position. MI is traditionally strong D positions. HR power there is bonus.

The Cubs are in a good situation where they could have power at 3B, 2B, 1B, RF. (Catcher when Schwarber gets up) That leaves LF, CF and SS to try to get OBA/Speed out of.


So with this in mind:

Alcantara LF: Speed (hopefully OBA), Almora D (Seems to be a strong BA guy), SS: Castro who is improving D and is a solid contact hitter. They have 3 players who fit the mold of top of the order.

Middle of the order: Bryant, Rizzo, Soler, Schwarber, Baez.

5 deep. How many teams have 5 guys that can pull 20 up to 50 HR on any year? Of that group Baez is the most likely to bust. Rizzo is proven. Soler IMO just needs to stay healthy. Bryant would be a shocker if he busted. Schwarber looks like a lock as of now.

I've said it before. Russell is the biggest trade chip (Maybe more than Bryant due to his solid all around skills) If they can pull a trade for a young starter that is close with high top end potential I would not be mad.

Someone like Lucas Giolito.

Seeing how Ian Desmond is hitting F/A and they will be forced into payroll decisions it makes sense.
I am not interested in Almora right now. He isn't even on the radar in 2015 and likely 2016 when the Cubs will definitely be pushing to be a contender.
 

SilenceS

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I am not interested in Almora right now. He isn't even on the radar in 2015 and likely 2016 when the Cubs will definitely be pushing to be a contender.

I didn't like the almora pick. He was an over achiever that I always thought talent would over come


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TL1961

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It's a message board. Everyone bickers lol


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Discussing the topic and disagreeing is one thing.

Rehashing the argument itself - "No, you said ____", blah , blah, blah is NOT.

Once it gets to nothing more than two people going back and forth about what started the argument, nobody else want to see it. And it doesn't do any good anyway.
 

TL1961

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Toronto has lost starting pitcher Marcus Stroman to a torn ACL.

Cue Edwin Jackson to Toronto talk!
 

TC in Mississippi

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Toronto has lost starting pitcher Marcus Stroman to a torn ACL.

Cue Edwin Jackson to Toronto talk!

Honestly if the Cubs would pick up most of the money it might make sense for them as an insurance policy for Aaron Sanchez who will likely get the first shot at the rotation.
 

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