2015 Spring Training Thread

[TC in Mississippi]

Split squad today. Wada starting 1 game. Arrieta starting the other. Will be good to see all of the players starting.

Baez 1-4 no S/O's.
Soler 2-3 1 HR
Bryant 3-4 2 HR 1 2B. I do not see how they keep him in AAA. Even in LF and Olt at 3B this team starts to look scary.
Olt 0-2 2 BB 2 runs scored.
Russell 3-3 1 2B

I'm getting to the point of wanting Olt at 3B and Bryant in LF starting the season. I believe it is a safer bet with Bryant. He has a strong arm but it is all about making the throws. This way they can groom Russell for 3B and then build up Olt's trade value.


what I want to see is a line up with:
Bryant: LF
Fowler: CF
Soler: RF
Olt: 3B
Castro: SS
Baez: 2B
Rizzo: 1B
Montero C
DH (Don't matter maybe Schwarber)

I'm sort of with you here although I'm still very worried about Baez and wonder if Russell might be the answer at 2B if Olt can stick at 3B. I still want that extra year of control so in no way do I want Bryant up to start the season. Just seems foolish. For one year of control they have to leave him down for 9 games but with the MLBPA making some noise they might have to leave him down a few more. Even if you think Bryant is a 6 WAR player (best case scenario) that's less than one win you're sacrificing for a year of control. We shouldn't lose sight of that no matter how much we want to see him play.

 

[CSF77]

I'm sort of with you here although I'm still very worried about Baez and wonder if Russell might be the answer at 2B if Olt can stick at 3B. I still want that extra year of control so in no way do I want Bryant up to start the season. Just seems foolish. For one year of control they have to leave him down for 9 games but with the MLBPA making some noise they might have to leave him down a few more. Even if you think Bryant is a 6 WAR player (best case scenario) that's less than one win you're sacrificing for a year of control. We shouldn't lose sight of that no matter how much we want to see him play.

Depends if they can work out a starter contract like they did with Rizzo and Castro. I would expect a 100 mil deal early on with a opt out later on to be able to increase it.

The end of the day is if he wants to be a Cub long term he will

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Depends if they can work out a starter contract like they did with Rizzo and Castro. I would expect a 100 mil deal early on with a opt out later on to be able to increase it.

The end of the day is if he wants to be a Cub long term he will

I've been shot down on this a lot with people saying his guys do sign contracts but the bottom line is Scott Boras strongly objects to those kind of deals and would advise him against it. He was very public in saying that he thought Mike Trout got robbed @ 6 years/$144 million. With that background I'm simply not expecting Bryant to sign one. I'd be all for it though.

 

[brett05]

I've been shot down on this a lot with people saying his guys do sign contracts but the bottom line is Scott Boras strongly objects to those kind of deals and would advise him against it. He was very public in saying that he thought Mike Trout got robbed @ 6 years/$144 million. With that background I'm simply not expecting Bryant to sign one. I'd be all for it though.

He always says that and like the Mike Trout deal no one cares about Boras.

 

[CSF77]

I've been shot down on this a lot with people saying his guys do sign contracts but the bottom line is Scott Boras strongly objects to those kind of deals and would advise him against it. He was very public in saying that he thought Mike Trout got robbed @ 6 years/$144 million. With that background I'm simply not expecting Bryant to sign one. I'd be all for it though.

I was thinking 7 year 100 mil starter deal. Arb1 can re-negotiate.

 

[brett05]

I'm sort of with you here although I'm still very worried about Baez and wonder if Russell might be the answer at 2B if Olt can stick at 3B. I still want that extra year of control so in no way do I want Bryant up to start the season. Just seems foolish. For one year of control they have to leave him down for 9 games but with the MLBPA making some noise they might have to leave him down a few more. Even if you think Bryant is a 6 WAR player (best case scenario) that's less than one win you're sacrificing for a year of control. We shouldn't lose sight of that no matter how much we want to see him play.

You miss playoffs or home field advantage by a couple of games all because you left Bryant down for a year of control that will never be seen is foolish.

 

[CSF77]

You miss playoffs or home field advantage by a couple of games all because you left Bryant down for a year of control that will never be seen is foolish.

Question is: With him are they better than the Cards or the Pirates? I do not see it. With him it increases their chances but there is no sure thing that he alone will drive this team. I believe they need to stay close then add a TOR via trade.

 

[brett05]

Question is: With him are they better than the Cards or the Pirates? I do not see it. With him it increases their chances but there is no sure thing that he alone will drive this team. I believe they need to stay close then add a TOR via trade.

The question is not who they are close to. It is are they close to a WC or HFA. If they are and miss out because of keeping who arguably is their most valuable player down for a year that will never ever be seen it is foolish.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

He always says that and like the Mike Trout deal no one cares about Boras.

Because Boras wasn't representing Trout. All I'm saying is if you had a son you'd want him represented by Boras, I sure would. The guy promises and delivers. Ask Max Scherzer. As regards to Bryant, sure he could decide that being was being a Cub was more important, as a fan we would all love that but as human beings we would understand if he wanted to maximize his earning potential.

As far as leaving him down. Sure if they miss the playoffs by a game or two after leaving him down they will be second guessed, no question. I say it's worth the risk.

 

[brett05]

Because Boras wasn't representing Trout. All I'm saying is if you had a son you'd want him represented by Boras, I sure would. The guy promises and delivers. Ask Max Scherzer. As regards to Bryant, sure he could decide that being was being a Cub was more important, as a fan we would all love that but as human beings we would understand if he wanted to maximize his earning potential.

As far as leaving him down. Sure if they miss the playoffs by a game or two after leaving him down they will be second guessed, no question. I say it's worth the risk.

I never said Trout was repped by Boras.

The risk of losing something that rarely happens?..AKA the playoffs? For a year that will never ever come? No thanks. This is one of the Negatives for this management.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I never said Trout was repped by Boras.

The risk of losing something that rarely happens?..AKA the playoffs? For a year that will never ever come? No thanks. This is one of the Negatives for this management.

I will respectfully disagree. If they let him come up sacrificing a year of eligibility in his prime, in a year where the playoffs shouldn't even really be an organizational goal (it should always be a goal for players of course), I would consider them guilty of malfeasance. Just my opinion.

 

[brett05]

We shall see, hey perhaps the Cubs won;t be close one way or the other and it won't matter. but 100% that extra year will never, ever be seen.

 

[SilenceS]

People make my head hurt. So, everyone is very worried about Baez but Mike Olt has a couple of games and now he is cemented in our lineup? What? Russell wont be to a late season call up. Maddon has already said that Baez is a strong, strong candidate to open the season at second. I get the concerns but how about everyone chill out and stop going game to game especially in the spring. The Cubs are playing some shitty fundamental baseball. There is a whole lot going on more then who is taking a walk in spring.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Yep. Lots to work out. I was talking to a young associate recently, who played for several teams and he commented on how his last ST was his best. Great defense, very solid offensively and he still got released. I'll worry about some things when they announce who is breaking camp and headed for Wrigley. Until then, I'm just enjoying the youth, the offense, the SP battle and hoping everyone stays healthy.

 

[SilenceS]

Yep. Lots to work out. I was talking to a young associate recently, who played for several teams and he commented on how his last ST was his best. Great defense, very solid offensively and he still got released. I'll worry about some things when they announce who is breaking camp and headed for Wrigley. Until then, I'm just enjoying the youth, the offense, the SP battle and hoping everyone stays healthy.

Yep, I know three current/ex mlb players. I have heard similar stories.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

People make my head hurt. So, everyone is very worried about Baez but Mike Olt has a couple of games and now he is cemented in our lineup? What? Russell wont be to a late season call up. Maddon has already said that Baez is a strong, strong candidate to open the season at second. I get the concerns but how about everyone chill out and stop going game to game especially in the spring. The Cubs are playing some shitty fundamental baseball. There is a whole lot going on more then who is taking a walk in spring.

No, I was sying is looking like a possibility. Reports of ST are that Olt has is really showing something at the plate in terms of approach if not quite results. This guy was a blue chip prospect two years ago, it's not like he's a bum that disappeared. As far as Russell he has really helped his stock but he's been considered a strong possibility for a mid season call up, not late season although he too is a Boras client so if that late economics will play a part. Either way it's just talking. As far as fundamental baseball there are a lot fo really good things going on there on a micro level which is the only way you can evaluate ST. Olt has looked good, Bryant has looked good but a little shaky defensively, Baez has shown flashes of improvement, Lastella has been bad which is a concern, Doubront has to this point almost played himself off the team. Nothing to get too excited about or too worried about quite yet.

 

[brett05]

ditto

 

[Boobaby1]

You miss playoffs or home field advantage by a couple of games all because you left Bryant down for a year of control that will never be seen is foolish.

In a year expected to have ups and downs with the prospects, bringing him up is very foolish IMO. These are words that have been used by many around here prior to Spring training starting with Bryant. Now that he is hitting, they want him up to start the year.

Guys like Jason Heyward for example came up at the start. Had Atlanta held him out for those 9 or so games, he would either still be with the Braves, or the Braves could have received a better package than they received from the Cardinals because of the extra year of eligibility. An extra year more often than not will be huge at that time of the contract.

It is a business and needs to be treated as such. 9 games is not going to make or break the Cubs without Bryant, and from what I gather, his defense still needs work too. People need to temper the emotions and think long term. This is the year they are suppose to make some strides. It is not as if the Cubs were a 90 win team last year.

I don't see the rush. He is going to come up 2-1/2 months earlier than Rizzo did with the Cubs, and that has worked out okay.

Patience, people.

 

[brett05]

In a year expected to have ups and downs with the prospects, bringing him up is very foolish IMO. These are words that have been used by many around here prior to Spring training starting with Bryant. Now that he is hitting, they want him up to start the year.

Many around here and many in the professional world think it's foolish before ST

Guys like Jason Heyward for example came up at the start. Had Atlanta held him out for those 9 or so games, he would either still be with the Braves, or the Braves could have received a better package than they received from the Cardinals because of the extra year of eligibility. An extra year more often than not will be huge at that time of the contract.

You have no idea what would have happened. Hayward so far is a bust bat wise with his potential. Most studs sign thru the extra year...see Trout, pujols as two examples

It is a business and needs to be treated as such. 9 games is not going to make or break the Cubs without Bryant, and from what I gather, his defense still needs work too.

It hurts the business by keeping him down instead of setting records with attendance in April. Only time will tell if they just miss.

While his d needs work everyone pretty much agrees he can work on that at the big league level

 

[Parade_Rain]

It hurts the business by keeping him down instead of setting records with attendance in April. Only time will tell if they just miss.

While his d needs work everyone pretty much agrees he can work on that at the big league level

Attendance records aren't going to be great in April anyway. Mostly day games and the kiddies are still in school.