2015 Spring Training Thread

[chibears55]

@Cubs: #Cubs lineup vs. #Padres: Fowler CF, Coghlan LF, Soler RF, Rizzo 1B, Montero C, Baez SS, Olt 3B, Hammel P, Alcantara 2B. #LetsGo

Hammel hitting in the 8th spot...
Figures we get a televised game and no Bryant

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I dont know, maybe im watching a different Castillo behind the plate but i don't seem to see many pass balls and plenty of would be stealers get caught...

.993 Fld% 33% CS Last year. ...


No he not Molina but not many Catchers are, but Montero had a .988 Fld % and 28% CS last year and Ross had .983 Fld% and 22% CS. So he had a better year in his 2nd full season then them.

For what it worth in my opinion, i think this he calls games poorly is overblown and stupid... sure maybe he needs to improve what pitches to call in certain situations but that comes with experience.

I fully believe the biggest reason they got montero was because that was pretty much the only position besides LF epstein could insert a veteran starter he wanted to add and Ross is only there because of Lester.... if they didn't get Lester, Castillo wouldn't be on the trade block.

It was all about pitch framing which is considered much more important than catching base runners in 2015. Montero was 9th in framing, Montero was 8th while Castillo was dead last in 2014. On top of that was the game calling which they consider paramount as well. I think what's happened is that Castillo has found himself in a bad time for his type of catcher. SilenceS could very well be right and a computer will make the whole thing moot but for now it matters to most organizations.

 

[chibears55]

It was all about pitch framing which is considered much more important than catching base runners in 2015. Montero was 9th in framing, Montero was 8th while Castillo was dead last in 2014. On top of that was the game calling which they consider paramount as well. I think what's happened is that Castillo has found himself in a bad time for his type of catcher. SilenceS could very well be right and a computer will make the whole thing moot but for now it matters to most organizations.

Ehhhh pitch framing. ... didn't seem to keep Arrieta Hendricks Samardzija and hammel from having good starts..

Seriously how does one tell if a pitch is being framed or not throughout a season? Is there a camera on the catchers watching how he receives every pitch throughout the season. ..

Im not questioning that a catcher isnt good at it or not or that you cant tell if your watching closely but to say this guy is do much better then that one, who and how can they determine that

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I don't know if this helps but here are the stats from last year. Shows the subjectivity in that I saw another list with Ross 9th and Montero 8th but in this one they're both in the top 20 with Castillo at 102.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/sortable/index.php?cid=1667331

 

[beckdawg]

Seriously how does one tell if a pitch is being framed or not throughout a season? Is there a camera on the catchers watching how he receives every pitch throughout the season.

I believe they just measure the number of strike calls comparative to everyone else but I could be wrong. Wouldn't surprise me if pitch f/x is part of it seeing as the machine measures the break of the ball surely it can measure what's in/out of the strike zone.

 

[beckdawg]

Well, whats funny is Monteor has a job because of his pitch framing. Its funny because within the next 10 years when they make it computer automated. His greatest skill will be null and void.

Not sure they every do that. Keep in mind how resistant they've been to any sort of replay.

 

[beckdawg]

Got that from cubs den. They also had this to say.

Like Arismendy Alcantara, Soler is getting almost no attention this Spring, presumably because he’s not struggling and he’s not Bryant. And that’s fine. Soler is a freakbeast, and will have plenty of time this year to show what he can do.

 

[chibears55]

I believe they just measure the number of strike calls comparative to everyone else but I could be wrong. Wouldn't surprise me if pitch f/x is part of it seeing as the machine measures the break of the ball surely it can measure what's in/out of the strike zone.

Strike calls could just be the pitcher himself..
Having to catch Jackson and Wood last year doesn't help that cause for Castillo...

Im not saying certain catchers aren't exceptional at it..
heck my daughter was pretty good at it when she played in HS and travel ball...

I just would like to know how or what they use to determine one is that much better then another..

Is it more by what one sees, by reputation, or is there something being used to determine if a catcher framing or not...

 

[2323]

Yea, track record means nothing around here.

Neither does the concept of ad hominem.

 

[brett05]

Honestly I've though about it and the Sox would make a good trade partner. Vogelbach has no future in the NL and the Sox could use a power hitting DH type.

Let's take it seriously then

The Sox have zero need for Vogel. Plenty of guys current and in the minors to fulfill the role of DH over the next four plus years.

Flowers is not a all star by any stretch. 3B has been a joke. Olt IMO is going to break out.

No kidding. But he's right in line with Montero who the Cubs are starting. Castillo might be there too. I'd take him but not offering a lot for him. Even less now that the Cubs basically have to trade him.

Olt plays strong D. Walks at a strong clip and has 20 HR power. Ya that is a upgrade at 3B.

Let's not argue and say it is. Not enough over a Conor Gordon platoon to get value.

So I'm really not taking a jab.

The jab was really thinking the deal was for Rodon. If that's not a joke than it shows you have no idea on Rodon's value.

I feel that the Cubs need to start reloading some and making deals with their excess to get some one like Danks (Sox would love to dump 30 mil) just to gain a power arm also. Then that frees up Wood to deal out for another young power arm. End of the day they are restocking for down the road with excess players.

sox would like to get out of Danks contract but there is no way Danks plus Montas is going to happen for what you offered. Sorry.

Let's just call it a troll job and elevate you back to A status in your baseball knowledge

 

[Bear Pride]

One of the reasons I'm not a big metric guy is that it leads to convo like this. ^^^

Meanwhile, we got Hammel vs Shields today. How about it? :elephant:

 

[chibears55]

One of the reasons I'm not a big metric guy is that it leads to convo like this. ^^^

Meanwhile, we got Hammel vs Shields today. How about it? :elephant:

Yea they mentioned again how it was between cubs and padres for shields. ..
Got me thinking if he would've chosen the cubs for whatever reason, how good this rotation would be with Lester and Shields on top and Arrieta Hammels and Hendricks rounding it out.

Hammels and Hendricks on paper would probably be in the top 3 or 5 4/5 starters in all the rotations if not the best..

 

[chibears55]

Baez looking extra aggressive in ABs after a walk. ..
Almost to say your not cheating me of swings twice in a row

 

[Bear Pride]

Yea they mentioned again how it was between cubs and padres for shields. ..
Got me thinking if he would've chosen the cubs for whatever reason, how good this rotation would be with Lester and Shields on top and Arrieta Hammels and Hendricks rounding it out.

Hammels and Hendricks on paper would probably be in the top 3 or 5 4/5 starters in all the rotations if not the best..

Yeah, I was getting pretty excited when he was deciding. I wasn't sure he'd come to Chicago, but it did start to look like he would for a while. If it wasn't for SD being his hometown, he probably would have, imo.

The Cubs would have had a pretty darn good rotation with Shields. Oh well. The jerk in me wants to see SD have a bad year so he regrets his decision, but I'll be happy with a good year from the Cubs either way.

Meanwhile..... Shields is no hitting the Cubs so far after 4. Hammel has given up 3 hits into the 5th, but he has 9 K's! Quite the pitching duel. :buttrock:

 

[Bear Pride]

Hammel exits after 4 2/3 innings with 0 BB and 9 K's. Another good performance for him and a good sign for the Cubs. :yep:

 

[Bear Pride]

Mendy breaks up the no hitter in the 6th with a HR!!!!!!

 

[Zvbxrpl]

A trade I was musing: Castillo, Olt and Vogelchunk in a deal to the White sox. I would want Rondon in return but I feel John Danks is more realistic as a player that could be moved. I only see this if they move Wood in another deal. I would look at the Ranges as they are looking for pitching depth also.

Now Danks is owed 14.25 mil this year and 14.25 mil in 2016. I would want a top prospect in return also. Mostly for taking that payroll off of the Sox.

Sox would pull that deal in a heartbeat. Starting catcher. LH future DH. 3B upgrade (ya Olt starts on that team) Dank's IMO might thrive moving to the NL. Cubs get a vet in at the #4.

I would do it if the Sox gave up a prospect. Francelis Montas would be an ideal guy.

Were you drunk when you posted this? Or just making a bad joke? Or just trying to instigate and have the sox posters come over and destroy the thread?

The Sox just drafted Rodon. You think they're going to give him up for a 3rd rate catcher, a 2nd rate prospect, and a flat out bust in Olt?

 

[Zvbxrpl]

Olt plays strong D. Walks at a strong clip and has 20 HR power. Ya that is a upgrade at 3B..

What fuckery is this?

:enough:

 

[chibears55]

With talks of Bryant or Olt playing LF got me thinking about their current OFers and wondering how many they plan on taking north.

Soler Fowler and Coghlin are definate, then they have Donorfio Sweeney Lake Szczur and somewhat Alcantara. .

If they go with 5 besides Alcantara , guess they could cut sweeney and choose 2 of Donorfio Lake and Szczur. ..

Does Szczur still have options left, i don't think Lake does. .
Is donorfio that much of an Improvement over both of them

 

[JimJohnson]

So is it fair to say Baez is a bust at this point?