2015 Spring Training Thread

[SilenceS]

If you have a link to it I'd like to see it. Players like Bryant have done the deal plenty as I posted here several times taken from wikipedia (i know not the best source).

I dont know how to link sportscenter. lol

 

[TC in Mississippi]

If you have a link to it I'd like to see it. Players like Bryant have done the deal plenty as I posted here several times taken from wikipedia (i know not the best source).

I actually did find some data on this but unfortunately can't find a single link although all of these names can be researched individually if you would like.. It was also discussed at length on Bruce Levine's Inside the Clubhouse on WSCR two weeks ago and I think there is a podcast of that. In the last ten years, of Boras clients before their first FA period four have signed extensions earlier than one year before their FA date, Carlos Gonzales, Jared Weaver, Elvis Andrus and Ryan Madsen. All admittedly asked Boras to negotiate those deals against his advice (there's an interview with Gonzales out there that's easy to find and he's clear on this). In the last few years Xander Bogaerts and Bryce Harper have turned down lengthy deals. Bryant is probably the best prospect of all of those guys with the possible exception of Harper. Will Bryant want to sign one? No one knows, not me, not anyone but Bryant and his people.

Now as far as players approaching their FA period signing with their existing teams, there have been more of those guys. Levine said there had been 6 of those in the last 10 years. He has however taken a lot of guys to new teams for huge money as Max Scherzer can tell you. His guys make more on average than those represented by toher agents although you have to figure that Giancarlo Stanton's agents at the Wasserman group did OK for their client.

 

[chibears55]

Here a question. ..

Is Bryant thr first highly rated prospect to ever have to wait 2-4 weeks into the season before he started his career so a team can gain that extra year of control ?

Im guessing no... which makes me think that if bryant had pretty much any other agent but boras, this wouldn't be an issue. .

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Here a question. ..

Is Bryant thr first highly rated prospect to ever have to wait 2-4 weeks into the season before he started his career so a team can gain that extra year of control ?

Im guessing no... which makes me think that if bryant had pretty much any other agent but boras, this wouldn't be an issue. .

It's happened as far back as Mark Grace who clearly beat out Leon Durham but was held down for the same reasons (slightly different rules then). Durham was traded right after Grace came up. It was an issue with Jason Heyward who did not have Boras for an agent but in the end Atlanta brought him up anyway. This has been discussed recently since if he had 2 years left on his deal this past offseason instead of one Atlanta could have gotten more in trade for him. Some media members have pointed this out as a major mistake on the Braves part. As far as Boras' guys Bryce Harper was held down until 4/28 the yer he came up. None of this is new, some of it is about Boras but most of it is just business.

 

[TL1961]

Politics abound. This is how solid MLB prospects end up not becoming every day players. They get blocked by a someone the Club is infatuated with, even though the other player has better numbers/performance.

LaStella offers little offensively, and Baez is better defensively.

 

[Parade_Rain]

LaStella offers little offensively, and Baez is better defensively.

I seem to recall Mendy being a solid MIF.

 

[TL1961]

I seem to recall Mendy being a solid MIF.

So do I.

I was responding to a comment hoping for LaStella.

 

[SilenceS]

I seem to recall Mendy being a solid MIF.

From what I have known, Baez has more range and better alll around defensively at second. I heard Baez can dazzle you at second with his instincts. Mendy is facing the same problems as Baez with the stick even though no one talks about it. They also would rather never lock Alcantara into a set position. His super sub status allows for the Cubs to do alot with their roster.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

LaStella offers little offensively, and Baez is better defensively.

La Stella has always been projected as a .280 hitter with a high OBP. If he hit that and put up a .365 OBP and played decent defensively he'd be a good fit for this year at 2 B with Alcantara playing their occasionally. Listen I wish Baez was ready but I don't think he is.

 

[Parade_Rain]

From what I have known, Baez has more range and better alll around defensively at second. I heard Baez can dazzle you at second with his instincts. Mendy is facing the same problems as Baez with the stick even though no one talks about it. They also would rather never lock Alcantara into a set position. His super sub status allows for the Cubs to do alot with their roster.

I get that. I'm not at all convinced Baez belongs up. AA provides a lot more value, imho. I thik a Lastella/AA combo is a better fit this season, but I don't know jack, TBH. I'll leave that up to Maddon.

 

[Parade_Rain]

You have some of Theo's pubic hairs in your teeth.

So he can list them on ebay and you can buy them to add to your collection.

 

[SilenceS]

The Cubs are on tv in owe like 3 minutes on ESPN. Bryant is playing Left. Here is the lineup.

Baez 2B

Russell SS

Bryant LF

Soler RF

Rizzo 1B

Olt 3B

Castillo C

Jokisch P

Szczur CF

Also, Lester threw in a minor league game and looked good. I think he is going to throw in one more minor league game before opening day.

 

[SilenceS]

What a play by Russell to turn two on Trout. Baez got smoked by Calhoun in the chest.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

You can tell this is a spring training games because in a regular season game, the opposing team would slide to keep Baez in the game.

 

[SilenceS]

Baez base running on full display. Stole second. Was aggressive going to third. He beat that ball before the guy dropped it. The ump had the call wrong. Russell stole a base and they manufactured a run.

 

[Parade_Rain]

That ump was wrong. Glad I wasn't the only one who thought so.

 

[chibears55]

ESPN bright lights getting to bryant tonight 0-2 2 Ks

 

[SilenceS]

Weaver completely out thinking our young hitters.

 

[chibears55]

I would be good with bryant in LF and Olt at 3B. ..

Part of me thinks Theo might give in and bring bryant up opening day and start him in LF......

Donorfio going down probably opened the door for Szczur

 

[SilenceS]

That is how you break camp with a club Baez. No one can take hustle away from you.