2016's Around Major League Baseball

[TC in Mississippi]

Given the weakness of the bottom teams I can't see any division winner not with 90+ wins. I think I'd go so far as say the same for the two wild card winners in the NL too.

No, I get that and it might hold true but Philly and Miami are 2 teams expected to be weak that aren't as of yet and frankly the Rockies aren't an awful team either. That leaves the Braves, Brewers, Reds and Padres as the true stinkers but 4 bad teams is a lot different than 7. Now I don't expect Colorado to hang in all year but I think Philadelphia and Miami could hang in til the deadline which will force them into some decisions. I'll stand by saying I think 88-89 wins will top the West as I think the top 4 teams in that division will beat themselves up all year.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I think it would be a waste of valuable resources to trade for a rental OF (which with Schwarber coming back next year is all you have room for) but a rotation piece makes sense. Not sure how LF is a position of need going forward when you'll have a log jam out there next year with Bryant and Schwarber assumin Baez continues to make his case as the everyday guy at 3B. In CF Almora continues to rake at AAA and is right on schedule. The only this team needs to keep building on is pitching.

All that said, and back on topic, you have to start to wonder about teams that are going to be sellers and if there are other names beyond the usual suspects that might be available at the deadline. One name that I heard yesterday as a trade possibility that might be intriguing is Masahiro Tanaka. The Yankees might be willing to move him as they likely won't compete again til 2018 but that elbow scare the shit out of me. He's a legit ace when he's pitching but he should have been shut down for TJ 18 months ago. We know Theo likes him though so maybe. Otherwise you're probably looking at a pool of guys like Teheran, Matt Moore and maybe one of the Cleveland pitchers although Carrasco is out until late June and be diminished in value in July.

Provided there are no injuries or any starting pitchers suddenly marmoling, I would be fine with the Cubs trading for a Teheran or Carrasco type of pitcher. What they need down the stretch and into the playoffs is a guy who can slot behind Lester, so Lackey is the 4th. They don't need a risk move.

 

[CSF77]

I see it as the Nats and Mets in the east. Central Cubs and Pirates. West SF or LA. West just looks too even and they are beating each other up this year

 

[chibears55]

I think it would be a waste of valuable resources to trade for a rental OF (which with Schwarber coming back next year is all you have room for) but a rotation piece makes sense. Not sure how LF is a position of need going forward when you'll have a log jam out there next year with Bryant and Schwarber assumin Baez continues to make his case as the everyday guy at 3B. In CF Almora continues to rake at AAA and is right on schedule. The only this team needs to keep building on is pitching.

All that said, and back on topic, you have to start to wonder about teams that are going to be sellers and if there are other names beyond the usual suspects that might be available at the deadline. One name that I heard yesterday as a trade possibility that might be intriguing is Masahiro Tanaka. The Yankees might be willing to move him as they likely won't compete again til 2018 but that elbow scare the shit out of me. He's a legit ace when he's pitching but he should have been shut down for TJ 18 months ago. We know Theo likes him though so maybe. Otherwise you're probably looking at a pool of guys like Teheran, Matt Moore and maybe one of the Cleveland pitchers although Carrasco is out until late June and be diminished in value in July.

Depends on who they get and the cost...
If Soler continues to struggles they may look for an alternative for LF besides moving Bryant around and they may prefer a LH. .

I didn't say LF was a need, just that its unset now..

We dont know how Schwarber going to come back from surgery and if he can take the OF grind everyday.
Dont know if the Cubs want Bryant in LF or 3B..
I said there options in system, just dont know as of now who it going to be for next year, so it unset..

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[CSF77]

Depends on who they get and the cost...
If Soler continues to struggles they may look for an alternative for LF besides moving Bryant around and they may prefer a LH. .

I didn't say LF was a need, just that its unset now..

We dont know how Schwarber going to come back from surgery and if he can take the OF grind everyday.
Dont know if the Cubs want Bryant in LF or 3B..
I said there options in system, just dont know as of now who it going to be for next year, so it unset..

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I believe it will come down to if he is healthy he will go back to LF/C with a starter or 2. I don't see a problem with keeping Baez in that role and Montero as the starting catcher. The only change would be Conteras as the primary back up catcher and Schwarber catching 1 guy or 2.

Basically Kyle lost a year of development.

 

[CSF77]

On Soler: what has he done this year that has suggested that he deserves to start?

 

[TC in Mississippi]

On Soler: what has he done this year that has suggested that he deserves to start?

Nothing. He has to earn that time.

 

[Parade_Rain]

On Soler: what has he done this year that has suggested that he deserves to start?

Well, I would want to get him going so I ha e a marketable trade piece at the deadline. That's how he deserves the PT. If the Cubs want a starting pitcher for the post season, they aren't going to be able to get rid of a guy hitting below the mendoza line who doesn't play great defense.

 

[CSF77]

Well, I would want to get him going so I ha e a marketable trade piece at the deadline. That's how he deserves the PT. If the Cubs want a starting pitcher for the post season, they aren't going to be able to get rid of a guy hitting below the mendoza line who doesn't play great defense.

I look at it as you are taking away at bats from more productive hitters. I feel with Baez that he is streaky as a hitter so it is far better to mix him in vs become co-dependent on his production.

Yes production is a major factor but I see it as having the vet stability as a base then you see Bryant and Russell are their main youth players. Rest are mix and match vs sitting on them until they break out.
They are winning at a 80% clip with that plan and I see it as being right.

You never sacrifice wins (when you are a play off team) to add value to a trade chip.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I look at it as you are taking away at bats from more productive hitters. I feel with Baez that he is streaky as a hitter so it is far better to mix him in vs become co-dependent on his production.

Yes production is a major factor but I see it as having the vet stability as a base then you see Bryant and Russell are their main youth players. Rest are mix and match vs sitting on them until they break out.
They are winning at a 80% clip with that plan and I see it as being right.

You never sacrifice wins (when you are a play off team) to add value to a trade chip.

Within the plan you mention, they are getting Soler starts and AB's.

 

[Diehardfan]

After watching Soler do his best Eskimo impression last year...it's no surprise that he hates the cold weather. It hasn't been a warm spring. Get him a few starts when it finally warms up and see where he's at.

 

[CSF77]

Within the plan you mention, they are getting Soler starts and AB's.

Yes he is. Which is why he falls under the mix n match vs starting.

 

[CSF77]

After watching Soler do his best Eskimo impression last year...it's no surprise that he hates the cold weather. It hasn't been a warm spring. Get him a few starts when it finally warms up and see where he's at.

We saw that with Baez also. He got over it. Pretty weak excuse for not hitting.

If it was me I would focus on making contact and controlling what I can control. Like learning my weaknesses and limiting them as a player.

Raw tools he has star potential. That is fine and all but that doesn't win games. To be honest all he is is depth right now.

 

[Parade_Rain]

We saw that with Baez also. He got over it. Pretty weak excuse for not hitting.

If it was me I would focus on making contact and controlling what I can control. Like learning my weaknesses and limiting them as a player.

Raw tools he has star potential. That is fine and all but that doesn't win games. To be honest all he is is depth right now.

Aramis Ramirez was always a slow starter. So is Heyward. It isn't a weak excuse. Soler will be hitting. 260-.270 with pop by the end of the season whether he is with the Cubs or someone else.

 

[chibears55]

I believe it will come down to if he is healthy he will go back to LF/C with a starter or 2. I don't see a problem with keeping Baez in that role and Montero as the starting catcher. The only change would be Conteras as the primary back up catcher and Schwarber catching 1 guy or 2.

Basically Kyle lost a year of development.

Of course that the hope for Schwarber next year, is to retake LF.. my response to the poster question was just that as of now LF and a couple other positions just wasn't set in stone as of yet ..

As far as LF goes this year, I just think if they get into June and Soler hasn't righted himself yet.. I just think they might look into acquiring a LH hitter(most likely a rental) to settle things in LF..
this way Bryant can focus on 3B, Baez can maneuver everywhere, and Soler can be more effective playing solely against LH pitching..


Who knows maybe they use Soler in a nice package to a team like the As and get Reddick and Gray...
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[Shawon0Meter]

Jon Heyman reports Starsburg has signed a 7/175 extension with the Nats

deal includes opt outs and deferrals

 

[Parade_Rain]

Of course that the hope for Schwarber next year, is to retake LF.. my response to the poster question was just that as of now LF and a couple other positions just wasn't set in stone as of yet ..

As far as LF goes this year, I just think if they get into June and Soler hasn't righted himself yet.. I just think they might look into acquiring a LH hitter(most likely a rental) to settle things in LF..
this way Bryant can focus on 3B, Baez can maneuver everywhere, and Soler can be more effective playing solely against LH pitching..


Who knows maybe they use Soler in a nice package to a team like the As and get Reddick and Gray...
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Did you miss Kalish hitting this past series? He's an OF and a LH bat. They aren't going to waste any resources finding a rental LF.

 

[SilenceS]

Sonny Gray lit up again! I want no part of him unless his price goes down significantly.

 

[CSF77]

Aramis Ramirez was always a slow starter. So is Heyward. It isn't a weak excuse. Soler will be hitting. 260-.270 with pop by the end of the season whether he is with the Cubs or someone else.

That is fine. If he starts to hit .270 than he should be getting more playing time.

AB's: 72 .181/.274/.278

Baez 49 AB's .306/.333/.490
LaStella: 47 AB's .362/.444/.660
Szczur 30 AB .367/.441/.600

Looking at it it is hard to justify why Soler has been getting the most AB's out of the bench crew. His production sucks to any of them.

 

[chibears55]

Did you miss Kalish hitting this past series? He's an OF and a LH bat. They aren't going to waste any resources finding a rental LF.

You're kidding right ?

Kalish will be sent down when Szczur returns

I don't understand what resources you guys think their going to waste...

It'll most likely cost low end minor leaguer(s) for rentals, their not going to trade anyone of high significance ..

I know cubs fans aren't use to this but that the point of having depth and good talent in your system, to be able to trade for needed players to help put you over the top or strengthen your team when you're a serious contender..
Rental or not


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