All Spring Training IGT

[beckdawg]

He is 35 in June. I don't know what the fascination is with him. Not just you, others. He is the definition of expandable. He signed with us. He is depth if someone gets hurt, but that should be the only way he gets on this team.

For me he's a good personality for the team(fits well with Maddon) and he's a versatile defender who can play SS. I like that better than what La Stella gives you. If I thought Alcantara was ready I'd be stumping for him instead of La Stella because he's basically a better version of Kawasaki. My worry as I said before is that if you play Baez in a "where ever there is a hole" role it leaves you vulnerable on defense because La Stella realistically should probably only be playing 2B and he's not particularly good at that.

So, it's not that Kawasaki is an amazing player or anything it's just I think he's a better overall fit. That plus the guy has played well in ST and sorta seems like he deserves the shot.

 

[beckdawg]

It was nice to see they managed to get Parra to stay on a minor league deal. Between him and Patton I like their options out of AAA if someone plays bad/is hurt. Also Victorino might be done in the majors but he's sure to help some of the guys in AAA while he's there.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

For me he's a good personality for the team(fits well with Maddon) and he's a versatile defender who can play SS. I like that better than what La Stella gives you. If I thought Alcantara was ready I'd be stumping for him instead of La Stella because he's basically a better version of Kawasaki. My worry as I said before is that if you play Baez in a "where ever there is a hole" role it leaves you vulnerable on defense because La Stella realistically should probably only be playing 2B and he's not particularly good at that.

So, it's not that Kawasaki is an amazing player or anything it's just I think he's a better overall fit. That plus the guy has played well in ST and sorta seems like he deserves the shot.

You just don't like La Stella, and I get it because there's an argument to made there, but the FO office does like him quite a bit as a contact hitter off the bench which is something you don't value as much as they do. Much like my comment about chibear55 and his strong opinion about a 5 man bench, I respect your opinion on this as well. For me I tend not to quibble much with the FO of those kinds of things, I feel they know how to run their day to day team and those things can be easily tinkered with throughout the season, but where I question them is going into the season maybe one TOR starter short of a lights out rotation and having a guy like Clayton Richard as a pen lefty as opposed to have found someone better in the offseason.

 

[beckdawg]

You just don't like La Stella

I don't have anything against him personally. I just like certain skill sets better than other skill sets. In the case of La Stella, I just don't see he offers much than a cheap bat off the bench with options. He has hit .254/.327 on his career. League average for non pitchers is .258/.321. And the way I see it that's all he's giving you other than being an infielder and not a particularly good one defensively.

Ultimately, i get that you're not going to find 3-4 Baez level players for the bench. But his stand out attribute is hitting for contact and he's basically league average hitter. I guess I just don't see why people are so enthralled with him because he's basically done nothing as a cub(75 PAs of 99 wRC+). Over his career he's an 87 wRC+. As I've said, I don't *love* Kawasaki but he's a career 71 wRC+ and he offers you a lot more defensively. If the debate were some hypothetical hitter who was like 110 wRC+ vs Kawasaki then sure I think it's a more interesting argument to keep the bat over the glove. However, in the current scenario I can name several cases where I'd rather have a glove than an average bat with all the offense this team has. And that's ignoring the fact that Kawasaki some what surprisingly hit really really well in spring training(.381/.469/.595 over 42 ABs).

As I said, I doubt the debate really matters much because I honestly imagine they are going to use that roster slot similar to what they did with Szczur last season which was essentially a rotational spot for whatever they needed the current day/week. That's sort of the breaks when you're essentially carrying 2.5 catchers and also decide to go for an expanded bullpen. I just don't really see La Stella as a player you want on your playoff roster because he offers you relatively little. I doubt Kawasaki is either. As I said in the initial post that seemingly started this all I imagine that Alcantara is the guy the cubs hope to be that playoff player. If he doesn't progress this season I am pretty confident they will try to make a deal a the trade deadline. But in the case of the early season when you're running a short bench and talking about La Stella returning from an injury I'd just assume have positional flexibility and I'm not sure La Stella's 52 innings at 3B counts for "flexibility."

 

[chibears55]

If you really think about it, the bench offensively is weak with
Ross, LAStella, and Szczur.
I'm not really confident in these 3 coming up with a big pinch hit late and their a huge drop offensively to whomever they replace in the lineup for a game.

Even when Baez returns, we don't know what he going to do and how he adjusts to being a bench player and getting limited ABs .

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[beckdawg]

If you really think about it, the bench offensively is weak with
Ross, LAStella, and Szczur.
I'm not really confident in these 3 coming up with a big pinch hit late and their a huge drop offensively to whomever they replace in the lineup for a game.

Even when Baez returns, we don't know what he going to do and how he adjusts to being a bench player and getting limited ABs .

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I'm not really worried about the bench. Thing is when Baez is back you're going to have either Schwarber or Soler along with Baez as your first batter off the bench. And I feel like people are missing the forrest for the trees here. Let's say for whatever reason Maddon clears the bench some day. So, in that case you're probably talking Baez at 2B, Ross at C, let's say Schwarber and Soler in LF/RF respectively and Fowler or Heyward in Cf. Look at that line up's offensive potential still. Even if you instead play Baez at 3B and give Bryant a day off with La Stella or whoever 2B you're still looking at this as your line up

C - Ross
1B - Rizzo
2B - La Stella/whomever
SS - Russell
3B - Baez
RF - Soler
CF - Heyward/Fowler
LF - Schwarber

That's still probably a top 5 or so NL line up.I mean it's more or less the Lester game day line up with Castro swapped for La Stella and Baez playing instead of Bryant from last season. That's why La Stella being able to some what hit vs a defensive oriented player doesn't mean much to me. This cubs line up if all goes to plan could legitimately challenge for one of the best run score teams in NL history. They might not catch some of the pre-humador rockies teams but you have potentially 5 starters that are over .350 OBP last season. Your "worst" hitters are probably Russell who looks to have found power this offseason and Montero who was pretty good last year.

For me though I guess I just don't see many situations coming up where you'd pinch hit that deep. I mean if you're gonna pinch hit it's gonna be Baez or the Schwarber/Soler platoon who's benched for your first two guys almost certainly. How many times do teams realistically pinch hit 3 times in a game? If you double switch twice which seems likely given how they are likely to use Baez the pitcher may only get 3 ABs a game unless they are running up the score and the start isn't knocked out yet.

 

[SilenceS]

If you really think about it, the bench offensively is weak with
Ross, LAStella, and Szczur.
I'm not really confident in these 3 coming up with a big pinch hit late and their a huge drop offensively to whomever they replace in the lineup for a game.

Even when Baez returns, we don't know what he going to do and how he adjusts to being a bench player and getting limited ABs .

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Baez will come off the DL for the home opener. Our first two games are with a DH, so there will not be a lot of bench use. Its 4 games against the DBacks that it could be an issue.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Baez will come off the DL for the home opener. Our first two games are with a DH, so there will not be a lot of bench use. Its 4 games against the DBacks that it could be an issue.

That's going to take them out of the playoff race almost immediately!

 

[DanTown]

For me though I guess I just don't see many situations coming up where you'd pinch hit that deep.

How many times you think Kawisawki would play in the field if he had to bat too? What are you going to do to your lineup to get him in there? LaStella gives them a much better bat that probably plays much higher leverage innings at the plate than Kawaswki would in the field. I mean with Baez out, I think Kawaski maybe gets a call but when healthy, he clearly doesn't fill a need.

Also, LaStella hit .250 or whatever for most of his PA as a 25 y/o rookie so quoting his career numbers is a little disingenuous. Last year, he hit .290/.348/.450 with only 10 SO in 112 PA between AAA/MLB. While the sample size of his hitting is small, it's clear everywhere he's ever been that LaStella has an elite bat that doesn't strike much. Considering how teams build their bullpens, that's the making of a very good PH.

YOU can argue all you want about the role LaStella SHOULD play but instead, look at the role MADDON (you know, the manager) wants him to play. You're combining a roster move with how you'd manage when that's not the argument. The argument is Maddon wants/prefers an elite contact bat (which LaStella is) over a good defender. Kawaski doesn't fill a need, LaStella does. Especially fills a need the Cubs want to use.

I mean, late in the game, tying run at third, less than two outs, who you want batting

Soler/Montero
LaStella
Baez
Ross

THAT's why LaStella made this team. He gives Joe more options.

 

[chibears55]

I mean, late in the game, tying run at third, less than two outs, who you want batting

Soler/Montero
LaStella
Baez
Ross

THAT's why LaStella made this team. He gives Joe more options.

I'm Not arguing over any of these guys making team, their basically the best of what they have to be bench players.

I think Kawasaki earned a spot over an 8th reliever but we know that Maddon preference.

My point above was that we have no idea what to expect from a couple of these guys that were counting on off the bench.


Ross: we all know he sucks for the most part

LAStella : he a .250 contact hitter in his 400 career AB, he still unknown for the most part.

Baez: he this year version of what everyone thought Alcantara was last year, the next ben zobrist.. We have no idea what he going to bring offensively in his first full year and off the bench.


Soler, Schwarber, Fowler, Montero

I'm not too concerned with this group because I believe Maddon going to be rotating them all year and get them plenty of ABs.. To me their all starters, just one will be getting a day off every 4 games for the most part.

So, to me the bench will be basically LAStella and Baez for the most part and realistically we have no idea how that will go





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[beckdawg]

How many times you think Kawisawki would play in the field if he had to bat too? What are you going to do to your lineup to get him in there? LaStella gives them a much better bat that probably plays much higher leverage innings at the plate than Kawaswki would in the field. I mean with Baez out, I think Kawaski maybe gets a call but when healthy, he clearly doesn't fill a need.

Also, LaStella hit .250 or whatever for most of his PA as a 25 y/o rookie so quoting his career numbers is a little disingenuous. Last year, he hit .290/.348/.450 with only 10 SO in 112 PA between AAA/MLB. While the sample size of his hitting is small, it's clear everywhere he's ever been that LaStella has an elite bat that doesn't strike much. Considering how teams build their bullpens, that's the making of a very good PH.

YOU can argue all you want about the role LaStella SHOULD play but instead, look at the role MADDON (you know, the manager) wants him to play. You're combining a roster move with how you'd manage when that's not the argument. The argument is Maddon wants/prefers an elite contact bat (which LaStella is) over a good defender. Kawaski doesn't fill a need, LaStella does. Especially fills a need the Cubs want to use.

I mean, late in the game, tying run at third, less than two outs, who you want batting

Soler/Montero
LaStella
Baez
Ross

THAT's why LaStella made this team. He gives Joe more options.

I know why La Stella made the team. I just don't agree with it. Fun thing about opinions is I don't have to agree with the manager to have valid reasons for my beliefs just like he doesn't have to do what I think he should. And to answer your question, if their in a situation where they have to score a run and La Stella comes up I'm not holding my breath. There's a reason Atlanta gave him up in the first place with no immediate answer at 2B for what amounted to an injury prone reliever they'd already traded away in the past. If you like La Stella great for you but to me and surely others he's just another guy plain and simple.

 

[SilenceS]

Holy shit, Jon Lester went big fly today. Thats right. He hit a homer. Also, another shocker. David Ross is 3 for 3 with 4 RBI's. Got to love spring training!

 

[SilenceS]

Video of Lester's homer. Pretty awesome!

[video]http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25536471/true-baseball-fact-cubs-jon-lester-hits-opposite-field-home-run[/video]

He has a nice swing. No reason for him to be as bad as he has been at the plate. Lol

 

[Parade_Rain]

Video of Lester's homer. Pretty awesome!

[video]http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25536471/true-baseball-fact-cubs-jon-lester-hits-opposite-field-home-run[/video]

He has a nice swing. No reason for him to be as bad as he has been at the plate. Lol

His mechanics were solid last season.

 

[fatbeard]

You know the Cubs have a good team when the last several pages of the ST thread are dominated by the incredibly critical decision of who the 25th man is going to be. Lives are hanging in the balance!

 

[TYINY]

You know the Cubs have a good team when the last several pages of the ST thread are dominated by the incredibly critical decision of who the 25th man is going to be. Lives are hanging in the balance!

Been waiting 108 years for this kind of problem.

 

[85Bears]

So, it's not that Kawasaki is an amazing player or anything it's just I think he's a better overall fit. That plus the guy has played well in ST and sorta seems like he deserves the shot.

I agree with this. He's kicked ass all ST and fits perfectly with the personality of the team. I'd have taken him north. Can always send him back down if his ST performance was a fluke.

That said, I'm sure we'll see enough of him with the MLB club this year. His ST performance and personality has basically ensured that he'll get called up at some point unless nobody ever gets hurt (yeah, right...)