All Spring Training IGT

[TC in Mississippi]

Then there's not much hope of improving the club if the team is unwilling to part with at least prospective talent back.

I didn't say that. I think Candelario would definitely be available in trade along with some others but Contreras is your primary back up in case of injury to your starting catcher and is at least penciled in as your 2017 starter. With a pool of guys you'd likely be willing to trade including Soler, Cadelario, Ian Happ, Billy McKinney and maybe even Gleyber Torres (not all of them of course) if the return was enough I don't think it's a big deal to hold back a guy that you consider a huge part of your future that plays a position of which there might be 20 competent guys in MLB right now with fewer prospects.

 

[brett05]

I didn't say that. I think Candelario would definitely be available in trade along with some others but Contreras is your primary back up in case of injury to your starting catcher and is at least penciled in as your 2017 starter. With a pool of guys you'd likely be willing to trade including Soler, Cadelario, Ian Happ, Billy McKinney and maybe even Gleyber Torres (not all of them of course) if the return was enough I don't think it's a big deal to hold back a guy that you consider a huge part of your future that plays a position of which there might be 20 competent guys in MLB right now with fewer prospects.

Oh I agree. I just think the market is set a lot higher than anyone thought ending last year so quantity of pieces won't necessarily bring in quality of pieces. Could an Almora and Cadelario package get it done? Potentially yes. But the way it is right now pitching is at a premium. Hitting maybe the scarcest, but pitching is in the highest demand/cost.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Oh I agree. I just think the market is set a lot higher than anyone thought ending last year so quantity of pieces won't necessarily bring in quality of pieces. Could an Almora and Cadelario package get it done? Potentially yes. But the way it is right now pitching is at a premium. Hitting maybe the scarcest, but pitching is in the highest demand/cost.

There's no question which is why I doubt you spend that kind of prospect capital on a closer. I'm not panicking about Rondon's spring and Grimm, Strop and maybe even Wood can close if you really need them to and I think Carl Edwards has closer written all over him if he continues to work on his command in AAA. I've been pretty consistent that a starting pitcher is going to be needed before it's all said and done and I think they have to be a lot more tuned in to that market than for relief help. There might come a point where they have to trade Contreras in a package for a Sonny Gray or Jose Fernandez and while that would hurt if it's the last piece to your puzzle you absolutely consider it. There's absolutely no way I include him when Andrew Miller is the return, despite the fact that I like Miller just fine.

 

[brett05]

There's no question which is why I doubt you spend that kind of prospect capital on a closer. I'm not panicking about Rondon's spring and Grimm, Strop and maybe even Wood can close if you really need them to and I think Carl Edwards has closer written all over him if he continues to work on his command in AAA. I've been pretty consistent that a starting pitcher is going to be needed before it's all said and done and I think they have to be a lot more tuned in to that market than for relief help. There might come a point where they have to trade Contreras in a package for a Sonny Gray or Jose Fernandez and while that would hurt if it's the last piece to your puzzle you absolutely consider it. There's absolutely no way I include him when Andrew Miller is the return, despite the fact that I like Miller just fine.

The issue is the Cubs have to hope the market comes back to pre 2015 off season levels otherwise they'll be needing to part with young quality MLB pieces if they want to land the Gray/Fernandez types. I have no clue if it will. A game of "chicken" I'm glad I am not playing.

 

[Parade_Rain]

If Contreras hits at AAA this season, he is not under consideration. He's way too valuable to the club with Ross retiring and Montero having one year left on his contract. On the MLB roster there are any number of players to trade along with other prospects.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

The issue is the Cubs have to hope the market comes back to pre 2015 off season levels otherwise they'll be needing to part with young quality MLB pieces if they want to land the Gray/Fernandez types. I have no clue if it will. A game of "chicken" I'm glad I am not playing.

With Strasburg being the only FA option next year in terms of TOR pitching I don't expect the market to come back much, although I don't expect the Greinke price to set the market either. If I were to guess The Cubs could put together a package including Soler, Contreras, Candalerio and one of the young pitching prospects and still get beaten by the Dodgers if LA was so inclined. The other thing is the Marlins and A's could hang around a lot longer than anyone thinks and the whole thing could be moot and I think the other two teams with pitching, Tampa Bay and Cleveland, might be favorites or close to it in their divisions. That market is going to be scarce and expensive.

 

[beckdawg]

Then there's not much hope of improving the club if the team is unwilling to part with at least prospective talent back.

Why give up that sort of talent when you're likely to find a team wanting to just dump salary later in the season? Also, why EVER pay anything worth while for a bullpen pitcher? Unless you're buying Mariano Rivera and him alone the risk is just to high. Craig Kimbrel was still good last year but he was far worse than they paid for. Paplebon was a disastrous trade. So on and so forth.

 

[chibears55]

Maddon has his regular lineup tonight minus Zobrist. .
Their giving us a preview on how awesome it going to be.
5 runs in first , so far

 

[beckdawg]

Maddon has his regular lineup tonight minus Zobrist. .
Their giving us a preview on how awesome it going to be.
5 runs in first , so far

is it on regular tv?

 

[chibears55]

Espn

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[chibears55]

Going to be tough to decide on john andreoli

He more then deserving a spot on 25

I still think they only take 12 pitchers

C. Ross
IF Baez
IF LaStella
OF Andreoli
OF Fowler/Soler

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[beckdawg]

Going to be tough to decide on john andreoli

He more then deserving a spot on 25

I still think they only take 12 pitchers

C. Ross
IF Baez
IF LaStella
OF Andreoli
OF Fowler/Soler

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If this recent surge of power from him is legit going forward he becomes a pretty interesting player. He can play all 3 OF positions and can steal around 30 bases. If he is a 15 HR guy then suddenly with his career .278/.374/.368 triple slash makes him a potential starter. It's kind of strange he's hit so many homers this spring since his highest career total was 5 last year.

 

[brett05]

Why give up that sort of talent when you're likely to find a team wanting to just dump salary later in the season? Also, why EVER pay anything worth while for a bullpen pitcher? Unless you're buying Mariano Rivera and him alone the risk is just to high. Craig Kimbrel was still good last year but he was far worse than they paid for. Paplebon was a disastrous trade. So on and so forth.

Because it's the price that is being garnered. The same argument can be made with mega FA deals. They almost always fail, yet that's the price of poker so to speak.

 

[brett05]

If this recent surge of power from him is legit going forward he becomes a pretty interesting player. He can play all 3 OF positions and can steal around 30 bases. If he is a 15 HR guy then suddenly with his career .278/.374/.368 triple slash makes him a potential starter. It's kind of strange he's hit so many homers this spring since his highest career total was 5 last year.

It's Arizona. Don't over read into ST numbers.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Going to be tough to decide on john andreoli

He more then deserving a spot on 25

I still think they only take 12 pitchers

C. Ross
IF Baez
IF LaStella
OF Andreoli
OF Fowler/Soler

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I can't see why you'd want to short a pitcher for John Andreoli who can come up anytime you have an issue. I could definitely see him being this year's Szczur but a full time roster spot? Seems nuts with all the versatility. If Fowler needs a rest you put Soler in RF and Heyward in CF. If Heyward is ouchy Soler plays RF. Plus Baez can play CF as well and has looked quite good lately. Andreoli would be an unneeded depth piece IMHO. Plus what pitcher are you going to give up? Rondon, Grimm, Strop, Wood, Warren and Cahill are locks at this point, Ramirez has pitched well so he may have earned a spot and you need another lefty so Clayton Richard will likely make this team unless they make a minor trade for a LHP. With that in mind which of the RHP do you leave off the roster? If you leave Ramirez off he's just gone as he's out of options and you're not sending Adam Warren to Iowa. I just don't see how they don't come north with 8 pen arms.

 

[chibears55]

I can't see why you'd want to short a pitcher for John Andreoli who can come up anytime you have an issue. I could definitely see him being this year's Szczur but a full time roster spot? Seems nuts with all the versatility. If Fowler needs a rest you put Soler in RF and Heyward in CF. If Heyward is ouchy Soler plays RF. Plus Baez can play CF as well and has looked quite good lately. Andreoli would be an unneeded depth piece IMHO. Plus what pitcher are you going to give up? Rondon, Grimm, Strop, Wood, Warren and Cahill are locks at this point, Ramirez has pitched well so he may have earned a spot and you need another lefty so Clayton Richard will likely make this team unless they make a minor trade for a LHP. With that in mind which of the RHP do you leave off the roster? If you leave Ramirez off he's just gone as he's out of options and you're not sending Adam Warren to Iowa. I just don't see how they don't come north with 8 pen arms.

Versatility is great but it dont help much when your looking for that extra guy on bench late in close games because you only have 3 available ( saving the backup Catcher) ..

I guarantee in NL the need to have that extra guy on bench comes in play more then needing an 8th reliever.

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[CSF77]

I can't see why you'd want to short a pitcher for John Andreoli who can come up anytime you have an issue. I could definitely see him being this year's Szczur but a full time roster spot? Seems nuts with all the versatility. If Fowler needs a rest you put Soler in RF and Heyward in CF. If Heyward is ouchy Soler plays RF. Plus Baez can play CF as well and has looked quite good lately. Andreoli would be an unneeded depth piece IMHO. Plus what pitcher are you going to give up? Rondon, Grimm, Strop, Wood, Warren and Cahill are locks at this point, Ramirez has pitched well so he may have earned a spot and you need another lefty so Clayton Richard will likely make this team unless they make a minor trade for a LHP. With that in mind which of the RHP do you leave off the roster? If you leave Ramirez off he's just gone as he's out of options and you're not sending Adam Warren to Iowa. I just don't see how they don't come north with 8 pen arms.

John has been a nice surprise with his spring power surge. But, we are talking about Arizona

I'm giving it the edge to Alcantara. No roster move needed and he creates more flexibility for Maddon in season. Resigning Fowler pretty much killed the need to roll the dice with a guy like John who was known as a runner before this surge. If he had a history of power then this would cause more intrigue.

 

[beckdawg]

Because it's the price that is being garnered. The same argument can be made with mega FA deals. They almost always fail, yet that's the price of poker so to speak.

My point is bullpen pitchers are rarely worth giving anything away for. Their results are far to variable and you're just as likely to find someone like Cahill off the street who can come in and be good.

 

[beckdawg]

It's Arizona. Don't over read into ST numbers.

Hence the word "if." However, he wouldn't be the first player to come on at age 25 which is sort of where I was going with that. So, if he has found something to increase his power, a guy who can steal 30 bases and even hit 10 HRs while playing 3 OF positions is extremely valuable especially when he has 0 service time.

 

[beckdawg]

I can't see why you'd want to short a pitcher for John Andreoli who can come up anytime you have an issue. I could definitely see him being this year's Szczur but a full time roster spot? Seems nuts with all the versatility. If Fowler needs a rest you put Soler in RF and Heyward in CF. If Heyward is ouchy Soler plays RF. Plus Baez can play CF as well and has looked quite good lately. Andreoli would be an unneeded depth piece IMHO. Plus what pitcher are you going to give up? Rondon, Grimm, Strop, Wood, Warren and Cahill are locks at this point, Ramirez has pitched well so he may have earned a spot and you need another lefty so Clayton Richard will likely make this team unless they make a minor trade for a LHP. With that in mind which of the RHP do you leave off the roster? If you leave Ramirez off he's just gone as he's out of options and you're not sending Adam Warren to Iowa. I just don't see how they don't come north with 8 pen arms.

Think the larger issues is Andreoli isn't on the 40 man AFAIK. So, you'd have to cut someone for him. I'd imagine he'll start in AAA but like I said, if he shows this recent surge of power is real he is a pretty interesting player.