All Spring Training IGT

[CSF77]

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.

Thought after Brothers got cut it went to 39.

I see it as:

Alcantara, Baez: IF/OF
Soler: OF
Ross: OF

4 on bench.

Pen: remember early season starters tend to go shorter in games so the extra arms are needed more.

I see it as Rondon, Strop, Grimm as the main 7-9 guys. Then Warren, Wood and Cahill as MR and starter depth.

Leaves 2 spots. As of now I would say Ramirez and Richard but that could change.


That is not factoring injury at all. But I see it as having that flexibility where the team is self sufficient if a injury comes up where a AAA guy just fills a low priority role in IR while guys like Baez or Alcantara end up with the starts.

On Schwarber, it sounds like him and Hammel are clicking and they might end up pairing for the season. Personal catchers seems the odds with this team.

 

[chibears55]

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.

With a team full of power hitters, wouldn't the need of a fast base stealer on bench be more valuable. .

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[beckdawg]

Thought after Brothers got cut it went to 39.

You're right. That being said, it wouldn't have to go to him. For example, it's some what likely they just start him in AAA because they can and use the last 40 man spot for something else. That way, if the need arises you still have him in AAA but you also get to keep say one of the minor league deal relievers they signed.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

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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Ok, but in that case which pitcher doesn't make the team? Most people assumed Ramirez would be cut or traded but he's looked pretty good and the velocity is back. I don't disagree with you in principal but I think you need 2 LHP in the bullpen which is Wood and Richard and out of Ramirez, Rondon, Strop, Grimm, Cahill and Warren i don't see which guy doesn't make the roster. The only guy with options, to the best of my knowledge, is Warren and I'd be shocked if he were sent to AAA. On the other hand you have so much versatility in your starters and your bench that carrying a 5th guy, like Andreoli, doesn't seem to make sense.

 

[CSF77]

With a team full of power hitters, wouldn't the need of a fast base stealer on bench be more valuable. .

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No Having guys that can play 3-6 spots pays off more. Think of it. Fowler goes down. Soler goes to RF, Heyward to CF. Covers the need for a OF generalized guy. As a back up plan Zobrist goes to LF and Baez covers 2B. That is flexibility. If Baez has been used already and a injury happens then they can plug Alcantara out there if needed. Or, if Zorbrist goes down and Baez has been used then Alcantara come in to play 2B and shores up depth if it turns long term.

No one wants to be caught short and a short bench needs to be flexible.

 

[CSF77]

Ok, but in that case which pitcher doesn't make the team? Most people assumed Ramirez would be cut or traded but he's looked pretty good and the velocity is back. I don't disagree with you in principal but I think you need 2 LHP in the bullpen which is Wood and Richard and out of Ramirez, Rondon, Strop, Grimm, Cahill and Warren i don't see which guy doesn't make the roster. The only guy with options, to the best of my knowledge, is Warren and I'd be shocked if he were sent to AAA. On the other hand you have so much versatility in your starters and your bench that carrying a 5th guy, like Andreoli, doesn't seem to make sense.

I really think they will break camp with Ramirez and Richard. Them cutting Brothers pretty much summed up how they wanted to keep Richard in the mix and MR to be more of a emergency starter corps. Ramirez is more of an 4th guy in the tail of the pen to keep those 3 fresher. Edwards I see as emergency reserve in AAA getting regular use. Not sure if they start or close with him.

 

[beckdawg]

Hendricks had another solid outing today.

5 IP, 2 hits, 0 walks, 1 ER and 3 K's.

Obviously ST numbers and all that but if you add that with what he's done the past 1.5 years he could be a surprise for some this year. If he comes out with his career 3.34 FIP this year(or his 3.49 career ERA for that matter) he's likely to turn some heads and he'll resemble more the #3 pitcher that his fWAR totals make him out to be.

 

[chibears55]

Ok, but in that case which pitcher doesn't make the team? Most people assumed Ramirez would be cut or traded but he's looked pretty good and the velocity is back. I don't disagree with you in principal but I think you need 2 LHP in the bullpen which is Wood and Richard and out of Ramirez, Rondon, Strop, Grimm, Cahill and Warren i don't see which guy doesn't make the roster. The only guy with options, to the best of my knowledge, is Warren and I'd be shocked if he were sent to AAA. On the other hand you have so much versatility in your starters and your bench that carrying a 5th guy, like Andreoli, doesn't seem to make sense.

It would be Warren..

He only been in 2 games so far and if their looking at him as a potential srarter then he would go and be that in Iowa at beginning of season. .

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[TC in Mississippi]

It would be Warren..

He only been in 2 games so far and if their looking at him as a potential srarter then he would go and be that in Iowa at beginning of season. .

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Warren hasn't been in AAA since 2012 compiling solid numbers and that's a not a real good start for a guy who could be a starter and they are also considering as a closer if Rondon falters. Unless he's awful sending him down would be a very harsh welcome to Chicago. The kid is not a minor league player.

 

[Diehardfan]

Whoever said who has options will play a part is probably correct. Pitching is so damn costly these days...you can't just let a guy walk. You either have to trade him or keep him and let someone who you can bury in Iowa till you need him...go to Iowa.

 

[chibears55]

Warren hasn't been in AAA since 2012 compiling solid numbers and that's a not a real good start for a guy who could be a starter and they are also considering as a closer if Rondon falters. Unless he's awful sending him down would be a very harsh welcome to Chicago. The kid is not a minor league player.

Well so far they haven't been giving him much of a look..

2 games 1 start 5 ip 3 ER

Again though.. if he just gonna be in pen majority of year with possible emergency starts then yea, they probably keep him up ..
but if their looking for him to be a potential starter at some point this year, wouldn't it best to have him starting games in Iowa over sitting in bullpen in chicago ..
He only has 20 career starts in his 3+ years, with 17 of them last year in 43 games..

He can stretch out in Iowa....

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[chibears55]

11 players cut today..

Alcantara Candelerio Contreras and Edwards
Were sent to AAA camp

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[TC in Mississippi]

Sadly this looks like the end for Alcantara as a Cub. With Tommy La Stella still injured you would have thought that AA would have had a real shot to rebound from an awful 2015.

 

[chibears55]

Sadly this looks like the end for Alcantara as a Cub. With Tommy La Stella still injured you would have thought that AA would have had a real shot to rebound from an awful 2015.

After the solid play he had starting in 2014, he tailed off alot then too...

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[CSF77]

What was said: needs to work on his left handed approach. So he has holes in his game still.

 

[beckdawg]

Sadly this looks like the end for Alcantara as a Cub. With Tommy La Stella still injured you would have thought that AA would have had a real shot to rebound from an awful 2015.

Not sure I follow the logic. I mean i get the idea of him being sent down as a negative but he would have had to gone nuts in spring training to truly make the team. I always assumed he'd start in AAA. And we all know there will be more chances during the season if he does play well there.

Also for what it's worth, he hit .333/.419/.370 in spring training. I'm not sure I'd go as far to say he's done. I'd imagine he still has holes in his overall approach and he'd be better getting daily at bats rather than seeing sporadic play as a bench player. There's little benefit for him there when you're already starved trying to find PAs for guys like Soler/Schwarber and Baez off the bench.

 

[CSF77]

Not sure I follow the logic. I mean i get the idea of him being sent down as a negative but he would have had to gone nuts in spring training to truly make the team. I always assumed he'd start in AAA. And we all know there will be more chances during the season if he does play well there.

Also for what it's worth, he hit .333/.419/.370 in spring training. I'm not sure I'd go as far to say he's done. I'd imagine he still has holes in his overall approach and he'd be better getting daily at bats rather than seeing sporadic play as a bench player. There's little benefit for him there when you're already starved trying to find PAs for guys like Soler/Schwarber and Baez off the bench.

You maybe right with that. You would want a vet in a bench role. It could come down to Murton vs Vicorino on the bench due to player experence playing vs major league level talent. Matt was injured early on but has seen some action of late. I believe it come down to those two and if they want LH bat on the bench or not.

But they didn't send down John either so that part is up in the air. He has a full year of AAA under his belt and I believe is a 5 year minor league player. They may roll the dice here if he looks ready.

 

[beckdawg]

You maybe right with that. You would want a vet in a bench role. It could come down to Murton vs Vicorino on the bench due to player experence playing vs major league level talent. Matt was injured early on but has seen some action of late. I believe it come down to those two and if they want LH bat on the bench or not.

But they didn't send down John either so that part is up in the air. He has a full year of AAA under his belt and I believe is a 5 year minor league player. They may roll the dice here if he looks ready.

I was thinking Munenori Kawasaki personally. He's hit well(.375/.483/.500) in ST, is an infielder(they seem some what crowded in the OF for real playing time) and to be blunt if you later decide someone is better or he isn't hitting he's about as easy a cut as there is. Victorino hasn't hit as well(.200/.273/.200) and neither has Murton(.250/.250/.250). They have hardly played either with 10 PAs for Victorino and 4 for Murton while Kawasaki has 24 PAs. Additionally, in the case of Murton I doubt anyone is going to sign him out from under you so you likely can just send him to AAA. Plus Kawaski is apparently a bit of a clown which seems to fit Maddon's personality.

But either way, that 25th man or whatever seems like the perfect role for a vet not a 24 year old quasi-prospect. Additionally, Alcantara is likely your primary back up in AAA for at least 2 positions(2B and CF). What could happen is once the bullpen shakes out a bit they might go back to a more traditional bench/bullpen in which case if Alcantara is hitting he might make a lot of sense for a call up.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I was thinking Munenori Kawasaki personally. He's hit well(.375/.483/.500) in ST, is an infielder(they seem some what crowded in the OF for real playing time) and to be blunt if you later decide someone is better or he isn't hitting he's about as easy a cut as there is. Victorino hasn't hit as well(.200/.273/.200) and neither has Murton(.250/.250/.250). They have hardly played either with 10 PAs for Victorino and 4 for Murton while Kawasaki has 24 PAs. Additionally, in the case of Murton I doubt anyone is going to sign him out from under you so you likely can just send him to AAA. Plus Kawaski is apparently a bit of a clown which seems to fit Maddon's personality.

But either way, that 25th man or whatever seems like the perfect role for a vet not a 24 year old quasi-prospect. Additionally, Alcantara is likely your primary back up in AAA for at least 2 positions(2B and CF). What could happen is once the bullpen shakes out a bit they might go back to a more traditional bench/bullpen in which case if Alcantara is hitting he might make a lot of sense for a call up.

The bench is going to be Ross, Soler, Baez and La Stella if the latter is healthy. He just started some basic drills again yesterday so that's in doubt. Alcantara certainly had a chance to take that spot until La Stella returns, possibly even holding on to it, but he has been terrible defensively this spring. My only pint was that there are only so many opportunities for a young player on a crowded roster and he blew this one. He may not get another although that isn't etched in stone.

The problem with Victorino or even Kawasaki is that you usually don't use a veteran player to keep a seat warm for a young player like La Stella. It's not really conducive to clubhouse chemistry. Andreoli might get the nod almost by default.

 

[CSF77]

If John gets it it won't be as a place holder. He would be part of the plans this year.

I looked at Kawasaki and he is a maybe.

If I had to make a guess it would be Shane. Just because he is a voice to listen to.

To be honest, the 25th man has the same value Ross has and that is minor. But the impact would be felt on the bench for the guys that matter on the team.

Shane has experience playing on champion quality environments. Matt is like having a 2nd hitting coach. I don't think he brings the clubhouse aspect. But he is friends with Zorbrist...

Either one could end up in a Ross like mentor role this year. To be honest with little playing time you want a influence type first