Brett Jackson Thread: Call-up? Trade? Injury? Just Pulled?

[dabynsky]

LaHair never really adjusted to counter how he was being pitched..

Far as I'm concerned the experiment is over. Jackson needs to be called up.. Let him play each day.

To me this is one of many the biggest differences between the previous regime and this current FO. Brett Jackson has far more talent than Brian LaHair, but the big league club is a secondary concern. The concern is what is best for developing BJax and Vitters at this point. I would have more fun watching BJax and Vitters than Valbuena and Soriano, but the development of those guys is more important than making wins 49 and 50 more exciting to me as a fan.

 

[Jntg4]

How shitty the current position players are shouldn't dictate how prospects are handled.

 

[dabynsky]

How shitty the current position players are shouldn't dictate how prospects are handled.

Exactly. You managed to sum in up one sentence what I spent a paragraph going over.

 

[Hawksfan]

The CUBS are "supposedly" "high" on VITTERS and BAEZ. Both are 3rd basemen. So, what's the deal with looking for and getting another highly touted 3B in VILLANUEVA from TEX?!?! And, why won't the CUBS call up VITTERS to play 3B?!?! He's going to be 23 in a few weeks, his stats are .296/15/63 with an OBP of .349 and a .496 SLG %. What are they waiting for?!?!

 

[dabynsky]

The CUBS are "supposedly" "high" on VITTERS and BAEZ. Both are 3rd basemen. So, what's the deal with looking for and getting another highly touted 3B in VILLANUEVA from TEX?!?! And, why won't the CUBS call up VITTERS to play 3B?!?! He's going to be 23 in a few weeks, his stats are .296/15/63 with an OBP of .349 and a .496 SLG %. What are they waiting for?!?!

Okay lets take this a part bit by bit. Everything the Cubs have done has suggested they aren't high on Vitters. His defense is suspect, and unless the NL implements the DH soon that is going to be a concern. Baez is still playing SS and has done a lot to suggest that he could stick there. If his bat develops and he needs a spot a move to 3B could be in the offing. Villanueva is a nice prospect. He isn't close to the ceiling of Baez, Soler, Almora, Vizcaino, but he could develop into a nice stater. His glove is conisdered special and he has at least an average hit tool. The reason they grabbed him is because you can never have too much talent. Guys that are "blocked" can be moved if their bat is good enough or traded.

The reason BJax and Vitters aren't up right now is because this FO has decided that Iowa is an easier place to develop skills than Chicago. The arguments for each, but given the FO track record developing position prospects I will side on their position.

 

[Hawksfan]

On VITTERS - that's exactly my point. If he's STILL not good enough defensively, and will be 23 soon, why not trade his ass to the AL so that he can be a DH and get some nice players in return?!?!? The longer the CUBS wait on this guy, the further and further his stock value has dropped. UGH!

 

[dabynsky]

On VITTERS - that's exactly my point. If he's STILL not good enough defensively, and will be 23 soon, why not trade his ass to the AL so that he can be a DH and get some nice players in return?!?!? The longer the CUBS wait on this guy, the further and further his stock value has dropped. UGH!

Because his stock isn't that high, which is the same point I have with anyone who says LaHair should have been traded. Look the point is the Cubs are developing prospects. Vitters has flaws which is why no one is going to give up anyone great for him. It isn't impossible for a guy that isn't 23 year yet to develop into an average defensive 3B. It isn't guaranteed either which is the risk why no one will trade anything. The Cubs decision at this point is to do what is best to develop players skills, and the decision so far has to been to use AAA as a kind of finishing school. Given their track record with position prospects I trust their judgement to make the best call on information available at the time.

 

[2SeamHeat]

To me this is one of many the biggest differences between the previous regime and this current FO. Brett Jackson has far more talent than Brian LaHair, but the big league club is a secondary concern. The concern is what is best for developing BJax and Vitters at this point. I would have more fun watching BJax and Vitters than Valbuena and Soriano, but the development of those guys is more important than making wins 49 and 50 more exciting to me as a fan.

Agreed 100%. This is why I was so excited about bringing McLeod in from SD with Hoyer. He has a big time track record in terms of scouting amateurs and minor league prospects. Along with this is an incredible success with developing prospects. Epstein actually pointed at him as being the reason so many RedSox prospects were developed and not only panned out, but became stars to some degree. I think we have an excellent trio right now in that regard with McLeod, Wilken, and Fleita. It began to show just with the new minor league coaching staffs, nonetheless the expansion of certain types of scouts.

 

[2SeamHeat]

On VITTERS - that's exactly my point. If he's STILL not good enough defensively, and will be 23 soon, why not trade his ass to the AL so that he can be a DH and get some nice players in return?!?!? The longer the CUBS wait on this guy, the further and further his stock value has dropped. UGH!

And yet, his stock is actually rising this year. Granted, it's rising back up to a small something from absolutely nothing a couple of years ago.