Cubs Acquire Tommy La Stella for Arodys Vizcaino

[CSF77]

Not expecting it for sure. It is understandable as Viz never really emerged last year as dominate at any level. Add to it they already have 4 guys in the pen that stood out and they really didn't need to risk a spot on a injury risk.

 

[DewsSox79]

as much as castro needs to get better at defense he is still a proven player. why move him for specs or even for a SP. makes no sense.


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[Boobaby1]

I like the move. Nothing outstanding, but he is a good fit for a Maddon type team. He averaged over .400 in the minors in OBP, and those three letters are something the Cubs need a lot more of. Guys that can get on base, situational hitting, LH, who doesn't strike out much. What's not to like?

At least this guy has not been a bust, and he has hit and got on base in the majors. Vizcaino was still a spec, and had his troubles.

No matter how you slice it, right now, albeit a smaller one, this is an upgrade for the Cubs.

 

[CSF77]

as much as castro needs to get better at defense he is still a proven player. why move him for specs or even for a SP. makes no sense.


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Only way it makes sense is if they get Syndaguard or Wheeler. Mets have a strong 1-2 combo with out either.

 

[FrankieLyrical]

I really really really hope this isn't a prelude to a trade of Castro. I'd be much more willing to give up Baez than Castro. Castro is a young, proven player

 

[Boobaby1]

I really really really hope this isn't a prelude to a trade of Castro. I'd be much more willing to give up Baez than Castro. Castro is a young, proven player

You never know. I am starting to wonder if the Cubs are maybe planning on moving Baez to 3B at the start of the year, and when Bryant comes up, either move him or Bryant to LF. Coghlan should be able to hold down the fort for a few weeks IF Bryant doesn't make the team out of ST. This would save them the money of having to go and get a free agent to platoon or play LF, although, that still may be in the works.

If reports are true, and they believe the Cubs are leading the pack in acquiring Russell Martin, I like where this team is going.

(IF) they can sign Martin, that would be two plus OBP and contact hitters with low strikeout totals joining the team which is a must with all of the rookies, and Castro who is not known for taking free passes.

I am hoping this comes to fruition, and then the Cubs could focus on the pitching with a potential leader behind the plate helping in the pursuit of players on the free agent market.

It would send a clear message to have a couple of guys like this (not so much La Stella) and Maddon, that the Cubs indeed are turning the corner and moving ahead with a little punch of the accelerator.

 

[The Bandit]

In Theo we trust. Honestly I hope it's not a precursor to a Castro trade or something bigger. I would like to think it is a depth move, and if not, a huge steal for Castro from the Mets. And I mean a complete rape of the Mets. Otherwise it's a depth move, and little faith in Viz ability to stay healthy, or to stick as a starter or bullpen guy in the long term. But who knows, the booze could be talking for me.

 

[CSF77]

From what Jed was saying there was a need for aLH contact low strike out bat in the line up. It was not a trade to set up a bigger trade. IMO it is protection vs Baez having to start in AAA. He struggled the most.

 

[Zvbxrpl]

I think a lot of you are reading into somethign that's not there right now.

If Epstein turns around and deals Castro, Baez, or Russell, as a result of acquiring this guy, he should be fired.

Now if he gets an offer too juicy to refuse, like a true Ace pitcher, its a different story. But a lot more than one of those guys will be on that deal.

This move shouldn't be the domino set up for another move. Right now the depth is good. Give Baez, who likely is manning 2B some competition to raise his game.

Right now if memory serves me correctly, Jon Lester and his agent are in town to discuss a deal. The priority instead of this useless speculation is to get him to leave with the contract signed.

 

[TL1961]

The overreaction of the average fan is unreal.

Baez was the greatest thing ever in June, and a bust who should be traded by October.

He struck out a lot. He swung for the fences on every pitch. He looked bat many times. All true. He is still a good defensive infielder with tremendous power, who has adjusted and improved at every level after a short adjustment period.

Why don't we sit back and watch as Theo and Jed and Joe give him time to play and adjust. I doubt very much they overreact like fans are doing. Why don't we enjoy watching him next season and see how he improves? He's 21.

Alcantara and Baez were both considered among the very best prospects in all of the minors. Both were new to MLB in 2014. As a certain unnamed QB would say:
" R-E-L-A-X "

 

[JZsportsfan]

The Cubs aren't trading Russell,Baez, Castro, etc just because they have La Stella now. However, if a trade were to come up that the front office likes, having La Stella on the roster allows them the flexibility to perhaps make a trade.

 

[Parade_Rain]

A team can never have too many quality MIF on tap, IMHO.

 

[fatbeard]

Baez isn't going anywhere. Jed & Theo brought him up knowing he would struggle, as his history suggested. If they had any intentions of moving him, why would they bring Baez up knowing that it would almost certainly tarnish his trade value?

Doesn't pass the smell test.

 

[Boobaby1]

The overreaction of the average fan is unreal.

Baez was the greatest thing ever in June, and a bust who should be traded by October.

He struck out a lot. He swung for the fences on every pitch. He looked bat many times. All true. He is still a good defensive infielder with tremendous power, who has adjusted and improved at every level after a short adjustment period.

Why don't we sit back and watch as Theo and Jed and Joe give him time to play and adjust. I doubt very much they overreact like fans are doing. Why don't we enjoy watching him next season and see how he improves? He's 21.

Alcantara and Baez were both considered among the very best prospects in all of the minors. Both were new to MLB in 2014. As a certain unnamed QB would say:
" R-E-L-A-X "

True! Just in the back of your mind you have to know that if the right package came, no one is safe up the middle.

Also, to ease everyone on Baez, we endured Darwin Barney for four years. I think a little leeway should be exercised with this 21 year old who hit 9 HR's in a few months, versus Barney who hit 18 in his whole career as a Cub.

If he busts, he busts. That is the nature of the game, but he does have room and time to greatly improve. I remember Rizzo not getting it at the beginning either.

 

[CSF77]

True! Just in the back of your mind you have to know that if the right package came, no one is safe up the middle.

Also, to ease everyone on Baez, we endured Darwin Barney for four years. I think a little leeway should be exercised with this 21 year old who hit 9 HR's in a few months, versus Barney who hit 18 in his whole career as a Cub.

If he busts, he busts. That is the nature of the game, but he does have room and time to greatly improve. I remember Rizzo not getting it at the beginning either.

I would be happy if Baez ended up in LF this year.

Sucks on Martin. Jays offer for 82 mil came out of nowhere.

Still this team needs OBA types at the top of the order and it makes sense to start LaStella at 2B then move Baez to LF now.

Line up then:
LaStella 2B
Alcantara CF
Rizzo 1B
Soler RF
Castro SS
Baez LF
Valbuena 3B
Castillo C

This line up should be a good starting block to work off of. When Bryant adds at 3B the line up become RH heavy and having a LH contact hitter with a solid OBA will be needed.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I thought Baez was a plus defender at 2B?

 

[TL1961]

He is.

And this dude they just traded for isn't starting at 2b with Baez in LF. No way.

The guy they just got has limited range at 2B.

 

[beckdawg]

I thought Baez was a plus defender at 2B?

The metrics thus far would argue he's below average. Short sample or not I think Baez defense is more "potential' than something that exists currently.

 

[Parade_Rain]

The metrics thus far would argue he's below average. Short sample or not I think Baez defense is more "potential' than something that exists currently.

Was he a plus defender at SS in MiLB?

 

[beckdawg]

Was he a plus defender at SS in MiLB?

I thought he might be over time but remember last year he had 40 something errors at SS. Really when talking about defense you should probably talk more so about the tools because it's kind of a combination of 3 things. Baez has a cannon for an arm which is plus from what I've read. He may have average to plus range but given what he's likely to be as a player I doubt he keeps that long term as he'll likely bulk up to be the power hitter he seems to be. I think scouts felt his fielding aspect was below average.

Overall, I think best case is probably an average defender honestly. That being said, in the majors UZR really didn't like him at SS. He was a -28.7 UZR/150 in 210.0 innings. At 2B he was -7.2 over 255.0 innings. Someone will undoubtedly suggest that's not enough sample size. To put those numbers into perspective, Castro has basically been a -3 UZR/150 player with his worst being 2011 at -7.5. So, feel free to take the UZR data with a grain of salt but based on what I personally saw combined with that I think he's probably a Castro level defender maybe a bit worse.