Cubs Farm System And Prospects Discussion Thread

[TC in Mississippi]

The whole point is they would have to get him out there to see if he could handle it.

Ok let's be real for a second here. They are in season and are trying to win games. Plugging you starting 3B into a position he has not played then bumping Baez to cover 3B? Again another position said player has not played. Or Russell same thing.

If they were planning a move like that then they would be having Baez out in LF right now and then they could realign it in the offseason.

So that is why all of these proposed moves are ass pulls. There is no fact backing them.

Russell had never played 2B until the week before he came up. This organization has shown willingness to try almost anything. Are there fact backing it? No, but there are a lot of noises about getting Baez' bat in the line up at some point and ditto with Schwarber, seeing as they're not likely to be playing the positions they are in the minors you think out of the box. It's speculation but not baseless IMO.

 

[CSF77]

Russell had never played 2B until the week before he came up. This organization has shown willingness to try almost anything. Are there fact backing it? No, but there are a lot of noises about getting Baez' bat in the line up at some point and ditto with Schwarber, seeing as they're not likely to be playing the positions they are in the minors you think out of the box. It's speculation but not baseless IMO.

Wrong, They plugged him in at 2B for a week. So they showed a signal that they were going to do something then did it.

Right now Baez has 'only' played 2B and SS. Not LF and not 3B. They have had plenty of time to do so and see if he is capable.

Why not? SS has a higher demand in trades? Could be.

Anyways: Regarding Cog:

Last 7 games: .368/.429/.579
Last 15: .279/.340/.535
Last 30: .216/.296/.409

He is in a upward trend right now. This is the time to ready some youth if they are planning a internal move like that. You have to figure that Cog will bottom out again and they should let this ride out and have a internal option if he bottoms out at the deadline.

That said the Cubs have not shown us anything that leads us to believe that they will use an internal option this year at LF. I can think of a legit reason. They are trying to win games and already are running 3 Rookies in the starting line up. It would be plain stupid to run 4 regardless of how talented they are.

So trading for Ben is a smart idea. He is another player who has done it and has done it under Maddon. He is another that the youth can gravitate to. Not to mention he is a SH and has run near a 1:1 BB:SO ratio over his career. He screams #2 hitter thus putting Bryant back to where he belongs in the 4 hole.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Wrong, They plugged him in at 2B for a week. So they showed a signal that they were going to do something then did it.

Right now Baez has 'only' played 2B and SS. Not LF and not 3B. They have had plenty of time to do so and see if he is capable.

Why not? SS has a higher demand in trades? Could be.

Anyways: Regarding Cog:

Last 7 games: .368/.429/.579
Last 15: .279/.340/.535
Last 30: .216/.296/.409

He is in a upward trend right now. This is the time to ready some youth if they are planning a internal move like that. You have to figure that Cog will bottom out again and they should let this ride out and have a internal option if he bottoms out at the deadline.

That said the Cubs have not shown us anything that leads us to believe that they will use an internal option this year at LF. I can think of a legit reason. They are trying to win games and already are running 3 Rookies in the starting line up. It would be plain stupid to run 4 regardless of how talented they are.

So trading for Ben is a smart idea. He is another player who has done it and has done it under Maddon. He is another that the youth can gravitate to. Not to mention he is a SH and has run near a 1:1 BB:SO ratio over his career. He screams #2 hitter thus putting Bryant back to where he belongs in the 4 hole.

I think the moves that make are going signal what they're trying to do, and frankly I think we know that already. There is no way this team wins a World Series this year, the FO knows that, however the further along these kids get in the year gives them that more experience. The question is how much do you give up for a rental player in a year you don't expect to win? I'm not syaing you don't get him, obviously Zobrist makes this a better team, but the price had better be reasonable or I don't do it. To get the young pitching they will need eventually and to get right balance in the lineup they will need to trade away assets. If you trade some for a rental when you don't expect to contend that's that much fewer you have for the big deal either this season or the offseason. Any moves they make have to be every bit as much about the future as they are the present. The internal options are more flexible and you can try things while giving up assets. I don't know the answers but those things are the questions and part of the thought process these guys are going through.

 

[JP Hochbaum]

The best thing to do with Schwarber is to bring him up to play LF and play catcher once a week. Have him do this until MOntero's contract is up in 2017. By this time Schwarber will have nearly a full season of games under his belt and 2.5 seasons learning how to frame under Montero. At that time he will be a 24-25 year old catcher with fresh legs and good to great defense (hopefully).

 

[SilenceS]

If you are really into metrics as much as you say then you know that is a totally inaccurate statement. Fangraphs themselves has leverage index on pretty much any place you want to look. That's their version of "clutch." For whatever reason people have trouble understanding what people talking metrics are saying. It's not that there's no so such thing as clutch hitting. It's that generally speaking good hitters don't hit any better/worse in clutch situation than they do in normal situations. As such, the people who get called clutch aren't the ones who play significantly better in the clutch. The reverse is also true that people who aren't generally thought of as clutch like ARod for example typically bat the same as they did any other time over a large enough sample.

As this pertains to the cubs, it's a rather gaping hole to hit .220ish with runners in scoring position. It makes an offense look far worse than it truly is in terms of total runs scored because they arguably should be scoring runs but aren't.

Lol Thats what I said but I don't understand metrics. lol

 

[SilenceS]

The whole point is they would have to get him out there to see if he could handle it.

Ok let's be real for a second here. They are in season and are trying to win games. Plugging you starting 3B into a position he has not played then bumping Baez to cover 3B? Again another position said player has not played. Or Russell same thing.

If they were planning a move like that then they would be having Baez out in LF right now and then they could realign it in the offseason.

So that is why all of these proposed moves are ass pulls. There is no fact backing them.

What? No. These are Cubs insiders saying this. The ass pulls are all the ridiculous trade talks.

 

[SilenceS]

Well, seems like this could be settled. The Cubs are deciding what to do next week with the DH. Baez is a candidate to be called up which would fall in line with the extra year of control. They say Schwarber is a candidate but I have a tough time believing they are going to pluck him out of AA to DH. I don't know crazier things have happened.


Edit: ESPN is reporting that Schwarber is not a candidate to be brought up. It seems it is between Baez, Denorfia, and LaStella if they are healthy.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Well, seems like this could be settled. The Cubs are deciding what to do next week with the DH. Baez is a candidate to be called up which would fall in line with the extra year of control. They say Schwarber is a candidate but I have a tough time believing they are going to pluck him out of AA to DH. I don't know crazier things have happened.

I'm wondering if they would pull up Vog instead? Showcase him for trades?

 

[SilenceS]

I'm wondering if they would pull up Vog instead? Showcase him for trades?

His name wasn't mentioned. I don't think the Cubs are trying to showcase anyone. Teams have scouts everywhere. The players are being looked at regardless if they are on the ML team or not.

 

[Boobaby1]

Ideally, you want LaStella to take Herrera's place, Denorfia to take Lakes place, and Baez to hit as DH to see if some of his adjustments have paid off. That might answer a few of the FO's questions, and whether or not they need to make a move for a LF'er or not.

 

[DaBullsDaCubsDaHawksDitka]

That’s what Hollandsworth was saying about Baez in post and I think Len and JD said too about him during the game last night. I would be for it. Give him another shot.

 

[Parade_Rain]

His name wasn't mentioned. I don't think the Cubs are trying to showcase anyone. Teams have scouts everywhere. The players are being looked at regardless if they are on the ML team or not.

Yeah. I know scouts are everywhere. I'm wondering if the haul he could send back to Cubs would be bigger, if he came up for a bit and provided some production. Just a thought.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

When the Red Sox and Cardinals were in the WS a couple of years ago both team's pitching strategy was called a "parade of power arms". With Corey Black and Carl Edwards Jr. now in relief roles I think you're starting to see that parade start to form. The sun's not out yet and the floats are barely decorated but it's coming. When you have guys like that in place you don't don't get into hairy bullpen situations like the Cubs found themselves muddling through in May.

 

[CSF77]

MIAMI -- It’s still over a week away from being a need, but the Chicago Cubs are talking about what they’ll do for a designated hitter when they visit three American League parks later this month.

“We have some ideas and thoughts,” manager Joe Maddon said before the Cubs played the Marlins on Monday night. “We’ll see how it plays.”

The Cubs play at Detroit next week, then at Cleveland and Minnesota later this month. If you’re wondering, 2011 first-round pick Javier Baez is in the discussion but 2014 first-rounder Kyle Schwarber is not. Baez is hitting .306 with five home runs and 21 RBIs to go along with 10 walks and 32 strikeouts at Triple-A Iowa this season.

“Javier is doing better,” Maddon said. “I hear a lot of good things about him.”

Baez didn't make the team out of spring training after striking out 225 times last season split between Triple-A and the majors. By most accounts, he's making the proper adjustments at the plate but has he been consistent enough for a stint back in the majors? Vice president of player development Jason McLeod said recently the Cubs were going to stay patient.

“All we’re concerned about right now is him maintaining what’s going on,” McLeod said.

Meanwhile, Schwarber is off to a hot start at Double-A Tennessee, hitting .327 with a .454 on-base percentage. He has 12 home runs and nearly as many walks (36) as strikeouts (39). A promotion to Triple-A is likely but a jump to the majors isn’t -- at least not yet.

“I heard that (outfielder Chris) Denorfia is doing better,” Maddon said. “I’m not sure if Tommy (La Stella) would be ready by that time. But no we haven’t talked about Schwarber yet.”

Denorfia has battled hamstring issues all season though he’s hit well when healthy. While examining possibilities, Maddon admitted the team hasn’t come up with any decisions yet as they haven’t even looked at the pitching matchups. Unless Denorfia is ready, Baez is as good a bet as anyone -- though the Cubs might need to form a plan of action for him after they’re finished in the AL ballparks. If he’s the guy, would he stay in the big leagues or head back to Iowa? Stay tuned.

“We haven’t talked about that stuff yet,” Maddon reiterated.

The last part is the kicker. If what he is doing now translates over to that stint they can not demote him and have to create a role for him.

They have to let it play out. I can see why they are not being committal towards it at this point other than nixing Schwarber right off the bat.

 

[CSF77]

Was musing the Rangers promoting Joey Gallo to fill in at 3B while Beltre is on the 15 day DL. My thought was would you trade Gallo for Baez strait up? Rangers are LH heavy and a power RH bat fits better there. Gallo is a 3B but has limited range but a strong arm. The thought has been to move him to the OF.

So, as a muse, I thought flipping those 2 might be of equal value and makes a deadly line up for the Cubs. Rizzo, Bryant, Gallo, Soler....ouch.

 

[DaBullsDaCubsDaHawksDitka]

Yes, I would flip Baez for Gallo. That would be incredible. Leaving KB at 3rd of course.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Really nice piece over at Cubs Den as far internal options for help as the season progresses:

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/...-here-are-some-candidates-to-do-that-in-2015/

 

[Parade_Rain]

Really nice piece over at Cubs Den as far internal options for help as the season progresses:

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/...-here-are-some-candidates-to-do-that-in-2015/

It's interesting to see someone else mention Szczur's mechanics. As I had mentioned, his barrel path had changed significantly for the good. He is a different player this year.

 

[DaBullsDaCubsDaHawksDitka]

I’d definitely like to see szczur up on the big club more. He is an intriguing player.

 

[beckdawg]

Was musing the Rangers promoting Joey Gallo to fill in at 3B while Beltre is on the 15 day DL. My thought was would you trade Gallo for Baez strait up? Rangers are LH heavy and a power RH bat fits better there. Gallo is a 3B but has limited range but a strong arm. The thought has been to move him to the OF.

So, as a muse, I thought flipping those 2 might be of equal value and makes a deadly line up for the Cubs. Rizzo, Bryant, Gallo, Soler....ouch.

Gallo is one of the few players I think might actually strike out more at the major league level than Baez.