Cubs Farm System And Prospects Discussion Thread

[CSF77]

CHICAGO -- There are still 10 days before rosters expand and the Cubs begin calling up players to fill those spots. And manager Joe Maddon already has a plan in place for when that happens.

Granted, it's the same one he's used before. The approach, Maddon said, is a standard one that provides depth to areas he deems important. He isn't worried about overcrowding the clubhouse or bringing up a certain player unless that player fills a specific need. That's because when the roster grows to 40 men, he looks to add speed to his lineup, more arms for his bullpen and depth at catcher.
"It's pretty much my generic formula," Maddon said. "I don't just sit there and say, 'We need so and so,' but generically, those are the kind of things I think you need in September.

"You don't want to bring too many guys up, normally."

 

[CSF77]

I would expect Szczur, LaStella. Not sure on Alcantara or Baez though. First 2 have had better success in reserve roles on MLB teams vs starters who might get rusty in limited action.

 

[Boobaby1]

I would expect Szczur, LaStella. Not sure on Alcantara or Baez though. First 2 have had better success in reserve roles on MLB teams vs starters who might get rusty in limited action.

I am waiting for LaStella. I think he is going to be a steady ball player, and very well could be a starter at 2nd base. I am all about the OBP.

Alcantara and Szczur do provide speed, and Baez needs to see if anything has translated to the big leagues and can be a big boost with the occasional long ball.

I don't see a need to not call up Baez, unless they feel that his trade could be hurt if he struggles again.

 

[CSF77]

I am waiting for LaStella. I think he is going to be a steady ball player, and very well could be a starter at 2nd base. I am all about the OBP.

Alcantara and Szczur do provide speed, and Baez needs to see if anything has translated to the big leagues and can be a big boost with the occasional long ball.

I don't see a need to not call up Baez, unless they feel that his trade could be hurt if he struggles again.

I'm not sure to be honest on Baez. I do not think they are going to mess with the chemistry regardless.

I believe he will be either traded in the offseason or made into a 2B starter and Castro sold.

As far as Sept. He maybe added just as a PH/PR. I don't see them benching Coghlan or Fowler. But they may give them more days off.

LaStella is a bench player. If they thought he was starter material he would have been starting at this point vs sitting in AAA.

So I see it as Szczur for giving CF some breathers. Lastella to give 2B/3B some breathers. Olt 1B/3B some breathers. I don't see the playing time out there to go further.

 

[Diehardfan]

I can't see anyone unseating Coghlan right now. He's been doing it pretty much all season and if he had any kind of hitting luck...he'd be doing even more. I think the only guy coming up that they consider potential starter material would be Baez.

 

[CSF77]

I can't see anyone unseating Coghlan right now. He's been doing it pretty much all season and if he had any kind of hitting luck...he'd be doing even more. I think the only guy coming up that they consider potential starter material would be Baez.

I agree. I believe they would love Happ and Baez dealing with 2B and CF in some combo. Happ is the lead off that they really need. Baez would be another bat to mix in lower in the order. There is a whole lot of talent so he really is not going to get a prime slot unless his production dictates it

 

[SilenceS]

Article on Baez huge night and monster 8 game stretch. Good quick read. Cubs have to bring him up. You cant let that type of bat not be on your playoff roster. Even in a reserve role, to much power when you have weaker players on your bench.

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150824&content_id=145173112&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Article on Baez huge night and monster 8 game stretch. Good quick read. Cubs have to bring him up. You cant let that type of bat not be on your playoff roster. Even in a reserve role, to much power when you have weaker players on your bench.

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150824&content_id=145173112&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb

He was apparently taking grounders in RF before that game too. He could be an option their or at 3B with Bryant moving to RF. It will be interesting if they call him up for the weekend series against LA.

 

[SilenceS]

He was apparently taking grounders in RF before that game too. He could be an option tehir or at 3B with Bryant moving to RF. It will be interesting if they call him up for the weekend series against LA.

I think Baez could play any position the Cubs wanted him to play. Plenty of arm and great instincts. People also sleep on his stolen bases. He has 16 this season. He could possibly be a 30 homerun 20 stolen base guy. Thats rare.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I think Baez could play any position the Cubs wanted him to play. Plenty of arm and great instincts. People also sleep on his stolen bases. He has 16 this season. He could possibly be a 30 homerun 20 stolen base guy. Thats rare.

The conventional wisdom seems to be that he's going to be their big trade chip this winter, frankly I think it's going to be Soler. With all the talk of "he's not their guy because they didn't draft him" I think they really like him. You can't teach that bat speed and guys with those kind of natural baseball instincts are, as you say, very rare. I'm rooting for him whether he helps this year or not.

 

[Boobaby1]

The conventional wisdom seems to be that he's going to be their big trade chip this winter, frankly I think it's going to be Soler. With all the talk of "he's not their guy because they didn't draft him" I think they really like him. You can't teach that bat speed and guys with those kind of natural baseball instincts are, as you say, very rare. I'm rooting for him whether he helps this year or not.

I have been on the "trade Soler" wagon for some time as I feel he is the prospect that would fetch the greatest return (obviously Bryant, Russell, and Schwarber off the table) in a trade.

That said. Even if they trade Castro and/or Soler, and put Baez at 2B, they still need to get some OBP for right field, and still have to lock down Fowler if that's the route they go.

We have yet to see if Baez can elevate his average and OBP at the parent level. Hiding his bat at 2B is one thing, but they will definitely need a bat somewhere if indeed they do trade Soler.

If I am the Cubs, and trade Soler and others for pitching, I am looking at an upgrade in RF defensively like Heyward, or try and sign Alex Gordon and have him switch from LF to RF.

Either way, I would have a gold glover out there with OBP and pop in his bat assuming they are available, which I think they both will be.

Just a thought.

 

[brett05]

I have been on the "trade Soler" wagon for some time as I feel he is the prospect that would fetch the greatest return (obviously Bryant, Russell, and Schwarber off the table) in a trade.

That said. Even if they trade Castro and/or Soler, and put Baez at 2B, they still need to get some OBP for right field, and still have to lock down Fowler if that's the route they go.

We have yet to see if Baez can elevate his average and OBP at the parent level. Hiding his bat at 2B is one thing, but they will definitely need a bat somewhere if indeed they do trade Soler.

If I am the Cubs, and trade Soler and others for pitching, I am looking at an upgrade in RF defensively like Heyward, or try and sign Alex Gordon and have him switch from LF to RF.

Either way, I would have a gold glover out there with OBP and pop in his bat assuming they are available, which I think they both will be.

Just a thought.

What are you hoping for in return for Soler?
Heywayd might cost $20-$25 million per.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Why is everyone interested in trading people off this team? If Baez looks good when he gets called up why would you trade him? Why is anyone wanting to trade Soler? He's a rookie FFS. He has some things to learn, but everything about his bat and attitude screams above average everyday MLBer. Are they going to trade for a TOR this off season? All indications are they are going after a FA. So tell me why they are going to trade a big chip or two? Castro is going to get traded for some MiLB pitching prospects. Otherwise this team is set with Bryant F5, Russell F6, Baez F4, Rizzo F3, Montero F2, Schwarber F7 and Soler F9. The only position up in the air is CF and Fowler looks like a person you want to resign. Coghlan is a fantastic Util. They need to add a TOR.

The only reason I see in trading Soler is that he seems to be injury prone.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

What are you hoping for in return for Soler?
Heywayd might cost $20-$25 million per.

I can't speak for anyone else but I would like to see Soler top a package for a young pitcher. He'll likely be worth more than Baez with 1 1/2 years of MLB experience and should peak some interest. I think they're going to look at the young pitchers they looked at the deadline in Tyson Ross, Andrew Cashner, Carlos Carrasco and Julio Teheran. there might be others as well. I think they really need to upgrade 2 positions on the starting staff and they'd like a younger arm. I do think they'll go after Price but I'm not convinced they'll pay what I think he's going to get. Either way I think they'll sign an arm and trade for one. They might be looking for a bridge player Almora in CF as I think signing Fowler becomes more unlikely by the day. To get a pitcher either Soler or Baez has to go in trade as Castro will be a throw in with some money going back.

Bottom line is there are going to be a lot of moving parts this winter. The Cubs are going to need 2 rotation pieces, a CF, possibly a lock down closer and someone to play 2B and maybe RF if Soler is moved. The only internal piece that will be ready is Baez and that might be it until 2017. Barring one of the big 4 being moved, Rizzo, Bryant, Russell or Schwarber, really nothing will shock me.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Where is Edwards at? Won't we see him in September? He should be close to Wrigley at this point, shouldn't he?

 

[SilenceS]

Where is Edwards at? Won't we see him in September? He should be close to Wrigley at this point, shouldn't he?

7 day dl. I read the other day he will def. be a september call up for the pen. He has a blister that should be healed shortly.

 

[Boobaby1]

Why is everyone interested in trading people off this team? If Baez looks good when he gets called up why would you trade him? Why is anyone wanting to trade Soler? He's a rookie FFS. He has some things to learn, but everything about his bat and attitude screams above average everyday MLBer. Are they going to trade for a TOR this off season? All indications are they are going after a FA. So tell me why they are going to trade a big chip or two? Castro is going to get traded for some MiLB pitching prospects. Otherwise this team is set with Bryant F5, Russell F6, Baez F4, Rizzo F3, Montero F2, Schwarber F7 and Soler F9. The only position up in the air is CF and Fowler looks like a person you want to resign. Coghlan is a fantastic Util. They need to add a TOR.

The only reason I see in trading Soler is that he seems to be injury prone.

Injury prone and they need defensive help in the outfield.

If Schwarber stays out there, which I think he will, you can't rely on Soler to stay healthy, and provide defense.

He also provides probably the best return as I have stated to package and get a pitcher. or whatever else they are looking for.

Fowler is mediocre on defense, but his bat can play well enough.

I want to have a mainstay that plays rock solid defense. Pitching and defense will carry you, and keep you in ballgames.

They need a TOR pitcher, and a solid defender in the outfield, and if they can get the bat to go along with it, all the more better.

 

[SilenceS]

Injury prone and they need defensive help in the outfield.

If Schwarber stays out there, which I think he will, you can't rely on Soler to stay healthy, and provide defense.

He also provides probably the best return as I have stated to package and get a pitcher. or whatever else they are looking for.

Fowler is mediocre on defense, but his bat can play well enough.

I want to have a mainstay that plays rock solid defense. Pitching and defense will carry you, and keep you in ballgames.

They need a TOR pitcher, and a solid defender in the outfield, and if they can get the bat to go along with it, all the more better.

Montero is holding a special camp for him and Schwarber after the season. Montego said he is going to work on his D. Pretty great of Montero because he knows thats his replacement.

 

[Parade_Rain]

...
I want to have a mainstay that plays rock solid defense. Pitching and defense will carry you, and keep you in ballgames.

They need a TOR pitcher, and a solid defender in the outfield, and if they can get the bat to go along with it, all the more better.

This team is built on hitters. That's what they've drafted and signed. The current OF of Schwarber, Fowler, Soler with Coghlan/Denorfia filling in seems to win just fine. If the team was losing, I could see your argument regarding defense. They are 20 games over .500. They don't need a "solid defender in the outfield". They need another TOR. What you have is a tradeoff. They could package Soler and Castro for a young TOR or they can get that TOR in FA. If they make that trade for the young TOR with team friendly contract, then of course it makes sense to go get a player like Heyward. I'm just going to watch and enjoy the rest of this season and enjoy seeing what they improve in the off-season after the dust settles. They don't really appear to need many major moves other than getting a CF/resigning Fowler and adding another TOR.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

This team is built on hitters. That's what they've drafted and signed. The current OF of Schwarber, Fowler, Soler with Coghlan/Denorfia filling in seems to win just fine. If the team was losing, I could see your argument regarding defense. They are 20 games over .500. They don't need a "solid defender in the outfield". They need another TOR. What you have is a tradeoff. They could package Soler and Castro for a young TOR or they can get that TOR in FA. If they make that trade for the young TOR with team friendly contract, then of course it makes sense to go get a player like Heyward. I'm just going to watch and enjoy the rest of this season and enjoy seeing what they improve in the off-season after the dust settles. They don't really appear to need many major moves other than getting a CF/resigning Fowler and adding another TOR.

I'm in the camp they need to upgrade two starters. If they get a true #1 maybe you can live with Hammel at 4 and Hendricks at 5 but I'm having a difficult time thinking the Cubs will get Price. that derby is going to crazy. There weren't that many suitors for Scherzer and he got $210 million. Just sayin'. So if they can get one of the other guys that's not an ace I'd like a younger pitcher to replace Hendricks or Hammel. That's going to take dealing one of them as well as a position player. I would rather trade Soler than Baez. All things being equal I'd like them to keep them both.