Cubs Spring Training Discussion Thread

[SilenceS]

Almora got a single and Soler is 1 for 2 with a walk.

 

[theberserkfury]

Man, I really hope this is a turning point for Olt...

Although, has he spent any time at third yet? I can't imagine that's helping his chances of starting the year there...

 

[Boobaby1]

Man, I really hope this is a turning point for Olt...

Although, has he spent any time at third yet? I can't imagine that's helping his chances of starting the year there...

The glove has not been his issue. It has been his vision. If he can hit and hit for power, I think he will cement himself as an everyday third sacker.

I had said in another post, if he can replicate what Casey McGehee did for the Brewers a few years back, the Cubs will have struck gold in the trade for Garza.

 

[CSF77]

The glove has not been his issue. It has been his vision. If he can hit and hit for power, I think he will cement himself as an everyday third sacker.

I had said in another post, if he can replicate what Casey McGehee did for the Brewers a few years back, the Cubs will have struck gold in the trade for Garza.

He has had shoulder issues this spring. That is why he has not been at 3B. I believe his early funk was just due to him getting his swing back. His shoulder was considered normal in spring training. Dead arm.

I've been saying that he is key to this year. If he is a power threat it changes the dynamics of the line up out of S/T.

Bonifacio (CF/2B) 22 AB's .273/.261/.455 2 SB
Olt (3B/1B/DH) 21 AB .333/.333/.761 3 HR

Barney (2B/SS) 19 AB .263/.333/.474 1 HR
Valbuena (3B/2B) 14 AB .143/.294/.286
Murphy (IF) 20 AB .200/.238/.250

Lake (LF/CF) 18 AB .167/.200/.222 (8 SO leads team)
Ruggiano (LF/RF) 15 AB .533/.588/1.000 2 HR
Schierholtz (RF) 19 AB .211/.286/.421 1 HR
Sweeney (All OF) .067/.067/.067

Going by performance/opportunity to play:

Right now:


I would keep Olt and Bonifacio on the roster. Olt plays solid 3B and when he gets his arm back his bat will be sorely needed in this line up.

This puts Murphey as a UI which is fine as he can play SS and 2B. I expect him to be replaced by Baez in June.
Valbuena also came up as a SS/2B. Most teams carry 2 UI's so it affects little going forward.

So IF: Rizzo 1B/ Barney 2B/ Castro SS/Olt 3B UI: Valbuena/Murphey

C: Castillo/ Back up: Kottaras (Baker is making this interesting)

OF: Schierholtz RF/ Now this is where it gets controversial I would run Bonifacio full time in CF. LF I would play Ruggiano full time. Lake IMO has not come around this spring. I would let him get it together in Iowa. Sweeney got a 3 year deal so they maybe stuck with him but I would have him play RF vs LH pitching for Schierholtz. Weird but he hits LH fine.

This leaves 1 roster spot open IDK if I can justify 3 catchers but Baker has been hot.

I believe they keep Lake full time (undeserved) and he moves between CF/LF. Bonifacio moves between CF/2B. Ruggiano RF/LF. Sweeney gets his playing time cut.

Olt depends on his shoulder but if it proves sound he is the best option at 3B. At worst he gets AB's here and there giving Rizzo some off days until it is 100%.

 

[beckdawg]

I honestly think Barney is probably going to be traded if they can find a second party and they plan to play Bonifacio at 2B. This cub's den article has summed up what I've been saying since the moment Bonifacio was cut and the cubs had a chance to get him. Bonifacio gives them a legitimate lead off hitter. He's not going to be Ellsbury out there but if he gives you his career average(.262/.322/.340) with 30 stolen bases out of lead of that's a big win vs throwing someone like Valbuena(.218/.331/.378 with 1 SB) in either the 1 or 2 hole depending on where they end up slotting Castro or even worse Barney. They are going to need someone like Bonifacio to create more scoring opportunities by stealing some bases. Assuming they slot Castro second every steal he has puts him on second and in scoring position with arguably the 2 best hitters in the line up behind him in Castro and Rizzo. Any scenario of the cubs being half way decent next year should start with that sort of thinking because honestly it will be difficult for the back half of their line up to score runs. So, any bases Lake, Bonifacio and Castro can steal will greatly improve the cubs chances of scoring runs.

And those career numbers may be low. If you take his past 3 seasons his triple slash was .270/.332/.356 including a horrific .231/.290/.273 first half last year. That does also include his great 2011 year of .296/.360/.393. Some might say that was a fluke but honestly I look at it like what you can expect out of his top end. At least he's done it. It's not a case of prospects where we are hoping they can reach x level because he has done which means it can happen.

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2014/03/is-darwin-barney-getting-squeezed-out-of-cubs-lineup/

 

[chibears55]

Man, I really hope this is a turning point for Olt...

Although, has he spent any time at third yet? I can't imagine that's helping his chances of starting the year there...

I said Olt could be the surprise sleeper this year..

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[SilenceS]

John Arguello ‏@CubsDen 1h

Hearing that if Olt can make the throws from 3B, he's going to get the job.

 

[dabynsky]

I thought Olt had an inside track at a job given the depth of infield options for Iowa, but was talked out of that position prior to pitchers and catchers reporting. Glad to see that we might get to find out about him right away.

 

[marines1]

bring this man to Chicago

 

[SilenceS]

bring this man to Chicago

He is going to AAA. But, the best sign of him being close is they are going to play him at second soon in spring. If they thought he was still a ways away, I dont think they would be moving him around. I think its a good sign that they think his stick is ready.

 

[SilenceS]

Also, that was easily a 450 plus foot homer.

 

[Boobaby1]

Also, that was easily a 450 plus foot homer.

Put it back in your pants Silence. It was 447'.

 

[CSF77]

He will be at 2B before the ASG. I believe that June 15th is the super 2 cut off. Or this year will not count against his service time. With his potential they are going to want to keep out of a Arb 4 or having to start paying him a year early.

On Olt. Loving this.

Now what could become interesting is if Valbuena picks up his game. This could create an interesting platoon in CF/2B. Vs RH Valbuena at 2B/Bon at CF. LH Bon at 2B Lake in CF.

Barney is short term. His game plays better in the AL where there is a DH.

 

[SilenceS]

Cubs on today! Baez will be in the lineup

 

[dabynsky]

He is going to AAA. But, the best sign of him being close is they are going to play him at second soon in spring. If they thought he was still a ways away, I dont think they would be moving him around. I think its a good sign that they think his stick is ready.

They said they were going to move him around in spring training before. I am not certain I would read much more into this as it seems ot be part of the stated plan from months before spring training starter.

 

[chibears55]

They said they were going to move him around in spring training before. I am not certain I would read much more into this as it seems ot be part of the stated plan from months before spring training starter.

The way I look at it is, if he brought up in June he will be getting his playing time at 2B not SS over Castro. So, whatever games and work he gets at 2B til then is more then likely just to get him ready for that time when it comes.

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[CSF77]

5 RBI by Brett Jackson.

 

[theberserkfury]

And 2 homers from Rizzo.

 

[nwfisch]

:fap:

 

[DewsSox79]

:fap:

cactus league mvp


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