Cubs Spring Training Discussion Thread

[CSF77]

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs optioned right-handed pitcher Neil Ramirez to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, and the spring camp roster is now at 36.

The roster now consists of 17 pitchers, including non-roster invitee Tsuyoshi Wada; four catchers, eight infielders and seven outfielders.

Jose Veras, Pedro Strop, James Russell, Wesley Wright and Carlos Villanueva are set for the bullpen, unless the Cubs decided to use Villanueva as the fifth starter at the beginning of the season. Other relievers still in the mix include Justin Grimm, Hector Rondon and Alberto Cabrera, who is out of options.

"I don't know if being out of options is the defining factor of somebody's thinking," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said about putting together the 25-man roster. "I think their performances dictate that."

The next roster cuts are expected after Tuesday's day-night split-squad games.

 

[nwfisch]

Gordon Wittenmyer ‏@GDubCub 42s First time in 3 games @ 3B Olt's had any fielding chances. Has two errors in 7th -- high throw with sore shoulder, and muffed backhand play.

 

[CSF77]

They are going to break camp with him. The line up lacks RH power and he fills that line up need. They have plaenty of depth to get a D glove in late inning.

Even after that error he yacked a HR.

It is better to push him out there. If he need a DL stint in season it is fine. They still have Valbuena and Murphy.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I know the goal is likely to bring Baez up eventually, but if Olt is at 3B, does that mean Valbuena could move over to 2B? In my way of thinking, Valbuena has more pop in his bat than Barney, so I want more potential on offense.

 

[X]

Lake with 3 Homers today.

Sent from my phone...in my pocket...with my mind.

 

[CSF77]

Well that was impressive. 3 HR 6 RBI day and Valbuena hits 2.

Interesting day. I liked bonifacio in CF leading off. Lake should be hitting 6th.

Still they blew up minus Rizzo, Ruggiano and Schierholtz in the line up. This team seems way more explosive than years past.

 

[chibears55]

Tigers made a trade with Orioles for Alex Gonzalez, scratch their Barney interest off the list.
I think the Yankees will be the team that eventually calls for him.

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[beckdawg]

Tigers made a trade with Orioles for Alex Gonzalez, scratch their Barney interest off the list.
I think the Yankees will be the team that eventually calls for him.

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For a moment I thought this was the same SS Alex Gonzo that the cubs had back prior to the Nomar trade and was wondering how the hell he was still in the majors. Damn latin players with similar names/positions

 

[chibears55]

@CarrieMuskat#Cubs Castro playing shortstop in Minor League game now

@CarrieMuskat#Cubs Junior Lake getting more at bats in Minor League game too

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[beckdawg]

Starlin Castro says he's open to moving from shortstop to accommodate star prospect Javier Baez, CSN Chicago's David Kaplan reports. "If I need to move positions, I'm OK with that," Castro said. "If he is on our team and him being there helps the team win, then I am fine with that. I just want our team to win. That's it." There had been speculation that Baez would see time at second base at Triple-A this season in preparation for a position switch of his own, though Cubs manager Rick Renteria stated that Baez would play short in the minors. Widely considered one of baseball's top prospects, Baez has a .903 OPS in 916 minor league PA and hit even better during the Cubs' Spring Training camp this year.

Makes you wonder if the cubs have talked to Castro about this possibility.

 

[Parade_Rain]

The issue in my mind is what are they going to do this season when Baez gets called up? Is Castro going to get reps at 2B in practice?

 

[Jntg4]

Makes you wonder if the cubs have talked to Castro about this possibility.

I doubt it, Kaplan directly asked him if he would be willing to, it wasn't something he brought up himself. (Interview was on CSN)

 

[SilenceS]

Makes you wonder if the cubs have talked to Castro about this possibility.

I doubt that. I think Castro was just saying the right things to a question he is going to here. I dont see the Cubs putting Baez on short when he most likely would have to move a little bit down the road. He is going to lose range according to scouts. Also, on the Cubs broadcast Tuesday. They were saying that Bryant is pegged for the OF at some point. They think he is made to be a RF. Take that for what it is worth.

I just dont see how Baez can overtake Castro when they have similar arms. Baez has less range and has made a **** ton of errors in the minors. His bat would be special at any position. Now, if the Cubs had a prospect who was a defensive whiz at short then I could see Castro move, but that is not the case.

 

[Boobaby1]

I doubt that. I think Castro was just saying the right things to a question he is going to here. I dont see the Cubs putting Baez on short when he most likely would have to move a little bit down the road. He is going to lose range according to scouts. Also, on the Cubs broadcast Tuesday. They were saying that Bryant is pegged for the OF at some point. They think he is made to be a RF. Take that for what it is worth.

I just dont see how Baez can overtake Castro when they have similar arms. Baez has less range and has made a **** ton of errors in the minors. His bat would be special at any position. Now, if the Cubs had a prospect who was a defensive whiz at short then I could see Castro move, but that is not the case.

The only way Castro is not playing SS for the Cubs is if he is traded. No way in hell does Baez overtake him. Al that would do is expose his weaknesses. I can see him at 2B in his early years, and moving to 3B in his later years as he fills out his frame. Nothing wrong with either IMO.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Well and to the questions I threw out there Castro isn't going to be moving over to 2b this season anyway, so the discussion/question asked of him likely isn't relevant to Summer 2014.

 

[dabynsky]

Cabrera dfa'd and Schlitter is making the pen. I am shocked by the move.

 

[nwfisch]

Cabrera dfa'd and Schlitter is making the pen. I am shocked by the move.

The Shitter Splitter remains!

 

[dabynsky]

The Shitter Splitter remains!

Don't believe he has a splitter

 

[CSF77]

The only way Castro is not playing SS for the Cubs is if he is traded. No way in hell does Baez overtake him. Al that would do is expose his weaknesses. I can see him at 2B in his early years, and moving to 3B in his later years as he fills out his frame. Nothing wrong with either IMO.

If Olt produces at 3B then Baez goes to 2B. Pretty easy to figure out. If Olt flops then turning Baez into a 3B becomes more needed.

Alcantara at that point would have to take over Bonifacio's role on the team.

I wouldn't sweat it though. Performance will dictate how the chips fall.

 

[CSF77]

Cabrera dfa'd and Schlitter is making the pen. I am shocked by the move.

Didn't he get blown up one game? It happened to Rusin and he got demoted. Again promotions were given out based off of spring performance. Not based off of other factors. Think of as either pitcher is gone. They chose the more consistent one.

Rick noted that performance will dictate it and he did what he said. I find that refreshing.