Cubs vs Braves IGT (Vol. Silence negligent)

[TL1961]

He’s having his best year as a cub but when he spent the first 3 years hitting like hot garbage then .260 something sounds amazing but definitely not worth the contract he got

Citing Batting average ?
How 1970’s!
?
Give my best to Steve Ontevaros.

 

[Omeletpants]

He catches everything. He prevents runners going first to third, which apparently most people don’t notice. He is an excellent baserunner. He never, ever is me first or a distraction.

He is a pro’s pro.

He has not hit as well as hoped. But he is actually quite underrated as a player by Cub fans. .

No, at his salary he is highly overrated and I bet the Cubs would get out of his contract if they could

 

[choyne35]

He catches everything. He prevents runners going first to third, which apparently most people don’t notice. He is an excellent baserunner. He never, ever is me first or a distraction.

He is a pro’s pro.

He has not hit as well as hoped. But he is actually quite underrated as a player by Cub fans. .

So basically he’s the equivalent of a punter in football lol. He kicks the ball away from returners, he pins the offense deep and is great in the field position aspect. he isn’t a distraction cuz you don’t even notice he’s there, plays with zero emotion but i don’t know of any punters that make the money Heyward makes ?

 

[choyne35]

Batti
Citing Batting average ?
How 1970’s!
?
Give my best to Steve Ontevaros.

It’s still a good stat to go by, I don’t want someone hitting under .250 for 3 plus years on average do you? Especially if they aren’t putting up 25 plus homers and 80 plus RBI. If he could mash like Adam Dunn use to then you could live with crap BA but he doesn’t and never will, good glove though but defense shouldn’t get you his contract ever!!!

 

[CSF77]

Batti
Citing Batting average ?
How 1970’s!
?
Give my best to Steve Ontevaros.

wRC+
Contreras: 152
Bryant: 144
Rizzo: 136
Baez: 122
Caratini: 112
Heyward: 107
Bote: 105
Schwarber: 98
Russell: 81
Almora: 75

That is why I am watching Garcia at AAA. They have him in LF today. So I'm guessing they are just checking his versatility right now.

Heyward is 7% over a reg starter. He has been around avg his tour here.

IMO they should just let Bote start every day at 2B and promote Garcia. Axe Cargo (68 wRC+)

That way they are pushing O early game and have the reserves set up for D tighten with the lead.

And that is why they should move Schwarber off the lead off. 98 is a bit low for the lion share of PA's.

But by the numbers:

Bryant lead off...ya 144 kinda justifies it.
Rizzo hitting #2. 136 you want that absorbing PA
Contreras 152. He is the line up stud. Don't try to spin it other wise.
Baez 122. His injury has stalled him some. But stalling with a 122 is crazy.

Now this is where it becomes under debate
I would start with this to lessen the pressure on Garcia. If he excels then bum him up.

Heyward CF
Bote 2B
Schwarber LF
Garcia. RF

That still allows Almora to come in late inning. Or they can bring in Russell and move Bote to 3B. Bryant to RF. So it retains flex. Actually it adds because Garcia can man 2B and 3B.

 

[CSF77]

It’s still a good stat to go by, I don’t want someone hitting under .250 for 3 plus years on average do you? Especially if they aren’t putting up 25 plus homers and 80 plus RBI. If he could mash like Adam Dunn use to then you could live with crap BA but he doesn’t and never will, good glove though but defense shouldn’t get you his contract ever!!!

The only value BA holds is if you have a contact hitter. And I value it situational hitting. . Like P.H. And I would look at his BA in PH scenarios. That way I know he is able to put the ball into play.

But as far as a every day starter wRC+ is by far the best metric.

 

[TL1961]

It’s still a good stat to go by, I don’t want someone hitting under .250 for 3 plus years on average do you? Especially if they aren’t putting up 25 plus homers and 80 plus RBI. If he could mash like Adam Dunn use to then you could live with crap BA but he doesn’t and never will, good glove though but defense shouldn’t get you his contract ever!!!

You responded to my suggestion that batting average is a bad stat to cite, by citing other stats. My entire point.

I did not make the point that he was hitting well, OR that he was a great value. I stated that he is bette rthan cub fans give him credit for, as most can only see offense and many look only at $.

 

[choyne35]

wRC+
Contreras: 152
Bryant: 144
Rizzo: 136
Baez: 122
Caratini: 112
Heyward: 107
Bote: 105
Schwarber: 98
Russell: 81
Almora: 75

That is why I am watching Garcia at AAA. They have him in LF today. So I'm guessing they are just checking his versatility right now.

Heyward is 7% over a reg starter. He has been around avg his tour here.

IMO they should just let Bote start every day at 2B and promote Garcia. Axe Cargo (68 wRC+)

That way they are pushing O early game and have the reserves set up for D tighten with the lead.

And that is why they should move Schwarber off the lead off. 98 is a bit low for the lion share of PA's.

But by the numbers:

Bryant lead off...ya 144 kinda justifies it.
Rizzo hitting #2. 136 you want that absorbing PA
Contreras 152. He is the line up stud. Don't try to spin it other wise.
Baez 122. His injury has stalled him some. But stalling with a 122 is crazy.

Now this is where it becomes under debate
I would start with this to lessen the pressure on Garcia. If he excels then bum him up.

Heyward CF
Bote 2B
Schwarber LF
Garcia. RF

That still allows Almora to come in late inning. Or they can bring in Russell and move Bote to 3B. Bryant to RF. So it retains flex. Actually it adds because Garcia can man 2B and 3B.

Interesting lineup but I dont believe we will
See Bryant leading off and Contreras hitting 3rd and I doubt we will see one of those being correct either Bryant in the leadoff spot or Contreras hitting 3rd. I am curious to see how Robel does if they indeed call him up and where he would play/hit

 

[CSF77]

Interesting lineup but I dont believe we will
See Bryant leading off and Contreras hitting 3rd and I doubt we will see one of those being correct either Bryant in the leadoff spot or Contreras hitting 3rd. I am curious to see how Robel does if they indeed call him up and where he would play/hit

I made that based off of wRC+.

Joe follows his own tune.

But

If there is an indicator it is Garcia is hitting #5 today.

I try to look at signs honestly. Theo brings him up in conversation. They move him to a corner OF. Then they move him to hitting #5.

They are really sending signals right now.

My prediction is they play with the idea until the break. If he is adaquate they sign Cargo's walking papers and promote. That point they just insert him in Cargo's situational starts. Maybe test hitting him RH in LF some. But IMO it would be more of a test pre deadline. If he works out then that is resources saved.

I just don't see Joe changing the top 4 hitters. But by the numbers he should. Bryant hit lead off in college. Teams would just walk him. Leading off they would pitch to him and he would rip them up. He has exposure there. Takes walks. And can hit for AVG. Plus a mistake will go yard.

But I personally use wRC+ as my gauge for more PA. not OBA.

 

[choyne35]

I made that based off of wRC+.

Joe follows his own tune.

But

If there is an indicator it is Garcia is hitting #5 today.

I try to look at signs honestly. Theo brings him up in conversation. They move him to a corner OF. Then they move him to hitting #5.

They are really sending signals right now.

My prediction is they play with the idea until the break. If he is adaquate they sign Cargo's walking papers and promote. That point they just insert him in Cargo's situational starts. Maybe test hitting him RH in LF some. But IMO it would be more of a test pre deadline. If he works out then that is resources saved.

I just don't see Joe changing the top 4 hitters. But by the numbers he should. Bryant hit lead off in college. Teams would just walk him. Leading off they would pitch to him and he would rip them up. He has exposure there. Takes walks. And can hit for AVG. Plus a mistake will go yard.

But I personally use wRC+ as my gauge for more PA. not OBA.

I like your insight and hope you are right about Garcia but I hope it’s sooner than just after the all star break... any chance you think we see Nico in September?

 

[TL1961]

I am not opposed to a callup of Garcia, but unlike most, I am not simply assuming he is already a better major leaguer than Russell, Bote, etc.

 

[TL1961]

Interesting lineup but I dont believe we will
See Bryant leading off and Contreras hitting 3rd and I doubt we will see one of those being correct either Bryant in the leadoff spot or Contreras hitting 3rd. I am curious to see how Robel does if they indeed call him up and where he would play/hit

?

 

[CSF77]

I like your insight and hope you are right about Garcia but I hope it’s sooner than just after the all star break... any chance you think we see Nico in September?

No on Nico. I wouldn't expect him until this time next year.

 

[CSF77]

I am not opposed to a callup of Garcia, but unlike most, I am not simply assuming he is already a better major leaguer than Russell, Bote, etc.

I don't think that will be tested. But he should be better than Cargo.

If they were milling that then he would have stayed on 2B.

But interesting enough today was vs a lefty and he was at LF. So the wheels are turning at least.

Of course he has to hit. But I see it as a non issue honestly. Cargo has been trash. It is not a impact roster move. You see what happens. If he blows then start calling teams on availability.

 

[CSF77]

Looking over potential FA. The only one I like and it would be a long shot if he even got into the discussion. Tommy back and starting at 2B and leading off. That would be pretty funny IMO . Shit send them Russell and a solid pitching prospect. (Not Alzolay or Marquez)

 

[CSF77]

Some released info. Things are going to get interesting.


CHICAGO -- The Cubs are hopeful that starter Kyle Hendricks will be ready to rejoin the rotation at some point around the All-Star break. On Thursday, manager Joe Maddon did not rule out the possibility that Hendricks could make his return before the season's intermission.

"It's possible," Maddon said. "It is possible, so we're not excluding any of that. He's doing really well -- like I've been saying. He's feeling really good. ... If everything plays out properly and it looks like the right thing to do, we will. We're still going to listen to him and his body, but he sounds really encouraging right now."

Hendricks, who is on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder issue, completed a 30-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday and said Thursday morning that he felt fine in the wake of that workout. The next step will be a 45-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, but the pitcher did not want to speculate about his schedule beyond that in his throwing progression.

"They try to keep me day to day so I don't get too excited," Hendricks said.

Hendricks last started on June 14 against the Dodgers and an MRI exam a couple days later revealed an impingement in the joint. The right-hander received a cortisone shot at the time and said his arm has responded well to that procedure.

"I haven't regressed at all," Hendricks said. "Everything's felt really good -- 100 percent. It's responded well to everything we've done. So we can keep moving forward."

Worth noting

• The biggest silver lining for the Cubs since losing Hendricks to the IL has been getting a chance to see what rookie Adbert Alzolay can do on the Major League stage. Through two appearances, the 24-year-old Alzolay has nine strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings with a 2.08 ERA. Hendricks has been impressed.

"He's unbelievable, man," Hendricks said. "His mental approach to it, just how locked in he is, the video work he does, the notes in-between innings, everything. You can tell, he's locked in and he has an unbelievable idea of what he's doing. I had seen -- from when we were together in Arizona -- I saw just how hard of a worker he is. Now, to see him and the stuff he has and to see him out on the mound, I loved every second of it."

Maddon said the Cubs have a tentative plan in place for Alzolay's next step, but the manager was not ready to disclose that information on Thursday morning.

• Even with closer Craig Kimbrel now in the fold, Maddon did not want fans to lose sight of how good setup man Pedro Strop has been for the Cubs. Heading into Thursday, Strop had a 2.74 ERA in parts of seven seasons with Chicago, serving as a setup man, part-time closer and impacting the team off the field and in the clubhouse.

"If he has a bad day, people become critical very quickly," Maddon said. "And they have no understanding of how consistent this guy's been. He's been one of the most consistent relievers in baseball over the last four or five years. Really delve into the numbers and check out his slider and what that does to both righties and lefties. It's hard to get better than Pedro's been."

• Right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and gave two thumbs up when asked Thursday morning how things went. The reliever (10-day IL, left thoracic strain) is scheduled to throw off a mound again on Saturday.

• Cubs outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was ejected from Thursday's game in the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes with home-plate umpire Nic Lentz. Gonzalez thought he drew a walk on a low 3-1 pitch and then argued after a called third strike on a pitch from Braves starter Bryse Wilson. Lentz promptly tossed the veteran outfielder from the game

 

[Discus fish salesman]

I know they had no money, but it would have been nice to see the cubs get creative last offseason and manage to get Lemaheiu and Brantley. Those two guys are/were exactly what this team is missing. High average, contact hitters that can put the ball in play in big spots against tough pitching. I know it doesn’t matter now, but they would have slotted into our lineup perfectly.

 

[CSF77]

I know they had no money, but it would have been nice to see the cubs get creative last offseason and manage to get Lemaheiu and Brantley. Those two guys are/were exactly what this team is missing. High average, contact hitters that can put the ball in play in big spots against tough pitching. I know it doesn’t matter now, but they would have slotted into our lineup perfectly.

Brantley would have been nice. Then trade Schwarber after. Cudda wodda shoulda

 

[CSF77]

From that report Sat he goes 45. If all signs are good then the next step should be a rehab stint. He still needs to get live games in before rejoining the team

But I would move Alzolay into piggyback mode then. He has the ability to shut down a O. So on any rough start they can just plug him in to shut them up and let the O play catch up. I see his heel being getting past the 60 pitch mark. That puts stress on the pen. But in this role he becomes an asset.

 

[choyne35]

I know they had no money, but it would have been nice to see the cubs get creative last offseason and manage to get Lemaheiu and Brantley. Those two guys are/were exactly what this team is missing. High average, contact hitters that can put the ball in play in big spots against tough pitching. I know it doesn’t matter now, but they would have slotted into our lineup perfectly.

I was really wanting them to go after DJ to leadoff and play 2nd in the off season too