Cubs vs Reds IST thread

[DanTown]

You've watched Schwarber catch right? There is no way he's ready to be your starting catcher in 2016. There's also no way he's not in the lineup which means he plays LF next year with maybe a once a week appearance behind the plate. If you're looking for the future full time catcher I think you're looking for Willson Contreras who's slashed .328/.409/.475 for Tennessee this year. He'll get his shot in Iowa next year and if he continues those kind of numbers, and if his framing improves he's likely to be up in 2017 which is the last year of Montero's deal. Contreras is solid at blocking and has a strong arm. I think Schwarber will continue to get some coaching and the occasional play behind the plate for a couple of years but I would be shocked if he's ever a full time starting catcher in MLB. His bat is far too valuable to screw around.

I think the question is does Schwarber take a step forward in his catching ability. I don't think this year he's ready to do it but a full off-season + spring training devoted to catching then yeah, I think he'll be close to what you're getting from Montero. It's not as if Montero is some high level C in terms of defensive or offensive ability and Schwarber has a much better arm than Montero.

I understand the risk that comes with making Schwarber a C on a full-time basis but Montero's bat nor glove are super valuable and his salary is going to impact the Cubs ability to have better players. All things being equal, I'd keep him but the Cubs aren't the Dodgers.

 

[willycat]

I think Schwarber's highest value position to this team is definitely at C. Much like Joe Mauer when he was younger, having his bat at the C spot is soooo much more valuable than having a decent OF who hits. Also, you have to remember that this team has such a plethora of bats that basically keeping a C like Montero at his dollar value isn't going to be great if it means you can't get in on the David Price/Zach Grienke's of the world.

I'd rather keep Fowler than Montero at similar dollar amounts. For me, I'd love to see a roster of

C
Schwarber, Ross
IF
Rizzo, Bryant, Russell, LaStella, Baez, Villanueva
OF
Soler, Fowler, Coghlan, D. Young

Then look to move Castro, Montero for money savings and just to open up the roster. You say you're worried about the OF depth but of course you have two guys (Schwarber and Bryant) who can play there as well as potentially Baez.

Only a outside chance Fowler will be with the Cubs next season and Montero is signed through 2017, so he is your #1 C with Ross as a backup for another season. Doubt that Villanueva makes 25 man, unless Bryant is shifted to the OF permanently. Who is D. Young?

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I think the question is does Schwarber take a step forward in his catching ability. I don't think this year he's ready to do it but a full off-season + spring training devoted to catching then yeah, I think he'll be close to what you're getting from Montero. It's not as if Montero is some high level C in terms of defensive or offensive ability and Schwarber has a much better arm than Montero.

I understand the risk that comes with making Schwarber a C on a full-time basis but Montero's bat nor glove are super valuable and his salary is going to impact the Cubs ability to have better players. All things being equal, I'd keep him but the Cubs aren't the Dodgers.

Montero is one of the top ten framers in the game, is an above average catcher and a decent left handed bat. Why in the world would you get rid of him?

 

[brett05]

I have to admit I was really puzzled by Montero being acquired. Pitch framing was not enough for me and he really was IMO on the way out. But the change of scenery has done him worlds of good. He's a borderline AS caliber player again and worth having on a team.

 

[DanTown]

Montero is one of the top ten framers in the game, is an above average catcher and a decent left handed bat. Why in the world would you get rid of him?

The problem I have with Monetro isn't his framing skills (by far the best thing he does better than Schwarber) but it's his salary is almost exactly the same that you can get Fowler to stay with. This isn't a "Montero sucks" campaign but more of an issue with the roster and finances. Like I said, I'd prefer to keep both but it seems unlikely to break that way. And consider right now Fowler is the only MLB quality lead-off hitter and CF in the organization where as Schwarber, a significantly better bat than Montero who struggles with the defense, would still be a huge value at C. As bad as people want to rag on Schwarber's defense at C, he'd have to seriously regress as a hitter or not progress at all at defense/framing to be as overall valuable as Monetro is.

 

[Parade_Rain]

The problem I have with Monetro isn't his framing skills (by far the best thing he does better than Schwarber) but it's his salary is almost exactly the same that you can get Fowler to stay with. This isn't a "Montero sucks" campaign but more of an issue with the roster and finances. Like I said, I'd prefer to keep both but it seems unlikely to break that way. And consider right now Fowler is the only MLB quality lead-off hitter and CF in the organization where as Schwarber, a significantly better bat than Montero who struggles with the defense, would still be a huge value at C. As bad as people want to rag on Schwarber's defense at C, he'd have to seriously regress as a hitter or not progress at all at defense/framing to be as overall valuable as Monetro is.

The catcher is the most important position player there is. A catcher who hits is a luxury. From what I have observed of Schwarber he isn't a catcher. The pitcher's deserve a real catcher behind the plate. I can see Schwarber giving the starter a blow every now and then, but without significant improvement this off season, I wouldn't waste another second thinking of him at C.

 

[Diehardfan]

The problem I have with Monetro isn't his framing skills (by far the best thing he does better than Schwarber) but it's his salary is almost exactly the same that you can get Fowler to stay with. This isn't a "Montero sucks" campaign but more of an issue with the roster and finances. Like I said, I'd prefer to keep both but it seems unlikely to break that way. And consider right now Fowler is the only MLB quality lead-off hitter and CF in the organization where as Schwarber, a significantly better bat than Montero who struggles with the defense, would still be a huge value at C. As bad as people want to rag on Schwarber's defense at C, he'd have to seriously regress as a hitter or not progress at all at defense/framing to be as overall valuable as Monetro is.

Why in the world are you worrying about what the Cubs have to pay? They sell out nearly every game, get tons of money from 3 different local TV stations plus the national coverage, a fresh new radio deal, tack on the a money they're getting from all the new signage and only lately have they signed any big time players. There is no salary cap in baseball....they can spend what they want and with all the young players they have who are years from hitting a big payday...they are in fine shape with bucks to spend. It's not the money in Fowler's case, its the years.