Danny Salazar

[TC in Mississippi]

I wouldn't worry too much about what Theo said about Soler. I'm sure he'll be on the market again for a pitcher at the deadline, particularly if he's raised his value.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I wouldn't worry too much about what Theo said about Soler. I'm sure he'll be on the market again for a pitcher at the deadline, particularly if he's raised his value.

Not if he raised his value. That means he's producing better than other parts of the supposed core.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Not if he raised his value. That means he's producing better than other parts of the supposed core.

That's my point, that kind of player will bring back almost any pitcher they want and they could move Heyward back to the position he has most value at. I just can't see, no matter how well he performs, Soler as a long term piece on this team.

 

[Parade_Rain]

That's my point, that kind of player will bring back almost any pitcher they want and they could move Heyward back to the position he has most value at. I just can't see, no matter how well he performs, Soler as a long term piece on this team.

No. My point is that if he is producing better than some of the core, he will remain with the Cubs and someone else will be traded. You have no idea how well Heyward can be in CF and his batting numbers make him an elite CF, not so much as a power hitting RF. Soler excelling in RF is the best thing that could happen for the Cubs OF.

 

[DanTown]

Judging by Fangraphs, Adam Eaton was the fifth best offensive CF in baseball with a line of
.287/.361/.431 - 14 HR - 56 RBI - 18 SB - 19.0K%/8.4BB%

Steamer for Heyward this year
.284/.362/.439 - 18 HR - 84 RBI - 17 SB - 15.2K%/10.2BB%

Lorenzo Cain defensive value last year as top 3 defensive CF
Range - 15.3
UZR - 14.3
UZR/150 - 14.5

Heyward last year in OF
Range - 16.2
UZR - 22.6
UZR/150 - 24.0

 

[TC in Mississippi]

No. My point is that if he is producing better than some of the core, he will remain with the Cubs and someone else will be traded. You have no idea how well Heyward can be in CF and his batting numbers make him an elite CF, not so much as a power hitting RF. Soler excelling in RF is the best thing that could happen for the Cubs OF.

Maybe. The fact that he was so openly shopped for pitching leads me to believe otherwise but of course I could be wrong. Heyward could be good in CF but I don't see how Soler improves much in RF. I do think he could put up some eye popping offensive numbers though.

 

[beckdawg]

Maybe. The fact that he was so openly shopped for pitching leads me to believe otherwise but of course I could be wrong. Heyward could be good in CF but I don't see how Soler improves much in RF. I do think he could put up some eye popping offensive numbers though.

That's not very hard at all. He just needs better range. In his 205 inning split from 2014 he had a range factor portion of UZR of 0.2. Last season in 825 innings he was -7.8. Now you could say that 205 innings isn't much of a sample size and it's true it isn't. But he also dealt with a leg injury last season that undoubtably hurt his range. As such, if he has a healthy set of legs under him in 2016 it is conceivable his range improves. I doubt he's ever a plus defender there but average to below average with his bat would be more than fine.

And to be fair to Soler, he's been hurt so much in the minors that he really hasn't had much experience in RF comparative to other prospects at this stage of their career. He's a bit like Schwarber in that regard.

 

[DanTown]

Josh Reddick last year was a 3 WAR RF with the following numbers

.272/.333/.449
20 HR - 77 RBI - 67 R - 10 SB
-1.7 UZR/150

Steamer for Soler
.262/.324/.440
18 HR - 66 RBI - 61 R - 4 SB

If Soler beats those projection and improves his range to simply being able to catch, he's a 3 WAR OF. Making four-five million. That's fantastic value and doesn't even touch on his potential hitting in the Castro spot (6th, a ton of guys on base)

 

[Boobaby1]

That's not very hard at all. He just needs better range. In his 205 inning split from 2014 he had a range factor portion of UZR of 0.2. Last season in 825 innings he was -7.8. Now you could say that 205 innings isn't much of a sample size and it's true it isn't. But he also dealt with a leg injury last season that undoubtably hurt his range. As such, if he has a healthy set of legs under him in 2016 it is conceivable his range improves. I doubt he's ever a plus defender there but average to below average with his bat would be more than fine.

And to be fair to Soler, he's been hurt so much in the minors that he really hasn't had much experience in RF comparative to other prospects at this stage of their career. He's a bit like Schwarber in that regard.

I think that is the biggest hurdle right there. Not only in the minors, but the majors too.

Lets hope that his weight drop and getting in better physical shape pay dividends moving forward.

 

[beckdawg]

I think that is the biggest hurdle right there. Not only in the minors, but the majors too.

Lets hope that his weight drop and getting in better physical shape pay dividends moving forward.

Yeah I'm more worried about his long term health than his defense atm. Hope he doesn't end up like J.D. Drew where he's an incredible talent when on the field but only plays 100-120 games a year.

 

[Diehardfan]

Yeah I'm more worried about his long term health than his defense atm. Hope he doesn't end up like J.D. Drew where he's an incredible talent when on the field but only plays 100-120 games a year.

Tough call on such a young player. Sometimes injuries seem to run in cycles....a few early on then go relatively untouched for years....other times it's just something a player is cursed with. Regardless, I think it's too soon to make a judgement call on him based off injuries.