I predict Starlin Castro goes on a tear once the trade deadline passes!

[chibears55]

I can go with the last 2 to 3 weeks up to the deadline that the talks were getting to him mentally. . Castro situation with the Cubs is kinda like Flores with the Mets, being with organization since his teen years and having an attachment. .

It wouldn't surprise me if he relaxes now and just play his game..

Big week for the team to show they belong in the playoff race and their definitely going to need Castro to hit...

 

[brett05]

Maddon said he was having trouble getting Castro to buy in months ago. shame no team wanted him. Baez and Castro fro any pitcher that wasn't a rental was a good deal IMO

Give you John Danks right now for the pair. Done and Done. Heck, Give you $16 million with Danks for either.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Well....Castro is seemingly being given the opportunity to prove he can turn around to normal performance in august. I think that makes a ton of sense. The reluctance to part with Baez could be due to Castro's struggles. I think Epstein did a hell of a job at the trade deadline. He stood pat and added two arms with huge upside from a rental for push now perspective. Haren and Leake are good for the young guys and give nice depth to the playoff push and the playoff matchups without spending much at all.

Castro gets most of August, and if he persists at .230 bonehead with defensive lapses and bad baserunning.....hello Baez show us what you can do.

With Baez's injuries this plan makes perfect sense.

I can see the future....and I see a september like this on ACE pitching days. The cubs best lineup.

1. Russell 2B
2. Schwarber LF
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Bryant 3B (am I switching these 3/4? not sure about left/right)
5. Soler RF
6. Caughlin/Denorfia CF
7. Montero C
8. Lester/Arrieta
9. Baez SS


A litte tweaking maybe, but we need the best bats on the field and this is what it looks like Fowler/Castro need to step up or sit down.

 

[JZsportsfan]

Cubs didn't get Mike Leake

 

[MDB111™]

Give you John Danks right now for the pair. Done and Done. Heck, Give you $16 million with Danks for either.

You Said Sale wrong. you give up Sale and we have a sale

 

[chibears55]

Well....Castro is seemingly being given the opportunity to prove he can turn around to normal performance in august. I think that makes a ton of sense. The reluctance to part with Baez could be due to Castro's struggles. I think Epstein did a hell of a job at the trade deadline. He stood pat and added two arms with huge upside from a rental for push now perspective. Haren and Leake are good for the young guys and give nice depth to the playoff push and the playoff matchups without spending much at all.

Castro gets most of August, and if he persists at .230 bonehead with defensive lapses and bad baserunning.....hello Baez show us what you can do.

With Baez's injuries this plan makes perfect sense.

I can see the future....and I see a september like this on ACE pitching days. The cubs best lineup.

1. Russell 2B
2. Schwarber LF
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Bryant 3B (am I switching these 3/4? not sure about left/right)
5. Soler RF
6. Caughlin/Denorfia CF
7. Montero C
8. Lester/Arrieta
9. Baez SS


A litte tweaking maybe, but we need the best bats on the field and this is what it looks like Fowler/Castro need to step up or sit down.

Leake ? Cubs don't have Leake

Where Fowler? He been their hottest hitter since the break

What Maddon doing with lineup now is how it will stay..
Only difference is , when Montero comes back he gotta figure out his rotation between Cogs and Schwarber in left and wheather to give schwarber 1 or 2 starts behind the plate during the rotation. . Im guessing he just catches hendricks and depending on matchups Hammels. ..

 

[Raskolnikov]

Hunter not Leake, my bad.

And I didn't realize Fowler finally got hot. He had some nice numbers in Miami last year. That DOES change things.

I thought Coughlin and Denorphia had good seasons for the Cubs, its a shame they are relegated to depth but its a nice problem I suppose. Perhaps my vision will come true next year, I hope they put all their money into starting pitching like a David Price. Now....you might say David gives up 25 home runs a year, and you don't want to see him on a wind blowing out day. But he will be amazing on a wind blowing in day, and he is capable of getting the strike outs he needs. He appears to be pitching a little smarter finally, and in the N.L. it should be only better.

Price/Lester/Arrieta/Shark make it happen.

 

[CSF77]

Russell has been hitting .286 sense the break. He has changed his approach with working with Melee. Seems to be working.

I'm not sure why they have not added Baez for depth. There is little reason to not trade him then keep him in Iowa. Not when they are in a play off push and the team is looking for runs

 

[chibears55]

Russell has been hitting .286 sense the break. He has changed his approach with working with Melee. Seems to be working.

I'm not sure why they have not added Baez for depth. There is little reason to not trade him then keep him in Iowa. Not when they are in a play off push and the team is looking for runs

Keeping baez in iowa ..most likely cause there no where to get him consistent ABs.. might as well leave him there til sept. and let him play ...

 

[brett05]

Hunter not Leake, my bad.

And I didn't realize Fowler finally got hot. He had some nice numbers in Miami last year. That DOES change things.

I thought Coughlin and Denorphia had good seasons for the Cubs, its a shame they are relegated to depth but its a nice problem I suppose. Perhaps my vision will come true next year, I hope they put all their money into starting pitching like a David Price. Now....you might say David gives up 25 home runs a year, and you don't want to see him on a wind blowing out day. But he will be amazing on a wind blowing in day, and he is capable of getting the strike outs he needs. He appears to be pitching a little smarter finally, and in the N.L. it should be only better.

Price/Lester/Arrieta/Shark make it happen.

Miami????

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Leake ? Cubs don't have Leake

Where Fowler? He been their hottest hitter since the break

What Maddon doing with lineup now is how it will stay..
Only difference is , when Montero comes back he gotta figure out his rotation between Cogs and Schwarber in left and wheather to give schwarber 1 or 2 starts behind the plate during the rotation. . Im guessing he just catches hendricks and depending on matchups Hammels. ..

I think Coghlan will see some time RF occasionally as well and I do think Baez comes up and Castro sits if he doesn't come around in the next 2-3 weeks and they're in the thick of the race.

 

[Raskolnikov]

I think Coghlan will see some time RF occasionally as well and I do think Baez comes up and Castro sits if he doesn't come around in the next 2-3 weeks and they're in the thick of the race.

Yeah...I should keep it simple. Either Castro comes out of funk in 2-3 weeks or Baez to SS. That is all, but clearly you would think the Maddon/Epstein plan for this situation.

1) You need Castro to show life so you can trade him in off-season. This isn't an ALL IN year, its about keeping the highest value on all Cubs players possible. That means a high priced player like Castro that needs to be moved gets the chance.

2) Baez needs the work after missing much of season.

3) But the however, is if Baez keeps hitting, and Castro keeps slumping....and the Cubs are in the race...you say to hell with Castro and worry about him next year.

 

[Boobaby1]

Yeah...I should keep it simple. Either Castro comes out of funk in 2-3 weeks or Baez to SS. That is all, but clearly you would think the Maddon/Epstein plan for this situation.

1) You need Castro to show life so you can trade him in off-season. This isn't an ALL IN year, its about keeping the highest value on all Cubs players possible. That means a high priced player like Castro that needs to be moved gets the chance.

2) Baez needs the work after missing much of season.

3) But the however, is if Baez keeps hitting, and Castro keeps slumping....and the Cubs are in the race...you say to hell with Castro and worry about him next year.

If Castro is still slumping, I think you might see more of a Russell going to SS, and LaStella and Baez platooning at 2B, and LaStella occasionally playing 3B to give Bryant a day off.

A lot can happen until Baez comes up, and he is not proven either.

I don't necessarily like the "throw it against the wall" theory, to see if it sticks.

I am anxious to see how LaStella plays this year. I think he might be more valuable than people are giving him credit for.

 

[hyatt151]

Give you John Danks right now for the pair. Done and Done. Heck, Give you $16 million with Danks for either.

Fixed it for you! Or at least I hope I did.

 

[JZsportsfan]

Russell has been hitting .286 sense the break. He has changed his approach with working with Melee. Seems to be working.

I'm not sure why they have not added Baez for depth. There is little reason to not trade him then keep him in Iowa. Not when they are in a play off push and the team is looking for runs

Umm.. yeah there is

Baez is learning a new approach, he needs ABs and AAA is the highest level he can get regular at bats

Hunter not Leake, my bad.

And I didn't realize Fowler finally got hot. He had some nice numbers in Miami last year. That DOES change things.

I thought Coughlin and Denorphia had good seasons for the Cubs, its a shame they are relegated to depth but its a nice problem I suppose. Perhaps my vision will come true next year, I hope they put all their money into starting pitching like a David Price. Now....you might say David gives up 25 home runs a year, and you don't want to see him on a wind blowing out day. But he will be amazing on a wind blowing in day, and he is capable of getting the strike outs he needs. He appears to be pitching a little smarter finally, and in the N.L. it should be only better.

Price/Lester/Arrieta/Shark make it happen.

I wouldn't mind Shark, only if his rough season has lowered his asking price significantly. I'd rather pay the uptick in price and land Price or Cueto (No pun intended). Or hit up the trade market again and go after Ross or some other low cost arm.

 

[brett05]

You Said Sale wrong. you give up Sale and we have a sale

I think you missed the point.

 

[brett05]

Fixed it for you! Or at least I hope I did.

I think yo9u missed the point. My post was in response to the silliness of MaryLanBear111

 

[DrGonzo]

Goes on a tear, gets benched. Same difference.

 

[chibears55]

Sadly. .. have to think Castro if claimed off waivers could be dealt for a few prospects .. just think management ready to wash their hands of him now and move on with the others. .

 

[willycat]

Well as of yesterday it appears that he is glued to the bench, until he can be moved. His press conference today loudly says that he just doesn't' t get it. He said that he was hurt and surprised by his benching and when asked if he would consider switching to another position, he said he would have to talk about with Cubs management. Hell, almost everyone on the team, not named Rizzo has played other positions this year.