In season thread

[TL1961]

He is not even close to the same player this year. He is lost and probably only a change of scenery would change that. He was a top 5 SS last year and earlier this season considered the next big SS to this. The mind is funny thing.

Also, how do you bat .330 in the first month and now couldn't even throw the ball for a hit. Its fucking weird.

I can't figure how it went so bad. But when I watch him, it seems like most AB's, his lower half gets out ahead of his upper half, and he is off balance and really reaching when he makes contact. Therefore he doesn't make hard contact. It would seem a hitting coach should notice such things. Or just watching tape he should see it. But no improvement has been made.

 

[CSF77]

I don't we will see. He said Russell is at SS today. He could be there tom. Castro is batting .265 in the last 9 games. Seems like a strange time to bench him when he has actually shown life. I do believe he is playing the hot hand and Volglesong has given up 13 homers to left handers to only 2 to right handers. Lefties are hitting over 30 points higher against Volgs. He automatically has to play Ross because of Lester so I think its a combo of things and not a straight benching for the foreseeable future.

It was a benching. Coghlan is producing more than Castro so they made the decision.

"I told Starlin, 'It's not a day off,'" Maddon said of the shortstop, who was batting .236 entering Friday. "I wanted him to understand that up front. I did not give him any promises on how he'll be utilized other than, 'Just stay ready off the bench.' I didn't want to give him any kind of false promises whatsoever. He could be playing tomorrow."

Maddon said it was not a punishment. But if he was hitting better than he would not have made this move.

Maddon had talked with president of baseball operations Theo Epstein about the moves, and he met with Castro prior to posting the lineup Friday.
"This isn't a permanent benching," Epstein said. "It's just a recognition of where we are in the standings, how many good options we have with the players we have returning now, and it's a nod to Joe's ability to push the right buttons and put the best lineup on the field any given night."
With Montero back, Schwarber's time behind the plate will be limited.
"At the end of the day, it's about the Cubs winning," Maddon said. "Schwarber is the impetus regarding this manuever, more than Starlin. We have to include Kyle right now. You've got to include [Coghlan], based on performance and our lack of offense."

So the reason for the move was because of Schwarber. Coghlan was hitting .250 vs Castro .230's. They did not address Russell over Castro.

But post allstar:
Russell: .265/.315/.382
Castro: .183/.216/.225

Not even close.

F%: Russell: .973, Castro .950 Again Russell is doing better.

So in reality it is not really close.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I can't figure how it went so bad. But when I watch him, it seems like most AB's, his lower half gets out ahead of his upper half, and he is off balance and really reaching when he makes contact. Therefore he doesn't make hard contact. It would seem a hitting coach should notice such things. Or just watching tape he should see it. But no improvement has been made.

Lower half goes before upper half. It's called separation. It's where power comes from. Ted Williams let everyone know this 50 frigging years ago.

 

[TL1961]

Lower half goes before upper half. It's called separation. It's where power comes from. Ted Williams let everyone know this 50 frigging years ago.

Lower half going in opposite direction - away from the plate.

Quit being a smart ass with every stupid response. Grow up.


(It's clear from your support of Castro this season that you do think he's Ted Williams. Most of us see quite a difference.)

 

[Parade_Rain]

Lower half going in opposite direction - away from the plate.

Quit being a smart ass with every stupid response. Grow up.


(It's clear from your support of Castro this season that you do think he's Ted Williams. Most of us see quite a difference.)

Lower half versus upper half creates torque. Your mechanical comment indicates you shouldn't concern yourself with mechanics, and your comment regarding me thinking he is Ted Williams is even more way out there. Every good MLBer creates torque. Every one.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I just realized that a win tonight would equal the Cubs 2014 win total. On August 25th. These are the good times.

 

[Boobaby1]

I just realized that a win tonight would equal the Cubs 2014 win total. On August 25th. These are the good times.

As of Yesterday, the Cubs have had a 35 game turnaround from this time last year.

 

[Parade_Rain]

The fun thing is that this team wasn't just thrown together through FA. It has parts that should be at the friendly confines for a long time. Easy to root for this team

 

[Boobaby1]

The fun thing is that this team wasn't just thrown together through FA. It has parts that should be at the friendly confines for a long time. Easy to root for this team

That, and people forget the different parts that came together this year.

For a team that has had so many rookies come up, perform and learn on the fly, they have done remarkably well.

The last piece in the puzzle naturally would be Baez, and I hope he can deliver too.

If he does. LOOK THE **** OUT!

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

If Baez gets called up and he goes on a tear - it wouldn't surprise me to see us win the pennant. Teams can't withstand wave after wave of studs. Bryant, Russell, Babe Schwarber, Soler, Baez, etc etc. It just never ends.

I'm done putting a ceiling on this team.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

September callups are next week. Everyone needs to relax.

 

[Parade_Rain]

September callups are next week. Everyone needs to relax.

#callupit

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

#callupit

Baez will definitely be a #calledup in a few days.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Baez will definitely be a #calledup in a few days.

And he'll probably hit 8 home runs in his first 10 games. He's a plus/plus defender but if he really fixed his swing and plate discipline -- we'll probably win 145 regular games in 2016 -- en route to our first WS title in 100+ years.

 

[Grizzly]

Hard to believe half of these guys are in their first year.
Russell, Schwarber, Soler, Bryant. Add Baez and top it all with Rizzo. Don't forget around the corner is the possibility of McKinney, Happ, Almora, Torres. This is the shit dreams are made of.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Hard to believe half of these guys are in their first year.
Russell, Schwarber, Soler, Bryant. Add Baez and top it all with Rizzo. Don't forget around the corner is the possibility of McKinney, Happ, Almora, Torres. This is the shit dreams are made of.

Crazy. We don't even have room for all these guys. But man if Baez fixed his swing -- I can't even comprehend how good we'll be. Defensively him and Russell at 2b/SS? Sickness.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Baez fixed his head more than he fixed his swing. I had a friend report to me on the Iowa Cubs the night he went 4 for 4 with a HR. The HR was essentially his old swing with a huge leg kick. Comparing that swing to another AB, he was a no-strider on the hit, so I'm wondering if he is swinging to meet the ball more often and also goes no-stride on 2 strikes or something like that.

 

[SilenceS]

Baez fixed his head more than he fixed his swing. I had a friend report to me on the Iowa Cubs the night he went 4 for 4 with a HR. The HR was essentially his old swing with a huge leg kick. Comparing that swing to another AB, he was a no-strider on the hit, so I'm wondering if he is swinging to meet the ball more often and also goes no-stride on 2 strikes or something like that.

Essentially this, he uses the leg kick in counts that are favorable to him or he is looking for something "key holing". He has the Anthony Rizzo approach with two strikes and gets quiet. He has cut down the upper body movement and he stands on top of the plate now. I have watched him hit homers both ways. Read that article I posted. He is always going to swing hard. Thats all he knows how to do but its controlling the other parts. He sometimes loses those new mechanics but that is common. He just needs repetition, repetition, repetition.

 

[CSF77]

Something would have to give for Baez to get a opportunity.

Right now they are in love with Coghlan. So I see Baez getting time in with the roster expansion to give the regulars days off. But come play off time I'm not sure that he will be added to the roster.

Now next year is when they will have to make some choices. Fowler is a F/A. Coghlan Arb 3. Denorfia F/A.

There is an opportunity to add him to the roster.

Looking at next years team they have Bryant, Russell and Soler as the main RH hitters. Rizzo, Schwarber and Montero as the main LH hitters. This covers 6 of the 8 positions. That basically leaves 2B and CF up for grabs.

Ideally you would want a table setter type. Basically resigning Fowler to lead off. That puts Castro, Coghlan and Baez fighting for 2B.

What I would do: Give the lion share at 2B to Castro this year. This should up his offseason trade value. Bring Baez up for giving days off but in general it is about seeing if Baez's adjustment play at the major league level.

Then next off season see if they can trade Castro to NYM for Neise strait up. Mets will need to shed a SP in a bad way. Cubs need to add a SP in a bad way. It is an ideal trade. This opens up 2B for Baez and puts Coghlan into a sub role. Which he is suited for.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Something would have to give for Baez to get a opportunity.

Right now they are in love with Coghlan. So I see Baez getting time in with the roster expansion to give the regulars days off. But come play off time I'm not sure that he will be added to the roster.

Now next year is when they will have to make some choices. Fowler is a F/A. Coghlan Arb 3. Denorfia F/A.

There is an opportunity to add him to the roster.

Looking at next years team they have Bryant, Russell and Soler as the main RH hitters. Rizzo, Schwarber and Montero as the main LH hitters. This covers 6 of the 8 positions. That basically leaves 2B and CF up for grabs.

Ideally you would want a table setter type. Basically resigning Fowler to lead off. That puts Castro, Coghlan and Baez fighting for 2B.

What I would do: Give the lion share at 2B to Castro this year. This should up his offseason trade value. Bring Baez up for giving days off but in general it is about seeing if Baez's adjustment play at the major league level.

Then next off season see if they can trade Castro to NYM for Neise strait up. Mets will need to shed a SP in a bad way. Cubs need to add a SP in a bad way. It is an ideal trade. This opens up 2B for Baez and puts Coghlan into a sub role. Which he is suited for.

Baez should get plenty of swings with Soler on the DL.