IST: Cubs @ A's

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Javy will play in October. He's an elite defender and I'm stunned at his offensive progression.

Remember his first call up? Dude struck out like 90% of the time.


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[Parade_Rain]

Why are people going back to the 60'sand 70's looking at 20 game winners, etc.? Pitchers don't get a many starts and specialists weren't thought much of back then. You can't compare the comment chibears55 made/asked to that era. 90's and above would be the era.

 

[TL1961]

Why are people going back to the 60'sand 70's looking at 20 game winners, etc.? Pitchers don't get a many starts and specialists weren't thought much of back then. You can't compare the comment chibears55 made/asked to that era. 90's and above would be the era.

My mistake. I misunderstood the definition of "ever".
?

 

[CSF77]

Javy Baez....

I'm trying to think how their going to keep this kid in lineup come playoff...
Only thing I can think of is Bryant playing LF every game..

Then next year, how is he not a regular starter
We might be seeing a more active off season then we think
With all these bats ready to go

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Not resign Fowler. Heyward in CF and Bryant in RF. Baez is a top 5 3B in baseball playing full time.

 

[beckdawg]

Cubs magic number down to 45.

 

[anotheridiot]

Can you believe we are hitting a terrible pitcher?

I thought this, but then after the Fowler homer, he throws three perfect pitches to Bryant and strikes him out making him look foolish. He had a terrific curve ball that just drops onto the outside corner. I see some promise from this kid if he can stay down in the zone.

I really thought the DFA of Coghlan was coming. Nathan did nothing to deserve this. 2 IP 4K 0 ER. Might have been safe until the Joe Smith trade. Either way, the cubs are going to have some rested arms come playoff time. Now would be a good time for a 6 man rotation.

 

[Diehardfan]

I thought this, but then after the Fowler homer, he throws three perfect pitches to Bryant and strikes him out making him look foolish. He had a terrific curve ball that just drops onto the outside corner. I see some promise from this kid if he can stay down in the zone.

I really thought the DFA of Coghlan was coming. Nathan did nothing to deserve this. 2 IP 4K 0 ER. Might have been safe until the Joe Smith trade. Either way, the cubs are going to have some rested arms come playoff time. Now would be a good time for a 6 man rotation.

The thing is, you need more than just a curveball when you throw an 88 mph fastball with little movement. When he can't get that curve where he wants it, they sit on the fastball....and it's pretty much meat. Hence, all the home runs.

 

[chibears55]

I thought this, but then after the Fowler homer, he throws three perfect pitches to Bryant and strikes him out making him look foolish. He had a terrific curve ball that just drops onto the outside corner. I see some promise from this kid if he can stay down in the zone.

I really thought the DFA of Coghlan was coming. Nathan did nothing to deserve this. 2 IP 4K 0 ER. Might have been safe until the Joe Smith trade. Either way, the cubs are going to have some rested arms come playoff time. Now would be a good time for a 6 man rotation.

Cogs the only LH non starter(montero) on bench with LaStella in Iowa, he going no where..

I don't think Maddon gonna go to a straight 6 man rotation, he will just use it like he been once or twice a month around days off to give his regulars that extra break...
Looking like Cahill next in line for that start....

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[Diehardfan]

When do 4 game series start on a Friday?

These days, almost never other than including a re-scheduled game. Back in the day it used to be fairly common...Friday, Saturday and a Sunday doubleheader.

 

[chibears55]

Not resign Fowler. Heyward in CF and Bryant in RF. Baez is a top 5 3B in baseball playing full time.

I thought about that but I just cant grasp the idea of Heyward in CF every day. ..
He a plus defender in RF, but I think he avg. in CF

Having a Catcher in LF and 3Bmen in RF that are still somewhat inexperience in OF, I think you need a little more range, etc. from your CFer ..
especially outside WF.


But that probably the route they go ...


Be interesting to see what happens with Soler in off season, im guessing he part of what brings in that arm theyve been looking to get.

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[Parade_Rain]

Not resign Fowler. Heyward in CF and Bryant in RF. Baez is a top 5 3B in baseball playing full time.

Not resign the engine that makes things go on offense?

 

[beckdawg]

Cogs the only LH non starter(montero) on bench with LaStella in Iowa, he going no where..

I don't think Maddon gonna go to a straight 6 man rotation, he will just use it like he been once or twice a month around days off to give his regulars that extra break...
Looking like Cahill next in line for that start....

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Given the roster crunch, I don't think we'll see a full on 6 man rotation until september if then. The cubs are way up in the division but are only 2.5 up for the NL lead for home field during playoffs. Probably want to put a little more distance between them and Washington before throwing out another 6th starter anyways.

 

[beckdawg]

Not resign the engine that makes things go on offense?

I'm sure the cubs would like to have him back but given his performance, how does someone not give him $20 mil/season+ with a weak FA class? His .400 OBP is 7th best in the majors. His 3.3 fWAR is 30th despite missing a month. Only way I see Fowler back is if the cubs move around a bunch of parts and/or Fowler is willing to sign a 3-4 year deal at less than market value would appear to be. It's possible he might because he clearly seems to like playing in chicago and some guys are more worried about winning than money but that's usually an exception not a rule.

Also, technically the cubs don't have to re-sign him. He's got that player/team option but obviously given how well he's played he's almost undoubtedly going to opt out.

 

[chibears55]

I'm sure the cubs would like to have him back but given his performance, how does someone not give him $20 mil/season+ with a weak FA class? His .400 OBP is 7th best in the majors. His 3.3 fWAR is 30th despite missing a month. Only way I see Fowler back is if the cubs move around a bunch of parts and/or Fowler is willing to sign a 3-4 year deal at less than market value would appear to be. It's possible he might because he clearly seems to like playing in chicago and some guys are more worried about winning than money but that's usually an exception not a rule.

Also, technically the cubs don't have to re-sign him. He's got that player/team option but obviously given how well he's played he's almost undoubtedly going to opt out.

I think Fowler really digs this team and teammates, etc..

I'm not saying he wouldn't opt out but I'm thinking it's not that automatic..

Don't make WS.. High probability of opting out

Make WS lose.. Medium probability of opting out, as he might return as one of those we need to finish the job mentality..

Win WS... Low probability of opting out, seriously he and this team will literally be on top of the world.. How can you not want to be a part of that for another year and try and repeat.

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[SilenceS]

I think Fowler really digs this team and teammates, etc..

I'm not saying he wouldn't opt out but I'm thinking it's not that automatic..

Don't make WS.. High probability of opting out

Make WS lose.. Medium probability of opting out, as he might return as one of those we need to finish the job mentality..

Win WS... Low probability of opting out, seriously he and this team will literally be on top of the world.. How can you not want to be a part of that for another year and try and repeat.

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Fowler has never had a big pay day. He would be foolish to stick around because the team is good. If the Cubs pay him, that is one thing. Sports is still a business. I am astonished that people thinks its victory over everything. That only comes when they have made their money. Also, the team went to the NLCS last year and were one of the favorites for the WS this year. Fowler wasnt coming back. The stars aligned for us because the market flopped for him and the Orioles pissed him off. Its the only reason we got him back.

 

[beckdawg]

Fowler has never had a big pay day. He would be foolish to stick around because the team is good. If the Cubs pay him, that is one thing. Sports is still a business. I am astonished that people thinks its victory over everything. That only comes when they have made their money. Also, the team went to the NLCS last year and were one of the favorites for the WS this year. Fowler wasnt coming back. The stars aligned for us because the market flopped for him and the Orioles pissed him off. Its the only reason we got him back.

I agree with this mostly but I think if the cubs are within reason near the top offer he might take less. For example, if the top offer is like 20 mil/season I think depending on who that is from he might consider taking $17-19 mil from the cubs because of a better fit. At the end of the day, it's a job for these guys and how many of us are going to take less money to stay at a job? I feel like the competitiveness of the team plus Maddon helps sway people some(see Zobrist and others this offseason) but they still want to get paid.

 

[chibears55]

I agree with this mostly but I think if the cubs are within reason near the top offer he might take less. For example, if the top offer is like 20 mil/season I think depending on who that is from he might consider taking $17-19 mil from the cubs because of a better fit. At the end of the day, it's a job for these guys and how many of us are going to take less money to stay at a job? I feel like the competitiveness of the team plus Maddon helps sway people some(see Zobrist and others this offseason) but they still want to get paid.

I didn't realize his option was 9 mil. I thought it was a bit higher..

I agree with Beck with this but..

I'd be surprise if a team offers him upper teens to 20 per. for 3 plus yrs.
He going to be 31 and he basically having a career year with his OBP and AVG. ..

That said, he most likely don't take the 9 mil. option but like Beck says, if the Cubs want to extend I think if they make a fair offer and no team overwhelms him..
He probably returns




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[FrankieLyrical]

Chibears, what makes you think Jay Hey is an average CF? I don't get into the metrics stuff, so I don't have stats to back me here, but I remember all playoffs last year him being a boss in CF and when he's played this year he looks just as fluid in CF as he does in RF

 

[SilenceS]

Chibears, what makes you think Jay Hey is an average CF? I don't get into the metrics stuff, so I don't have stats to back me here, but I remember all playoffs last year him being a boss in CF and when he's played this year he looks just as fluid in CF as he does in RF

I know you asked Chibear, bu I will respond because I think the average stuff is bullshit. He would need some time to adjust his routes, but he could be plus in center. He doesnt have the true speed, but neither does Fowler. The Cubs play in a small OF way more than they play in a big OF. Heyward would be just fine at Wrigley and his arm is still a cannon from center. He is fitted for RF more because he doesnt have blazing speed, but his instincts and route taking should make up for it. I have always thought him and Almora would platoon CF next year if Fowler does not come back.

 

[beckdawg]

I'd be surprise if a team offers him upper teens to 20 per. for 3 plus yrs.

Past 3 years Fowler has hit .268/.367/.423 in CF and averaged roughly 14 HRs a year and a roughly similar SB total. Adam Jones didn't hit FA but he's making $16-17 mil over the next 3 years and over that same period he's hit .274/.311/.467 albeit with more power. Jacob Ellsbury has hit .268/.327/.384 and the yankees are paying him $21 mil over the next 5 years. To be fair, I thought Fowler would find near $20 mil last offseason so maybe the MLB teams just don't view him as favorable for whatever reason but from a production stand point he's clearly worth that much.

On the other hand, the possible FA looks pretty terrible. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/2017-mlb-free-agent-power-rankings-august.html