IST: Cubs @ Padres

[TL1961]

Nico playing! 1 out 2 RBI triple. He can run

How did someone who could run get on our roster?
Nico makes a grand total of four.

 

[TL1961]

Obviously Cubs need to sweep or take 3 of 4 minimum to still have a shot. With Javy being out rest of season it is pretty much the death knell. Lester is done...and there will be BIG changes in offseason. Although Bryant and Rizzo are both top 10 in league OPS it makes u think it is an overrated stat. How can Cubs be this bad with TWO guys top 10 in OPS? Plus Castellanos...Javy...Contreras. If OPS was that important a stat..relating to actual wins...then it makes no sense the team as a whole is only like 6th in the national league in runs scored. That's about middle of the pack.

I'm not opposed to trading Bryant. .279...26 homers....a handful of rbi's (not his fault necessarily)..and you've got basically a guy a little above average...but the perception around the league of him being a "superstar" may help us net a nice haul. Things MUST change drastically. The run is over. 2 straight seasons without a division title...may not even make the playoffs this year. PLUS...Bryant has already turned down offers to extend contract and you know he's headed to FA anyway. That infield pop up the other day with 1 out and bases juiced at Milwaukee was an absolute killer. We've seen way too much of that with him. That pop up could very well have cost the season. It was a critical loss where we desperately needed him to come through.

It comes off as me being critical...but it's only due to my disgust at how much this team has underachieved the last two years. This lineup is so damn painful to watch most of the time. The constant failure in clutch situations...which the numbers back up.

Trade Bryant...dump Lester....make some other moves and retool and get ready for next season.

Full Meatball Jacket

 

[Parade_Rain]

Like a 30 HR LF?

Like a better defensive player, as opposed to a AL DH playing LF?

 

[SilenceS]

Fans chanting NICO! NICO! NICO! 3 for 4 and 4 RBI's! Have yourself a game

 

[zack54attack]

Nico!

 

[Parade_Rain]

This is obviously a nice start for Nico, but even if he shows decently the rest of the season, it makes it a lot easier to make some trades in the off-season. Baez/Hoerner combo up the middle.

 

[TL1961]

Like a better defensive player, as opposed to a AL DH playing LF?

Just what the offense needs.

jk

 

[TL1961]

This is obviously a nice start for Nico, but even if he shows decently the rest of the season, it makes it a lot easier to make some trades in the off-season. Baez/Hoerner combo up the middle.

We desperately need production at 2nd base.

 

[SiDe WaYs]

Hoerner if he stays consistent which is hard for Rookies to do. Seems like a nice lead off man. Let’s all relax. It’s his first MLB game and it’s against The Padres

 

[Omeletpants]

This is obviously a nice start for Nico, but even if he shows decently the rest of the season, it makes it a lot easier to make some trades in the off-season. Baez/Hoerner combo up the middle.

PFFFT....OUR CHANCE TO MOVE BAEZ TO THIRD AND TRADE BRYANT

 

[CSF77]

Schwarber now with 35 HR. I’d still think he could be packaged with Russell for a return. Not a big haul, but something worthwhile in return.

Meh honestly. I wouldn't trade Schwarber. I think that he takes a extension with Baez.

Situation now:

Bryant 2 years left. Making 12.9M and most likely scales up to 16M

Baez 2 years of control making 5.2M I would expect a 8Mil arb but they should just buy both years and give him a 10/200M offer.

Russell 2 years of control at 3.4M I expect 4M tops. He has value as a UI still and trade value is about worth 2-4 WAR for around 10M. Which is decent value to a buyer.

Schwarber 2 years of control at 3.39M He should get 5 mil next year. I could see the Cubs offer him a 6 year 75Mil I just see his value around 15Mil per. I wouldn't want a older version of him though so the short offer.

Contreras has 3 years of control. I wouldn't lock him up. He has been a injury risk and that doesn't play well with age.

Almora 3 years of control and he is not going to make more than 2 mil in Arb. I would be shocked if he makes more than 10Mil in his 3 arb years combined. He should be a cheap 4th OF and I see no reason to dump him unless his D degrade is legit then you have to go elsewhere.

Happ 4 years of control and he looks like a super 2 case. I would offer him a deal like Bote got. He covers the IF and OF.

Now as far as who do you trade? Bryant for sure. Time is right and I don't expect Theo to pay him the 300M that Boras will demand.

After math 3B open. But Baez fits there very nice.

After that you have SS open and Horner seems very capable there.

2B is a issue and F/A they could take a flyer on Scooter Gennett. His value is very low but IMO get him into off season baseball trainer to fix his mechanical issues and sign him on a split deal.

After that send Happ to work with a IF coach and focus on 2B. Scooter would be insurance.

Then trade Bryant for a prospect haul.

That point offer Nick a contract. He is a professional AB and worth the investment. I would expect the 200M range honestly. The current OF alignment is perfectly fine as is. I see no reason to change it.

 

[CSF77]

But a line up for next year (Should be 26 players so going 13/13)

Nico SS
Schwarber LF
Nick RF
Rizzo 1B
Baez 3B
Happ 2B
Contreras C
Heyward CF

Russell main UI (moves Nico to 2B)
Almora 4th OF (Moves Heyward to RF)
Bote IF
Kemp IF/OF
Caratini C/1B

So it works.

As far as payroll is concerned I really don't see Alozay breaking into the starting rotation. They had him on a pitch limit and I really see them pushing him as a MR if he makes it or AAA to push up his innings.

Chatwood is not a SP on a contender.

So they should make a stab at Wheeler or Cole. Wheeler IMO is more affordable.

 

[greg23]

Back from game

Nico might provide some much needed energy and spark (like after trade for castellanos) for last 20 games.

Dont expect the 3 hit 4 rib night but maybe he could fly under the radar and get hot for three weeks before the leauge gets a book on him.

Better than trotting out bote or zobrist at ss and Russell looks half brain dead and was committing stupid errors on a nightly basis.

Love for Russell to get healthy quickly as insurance at ss but in no rush to see him start until I see back to back overmatched games by nico at the plate.

 

[TL1961]

PFFFT....OUR CHANCE TO MOVE BAEZ TO THIRD AND TRADE BRYANT

Do you often look forward to a chance to do really stupid things?

Why are either of those things appealing?

 

[anotheridiot]

Just stop the madness, Nico can catch what goes to him, but that arm is weaker than Russells.

The worst part of Nico is he reminds me of The Riot. I would have been fine with Riot playing second base, but watching him throw from short was painful.

Russell will be even harder to move now, it took Heyward 3 years getting over getting hit in the face. Cant we let Javy have what he has earned?

 

[Parade_Rain]

PFFFT....OUR CHANCE TO MOVE BAEZ TO THIRD AND TRADE BRYANT

Can do that, too.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Do you often look forward to a chance to do really stupid things?

Why are either of those things appealing?

Bryant isn’t going to re-sign with Cubs. With 2 years left on his contract, this is the best time to receive a haul in return.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Meh honestly. I wouldn't trade Schwarber. I think that he takes a extension with Baez.

Situation now:

Bryant 2 years left. Making 12.9M and most likely scales up to 16M

Baez 2 years of control making 5.2M I would expect a 8Mil arb but they should just buy both years and give him a 10/200M offer.

Russell 2 years of control at 3.4M I expect 4M tops. He has value as a UI still and trade value is about worth 2-4 WAR for around 10M. Which is decent value to a buyer.

Schwarber 2 years of control at 3.39M He should get 5 mil next year. I could see the Cubs offer him a 6 year 75Mil I just see his value around 15Mil per. I wouldn't want a older version of him though so the short offer.

Contreras has 3 years of control. I wouldn't lock him up. He has been a injury risk and that doesn't play well with age.

Almora 3 years of control and he is not going to make more than 2 mil in Arb. I would be shocked if he makes more than 10Mil in his 3 arb years combined. He should be a cheap 4th OF and I see no reason to dump him unless his D degrade is legit then you have to go elsewhere.

Happ 4 years of control and he looks like a super 2 case. I would offer him a deal like Bote got. He covers the IF and OF.

Now as far as who do you trade? Bryant for sure. Time is right and I don't expect Theo to pay him the 300M that Boras will demand.

After math 3B open. But Baez fits there very nice.

After that you have SS open and Horner seems very capable there.

2B is a issue and F/A they could take a flyer on Scooter Gennett. His value is very low but IMO get him into off season baseball trainer to fix his mechanical issues and sign him on a split deal.

After that send Happ to work with a IF coach and focus on 2B. Scooter would be insurance.

Then trade Bryant for a prospect haul.

That point offer Nick a contract. He is a professional AB and worth the investment. I would expect the 200M range honestly. The current OF alignment is perfectly fine as is. I see no reason to change it.

I struggle with Schwarber defensively. I think he is an AL DH and scouts I talk to agree. If he stays, he needs to find a happy balance between his swing and his belly.

 

[CSF77]

Left field is really not this high impact position. He would slot to 1B after Rizzo's deal is up anyways.

Cubs have 2 quality OF in South Bend ATM. 1 or both most likely end up at a corner. Davis I expect to put on size like Eloy did and profiles as a power bat. They are 4 years out.

But as far as right now and next year. They have Happ that slides to LF late game.


But as far as Bryant is concerned I would deal for pitching as my prime target. They only have 2 guys locked up after 2020. Lester is on a mutual. 25 or 10 buy out. I see the buy out. Depth wise Marquez should be in Tenn in 2020. I don't see them push buttoning him up. At best he gets 100 IP in 2021 in the void created.

So that is why I said trade Bryant. Get a few high celing SP types in return. Then target Cole or Wheeler to replace Hamels in 2020. That way when Lester and Q drop you have Alozay, Marquez and the 2 returns to fight over starts in 2021.

Baez is a superior defender at 3B to Bryant. Bryant rates as league avg. Basically 0-3 DRS. Baez in his few games there over the years was closer to +16 which is Machado quality.

 

[DB012031]

Left field is really not this high impact position. He would slot to 1B after Rizzo's deal is up anyways.

Cubs have 2 quality OF in South Bend ATM. 1 or both most likely end up at a corner. Davis I expect to put on size like Eloy did and profiles as a power bat. They are 4 years out.

But as far as right now and next year. They have Happ that slides to LF late game.


But as far as Bryant is concerned I would deal for pitching as my prime target. They only have 2 guys locked up after 2020. Lester is on a mutual. 25 or 10 buy out. I see the buy out. Depth wise Marquez should be in Tenn in 2020. I don't see them push buttoning him up. At best he gets 100 IP in 2021 in the void created.

So that is why I said trade Bryant. Get a few high celing SP types in return. Then target Cole or Wheeler to replace Hamels in 2020. That way when Lester and Q drop you have Alozay, Marquez and the 2 returns to fight over starts in 2021.

Baez is a superior defender at 3B to Bryant. Bryant rates as league avg. Basically 0-3 DRS. Baez in his few games there over the years was closer to +16 which is Machado quality.

I have actually been thinking this as well, that Schwarbs could move to First Base as he has a quick first step and could argue is more athletic than Rizzo. Also, don't forget, Carantini is a solid option at 1st as well and would like to see him play more there next year

I would also agree that the team may need to seriously look at trading Bryant in the off season. With 2 years left at arb prices, he could fetch a rather nice haul of prospects, preferably pitching. I get the sense the neither he or Boras want to return to Chicago (pure speculations, just a gut feeling) and the Cub might as well get what they can. If KB is moved, the Cubs could look to Rendon (who may be too expensive) or move Javy back to 3rd. Then you have Nico (if he continues to impress) at SS/2B and if they are comfortable with Nico at SS what about a low risk guy like Jonathan Schoop at 2B.

I would also strongly encourage them to look at locking up Nick for a deal. he is on the right side of 30, has that fire we seem to lack outside of Javy/Wilson, and he flat out can hit. Imagine his numbers if he was a Cub all year. All those doubles in Detroit are now turning into HR's.

I also believe that Scwarbs is hitting a turning point, in a good way. He leads the team in HR's (6 more than Baez) and he is now 3rd in RBI's (5 less than Rizzo who leads the team) and all of this while having over 200 Plate appearances at LEADOFF. I have to find it but one of the Statcast Metrics said a few weeks ago that Schwarbs Average and OBP would be up over 50 points if a traditional defensive alignment was played (AKA No Shift). Besides hitting the other way, how do you negate the shift, MEN ON BASE. Schwarbs needs to be in that 5-7 batting order range with guys like Rizzo, Nick, Wilson on base so he can drive them in. Hell, he is on the verge of a 40/100 year.

More than anything, this team just needs consistency.