IST: Cubs @ Padres

[Omeletpants]

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

Why are either of those things appealing?

HALF THE FORUM THINKS THE SAME

 

[Omeletpants]

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.

RIZZO IS THE BEST FIELDING IB IN THE HISTORY OF THE CUBS. SCHWARBER WOULD BE A SERIOUS DOWNGRADE

 

[DB012031]

RIZZO IS THE BEST FIELDING IB IN THE HISTORY OF THE CUBS. SCHWARBER WOULD BE A SERIOUS DOWNGRADE

Why are you yelling in All Caps?

 

[Raskolnikov]

RIZZO IS THE BEST FIELDING IB IN THE HISTORY OF THE CUBS. SCHWARBER WOULD BE A SERIOUS DOWNGRADE

Do advanced stats support that claim over Derrick Lee whose 6'8" wingspan stole 2 outs a game?

Rizzo has good hands and out performs expectation but he is no Rich Aurilia. I'd take Baez to Lee for defensive cor, Ross behind plate and definitely not Bryant as a 3B.

 

[anotheridiot]

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.

Here you go again, first you are moving Stanton to first with the yankmees and now its Schwarber. You do know that grounders and line drives get hit to first base too, right?

I just dont get it. You have Russell getting a raise after spending the bulk of the year in AAA and everyone just needs to find a way to **** Baez out of his all star position that he just earned while you want weak arms of Russell or Nico making throws from the hole.

Lets trade Bryant, get two high ceiling starters for him, then sign a free agent so there is not a spot for said starters for 3 years..

 

[Discus fish salesman]

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

Why are either of those things appealing?

Why would anyone not be seriously considering trading Bryant? The team clearly needs serious changes to be a real contender and he’s not resigning here anyway unless the front office makes a huge mistake.

There’s some interesting names in free agency this year that address some issues the cubs have offensively which is clearly making contact. Didi Gregorious, Francisco Cervelli, Corey Dickerson.

I know people are going to absolutely shred this offseason

SS- Gregorious
2B- Hoerner
1B- Rizzo
3B- Baez
RF- Castellanos
LF- Dickerson
C- Cervelli
CF- Heyward

Cervelli gives you solid defense behind home plate with a quality contact bat for several years until Amaya is ready. Contreras and Bryant would bring in a huge haul to reload our minors for the next wave. Schwarber would probably get you a quality prospect or possibly a couple solid bullpen arms.

 

[Omeletpants]

Why are you yelling in All Caps?

Sorry, I was visiting the "old men screaming at clouds" forum before I came here

 

[Omeletpants]

Do advanced stats support that claim over Derrick Lee whose 6'8" wingspan stole 2 outs a game?

Rizzo has good hands and out performs expectation but he is no Rich Aurilia. I'd take Baez to Lee for defensive cor, Ross behind plate and definitely not Bryant as a 3B.

No Cubs first baseman has ever been able to did the ball out of the dirt like Rizzo and I have been watching them since 1962

 

[Discus fish salesman]

Here you go again, first you are moving Stanton to first with the yankmees and now its Schwarber. You do know that grounders and line drives get hit to first base too, right?

I just dont get it. You have Russell getting a raise after spending the bulk of the year in AAA and everyone just needs to find a way to **** Baez out of his all star position that he just earned while you want weak arms of Russell or Nico making throws from the hole.

Lets trade Bryant, get two high ceiling starters for him, then sign a free agent so there is not a spot for said starters for 3 years..

Russell will get a raise. That’s how baseball, most jobs, life in general work. People get rewarded whether they deserve it or not.

Baez moving to 3rd would be out of necessity if Bryant is traded, which is very possible, and isn’t replaced in free agency or trade. It’s not to “**** over” Baez, but simply to put the best team out there. It would also be less physically demanding on him and he might hold up a little better.

Bryant getting traded makes sense. The pitchers would have spots after next year when Quintana and Lester are gone.

 

[zack54attack]

Aside from the service time thing, what makes everyone so sure Bryant isn't re-signing here? If you look at this Cubs team now, who are the guys you'd give huge contracts to? Baez, Rizzo, Bryant right? With that TV money, they probably can afford a few large contracts in the next 3 years.

 

[CSF77]

Here you go again, first you are moving Stanton to first with the yankmees and now its Schwarber. You do know that grounders and line drives get hit to first base too, right?

I just dont get it. You have Russell getting a raise after spending the bulk of the year in AAA and everyone just needs to find a way to **** Baez out of his all star position that he just earned while you want weak arms of Russell or Nico making throws from the hole.

Lets trade Bryant, get two high ceiling starters for him, then sign a free agent so there is not a spot for said starters for 3 years..

You must be on another forum. I don't talk Yankees

 

[CSF77]

Aside from the service time thing, what makes everyone so sure Bryant isn't re-signing here? If you look at this Cubs team now, who are the guys you'd give huge contracts to? Baez, Rizzo, Bryant right? With that TV money, they probably can afford a few large contracts in the next 3 years.

They are not going to go over 246M. If they are going to invest 30M of it it should be into a ace like Gerrett Cole not Bryant.

 

[CSF77]

No Cubs first baseman has ever been able to did the ball out of the dirt like Rizzo and I have been watching them since 1962

, 20:$14.5M club option (or $2M buyout due 1/15/20), 21:$14.5M club option (or $2M buyout due 1/15/21)

I would be shocked if they extend him again. He woulzd be pushing 33 at this point.

 

[zack54attack]

They are not going to go over 246M. If they are going to invest 30M of it it should be into a ace like Gerrett Cole not Bryant.

Which would be this offseason. And if they miss on Cole, they still have that money. That's what I'm saying. I don't see how all of a sudden there is no chance they don't sign him. Not saying they do, but it seems like everyone has just 100% ruled it out.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Aside from the service time thing, what makes everyone so sure Bryant isn't re-signing here? If you look at this Cubs team now, who are the guys you'd give huge contracts to? Baez, Rizzo, Bryant right? With that TV money, they probably can afford a few large contracts in the next 3 years.

The only thing one needs to know about Bryant is Boras. Please name more than one Boras player who got paid big bucks and stayed with his original team?

 

[zack54attack]

The only thing one needs to know about Bryant is Boras. Please name more than one Boras player who got paid big bucks and stayed with his original team?

That's fair. I get that about Boras and it's a legit reason. But it's not like we should rule the Cubs completely out 2 years ahead of this. How many of them went to bigger markets that were willing to pay when the original team wasn't though? That plays a part too. Chicago is a big market. TV deal coming in. They will be able to afford Bryant if they likely wanted to compared to teams like Detroit, Texas, etc.

 

[CSF77]

Which would be this offseason. And if they miss on Cole, they still have that money. That's what I'm saying. I don't see how all of a sudden there is no chance they don't sign him. Not saying they do, but it seems like everyone has just 100% ruled it out.

I think they will target Wheeler myself.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

Which would be this offseason. And if they miss on Cole, they still have that money. That's what I'm saying. I don't see how all of a sudden there is no chance they don't sign him. Not saying they do, but it seems like everyone has just 100% ruled it out.

I don’t think they will because I don’t think the cubs front office is that stupid. Bryant’s contract will be one that can hamstring a franchise. He’s not worth it. The money he will get paid should be reserved for players like Trout, Yelich, and possibly Betts

 

[CSF77]

That's fair. I get that about Boras and it's a legit reason. But it's not like we should rule the Cubs completely out 2 years ahead of this. How many of them went to bigger markets that were willing to pay when the original team wasn't though? That plays a part too. Chicago is a big market. TV deal coming in. They will be able to afford Bryant if they likely wanted to compared to teams like Detroit, Texas, etc.

IirC they let Bryant walk they get a 3rd round select. If they trade him they could get 2 top 100. It is no brainier

 

[RacerX]

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?

Great, thanks, I really needed to be triggered by long-forgotten contributors to my lifelong Cubs PTSD.

Maybe tomorrow we can relive all 5 of Corey Patterson's tools.