IST: Cubs vs. Braves

[Omeletpants]

I wonder about Soler's frame of mind. I think his expectation was to be the full time LF and that isnt happening. Not that we need to care about every players feeling at all times but wonder if this is impacting him

 

[Omeletpants]

Also, the Russell conversation is incredibly stupid. There is literally nothing in his advanced hitting stats nor is there anything in the eye test that indicates struggles at the plate. He's had bad BABIP luck, that's about it.

The Orioles made a living in the 60s and 70s on a light hitting SS named Mark Belanger. I'm not so concerned with a great defensive SS hitting .225

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Now we're forgetting where Soler was a prospect because Soler was a top 50 MLB prospect by any major top 100 lists at ages 21-23. While I like the Cubs future guys, the only guys who project to be that kind of hitting prospect are maybe Happ and Torres.

And beyond the rankings, Soler absolutely crushed minor league pitching at every stage of his development better than any other Cub, including Bryant and Schwarber.

According to most scouts Eloy Jiminez projects as a top 50 prospect as well and he's really been impressing this year. He wasn't ranked as high earlier this year because he got off to a slow start in 2015. In many ways he's a virtual clone of Soler assuming he develops the in game power that's expected. That said I've never disliked Soler despite many mistaking my comment about him as a negative. I think he'll be an everyday OF on most teams, at worst a 4th OF on a championship team. That's valuable but maybe not as valuable to the Cubs who have Javier Baez who frankly has a higher floor now with his defensive flexibility and has always had a higher ceiling. With Baez and La Stella able to play 3B it allows Bryant to play LF and going forward in 2017 Schwarber will be back. All that leads me to the fact that Soler is the most likely guy to move in a trade.

 

[SilenceS]

According to most scouts Eloy Jiminez projects as a top 50 prospect as well and he's really been impressing this year. He wasn't ranked as high earlier this year because he got off to a slow start in In many ways he's a virtual clone of Soler assuming he develops the in game power that's expected. That said I've never disliked Soler despite many mistaking my comment about him as a negative. I think he'll be an everyday OF on most teams, at worst a 4th OF on a championship team. That's valuable but maybe not as valuable to the Cubs who have Javier Baez who frankly has a higher floor now with his defensive flexibility and has always had a higher ceiling. With Baez and La Stella able to play 3B it allows Bryant to play LF and going forward in 2017 Schwarber will be back. All that leads me to the fact that Soler is the most likely guy to move in a trade.

They are going to have to make a decision. Maddon told Baez that he will start one day, but the cubs need him in the position he is in. Someone will have to go. I just think the Cubs value Baez more as a complete player than Soler. Soler is all bat and is still having issues with the breaking ball which isn't going to be fixed unless he see's action everyday.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

They are going to have to make a decision. Maddon told Baez that he will start one day, but the cubs need him in the position he is in. Someone will have to go. I just think the Cubs value Baez more as a complete player than Soler. Soler is all bat and is still having issues with the breaking ball which isn't going to be fixed unless he see's action everyday.

I agree with all of that. Soler is going to be a good hitter in MLB, but he has to play and the Cubs frankly have better options. If I'm literally deciding between Baez and Soler on who to move for pitching it's the latter every time if for no other reason than Baez' versatility and baseball instincts.

 

[beckdawg]

I like Teheran a lot but the idea of throwing him in as a #1 starter on a championship team scares the hell out of me. I've talked a bout trading Arrieta in the offseason before and have been wildly ridiculed for the suggestion but frankly unless you can get a Gray type it probably doesn't make sense. 2017 is going to be year two if this first window and you'll need all hands on deck. I do think Soler goes for pitching but probably more for one of the 2-3 types we've talked about like Teheran or Carrasco or Salazar from Cleveland.

Well like I said I don't really think it'd be 1 for 1 that way. But just as an example here you could get Teheran with prospects and you essentially would swap out a great pitcher who's about to make a god awful amount of money for hopefully a pretty decent one who may in time grow into that. Ideally you'd just be able to re-sign Arrieta but if that is not possible you still have Lester as a competent #1.

Overall it just struck me as an interesting way to get younger pitching and increase the length of their window. Simply put, you're not going to trade for someone who's as good as Arrieta in that scenario but if you can re-arrange some parts and pick up someone like Teheran and also some high level pitching prospects who are good in the process you have a chance to recoup similar value at a better age range.

 

[Diehardfan]

Would you feel the same if Arrieta blew out his arm?

Oh, so you're saying trade Soler for Teheran because he'd be a suitable replacement should Arrieta get hurt....

Get real. You might want to get things in the correct context. You're talking about losing a CY winner....I'm talking about losing a good player that actually can be replaced.

 

[SilenceS]

Oh, so you're saying trade Soler for Teheran because he'd be a suitable replacement should Arrieta get hurt....

Get real. You might want to get things in the correct context. You're talking about losing a CY winner....I'm talking about losing a good player that actually can be replaced.

You just answered what people are saying. He can be replaced. It was my entire premise. The Cubs are deep on position players especially OF with their versatility. Any of the top 3 get hurt and the Cubs are in trouble going into the playoffs.