Let's start projecting what the Cubs will look like in a few years!

[chibears55]

Never said that. You going to stop building strawmans?

Hmmmm did kbback return with a different name lol

 

[brett05]

Hmmmm did kbback return with a different name lol

U wish

Typical response

 

[CSF77]

The plan is in action and I really think we're only ~2 years from serious contention, but what players will be plugged in where?

1B- Rizzo
2B- Alcantara
3B- Baez
SS- Castro
LF- Bryant
CF- Lake
RF- Schwarber

As for pitching, I think Arrieta and Wood will still be here in the starting rotation but I think we will have traded some prospects for a solid ace. Not sure what happens with the bullpen though.

Disagree with me? Agree? Let me know what you guys think!

LF Schwarber: his production falls when he plays catcher right now.

CF Alcantara. I'm not sold on Almora

RF Bryant. I'm not sold on Soler

3B Russell. Bigger and solid D type. Could add power with size.

SS Castro. Is what he is.

2B Baez. Started HS as a 2B. Moved to SS didn't like it. Went to CF loved it. Senior year played SS and drafted as one. He never played 3B in HS so really not a natural spot for him. OF maybe but 2B feels like a fit here.

1B Rizzo

C Castillo. Would be Schwarber but again arm and his bat suffers not to mention potential knee problems. I would rather keep Schwarber in LF.

Trade bait: Almora and Soler

 

[TL1961]

2015

LF - Coghlan/Lake
CF - Ruggiano
RF - Bryant
3B - Baez
SS - Castro
2B - Alcantara
1B - Rizzo
C - Castillo

2016
LF - Alcantara
CF - Almora
RF - Bryant
3B - Russell
SS - Castro
2B - Baez
1B - Rizzo
C - Castillo

A bit too hopeful, and a few guys moving around, maybe more than the team would like. But even without counting Soler or McKinney at that point, there's some seriously good prospects in those lineups. How they pan out as major leaguers will be the big question, of course. But this doesn't even count any veteran holdovers or acquisitions.

It also, of course, doesn't account for any of these guys being traded for pitching. Certainly we'll see more changes. But this doesn't look bad to me!

 

[CSF77]

2015

LF - Coghlan/Lake
CF - Ruggiano
RF - Bryant
3B - Baez
SS - Castro
2B - Alcantara
1B - Rizzo
C - Castillo

2016
LF - Alcantara
CF - Almora
RF - Bryant
3B - Russell
SS - Castro
2B - Baez
1B - Rizzo
C - Castillo

A bit too hopeful, and a few guys moving around, maybe more than the team would like. But even without counting Soler or McKinney at that point, there's some seriously good prospects in those lineups. How they pan out as major leaguers will be the big question, of course. But this doesn't even count any veteran holdovers or acquisitions.

It also, of course, doesn't account for any of these guys being traded for pitching. Certainly we'll see more changes. But this doesn't look bad to me!

They would get more production next year with:

CF Alcantara
SS Castro
1B Rizzo
RF Bryant
2B Baez
3B Valbuena
LF Ruggiano
C Castillo

Valbuena carries a better OBA over Lake or Cog. He is under control for 2 years.

Ruggiano has a more complete game over Lake.

Again look at OBA and Lake runs a 8:1 SO to BB ratio. He is worse than Olt in that regard.

Not to mention the worst thing to do is play musical chairs early in players careers. If you want him to play 2ND then don't put him at 3rd because it is convent for a year to do so. Not when you have control of a 3B to place hold.

 

[TL1961]

They would get more production next year with:

CF Alcantara
SS Castro
1B Rizzo
RF Bryant
2B Baez
3B Valbuena
LF Ruggiano
C Castillo

Valbuena carries a better OBA over Lake or Cog. He is under control for 2 years.

Ruggiano has a more complete game over Lake.

Again look at OBA and Lake runs a 8:1 SO to BB ratio. He is worse than Olt in that regard.

Not to mention the worst thing to do is play musical chairs early in players careers. If you want him to play 2ND then don't put him at 3rd because it is convent for a year to do so. Not when you have control of a 3B to place hold.

Agreed, we don't want too much musical chairs. And I was looking at all the new guys in the INF, and tossed Valbuena aside too soon. Bottom line is, it will be nice to have the problem of having a lot of players and flexibility.

And I figure at the end of the day, there will be changes between now and 2016 not accounted for here. Trades, injuries, etc. are hard to predict. But it's reasonable to expect something to change. But it looks better than what we have seen in forever.

 

[CSF77]

I agree. The bottom line is next year we are talking about 2 top 10 prospects and 1 ranked around 75 infused. The following year a top 5 added and possibly another top 50 if he can ever stay healthy. That is why I'm shying away from him right now.

Almora has a top 20 ranking but he really is not a impact player like Alcantara is. Not to mention he has been in a 1 level per year progression. So we are looking at 2015 AA. 2016 AAA.

On the other hand Schwarber should be in Daytona now IMO. Then match Almora next year and bump him to AAA at the end of the year. His bat is advanced and he is not a 18 yo kid out of HS.

I would just follow his BB and K ratios. As long as he is over 8.5 BB and under 25% SO he is doing fine at that level. Right now I think he is around 18% on both. Think he needs another promotion as he is better than the pitching.

 

[TL1961]

Almora will move faster than one level per year from here forward. He should hit MLB by late 2015 or 2016 at the latest.

Schwarber? I just am not sure where he fits in the majors. Call me crazy, but if we have to pick a prospect most likely to bust, he's my pick.

 

[JZsportsfan]

They would get more production next year with:

CF Alcantara
SS Castro
1B Rizzo
RF Bryant
2B Baez
3B Valbuena
LF Ruggiano
C Castillo

Valbuena carries a better OBA over Lake or Cog. He is under control for 2 years.

Ruggiano has a more complete game over Lake.

Again look at OBA and Lake runs a 8:1 SO to BB ratio. He is worse than Olt in that regard.

Not to mention the worst thing to do is play musical chairs early in players careers. If you want him to play 2ND then don't put him at 3rd because it is convent for a year to do so. Not when you have control of a 3B to place hold.

That is actually a decent lineup. If we have a decent rotation to go around with them that team could be at least .500

Almora will move faster than one level per year from here forward. He should hit MLB by late 2015 or 2016 at the latest.

Schwarber? I just am not sure where he fits in the majors. Call me crazy, but if we have to pick a prospect most likely to bust, he's my pick.

I would say Almora because he came from HS. Schwarber has already played against a lot of guys that fit into the A-High A mold in college so I think he will just move through the system faster and more succesfully

 

[CSF77]

It depends. If they decide he fits better as a catcher it will slow his progress. Hitting wise his BB to SO ratio is near 1:1. That mastery of the strike zone is near elite levels.

Looking at Bryant he is at 14:1 BB and 30:1 SO. So 2:1 on his SO:BB. That is acceptable with his BA and SLG.

That just shows how advanced Schwarber is. We are talking about Rizzo type production to be honest.

 

[CSF77]

Bust wise:
Soler has proven nothing because he has been a DL case every year. One thing than the next. Sure the talent is there. Power, BA and a solid mastery of the strike zone but if you are the DL it equals 0 production.

Almora should be a solid player. Hits for avg, 15 HR power. GG D. I just would rather have a SH 20/20 type that can hit .280 and lead off vs a prototypical # 2 hitter.

He would be a solid trade chip.

 

[TL1961]

It depends. If they decide he fits better as a catcher it will slow his progress. Hitting wise his BB to SO ratio is near 1:1. That mastery of the strike zone is near elite levels.

Looking at Bryant he is at 14:1 BB and 30:1 SO. So 2:1 on his SO:BB. That is acceptable with his BA and SLG.

That just shows how advanced Schwarber is. We are talking about Rizzo type production to be honest.

There is little to no chance Schwarber ever sees the majors as a catcher. And maybe his offense is great, but he has no position. Bust is probably the wrong projection. DH would be more like it.

And I will take a good hitting, great defender over a very good hitting poor defender.

I don't mean to be so harsh. He has done nothing but hit like crazy in the short time since he was drafted. I hope to heck I am wrong, and hope he can be a real asset for the Cubs. But his value may be as trade chip to the AL.

 

[SilenceS]

Never said that. You going to stop building strawmans?

You have no idea what you are saying. lol

 

[SilenceS]

Bust wise:
Soler has proven nothing because he has been a DL case every year. One thing than the next. Sure the talent is there. Power, BA and a solid mastery of the strike zone but if you are the DL it equals 0 production.

Almora should be a solid player. Hits for avg, 15 HR power. GG D. I just would rather have a SH 20/20 type that can hit .280 and lead off vs a prototypical # 2 hitter.

He would be a solid trade chip.

He needs to walk. Castro didnt even walk that little in the minors. He has been scorching hot and got his average up in the .270's but the walks have to start materializing.

 

[SilenceS]

Anyone want a good laugh? Go read some of the Mets fans ideas for trading for Castro. According to most I read, he is an unchoachable, horrible player that leads the league in outs every year. They shouldnt give up more than Bartolo Colon for him. lol He is the exact same players as Tejada is for them. lol

 

[CSF77]

Does he lead the league in outs every year? With his AB's and OBA it would be interesting to find out.

I agree with Almora. His BB have been low. I believe his ranking is a little favoritism vs true value. IMO his D and the fact he plays CF is boosting his ranking. O side all he brings is Castro with less power.

 

[beckdawg]

Anyone want a good laugh? Go read some of the Mets fans ideas for trading for Castro. According to most I read, he is an unchoachable, horrible player that leads the league in outs every year. They shouldnt give up more than Bartolo Colon for him. lol He is the exact same players as Tejada is for them. lol

Colon's 41 for **** sake. You'd hope they'd at least realize that much.

 

[SilenceS]

Does he lead the league in outs every year? With his AB's and OBA it would be interesting to find out.

I agree with Almora. His BB have been low. I believe his ranking is a little favoritism vs true value. IMO his D and the fact he plays CF is boosting his ranking. O side all he brings is Castro with less power.

I know he led the league in AB's for a couple of years so its possible, but it has more to do with the amount of AB's over being horrible. lol Last year, I would guess he did because he was horrible and still had a ton of AB's

 

[SilenceS]

Colon's 41 for **** sake. You'd hope they'd at least realize that much.

The most realistic they got which wasnt that realistic was Wheeler straight up for Castro.

 

[brett05]

You have no idea what you are saying. lol

So u have nada...typical