#MLBFrontOffice: What's next for the Cubs?

[Parade_Rain]

He had a solid year at AAA, changed his approach at the plate and had very good numbers in a limited 80 PA at the MLB level. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect his improvement next year. I love this kid and think he will be the real deal mainly because he has elements of the game that cannot be taught and for the ones that can he's worked hard at improving in a very tough year for him.

I've been very high on Baez in the past. I'm just not going to insert him in the lineup and be in awe immediately. He didn't do squat in the post-season.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I've been very high on Baez in the past. I'm just not going to insert him in the lineup and be in awe immediately. He didn't do squat in the post-season.

I don't disagree. I just realize that in terms of trade the most valuable player is going to be Soler followed by Castro with Baez being the least desireable. If that's the case and they do acquire Heyward it would stand to reason that you'll have to give Baez a shot, along with La Stella at 3B and put Bryant in RF. There are more things to accomplish for the FO over the winter than I think most people realize. You have to balance risk, young players and a larger but still limited payroll (I think $150 mil makes sense). If Baez isn't traded he had better improve in a hurry.

 

[SilenceS]

I've been very high on Baez in the past. I'm just not going to insert him in the lineup and be in awe immediately. He didn't do squat in the post-season.

What? He hit the big three run homer off Lackey? He was 4 for 5 in the NLDS. He was 1 for 10 in the NLCS. I understand your position on not giving him anything but he had a much better post season than Bryant or Rizzo. The whole team didn't hit in the NLCS. Shit everyone praised Schwarber and he was 2 for 14 in the NLCS. This isn't knocking any of them, but the post season shouldn't be any kind of judge. I truly think the Cubs hold tight to the young IF.

 

[brett05]

ok, what about getting some of the warm weather players to spend a month in 45-55 degree weather for a month of hitting and fielding in the off season? And I mean this not just the Cubs, but this is a Cubs thread so yeah, for the Cubs. Force the acclamation so to speak.

 

[SilenceS]

ok, what about getting some of the warm weather players to spend a month in 45-55 degree weather for a month of hitting and fielding in the off season? And I mean this not just the Cubs, but this is a Cubs thread so yeah, for the Cubs. Force the acclamation so to speak.

I showed the numbers that show that cold weather had no affect on any of them except Soler. The weather wasn't the problem. It was the 95 MPH plus fastballs that the Cubs continuously swung and missed at. They may not like to play in the cold but it didn't affect them much in April. Soler and Cogs were the only two who had slow starts in the cold. Baez wasn't on the team and neither was Schwarber. The Cubs were just dominated by good pitching. The Mets attacked the Cubs hitters and got the Cubs hitters behind in the count all series. That is not a good sign for a team that struck out the most in the majors and the highest strikeout team to make the post season in history.

 

[CSF77]

ok, what about getting some of the warm weather players to spend a month in 45-55 degree weather for a month of hitting and fielding in the off season? And I mean this not just the Cubs, but this is a Cubs thread so yeah, for the Cubs. Force the acclamation so to speak.

Seems they all run to the warm weather areas in the off season. I'm not complaining as I moved from Chicago to San Diego and did not regret it. No rust on my truck is also a nice perk.

 

[Parade_Rain]

What? He hit the big three run homer off Lackey? He was 4 for 5 in the NLDS. He was 1 for 10 in the NLCS. I understand your position on not giving him anything but he had a much better post season than Bryant or Rizzo. The whole team didn't hit in the NLCS. Shit everyone praised Schwarber and he was 2 for 14 in the NLCS. This isn't knocking any of them, but the post season shouldn't be any kind of judge. I truly think the Cubs hold tight to the young IF.

I think they should hold tight on all of them, including the one guy who actually hit the ball, Soler. As for the post-season not being a judge...well, I guess that's OK for loveable losers, but perhaps it's news to everyone here that performing in Sept/Oct is how Championships are won.

 

[SilenceS]

I think they should hold tight on all of them, including the one guy who actually hit the ball, Soler. As for the post-season not being a judge...well, I guess that's OK for loveable losers, but perhaps it's news to everyone here that performing in Sept/Oct is how Championships are won.

Yes, and overtime the numbers would start to even out. That is an extremely small sample size for a team, with almost no post season experience, facing a dominant rotation.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I don't disagree. I just realize that in terms of trade the most valuable player is going to be Soler followed by Castro with Baez being the least desireable. If that's the case and they do acquire Heyward it would stand to reason that you'll have to give Baez a shot, along with La Stella at 3B and put Bryant in RF. There are more things to accomplish for the FO over the winter than I think most people realize. You have to balance risk, young players and a larger but still limited payroll (I think $150 mil makes sense). If Baez isn't traded he had better improve in a hurry.

Soler was the most valuable guy they had in the post-season. Of course he has the most value in a trade. It makes no sense to trade the people who perform in playoffs.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Yes, and overtime the numbers would start to even out. That is an extremely small sample size for a team, with almost no post season experience, facing a dominant rotation.

Well let's hope the team leader isn't average to below average the 2nd half of the season next year and also that untouchable rookie can actually hit somewhere other than just Wrigley Field.

 

[CSF77]

I think they should hold tight on all of them, including the one guy who actually hit the ball, Soler. As for the post-season not being a judge...well, I guess that's OK for loveable losers, but perhaps it's news to everyone here that performing in Sept/Oct is how Championships are won.

I doubt they end up making any trades that include any current roster players. They are far more likely to use some players like Almora if they can get a long term CF in return. I've been a fan of Gardner for a while now. Yanks need to be rebuilt IMO and should start the overhaul.

Soler's limits are based off technique vs limits in talent. Really wish the old OF coach was still around as he would have fixed his liabilities. If Soriano became a plus LF what would Soler become?

Now the only real concern I have with him is his durability. When he is playing has been the concern with him. If anything it keeps the talent status que as Baez going to 3B and Bryant to RF covers Soler's injury prone moments.

 

[SilenceS]

Well let's hope the team leader isn't average to below average the 2nd half of the season next year and also that untouchable rookie can actually hit somewhere other than just Wrigley Field.

Dude, those Kris Bryant splits are crazy. It has to be just one of those weird baseball things. I mean it is night and day. As for Rizzo, he has always had those slumps but I thought this year he finally got over the long slump but he didn't. He will never take that elite step until he stops it. Rizzo is a very good player but there are also some insane hitting first baseman in the league. Goldy is just scary. Votto was probably the best hitter in baseball in the second half. Votto had a .535 OBP in the second half! lol He is going to be a monster next year. They said he has finally got over his quadricep problem. He is still only 32. He has some good hitting years left. His second half was one of the best I have ever seen.

 

[brett05]

I showed the numbers that show that cold weather had no affect on any of them except Soler. The weather wasn't the problem. It was the 95 MPH plus fastballs that the Cubs continuously swung and missed at. They may not like to play in the cold but it didn't affect them much in April. Soler and Cogs were the only two who had slow starts in the cold. Baez wasn't on the team and neither was Schwarber. The Cubs were just dominated by good pitching. The Mets attacked the Cubs hitters and got the Cubs hitters behind in the count all series. That is not a good sign for a team that struck out the most in the majors and the highest strikeout team to make the post season in history.

Could you link me to it? I must have missed it. It's pretty common to have the Latin players play very poorly in the cold. I'd like to see what you have to put that into the myth category. Seriously, cause I keep trumpeting it like it is true.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I doubt they end up making any trades that include any current roster players. They are far more likely to use some players like Almora if they can get a long term CF in return. I've been a fan of Gardner for a while now. Yanks need to be rebuilt IMO and should start the overhaul.

Soler's limits are based off technique vs limits in talent. Really wish the old OF coach was still around as he would have fixed his liabilities. If Soriano became a plus LF what would Soler become?

Now the only real concern I have with him is his durability. When he is playing has been the concern with him. If anything it keeps the talent status que as Baez going to 3B and Bryant to RF covers Soler's injury prone moments.

Yep. I can't remember that guy's name, but certainly some of Soler's defensive issues are fixable. I get what you're saying about covering his injuries. I'm wondering if they sign a guy like Happ and then trade for a AAA/almost ready for prime-time SP who is ready to go in the 2nd half once they trade Hammel or once Hammel does the cha-cha...I mean the 2nd half implosion. They could use their MiLB players for a trade like that.

 

[SilenceS]

Could you link me to it? I must have missed it. It's pretty common to have the Latin players play very poorly in the cold. I'd like to see what you have to put that into the myth category. Seriously, cause I keep trumpeting it like it is true.

Easy, type in players name. Go to espn or baseball reference or fangraphs. Hit splits. Read Cubs players in April.

Montero hit well probably his best month or second best month
Castro hit well. It was his second best month at batting well above .300
Baez did not play this April
Russell has small sample size in April and had his best month in May
Soler hit .247 and a .714 OPS then in May he had probably the best month of his season.

Then, if you go to splits for entire major leagues. Then go to April, the list is peppered with Latin players. I did a minimum of 50 at bats in the month.

Im sure they prefer not to play in the cold because baseball in the cold sucks for everyone. I don't see much correlation to weather and latin players besides people randomly saying it. Im not talking about you. Im talking about random announcers. I really think it started because some players are just slow starters and they were looking to blame something for it.

Thats why the whole cold weather in New York was BS. They have sucked all year against hard throwers. We faced hard throwers. Matz was the only not that hard of a thrower and we got to him pretty good just couldn't get the big hit.

Watch Miguel Montero against a hard thrower. He looks awful. He tries to gear up for it and winds up having this long, uppercut swing that doesn't come close to hitting the baseball.

 

[brett05]

I know that. Baez has not gotten it done in any stretch at the MLB level. To say it's a good lineup expecting him to produce when he hasn't makes little sense.

I understand that as well. But like your post said, he's missing Soler and with his proposed lineup he is not because he traded him to Cleveland for Salazar.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I understand that as well. But like your post said, he's missing Soler and with his proposed lineup he is not because he traded him to Cleveland for Salazar.

No kidding.

 

[brett05]

Easy, type in players name. Go to espn or baseball reference or fangraphs. Hit splits. Read Cubs players in April.

Montero hit well probably his best month or second best month
Castro hit well. It was his second best month at batting well above .300
Baez did not play this April
Russell has small sample size in April and had his best month in May
Soler hit .247 and a .714 OPS then in May he had probably the best month of his season.

Then, if you go to splits for entire major leagues. Then go to April, the list is peppered with Latin players. I did a minimum of 50 at bats in the month.

Im sure they prefer not to play in the cold because baseball in the cold sucks for everyone. I don't see much correlation to weather and latin players besides people randomly saying it. Im not talking about you. Im talking about random announcers. I really think it started because some players are just slow starters and they were looking to blame something for it.

Thats why the whole cold weather in New York was BS. They have sucked all year against hard throwers. We faced hard throwers. Matz was the only not that hard of a thrower and we got to him pretty good just couldn't get the big hit.

Watch Miguel Montero against a hard thrower. He looks awful. He tries to gear up for it and winds up having this long, uppercut swing that doesn't come close to hitting the baseball.

I did do a quick BR on Castro. March/April and Sept/Oct is far and away career wise Starlin's best months. In fact he's the exact opposite of the saying. As the weather warms Castro's production drops. Weird.

 

[brett05]

No kidding.

you're the one that missed it. Sorry for helping you out.

 

[SilenceS]

I did do a quick BR on Castro. March/April and Sept/Oct is far and away career wise Starlin's best months. In fact he's the exact opposite of the saying. As the weather warms Castro's production drops. Weird.

I noticed that as well with Castro. Sometimes I just chalk things up to the baseball God's. This is why you can analyze and analyze the game and still be completely wrong. Its what makes the game great in my opinion. There are so many games that everyday is a new adventure.