Playoff Roster?

[DJMoore_is_fat]

So you guys want Montero and Ross catching and what alternate between Soler Contreras and Baez in the starting lineup in a 5 game series..
Cause you know if Montero catches over Contreras then 2 of those 3 in Soler Baez and Contreras will be benched

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Baez should start most playoff games. I take him over Soler and Conteras any day.


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[Boobaby1]

Contreras has been the worst with the bat out of those 3 and hasnt been much better than Miggy OPS wise in the second half.

Besides being a vet that calls a good game, HE IS ALSO A LEFTY AT THE PLATE. I'd rather have a guy calling a good game and sacrifice some at the dish.

If the Cubs need that much production coming from the catcher on offense, then the others aren't doing what they are supposed to do.

 

[chibears55]

Besides being a vet that calls a good game, HE IS ALSO A LEFTY AT THE PLATE. I'd rather have a guy calling a good game and sacrifice some at the dish.

If the Cubs need that much production coming from the catcher on offense, then the others aren't doing what they are supposed to do.

He could be a switch hitter, make no difference if he hits like he has from April to August..

I think we can stop using the calling a good game and frame reasoning to want Montero over Contreras..

The pitching staff has done quite well over the past month plus with Contreras behind the plate..
I believe if not no.1 then top 5 in ERA for both starters and Relievers..

Plus

Contreras has big edge with stronger arm and quickness behind plate..

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[TC in Mississippi]

He could be a switch hitter, make no difference if he hits like he has from April to August..

I think we can stop using the calling a good game and frame reasoning to want Montero over Contreras..

The pitching staff has done quite well over the past month plus with Contreras behind the plate..
I believe if not no.1 then top 5 in ERA for both starters and Relievers..

Plus

Contreras has big edge with stronger arm and quickness behind plate..

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Again, chances are that Montero makes the playoff roster. I said 60-40 last week but I'm thinking the odds are probably higher than that. First of all this isn't an argument over which one makes the roster, Contreras is going to make the squad, the argument is whether you take 3 catchers. As pointed out by SilenceS their 2nd half OPS is nearly identical at .700 for Montero and .702 for Contreras. Not great for either but pretty much a wash. Then you have the leadership of Montero to consider. You don't seem to have any idea how difficult it would be to leave a veteran catcher off a playoff roster. This is a guy who is loved by his pitching staff, loved by his teammates and a huge part of your success over the last two years. Do you know what kind of cojones that would take to leave a guy like that off? Again I'm not saying it's not going to happen. I think it's probably matchup specific and if he starts a playoff game it would likely be to catch Arrieta. Maybe he's not on the DS roster but is on the CS roster. For a week though you've been beating the drum that it's a fait accompli. It isn't. I get it though. You're viewpoints are often colored by BA and by the fact that you like long benches of hitters. I respect that but this is a manager who places a huge value on leadership and veteran players and beyond that plays matchups far more than he plays straight numbers. Montero may not make the playoff roster, but he very well may as well.

 

[anotheridiot]

Baez should start most playoff games. I take him over Soler and Conteras any day.


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Did you watch the playoffs last year? Soler led the team in hitting. Three singles, three doubles, three home runs 6 walks, on base 15 out of the 25 plate appearances.

I think Jake is the bigger reason Montero will be on the post season roster, even though I truly believe Jake wont throw another no hitter to Montero or Ross, its Willsons turn.

Now if Coghlan or Stella start over Javy then you have problems, but Soler needs to be in the lineup.

 

[KesselRunner]

Let Wilson take Hammel's spot. Second Half Hammel should NOT be starting in the playoffs.

 

[CSF77]

If it was my decision:

C: Montero, Ross, Contreras
IF: Bryant, Russell, Zobrist, Rizzo, Baez
OF: Soler, Fowler, Heyward, Szczur
SP: Arreta, Lester, Lackey, Hendricks
RP: Chapman, Rondon, Strop, Edwards, Grimm, Cahill, Zast, Montgomery

Leaves 1 guy. Just looking at it they need a LHPH mostly here. LaStella vs Coghlan.

Wood and Hammel IMO need to be left off as they are liabilities.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

If it was my decision:

C: Montero, Ross, Contreras
IF: Bryant, Russell, Zobrist, Rizzo, Baez
OF: Soler, Fowler, Heyward, Szczur
SP: Arreta, Lester, Lackey, Hendricks
RP: Chapman, Rondon, Strop, Edwards, Grimm, Cahill, Zast, Montgomery

Leaves 1 guy. Just looking at it they need a LHPH mostly here. LaStella vs Coghlan.

Wood and Hammel IMO need to be left off as they are liabilities.

Not bad, but I find a way to get Wood on that roster. Probably at the expense of Zastrzny.

 

[CSF77]

Not bad, but I find a way to get Wood on that roster. Probably at the expense of Zastrzny.

Production wise Wood is the weakest link. Zast has been the strongest. Montgomery IMO would be in competition with Wood. But I believe if Montgomery pushes 6 innings with a quality start he might displace Hammel as the 5th man. After 2 chubs in a row I have to believe Hammel is on a short leash now.

 

[Diehardfan]

Not bad, but I find a way to get Wood on that roster. Probably at the expense of Zastrzny.

I doubt Zast is in trouble...at least right now. You really don't want to bring in guys that have control issues and that description fits both Wood and Montgomery...I guess I'd have to go with Hammel at the moment. But there's still about a month of regular season left...these things have a way of working themselves out.

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

Did you watch the playoffs last year? Soler led the team in hitting. Three singles, three doubles, three home runs 6 walks, on base 15 out of the 25 plate appearances.

I think Jake is the bigger reason Montero will be on the post season roster, even though I truly believe Jake wont throw another no hitter to Montero or Ross, its Willsons turn.

Now if Coghlan or Stella start over Javy then you have problems, but Soler needs to be in the lineup.

Soler was awesome last playoffs but he's a net negative defender and expecting him to repeat last year's performance will lead to a tremendous disappointment. Baez is an elite defender and changes the entire landscape of our team defensively. Plus he's been hitting well. We're clearly a better team with Baez in the lineup than Soler. Heyward is in RF and leaving Soler in LF could be suicide.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Soler was awesome last playoffs but he's a net negative defender and expecting him to repeat last year's performance will lead to a tremendous disappointment. Baez is an elite defender and changes the entire landscape of our team defensively. Plus he's been hitting well. We're clearly a better team with Baez in the lineup than Soler. Heyward is in RF and leaving Soler in LF could be suicide.

Soler has been better defensively this season. As for defense, that's why you have late inning replacements. Soler should be in the lineup whenever possible though.

 

[fatbeard]

Soler has been better defensively this season. As for defense, that's why you have late inning replacements. Soler should be in the lineup whenever possible though.

He's been better because they're only playing him in LF, where he's merely below average as opposed to the absolute butcher of a RF he is. Strange that he struggles on one side so much.

 

[CSF77]

He's been better because they're only playing him in LF, where he's merely below average as opposed to the absolute butcher of a RF he is. Strange that he struggles on one side so much.

RF in Wrigg is one of the hardest fields to play. The wind either pushes to CF or the RF stands. So every hit is affected by the wind and every day the position plays diffrent.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Soler has been better defensively this season. As for defense, that's why you have late inning replacements. Soler should be in the lineup whenever possible though.

A lot of it is going to come down to how Heyward is hitting. If he's hitting he plays every game, if he's not there's going to be a lot of split time between Baez, Soler and Zobrist. It really is that simple. IMHO of course.

 

[fatbeard]

RF in Wrigg is one of the hardest fields to play. The wind either pushes to CF or the RF stands. So every hit is affected by the wind and every day the position plays diffrent.

Is there any data to back this up?

 

[CSF77]

Is there any data to back this up?

http://www.parkfactors.com

 

[fatbeard]

http://www.parkfactors.com

Park factors don't seem to address RF specifically.

 

[SilenceS]

Park factors don't seem to address RF specifically.

Wrigley Field has notoriously been a tough right field because of winds and the day games. The Sun during the day games are in the fielders eyes. Add in the brick and the no fould territory. Its also a deep right field down the line. This is some players talking about differences. But, yes, Wrigley has been considered one of the toughest right fields since I can remember.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/players-view-the-difference-between-left-and-right-field/

 

[chibears55]

Again, chances are that Montero makes the playoff roster. I said 60-40 last week but I'm thinking the odds are probably higher than that. First of all this isn't an argument over which one makes the roster, Contreras is going to make the squad, the argument is whether you take 3 catchers. As pointed out by SilenceS their 2nd half OPS is nearly identical at .700 for Montero and .702 for Contreras. Not great for either but pretty much a wash. Then you have the leadership of Montero to consider. You don't seem to have any idea how difficult it would be to leave a veteran catcher off a playoff roster. This is a guy who is loved by his pitching staff, loved by his teammates and a huge part of your success over the last two years. Do you know what kind of cojones that would take to leave a guy like that off? Again I'm not saying it's not going to happen. I think it's probably matchup specific and if he starts a playoff game it would likely be to catch Arrieta. Maybe he's not on the DS roster but is on the CS roster. For a week though you've been beating the drum that it's a fait accompli. It isn't. I get it though. You're viewpoints are often colored by BA and by the fact that you like long benches of hitters. I respect that but this is a manager who places a huge value on leadership and veteran players and beyond that plays matchups far more than he plays straight numbers. Montero may not make the playoff roster, but he very well may as well.

Jesse Rogers was on ESPN 1000 tonight and he said something about the way Maddon was talking , that Almora may be considered and it looks like it between Montero and Almora for that final spot..

Montero definitely not a lock, and I think his increase playing time now is because Maddon wants to see who going to take the last spots..


My argument isn't a roster spot with Contreras and Montero
I personally feel Contreras should and will start as Catcher with everyone but Lester..

If I'm right, then there no point of having Montero on the bench wasting a roster spot if they go with LaStella and Coghlan as the LH bats..
Montero if he not starting, provides nothing for them off the bench

I'd rather the bring someone like Almora who they can use as a PR or even a defensive replacement if needed late.


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