Schwarber is back!

[beckdawg]

Posey is a catcher but you cringe to do it because he was more than athletic enough to play left, first, third, maybe center. The issue is he is the games best defensive weapon at catcher in my opinion because of the golden arm. He is a true catcher because he is great at catching. So you let him be what he is, begrudingly. I think Schwarber is athletic enough to play in left...which is a good thing because he doesn't look like a catcher and I want him to keep getting triples for a little bit before you trade him to AL in 3-5 years.

Schwarber doesn't have to catch 100% of the time. Been saying this awhile here even in an ideal situation where his defense is average behind the play you're probably going to platoon him with a right handed hitter as well which opens him up to LF at times. I've suggested else where I thought he'd play about 60% LF, 35% C and 5% 1B when Rizzo needs an occasional day off.

 

[TL1961]

Montero wont be back til September if their talking 6 more weeks from now. .

Losing Montero bat and gaining Schwarber doesn't exactly improve the offense. .. they need both bats in lineup ..

This could also potentially hurt the cubs in two ways..

1. Losing Montero experience and game calling behind the plate
pitching been hot with him lately

2. Teagarden and Ross aren't exactly bats you want to see in lineup every day. .
If plan is to only play schwarber a couple games a week

I think the cubs have a hot mess going on with their position players now.. too many big bats and not enough table setters...

Fowler and Russell need to turn it around the 2nd half and just focus on getting on base as much as possible any way they can..

They're ...if they're talking six weeks....they are = they're

OK...sorry...I have my meds now

 

[TL1961]

The lineup would be much improved

The "lineup" plays D, too.

It would be awful.

 

[TL1961]

Amare Stoudemire can score.

His opponent always does too.

Ditto Carmelo.

Offense is not the whole game.

And, yes, I know what thread I am in.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Amare Stoudemire can score.

His opponent always does too.

Ditto Carmelo.

Offense is not the whole game.

And, yes, I know what thread I am in.

No offense is not the whole game, the game is ideally an equal mix of offense, defense an good pitching. It's also about trying to win each time out. If you can't achieve the balance because it's out your control you bolster something else to help you win. I'm not sure the Cubs can do much about defense this year but competing deep into the season is the goal so the kids get experience. If iffy defense and solid hitting from Kyle Schwarber helps you do that well the so be it.

 

[CSF77]

Schwarber doesn't have to catch 100% of the time. Been saying this awhile here even in an ideal situation where his defense is average behind the play you're probably going to platoon him with a right handed hitter as well which opens him up to LF at times. I've suggested else where I thought he'd play about 60% LF, 35% C and 5% 1B when Rizzo needs an occasional day off.

I was thinking vs RH pitching Montero C, Schwarber LF. Vs LH pitching Schwarber C Denorfia LF. Keep Ross as Lester's catcher and emergency back up.

They still need to figure out CF long term. But it would make Montero the 3rd best LH hitter in the line up and that is what you want.

 

[CSF77]

They're ...if they're talking six weeks....they are = they're

OK...sorry...I have my meds now

They're=They are
Their= possession as their ball.
There- over there. Catches all others also

 

[willycat]

CSF, since I don't follow the minor leagues closely can you or someone explain why Schwarber didn't play any OF this season. Sure yesterday's errors look bad in the box score but the guy had a big jump and the run would have scored from second anyway with the next single. The interference call was a bit iffy and has little to do with lack of mechanics behind the plate. God was that HP umps calls erratic, especially those off the plate.

 

[Raskolnikov]

an unprofessional catcher isn't going to get calls.

Kyle looked years away behind the plate.

 

[SilenceS]

CSF, since I don't follow the minor leagues closely can you or someone explain why Schwarber didn't play any OF this season. Sure yesterday's errors look bad in the box score but the guy had a big jump and the run would have scored from second anyway with the next single. The interference call was a bit iffy and has little to do with lack of mechanics behind the plate. God was that HP umps calls erratic, especially those off the plate.

He played OF. They switched him to full time catcher about a month or so ago.

The Cubs want him to be a catcher very badly.

They think he has enough tools to stick. I don't but I am not the Cubs.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

He played OF. They switched him to full time catcher about a month or so ago.

The Cubs want him to be a catcher very badly.

They think he has enough tools to stick. I don't but I am not the Cubs.

He hasn't played any OF in 2015, they made that decision on ST. I think they will do whatever they need to in order to keep him there but like you I think it might be a stretch. His bat is ready, his play behind the plate is not. Two more years in the minors maybe but they can't afford that.

 

[SilenceS]

He hasn't played any OF in 2015, they made that decision on ST. I think they will do whatever they need to in order to keep him there but like you I think it might be a stretch. His bat is ready, his play behind the plate is not. Two more years in the minors maybe but they can't afford that.

You are correct. It was last year they played him out there. They DH'd him a decent amount.

 

[Raskolnikov]

He can run!! Make him a LF. he has to be better than Soriano and Ramirez. Nobody else has a bat worthy of LF. Make a decision on Castro and put Baez to SS or CF. Probably SS. They should just buy a CF in Free Agency in a year or so.

This team is going to be sick. Epstein is a builder, but can he pull it all together. Sometimes its a different skill set. Championship potential exists in the bats on the north side, it needs to be loved home and hopefully Epstein is that guy too.

is there a great need to upgrade Montero anyway? I don't get it. After seeing him play catcher, I really don't get it. That could have been much worse than 2 errors.

 

[beckdawg]

He played OF. They switched him to full time catcher about a month or so ago.

The Cubs want him to be a catcher very badly.

They think he has enough tools to stick. I don't but I am not the Cubs.

IIRC he's not played LF at all this year but he did after being drafted last year. I believe he DH'd when not C. Might be that i'm misreading what you're saying here though.

 

[beckdawg]

He hasn't played any OF in 2015, they made that decision on ST. I think they will do whatever they need to in order to keep him there but like you I think it might be a stretch. His bat is ready, his play behind the plate is not. Two more years in the minors maybe but they can't afford that.

All depends on how much progress he makes. If you have to wait 2 years but end up getting a Piazza level C out of the deal who cares about 1 year lost in between? The hope is that the cubs are a pretty legit contender next year. But all it takes is a bad april and you're back waiting for 2017. I personally don't think Schwarber ends up as a full time C. I've siad multiple times I figure it's 60% LF, 35% C and 5% 1B when Rizzo needs off days. But if they think he's going to end up a full time player you take the time you need especially as insistent as Schwarber is that he is a C. You know he's going to put in the work to get there as quick as he can.

Even a bad defender that sticks at C with his bat is a potential super star because of the total lack of hitting C. Honestly, I think people are going to be frustrated with what happens with Schwarber because I think they are probably going to send him back to AAA next season to get more time behind the plate. I also don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. They still have a lot of moving pieces to work out and I highly doubt they get it all figured out this offseason. If they don't find a trade for Baez or Castro you could potentially need LF next year for some where to play Baez. Even if you do trade one of them, you might want to see Alcantara in the majors again before you make a decision on trading him or not. LF would give them that option if they re-sign Fowler.

 

[CSF77]

CSF, since I don't follow the minor leagues closely can you or someone explain why Schwarber didn't play any OF this season. Sure yesterday's errors look bad in the box score but the guy had a big jump and the run would have scored from second anyway with the next single. The interference call was a bit iffy and has little to do with lack of mechanics behind the plate. God was that HP umps calls erratic, especially those off the plate.

Catcher is more like a quarterback. It takes more time. They feel he has the make up for it. I do to but it will take time.

That is why I suggested him in LF vs RH pitching and C LH pitching while Montero is sitting.

Montero is under control so there is no need to make a move. But sense it will take time for Schwarber to be able to perfect the art. And it should be treated as a art. It is the best choice for them to make.

Now on him catching full time this year? Again it takes more time to be a catcher. He needed the time put in there. LF: well if Sori was able to...

 

[CSF77]

Not to mention look at AA. their OF is jacked full. Almora's delay has caused a back fill. Then they promoted 2 top 20 OF this year. Rad is another there and he is top 30.

There was little playing time to give in LF.

Add to that when he went to AAA he was injury depth. That is what AAA is 1 phone call away. He needed to be ready to catch. Not play LF.

Now when Montero gets back then this topic needs to be looked at

 

[chibears55]

Amare Stoudemire can score.

His opponent always does too.

Ditto Carmelo.

Offense is not the whole game.

And, yes, I know what thread I am in.

And how good are those knicks ?

They get their points and the opposing teams get more because of bad or no defense. ...

 

[chibears55]

Your all gonna be shocked when they trade him for a TOR pitcher


He doesn't have the agility to play LF in the majors ..
if they planned on him being in LF, they wouldn't of totally shut him out from there since his promotion to AA last year. ..

I have doubts that they trade Montero in off season after 1 season, and go with an inexperience Catcher with a veteran staff over one they signed for 3 years because of his catching skills...

I doubt they go with 2 LH catchers and split their time, and also carry a RH catcher too..

Schwarber best opportunity will be with an AL team where he can spend time as a DH or any team that not exoected to contend in 2016 , is starting over and have time to develop him as a catcher on major league level ..

Cubs are expecting to compete with a solid rotation next year, especially if they sign or trade for that TOR starter...
their not going to want to be developing a catcher, especially when they have a solid veteran one there...

 

[CSF77]

Your all gonna be shocked when they trade him for a TOR pitcher


He doesn't have the agility to play LF in the majors ..
if they planned on him being in LF, they wouldn't of totally shut him out from there since his promotion to AA last year. ..

I have doubts that they trade Montero in off season after 1 season, and go with an inexperience Catcher with a veteran staff over one they signed for 3 years because of his catching skills...

I doubt they go with 2 LH catchers and split their time, and also carry a RH catcher too..

Schwarber best opportunity will be with an AL team where he can spend time as a DH or any team that not exoected to contend in 2016 , is starting over and have time to develop him as a catcher on major league level ..

Cubs are expecting to compete with a solid rotation next year, especially if they sign or trade for that TOR starter...
their not going to want to be developing a catcher, especially when they have a solid veteran one there...

They will trade Baez before they trade Schwarber. Schwarber's talent and character is near Bryant and Rizzo's level.

Now does he have legit trade value. Yes. There are few teams that would not move plasyers around to fit him. His impact this early on is similar to what Puig gave with out the off field issues.

D wise he is behind but not unplayable. At worst he would be one of the top 1B in the league.