Tanaka Watch Thread (Cubs Edition)

[CSF77]

Maybe they should have platooned Rizzo against lefties who sported a robust .189/.282/.342 and not batted Barney at all.

That would make the Cubs tougher right there with those two moves.

We will see how these guys play this year and if they can equal their career best numbers. Lets see how good Nate is in the 4-hole with no protection to speak of and coming off of his best power numbers ever.

Now that pitchers are aware, they will adjust.

I wouldn't be against it. Rizzo was bad most of the year except 1 hot streak and lacked contact. Barney needs to go away.


Nate has been around the league for years. It is not like he switched leagues or anything. He just got a shot to get P/T vs not and he ran with it.

What I would like to see happen would be something like:

1: Castro SS
2: Murphy/Valbuena 2B
3: Rizzo 1B
4: Olt 3B
5: Schierholtz RF
6: Lake LF
7: Sweeney CF
8: Castillo C

After Baez promotes (going with 2B at first to get his bat in there)

1: Castro SS
2: Lake LF
3: Rizzo 1B
4: Baez 2B
5: Schierholtz RF
6: Olt 3B
7: Sweeney CF
8: Castillo C

Then with Alcantara upcoming I would push him to CF and then push Bryant to RF to get his bat up faster.

The line up could make a dynamic change over this year even before getting into Almora or Soler.

 

[brett05]

You think it's a good idea to put Baez right off the bat as the cleanup hitter?

 

[Boobaby1]

I wouldn't be against it. Rizzo was bad most of the year except 1 hot streak and lacked contact. Barney needs to go away.


Nate has been around the league for years. It is not like he switched leagues or anything. He just got a shot to get P/T vs not and he ran with it.

What I would like to see happen would be something like:

1: Castro SS
2: Murphy/Valbuena 2B
3: Rizzo 1B
4: Olt 3B
5: Schierholtz RF
6: Lake LF
7: Sweeney CF
8: Castillo C

After Baez promotes (going with 2B at first to get his bat in there)

1: Castro SS
2: Lake LF
3: Rizzo 1B
4: Baez 2B
5: Schierholtz RF
6: Olt 3B
7: Sweeney CF
8: Castillo C

Then with Alcantara upcoming I would push him to CF and then push Bryant to RF to get his bat up faster.

The line up could make a dynamic change over this year even before getting into Almora or Soler.

Assuming Olt gets his vision issues tabled which is far from any gaurantee, and if Schierholtz is still on the team after the break, I would go with:

Castro SS
Sweeney CF
Baez 2B
Rizzo 1B
Olt 3B
Schierholtz/Ruggiano RF
Lake LF
Castillo C

And with this line-up, the Cubs will have cemented a top 3 pick in the 2015 draft. :beerbang:

 

[DJMoore_is_fat]

On 670AM this morning they mentioned Tanaka's wife is a pop star and wants to be in New York or LA. So apparently the Cubs will probably lose out on Tanaka.

 

[dabears253313]

What do you guys think of Junior Lake batting lead off and Starlin Castro batting second?

 

[CSF77]

You think it's a good idea to put Baez right off the bat as the cleanup hitter?

yes They did bat Rizzo #3 with out him proving his worth.

 

[CSF77]

Assuming Olt gets his vision issues tabled which is far from any gaurantee, and if Schierholtz is still on the team after the break, I would go with:

Castro SS
Sweeney CF
Baez 2B
Rizzo 1B
Olt 3B
Schierholtz/Ruggiano RF
Lake LF
Castillo C

And with this line-up, the Cubs will have cemented a top 3 pick in the 2015 draft. :beerbang:

I believe the line up with take on some dramatic changes as the year goes on.

*on Lake leading off not sure.

I could see by september:
1: Castro SS
2: Alcantara CF
3: Baez 2B
4: Bryant RF
5: Rizzo 1B
6: Olt 3B
7: Lake LF
8: Castillo C

At that point they could concider using Almora/Soler as trade bait. Or they could dangle Castro and move Baez back to SS.

They is some flexability going on for sure.

 

[CSF77]

I don't see how I've turned a blind eye to Rizzo's season. Rizzo flat out didn't hit left handed pitching. His .252 vs righties was probably fine but lefties crushed him at .189. However, I don't get why people are surprised by this. Rizzo had 690 PAs which is around 100 more than he'd ever had before in a single season. He hit .222 in the 2nd half. It's entirely plausible he just got worn out. Additionally, a 23 year old struggling against same handed pitching isn't that surprising. That said, he still had a .323 OBP. So, if all he ever becomes is a .233 hitter that means he's still a valuable player. Certainly he wouldn't be a star but he's a servicable 1B. On the other than, if he's a .260-280 hitter then his OBP is in the .350+ range and he's a fringe all-star type. Also, if Rizzo isn't playing at 1B who else would? Vogelbach isn't even in AA yet. That's how the Soriano context is different. He would potentially steal time from Lake, Vitters, and various others. Boo thinks all those players are trash obviously but I just don't agree. Lake for example, hit .286 and gives them some desperately needed speed.

As for it being a slap in the face, it's only a slap in the face if they are as bad as you expect. Surely you expected Schierholtz in RF to be just as bad in 2013 right? I'm not even saying Schierholtz was amazing. I'm just saying he's not the abomination people act like LF will be this year and I'd rather give a young guy the chance to make that sort of step forward than to rely on a 38 year old player who's had less than a .305 OBP 3 of the past 5 years. I don't know if that player is Vitters for sure. I don't know if it's Sweeney, Lake, Kalish, Cunningham...etc. Maybe it's none of them. But, if you give them the chance you know for sure. And it's not like it's costing you the playoffs to find out.

Frankly, I really hope they give Vitters a legit shot. I really believe he'll surprise some people in a good way. Maybe I'm wrong but what more does he have to prove at AAA? He's hit .360/.383/.540, .283/.322/.448, .304/.356/.513 and .295/.380/.511 over his last 1164 PAs between the AFL, AA, AAA and a short R(17 PAs) rehab last year. If that's not good enough to get promoted and have a legit shot at a starting job what is?

To be honest here Sori getting a chance to end his career on a team build to win. He seemed pleased as his production improved after the trade.

We should be happy for him. He deserved to play meaningful baseball again.

That being said the line up lacks a true lead off type. If I had to blind toss it right now Alcantara has the toolbox to handle it. Some speed and takes walks at a decent clip.

I'm not going to lie here I would have felt better if they signed Choo and plugged him into LF vs pushing any in house there. Lets face it all Vitters and Lake are just another RH bat that is filler depth bats. Lake seems to have some potential but no one knows if it will be a tease or will it mature into something special.

Even so comparing him to Bryant or Baez who have proven that they can hit 30 HR's. He is closer to Soler in project ability. Both are unknowns at this point.


I'll just point to BB rates and Alcantara put up 62 BB in 494 AB's.
Lake 13 BB in 236 AB with the cubs. Minors total: 146 in 2254 AB's. That is not good OBA numbers to even start to get into lead off discussion.

There is a real reason why KLAW feels that Lake will bust. He is lacking.

 

[theberserkfury]

Not that it's worth much... but here's a tweet from ESPN's Jayson Stark.

"Brought up the name, "Tanaka," to 2 people at owners meetings this morning. They both had the same response: Beware of the Cubs."

https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/423525400283602944

 

[chibears55]

The Dodgers have agreed to an extension with ace southpaw Clayton Kershaw, reports ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne (via Twitter). The deal is for seven years and $215MM, and includes an out clause that can be exercised after five years.

no way the dodgers are going after Tanaka now...
this leaves the Angels if they want to add a third 20+MIl long term contract, and Yankees who are looking to stay under luxery tax..

there always that mystery team....

 

[SilenceS]

The Dodgers have agreed to an extension with ace southpaw Clayton Kershaw, reports ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne (via Twitter). The deal is for seven years and $215MM, and includes an out clause that can be exercised after five years.

no way the dodgers are going after Tanaka now...
this leaves the Angels if they want to add a third 20+MIl long term contract, and Yankees who are looking to stay under luxery tax..

there always that mystery team....

Kershaw has nothing to do with Tanaka with the Dodgers. Now, other pitchers being traded to make way could be a stand still. The Dodgers were never concerned with losing Kershaw.

 

[SilenceS]

To be honest here Sori getting a chance to end his career on a team build to win. He seemed pleased as his production improved after the trade.

We should be happy for him. He deserved to play meaningful baseball again.

That being said the line up lacks a true lead off type. If I had to blind toss it right now Alcantara has the toolbox to handle it. Some speed and takes walks at a decent clip.

I'm not going to lie here I would have felt better if they signed Choo and plugged him into LF vs pushing any in house there. Lets face it all Vitters and Lake are just another RH bat that is filler depth bats. Lake seems to have some potential but no one knows if it will be a tease or will it mature into something special.

Even so comparing him to Bryant or Baez who have proven that they can hit 30 HR's. He is closer to Soler in project ability. Both are unknowns at this point.


I'll just point to BB rates and Alcantara put up 62 BB in 494 AB's.
Lake 13 BB in 236 AB with the cubs. Minors total: 146 in 2254 AB's. That is not good OBA numbers to even start to get into lead off discussion.

There is a real reason why KLAW feels that Lake will bust. He is lacking.

eh, take KLAW with a grain of salt. Whenever he gets an impression of a player, he will never change his mind. Lake is a superstar and a dud all in the same player. He will make incredible plays and stretches then look like he should be in A ball. Him going to the OF may help that. The tools are great. Its his mind that has to come full force.

 

[SilenceS]

Not that it's worth much... but here's a tweet from ESPN's Jayson Stark.

"Brought up the name, "Tanaka," to 2 people at owners meetings this morning. They both had the same response: Beware of the Cubs."

https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/423525400283602944

This is my problem. The Cubs will have to overpay to get him. Will they do it? Remains to be seen.

 

[chibears55]

Kershaw has nothing to do with Tanaka with the Dodgers. Now, other pitchers being traded to make way could be a stand still. The Dodgers were never concerned with losing Kershaw.

here the thing.. they now have a starter (greinke)making 25/26 MIL per for the next 5 yrs and another (Kershaw) making 30 MIL per for 5-7 yrs..
do they really want to add a 3rd starter making over 20 MIL per for 5+ years ?
this also includes 3 position players making near or over 20 MIL for the next 3-6 yrs..

I know the thinking is what one more, but do they really want to tie up just 6 players for close to 140 MIL ?

I guess he could just take beckett (FA) 18 MIL slot after this year , if their willing to tie up that much money APPR. 75-80 MIL per into 3 starters for the next 5+ years...

 

[chibears55]

This is my problem. The Cubs will have to overpay to get him. Will they do it? Remains to be seen.

I just got this feeling that their going to offer him a crazy deal.. either something where he gets to opt out early to test FA market again or a crazy 10 YR deal..
7 yrs 25 PER with options in YR 6 n 7 or a 10 YR escalating contract between 20 -25 maybe with options at the end..
private plane for his wife or him to LA and NY..lol

 

[SilenceS]

here the thing.. they now have a starter (greinke)making 25/26 MIL per for the next 5 yrs and another (Kershaw) making 30 MIL per for 5-7 yrs..
do they really want to add a 3rd starter making over 20 MIL per for 5+ years ?
this also includes 3 position players making near or over 20 MIL for the next 3-6 yrs..

I know the thinking is what one more, but do they really want to tie up just 6 players for close to 140 MIL ?

I guess he could just take beckett (FA) 18 MIL slot after this year , if their willing to tie up that much money APPR. 75-80 MIL per into 3 starters for the next 5+ years...

The dodgers have more money then the Yankees. If they want it, they will figure it out. Also, let's not forget that it is LA and those teams will spend anything to win. Add tanaka to that rotation and **** me. That is an unbelievable rotation

 

[chibears55]

Add tanaka to that rotation and **** me. That is an unbelievable rotation

If they end up getting Tanaka and he the real deal, were gonna see some crazy pitching numbers put up.. most K's combined games, consecutive inning no runs, etc

 

[JosMin]

Interested to see what the Dodgers are willing to offer Tanaka now that they're paying Kershaw in excess of $210 million, plus Greinke, Kemp, Ethier, etc.

 

[dabynsky]

Tanaka getting an opt out clause seems very likely. This is probably a 6 or 7 year deal with an opt out at maybe year four or five would be my guess. That way Tanaka can test free agency again at or right before age 30. Casey Close is Greinke's and Kershaw's agent who both have a similar opt out clause.

 

[chibears55]

Casey Close is Greinke's and Kershaw's agent who both have a similar opt out clause.

didn't know he was also their agent.. seems to me now that this could be similar to a LeBron, wade, and bosh deal with the heat..
I can now see this deal happening with the dodgers with this connection...