Trade deadline banter

[Southsidewentblind]

Glove hand to determine OF position is silly enough, but even if you did use that as a factor, he has it backward.

More balls are hit to the gaps than down the line.

Plus he neglects that the best arms belong in RF due to longer throw to 3rd. Heyward has a great arm, to go along with being great coming in on balls, going back on balls, chasing down balls laterally.....

For all the nonsensical overreactions and crazy ass ideas thrown around (Schwarber should catch), this one takes the cake. Move our best defender, and one of the best OF in the game (quick, name one who is better!) to the OF position that has the least impact defensively. Good plan.

Okay, first. I do realize that Schwarber is the answer that Heyward is in RF, one of you own former players told me himself in person. But you neglect to accept Bryant's age, that he is still re-trainable.

More balls might be hit to get gaps but do you look at the urgency to field them when you are questioning your positioning of your players. Balls that are hit down the line tend to be hit faster and you will need the extra arm reach of the different glove hand to field it. I apologize if I come off sounding unintelligent, but it is true Bryant is a perfect replacement to be put in RF. I don't see how you would want to continue playing when you could be training him immediately. His arm is more than capable of handling the same throw. And just so you know if they are thinking about picking up Bryce Harper I'd personally put him on 3B when they get him.

It is also an eyesore to have Schwarber in LF. Our bats are strong enough without him. You are benching a player that is an All Star DH.

Theo has to see the reasonable challenge in asking KC for Lorenzo Cain for Schwarber/ prospects. Possibly some of our Bullpen or SP and Albert Almora Jr.

You all really see Sonny Grey as and equal to Schwarber in talent or value?

 

[DanTown]

Cubs have little need for a starter. Hendricks, Lester, Q, Arrieta, Anderson, and Lackey is enough. Lackey will be fine, his numbers will regress and he'll be a capable fifth starter. The need they have is a quality LOOGY. I'd also love a defensive catcher for Sept call ups. You get that and you're fine.

Contreras, Cartini
Rizzo, Zobrist, Baez, Russell, LaStella, Bryant
Happ, Schwarber, Jay, Heyward, Almora
Lester, Q, Lackey, Arrieta, Hendricks
Davis, Edwards, Strop, Montgomery, Uehera, LOOGY, Rondon/Grimm

 

[CSF77]

Okay, first. I do realize that Schwarber is the answer that Heyward is in RF, one of you own former players told me himself in person. But you neglect to accept Bryant's age, that he is still re-trainable.

More balls might be hit to get gaps but do you look at the urgency to field them when you are questioning your positioning of your players. Balls that are hit down the line tend to be hit faster and you will need the extra arm reach of the different glove hand to field it. I apologize if I come off sounding unintelligent, but it is true Bryant is a perfect replacement to be put in RF. I don't see how you would want to continue playing when you could be training him immediately. His arm is more than capable of handling the same throw. And just so you know if they are thinking about picking up Bryce Harper I'd personally put him on 3B when they get him.

It is also an eyesore to have Schwarber in LF. Our bats are strong enough without him. You are benching a player that is an All Star DH.

Theo has to see the reasonable challenge in asking KC for Lorenzo Cain for Schwarber/ prospects. Possibly some of our Bullpen or SP and Albert Almora Jr.

You all really see Sonny Grey as and equal to Schwarber in talent or value?

Bryant is league avg at 3B. This year he has been off but the past 2 he has hovered around 5 UZR. At RF -.5 UZR. LF -.3 but last year he put up a 6.

In general he has not been used in the OF to get Baez AB's so he has seen more error opertunites at 3B. But by no means is he a eyesore there. He has carried positive value at 3B D over his career.

This is a discussion for when his age creates limitations and 1B becomes a realistic solution.

Candelero is really not a core guy. He lacks HR power. That will diminish his value in general.

 

[CSF77]

Add to it. LF tends to be the spot to stuff a Bat with out killing D. Schwarber currently holds a 2.9 UZR. So the whole eye sore thing holds no value because stats say diffrent.

 

[beckdawg]

Cubs have little need for a starter. Hendricks, Lester, Q, Arrieta, Anderson, and Lackey is enough. Lackey will be fine, his numbers will regress and he'll be a capable fifth starter. The need they have is a quality LOOGY. I'd also love a defensive catcher for Sept call ups. You get that and you're fine.

Contreras, Cartini
Rizzo, Zobrist, Baez, Russell, LaStella, Bryant
Happ, Schwarber, Jay, Heyward, Almora
Lester, Q, Lackey, Arrieta, Hendricks
Davis, Edwards, Strop, Montgomery, Uehera, LOOGY, Rondon/Grimm

Think you're underselling Duensing. He's not a dominant reliever or anything but his numbers this year are fantastic. 2.77/3.24 ERA/FIP, 10.85 k/9 and 2.31 bb/9. I would argue that perhaps they need someone with decent LH splits. Edwards and Davis are unsurprisingly dominant against lefties but you don't want to use them for one out. Montgomery has a .250 wOBA against lefties. Strop has a .214 wOBA. Realistically they are your only two guys though I would add Uehara historically is better vs LH batters.

Overall, I wouldn't pay much but if you could get a guy similar to what Rodney was in 2015 for them that would be good and bump Grimm out of the BP. He's been fairly terrible. At the end of the day, you're talking about your #8 reliever. And Rondon if he continues to pitch like he did Saturday in Baltimore could be a big deal. He looked far more like 2016 first half Rondon.

 

[beckdawg]

No, Beane hasn't had a competitive opportunity in awhile and they've got some talent that with a few additions could open up a contending year for them sooner rather than later. I'm been hearing somewhat informed speculation that it would take Russell or Schwarber. Houston has apparently said no to Bregman for Gray but if that gets done I expect it to be Bregman anyway in the end. I just don't know that Beane wants 18-20 year olds.

If that's what it takes to get Gray than Q looks so cheap in my eyes. I think he's a better pitcher than Gray and I'd argue Bregman already being in the majors is a better prospect than Eloy who's in A+. I don't know maybe I'm just a Gray hater but the hype on him has always been crazy to me. I've always felt he was essentially Hendricks with better looking stuff. I even said that on here prior to Hendricks breaking out last year but you're talking about a guy with a career 20.7% k rate and 7.7% bb rate. League average this year not including pitchers for batters is 21.1% k rate and 8.7% bb rate. To me that screams back half of #2's or top half of #3's when he's pitching well.

 

[Southsidewentblind]

Gray might leave us in the grey area

If that's what it takes to get Gray than Q looks so cheap in my eyes. I think he's a better pitcher than Gray and I'd argue Bregman already being in the majors is a better prospect than Eloy who's in A+. I don't know maybe I'm just a Gray hater but the hype on him has always been crazy to me. I've always felt he was essentially Hendricks with better looking stuff. I even said that on here prior to Hendricks breaking out last year but you're talking about a guy with a career 20.7% k rate and 7.7% bb rate. League average this year not including pitchers for batters is 21.1% k rate and 8.7% bb rate. To me that screams back half of #2's or top half of #3's when he's pitching well.

Beckdawg, I am on your side, I think that Gray will cost us too much for what he is worth. I'm not sure how to judge Bregman's value but since Eloy is gone. Our fire power for a trade has dropped. There is no way I would allow Schwarber to be traded for Gray. If that is the only way we can get Gray than I might have to so "I apologize, but I can't trade with you." I have to admit it, our CF is a huge spot we can stack a power hitter at. Almora Jr., Happ, and Zobrist are not going to be Power Hitters. I am praying you guys hear my constant request. Cain for Schwarber..... Let them have Lackey and Almora Jr. maybe?

 

[Southsidewentblind]

Candelario needs to be tweeked.

Bryant is league avg at 3B. This year he has been off but the past 2 he has hovered around 5 UZR. At RF -.5 UZR. LF -.3 but last year he put up a 6.

In general he has not been used in the OF to get Baez AB's so he has seen more error opportunities at 3B. But by no means is he a eyesore there. He has carried positive value at 3B D over his career.

This is a discussion for when his age creates limitations and 1B becomes a realistic solution.

Candelero is really not a core guy. He lacks HR power. That will diminish his value in general.

Bryant's UZR is worse at 3B than in the OF for 2016. His RF UZR is bad this year all around except for 1B, I noticed. I do enjoy other things, so I haven't had a chance to see all of our games this year or many when Kris is n the Outfield. But the one that I noticed it looked like he tried to throw the ball in from the outfield with the 3B technique, sidearm. That would automatically drop his ARM stat for UZR but that is an easy fix, you just let him know to throw it overhand, the outfield technique. Overhand gives you the ability to throw it further where side arm allows a quicker release but your distance is dropped.

And as far as Candelario is, I wouldn't be concerned, I see how big he is. He does have HR power. I can fix that for him is he wants some tips. LIKE A) don't stand so close to the plate. B) Elbow to shoulder swing. C) Place you back foot mid way away from home plate in the batter's box and step your front foot as close as possible to home plate. For a Leftside hitter you make a 7 foot stance. I'm not talking about measurements either. D) Don't uncurl your front bi-cept until after the bat head has crossed the plate. E) Hold you bat with your wrist in position to make contact, don't waste time with you bat on your shoulder. The energy you are using and time you are wasting to move you bat into position to make contact is bad. Your wrist should be locked before the pitcher even starts his windup. That is done by holding the bat off your shoulder in front of your body and pointing it toward the opposite foul pole. Try it yourself . ALL these tips add up to different holes in batter's swing that should be on scouting reports, it's just not everyone knows how to piece them all together. There is also an F) if you pull your bat back slightly like you could see Baez doing the the 9th inning of our 9-8 win on friday that will add power to your swing, but he was doing it at the wrong point in the game, shorter swings when it is more important to score and you need to be cautious.


You do know what a contact window is for a batter?

If not, wtf. Please pay me to teach you. I'd probably just take a ticket to NY to Sport Science on ESPN.

 

[Southsidewentblind]

Just so you guys know too, I don't know everything about baseball. But I do have my own perspective and value. But I can't wait for the team to come here for 3. I'm in PHX by the way. I will be waiting to see everyone and I will not shut up until you take my advice seriously. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE will you post on my thread. Stats to start winning. I am going to start a new Thread and please will you post there with helpful tips for the CUBS that we all notice throughout each game.

 

[Southsidewentblind]

Okay, I have a little of food for thought for y'all to wake up to.....

So Gray is definitely on the Market out in Oakland. I Will not shut up about getting Cain to come to CHI. So I started to map out a 3 team trade that might make it easier for KC to let Cain come to town. This is what I wanted to propose, but be easy on what OAK gets it's kind of the most flexible part of the trade.

KC gets : Sonny Gray and Kyle Schwarber

OAK get : Mark Zagunis (AAA) and Eddy Martinez (A adv) of CHI, and Miguel Almonte and Ricky Aracena (A adv) of KC

CHC get : Lorenzo Cain

I personally think that OAK might ask for a little more, but this might make the KC trade wheel greased up a little more to let Cain go.
Please debate it with me....

 

[CSF77]

Okay, I have a little of food for thought for y'all to wake up to.....

So Gray is definitely on the Market out in Oakland. I Will not shut up about getting Cain to come to CHI. So I started to map out a 3 team trade that might make it easier for KC to let Cain come to town. This is what I wanted to propose, but be easy on what OAK gets it's kind of the most flexible part of the trade.

KC gets : Sonny Gray and Kyle Schwarber

OAK get : Mark Zagunis (AAA) and Eddy Martinez (A adv) of CHI, and Miguel Almonte and Ricky Aracena (A adv) of KC

CHC get : Lorenzo Cain

I personally think that OAK might ask for a little more, but this might make the KC trade wheel greased up a little more to let Cain go.
Please debate it with me....

Schwarber, Zag and Martinez for a 31 YO Cain who has hit the DL just about every year?

Add to it:

Signed thru 2017, Earliest Free Agent: 2018

It would be a rental.

Man are you a troll?

 

[Southsidewentblind]

Schwarber, Zag and Martinez for a 31 YO Cain who has hit the DL just about every year?

Add to it:

Signed thru 2017, Earliest Free Agent: 2018

It would be a rental.

Man are you a troll?

Worth every penny too. The tougher part is getting KC to part with him. They kind of owe us after after our Davis / Soler trade.

And I'm the builder of the bridge, not some hobo that sleeps under it.

 

[Southsidewentblind]

Someone needs to ask Epstein to offer this deal:

Gerrit Cole for Javier Baez, Oscar De La Cruz, Jacob Hannemann, Chesny Young, and Ian Rice.

I know that Neal was quoted saying he doesn't want to trade Cole unless it isn't anything short of a Chris Sale type deal.
Sale's deal included Moncada, Kopech, Basabe, Victor Diaz.

My argument is that Yes Moncada and Kopech are #1 and #11 on the top 100, Basabe and Diaz are bit lesser of prospects.

If we are to talk with PIT about this trade you need to stress the importance of Baez's quality. He was 4th on the team in TB last postseason, we play him at 3B he can handle it, his power, speed, and arm strength are great. Our 4 minor prospects are also as great. Oscar is 20-9 over 46 starts, 2.89 era over 245.1 IP, he is only 22. Jacob Hannemann is fast and is hitting better this year than ever at .284, Chesny Young boasts a .307 over 376 games, 11 errors over 1438 innings. And I wanted to include a C after looking over your squad. I know that Cervelli and Stewart are getting up there in age, and Diaz is 26. I wanted to include Ian Rice our C from AA.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Okay, I have a little of food for thought for y'all to wake up to.....

So Gray is definitely on the Market out in Oakland. I Will not shut up about getting Cain to come to CHI. So I started to map out a 3 team trade that might make it easier for KC to let Cain come to town. This is what I wanted to propose, but be easy on what OAK gets it's kind of the most flexible part of the trade.

KC gets : Sonny Gray and Kyle Schwarber

OAK get : Mark Zagunis (AAA) and Eddy Martinez (A adv) of CHI, and Miguel Almonte and Ricky Aracena (A adv) of KC

CHC get : Lorenzo Cain

I personally think that OAK might ask for a little more, but this might make the KC trade wheel greased up a little more to let Cain go.
Please debate it with me....

There's a whole lot of wrong in there. KC is in "gonna give it one last shot" mode and would have no interest in Gray or Schwarber, a rental from somewhere maybe but they're about to rebuild. Actually competing this year is not good for them. Plus a Cain rental makes no sense for the Cubs. Despite our new sense of optimism this is a not a year where a World Series is likely so any further moves will be like the Q move, more about the next two years than now. I could see Gray to the Cubs in the right deal, I could see a pen arm or a backup catcher, I can't see Cain. Not in any scenario.

 

[TL1961]

Please stop posting.

 

[Southsidewentblind]

Okay You Guys are a bunch of BLOW HORN Free Willy's anyway. I'll find someone else to brighten.

 

[CSF77]

Worth every penny too. The tougher part is getting KC to part with him. They kind of owe us after after our Davis / Soler trade.

And I'm the builder of the bridge, not some hobo that sleeps under it.

Under your bridge troll

 

[CSF77]

Ya know it really was not about value on that deal. That part is arguable. It was about control and needs.

Theo has said 2 things:

1. Controllable
2. Pitching

Not sure where a CF expiring deal helps anyone except the competition long term.

I don't mind debating ideas but that one was more about how to destroy a org fast.

 

[Diehardfan]

Okay You Guys are a bunch of BLOW HORN Free Willy's anyway. I'll find someone else to brighten.

School starts in a few weeks anyway....

come back when you grow up.

 

[beckdawg]

So here's what I'm wondering. Does Lackey hold any value? I don't suspect the cubs will actually move him but I feel like you'd rather be giving Butler/Montgomery that #5 guy slot. And while Lackey's ERA is enormous, he's not the worst buy low candidate ever. He's owed like $8 mil the rest of the way and is a FA after the year. He strikes me as someone that might make sense to a team like the Yankees who need a guy but don't really wanna go all out giving up prospects.

I don't know that the cubs make this move or even try to but realistically there's no way he should be starting in the playoffs for the cubs with their top 4 and I think it's debatable who gives you more in the second half between him and whomever you go with out of Butler/Montgomery. Plus I don't know that the cubs really are in on Gray but if that trade happens you have to move Lackey. Might be worth while to float the idea and see what's out there. If you could get 1-2 fringe top 30 guys think it'd be worth while to consider moving him.