What Theo needs to do in 2018

[DanTown]

I'm far more worried long term about the Cardinals than the Brewers, especially if they fire Matheny and hire a new manager. They get Reyes back at some point, they'll likely be better in the bullpen, and they seemingly have an endless supply of random non-descript guys who come up and have incredibly solid years at the plate.

They had six above average hitters, Molina was a point or two below average but still a solid catcher, and none of this counts Jose Martinez or any of their prospects.

 

[brett05]

That's some great analysis

"A window that never existed nor was ever open even if you tried to argue did exist is now closed and the franchise will be impacted".

Nothing about the future of this team or what they compete against has changed. Nothing.

you are such an angry person.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I'm far more worried long term about the Cardinals than the Brewers, especially if they fire Matheny and hire a new manager. They get Reyes back at some point, they'll likely be better in the bullpen, and they seemingly have an endless supply of random non-descript guys who come up and have incredibly solid years.

While they fired most of their coaching staff the Cardinals have already committed to bringing back Matheny although I do wonder if they pull a Cubs style move and go after Girardi now. That would worry me. They're going to trade for a Marlins OF as well be that Yelich or Stanton it just depends who the other suitors are and what they're prepared to spend and give up. Either would cost some of that young pitching. I would agree that for 2018 they're the bigger threat than Milwaukee, after that I think it just depends on the moves they make.

 

[RacerX]

We were discussing this the other day in relationship to the Window. We see the Window of dominance for the Cubs having been closed now. That doesn't mean that they won't be in the Playoffs but it means that them being "the only game in town" is over as there are quite a few talented clubs already that can hang with the Cubs and a few more teams coming along like the Brewers.

Cubs are in the conversation for most talented roster, arguably a notch below the Dodgers at the very least, but they are in the mix with LA/HOU/NYY/Cle/Wash.

I hope they open the wallets this summer for a MOR SP, 2 BP arms, and ship a package out for Archer.

Those moves put them in position to seriously challenge in 2018.

 

[Omeletpants]

Cubs are in the conversation for most talented roster, arguably a notch below the Dodgers at the very least, but they are in the mix with LA/HOU/NYY/Cle/Wash.

Total nonsense. The Cubs dont have a single .300 or anyone with 110 RBIs. They are full of league average position players with zero plate discipline. The bullpen is horrible. At best they are about 6th best team in baseball

 

[RacerX]

Total nonsense. The Cubs dont have a single .300 or anyone with 110 RBIs. They are full of league average position players with zero plate discipline. The bullpen is horrible. At best they are about 6th best team in baseball

There are at least 25 teams in MLB that would love to switch rosters with the Cubs. We are in good shape and have the coin to upgrade.

 

[Omeletpants]

There are at least 25 teams in MLB that would love to switch rosters with the Cubs. We are in good shape and have the coin to upgrade.

Unlike you claim, we are far more than a notch below the Dodgers

 

[CSF77]

Theo drafted OBA/SLG types. Not BA types. It should be interesting to see who he trades out and retains.

 

[beckdawg]

So cubs re-claimed Hannemann off waivers. I'm pretty sure he has an inside shot at being the cubs 5th OFer. He's ready for MLB play and is a defense first speedster. He's basically your prototypical guy you'd want on the bench being able to play all 3 spots. I could see them possibly bringing Jay back too if he were cheap and if they move young guys for pitching as is assumed. Also for what it's worth Hannemann bats lefty.

 

[beckdawg]

Also of note...

Chase Anderson gets $1M bonus, $4.25M in '18, $6M in '19.

Club options $8.5M in '20, $9.5M in '21. $500K buyouts of each.

$400K incentives/yr.

Anderson was a super 2 guy last year. Reason I bring this up is if Hendricks were to re-sign long term this is likely going to be a smaller version of what he gets given how great Hendricks has been. Like Hendricks Anderson was a late round pick(think hendricks was 8th round and he was 9th round). Like Hendricks Anderson is older(29).

 

[TC in Mississippi]

So cubs re-claimed Hannemann off waivers. I'm pretty sure he has an inside shot at being the cubs 5th OFer. He's ready for MLB play and is a defense first speedster. He's basically your prototypical guy you'd want on the bench being able to play all 3 spots. I could see them possibly bringing Jay back too if he were cheap and if they move young guys for pitching as is assumed. Also for what it's worth Hannemann bats lefty.

I think he probably plays at AAA most of the year and comes up late. He's more or less Leonys Martin who is now sure to be gone. If he's not moved I would think Mark Zagunis has a better chance of making the team than Hannemann. Dude's an OBP machine.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Unlike you claim, we are far more than a notch below the Dodgers

No we're not. This is their magic carpet ride, I'd still take most of our lineup over theirs and they have to cut some salary. If they win that might be drastic. They are paying 92% luxury tax right now so if they pay a guy $10 mil they're paying $19.2. That's not sustainable even for them.

 

[beckdawg]

I think he probably plays at AAA most of the year and comes up late. He's more or less Leonys Martin who is now sure to be gone. If he's not moved I would think Mark Zagunis has a better chance of making the team than Hannemann. Dude's an OBP machine.

He had 322 PAs at AAA last year and hit .265/.324/.404. Not sure he needs any more time there. I suppose you could argue that while he may not need time down there the cubs may have better options. But my view on this is if Jay walks you don't have another CF on the roster and Zagunis can't play CF. I suppose you could argue Happ still plays in CF but presumably one of Schwarber(doubtful in my eyes)/Happ/Baez are getting dealt. If we assume it's either Happ/Baez, that opens time at 2B for Zobrist and the other not dealt. I think what you're going to see is what they did this year with Almora. If you get an early lead you take out Schwarber in the 6th/7th via a double switch. If you're doing that, Hannemann is the type of glove you want out there.

That's my take on it anyways. Plus, I think if the cubs do make any kind of trade Zagunis is a guy that would interest other teams given he's basically MLB ready. Happ/Baez + him are two guys you can actually carry and play on your 25 man roster. That's a fairly solid start to a trade package when the cubs don't have a lot of guys to offer up.

 

[fatbeard]

Unlike you claim, we are far more than a notch below the Dodgers

And the 2016 Cubs never did win that single playoff game.

 

[CSF77]

He had 322 PAs at AAA last year and hit .265/.324/.404. Not sure he needs any more time there. I suppose you could argue that while he may not need time down there the cubs may have better options. But my view on this is if Jay walks you don't have another CF on the roster and Zagunis can't play CF. I suppose you could argue Happ still plays in CF but presumably one of Schwarber(doubtful in my eyes)/Happ/Baez are getting dealt. If we assume it's either Happ/Baez, that opens time at 2B for Zobrist and the other not dealt. I think what you're going to see is what they did this year with Almora. If you get an early lead you take out Schwarber in the 6th/7th via a double switch. If you're doing that, Hannemann is the type of glove you want out there.

That's my take on it anyways. Plus, I think if the cubs do make any kind of trade Zagunis is a guy that would interest other teams given he's basically MLB ready. Happ/Baez + him are two guys you can actually carry and play on your 25 man roster. That's a fairly solid start to a trade package when the cubs don't have a lot of guys to offer up.

I see it as Happ/Almora sharing CF and lead off duty. For the most part Happ is every day unless a lefty is on the mound then Almora leads off and Happ has another role or a day off.

Zag and Hann are just filler. I really don't see them taking up a 25 man spot at all. Well outside of injury.

 

[CSF77]

Much should depend on who ends up traded but honestly I believe it will end up Baez and Zo starts at 2B and Happ starts at CF. Almora starts in CF vs lefties and they split the 2B duty between Zo and Happ unless they shift Happ to LF that day and bench Schwarber. So there are plenty of options with the current depth.

Thus what you want is a player that can play SS at the major league level. Pref a vet that really is proven vs a kid that needs AB's. Then a player that can play OF/IF. More of emergency depth.

So I don't see a need for limited tool players taking up roles that are either more flex needed or vet exp at a vital role.

My ideal bench guys are signing Stephen Drew and promoting Young. Young can play a new role every day and honestly that amount of flexibility is vital. A vet SS that has started as a every day SS. You do need that.

Another option is LaStella and use him at 3B thus moving Bryant to the OF or at 2B and moving Zo to the OF. Now with Zo's age I would rather see him at 2B every day to min his wear and tear.

 

[Omeletpants]

I dont think Maddon likes LaStella at 2nd as he has looked clumsy there

 

[beckdawg]

I see it as Happ/Almora sharing CF and lead off duty. For the most part Happ is every day unless a lefty is on the mound then Almora leads off and Happ has another role or a day off.

Zag and Hann are just filler. I really don't see them taking up a 25 man spot at all. Well outside of injury.

Who said anything about starting? They need bench players too. Even if Happ isn't dealt you're going to have to replace Jay with someone and presumably you don't want to use $8 mil again on someone like Jay when you have a capable starter in Almora and even vs RHP you can also start Happ. The point here is he fills out a roster cheaply allowing you to spend money on pitching which is clearly their area of need. Hann is never going to be a star but he's got great defense and speed that add value off the bench to go with his left hand bat that platoons decently with the RH Almora.

 

[Omeletpants]

Happ will have a better career than Schwarber

 

[CSF77]

Who said anything about starting? They need bench players too. Even if Happ isn't dealt you're going to have to replace Jay with someone and presumably you don't want to use $8 mil again on someone like Jay when you have a capable starter in Almora and even vs RHP you can also start Happ. The point here is he fills out a roster cheaply allowing you to spend money on pitching which is clearly their area of need. Hann is never going to be a star but he's got great defense and speed that add value off the bench to go with his left hand bat that platoons decently with the RH Almora.

In general:

V RHSP:
CF: Happ
3B: Bryant
1B: Rizzo
2B: Zobrist
C: Contreras
LF: Schwarber
SS: Russell
RF: Heyward

Then vs LHSP:
CF: Almora
3B: Bryant
1B: Rizzo
2B: Zobrist
C: Contreras
LF: Happ
SS: Russell
RF: Heyward

Now the biggest issue would be as a back up SS. Now if they went out and signed Stephen Drew he covers SS and 2B. Basically a legit UI which gives Zo and Russell a rotation of sorts and emergency back up.

After that it would be a back up 3B. Young has played there but lacks a strong arm. LaStella has all ready proven that he is capable. So that bit is honestly apples to oranges IMO. If you want to give a guy a opportunity or stick with the experience. So the whole 2B back up bit with TLS honestly is more of in a pinch with Drew as the primary. But with Young his primary D spot is 2B and his glove is plus everywhere else is plus glove and arm challenged.

So getting into a player like Zag. He is limited to RF/LF. Now I get it if they go short in the pen and want to platoon in RF. LF honestly with Schwarber is a roster spot waste with Happ. Unless they trade out Almora and make Happ the full time CF and go with a strict LF platoon and even then finding a vet RH power bat makes more sense.

Hannemann is a roster spot waste. Poor man lead off with a noodle arm. Honestly it would be something a small market team like San Diego would pull off.