Which upgrade is more likely to happen before Opening Day? SP or LF

[CSF77]

In 3 years I expect the D to be:
LF: Schwarber
CF: Almora
RF: Soler
3B: Bryant
SS: Russell
2B: Baez
1B: Rizzo
C: F/A most likely post Montenero

Alcantara used as a sub. He could be traded if he improves his BB% to 10%. But I believe the will value Almora's GG D in CF more.

That means they will have trade chips as this shakes out.

This year they don't need anything to open up the season. A improved lead off is a luxury. A improved starter the same thing. I do believe they kept control over Wood to flip him and there have been talks with Philly and the Rangers. He won't give much in return. Jackson at best would net Swisher (who I like in LF this year)

 

[ZAN]

Kris Bryant will eventually be our LF, and Addison Russell will be our eventual 3B (who knows when), unless we trade Baez...

 

[brett05]

Kris Bryant will eventually be our LF, and Addison Russell will be our eventual 3B (who knows when), unless we trade Baez...

I'm on board with those that think Bryant will be the 3b in the bigs. I have never heard of his defense being bad at 3b.

 

[Boobaby1]

The Cubs do have a lot of question marks. Most of it is asking players with less than a year's experience to be great players from the get go in what amounts to their first year in the big leagues. Statistically that's a tall order. Plus you assume no regression for Arrieta, Hendricks, Castro, Soler, Rizzo. That gets the team to the 83-87 win mark. In all honesty I could see the team winning less than 73 and yet the MLB club be much stronger than any of the previous years and be ready to be contenders for 2016 as the youth would all have a solid year plus under their belt and as TC said, get a lot of questions answered.

Maybe I am seeing that the collective group will make each other better. Not being a homer, just that they haven't played together as a group, and there is a lot of hype attached to each player. I guess I just don't see it as they could fail as much as they can stay the course, and actually lean on one another.

For instance. If you are said pitcher, and last years line-up had Rizzo in the 3 slot and Castro in the 4, once you got past those two, it was rather easy pickings.

This year, you might have Bryant in the 3, Rizzo 4, Soler 5, Castro 6, Montero 7, and Baez 8 for example. Does it scream WS team offensively? No! Not yet. But a pitcher last year could afford to make a mistake to Nate Schierholz, Junior Lake, or Ryan Sweeney and get away with it rather easily. You make a mistake in that group, and a pitcher could pay dearly for it.

I am waiting to see if any more moves are coming, and I believe that Maddon will set this team up properly. Hopefully the Cubs get off to a decent-to-good start, and then the attitude could go through the roof from here on out.

 

[brett05]

Maybe I am seeing that the collective group will make each other better. Not being a homer, just that they haven't played together as a group, and there is a lot of hype attached to each player. I guess I just don't see it as they could fail as much as they can stay the course, and actually lean on one another.

For instance. If you are said pitcher, and last years line-up had Rizzo in the 3 slot and Castro in the 4, once you got past those two, it was rather easy pickings.

This year, you might have Bryant in the 3, Rizzo 4, Soler 5, Castro 6, Montero 7, and Baez 8 for example. Does it scream WS team offensively? No! Not yet. But a pitcher last year could afford to make a mistake to Nate Schierholz, Junior Lake, or Ryan Sweeney and get away with it rather easily. You make a mistake in that group, and a pitcher could pay dearly for it.

I am waiting to see if any more moves are coming, and I believe that Maddon will set this team up properly. Hopefully the Cubs get off to a decent-to-good start, and then the attitude could go through the roof from here on out.

That's what happened with the 2005 White Sox. With the pitchers that is. They fed off of each other. So I subscribe to that theory.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I'm on board with those that think Bryant will be the 3b in the bigs. I have never heard of his defense being bad at 3b.

He doesn't seem to be a huge defensive liability but there are those that think that his size could lead to injuries stretching to make plays. It's the his bat is too valuable to play him at third theory. I neither buy it nor dismiss it. I just think that it all hinges on Baez as to where he plays. Baez can play 2nd & SS and maybe 3B, Russell can play SS and 3B, Catro can play SS and 2B but his value at second is greatly diminished. Bryant can play 3B or a corner outfield position and RF is tied up. Numbers and bodies. If they all pan out those are good problems. They're not all going to though so hey maybe Bryant is the 3B for five years. What do I know?

 

[MassHavoc]

I voted starting pitcher because he already said they wanted to try to get another one, whether or not it will actually be an upgrade will be what's debatable.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I voted starting pitcher because he already said they wanted to try to get another one, whether or not it will actually be an upgrade will be what's debatable.

Unfortunately the only pitcher that fits that bill still available in free agency is Jake Peavy who I want no part of. I'm all for a trade though if there's someone out there. I really would like to see Hendricks at 5 as opposed to 4.

 

[brett05]

Unfortunately the only pitcher that fits that bill still available in free agency is Jake Peavy who I want no part of. I'm all for a trade though if there's someone out there. I really would like to see Hendricks at 5 as opposed to 4.

Peavy> Hammel

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Peavy> Hammel

I don't think so. Not if Hammel has turned a corner. I watched Peavy last year and I for the life of me can't figure out why guys aren't hitting him. Well they sure figured out in the WS game didn't they? Listen I actually like the guy, he's gotten to be good friends with a musician acquaintance of mine and everyone says he's a good dude and you can see his drive to win, I just don't see that there's anything physically left. Guys are going to make adjustments to him and it won't be pretty. I would prefer it not be in a Cubs uniform.

 

[brett05]

I don't think so. Not if Hammel has turned a corner. I watched Peavy last year and I for the life of me can't figure out why guys aren't hitting him. Well they sure figured out in the WS game didn't they? Listen I actually like the guy, he's gotten to be good friends with a musician acquaintance of mine and everyone says he's a good dude and you can see his drive to win, I just don't see that there's anything physically left. Guys are going to make adjustments to him and it won't be pretty. I would prefer it not be in a Cubs uniform.

If Peavy lands an NL gig we shall certainly see.

 

[MassHavoc]

Yeah, not sure I want Peavy either. Not sure I want anyone honestly. They have so many pitchers battling the 3-5 spots I'd rather just see if any of them shake out because I honestly don't think we're a competitor this year even if our odds jumped to 12-1. Lester is great, and lot's of potential is there, but this is just not the year yet, going to take some time for everything to meld and Maddon to really settle in. Going to be interesting to see if this town chews up another Manager.

 

[Boobaby1]

That's what happened with the 2005 White Sox. With the pitchers that is. They fed off of each other. So I subscribe to that theory.

I remember it well. They were lights out when they needed to be.

 

[CuttyMarsh2012forOffice]

I remember it well. They were lights out when they needed to be.

"The White Sox sweep the Houston Astros and are your 2005 World Series Champions!"

Bad memories......The horror! THE HORROR!!!!!! Make it stop!!!!!! *huddles in fetal position*

Sent from my LG-C800 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TL1961]

I'm on board with those that think Bryant will be the 3b in the bigs. I have never heard of his defense being bad at 3b.

I think he'll be moved due to the other players they have - one of them needs to go to 3rd - and his height. I haven't heard he can't play 3rd, and won't be shocked if he stays there.

But for the projection posted here for 3 years from now, I see Russell at SS.

 

[TL1961]

"The White Sox sweep the Houston Astros and are your 2005 World Series Champions!"

Bad memories......The horror! THE HORROR!!!!!! Make it stop!!!!!! *huddles in fetal position*

Sent from my LG-C800 using Tapatalk 2

Beating the Astros shouldn't count!!

And to compound it, the 2006 Cardinals - the single worst WS winner of our lifetimes - win because Detroit pitchers throw the ball in the stands on bouncers back to the mound. Repeatedly!

The horror, indeed!

 

[Boobaby1]

Beating the Astros shouldn't count!!

And to compound it, the 2006 Cardinals - the single worst WS winner of our lifetimes - win because Detroit pitchers throw the ball in the stands on bouncers back to the mound. Repeatedly!

The horror, indeed!

Yeah, and to have their top three starters (Weaver, Suppan, and Reyes - WHO?) in the WS not even be with the team the next year. How many teams do that? Talk about dumb luck. They beat a New York Mets team in extras on a Molina HR I believe in New York while the Tigers laid at home for a week and a half getting rusty, and trying to figure which seat in the stands that it was more appropriate to throw to. LOL.

Arguably St Louis' worst team gets a WS. I guess it goes to show you that ANYTHING can happen when you make the playoffs.

 

[TL1961]

LaRussa was involved in the WS with the three worst winners I can remember.

He won in 2006, and two of the three teams he lost to while he had easily the best team in baseball were the 1988 Dodgers and 1990 Reds. Those teams were not strong.

 

[brett05]

Beating the Astros shouldn't count!!

And to compound it, the 2006 Cardinals - the single worst WS winner of our lifetimes - win because Detroit pitchers throw the ball in the stands on bouncers back to the mound. Repeatedly!

The horror, indeed!

So we went from one extreme in 2005 to the other?

 

[brett05]

Yeah, and to have their top three starters (Weaver, Suppan, and Reyes - WHO?) in the WS not even be with the team the next year. How many teams do that? Talk about dumb luck. They beat a New York Mets team in extras on a Molina HR I believe in New York while the Tigers laid at home for a week and a half getting rusty, and trying to figure which seat in the stands that it was more appropriate to throw to. LOL.

Arguably St Louis' worst team gets a WS. I guess it goes to show you that ANYTHING can happen when you make the playoffs.

The Marlins are kinda like that.