You're the GM (Game)

[CSF77]

They are not going to make changes at this point. Theo pretty much killed all trade rumors.

Now on Kyle. I don't see him getting much time unless Montero or Ross get injured. He is a emergency catcher right now.

That could change but I don't see them making any changes this year. Call it a year that Kyle learns the league and learns the staff. 2017 I would be shocked if he is not part of a Conteras catching platoon of sorts. LF on his non catching days.

 

[knoxville7]

Also, the top 2 prospects in Cubs system are Catcher, and short stop.

When I realized this a couple days ago I calmed down about the difference between the off season I wanted and the one Epstein designed. The Cubs are in perfect position to acquire just about any arm they want at the deadline, and so while I feel one arm short Epstein has managed salary, kept assets, and enough ammo to win any bidding war if it looks like it's the year come July.

Soler, Baez, Russell, Schwarber, Montero, that SS, catcher, and host of CF prospects as well as about 4 middle long relievers with upside to start who will be given chances.

This will once again be a competitive environment where guys are playing for attention and spots at both the major league and minor league levels. Madden showed he knows just how to push both young guys and veterans. Americans and foreign players. Madden is one of the best of all time and setting all kinds of rookie records while also guiding Castro out of a funk showed his incredible versatility even with a crowded, young, and in Castros case difficult set of players.

I have my concerns about Lackey, but I have a feeling one of the guys we took a chance on emerges and Lester has a better year. If the Mets look invincible at the break, or the Pirates are surprising, maybe the Giants, I am relaxed because I think this roster is malleable and able to survive a couple injuries as well as make any trade they end up needing.

All we can do is aprrciate the work of a master GM here. No games, no predictions. Just sit back and enjoy the artwork of a master analyst.

To be clear, I am a white sox fan, but I aprrciate genius and good play. I admired the team the Cubs had in the Lou P years because of players like Ramirez, Zambrano, lee. Players you have to respect, just as bears fans learned to respect #4.

This young Cubs core is a group you have to enjoy, the quality and depth extending into the minors is astonishing. I have to watch Kenny Williams work in the south so forgive me for gushing this hard this long, I'm a tortured man breathing in clear genius when I look north, and like the smell when you are vomiting into a filthy toilet at a friends house down south.

At the end of the day the Cubs now carry the torch for baseball in Chicago, and short of ponying up a fair price for cespedes, upton, or Davis in the south I already know the frustration I can expect and waste of s golden arm in sale I have to watch this year. Forgive us for hoping the blue represents Chicago responsibly until our cheap ass owner gets smart and hires a real GM or buys an outfield.

well, how about the cubs alleviate that frustration for you as well at the trade deadline this season?

 

[beckdawg]

A LF touches the ball what? maybe 6 times a game (I can't find the actual stats so this is a guess). A catcher is involved in setting the defense, calling the pitches and is involved in every pitch and play.

I strongly doubt many C are setting the defense at the major league level. From what I've read that's been Dave Martinez's role under Maddon. And while I get what you're saying I think you're also exaggerating it a bit. How many passed balls/Wild pitches occur in a season? How many catchers under the age of 27 actually call their own games rather than just signaling the pitches they know the starter throws? How often do teams actually try to steal these days?

Again, don't get me wrong I'm not suggesting defense/game calling has no value. But you're not going to get better at doing those things playing left field. And if you're argument is just to give up the hopes of catching then fine. I mean it's clearly a valid view point. But the cubs organization don't share it. They think Schwarber can catch. So my point of view here is just throw the guy into it when you can. One of two things will happen. He'll either get better or he'll show he can't catch in which case you're back to the LF plan anyways. And again just to make clear, when I say throw the guy in I don't mean get rid of Montero. I'd just give Schwarber most of the reps they gave Ross last season at C.

 

[CSF77]

I strongly doubt many C are setting the defense at the major league level. From what I've read that's been Dave Martinez's role under Maddon. And while I get what you're saying I think you're also exaggerating it a bit. How many passed balls/Wild pitches occur in a season? How many catchers under the age of 27 actually call their own games rather than just signaling the pitches they know the starter throws? How often do teams actually try to steal these days?

Again, don't get me wrong I'm not suggesting defense/game calling has no value. But you're not going to get better at doing those things playing left field. And if you're argument is just to give up the hopes of catching then fine. I mean it's clearly a valid view point. But the cubs organization don't share it. They think Schwarber can catch. So my point of view here is just throw the guy into it when you can. One of two things will happen. He'll either get better or he'll show he can't catch in which case you're back to the LF plan anyways. And again just to make clear, when I say throw the guy in I don't mean get rid of Montero. I'd just give Schwarber most of the reps they gave Ross last season at C.

Think it has more to do with pitch sequence and knowing hitters tendencies. That takes time to learn.

 

[SilenceS]

Unless things have changed and they haven't said, Theo and Jed said they want Schwarber catching at least a game a week.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I'm guessing Tampa Bay trading Jake McGee to Colorado for Corey Dickerson is going to end the Chicago-Tampa Bay rumors for now. He gives them another bat and they'll probably go into the season intact to see if they can compete.

 

[beckdawg]

I'm guessing Tampa Bay trading Jake McGee to Colorado for Corey Dickerson is going to end the Chicago-Tampa Bay rumors for now. He gives them another bat and they'll probably go into the season intact to see if they can compete.

From what I read they were more interested in Baez anyways.

 

[SilenceS]

From what I read they were more interested in Baez anyways.

Everything I read that is true. They want Baez but the Cubs want a good amount for him. It could be a package or just one really good young starter. Everything I read is the Theo and them will rather take a chance on him than let him go for not a proven product. I said this another thread but Jed said Baez will play a lot this year.

 

[Parade_Rain]

With the Castro trade and Zobrist coming in to play 2B, I would expect Baez to play considerable time and be a sub early and often. Jed simply stated the obvious. The kid can play 3 IF spots and played CF in HS, so he was taking OF practice for the Cubs last season. He also played some CF in Winter ball, didn't he? When you have a player with that special talent of playing that many positions, it's easy to see why Theo is willing to hold onto him and expect a good haul in return, if other organizations want him. I think he will be a major contributor this season.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

With the Castro trade and Zobrist coming in to play 2B, I would expect Baez to play considerable time and be a sub early and often. Jed simply stated the obvious. The kid can play 3 IF spots and played CF in HS, so he was taking OF practice for the Cubs last season. He also played some CF in Winter ball, didn't he? When you have a player with that special talent of playing that many positions, it's easy to see why Theo is willing to hold onto him and expect a good haul in return, if other organizations want him. I think he will be a major contributor this season.

All reports is that he played CF fairly well in winter ball and will get time there in ST. Szczur is out of options so even he makes the team early with their preference of carrying 13 pitchers they won't be able to hang onto him all season and they need an option there. Baez is going to get plenty of playing time.

 

[JimJohnson]

I wonder what kind of return Theo is hoping to get with Baez. Wonder if he's asking too much. If Baez slumps or has a bad 2016, that would be a gamble that Theo lost big time.

 

[SilenceS]

I wonder what kind of return Theo is hoping to get with Baez. Wonder if he's asking too much. If Baez slumps or has a bad 2016, that would be a gamble that Theo lost big time.

What gamble? He isn't expected to carry the team at all and if he becomes what he can become then you have a superstar. The risk is minimal and the Cubs have plenty of farm to trade for pitching.

 

[JimJohnson]

What gamble? He isn't expected to carry the team at all and if he becomes what he can become then you have a superstar. The risk is minimal and the Cubs have plenty of farm to trade for pitching.

If he has a bad 2016, his trade value will decrease significantly. That's the gamble.

 

[SilenceS]

If he has a bad 2016, his trade value will decrease significantly. That's the gamble.

That's why you have depth in your farm.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JimJohnson]

That's why you have depth in your farm.

That's irrelevant to this particular discussion which is about Baez and what kind of trade demands Theo was making in the offseason. Theo is obviously gambling that Baez is going to have a great 2016 so that he can ask for more in a trade if he so chooses. If Baez has a bad 2016, Theo will be lucky to get a bag of balls.

 

[SilenceS]

That's irrelevant to this particular discussion which is about Baez and what kind of trade demands Theo was making in the offseason. Theo is obviously gambling that Baez is going to have a great 2016 so that he can ask for more in a trade if he so chooses. If Baez has a bad 2016, Theo will be lucky to get a bag of balls.

So, by that logic, Theo is gambling on all his players? Baez value is obviously thought of more by the Cubs and the Cubs were never actively shopping him. Teams wanted him.

 

[JimJohnson]

So, by that logic, Theo is gambling on all his players?

Not all of his players are trade bait. The goal was to get a young cost controlled ace. Theo didn't get it done with Baez or Soler.

 

[Parade_Rain]

That's irrelevant to this particular discussion which is about Baez and what kind of trade demands Theo was making in the offseason. Theo is obviously gambling that Baez is going to have a great 2016 so that he can ask for more in a trade if he so chooses. If Baez has a bad 2016, Theo will be lucky to get a bag of balls.

No. Theo is gambling that he has the ability to be a high quality defensive super sub and improves his consistency. If he does that, he is the even trade bait. You use the farm. The Cubs have plenty of Top 100 talent.

 

[Diehardfan]

I wonder what kind of return Theo is hoping to get with Baez. Wonder if he's asking too much. If Baez slumps or has a bad 2016, that would be a gamble that Theo lost big time.

I'd like to know when a trade isn't a gamble or when signing a free agent isn't a gamble or extending a contract isn't a gamble. There will always be risks moving and paying extremely high priced athletes. No one knows what the future holds....as they say...it's why they play the games.

 

[JimJohnson]

I'd like to know when a trade isn't a gamble or when signing a free agent isn't a gamble or extending a contract isn't a gamble. There will always be risks moving and paying extremely high priced athletes. No one knows what the future holds....as they say...it's why they play the games.

Good point but we were suppose to be targeting a young, cost-controlled arm that could slide into the 3rd slot in the rotation and perhaps grow into a TOR. Theo didn't accomplish this. I'm happy with what he did on the offensive/defensive side but he failed with improving the rotation.