You're the GM (Game)

[TC in Mississippi]

I simply don't feel the Cubs need a CF THAT badly.

I think they need an option there off the bench pretty badly but we'll agree to disagree. Almora is the wild card there though. If he's terrific in ST and does well in AAA then you're golden.

 

[Parade_Rain]

This is where I have a problem. Baez for me anyways has shown nothing of an ability to play OF.

ftfy

 

[beckdawg]

ftfy

Have you been attending many puerto rican games this winter? My point was we as fans haven't seen him play in the OF unless you literally were watching the PR winter league or happen to live in AZ and caught some of the early spring training stuff.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Have you been attending many puerto rican games this winter?

Your bias against Baez has been well documented here. You're reaching. Even Bryant can play CF acceptably in a pinch. It isn't rocket science and the kid played there a ton in HS. I know it cuts you that your son, Mendy, isn't in this discussion, but that doesn't mean Baez can't play CF. He is going to be a very good super sub provided his batting adjustments continue to happen. If I were you, there's where the doubt would lie, not the position of CF.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Your bias against Baez has been well documented here. You're reaching. Even Bryant can play CF acceptably in a pinch. It isn't rocket science and the kid played there a ton in HS. I know it cuts you that your son, Mendy, isn't in this discussion, but that doesn't mean Baez can't play CF. He is going to be a very good super sub provided his batting adjustments continue to happen. If I were you, there's where the doubt would lie, not the position of CF.

I have some reasonable doubt about Baez in CF myself. That said the reports of his play there in winter ball are encouraging and we know the kid is a baseball rat who works his ass off. I'd feel better with an Austin Jackson on the roster, but I'm not so concerned that it gives me any real pause about this team's chances. Plus there is Almora and if Theo's interview on MLB radio this morning is any indication I'm thinking we'll see young Al before the season is up.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I have some reasonable doubt about Baez in CF myself. That said the reports of his play there in winter ball are encouraging and we know the kid is a baseball rat who works his ass off. I'd feel better with an Austin Jackson on the roster, but I'm not so concerned that it gives me any real pause about this team's chances. Plus there is Almora and if Theo's interview on MLB radio this morning is any indication I'm thinking we'll see young Al before the season is up.

Don't be raining on my parade, TC![emoji14]
In a couple more weeks, this issue will be put to rest on TV for all the doubters to see and we will still have one doubter who says well it is just Spring training. I would lay odds on it. We're talking about a person who isn't going to be the starting CF. The spot is already taken. Now if you need to make a late inning defensive replacement in RF, you're looking at moving Heyward to RF and bringing in a CF, moving Zobrist to LF and then who plays F4? That would be LaStella, so then the question is not can Baez play CF, but whether or not moving Heyward to RF and inserting Baez in CF is a team defense improvement, especially if Soler has improved his route reads this off season.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Don't be raining on my parade, TC![emoji14]
In a couple more weeks, this issue will be put to rest on TV for all the doubters to see and we will still have one doubter who says well it is just Spring training. I would lay odds on it. We're talking about a person who isn't going to be the starting CF. The spot is already taken. Now if you need to make a late inning defensive replacement in RF, you're looking at moving Heyward to RF and bringing in a CF, moving Zobrist to LF and then who plays F4? That would be LaStella, so then the question is not can Baez play CF, but whether or not moving Heyward to RF and inserting Baez in CF is a team defense improvement, especially if Soler has improved his route reads this off season.

Ah, we're all good. I actually love Baez and think he could be a very exciting player. The team is loaded and when you have arguments about who the 4th OF and likely 25th man on the roster is going to be, and who you might use as a late inning replacement as the worst of your troubles I think the picture is pretty rosy.

Possible most overlooked acquisition of the offseason prediction: Rex Brothers.

 

[Boobaby1]

This is where I have a problem. Baez for us fans anyways has shown nothing of an ability to play OF. What I mean by that is for all we know he could be utter shit and the supposed "he looks good" reports are smoke. And to be perfectly blunt, even if he does look ok in the short time he's spent in the OF this offseason that's no guarantee of anything. We're talking about lessor players in the winter leagues than you will see in the majors and the ability for MLB hitters to gap shots is almost certainly higher.

So, that's where I have a problem with this comment. That's not hating on Baez and to be honest, expecting him to play 4 positions(6 if you counter the corner OF) well and hit is a stretch for most major league players. To me that's gambling a lot on both Baez playing well and him(and others) staying healthy. Jackson over his 6 year career has averaged roughly 3 fWAR a season. Granted that's a bit inflated by some great seasons early on in his career and he's not necessarily been that the past few but he was worth 2.3 fWAR last season. If you get 2 fWAR out of a bench player especially a CF why fight it?

The only reason not to do this is money but if I'm right on the limited market for him he's not going to get much. Just as an example here, last off season $8 mil bought you Colby Rasmus, $4 mil bought you Jonny Gomes and $2.6 mil bought you Chris Denorfia. That basically breaks the dividing line between starter and bench player. The later got $3-4 mil as bench players and Rasmus as a starter got $8 mil. For what it's worth, Rasmus signed that $8 mil deal jan 20th. We're a full month later this season when talking about Jackson. If you want to argue the cubs don't have money after Heyward et. al. fine but that's kind of a non-starter as a discussion point. Nobody here knows.

I am also quoting John Arguello from Cubs Den who is out in Arizona. He said Baez looks really good out there, but Baez is used to being more into the game like at 2B or SS, but he also said he will play wherever he is needed, and we already have heard that Maddon really likes Baez, so take that for what it's worth.

It has also been stated by John that he looks for athletes that have fluidity in the way they go after balls and how effortlessly they do it since he is in Arizona. He cited Heyward and Almora both as having that trait in CF, and they look terrific as athletes.

Again, take that for what it is worth.

 

[beckdawg]

Your bias against Baez has been well documented here. You're reaching. Even Bryant can play CF acceptably in a pinch. It isn't rocket science and the kid played there a ton in HS. I know it cuts you that your son, Mendy, isn't in this discussion, but that doesn't mean Baez can't play CF. He is going to be a very good super sub provided his batting adjustments continue to happen. If I were you, there's where the doubt would lie, not the position of CF.

He's not played CF since he was 18. Is it possible he can play CF in a pinch? I'm sure he probably can. But I'm talking about someone who sees regular time in CF. For example, let's say you're up 2 runs in the 8th and want to do a defensive sub. Is Baez the guy you really want for that or would you prefer a proven defender in CF like Jackson?

I don't see how you're some how distorting this into a rant about how I hate Baez. If you sign Jackson, Baez will still see a lot of time in the infield between 3B, SS and 2B. I'm guessing he's likely the #1 pinch hitter for pitchers in games as well unless you go with Cogs instead. So, if you're reading what I've said as some way to hold down Baez because I dislike him you're not even in the same zip code as the point I'm trying to convey. That point is simply that Heyward is the guy you're currently slotting as your starting CF. Some question his transition there and would prefer him in RF. After him, none of the other 3 OFs should be playing CF. Szczur hasn't shown he can hit MLB pitching and the limited data on his defensive metrics is not good. And Baez is a total wild card in CF because at this point you and I have no idea if he'd be good, average, bad or whatever. I'm not even sure given the limited reps the cubs coaches have seen that they know for certain.

In other words, this isn't a case of "**** Baez." I'm saying why gamble with an unknown? You have numerous other ways to get Baez on the field if you so choose in positions he's actually played in the past 4 years. For example, you can move Bryant to a corner OF slot via a double switch and play Baez at 3B. Baez almost assuredly is the back up SS when Russell gets days off. Zobrist is 35 and I doubt you really want him playing 160 games if you don't have to. So on and so forth. I'd estimate Maddon being Maddon, he'll probably find some way to get Baez around 400 PAs and he can still do that without having to play a single inning in CF.

Also, as I've said before, if you're in a position where Baez is actually seeing regular time in CF what does that do to your bench? For example, let's say for whatever reason someone in the OF is hurt and Baez is out there. You're then looking at what La Stella as your only infielder? Would you not feel more comfortable having Baez to use for any infield situation that comes up and having a proven CF so that Baez doesn't have to deal with that? I'm sure there's still some situation where you might still want Baez in CF. For example, if your'e down several runs you might want to put him in CF to get his offense into the game.

 

[beckdawg]

I am also quoting John Arguello from Cubs Den who is out in Arizona. He said Baez looks really good out there, but Baez is used to being more into the game like at 2B or SS, but he also said he will play wherever he is needed, and we already have heard that Maddon really likes Baez, so take that for what it's worth.

It has also been stated by John that he looks for athletes that have fluidity in the way they go after balls and how effortlessly they do it since he is in Arizona. He cited Heyward and Almora both as having that trait in CF, and they look terrific as athletes.

Again, take that for what it is worth.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it's impossible that Baez can play CF. He was obviously drafted as that out of HS. I'm just saying it's an uncertainty. The Red Sox thought an athlete like Hanley Ramirez could easily cover LF last season. That was an absolute disaster and he was one of the worst defenders in the game according to defensive metrics. Soriano another good athlete had trouble adjusting quickly. Maybe Baez is different given he played there in the past. All I'm saying is why bother with the risk? If Baez doesn't have to play a single inning in the OF next season I doubt it even puts a dent in the number of PAs he sees. To me this is a conversation of would you rather have someone like Jackson or would you rather have La Stella because that's where the PAs would be coming from. Baez will get his. Hell, if Jackson were signed he might not even see all that many ABs. You might double switch with him in say the 8th inning and you get 2 innings of him in CF and maybe move Schwarber or Soler out of the line up.

 

[Boobaby1]

I think we need to see a little more in Spring Training, and I feel quite confident that Joe Maddon and the FO know what they have or what they will need in CF.

Furthermore, if the bullpen is doing what it is supposed to do and shutting the other team down, then the outfield positions are kinda moot.

 

[Boobaby1]

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it's impossible that Baez can play CF. He was obviously drafted as that out of HS. I'm just saying it's an uncertainty. The Red Sox thought an athlete like Hanley Ramirez could easily cover LF last season. That was an absolute disaster and he was one of the worst defenders in the game according to defensive metrics. Soriano another good athlete had trouble adjusting quickly. Maybe Baez is different given he played there in the past. All I'm saying is why bother with the risk? If Baez doesn't have to play a single inning in the OF next season I doubt it even puts a dent in the number of PAs he sees. To me this is a conversation of would you rather have someone like Jackson or would you rather have La Stella because that's where the PAs would be coming from. Baez will get his. Hell, if Jackson were signed he might not even see all that many ABs. You might double switch with him in say the 8th inning and you get 2 innings of him in CF and maybe move Schwarber or Soler out of the line up.

I'd like to see Baez get his reps, and I would worry more about guys like Coghlan and Jackson not getting enough to stay fresh. They aren't typical guys that you will have playing all positions, or more so, Coghlan than Jackson.

LaStella can play around the infield and I like his bat also, and I trust that Zobrist and Baez can play in and out. Nice commodity to have actually.

 

[beckdawg]

I'd like to see Baez get his reps, and I would worry more about guys like Coghlan and Jackson not getting enough to stay fresh. They aren't typical guys that you will have playing all positions, or more so, Coghlan than Jackson.

LaStella can play around the infield and I like his bat also, and I trust that Zobrist and Baez can play in and out. Nice commodity to have actually.

My view on the outfield is essentially this. Your #5 OF on this cubs team isn't your typical #5 OF. We know that the cubs are going to give Schwarber some time behind the plate. If we say Schwarber catches 1 game a week that's like 30 or so games and around 120 or so PAs you normally wouldn't be dealing with. Cogs was essentially the 4th OF in the second half and he managed to get 216 PAs int he 2nd half vs the 287 he had in the first half. Deno didn't really play the first half and got 109 in the second half. All told, it broke down like this, 503 for Cogs, 690 for Fowler, 273 for Schwarber, 231 for Deno, 79 for Jackson, 404 for Soler, and another 209 between Berry, Lake, Szczur, and Baxter or roughly 2400 PAs between the bunch. If we assume everyone is healthy, Heyward's basically a lock to get 700 or so. Schwarber may get 650 or so PAs but let's say 500 of them are in LF between C and DH. That leaves you 1200 PAs between your 3 other OFs. You could go like 600 for Soler, and 300 a piece for Cogs and the 5th OF/Jackson. That seems like more than enough to keep people fresh. It's also worth noting, that Maddon had no problem putting Cogs in at 2B last year so he could potentially give you some PAs there too.

As for the infield, my view would be essentially any time you sub or someone needs a day off it would be Baez and likely any time you're PH for the pitcher as well. Last season, non-Kris Bryant/Starlin Castro/Addison Russell 2B/SS/3B for the cubs totaled 335 PAs. That's likely a bit low for Baez as I'd imagine you probably would want him over 400 and if possible closer to 500. But then again, we're talking about Olt, Herrera, Alcantara, and La Stella and you really weren't using them to PH for pitchers much.

Long story short, I think there's more than enough PAs to go around and given the flexibility the cubs have, I wouldn't mind seeing Maddon cut back and rather than giving the Bryant/Heyward/Rizzo types 700 PAs maybe give them an early night once a week if you're winning and put Baez in and move some pieces around so that they are a little fresher come Sept. If they are as good as they seem to be, there might be a number of games where you can essentially pull one or two starters early and keep them fresh.

Edit: also keep in mind there's going to be injuries in some form so perhaps some of these bench players can pull in more PAs that way as well.

 

[Parade_Rain]

He's not played CF since he was 18. Is it possible he can play CF in a pinch? I'm sure he probably can. But I'm talking about someone who sees regular time in CF. For example, let's say you're up 2 runs in the 8th and want to do a defensive sub. Is Baez the guy you really want for that or would you prefer a proven defender in CF like Jackson?

I don't see how you're some how distorting this into a rant about how I hate Baez. If you sign Jackson, Baez will still see a lot of time in the infield between 3B, SS and 2B. I'm guessing he's likely the #1 pinch hitter for pitchers in games as well unless you go with Cogs instead. So, if you're reading what I've said as some way to hold down Baez because I dislike him you're not even in the same zip code as the point I'm trying to convey. That point is simply that Heyward is the guy you're currently slotting as your starting CF. Some question his transition there and would prefer him in RF. After him, none of the other 3 OFs should be playing CF. Szczur hasn't shown he can hit MLB pitching and the limited data on his defensive metrics is not good. And Baez is a total wild card in CF because at this point you and I have no idea if he'd be good, average, bad or whatever. I'm not even sure given the limited reps the cubs coaches have seen that they know for certain.

In other words, this isn't a case of "**** Baez." I'm saying why gamble with an unknown? You have numerous other ways to get Baez on the field if you so choose in positions he's actually played in the past 4 years. For example, you can move Bryant to a corner OF slot via a double switch and play Baez at 3B. Baez almost assuredly is the back up SS when Russell gets days off. Zobrist is 35 and I doubt you really want him playing 160 games if you don't have to. So on and so forth. I'd estimate Maddon being Maddon, he'll probably find some way to get Baez around 400 PAs and he can still do that without having to play a single inning in CF.

Also, as I've said before, if you're in a position where Baez is actually seeing regular time in CF what does that do to your bench? For example, let's say for whatever reason someone in the OF is hurt and Baez is out there. You're then looking at what La Stella as your only infielder? Would you not feel more comfortable having Baez to use for any infield situation that comes up and having a proven CF so that Baez doesn't have to deal with that? I'm sure there's still some situation where you might still want Baez in CF. For example, if your'e down several runs you might want to put him in CF to get his offense into the game.

He got plenty of time in CF this Winter, so he's played it more than in HS at this point. I'm more comfortable with him out there than Alcantara. I've already stated LaStella would possibly be the IF and I don't really give two sh!ts at the moment TBH. It will all play out in ST and the speculation on either side will be over. Don't forget that Maddon had Coghlan play 2B and 3B at different times late in games, too. Not that he was a defensive whiz, but I'm not concerned.

 

[CSF77]

Flexibility in roster moves not payroll. Jackson would block any movement which has been the norm over the last few years.

If Heyward gets injured: AAA is a phone call away is what Jed has said in the past. I would expect Almora called up if that happened. Or if Soler went down but I would expect Bryant in RF and Baez at 3B if that happened.

Murtan only signed to a minor league deal: Think about it for a second. He is 34 and they are not going to bump someone off the 40 man. But as we have seen that means little when it comes to Jed. He has promoted guys off the 40 man and if Matt puts up a strong S/T it will get interesting.

My opinion is they signed him for a reason. Not to just fill a roster spot or forgotten AAA depth.

 

[CSF77]

At the end of the day AJax has too much swing and miss to his game and that is already a team weakness. It goes against progress with this team.

 

[beckdawg]

He got plenty of time in CF this Winter, so he's played it more than in HS at this point. I'm more comfortable with him out there than Alcantara. I've already stated LaStella would possibly be the IF and I don't really give two sh!ts at the moment TBH. It will all play out in ST and the speculation on either side will be over. Don't forget that Maddon had Coghlan play 2B and 3B at different times late in games, too. Not that he was a defensive whiz, but I'm not concerned.

He didn't actually play that much in CF in the winter league at least in games. He played CF in the following games

Dec 29th
Dec 27th
Dec 23rd
Dec 18th

In fact, he played more 2B and I think SS than CF. Now from what I've read the cubs sent a coach to work with him so I'm sure he got some practice in. But it's a distortion of the truth to believe he got extensive game time in CF in the winter leagues. Again, I want to make it clear I'm not saying it's impossible for him to play CF. But as I said before with examples like Hanley in LF last year and Soriano before him it isn't always an easy transition from MI to OF and CF is harder than the LF those two both played.

I honestly just don't really see the down side to signing someone like Jackson if you get him for a bench salary. Obviously that's the crux of the issue and if he gets more money you're not signing him. However, if you get him for say $3 mil how do you lose? If you want to play Baez in CF over him because Baez looks amazing in ST then fine. That option is still there. At that point it's only costing you the money to keep him around. But again, to me it's not Baez vs Jackson as to who plays. It's Jackson or La Stella. As I said before, I think Baez is going to get his PAs either way.

La Stella is fine as org. depth but he honestly doesn't do much for me. He's got basically 0 power(2 HRs in 435 PAs). He's been a below average defender(-1.7 UZR/150 at 2B over 809.2 innings). He doesn't offer you any real speed for pinch running. He hits OK but it's nothing really to write home about. His RHP splits are basically dead on average at .246/.318/.318. His LHP splits are decent at .292/.370/.400. Jackson is a career .261/.336/.393 hitter vs LHP and .278/.331/.402 vs RHP. Jackson has regularly stolen 20 bases. He's regularly been an above average defender in CF. And while Jackson doesn't have great power, he's good for around 10 HRs a season. Plus, it's sort of easy to forget how young the cubs team is. Jackson would be another vet who's had deep playoff experience with detroit going to the ALCS in 2011, the WS in 2012, and the ALCS again in 2013.

Edit: one last thing. If you're feeling is just "who fucking cares?" I get that too. I mean we're talking about likely the 25th guy on the roster. It's not exactly debating the merits of signing Heyward. To me it's just A) there's nothing else left to talk about at this point and B) if the cubs are going to fail it's going to be lack of depth in vulnerable areas that gets them. I mean I'd honestly be fine if they gave Jackson $3 mil to just be a glove in CF and he didn't get more than 100 PAs. That way if the worst does happen you have options. You're not solely counting on Baez. And again, maybe Baez is great in CF but having redundancy isn't a bad thing.

 

[Parade_Rain]

He didn't actually play that much in CF in the winter league at least in games. He played CF in the following games

Dec 29th
Dec 27th
Dec 23rd
Dec 18th

In fact, he played more 2B and I think SS than CF. Now from what I've read the cubs sent a coach to work with him so I'm sure he got some practice in. But it's a distortion of the truth to believe he got extensive game time in CF in the winter leagues. Again, I want to make it clear I'm not saying it's impossible for him to play CF. But as I said before with examples like Hanley in LF last year and Soriano before him it isn't always an easy transition from MI to OF and CF is harder than the LF those two both played.

I honestly just don't really see the down side to signing someone like Jackson if you get him for a bench salary. Obviously that's the crux of the issue and if he gets more money you're not signing him. However, if you get him for say $3 mil how do you lose? If you want to play Baez in CF over him because Baez looks amazing in ST then fine. That option is still there. At that point it's only costing you the money to keep him around. But again, to me it's not Baez vs Jackson as to who plays. It's Jackson or La Stella. As I said before, I think Baez is going to get his PAs either way.

La Stella is fine as org. depth but he honestly doesn't do much for me. He's got basically 0 power(2 HRs in 435 PAs). He's been a below average defender(-1.7 UZR/150 at 2B over 809.2 innings). He doesn't offer you any real speed for pinch running. He hits OK but it's nothing really to write home about. His RHP splits are basically dead on average at .246/.318/.318. His LHP splits are decent at .292/.370/.400. Jackson is a career .261/.336/.393 hitter vs LHP and .278/.331/.402 vs RHP. Jackson has regularly stolen 20 bases. He's regularly been an above average defender in CF. And while Jackson doesn't have great power, he's good for around 10 HRs a season. Plus, it's sort of easy to forget how young the cubs team is. Jackson would be another vet who's had deep playoff experience with detroit going to the ALCS in 2011, the WS in 2012, and the ALCS again in 2013.

Fascinating. Please continue trying to win the internet. As was mentioned ahead of your posting, Jackson has a lot of swing and miss. It isn't a fit for the lineup. They already have enough of that and their FA acquisitions this off-season are the opposite moves.

 

[CSF77]

I say the same thing. As it is Soler and Bryant are heavy strike out guys in the line up. You can pretty much pencile in 400 for both of them if they get a full season in. They signed Zobrist and Heyward to counter this issue in the line up. Bench they have Cog and Baez who are both swing and miss. Cog adjusted his game this way to add power from earlier in his career. Something to do with adding slg by not swinging at pitches that he can't drive.

I wish I had a link to that video on Matt's Tee work. Very solid video on his tee work routine which reminds me alittle of what Gwinn was doing here in San Diego with his hitting approach.

Idk I'm routing for him as he is a hitting professional and to be honest this team needs role models like that

 

[DanTown]

He didn't actually play that much in CF in the winter league at least in games. He played CF in the following games

Dec 29th
Dec 27th
Dec 23rd
Dec 18th

In fact, he played more 2B and I think SS than CF. Now from what I've read the cubs sent a coach to work with him so I'm sure he got some practice in. But it's a distortion of the truth to believe he got extensive game time in CF in the winter leagues. Again, I want to make it clear I'm not saying it's impossible for him to play CF. But as I said before with examples like Hanley in LF last year and Soriano before him it isn't always an easy transition from MI to OF and CF is harder than the LF those two both played.

I honestly just don't really see the down side to signing someone like Jackson if you get him for a bench salary. Obviously that's the crux of the issue and if he gets more money you're not signing him. However, if you get him for say $3 mil how do you lose? If you want to play Baez in CF over him because Baez looks amazing in ST then fine. That option is still there. At that point it's only costing you the money to keep him around. But again, to me it's not Baez vs Jackson as to who plays. It's Jackson or La Stella. As I said before, I think Baez is going to get his PAs either way.

La Stella is fine as org. depth but he honestly doesn't do much for me. He's got basically 0 power(2 HRs in 435 PAs). He's been a below average defender(-1.7 UZR/150 at 2B over 809.2 innings). He doesn't offer you any real speed for pinch running. He hits OK but it's nothing really to write home about. His RHP splits are basically dead on average at .246/.318/.318. His LHP splits are decent at .292/.370/.400. Jackson is a career .261/.336/.393 hitter vs LHP and .278/.331/.402 vs RHP. Jackson has regularly stolen 20 bases. He's regularly been an above average defender in CF. And while Jackson doesn't have great power, he's good for around 10 HRs a season. Plus, it's sort of easy to forget how young the cubs team is. Jackson would be another vet who's had deep playoff experience with detroit going to the ALCS in 2011, the WS in 2012, and the ALCS again in 2013.

Edit: one last thing. If you're feeling is just "who fucking cares?" I get that too. I mean we're talking about likely the 25th guy on the roster. It's not exactly debating the merits of signing Heyward. To me it's just A) there's nothing else left to talk about at this point and B) if the cubs are going to fail it's going to be lack of depth in vulnerable areas that gets them. I mean I'd honestly be fine if they gave Jackson $3 mil to just be a glove in CF and he didn't get more than 100 PAs. That way if the worst does happen you have options. You're not solely counting on Baez. And again, maybe Baez is great in CF but having redundancy isn't a bad thing.

1. Jackson hasn't regularly been a good defensive OF, he's mostly adequate. UZR/150 by year

5.8
7.9
4.0
-4.5
-10
8.9

This isn't a gold glove type defense we're talking about here.

2. Jackson's inclusion to the roster would mean the Cubs FIRST have to trade Coghlan THEN hope Jackson signs here after that AND Coghlan can't bring back a 40 man roster type prospect

3. Jackson being happy getting 150 PA in a pillow year seems unlikely. It's a huge chemistry risk.

4. You keep quoting his career numbers when
A) Two of his best years came in the first three years and he's never approached that
B) He's never been in the NL so any adjustment time will impact his ability to meet those numbers