You're the GM (Game)

[DanTown]

Baez also is now the emergency 1B with Coghlan traded. Basically sounds like I can imagine the Cubs moving him around to give guys rest/end a few games.

 

[SilenceS]

I honestly think it comes down to the team not being as high on Szczur as some of the people here are. That's not to suggest the team thinks he's garbage but it seems pretty evident to me that they weren't ready for him to be a major player on the big league roster. Last season they traded for Jackson to add to their OF bench rather than play him. This season they've brought in Fowler again and Victorino.

I don't know if Victorino makes the roster or not but sure seems like there's almost a 0% chance Szczur does which I think is fine. If he's your 6 or 7th guy on the depth chart he's more than adequate.

I think Fowler signing sealed the deal on Szczur. I doubt Victorino's has any impact considering he is a long shot to make the team. I don't think the Cubs had a problem with Szczur being a backup. They had better options. Fowler and Szczur are night and day.

 

[CSF77]

Baez also is now the emergency 1B with Coghlan traded. Basically sounds like I can imagine the Cubs moving him around to give guys rest/end a few games.

I would like to see Schwarber getting some action there.

 

[CSF77]

I think Fowler signing sealed the deal on Szczur. I doubt Victorino's has any impact considering he is a long shot to make the team. I don't think the Cubs had a problem with Szczur being a backup. They had better options. Fowler and Szczur are night and day.

I was never a fan of him after his SB numbers took a nose dive.

MLBNW has Fowler starting in CF and Heyward starting in RF where he is the best D RF in the game. Soler would get his PT cut at that point in a platoon in LF but solves the late inning D for Schwarber. That I believe is the biggest factor in the OF situation now. Heyward becomes the back up CF now which is more in the "comfort zone"

 

[DrGonzo]

If I'm the GM the first thing I do is pick up a Mets mascot costume, paint the head brown, change the logo to read "Meatball," and put it on. Just to get that out of the way.

Then I'm picking up the phone and offering an AL team Schwarber for a solid starting pitcher or top prospect. Let's take Tampa Bay, for example, where their best DH batted .225 last year, and 22 year old lefty phenom Blake Snell compiled a 1.41 ERA across all minor league levels.

 

[CSF77]

If I'm the GM the first thing I do is pick up a Mets mascot costume, paint the head brown, change the logo to read "Meatball," and put it on. Just to get that out of the way.

Then I'm picking up the phone and offering an AL team Schwarber for a solid starting pitcher or top prospect. Let's take Tampa Bay, for example, where their best DH batted .225 last year, and 22 year old lefty phenom Blake Snell compiled a 1.41 ERA across all minor league levels.

I don't believe there is a minor league pitcher out there that comes close to Schwarber's value.

Add to it the chances of TJ are pretty damn high.

I agree with what Theo and Jed have been doing. Sign a top bat then back fill with arms and see who pans out.

That said I would rather them keep investing into the rotation and if one of their minor league arms pans out or they make another strong trade like they did for Arrieta I'm all about it. But trading a potential 40 HR bat that can hit .300.... Man that would be dumb.

 

[Parade_Rain]

CBS Sports has Montero losing playing time to Schwarber. It makes sense, as Montero is older and taking a few more days off can save on wear and tear. That also opens up more time for Soler.

 

[beckdawg]

I think Fowler signing sealed the deal on Szczur. I doubt Victorino's has any impact considering he is a long shot to make the team. I don't think the Cubs had a problem with Szczur being a backup. They had better options. Fowler and Szczur are night and day.

This is where I think you are wrong. The reports are that Victorino was agreed to before Fowler. So, the obvious assertion there is they felt even before Fowler was signed their OF depth was weak. Regardless, if I humor your thoughts here I am left like TC not understanding this move. Victorino almost certainly isn't going to take a AAA assignment so his camp has to believe he's ahead of Szczur in the likely depth chart. That's my take anyways. Obviously you're welcome to your opinion.

 

[CSF77]

it would make more sense to carry a UI over Shane right now. Losing Coghlan also lost a 3B/2B/1B. So in view of this it puts LaStella and Mendy in the cat's seat for depth.

 

[SilenceS]

This is where I think you are wrong. The reports are that Victorino was agreed to before Fowler. So, the obvious assertion there is they felt even before Fowler was signed their OF depth was weak. Regardless, if I humor your thoughts here I am left like TC not understanding this move. Victorino almost certainly isn't going to take a AAA assignment so his camp has to believe he's ahead of Szczur in the likely depth chart. That's my take anyways. Obviously you're welcome to your opinion.

Ok, Victorino signing doesn't mean he was going make the team before Fowler. He is 35 years old and has lost almost all his tools. He wasn't guaranteed a roster spot if Fowler did not sign. You keep thinking that I am the one with Szczur. I took a direct quote from Hoyer a month ago with saying Szczur had a strong chance to be the backup CF. This wasn't an imaginary thing I came up with. I see know use with Victorino on this team. He has lost his speed and is not a CF. He has no pop. He would have to the fountain of youth(HGH) to even have a shot without Fowler. With Fowler, he surely is just going to be showcasing for other teams. Im not exactly sure what makes you think Victorino was to push Szczur out. They would have been competing and even then Victorino probably cant play CF anymore.

 

[SilenceS]

it would make more sense to carry a UI over Shane right now. Losing Coghlan also lost a 3B/2B/1B. So in view of this it puts LaStella and Mendy in the cat's seat for depth.

It makes no sense to carry Victorino. You going to have him be your 5th OF? He cant steal you a bag. He cant give you pop off the bench. He isn't a real defensive upgrade anymore. He has played in 18 games as a CF in the last 3 seasons. He would have to find the fountain of youth to come close to making this team. He is just a name from the past now.

 

[DrGonzo]

I don't believe there is a minor league pitcher out there that comes close to Schwarber's value.

Add to it the chances of TJ are pretty damn high.

I agree with what Theo and Jed have been doing. Sign a top bat then back fill with arms and see who pans out.

That said I would rather them keep investing into the rotation and if one of their minor league arms pans out or they make another strong trade like they did for Arrieta I'm all about it. But trading a potential 40 HR bat that can hit .300.... Man that would be dumb.

Thing is Schwarber's at bats will be limited because he will essentially be platooned with Soler in left. (I'll believe he gets any time at catcher when I see it). My example may have been a poor one but the idea is sound. Someone who needs a dh should be willing to give up an above average starting pitcher for him. Or a prospect with a very high ceiling.

Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk

 

[greg23]

It makes no sense to carry Victorino. You going to have him be your 5th OF? He cant steal you a bag. He cant give you pop off the bench. He isn't a real defensive upgrade anymore. He has played in 18 games as a CF in the last 3 seasons. He would have to find the fountain of youth to come close to making this team. He is just a name from the past now.

Id be surprised if he doesnt make the team

Assuming 13 players and 12 pitchers

Ross montero
Rizzo zobrist russell bryant baez la stella
Soler schwarber fowler heyward

Last spot.....victorino sczur alcantara

Unless he has nothing left and needs to retire i dont see the cubs keeping sczur or alcantara over victorino

 

[Parade_Rain]

Thing is Schwarber's at bats will be limited because he will essentially be platooned with Soler in left. (I'll believe he gets any time at catcher when I see it). My example may have been a poor one but the idea is sound. Someone who needs a dh should be willing to give up an above average starting pitcher for him. Or a prospect with a very high ceiling.

Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk

Why would he not get any time at catcher? The organization has given every indication they possibly can that he will get time there.

 

[TL1961]

Id be surprised if he doesnt make the team

Assuming 13 players and 12 pitchers

Ross montero
Rizzo zobrist russell bryant baez la stella
Soler schwarber fowler heyward

Last spot.....victorino sczur alcantara

Unless he has nothing left and needs to retire i dont see the cubs keeping sczur or alcantara over victorino

I'd prefer either over Victorino.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Id be surprised if he doesnt make the team

Assuming 13 players and 12 pitchers

Ross montero
Rizzo zobrist russell bryant baez la stella
Soler schwarber fowler heyward

Last spot.....victorino sczur alcantara

Unless he has nothing left and needs to retire i dont see the cubs keeping sczur or alcantara over victorino

Except there are going to be 13 pitchers. The bench, barring further changes, is Soler, Ross, Baez & La Stella. In fact the Coghlan trade likely saved La Stella's job. If Victorino shows anything he'll play in AAA as an emergency plan. I'm thinking Szczur is on another team in a month.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I wouldn't consider Soler as a bench player. I'm not sure I would call Baez a bench player other than he would have the title of Super Sub. Fowler is not going to be in CF every day. There are going to be a lot of starting lineups. The only two real "bench" players I see are Ross and LaStella. It may be May 1 before we figure out how Maddon mixes and matches.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I wouldn't consider Soler as a bench player. I'm not sure I would call Baez a bench player other than he would have the title of Super Sub. Fowler is not going to be in CF every day. There are going to be a lot of starting lineups. The only two real "bench" players I see are Ross and LaStella. It may be May 1 before we figure out how Maddon mixes and matches.

Ok, I get where you're coming from but, barring injury or unbelievable play, I would say Soler is going to get the fewest PA of the OF group.

 

[chibears55]

Id be surprised if he doesnt make the team

Assuming 13 players and 12 pitchers

Ross montero
Rizzo zobrist russell bryant baez la stella
Soler schwarber fowler heyward

Last spot.....victorino sczur alcantara

Unless he has nothing left and needs to retire i dont see the cubs keeping sczur or alcantara over victorino

You forgot murton...

i personally think Victorino goes North as long has he has a decent ST because he a veteran, fits the team mold, and probably signed here with an agreement that as long as he doesn't struggle he'll be with team.

 

[chibears55]

Except there are going to be 13 pitchers. The bench, barring further changes, is Soler, Ross, Baez & La Stella. In fact the Coghlan trade likely saved La Stella's job. If Victorino shows anything he'll play in AAA as an emergency plan. I'm thinking Szczur is on another team in a month.

I hope they dont go with 8 relievers, no need for the extra arm.

You got Ross (RH) as back up Catcher

Then La Stella (LH) as utility IF

Then Victorino (RH) as utility OF

Then Baez (RH) as super sub

Then Fowler (SH) in OF rotation and defensive replacement


This would be the way to go...



The OF rotation will keep everyone fresh..

Schwarber will get his time as DH LF and probably Catch a few

Heyward could probably play all 3 spots

Soler can play all 3 spots

Fowler can play all 3 spots

Victorino can probably play all 3 but will be a defensive replacement when needed and get spot starts.