You're the GM (Game)

[Parade_Rain]

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.

So the only player on the Cubs to produce consistently in the post-season is going to get the fewest PA of the OF group? Think about that one.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

So the only player on the Cubs to produce consistently in the post-season is going to get the fewest PA of the OF group? Think about that one.

Again I see what you're saying but they aren't sitting Schwarber too much and Fowler will lead off most days. Also if you read between the lines of some comments from Theo and Maddon over the last few days and I think you'll come to the conclusion that Soler is 4th in a 4 man rotation. I'm sure if he excels that can and will change change.

This is an interesting piece

http://http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36588/its-about-focus-for-cubs-jorge-soler-as-he-moves-to-left-field

 

[Parade_Rain]

Again I see what you're saying but they aren't sitting Schwarber too much and Fowler will lead off most days. Also if you read between the lines of some comments from Theo and Maddon over the last few days and I think you'll come to the conclusion that Soler is 4th in a 4 man rotation. I'm sure if he excels that can and will change change.

This is an interesting piece

http://http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36588/its-about-focus-for-cubs-jorge-soler-as-he-moves-to-left-field

Schwarber isn't any better than Soler as a hitter. Soler is the better OF, with a better arm. Schwarber is going to get more time behind the plate. On days Fowler isn't leading off, Heyward will be in CF and Soler in RF.

 

[Diehardfan]

I said this earlier....there is only going to be one outfielder that plays every day and that's Heyward. I don't believe Fowler will get anywhere near the PA's he got last year. For one thing, he was pretty brutal vs RH pitching. Maddon will do his homework and will start the best guys for the job.

 

[beckdawg]

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.

Again, you're welcome to your opinion. And I'm not even saying your feelings are necessarily wrong. But to me it comes down to the question of if all that is right(and it might be), then why sign Victorino at all? My view is the club thinks he's a more realistic option to make the MLB team than Szczur is. If you don't agree that's fine. But I would go back to the question TC posed why sign Victorino at all?

 

[SilenceS]

Again, you're welcome to your opinion. And I'm not even saying your feelings are necessarily wrong. But to me it comes down to the question of if all that is right(and it might be), then why sign Victorino at all? My view is the club thinks he's a more realistic option to make the MLB team than Szczur is. If you don't agree that's fine. But I would go back to the question TC posed why sign Victorino at all?

Why sign Matt Murton? Teams do this all the time. He is only guaranteed any type of good money if he makes the team. The Cubs literally have no risk in it.

 

[SilenceS]

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.

So, you basically want two useless players on the bench? Victorino has lost his skills. This isn't he had a down year. He has been done. The Cubs have plenty of veterans. He brings absolutely nothing to the table. The Cubs had to come out and say they will honor his contract since the Fowler signing. Not exactly a boost of confidence.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Why sign Matt Murton? Teams do this all the time. He is only guaranteed any type of good money if he makes the team. The Cubs literally have no risk in it.

I don't think Murton or Victorino make the team.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Schwarber isn't any better than Soler as a hitter. Soler is the better OF, with a better arm. Schwarber is going to get more time behind the plate. On days Fowler isn't leading off, Heyward will be in CF and Soler in RF.

See that's where we differ, I think Schwarber is potentially a much better hitter and certainly a much better OBP guy. I don't think he loses much time in this new arrangement.

 

[SilenceS]

I don't think Murton or Victorino make the team.

I agree, another thing that teams do all the time. They will tell veterans like them that they won't make the team later in spring training, but they will keep playing them to showcase them for other teams. They do this to help them land on another team.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Why sign Matt Murton? Teams do this all the time. He is only guaranteed any type of good money if he makes the team. The Cubs literally have no risk in it.

Can Murton be a backup at 1B?

 

[chibears55]

So, you basically want two useless players on the bench? Victorino has lost his skills. This isn't he had a down year. He has been done. The Cubs have plenty of veterans. He brings absolutely nothing to the table. The Cubs had to come out and say they will honor his contract since the Fowler signing. Not exactly a boost of confidence.

Sure at 35 he has lost some skills as an everyday starter
But their looking at his as a 5th OFer, PH...

He a RH option off bench to PH who has a career .299 Avg .369 OBP .859 OPS against lefties

Id rather have him as an option to start season over Murton or Szczur..

He sucks , they drop him and it cost nothing

he produces, then he another solid vet in the clubhouse that cost them nothing..


Sure teams invite certain players to ST with only intention to showcase themselves but sometimes they play good enough to stay with team , especially one who has an opening.

 

[Parade_Rain]

See that's where we differ, I think Schwarber is potentially a much better hitter and certainly a much better OBP guy. I don't think he loses much time in this new arrangement.

The guy who loses time is Montero IMO.

 

[beckdawg]

Why sign Matt Murton? Teams do this all the time. He is only guaranteed any type of good money if he makes the team. The Cubs literally have no risk in it.

Not sure I agree the two are equivalent. Murton was playing in Japan the past several years so I think it's entirely likely he would take a AAA deal at this point in his career while I'm fairly sure Victorino wont. I do get where you're coming from though. Ultimately, we don't have to agree here. Either of us could be right and we'll likely never know. Honestly, I've long said I don't particularly care about being "right." I just like presenting my side of an argument which admittedly I often take to an extreme. But that's what's fun for me.

To me, Szczur is always going to be minor league depth at least until he proves he can hit MLB pitching which thus far he hasn't. If you disagree which you seemingly do, cool.

 

[beckdawg]

Can Murton be a backup at 1B?

I think the depth chart at 1B probably looks something like this right now

Rizzo
Baez
Schwarber(?)
Bryant(?)
Vogelbach

You might also toss Villanueva and Candleario in there to give them some chance of seeing the MLB team with the cubs. I don't think Murton really is going to see any time at 1B.

 

[Parade_Rain]

I think the depth chart at 1B probably looks something like this right now

Rizzo
Baez
Schwarber(?)
Bryant(?)
Vogelbach

You might also toss Villanueva and Candleario in there to give them some chance of seeing the MLB team with the cubs. I don't think Murton really is going to see any time at 1B.

I don't think Murton makes the big club. I'm wondering that he is AAA depth in case something unforeseen happens with Rizzo.

 

[CSF77]

When Fowler signed it pretty much killed Murton's chances.

As far as who would be ideal if all perform equal it would have to be Mendy due to him able to play 3 IF and all OF spots him and Baez on the bench gives Maddon a wealth of options.

On the 4th OF it would end up Soler. Sure I'll bet he finishes about 100% of the games but the starting bit I would not go over 40%.

Now with his injury track record this is not a bad thing.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Sure at 35 he has lost some skills as an everyday starter
But their looking at his as a 5th OFer, PH...

He a RH option off bench to PH who has a career .299 Avg .369 OBP .859 OPS against lefties

Id rather have him as an option to start season over Murton or Szczur..

He sucks , they drop him and it cost nothing

he produces, then he another solid vet in the clubhouse that cost them nothing..


Sure teams invite certain players to ST with only intention to showcase themselves but sometimes they play good enough to stay with team , especially one who has an opening.

This is a team that probably won't carry a 5th OF. They've strongly indicated that they will carry 13 pitchers. Plus Zobrist and Baez will probably see some OF especially as late inning situational options. As far 1B I would say Zobrist is the backup there now but Baez started getting reps there yesterday so he's in that mix as well. Now if Victorino is crazy good in ST I suppose they could keep him over La Stella, who has options, but if you've seen Victorino over the last year or two you'd know how unlikely that is.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

The guy who loses time is Montero IMO.

That's possible, IF they can live with Scharber behind the plate a little more than we thought. So could I see him start 35 games at C, 20 at DH, and 75-80 in LF? Yes.

 

[Parade_Rain]

That's possible, IF they can live with Scharber behind the plate a little more than we thought. So could I see him start 35 games at C, 20 at DH, and 75-80 in LF? Yes.

Yes. And on days Fowler isn't in CF, Soler goes to RF and Heyward to CF. I think there is more time available than people think and as I mentioned before, if they can keep some of the wear and tear off of Montero so he stays fresh for the stretch, it is a win for all.