I think this is the most likely outcome for Baez, I have thought that since they got Russell last year. What I am most interested in is whether or not Baez will play well enough for the Cubs to get anyone good in return. Time will certainly tell.
****Official Cubs 2015 Thread****
- Thread starter dgordo
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Let's also remember with Baez that he's only 22. I agree that there's a big hole in his swing and he has some big adjustments to make, but it's not like he has a track record of 4 years of not hitting in the bigs. To the point made earlier about when you have a pretty good read on a young kid, I think 1000 big-league plate appearances is fairly solid. Baez only has 229 ML plate appearances so far. He got out quick, pitchers adjusted and now he has to adjust back. He did that at every level of the minors, so I think with so little ML time and being only 22, I think it's WAY too early to give up on him.
That said, it's not too early to trade him, but you have to get value. If you're just going to give him away, it's better to keep him in Des Moines and see how he responds to adversity.
That said, it's not too early to trade him, but you have to get value. If you're just going to give him away, it's better to keep him in Des Moines and see how he responds to adversity.
I've always thought baez would be the odd man out with his lack of consistent contact and the fact that he wasn't drafted by this regime.
Alcantara wasn't getting enough AB's. Part of this can be explained by the Cubs carrying three catchers and 8 relievers right now. I thought Castillo would be gone by now. Alcantara will have a lot of value eventually as a super utility player.
Until the Pirates replace Melancon with a real closer they will struggle. Good win by the Cubs.
It was fantastic to see the young guns drive the Cubs in the 9th. Rizzo leads off with a single, Soler with a double, Bryant with a walk, Castro with a 2-run single to tie. Hopefully Russell settles in sooner rather than later. Bullpen wasn't so good today, but the Cubs overcame it. This team will probably be very streaky and end up in the vicinity of .500, maybe a touch over if the kids keep hitting, but they are a hell of a lot more fun to watch than what the Cubs have trotted out recently. Love the attitude they seem to be picking up from Maddon, too.
I'll be happy when Schlitter is heading back to Iowa, but this is a fun team to watch. The kids are good. They need to get Ramirez healthy as the bullpen depth isn't near as good without him and Grimm. Jackson might actually be alright in higher leverage situations. When Wada is ready, move him to the long relief role and send down Schlitter (if they haven't already).
I didn't think the Cubs would make the playoffs this season but I'm not so sure now. Very impressed how good Bryant and Soler look. What's really great is the team is 8-5 and I don't think they've played their best baseball. The starting pitching can be much better (Lester is much better than what he's shown), the bullpen can be more consistent, and maybe they'll finally start getting some offense from 2B, with Russell now starting there.
I didn't think the Cubs would make the playoffs this season but I'm not so sure now. Very impressed how good Bryant and Soler look. What's really great is the team is 8-5 and I don't think they've played their best baseball. The starting pitching can be much better (Lester is much better than what he's shown), the bullpen can be more consistent, and maybe they'll finally start getting some offense from 2B, with Russell now starting there.
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The bullpen hasn't been too bad considering the lack of quality starts. Lester checked out in the 6th at over 100 pitches last night. Plus, Ramirez and Grimm being injured has put pressure on the system to pull in some guys. The Cubs have Theo's biggest albatross sitting in the bullpen in Edwin Jackson where Maddon can't stomach to use him very often.
Russell has appeared to be overmatched in his tiny sample size. His call up was basically an emergency roster move. Tommy LaStrella is eligible to come off the DL soon and I think Russell goes down.
Russell has appeared to be overmatched in his tiny sample size. His call up was basically an emergency roster move. Tommy LaStrella is eligible to come off the DL soon and I think Russell goes down.
Today's game has been postponed.
The problem with trading Castillo is everyone knows the Cubs have to trade him. He doesn't have any options left to be demoted to AAA to hide him for awhile. Since Montero was brought in to be the everyday catcher, and Ross is Lester's personal catcher that doesn't leave much for Castillo to do. Several teams could use him, but, they are waiting on the Cubs to give him away.
One of the neatest things about this group is they have so many guys that are just scratching the surface of their potential. Arrieta today looked great for three innings, then gave up a solo hr. One day he will pitch a no hitter. He's been close several times.
So many of the young hitters are learning to be comfortable at the MLB level. I can't wait until Soler and Bryant settle in.
So many of the young hitters are learning to be comfortable at the MLB level. I can't wait until Soler and Bryant settle in.
Remember this is still going to be a growth season. With the quick start, maybe they can catch momentum and ride the wave, but I still expect a streaky team that ands up somewhere +/- a few games of .500. That said, they're gonna be helluva lot of fun to watch. It'll be interesting to see what happens with Bryant when he starts making his second pass through the league. There will be some adjustment and he'll have to counter, but I have real confidence in him. Russell is scuffling a little bit, but I've seen some good at-bats from him lately, so that's a very positive sign. Get Grimm and Ramirez healthy in that pen and this isn't going to be an easy team to beat.
Him or Hammels. I still think taking tens of millions of dollars off of the Phillies books and giving back some low cost MLB ready players makes the Phillies the optimal team to trade with.
Vogelbach is mashing in AA, and he has to go on the 40 man roster in November, or be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft. He could be a real centerpiece for a deal.
I predicted 79-81 wins before the season, but now I think the Cubs have a legit shot at the playoffs. They are a few games over .500 now and I don't think they've played great baseball. The starting pitching hasn't been quite as good as expected, and the bullpen has had some inconstancy due to the injuries of Ramirez and Grimm. Bryant looks even better than advertised. The loss of Wainwright is a big blow to the Cards. The Cards will still probably win the Central, but they won't run away with the division. The Pirates pitching is suspect. Really like the job Maddon has done this year with this team. I love the aggressiveness they are displaying running the bases.
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