They sort of have to. Swanson and Hoerner have SS and 2B blocked barring injury.I know he needs to keep hitting, but at what point would they they turn to Shaw at 3B?
They sort of have to. Swanson and Hoerner have SS and 2B blocked barring injury.I know he needs to keep hitting, but at what point would they they turn to Shaw at 3B?
Disagree on Kilian, but agree on the other two. Kilian wasn’t really tradeable and i was confident that what we were seeing this spring was still in there.
An argument canoe made that they held onto the belief that Killian could be a starter for too long. I think he has a real future in the pen.Disagree on Kilian, but agree on the other two. Kilian wasn’t really tradeable and i was confident that what we were seeing this spring was still in there.
CJE (or is it CEJ now?) not making opening day roster. Don't think the Cubs would make the move otherwise.The Cubs could still add Edwards by tomorrow, there’s a built-in period after the opt-out.
It was Carl’s opt-out. I was just pointing out that he wasn’t instantly a FA. They have now parted ways. I wish him the best.CJE (or is it CEJ now?) not making opening day roster. Don't think the Cubs would make the move otherwise.
Tough situation with him. I would have liked to have him in the organization as a first call-up guy in case Leiter completely loses it or as an injury replacement. I would have rather had him on the 40-man than K. Thompson, but the difference probably wasn't enough for the Cubs to make a move.
Garrett Cooper, the 2024 version of Trey Mancini
Hardly. He’s in on a minimum deal to be a spot starter and bench bat. If he sucks, they’ll move on, but he has solid upside.Garrett Cooper, the 2024 version of Trey Mancini
Like hawkifann said, Cubs aren't going to pay Cooper $7M this year for 1/3 season of poor baseball, then another $7M next year to NOT play. He's more the equivalent of last season's Eric Hosmer (veteran with some history of success at league minimum price) with a much better chance of having an impact and sticking.Garrett Cooper, the 2024 version of Trey Mancini
Doesn’t have anything to do with a contract. I wouldn’t be shocked if he isn’t on the team at the all-star break. I’m talking production. And Mancini didn’t block a prospect, Mervis was given an opportunity and didn’t produce either.Hardly. He’s in on a minimum deal to be a spot starter and bench bat. If he sucks, they’ll move on, but he has solid upside.
Both Mancini and Hosmer were bad last season. I can see it playing out like that.Like hawkifann said, Cubs aren't going to pay Cooper $7M this year for 1/3 season of poor baseball, then another $7M next year to NOT play. He's more the equivalent of last season's Eric Hosmer (veteran with some history of success at league minimum price) with a much better chance of having an impact and sticking.
He may not be. He’s very low risk, plus, he won’t be asked to do what Mancini was last year.Doesn’t have anything to do with a contract. I wouldn’t be shocked if he isn’t on the team at the all-star break. I’m talking production.
What was Mancini asked to do that Cooper won’t?He may not be. He’s very low risk, plus, he won’t be asked to do what Mancini was last year.
Be a key bat in the lineup. No production from him was killer. Cooper will probably start a couple times a week and be a bench bat. Cubs were looking for Mancini to start and produce a lot more.What was Mancini asked to do that Cooper won’t?
Was great to see the kids play well this spring. If guys struggle on the big club, Canario (if he doesn’t open in Chicago), PCA, Mervis, Shaw and Caissie are all just a call away and they have both the payroll space and prospects to go make a big deal if they find the right spot.I love cutdown day where fierce debates rage over Garrett Cooper.
However, what I love even more is to see where the top prospects are assigned. There are some key guys to watch this season, and who the organization pushes from the start will be interesting to see.
Roster Resource has Cooper platooning with Busch at DH, so you’re right, he probably won’t start a lot and might not be on the team if Wisdom is healthy. My point was that by bringing him, and even Smith, it feels like trying to squeeze every last ounce of production from a somewhat aging veteran. And you can certainly add Hosmer into that conversation. I don’t think, though, that he blocked Mervis. They had five guys try to produce at 1B last year and only one did.Be a key bat in the lineup. No production from him was killer. Cooper will probably start a couple times a week and be a bench bat. Cubs were looking for Mancini to start and produce a lot more.
As they’ve talked about extensively in Chicago radio, they will eventually need to deal one or more of the young guys, and they are in great shape to do that.Was great to see the kids play well this spring. If guys struggle on the big club, Canario (if he doesn’t open in Chicago), PCA, Mervis, Shaw and Caissie are all just a call away and they have both the payroll space and prospects to go make a big deal if they find the right spot.
They pretty much did block Mervis, to the point that he only got 99 PAs. Not sure the point of bringing up Smith, since they released him yesterday. Not rare for teams to take looks at NRIs in spring training.Roster Resource has Cooper platooning with Busch at DH, so you’re right, he probably won’t start a lot and might not be on the team if Wisdom is healthy. My point was that by bringing him, and even Smith, it feels like trying to squeeze every last ounce of production from a somewhat aging veteran. And you can certainly add Hosmer into that conversation. I don’t think, though, that he blocked Mervis. They had five guys try to produce at 1B last year and only one did.
Absolutely. They have a lot of options and depth for making deals.As they’ve talked about extensively in Chicago radio, they will eventually need to deal one or more of the young guys, and they are in great shape to do that.
We’ll agree to disagree about blocking Mervis. I hope he’s a significant contributor but he’s had opportunities and hasn’t taken advantage of them yet. Again, hope that changes.They pretty much did block Mervis, to the point that he only got 99 PAs. Not sure the point of bringing up Smith, since they released him yesterday. Not rare for teams to take looks at NRIs in spring training.
Bigger picture, though, the Cubs seem to be in a different place with regards to playing young players this year and I think Counsell is a big reason.
Not saying they weren't, I just think your correlation of Cooper to Mancini is a big stretch. $ aside, Mancini was a black hole at 1B for 4 months (.635 OPS for an everyday 1B is almost uncomprehendable for a team trying to compete), and while Mervis did get a chance at one point, 90 AB is not much of a look at your top MLB-ready prospect. No one will ever know how much of an impact it had on his development, but it doesn't matter for this discussion. Point is that Cooper is not going to get in the way of the emergence of any of the team's current prospects on the verge of making it to the Bigs - he's taking the place of Madrigal and Wisdom. Hosmer was cheap and kicked to the curb before any real damage was done; that's why I think it's a better/more likely correlation. And when the team needs a place for PCA/Davis/Vazquez/Alcantara, Cooper won't be a reason that there isn't a place on the roster for them.Both Mancini and Hosmer were bad last season. I can see it playing out like that.
And if Cooper IS a reason, then its because he’s raking and that’s the best kind of problem.And when the team needs a place for PCA/Davis/Vazquez/Alcantara, Cooper won't be a reason that there isn't a place on the roster for them.
Agreed on most, but I don’t buy that Mancini blocked Mervis’ development. Mervis had the opportunity, and not only did he not produce, he looked completely overmatched. I’m guessing Mervis would have had the same results whether he was called up in April or June. First Base was a black hole last year.Not saying they weren't, I just think your correlation of Cooper to Mancini is a big stretch. $ aside, Mancini was a black hole at 1B for 4 months (.635 OPS for an everyday 1B is almost uncomprehendable for a team trying to compete), and while Mervis did get a chance at one point, 90 AB is not much of a look at your top MLB-ready prospect. No one will ever know how much of an impact it had on his development, but it doesn't matter for this discussion. Point is that Cooper is not going to get in the way of the emergence of any of the team's current prospects on the verge of making it to the Bigs - he's taking the place of Madrigal and Wisdom. Hosmer was cheap and kicked to the curb before any real damage was done; that's why I think it's a better/more likely correlation. And when the team needs a place for PCA/Davis/Vazquez/Alcantara, Cooper won't be a reason that there isn't a place on the roster for them.
I actually disagree about Mervis looking completely overmatched, but he didnt get the runway to prove it. He had a stretch of really good ABs with a number of loud outs right before being sent down. Either way, he’ll get another shot somewhere at some point.Agreed on most, but I don’t buy that Mancini blocked Mervis’ development. Mervis had the opportunity, and not only did he not produce, he looked completely overmatched. I’m guessing Mervis would have had the same results whether he was called up in April or June. First Base was a black hole last year.
I’m sorry my comparison of Mancini and Cooper drew so much ire, I appreciate the conversation.
I won't bang on Ross too hard, but he seemed a little old school baseball on younger players. Counsell seems more inclined to push and develop the kids. Ross was more, "Don't send me these kids".They pretty much did block Mervis, to the point that he only got 99 PAs. Not sure the point of bringing up Smith, since they released him yesterday. Not rare for teams to take looks at NRIs in spring training.
Bigger picture, though, the Cubs seem to be in a different place with regards to playing young players this year and I think Counsell is a big reason.
How freaking good does that OF in Des Moines look? PCA, Canerio, ONKC, and Brennan Davis (I still have hope). Shaw, Mervis and Vazquez in the infield.Canario sent down to start the season.
I haven't seen this, and it surprises me. Makes me think that either Madrigal is not starting the season on the IL or they are starting the season with an extra arm in the bullpen.Canario sent down to start the season.
Madrigal is on the roster. I think this has more to do with Canario getting regular ABs. When Wisdom comes back someone might be cut free or traded. Canario only comes up due to an outfielder getting injured at this point.I haven't seen this, and it surprises me. Makes me think that either Madrigal is not starting the season on the IL or they are starting the season with an extra arm in the bullpen.