Cubs 2014 OSFM

[Figment]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

What's wrong with Castillo? He's already one of the top defensive catchers in the national league and his bats not to shabby either.

He is a career .265 hitter with a career .336 on base percentage (both are considerably better than he is doing this season), so not a huge on base guy. He only hit 8 home runs last year, the most he has hit in any season, so he is not a big power hitter either. All he is is a defensive catcher on a team that desperately needs run production. As far as the game goes, I can hit for good power with him, but I would look to upgrade to a more offensive catcher and retain Castillo as a backup (if I can afford it). Just my opinion though.

I would keep Olt at first to develop him as trade-bait until Bryant developed for a year or two, then hopefully trade him for a catcher. Unless some combination of Barney, Schierholtz, Castillo, Samardzija, and Wood could get me a stud catching prospect during year 1. Otherwise, I'd be using those players to trade for pitching prospects to develop.

If I can afford to, I would keep Olt because of his ability to play 1st and 3rd to round out my infield backups. I always keep 3 backup infielders: a catcher, a 1B/3B, and a 2B/SS. I can see your point using him as trade bate though since he could bring back a good reward. I guess it all depends who gets offered for him.

[OhioCub]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

He is a career .265 hitter with a career .336 on base percentage (both are considerably better than he is doing this season), so not a huge on base guy. He only hit 8 home runs last year, the most he has hit in any season, so he is not a big power hitter either. All he is is a defensive catcher on a team that desperately needs run production. As far as the game goes, I can hit for good power with him, but I would look to upgrade to a more offensive catcher and retain Castillo as a backup (if I can afford it). Just my opinion though.

At catcher you should be looking defense first (just look at molina in St Louis, while he may be pretty good offensively now, he wasn't at all early in his career). Also he's only had what? 2 full seasons so wouldn't you expect the offensive production to improve? And yes the team needs run production now but by the time baez, Bryant, almora and company make it to the show I think the team can afford to go defense at the most important defensive position on the field. That's just my 2 cents though.

[bselken]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

He is a career .265 hitter with a career .336 on base percentage (both are considerably better than he is doing this season), so not a huge on base guy. He only hit 8 home runs last year, the most he has hit in any season, so he is not a big power hitter either. All he is is a defensive catcher on a team that desperately needs run production. As far as the game goes, I can hit for good power with him, but I would look to upgrade to a more offensive catcher and retain Castillo as a backup (if I can afford it). Just my opinion though.



If I can afford to, I would keep Olt because of his ability to play 1st and 3rd to round out my infield backups. I always keep 3 backup infielders: a catcher, a 1B/3B, and a 2B/SS. I can see your point using him as trade bate though since he could bring back a good reward. I guess it all depends who gets offered for him.

100% agree about Olt, I'm just worried about the lack of depth in the organization for young pitching, and at least IMO that need is more valuable than a good backup 1B/3B. We really need SP help.

[bselken]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

At catcher you should be looking defense first (just look at molina in St Louis, while he may be pretty good offensively now, he wasn't at all early in his career). Also he's only had what? 2 full seasons so wouldn't you expect the offensive production to improve? And yes the team needs run production now but by the time baez, Bryant, almora and company make it to the show I think the team can afford to go defense at the most important defensive position on the field. That's just my 2 cents though.

I understand where you're coming from, and he's serviceable because of his defense, but considering that catcher is one of the most valued positions in the trade market, I'd probably be looking to catcher as well as pitching in my first year or two of drafting so I can unload him. I'm hoping to not settle for serviceable at any position. This team is going to really need to be an offensive powerhouse to make up for its lack of pitching.

[Figment]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

At catcher you should be looking defense first (just look at molina in St Louis, while he may be pretty good offensively now, he wasn't at all early in his career). Also he's only had what? 2 full seasons so wouldn't you expect the offensive production to improve? And yes the team needs run production now but by the time baez, Bryant, almora and company make it to the show I think the team can afford to go defense at the most important defensive position on the field. That's just my 2 cents though.

In a perfect world, yes, he would work great. Bat #8 behind all these great prospects and play some great defense and throw a ton of guys out stealing second, but the reality is, not all of the prospects will turn out to be the superstars we hoped for, maybe none of them will. That said, they shouldn't settle for a defensive player with mediocre batting ability at any time, and should always look to upgrade the bat. As much as I am a football guy and I thouroughly believe that defense win championships, in baseball, it is all about the runs, and if you don't get on base or blast in runs, then all you are doing is minimizing the amount we lose by, not helping to win it. Amazing player for a back up or platoon catcher, but not an everyday starter unless he starts affecting the runs scored.

[OhioCub]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

In a perfect world, yes, he would work great. Bat #8 behind all these great prospects and play some great defense and throw a ton of guys out stealing second, but the reality is, not all of the prospects will turn out to be the superstars we hoped for, maybe none of them will. That said, they shouldn't settle for a defensive player with mediocre batting ability at any time, and should always look to upgrade the bat. As much as I am a football guy and I thouroughly believe that defense win championships, in baseball, it is all about the runs, and if you don't get on base or blast in runs, then all you are doing is minimizing the amount we lose by, not helping to win it. Amazing player for a back up or platoon catcher, but not an everyday starter unless he starts affecting the runs scored.

I guess that's where we disagree because I believe he will start affecting the runs scored. Do I think he'll be a superstar or even an allstar? Likely not, maybe an allstar at some point but I think he'll be better than average or "serviceable" offensively for the catcher position.

[bselken]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I guess with me it always comes down to who I'd rather have (using the two best examples): the defense of pudge or the offense of Piazza. For me, it's the bat every time. Plus, good pitching can make up for having an average defensive catcher.

[trackstar121388]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I guess with me it always comes down to who I'd rather have (using the two best examples): the defense of pudge or the offense of Piazza. For me, it's the bat every time. Plus, good pitching can make up for having an average defensive catcher.

For me it's the opposite I'd rather have Pudge than Piazza

[bselken]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

For me it's the opposite I'd rather have Pudge than Piazza

Well yeah, he had an all-star bat AND was probably the best defensive catcher in the last... well, a long time. I meant if you took pudge's bat away and he was just an average to sub-par bat with his defensive prowess. Pudge himself was a one-in-a-million player. A career .296 hitter, with 300+ homers and the best arm I've seen in person? Yeah. Much respect.

[redsox4evur]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I guess with me it always comes down to who I'd rather have (using the two best examples): the defense of pudge or the offense of Piazza. For me, it's the bat every time. Plus, good pitching can make up for having an average defensive catcher.

Literally this argument is like choosing who do you want as an ace Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson. 2 of the greatest players at their position. A good example would be Piazza or Jason Varitek. Varitek was a serviceable hitter that could put up decent hitting stats and was a great defensive catcher who could also call a great game. I say this because he called like 4 no hitters.

[kunner]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Literally this argument is like choosing who do you want as an ace Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson. 2 of the greatest players at their position. A good example would be Piazza or Jason Varitek. Varitek was a serviceable hitter that could put up decent hitting stats and was a great defensive catcher who could also call a great game. I say this because he called like 4 no hitters.

I was just trying to think of an example of a great defensive catcher with average batting, and the only name I could think of was Varitek....you beat me to the punch

[redsox4evur]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I was just trying to think of an example of a great defensive catcher with average batting, and the only name I could think of was Varitek....you beat me to the punch

He is probably one of the most underrated catchers in history. Like I said he mastered the most underrated part of catching which his game calling ability. A catcher aint worth jack s**t if he can't call a good game.

[philipahoward2]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the show has a rating for how well a catcher calls a game. In real life, having a good defensive catcher is probably the most important aspect to a team. In a video game though, defense at any position doesn't really translate well. There are too many intangibles that the game can't replicate. Gold glove winners in the game are just players who don't make errors, not necessarily the best fielders. As far as the game goes, I'll take offense over defense at every position.

[stlbearboy]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

It all depends on how their ratings progress. I could see it probably going like this:

1. Almora CF
2. Castro SS
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Baez 2B
5. Bryant 3B
6. Lake LF
7. Soler RF
8. insert catcher here

I'd bat Rizzo 4th to split up the right handed bats in the middle of the order and Lake likely would be my fourth outfielder so I can get another left handed bat in the lineup, unless Soler never makes it. Definitely keep Olt as a backup/platoon with Rizzo.

[bselken]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I'd bat Rizzo 4th to split up the right handed bats in the middle of the order and Lake likely would be my fourth outfielder so I can get another left handed bat in the lineup, unless Soler never makes it. Definitely keep Olt as a backup/platoon with Rizzo.

Baez at three to break up the lefties makes perfect sense, as long has he comes along well that's a great idea. If you're going to keep Olt as a backup, what are you going to do for pitching? Can't make a playoff run without it.