Cubs 2014 OSFM

[Figment]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

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.

I plan to keep Samardzija, Wood, and Arietta. I actually like pitching with Rusin so I can use him as my number 5 and call up a minor leaguer to fill my 4 spot like McDonald at first and Hendricks next season.

One reliever I always try to trade for is the one we should have never sent away, Sean Marshall. I like Wood, and I understand it was a financial and age decision, but he is an awesome lefty with tons of experience and probably one of the most consistent, underrated, pitchers in the game

[philipahoward2]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

One reliever I always try to trade for is the one we should have never sent away, Sean Marshall. I like Wood, and I understand it was a financial and age decision, but he is an awesome lefty with tons of experience and probably one of the most consistent, underrated, pitchers in the game

Who has had a very difficult time staying healthy since the Cubs traded him.

[MrOldboy]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I'm getting close to finishing up, need to finish some pitcher repertoires, transfer faces from MLB 13 and re-create a few players who I want to have specific secondary positions. I might try and get hit tendencies somewhat realistic (i.e. no extreme push when its obvious that player should be at least a pull hitter, but its a bit more time consuming this year to do this)

i.e. I remade Baez because I forgot I wanted his secondaries to be 2B and 3B. To do this you have to find a player that has these "hidden" secondaries and edit that player.

I wondering if there are any players lower in the system you guys think might change positions down the line or that need specific positions.

The upper minors players are easier to get secondaries since they have more playing time or much more has been written about them. I.e. Bryant moving to RF possibly and Baez a 2B or 3B. But I'm curious if you guys suspect any players with less experience/media exposure may need secondary positions or could be a utility type of player.

[Teigh Cubs Teigh]

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

Personally, if they all end up playing even close to their potential, I'd love to see:

2B Alcantara
SS Castro / CF Almora
LF/RF Bryant
3B Baez
1B Rizzo
RF/LF Soler
CF Almora / SS Castro
C Castillo
P

I'd personally be happy with the 3,4,5 of Baez, Rizzo, and Bryant in any order.

With Lake as a 4th outfielder / utility type. I would also love to see Olt stick around, but I personally want to see him as an everyday guy and if things shake out this way (it's likely that they won't, by the way) I just don't see a regular spot for him.

[Baby_D_32]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I like the idea of Lake being the 4th outfielder as well. Don't forget he can also play 3B.

Sent from my XT881 using Tapatalk

[Figment]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I like the idea of Lake being the 4th outfielder as well. Don't forget he can also play 3B.

Sent from my XT881 using Tapatalk

Don't forget he was originally a short stop too

[trackstar121388]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Don't forget he was originally a short stop too

I was about to say that too.

Btw Barney with a nice 2 run homer and Olt had a nice homer too

[jseward92]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I was about to say that too.

Btw Barney with a nice 2 run homer and Olt had a nice homer too

Both are off to a really rough start. Hopefully they can get going.

[MrOldboy]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Both are off to a really rough start. Hopefully they can get going.

Olt is actually performing as one would expect him too in general. Low average, high slugging. He'll balance out a bit as the season goes on, avg up, slugging down, walk rate up. But he's not that far off from what I expected of him. He needs regular playing time. Before the seasson even started I knew they'd give Valbuena playing time, but I just don't see his offensive value being better than Olt, even with the platoon split. Valubuena wasn't some offensive force last year against RHP, his OPS+ was at 100 against RHP. I want Olt out there everyday if possible. If the Cubs are rebuilding they should be trying to increase value for players like Olt now being timid about letting them play.

With 500 PA I don't see why Olt can't hit .240 with 15-20 HRs. His upside is better than that, but that's about what I expected out of him this year.

[trackstar121388]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

Olt is actually performing as one would expect him too in general. Low average, high slugging. He'll balance out a bit as the season goes on, avg up, slugging down, walk rate up. But he's not that far off from what I expected of him. He needs regular playing time. Before the seasson even started I knew they'd give Valbuena playing time, but I just don't see his offensive value being better than Olt, even with the platoon split. Valubuena wasn't some offensive force last year against RHP, his OPS+ was at 100 against RHP. I want Olt out there everyday if possible. If the Cubs are rebuilding they should be trying to increase value for players like Olt now being timid about letting them play.

With 500 PA I don't see why Olt can't hit .240 with 15-20 HRs. His upside is better than that, but that's about what I expected out of him this year.

I agree with Olt getting more playing time, the same with Lake. They're both young and potentially the part of the future of your team. The only way they are going to get comfortable hitting against right handed pitching is to actually let them bat against righties like they're giving Rizzo the chance to do with lefties.

[OhioCub]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I agree with Olt getting more playing time, the same with Lake. They're both young and potentially the part of the future of your team. The only way they are going to get comfortable hitting against right handed pitching is to actually let them bat against righties like they're giving Rizzo the chance to do with lefties.

Totally agree with both of you. So far I'm not at all impressed with Renteria's ability to fill out a lineup card.

[kunner]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I dont view Renteria as the manager of this team when they will be contending for a playoff spot. Seemed to me too much like a space-filler of a hire more than a long term signing

[bselken]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

If he's a space-filler manager on a team that clearly will not be in contention and has a number of young players that need to see regular playing time to develop, his number one priority should be giving those young players time on the field. There's no excuse.

[kunner]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

If he's a space-filler manager on a team that clearly will not be in contention and has a number of young players that need to see regular playing time to develop, his number one priority should be giving those young players time on the field. There's no excuse.

I'm in full agreement that there is no excuse, as others have stated, Lake may not be the answer in the OF, but he needs to be given the at-bats for everyone to see and then make a decision. Olt, I think he can be the everyday at 3B for some time, and put Bryant into LF. Until Soler is ready, if he ever does, then you have a OF of Bryant, Almora, and Soler, with Lake as the fill in.

Alcantara, Im still not sure of what to expect out of him, along with Soler, those are the "iffy" prospects we have IMO

[bselken]

Re: Cubs 2014 OSFM

I'm in full agreement that there is no excuse, as others have stated, Lake may not be the answer in the OF, but he needs to be given the at-bats for everyone to see and then make a decision. Olt, I think he can be the everyday at 3B for some time, and put Bryant into LF. Until Soler is ready, if he ever does, then you have a OF of Bryant, Almora, and Soler, with Lake as the fill in.

Alcantara, Im still not sure of what to expect out of him, along with Soler, those are the "iffy" prospects we have IMO

You're 100% right, Lake might not be the answer but we'll never know if he's not given regular time. And he's extremely versatile, there's no reason that he can't be fit into the lineup everyday somewhere. Olt, yes, I definitely think he can be the regular 3B. And he's already, at least IMO, better than Valbuena or at least on par with a higher ceiling. I don't understand why he wouldn't get the priority there.