MLB Off-Topic

[k_mac]

MLB Off-Topic 2014

The Cubs farm system is just crazy right now. Imagine if/when Theo and Jed can add a Top 100 arm.

Another top 100 arm in addition to C.J. Edwards? Yeah, that would be phenomenal.

Baez, Bryant, Russell, Almora, Edwards, Soler, and Alcantara are all top 100 type guys. We've got one heck of a system.

Edit: Schwarber is definitely in the mix too, forgot about him.

[CameRoN0407]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Addison Russell with a .390 OBP in his brief MiLB career and Manny in the fold--can only help refine our hitting prospects from hackers into having a more patient approach I'd think. Having Russell hedges our bet on Baez as well, though Baez is surprising no one with his patented little hot streak of late. Baez has been really good since Bryant was promoted to join him.

The Cubs farm system is just crazy right now. Imagine if/when Theo and Jed can add a Top 100 arm.

The only two guys left on the MLB roster that can garner a T100 arm are Castro and Rizzo. We all know Rizzo isn't going. Or you could trade one of those bats with the Mets for one of those arms.

[Mabster]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Beane never waits till the deadline. Wonder if he'll still target a 2B.

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[bcruise]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Gonna miss Shark for sure, but I'm giddy with this trade right now.

[TeixeiraFanatic]

re: MLB Off-Topic

As a Cardinals fan, it stings to see the Cubs building such a good farm. I'm a huge fan of Bryant and Baez and now Russell.

But as a baseball fan, its awesome to see the Cubs and Theo making some great moves and putting the team in position to compete within a few years. If just 60% of their big prospects show up and perform, they'll have a dangerous offense. Just have to see how Theo will deal with the pitching. They have a lot of middle infield potential depth with Baez, Russell, and Alcantara.

In a few years they could throw out a line up of:

C - Scwarber
1B - Rizzo
2B - Russell
3B - Baez
SS - Castro
LF - Soler
CF - Alcantara
RF - Bryant

Not sure if Alcantara can play CF, but that's pretty intimidating.

Edit: Totally forgot about Almora, he'd most likely be the center fielder.

[Jr.]

re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't see how the Cubs could keep all of the position prospects they have. I see another move coming to get a future ace-type prospect. There are too many players and not enough positions on the field.

[og236]

re: MLB Off-Topic

They could definitely trade Baez or Russell to the Mets for Syndergaard maybe ?


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[Jr.]

re: MLB Off-Topic

They could definitely trade Baez or Russell to the Mets for Syndergaard maybe ?


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My gut reaction was Russell was acquired for this kind of reason. I don't think he'll be a Cub for long, but it's just a hunch.

[og236]

re: MLB Off-Topic

My gut reaction was Russell was acquired for this kind of reason. I don't think he'll be a Cub for long, but it's just a hunch.

Same here man, they have nowhere to put him. I don't buy that "What if he pans out & Baez busts?" crap Lol No organization would think that way about one of their top prospects, that hasn't even reached the Majors. I see them using Russell as a trade chip, for a top prospect SP.


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[WaitTilNextYear]

re: MLB Off-Topic

My gut reaction was Russell was acquired for this kind of reason. I don't think he'll be a Cub for long, but it's just a hunch.

Doubt it. I'm sure they wanted Russell. He's the do-it-all high OBP type of player that those great Red Sox championship teams were loaded with (think Pedroia). If anything, this makes Baez expendable. But I don't see them really needing to do anything at all, which is the beauty of it. Too many solid position prospects is not really a problem per se. Or, if it is, I am starting to like problems.

I could see a Top 50 for Top 50 type of deal coming this Winter though for the Cubs to get a potential ace. I really think Theo and Jed will want their prospects to play out the season and hit AFL hard before really making up their minds on who to keep and who they might want to dangle for a P prospect.

By the way, could a prospect destined to play at Wrigley Field possibly have a more appropriate 1st name than Addison Russell?

[WaitTilNextYear]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Same here man, they have nowhere to put him. I don't buy that "What if he pans out & Baez busts?" crap Lol No organization would think that way about one of their top prospects, that hasn't even reached the Majors. I see them using Russell as a trade chip, for a top prospect SP.


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Well, if you bought into Baez's lack of plate discipline as a thing he'll never grow out of, you might think about it. Baez usually goes ice cold with each promotion before going on a massive hot streak. He's been on a hot streak for about 2 weeks.

Gut feeling. If the Cubs have to keep only 1 of Baez and Russell, I bet dollars to donuts they trade Baez. Luckily for us, there's no reason one of them can't change positions down the road.

[WaitTilNextYear]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Another top 100 arm in addition to C.J. Edwards? Yeah, that would be phenomenal.

Baez, Bryant, Russell, Almora, Edwards, Soler, and Alcantara are all top 100 type guys. We've got one heck of a system.

Edit: Schwarber is definitely in the mix too, forgot about him.

Yes, I was referring to another T100 arm. Both Edwards and Pierce Johnson are considered T100 guys we already have. Some sites don't have Johnson that high though.

According to MLB, we have 4 T15 specs and 8 T100 specs.

The only two guys left on the MLB roster that can garner a T100 arm are Castro and Rizzo. We all know Rizzo isn't going. Or you could trade one of those bats with the Mets for one of those arms.

This deal along with Castro's team-friendly extension and rehabilitating value makes Castro an attractive trade piece. I'd really prefer to keep him, but he could get the Cubs a T50 arm and then some.

I wouldn't be so sure that Castro and Rizzo are the only guys left that could fetch a T100 arm. One of Travis Wood, Emilio Bonifacio, James Russell, and Luis Valbuena (or some combination) could net a good arm (maybe T100, maybe not) in the right scenario.

[og236]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Well, if you bought into Baez's lack of plate discipline as a thing he'll never grow out of, you might think about it. Baez usually goes ice cold with each promotion before going on a massive hot streak. He's been on a hot streak for about 2 weeks.



Gut feeling. If the Cubs have to keep only 1 of Baez and Russell, I bet dollars to donuts they trade Baez. Luckily for us, there's no reason one of them can't change positions down the road.

I understand that his strikeout to walk ratio is bad, but discipline can improve over time. Not comparing the 2, but Giancarlo Stanton was once considered to be the same type of player at the plate approach wise. He's improved year by year with his plate selection. Not saying Baez is the next Giancarlo Stanton, I don't think Baez is THAT good, but I can see Baez being a .250-.270, 25-30 HR , 90-100 RBI kinda guy once he fully develops. And on the cold streaks, that's part of baseball. Mark Texeira is like the definition of cold streaks lol


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[WaitTilNextYear]

re: MLB Off-Topic

I understand that his strikeout to walk ratio is bad, but discipline can improve over time. Not comparing the 2, but Giancarlo Stanton was once considered to be the same type of player at the plate approach wise. He's improved year by year with his plate selection. Not saying Baez is the next Giancarlo Stanton, I don't think Baez is THAT good, but I can see Baez being a .250-.270, 25-30 HR , 90-100 RBI kinda guy once he fully develops. And on the cold streaks, that's part of baseball. Mark Texeira is like the definition of cold streaks lol


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Discipline can improve over time, but it does not necessarily improve over time for all comers. Lots of promising specs have flamed out because they just can't stop swinging at everything. I am not saying this fits Baez, but it's tough to tell where a cold streak ends and where getting completely exposed in your approach by tough competition begins. Baez is adapting well lately (he actually has a BB:K rate > 1 over his past 10 games, which is great), but if you are the Cubs FO and can add basically the next best SS prospect in the game (apologies to Correa and Lindor) to back Baez up, why not? Especially since SS is considered the most valuable position (aside from ace and maybe catcher) on the diamond.

[AC]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Color me skeptical of Hammel going back to the AL.

He'll be pitching in Oakland, Los Angeles, etc and when he is in a hitter's park he'll have solid defense behind him. He'll be fine.

I could see a Top 50 for Top 50 type of deal coming this Winter though for the Cubs to get a potential ace.

Would you guys want to strike a deal with the Jays? We'd love to nab an infielder like Castro, Baez, or Arismendy. We'd probably deal Sanchez and Norris, two T50 arms.