2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

[rdnk]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Don't understand that with Castellanos entrenched at 3B.

They could move him into the OF. They played Castellanos at OF quite a bit in the minors after we signed Prince Fielder. This may not apply to either player, but Lonnie Chisenhall went from being a subpar defensive 3B to an excellent defensive corner outfielder last season.

[ShowTyme15]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Looks like the Dbacks are out on Jose Fernandez. Miami asked for the Snakes 2 best players and 2 top prospects.

[JODYE]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

I'm the opposite. I'd rather see Soler go than Baez. Soler was a glorified singles hitter this year who plays poor defense and provides nothing on the bases.

Baez showed some major adjustments at the plate to make more contact, though he did still have a 30% strikeout rate. He's a plus defender and a very good baserunner.

I've always thought Baez's defense was overrated. And it's funny how many people trash Castro, yet Baez has been guilty of similar mental lapses over the course of his short tenure with the Cubs.

I have to disagree with you on Soler. Defensively he can definitely improve but he has great mobility and an absolute cannon of an arm, something he showcased at an integral moment in the playoffs this past season.

In addition, I wouldn't put much stock into this season in regards to his output at the plate. With nagging lower body injuries that never truly allowed him to get into a rhythm coupled with the inconsistency of being on and off the bench throughout the heart of the season, his disappointing campaign was someone expected. Especially after working diligently with John Mallee and Eric Hinske on his plate approach and being more selective. He never really got a chance to put that fully into practice and you could see him getting impatient. I would venture to hypothesize that the Jorge we saw in late September/early October is much more reminiscent of the player he can be.

Guy is a true gap to gap hitter with tremendous power and incredible plate coverage and has no holes in his swing to speak of unlike Javier. And he is 23 years old with 5 more years of team control in a position on that field that we need more depth at. I would be extremely disappointed if the Cubs gave up on him without truly giving him a chance at a full campaign, especially when he as shown that he can be absolutely electric at the plate.

I would be more apt to give up Schwarber who offers literally nothing anywhere but at the plate than to give up on Soler with his physical tools.

[Speedy]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13...iolence-policy

"The commissioner can place a player accused of domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse on paid "administrative leave" for up to seven days before a disciplinary decision, which can be appealed to the sport's arbitration panel, chaired by an independent arbitrator. The commissioner also may defer a discipline decision until the resolution of criminal charges.

Suspensions that are upheld are without pay, and there are no maximum or minimum penalties. Players will not receive service time for the period of the suspension.

Players can be suspended with pay while criminal charges are pending if the commissioner determines "allowing the player to play during the pendency of the criminal or legal proceeding would result in substantial or irreparable harm to either the club or Major League Baseball." If the discipline becomes an unpaid suspension, the player has the right to offset the time served against the penalty but must repay any salary he received from his team during the paid suspension."

I'll move to this to the OT thread.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Looks like the Dbacks are out on Jose Fernandez. Miami asked for the Snakes 2 best players and 2 top prospects.

2 of their best players. Not their 2 best players. No one would seriously ask for Goldy.

[Jr.]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

I've always thought Baez's defense was overrated. And it's funny how many people trash Castro, yet Baez has been guilty of similar mental lapses over the course of his short tenure with the Cubs.

I have to disagree with you on Soler. Defensively he can definitely improve but he has great mobility and an absolute cannon of an arm, something he showcased at an integral moment in the playoffs this past season.

In addition, I wouldn't put much stock into this season in regards to his output at the plate. With nagging lower body injuries that never truly allowed him to get into a rhythm coupled with the inconsistency of being on and off the bench throughout the heart of the season, his disappointing campaign was someone expected. Especially after working diligently with John Mallee and Eric Hinske on his plate approach and being more selective. He never really got a chance to put that fully into practice and you could see him getting impatient. I would venture to hypothesize that the Jorge we saw in late September/early October is much more reminiscent of the player he can be.

Guy is a true gap to gap hitter with tremendous power and incredible plate coverage and has no holes in his swing to speak of unlike Javier. And he is 23 years old with 5 more years of team control in a position on that field that we need more depth at. I would be extremely disappointed if the Cubs gave up on him without truly giving him a chance at a full campaign, especially when he as shown that he can be absolutely electric at the plate.

I would be more apt to give up Schwarber who offers literally nothing anywhere but at the plate than to give up on Soler with his physical tools.

Yeah we do disagree on Soler and Baez. His bat speed wasn't affected as he exit velocities were still very good early in the season. He just struggles to create lift, which creates line drives, but singles and doubles (if he finds a gap) rather than home runs. I'll go off of a few months rather than a few weeks.

On your last point, I tend to agree. As great as Schwarber was this year at the plate, that's literally all of his value.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Yeah we do disagree on Soler and Baez. His bat speed wasn't affected as he exit velocities were still very good early in the season. He just struggles to create lift, which creates line drives, but singles and doubles (if he finds a gap) rather than home runs. I'll go off of a few months rather than a few weeks.

On your last point, I tend to agree. As great as Schwarber was this year at the plate, that's literally all of his value.

Uh oh, chaos in Cub Fandom!

I actually like Schwarber the most of the 3. I think he can be such an offensive force than he adds a lot of value even if he's a so so LF at best. Schwarber can be one of the most lethal bats in the game.

The Baez vs Soler one is tricky. On the one hand, I've had the impression that Soler is kind of a hot dog for some time and that he doesn't hustle all that much. He has a big arm and I think he can be more than a singles hitter, but on defense I think he's a -5 UZR/150 kind of guy who can be disinterested and doesn't give you much on the bases either.

Baez is the classic boom or bust. If he can be more the 30% K-rate guy from last year than the 41.5% K-rate guy from '14, there's huge potential. He's also a plus defender and is able to play more premium positions than Soler.

All 3 could easily be "first division regulars," but in terms of floor, it's Schwarber then Soler then Baez being the hardest to predict.

[ShowTyme15]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Report: Cubs next target is Jason Heyward.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

So Chapman's incident happened 5 weeks ago...how the heck did that stay under wraps so long!?

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Report: Cubs next target is Jason Heyward.

Saw this coming a couple of weeks ago. It makes too much sense not to at least try. They've already surrendered a pick for Lackey, so this pick won't hurt as much. Heyward does everything the Cubs need in RF. Defense, speed, left-handed bat. Allows them to deal Soler (who isn't making minimum wage, by the way) for a king's ransom. Not to mention it further weakens the Cardinals just like the Lackey move. It's no coincidence.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Now the Marlins GM just said Fernandez is NOT available...he said teams are acting like he is and making offers, but he has been very clear that Fernandez isn't going anywhere.

[D13]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Cubs get Shelby Miller for Javy Baez.

Per Gordo for those that know him around Chicago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mo]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

No, Gordo never said that. Just said discussions were had.

[Speedy]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

Stop with the trades, Cop.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2015 MLB Hot Stove thread

It's probably a bad trade but I think you might have a bit of a bias against prospects at this point, lol.

I've always hated prospects. Always.