The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Anyway, they have 3 shortstops now. Who would you rather see go? They can't keep all 3, right? Or does Russell go to 3rd when he gets called up? Bryant in RF?

I'd like to see none of them go.. We can absolutely keep all three.

[Jr.]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I don't understand how you guys don't see it. It's been there for the last few years. Well documented actually.

Anyway, they have 3 shortstops now. Who would you rather see go? They can't keep all 3, right? Or does Russell go to 3rd when he gets called up? Bryant in RF?

These are great problems to have.

I've seen it in the past, for sure. I'm just saying I haven't seen it this year. But like I said, I haven't seen as many games as I normally watch.

I do think Castro ends up being the guy traded, but only if the Cubs can't get a frontline starter in Free Agency. I think it could be feasible to keep all 3, though. Castro could move to 3rd, as I've heard Russell is already a better defensive SS, with Baez at 2B and Bryant moves to a COF spot.

We'll see what happens though. I don't see anything going down until next Trade Deadline, at the earliest.

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I don't understand how you guys don't see it. It's been there for the last few years. Well documented actually.

.

Examples please.

ROY
AS
AS
Bad
AS



Oh yeah, 24 Y/O. That's pretty damn good for "lazy"

Is this still based on his performance last season? Or did someone like Kaplan plant that seed in your mind, and it's just stuck there?

[ThreeKing]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Has nothing to do with that idiot Kap. Please.

His throw to the plate last night was slow as hell. Had no juice on it whatsoever. Another slow ground ball in today's game, and he let the ball come to him instead of charging it, and barely got the runner. Almost overthrew Riz at first also. He's done this **** NUMEROUS TIMES in his career.

If you can't see he's either stationary or going backwards, then I don't know what to tell you.

Stats AND eye test back up what I'm saying.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Well, Starlin does have a 3-hit game tonight, lol. Maybe he heard the criticism...I heard he's an avid OS lurker.

Aside, from that--I am really optimistic (even moreso lately) about the direction our team is headed. Arrieta has been ridiculously good this season and he's got no hit stuff on more nights than not lately. Hendricks looks like he could be the #5 starter on our 2016 NL Central division winning team. Plus, I like the pickup of Caratini--it addresses the other weak spot in our farm (aside from pitching) and that's catcher. Cutler and Caratini is a start there.

[ThreeKing]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

He definitely had some 'jump' to his game last night. Let's hope he's consistent with it.

I just hope they don't get rid of Addison Russell. That dude looks like he's going to be a stud.

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I don't understand how you guys don't see it. It's been there for the last few years. Well documented actually.

Anyway, they have 3 shortstops now. Who would you rather see go? They can't keep all 3, right? Or does Russell go to 3rd when he gets called up? Bryant in RF?

These are great problems to have.

Because we all have different ways of looking at things. I understand the frustration, but IMO only, I don't think it's matter of him being lazy. I think it's a lack of focus at all times - which isn't unheard of for a 24 year old. For me, this doesn't make him a bad or lazy player, it means he still has room for improvement in the mental aspect of the game.


This is just my opinion, and not trying to convince you otherwise TK.

[CBoller1331]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Well, Starlin does have a 3-hit game tonight, lol. Maybe he heard the criticism...I heard he's an avid OS lurker.

Aside, from that--I am really optimistic (even moreso lately) about the direction our team is headed. Arrieta has been ridiculously good this season and he's got no hit stuff on more nights than not lately. Hendricks looks like he could be the #5 starter on our 2016 NL Central division winning team. Plus, I like the pickup of Caratini--it addresses the other weak spot in our farm (aside from pitching) and that's catcher. Cutler and Caratini is a start there.

Since the cubs do have many options, is there ANY chance that the Cubs keep Schwarber at catcher. I understand that's not a popular idea, but is that a possibility?

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Since the cubs do have many options, is there ANY chance that the Cubs keep Schwarber at catcher. I understand that's not a popular idea, but is that a possibility?

If it doesn't drastically slow down the progression of his bat, there's a chance. He's willing to play catcher, and everything I've read has him saying that he'd love to play there.

Could you imagine his value if he were to stay at catcher and just be average defensively? It would be crazy.

I see a lot of scenarios that could influence the decision though. If Soler comes up and plays well, Bryant can't stick at 3B and Alcantara is pushed to CF, then yeah, I could see us slowing him down and letting him grow as a backstop. But, if those things don't happen, there would more than likely be a spot for him in the OF.

[Jr.]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

He definitely had some 'jump' to his game last night. Let's hope he's consistent with it.

I just hope they don't get rid of Addison Russell. That dude looks like he's going to be a stud.

It's funny you mention last night, because I actually saw some of what you were talking about in the field. I only watched from the 5th inning on, but he sat back on a ball that Puig hit, double clutched and the throw was late. I don't know if that's lack of focus/laziness, or just not being aware of how fast Puig is. Either way, not great.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I don't think it's no coincidence Castro has his 1st big slump of the season, and it's ole he's lazy and he just doesn't have it. His plate approach is so much better than it was before. he makes contact more often, strikes out less and even is walking more this season. advance stats back it up. he'll never be a great fielding SS but he has incredible range and has cut down on the errors this year.

it's still shocking to me he's only 24 still.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Castro needs to be moved to 2B or traded...

SS is too important...each out is too important.

I don't know that he's lazy, but he seems like he's always just taken some benadryl.

I want the best SS we have at SS.

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Mentioned this on twitter last night, but next year, Russell, Soler, Bryant and Baez will all be on the ML squad. (pending health or being traded)

[Jr.]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Mentioned this on twitter last night, but next year, Russell, Soler, Bryant and Baez will all be on the ML squad. (pending health or being traded)

I don't know about Russell making it that fast.. especially if Baez and Castro are playing well.

Soler should be up this year as he's already on the 40 man roster.

Just saw on Fox Sports 1's pre-game show that the Cubs have 0.1% playoff odds..

Spoiler

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I want the best SS we have at SS.

Quite frankly, Starlin Castro is the best SS we have.

If our front office guys thought Baez was better than Castro defensively at SS, he would still be playing there, and not playing games at 2B preparing for the move to the majors. Russell is in AA, and I doubt he's up until very late next year at the earliest. That leaves Castro.