2018 Chicago Cubs

[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

I hadn't considered that. This would be pretty interesting if umpires were tied into that. It might be interesting to see how these numbers hold up over several years for a bunch of catchers. If they don't, then people are either measuring this wrong or what is being measured is much more than just catcher skill

I think it's you're last point. It's a combination of pitchers' being pretty close to the zone consistently and catcher skill. With how much pitching staffs turn over from year to year, it doesn't surprise me that they're are inconsistencies in the data thus far.

This is also still really new, so maybe it gets trimmed over the years.


To a more specific Cubs question. Who is your #1 desired target? Mine is deGrom. I think they should give whatever they need to get him and of the article I posted in the trade deadline thread is any indication, it might not take as much we'd all think. The pitching staff is so erratic, I would love to see deGrom in there to solidify it.


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[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Desired #1 target? deGrom or Archer probably. Not sure the Cubs can afford either one. I'm betting we're browsing in the J.A. Happ/Nathan Eovaldi/James Shields/Danny Duffy/Jordan Zimmermann/Mike Fiers/Cole Hamels/Zack Wheeler/Tyson Ross section of the store instead.

Michael Fulmer could be an interesting middle ground, but I think he's on the DL with an oblique strain right now. Something like Fulmer + Leonys Martin (someone who can play defense and steal a bag) + Jordan Zimmermann + all/most of the money still owed to Zimmermann for a moderate haul in prospects makes some good sense.

I could also see getting either Gausman or Bundy along with Zach Britton as making some sense.

I'm hesitant to send another top 2-3 prospects away again after the Quintana and Chapman deals. At some point, the farm system will need to come back to life faster than the Cubs empty it out. Ideally the team starts developing its own pitchers instead of relying so much on high dollar veterans like Lester, Darvish, Lackey, Hammel, Chatwood etc.

You know the pitching situation is dire when the thought of bringing Lackey out of retirement has crossed my mind...

[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Oh god no, not Lackey.

I know the team drafted quite a few college arms in the 2-5 rounds the last few years, but none have looked to pan it so far. That's a bit disappointing as they should have been relatively close to MLB ready

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[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Degrom isn't happening. Cubs don't have the capital to make it happen. unless you are fine with something like Happ, Schwarber, etc.

I think my targets would be Nathan Eovaldi or Britton. though Britton is in high demand and considering how many good relievers on the market I might go towards someone else.

I think they need another starter but I wouldn't go crazy. another reliever would really help.

for the postseason and I know you can't count on it but Darvish being healthy really solves alot of the issues.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Oh god no, not Lackey.

I know the team drafted quite a few college arms in the 2-5 rounds the last few years, but none have looked to pan it so far. That's a bit disappointing as they should have been relatively close to MLB ready

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Yeah, something has to be messed up with their process for selecting/developing pitchers. I mean, Theo came to power in 2011/2012. It's 2018. Let's take a look at some results...

2012

Spoiler

Pierce Johnson - 1st supp (reliever with Giants)
Paul Blackburn - 1st supp (dealt to Seattle w/Vogelbach for Montgomery, now with Oakland)
Duane Underwood Jr. - 2nd round (has 1 MLB start, currently in AAA)
Ryan McNeil - 3rd round (stuck in AA, converted to RP)
Josh Conway - 4th round (stuck in AA, converted to RP)
Anthony Prieto - 5th round (out of baseball?)
Trey Lang - 6th round (out of baseball?)
Stephen Perakslis - 21st round (AA for Seattle)

2013

Spoiler

Rob Zastryzny - 2nd round (a sometimes reliever/swingman)
Tyler Skulina - 4th round (most recently in Nats org)
Trey Masek - 5th round (out of baseball?)
Scott Frazier - 6th round (out of baseball?)
Zack Godley - 10th round (dealt to ARI in the Montero trade)
Trevor Clifton - 12th round (currently in AAA, ranked #27 top prospect in org)
Daniel Poncedeleon - 14th round (unsigned...he's the guy on the Cardinals)

2014

Spoiler

Jake Stinnett - 2nd round (stuck in AA)
Carson Sands - 4th round (stuck in A ball)
Justin Steele - 5th round (stuck in A ball)
Dylan Cease - 6th round (dealt to White Sox in Quintana trade)
James Norwood - 7th round (debuted recently as RP)
Ryan Williams - 10th round (some buzz a couple years ago, but still toiling in MiLB)

2015

Spoiler

Bryan Hudson - 3rd round (A ball)
Ryan Kellogg - 5th round (A ball)
David Berg - 6th round (A ball)
Craig Brooks - 7th round (AA/AAA)
Preston Morrison - 8th round (AA)

I'm not going to do 2016, 2017, and 2018 because it's too early to tell. But, the history of hitting on any pitching prospects is terrible. Those few that do pan out are generally identified by other teams in trades (Blackburn, Godley, Cease).

[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Butler recalled and Farrell sent to AAA

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[CBoller1331]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Butler recalled and Farrell sent to AAA

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Did they have room on the 40 man or did they DFA someone?

[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Did they have room on the 40 man or did they DFA someone?

Good question. They mentioned the transaction on the Cubs broadcast, but didn't say anything about a corresponding 40 man move.

[CBoller1331]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Good question. They mentioned the transaction on the Cubs broadcast, but didn't say anything about a corresponding 40 man move.

Their transaction page doesn't list anything, so I am assuming they had less than 40

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Quick count shows them at 40 now after adding Butler. They could also move Darvish from the 10-day to the 60-day if they want another spot. He's been out since 5/20.

[CBoller1331]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Quick count shows them at 40 now after adding Butler. They could also move Darvish from the 10-day to the 60-day if they want another spot. He's been out since 5/20.

Could they do that "retroactively" so he would be available to be activated as soon as they need him? (which may not be for 60 days anyways)

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

One of the items I picked up recently was the DVD set of the 2016 World Series. Watching Game 7 right now...


Everything was just jumping off Kris Bryant's bat. He hasn't really hit for this kind of power since.

Addison Russell's Game 6 was one for the ages. At just 22 years old.

2016 Lester, Arrieta, and Hendricks are a real sight for sore eyes used to watching 2018 Cubs pitching. Why did we swap out Arrieta again? He came up so huge in big games.

Javier Baez was a total mess. I had a better chance to hit a breaking ball in this series. My favorite was when FOX did a montage of him striking out while he was at bat and he strikes out flailing right as the montage ends.

You could already tell that Jose Ramirez was the real deal.

Pat Hughes predicting Rizzo's insurance homer in Game 6 was very nice.

Willson Contreras has actually cut down on his incessant mound visits since then.

Maddon's handling of Chapman was lol-worthy. Keeping him in Game 6 up 7-1 and 7-2 and then 9-2. Not terribly surprising he couldn't finish out Game 7.


Glad I picked this up because it's amazing how many small details there are to forget about.

[CBoller1331]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

I remember being ok with bringing in Chapman in the 7th with bases loaded (?), It was questionable but understandable to keep him in with the middle of the order, but it was definitely bad on Maddon to not have any one ready once they expanded the lead even more.

I still find the most impressive performance was Game 7 Chapman after giving up the HR to Davis. Heard stories that he was crying in the dugout and was obviously out of gas. I mean in his second inning he was throwing 50% sliders.

I will admit my heart sank on Kipnis' foul ball in the bottom of the 9th that wasn't really even close to a home run....or a fair ball....but I was so nervous.

[Jr.]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

I thought for sure the Cubs were going to lose after the Davis HR. It was just so unexpected and deflating. I need to pop in my DVD of the series soon as well

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[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2018 Chicago Cubs

Cubs Top 30 prospect list was re-done by MLB dot com recently.

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2018?list=chc

The Cubs still have the proverbial "thin farm system," which I think is mostly true. However, there are some nice players down there: Miguel Amaya is now a Top 100 overall and #1 for the Cubs. He basically came out of nowhere a la Willson Contreras a few years ago.

Have a good feeling about Lange, Ademan, Hoerner, Abbott, Rucker, and Gallardo. Outfielders Cole Roederer and Brennen Davis could be interesting also.

Bote, Maples, Underwood, Norwood, and Zagunis are all basically ready for small roles in MLB.

Brailyn Marquez is one to watch. He's been fantastic and climbing prospect lists. Much like Adbert Alzolay last year.