Cubs Fans...

[Clausen2Kamara]

I'd trade Baez for whatever you can get right now. His value will only go down the longer we wait IMHO. Trade him to a team that thinks they can fix him, like Cleveland did with Trent Richardson.[/

I can see where you are going with that but I would rather give him more time in AAA and see if he can get his confidence back and give him a chance to show it in the bigs and then trade him (would get much more from him). He is still very young but yeah I am definitely having my doubts on him. On the other hand if we wait too long to deal him then we won't get anything of value for him.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I'd trade Baez for whatever you can get right now. His value will only go down the longer we wait IMHO. Trade him to a team that thinks they can fix him, like Cleveland did with Trent Richardson.

I can see where you are going with that but I would rather give him more time in AAA and see if he can get his confidence back and give him a chance to show it in the bigs and then trade him (would get much more from him). He is still very young but yeah I am definitely having my doubts on him. On the other hand if we wait too long to deal him then we won't get anything of value for him.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Looks like Cubs will be buyers this season for the first time in a long time, and they have plenty of prospects they can flip for some top arms.

Baez alone can probably get a back of the rotation arm from a seller, throw in Vogelbach (who has no where to go in Cubs organization and is hitting almost .500 so far) and some other lower level prospects and one of the catchers and we should be able to net a nice return.

Only prospects I don't want to see them move are Almora, McKinney, Torres, Schwarber, and any of the arms. Anyone else is fair game IMO.

 

[arrowryan]

Looks like Cubs will be buyers this season for the first time in a long time, and they have plenty of prospects they can flip for some top arms.

Baez alone can probably get a back of the rotation arm from a seller, throw in Vogelbach (who has no where to go in Cubs organization and is hitting almost .500 so far) and some other lower level prospects and one of the catchers and we should be able to net a nice return.

Only prospects I don't want to see them move are Almora, McKinney, Torres, Schwarber, and any of the arms. Anyone else is fair game IMO.

It's funny because this is the year that I don't want the Cubs to be buyers. I really like the rotation they have in place right now. Lester is struggling but it is just a matter of time before he gets back to form. We have an ace in Lester and a second potential ace in Arrieta; with the pitchers that will be on the market next off season, if the Cubs spend some money they could have the best rotation in baseball.

It's about time we saw the guys that were getting all the hype in AAA get their chance in the bigs.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

It's funny because this is the year that I don't want the Cubs to be buyers. I really like the rotation they have in place right now. Lester is struggling but it is just a matter of time before he gets back to form. We have an ace in Lester and a second potential ace in Arrieta; with the pitchers that will be on the market next off season, if the Cubs spend some money they could have the best rotation in baseball.

It's about time we saw the guys that were getting all the hype in AAA get their chance in the bigs.

Yeah. I think it's telling that Lester hasn't been good, we have two top relievers who are hurt, we've played pretty good teams, and we're still two games over. Lester isn't going to be what he's been, unless he's hurt. There's no reason to think he won't perform as well or better in the national league. Arrieta is for real. He's done it for about 25 starts in a row now. That's not a fluke anymore. And I think Hendricks is just going to get better. He locates and has that incredible sinker ball. He'll be fun to watch for a long time.

I don't know what to do with Baez. As I've said, I think his ceiling is as high as anyone on the team, maybe even higher than Bryant or Soler. But that long swing leads to lots of Ks. He's been slow to adjust to every level in his professional career. As soon as he does, he's scary. I'd hate to trade him and have him turn into a 10 year star.

I'm still not done with Olt. He's very strong defensively and had a really strong spring. He has a shot still to hit 25-30 with regular playing time.

But, you know, I trust Theo. He's been right way more than he's been wrong and these are good "problems" to have.

 

[NDdomer2]

Why would you trade Castro? You finally field a complete infield then get rid of one of the longest tenured to create a void you just filled?

 

[BobbyMac]

Why would you trade Castro? You finally field a complete infield then get rid of one of the longest tenured to create a void you just filled?

Gonna hav e to trade somebody for starting pitching and the hope is Russell can man SS.

.

 

[BobbyMac]

Agree. Then what about Baez? Now, it's possible that he'll fizzle out. Too many contact issues.

Do you flip him for another arm? What about Castro? Baez at 2B, Russell at SS, Castro at 3B, and Bryant in LF?

Russell is supposed to be the better SS.

It's such a good problem to have.

Long term...?

Fowler CF
Russell SS
Soler RF
Rizzo 1B
Bryant LF
Castro 3B
Baez 2B
Pitcher
Montero C

Montero will get traded to make room for Schwarber.

.

 

[arrowryan]

Gonna hav e to trade somebody for starting pitching and the hope is Russell can man SS.

.

I'm sorry but I'm not gonna trade, arguably, a top 5 SS for a middle of the rotation pitcher. Our starting pitching is doing just fine anyway

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm sorry but I'm not gonna trade, arguably, a top 5 SS for a middle of the rotation pitcher. Our starting pitching is doing just fine anyway

Who would do that? If the Cubs are there this year, Theo will make the right move by packaging some of that depth and maybe something proven for the arms they need to make a run at the Series. Don't worry, you guys are sitting pretty.

 

[NDdomer2]

I'm willing to bet a lot of vbucks Castro isn't getting traded.

 

[NDdomer2]

Russell struggled in his first big game. Probably has never batted 9th in his life.

However, this is a game cubs lose last couple years.

top of the order did damage tonight. Very timely hitting by Castro.

 

[Irishnuke]

2 through 5 and 7 hitters all stepped up big time. Huge game by Castro. Fuck that dumb trade talk. Bullpen doesn't look good. Really need Ramirez get get healthy and stay healthy. Great offensive performance tonight. We're going to see a lot more of that this summer.

 

[BobbyMac]

2 through 5 and 7 hitters all stepped up big time. Huge game by Castro. Fuck that dumb trade talk. Bullpen doesn't look good. Really need Ramirez get get healthy and stay healthy. Great offensive performance tonight. We're going to see a lot more of that this summer.

Do you think you're gonna win the Series with your current pitchers? You've got the best farm system and you have a wealth of talent up the middle. If you guys are ahead of schedule this year, Theo's gonna package some guys and get pitching. I'm not saying Castro is gone but if Russell is batting .300, he might be, or it might be Russell or Baez or Schwarber or...

.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Do you think you're gonna win the Series with your current pitchers? You've got the best farm system and you have a wealth of talent up the middle. If you guys are ahead of schedule this year, Theo's gonna package some guys and get pitching. I'm not saying Castro is gone but if Russell is batting .300, he might be, or it might be Russell or Baez or Schwarber or...

.

We're not winning the series this year, so don't worry about that part. We are setting up to be competitive for the next 5-10 years. Don't underestimate the loss of Ramirez and Grimm in the bullpen. That's a complete game changer right now.

 

[NDdomer2]

Do you think you're gonna win the Series with your current pitchers? You've got the best farm system and you have a wealth of talent up the middle. If you guys are ahead of schedule this year, Theo's gonna package some guys and get pitching. I'm not saying Castro is gone but if Russell is batting .300, he might be, or it might be Russell or Baez or Schwarber or...

.

Or one of our three catchers with a variety of our low $$ contract platoon guys and some of the minor league talent.

That's been Theo's m.o.. Not trading a major piece.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Russell struggled in his first big game. Probably has never batted 9th in his life.

However, this is a game cubs lose last couple years.

top of the order did damage tonight. Very timely hitting by Castro.

The difference for this Cubs team compared to when previous prospects came up...no one was expecting Russell to be the savior. He can develop and he'll most certainly hit at this level. But he's not thrust into a role like Corey Patterson and others were.

And, yes, we lose that game every time last year. IN fact, we did. I think we've won 3 games now after trailing into the 9th inning. We didn't win ANY last year.

 

[dublinirish]

saw the game, you gotta hold onto castro, develop russell and then trade him on some day for player(s) in position(s) of need

 

[IrishJayhawk]

saw the game, you gotta hold onto castro, develop russell and then trade him on some day for player(s) in position(s) of need

Why can't you hold onto Castro and develop Russell? Find pitchers in the FA market.

 

[arahop]

You guys are killing me with this trade talk. We are finally fielding a competitive team for the first time in 5 years and you guys are wanting to trade all stars and top propects for middle of the rotation guys. Glad Theo and Hoyer make the decisions. Sweet Christ relax

 

[arrowryan]

You guys are killing me with this trade talk. We are finally fielding a competitive team for the first time in 5 years and you guys are wanting to trade all stars and top propects for middle of the rotation guys. Glad Theo and Hoyer make the decisions. Sweet Christ relax

Agreed. Our middle rotation guys are doing a good job anyway.

The only guy I could see getting traded is Baez. But I'm definitely not trading Castro just because Russell can play SS; just keep him at second

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

The starting staff has a collective K:BB ratio of 72:16 and their FIPs are:

1.82
2.49
2.88
3.64
3.67

The Cubs should be in no hurry to spend talent to change the staff. And in Castro's particular case the dude is 25 years old and Chicago has exactly zero middle infielders better than him right now.

 

[NDdomer2]

Agreed. Our middle rotation guys are doing a good job anyway.

The only guy I could see getting traded is Baez. But I'm definitely not trading Castro just because Russell can play SS; just keep him at second

Baez, Lake, Alcantara all would go before Castro IMO. We still have 3 catchers on the roster as well. Castillo is showing some nice at bats in his limited playing time, and there was already interest there.

 

[NDdomer2]

Castro compared to all other SS in MLB current season:

3rd in BA
1st in hits
T4th in HRs
1st in RBIs
4th in OBP
4th in Slug
4th in OPS

Fielding: he is 5th in total chances and 9th in FPCT, while holding 3rd best Range Factor.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Baez, Lake, Alcantara all would go before Castro IMO. We still have 3 catchers on the roster as well. Castillo is showing some nice at bats in his limited playing time, and there was already interest there.

Dan Vogelbach is a future DH who is killing it in AA. I will be surprised if he's a Cub on August 1.

 

[NDdomer2]

Dan Vogelbach is a future DH who is killing it in AA. I will be surprised if he's a Cub on August 1.

Yeah I have read he doesnt have the athleticism to be an every day 1B. That and we have Rizzo.

 

[arrowryan]

Baez, Lake, Alcantara all would go before Castro IMO. We still have 3 catchers on the roster as well. Castillo is showing some nice at bats in his limited playing time, and there was already interest there.

I think 2 of the 3 catchers (at least 1 for sure) we have now will not be on the team next year. I say this because Schwarber should be in a similar situation that Kris Bryant was in early April.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I understand the logic of previous posters. Castro is playing out of his mind right now and is still young and under a team friendly contract. If the play is to be patient and wait until the next FA group of starting pitchers and sign one of them. I get it. However, if they do want to go for it and nab a Cole Hamels or somebody like that then I don't think a Vogelbach and Castillo will get it done. I'm just wondering what the industry thinks of Baez still. He is young and super talented. Will the Cubs trade him now if they think they can get a borderline #1 established starter in return? Or stick with him and hope he becomes a star? There is a reason Russell was brought up and it wasn't just bc our 2B have been abysmal this year. Call me crazy but SP wins in the playoffs. If we are throwing a Lester-Arrieta- Hamels(or whatever top pitcher is available) in a 7 game series it would be scary. Again I would be totally okay with waiting until free agency and signing another top pitcher then. (It would probably be the smarter thing to do) My point is however, if the Cubs want to go far this year then they are going to have to sacrifice some talent.

 

[NDdomer2]

I understand the logic of previous posters. Castro is playing out of his mind right now and is still young and under a team friendly contract. If the play is to be patient and wait until the next FA group of starting pitchers and sign one of them. I get it. However, if they do want to go for it and nab a Cole Hamels or somebody like that then I don't think a Vogelbach and Castillo will get it done. I'm just wondering what the industry thinks of Baez still. He is young and super talented. Will the Cubs trade him now if they think they can get a borderline #1 established starter in return? Or stick with him and hope he becomes a star? There is a reason Russell was brought up and it wasn't just bc our 2B have been abysmal this year.

I am pretty sure it is exactly this. He was playing well enough to deserve to be in the bigs and our 2b play is awful. This is the second top 10 prospect the cubs have moved to 2nd. If they didn't want Castro long term you dont move TWO top 10 prospects to a different position so he can stay on the field.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

It's only 18 innings but Hamels has seen big jumps in his walk rate and has allowed an absurd 7 homers. There's enough of an indication that his stuff may be slipping that I would be very cautious about him and want to see some more before I go about spending the talent required to land him.

On a side note, the Phillies tried to drive a hard bargain on Cliff Lee and ended up with nothing when his arm gave out. It would probably cause riots if the same happens with Hamels.