Cubs Fans...

[Jackalope1977]

My point is that people want to see him in the lineup and he's earned it. But because of some stupid rule he has to spend 12 days in the minors? I don't feel bad for Kris Bryant, I feel bad for Cubs fans and baseball fans in general.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

My point is that people want to see him in the lineup and he's earned it. But because of some stupid rule he has to spend 12 days in the minors? I don't feel bad for Kris Bryant, I feel bad for Cubs fans and baseball fans in general.

That's fair.

As a fan, I think my team is making the correct decision. And I look forward to the next several years with Bryant.

Screw Boras.

 

[Jackalope1977]

You can't tell me Theo is more confident on opening day in Mike Olt's career .152 average over a couple hundred AB's than what KB may be able to do. Who ever may be at fault is beside the point, Kris Bryant should have been the Cubs opening day third baseman.

 

[Jackalope1977]

That's fair.

As a fan, I think my team is making the correct decision. And I look forward to the next several years with Bryant.

Screw Boras.

Sorry, I was typing as you replied. I agree it's nice to have an extra year of control on a potential stud like KB. I just don't like not playing the best players.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Sorry, I was typing as you replied. I agree it's nice to have an extra year of control on a potential stud like KB. I just don't like not playing the best players.

I still think that Olt can be a 25-30 HR guy, for what it's worth. He was an untouchable in the Rangers organization just a few years ago.

 

[johnnycando]

Maybe next year...?

 

[Jackalope1977]

I still think that Olt can be a 25-30 HR guy, for what it's worth. He was an untouchable in the Rangers organization just a few years ago.

Here's an honest question I assumed I knew the answer to. Can players still hold out? If so what if Bryant comes in and hits 40 hrs in 150 games and his agent decides that contract with club control through 2021 isn't good enough any more? Couldn't KB just holdout and force the Cubs hand?

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Here's an honest question I assumed I knew the answer to. Can players still hold out? If so what if Bryant comes in and hits 40 hrs in 150 games and his agent decides that contract with club control through 2021 isn't good enough any more? Couldn't KB just holdout and force the Cubs hand?

Don't think so. I've never heard of it in baseball anyway.

 

[Jackalope1977]

Don't think so. I've never heard of it in baseball anyway.

Huh, I thought I remembered Manny Ramirez doing it back in the day. Thanks.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Huh, I thought I remembered Manny Ramirez doing it back in the day. Thanks.

I could be wrong. Just can't recall an instance.

 

[NDdomer2]

Arbitration ended most of that

 

[blueNDgold44]

Great W today. Bullpen has been dominant early

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Great W today. Bullpen has been dominant early

Bullpen is scary good. Motte may have been the most underrated pick up of the off-season.

I just loved the energy today. I didn't ever feel like the game was over and I think the team felt the same way. This team could be very good.

 

[Irishnuke]

Can't imagine the offense when Rizzo and Soler start clicking and Bryant and Russell are called up.

 

[bobbyok1]

Was at the game today with my wife and kid. It was his first MLB game. He won't remember it, but I won't let him forget about it. Had a great time, lots of Cubbies fans in the stands. In fact when they sang "take me out to the ballgame" it was almost embarrassing how loud the Cub fans shouted "root root for the CUBBIES!"

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Olt to the DL, Bryant to Chicago.

Worked out well for the Cubs. Bryant stayed in AAA for the minimum, they have a ready excuse for the call-up, and they went 5-3 without him.

 

[Fbolt]

A nice start so far. I'm optimistic (hopelessly so). Sigh.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Bryant up and Russell is going to be pushing his way up soon enough, IMO. He also played 2nd today for AAA Iowa. I would be ecstatic to see an infield of Rizzo - Russell - Castro - Bryant.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Bryant up and Russell is going to be pushing his way up soon enough, IMO. He also played 2nd today for AAA Iowa. I would be ecstatic to see an infield of Rizzo - Russell - Castro - Bryant.

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

 

[pumpdog20]

Too bad for Iowa Cubs fans.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Too bad for Iowa Cubs fans.

I'm actually going to the game tonight in Des Moines. Figured Bryant wouldn't be there all along. Oh well.

 

[Irishnuke]

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

Right now you can't move Baez because nobody is going to give up a decent player for someone strikes out 50% of the time. Hope he can get his shit together because it would be an extreme waste of talent if he can't.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Right now you can't move Baez because nobody is going to give up a decent player for someone strikes out 50% of the time. Hope he can get his shit together because it would be an extreme waste of talent if he can't.

You may be right. But I'm not convinced. His ceiling is maybe the highest of any of them. It's just that his floor is the lowest. That long swing worries me.

Maybe the Cleveland Browns will come calling...

 

[johnnycando]

I am optimistic.

Bryant is a stud.

Future is bright.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Did anyone see the woman who got hit in the back of the head on a Castro foul tip? Horrifying, hope she is well

 

[bobbyok1]

And Russell just got called up! Things are going to get really exciting around Cubs nation!

Cubs call up infield prodigy Addison Russell to majors

 

[IrishJayhawk]

And Russell just got called up! Things are going to get really exciting around Cubs nation!

Cubs call up infield prodigy Addison Russell to majors

Woah. Sooner than I thought. But exciting. It's a fun team.

Also...update on the fan from ESPN.

FAN INJURED

The game was delayed 23 minutes in the second inning after a female fan behind home plate was hit in the back of the head by a ball off the bat of Castro.

The woman was standing in the first row with her back toward the field when Castro fouled a ball straight back against the protective screen. The ball was hit with such force that it struck the fan.

The injured fan was eventually removed from the seating area on a stretcher. The Pirates said she was conscious and alert when she was taken to a hospital for testing.

Really scary stuff.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I am also very excited to see Russell play tonight. I heard he is an even better defensive SS than Starlin but hasn't obviously proved it at the MLB level however defensive skills usually translate. He is also getting compared to one of my favorite non Cub SS of all time Barry Larkin. If he hits close to 300 (which I think he will with some gap power) it will be fun to see what we do with the surplus of middle infielders. Package Baez and other prospects for a legit #2/borderline Ace for a playoff push in July? I really don't want to see us trade Castro but if Addison plays really well and can show he can make adjustments then I can see why we do it. I think that is why Epstein called him up so early. Castro and another decent prospect should net a top flight SP.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Well I think Bryant's ability to handle third is still an open question so I wouldn't rush to move any infielders just yet.

I love Russell's long term potential but I'm not sure his bat is ready yet. Thankfully La Stella should be back soon so the Cubs have a very solid fallback if Russell struggles and guys need to marinate in Iowa.

 

[ab2cmiller]

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.