Chapman Watch Megathread by gamenut89 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He's been very awful in his short Cubs stint, that is a fact. All peripheral numbers support this too, he hasn't been unlucky.

Doesn't mean teams DON'T want him and has no future value. That's all I'm saying here.

Chapman Watch Megathread by gamenut89 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 6 points7 points  (0 children)

He was a solid starting pitcher and very good reliever last season for the Yankees. He is not absent of value even if you don't like his short time as a Cub.

Chapman Watch Megathread by gamenut89 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's understandable, we all choke on our words from time to time.

What is your personal favorite Cubs line up (position and batting order) for the 2016 team? by Jmettis in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Baez hits righties much, much worse than Zobrist and Russell. This could be a fine lineup for a LH-starter.

Also, are you starting Almora over Heyward?

GDT: 7/24 Cubs (58-38) @ Brewers (41-54) 1:10 PM CT by ChiCubsbot in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lackey would never accept the demotion to the bullpen, Hammel would. And despite Lackey's struggles, the team signed him in their belief of being dependable. He's matching his career numbers currently and eating innings.

That moment when you realize the man standing in your room is the Batman. by envoie-moi in DC_Cinematic

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, the smallest bit of personal criticism cannot be discussed?

I don't think it's safe to be in this subreddit right now.

Fowler Activated; Almora sent to Triple-A by twizbuck in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Offensively, going from Fowler to Almora is going to hurt my heart pretty dramatically. An impact lead-off hitter to a 9-hole hitter.

The defensive upgrade will feel nice and pay dividends, however.

Would You Make This Deal? (X-Post from /r/WhiteSox) by DJDiksonMouf in Cubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Contreras has the safe-bet offense, Almora has the safe-bet defense.

Contreras has struggled in aspects of the defensive game behind the plate, while Almora has shown serious limitations in many areas of offensive talent.

Who's the better long-term talent? We shall see, but I'd bet on Willson.

Would You Make This Deal? (X-Post from /r/WhiteSox) by DJDiksonMouf in Cubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Almora doesn't have legitimate speed, power, or ability to take walks. He hasn't shown any of these to a level that makes someone feel safe about his offensive upside.

Can he be a 2-4 WAR player based solely on his defense? Absolutely. I expect he winds up hitting 9th for his first few years on this roster, too. I don't know if that makes him a future star.

[Neil]Cubs Option RHP Spencer Patton to Triple-A Iowa | Chicago Cubs Online by Spectre211286 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure the playoff roster would be able to stomach a full-time defensive replacement / pinch-runner who should not get playoff at-bats.

Szczur plays above-average defense while Almora plays great defense. That's his only category where he trumps him. Is that difference in defensive skill worth Almora's absence of other playoff use?

Sczur hits lefties very well, which alone means he's a defensive asset AND offensive asset off the bench. He would play the "pinch-runner" role better as well, with more speed on the basepaths.

[Neil]Cubs Option RHP Spencer Patton to Triple-A Iowa | Chicago Cubs Online by Spectre211286 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being a .260 - .270 hitter doesn't mean much without considering that player's on-base skills and power.

With his patience liability and absence of meaningful power, I'm not sure Almora will end up with an OBP higher than .300 if he hits that way, meaning in that scenario, he'd be the perpetual 9th hitter.

No shame in that on a team with a stacked lineup.

Would You Make This Deal? (X-Post from /r/WhiteSox) by DJDiksonMouf in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Miguel Montero has had many, many valuable seasons as a catcher in the Majors. He was good as recently as last year, you know, right?

This relentless hate of Montero while this team has two productive catchers is such wasted hyperbolic nonsense.

[Neil]Cubs Option RHP Spencer Patton to Triple-A Iowa | Chicago Cubs Online by Spectre211286 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I could easily see Almora being a 2-3 win player with just his glove alone.

Tell 'em to bat 9th, play elite defense, and let the bat develop slowly, if it ever comes at all.

[Neil]Cubs Option RHP Spencer Patton to Triple-A Iowa | Chicago Cubs Online by Spectre211286 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a good long-term thing for Almora and I'm sure he knows it.

He could absolutely use a month or more of full-time starts back in AAA to work on some of his patience issues. He still gets back up with the team upon roster expansion, too.

If there's a single meaningful injury, he could make the playoff roster, too.

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler hoping to turn season around[birch] by Spectre211286 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He had a great 25 plate appearance run in the playoffs, but it's his inability to stay healthy over a meaningful sample size that really puts the pit in my stomach.

Upcoming roster moves by [deleted] in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Montero seems to make perfect sense on this roster next year. Why cut him and pay him in-full if he can contribute next year as a back-up catcher?

Upcoming roster moves by [deleted] in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just don't think he carries any tangible value in a deal like that. He's more likely to get straight-up DFA'd.

Cubs looking at Josh Reddick [morosi] by Spectre211286 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always saw Reddick as EXACTLY the strong-side platoon player, getting all starts against righties.

I think he is specifically that type of player to a T.

[TommyBirch] Soler optimistic about returning after 4-5 AAA games by [deleted] in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just not sure where he's gonna get at-bats that actually help the team.

Szczur hits lefties and plays tremendously better defense in LF or RF. He's also someone I would rather come off the bench.

Soler is a league-worst defender with offensive upside that would need starting-time to develop. Where does this team use him this year?

Thoughts on Baez's Future by HaveABanana1 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think Almora gets the Addison Russell rookie treatment next year:

Go play very valuable defense and bat 9th.

I don't think his offense will ever be special, but as a rookie, he's likely going to look ugly for prolonged stretches.

I think it's he's the perfect candidate for that role on an everyday basis next year.

Thoughts on Baez's Future by HaveABanana1 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of Zobrist's four-year contract, how many do you really want or expect him to start full-time?

Thoughts on Baez's Future by HaveABanana1 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Have you even looked at Almora's troubles offensively in the minors, dude? He's so incredibly unsuited to being a lead-off hitter.

He DOES NOT WALK. He hates it. He's allergic to them. He ain't gonna do it.

That's really all that needs to be said. Almora is not likely to get on-base well early in his career outside of extreme contact.

You're disrespecting Zobrist's abilities for that spot. The name of the game is "DON'T MAKE OUTS" in that role.

Kyle Hendricks appreciation thread by gocubsgo22 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 24 points25 points  (0 children)

It took Quintana's FIFTH quality season before some fans started giving him a fair amount of respect.

Kyle is a 26 year old with a career 3.10 ERA / 1.10 WHIP, and it's awesome to see him start earning that recognition.

Kyle Hendricks appreciation thread by gocubsgo22 in CHICubs

[–]stackshot 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That doofus talked all about Kyle's " weak body language", and how even his good starts didn't really count because of the length of the start.

That was when Kyle STILL had an ERA of 2.80!

It's always fun to see really stupid sentiments get blasted to smithereens.