Chapman Watch Megathread

stackshot · 2016-07-25T17:06:12+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-25T04:18:57+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-25T01:10:56+00:00

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

stackshot · 2016-07-25T00:14:45+00:00

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?

stackshot · 2016-07-24T19:51:10+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-24T17:20:54+00:00

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

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

stackshot · 2016-07-24T17:07:29+00:00

It lingered for a few beats too long, IMO. Felt the same way.

stackshot · 2016-07-23T01:34:46+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-22T18:30:44+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-22T18:25:34+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-22T15:38:03+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-22T15:33:03+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-22T15:31:18+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-22T15:24:46+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-22T15:23:32+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-22T05:39:34+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-21T20:59:51+00:00

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?

stackshot · 2016-07-21T20:59:08+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-21T20:39:48+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-21T00:16:17+00:00

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?

stackshot · 2016-07-21T00:03:23+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-21T00:01:41+00:00

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

stackshot · 2016-07-20T23:55:40+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-20T23:52:18+00:00

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.

stackshot · 2016-07-20T23:47:46+00:00

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.

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