2015 season

karch34 · Post #81 » by **karch34** » Fri May 15, 2015 11:31 pm

Wow!

I can't even describe that one!

I'd rather just have us not give up 9 runs after being up 7-1, but sometimes you need a little miracle or momentum or whatever you want to call it.

karch34 · Post #82 » by **karch34** » Sat May 16, 2015 10:08 pm

While it's still early on, bigger concern:

Left field production or back end of the rotation?

Kizz Fastfists · Post #83 » by **Kizz Fastfists** » Sun May 17, 2015 5:10 am

Back end of the rotation. The rotation is getting a slight bump with Wood being moved to the bullpen and Wada taking his spot in the rotation. However, they still need to add another quality starter. I'm wondering when Oakland will start selling off parts because a trade for Sonny Gray and Tyler Clippard would take care of all the pitching problems. I wonder if a package like Gleyber Torres, Vogelbach, Duane Underwood and C.J. Edwards would be enough. They could also move Schwarber or Baez instead of Torres for someone closer to MLB ready.

LF will be fine when they bring Baez back up in June or Schwarber in July/August if they trade Baez in a package for a pitcher. The point is they have more bats that can come up and fill that void. They do not have quality pitchers that they can bring up from the minors to plug holes.

Baez is showing improvement at AAA. His K rate is down to 25%, lower than Kris Bryant's was in either of his AAA stints. Baez has a line of .311/.382/.443 through 16 games. In June Baez will be brought back up and the only question is positional alignment. Will they throw Baez in LF for the rest of this year and mix everything up in the off-season? Will they throw Baez at 3B and Bryant in LF? Baez at 2B, Russell at 3B and Bryant at LF? Assuming Baez comes back up and hits as he has projected to they Cubs will probably be moving Castro in the off-season if they don't move Schwarber this season.

Rizzo, Baez, Russell, Bryant, Schwarber, Soler, Fowler/Almora and Montero would be very nice in 2016 and beyond assuming Baez has a Rizzo type of improvement in his 2nd promotion. Some other options for the pitching is Hamels and Papelbon from the Phillies, although the Phillies still don't seem to be realistic about either of their value given their contract. Then you have the rental pitching market with Cueto, Samardzija, etc that might not cost as much in terms of prospect value, but also doesn't guarantee you a long-term solution.

ADDinChicago · Post #84 » by **ADDinChicago** » Sun May 17, 2015 9:56 am

I think at this point, it's Baez that will be dealt with Castro moving to 2B next season.

hermes · Post #85 » by **hermes** » Sun May 17, 2015 1:42 pm

i was surprised to see wood come out of the pen yesterday but i suppose it was coming, hopefully he gets on track

hermes · Post #86 » by **hermes** » Sun May 17, 2015 1:43 pm

how much longer do you guys think they are going to hold onto three catchers?

Droseisthe1 · Post #87 » by **Droseisthe1** » Sun May 17, 2015 4:17 pm

hermes wrote:how much longer do you guys think they are going to hold onto three catchers?

It's worked so far but yeah, I'm definitely willing to let Montero loose now. He's had a great approach at the plate all season.

I want us to be aggressive with Baez and Castillo and look for some bullpen help. Starting to not trust this bullpen much anymore.

hermes · Post #88 » by **hermes** » Sun May 17, 2015 11:17 pm

let montero loose as in play him more or trade him?

Kizz Fastfists · Post #89 » by **Kizz Fastfists** » Mon May 18, 2015 6:21 am

I think Welly gets moved as soon as they get an offer they like. I just don't think anyone is willing to give them much for a bad catcher. It would be nice to get a quality bullpen arm for Welly even if it is just a rental for this year. They still have a few guys they can get rid of to make room for better arms like Coke, EJax and Motte.

ADDinChicago · Post #90 » by **ADDinChicago** » Mon May 18, 2015 10:06 pm

hermes wrote:how much longer do you guys think they are going to hold onto three catchers?

Until another team that thinks they have a shot at something gets hurt, or DFA'd. It's a decent problem to have at the moment. Come July 31, one of them will be gone.

The only teams so far are teams that know they've got virtually no shot like the Marlins or Diamondbacks and they have no desire to give up anything for someone like Wellington Castillo.

ptpablo · Post #91 » by **ptpablo** » Tue May 19, 2015 6:16 pm

Castillo for a bullpen arm reporting to Iowa. You can't keep three forever so hopefully this arm can add to this team.

karch34 · Post #92 » by **karch34** » Thu May 21, 2015 5:14 am

Nice win today. Grind out on offense,great relief pitching.

karch34 · Post #93 » by **karch34** » Fri May 22, 2015 3:29 am

Hendricks!!

hermes · Post #94 » by **hermes** » Fri May 22, 2015 11:34 pm

wow, great start for him

hopefully he's on track now

Post #95 » by **GYBE** » Sat May 23, 2015 12:18 am

I believe in Hendricks to be a solid back of the rotation guy. Glad this front office and Maddon didn't panic after his high ERA to start, his peripherals suggest better times ahead. Not like Wood, who was just a disaster from every aspect.

hermes · Post #96 » by **hermes** » Sat May 23, 2015 1:56 pm

plus the kids are still hitting, forgot i was going to mention bryant and russell

Post #97 » by **GYBE** » Sun May 24, 2015 5:30 am

Great win tonight to make up for Friday. Down 6-4 going into the 8th, Soler hit a 2-run double to tie it. Then in the 9th, Rizzo launches a 3-run dong for the win. So glad I bought MLB tv, seasons already had a ton of memorable games.

hermes · Post #98 » by **hermes** » Sun May 24, 2015 1:06 pm

rizzo!!

ADDinChicago · Post #99 » by **ADDinChicago** » Sun May 24, 2015 4:34 pm

hermes wrote:rizzo!!

It was great. Hawks won, flipped on the game, Cubs fell down, tied it, etc. then Rizzo'd! Excellent night.

hermes · Post #100 » by **hermes** » Fri May 29, 2015 2:16 am

so the nationals are good