2015 spring training thread

hermes · Post #1 » by **hermes** » Sun Feb 22, 2015 4:17 pm

lets fire up the hype machine! according to back to the future this is the year

camp previews:
infield

Holdovers: Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, Javier Baez, Mike Olt, Arismendy Alcantara, Chris Valaika
Newcomers: Tommy La Stella, Jonathan Herrera (non-roster invitee)
Moved on: Luis Valbuena
On the Cusp: Kris Bryant

outfield

Holdovers: Jorge Soler, Chris Coghlan, Ryan Sweeney, Junior Lake, Matt Szczur
Newcomers: Chris Denorfia, Dexter Fowler, Mike Baxter (non-roster invitee), Adron Chambers (non-roster invitee)
Moved on: Justin Ruggiano, Ryan Kalish

pitching staff

Holdovers: Starters: Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, Travis Wood, Edwin Jackson, Tsuyoshi Wada, Dallas Beeler, Eric Jokisch, Jacob Turner.
Relievers: Felix Doubront, Justin Grimm, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Neil Ramirez, Zac Rosscup, Brian Schlitter, Blake Parker
Newcomers: Jon Lester, Jason Hammel (again), Jason Motte, Drake Britton, Jospeh Oritz, Daniel Bard (non-roster invitee), Donn Roach (non-roster invitee), Gonzalez German (non-roster invitee)
Moving on: Carlos Villanueva, Dan Straily, Kyuji Fujikawa, Wesley Wright, Arodys Vizcaino
On the cusp: Reliever Armando Rivero

what are you guys focusing on this spring? infield position battles? where does alcantara end up? how the #5 pitcher race sorts out? can baez and alcantara not strikeout so much?

ADDinChicago · Post #2 » by **ADDinChicago** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 9:48 pm

Mainly just if Bryant makes the opening day roster. I'm not trying to get a Cubby Chubby about anything this spring. I think too many are building them up for too much this year. Let it breathe.

hermes · Post #3 » by **hermes** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 11:36 pm

isn't it pretty much a given bryant won't make the opening day roster?

ADDinChicago · Post #4 » by **ADDinChicago** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:19 am

hermes wrote:isn't it pretty much a given bryant won't make the opening day roster?

It depends who you ask. Maddon wants him. The front office wants to delay service time, but are about to start spending a lot of money the next few years.

A lot depends on how Mike Olt looks too.

Post #5 » by **GYBE** » Sun Mar 1, 2015 7:41 pm

Sending him down for 10-14 days buys us an entire extra year of control.

There is a 0% chance he makes the opening day roster.

ADDinChicago · Post #6 » by **ADDinChicago** » Fri Mar 6, 2015 10:38 pm

Lester looked solid today. It's weird seeing someone wearing #34 that isn't Kerry Wood. I'm glad it's Lester.

karch34 · Post #7 » by **karch34** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:37 am

I'm thing the rotation winds up with Wood as the 5th. Not a really big surprise, but if he bounces back that could be a very good rotation.

Post #8 » by **GYBE** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:36 pm

Baez was sent down today, in a bit of a surprising move. Opens up more playing time for Alcantara I would imagine.

Russell and Bryant were sent down as well, as expected.

hermes · Post #9 » by **hermes** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 12:44 am

baez going down is interesting, i guess he was doing great at everything but hitting - which i guess is important, i hope he gets it figured out

karch34 · Post #10 » by **karch34** » Wed Apr 1, 2015 3:19 pm

Yeah the Baez move is surprising and not surprising.

Who's on the bubble now?