Post#31 » by Howling Mad » Mon Dec 14, 2015 10:34 pm
I don't think Zobrist is a 3/4 year plan. I think he's a 2 year plan with the last two years being a backup and super utility guy. He's also going to be considered a 4th outfielder after Heyward, Schwarbs and future CF. That'll give Baez plenty of at-bats at 2B.
On Baez, it's most of the media. Teams inquired about him after the Zobrist signing, but from what I gathered Baez's value to the Cubs and how others teams see him are very far apart. Or at least other teams think they can get him cheap on the dollar since Zobrist is our guy at 2nd now. The Cubs view Baez's value as a super infield sub, with a potential to be a 25-30 hr guy, and coming from SS/2B that'd be huge if it came to fruition. Now with Zobrist the Cubs have the patience for that. Levine said he sees Baez getting a lot of at bats at multiple infield positions adding he'd like to keep the core guys closer to 500 at bats rather than pushing 600+. Baez could make that possible for 3B, SS, 2B.
Soler on the other hand has become expendable since JH's age and prime position practically make Soler a fifth outfielder. I think it was Jon Heyman who said it - what Soler offers, the Cubs don't need.
Future potential, cubs have.
Future power/contact, Cubs have.
An outfielder that can't play defense, Cubs have.
On top of that, his poor play in cold weather last year likely doesn't make him an October hero. Cubs would love to flip him for pitching but nothing is matching up and clubs are asking for more. Most teams still value pitching over batting, Cubs philosophy is the opposite so working out a trade has been difficult.
There was a lot of rumblings about Carlos Gonzalez, but thats done now. I'm not sure if the Cubs have enough to still sign Denard Span, but thatd be great if we could get Span at the top with everyone shifting one spot down in thebatting order, with Soler being absent. The only other potential rumor, not even a full rumor, is the prospect the Braves just got from the dbacks, Inciarte.