Maybe try getting him on that Bartolo taquitos, flautas, and sopapillas by the ton diet.
MLB: ***Chicago Cubs 2015 Season***
- Thread starter ISUCubswin
- Start date
Maybe try getting him on that Bartolo taquitos, flautas, and sopapillas by the ton diet.
Cubs aren't trading away Soler and his team friendly contract and moving Bryant to OF to replace him.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Whatever happens here, it's been an awesome ride this season.
Losing like this would be disappointing, but there really is next year. It's still worth enjoying this one.
Losing like this would be disappointing, but there really is next year. It's still worth enjoying this one.
Very good year, future looks exciting BUT National League going to be tough for foreseeable future.
Cardinals
Pirates
Mets
Dodgers
Giants will get better
Nationals might live up to expectations
Possible Surprise team
Not going to be easy to make the Playoffs in that League
Cardinals
Pirates
Mets
Dodgers
Giants will get better
Nationals might live up to expectations
Possible Surprise team
Not going to be easy to make the Playoffs in that League
Disappointing way to end the season but doesn't take away from how awesome this team is. We were all pretty much on the same page before the season started that finishing over .500 and even having a mathematical shot to make the playoffs in September would be more than acceptable. If anybody would have predicted 97 regular season wins and an NLDS victory over the Cards, they would have been laughed at and ridiculed for being a delusional homer. The future is bright and we can say there's always next year without the sarcasm. This season wasn't a fluke and we'll be back!
Yep, hell of a season with a lackluster end. Can't wait for a full season of Russell, Bryant and Schwarber next year, hopefully Soler and Baez too but we'll see how the offseason plays out. I think Russell has a breakout year next year. Wouldn't be surprised if we run into the Mets in the postseason again last year. The Cubs future looks great right now.
And Schwarber can spend the offseason learning how to be a decent left fielder. I love that kid's offensive tenacity, but in this series he looked like an overweight gym teacher out there in left field.
This is what's so scary. All of these teams are young and will pretty much be the same team for the next 3-4 years.
Except the Dodgers...they're just going to keep throwing money and praying it works.
So looking at next season the Cubs have decisions to make on these guys who are free agents:
Fowler
Motte
Haren (already said he is retiring)
Denorfia
Hunter
Rodney
Jacksom
Richard
Cahill
Out of that bunch, I would like to see Fowler back but I think he asks for too much $, Richard and Cahill had nice ending to the season and could technically be stretched out in spring training to compete for the #5 spot in the rotation. Jackson will probably look for a bigger role than a platoon OF. I don't really care what they do with Motte, Hunter, Rodney, and Denorfia. You can find bullpen guys and 4th or 5th OF guys a dime a dozen and none of those guys were good enough this year to think they couldn't find someone better to replace them.
So priorities in the offseason will be to go after one of the top free agent SP to add to the rotation and maybe a solid veteran SP on a reasonable contract for the #4 or #5 spot. Next will probably be find a starting CF who can lead off. There are not many options in free agency, in fact Fowler is probably the top option which is why he probably will command some big $. Denard Span would probably be the next best guy available, I don't see Jason Heyward as a good option in CF and he will want big $ too. Cubs could also go the route like they did with Fowler and find a guy on the last year of his contract but looking at the 2017 list there aren't a lot of options either as a lot of those guys are on teams that made the playoffs or were contending at some point. I guess they could bring Austin Jackson back as an everyday player too but Cubs really need to find one of those prototypical leadoff guys to set the table for the big hitters.
If you look at the everyday roster the only place that could be open is CF if Fowler leaves, possibly 2B if they make a trade with Castro but really no other spots are open if you pencil in Schwarber and Soler in the corner OF spots because the infield is set at about every position now. Starting pitching depth and some bullpen help will probably be the main focus of any signings or trades. It's not a bad thing to have so much young position talent and there is still a lot in the minors that could make for some tough decisions down the road too.
Fowler
Motte
Haren (already said he is retiring)
Denorfia
Hunter
Rodney
Jacksom
Richard
Cahill
Out of that bunch, I would like to see Fowler back but I think he asks for too much $, Richard and Cahill had nice ending to the season and could technically be stretched out in spring training to compete for the #5 spot in the rotation. Jackson will probably look for a bigger role than a platoon OF. I don't really care what they do with Motte, Hunter, Rodney, and Denorfia. You can find bullpen guys and 4th or 5th OF guys a dime a dozen and none of those guys were good enough this year to think they couldn't find someone better to replace them.
So priorities in the offseason will be to go after one of the top free agent SP to add to the rotation and maybe a solid veteran SP on a reasonable contract for the #4 or #5 spot. Next will probably be find a starting CF who can lead off. There are not many options in free agency, in fact Fowler is probably the top option which is why he probably will command some big $. Denard Span would probably be the next best guy available, I don't see Jason Heyward as a good option in CF and he will want big $ too. Cubs could also go the route like they did with Fowler and find a guy on the last year of his contract but looking at the 2017 list there aren't a lot of options either as a lot of those guys are on teams that made the playoffs or were contending at some point. I guess they could bring Austin Jackson back as an everyday player too but Cubs really need to find one of those prototypical leadoff guys to set the table for the big hitters.
If you look at the everyday roster the only place that could be open is CF if Fowler leaves, possibly 2B if they make a trade with Castro but really no other spots are open if you pencil in Schwarber and Soler in the corner OF spots because the infield is set at about every position now. Starting pitching depth and some bullpen help will probably be the main focus of any signings or trades. It's not a bad thing to have so much young position talent and there is still a lot in the minors that could make for some tough decisions down the road too.
Not that Jesse Rogers is an unquestionable fountain of Cubs knowledge, but in his article today he mentioned the possibility of moving Montero and letting Schwarber catch under Ross' tutelage.
I'm not against it if he can improve dramatically behind the plate because it would bolster our lineup tremendously, but do you guys think the Schwarber/catching ship has sailed?
I'm not against it if he can improve dramatically behind the plate because it would bolster our lineup tremendously, but do you guys think the Schwarber/catching ship has sailed?
Good read too: http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cub...-5-storylines-to-follow-is-dexter-fowler-back The thing about moving Schwarber back to catcher would be hard to do without eating a lot of Montero's contract in a trade as he is signed for 2 more seasons at 14 mil a year. I think the assessment on Montero's defense was a little harsh because I thought he was pretty good behind the plate and definitely was an upgrade Castillo there on handling the pitching staff. I'd love to lock up Arrietta now with a cost saving long term deal like they did with Rizzo and Castro the other year but I don't see it happening. Boras will milk him for every dollar in arbitration till they get to free agency where he will get paid like an ace should.
[video=youtube;_MctiMG7y-o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MctiMG7y-o[/video]
I think it has, unfortunately he was exposed a few times in LF too. He's too good of a bat to keep out of your lineup so probably will just have to deal with where does he hurt you the least defensively as a trade off to his hitting. 1B would be the most logical but there is no way the Cubs are moving their MVP caliber player they already have there so the only option is working with Schwarber on his defense in the OF because besides a trade or making the moves necessary to put him back behind the plate at catcher there really isn't anywhere else you can put him. He'd really thrive in the AL as a DH/1B
Yeah I don't see that happening either but I'd also like to see how he pitches next year before signing a long term deal. He threw a ton more innings this year than ever before, if he comes out strong next year, and I don't expect him to have an ERA under 2.00 again but I think he can consistently be under 3.00, then I would feel good about locking him up long term.
You disappear and then show up once they get eliminated. I'm shocked. You're not predictable whatsoever. Bravo.