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MLB: 2014 Chicago Cubs

Can the Theo bashers finally see the forest and not just the trees?

Prospects do wash out at a high rate, but this is as impressive a list of players in the Cubs farm system as could be imagined.

If....BIG if...this group moves together into Wrigley and wins a title then Theo is the best executive in any major sport. Maybe one of the best ever if this talent emerges from the Cubs (yes CUBS!) farm system and wins a title.

The future is bright, but still a few years off. 2017 could be fun
 
Building up the Cubs' farm system is absolutely important. Can't buy titles anymore. Their best season in recent memory (2003) was mostly a result of a strong farm system. That system was depleted through trades and never rebuilt until now.
 
Theo is doing a great job at acquiring talent. I hear Cub fans complaining they didn't get a top pitching prospect which I can understand but talent is talent. The plan is to acquire as much talent as possible and trade to fill in the gaps. Having 1 very good SS in the majors and two more elite prospects at the same position is not a bad thing. Perhaps Baez doesn't pan out? Addison steps in. Or just move Castro/Addison/Baez to another position--not unheard of. I hear the Cubs are already in talks with the Mets and Marlins about swapping minor leaguers (Cubs get pitchers and Mets/Marlins get position players).
 
Rogue52 said:
Building up the Cubs' farm system is absolutely important. Can't buy titles anymore. Their best season in recent memory (2003) was mostly a result of a strong farm system. That system was depleted through trades and never rebuilt until now.
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I'm pretty sure the only position players from 2003 who came through the Cubs farm system was Choi and Patterson, and neither of them played in the playoffs. Obviously Wood, Prior and Zambrano came through he system, but I think its a stretch to say 2003 was the result of a strong farm system. 2003 was more a result of great FA and trade moves. Also, the 2008 Cubs were better then the 2003 Cubs, IMO.
 
The Pirates and Cubs look like they're stacked with young talent that could someday contend for the NL Central for a decade. Feels weird to type that last sentence, but from a non-Cub fan that's how I feel. Pittsburgh might have the most dynamic outfield in MLB as soon as next season.
 
JohnnyFive said:
The Pirates and Cubs look like they're stacked with young talent that could someday contend for the NL Central for a decade. Feels weird to type that last sentence, but from a non-Cub fan that's how I feel. Pittsburgh might have the most dynamic outfield in MLB as soon as next season.
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I agree. The big difference is that Chicago is top 3 market.They'll have the money to keep most of those home grown talents.
 
TheCaptain said:
I agree. The big difference is that Chicago is top 3 market.They'll have the money to keep most of those home grown talents.
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Yet the stadium is still small, Ricketts paid too much for the team, and WGN advertising of games is less.
 
Really like the trade Theo did this time. He got 2 great players and 2 more bodies for a pitcher who was going to be a free agent at the end of the year and for Samardzija who's only under club control for another year. This is one of those deals that really was great for both sides.
 
I love the deal. If you break it down, the Cubs got a consensus top 10 prospect for Shark, who isn't even a for sure "ace". He is a good to very good pitcher but I don't think he is a legit #1. And they got the A's second best prospect for Hammel who is an average starting pitcher over his career. Then throw in 2 additional players, including one who just finished 4th in Rookie of he Year voting 2 years ago, and Theo and Hoyer owned this deal.

The Cubs now have the best farm system in baseball. They have 4 of the top 20-25 prospects plus up and comers like Almora and Soler. And I haven't even mentioned their first round pick from this years draft.

I expect to see Bryant, Castro, Baez and Rizzo be the Cubs starting infield in 2015 with Lake, Alcantara and TBD roaming the outfield. I really hope the Cubs target both Price and Lester in the offseason and land at least one of them. That team could contend for a playoff spot right away next year if they add some pitching.
 
Section136 said:
I love the deal. If you break it down, the Cubs got a consensus top 10 prospect for Shark, who isn't even a for sure "ace". He is a good to very good pitcher but I don't think he is a legit #1. And they got the A's second best prospect for Hammel who is an average starting pitcher over his career. Then throw in 2 additional players, including one who just finished 4th in Rookie of he Year voting 2 years ago, and Theo and Hoyer owned this deal.

The Cubs now have the best farm system in baseball. They have 4 of the top 20-25 prospects plus up and comers like Almora and Soler. And I haven't even mentioned their first round pick from this years draft.

I expect to see Bryant, Castro, Baez and Rizzo be the Cubs starting infield in 2015 with Lake, Alcantara and TBD roaming the outfield. I really hope the Cubs target both Price and Lester in the offseason and land at least one of them. That team could contend for a playoff spot right away next year if they add some pitching.
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It will be interesting the see what the Cubs do yet this season/next of season. Barney, Valbuena, Coghlan, and Ruggiano are all due for arbitration going into 2015.
 
chuckd4735 said:
It will be interesting the see what the Cubs do yet this season/next of season. Barney, Valbuena, Coghlan, and Ruggiano are all due for arbitration going into 2015.
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We could probably trade Barney, Valbuena, and Coghlan as a package and receive a pack of gum and that would be considered a steal for us.

Ruggiano could actually be dealt before the deadline. He'd be a good 4th outfielder for a team. Has some good pop in his bat and a good batting average. May need to cute down the K's a bit, (averages 1 strikeout/4 AB's) but would be a good asset to an organization and could get us a reliever or potential reliever in return.
 
ISUCubswin said:
We could probably trade Barney, Valbuena, and Coghlan as a package and receive a pack of gum and that would be considered a steal for us.

Ruggiano could actually be dealt before the deadline. He'd be a good 4th outfielder for a team. Has some good pop in his bat and a good batting average. May need to cute down the K's a bit, (averages 1 strikeout/4 AB's) but would be a good asset to an organization and could get us a reliever or potential reliever in return.
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Yeah, the good thing is the Cubs can offer them fair market one year contracts and probably avoid arbitration. None the less, I expect most of them to be on the roster next year. I agree with Ruggiano, but think Valbuena could also get dealt as well.
 
chuckd4735 said:
Yeah, the good thing is the Cubs can offer them fair market one year contracts and probably avoid arbitration. None the less, I expect most of them to be on the roster next year. I agree with Ruggiano, but think Valbuena could also get dealt as well.
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IF we get lucky and Soler puts up ridiculous numbers and stays healthy all year, I could see him coming up. And if we have Lake, Alcantara, and Soler in the OF, I'm not sure we bring back Coghlan. Ruggiano could be our platoon and we may try and keep Emilio
 
ISUCubswin said:
IF we get lucky and Soler puts up ridiculous numbers and stays healthy all year, I could see him coming up. And if we have Lake, Alcantara, and Soler in the OF, I'm not sure we bring back Coghlan. Ruggiano could be our platoon and we may try and keep Emilio
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Unless you move them, don't you essentially have to bring back players who are in arbitration. Is there any way for the player or team to opt out and have the played become a free agent?
 
What!!! I'm just now looking at the free agent list for next year.

Ruggiano, Barney, and Valbuena are all arbitration eligible until 2017.

Bonifacio is a free agent

Coghlan is still on a minor league contract, so I think we can let him go whenever we want.
 
If I'm understanding everything correctly, the player submits his desired salary for the upcoming season, the team submits their desired salary for the player for the upcoming season, and the arbitration decides what the contract will be from their, however, it is a non-guaranteed contract.

Essentially, the Cubs could intentionally go into arbitration with those three, offer league minimum, and then when the panel comes out with their side, the Cubs can cut the player and not pay them, and then the player becomes a free agent.
 
Section136 said:
I love the deal. If you break it down, the Cubs got a consensus top 10 prospect for Shark, who isn't even a for sure "ace". He is a good to very good pitcher but I don't think he is a legit #1. And they got the A's second best prospect for Hammel who is an average starting pitcher over his career. Then throw in 2 additional players, including one who just finished 4th in Rookie of he Year voting 2 years ago, and Theo and Hoyer owned this deal.

The Cubs now have the best farm system in baseball. They have 4 of the top 20-25 prospects plus up and comers like Almora and Soler. And I haven't even mentioned their first round pick from this years draft.

I expect to see Bryant, Castro, Baez and Rizzo be the Cubs starting infield in 2015 with Lake, Alcantara and TBD roaming the outfield. I really hope the Cubs target both Price and Lester in the offseason and land at least one of them. That team could contend for a playoff spot right away next year if they add some pitching.
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No way, IMO. Baez is still hitting just .241 in AAA. His best month so far this year was June, when he hit .275, but he hasn't hit better than .250 in any other month thus far. I highly doubt he's going to be ready to start in Chicago by next season, and I also think Russell is now seen as the shortstop of the future. He's a very good offensive prospect, but he's also got Gold Glove potential at short, which Baez doesn't.

What I'm expecting to see next season:

C: Castillo
1B: Rizzo
2B: Barney/Alcantara (this could maybe be a spot where they find a FA who's not expensive, but still an upgrade)
3B: Bryant
SS: Castro
LF: Primarily Lake, but won't be surprised to see a platoon here
CF: Alcantara
RF: TBD
 
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