MLB: 2014 Chicago Cubs
- Thread starter Bret44
- Start date
There's only 6 weeks left of the minor league season. That's not enough at bats. I'm not the only one suggesting there's a possibility of him being up at the end of the year.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Darwin Barney DFA'd.
From what I've heard, Baez has looked better at second than short. Not sure they'd move him up this early, but this is definitely a move to start pushing him to Chicago. Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation, Jesse Rogers of ESPN, and the I-Cubs manager have all said great things about the defensive switch.
From what I've heard, Baez has looked better at second than short. Not sure they'd move him up this early, but this is definitely a move to start pushing him to Chicago. Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation, Jesse Rogers of ESPN, and the I-Cubs manager have all said great things about the defensive switch.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
It's a shame for Barney, but he really needs an AL team to cover up his offensive woes.
Barney just had to go. All glove and no stick.
The march to the championship continues. Finally we're seeing the placeholder players getting dumped.
The march to the championship continues. Finally we're seeing the placeholder players getting dumped.
Mike Olt is being brought down from Chicago.
Jorge Soler is on his way to AAA Iowa
Albert Almira is on his way to AA Tennessee.
Jorge Soler is on his way to AAA Iowa
Albert Almira is on his way to AA Tennessee.
You can tell that Theo/Jed sense that being able to really compete is getting very close. Bryant/Baez will be up early next year, Soler/Russell/Almora all have a shot at late next season (Probably only 1 will make it next year, maybe 2 at most though). Cubs will spend some serious money on pitching this offseason and next.
By May of next year we would see a starting infield of Rizzo, Baez, Castro and Bryant. Thats down right scary. You're talking about Bryant who's one of the 2-3 best prospects in baseball, Baez who is a consensus top 5-10 prospect in baseball, Rizzo who was an all-star and leads the NL in HR's and Castro who is a 3 time all-star at short by the age of 24. What a crazy good core to build around and they will have an average age of 23.8 years old come opening day... these guys are going to be good for a long time. Then Russell, Soler, Almora, Edwards, Vizcaino, Johnson, etc. wont be far behind.
And this is without mentioning other young pieces who have already arrived and are showing well so far in Alcantra, Hendricks, Arrieta, Ramirez, Rondon, etc, etc.
I'm getting giddy just thinking about it.
By May of next year we would see a starting infield of Rizzo, Baez, Castro and Bryant. Thats down right scary. You're talking about Bryant who's one of the 2-3 best prospects in baseball, Baez who is a consensus top 5-10 prospect in baseball, Rizzo who was an all-star and leads the NL in HR's and Castro who is a 3 time all-star at short by the age of 24. What a crazy good core to build around and they will have an average age of 23.8 years old come opening day... these guys are going to be good for a long time. Then Russell, Soler, Almora, Edwards, Vizcaino, Johnson, etc. wont be far behind.
And this is without mentioning other young pieces who have already arrived and are showing well so far in Alcantra, Hendricks, Arrieta, Ramirez, Rondon, etc, etc.
I'm getting giddy just thinking about it.
Agree on all this, but it won't take Soler to the end of next year to be up. It will be this year, if not opening day next year. He is ready in all ways other than injuries.
It's amazing what Theo/Jed have been able to do. This rebuild has been based upon finding diamond-in-the-rough veterans, bringing them in on small contracts and dealing them when the market is hot. Surely not all of these guys can pan out, but out of the mix of Castro/Rizzo/Bryant/Mendy/Russell/Baez/Almora/Soler/Almora, I just can't see how we don't wind up with one of the best offensive lineups in baseball in a few years time. Also, if they can teach Schwarber how to catch his power behind the plate in 3-4 years would be amazing too.
Service time is not the issue with him, but I believe their concern is bringing him up and then having to send him down both developmentally and contractually. I think there was something with his contract and the 40-man roster that came into play there.
[TABLE="class: powerranks, width: 640"]
[TR="class: mlbCHC"]
[TD="class: powerrankingcontent"]Interesting stat from the Cubs broadcast Tuesday night: Only three players have previously led the NL in home runs while playing for a last place team. Two (Andre Dawson in 1987 and Sammy Sosa in 2000) were Cubs. Anthony Rizzo could make it three out of four.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TR="class: mlbCHC"]
[TD="class: powerrankingcontent"]Interesting stat from the Cubs broadcast Tuesday night: Only three players have previously led the NL in home runs while playing for a last place team. Two (Andre Dawson in 1987 and Sammy Sosa in 2000) were Cubs. Anthony Rizzo could make it three out of four.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
