I expect the Cubs to land at least a couple more Cuban prospects before June. They are out their first round pick in the draft this year, plus won't be able to sign any top international prospects for the next two years due to their overspending this past year. So now's the time to sign guys, even if you have to overpay a little.
***Chicago Cubs 15-16 Offseason***
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I expect the Cubs to land at least a couple more Cuban prospects before June. They are out their first round pick in the draft this year, plus won't be able to sign any top international prospects for the next two years due to their overspending this past year. So now's the time to sign guys, even if you have to overpay a little.
I compared him to Dunn due to strikeout ratio, and even gave what I thought to be a break even point from a power production standpoint, which is about what Dunn produced. I don't see Soler producing that, so the SO ratio is eye popping in my mind.
From an interview with Jason McLeod it sounds like the Cubs are really going to let Cease, Sands and Steele get after this year. This organization is extremely conservative with how they handle young pitchers so even those it's these guys' third year in the organization this will be their first chance to throw significant innings. If one of them can show signs of becoming a legit TOR starter that would be huge.
Good read on the bullpen situation: http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36349/cubs-spring-preview-more-bullpen-arms-than-jobs
How crazy is it that for as good as Neil Ramirez was in 2014 he might not even make the 25 man roster this year? If he's healthy and is anywhere close to his 2014 form I think I read that he is out of options so that is going to force a move to keep him on the 25 man coming out of spring training. Cubs have a lot of long relief guys right now in Warren, Richard, Wood, and Cahill which is great if there is an injury or someone like Hammel or Hendricks disappoints and loses their spot in the rotation but would be nice to have at least 1 more lock down short guy in the pen other than Grimm, Strop, and Rondon as those other guys don't strike me as situational pitchers you can bring in for 1 batter in a tight spot.
Also OF Matt Szczur is out of options so he's another guy to keep an eye one. Breakdown of options here: http://www.thecubreporter.com/cubs-40-man-roster Cubs have a few guys that would have to get through waivers to outright them to Iowa this year in Alcantara, Ramirez, Szczur, and Rosscup that could make the roster moves interesting because I could see all of those guys potentially getting claimed if they had to pass through waivers.
Kind of a nice problem to have on many fronts to have some depth but it's not like the guys fighting for those last roster spots have a lot of trade value to nab anything of significance if they are out of options and Cubs don't want to lose them for nothing on waivers.
How crazy is it that for as good as Neil Ramirez was in 2014 he might not even make the 25 man roster this year? If he's healthy and is anywhere close to his 2014 form I think I read that he is out of options so that is going to force a move to keep him on the 25 man coming out of spring training. Cubs have a lot of long relief guys right now in Warren, Richard, Wood, and Cahill which is great if there is an injury or someone like Hammel or Hendricks disappoints and loses their spot in the rotation but would be nice to have at least 1 more lock down short guy in the pen other than Grimm, Strop, and Rondon as those other guys don't strike me as situational pitchers you can bring in for 1 batter in a tight spot.
Also OF Matt Szczur is out of options so he's another guy to keep an eye one. Breakdown of options here: http://www.thecubreporter.com/cubs-40-man-roster Cubs have a few guys that would have to get through waivers to outright them to Iowa this year in Alcantara, Ramirez, Szczur, and Rosscup that could make the roster moves interesting because I could see all of those guys potentially getting claimed if they had to pass through waivers.
Kind of a nice problem to have on many fronts to have some depth but it's not like the guys fighting for those last roster spots have a lot of trade value to nab anything of significance if they are out of options and Cubs don't want to lose them for nothing on waivers.
And it's not just the 25 man roster, the Cubs are getting to the point where there are no easy calls for a 40 man roster spot either. When Theo and Co. took over they were claiming guys on waivers left and right because the bottom of almost every other team's roster were much better than the Cubs. Now we're at the point where freeing up 40 man spots are starting to became painful which is where you want to be. This would seem to be a good year for a quantity for quality trade for the Cubs. They are starting to get some real logjams especially at middle IF and OF positions throughout the system.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
USA Today season win projections:
I love every day's new piece of Cubs hype. It's going to be a fun ride, whatever happens.
Note: must make pilgrimage to Wrigley this year. Maybe sell a kidney if necessary.
First spring training game is in 15 days. Thank ******* God, because this basketball team is a disaster
Tickets go on-sale the 26th:
Chicago Cubs @Cubs 4m4 minutes ago Single game #Cubs tickets go on sale Feb. 26. You’re going to want to buy early this year! http://atmlb.com/1ROqi4m
Keep reading about Mike Trout and if it's time for the Angels to trade him. LA of Anaheim has a horrible farm system.
In a pie in the sky world I'd love to see Trout in Wrigley.
In a pie in the sky world I'd love to see Trout in Wrigley.
It's going to be in the 50's this weekend, so I'm going to walk by Wrigley, stare at it and then hump it for a couple minutes or until when the police tell me to stop.
Can't wait for this year.
Can't wait for this year.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
So MLB.tv has their post-lawsuit update up. It looks like it's still blacked out in central Iowa for Cubs fans. Am I seeing that correctly? If so, how do they refuse to take all that money?
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp?&affiliateId=MLBTVREDIRECT#follow-your-team
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp?&affiliateId=MLBTVREDIRECT#follow-your-team
For a league that does such a good job with their online platform it just amazes me at how backward they are with the blackout rules.
I guess it's easy for an Iowan to hit a Tuesday night game at Wrigley?
I expect a step back this season. Young guys with some just entering year 2 of being at the major level. There's a crush of expectations already.
It was interesting to see the players training on their own in Arizona. Swear on my Grandpa's Bible that I will cry like a child when the Cubs finally win it all
I don't, I think they may win less than 97 games as their run differential wasn't that of a typical 97 win team but I expect them to win the division and post a higher run differential this year. Arrieta will probably come back to earth but there's much more starting pitching depth with Lackey and Warren this year. We have better bullpen options this year than last. We have a deeper lineup, a full year of Schwarber and Baez, a healthy La Stella. None of the young guys we're out of nowhere surprises, all were elite prospects. There may be some struggles individually but a really can't see a scenario where this lineup doesn't put up runs.
