Author Topic: Today's Game 2019  (Read 53324 times)

Ron

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5655 on: September 28, 2019, 10:24:41 pm »
Same for Schwarber.  Schwarber up to .251, OVER .250!  Obviously juiced ball, so EVERYBODY really ought to have a career year this year.  But he's career-year tops in every category, now. 

Same for Happ, obviously having only 151 PA his volume numbers are way down.  But all his rate numbers are now career-year-ish.  His batting average is up to .272, pretty astonishing. 

He's always going to be a hot-and-cold guy, but it's probably more fun to go through the winter coming off a "hot". 

I noted in a recent post that Theo had praised Schwarber and Happ for the adjustments they had made at the plate late in the season. They have been validating his assessment going down to the wire.  They have seemingly positioned themselves to be either in the mix at the beginning of next season or as pretty good trade bait. I suspect the former, but we'll see.

craig

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5656 on: September 28, 2019, 11:47:55 pm »
I agree, Ron, I think they'll probably both be back.  I think both have too many questions for other GM's to make really strong offers.  But I'm guessing Theo will like their upside too much to accept what's offered as good value.  Time will tell whether their adjustments will result in long-lasting sustained success.  But if so, I don't think what you'll get in exchange now will be worth it. 

Happ is also in some ways a good fit, *if* he can hit, because he can play at five positions, even if not necessarily well.  But *IF* you thought he was going to hit .270 with .850-OPS, I expect you'd be OK letting his defense play in CF or LF or RF variably often, and perhaps even some 2B if the alternatives don't hit at all. 

Deeg

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5657 on: September 29, 2019, 12:04:53 am »
A serious question to those who want Happ and Schwarber back, and don't want to dangle Bryant or Contreras.  How, exactly, do you propose to try and fix this roster?  It's pretty clear the budget isn't going to be increased (and this is a lousy FA class anyway) and you can't seriously think guys like Almora, Quintana or Russell have meaningful trade value.
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ben

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5658 on: September 29, 2019, 07:39:59 am »
Who knows what Theo is thinking...but my best guess is Contreras takes his bat (and mitt) to the AL.

ben

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5659 on: September 29, 2019, 08:22:48 am »
More guesswork: with Hoerner around to back up SS and provide a good glove at 2B - as a starter or sub, maybe after some AAA time to further develop his bat - Russell and several others will go, too. 

Guessing Theo tests the off-season waters on extensions for Baez and Bryant...and, if he doesn't like what he hears (and nothing is likely to change with Boras/Bryant), either will be a trade candidate, if another team wants to pony up big time...I wouldn't be surprised if that kind of major trade happens next summer, if the team is scuffling again.

My best guess is that Baez is the most likely to get a big deal down the road.  Rizzo remains the soul of the team and won't be moved.


Deeg

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5660 on: September 29, 2019, 08:26:43 am »
There's no way Baez is getting traded unless things completely crater and Tank 2 comes to pass.  Which I don't see happening.

CurtOne

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5661 on: September 29, 2019, 09:09:23 am »
We've beaten the first place team two straight days without our "stars" in the lineup.  Some may be less important than some think.

CurtOne

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5662 on: September 29, 2019, 09:10:35 am »
That last comment wasn't directed to Deeg's comment about Baez, but supporting his comment about Bryant and Contreras.

Ron

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5663 on: September 29, 2019, 09:12:22 am »
More guesswork: with Hoerner around to back up SS and provide a good glove at 2B - as a starter or sub, maybe after some AAA time to further develop his bat - Russell and several others will go, too. 

Guessing Theo tests the off-season waters on extensions for Baez and Bryant...and, if he doesn't like what he hears (and nothing is likely to change with Boras/Bryant), either will be a trade candidate, if another team wants to pony up big time...I wouldn't be surprised if that kind of major trade happens next summer, if the team is scuffling again.

My best guess is that Baez is the most likely to get a big deal down the road.  Rizzo remains the soul of the team and won't be moved.

I generally agree with ben on this. Although I mostly expect Russell be gone, it's possible that Theo et al want to find out if he can get back to where he was a few years ago as an excellent defensive middle infielder and a useful bat.

I don't expect Baez to be dangled, but I do expect Bryant to be, and possibly Contreras.

Bennett

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5664 on: September 29, 2019, 09:45:56 am »
Derek Holland "opens' for the Cubs this afternoon.

Does Tyler Chatwood follow?

Bennett

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5665 on: September 29, 2019, 10:29:41 am »
Nico in center


CurtOne

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5666 on: September 29, 2019, 02:29:55 pm »
Is Maddon managing or is the bench coach?

davep

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5667 on: September 29, 2019, 02:33:36 pm »
He must be managing.  Who else would start Holland in this situation?
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Chris27

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5668 on: September 29, 2019, 02:55:56 pm »
A meaningless situation?

Reb

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Re: Today's Game 2019
« Reply #5669 on: September 29, 2019, 04:28:50 pm »
Schwarber removed from the game hitting exactly .250 for the season.

Which shows that .250 is the new .300 (if you hit home runs).