Author Topic: Cubs in '19  (Read 72303 times)

Reb

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #450 on: November 06, 2018, 02:10:39 pm »
Not very keen on trading Schwarber, so hoping trade conjecture about him is misplaced.

Very impressed how Schwarber improved his defense last season to better-than-decent. He’s basically a 3 WAR guy... and maybe some upside left? Would hold my cards with him.

But, not so impressed with Happ last year. Really frustrating watching him swing-and-miss on pitches IN the strike zone. Fangraphs Z-contact rate had him at about 70%. MLB average is about 85%. Worrisome when a guy isn’t making enough contact on strikes. Maybe he’s just guessing wrong too often and, granted, ball jumps off his bat on good contact but maybe let another club take on his upside—-which is there. With five years of control and versatility and power, would think has considerable trade value.

Reb

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #451 on: November 06, 2018, 02:20:33 pm »
With all the limited payroll talk about Cubs, hard to know if they can actually add a $12-15 guy...but McCutcheon seems like maybe a good fit here. Maybe gets two years max somewhere?

Presuming that Cubs trade an OFer for other help, there would be an OF opening. Good clubhouse chemistry guy, gets on base, 20 HR power. Not a CFer anymore but think would be valuable in OF mix. Always liked him.

JeffH

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #452 on: November 06, 2018, 02:54:13 pm »
"McCutchen"

Reb

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #453 on: November 06, 2018, 02:56:38 pm »

craig

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #454 on: November 06, 2018, 03:24:04 pm »
..Fangraphs Z-contact rate had him at about 70%. MLB average is about 85%. Worrisome when a guy isn’t making enough contact on strikes. Maybe he’s just guessing wrong too often and, granted, ball jumps off his bat on good contact but maybe let another club take on his upside—-which is there. With five years of control and versatility and power, would think has considerable trade value.

Schwarber is 78.7% career Z-contact.  That's a problem area for him, too, although not as acute as with Happ.  Schwarber had a career year, at 80.8% it's his first year over 79.1%. 

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #455 on: November 06, 2018, 03:42:57 pm »
I'm not sure how one can call Schwarber a 3 WAR player when he's at 2.7 for his entire career.

If you compare Schwarber and Happ's stats, their careers have started off in very similar fashion - almost eerily so, in fact.  One could make the case that having both of them is overkill,  and that Happ is the more valuable because of his defensive versatility.  I think it's very likely one of them will go this winter, but I'm not sure which one Theo would rather deal.  Depends on return, I suppose.

CUBluejays

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #456 on: November 06, 2018, 04:01:04 pm »
Because there are multiple versions on WAR and you need to specify which one you are using.

By Fangraphs he had 3.2 fWAR last year and 6.6 for his career, Steamer projects him to 2.9 next year.  Adding up fWAR vs Win totals last year.  4 teams differed by 4 wins, 6 by 3 wins, 9 by 2 wins, 10 by 1 win and 9 had a 0 win difference.


guest61

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #457 on: November 06, 2018, 04:51:15 pm »
I wouldnt want to trade Schwarber or Happ.

I'd move Almora.

CUBluejays

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #458 on: November 06, 2018, 05:43:08 pm »
Hoyer mentioned that the Cubs could still have some turnover.

According to Rogers Hickey hasn’t been confirmed to be back as pitching coach.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2018, 06:29:58 pm by CUBluejays »

Robb

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #459 on: November 06, 2018, 11:48:17 pm »
I wonder if anyone would bite on Yu Darvish? Moving him could give the flexibility the Cubs lack.

Deeg

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #460 on: November 07, 2018, 12:55:32 am »
That’s not even a discussion. No one will take that contract until Yu shows he’s recovered from his elbow issues, and if he has it will look like a bargain.

Robb

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #461 on: November 07, 2018, 10:25:15 am »
There are some rumblings that the Rangers would take him back.

CurtOne

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #462 on: November 07, 2018, 10:36:33 am »
for 50 bucks in international money and we pay 100% of his salary?

brjones

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #463 on: November 07, 2018, 12:07:22 pm »
Bruce Levine @MLBBruceLevine
Baseball exec after some meetings with different teams . “ Cubs and White Sox are looking for bullpen help. Sox are seeking a starter who can bring some experience to their rotation .Cubs looking for versatility in position players”


A lot of responses to this on Twitter seem to think Marwin Gonzalez is going to be the "versatility" target, which would be pretty disappointing. He's not that good--he's basically the 2018 version of Ian Happ at the plate minus a few strikeouts--so he doesn't really move the needle on fixing the lineup.

davep

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Re: Cubs in '19
« Reply #464 on: November 07, 2018, 12:19:28 pm »
If Bryant and Contreras return to their previous levels, the lineup will largely be fixed.  I doubt that they are going to bring in any free agent or trade for anyone that will make a major impact on their lineup without that.