Author Topic: On The Farm  (Read 324289 times)

davep

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15854
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1005 on: December 15, 2015, 02:07:48 pm »
I don't think he has much trade value at this time, but if he does, we should certainly trade him.

However, if Baez is able to make the team, he would be sufficient protection at shortstop that we wouldn't need the guy we are getting as PTBNL from the Yankees, and Villanueva could make the roster as a reserve third/first baseman.

The Cubs are developing amazing roster versatility.  Baez can play every infield position, and perhaps even every outfield position.  Zobrist can play outfield or second base.  Bryant third base or outfield.  Schwarber outfield or catcher.  Maddon should be in heaven next year.

Reb

  • Guest
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1006 on: December 15, 2015, 02:25:18 pm »
Yeah, the Ryan acquisition is curious. Could mean nothing with only $1 guarantee but have to wonder if Ryan is fallback option as back-up SS in case Baez is traded. Theo always thinking ahead.

craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13098
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1007 on: December 15, 2015, 02:37:11 pm »
Is Ryan a guaranteed contract?  Or the kind of deal where if we cut him before the season we're off the hook for most of it?  I'd just assumed that taking $1M was something to help make the Yankees agree....

Is Brothers the kind of deal where if we cut him, we're off the hook?  Or, if we try to option him, he can opt out but doing so will cost him his salary? 


Reb

  • Guest
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1009 on: December 15, 2015, 03:07:41 pm »
According to AZ Phil, Brothers has right to elect free agency if outrighted (would have to pass thru revocable waivers to be outrighted).

Brothers is on a 1-year deal, so can be released with Cubs only on hook for termination pay (amount depending when in spring training released). So, unlike Ryan, Brothers not guaranteed full contract salary. Believe that Ryan guaranteed full salary---player option exercised by Ryan at end of 2015 season as part of multi-year deal with Yankees that Cubs inherited.

davep

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15854
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1010 on: December 15, 2015, 03:22:47 pm »
Yeah, the Ryan acquisition is curious. Could mean nothing with only $1 guarantee but have to wonder if Ryan is fallback option as back-up SS in case Baez is traded. Theo always thinking ahead.

He is also a fallback option in case Baez does very poorly in winter ball and spring training.  The Cubs might want him to go back to Iowa to work on his hitting.

craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13098
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1011 on: December 15, 2015, 04:43:43 pm »
According to AZ Phil, Brothers has right to elect free agency if outrighted (would have to pass thru revocable waivers to be outrighted).

Brothers is on a 1-year deal, so can be released with Cubs only on hook for termination pay (amount depending when in spring training released). So, unlike Ryan, Brothers not guaranteed full contract salary. Believe that Ryan guaranteed full salary---player option exercised by Ryan at end of 2015 season as part of multi-year deal with Yankees that Cubs inherited.

Brothers is interesting because he's talented so I'd like to keep him.  But I totally don't want to plan him onto roster, given he's so wild and probably untrustworthy.  But it would be interesting to send him down, and implement perhaps some arm-slot adjustments or whatever that the Cubs analysis diagnoses.  Give him some some time at Iowa and see if he can sustain anything enough to earn a shot. 

So, the options are:
1. Keep him, good/bad/ugly
2. Cut him, goodbye, clear a million
or
3. Option him?  If nobody claims him, he can opt out (and lose the million?) or accept the assignment, and remain on roster at $1.4 or whatever salary? 

Am I close on that, or not really?


I suspect there'd be a pretty good chance he'd accept the option to Iowa if the Cubs offer it to him.  I think that would be a nice situation for both Cubs and Brothers. 

Reb

  • Guest
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1012 on: December 15, 2015, 05:01:28 pm »
If Brothers is optioned (has two options remaining) and clears revocable waivers, he goes to Iowa. Brothers does not have enough service credit to decline an option. Stays on 40-man. Contract stays in place (unless a split contract with lesser minor league money).

If Cubs want to get him to Iowa AND off 40-man, Cubs can outright him--if gets thru waivers. But, different service credit rules for an outright and Brothers could decline an outright to Iowa. But, if he did that, would be walking away from his contract.

Would seem best course is an option. As AZPhil notes, unusual to see a revocable waiver claim, as club can pull back the option if claimed. Usually a courtesy not to claim in most circumstances.

AndyMacFAIL

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 846
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1013 on: December 15, 2015, 05:13:57 pm »
Is Ryan a guaranteed contract?  Or the kind of deal where if we cut him before the season we're off the hook for most of it?  I'd just assumed that taking $1M was something to help make the Yankees agree....

Is Brothers the kind of deal where if we cut him, we're off the hook?  Or, if we try to option him, he can opt out but doing so will cost him his salary? 

It's guaranteed as Ryan exercised the 2016 option in his contract on November 3, 2015.   


craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13098
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1014 on: December 15, 2015, 05:32:09 pm »
Thanks much.  Very helpful. 

So, if he's got two options left, every time you use one it would be the same revocable waivers I suppose?  I imagine it's a little harder to do the Schlitter yo-yo if every send-down requires revocable waivers process.  Maybe the courtesy thing does allow that no problem.  But I'd imagine if Pirates or Cardinals are in a tight pennant race, they might not be so courteous....

Reb

  • Guest
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1015 on: December 15, 2015, 06:29:00 pm »
AZ Phil has pretty interesting organizational depth chart that he updates regularly.

40-man roster guys included on big league depth chart---you can adjust for that by placing where likely to be assigned.

http://www.thecubreporter.com/cubs-depth-chart

JeffH

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6158
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1016 on: December 15, 2015, 06:46:53 pm »
The flaw in that chart seems to be that a guy gets listed in one and only one category.  Sure, Adam Warren and Clayton Richard are on the starting pitcher depth chart, but, as of right now, they're on the team as two of the top eight relief pitchers.

Reb

  • Guest
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1017 on: December 15, 2015, 07:33:28 pm »
From my perspective, that's not really a flaw. Very easy on your own to figure the player is adaptable to more than one role/position. In any case, major league stuff can be found elsewhere. Interesting part is the minor league charts. That's why posted in this topic.

CUBluejays

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17347
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1018 on: December 17, 2015, 02:19:36 pm »
Jim Brower was named minor league pitching coordinator.  Former pitching coach for the Royals AA team.  Pitched in the majors with the Giants.

Bennett

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7414
Re: On The Farm
« Reply #1019 on: December 17, 2015, 02:29:29 pm »
Jim Brower was named minor league pitching coordinator.  Former pitching coach for the Royals AA team.  Pitched in the majors with the Giants.
Brower was a star pitcher for the Babe Ruth team I helped with years ago.  He is also one of quite a few who played in the Little League World Series.  In one game I recall when he was with the Giants, he balked in the winning run at Wrigley.