Author Topic: Today’s Game 2023  (Read 33575 times)

craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13097
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #780 on: May 25, 2023, 04:57:10 pm »
...4th game in a row with the above arrangement. Morel DH; Tauchman CF.

....Cubs stopped playing Morel at 3B after couple weeks of AAA season... Not playing 3B since the call-up. No opening for Morel middle IF for several seasons to come. Ditto corner OF. Maybe to rest Happ against a lefty.

Maybe he’s a DH going forward, period, with very occasional forays playing a position? He’s hitting enough, obviously, to be a DH. Consider him basically career DH/utility?

He's blazing hot, but we know that can't last.  Career DH seems a challenging career path.  For a guy who simplistically looks to be the most athletic, toolsy guy on the team, it's frustrating that he's never developed decent defense anywhere.

I've thought he's flashed at both 2b and 3B.  But Morel always looks kinda hyper and out-of-control.  Can consistency and reliability ever come?  I hope so, but maybe never?

I used to figure 3B was his most ideal position, with his quickness and arm.  Pulling him off 3B at Iowa, that's not encouraging. 

Management prioritizes versatility and the utility pathway for prospects.  *IF* they'd imagined he'd have 20 HR by Memorial Day, I wonder if they'd have instead told him to practice 3B only all winter, and for the previous two seasons?  I wonder *IF* they hypothetically committed him 100% to 3B, whether he'd ever have a chance to become good there? 

CurtOne

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27249
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #781 on: May 25, 2023, 05:12:24 pm »
There goes craig again, dissing somebody.  "He's blazing hot, but we know that can't last."

The other day someone asked if with all the strike outs was the HR pace was sustainable.  Yes, the strike out pace is sustainable.

Reb

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5086
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #782 on: May 25, 2023, 06:36:59 pm »
Don’t know why Morel “pulled off” 3B at Iowa.

When that happened, Cubs gave playing time at 3B/2B to Slaughter and Mastrobuoni, so could be wanted to give ABs to those guys and Morel fit better into Iowa lineup in CF. Maybe kind of a “we know what he can do at 3B” kind of thing—good or bad, who knows.

So, where he plays in the field—if much at all—seems like an interesting question mark. Not ruling anything out. Just asking.

Chris27

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18092
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #783 on: May 25, 2023, 07:02:28 pm »
Hendricks not throwing strikes, doesn't seem right.

Tuffy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3331
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #784 on: May 25, 2023, 07:03:46 pm »
Hendricks is back.

Mets jump out to a 1-0 lead with Nimmo scoring on a sac fly, but the Cubs come right back with a Dansby homer to tie it.

Going to the second, tied at 1.

Reb

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5086
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #785 on: May 25, 2023, 07:41:57 pm »
One of those tough luck innings for Hendricks in 3rd.

Four singles——at EV of 90.4, 74.7, 83.5, 93.1——around a throwing error from Suzuki lead to 3 runs, 2 earned. Mets hitting them where they ain’t this inning.

CurtOne

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27249
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #786 on: May 25, 2023, 08:01:15 pm »
Watch the video, those Met hits were flat-footed.  No stride, waiting for the change up and punching it.

craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13097
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #787 on: May 25, 2023, 08:19:46 pm »
Watch the video, those Met hits were flat-footed.  No stride, waiting for the change up and punching it.

That was smart hitting by the Mets. 
Funny Funny x 1 View List

craig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13097
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #788 on: May 25, 2023, 08:22:15 pm »
I also thought there was a groundball that off the bat, I assumed Mervis would get, but he didn't.  Did he not have a chance, maybe holding a runner?  Or was that a ball a 1B with average or above-average range would have gotten? 

CurtOne

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27249
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #789 on: May 25, 2023, 09:48:01 pm »
I also thought there was a groundball that off the bat, I assumed Mervis would get, but he didn't.  Did he not have a chance, maybe holding a runner?  Or was that a ball a 1B with average or above-average range would have gotten? 
True.  Should have been Mervis' ball.

davep

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15849
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #790 on: May 25, 2023, 10:42:21 pm »
I think that it is quite possible that Tauchman had an opt out date nearing, and they brought him up to give him a decent trial at the MLB before letting him loose.  It isn't as though Morel was going to play much CF once Bellinger returns, anyway.  I wish that the Cubs would just let him play one position, but it looks as if they are still in love with the concept of a super utility man.

Reb

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5086
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #791 on: May 25, 2023, 11:19:42 pm »
I think there is a major league role for Tauchman on Cubs, so will be surprised if he’s let go. Not saying no-way but seems unlikely.

Guessing that the move—when Bellinger returns—is with Edwin Rios, who has an option and seems to have almost no role.

Also, Cubs will need to open up a 40-man spot for Cody Heuer soon. That might be Rios too. Or, perhaps Burdi goes to 60-day IL.

Dave23

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12694
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #792 on: May 26, 2023, 01:59:54 pm »
Let’s not try this particular defensive alignment again…

CurtOne

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27249
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #793 on: May 26, 2023, 02:19:33 pm »
Cubs looked shell-shocked today.

Reb

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5086
Re: Today’s Game 2023
« Reply #794 on: May 26, 2023, 05:01:49 pm »
Cubs were out-total-based 28-2 today.

Ouch.