Author Topic: Cubs in '12  (Read 203105 times)

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10290 on: December 06, 2012, 11:36:46 am »
A couple of ESPN comments from Giants fans on Schierholtz. 

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Thom Zajac · Bonny Doon, California

As I Giants fan I might be able to shed a little light on Schierholtz... He has some tools: good, fast fielder with exceptionally strong arm.. Surprising power and good speed on the bases. Can really get HOT at the plate for stretches.... It seemed as if he was always on the verge of blossoming, but he always seemed to follow a hot streak (he will have those) with a prolonged ice cold streak, interrupted with a minor injury of some sort and then a mysterious loss of power. And here's the thing that kind of drives fans crazy: he's not the smartest player on the block. Has speed but can't steal bases. Has a great arm but often plays too deep to throw runners out at home. Will make some insanely bad running mistakes and throwing decisions. And he'll be unhappy about not playing everyday.... All that said, it wouldn't be a complete shock if he impresses with a.290 average, and 25 homers playing half his games at the Friendly Confines in an everyday role, though I'm sure most Giant fans reading this would bet against that.
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Christophe Silvey · Subscribe · UC Berkeley

Actually, as a Giants fan I would not be surprised. Nate never got a chance to have a 'prolonged' cold streak, unlike someone like, say Brandon Belt, or even Blanco. He went hitless one series in Cincy and was on the bench for the next 6 weeks. Never one of Bochy's 'guys'.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10291 on: December 06, 2012, 11:52:14 am »
Sounds like the guy roomed with Theriot.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10292 on: December 06, 2012, 11:52:59 am »
Rondon was out of left field, but I like it. It seems that no other rule 5 pitcher offered his combination of high ceiling (98 mph, excellent control, mid rotation starter) along with his seeming readiness to contribute at the major league level.

Obviously, it all comes down to health, and as others have noted, Cubs seem to like g@mbling on elbow injuries. I've read elsewhere that Hoyerstein think health may be the new market inefficiency, so let's hope they know something others don't with all these bum elbows.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10293 on: December 06, 2012, 11:55:13 am »
Also, Bourn's market continues to dwindle, as the Phillies have traded for Revere. Maybe he'll have to take a shorter length, higher avg value deal. Not sure why the Cubs have been linked to him, but it's interesting to watch this situation play out.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10294 on: December 06, 2012, 11:55:32 am »
Josh Hamilton was out of left field at the time, too...hope he's a hidden gem!

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10295 on: December 06, 2012, 11:57:50 am »
Agree, Dave. Given his recent profile throwing 98 in Venezuela, I'm surprised his name wasn't mentioned more.

Have to tip the hat to Theo and Hoyer continuing to turn up high ceiling talent in unlikely places.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10296 on: December 06, 2012, 11:59:09 am »
Pirates re-sign Jason Grilli.

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Jesse Rogers ‏@ESPNChiCubs

cross off for cubs RT @JonHeymanCBS: The long wait is over. Pirates re-sign grilli. #sheffield

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10297 on: December 06, 2012, 11:59:43 am »
Agree, Dave. Given his recent profile throwing 98 in Venezuela, I'm surprised his name wasn't mentioned more.

Probably because he's barely pitched in 2 1/2 years.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10298 on: December 06, 2012, 12:06:52 pm »
Now Heyman's backtracking on Grilli.  I guess Gary Sheffield is still shopping him around.

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Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS

grilli told @Tom_Singer " I have not made a decision. i don't know where these reports are coming from.'' #bucs

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10299 on: December 06, 2012, 03:36:29 pm »
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that Ian Stewart has re-signed with the Cubs.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10300 on: December 06, 2012, 03:40:46 pm »
I guess he's just as good as anyone else out there.  Maybe it really has been the wrist that has killed his last two seasons.  We'll see.

I'm sure they'll keep looking and would be ok with using him as a backup if they find someone better.  I guess that sets the opening day lineup as something like:

DeJesus
Schierholtz/Sappelt
Castro
Rizzo
Soriano
Stewart
Castillo
Barney

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10301 on: December 06, 2012, 03:46:22 pm »
I saw Rondon and dreamed that the Cubs had acquired NC State lefty Carlos Rodon. Well, maybe with this roster the dream is still plausible.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10302 on: December 06, 2012, 03:50:21 pm »
With a big comeback year by Stewart and a breakout season for Castro, this Cubs team could win 70 games.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10303 on: December 06, 2012, 03:51:44 pm »
Where does the Cubs' payroll sit right now?  They must be floating somewhere middle of the pack now...hard to believe after they'd gotten all the way up to a top 5 payroll for a few years.

Maybe there is still a big signing coming.

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Re: Cubs in '12
« Reply #10304 on: December 06, 2012, 03:54:56 pm »
Ian Stewart does suck but he doesnt suck worse than a lot of the FAs available.

This team is still gonna be horrible.

We might not lose 100 games but I bet we'll lose 90.

Thinking about it we dont even have anybody in the high minors that could come up and make an impact this year other than cats like Junior Lake and Matt Szczur.