Where's the Beefy?

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 12:25pm

The Cubs version of Fluffy will no longer exist as the Cubs have traded "catcher" Welington Castillo to the Seattle Mariners for relief pitcher Yoervis Medina.  Before I dig into the new guy, let's eulogize Beefy for a bit.

While I'm all for letting prospects develop, Beefy got on my nerves from the very get go. For a "catcher" he didn't do that very well...literally. I'm sure my memory is worse than the reality of it, but I just remeber a bunch of passed balls when he first got called up and some terrible receiving in the way he did catch balls that led strikes to be called balls. It never really got better. He threw some guys out, but if there was ever a player that the "second division starter" label should attach itself too, it was our dear friend Beefy. Enjoy the spacious Safeco Field.

As for the new guy, 26-year old Yoervis Medina, he was a lot more exciting the last few years when he was striking out guys at a clip over 9 per 9 innings. This year that number is down to 6.75 and it's married to a 2 mph drop in his velocity, per the numbers you can find on Fangraphs. Maybe this will turn into a Pedro Strop turnaround story, but seems more likely it'll be a Tommy John story or a Daniel Bard story.

I believe Medina is headed to Iowa anyway as he did have some options left and he entered the season with just over 2 years of service time, so he can be a Cub for quite a few seasons if he can get corrected.  Not much to like about this trade, not much to dislike either. With Castillo off the team and Medina headed to Iowa, it does mean a player call-up is looming.

Tags: 
Cubs Roster Moves
Welington Castillo

Comments

Submitted by The E-Man  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 12:36pm  
Medina: ERA FIP XFIP WAR 3.00 4.48 5.37 -0.1 Shitter: 8.10 6.75 3.89 -0.2 Factor in the AL DH, and this is an upgrade any way you slice it. Maybe "Magic Bos" can help him be effective. Unlike Shitter ever was.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 1:04pm  

Medina isn't even going to be called up unless he figures things out. Don't think a reliever in the NL gets to face the pitcher too often either. XFIP and WAR are pretty similar so there's probably a few ways you can slice it that don't result in an upgrade.

Medina's a project and one that Bosio won't be a part of at first.

Submitted by Ryno  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 1:26pm  
Yep, I think it's straightforward- they didn't need a 3rd catcher so they took on a pitching project. Who knows. One positive thing is it frees up a roster spot on the 25-man so there is a bit more wiggle room on the bench.

Submitted by Charlie  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 2:51pm  
It should mean way fewer PH opportunities for the likes of Herrera and Ross. Unfortunately, those opportunities may go to Junior Lake until Alcantara, La Stella, and/or Olt get it together.

Submitted by Simba63  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 1:35pm  
Well, at least we got more than an infield rake and a can of Simoniz.

Submitted by George Altman  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 1:44pm  
I don't get Epstoyer saying Baez will remain at 2B/SS. Unless Bryant is moving to LF, where does Baez play in this infield? Screaming need right now is another SP and a LF who can outhit Coghlan. Would Baez, Alcantara, & Edwards + a top 20-30 prospect be enough for Cole Hamels if Cubs pick up his contract plus option year?

Submitted by billybucks  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 1:53pm  
My guess is they want him to focus solely on improving at the plate, and not get "distracted' by taking on a new position right now and/or creating "call-up buzz". If he continues to improve, they'll find a spot for him -- they put Russell at 2B and Mendy in CF in the majors with very little prep.

Submitted by dcf  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 2:10pm  
Gleyber Torres mentioned in BA article on minor league breakout prospects http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/basebal... McKinney mentioned too

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 2:15pm  

waves and waves of prospects...need a few arms in there soon though.

Let's go Underwood, Johnson, Edwards...

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 2:25pm  
let's go trading

Submitted by dcf  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 2:54pm  
Underwood having a good year so far. Would like to see Tseng do better, and Corey Black get his walks down. Don't know what to make of Blackburn, Pineyro, Cease, Sands, Steele, Stinnett.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 3:29pm  
Oh Crane http://www.pontiacdailyleader.com/article/201...

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 4:14pm  
I actually purchased one of these (well, got it for a gift). As the article states, the Cubs sent a letter saying they were going to be moved to the OF next year and that they were likely to be replaced also. No biggie to me that they through them away as long as they are replaced. And as part of getting a brick, you got an exact replica sent you. I have mine on my desk in my home office.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 4:14pm  

fun trivia I came across

Name the 3 players have hit 100 HR's and stole 100 bases while members of the Chicago Cubs?

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 4:15pm  
Sosa, Sandberg and Santo?

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 4:18pm  
sosa, sandberg,dunston

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 4:27pm  

Well done. first 2 are easy, figure Dunston would trip some up.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 4:29pm  
lucky guess, trying to think of fast guys with some pop on Cubs

Submitted by Cubster  on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 4:27pm  
Jimmy Ryan? Missed it by "that" much.

Submitted by JoePepitone  on Wed, 05/20/2015 - 1:50pm  
Ha ha! Well played!