Cubs New Strategy: Own Everyone
The Cubs seem to be intent to on playing Monopoly with the entirety of future position prospects as rumors from Buster Olney indicate they may be in the lead to acquire Cuban outfielder/infielder Rusney Castillo. Own the entire board and they'll have to come to you and pay overmarket prices for your property.
I can't say I gave much credence to the Castillo rumors and I certainly wouldn't be surprised by the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers or mystery team swooping in when all is said and done, but it sure would fit with the philosophy of acquiring assets to build the club. Anyway, you can find some good info on Castillo from Baseball America or this SB Nation article, but here's the Cliff Note's version.
He's Cuban, he's 27 years old, hits from the right side. He's just 5'9" and weighs in at 205 pounds, but word is he added about 20 pounds of muscle recently and can hit a few over the fence now, although he's pegged as a line drive doubles hitter. Most envision him as a center fielder, although he played right field as well. He did play the infield a few years back and a select few think he might be able to stick at second base, but that's definitely not going to be his position with the Cubs. The speed is there, grading anywhere from 60-80 with a 50 arm and he seems to have some on-base skills with a 319/383/516 slash line (51 home runs and 76 stolen bases) in 360 games in the Cuban league, although no idea how that'll translate here. If they do, he could be the top of the order threat that the system seems to be missing. He's at the right age to play now and the Cubs, while seemingly bursting with prospects, do have some wiggle room in the outfield the next season or two depending on who pans out and stays healthy.
We'll see how this works out and what money he gets, but he seems to offer some skills that the major league team could use the next couple of years (legit center field skills, speed, lack of strikeouts, on-base skills). Now whether those translate is another question of course, but that's the game of risk vs. reward they play everyday.
Comments
here's a nice piece on
here's a nice piece on Castillo, you'll see some inflated offensive numbers, so check your expectations at the door
http://obstructedview.net/commentary-and-anal...
Last number I saw was $55
6 years is a bit much for my
6 years is a bit much for my tastes, you prefer to be off the hook at age 30-31 or be club options. We'll see what teams figure out. I'd prefer 4/48 with some club/mutual options to be honest.
I'm not counting on the Cubs
I'm thinking 3/44.
How sure are we that he's
seems they've cracked down on
seems they've cracked down on the age/ID theft thing pretty well, don't recall it happening with Cuban players much anyway.
Tony Four Sacks # 29
So, Rizzo 40 hr's less than
clearly does not have the
clearly does not have the #want
on-pace for 38/89 for those wondering (had to look it up)
OBI% (percentage of other baserunners brought in) is a rather poor 13.8% (average is in the 15-16% range), but it's a number that can fluctuate a lot
Allen Craig was at 23.2% last year to lead league for qualified hitters and 13.8% this year.
not blaming him for no 100
I know and of course having
I know and of course having better hitters in front will help. But his numbers in that regard (Runners on and RISP) are below norms, probably more fluke than skill though.
40 hr/under 100 rbi
rare, but kind of good air
rare, but kind of good air
Killebrew, Davey Johnson, Aaron, Petrocelli, Darrell Evans, A. Dunn, Griffey Jr. M. Williams
Dunn had the worst season of the bunch (110 OPS+)
rotowurld...
why did pagan suck on the
he was still pretty young,
he was still pretty young, his OPS numbers are actually not all that different, although his OPS+ numbers are quite different.
Seemed to be hurt a lot if I recall, also a bout with colitis.
Hendry definitely sold low on
I remember being quite
I didn't think much of him at
I wanna say traded for Doug
But he had/s a wicked-nice
I believe Doug Deeds was the
I believe Doug Deeds was the PTBNL for Craig Monroe from Twins.
(looks it up)
YAHTZEE!!!
I was always pretty high on
I hated him. His only tool
Regardless of whether he
Addison Russell with a grand
len told us this rain delay
CJ Edwards awesome again
CJ Edwards awesome again tonight 5 IP, 7 K, 2 BB, 2 H, 0 ER on 80 pitches
Russell with the aforementioned grand slam
Schwarber 2/4 with a HR and a 2B, McKinney 1/3 with 2 Runs scored and a BB
Blackburn 5 IP, 1 ER but 8 H, just 2 K and 1 BB
rough night for the grounds
rough night for the grounds crew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsa4wsvi80I
from BA...
Bring 'em up!!!!
just a link to the latest of
Thanks Cubster. One time in
Thanks Cubster. One time in the 80s I saw...maybe it was Jody Davis or someobody like that hit one out to the bleachers and this guy about 25 feet away from me caught it with one hand like it was nothin'. I fully expect people to be diving outta the way of these Baez bombs.
In the midst of Tarpgate, it
Yes I'm sure he realized or
I know we're a Cubs blog..
it's double-weird considering
That was my opinion also...
Given the injury risk, I
So......start his salary arb
pitchers are depreciating
pitchers are depreciating values, once they show command and control of their pitches I wouldn't worry much about their arbitration or free agency clocks. Get what you can out of them. Less than 1% become aces worthy of worrying about.
I agree on depreciating value
I hope MLB rules to finish
they won't, only grounds for
they won't, only grounds for suspension were if there was a "mechanical" failure with the tarp and there's nothing mechanical about the Cubs tarp. Giants got screwed.
Ninja rocked by Mets today...
Ninja rocked by Mets today...
sure do hope Cubs are done deadline selling, at some points teams will wise up and stop buying the snake oil.
Yeah no kidding. I really
Except for E-Jax of course.
Except for E-Jax of course.
You can't hope but hope to
I dunno. Samardzija coming
Maholm 109 ERA+ vs 113 ERA+
Maholm 109 ERA+ vs 113 ERA+
Dempster 182 ERA+ vs 86 ERA+
Garza 123 vs 95
Feldman 113 vs 96
Samardzija (not including today) 137 vs 117
Hammel 130 vs 56
I'm guessing Feldman wasn't a
thought I was missing someone
thought I was missing someone, thanks for catching it... edited the above post to fix it.
speaking of, 82 year old d
castro out (family emergency)
His family probably doesn't
Jesse Rogers @ESPNChiCubs
Confirming @MLBBruceLevine tweet. Starlin Castro lost a cousin and 3 friends in a car accident. Very close with all. Awful. Return unknown
Interesting that Alcantara
I know it can't be, but I
Giants win appeal, game to be
Giants win appeal, game to be resumed tomorrow at 4pm with Cubs up 2-0 in 5th.
I obviously was wrong on my earlier assertion that it wouldn't get overturned, but it seems like the fair move.
Giants asked for game to be
Giants asked for game to be forfeited by Cubs as well but were denied. Seems harsh.
I presume that's some sort of standard operating procedure.
speak of depreciating values,
speak of depreciating values, looks like Garrett Richards just busted up his knee covering first base...poor Angels.
coundown until ejax gets
He's going to start on 3 days
I realize the Cubs have been
It's kinda like you said O&B.
I'm sorry, but if you paid
Epic yes, I'm starting to
Edwin Jackson -- How do you
How to fix Edwin Jackson..
I don't know how to find that
As Joe P noted above, it's
good points all, but Jackson.
Well, Volquez, Silva, etc.
Let's hope we see Turner
Thanks WISCCGRAD. Good
ejax done after 2.2ip
Jacob Turner will start the
Jim Hendry in the crowd at
Addison Russell 2-2, 2 run HR
"Cubs and Mets in serious
"Cubs and Mets in serious talks for Starlin Castro"
/NY Post headline tomorrow
EJax would be the worst
Olt to Iowa DL with hamstring
Olt to Iowa DL with hamstring strain....
That wouldn't have happened
It is hard to pull a
Cha ching!
BA DA BOOM!
More details on Castro's
This lineup is comical
Mooney also saying not to
Mooney also saying not to expect Cubs to sign Rusney
http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/hard-see-rusne...
The last paragraph from the
Agreed, unless they trade for
Probably just keep Ruggiano
Probably just keep Ruggiano
I wouldn't be surprised at
I wouldn't be surprised at all by an outfielder being added, still a bit thin there for the next year or two, unless Olt takes off and claims 3B and Bryant is pushed and you get Bryant, Alcantara, and Soler, but we'll see how comfortable they actually are with Alcantara as starting CF and if Soler starts with team. I'm also not entirely sold on Alcantara as an everyday CF and since he has options and can play multiple positions, wouldn't mind seeing him in Iowa as the first guy called up when injuries or suck hit.
Castillo, Rizzo, Baez, Castro, Bryant, LF, Alcantara, Soler should be the lineup by May
Russell, Almora and possibly Schwarber knocking on the door near end of season.
True....I mean Ruggiano
I'm a firm believer in "first
Who is this Olt that you
from Gonzales, Trib...
Jeremy Null pitches 3 shutout
Does anybody remember Josh
In the tweetbox, but it bears
Anthony Rizzo didn’t seem
from BP...
This next season and this
It's pretty cool that Baez,
Edwin Jackson to 15-day DL,
Edwin Jackson to 15-day DL, lat strain
Castro on bereavement list
Watkins and Rosscup up
A player must remain on the
A player must remain on the Bereavement List for at least three days but no more than seven.
If the player needs additional time beyond seven days, he can be placed on the Restricted List.
David Price vs. Alex Cobb
David Price vs. Alex Cobb happening
1-0 Rays in 7th, Rays score only run on an error, followed by triple by Guyer in first, Price retires next 17 in a row.
Cobb just got out of 2nd/3rd 1 out without allowing a run in top of 7th.
Price retired 23 in a row to
Price retired 23 in a row to finish the game, pitched a CG, struck out 9, walked none, 0 earned runs
gets the loss
big change in international
big change in international rules
http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/...
no players at your fancy facilities before they turn 16 or 6 months before eligible to sign
Wow, I wonder if the "injury"
Of course, the minor league
RHRP Blake Parker has been
RHRP Blake Parker has been recalled from Iowa as the 26th man for the second game only (the "regularly scheduled" game)...
Beginning on MLB Opening Day up through August 31st, a club can temporarily add (recall or select) a 26th player to its MLB Active List on any day where two games are scheduled, as long as the second game was scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. If the second game was scheduled less than 48 hours in advance, a 26th man can be temporarily added to a club's MLB Active List for the second game only.
1. The "26th man" must be on the club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or has to be added to the club's 40-man roster that day.
2. The "26th man" does not have to be a pitcher.
3. In the case of a second game being scheduled at least 48 hours in advance, the 26-man Active List limit is in effect for both games, but the "26th man" cannot be switched between games.
4. A player can be added to a club's Active List as the "26th man" even if he has not spent the minimum required 10 days on optional or outright assignment prior to being added.
5. The player who was recalled as the "26th man" can remain on the Active List and a different player can be dropped the next day, as long as the "26th man" was not called up prior to spending at least ten days on optional assignment. NOTE: A player called up as the "26th man" prior to spending at least ten days on Optional Assignment could remain on the 25-man roster if the player replaces a player who is placed on the Disabled List (or other MLB inactive list) the day after the doubleheader.
6. If a player is recalled as the "26th man" and is optioned back to the minors the next day, the "10-day rule" clock (prohibiting a player from being recalled until he has spent at least ten days on Optional Assignment, unless he is replacing a player who is placed on the DL or other MLB inactive list) does not start over again. However many days toward ten that the player spent on Optional Assignment prior to being recalled as the "26th man" counts.
7. A player recalled as a "26th man" accrues one day of MLB Service Time.
Mother Nature has an
Mother Nature has an incredible sense of humor...
pouring in Chicago, delaying suspended game
If today's games are rained
If today's games are rained-out, the only future common off-day shared by the Cubs and Giants prior to the conclusion of the MLB regular season is Thursday September 4th.
The Cubs have that day off in the middle of a six-game homestand, and the Giants are already on the road, playing at Colorado Wednesday afternoon 9/3 before beginning a series at Detroit Friday night 9/5.
Neither team would be playing more than 20-days in a row if the games are moved to 9/4, so the rescheduling would not require a waiver by the MLBPA.
Also the MLB Active Roster limit expands from 25 to 40 on September 1st. so both teams would have access to more pitchers than is the case today (even with the 26th man in effect for the second game).
Gordon Beckham traded to
Gordon Beckham traded to Angels because...why the hell not?
Tough year for real south
the real reason behind the
the real reason behind the Wrigley renovations
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/8/21/6054...
Did David Bowie sing the 7th
say hi to the new clubhouse
say hi to the new clubhouse manager
http://goo.gl/IbRVjK
Ghost town wrigley
I hope this suspended game
It sounds so weird to say:
ArizonaPhil - when a trade is
DAVID P: Yes, as long as the
DAVID P: Yes, as long as the variables are understood by both clubs and are in writing at the time of the trade.
As you probably know, a trade involving a PTBNL must be completed within six months. Also, a PTBNL cannot be on an MLB Active List from the time the trade is made until the PTBNL is identified and the trade is completed, but a PTBNL on an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) can be a PTBNL if the player is on a Disabled List or on Optional Assignment to the minors at the time the trade is made and then continuing up until the trade is completed.
The reason a PTBNL is involved in a trade is usually because the club due to receive the PTBNL is given a list of minor league players to choose from and the club wants some time to scout the players on the list, but a PTBNL could also be involved if the PTBNL is known to both clubs but the player is on an MLB 40-man roster and is on Optional Assignment to the minors in August or September and can't be traded immediately because Trade Assignment Waivers can't be secured, or because the PTBNL is on an MLB 15-day or 60-day DL, and players on a DL can't be traded during August & September because an injured player can't be placed on Trade Waivers until he is healthy enough to be reinstated.
Another reason why a PTBNL who is known to both clubs can't be named right away is because the PTBNL was signed after being selected in the previous MLB Rule 4 Draft (June Draft), and a player signed after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft can't be traded until the first anniversary of the player signing his first contract. (Note that this restriction only applies to players signed after being selected in the Rule 4 Draft... it does NOT apply to a NDFA signed after the Rule 4 Draft, or to internatioonal free-agents).
The identity of a PTBNL (or the addition of an extra PTBNL to a trade if circumstances warrant) could also be dependent upon how the club performs after acquiring a player. For example, a few years ago the Cubs got Steve Trachsel from Baltimore at the August 31st post-season roster eligibility deadline in exchange for RHP Rocky Cherry and INF Scott Moore, plus a PTBNL if the Cubs made the post-season (which they did). The third player (the PTBNL) sent to the Orioles was minor league RHP Jake Renshaw.
But when a trade involves a PTBNL, the club usually has the option to either select a player from a list of minor league players, or take cash instead (typically $50,000).
pre-game is on the air...game
I think Travis is about to
another golden sombrero for
another golden sombrero for Baez
43.6% K rate through 71 PA's
How Oltish of him.
Cubs add Rodney Dangerfield
I only saw one of Baez's
I noticed on K 2 he took two
There was good signs in the
I could not be happier that
I could not be happier that he is getting his first couple hundred PAs out of the way in 2014.
agree +1000
Thanks, guys. I think I was
Castillo signs with Red Sox 6
Castillo signs with Red Sox 6/72M
Here's an oddity: former Cub
Speaking of former Cubs, I
it's like he's almost not a
it's like he's almost not a completely terrible player
the guy they got for him had a good outing yesterday for Kane County; 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 7 K, 0 BB
the water down there must be good for pitchers, almost everyone is having quite the season.
"the water," etc.