DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Bleacher Bums Forum
HTML https://bbf.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Archives
*****************************************************
#Post#: 165070--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: guest61
Date: January 20, 2014, 12:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
IMO CF is the easiest OF position to play by far. All thats
really necessary is speed because of all the ground you have to
cover.
#Post#: 165071--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: January 20, 2014, 12:45 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Reading the ball of the bat is certainly easier, because it is a
straight shot. RF in Wrigley is likely the toughest of the 3
positions, due to wind/sun in the day.
#Post#: 165077--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: Ron
Date: January 20, 2014, 1:45 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Callis on Alcantara:
Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB 1h
Could see him up in second half. @gslade19: how close is
Alcantara to the majors? @Cubs
Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB 1h
Very reasonable. @ajwalsh08: When I look at just numbers I think
we could see Neil Walker-like output from Alcantara. Seem
reasonable? @Cubs
Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB 1h
I bet Alcantara 2B, Baez 3B, Bryant OF. @formersulkin: is beSt
bet Baez playing 2b w/ Castro at SS? @Cubs
#Post#: 165086--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: craig
Date: January 20, 2014, 3:20 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Ron link ---
>
> Callis on Alcantara:...
> I bet Alcantara 2B, Baez 3B, Bryant OF. @formersulkin: is beSt
bet Baez playing 2b w/ Castro at SS? @Cubs..
--- End Quote ---
Cubs seem good to leave Bryant at 3B for a while, so AA may need
to really reaffirm his value as a starter to make that happen.
But if he can hit well enough to be an asset at 2B, I think that
would really settle things, in a positive way, defensively. The
Cubs say Bryant can be pretty good at 3b eventually, but I think
long-term that he's more likely to be a plus defender in right
than at 3b. AA has a shot to be really good at 2B. And my
guess is that Baez could be well above average defensively at
either 3B or 2B, but probably will never be above average
relative to starting SS's.
So Callis's layout could have those three guys all at spots
where they could be assets defensively, same for Rizzo, and
long-term Castillo has the capacity to also be an asset
defensively.
#Post#: 165088--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: davep
Date: January 20, 2014, 3:54 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Whenever someone makes up a projected line up for 2 or 3 years
down the line, the first criticism (or comment) is that it is
too right handed. And the criticism (or comment) has a lot of
truth to it.
One way to help alleviate the situation is to assume that one or
more of the right handers (Castro, Baez or whoever) will be
traded for a left handed hitter, and that is certainly a viable
option. But quite often, the guy that someone wants to trade
for a left handed hitter is the same guy that another person
wants to trade for a top of the rotation starter.
One advantage that Alcantara has is the he is a switch hitter,
with some pop and contact from both sides of the plate. That
means that if he is at second base (or the outfield), the line
up is much less right handed. also, some think that he is
likely only likely to be the best defensive second baseman among
the group, but he adds MUCH needed speed on the bases to a team
that doesn't project to have a lot of speed.
On top of it all, he showed an ability to take a walk that is
badly needed on the ML team.
#Post#: 165096--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: craig
Date: January 20, 2014, 5:20 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Good point that Alcantara as a lefty hitter with strong splits
would add some welcome R/L balance. Very true. Hopefully he'll
hit enough to make it as an asset regular.
#Post#: 165097--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: Cubsin
Date: January 20, 2014, 5:22 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
In addition, Candelario is a switch hitter and Vogelbach bats
left (which would help immensely if the NL adopted the DH).
#Post#: 165099--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: January 20, 2014, 5:39 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If it weren't for Baez, I think Alcantara would have made that
shortstop list that was posted the other day. Not high, but on
it. I heard one scout say that he might even begin to push
Starlin if he didn't get his head out of someplace. I hear
Starlin had an excellent off-season. I hope it's true.
#Post#: 165104--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: guest61
Date: January 20, 2014, 5:56 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
None of us know where these guys will end up.
Just looking where things stand right now I'll bet that Baez
pushes Barney off of 2nd relatively early in the year.
That might not be where he should be or whats best for him but
that's the first spot that should come open.
The only thing that could change that is if he pushes Olt off of
3rd but I have a feeling Olt will be much better than what we've
had at 3rd in the last few years.
#Post#: 165112--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '14
DIR By: Jes Beard
Date: January 20, 2014, 6:06 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: JIGGY link ---
>
> but I have a feeling Olt will be much better than what we've
had at 3rd in the last few years.
>
>
>
--- End Quote ---
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9d98bxE9HY
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9d98bxE9HY
*****************************************************
Page 11 of 345
DIR Previous Page
DIR Next Page