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#Post#: 236860--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: Jes Beard
Date: August 13, 2015, 6:50 am
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--- Quote from: Reb link ---
>
> If going to trade Montero, have to do it during Winter when
teams still planning payroll. Not saying couldn't find a taker
then. But, thereafter, no---not a $14 guy when clubs have
already worked their budget.
>
> Put another way, not realistic to see if Schwarber can develop
primary catching skills during season--and then unload Montero
and his $14 during season. (2017 too but another issue).
>
> That's why asked question: are Cubs ready to open 2016 with
Schwarber as primary catcher?
>
> Myself, I don't see that. Guessing he's going to be primary
LFer next season, while getting average of 1 1/2 games per week
catching. In other words, same plan as what seems to be plan for
remainder of this season.
>
--- End Quote ---
So if the Cubs were to try to trade Montero during the season,
they would be unable to find a team which would be exchanging
contract obligations in addition to players?
I understand that many (not all) teams will not have the budget
flexibility to add a significant contract during the season and
that budgets are generally determined during the off-season.
But if the Cubs traded Montero, wouldn't they likely be getting
someone back, and wouldn't the other team's trade of that
player's contract free money for them to pay Montero?
#Post#: 236862--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: August 13, 2015, 7:32 am
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Gordo is saying Schwarber is going to be catching more down the
stretch.
I agree that Montero would have to be traded in the off season
and I think they will. It will make 2B/LF better defensively.
#Post#: 236863--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: craig
Date: August 13, 2015, 8:04 am
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--- Quote from: Reb link ---
>
> If going to trade Montero, have to do it during Winter when
teams still planning payroll. ...... Myself, I don't see that.
Guessing he's going to be primary LFer next season, while
getting average of 1 1/2 games per week catching. In other
words, same plan as what seems to be plan for remainder of this
season.
--- End Quote ---
Agree, could trade Montero over the winter, but doubt they will.
I think they'll come back with the same three guys, Ross
included, and go from there.
I don't see the problem. Schwarber can catch some games,
continue to learn vicariously from watching two very
professional guys, and catch 6 games a month when things are all
good. But Ross/Montero are old, and old catchers don't always
stay good. So fair chance that Ross or Montero will get hurt at
some point and miss some time, just as was true this season. We
started with three, and everybody fussed about it pre-season,
but it was fine. Then after trading castillo we got into
trouble, which necessitated the Schwarber call up. And both
Montero + Ross had some slumps before that, which is not
surprising given their age and who they are as hitters.
Carrying Schwarber as LF/catcher gives Maddon much more roster
flexibility and emergency/injury-coverage flexibility.
I don't think extending the type of situation Schwarber's been
in for the last month for a full season would eliminate his
possibility of ever becoming a primary catcher. May also be
that a year from now there will be lots more evaluation of his
skills and progress, and perhaps the wise decision may be that
he'll never be close enough to average defensively to want to
ever have him as a primary catcher.
So, I think status quo is fine going into next year, until
performance/health reshapes things.
#Post#: 236864--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: Ron
Date: August 13, 2015, 8:09 am
---------------------------------------------------------
There are 50 games remaining in this season (more if the Cubs
make the playoffs). As Reb said in a different context, things
can change quickly. It may be heresy to say so, but Schwarber
could go into an offensive tailspin (who knows, maybe last
night's 3 Ks is a beginning), leading to less certainty that he
should open 2016 in the majors. I really don't think this will
happen, but one never knows.
But one thing that I am confident won't happen is Schwarber
becoming so accomplished behind the plate that the Cubs will be
comfortable with opening 2016 with him as the primary catcher.
Even more than this year, 2016 will be a going-for-it season,
and it would be incredibly risky to rely on Schwarber doing all
of the complex and demanding tasks associated with catching,
including handling the pitching staff, that early in his career
- even if he makes substantial improvement by the end of this
season.
Absent injury, I would be shocked if Montero is not the primary
catcher for 2016.
#Post#: 236865--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: CurtOne
Date: August 13, 2015, 8:13 am
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If Ross is back, no big deal, but roster crunches have ended a
lot of love affairs. Sooner or later some space has to be
created. Having Ross stay on as a coach, ready to be activated
should injuries befall our catchers would be ideal.
#Post#: 236871--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: Playtwo
Date: August 13, 2015, 9:01 am
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I agree with Ron. If the Cubs are confident by the end of the
season that Schwarber is a reliable second catcher, Montero will
be the primary catcher in 2016 and Ross will likely not be back
(at least as a player).
#Post#: 236874--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: Ron
Date: August 13, 2015, 9:09 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Just to be clear, I do not assume Ross will be gone.
#Post#: 236875--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: Playtwo
Date: August 13, 2015, 9:19 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Another possibility would be to start the 2016 season with Ross
as a third catcher, but use the season to transition Contreras
to the MLs, allowing Ross to be released at some point.
#Post#: 236878--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: davep
Date: August 13, 2015, 9:59 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Dihard link ---
>
> Tonight was walk off win #11. Most since the 1932 Cubbies
walked off 13 times. How does this team compare to that one,
DaveP?
>
--- End Quote ---
I was much too young to remember, but Curt tells me that this
one is better.
#Post#: 236882--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '15 (8/3 - 12/1)
DIR By: PRCubFan
Date: August 13, 2015, 10:42 am
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The problem with using Schwarber at catcher is that it takes one
of our better bats out of the lineup in Montero. We don't
really have an outfielder on the bench that would be a better
hitter than Montero with Coghlan starting. Montero is better
than Denorfia, especially against righties. Right now, Montero
should start most games behind the plate and Schwarber in LF. I
expect Schwarber will catch one of the first two games against
the White Sox and Montero will be the DH. Schwarber will
probably DH one or two of the games.
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