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#Post#: 296937--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: craig
Date: November 9, 2016, 5:22 pm
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If Almora doesn't hit enough, play Heyward in center and let
Zobrist or Coghlan or Soler or whomever is hitting best at the
time play right. Heyward is just fine in center. You want a
defense-first guy, in case Almora struggles, Heyward can provide
that function.
#Post#: 296952--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: PRCubFan
Date: November 9, 2016, 6:26 pm
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Baez will be the main starter at 2B. Schwarber will be the main
starter in LF. Zobrist is probably mostly going to play RF with
some 2B and LF. Heyward and Almora will split CF. Almora will
be the 4th outfielder next year and get enough playing to see
what they have in him. If he shows he needs to play, they'll
find a way to get him in the lineup. The nice thing about
having players like Baez and Zobrist is that if anyone gets
hurt, we can pretty much fill any spot in the field with either
of them.
If Schwarber can catch some games, that could also give Almora
additional playing time.
#Post#: 296954--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: davep
Date: November 9, 2016, 6:36 pm
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Time will tell, but I believe that, unless Almora really stinks
offensively at the beginning of the year, he will play the
majority of games in center field. Maddon has shown the desire
to juggle his line up and give everyone other than Bryant and
Rizzo plenty of rest.
#Post#: 296969--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: craig
Date: November 9, 2016, 7:55 pm
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I see it same as PR. If you have to list a "starting lineup" vs
RHP, I think it's Schwarber-Heyward-Zobrist. But there can be
lots of starts for other outfielders.
1. LHP
2. Schwarber, Heyward, or Zobrist rest; Baez, Russell, or
Bryant rest
3. Contreras rests, and Schwarber catches
4. Any starting player gets hurt.
5. Any bench outfielder is hot, while somebody else is not.
No need to plan or anticipate who or how or when. Just come in
with a decent collection of hitters, and with at least two
premium outfield defenders (Heyward, Almora), and mix-and-match
all year long. There are going to be plenty of starts and AB's
for any bench outfielder..... who actually hits.
This year, Coghlan and Almora each had over 100 PA; Szczur and
Soler both had 200 or more. So that's >600PA to backup
outfielders, even with Fowler playing every day. Add in
Dexter's, and there are >1200 outfield PA to be absorbed,. Even
after schwarber eats up a bunch, there will still be a lot left
for other guys.... at least for guys who hit enough to be given
more.
#Post#: 296977--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: Chris27
Date: November 9, 2016, 8:53 pm
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--- Quote from: craig link ---
>
> This year, Coghlan and Almora each had over 100 PA; Szczur and
Soler both had 200 or more. So that's >600PA to backup
outfielders, even with Fowler playing every day. Add in
Dexter's, and there are >1200 outfield PA to be absorbed,. Even
after schwarber eats up a bunch, there will still be a lot left
for other guys.... at least for guys who hit enough to be given
more.
>
--- End Quote ---
Doesn't Zobrist have to get most of those if he's going to play?
#Post#: 296979--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: craig
Date: November 9, 2016, 9:46 pm
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That would be a good point! :):)
Still, Bryant and Zobrist each had ~250 OF PA, ~500 combined.
Assuming Bryant will mostly stay at 3B this year, Zobrist can
have all 500 of those in OF and not dive into the other 1200.
And Zo will still play some 2B when infielders rest, so I doubt
he'll even reach much less exceed those 500 in the OF.
All I'm saying is that there's plenty of OF PA's to distribute
among people who are playing well. If Heyward can post a .750,
he'll get his 600. But if he's a .631, maybe he'll get only
500. If Almora hits .270 and posts a .730+ OPS, maybe he'll get
500. But if he's hitting .250/.650, maybe he'll get 180.
I just think performance will dictate usage. Guys who hit will
play, and there will probably be enough discretionary OF AB so
that the guys who are hitting will probably get plenty of
action. Hopefully I'm wrong; that might mean guys are staying
super healthy, and Heyward and Almora are hitting really well
enough to play every day. If that's the reason there aren't
many AB for Soler or Coghlan type bench guys, that would be just
awesome.
#Post#: 296980--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: davep
Date: November 9, 2016, 10:26 pm
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I agree. The way Maddon manages, there are plenty of at bats
available for everyone on a good hitting 5 man bench. And that
is without the almost guaranteed at bats available because of
injuries.
One thing of interest to me is whether the Cubs will trade Soler
for what he can bring this winter, or keep him and see if he can
improve his trade value substantially next season.
#Post#: 296994--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: Bennett
Date: November 10, 2016, 8:10 am
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Bleacher Nation has a detailed piece on salaries and contracts
coming off the each team's books at the end of 2016.
Included is a reminder that the Cubs paid Edwin Jackson
$12,492,500 in 2016.
HTML http://www.bleachernation.com/2016/11/09/one-analysis-shows-could-have-significant-spending-flexibility/
#Post#: 296997--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: Deeg
Date: November 10, 2016, 8:43 am
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David Robertson is apparently on the block. Controlled through
'18 and coming off a slightly down year with no velocity drop -
I might have some interest there at the right cost.
#Post#: 296999--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '17 - 👑👑👑 Reigning Champions
Edition 👑👑👑
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: November 10, 2016, 9:42 am
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He's owed $25 million over the next two. I think I'd pass, to
get the White Sox's to pay it down will cost more in propsects.
The walks and drop in K's are kinda concerning too. It might be
nothing or the start of something.
I think it was Heyman that had a story the Cubs were at
Holland's work out.
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