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#Post#: 305520--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: Deeg Date: March 16, 2017, 10:50 pm
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Zobrist isn't getting any younger, so the need is going to be
there for a super-utility guy when Baez finally gets 2B every
day as he should. It's not like the Cubs have a track record of
giving away prospects without getting a big return.
The issue with Happ, for me, is that his versatility is key to
his value. Much of his upside is tied into his ability to play
multiple positions and switch-hit. Right now LF is the only
position he plays at an average level and it's very much in
doubt whether he can hit ML pitching right-handed. If he can
play adequate or better CF and 2B (and maybe 3B) he'll likely
hit enough to be very valuable. But if he's effectively a
lefty-batting LF only I don't think he'll hit enough to be more
than a fringe regular. That still has value, but not nearly as
much.
#Post#: 305522--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: craig Date: March 16, 2017, 11:13 pm
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Yeah, Happ's got some minors left, and Zobrist, who knows how
short his useful time may be. There's a spot opening up soon
enough.
The thing with the positional versatility, I'm not sure it's
that crucial, *if* Happ can play 2B. No, he's not going to be
Javy or Russell there, but I'm somewhat comfortable that he'll
be OK there. *If* he can play 2nd, then I'm sure he can play
left too.
The reason I'm not that super-concerned about Happ being
multi-position utility is because Baez and Bryant are, no
question. I'm hoping that Maddon continues to multi-position
them both, and that both remain cheerful and willing to do so,
as opposed to complaining about it. If Happ can play 2nd,
that's as good as being able to cover 2nd, SS, or 3rd, since
Baez can play them all. If Happ can't play RF, Bryant can, and
Baez can play 3rd. Since Baez can cover any infield spot, and
Bryant any corner outfield, essentially using Happ at 2B still
would allow him to fill in on a day when any of 2B, SS, 3B, LF,
or RF wanted to take a rest. He doesn't need to be able to play
them all to get his bat in.
Still, he's had a hot week. We'll see. He's always been a
hot-and-cold guy, and there will be plenty of weeks where he's
whiffing on curveballs this summer. HOpe he really puts it
together, but wouldn't exactly be rare to have a hot week in
camp, but end up hitting .250 in minors as of May 15th.
#Post#: 305523--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: Deeg Date: March 16, 2017, 11:30 pm
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What if Baez is hurt? Or Bryant? Then all of a sudden it
matters a lot. Sure, Happ can play left. Left is the position
they put you if you can't play anywhere else. I'm not sure how
much comfort there is in being comfortable Happ can play LF.
#Post#: 305525--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: craig Date: March 16, 2017, 11:37 pm
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I said *if* Happ can play 2nd. If Baez is hurt, Happ can play
2nd. If Bryant is hurt, Happ can play 2nd.
Yeah, if he's LF only, and can't play 2nd, that's different.
But *if* he can play 2nd, it's not so needful that he can play
SS and 3B too, or RF.
#Post#: 305527--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: Deeg Date: March 16, 2017, 11:52 pm
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I'm also worried about his ability to hit lefties. But I guess
time will tell.
#Post#: 305535--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: Jes Beard Date: March 17, 2017, 7:49 am
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[quote author=method link=topic=474.msg305508#msg305508
date=1489719824]
Not sure if serious or just trolling again... But he plays a
decent 2b and has the arm for 2 of positions. Again.. cub fans
are spoiled he is not baez at 2b not is he heyward in RF. But he
is going to be a great player for anotger franchise.
No where did I suggest he has GG potential. His bat is still
ready underrated.
[/quote]
And nowhere did I suggest (this year -- my doubts about him a
year ago were much greater) that he does not have the potential
to be a decent bat.
To say he is "criminally underrated" based entirely on a bat
which has not seen its first AAA pitch, has never once been
leading his league in a single offensive category at the time of
promotion or the end of the season, and who last year in half a
season of AA ball finished 46th in OPS (14th on his own team,
with 6 of those 14 having as many or more AB than he had), is
criminally overstating what he offers, particularly when it
entirely ignores the fact that he simply does not field any
position well, or even well enough to be considered MLB league
average.
#Post#: 305550--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: octagon Date: March 17, 2017, 10:32 am
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[quote author=method link=topic=474.msg305489#msg305489
date=1489713819]
At this point he is criminally underated... He wont get respect
till he's traded away for Zach Britton at the deadline and
dominates in Baltimore.
Everyone expects Cub prospects to be young phenoms like Bryant
and Russell... Happ will be way better then Russell imo... he's
got the ability to adjust his swing within an at-bat... which is
HUGE.
[/quote]
Russell is a little over 6 months older then Happ and already
has two full MLB seasons in during which he produced respectable
offensive #s and played solid defense at a premium position.
Happ put up slightly worse offensive #s at AA last season then
Russell did at MLB, has yet to play at AAA and still doesnt have
a clear defensive position in the majors.
I think you are criminally underrating Russell. But I hope Happ
is as good as you think he'll be.
#Post#: 305555--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: method Date: March 17, 2017, 11:55 am
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Its all prespective... ya'll are spoiled with the high end
prospects...
#Post#: 305568--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: CUBluejays Date: March 17, 2017, 2:28 pm
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How did Underwood look?
#Post#: 305572--------------------------------------------------
Re: Today's Game - 2017
By: Chris27 Date: March 17, 2017, 3:30 pm
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Schwarber raking with regularity now.
HTML https://twitter.com/baez12m/status/842831463045242880
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