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#Post#: 360990--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: brjones
Date: October 26, 2018, 8:28 am
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Schwarber only has 3 years of control left. He's starting to get
more expensive, and he hasn't come close to living up to the
potential the front office thought he had. He's not that young
anymore either--at 26 years old, he's starting to get to the
point where the default expectation is that he just is who he's
going to be. He's just not that valuable in a trade anymore--I
think Cubs fans overvalue him.
Merrifield was 16th in MLB in fWAR and 25th in rWAR this year.
He's probably going to get a few down-ballot MVP votes. He's a
little older...but if anyone would be selling their player at a
discount in that speculated deal, it's the Royals.
#Post#: 360995--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: ben
Date: October 26, 2018, 9:24 am
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brjones, it could be that Schwarber this season was about all he
will be...however, with barely 1,500 professional ABs TOTAL
(less than 1,100 MLB), my guess is that Theo et al see that
differently, particularly as he grew in some respects this
season.
Of course, we shall see. There are many other factors, such as
whether our FO still views Schwarber as the kind of
person/player who will do what it takes to fulfill his potential
(if they believe he does have quite a bit of untapped
potential...as I certainly want to believe).
#Post#: 360996--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: Playtwo
Date: October 26, 2018, 9:46 am
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Given the current state of the team, I like the idea of adding
Machado (rather than Harper). Against RHP, you go with
Schwarber, Happ/Almora, Heyward/Zobrist in the OF, with Bryant,
Machado, Baez, Rizzo around the infield. Against LHP, Bryant
and Happ play corner OF, Machado moves to third, Baez to SS, and
Zobrist to 2B. Assuming some progression by Happ and Schwarber,
and a likely comeback year for Contreras, this would be a pretty
formidable offense.
#Post#: 360999--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: Ron
Date: October 26, 2018, 10:21 am
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I will be surprised (and disappointed) if the Cubs sign Machado.
He does not seem to me to fit the "character" profile the Cubs
are looking for, particularly in a star player.
#Post#: 361002--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: brjones
Date: October 26, 2018, 10:48 am
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Machado had that incident with Aguilar in the NLCS, which was
bad. But really, I don't remember him being consistently
controversial. He's certainly not a Milton Bradley type--at
worst, he seems to be an AJ Pierzynski type who is liked by his
teammates but frustrates the opposition. And we know he's close
with Almora. I have no issue signing him if he is the best fit
from a talent perspective.
I'll say again that the Cubs need two hitters this offseason:
Harper or Machado and a top of order/leadoff type. I don't have
a strong preference on the stars--I lean towards Harper a
little, but it also depends on what players are available to be
that second hitter. If the best fit for that role is an
outfielder, maybe that Machado/OF pair is a better fit than a
Harper/IF pair.
#Post#: 361006--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: CUBluejays
Date: October 26, 2018, 11:21 am
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Harper over Machado all day. Harper and a healthy Bryant fixes
the offense.
1) Zobrist 2B
2.) Harper RF
3.) Bryant 3B
4.) Rizzo 1B
5.) Baez SS
6.) Schwarber LF
7.) Contreras C
8.) Heyward/Amora CF
Have Bolte as 3B/2B/emergency SS. You can limit Zobrists
playing time for the playoffs. I haven't seen an offense yet
proposed that tops that and you aren't sacrificing much on
defense either.
#Post#: 361009--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: Ron
Date: October 26, 2018, 1:29 pm
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Some history on Manny Machado, before his disgraceful episode
with Aguilar.
Throwing his bat at the opposing 3B and hitting a catcher in the
head (twice) then smiling about it.
HTML http://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/manny-machado-throws-bat-video-knee-fernando-abad-athletics-orioles-bench-clearing-brawl/zexydnu7zp9y1i7y8lrgibzc3
HTML https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2014/6/9/5795156/manny-machado-orioles-bat-throwing-josh-donaldson-athletics-mlb
Spiking Duston Pedroia
HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVIcxSSt8gU
His comment on not hustling to 1B:
Machado responded to that criticism and might have stoked the
flames even more. Here’s what he told Ken Rosenthal of The
Athletic: (emphasis ours)
“I’ve been thinking about it and it happens every time, there’s
no excuse for it honestly. I’ve never given excuses for not
running. I’m not hurt, there’s no excuse but I’ve been the same
player … I’ve been doing this for eight years, I’m in The Show
for eight years, I’ve done the same thing for eight years, I’ve
been the same player. (Machado actually just completed his
seventh season.)
“Obviously I’m not going to change, I’m not the type of player
that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle,’ and run down the line and
slide to first base and … you know, whatever can happen. That’s
just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not
who I am.
“Should I have run on that pitch? Yeah … but I didn’t and I
gotta pay the consequences for it. It does look bad. It looks
terrible. I look back at the video and I’m like, ‘Woah, what was
I doing?’ You know, just the emotions of the game … I’m the type
of player that has stayed in the zone, I’m playing and I’m just
in the zone.”
Machado is a great player, no question. Sammy Sosa was a great
player for the Cubs as well, but he was poison in the clubhouse
and his arrogance and focus on himself were harmful. Maybe that
could be tolerated on a team that had been so unsuccessful and
was so dependent on him. That was then, and this is now - a team
that has lots of talent and a great culture. And while Sosa
didn't create problems with other teams, Machado has
single-handedly created animosity between his team and at least
three others (A's, Red Sox and Brewers). The Cubs don't need
that kind of distraction. Adding Machado to this team, which
focuses so much culture and team approach, would, in my opinion
be a very big mistake.
#Post#: 361010--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: guest61
Date: October 26, 2018, 1:41 pm
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Ill take Machado over Harper.
#Post#: 361014--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: ben
Date: October 26, 2018, 2:52 pm
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My best guess is there's NO way Theo goes after Machado!
(Ron's above post lays it out rather clearly)
#Post#: 361017--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '19
DIR By: Bennett
Date: October 26, 2018, 3:07 pm
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--- Quote from: ben link ---
>
> My best guess is there's NO way Theo goes after Machado!
>
> (Ron's above post lays it out rather clearly)
>
>
--- End Quote ---
No guessing about it.
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