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#Post#: 481135--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: craig Date: October 10, 2023, 8:48 pm
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Seems to me that Morel was a fringy prospect who wasn't
especially good at anything. Maybe they thought they were doing
him a favor and boosting his chance to be a 25th man by playing
him at variety of infield and outfield positions.
In retrospect I wish they'd just left him at 3B from Midwest
League on, and given him more opportunity to optimize his skills
there.
#Post#: 481136--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Reb Date: October 10, 2023, 10:05 pm
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[quote author=CUBluejays link=topic=628.msg481134#msg481134
date=1696988249]
Baez was better at 2B than Nico, and he’d still play 3rd.
Keeping Morel at DH is fine as well. The Cubs have a hole at
third and they might have to get creative to fill it.
[/quote]
Baez was never “moved” to 3B, as was suggested for Hoerner.
Baez was always mostly a MIFer who played some 3B, particularly
in 2016 to get starts at 2B for Zobrist—obviously a narrow
circumstance.
There is plenty of time—an entire off-season—to address 3B. The
default position has to be that moving a premier MIF defender
across the defensive spectrum to a corner is a last resort, and
probably temporary, scenario.
Hoerner is a particularly poor example to do that with because a
big chunk of his value is defense—unlike say a basher like Manny
Machado who could have been a good SS for much of his career and
was a very good SS defender his final full season in minors.
Once a player is moved down on the defensive spectrum for a a
significant time period, he typically loses the skills to play
the more challenging position.
Hoerner is a 5 WAR player, so don’t want to fool around with
that absent very unusual circumstances. Madrigal is different,
more of a scrubber that trying to find some kind of useful role
for him.
#Post#: 481137--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Playtwo Date: October 10, 2023, 10:07 pm
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Can't imagine a worse idea than to move Hoerner off 2B to make
room for Morel.
#Post#: 481138--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Reb Date: October 10, 2023, 10:16 pm
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[quote author=Playtwo link=topic=628.msg481137#msg481137
date=1696993639]
Can't imagine a worse idea than to move Hoerner off 2B to make
room for Morel.
[/quote]
Bill James used to write about this kind of thing in his 1980s
Abstracts.
One of the hallmarks of bad organizations was to move good
players around in order to accommodate lesser players. It’s a
losing proposition. With your better players, you put them where
they are most likely to thrive.
Your better players tend to have the kind of skills that can
play most anywhere, for a time, so may be tempting to do that.
But, typically a bad idea. Not to say there isn’t the rare
oddball example otherwise, but rare for a reason.
#Post#: 481139--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Reb Date: October 10, 2023, 10:20 pm
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Morel had a 119 wRC+. He’s just fine at DH. It’s a good
situation.
If can trade him for a better asset, fine too. Otherwise, leave
him alone.
#Post#: 481149--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: CUBluejays Date: October 11, 2023, 8:11 am
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[quote author=Playtwo link=topic=628.msg481137#msg481137
date=1696993639]
Can't imagine a worse idea than to move Hoerner off 2B to make
room for Morel.
[/quote]
Wisdom/Madrigal
Hosmer
Hoyer has done a lot worse going into last season.
If Cot’s salary numbers are correct the Cubs have $60ish million
to replace Berlinger and improve the team if they bring back
Hendricks and Stroman. The Cubs are going to have to do stupid
things because they can’t afford smart fixes or they can build
another 50/50 wildcard team.
I’d love to see an offseason where the Cubs fix 1B/3B, rotation,
bullpen and bring back Bellinger or replace his production. I
struggle to see that happening and I’m not sure Tom is going to
let Hoyer spend anywhere close to $277 million luxury tax level.
#Post#: 481152--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: CurtOne Date: October 11, 2023, 11:42 am
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Chicago Cubs
October 11, 2023
Cubs Fans,
This wasn't the way we wanted the season to end and every year
we miss the playoffs is a difficult one. However, this season,
where we dug ourselves an early hole and then played as well as
anyone in the league only to fall just short of our goal, was
particularly disappointing. That said, we took a major step
forward in 2023 and look to build on it for next season.
Let me start by acknowledging and thanking you and all Cubs fans
for the unwavering support you brought to the ballpark this
season. Your energy helped fuel the team's performance and
created an incredible atmosphere at Wrigley Field.
Baseball was exciting as the team showed historic resilience.
This was the first team in franchise history to reach 10 games
over .500 after finding itself 10 games under .500 earlier in
the season. This accomplishment was led by a combination of
homegrown talent and veteran players who delivered All-Star
caliber performances and fought to the very end.
What also happened for the team this year was the emergence of a
new core and a new identity.
Justin Steele rose as a contender for the N.L. Cy Young Award,
anchoring the pitching staff and finishing with 16 wins and a
3.06 ERA, the third-best ERA in the N.L. Seiya Suzuki was second
in the N.L. with a .349 average in the season's final two
months. Ian Happ posted career marks in RBI (84), runs scored
(86) and walks (99). Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner proved to
be the elite up-the-middle defenders we envisioned entering the
year. Swanson's 18 defensive runs saved led all shortstops,
while Hoerner's .283 average was second and his 175 hits were
third among all second basemen, not to mention his career-high
43 stolen bases. The addition of Cody Bellinger brought power
and clutch hitting to the lineup as he finished in the N.L.
top-10 in average (.307), slugging (.525) and OPS (.881) while
providing outstanding defense in center field and at first base.
Our goal is to win championships.
While we are encouraged by many of the individual performances
this year, almost making the playoffs is not success. As an
organization, we need to build on our progress and become a team
that can finish the race. To do that, we will continue to be
active this offseason to supplement our roster and look for
contributions from our pipeline of elite homegrown talent.
Over the long term, the key to winning championships is
consistently competing for a place in the postseason. While
baseball playoffs are not random events, they do allow all teams
a reasonable chance of winning. To have a team that can play
October baseball on a regular basis, it is critical we draft and
develop a pipeline of young, talented players.
Our future is bright.
Recent investments in our player development organization are
beginning to pay off and our farm system is ranked among the top
five in MLB. While the teams in the system were generally
successful, including Double-A Tennessee's Southern League
championship, what is important is we are producing players who
will help us win at the major league level.
After several years where we failed to produce impactful
pitching, this season's young arms made significant
contributions to the team in both starting and relief roles.
While we anticipate further success from our current players, we
also see a strong pipeline of pitching prospects on the horizon.
With respect to position players, Pete Crow-Armstrong was named
the Minor League Defensive Player of the Year by MLB, and the
Cubs now have six players in MLB​.​com's top-100
prospect list.
We respect our past.
Without question, we have much to look forward to in the future.
But as stewards of this organization, we also have a great
responsibility to this iconic team. It's why fans from across
the world come to Wrigley Field to experience Cubs baseball. And
why we will never lose sight of the history, heritage and
tradition that make our beloved ballpark such a magical place.
This season, we were honored to welcome Cubs greats Shawon
Dunston and Mark Grace as the newest members of the Cubs Hall of
Fame. We were happy to announce Ryne Sandberg would be joining
Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Ron Santo and Billy
Williams on Statue Row. I remember watching Dunston, Grace and
Sandberg from the bleachers, and celebrating their
accomplishments brought back special memories that I know so
many of you cherish as well.
Of course, no recap of the 2023 season would be complete without
acknowledging our great broadcaster and the longtime radio voice
of the Chicago Cubs, Pat Hughes. As one of the best to ever
enter the booth, Pat was the winner of the prestigious Ford C.
Frick Award. Now, Pat will forever have his place alongside the
other Cubs greats at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in
Cooperstown.
While the pain from our season finish still lingers, we know
it's time to move forward, and we can say with confidence that
the future of the Cubs looks bright. Our experience this season
will strengthen the organization, and we are positive we'll
arrive at Spring Training with an edge and the desire to finish
the race in 2024.
Thank you to each and every Cubs fan for your continued support.
Tom
#Post#: 481155--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: ben Date: October 11, 2023, 1:12 pm
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Cubs do have a hole at 3rd, at least for 2024 (maybe Shaw
thereafter).
Early in his MiLB, Cubs likely didn't really know Morel would
grow into "electric" / super twitchy until '22 (as Hoyer says,
"his power is real").
We do now know: he's played middle infield ok, quick, cannon for
an arm. In '23 (age 24): 26 HRs/46 XBHs in only 388 ABs, slugged
.508 w .821 OPS.
So, I'll hope the very best person to develop a 3b guy in Cub
system is working overtime w Morel this offseason!
Some guys will work extra hard and can adapt to different
footwork and arm stroke. Some just can't.
No idea where Morel might be on the scale, but he gives good
team-player vibes. Who knows, but worth a shot (given lack of
viable options for '23).
#Post#: 481168--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: Ron Date: October 11, 2023, 8:48 pm
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I keep seeing these claims that the Cubs are interested in
pursuing a trade for Juan Soto. Can someone explain the theory
for this? Where would he fit in the OF - who would play CF? Is
this just BS?
#Post#: 481169--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in ‘24
By: davep Date: October 11, 2023, 9:02 pm
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With Happ and Suzuki having no trade contracts, it does sound
rather unlikely. I wouldn't think that they would consider any
of the three as full time DHs, especially since they use the DH
to give rest to some of their regulars.
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