Hendry gone from the Cubs?

[HawkeyeMike23]

I am also hearing a number of good things about this draft. But the thing is do we have the right manager in place that can develop this talent into big league players? ESPN had a number of shots of Castro yesterday where he was not paying attention while at shortstop. He was more interested in his sunflower seeds than he was getting into position. Valentine was ripping on Quade for not correcting these issues. Castro leads the league in errors, he has no business even having seeds in his back pocket.

Did Castro sleep with Bobby V's wife or something? That was like an inning long irrational rant he went on. The best part being when he talked about what a professional Darwin Barney was and they cut to him with his glove off just like Castro was doing.

 

[hawkfarmer]

The guide to fixing the Chicago Cubs - SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

A decent write up. I agree with most. Not sure about Castro. he is young and can develop the glove/focus to play SS. Also on Barney, I agree he is not the permanent answer, but he works for now. The cubs have nobody to fill in for him and he is doing a good job. He will work until the cubs can find/develop a suitable replacement.

I agree with trading Byrd and giving Jackson his shot, that was good.

I'm not sold on Fielder yet. I don't think you want Pujols, takes too long and too much money. I think Prince is good, but not sure he fits in with the plan this guy laid out.

Also, the biggest issue is starting pitching. The cubs have a bunch of 3 and 4 starters, no number 1 or 2 yet.

 

[hawkfarmer]

Also, I can see the option for Ramirez not getting picked up. Depends who the new GM is and what the goal is. Maybe keep him for one more year. In my mind they need to get Tampa's GM. Perhaps he could trade for Longoria

 

[ssckelley]

Did Castro sleep with Bobby V's wife or something? That was like an inning long irrational rant he went on. The best part being when he talked about what a professional Darwin Barney was and they cut to him with his glove off just like Castro was doing.

I agree, the rant was a little long and his praises for Barney made no sense as he had his glove off also. I was also getting grossed out after a while watching him spit out seeds. He was getting them caught in his spit which was running down his mouth.

But he did make some legitimate points about Castro which all started when his back was turned away from the plate on the pitchers first pitch in an inning.

Not sure as far as development goes as Quade has nothing to do with the players until the are at AAA (as far as spring training goes) or the majors. So up until that point he doesn't get much interaction. I don't know about the Castro stuff, like when it happened, but if there is nobody on and you're waiting, what do you want the kid to do. Like I said maybe this was during a big play or something which would be bad.

Also, side note on Castro, is that his errors have been decreasing as the year has gone on.

Castro is going to be something special. I just wish the coach or a veteran player would pull him aside once in a while and help teach him the little lessons of being a big league player.

As far as his errors decreasing I have seen a number of plays he has not made that did not get called an error that should have. He had a ball go right under his glove yesterday that got called a hit (Pujols hit I think?) and he should have thrown Westbrook out in the 6th inning as he had plenty of time to plant his feet and make a good throw with the opposing pitcher running down the baseline.

 

[woodyk1]

The guide to fixing the Chicago Cubs - SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

A decent write up. I agree with most. Not sure about Castro. he is young and can develop the glove/focus to play SS. Also on Barney, I agree he is not the permanent answer, but he works for now. The cubs have nobody to fill in for him and he is doing a good job. He will work until the cubs can find/develop a suitable replacement.

I agree with trading Byrd and giving Jackson his shot, that was good.

I'm not sold on Fielder yet. I don't think you want Pujols, takes too long and too much money. I think Prince is good, but not sure he fits in with the plan this guy laid out.

Also, the biggest issue is starting pitching. The cubs have a bunch of 3 and 4 starters, no number 1 or 2 yet.

That's an OK take. I like this one from Jonah Keri better. No Fielder or Pujols. Let someone else pay for those guys.

Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and the future of the Cubs - Grantland

 

[ssckelley]

That's an OK take. I like this one from Jonah Keri better. No Fielder or Pujols. Let someone else pay for those guys.

Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and the future of the Cubs - Grantland

I disagree with it. Chicago is a large market team and they need to follow the plan the Yankees & the Red Sox have taken by paying out the big money for the stars and developing the rest. The Cubs needs a GM that can recognize the difference between paying top dollar for someone like Pujols or Fielder verses paying top dollar for the likes of Soriano, Silva, or Zambrano. The Cubs should be the dominating team in the Central as they can outbid any of the other teams in the division. They have one of the highest payrolls in baseball and so far they have a 4th place team to show for it.

 

[woodyk1]

I agree, the rant was a little long and his praises for Barney made no sense as he had his glove off also. I was also getting grossed out after a while watching him spit out seeds. He was getting them caught in his spit which was running down his mouth.

But he did make some legitimate points about Castro which all started when his back was turned away from the plate on the pitchers first pitch in an inning.

Castro is going to be something special. I just wish the coach or a veteran player would pull him aside once in a while and help teach him the little lessons of being a big league player.As far as his errors decreasing I have seen a number of plays he has not made that did not get called an error that should have. He had a ball go right under his glove yesterday that got called a hit (Pujols hit I think?) and he should have thrown Westbrook out in the 6th inning as he had plenty of time to plant his feet and make a good throw with the opposing pitcher running down the baseline.

Well, according to this article, one veteran player did talk to Castro. Want to guess who?

Castro on mental lapse: 'I'm real embarrassed. There's no excuse for that.' - chicagotribune.com

Also, Castro is not playing tonight. Quade said in the article that they have been working on his focus.

 

[tm3308]

Well, according to this article, one veteran player did talk to Castro. Want to guess who?

Castro on mental lapse: 'I'm real embarrassed. There's no excuse for that.' - chicagotribune.com

Also, Castro is not playing tonight. Quade said in the article that they have been working on his focus.

Between his reputation, this story, and the Zambrano affair, the only thing that I don't like/can't tolerate about Soriano is his contract. He's hardly an awful player, he's just not worth the kind of money we're paying him. And he's by all accounts a GREAT clubhouse guy. It really seems like he's kind of stepped up as Derek Lee's replacement in the clubhouse. We need more guys with the right attitude like that.

 

[hawkfarmer]

I agree Soriano is a good teammate and clubhouse guy and has taken Castro under his wing. His contract is what hurts. Now, I disagree completely that you spend money on a big guy now. Maybe later, but the cubs need to work on developing guys first. It will be a few years until all of the contracts come off the books. Z, Demp, Ramirez (assuming the option goes through), etc. Then you can spend some money, but don't do it like the Red Sox and Yankess have done. Do it the way the Phillies have. Pay for pitching and your best player that you have developed and keep them.

I don't think Pujols or Fielder are the answer.

However, the cubs must build their system and the best way to do that is to have players that are worth good prospects in trade. The cubs don't have anybody on their roster that someone would give up good prospects for. If they did I'd say trade them. The only player untouchable should be Castro. I used to say Marmol, but if you can get a good player out of a trade do it. I don't think Cashner lasts in the rotation (unfortunately) and he could close or you can find a closer. The cubs need to worry about the farm first then they can spend money.

Also, Ricketts is trying to shrink their payroll for now anyway.

 

[tm3308]

I agree Soriano is a good teammate and clubhouse guy and has taken Castro under his wing. His contract is what hurts. Now, I disagree completely that you spend money on a big guy now. Maybe later, but the cubs need to work on developing guys first. It will be a few years until all of the contracts come off the books. Z, Demp, Ramirez (assuming the option goes through), etc. Then you can spend some money, but don't do it like the Red Sox and Yankess have done. Do it the way the Phillies have. Pay for pitching and your best player that you have developed and keep them.

I don't think Pujols or Fielder are the answer.

However, the cubs must build their system and the best way to do that is to have players that are worth good prospects in trade. The cubs don't have anybody on their roster that someone would give up good prospects for. If they did I'd say trade them. The only player untouchable should be Castro. I used to say Marmol, but if you can get a good player out of a trade do it. I don't think Cashner lasts in the rotation (unfortunately) and he could close or you can find a closer. The cubs need to worry about the farm first then they can spend money.

Also, Ricketts is trying to shrink their payroll for now anyway.

The Red Sox are an example of the model I want the Cubs to work towards. Pedroia came up through their system. So did Ellsbury. And Youkilis. And Bucholz. And Papelbon. And Bard.

Sure, they've gone out and signed some big free agents, too. But they have a nice core of guys that are "purebred" Red Sox. The guys like Gonzo and Crawford are looked at as the final pieces to the puzzle, not the cornerstones to build around.

 

[hawkfarmer]

The Red Sox are an example of the model I want the Cubs to work towards. Pedroia came up through their system. So did Ellsbury. And Youkilis. And Bucholz. And Papelbon. And Bard.

Sure, they've gone out and signed some big free agents, too. But they have a nice core of guys that are "purebred" Red Sox. The guys like Gonzo and Crawford are looked at as the final pieces to the puzzle, not the cornerstones to build around.

I think they overpaid for Crawford and I desperately wanted the cubs to get Gonzalez, but oh well. I think what sticks in my mind is the payment for Lackey. I thought he was too old for the contract, also the deals with Beckett, though he is great when he's there, and the contract for Daisuke. They went a little strong there. I agree, I think it is a mix. I truly would love to see what Tampas GM could do with the cubs payroll. I think he's the guy. he knows how to develop, but could spend money on the right guys I hope.

 

[tm3308]

I think they overpaid for Crawford and I desperately wanted the cubs to get Gonzalez, but oh well. I think what sticks in my mind is the payment for Lackey. I thought he was too old for the contract, also the deals with Beckett, though he is great when he's there, and the contract for Daisuke. They went a little strong there. I agree, I think it is a mix. I truly would love to see what Tampas GM could do with the cubs payroll. I think he's the guy. he knows how to develop, but could spend money on the right guys I hope.

I think Crawford will bounce back next year. Prior to this season, he was arguably the most underrated player in the majors. I think hitting him in the 3 hole was the mistake they made.

On the pitchers, I agree. They went big and (mostly) missed on those three. But they do have enough of a mix that it hasn't hurt them too much, which is the kind of position that we would ideally be in. We can't cover up the whiffs, because we aren't good enough in our homegrown core.

 

[woodyk1]

The Red Sox are an example of the model I want the Cubs to work towards. Pedroia came up through their system. So did Ellsbury. And Youkilis. And Bucholz. And Papelbon. And Bard.

Sure, they've gone out and signed some big free agents, too. But they have a nice core of guys that are "purebred" Red Sox. The guys like Gonzo and Crawford are looked at as the final pieces to the puzzle, not the cornerstones to build around.

Yankees too. Maybe not at this point, but a lot of important players in their last championship and still today are from their farm system - Jeter, Cano, Posada, Gardner, Hughes, Nova, Rivera and Robertson. You could even mantion Jaba (although he is not contributing). Folks overlook the fact that the teams with big payrolls are able to fill in other slots with good prospects.

That said, the contracts for Jeter and A-Rod will be money drains soon. However, with their money, it will not matter like it does for all other teams (except the Red Sox, of course - Dice K).

 

[hawkfarmer]

Agreed. Like you said the cubs system is not good enough to do that. However it won't be for several years so spending money on elite FAs is not smart, unless they have a expected life time. I could see spending money on pitching, first and then position players.

I like Pena and can see him around for a few more years, but if not trade him and see what LaHair(spelling) can do.

 

[WhiteThunder]

The Cubs have gotten next to nothing (at least positional player wise, you can argue about the pitching) out of their farm system for years. That has to be the #1 goal.

 

[ssckelley]

Agreed. Like you said the cubs system is not good enough to do that. However it won't be for several years so spending money on elite FAs is not smart, unless they have a expected life time. I could see spending money on pitching, first and then position players.

I like Pena and can see him around for a few more years, but if not trade him and see what LaHair(spelling) can do.

^ this!

Pena is on a 1 year contract who has cleared waivers. A lefthanded power hitter should get you something from a contending team. I know Pena likes Chicago and if the Cubs lose in the Pujols/Fielder sweepstakes then you go out and resign him. But in the meantime bring up LaHair, who is tearing it up in Des Moines, and let's see what he can do at the big league level. He is leading all minor league baseball with 34 home runs and has .329 BA along with 95 RBI's. He is another lefthanded power hitter that I doubt does any worse than Pena. If he performs well perhaps the next GM does not have to spend the extra 10 million to bring back Pena.

 

[DJL]

^ this!

Pena is on a 1 year contract who has cleared waivers. A lefthanded power hitter should get you something from a contending team. I know Pena likes Chicago and if the Cubs lose in the Pujols/Fielder sweepstakes then you go out and resign him. But in the meantime bring up LaHair, who is tearing it up in Des Moines, and let's see what he can do at the big league level. He is leading all minor league baseball with 34 home runs and has .329 BA along with 95 RBI's. He is another lefthanded power hitter that I doubt does any worse than Pena. If he performs well perhaps the next GM does not have to spend the extra 10 million to bring back Pena.

Pena is hitting .225, I would think LaHair could do a little better than that. If he could hit .280 with similar power numbers, I'd be satisfied with that. Get a another power hitting outfielder (easier said than done) and a #1 starter and see what happens.

 

[hawkfarmer]

Pena is hitting .225, I would think LaHair could do a little better than that. If he could hit .280 with similar power numbers, I'd be satisfied with that. Get a another power hitting outfielder (easier said than done) and a #1 starter and see what happens.

Pena is much better defensively and is a great clubhouse presence by all reports. Also, like I've said before I think it is at least 1 year premature to ask for all these big signings. The cubs need to build the farm up, and lose some contracts before much can actually happen. Even if they trade Z, Soriano etc., they'll still be paying a lot of their salaries.

 

[Clark]

Pena is hitting .225, I would think LaHair could do a little better than that. If he could hit .280 with similar power numbers, I'd be satisfied with that. Get a another power hitting outfielder (easier said than done) and a #1 starter and see what happens.

If Lehair could hit .280 with Pena like power in the majors, he wouldn't be playing in AAA in his late 20's.

With what the Cubs have in their system, there is no reason not to kick the tires on Fielder or Pujols. They wouldn't help for next year necessarily but contending in 2013 isn't out of the question.

This will be a multi-step rebuilding process. While it's true that the Cubs likely won't be true contenders until 2014 at the earliest, you can't expect to fill every hole in one offseason. Since the Cubs don't have a 1b of the future why not fill that hole now while there are two elite players available. I really think the Cubs will get one of them and I think it will cost less than many people are predicting.

 

[woodyk1]

If Lehair could hit .280 with Pena like power in the majors, he wouldn't be playing in AAA in his late 20's.

With what the Cubs have in their system, there is no reason not to kick the tires on Fielder or Pujols. They wouldn't help for next year necessarily but contending in 2013 isn't out of the question.

This will be a multi-step rebuilding process. While it's true that the Cubs likely won't be true contenders until 2014 at the earliest, you can't expect to fill every hole in one offseason. Since the Cubs don't have a 1b of the future why not fill that hole now while there are two elite players available. I really think the Cubs will get one of them and I think it will cost less than many people are predicting.

Just curious. What numbers do you think the Cubs could get Fielder or Pujols for?