Comments on: Theo Epstein, Language, and the Shape of the Cubs’ Offseason http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/ Just another Baseball Prospectus Local Sites site Sat, 16 Feb 2019 21:04:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 By: Rian Watt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/#comment-6112 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 18:37:03 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6096#comment-6112 Totally agree on Schwarber. Hopefully putting together a piece on that shortly. He’s going to get attacked for his defense for a while because of his performance in the NLCS, but it just isn’t true that he’s that bad.

As for Carrasco or Ross, no idea yet!

]]> By: Matt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/#comment-6111 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 18:35:14 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6096#comment-6111 Really enjoyed this. Would add Fister to the list of older/cheaper pitching signing options as well.

I do feel the Schwarber defense is a little overblown. Ben Lindbergh talked about this in a Grantland piece last week. He looked awful in the NLCS, but season numbers weren’t terrible. If he put up a -4 UZR like he was projected for this season, I think we would all take that.

What I am really interested in knowing is what do we think it takes to get a Carrasco or Ross?

]]> By: Rian Watt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/#comment-6104 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:04:35 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6096#comment-6104 Man, I like that scenario too, and glad to hear we’re in harmony! I don’t know how much I like packaging two of Soler+Baez/Castro together, just because that’s a lot of talent to give up at once. That said, we’ve seen how well that can work out (Samarzija+Hammel = Russell + …). So we shall see! It’ll be an interesting offseason.

]]> By: Rian Watt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/#comment-6103 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:03:33 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6096#comment-6103 Thanks, Joel. Tried to strike the right balance. And totally agree that the Cubs will and should look to shop Soler.

]]> By: Rian Watt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/#comment-6102 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:03:05 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6096#comment-6102 Very glad you enjoyed it! And yes, Heyward checks a lot of boxes, including (very much) contact ability.

]]> By: Norm http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/#comment-6091 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 14:26:12 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6096#comment-6091 Couldn’t agree more!
I said it after Theo’s presser:
1) Heyward
2) Trade Soler/Schwarber (But Schwarber isn’t happening)
3) Sign a Lackey-type FA (old, still productive) to 1–2 year deal.

Regarding your “Contact Ability” paragraph, you forgot one name, and it’s just one more box to check for JASON HEYWARD.

#12 in K rate and #14 in Contact Rate among all outfielders.

]]> By: Joel http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/#comment-6090 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 14:14:16 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6096#comment-6090 A great read — loved the you talked about particular needs and skills without getting too wonky. Heyward does seem like a good fit for many reasons, which leaves some questions about Soler. I love his power and potential, but his D and injury history makes me think the Cubs might want to sell high on him.

]]> By: Matt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/10/27/theo-epstein-language-and-the-shape-of-the-cubs-offseason/#comment-6087 Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:14:41 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6096#comment-6087 Rian, I kind of mapped out my own vision of offseason & we’re in total harmony. For me, the key is Heyward, as he checks so many boxes-to your point. He’s the quintessential Theo/Jed guy , in terms of supplemental skills that he brings.

As far as the pitching, I’d agree they need to be opportunistic in FA-where I assume they’ll get their mid-to-back rotation guy. The biggest question with the pitching is who and how many among Castro, Baez, and Soler is it going to cost to acquire the young cost-controlled guy? If it’s just Soler, I like the scenario where you have Heyward in CF, Bryant in RF, and Javy @ 3B….

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