Comments on: Cubs Look for Runs in the Outfield, Try Not to Lose Any http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/11/04/cubs-look-for-runs-in-the-outfield-try-not-to-lose-any/ 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/2015/11/04/cubs-look-for-runs-in-the-outfield-try-not-to-lose-any/#comment-6518 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 17:55:06 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6326#comment-6518 At least by UZR/150, the best CF (by a long margin) is Tampa Bay’s Kevin Kiermaier. Also strong: Lorenzo Cain and Kevin Pillar.

]]> By: drew http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/11/04/cubs-look-for-runs-in-the-outfield-try-not-to-lose-any/#comment-6506 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:59:55 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6326#comment-6506 I second your approach with the outfield and wasn’t quite aware as how deficient Soler was despite a plus arm. I perceive CF as high defensive priority (on par with 2B), and a little more important for the cubs because we plan on fielding schwarber in LF. Watching CFs like tori hunter, Edmunds, Andruw Jones (the best I’ve ever seen), you can see how they compensated for what was lacking in the corners. In addition, outfields like st. Louis and Pittsburgh demand a little more coverage. Just curious, who is the best pure CF on the market based on metrics?

]]> By: Rian Watt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/11/04/cubs-look-for-runs-in-the-outfield-try-not-to-lose-any/#comment-6424 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 20:50:16 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6326#comment-6424 Hi Ryan, thanks for the kind words (and great name!). I suspect Heyward could play a passable or even plus center field, but I’m not a scout and can’t say for sure.

]]> By: Rian Watt http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/11/04/cubs-look-for-runs-in-the-outfield-try-not-to-lose-any/#comment-6423 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 20:49:14 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6326#comment-6423 Hi Bill, thanks for the kind words — I certainly agree that Soler is a strong trade candidate. We differ somewhat in our take on Baez. I like him a lot, for many of the reasons you mention (although I’d be wary of those UZR numbers) and think he could be a great player if he reaches his ceiling. What I’m less certain of is his ability to reach that ceiling, or the depth of his floor. I think the Cubs will make an effort to trade one of either Baez or Castro this offseason — whichever returns more value — and will be better off by doing so.

]]> By: Ryan http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/11/04/cubs-look-for-runs-in-the-outfield-try-not-to-lose-any/#comment-6422 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 20:38:33 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6326#comment-6422 Interesting article with a lot of very good points. I haven’t really thought about defense in the context of actual runs (which makes me feel foolish), and definitely see the value of focusing on the outfield defense this offseason.

The real question that I’m interested in is how well would Heyward’s glove play in CF? He certainly crosses off so many boxes on the batting side, but if he can play a plus CF (and I see no reason he couldn’t, given his arm strength, speed, and quality reads in RF), then the Cubs could have a beautiful line-up come next spring.

I do hope they can find a way to improve Soler to replacement level in RF… The guy hits so many balls hard and feel like he’s a minor swing adjustment away from being a perennial 35 HR hitter. They might be better off trying to establish him offensively next season and then seeing what he could fetch in a trade for pitching.

]]> By: Bill Thomson http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2015/11/04/cubs-look-for-runs-in-the-outfield-try-not-to-lose-any/#comment-6386 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 18:02:28 +0000 http://wrigleyville.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=6326#comment-6386 Interesting article, with which I agree almost completely. To me, the optimal trade candidate is Soler, who even though he has virtually unlimited offensive potential, is significantly limited by his defense, injury potential, and seeming inability to play well in cold weather.

To me, the key non-trade candidate is Baez, who impressed me with his change in offense this year, but even more he has substantial defensive chops. He led the team in UZR/150 this year with 70.1 at 3B, greatly exceeding the second place finisher, Jackson in CF at 48.3. With his defensive versatility and offensive potential, he is a player that I want to keep.

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