Comments on: Coghlan in the Machine: Is Chris Cross?

By: theguz

theguz — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 20:37:05 +0000

Love that u put in the time, Bill; I’d only add this: cut Ross, and you’ll have 30 more G for Schwarber at C, which then means 30 more for Cogs.

As it stands, Ross is the last piece holding this team back from all it can be, and his presence flies in the face of what’s “best for the team”–as opposed to what’s best for 2 players (Lester and Ross).

Further, the Cubs are insulated at backup C with BOTH Contreras and Davis at AAA (feel free to look up Davis’ offense and defense #s) in case of injury/poor performance.

Ross’ spot right now will cost either Ramirez, Brothers, Edwards, LaStella, or Szczur a spot. Take your pick.

By: jan labij

jan labij — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:34:42 +0000

I really like Chris, and I hope he really works and pushes himself to furthur improve his BA and especially his OBP. Because the one thing the Cubs need more of is getting base runners home. His ability to play all over the field defensivly is a big plus, especially under Joe Maddon. If he has a bat that Joe will have trouble living without, Chris will get to play much more. So Chris, if you happen to read this, think about how you can the ball in play, no matter how. You’ll get all the playing time you want.

By: cicero sonny

cicero sonny — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 21:47:58 +0000

Regardless who the player is the Mgr. has to do what he thinks is best for the club.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 22:04:33 +0000

Given that Baez and Soler both represented somewhat unknown quantities, there is the potential for a significant amount of playing time. Even Schwarber will likely have his struggles at times, given he has not even played a full season yet, opening up another opportunity to get Coghlan on the field.

By: victor19nyc

victor19nyc — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 20:59:28 +0000

I appreciate what he has meant for this team but he had to know when he joined two years ago that he was not a part of “the plan.” The fact that the plan has come together more quickly than pretty much everyone expected has squeezed out Coghlan before he thought he might. With injuries, days off, etc. and the fact he will be a nice bat off the bench he will still find the playing time. Even figuring in projected reduction in playing time he still got a nice salary bump.

By: Bill Thomson

Bill Thomson — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 17:34:39 +0000

To repeat my “rotation mantra”, assume Maddon were to use something like the following rotational system: C-Montero/100 games, Ross/30, Schwarber/32, 1B-Rizzo/140, Bryant/22, 2B-Zobrist/90, Baez/40, LaStella/22, Coghlan/10, SS-Russell/135, Baez-27, 3B-Bryant/100, Baez/18, LaStella/44, LF- Schwarber/100, Zobrist/30, Coghlan/32, CF- Heyward/125, Baez/27, Bryant/10, RF-Soler/112, Coghlan/27, Bryant/8, Heyward/15, DH-Schwarber/8, Soler/3. Advantages: 1) Rest (see above), 2) There is a quality backup for each position (and injury protection), 3) There are platoon advantages for practically each position, 4) Joe could easily pinch-hit, add defensive quality late in games, etc., 5) If you were to take the “worst” player at each position, you would still have a formidable lineup.

Base total # of games: Rizzo=Schwarber=Bryant=Heyward=140, Russell=135, Zobrist=120, Soler=115, Baez=112, Montero=100, Coghlan=69, LaStella=66, Ross=30.

Assume Coghlan starts 69 games at 5 PAs/G=345 PAs. Further assume that he is the routine defensive substitute for LF/RF in games he doesn’t start (93) and in which the Cubs are ahead (.599 x 93 = 56-), that gives him 1.5 x 56 = 84 additional PAs. Finally assume that he is a likely PH in the remaining 37 games, and he will approach (345+84+37=466) 500 PAs. Under this system the maximum number of PAs (140 G) will be around 700, so Chris will obviously be playing a major role.

Obviously, I’m not claiming this will happen, but the potential is there for Chris to have significant playing time. I hope that the Cubs will think of themselves as a team of 11 position regulars (all but Ross), and with all players (including Ross) playing a significant part of an overall team effort.

If anybody can pull this off, Joe can.