Comments on: Dexter Fowler Re-Signs With the Chicago Cubs: How Does Their Outfield Work Now?

By: victor19nyc

victor19nyc — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 01:01:11 +0000

The thing you get with Fowler is insurance against Soler being a bust. I am not suggesting Soler will be, but if you really want to get crazy and get PECOTA involved, his 90 pct is higher than Fowler’s but is 10 pct is lower. In other words, you’re trading a potentially higher ceiling by ensuring a higher floor.

The thing you have to also take into consideration is Bryant, Russell and Schwarber. This is still a very young team so the variability in performance can possibly swing through a wide range. Fowler and Heyward will narrow the range of variability, but the trick Maddon has to pull off is maximizing the upside of Soler, Schwarber, Russell, Bryant and Baez. That’s a lot to consider, so the more constants you have (and I mean good contstants) the more likely you are minimizing downside risk.

The game for 2016 is winning the division. This team, as constructed and with high expectations, needs to guard against getting stuck in the one game WC again.

By: victor19nyc

victor19nyc — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 00:44:48 +0000

In Maddon we trust.

By: Still Bill

Still Bill — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 00:06:32 +0000

Don’t trade Soler. We have Fowler this year, but he may opt out next year. Soler is young and has unlimited potential. Be patient Cubs. Depth is a great asset to have at any position.

By: willycat

willycat — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 15:51:55 +0000

I’m with you on that Guz. Soler should be in the lineup as much as possible and the same for Schwarber. Fowler as a 4th OF is fine, especially for defense in LF late in games or as a PH. Fowler should only start when an injury pops up or someone needs a bench day.

By: theguz

theguz — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 04:33:58 +0000

I simply cannot believe we traded Soler for Fowler. If that’s tge case, count me out of all the euphoria.

If we traded 4th OF Cogs for 4th OF Fowler, count me in.

Schwarbs, Soler, Baez too–all need REPS–and will all be far more productive than a 30 yr old above-avg player.

By: TuesMorningBear

TuesMorningBear — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 21:45:54 +0000

I just can’t see Maddon taking Schwarber’s bat out of the lineup so he can be slightly better defensively.

To me, there’s little doubt that Soler is the odd man out 8 days out of 10.

By: udbrky

udbrky — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 21:14:01 +0000

It blows my mind that we’re speaking of bench depth of the quality of Soler and Baez now. Even last year, we had Mike Baxter for part of the season!

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 20:49:31 +0000

I’m not sure it is for his development, but I would concur with your previous comment that playing time for Schwarber is more important. He can’t just sit against lefties…that won’t fly in the postseason.

The balance between go for it now and development is really a tough one…

By: victor19nyc

victor19nyc — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 19:52:39 +0000

Is it good having Soler play part-time? Fowler alleviates some concern should Soler turn into a bust, but Maddon has his work cut out for him trying to maximize team wins while fully developing the young players.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 19:39:56 +0000

Well this has been a crazy morning. Beyond improving the team and flexibility for this year, I’m curious if this move may also serve to improve Soler’s potential trade value by giving Maddon and the analytics team greater opportunity to pick and choose spots to best maximize Soler’s success.