How many ABs per week do you think Bote will receive?

[tehmpus]

With the idea that Kipnis could get some time at 2nd base, and catchers possibly getting a lot of DH at bats, I'm a bit worried that Bote will end up being the odd man out in terms of getting ABs.  What do you think?  

[rvn11]

I think not only Kipnis, but Hoerner has been pretty good thus far by many accounts and might edge him out. Unless he shows something in the few at bats he gets early on, I could see him getting less playing time than in years past. The DH opens up a permanent spot in the lineup, and he's likely not the guy to fill it. It also takes away 1-3 late game pinch hit opportunities, one of which probably would have been his previously. Time will tell how they decide to pinch hit guys this season, but in the past it was usually dependent either on matchups (perhaps less of an issue this year with the 3 batter minimum) or the desire to hit for the pitcher and/or double switch.

[batman66]

Depends on how Kipnis plays.

If Kipnis plays well I don't see Bote getting much playing time at all.
Right now I think Nico probably starts most of the time. Kipnis will get some starts and likely DH.
Bote might just be pinch hitting with an occasional DH game.
Unless Kipnis shows he just doebt have it anymore I dont see Bote getting in the starting line up more than maybe once a week.

[ddevonb]

I think Bote will get a lot more at bats than that. Because the Cubs has so many in a row and few days off. Bryant will also need days off and days at DH and Bote will play 3b on those days. With Rizzo also like to have regular days off to keep his back in good shape. Bote has already played SS and LF so that shows that the Cubs want to be able to match up well when there are pitching changes. Even on days, when Bote (and others) don't start, the Cubs will still use pinch hitters to get better matchups later in the game. The fact that they DH for the pitcher does not keep them from pinch hitting for position players.
As far a Kipnis go, his performance will increase or limit his playing time. If he doesn't hit, then he won't start much. I think Ross will be adjusting the lineup to get those guys who perform the most playing time.
Kipnis hasn't hit well for a couple of seasons so he is certainly not a lock to do so now.

[ddevonb]

Jul 22, 2020 15:50:47 GMT -5 batman66 said:

Depends on how Kipnis plays.

If Kipnis plays well I don't see Bote getting much playing time at all.
Right now I think Nico probably starts most of the time. Kipnis will get some starts and likely DH.
Bote might just be pinch hitting with an occasional DH game.
Unless Kipnis shows he just doebt have it anymore I dont see Bote getting in the starting line up more than maybe once a week.

Bote just has to hit better than Kipnis.

[rvn11]

Jul 22, 2020 15:50:47 GMT -5 batman66 said:

Depends on how Kipnis plays.

If Kipnis plays well I don't see Bote getting much playing time at all.
Right now I think Nico probably starts most of the time. Kipnis will get some starts and likely DH.
Bote might just be pinch hitting with an occasional DH game.
Unless Kipnis shows he just doebt have it anymore I dont see Bote getting in the starting line up more than maybe once a week.

I don't see Kipnis playing DH much, just too many better options on the bench. I see it at the moment as a platoon between Nico and Kipnis at 2b. That could all change if Kipnis doesn't perform, and he really hasn't shown too much. But being right handed Bote would pretty much have to beat out both Kipnis and Nico to get regular playing time. I think Nico will be solid and offers something the rest of this lineup doesn't, so he'll get more ABs.

Now if KB's back issue from last night becomes something, that could all change. But if everything plays out the way it should, then I think he'll have an uphill battle getting into the lineup.

[batman66]

It all depends on how Kipnis hits.
If he is hitting like he used to be able to then Ross will probably want him in the line up.
You know they will want to get Nico a lot of at bats so when he is starting I can see Kipnis at DH at times.
I know they have Schwarber and so many other options .
And at this point other than a being a respected veteran I see no point in having Descalso on the roster at all even with rosters starting at 30.

[threeandone]

Jul 23, 2020 9:40:29 GMT -5 batman66 said:

It all depends on how Kipnis hits.
If he is hitting like he used to be able to then Ross will probably want him in the line up.
You know they will want to get Nico a lot of at bats so when he is starting I can see Kipnis at DH at times.
I know they have Schwarber and so many other options .
And at this point other than a being a respected veteran I see no point in having Descalso on the roster at all even with rosters starting at 30.

Agree on Descalso.  Time to cut him.  I see this morning that the Cardinals finally manned up and cut Brett Cecil from their relief corps.  He never did them any good and they cut that dead weight.  Time for the Cubs to do likewise with DD.  

[batman66]

Yep , there is no point in keeping him anymore.

Many much better options in the infield and he would be the last option you would want to pinch hit and now all you have to eat is this seasons pro rated salary.

[tehmpus]

Jul 23, 2020 9:52:19 GMT -5 threeandone said:

Jul 23, 2020 9:40:29 GMT -5 batman66 said:

It all depends on how Kipnis hits.
If he is hitting like he used to be able to then Ross will probably want him in the line up.
You know they will want to get Nico a lot of at bats so when he is starting I can see Kipnis at DH at times.
I know they have Schwarber and so many other options .
And at this point other than a being a respected veteran I see no point in having Descalso on the roster at all even with rosters starting at 30.

Agree on Descalso.  Time to cut him.  I see this morning that the Cardinals finally manned up and cut Brett Cecil from their relief corps.  He never did them any good and they cut that dead weight.  Time for the Cubs to do likewise with DD.  

I cannot say that I'm that much of a fan of Kipnis.  He hasn't shown that he's back after a couple of really terrible years, but for the price he's a decent bench guy.  I'm also not a fan of any light-hitting batter playing DH.  If you don't have any thump in your bat, then you've got no business playing DH.  

As for Descalso, you guys gotta remember that COVID is still around.  There's going to be a time when maybe 2, 3, or even 5 guys get sick and are out for a couple weeks.  Descalso isn't very good, but he's a hell of a better replacement than some minor leaguer.  We've still got to pay his salary, so he might as well stick around as an insurance policy.  

I'd like to see more of Bote and Souza.  

Personally, if there was a minor league season this year, I'd send Nico back down to get his skills maxed out.  As it is, Nico needs some playing time, but if the Cubs are in the thick of it, we won't be able to live through a rookie type growing season.  He's got to hit the ground running, or take a backseat.  

[rvn11]

Jul 23, 2020 11:48:35 GMT -5 tehmpus said:

Jul 23, 2020 9:52:19 GMT -5 threeandone said:

Agree on Descalso.  Time to cut him.  I see this morning that the Cardinals finally manned up and cut Brett Cecil from their relief corps.  He never did them any good and they cut that dead weight.  Time for the Cubs to do likewise with DD.  

I cannot say that I'm that much of a fan of Kipnis.  He hasn't shown that he's back after a couple of really terrible years, but for the price he's a decent bench guy.  I'm also not a fan of any light-hitting batter playing DH.  If you don't have any thump in your bat, then you've got no business playing DH.  

As for Descalso, you guys gotta remember that COVID is still around.  There's going to be a time when maybe 2, 3, or even 5 guys get sick and are out for a couple weeks.  Descalso isn't very good, but he's a hell of a better replacement than some minor leaguer.  We've still got to pay his salary, so he might as well stick around as an insurance policy.  

I'd like to see more of Bote and Souza.  

Personally, if there was a minor league season this year, I'd send Nico back down to get his skills maxed out.  As it is, Nico needs some playing time, but if the Cubs are in the thick of it, we won't be able to live through a rookie type growing season.  He's got to hit the ground running, or take a backseat.  

Well if DD is an insurance policy it's a long term one, as he's on the 45 day IL, pretty much ending his season until the very end. I know they needed to be creative to keep him around, but you'd think they could have DFA'd him and brought him back to South Bend, and then he could be available in a pinch. Nobody else would have signed him, unless he told them he wouldn't go there.

Agreed on Kipnis. I had high hopes for him but haven't been impressed, and he's not great defensively either. Same with Souza, I need to see more of him to make a decision.