|
Post by skokiejoe on Jan 2, 2024 22:32:02 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 3, 2024 13:07:27 GMT -5
The long wait will be over, we've been hearing this for like 2 years , the Cubs will sign International prospect Fernando Cruz on July 15th.
Formerly the #1 ranked IFA prospect , according to BBA he's fallen to #3 , not because of what he's done or not done but because he was surpassed by 2 others.
Cruz is likely to take up a large chunk of the Cubs IFA pool with an expected signing bonus in the 4 million range
|
|
|
Post by trav768 on Jan 3, 2024 13:33:06 GMT -5
The long wait will be over, we've been hearing this for like 2 years , the Cubs will sign International prospect Fernando Cruz on July 15th. Formerly the #1 ranked IFA prospect , according to BBA he's fallen to #3 , not because of what he's done or not done but because he was surpassed by 2 others. Cruz is likely to take up a large chunk of the Cubs IFA pool with an expected signing bonus in the 4 million range he's a cousin to Starlin Castro
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 4, 2024 19:48:51 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Jan 4, 2024 21:18:11 GMT -5
I wonder what position he plays to open 2024? Everything seems to suggest second base is his most natural fit, but we’ve seen him get some time at third base and even centerfield if memory serves as they try to find him a position on the big boy club. Any thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by holycow23 on Jan 4, 2024 22:16:27 GMT -5
I wonder what position he plays to open 2024? Everything seems to suggest second base is his most natural fit, but we’ve seen him get some time at third base and even centerfield if memory serves as they try to find him a position on the big boy club. Any thoughts? He is another Morel. When he pitched in HS at age 17 I believe he was sitting at 94. So the arm is there. But poor footwork is an issue at third. Centerfield seems kinda ridiculous to me.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 5, 2024 0:35:21 GMT -5
I wonder what position he plays to open 2024? Everything seems to suggest second base is his most natural fit, but we’ve seen him get some time at third base and even centerfield if memory serves as they try to find him a position on the big boy club. Any thoughts? Not sure where he ends up because they have so many infielders. In the Arizona fall league he played 3b, 2b, CF, LF and even a game at short.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 12, 2024 20:03:32 GMT -5
The update is coming soon but MLB Pipeline is currently showing 7 Cubs prospects in the top 100
PCA 12 Horton 29 Busch 44 Caissie 64 Alcantara 71 Brown 86 Shaw 96
|
|
|
Post by bryzzobrist on Jan 13, 2024 17:36:24 GMT -5
Wishin and a hopin for good 2024 seasons from reggie preciado, Cristian hernandez, brennan davis, and whoever else fell off a cliff in the 2023 season.
Lets bring the former top 10 guys back into the mix this year.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 13, 2024 20:44:20 GMT -5
Wishin and a hopin for good 2024 seasons from reggie preciado, Cristian hernandez, brennan davis, and whoever else fell off a cliff in the 2023 season. Lets bring the former top 10 guys back into the mix this year. Crucial year for all those guys especially Davis and Hernandez in some rankings has been passed up by his brother , He's still only 20 years old though , but he needs to start showing a lot more soon because he's getting burried in the system by all the other shortstops and soon another Fernando Cruz will be added to the mix.
|
|
|
Post by bryzzobrist on Jan 16, 2024 13:54:24 GMT -5
Brennan davis eager to start fresh in 24
“Everybody’s on the same course and wants to help each other improve,” Davis said. “I had conversations with Shaw about his approach, and he was absolutely lighting it up [Shaw slashed .393/.427/655 in Single-A South Bend]. I was like, ‘What have you been doing to have success?’ I’m talking to Pete, and I’m like, ‘Make me a better defender.’”
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 16, 2024 19:24:42 GMT -5
Baseball Prospectus top 101 dropped today and the Cubs have 9 on the list and they love them some Shaw
20 PCA 21 Shaw 27 Horton 65 Caissie 71 Busch 80 Alcantara 84 Ballesteros 91 Triantos 94 Wicks
|
|
|
Post by bryzzobrist on Jan 17, 2024 1:26:45 GMT -5
This time last year there was three cubs on that list.
|
|
|
Post by lu13cubbie on Jan 17, 2024 7:39:18 GMT -5
This time last year there was three cubs on that list. That list also shows why Hoyer shouldn't let Borass bend him over a barrel for Bellinger.
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 17, 2024 7:47:39 GMT -5
This time last year there was three cubs on that list. Yep , and 7 of those guys were already Cubs at this point last year , only Shaw(draft) and Busch (trade) came from outside the organization so it shows their own players now make progress .
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Jan 17, 2024 7:50:32 GMT -5
This time last year there was three cubs on that list. That list also shows why Hoyer shouldn't let Borass bend him over a barrel for Bellinger. True, but the team has a better chance to be better right now moving forward with Belly on it. They can recover from losing him if somebody here steps up but the kids sometimes take 2-3 or more years before they figure it out so it's asking a lot of the prospects.
|
|
|
Post by lu13cubbie on Jan 17, 2024 9:18:17 GMT -5
How long before Bellinger would be seen as blocking PCA, Caissie, Alcantara, maybe Busch though? I'm to the point that I wonder if it would be better to be missing Bellinger for a year or two while the youngster get their feet under them, than wondering what to do with him for 5 - 7 years after that. I still want Belli, but Hoyer just shouldn't give him a life time deal.
Edit; It has to be getting to about the 8th inning in the off season now. The team should be down to just 1 or 2 pieces plus NRI's needed. Not a hole in the middle of the order. 4 weeks till players can report. The Cubs might need to draw a line in the sand with Belli.
|
|
|
Post by rvn11 on Jan 17, 2024 9:56:49 GMT -5
How long before Bellinger would be seen as blocking PCA, Caissie, Alcantara, maybe Busch though? I'm to the point that I wonder if it would be better to be missing Bellinger for a year or two while the youngster get their feet under them, than wondering what to do with him for 5 - 7 years after that. I still want Belli, but Hoyer just shouldn't give him a life time deal. Edit; It has to be getting to about the 8th inning in the off season now. The team should be down to just 1 or 2 pieces plus NRI's needed. Not a hole in the middle of the order. 4 weeks till players can report. The Cubs might need to draw a line in the sand with Belli. IMO Bellinger and his positional flexibility wouldn't be the one blocking said prospects, it would be the contracts handed out to less flexible and productive outfielders in Suzuki and Happ, but adding him in complicates things. But I have no problem spending an asset they have plenty of ($$$) to add to the team overall and eventually let the pieces fall into place. Bellinger was a flyer that fell into their lap, no way the front office could have anticipated him being available as he was, but I think we can all agree the lineup was entirely different with him in it. If the front office wants to build a solid offense going forward they're best doing it with him as the middle of the order bat that the others are not, but unfortunately said Happ and Suzuki contracts and no trade clauses stand in the way.
I think the front office has drawn their line in the sand with him. They want him, but don't NEED him going forward, they have a path and a plan with prospects for the future, but he certainly would make the team better and accelerate that timeline for success, as seen last season. I'm guessing they've told him what they can do and he and Boras are doing their best to get more.
|
|
|
Post by irishcubfan on Jan 17, 2024 13:51:11 GMT -5
How long before Bellinger would be seen as blocking PCA, Caissie, Alcantara, maybe Busch though? I'm to the point that I wonder if it would be better to be missing Bellinger for a year or two while the youngster get their feet under them, than wondering what to do with him for 5 - 7 years after that. I still want Belli, but Hoyer just shouldn't give him a life time deal. Edit; It has to be getting to about the 8th inning in the off season now. The team should be down to just 1 or 2 pieces plus NRI's needed. Not a hole in the middle of the order. 4 weeks till players can report. The Cubs might need to draw a line in the sand with Belli. IMO Bellinger and his positional flexibility wouldn't be the one blocking said prospects, it would be the contracts handed out to less flexible and productive outfielders in Suzuki and Happ, but adding him in complicates things. But I have no problem spending an asset they have plenty of ($$$) to add to the team overall and eventually let the pieces fall into place. Bellinger was a flyer that fell into their lap, no way the front office could have anticipated him being available as he was, but I think we can all agree the lineup was entirely different with him in it. If the front office wants to build a solid offense going forward they're best doing it with him as the middle of the order bat that the others are not, but unfortunately said Happ and Suzuki contracts and no trade clauses stand in the way.
I think the front office has drawn their line in the sand with him. They want him, but don't NEED him going forward, they have a path and a plan with prospects for the future, but he certainly would make the team better and accelerate that timeline for success, as seen last season. I'm guessing they've told him what they can do and he and Boras are doing their best to get more.
Not sure Bellinger outproduces Happ and/or Suzuki offensively these next two years. Suzuki had a monster final two months or so and Happ has been an above average bat for awhile now. Think those contracts won't hinder or block the Cubs at all as neither are very long term or cost much. Think Happ would have made more if he were a FA this year but comfort with city, team and fan base likely swayed him to not test the market. Plus the DH will come into play with development and/or playing time. Busch/Caissie (already at 1b in my mind even with the Busch trade) at 1b or DH, if both pan out that is awesome.problem to have. Alcantara corners or DH if pan out. Shaw 3b or 2b if Cubs don't sign Hoerner to a 3rd contract. If they don't sign Bellinger, figure PCA will play the bulk of CF at the MLB level whether he has an OPS of 680 or 800. Playing time will work itself out through attrition.
|
|
|
Post by lu13cubbie on Jan 17, 2024 15:51:56 GMT -5
IMO Bellinger and his positional flexibility wouldn't be the one blocking said prospects, it would be the contracts handed out to less flexible and productive outfielders in Suzuki and Happ, but adding him in complicates things. But I have no problem spending an asset they have plenty of ($$$) to add to the team overall and eventually let the pieces fall into place. Bellinger was a flyer that fell into their lap, no way the front office could have anticipated him being available as he was, but I think we can all agree the lineup was entirely different with him in it. If the front office wants to build a solid offense going forward they're best doing it with him as the middle of the order bat that the others are not, but unfortunately said Happ and Suzuki contracts and no trade clauses stand in the way.
I think the front office has drawn their line in the sand with him. They want him, but don't NEED him going forward, they have a path and a plan with prospects for the future, but he certainly would make the team better and accelerate that timeline for success, as seen last season. I'm guessing they've told him what they can do and he and Boras are doing their best to get more.
Not sure Bellinger outproduces Happ and/or Suzuki offensively these next two years. Suzuki had a monster final two months or so and Happ has been an above average bat for awhile now. Think those contracts won't hinder or block the Cubs at all as neither are very long term or cost much. Think Happ would have made more if he were a FA this year but comfort with city, team and fan base likely swayed him to not test the market. Plus the DH will come into play with development and/or playing time. Busch/Caissie (already at 1b in my mind even with the Busch trade) at 1b or DH, if both pan out that is awesome.problem to have. Alcantara corners or DH if pan out. Shaw 3b or 2b if Cubs don't sign Hoerner to a 3rd contract. If they don't sign Bellinger, figure PCA will play the bulk of CF at the MLB level whether he has an OPS of 680 or 800. Playing time will work itself out through attrition. Caissie is going to stay in right field. Good athlete with a rifle for an arm. Needs work on his routes and jumps. Most 21 year old outfielders prolly do. I've read 2 things about Caissie in the last month on my 'puter. They praised his ability in RF. I've gone back looking for them and can't find them so far.
|
|