|
|
Post by skokiejoe on Mar 21, 2024 14:00:58 GMT -5
Cubs currently have 18 pitchers for 13 spots
Starters(5): Assad Hendricks Imanaga Steele Wicks
Long(1) Smyly
Bullpen No options (5) Almonte Alzolay Leiter Jr. Merryweather Neris
Have options Left(3) Little Cuas Wesneski
NRI PITCHERS: (2) Edwards Jr Escobar
15 day IL(1) Taillon
60 day IL(1) Kilian
|
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Mar 22, 2024 10:58:15 GMT -5
Something I just started thinking about, if Canario doesn’t make the 26man where does he play? Iowa’s outfield currently consists of PCA and Davis while Hill and Roederer could also both be viewed as deserving of starts. This doesn’t factor in Caissie who could certainly get the bump to AAA after a stellar 2023 campaign, no? Where is Canario getting his regular playing time if not in Chicago and who is he taking those at bats away from? Maybe there’s a really clear answer here that I’m not seeing, but with Canario already on the 40man and a bit of a crowded picture in the upper minors perhaps he shouldn’t be overlooked for a roster spot. Cooper on some levels makes sense as a guy to keep around, but then I remember a couple things Counsel has said recently. 1) DH is likely a bit of a revolving door rather than a designated full timer and 2) he values positional versatility/flexibility. Those two statements make me think Cooper isn’t the lock that many think he is. Mastro, Tauchman, Canario, and Wisdom? Edit: just saw that Wisdom isn’t in the lineup after being slated for it. If his lower back is a bigger issue than they originally though that could open the door for a Cooper. Cooper also has played some OF before 75 in RF and 6 in LF , so he's not strictly 1b and DH , but it's like putting Wisdon in the OF , you can put him there, but you don't really want him there. |
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Mar 22, 2024 12:09:36 GMT -5
Something I just started thinking about, if Canario doesn’t make the 26man where does he play? Iowa’s outfield currently consists of PCA and Davis while Hill and Roederer could also both be viewed as deserving of starts. This doesn’t factor in Caissie who could certainly get the bump to AAA after a stellar 2023 campaign, no? Where is Canario getting his regular playing time if not in Chicago and who is he taking those at bats away from? Maybe there’s a really clear answer here that I’m not seeing, but with Canario already on the 40man and a bit of a crowded picture in the upper minors perhaps he shouldn’t be overlooked for a roster spot. Cooper on some levels makes sense as a guy to keep around, but then I remember a couple things Counsel has said recently. 1) DH is likely a bit of a revolving door rather than a designated full timer and 2) he values positional versatility/flexibility. Those two statements make me think Cooper isn’t the lock that many think he is. Mastro, Tauchman, Canario, and Wisdom? Edit: just saw that Wisdom isn’t in the lineup after being slated for it. If his lower back is a bigger issue than they originally though that could open the door for a Cooper. Cooper also has played some OF before 75 in RF and 6 in LF , so he's not strictly 1b and DH , but it's like putting Wisdon in the OF , you can put him there, but you don't really want him there. Suggesting that the now 33 year old Cooper does have some history playing in the outfield corners back between 2018-2021 doesn’t help his cause here. Statistically speaking Cooper is an average first baseman with the glove and won’t field anywhere else barring an emergency. That’s fine because if he makes the roster it’ll be with the intention of him swinging the bat and nothing else. What I have posed though is would anyone really rather see Cooper taking those right handed at bats in any situation over Canario? I wouldn’t. Let Canario impact the game at the plate as often as he can, and with both Tauchman and Mastro all but locks it’s not like they need Canario to field much right now. Due to the injury to Wisdom I’d venture to guess Cooper is getting a bench spot. But I would always take Wisdom the bench player over Cooper as Cooper’s value is limited on this roster to 1B/DH. The further problem becomes I’d rather see Busch get full time opportunities at first base rather than platoon and I’d always rather Canario get his licks in than Cooper. Blah blah blah, but if the Cubs wanted a full time DH they should have signed Martinez to that paltry contract he just inked, and I’ve been on that bandwagon since we missed out on Ohtani. Now the situation reminds me a bit of last April where I didn’t understand the value in Mancini/Hosmer getting starts over Mervis and we instead ended up with the worst case scenario. The same is true now where if Cooper makes the roster I question the trade off of less opportunities for either/both Canario and Busch. |
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Mar 22, 2024 12:16:05 GMT -5
Reword a bit:
Bench spots are few and far between. They are specialized roles where you need to bring at least one strong skill or tool to the table. For Cooper it’s that he can swing against lefties. But as we’ve been discussing, Canario is now feeling like a lock for the roster (at least in my eyes) and if Cooper is your DH against lefties then what role does Canario fill? I’ve read many opinions here than people wish we didn’t have Happ because Canario can slug and deserves as many opportunities as we can find. At this point he is my full time DH if I had a say.
Or is Cooper your platoon guy at first base? If so, why? Busch is not some 21 year old super prospect making the jump from AA that needs to be babied. He’s 26.5 years old and we need him to play and showcase his abilities every single day. Cooper subbing in against lefties at first only hampers Busch’s development, even moreso as an older prospect.
Last option, is he your primary pinch hitter off the bench? If so, huge waste of a roster spot for modern baseball roster construction for a guy with very little success as a pinch hitter.
I think Cooper makes the roster at this point in similar way to how Hosmer made last year’s cut. Very minimal salary and you’d rather hang onto him for now than lose him for nothing. But I can’t think of opportunities I’d actually want to see him on this Cubs team that is all about the youth movement and the future. His lack of positional versatility only hampers his value to this club.
|
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Mar 22, 2024 12:37:12 GMT -5
Reword a bit: Bench spots are few and far between. They are specialized roles where you need to bring at least one strong skill or tool to the table. For Cooper it’s that he can swing against lefties. But as we’ve been discussing, Canario is now feeling like a lock for the roster (at least in my eyes) and if Cooper is your DH against lefties then what role does Canario fill? I’ve read many opinions here than people wish we didn’t have Happ because Canario can slug and deserves as many opportunities as we can find. At this point he is my full time DH if I had a say. Or is Cooper your platoon guy at first base? If so, why? Busch is not some 21 year old super prospect making the jump from AA that needs to be babied. He’s 26.5 years old and we need him to play and showcase his abilities every single day. Cooper subbing in against lefties at first only hampers Busch’s development, even moreso as an older prospect. Last option, is he your primary pinch hitter off the bench? If so, huge waste of a roster spot for modern baseball roster construction for a guy with very little success as a pinch hitter. I think Cooper makes the roster at this point in similar way to how Hosmer made last year’s cut. Very minimal salary and you’d rather hang onto him for now than lose him for nothing. But I can’t think of opportunities I’d actually want to see him on this Cubs team that is all about the youth movement and the future. His lack of positional versatility only hampers his value to this club. Uh man , it's all hard to say because when PCA is ready , who knows who goes where? I think Busch will eventually end up being the primary DH and Belli at 1b But for now I'd rather see them play the prospects , like you said Busch, Canario getting the at bats. |
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Mar 22, 2024 12:40:56 GMT -5
All that to say it’s not a big deal if he makes the roster for the short term. Depth is good and he’s a proven capable hitter. I just really don’t want to see him taking at bats away from Canario or Busch and at that point he doesn’t offer anything for his roster spot.
Maybe there’s a solution in the where Canario goes to Iowa to start the season. I don’t like that idea either as I don’t know what he has to prove at this point but whatever.
|
|
|
|
Post by skokiejoe on Mar 22, 2024 12:45:39 GMT -5
Cubs currently have 17 pitchers for 13 spots
Starters(5): Assad Hendricks Imanaga Steele Wicks
Long(1) Smyly
Bullpen No options (5) Almonte Alzolay Leiter Jr. Merryweather Neris
Have options Left(3) Little Cuas Wesneski
NRI PITCHERS: (1) Edwards Jr
15 day IL(1) Taillon
60 day IL(1) Kilian
|
|
|
|
Post by TheChico on Mar 22, 2024 13:24:37 GMT -5
It is pretty much between Edwards VS Almonte for one spot, if Edwards win then Almonte with be DFA to make room for Edwards.
I am still leaning toward Edwards accepting a new minor league deal with multiple opt outs and give Almonte the spot to start the year.
|
|
|
|
Post by cfin on Mar 22, 2024 16:20:06 GMT -5
Reword a bit: Bench spots are few and far between. They are specialized roles where you need to bring at least one strong skill or tool to the table. For Cooper it’s that he can swing against lefties. But as we’ve been discussing, Canario is now feeling like a lock for the roster (at least in my eyes) and if Cooper is your DH against lefties then what role does Canario fill? I’ve read many opinions here than people wish we didn’t have Happ because Canario can slug and deserves as many opportunities as we can find. At this point he is my full time DH if I had a say. Or is Cooper your platoon guy at first base? If so, why? Busch is not some 21 year old super prospect making the jump from AA that needs to be babied. He’s 26.5 years old and we need him to play and showcase his abilities every single day. Cooper subbing in against lefties at first only hampers Busch’s development, even moreso as an older prospect. Last option, is he your primary pinch hitter off the bench? If so, huge waste of a roster spot for modern baseball roster construction for a guy with very little success as a pinch hitter. I think Cooper makes the roster at this point in similar way to how Hosmer made last year’s cut. Very minimal salary and you’d rather hang onto him for now than lose him for nothing. But I can’t think of opportunities I’d actually want to see him on this Cubs team that is all about the youth movement and the future. His lack of positional versatility only hampers his value to this club. I think Cooper makes the roster, but is on a very short leash. I could see him being DFA'd by May depending on what production they get from the DH spot and how well Canario is performing.
You've basically got two roster spots available for the DH, if you have Tauchman as you primary backup OF and Mastrobuoni as your primary backup infielder.
Mastrobuoni could be superseded or complimented with Vazquez at some point in the season.
I might could see Davis eventually taking over for Tauchman, but I'm actually alright with Tauchman since you're paying him anyway and he's left-handed.
Wisdom, to me, makes sense for one of the two spots - although if he starts the year on the injured list you have that.
The last spot really depends on what you get out of the DH spot. This is where Canario and Mervis would fit in, if you ask me. I'm a bit shocked that they sent Mervis to the minor leagues so early, him being left-handed would seem to be an opportune time for him to show something.
If Canario (or Mervis) are up with the big league club, I want them to actually play. And I think right now, the thought would be that Cooper would get the majority of the at-bats at DH. Like I said, he'd be on a short leash and if he doesn't produce then you look at either Canario or Mervis in AAA.
PCA also has a small factor in here - although, I really suspect he's in AAA until at least the All Star break. But if he proves ready then that becomes a domino effect, moving Bellinger to 1B, and Busch to DH (this assumes that Busch is producing, which is not really a given either).
You also don't know what other injuries may pop up.
|
|
|
|
Post by skokiejoe on Mar 22, 2024 18:05:37 GMT -5
Reword a bit: Bench spots are few and far between. They are specialized roles where you need to bring at least one strong skill or tool to the table. For Cooper it’s that he can swing against lefties. But as we’ve been discussing, Canario is now feeling like a lock for the roster (at least in my eyes) and if Cooper is your DH against lefties then what role does Canario fill? I’ve read many opinions here than people wish we didn’t have Happ because Canario can slug and deserves as many opportunities as we can find. At this point he is my full time DH if I had a say. Or is Cooper your platoon guy at first base? If so, why? Busch is not some 21 year old super prospect making the jump from AA that needs to be babied. He’s 26.5 years old and we need him to play and showcase his abilities every single day. Cooper subbing in against lefties at first only hampers Busch’s development, even moreso as an older prospect. Last option, is he your primary pinch hitter off the bench? If so, huge waste of a roster spot for modern baseball roster construction for a guy with very little success as a pinch hitter. I think Cooper makes the roster at this point in similar way to how Hosmer made last year’s cut. Very minimal salary and you’d rather hang onto him for now than lose him for nothing. But I can’t think of opportunities I’d actually want to see him on this Cubs team that is all about the youth movement and the future. His lack of positional versatility only hampers his value to this club. I think Cooper makes the roster, but is on a very short leash. I could see him being DFA'd by May depending on what production they get from the DH spot and how well Canario is performing.
You've basically got two roster spots available for the DH, if you have Tauchman as you primary backup OF and Mastrobuoni as your primary backup infielder.
Mastrobuoni could be superseded or complimented with Vazquez at some point in the season.
I might could see Davis eventually taking over for Tauchman, but I'm actually alright with Tauchman since you're paying him anyway and he's left-handed.
Wisdom, to me, makes sense for one of the two spots - although if he starts the year on the injured list you have that.
The last spot really depends on what you get out of the DH spot. This is where Canario and Mervis would fit in, if you ask me. I'm a bit shocked that they sent Mervis to the minor leagues so early, him being left-handed would seem to be an opportune time for him to show something.
If Canario (or Mervis) are up with the big league club, I want them to actually play. And I think right now, the thought would be that Cooper would get the majority of the at-bats at DH. Like I said, he'd be on a short leash and if he doesn't produce then you look at either Canario or Mervis in AAA.
PCA also has a small factor in here - although, I really suspect he's in AAA until at least the All Star break. But if he proves ready then that becomes a domino effect, moving Bellinger to 1B, and Busch to DH (this assumes that Busch is producing, which is not really a given either).
You also don't know what other injuries may pop up.
Cooper was not in the lineup today it sounds like he might have exercised his option |
|
|
|
Post by batman66 on Mar 22, 2024 20:31:29 GMT -5
I think Cooper makes the roster, but is on a very short leash. I could see him being DFA'd by May depending on what production they get from the DH spot and how well Canario is performing.
You've basically got two roster spots available for the DH, if you have Tauchman as you primary backup OF and Mastrobuoni as your primary backup infielder.
Mastrobuoni could be superseded or complimented with Vazquez at some point in the season.
I might could see Davis eventually taking over for Tauchman, but I'm actually alright with Tauchman since you're paying him anyway and he's left-handed.
Wisdom, to me, makes sense for one of the two spots - although if he starts the year on the injured list you have that.
The last spot really depends on what you get out of the DH spot. This is where Canario and Mervis would fit in, if you ask me. I'm a bit shocked that they sent Mervis to the minor leagues so early, him being left-handed would seem to be an opportune time for him to show something.
If Canario (or Mervis) are up with the big league club, I want them to actually play. And I think right now, the thought would be that Cooper would get the majority of the at-bats at DH. Like I said, he'd be on a short leash and if he doesn't produce then you look at either Canario or Mervis in AAA.
PCA also has a small factor in here - although, I really suspect he's in AAA until at least the All Star break. But if he proves ready then that becomes a domino effect, moving Bellinger to 1B, and Busch to DH (this assumes that Busch is producing, which is not really a given either).
You also don't know what other injuries may pop up.
Cooper was not in the lineup today it sounds like he might have exercised his option Cubs will select the contract of Cooper,he has made the team . Corresponding roster move needs to be made. |
|
|
|
Post by TheChico on Mar 22, 2024 22:11:30 GMT -5
Batman is correct, Cooper made the team and sounds like a World Series champ Cj Edwards also made the team too
Killian will likely go to the 60 day and another will be DFA which is rumored to be Keegan Thompson sadly
|
|
|
|
Post by skokiejoe on Mar 22, 2024 22:51:56 GMT -5
Batman is correct, Cooper made the team and sounds like a World Series champ Cj Edwards also made the team too Killian will likely go to the 60 day and another will be DFA which is rumored to be Keegan Thompson sadly Wow I had that wrong. What are they going do about Peralta? Is he willing to stay in extended spring training or Iowa until he can throw? So the 13 non pitchers will be: Happ Bellinger Suzuki Tauchman Morel Swanson Hoerner Busch Amaya Gomes Masterbuoni Canario Cooper Madrigal and Wisdom on the IL |
|
|
|
Post by kfidd on Mar 23, 2024 12:24:12 GMT -5
This lack of optionalable arms is a real thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by skokiejoe on Mar 23, 2024 13:01:40 GMT -5
Batman is correct, Cooper made the team and sounds like a World Series champ Cj Edwards also made the team too Killian will likely go to the 60 day and another will be DFA which is rumored to be Keegan Thompson sadly Conflicting signal on Edwards making the team or not. |
|
|
|
Post by skokiejoe on Mar 23, 2024 13:34:54 GMT -5
Brennen Davis has been moved to inactive status in the minor league camp
Injured? Traded? DFA’d?
|
|
|
|
Post by Drav on Mar 23, 2024 15:59:20 GMT -5
Batman is correct, Cooper made the team and sounds like a World Series champ Cj Edwards also made the team too Killian will likely go to the 60 day and another will be DFA which is rumored to be Keegan Thompson sadly Conflicting signal on Edwards making the team or not. Edwards has opted out of his deal thus will not be making the Opening day roster |
|
|
|
Post by skokiejoe on Mar 23, 2024 16:17:49 GMT -5
Cubs 13 man pitching staff + 1 on 15 day IL +1 on 60 day IL
Starters(5): Assad Hendricks Imanaga Steele Wicks
Long(1) Smyly
Bullpen 6 locks Almonte Alzolay Leiter Jr. Merryweather Neris Cua
Final Spot Little or Wesneski
15 day IL(1) Taillon
60 day IL(1) Kilian
|
|
|
|
Post by TheChico on Mar 23, 2024 17:02:36 GMT -5
Conflicting signal on Edwards making the team or not. Edwards has opted out of his deal thus will not be making the Opening day roster Patrick Mooney said last night he made the team but now also saying Edwards has opted out too. Best of luck to CJ, would have been cool to see him back but Almonte does have the better upside with taking a risk on. |
|
|
|
Post by TheChico on Mar 23, 2024 17:10:18 GMT -5
Cubs 13 man pitching staff + 1 on 15 day IL +1 on 60 day IL Starters(5): Assad Hendricks Imanaga Steele Wicks Long(1) Smyly Bullpen 6 locks Almonte Alzolay Leiter Jr. Merryweather Neris Cua Final Spot Little or Wesneski 15 day IL(1) Taillon 60 day IL(1) Kilian aa Both Little and Wesneski were really bad yesterday, but Wesneski is having overall a tough spring while Little was great until yesterday. Having Wesneski start in AAA seems more ideal at this point. |
|
