26-year infielder Robel Garcia has taken the minor leagues by storm this off season. He was signed to the Cubs organization out of Italy and has done nothing but hit.
In 22 games for Iowa he has hit .295/.391/.590 with six home runs, and overall he has hit an impressive 17 home runs in 59 games. It's getting to a point where the Cubs have to seriously getting a look at what he could provide at the big league level.
It would be hard for Garcia to find an everyday role for the Cubs, they already have Kris Bryant at third and Javier Baez at short. The majority of his minor league playing time has come at second base, but he has played just four games there this year, and there's no assurances he will be a good defender.
His best bet would be to settle into a similar role like David Bote, not necessarily playing every day, but getting enough playing time at various positions you essentially are an everyday player. There are no assurances that his hitting will translate to the big leagues, but if it does than the Cubs have a legitimate bench threat in Garcia.
Garcia is a switch hitter so there isn't much of a platoon consideration, the most realistic options for him is to take the place of Daniel Descalso or Addison Russell.
Descalso got off to a somewhat quick start with a .757 OPS through May 1st, but since then he has been absolutely horrific slashing .098/.211/.131 in 33 games and 72 plate appearances. The signing was a questionable one at the beginning, but has proven to be a disaster. The Cubs have to seriously consider cutting bait, especially if they want to be a World Series contender. Of course there are contract considerations to be made here, as he is guaranteed $2.5 million for 2020 and $1 million in a $3.5 million team option for 2021
Russell has been better than Descalso, but still hasn't been as productive as the Cubs would like. He's hitting just .230/.296/.379 since returning from his domestic violence suspension. Although his power is up from 2018, it's still down from where it was in 2016-17. His defense has still been strong range-wise with a 1.2 UZR in 58 innings.
If Garcia continues to force his way into the big league club the best option would probably be to get rid of Descalso, he has been a complete negative to the Cubs and it's something that can't continue to last for much longer.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
What's the Happs with Ian Happ?
The Cubs decision to send Ian Happ down to Triple-A Iowa was met with mixed reactions. Some felt it was smart because he definitely had some major holes in his swing, but others thought that despite the holes he could still contribute on the big league team.
It's about over a month and a half into the season and it's a good time to look at some of the numbers Ian Happ is putting up for Iowa.
His line in Iowa is not impressive at all with a .223/.348/.378 line in a very hitter friendly environment. His strikeout rate is very high at 25.8% and he has barely hit for any power with just 13 extra base hits.
He's been trending in the wrong direction too with a .207/.373/.328 slash line with 18 strikeouts in 75 plate appearances. It's still too early to begin to question his long term future with the Cubs, he's clearly shown his talent before.
To make things worse he left yesterdays game with a finger injury, but it's not expected to be anything that would knock him out for any significant stretch of time.
Although he had a very strong rookie year for the Cubs, his numbers definitely went down significantly, and that could be tied to a sharp increase to his already high strikeout rates. Even in an era where strikeouts are more acceptable, he is still striking out way too much to be a relied on in the big leagues.
You could make the argument that Happ could do much better than Mark Zagunis, who is currently hitting .242 with a .658 OPS. But if the Cubs want Happ to continue to make adjustments, then it is probably better to keep him down at Iowa for the time being.
It's about over a month and a half into the season and it's a good time to look at some of the numbers Ian Happ is putting up for Iowa.
His line in Iowa is not impressive at all with a .223/.348/.378 line in a very hitter friendly environment. His strikeout rate is very high at 25.8% and he has barely hit for any power with just 13 extra base hits.
He's been trending in the wrong direction too with a .207/.373/.328 slash line with 18 strikeouts in 75 plate appearances. It's still too early to begin to question his long term future with the Cubs, he's clearly shown his talent before.
To make things worse he left yesterdays game with a finger injury, but it's not expected to be anything that would knock him out for any significant stretch of time.
Although he had a very strong rookie year for the Cubs, his numbers definitely went down significantly, and that could be tied to a sharp increase to his already high strikeout rates. Even in an era where strikeouts are more acceptable, he is still striking out way too much to be a relied on in the big leagues.
You could make the argument that Happ could do much better than Mark Zagunis, who is currently hitting .242 with a .658 OPS. But if the Cubs want Happ to continue to make adjustments, then it is probably better to keep him down at Iowa for the time being.
Monday, May 20, 2019
An ode to Jake Arrieta
On July 2, 2013 the Cubs made a trade with the Baltimore Orioles sending solid back of the rotation starter Scott Feldman and back up catcher Steve Clevenger to the O's in exchange for struggling starter Jake Arrieta and struggling reliever Pedro Strop.
The trade made sense for the O's at the time, they were 47-36, and 3.5 games back of the AL East lead, but had a two game lead over the Tigers for the second Wild Card spot. They needed some pitching and although Arrieta and Strop both had legitimate potential, they couldn't rely on them to hit their stride in the middle of a playoff race.
Strop has become one of the more consistent relievers in the history of the Cubs with a 2.71 ERA in 373 appearances and 342 innings pitched on the team. He has been a key reliever for nearly every Cubs playoff run and they don't win a World Series without him.
The true star of that trade was Jake Arrieta. A once top prospect who at the time looked like he was going to be just another pitcher who was hyped in the minor leagues, but was unable to find it in the big leagues.
After making a few starts in the minor leagues for the Iowa Cubs, Arrieta made his big league Cubs debut on July 30 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He showed a bit of his potential allowing just two hits and a run over six strong innings. He walked three while striking out just two. He threw 59 percent of his pitches for strikes against a Brewers lineup that was missing Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez.
Overall, the first results for Arrieta were a mixed bag. He posted a 3.66 ERA in 51.2 innings allowing just 34 hits, but he struck out just 37 while walking 24 and giving up seven home runs.
He broke out in a big way in 2014 though posting a 2.53 ERA in 25 starts and 156.2 innings pitched with 167 strikeouts and 41 walks. He was finally able to get his nasty stuff mostly under control and it payed major dividends for him.
To me his breakout start will always be his June 30 start against the Boston Red Sox. He took a no hitter into the 8th inning against the defending World Series champions striking out 10 over 7.2 dominating innings. That was the second of three different starts where he would take a no hitter/perfect game into at least the 7th inning.
I don't think there is any doubt in anyones head that his 2015 season is easily his best season. He won the NL Cy Young award with a 22-6 record and a 1.77 ERA in 229 innings pitched. His second half is considered some of the greatest pitching in the history of baseball. In his final 15 starts he posted an unbelievable 0.75 ERA allowing just nine earned runs in 107.1 innings pitched while striking out 113 and walking just 23
During that stretch he pitched against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball and pitched the Cubs first no-hitter since Carlos Zambrano in 2008. During that game he struck out 12 while walking just one batter.
He took the mound on October 7th in the NL Wild Card game against Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before the game he tweeted at a Pirates fan saying "Whatever keeps your hopes alive, just know it doesn't matter,"
He lived up to his word throwing a complete game five hit shutout and winning the Cubs first playoff game since the infamous 2003 NLCS. Although that Cubs team didn't win it all, it had a very special vibe to it that won't ever be repeated.
The 2016 Cubs were a special team, they were dominant all around and won 103 games on the way to winning their first World Series since 1908.
Although he wasn't as good as he was in 2015 (a very hard task to complete) he was still very good posting a 3.10 ERA in 31 starts and 197.1 innings pitched. He had some crucial starts in the postseason including winning both of his World Series starts. In Game 3 of the NLDS he hit a three-run home run off of Madison Bumgarner who is one of the greatest postseason pitchers of all time.
He fell off a bit in 2017 with a 3.53 ERA in 30 starts. Even though he was no longer the ace he had been before, he was still an excellent starting pitcher who could dominate any given day. The Cubs would lose the NLCS in five games to the Dodgers, but he would secure the Cubs only win of that series striking out nine and allowing just one run in 6.2 innings pitched.
He signed with the Phillies that offseason bringing his tenure with the Cubs to an unceremonious end, but when he takes the mound Monday night against the Cubs, the fans should give him a thundering ovation for what he did for the team.
So thank you Jake, we definitely wouldn't win the World Series without you, now lets hope you get lit up tonight.
The trade made sense for the O's at the time, they were 47-36, and 3.5 games back of the AL East lead, but had a two game lead over the Tigers for the second Wild Card spot. They needed some pitching and although Arrieta and Strop both had legitimate potential, they couldn't rely on them to hit their stride in the middle of a playoff race.
Strop has become one of the more consistent relievers in the history of the Cubs with a 2.71 ERA in 373 appearances and 342 innings pitched on the team. He has been a key reliever for nearly every Cubs playoff run and they don't win a World Series without him.
The true star of that trade was Jake Arrieta. A once top prospect who at the time looked like he was going to be just another pitcher who was hyped in the minor leagues, but was unable to find it in the big leagues.
After making a few starts in the minor leagues for the Iowa Cubs, Arrieta made his big league Cubs debut on July 30 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He showed a bit of his potential allowing just two hits and a run over six strong innings. He walked three while striking out just two. He threw 59 percent of his pitches for strikes against a Brewers lineup that was missing Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez.
Overall, the first results for Arrieta were a mixed bag. He posted a 3.66 ERA in 51.2 innings allowing just 34 hits, but he struck out just 37 while walking 24 and giving up seven home runs.
He broke out in a big way in 2014 though posting a 2.53 ERA in 25 starts and 156.2 innings pitched with 167 strikeouts and 41 walks. He was finally able to get his nasty stuff mostly under control and it payed major dividends for him.
To me his breakout start will always be his June 30 start against the Boston Red Sox. He took a no hitter into the 8th inning against the defending World Series champions striking out 10 over 7.2 dominating innings. That was the second of three different starts where he would take a no hitter/perfect game into at least the 7th inning.
I don't think there is any doubt in anyones head that his 2015 season is easily his best season. He won the NL Cy Young award with a 22-6 record and a 1.77 ERA in 229 innings pitched. His second half is considered some of the greatest pitching in the history of baseball. In his final 15 starts he posted an unbelievable 0.75 ERA allowing just nine earned runs in 107.1 innings pitched while striking out 113 and walking just 23
During that stretch he pitched against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball and pitched the Cubs first no-hitter since Carlos Zambrano in 2008. During that game he struck out 12 while walking just one batter.
He took the mound on October 7th in the NL Wild Card game against Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before the game he tweeted at a Pirates fan saying "Whatever keeps your hopes alive, just know it doesn't matter,"
He lived up to his word throwing a complete game five hit shutout and winning the Cubs first playoff game since the infamous 2003 NLCS. Although that Cubs team didn't win it all, it had a very special vibe to it that won't ever be repeated.
The 2016 Cubs were a special team, they were dominant all around and won 103 games on the way to winning their first World Series since 1908.
Although he wasn't as good as he was in 2015 (a very hard task to complete) he was still very good posting a 3.10 ERA in 31 starts and 197.1 innings pitched. He had some crucial starts in the postseason including winning both of his World Series starts. In Game 3 of the NLDS he hit a three-run home run off of Madison Bumgarner who is one of the greatest postseason pitchers of all time.
He fell off a bit in 2017 with a 3.53 ERA in 30 starts. Even though he was no longer the ace he had been before, he was still an excellent starting pitcher who could dominate any given day. The Cubs would lose the NLCS in five games to the Dodgers, but he would secure the Cubs only win of that series striking out nine and allowing just one run in 6.2 innings pitched.
He signed with the Phillies that offseason bringing his tenure with the Cubs to an unceremonious end, but when he takes the mound Monday night against the Cubs, the fans should give him a thundering ovation for what he did for the team.
So thank you Jake, we definitely wouldn't win the World Series without you, now lets hope you get lit up tonight.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Cubs activate Xavier Cedeno, place Allen Webster on the IL
Before todays game against the Brewers the Cubs made a roster move activating left reliever Xavier Cedeno from the Injured List, and placed RHP Allen Webster on the IL in a corresponding move.
Cedeno had been dealing with a left wrist issue since Spring Training and will be making his season debut. He had been rehabbing between AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa and had allowed four runs in 6.2 innings along with eight strikeouts and five walks. Stats don't matter in rehab appearances as long as the player is healthy.
Webster is dealing with radial nerve inflammation which he may have suffered during yesterdays ballgame. He got lit up for two runs in 1.2 innings along with three walks and two strikeouts. Overall on the season he's posted a 4.91 ERA (5.48 FIP) giving up 14 hits in 11 innings along with nine strikeouts and five walks.
Cedeno could prove to be a huge addition to the bullpen as he posted a 2.43 ERA in 43 appearances between the White Sox and Brewers last year. He's got excellent numbers against lefties in his career as he's held them to a .583 OPS throughout his career.
Cedeno had been dealing with a left wrist issue since Spring Training and will be making his season debut. He had been rehabbing between AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa and had allowed four runs in 6.2 innings along with eight strikeouts and five walks. Stats don't matter in rehab appearances as long as the player is healthy.
Webster is dealing with radial nerve inflammation which he may have suffered during yesterdays ballgame. He got lit up for two runs in 1.2 innings along with three walks and two strikeouts. Overall on the season he's posted a 4.91 ERA (5.48 FIP) giving up 14 hits in 11 innings along with nine strikeouts and five walks.
Cedeno could prove to be a huge addition to the bullpen as he posted a 2.43 ERA in 43 appearances between the White Sox and Brewers last year. He's got excellent numbers against lefties in his career as he's held them to a .583 OPS throughout his career.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Cubs likely to activate Addison Russell for tonights ballgame
According to Dave Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago the Cubs will be activating Addison Russell from AAA Iowa. The corresponding moves will be another player up from Iowa with Ben Zobrist and Daniel Descalso to the injured list.
Zobrist was scratched last night for "personal reasons" and Descalso has been battling ankle soreness since Saturday. It's not clear what a time frame would be for their return, but it's unlikely either of them would miss significant time.
Russell has played in 12 games for AAA Iowa hitting .222/.357/.467 with three home runs and two doubles along with 13 driven in. He probably won't start everyday, but could be a defensive asset off the bench.
The move will obviously be disappointing to a lot of Cubs fans after Russell was suspended 40-games due to horrific allegations of abuse by his ex-wife. To me, there's no good way to speak about this and ultimately I trust Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer along with the rest of the baseball ops department to make the best choice in regard to this.
Update: The Cubs have announced the moves and the original report was not completely correct.
To summarize: Zobrist is placed on the restricted list indefinitely, Russell is back, Descalso is still on the active roster, Pedro Strop has been placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, and Mike Montgomery is back with the big league club.
Apparently Strop strained his left hamstring at some point and is likely to miss a few weeks. He strained the same hamstring last year and also strained his right hamstring during Spring Training.
Not sure what is going on with Zobrist, but whatever it is I hope it is not serious and that he will be back as soon as he is able to.
Zobrist was scratched last night for "personal reasons" and Descalso has been battling ankle soreness since Saturday. It's not clear what a time frame would be for their return, but it's unlikely either of them would miss significant time.
Russell has played in 12 games for AAA Iowa hitting .222/.357/.467 with three home runs and two doubles along with 13 driven in. He probably won't start everyday, but could be a defensive asset off the bench.
The move will obviously be disappointing to a lot of Cubs fans after Russell was suspended 40-games due to horrific allegations of abuse by his ex-wife. To me, there's no good way to speak about this and ultimately I trust Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer along with the rest of the baseball ops department to make the best choice in regard to this.
Update: The Cubs have announced the moves and the original report was not completely correct.
To summarize: Zobrist is placed on the restricted list indefinitely, Russell is back, Descalso is still on the active roster, Pedro Strop has been placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, and Mike Montgomery is back with the big league club.
Apparently Strop strained his left hamstring at some point and is likely to miss a few weeks. He strained the same hamstring last year and also strained his right hamstring during Spring Training.
Not sure what is going on with Zobrist, but whatever it is I hope it is not serious and that he will be back as soon as he is able to.
Monday, May 6, 2019
Cubs bring back Carl Edwards Jr, option Dillon Maples
Before the first place Cubs start their four game series against the Miami Marlins they made a small bullpen shakeup.
Carl Edwards Jr has been recalled from AAA Iowa, he was originally demoted after showing a complete inability to command his pitches with five walks and a 32.40 ERA in four games this season along with allowing two home runs. He pitched much better in Iowa though, with a 2.16 ERA in seven appearances with two walks and seven strikeouts in eight and a third innings pitched.
Command will be the big thing for Edwards, if he can return to his 2016 form then he can be a huge asset to the Cubs bullpen, but that's easier said than done. The Cubs should start building his confidence by only using him in low leverage situations and slowly giving him a bigger role if he pitches well.
Going down is right-hander Dillon Maples, who struggled with his command with five walks in two and two thirds innings pitched although he hadn't allowed a run.. His control issues take away from his incredible stuff, and unless he can learn to throw strikes, he is going to turn into the typical reliever with great stuff, but just can't figure it out in the big leagues.
Carl Edwards Jr has been recalled from AAA Iowa, he was originally demoted after showing a complete inability to command his pitches with five walks and a 32.40 ERA in four games this season along with allowing two home runs. He pitched much better in Iowa though, with a 2.16 ERA in seven appearances with two walks and seven strikeouts in eight and a third innings pitched.
Command will be the big thing for Edwards, if he can return to his 2016 form then he can be a huge asset to the Cubs bullpen, but that's easier said than done. The Cubs should start building his confidence by only using him in low leverage situations and slowly giving him a bigger role if he pitches well.
Going down is right-hander Dillon Maples, who struggled with his command with five walks in two and two thirds innings pitched although he hadn't allowed a run.. His control issues take away from his incredible stuff, and unless he can learn to throw strikes, he is going to turn into the typical reliever with great stuff, but just can't figure it out in the big leagues.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
The Cubs shortstop problem
On May 3rd Addison Russell will be eligible to return to the Cubs after his suspension for domestic violence, whether he will join the club at that point remains to be seen, but either way it creates a problem for the Cubs.
Who's gonna start at short?
Russell is a natural shortstop, and aside from a stint at second in 2015, has been the only position he's played in the big leagues. Although his bat has been a disappointment with a .245/.311/.376 line since the start of 2017, he has been one of the top defensive shortstops in the National League saving a combined total of 28 runs in those two years.. He's gotten six minor league rehab games, and has started four at short, but also got a start at second which is a possibility at the big league level.
Right now Javier Baez is starting at short for the Cubs, and he has given them no reason to switch his position. The 2018 NL MVP runner-up has crushed the ball to the tune of a ridiculous .315/.356/.640 line with a .408 wOBA. His nine home runs rank 5th in the National League, and he has managed to improve his walk rate to 5.9 percent. He's been pretty good on the field as well with a DRS of 5 and a UZR of .7
If you were to immediately place Russell back into the starting lineup whether it be at second or short, then you are also displacing one of David Bote or Daniel Descalso who have both been excellent this year.
Mark Zagunis will most likely go down if Russell is brought back, and he's been a disappointment so far with a .250/.276/.357 line with 12 strikeouts and one walk in 29 plate appearances. He's got options left and the Cubs already have enough outfielders.
The best bet for the Cubs might be to bring Russell in a part time role. His defense, while excellent, isn't enough to make up for his well below average bat. If the Cubs can use him in a part-time role they don't have to displace one or two of Baez/Descalso/Bote. He could still get starts at second or short, but most likely to give someone a day off.
Who's gonna start at short?
Russell is a natural shortstop, and aside from a stint at second in 2015, has been the only position he's played in the big leagues. Although his bat has been a disappointment with a .245/.311/.376 line since the start of 2017, he has been one of the top defensive shortstops in the National League saving a combined total of 28 runs in those two years.. He's gotten six minor league rehab games, and has started four at short, but also got a start at second which is a possibility at the big league level.
Right now Javier Baez is starting at short for the Cubs, and he has given them no reason to switch his position. The 2018 NL MVP runner-up has crushed the ball to the tune of a ridiculous .315/.356/.640 line with a .408 wOBA. His nine home runs rank 5th in the National League, and he has managed to improve his walk rate to 5.9 percent. He's been pretty good on the field as well with a DRS of 5 and a UZR of .7
If you were to immediately place Russell back into the starting lineup whether it be at second or short, then you are also displacing one of David Bote or Daniel Descalso who have both been excellent this year.
Mark Zagunis will most likely go down if Russell is brought back, and he's been a disappointment so far with a .250/.276/.357 line with 12 strikeouts and one walk in 29 plate appearances. He's got options left and the Cubs already have enough outfielders.
The best bet for the Cubs might be to bring Russell in a part time role. His defense, while excellent, isn't enough to make up for his well below average bat. If the Cubs can use him in a part-time role they don't have to displace one or two of Baez/Descalso/Bote. He could still get starts at second or short, but most likely to give someone a day off.
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