OT: Other Chicago & General Sports Thread XXVII: Baez Time!

[ChiGuySez]

Cubs will be getting another top pick. Doesnt look like #1 but whatever. Cant even tank right. id like to see them draft an arm but its probably going to be another position player next year.

 

[Illinihockey]

Any update on the Nix, Aiken grievances/lawsuits? Are they going forward with them?

 

[MurrayBannerman]

Cubs will be getting another top pick. Doesnt look like #1 but whatever. Cant even tank right. id like to see them draft an arm but its probably going to be another position player next year.

I'd still take Daz Cameron #1 if we had that pick, right now. I wouldn't be mad about Matuella though.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

Yanks are looking at Danks.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer...have-talked-about-danks-talks-in-early-stages

 

[MurrayBannerman]

If any of these names come up in the trade, get excited: Severino, Refsynder, Jagelio, and Sanchez. Otherwise, it's probably a fairish deal.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

I'll be pretty excited just to see about $33MM come off the books

 

[MurrayBannerman]

I'll be pretty excited just to see about $33MM come off the books

Assuming they take all of it.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

Pfft, they're the Yankees, they better!!


In all seriousness, I'd rather they get better value back in exchange for eating a bit of the salary. But they've already got $150MM committed to just 10 players next year (counting A-Rod), so maybe that's a no go.

 

[Kurtosis]

Keith Law pegs the Cubs farm system as #1.

 

[ChiGuySez]

Cubs ranking by Law is not surprising. A decent article on how they project to be ranked all-time.

How Good is the Cubs Farm System Right Now?

Poor wording aside, I have been thinking a lot the past few days about where this farm system ranks in Cubs history and in baseball in general. The Cubs landed three prospects in the top 10 of Baseball America's midseason Top 50 list. A feat that they have never accomplished in the 24 years Baseball America has been creating their Top 100 list.

So what does that mean for the Chicago Cubs major league ball club? The 2011 Royals had 4 top 20 prospects and 9 on the Top 100, the most ever by a single team in a season. The Royals did not develop multiple All-Stars out of that group. Looking at any top 100 list, even those players in the top 20, you can find many, many busts. The odds are long that Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara will all be All-Stars and or reach their ceilings.

This very likely conclusion is something many fans cite as a reason to oppose the collecting and hoarding of prospects, but let's look at this from the inverse. A couple of months ago, Chris Cwik looked at whether the top 100 players in MLB by WAR were ranked in BA's Top 100 lists. His research found that since 1997, a staggering 70% of them were. Here is the chart that shows Baseball America's increasing ability to identify future big league talent.

chicagonow

 

[Kurtosis]

Yeah, it is a no-brainer at this point.

 

[ADifferentTim]

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=11247946

Bulls throw themselves in the Kevin Love sweepstakes.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

No surprise there. Obvious desire and fit for him and their division did just get a tad more difficult.

 

[AmericanDream]

Keith Law pegs the Cubs farm system as #1.

well if they weren't then Jed and Theo should be axed immediately!!

sucking up the joint for 3 plus seasons, trading away most of your veteran assets every year, should land you a ton of prospects.

I don't know what to make of the Cubs to be honest as with prospects, baseball always seems like the biggest wild card for all the sports when it comes to busts.

my faith is low that many of these kids will turn out as hoped. Bryant seems like the ONLY legit prospect that will make it. Every other kid has questions and issues (though most young prospects do). I just feel that this theory the Cubs have employed could be the greatest thing for this team ever, or the absolute worst thing ever as if these kids don't pan out, we lost 5 years for nothing, plus another 5 years just to rebuild.

dark times could be ahead for the Cubs....though I am hoping and praying for 90 degree sunshine.

another top 3 pick next year can't hurt I guess

 

[Kurtosis]

Bryant has issues as well (chiefly his contact rate).

And if dark times are ahead I don't know what the hell you would call the last 3 or so years.

 

[IU Hawks fan]

Jayson Stark ‏@jaysonst 1m
How great has Chris Sale been? He's 9-1, 2.03, with 2 blown saves. And his only loss is a 1-0 game where he K'd 10 and BB'd none.

 

[MurrayBannerman]

Bryant has issues as well (chiefly his contact rate).

And if dark times are ahead I don't know what the hell you would call the last 3 or so years.

Except that Bryant has done so well that the inevitable decrease in his contact rates aren't a problem.

 

[Illinihockey]

I don't know what to make of the Cubs to be honest as with prospects, baseball always seems like the biggest wild card for all the sports when it comes to busts.

When it comes to top 20 prospects, its not nearly as big of a wild card as you think. The bust rate for position players in the top 20 is lower than for first round picks in the NFL draft. I'd imagine its lower than bust rate for NHL 1st round picks outside of the top 15.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

How would Love fit the Bulls now? Why bring in Gasol if you are going to gut your depth to bring in Love?

I like Love but I don't see the Bulls being a player in this and Gibson/Butler is not really all that appealing compared to what Cavs are offering

Also moving Butler is a major blow to team defense. Especially since the Bulls already dumped Deng in recent months and Butler had to fill some of the defensive void left behind

 

[Sarava]

This story doesn't make sense. Cleveland's reported offer is way better. It sounds like the Wolves wanted leverage against the Cavs here.

 

[ADifferentTim]

This story doesn't make sense. Cleveland's reported offer is way better. It sounds like the Wolves wanted leverage against the Cavs here.

Specifically, protected draft picks from Miami and Memphis.

 

[Cullksinikers]

The only asset Cleveland has is Wiggins. Well, and futures, but every team has those. Although he's incredibly intriguing, the guy is unproven.

You have to think it's going to be Gibson and Butler plus other pieces. I think that has been reported in the past. It makes sense as far as the financials, offer quality, and future money (Butler's upcoming extension). What those other pieces in the offer are could be an interesting development to follow. I'd say McDermott, MDJ, Snell, Mirotic, future picks, etc. are all possibilities.

What makes the most sense if the Bulls are dealing with the Wolves is to not only get Love, but also Martin.

Rose/Hinrich/Brooks
Martin/Snell(?)
MDJ(?)/McDermott(?)
Love/Mirotic(?)/Bairstow
Noah/Pau

My prediction is that Chicago would offer would be something like Taj, Butler, Snell, and a future 1st for Love. Another future asset could go in if they also pursue Martin. If another pick is added for Martin, you have the below to start the season.

Rose/Hinrich/Brooks
Martin/Hinrich/Brooks
MDJ/McDermott
Love/Mirotic/Bairstow
Noah/Gasol

 

[Cullksinikers]

In the end, this is likely just the Bulls looking to make Cleveland give up more by driving up the price. It's smart. But it'd also be fun to get one of the league's best players.

 

[Illinihockey]

Darwin Barney designated for assignment, Bonafacio off of the DL

 

[Kurtosis]

In the end, this is likely just the Bulls looking to make Cleveland give up more by driving up the price. It's smart. But it'd also be fun to get one of the league's best players.

I think it's quite transparent that their aim is to do just that, i.e. make Cleveland overpay.