This post was written prior to the Cubs trade.
Many believe that Theo Epstein "loves" his prospects to the point where he cannot part with them. It is a common problem some general managers have in drafting and developing players. Former Cubs GM Jim Hendry was famous for hanging on to his prospects to the point where they had no trade value (or were poor major league players). In a trade market, you try to exchange gold for silver; veterans for quality prospects.
So when Theo took over the Cubs, he had no loyalty to Hendry-era players. Here are some notable players from the Hendry days:
Notable Drafted players:
2003 – Jake Fox, Sean Marshall, Casey Mcgehee, Sam Fuld (unsigned)
2004 – Fuld, Sean Gallagher
2006 – Tyler Colvin, Jeff Samardjiza, Steve Clevenger
2007 – Josh Donaldson, Darwin Barney, Brandon Guyer, Josh Vitters
2008 – Andrew Cashner, Ryan Flaherty, Josh Harrison, Jeff Beliveau, and an unsigned Sonny Gray
2009 – Brett Jackson, DJ LeMahieu, Chris Rusin, Wes Darvill, Brooks Raley, Justin Bour, Trey McNutt, and an unsigned Colin Kaepernick (SF QB)
2010 – Matt Szczur, Erick Jokisch, Elliot Soto, Dustin Geiger, Dallas Beeler
2011 – Javy Baez, Dan Vogelbach, Tayler Scott, Shawon Dunston, Jr., Daniel Lockhart, Trey Martin, Dillon Maples, John Andreoli, James Pugliese, Andrew McKirahan, Michael Jensen, PJ Francescon.
Notable International signings:
2010_ OF Rubi Silva (Cuba), SS Carlos Penalver (Venezuela), 3B Jeimer Candelario (Dominican Republic), OF Jeffrey Baez, C Alberto Mineo
(Italy), RHP Daury Torrez (Dominican Republic)
2009- C Willson Contreras (Venezuela), Pin-Chieh Chen (Taiwan), RHP Felix Pena
2008 – INF Hak-Ju Lee (South Korea), RHP, INF Arismendy Alcantara (Dominican Republic), Frank Batista RHP, Dominican Republic
2007 – OF Kosuke Fukudome (Japan), IF Junior Lake (Dominican Republic)
2006 – SS Starlin Castro (Dominican Republic)
2005 – RHP Alberto Cabrera (Dominican Republic)
2004 – RHP Rafael Dolis (Dominican Republic), C Welington Castillo (Dominican Republic).
As you can tell, many of the Hendry signings did make it to the major leagues. Several have been used by Theo as trade chips to acquire other players. In 4.5 years, Theo has turned over most the organizational roster.
So if you are trying to predict which current Cubs prospects or players could be used in a trade deadline trade, look at who is left in the Cubs organization from the Hendry era:
Contreras #2 prospect, Candelario #8 prospect, and Vogelbach #20 prospect.
Contreras and Candelario have both played with the Cubs major league team this season. Vogelbach has gotten some of his power back in AAA Iowa.
Since the Cubs will not trade Kyle Schwarber, who some project to be worth more than 21 WAR in his rookie control period, for a relief pitcher, that means it is really down to Candelario and Vogelbach to make a trade. For a top line reliever like Andrew Miller, this probably will not get it done. For a rental player like A. Chapman, maybe, but there will be other suitors.
Addendum:
The Cubs acquired left handed swingman Mike Montgomery and minor leaguer Jordan Pries from Seattle in exchange for 1B/DH Dan Vogelbach and minor league starter Paul Blackburn. With Montgomery, the Cubs get a power pitcher from the left side that holds lefties to a .146 BA. He also has the ability to spot start.
Like discussed above, the Cubs parted with Vogelbach, a player who would blocked by Rizzo and Schwarber on the major league roster. Vogelbach was rumored to have been in the Yankee discussions for Andrew Miller, but the Yanks wanted Schwarber.
Of note, Theo and Hoyer did part with one of their "guys," a 2012 draft pick in Blackburn. Blackburn, 22, is 6-4 in AA with a 3.17 ERA. In Pries, the Cubs get a 26 year old AAA reliever who was promoted from AA as a marginal starter.
Showing posts with label Vogelbach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vogelbach. Show all posts
July 21, 2016
May 23, 2016
THE CALL UP
The Cubs offense has become dormant.
I could not watch yesterday's Rizzo's at-bats. He was swinging at pitches while on his knees.
His form is his rookie season Padre bad. He needs to take a day off to clear his head, but the Cubs roster does not have a real back up plan (Baez is not the answer).
When Szczur came off the DL (and Heyward did not go on the DL), the Cubs made the move of designating for assignment relief pitcher Ramirez. This move kept three catchers on the roster. That signals that Montero is not fully healthy (since Ross caught two games in a row). Keeping a marginal emergency third catcher with no offense/OBP is not helping scoring runs.
The call-up needed is Iowa 1B Dan Vogelbach.
He has hit some monster home runs in his sixth minor league season. In 39 games, he has hit .319, 7 HR and 31 RBI. He only has played first base which limits what he can go on the major league roster.
But Kyle Schwarber's surprise promotion did spark the 2015 Cubs. The current Cubs need some sort of instant offense capability since the line up is currently in a collective funk.
The only other option would be catcher Wilson Contreras, but the front office is adamant about not starting service time on him. Contreras, 24, is in his 8th minor league season. He is currently hitting .328, 3 HR, 20 RBI in 37 games. He has played catcher, first base, third base and left field. He would fit the Maddon versatility mold.
Theo Epstein predicted last week the Cubs were going to have a slow, sluggish period. Well, the Cubs are in that rut. The Cubs need to find some offense quickly of the hot start and comfortable lead in the NL Central can evaporate.
I could not watch yesterday's Rizzo's at-bats. He was swinging at pitches while on his knees.
His form is his rookie season Padre bad. He needs to take a day off to clear his head, but the Cubs roster does not have a real back up plan (Baez is not the answer).
When Szczur came off the DL (and Heyward did not go on the DL), the Cubs made the move of designating for assignment relief pitcher Ramirez. This move kept three catchers on the roster. That signals that Montero is not fully healthy (since Ross caught two games in a row). Keeping a marginal emergency third catcher with no offense/OBP is not helping scoring runs.
The call-up needed is Iowa 1B Dan Vogelbach.
He has hit some monster home runs in his sixth minor league season. In 39 games, he has hit .319, 7 HR and 31 RBI. He only has played first base which limits what he can go on the major league roster.
But Kyle Schwarber's surprise promotion did spark the 2015 Cubs. The current Cubs need some sort of instant offense capability since the line up is currently in a collective funk.
The only other option would be catcher Wilson Contreras, but the front office is adamant about not starting service time on him. Contreras, 24, is in his 8th minor league season. He is currently hitting .328, 3 HR, 20 RBI in 37 games. He has played catcher, first base, third base and left field. He would fit the Maddon versatility mold.
Theo Epstein predicted last week the Cubs were going to have a slow, sluggish period. Well, the Cubs are in that rut. The Cubs need to find some offense quickly of the hot start and comfortable lead in the NL Central can evaporate.
May 13, 2013
ANOTHER EARLY EXTENSION
The cornerstone of the New Cubs Way is to overspend. It is like a person who earns one dollar but then has an uncontrollable urge to immediately spend two dollars.
The Cubs signed another young player to a long term extension. Several reports state that Anthony Rizzo will receive a $41 million extension covering 2013-2019 with two club options. The total value of the contract is approximately $70 million. The two options for 2020 and 2021 are for $14.5 million each.
This is the second major long term commitment made by the Cubs. Last season, the Cubs signed Starlin Castro is a seven year deal that locks him up through 2019. That deal was worth $60.5 million with a $16 million club option in 2020. Castro made the jump from the minimum salary to $5 million this year.
Is Rizzo worth an average of $6.83 million per year?
When Castro got his pay day, he had played in 445 games. He had hit 27 HR, 185 RBI, 57 SB and .296 BA in three seasons. He had a career 8.0 WAR.
Rizzo only has 173 career games. He has hit 25 HR, 85 RBI, .253 BA, 9 SB and a career 3.2 WAR.
Castro had a better track record before his extension. But in the year after, Castro's production has dropped to 3 HR, 17 RBI, 2 SB, .272 BA in 37 games of 2013. It is not surprising that often young players who get early big money extensions have their performance drop off. It is human nature. They have been rewarded for a massive increase in future performance, but there is no incentive to continue to hone one's skills. Castro has not improved his game; some would say his defense continues to be troublesome.
The Cubs are trying to play the Tampa Bay game of signing their young stars to long term contracts. Except, that is still a minority view point. These extensions are guaranteed and more costly than the stair step contract increases that arbitration grants players.
Fans can debate whether this is a good move to sign a young player without a full season of major league experience to a deal that locks him up to 2020. Other factors in the decision could be the marketing fingerprint of having a program cover boy year after year. But again, the counterbalance is a simple two words: Micah Hoffpauir. He had an All-Star first half in 2009, and was out of the majors less than a year later.
But this really signals that there will be no competition for Rizzo at first base. That means the Cubs best power hitter, Dan Vogelbach (in Class A ball) should start playing LF if the front office has any plans for him.
The Cubs signed another young player to a long term extension. Several reports state that Anthony Rizzo will receive a $41 million extension covering 2013-2019 with two club options. The total value of the contract is approximately $70 million. The two options for 2020 and 2021 are for $14.5 million each.
This is the second major long term commitment made by the Cubs. Last season, the Cubs signed Starlin Castro is a seven year deal that locks him up through 2019. That deal was worth $60.5 million with a $16 million club option in 2020. Castro made the jump from the minimum salary to $5 million this year.
Is Rizzo worth an average of $6.83 million per year?
When Castro got his pay day, he had played in 445 games. He had hit 27 HR, 185 RBI, 57 SB and .296 BA in three seasons. He had a career 8.0 WAR.
Rizzo only has 173 career games. He has hit 25 HR, 85 RBI, .253 BA, 9 SB and a career 3.2 WAR.
Castro had a better track record before his extension. But in the year after, Castro's production has dropped to 3 HR, 17 RBI, 2 SB, .272 BA in 37 games of 2013. It is not surprising that often young players who get early big money extensions have their performance drop off. It is human nature. They have been rewarded for a massive increase in future performance, but there is no incentive to continue to hone one's skills. Castro has not improved his game; some would say his defense continues to be troublesome.
The Cubs are trying to play the Tampa Bay game of signing their young stars to long term contracts. Except, that is still a minority view point. These extensions are guaranteed and more costly than the stair step contract increases that arbitration grants players.
Fans can debate whether this is a good move to sign a young player without a full season of major league experience to a deal that locks him up to 2020. Other factors in the decision could be the marketing fingerprint of having a program cover boy year after year. But again, the counterbalance is a simple two words: Micah Hoffpauir. He had an All-Star first half in 2009, and was out of the majors less than a year later.
But this really signals that there will be no competition for Rizzo at first base. That means the Cubs best power hitter, Dan Vogelbach (in Class A ball) should start playing LF if the front office has any plans for him.
December 31, 2012
WHAT PRICE FOR THE NEXT PUJOLS?
There have been several reports that the Marlins are not shopping star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, but the team "is willing to listen" to any offers.
Baseball News Source website wrote an article on that subject, and defined potential suitors for Stanton down to five teams, including the Cubs.
So why is Stanton so important? Some consider him the next Albert Pujols. He is only 23 years old, and under a team's control for the next four seasons.
And his production has been outstanding. Last season, in 501 PA he hit .290, 37 HR, 86 RBI, 6 SB, .361 OBP, .604 SLG, and 5.4 WAR. For his short three seasons, he has a career .270 BA, 93 HR, 232 RBI, 16 SB, .350 OBP, .553 SLG and 9.0 WAR. You can plug him into right field and he will produce offense. He is a below average right fielder.
So any team should be willing to cut off their left arm to acquire a young All-Star talent.
So the author of the BNS article thought the Cubs could put together a reasonable package to acquire Stanton.
First, with the long term deal for Starlin Castro, top infield prospect Javier Baez could be tempting trade bait. Baez, age 20, absolutely mashed in the Minors during 2012.
Between Single-A and Advanced-A, the right-handed hitter posted a combined .294/.346/.543 line with 16 HR, 46 RBI, 50 R, and 24 SB in jut 321 PA’s.
Second, the Cubs would need to send a top prospect outfielder in the deal. It could be either Jorge Soler or Albert Almora. Since Soler is closer to the big leagues, one would think Almora would be the choice. The 18 year-old Almora, who is from Florida, was the Cubs sixth overall pick from the 2012 draft, and immediately impressed the franchise with a .321/.331/.464 line in 145 PA’s in the low minors.
Third, since the Cubs have found their long term solution at first base in Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs will have no place for power hitting 1B/DH Dan Vogelbach. The 20 year-old Vogelbach enjoyed one of the most impressive Minor League seasons out there. Between Rookie-Ball and Single-A (Short-Season), the left-handed hitter sported a .322/.410/.641 line with 17 HR, 62 RBI, and 39 R. With his OPS at 1.051, you have to be excited about this guy’s future as a hitter.
So the author concludes that a package that contains Baez, Almora and Vogelbach could land a current start in Stanton. I think it would cost even more than that; the Marlins would also try to pry away at least two top pitching prospects to sweeten the deal. The Cubs list Trey McNutt as their #8 prospect and Pierce Johnson #10.
For any franchise, this would be a once in a lifetime type of trade. However, Stanton may be so valuable that in the end the Marlins will keep him until his 2017 free agency year.
Baseball News Source website wrote an article on that subject, and defined potential suitors for Stanton down to five teams, including the Cubs.
So why is Stanton so important? Some consider him the next Albert Pujols. He is only 23 years old, and under a team's control for the next four seasons.
And his production has been outstanding. Last season, in 501 PA he hit .290, 37 HR, 86 RBI, 6 SB, .361 OBP, .604 SLG, and 5.4 WAR. For his short three seasons, he has a career .270 BA, 93 HR, 232 RBI, 16 SB, .350 OBP, .553 SLG and 9.0 WAR. You can plug him into right field and he will produce offense. He is a below average right fielder.
So any team should be willing to cut off their left arm to acquire a young All-Star talent.
So the author of the BNS article thought the Cubs could put together a reasonable package to acquire Stanton.
First, with the long term deal for Starlin Castro, top infield prospect Javier Baez could be tempting trade bait. Baez, age 20, absolutely mashed in the Minors during 2012.
Between Single-A and Advanced-A, the right-handed hitter posted a combined .294/.346/.543 line with 16 HR, 46 RBI, 50 R, and 24 SB in jut 321 PA’s.
Second, the Cubs would need to send a top prospect outfielder in the deal. It could be either Jorge Soler or Albert Almora. Since Soler is closer to the big leagues, one would think Almora would be the choice. The 18 year-old Almora, who is from Florida, was the Cubs sixth overall pick from the 2012 draft, and immediately impressed the franchise with a .321/.331/.464 line in 145 PA’s in the low minors.
Third, since the Cubs have found their long term solution at first base in Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs will have no place for power hitting 1B/DH Dan Vogelbach. The 20 year-old Vogelbach enjoyed one of the most impressive Minor League seasons out there. Between Rookie-Ball and Single-A (Short-Season), the left-handed hitter sported a .322/.410/.641 line with 17 HR, 62 RBI, and 39 R. With his OPS at 1.051, you have to be excited about this guy’s future as a hitter.
So the author concludes that a package that contains Baez, Almora and Vogelbach could land a current start in Stanton. I think it would cost even more than that; the Marlins would also try to pry away at least two top pitching prospects to sweeten the deal. The Cubs list Trey McNutt as their #8 prospect and Pierce Johnson #10.
For any franchise, this would be a once in a lifetime type of trade. However, Stanton may be so valuable that in the end the Marlins will keep him until his 2017 free agency year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)