The Cubs entire infield started the 2016 All-Star game. This year, no one will.
Wade Davis is the sole Cub representative. Kris Bryant may get a bench slot if he is voted in by the fans.
The Cubs are stumbling to the break with a .500 at best record. Totally disappointing. Totally frustrating. Totally unexpected.
Who would have thought that the best Chicago player this season would be Avi Garcia? The White Sox outfielder has blossomed to a .318 BA, 11 HR, 51 RBI, .362 OBP and 2.9 WAR so far this year.
The Cubs are in an odd position, 3.5 games behind the Brewers. Milwaukee is supposed to crumble with the lack of starting pitching and a young team. But the Brew Crew continues to chug along in first place.
Which makes the Cubs decisions harder to make by the trade deadline. Are the Cubs buyers? Sellers? Or will they just stand pat and ride out the season?
It would seem the latter may happen by default.
No team will give up front line starting pitcher(s) without a King's ransom. And the Cubs better trading chips (like Schwarber) have struggled all season.
Look at a position comparison:
Is Russell a better shortstop than Baez? Russell may have slightly better range, but Baez has a better arm. Russell has regressed this season; some say it is his bum shoulder. That makes Baez almost untradeable since he can play three defensive positions.
Is Zobrist a better 2B/OF than Happ? Zobrist was the first Super Sub when Maddon was the Tampa skipper. Zobrist had a massive WAR because of his defensive skill sets. But Zobrist has struggled this season at the plate and with a wrist injury. Happ got called up early because of the offensive stuggles. He has provided some HR potential while he learns to play the outfield on the fly. Since Happ has upside, he suddenly becomes an untradeable asset because of his versatility.
Would any other team take Russell and/or Zobrist in a trade? Perhaps if a contending team had a key starter get hurt. But they will not be willing to pay top dollar for either one.
So the Cubs are stuck with many veteran chips in a depressed market. If there are moves to make, it may be for the shot-in-the-dark AAAA player to shore up the rotation as a spot starter.
Showing posts with label Garcia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garcia. Show all posts
July 5, 2017
January 13, 2016
SOX ROX TRADE RUMOR
The White Sox have added a power hitting third baseman and a solid hitting second baseman.
Now, the attention seems to be toward improving the outfield, especially right field.
The White Sox are mentioned as a possible trade partner with the Rockies, who are shopping all three of their current outfielders. Bruce Levine believes the Sox want to add a productive corner outfielder.
Carlos Gonzalez ("CarGo") is the prize. Levine speculates it would take Avisail Garcia, 24 year old cost control major leaguer and a high pitching prospect, to get the deal done. Garcia has loads of promise but owns a career batting line of just .264/.311/.385 in almost 1,100 plate appearances spanning parts of four seasons. Still, his youth combined with a move to Coors Field might make him an intriguing possibility for the Rockies.
Gonzalez, 30, hit .271, 40 HR 97 RBI, 3.1 WAR for Colorado in 2015. He is under control for two years, making $17 million in 2016 and $20 million in 2017.
The White Sox have a pitching surplus. The starting rotation is pretty much set: Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Carlos Rodon, Erik Johnson and John Danks. #2 prospect Carson Fulmer is expected to join the rotation sometime in 2016. The Sox also have #3 prospect SP Specer Adams, #5 prospect Tyler Danish and #9 prospect LHP Jose Guerrero. On the 40 man, the Sox also have former starter Scott Carroll and rookie (#10 prospect) SP Chris Beck as possible trade items.
Now, the attention seems to be toward improving the outfield, especially right field.
The White Sox are mentioned as a possible trade partner with the Rockies, who are shopping all three of their current outfielders. Bruce Levine believes the Sox want to add a productive corner outfielder.
Carlos Gonzalez ("CarGo") is the prize. Levine speculates it would take Avisail Garcia, 24 year old cost control major leaguer and a high pitching prospect, to get the deal done. Garcia has loads of promise but owns a career batting line of just .264/.311/.385 in almost 1,100 plate appearances spanning parts of four seasons. Still, his youth combined with a move to Coors Field might make him an intriguing possibility for the Rockies.
Gonzalez, 30, hit .271, 40 HR 97 RBI, 3.1 WAR for Colorado in 2015. He is under control for two years, making $17 million in 2016 and $20 million in 2017.
The White Sox have a pitching surplus. The starting rotation is pretty much set: Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Carlos Rodon, Erik Johnson and John Danks. #2 prospect Carson Fulmer is expected to join the rotation sometime in 2016. The Sox also have #3 prospect SP Specer Adams, #5 prospect Tyler Danish and #9 prospect LHP Jose Guerrero. On the 40 man, the Sox also have former starter Scott Carroll and rookie (#10 prospect) SP Chris Beck as possible trade items.
Levine notes that the White Sox likely wouldn't
part with any major league starting pitching since it's not necessarily a
position of depth, but five of their top 10 prospects are pitchers, led
by 2015 first-round pick Carson Fulmer.
I would probably trade Garcia, Guerrerro or Beck for Gonzalez.
I would probably trade Garcia, Guerrerro or Beck for Gonzalez.
April 11, 2014
A SET BACK
If having a bullpen in flux was bad enough, the White Sox got hit hard with the season ending injury to the team's young right fielder.
Avisal Garcia injured his shoulder trying to make a diving catch. As a result, he will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn left shoulder labrum. He was the White Sox acquisition in the three team Jake Peavey trade from last season.
In 341 big league plate appearances in his still-young career, Garcia has a .287/.323/.411 triple-slash. He was rated the game's 74th-best prospect before last season by Baseball America. The biggest loss for Chicago, of course, may simply be the playing time and development that the club hoped for from Garcia over 2014.
Jordan Danks was recalled from AAA Charlotte to take Garcia's place. Most likely, Danks will platoon in RF with Dayan Vicideo. This also means Alejandro De Aza will play the bulk of time in left field.
Most major league executives agree that the White Sox had a terrific off-season by rebuilding their roster with young talent. A few publications called the White Sox the 2014 "surprise" team. But losing a starting power bat is a set back for the season.
Avisal Garcia injured his shoulder trying to make a diving catch. As a result, he will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn left shoulder labrum. He was the White Sox acquisition in the three team Jake Peavey trade from last season.
In 341 big league plate appearances in his still-young career, Garcia has a .287/.323/.411 triple-slash. He was rated the game's 74th-best prospect before last season by Baseball America. The biggest loss for Chicago, of course, may simply be the playing time and development that the club hoped for from Garcia over 2014.
Jordan Danks was recalled from AAA Charlotte to take Garcia's place. Most likely, Danks will platoon in RF with Dayan Vicideo. This also means Alejandro De Aza will play the bulk of time in left field.
Most major league executives agree that the White Sox had a terrific off-season by rebuilding their roster with young talent. A few publications called the White Sox the 2014 "surprise" team. But losing a starting power bat is a set back for the season.
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