It's happening.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

I dont want it to yet. Hes going to sit on the bench when he should be playing everyday.

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Uhh...why wouldn't he start with Soler on the DL?

Szczur isn't going to be the daily starter in LF. Additionally, Fowler will get a day or two of rest in this period I'm sure.

Unlike past call-ups, I don't think this is for the rest of the season. The kid deserves a taste with how well he has been playing...and he is also currently the team's best option.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Because they they are going to play Sczur in LF and Bryant from time to time so he can get Baez and LaStella at bats.

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Szczur has done well...and much of that is in situations as an ice-cold bat off the bench in important situations. That is his role.

He does not have the defense that Almora does, the baserunning ability that Almora does, nor the potential bat that Almora does.

I like Szczur...I have for years...but Almora plays over Szczur.

Bryant plays in the OF by necessity. Baez hasn't been deserving of a ton of at bats recently. LaStella gets his but he shouldn't exactly start more than once a week.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Dont misunderstand me... I would prefer Almora get the lion's share of starts. I just dont know if it will actually happen. I dont want Szczur to be the main guy in LF.

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Not one young kid brought up during the Maddon reign has not gotten the lion's share of starts when brought up. Don't think this would be different.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Bust.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I agree .....

just like those other busters...

Bryant and Russell

They certainly do not come close to Rodon "STUD" World Series

and I am speaking UNBIASEDLY just like BRick

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I was the first to say that Bryant would be a star.

Russell is ok.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Disagree...Corey Patterson part 2.. Decent player but nothin special.

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What? That is a fucking interesting comp.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Eh, as frustrating of a career to watch as Patterson had - I swear he may have been the most stubbornly stupid player in Chicago history - Patterson still had a better career than either Joe Borchard or Jeremy Reed.

Almora's ceiling is probably somebody like Garry Maddox, multiple Gold Gloves and a .700 OPS as a #8/#9 hitter. But if he can at least hit for average against lefties, he'll play in the big leagues for a decade as a #4 OF.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I was the first to say Bryant would be not only a star, but ROY. I also said he would win an MVP in his first 5 years and make multiple All-Star games in those years. His numbers from last year were very good, but just the down payment on what will come.


Almora is the next piece of the puzzle as he takes over for Fowler in CF full time next year.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I look forward to a certain group of people completely bashing the "new 3" for allowing ^^this person^^ to post here.

I mean......for years to come. That's what you guys do. It was one of your "fall backs".
He's here now. Let's hear it. Don't stop.
Don't stop until he's gone.
Be relentless. Just like before.

ES deserves all of the blame he gets. I do not question that. He's a loser.


BUT! Be sure to blame the people that are allowing him to continue to post....just like you did before.

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I look forward to people contributing thoughts that relate to the thread, rather than whining like a schoolyard sissy.

Almora is the next foundation piece, with Contreras the next after him. Both should get the chance to show they are ready for larger roles in 2017. Fowler has been outstanding this season, but he's going to command a big contract and Almora is not only ready, but the better defender already. Whether he hits enough (did great in AAA, but that's AAA) is the only question.

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Go Cubs!!!!

There aren't any new posters here. It's the same board that it has been for years. We are who we are.

Let's hear the non-stop blame for allowing him to post. Has he changed?
Have the rest of you?

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You're the only one bitching. Maybe you should take your Midol and go to bed. Wrong thread. You want to bitch about me, start a thread in DB section, this one is about Albert Almora.

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Go Cubs!!!!

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No. I was.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Multiple gold gloves eh? No, Cub fans don't inflate their players at all.

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Elections have consequences.

I fail to see the hyperbole in projecting a defense first player as having ceiling of gold gloves. What will likely determine if he makes it is if he can evolve past being a starlin Castro at the plate. He makes lots of contact and doesn't strike out. But he makes lots of contact on pitchers pitches that go for outs.

Ironically enough, taking more walks and hitting for better contact would be what enables him to win the gold gloves. For the record, I don't see it happening. I see him joining the ranks of la Stella and sczecir on the bench in short order.

Because right or wrong gold gloves are giving to players more for their offense as much as their defense. They are MANY players in the NL that will always beat him out.

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Elections have consequences.

Once again we are talking a ceiling that I think is unlikely. But being an average hitter plus defender on a Cubs team that is likely in the playoffs would go a long way in winning a gold glove. And I do stand by this is a cub team that is likely in the playoffs the next three years.

Actually, he's right. Almora is an exceptional defender. If Maddon is smart, he has Almora in CF, Fowler in LF and Heyward in RF and has the best outfield defense in Baseball.

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Go Cubs!!!!

So his "ceiling" is something that you do not think he can attain? Got it.

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Elections have consequences.

pittmike, a ceiling is often time called a best case scenario.

Well ok but my opinion is his ceiling is less than gold glove. Particularly, if as I believe, he will never win one in the NL.

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Elections have consequences.

The ceiling of a .700 OPS is hilarious. I'm not saying Almora will be an .850 OPS player...but a ceiling of below league average? If that were the case, even with amazing CF defense, he wouldn't be a top prospect.

The Cubs would view him as a .290 BA / .340 OBP kinda guy during a good year. Maybe 40 XBH with most of those being doubles.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

That's way too optimistic.

He has 6 walks in AAA over 226 plate appearances. The cat is a hacker.