Will he make the team? Maddon seems to like him. If Baez makes the team, which I expect, I don't see a need to keep Kawasaki. If Baez were sent back to AAA, I guess as a legitimate backup at SS, it would make sense. LaStella can play there, but is not a true SS. I know Kawasaki is know for being a funny guy who keeps guys loose and teammates like, but is there room on the roster? I don't think so, but those last couple spots on the roster are going to be interesting. Lots of competition.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Lastella is toast.

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I didn't know jet skis played baseball.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

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I believe LaStella gets moved in late March. He will be some other team's Valbuena or Herrera.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Kawasaki played a lot in AAA for Toronto.

I think he will start in AAA, but will be injury relief and step into the Chris Valaika role. But he's the perfect loose cannon to bring to a tight clubhouse on September 1 and be a cheerleader for the stretch run, and then take the #5 starter's role on the playoff roster.

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

Hopefully, Mark Grote will get one extended-length interview of Kawasaki during spring training.

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

That works.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Let's the good times roll

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Can't have a fringe player like Kawasaki take valuable at bats away from all the future Babe Ruth's in AAA.

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Solid point!!! But in truth, I don't think Almora will be ready for a while, nor Contreras. Villanueva broke a bone in his leg and is out a couple-3 months, so I'm not sure there is anyone at AAA ready to break through. There are a number of players who could be important pieces in the next couple years, but probably not in 2016, before September call-ups. The last few spots on the roster will come from guys who have varying levels of experience at the major league level battling for them, like Kawasaki, LaStella, Victorino, Alcantra, Baez and Szczur . The only guy who I could see making a jump from the minors might be Vogelbach, should there be an injury to Rizzo.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Valaika got starts about half the time across all four IF positions, far less at 3B than the others. I'd expect Kawasaki to do the same and bat ninth when he does.

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

On M&H today, they said that Victorino has already stated that he will retire if he does not get an MLB job either with the Cubs or somebody else.

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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 look forward to Kawasaki's contribution late in the season.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

That makes sense. At his this stage of his career, he is a part time player in any case and being a part time player at AAA would be tough. But with Schwarber, Fowler, Heyward, Soler and perhaps Baez and Szczur all competing for outfield playing time/ jobs, it's not going to be easy. If he makes it, it might mean Baez will be mostly an infield backup and Szczur doesn't make the team I suppose. He would be good defensive replacement for Schwarber late in games, as well as a pinch runner. The key is, will he hit enough, as he will need to be a capable pinch hitter too.

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Go Cubs!!!!