Definately not a fan of Sappelt, but I don't think they go Szczur just yet. They could use another RH bat, thus Lake may make some sense. Not sure if he's ready for CF even in spot duty though so yea, RF makes more sense.

That Sweeney injury does suck. He was having a nice 1st half.

This is Szczur's 2nd year on the 40 man and he has a major league deal as well I believe. He plays solid D and has done what they have asked of him at AA and hit .300. Sappelt is fucking useless and should never be called up for any reason ever. Lake is just too awful defensively I think but who knows. They could mix him in at 3rd and RF/LF and let Bogie and Nasty Nate handle center.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

They've made a point a mandating guys have all these minor league AB's so that doesn't bode well for Szczur for this year at least. Lake however will give them more infield/outfield/supersub depth so that may work in his favor.

One thing they desperately need to do is launch Camp and get anybody else in the bullpen, even Caridad. Camp is fucking brutal.

Maybe give McNutt a cup of coffee or that lefty Rosscup?

Rosscup yes. McNutt no. McNutt has been awful this year and is always hurt.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

McNutt has had some good outings out of the pen. He may benefit from being in the show for a bit. Stranger things have happened.

Bottom line is Camp is total shit and needs launched immediately.

I think the madatory year in Triple A is for the core guys like Rizzo, Baez, and Almora. I don't think they consider Lake or Ceasar as core guys.

That 1 year in AAA was a bullshit line they fed the media, when they were just trying to keep Rizzo from reaching super 2 status.

If someone is MLB ready, they would be called up.

scissors was a hendry regime guy and hasnt done well in the past, but has been on the road of constant improvement. I could see Mcleod wanting to see the guy at the bigs, if just for a few at bats.

You know there is no attachment to the guy from the current admin

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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.’”

Daytona rained out yesterday and then rained out the make up game plus the real game today. Stop dick slapping eachother J & T and get Baez up to TN where he belongs anyways and where he can get some at bats.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2013/7/1/44 ... is-way-out

Cubs trade rumors: Is Steve Clevenger on his way out?
By Chris Cotillo on Jul 1 2013, 10:20p  @ChrisCotillo


Chicago Cubs catcher Steve Clevenger, who was with Triple-A Iowa, left the team's clubhouse with his bags packed, according to Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register. Birch adds that Clevenger was sent to his hotel to await word on where he is heading, and that the 27-year old has not been called up to the majors. Stick here for updates throughout the night.
UPDATE 11:32 PM: Clevenger was placed on the trading block within the last 24 hours after a disagreement with the Cubs over his medical situation, a source has confirmed to MLBDailyDish's Chris Cotillo. Clevenger, who was recently activated from the 60-day disabled list, asked for a second opinion on the injury (which he is entitled to as a 40-man roster player) within the last 24 hours and was immediately put on the trading block and told to pack up his gear. The Miami Marlins, who were rumored to have interest in Clevenger, have not shown definite interest in the catcher, but the Los Angeles Dodgers may be involved. The Cubs and Dodgers are closing in on making a trade involving Carlos Marmol, according to ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine, so Clevenger might be headed to Los Angeles.
UPDATE 9:38 PM: Clevenger's agent, Joshua Kusnick, spoke with MLBDailyDish's Chris Cotillo. He said that he does not know for sure what is happening with Clevenger, but believes that a trade has been made:
It's sounding more and more likely that a trade is in the works. That's just my gut feeling though. Steve is a Cub through and through and it bleeds through his veins. We really hope he's back playing in Iowa or Wrigley very soon. It's a business. All things being equal, he'd give anything to be back playing in Wrigley. It's the only team he has ever known.
We're in wait and see mode right now and it's got to be nerve wracking. I was hopeful we'd have some kind of resolution to his injury issues by now but it is taking a bit longer than expected. The Cubs have a great staff and I know they're doing what is best for Steve and for the Cubs. I guess we will find something out soon. If I had to guess, I'd say he would get dealt for international signing pool money. Just a guess. I truly hope he gets back to Wrigley.

Cubs signed 16-year old Venezuelan Gleyber Torres and 18-year old Dominican Jefferson Mejia today. Mejia signed a contract for this season, so he will start playing immediately.

Torres is the #3 international prospects according to MLB.com.

To Keyser's point in the other thread, the Cubs gave 1.7 million to Torres. He's 16 and has played in Venezuela his entire life. Just crazy.

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Team Cutler.

at the Gleybar, Gleybar, Gleybar!!!!

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It looks like they had a plan and executed it. I'd be shocked if they take any penalties. Who knows if these children will pan out, but I like the strategy.

-Brett Taylor

Not 20 minutes after writing up the Chicago Cubs’ latest international signing, they’ve gone and topped them all by agreeing to terms with the top prospect on the international market, according to Baseball America and MLB.com. The signing was reported by Jesse Sanchez, who late last night reported that Jimenez had decided to sign with the Cubs.

Jimenez is receiving a $2.8 million signing bonus plus $250,000 in college tuition, according to Sanchez. I don’t believe the latter portion is subject to the international spending pool, but, even if it isn’t, the Cubs appear to now be in the red, even if you consider the pool money they added yesterday, as well as the 5% overage they’re permitted before being exposed to serious penalties. As I explained earlier:

After signing Torres, Moreno, and Mejia for $3.35 million, and after netting $963,000 extra to their $4,557,200 bonus pool yesterday via trades, the Cubs had about $2,446,210 left to spend, after considering the 5% they can go over without incurring dramatic penalties. With Matos getting $270,000, the Cubs are down to approximately $2,176,210, give or take a few bucks.

Thus, ostensibly, the Jimenez signing would put the Cubs way over their limit. In fact, they’d be so over the limit (more than 15%, by my quick calculation) that they’d be exposed to the most severe penalty: a 100% tax on the overage and (worse), the inability to sign any prospects for more than $300,000 for the next *two* signing periods.

I’m not sure that is what’s going to happen when this all shakes out, though. Or at least I hope.

My understanding is that a team cannot trade for bonus pool money if it is already in the red. That said, because the Cubs added pool money just yesterday, fully knowing that this Jimenez deal was going to happen, I’ve got to assume that they have their ducks in row. (In other words, if they knew they were going to blow the budget by 15% anyway, why add any pool money at all?)

How they work this remains to be seen. I’m assuming some of the “signings” aren’t official yet, including maybe this one. Presumably, then, the Cubs will add more pool space at some point before finalizing one or all of these contracts. I suppose that means teams know the Cubs are now very, very in the market for bonus pool money, but hopefully the Cubs have already prepared for that perceived weak negotiating position.

Once the dust settles, I’ll have more on the prospects, themselves – especially Jimenez.

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This will be interesting to see what develops. I can't see them sacrificing the next 2 signing periods but who knows...

Brett Taylor ‏@BleacherNation 14m #Versatility RT @TommyBirch Junior Lake getting his fourth start in right field for the #IowaCubs tonight. #Cubs #PCLExpand

Looks like Lake will definately be up at some point this year.

An interesting prospect indeed.

@daytonacubs 7m
Congrats @javy23baez on his promotion to @smokiesbaseball! Catch an interview w/ Javy on @Cubs pregame on @wgnamerica at 3:30 EST on Sat.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Good. Now promote some of the other top prospects. Once Soler gets back, he should be promoted after a couple weeks, as well.

About damn time. He is ready for aa pitching. His glove belongs in Kane county. They need to start getting him reps at 3rd

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It's also nice that he can count on playing every day instead of wondering whether that shithole in Daytona and the entire fsl will rain out every night.

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Something has to give at AA. Alcantara is the SS and Villanueva is the 3B. One of them must be in line for a promotion. I would guess its Alcantara.

How does his defense right now compare to Castro's defense at this stage of his career?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

You stay at SS to get more chances in the field. If/when he gets moved, his glove and arm will be more developed from the extra reps.

Alcantra will get moved up. I guarantee that Villanueva can play a better short than Baez. Will be interesting to see what they do. I guess they could always move V and put Alcantara at ss. Then where does vitters broke ass go

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What's the deal on Alcantara's glove at SS? I hear he's more of a 2B type??

Whomever gets moved to AAA will play SS there. There is no one at SS in Iowa. Vitters is perpetually hurt at this point, so Lake will continue to play at 3B most of the time. If/when Vitters is back, Lake will get promoted or move to RF full time.

I feel that Theo & Co. have lost confidence in both Vitters and Jackson. I wouldn't be surprised to see them moved at the deadline. Vitters especially. He has no position, and the one position they put him at has about 10 other better prospects that he is blocking.

23 errors so far this season. Don't know the scouting report on him, though. I think, given his size, the expectation is that he would be a 2B in the majors.

OK, so not a real good glove man. Can't have it all I guess.