Almora is a pretty good fielder. He plays center over lake. Lake is a loose cannon in the field....literally.

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

I'm all for seeing these guys but you still need some vets out there. I like Sweeney. I don't know what his problems were elsewhere but he looks pretty good on the Cubs both on offense and defense.
(Talking 2014)

_________________
favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I think the 2014 OF starts out looking like Sweeney, Lake, Nate with Ha or Szczur as the 4th OF. I think it ends up looking like Bryant, Lake, Soler. I think Almora starts 2015 in CF with lake on the bench.

While I think Bryant can play 3B, I think he ends up in LF because between Baez, Olt, Villanueva, Alcantara, and Castro, I think the Cubs would rather one of them play 3B instead. All of those guys could/should be up next season some time.

I think your ETA on all of them is ambitious. I also think management is hoping Castro gets his average back up so they can move him. If those other guys pan out, Castro becomes a lower half of the order hitter with questionable work habits. His age, contract and early career success will be attractive to someone else but I wouldn't want him as the leader of a young clubhouse.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I believe Boguzevic has taken the roster spot vacated by DeJesus.

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

Unless Castro has a complete turnaround next year, he will be traded.

I don't think Soler and Bryant make it to the big league OF until 2015 with Almora. There are also not 7 OF positions so there will be some wheeling and dealing for pitching at some point.

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

The Padres have thrown in the towel officially and Chase Headley has finally made his way being placed on waivers. Pull the trigger boys. Send em Jackson, Olt and Ha or something.

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

With the length of control and lack of big money, he's not going anywhere. He's 23. Still has a lot to learn and the time to do it.

Exactly. "Baseball expert" Spiegel was so confused that the Nats traded for DeJesus and immediately placed him on waivers. There's no downside in asking waivers on a guy. It can only provide flexibility.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

And I would think it would be the exact opposite. If he does turn it around they'd probably look to move him. I certainly don't think they're going to sell him low. They don't have to.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

Dammit.....You will not ruin my dream transaction. I am well aware of the waiver process......but this one has a chance. I have wanted Headley on this team since Jed got here. If the douchebag Marlins don't throw a claim in then the Cubs are up next. San Diego is not going to give this guy the big money contract so this is the time to deal him if the deal is right. I would love for them to flip Olt and another high level prospect...though I'm not sure if Olt would have to pass through the waiver process since he is on the 40. They could deal 1 of Jackson/Olt or Vitters as a ptbnl and Ha and someone from the lower levels.

Headley is the leader this team needs. He will get his stroke back and dominate the NL central for years!!!

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

You don't think there's a team out there that would give up more than that pile of crap for Chade Headley??

Chase Headley is a pile of crap.

No one is buying Olt right now unless you can get Theo to GM another team.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Neil Ramirez to AA Tennessee to complete Garza trade.

I've requested the jersey he wears in his first start. He'll thank me in nineteen years.

_________________

Theo loves his injured pitchers

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Not to be a trouble maker but didn't cub fans love Olt when they got him?

_________________
Elections have consequences.

I heard he had a vision problem that was corrected which made me think maybe he'd show improvement.

Well.....I just checked his AAA stats and that improvement hasn't arrived. .194 avg .222 slg .416 ops.

Would dumping a Vitters or Jackson to SD for DFA's Edison Volquez be a worthwhile gamble? I think Volquez has his last year of arbitration this year so he would be under contract for next season. I think it might be worth it seeing as Vitters and Jackson are pretty much lost causes.

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

Why not? Next year is probably still scheduled as a lost year and there isn't a young pitcher he's be keeping from the rotation. Obviously with Volquez it isn't ability, just injury. If you can somehow get him healthy, you have a top of the rotation talent.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Red Sox designated RHP Daniel Bard for assignment.

One of Theo's former first round picks. Former power arm.

Cubs claimed RHP Daniel Bard off waivers from the Red Sox.

27 walks and 11 wild pitches in 15 minor league innings this year.

He needs to work on his control. Perhaps an eye doctor is in order.

_________________
You know me like that.

The only doubt is what kind of arm surgery he needs.

_________________
Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Perhaps a transplant?

_________________
You know me like that.

Mike Olt: [looking at Bard's new glasses] Hey, man, they look nice. I have a pair just like them.
Daniel Bard: Well, after the game I'm gonna go pick out a pair that's more me.
Ben Cherington: Good luck.
Dale Sveum: They look good. Besides, seeing is the most important thing, son.
Dave Sappelt: I don't think it's that important.
Jed Hoyer: I think someone has a plane to catch. Oh, you missed that too.
Daniel Bard: [looking back into mirror] Fuck...

_________________

In his last outing he walked 10 in 2.1 innings. 10?? That had to be the longest 2.1 innings in the history of baseball.

Gillespie and Sappelt DFA'd in the same week!!! Glorious. I didn't mid Gillespie in the field but he just can not hit and he can take his fucking college teammate with him. Ground into a Double Play Barney is a tired act.

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