Farm System

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

Were Baez to be promoted (and not traded), would it be more likely that Castro is traded or that Bryant is shuttled to LF and Castro or Baez gets a chance at third?

[Kid]

Were Baez to be promoted (and not traded), would it be more likely that Castro is traded or that Bryant will be shuttled to LF and Castro or Baez gets a chance at third?

 

It's not likely that Baez will be promoted by the trade deadline.  But, even if he was, I don't think a Baez promotion would immediately mean anything.

 

No matter how well Baez hits, they can't feel all that comfortable that Baez will produce at the ML level based on last year.

 

If Baez ultimately does produce at the ML level then based on performance this year, it probably doesn't bode well for Castro.

[rok]

Baez seemed to have changed his approach prior to the hand injury. Castro has never shown any ability to change his in 5+ years at the MLB level, and his defense is inferior to Baez's. These past 3 seasons have been so volatile for Castro that I think it's time to at least explore replacing him. If not now, when?

[Kid]

The Cubs might trade Castro in the next few days, but it's presumably going to be for value, not just because Baez is there.  How can they act purely in the assumption that Baez will perform given his numbers last year?

 

They might trade Castro for value now.  They might trade Castro in the offseason because Baez will usurp him.  I don't think they trade Castro now in the hope/expectation that Baez has usurped him.

[jstraw]

I agree. One of the safety nets in trading Castro for value is that we may well have an upgrade coming. That's better than knowing we don't.

[rok]

I do agree that a trade will probably occur before giving Baez a shot to win a job. Otherwise I'm not sure where they play him. Taking Castro's job away from him prematurely probably doesn't do anyone any good, especially if they are shopping him. That said, I'm less worried about 2B than most. If Castro ends up traded and Baez does indeed suck, LaStella can be the fall back plan provided he is finally healthy. In the meantime, Herrera can fill in until things get sorted out. *ducks*

[funkster]

Olt with two hits.

[funkster]

Baez just hit another HR.

[rok]

Bring them

[funkster]

I figured Baez would start off ice cold coming back, but he's been quite good.

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

Wilson Contretas hit a grand slam. He's having quite a good season at Tennessee.

[funkster]

Jonathan Martinez went 8 scoreless and Pineyro 7.  Wonder if Martinez is actually worth a damn.

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

He's a definite sleeper.

[funkster]

Either way, it's certainly not bad considering who we had to trade to get him.

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

The Cubs might trade Castro in the next few days, but it's presumably going to be for value, not just because Baez is there.  How can they act purely in the assumption that Baez will perform given his numbers last year?

 

They might trade Castro for value now.  They might trade Castro in the offseason because Baez will usurp him.  I don't think they trade Castro now in the hope/expectation that Baez has usurped him.

 

Right. I guess where I'm leaning is that unless the Cubs are impressed with some offer for Castro (or he, in turn, helps them nab a starter with future contract years), Castro is going nowhere. Likely, he and Baez finish the seasons out where they are as Castro tries to regain his game & value. The one difference may be if they bring Baez up in September . . .