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<!--quoteo(post=95326:date=May 7 2010, 12:08 PM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ May 7 2010, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=95288:date=May 7 2010, 11:18 AM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ May 7 2010, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Don't blow your expectations up too big on this guy. Elvis Andrus had a .702 OPS last year in his first year at MLB. I think that's a safe projection for Castro too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Castro's offense is rated much higher than Andrus.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not sure I would say much higher, but Castro did put up much better minor league stats. Anyway, I wasn't really comparing the two as much as I was trying to keep everybody's expectations from going through the roof on a rookie shortstop.
Also, responding to an earlier post, I think it's possible Castro could have a set back if he doesn't take to the MLB game right away. However, given the way he's handled increases in competition in the past, I'm fairly confident he can at least match what Andrus did in his rookie season and I think that's perfectly acceptable.
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As long as he isn't rotting on the bench or yo-yoed between the Bigs and the minors I think he'll be fine.
"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." - George Carlin
"That was some of the saddest stuff I've ever read. Fuck cancer and AIDS, ignorance is the scourge of the land." - tom v
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If Angelo had picked McClellin, I would have been expecting to hear by training camp that kid has stage 4 cancer, is actually 5'2" 142 lbs, is a chick who played in a 7 - 0 defensive scheme who only rotated in on downs which were 3 and 34 yds + so is not expecting to play a down in the NFL until the sex change is complete and she puts on another 100 lbs. + but this is Emery's first pick so he'll get a pass with a bit of questioning. - 1060Ivy
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<!--quoteo(post=95335:date=May 7 2010, 12:35 PM:name=biggz)-->QUOTE (biggz @ May 7 2010, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->As long as he isn't rotting on the bench or yo-yoed between the Bigs and the minors I think he'll be fine.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yep, if you are bringing the kid up now, let him start and deal with what he gives us. Don't panic and send him back down if he doesn't hit well the first month.
Let the youth movement begin.
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<!--quoteo(post=95333:date=May 7 2010, 01:26 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ May 7 2010, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=95326:date=May 7 2010, 12:08 PM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ May 7 2010, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=95288:date=May 7 2010, 11:18 AM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ May 7 2010, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Don't blow your expectations up too big on this guy. Elvis Andrus had a .702 OPS last year in his first year at MLB. I think that's a safe projection for Castro too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Castro's offense is rated much higher than Andrus.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not sure I would say much higher, but Castro did put up much better minor league stats. Anyway, I wasn't really comparing the two as much as I was trying to keep everybody's expectations from going through the roof on a rookie shortstop.
Also, responding to an earlier post, I think it's possible Castro could have a set back if he doesn't take to the MLB game right away. However, given the way he's handled increases in competition in the past, I'm fairly confident he can at least match what Andrus did in his rookie season and I think that's perfectly acceptable.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Castro in Minors
.310/.362/.421
.783 OPS
Andrus in Minors
.275/.343/.361
.704 OPS (.710 in MLB)
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<!--quoteo(post=95296:date=May 7 2010, 11:30 AM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ May 7 2010, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=95294:date=May 7 2010, 10:29 AM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ May 7 2010, 10:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Is he gonna start tonight? I was gonna skip the game, but I may watch it now if he's starting.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I would guess no and have his first start tomorrow, but it's a complete guess.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
DeLuca says it starts tonight.
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I'm totally behind this, but at the same time Lou appears to be slightly unhinged this season. None of these knee-jerk moves have resulted in better baseball, at least thus far. The entire organization seems out of sync from the top down.
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halfway decent analysis from Sullivan-
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->CINCINNATI -- About the same time the stock market was dropping by nearly 1,000 points on Thursday afternoon, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was in discussions with his closest advisors about the possibility of promoting Starlin Castro.
Like the market, the Cubs were in the midst of a stunning free-fall in Pittsburgh that eventually resulted in an 11-1 loss and three-game sweep by the Pirates. Hendry decided to pull the trigger, resulting in this morning's news that Castro will be in a Cubs uniform for tonight's game at Great American Ball Park.
The Castro move leads to many new questions about the immediate future of the Cubs. Hendry was unavailable for comment on Friday, so we can only speculate for now.
Photo: Starlin Castro will immediately upgrade the Cubs' defense. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
Why was the move made now?
Though it makes sense that the Cubs need an offensive infusion, the promotion of Castro primarily was made for defensive purposes. Castro has a better arm and range than shortstop Ryan Theriot, whose defense has been subpar at best during the first five weeks.
Can Theriot move to second base without any playing time there this year?
The Cubs believe Theriot has spent enough time at second in his career that moving back over will be like riding a bike. But the decision not to play him at second at all during spring training will draw some criticism.
Are the Cubs too right-handed?
Kosuke Fukudome and Mike Fontenot were the only two left-handed hitters in the regular lineup, and with Theriot moving to second, Fukudome is the last lefty standing. But a Cubs' source said this is not expected to be a problem. "No one complains that the Cardinals are too right-handed, do they?" he said. Fontenot will be the primary left-handed hitter off the bench, taking the spot of Chad Tracy, who was 1-for-11 pinch-hitting.
Do the Cubs have too many second basemen?
This is a question that has been asked since the days of Neifi Perez, Todd Walker, Jerry Hairston and Freddie Bynum. They now have three in Theriot, Fontenot and Jeff Baker, who will serve as Aramis Ramirez's primary back-up at third now that Tracy is gone.
Is this a harbinger of future moves?
There's not a whole lot the Cubs can do with the starting lineup, but sources said Andrew Cashner, who was promoted to Triple-A Iowa, may be headed to the Cubs' rotation soon. That would mean Randy Wells or Tom Gorzelanny is on the spot. At the very least, the Cubs hope it lights a fire under Wells, who appears too comfortable in his second season in the rotation.
Can Castro turn things around for the Cubs?
If he plays the way he did in spring training, Castro will be a huge addition to the team. But he's still only a 20-year-old rookie, so everyone will have to be a little patient. As manager Lou Piniella said Thursday, everyone in the clubhouse can "look in the mirror" after the terrible series in Pittsburgh. At the very least, Castro should bring some energy to a dead clubhouse.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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<!--quoteo(post=95339:date=May 7 2010, 12:45 PM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ May 7 2010, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=95333:date=May 7 2010, 01:26 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ May 7 2010, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=95326:date=May 7 2010, 12:08 PM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ May 7 2010, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=95288:date=May 7 2010, 11:18 AM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ May 7 2010, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Don't blow your expectations up too big on this guy. Elvis Andrus had a .702 OPS last year in his first year at MLB. I think that's a safe projection for Castro too.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Castro's offense is rated much higher than Andrus.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not sure I would say much higher, but Castro did put up much better minor league stats. Anyway, I wasn't really comparing the two as much as I was trying to keep everybody's expectations from going through the roof on a rookie shortstop.
Also, responding to an earlier post, I think it's possible Castro could have a set back if he doesn't take to the MLB game right away. However, given the way he's handled increases in competition in the past, I'm fairly confident he can at least match what Andrus did in his rookie season and I think that's perfectly acceptable.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Castro in Minors
.310/.362/.421
.783 OPS
Andrus in Minors
.275/.343/.361
.704 OPS (.710 in MLB)
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, but it's not very common for a prospect to keep hitting at the same clip when transitioning from the minors to the majors. I'm not trying knock Castro or this move, I'm just trying to keep Butcher from jumping out of his window when castro is hitting .260/.310/.340 two months from now. Don't you care about Butcher?
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<!--quoteo(post=95343:date=May 7 2010, 12:57 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ May 7 2010, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'm totally behind this, but at the same time Lou appears to be slightly unhinged this season. None of these knee-jerk moves have resulted in better baseball, at least thus far. The entire organization seems out of sync from the top down.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
To be fair, Lou wanted Castro with the team out of spring training. This isn't really a knee jerk reaction.
Plus you guys need to realize, this is an elite prospect and this is what elite prospects do. They advance through the minors quickly and contribute at a young age. Look at guys like Miguel Cabrera, Troy Tulowitzki, Evan Longoria, Matt Weiters, Jason Hayward, etc. This isn't some crazy unexpected move here. It happens all the time.
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Wow, Wells has one bad start and he's on the spot? Seriously?
Wang.
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Scarey -- I don't have incredibly high expectations for Castro. In fact, if he simply doesn't fizzle out like Patterson and Pie, I'll be thrilled.
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<!--quoteo(post=95349:date=May 7 2010, 01:08 PM:name=veryzer)-->QUOTE (veryzer @ May 7 2010, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Wow, Wells has one bad start and he's on the spot? Seriously?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sullivan is a douche. Pay him no mind.
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So, now according to Sully, Cashner would be next in line for a rotation spot over Z? I'm sure he will be very pleased to read that.
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<!--quoteo(post=95349:date=May 7 2010, 01:08 PM:name=veryzer)-->QUOTE (veryzer @ May 7 2010, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Wow, Wells has one bad start and he's on the spot? Seriously?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can only speculate that Wells walked past Sullivan and inadvertantly dick smacked him in the face. Very likely seeing as Sullivan's chin is level with Wells' nuts.
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![[Image: castro.jpg]](http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/images1/castro.jpg)
