The Cubs management isn't penciling all those guys into spots. The fans are. Cubs will keep some and trade some. Hopefully for their sake they keep the right ones. They have enough of them though that some will hit and be star players.

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale 1h

 

The #Cubs have zero interest in trading for #Rays David Price now, #Cubs executive says, wanting to hang onto their prized prospects.

 

In the past I was convinced trading for Price was a no-brainer, but now I don't think it makes sense. It's not like he will give them some big discount on an extension when he is this close to free agency. You are better off saving the prospects and paying him big money two summers from now, as opposed to giving up players and spending the money.

 

That being said, I wouldn't be upset if they signed Lester this offseason. He is older and by the time they are competitive, he should likely be in decline.

 

Longest game in cubs history in terms of time just ended.

 

John Baker pitched the 16th inning and got the W

Cubs trade for Felix Doubront. Standard Theo buy very low move

Cubs trade for Felix Doubront. Standard Theo buy very low move

 

Hawk's a big fan of Felix. Not a bad move for the Cubs, especially as the piece going back doesn't seem to be a big deal.

Hawk's a big fan of Felix. Not a bad move for the Cubs, especially as the piece going back doesn't seem to be a big deal.

 

I like Doubront. His velocity is down a bit this year, but it's a worthwhile gamble.

Has anyone noticed that Hammel has quite quickly come back down to earth pitching in the AL?

The real question is why did a smart organization like the A's actually think Hammel would be any good? He's 31 - the start to his year was obviously not who he has established himself as in his career. The cubs knew they couldn't get a top impact prospect for samardjiza alone so they smartly used Hammel as a sweetener.

Kiss of death from Phil Rogers

 

 

Until prospects like Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Addison Russell and Jorge Soler are rat-a-tatting big league pitchers, all of this is educated guesswork. But here's how the Cubs' unprecedented rebuild looks at this point, 33 months since Epstein's hiring, with Hoyer providing some insight from management's perspective:

 

1. This is going to be an above-average group of hitters, perhaps the best in the National League within two or three years.

Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, will play at 25 next season, should be joined by midseason, 2015, by Arismendy Alcantara (the first anticipated kid to arrive, he's got a .764 OPS and four stolen bases in his first 18 games), Soler, Bryant and Baez by the middle of next season. Like Rizzo and Castro, Bryant and Baez (at second base) should provide above-average production at their positions, with the possibility that they'll quickly develop into elite players.

 

Others are coming behind them, including Russell (a shortstop with a complete game) and outfielders Albert Almora, Billy McKinney and Kyle Schwarber (who could provide a left-handed complement to Welington Castillo at catcher.

 

Hoyer calls pitching "a huge priority'' going forward but believes the abundance of hitters will be the foundation of future success.

 

"We know [we need pitching],'' he said. "That said, look around baseball right now, what bats changed hands? Nobody is trading bats right now. If you need a bat in a pennant race you were probably out of luck at this Deadline. I like the fact that we have a lot of volume of something that people don't necessarily have right now.''

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/phil-r...p;vkey=news_mlb

 

According to THE PLAN, the Cubs will be competing for a playoff spot in 2016 (and everyone's projecting World Series and up for the Cubs and Astros in 2017)

The real question is why did a smart organization like the A's actually think Hammel would be any good? He's 31 - the start to his year was obviously not who he has established himself as in his career. The cubs knew they couldn't get a top impact prospect for samardjiza alone so they smartly used Hammel as a sweetener.

 

Wonder if Cubs said the A's had to take him if they wanted JS

Jorge Soler having a monster year. If he stays healthy, he might end up being a top 20 prospect.

Jorge Soler having a monster year. If he stays healthy, he might end up being a top 20 prospect.

 

 

We still got the better bargain in Abreu, especially when you consider what they also threw at that LHP who hasn't done anything. Concepcion or something like that...

Wonder if Cubs said the A's had to take him if they wanted JS

 

That trade started and ended with Samardzija. Oakland is trying to win the World Series, not build depth.

 

Jorge Soler having a monster year. If he stays healthy, he might end up being a top 20 prospect.

 

Are they hang another Baseball America top 20 banner at Wrigley?

That trade started and ended with Samardzija. Oakland is trying to win the World Series, not build depth.

 

 

 

Are they hang another Baseball America top 20 banner at Wrigley?

 

Right next to the Len Kasper "I know more about rock and roll than anyone alive, and did I mention how cool I am?" banner. It'll be a set.

Right next to the Len Kasper "I know more about rock and roll than anyone alive, and did I mention how cool I am?" banner. It'll be a set.

 

Don't forget the "We At Least Beat the White Sox in Attendance Due to Iowa Tour Bus Grandmothers With Cubs' Hats Adorned with 100+ Pins and Drunk Yuppies Banner"

Jorge Soler having a monster year. If he stays healthy, he might end up being a top 20 prospect.

He's the only other prospect who I'd kill to have in our farm not named Kris Bryant in the Cubs system. I'm very high on that kid. Outstanding potential.

You know who else is killing it down at AAA too? Mike olt lol and he's awful

He's the only other prospect who I'd kill to have in our farm not named Kris Bryant in the Cubs system. I'm very high on that kid. Outstanding potential.

Baez and Russell would be very highly thought of around here if they were White Sox prospects. After a slow start, Baez has jacked his numbers up in AAA.

Baez and Russell would be very highly thought of around here if they were White Sox prospects. After a slow start, Baez has jacked his numbers up in AAA.

 

Until they get called up to the majors and strike out once. Then it's "Trade that bum!".

I think I'm at the point where I know how bright the Cubs future looks, but it's impossible not to be skeptical.

Just wait for Theo to start handing out contracts.

Baez getting called up tomorrow. So it begins...

Baez getting called up tomorrow. So it begins...

 

Stupid. Don't call those guys up until after the super2 deadline next year. There is zero reason to waste service time.

Just wait when he strikes out a ton at the start...the screams will come

The Cubs should be very, very good within a few years, or sooner. It will make a Dodgers fan out of many here, perhaps.