Quote:
Originally Posted by VAChief
You brought him up when you claimed superiority at that position. Baez is the one guy I think has really grown out of those prospects to be what was hyped.
You asked about Molina's replacements? Where are your future pipeline of pitchers?
You don't seem to have any more Gleyber's to dangle for rentals like Chapman...that has to make you wonder...did that 3.52 WS ERA and 3.86 NL Pennant ERA really turn the tide for you?
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No actually you brought up Russell. I said they were probably equal at SS. Russell is clearly a better defender and DeJong so far has shown to be a better hitter when he probably ends up a league average hitter.
The Cubs arent looking at replacing any of their pitchers in the near future so they have plenty of time to develop a pipeline. It's sink or swim with the current rotation.
Quintana is the nearest pitcher to FA and that wont come til after the 2020 season.
Outside of Darvish returning they also have Drew Smyly about to come back from his TJ surgery and it would be hard to say he wouldn't be an improvement over Tyler Chatwood.
And yes. Chapman absolutely turned the tide. His ERA is what it is because of how Maddon used him. Take any one less elite than Chapman and put him in those same situations and see what happens.
Did the Cubs overpay to get him? Abso****inglutely. It was a stupid price to pay for a rental and I said it at the time. Same thing with the Quintana trade. Theo ****ed those up.
But the Cubs still have chips to trade. They just arent in the minors but they are still young enough to reach their potential while showing they can perform at the MLB level.