That'll look even better when Ricketts won't spend to re-sign TuckerNow I am hoping this has no meaning at all.
Cam Smith, 3B, Houston Astros
Smith may have just been drafted last summer, but he is already making his presence known in MLB Spring Training. Blasting two home runs on Tuesday, Smith has now reached base in all of his plate appearances this spring. Being the helium prospect that we heard took a massive leap this offseason seems to be true. He looks the part.
Chicago Cubs 2025
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
If the Cubs don't intend to meaningfully contend for Kyle Tucker's long-term service in free agency that trade could wind up historically bad, and a classic example of the principal-agent problem you run into when your GM is on the hot seat.Now I am hoping this has no meaning at all.
Cam Smith, 3B, Houston Astros
Smith may have just been drafted last summer, but he is already making his presence known in MLB Spring Training. Blasting two home runs on Tuesday, Smith has now reached base in all of his plate appearances this spring. Being the helium prospect that we heard took a massive leap this offseason seems to be true. He looks the part.
Tucker is the real deal though, arguably the most underrated player in all of baseball.
Cubs are still undefeated; they tied yesterday. Brujan continues to make a positive impression. Played OF, had only one hit, but 2 SBs. Thad gives him 4 for the Spring.
I wonder if the strategy is to hope he falls in love with being a Cub and try to get a deal early... If that doesn't work, trade him to a desperate contender at the deadline, hoping to get more back than Paredes and Smith.
Maybe they will surprise us all and go all out to keep him... They have been very mindful of the tax threshold this offseason, after creeping over it last year. Hopefully that's for a reason, other than simply being cheap.
They won’t get back as much as they gave up if they trade him mid season, but they could get something decent back. I don’t follow salary cap stuff closely at all, but doesn’t penalty for going over threshold increase if go over in consecutive years?
I’m hopeful they can re-sign him, though I’m not holding my breath.
They would never trade him unless they were out of the race at the deadline.
In an unrelated matter, Nico is not going to Japan. Not a surprise.
Cubs remain undefeated with yet another tie. Nothing really jumped out of the box score at me except Workman hit his second HR of spring.
One name I’ve been a bit intrigued by is Benjamin Cowles. Came over to Cubs from Yankees in the Leiter trade. A bit old for a prospect (just turned 25) but checked in as #25 prospect for Cubs last year. Doesn’t have any remarkable tool (a grinder in the truest sense of the word), so we’re likely talking about a utility infielder at best at some point. But he’s hitting .400 (6 for 15) after going 1-2 today with 2 2B, a HR and a SB. Pretty sure he’s a Big 10 guy — Rutgers or Maryland I think.
One name I’ve been a bit intrigued by is Benjamin Cowles. Came over to Cubs from Yankees in the Leiter trade. A bit old for a prospect (just turned 25) but checked in as #25 prospect for Cubs last year. Doesn’t have any remarkable tool (a grinder in the truest sense of the word), so we’re likely talking about a utility infielder at best at some point. But he’s hitting .400 (6 for 15) after going 1-2 today with 2 2B, a HR and a SB. Pretty sure he’s a Big 10 guy — Rutgers or Maryland I think.
Draft is complete for my fantasy league, and I have two Cubs on my roster. I traded for Michael Busch this offseason because he fit within my salary cap (keep 15 players). Then drafted Matthew Boyd in 10th round of the 17 round draft. Here’s to a great year for the Cubs and my fantasy baseball team.
Some positive performances yesterday by some Cubs’ prospects:
Matt Shaw went 2-2.
Gage Workman went 2-3, .438 w/ 1.222 OPS so far.
Kevin Alcantara hit 110 MPH double.
James Triantos went 2-3.
Matt Shaw went 2-2.
Gage Workman went 2-3, .438 w/ 1.222 OPS so far.
Kevin Alcantara hit 110 MPH double.
James Triantos went 2-3.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
is....is that real?
2X2L
- Metaluna
Watching Cubs vs. Hanshin Tigers. No contest - so far. Bottom of eighth.
Big lug American pitchers just throw hard, no finesse like Maddux; Tigers pitch. Cub hitters try to hit homers all the time; Tigers want to get on base. Cub catcher has an inaccurate arm.
Cubs' announcers are drips. No color, drab and dull. I miss Ron Santo and Pat, Harry and Steve, et al from the past: Jack Quinlan, Lou Boudreau, Jack Brickhouse, Vince Lloyd, Lloyd Pettit ...
Oh, sorry, I don't expect this here Cubs' new manager to make much of a difference. Hope I'm wrong.
It's been a while since 2016. And it's been awhile since Hank Sauer was MVP.
Other than these things, I'm perfectly happy.
Ernie, Billy and Ron et al forever. #14.
Big lug American pitchers just throw hard, no finesse like Maddux; Tigers pitch. Cub hitters try to hit homers all the time; Tigers want to get on base. Cub catcher has an inaccurate arm.
Cubs' announcers are drips. No color, drab and dull. I miss Ron Santo and Pat, Harry and Steve, et al from the past: Jack Quinlan, Lou Boudreau, Jack Brickhouse, Vince Lloyd, Lloyd Pettit ...
Oh, sorry, I don't expect this here Cubs' new manager to make much of a difference. Hope I'm wrong.
It's been a while since 2016. And it's been awhile since Hank Sauer was MVP.
Other than these things, I'm perfectly happy.
Ernie, Billy and Ron et al forever. #14.
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Get off my lawn.
Don't be crabby. It's just sticking to the lawn.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Not happy with the score, but was happy to listen to baseball on the way to work today. You win some, you lose some. (Literally)
Jim DeShaies is the best color guy in baseball. Ron Coomer also is excellent.
I know that all were only exhibition games until today but Kyle Tucker has one more hit as a Cub than me.
Taillon Sucks
Shaw with an exaggerated closed stance pops it up in foul territory off the first base line to end that clunker of a game…..how can he have more than his left eye on the ball given his left shoulder is pointing to the 2nd baseman. Hard to ever envision him hitting with consistent power to the pull side.
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