This stems partly from the news that has trickled in between practice games and this post by Berselius way back in the ancient times a couple blogs ago:
berselius: I don’t think the Cubs do anything else major (though A+ to Jed for patience), so here’s a stab at the lineup and roster 2B Hoerner LF Happ (S) SS Swanson CF Bellinger (L) RF Suzuki DH Morel 1B Busch (L) C Gomes 3B Madrigal And 26 man Catchers Gomes Amaya IF Busch Hoerner Swanson Madrigal Morel Mastrobuoni OF Happ Bellinger Suzuki Tauchman PCA or Canario? Pitchers Steele Imanaga Taillon Cyle Wicks Assad Alzolay Neris Merryweather Cuas Leiter Smyly Almonte
Sorry for the bad formatting as I’m on my phone and too lazy to fire up my computer, but for the most part I think B is on the money. This is especially true due to the reports that Craig Counsell has pretty much told Mike Tauchman he’s made the roster, and Miles Mastrobuoni is suddenly spring training Barry Bonds. It also doesn’t help that Ian Happ has a “let’s take it easy” hamstring tweak, which means they definitely could use Tauchman anyway and also could give some run time for a guy like Alexander Canario.
I won’t do a lineup just yet, but when healthy, it seemed like Happ was going to lead off, and Seiya Suzuki has been hitting second a bunch, so we will explore that again in a week or so when they’ve had more run time. I feel like Counsell thinks his guys need some kind of routine but is flexible enough to move guys around for matchups if necessary, so I guess we should set the over/under of different lineups used at 79.5, for which I might actually take the under but I’m usually wrong.
Anyway here’s my locks and bubble guys for the Opening Day 26-man roster, which echoes most of what Berselius already suggested with some minor tweaks…let’s do locks first
Catchers (2)
Yan Gomes
Miguel Amaya (who should graduate to getting most of the starts as Gomes rides off into the sunset)
Infielders (6)
Michael Busch
Nico Hoerner
Dansby Swanson
Christopher Morel
Nick Madrigal
Miles Mastrobuoni
Per Cubs statements and some of Arizona Phil’s musings, it seems the team is set on Busch playing primarily first base and Morel playing third base, which he’s done comfortably in his handful of chances so far so that I’m no longer concerned about any craziness. Barring injury, which might be inevitable for our hero, Nick Madrigal can back up two positions, Mastrobuoni can play all over as it appears is the experiment thus far in Cactus League play, and
Outfielders (4)
Ian Happ
Cody Bellinger
Seiya Suzuki
Mike Tauchman
Starting Pitchers (4)
Justin Steele
Shota Imanaga
Jameson Taillon
Kyle Hendricks
Relievers (6)
Adbert Alzolay
Hector Neris
Julian Merryweather
Javier Assad
Drew Smyly
Jose Cuas
This takes care of 22 of the 26 spots, and since the Cubs are most likely carrying the full allowed complement of 13 pitchers, we’re looking at a final bench spot and three additional pitchers.
For that final bench spot, it’s probably a dead heat between Patrick Wisdom (who has the inside track), Alexander Canario (who is at least already on the roster), and non-roster invitee Garrett Cooper, who would serve as a Wisdom replacement. If Happ needs injured list time to start the season, it’s probably Canario. Given the random off days sprinkled in to start the season, they might go with an extra bench guy, maybe, so that could mean Canario and one of Wisdom/Cooper gets a week to make their case to stick around after Happ returns. The Bellinger signing does make it very very unlikely that Pete Crow-Armstrong breaks camp with the MLB club, but if he makes it, I won’t complain.
Of the three pitchers, one has to be the fifth starter so that’s probably Jordan Wicks as B suggested, and he hasn’t done anything to suggest he doesn’t deserve it. They could even try to carry an extra spot starter to ease in Imanaga in the early going. The other two are relegated to the bullpen, and right now I think they keep Hayden Wesneski down in Iowa to figure himself out, and the other two spots should go to lefty neutralizers that aren’t Drew Smyly, who’s only here because he makes too much to just dump, and Smyly could still be effective in non-starting doses. I’m guessing if Mark Leiter Jr finds his splitter again, one of the spots is his, though it is possible they also give it to a guy like former World Series hero Carl Edwards Jr (currently just the NRI), though we must note that Leiter has no options remaining. The other is probably an actual lefty, among the NRI group that includes Richard Lovelady, Edwin Escobar, Thomas Pannone, and actual roster guy Yency Almonte. Almonte has no options remaining, so it is conceivable that the Cubs maximize their flexibility and try to convince some of these guys to stick around until their opt out dates or an inevitable injury, and that means the inside track is like B suggested with Leiter and Almonte. Nice to have a taxi squad anyway, though I guess not as many guys are optionable as I had thought.
I feel like some of the NRI relievers haven’t pitched yet, and Cody Bellinger himself doesn’t get into a game until Wednesday since he signed late, so of course all this could change pretty rapidly and that’s why they take their time with these decisions. Still a fun thing to do while we wait for Opening Day.
Comments
Stupid Miami Marlins of Florida
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Wheeler –> Phillies, 3 years $126MM
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/phillies-zack-wheeler-contract-extension.html
Full Dombrowski! They might try to get Snell too (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
aaaaah Molitor, you vex me again
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Full Dombrowski would be if he found a way to trade away some prospects as part of the signing (dying laughing).
berseliusQuote Reply
Just saw someone refer to the Belli and Chapman contracts as body pillow contracts since they’re a little bit longer (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Josh Donaldson –> retired
Rice CubeQuote Reply
When he broke out, I remember thinking “the guy from the Rich Harden trade?”
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
Another guy in the long line of “the Cubs would never have developed him into a big leaguer anyway” trade chips, along with Chris Archer and Dylan Cease (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Morel @ 3B did a traditional 5-3 and another 5-4-3, would try to find video but too lazy…
Madrigal out before batting in the third, wonder what happened there
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sonny Gray——->hamstring tightness
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
Man you’d think that the youngest guy in the Cardinals rotation would be the healthiest
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
(I don’t count 32 yo whippersnapper Steven Matz since he’s lived on the IL going back to his Mets days)
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
(dying laughing)
PerkinsQuote Reply
Oooh MRI for Gray
https://twitter.com/katiejwoo/status/1764778144278466934?t=Jt7KL09cFZUSoa7nYb3sZA&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Couldn’t avoid a couple obvious ones, but also surprised Sosa was so popular.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Giolito –> broken
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Did they skip the physical when they signed him? weird to sign a guy and find he has a sproing after.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
This was after one of his side sessions so I assume he newly injured it, shit happens I guess
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
That sucks for Giolito, but glad he got paid. Playing the tiniest violin for the Red Sox
berseliusQuote Reply
Cubs out of options per MLBTR
Yency Almonte, RP
Adbert Alzolay, RP
Miguel Amaya, C
Mark Leiter Jr., RP
Julian Merryweather, RP
Justin Steele, SP
Mike Tauchman, CF
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sydney Opera House vibes
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/as-stadium-plan-includes-a-non-retractable-roof-baseballs-largest-jumbotron
Technically, a “spherical armadillo” is just a regular armadillo rolled up
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Those A’s renderings are hilarious and unpossible. The inside looks like it was designed by the AI version of M. C. Escher. (dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
The plan, according to all drawings and descriptions, is to rely on shade to make summer day games in Las Vegas playable, as there is no roof, HVAC, or lights. Truly astounding.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I expected the roof sections to close up like an actual armadillo but hopefully they figure that part out before they actually start digging the foundation.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
andcounting,
You just have to pay for individual misting stations with casino chips, ez.
berseliusQuote Reply
I’m unsure which way the stadium is pointing (I assume you can find out based on where the fake skyline is) but I imagine if they don’t do it right the sun is going to fry all the players’ retinas as they attempt to field or hit the ball, and cast those icky shadows you might see in Milwaukee or the like.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
In the story (which seems like a glorified press release) they say the site isn’t big enough for a retractable roof. The drawings certainly make it appear as though the “Jumbotron” doesn’t even face most of the crowd.
I have to imagine whoever designed this crap doesn’t even know what baseball is, which certainly points to Rob Manfred.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
A retractable roof is just a chunk of metal, so this tracks.
berseliusQuote Reply
andcounting,
berselius,
Ah I guess I needed to read more (dying laughing)
The rendering suggests the roof does cover the crowd enough, and that entire arch seems to be an LED screen a la the Sphere…so maybe they’ll figure it out.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
The average daytime high in Vegas in July is 104, and the average low is 80. Shade won’t mean shit. You can’t play day baseball there. Nothing resembling that drawing will ever be constructed in Las Vegas.
andcountingQuote Reply
This could conceivably happen in another setting, it’s the collective concept that turns to absolute nonsense when you put it all together. Not a soul involved in this process has done due diligence on coming up with a viable design. It’s a -7 WAR concept.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I won’t argue with you there, the renderings do invite all the jokes, plus everything the A’s have done has been terrible ever since they decided to go to Vegas so it’s not like they deserve the benefit of the devil’s advocacy.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nice, evening near-baseball today.
berseliusQuote Reply
Kilian pulled, but he seems okay
berseliusQuote Reply
The other flavors haven’t bothered me that much on tv, but man the Zambrano blues look like shit.
berseliusQuote Reply
It’s spring training for in-dugout interviews for PCA as well (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
I hope when the games start counting that this team scores more than 0 runs most of the time
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Really nice play for a guy who had some questions re: his infield defense
https://twitter.com/CHGO_Cubs/status/1765205130322874816?t=WyLE-dxXPViYvabkh1oGDQ&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Overheard from the Marquee broadcast: “Baseball is a lot like life: when the chips are down, you gotta keep trying.”
andcountingQuote Reply
A little surprised at the popularity of some of my answers.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Ron Cey, why have you forsaken me?
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Well that’s no fun, he was doing so well
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/03/06/caleb-kilians-injury-issue-was-with-his-shoulder-and-it-is-concerning/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Argh, it kind of felt like nothing from what I saw on the broadcast yesterday. That bites for Kilian.
berseliusQuote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
NC seems like a good idea though I figured they’d do Charlotte first
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I went to a few Durham Bulls games back when I was stationed there and it was great fun. I’d agree Charlotte seems more likely/logical than the Triangle, though.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
I know not if you went to the older stadium featured in the movie or the new ballpark that was there when I was in NC for grad school, I did enjoy the games though, lively atmosphere in a fun part of Durham and cheap to get in too.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I went to the new/current park as this was circa 2010-12. Loved getting in free because I was active duty and drinking cheap and delicious Foothills beer.
I’ve found Charlotte to be mostly nondescript and pointless when I’ve traveled there for work, but loved the Triangle.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
Thinking Charlotte has the bigger rep because it’s just a bigger population and has the NBA and NFL clubs, but the Triangle can obviously support a pro sports team since the Hurricanes are there and have been to the Cup finals at least twice I know of.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Perkins,
Agreed on all counts. Durham is also the park with my first (maybe only?) time that I saw a guy warming up and stopped mid conversation to say “who the hell is that?”.
(It was aroldis chapman, even I could tell he had crazy stuff)
berseliusQuote Reply
Zaidman on the call, it’s like they dialed this up just for you AC.
berseliusQuote Reply
Wow, never seen a base blocking call at 3b
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
There was one I thought could be obstruction on the Cubs last night but the throw led the fielder to block the bag so that was different, if you’re already stationed to block even before the throw it’s apparently a super easy call now
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Morel not as sharp at 3b today
berseliusQuote Reply
This inning begins as a tragedy of errors
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I got to see Jeremy Hellickson in 2010 and washed up Miguel Tejada in 2012, so those were fun (dying laughing).
PerkinsQuote Reply
GameDay has freaked out so I no longer know what is happening in today’s game
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Perkins,
Chapman came into the game and was wild as hell (dying laughing). IIRC he hit Dioner Navarro in the back with a 103 mph fastball.
berseliusQuote Reply
No idea what is happening in the game right now, hoping everyone just gets out of it healthy though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The broadcasts this spring have been somewhat torturous. Last night’s was painful.
andcountingQuote Reply
I’m not sure we’re prepared for how good Seiya is going to be this season.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I hope he surprises me in the best way
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I too hope that Seiya shows up at my door and gives me a duffel bag filled with cash
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
It’s our reward for always believing in him
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Three fairly obvious answers and six very not obvious ones.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Wow
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oooh
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs roster for the Spring Breakout:
PITCHERS:
Cade Horton, RHP
Michael Arias, RHP
Drew Gray, LHP
Brandon Birdsell, RHP
Brody McCullough, RHP
Porter Hodge, RHP
Kohl Franklin, RHP
Zac Leigh, RHP
Riley Martin, LHP
Frankie Scalzo Jr., RHP
POSITION PLAYERS
Moises Ballesteros, C/1B
Pablo Aliendo, C
Matt Shaw, SS/2B
James Triantos, 2B
Jefferson Rojas, SS
BJ Murray Jr., 3B/1B
Haydn McGeary, 1B
Josh Rivera, SS
Ed Howard, SS
Owen Caissie, OF
Kevin Alcántara, OF
Brennen Davis, OF
Christian Franklin, OF
Looks like mostly the guys who haven’t gotten their cup of coffee yet.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Newer stuff –> https://www.obstructedview.net/cubs-spring-breakout/
Rice CubeQuote Reply