This is it, ladies and gentlemen. The first spring training game of the season.
As an appetizer, please watch this video (h/t Bleacher Nation). Get lost in Kris Bryant's eyes. Wonder aloud why all Mike Olt cares about is being healthy. Wince at Albert Almora mentioning a groin injury. Contemplate whether or not Javier Baez is comfortable in front of a camera. Fall in love with Kyle Hendricks talking like a Dartmouth grad. Become one with baseball.
For the main course, the Cubs play the Diamondbacks at 2:05 CT. Jeff Samardzija takes the mound against the always interesting Bronson Arroyo. This is the lineup the Boys in Blue will deploy:
#Cubs lineup: Bonifacio 2B, Valbuena 3B, Castro SS, Riz 1B, Lake CF, Castillo C, Ruggiano LF, Olt DH, McDonald RF. Samardzija P
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 27, 2014
Pretty exciting! This is probably really close to the opening day lineup. I'd have Schierholtz in RF and switchings positions with Lake, and obviously there is no DH. Other than that, it looks legit.
The Diamondbacks lineup is
Parra – RF
Prado – 3B
Goldy – 1B
Hill – 2B
Chavez – DH
Trumbo – LF
Montero – C
Pollock – CF
Gregorius – SS
They are a split squad today, but that should be their starting lineup this season. The B-squad plays the Dodgers (who they played yesterday); if you were hoping for the Tony Campana reunion special, that's where he'll be, unfortunately. In fact, that's also where top prospect Chris Owings will play today.
For dessert, check out this list. Who's your daddy?
Comments
Nice try, Myles. You almost New Shit Upped me…
Here’s a question for you Bears fans: How would you feel about a trade of first-round picks with SF?
SF gets: No. 14
CHI gets: No. 30, No. 61 and No. 94
I’d rather SF keep all their picks and reload this team, but they need elite talent and I’m not sure they could keep all their picks anyway.
From CHI’s perspective, they’d turn one pick in the elite range of this draft into three picks in the very good range. The trade favors SF according to the draft value chart, but I think it balances out when you consider the quality and depth of this year’s players.
I’ll do a CHI mock for each…
Like You CareQuote Reply
I’d do that trade more or less instantly.
MylesQuote Reply
@ Like You Care:
I’d probably take the extra picks for the Bears. They need impact players on defense, but they also just plain need to get younger and healthier. Maybe then Briggs and Tillman have one last hurrah as leaders of the defense and primary playmakers in an average defense.
I mean, if the Bears had even had an average defense last year, they would have been incredibly dangerous in the playoffs. If they go younger, they have a shot at building another pretty decent defense after a couple of years while the offense is still fairly young overall.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I’m not using the simulator for these.
Mock A (no trade)
1 (14). Aaron Donald, DT, PITT
2. (51). Jimmy Ward, S, N. Ill. – Probably ends up going higher than this.
3 (82). Kareem Martin, DE, UNC – First-round talent underwhelmed on the field last season.
4 (113). EJ Gaines, CB, Mizzou – Tenacious on D.
5 (144). David Fales, QB, SJSU – You have three years to find Cutler’s replacement. I’d start now.
Like You CareQuote Reply
Also, I have a hard time believing there is baseball being played somewhere while it’s 6 degrees out here.
Aisle424Quote Reply
Mock B (trade)
1 (30). Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford – Yeah, yeah, white, gritty, whatever. Much more athletic that given credit for.
2. (51). Dom Easley, DT, Florida – Extra picks let you take a risk.
2. (61). Ed Reynolds, FS, Stanford – Dashon Goldson clone.
3 (82). DeOne Bucannon, SS, Wash. – Back to back physical safeties that can cover.
3 (94). Jordan Tripp, OLB, Montana – I think he can play any LB spot.
4 (113). EJ Gaines, CB, Mizzou – Tenacious on D.
5 (144). David Fales, QB, SJSU – You have three years to find Cutler’s replacement. I’d start now.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ Myles:
Holy shit. Yeah, I pretty much felt the same as soon as I listed the picks for the second mock. That would essentially be a trade of drafts.
Aisle424 wrote:
And this the year to do that. With the record number of underclassman entering, you basically added a round of early talent.
Like You CareQuote Reply
So even though that trade favored SF on the value chart (which I think needs an update), CHI clearly wins.
So a better question, I guess, is what do you CHI fans want minimum to trade firsts?
CHI: 14, 51, 82, 113, 144
SF: 30, 56, 61, 77, 94, 125, 158
Like You CareQuote Reply
Get. Excited. To. Lose. 95. Games.
dmick89, Sweatpants GuruQuote Reply
I know we already discussed, but this “floor” is higher than I thought it would be. If this is right, do you pay Kaepernick $17-$20 million per year?
What about this: Do you think HOU would consider trading the first overall pick for him? What about JAX and No. 3? Who says no?
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ Like You Care:
First, yes, I would do that trade in a heartbeat for the reasons listed by Aisley and yourself. The Bears need so much help on defense and it’s time to get younger.
Kaerpernick for the first overall pick? Man I don’t know about that. They don’t have the benefit of paying him the rookie contract so that’s using the 1st pick and $17-$20 mil per year. I don’t think that’s a smart play by Houston.
MuckerQuote Reply
@ Mucker:
If they’re considering Bridgewater, Manziel or Bortles with the first overall pick, they’d have to consider Kaepernick. He’s one of the more marketable players in the NFL at the moment and you know what you’re getting with him.
I can’t remember anything like that ever happening, but it’s interesting to consider.
Like You CareQuote Reply
Aisle424 wrote:
If you hear about it, it won’t happen.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ Like You Care:
Yeah, it’s definitely interesting to consider. But if they swing and miss with one of the QBs, then it’s a wasted draft pick and about $22 mil. If they trade for Kaepernick and he doesn’t perform, then it’s a wasted draft pick and about $56-$60 mil. They are going to have to sign him to an extension if they trade for him and he’ll most likely get at least that much in guaranteed money considering the amount of money QBs are making these days. I wouldn’t do it if I were the Texans because I would be taking Clowney and looking to see what’s available in the 2nd or possibly trading back into 1st if a QB falls. I’d be interested to know if anything like this has every happened before….
MuckerQuote Reply
I’d do that trade in a heartbeat, and given the noise out of the Bears’ FO about focusing on defense in the draft the last few days, I think Emery is basically putting the 14 pick on the block. I think he’d like to add at least a 2 & a 3, and probably a 4 if he can get it. That defense needs players, badly.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Most of you know, I am not high on Kapernick, but I think he’s probably Manziel’s ceiling. Bridgewater will likely be better, but he’s going to need some time, and the SF window is now. Bortles…I just don’t know. I think his ceiling is probably in the Flacco/Cutler range. Would you trade up for that? I don’t think I’m willing to deal Kaepernick for a shot at any of the 3, TBH. And I’m not high on CK.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Mucker wrote:
That’s what you have to weigh: The likelihood that a draft QB will bust versus Kaepernick. Kaepernick is about to hit his ceiling, imo. Bridgewater/Manziel/Bortles could step in and play like Luck/Griffin did their rookie years, but it’s more likely that they’ll have the worst year of their career.
If it’s JAX, I totally agree with you on this, btw. I just think HOU is in a position to compete for a Super Bowl with a QB upgrade.
I’m not even sure I’d want this to happen, tbh. I do know that I wouldn’t complain about having Bridgewater and the extra cash instead of Kaepernick. I think Harbaugh (if he’s still around) could help Bridgewater turn into Aaron Rodgers.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
For me, there are 12 elite players in this draft, with six on defense. If I’m CHI, I sit at 14 and hope one falls. If not, then dangle that pick and see who bites.
There are 32 players available this year that I’d spend a first-round pick on (up from about 22 last year), and I guarantee that at least a handful drop to the second.
I guess my point is that I think CHI can’t lose either way:
Stand pat with your picks and you’ll (probably) get an elite player, a fringe first rounder in the second round and maybe three or four Day 2-quality players. The draft is that deep.
Trade back and completely reload your team if you draft well.
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ Like You Care:
Right, Kaepernick is a known commodity so the chances of him being a bust is less compared to a rookie QB. And I think Kaepernick has the ability to be one of the better QBs in the league but I think he has a ways to go. HOU could draft Clowney and have arguably one of the best pass rushing tandems in the history of football. And regardless of the spike in offenses, I still say defenses win championships. I just don’t know how HOU passes on Clowney. But if they do and are looking at QB for their pick, then Kap is probably a better option for them considering that they aren’t as bad a team as they were last year and could compete in that division.
MuckerQuote Reply
George Brett as a hitting coach:
One of Brett’s favorite motivational tactics was to approach each player with a little exercise in self-awareness.
“I would ask Mike Moustakas, ‘What’s your name?'” Brett said. “He would say Mike Moustakas. And I would say, ‘Then be Mike Moustakas. You’re not Barry Bonds or Mark McGwire.’ Then I’d do the same thing with Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler and the other guys. In the end, I think they learned a little bit last year that they can only do what they’re capable of doing. Once you try to do more than that, you’re not going to succeed.”
I don’t even know what to make of that.
EdwinQuote Reply
@ Mucker:
For sure, and I don’t disagree with any of what you said. Just an interesting thing to consider because it could make sense for both teams.
SF will pay Kaepernick. He’s not elite, but he’s a top-10 QB in that offense right now. Having somehow lived through the Tim Rattay, Shaun Hill and JT O’Sullivan years, paying a QB like Kaepernick is a good problem to have.
As for HOU, there are nine QBs I’d be comfortable naming as the starter in HOU available in the draft. I’m pretty sure five of them would be an upgrade over what they ran out there last year. Clowney is the easy choice at No. 1 overall.
Like You CareQuote Reply
Edwin wrote:
[img]http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/3738992/the-people-s-eyebrow-o.gif[/img]
Like You CareQuote Reply
@ Like You Care:
Definitely. This is one of my favorite times of the year. Talking about the NFL draft and offseason. What are your thoughts on the upcoming free agency? Do you think any big name players will be on the move? There are a lot of teams with some serious cap space.
MuckerQuote Reply
@ Edwin:
Reason #1492 why George Brett is my favorite player, ever.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Edwin:
Makes sense. Too many Royals trying to be George Brett.
Also, who was Starlin Castro trying to be last year? He wasn’t being Starlin Castro.
Just plain BVSQuote Reply
Also, if Maclin can’t get a deal done with PHI, I would like to see the Bears make a run at him. Marshall–Alshon–Bennett–Maclin? Yes, please.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Just plain BVS:
Yuniesky Betancourt?
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
I’m listening to a really bad rendition of the star spangled banner before a cubs game.
Baseball is back!!!!
MylesQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Yeah, he was that bad.
Let’s hope he goes back to being Starlin Castro, or picks a better model to emulate. Last year, Starlin was clearly not objectively hot.
Just plain BVSQuote Reply
First pitch, high and inside from Shark to Parra. New spring home is now open.
Just plain BVSQuote Reply
Shark has a bad first inning but escapes unscathed. First Spring Training AB for Bonifacio and he scorches one down the line for a triple. Apparently, he’s very fast.
MylesQuote Reply
“What’s your name?”
“Darwin Barney”
“Don’t be that guy”
EdwinQuote Reply
1-0 Cubes. Castro at the plate.
MylesQuote Reply
Castro laced one into left for a single.
MylesQuote Reply
@ Mucker:
I’m no good at this, but I could see Eric Decker, Sam Shields, Alterraun Verner, Malcolm Jenkins, Lamarr Houston, Michael Bennett and Michael Johnson on the move.
I think a lot of teams will look at the deep draft and there will be less demand for free agents.
Like You CareQuote Reply
Castro turns a double play with Bonifacio. Get used to hearing that.
MylesQuote Reply
Castillo draws a walk in an 8 pitch plate appearance.
MylesQuote Reply
The new facility is ridiculously nice. State of the art facility. Then they get to go to Wrigley…
srbutch5Quote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
Maclin would be good, but I think they should add a second TE (if anything) to make that offense really dynamic.
Like You CareQuote Reply
http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/46345/309/free-agent-top-150
Like You CareQuote Reply
Just plain BVS wrote:
his troubles are clearly a thing of the past. he is on pace to bat 1.000 with a few hundred RBIs.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
@ EnricoPallazzo:
and if you’re going to say that my argument isn’t statistically relevant, then you have a point……..batting average isn’t that important. he’s on pace to OPS 3.000. satisfied?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
@ EnricoPallazzo:
Don’t worry EP, I’m not the one that’s going to give you crap about using paleostats. If his OBP is 1.000, I don’t really care what his OPS or BA is.
Just plain BVSQuote Reply
Cubs former Astros pitching like former Astros. Boo.
Just plain BVSQuote Reply
To paraphrase 80s hip hip one-hit wonders Word of Mouth Feat. DJ Cheese in their dancefloor smash “Coast to Coast”, “
CheeseCubes gonna win it!”Suburban kidQuote Reply
http://youtu.be/JSHMkLymXHo
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Suburban kid wrote:
False
Suburban kidQuote Reply
@ srbutch5:
Yeah, these guys are going to hate it when the season starts.
dmick89, Sweatpants GuruQuote Reply
@ dmick89, Sweatpants Guru:
Sucks to be Cubs.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
So I see Tee Spring changed their Cubs Make Me Drink shirt:
[img]http://images.teespring.com/shirt_pic/388089/front.jpg?v=2014-02-19-00-01[/img]
http://teespring.com/makesmedrinkroyal?fbid=2152
But I also now see this all over my Facebook:
[img]http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0284/3802/products/site1_a9411df8-855e-4002-a0bc-439507a0dd32_1024x1024.jpg?v=1393186268[/img]
http://www.justonesports.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-cubbies-make-me-drink-chicago
GBTSQuote Reply
“Just One Sports” is a Shopify website. Terms of service:
http://www.shopify.com/legal/terms
GBTSQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
They responded to my email (my second and less friendly one) and I forwarded it to Adam to take it from there.
dmick89, Sweatpants GuruQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
I saw that yesterday and before contacting them a second time I formally requested it be taken down through Blue Host. I’ll send one to Shopify if they don’t comply, but Adam may not have gotten back to them yet.
As Alvin would say, patience. (dying laughing)
dmick89, Sweatpants GuruQuote Reply
@ dmick89, Sweatpants Guru:
Who is “they,” Teespring? If I were a betting man I’d say the same person just fled to another host website. Or is this Just One Sports site the same one you were talking about before? I might be a little behind in the Facepalm drama, I don’t read every word.
GBTSQuote Reply
Ah, okay. I only saw the Twitter exchange with Teespring, I didn’t know you guys were already aware of another one.
GBTSQuote Reply
GBTS wrote:
I thought of that. They’re registered to different people and I’m pretty sure they’re at different hosts. Still possible, but why not just use anonymous domain registration if you’ve already been busted?
dmick89, Sweatpants GuruQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
Teespring happened a few weeks ago and they took it down fairly quickly. Justonesports has been more stubborn and ignored my first email as well as a shitload of tweets. They finally got back to me after I threatened a lawsuit as you and another person mentioned I should do. We’ll see where it goes from here, but I’ll give them a few days, which is a few days more than they need.
It’s not my design, but if they didn’t take it down, I’d encourage Adam to give the design away so people can make cheaper shirts than they could buy anywhere else. Not sure he’d do it (it’s his), but I know I’d rather do that if it was mine. Last thing I’d want is some asshole making money off of it.
dmick89, Sweatpants GuruQuote Reply
@ dmick89, Sweatpants Guru:
The guy openly peddles a stolen product through advertising on Facebook, I don’t think we’re dealing with the Mike Trout of e-commerce.
GBTSQuote Reply
http://isthereacubsgametoday.com/
WTF, get with it.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ GBTS:
I thought that was for only home games at Wrigley so people could figure out traffic and shit.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
dmick89, Sweatpants Guru wrote:
I’m savoring every moment
Berselius, Cubs #12 prospectQuote Reply
@ Berselius, Cubs #12 prospect:
That’s smart. Savor them before season starts because it will be a list cause then.
dmick89, Sweatpants GuruQuote Reply
Wouldn’t the Cubs regular season starting lineup have Sweeney in center because the opposing team had a right handed pitcher starting?
JimLQuote Reply
Hannibal Season 2 starts up tonight at 9:00. I don’t know if anyone on here was a fan, but early reviews of the second season are quite high.
EdwinQuote Reply
@ Edwin:
I really liked the first season and I’m looking forward to this one.
dmick89, Sweatpants GuruQuote Reply
Is there a Cubs game today?
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
Maybe.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Man, so I joined the quitting smoking bandwagon like everyone else that has. It’s weird, my stomach feels like shit (literally and figuratively) and I have a sweet tooth all of a sudden. And I don’t like candy at all, normally.
Anyone else get this?
akabariQuote Reply
It’s strange hearing Pat talk to someone else in the booth named Ron.
EdwinQuote Reply
It’s great to hear Pat on the radio again.
berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Baez starting today against Weaver, batting 7th
akabariQuote Reply
Rusin ———-> K’s Trout
Blind Squirrel ————> Nut
berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
@ akabari:
1st pitch to him… groundout.
WaLiQuote Reply
I’m not going to be a fan of the Ron Coomer era.
MylesQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
An ugly, ugly swing, too. Fell over on the swing
akabariQuote Reply
@ Myles:
Why not? I haven’t been listening too closely.
EdwinQuote Reply
Darwin Barney homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.
He is now 2-2 with an OPS of 3.500. Best shape of his life!
WaLiQuote Reply
Kris Bryant —> Crushed ball out of park
akabariQuote Reply
New shit: http://obstructedview.net/commentary-and-analysis/kris-bryant-good-at-baseball.html
Aisle424Quote Reply