Cubs Offseason 2014: So, what did your team do this offseason? Isn't that cute.

[Eli]

Why? He has raw power coming out of his big, fat ass and has a really good to great hitting tool.  And, he's 22 years old.

I think people just assume he has power because he's fat. None of that has really translated to in-game power. And he absolutely has to be a DH since his defense is so bad, so he will have to hit a TON, which he hasn't done in two years.

Having to repeat high-A ball at 21 and losing 100 OPS points from your first go-round isn't a good sign. I think there's a decent chance he doesn't ever get more than a few hundred at-bats in the majors, if he ever even gets there.

I had the same thought, but then I noticed that his first go round was, like, four ABs, so I stopped hyperventilating and remembered that he's only just turned 22.

No one is hyperventilating. I just think he's a chunky pile of meh who doesn't have any bearing on the Cubs' plans.

[Oleg]

Why? He has raw power coming out of his big, fat ass and has a really good to great hitting tool.  And, he's 22 years old.

I think people just assume he has power because he's fat. None of that has really translated to in-game power. And he absolutely has to be a DH since his defense is so bad, so he will have to hit a TON, which he hasn't done in two years.

Having to repeat high-A ball at 21 and losing 100 OPS points from your first go-round isn't a good sign. I think there's a decent chance he doesn't ever get more than a few hundred at-bats in the majors, if he ever even gets there.

I had the same thought, but then I noticed that his first go round was, like, four ABs, so I stopped hyperventilating and remembered that he's only just turned 22.

No one is hyperventilating. I just think he's a chunky pile of meh who doesn't have any bearing on the Cubs' plans.

But, could he have some bearing on Ruben Amaro's or Matthew Silverman's plans?

[Eli]

Why? He has raw power coming out of his big, fat ass and has a really good to great hitting tool.  And, he's 22 years old.

I think people just assume he has power because he's fat. None of that has really translated to in-game power. And he absolutely has to be a DH since his defense is so bad, so he will have to hit a TON, which he hasn't done in two years.

Having to repeat high-A ball at 21 and losing 100 OPS points from your first go-round isn't a good sign. I think there's a decent chance he doesn't ever get more than a few hundred at-bats in the majors, if he ever even gets there.

I had the same thought, but then I noticed that his first go round was, like, four ABs, so I stopped hyperventilating and remembered that he's only just turned 22.

No one is hyperventilating. I just think he's a chunky pile of meh who doesn't have any bearing on the Cubs' plans.

But, could he have some bearing on Ruben Amaro's or Matthew Silverman's plans?

I don't think he'd have any significant bearing on them, no.

[Oleg]

Why? He has raw power coming out of his big, fat ass and has a really good to great hitting tool.  And, he's 22 years old.

I think people just assume he has power because he's fat. None of that has really translated to in-game power. And he absolutely has to be a DH since his defense is so bad, so he will have to hit a TON, which he hasn't done in two years.

Having to repeat high-A ball at 21 and losing 100 OPS points from your first go-round isn't a good sign. I think there's a decent chance he doesn't ever get more than a few hundred at-bats in the majors, if he ever even gets there.

I had the same thought, but then I noticed that his first go round was, like, four ABs, so I stopped hyperventilating and remembered that he's only just turned 22.

No one is hyperventilating. I just think he's a chunky pile of meh who doesn't have any bearing on the Cubs' plans.

But, could he have some bearing on Ruben Amaro's or Matthew Silverman's plans?

I don't think he'd have any significant bearing on them, no.

You are the destroyer of fat guys' dreams everywhere.

[PenFoe]

Why? He has raw power coming out of his big, fat ass and has a really good to great hitting tool.  And, he's 22 years old.

I think people just assume he has power because he's fat. None of that has really translated to in-game power. And he absolutely has to be a DH since his defense is so bad, so he will have to hit a TON, which he hasn't done in two years.

Having to repeat high-A ball at 21 and losing 100 OPS points from your first go-round isn't a good sign. I think there's a decent chance he doesn't ever get more than a few hundred at-bats in the majors, if he ever even gets there.

I had the same thought, but then I noticed that his first go round was, like, four ABs, so I stopped hyperventilating and remembered that he's only just turned 22.

No one is hyperventilating. I just think he's a chunky pile of meh who doesn't have any bearing on the Cubs' plans.

But, could he have some bearing on Ruben Amaro's or Matthew Silverman's plans?

It's like a damn Jew factory down there.

[InternetApex]

Why? He has raw power coming out of his big, fat ass and has a really good to great hitting tool.  And, he's 22 years old.

I think people just assume he has power because he's fat. None of that has really translated to in-game power. And he absolutely has to be a DH since his defense is so bad, so he will have to hit a TON, which he hasn't done in two years.

Having to repeat high-A ball at 21 and losing 100 OPS points from your first go-round isn't a good sign. I think there's a decent chance he doesn't ever get more than a few hundred at-bats in the majors, if he ever even gets there.

I had the same thought, but then I noticed that his first go round was, like, four ABs, so I stopped hyperventilating and remembered that he's only just turned 22.

No one is hyperventilating. I just think he's a chunky pile of meh who doesn't have any bearing on the Cubs' plans.

But, could he have some bearing on Ruben Amaro's or Matthew Silverman's plans?

I don't think he'd have any significant bearing on them, no.

I'd certainly co-sign trading something that looks like Vogelbach for Cole Hamels.

[Chuck to Chuck]

Why? He has raw power coming out of his big, fat ass and has a really good to great hitting tool.  And, he's 22 years old.

I think people just assume he has power because he's fat. None of that has really translated to in-game power. And he absolutely has to be a DH since his defense is so bad, so he will have to hit a TON, which he hasn't done in two years.

Having to repeat high-A ball at 21 and losing 100 OPS points from your first go-round isn't a good sign. I think there's a decent chance he doesn't ever get more than a few hundred at-bats in the majors, if he ever even gets there.

I had the same thought, but then I noticed that his first go round was, like, four ABs, so I stopped hyperventilating and remembered that he's only just turned 22.

No one is hyperventilating. I just think he's a chunky pile of meh who doesn't have any bearing on the Cubs' plans.

But, could he have some bearing on Ruben Amaro's or Matthew Silverman's plans?

I don't think he'd have any significant bearing on them, no.

I'd certainly co-sign trading something that looks like Vogelbach for Cole Hamels.

Everyone in the universe would except for Ruben Amaro.

[Saul Goodman]

Why? He has raw power coming out of his big, fat ass and has a really good to great hitting tool.  And, he's 22 years old.

I think people just assume he has power because he's fat. None of that has really translated to in-game power. And he absolutely has to be a DH since his defense is so bad, so he will have to hit a TON, which he hasn't done in two years.

Having to repeat high-A ball at 21 and losing 100 OPS points from your first go-round isn't a good sign. I think there's a decent chance he doesn't ever get more than a few hundred at-bats in the majors, if he ever even gets there.

I had the same thought, but then I noticed that his first go round was, like, four ABs, so I stopped hyperventilating and remembered that he's only just turned 22.

No one is hyperventilating. I just think he's a chunky pile of meh who doesn't have any bearing on the Cubs' plans.

But, could he have some bearing on Ruben Amaro's or Matthew Silverman's plans?

Trading for an AL-only player like Vogelbach strikes me as a very Ruben Amaro move.

[Eli]

Also, The Cubs' 11-20 ranked prospects would probably end up on many teams' top 10. 

You were busy today, Oleg!

Oleg (Denver): Are The Cubs' 11-20 prospects as good or better than just about any other team's top 10?
John Manuel: Oleg, the answer is no, but this is a good BA Grade question. We have an expanded explainer in this year's book about the BA Grades that I'm excited about; I'm not sure why we never explained them with the detail we did this year. Looking at the Cubs' 11-20 BA Grades, every single 11-20 player has at least a 50 Grade, and just two of those guys are Extremes. That's the best 11-20 I can see on the spreadsheet of all 900 players with their grades. Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rockies and Twins come close in terms of similar depth of high-ceiling talent, but not quite there with the Cubs. The BA Grades lets you glance quickly to see just how much high-ceiling talent a team has; I like the grades. I would look forward to feedback from those of you who get the handbook, you know where to find me.

[Quality Start Machine]

Also, The Cubs' 11-20 ranked prospects would probably end up on many teams' top 10. 

You were busy today, Oleg!

Oleg (Denver): Are The Cubs' 11-20 prospects as good or better than just about any other team's top 10?
John Manuel: Oleg, the answer is no, but this is a good BA Grade question. We have an expanded explainer in this year's book about the BA Grades that I'm excited about; I'm not sure why we never explained them with the detail we did this year. Looking at the Cubs' 11-20 BA Grades, every single 11-20 player has at least a 50 Grade, and just two of those guys are Extremes. That's the best 11-20 I can see on the spreadsheet of all 900 players with their grades. Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rockies and Twins come close in terms of similar depth of high-ceiling talent, but not quite there with the Cubs. The BA Grades lets you glance quickly to see just how much high-ceiling talent a team has; I like the grades. I would look forward to feedback from those of you who get the handbook, you know where to find me.

Was every answer a plug for the book?

[Saul Goodman]

Also, The Cubs' 11-20 ranked prospects would probably end up on many teams' top 10. 

You were busy today, Oleg!

Oleg (Denver): Are The Cubs' 11-20 prospects as good or better than just about any other team's top 10?
John Manuel: Oleg, the answer is no, but this is a good BA Grade question. We have an expanded explainer in this year's book about the BA Grades that I'm excited about; I'm not sure why we never explained them with the detail we did this year. Looking at the Cubs' 11-20 BA Grades, every single 11-20 player has at least a 50 Grade, and just two of those guys are Extremes. That's the best 11-20 I can see on the spreadsheet of all 900 players with their grades. Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rockies and Twins come close in terms of similar depth of high-ceiling talent, but not quite there with the Cubs. The BA Grades lets you glance quickly to see just how much high-ceiling talent a team has; I like the grades. I would look forward to feedback from those of you who get the handbook, you know where to find me.

Was every answer a plug for the book?

Buy it to find out.

[Tonker]

Also, The Cubs' 11-20 ranked prospects would probably end up on many teams' top 10. 

You were busy today, Oleg!

Oleg (Denver): Are The Cubs' 11-20 prospects as good or better than just about any other team's top 10?
John Manuel: Oleg, the answer is no, but this is a good BA Grade question. We have an expanded explainer in this year's book about the BA Grades that I'm excited about; I'm not sure why we never explained them with the detail we did this year. Looking at the Cubs' 11-20 BA Grades, every single 11-20 player has at least a 50 Grade, and just two of those guys are Extremes. That's the best 11-20 I can see on the spreadsheet of all 900 players with their grades. Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rockies and Twins come close in terms of similar depth of high-ceiling talent, but not quite there with the Cubs. The BA Grades lets you glance quickly to see just how much high-ceiling talent a team has; I like the grades. I would look forward to feedback from those of you who get the handbook, you know where to find me.

*Menver

[Oleg]

Also, The Cubs' 11-20 ranked prospects would probably end up on many teams' top 10.  

You were busy today, Oleg!

Oleg (Denver): Are The Cubs' 11-20 prospects as good or better than just about any other team's top 10?
John Manuel: Oleg, the answer is no, but this is a good BA Grade question. We have an expanded explainer in this year's book about the BA Grades that I'm excited about; I'm not sure why we never explained them with the detail we did this year. Looking at the Cubs' 11-20 BA Grades, every single 11-20 player has at least a 50 Grade, and just two of those guys are Extremes. That's the best 11-20 I can see on the spreadsheet of all 900 players with their grades. Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rockies and Twins come close in terms of similar depth of high-ceiling talent, but not quite there with the Cubs. The BA Grades lets you glance quickly to see just how much high-ceiling talent a team has; I like the grades. I would look forward to feedback from those of you who get the handbook, you know where to find me.

That was my first of three questions I posted and was totally facetious.  I also posted one about where Yoan Moncada will rank once The Cubs sign him on July 2. Manual chose to answer someone else's question about him. He said he'd rank just above Soler. Soler will be a top 15 prospect, if not top 10 in the book.

*Menver

This ain't Facebook.  There's like 3 people here who get this.

Also, 44 days till pitchers and catcher report? I can't fucking wait.

[Eli]

I also posted one about where Yoan Moncada will rank once The Cubs sign him on July 2.

And I bet you got his name right in your question.

[Oleg]

I also posted one about where Yoan Moncada will rank once The Cubs sign him on July 2.

And I bet you got his name right in your question.

I did but I Googled it just to make sure.