2015 Cubs Offseason: Building a Winner Around David Ross

[Eli]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

[SKO]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

Chuck would agree.

[Oleg]

For what it's worth.

Here's my question...is Fowler at 4/58 better than Span at 3/30?

[Eli]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

I think I might be more concerned about Soler's defense than his bat.

[SKO]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

I think I might be more concerned about Soler's defense than his bat.

I know, that's why I said Heyward stands to be the better player for the conceivable future even if Jorge keeps hitting like he did in the playoffs. His defense is just so bad.

[Oleg]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

I think I might be more concerned about Soler's defense than his bat.

I know, that's why I said Heyward stands to be the better player for the conceivable future even if Jorge keeps hitting like he did in the playoffs. His defense is just so bad.

If Soler hits 474/600/1105 in the regular season, he can be a cross between Canseco and Luzinski in the OF and he'd still be MVP HoF.

I don't think Soler's case is very different than Schwarber's.  It's a matter of how much appetite Epstink has for two of those guys in the OF.

[Eli]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

I think I might be more concerned about Soler's defense than his bat.

I know, that's why I said Heyward stands to be the better player for the conceivable future even if Jorge keeps hitting like he did in the playoffs. His defense is just so bad.

To be fair, that was kind of a long sentence.

[SKO]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

I think I might be more concerned about Soler's defense than his bat.

I know, that's why I said Heyward stands to be the better player for the conceivable future even if Jorge keeps hitting like he did in the playoffs. His defense is just so bad.

To be fair, that was kind of a long sentence.

To be fair, by my standards it was pretty short.

[Canadouche]

If it's not Starlin, I think Soler has to be trade bait #1. His suspect defense and his health history have to make him the least reliable player, even if he can rake.

Or maybe he can play in center field? (Kidding, kidding)

[Quality Start Machine]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

I think I might be more concerned about Soler's defense than his bat.

I know, that's why I said Heyward stands to be the better player for the conceivable future even if Jorge keeps hitting like he did in the playoffs. His defense is just so bad.

But with Soler making $3 million/per for a while, how much is an upgrade to Heyward worth? Is a player-win still worth $7 million? If so, based on their 2016 Steamers, Heyward is worth about $20 million/per more than Soler.

[Eli]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

I think I might be more concerned about Soler's defense than his bat.

I know, that's why I said Heyward stands to be the better player for the conceivable future even if Jorge keeps hitting like he did in the playoffs. His defense is just so bad.

But with Soler making $3 million/per for a while, how much is an upgrade to Heyward worth? Is a player-win still worth $7 million? If so, based on their 2016 Steamers, Heyward is worth about $20 million/per more than Soler.

I think the estimate is closer to $8 million now. So even if we're doing a basic $/WAR calculation (which we probably shouldn't because the ultimate goal is wins, not perfect efficiency), Heyward comes out ahead.

[SKO]

I know the defensive metrics are particularly kind to him but, the more I think about it, the more I want The Cubs to sign Span for CF.

I like Span. I think he could come at a discount after being dinged up most of last year. My unlikely wish is they grab him for CF and Heyward for RF, which would offset a lot of Schwarber's shortcomings defensively. And they'd be a good 1-2 combo at the top of the order (if Maddon could handle back-to-back lefties).

New meme alert: Eli hates Jorge.

Confession: I forgot all about him as I was writing my post. Maybe that's worse than actively hating him.

I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Heyward is obviously a better player and will probably be a better player overall for the next several years given his defense even if Jorge's bat improves with the fact that losing Jorge would make me sad even if they replaced him with someone as good as Heyward.

I think I might be more concerned about Soler's defense than his bat.

I know, that's why I said Heyward stands to be the better player for the conceivable future even if Jorge keeps hitting like he did in the playoffs. His defense is just so bad.

But with Soler making $3 million/per for a while, how much is an upgrade to Heyward worth? Is a player-win still worth $7 million? If so, based on their 2016 Steamers, Heyward is worth about $20 million/per more than Soler.

I think the estimate is closer to $8 million now. So even if we're doing a basic $/WAR calculation (which we probably shouldn't because the ultimate goal is wins, not perfect efficiency), Heyward comes out ahead.

I would also assume if they were to sign Heyward that Soler would then be a key part of a trade for pitching, so that's another thing to consider.

But you know also they could keep Jorge and he could destroy worlds next year and that would be neat.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

That's something else I forget sometimes--that unlike these other bonus babies, Soler is ridiculously cost-controlled.

[Eli]

That's something else I forget sometimes--that unlike these other bonus babies, Soler is ridiculously cost-controlled.

There's a clause in his contract that says he can opt for arbitration when he's eligible. So if he plays well enough, he'll go for that (which would be a fine problem to have).