2K24: Chicago Cubs

[Sour Masher]

Javier Baez looks more and more lost at the plate. With Arismendy Alcantara (and Tommy La Stella) playing well and very capable at 2B, I'm starting to have my doubts about Baez being on the major league roster to start the year. And that doesn't even factor in Addison Russell.

Yeah, I agree. I know it is way too early to tell, but chances are that at least a couple of elite prospects on that team will end up being busts, and Baez is the one I always had the most concerns about. Him and Almora, if he is still considered a good prospect stand out to me. It is statistically unlikely that the rest end up living up to expectations, but I believe in Bryant, Soler, Russell, and Schwarber.

[willthethrill]

Javier Baez looks more and more lost at the plate. With Arismendy Alcantara (and Tommy La Stella) playing well and very capable at 2B, I'm starting to have my doubts about Baez being on the major league roster to start the year. And that doesn't even factor in Addison Russell.

So does Alcantara become the starter or does he stay utility and La Stella gets at bats?

[Judge Jude]

"I believe in Bryant, Soler, Russell,"

same guy in my league has all 3 (once he picks Russell on Apr 15 w 1st pick)

[Ryno84MVP]

So does Alcantara become the starter or does he stay utility and La Stella gets at bats?

My guess is that Alcantara will get "starter" at-bats, but he'll be like Zobrist and play all over (with 2B being his primary position). La Stella would be the "utility" player but play a lot of 2B while Alcantara fills-in at 3B, SS or OF.

[Hornsby]

I'm guessing that they'll stick with Baez at this point. Going down to AAA isn't going to do anything for his confidence, unless they're planning on him doing something significantly different with his swing. I suspect that management is realistic enough to know that they really aren't going to contend this year, so let's get the kids as many swings against the pitching they'll see over the next decade as possible.

[bryanbutler]

I'm guessing that they'll stick with Baez at this point. Going down to AAA isn't going to do anything for his confidence, unless they're planning on him doing something significantly different with his swing. I suspect that management is realistic enough to know that they really aren't going to contend this year, so let's get the kids as many swings against the pitching they'll see over the next decade as possible.

my RJEL baez hopes you're right (and that he fixes things)...

[Gregg]

I'm guessing that they'll stick with Baez at this point. Going down to AAA isn't going to do anything for his confidence, unless they're planning on him doing something significantly different with his swing. I suspect that management is realistic enough to know that they really aren't going to contend this year, so let's get the kids as many swings against the pitching they'll see over the next decade as possible.

I think mgmt. is going to send him down and change his swing significantly.

It would not surprise me to see him down until he cuts down on the k's.

[DMT]

I think mgmt. is going to send him down and change his swing significantly.

It would not surprise me to see him down until he cuts down on the k's.

Agreed...it's not as if his confidence is going to be maintained if he's hitting .180 and striking out 40% of the time.

[Bodhizefa]

I think mgmt. is going to send him down and change his swing significantly.

It would not surprise me to see him down until he cuts down on the k's.

I'm with you and DMT. It serves Baez absolutely no purpose to be in the majors if he can't handle big league pitching in the slightest. And it serves the Cubs no purpose to diminish his years of team control while he's not at a big league capable level. I feel pretty confident that they'll send him down.

[Ryno84MVP]

"Of course there's a chance he doesn't make the team because there's no lock in regards to that," Maddon said. "The entitlement program doesn't exist."

"To this point he's (Baez) had a lot of good at-bats," Maddon stated. "And then he'll show one with the out of control swing that bothers him a little bit. And I think it bothers the fans more than it bothers me. He's just a young guy trying to figure this all out. [He has] sterling bat speed."

"Of course he needs to get better but I don't want to force or push things right now with a guy like that," Maddon said.

"The thing no one talks about is this guy is a really good baseball player," he said. "Defense is spectacular, base running is outstanding, his acumen on the field is well beyond his years. The thing that's lagging a bit is the adjustment at the plate."

"This other stuff at the plate he'll figure it out," Maddon said. "In the meantime, he hits homers, you know. Dan Uggla did that for a while and made a lot of money. And I'm not saying that's who he is."

"I like him as a baseball player," Maddon said. "He's a tough guy."

"He's always going to strike out," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "It's not even about strikeouts, it's about organizing his strike zone a little better. ... If he could somehow get to be a better decision-maker and then test that forceful swing he's got in the strike zone, let's see what happens there."

[whalewang]

Baez is pretty lucky to have a Maddon who's an ideal manager for this young team.

[Ryno84MVP]

...and the legend continues to grow, # 9 for Kris Bryant

[Sour Masher]

...and the legend continues to grow, # 9 for Kris Bryant

Dammit, someone needs to tell him to save them for the regular season.

[Hornsby]

...and the legend continues to grow, # 9 for Kris Bryant

Albert Belle hit 11 HR's in spring training in the early 90's...and was sent to the minors.

[chancellor]

...and the legend continues to grow, # 9 for Kris Bryant

And the Brewer fan and non-Bryant owner says "May his career continue to follow Tuffy Rhodes".