Ian Desmond’s fractured hand is the big story coming out of the senior circuit today, though here are some more items from around the National League…
- With a number of veterans in camp on minor league deals and quite a few jobs still to be decided, the Giants’ final roster cuts “are going to come down to the end of camp,” Bruce Bochy told reporters (including MLB.com’s Barry M. Bloom). “I’ve already had some guys tell me, ’I’m glad I’m not you.’ I mean, they’re all good guys, experienced guys, and they’re doing a good job,” Bochy said. As Bloom notes, versatility will be a big factor in the Giants’ decision, as a player who can handle multiple positions is a necessity given the team’s needs and lack of bench space. Jimmy Rollins, Aaron Hill, and Mike Morse are a few of the notable veteran names still fighting for jobs.
- Gregor Blanco received interest from the Orioles and Tigers this winter, but the outfielder tells Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he chose to sign a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks in part because of their running game and aggressive style of play. Detroit’s connection to Blanco was previously reported, and while this is the first time the O’s have been linked to Blanco this winter, he makes sense as a target given how Baltimore searched the market for left-handed hitting, versatile outfielders for much of the offseason.
- Austin Voth has been somewhat of an overlooked figure behind the Nationals’ other star prospects, though as Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post writes, Voth could now emerge in an important role as Washington’s top piece of starter depth. Voth is battling with A.J. Cole, Vance Worley, and Erick Fedde for the “sixth starter” role, which is of no small importance given the injuries that inevitably crop up for a pitching staff over the course of a season. A fifth-round pick for the Nats in 2013, Voth has a 2.84 ERA, 3.33 K/BB rate and 8.7 K/9 over 487 1/3 career innings in the minors.
- With so many young Cubs stars already in place around the diamond, prospect Ian Happ is looking to help his chances of finding a regular role by playing multiple positions a la Ben Zobrist, Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com writes. “He’s a perfect example to a young player on how to stay in the game and contribute. That’s who I want to emulate,” Happ said. Originally drafted as an outfielder and second baseman as the ninth overall pick in the 2015 draft, Happ has already played second and all three outfield spots in the minors, plus he has been doing some work as a third baseman this spring. In another piece on Happ, MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat notes that Happ is developing well at second and is already showing some fine skills at the plate. Happ is yet another impressive youngster in the Cubs’ pipeline, as he featured on top-100 prospect lists from MLB.com (28th), Baseball Prospectus (54th), Baseball America and ESPN’s Keith Law (both 63rd).
Happ is going to be traded for a pitcher or closer next year
Not sure that’s necessary. Or wise.
I’ll save you the question.
“Where will he even play?”
In 2017, in Tennessee with a large side slice of Iowa.
In 2018, Iowa and breaking in with the Cubs.
At some point in 2018, Zobrist will become expendable, with Baez becoming more of a regular starter than his current John Havlicek role.
Happ could get traded. However, the SP had better be reaaaaaly good. And have a few years of cost control remaining.
As Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Baez, and others get really expensive (Quicker than you expect.), the Cubs will need league-minimum options like Happ to stay under the luxury tax threshold most of the time, if not most of it.
By 2020, Happ should be getting 400-500 PA per year or more. As to where, that will be determined by who gets moved when, as they get more expensive.
Cubs fans aren’t used to having 10-12 good offensive players. That number figures to climb if they’re going to have a ten-twelve year run of success. Which is the goal.
A very unlikely goal… injuries weren’t a problem last year, but they probably will be at some point, guys having off years, free agency, maintaining depth, etc, etc, baseball.
A rather optimistic view there, tim.
Sustained contending is always the goal, but how many teams have been that good for that long in the last 30 years? The Yankees with their exorbitant spending from 96 through the next decade or so and the Braves in the 90s (though they got only one WS title). The Cubs won’t be able to keep all those guys, even if they are willing to go into the luxury tax. For one, the total cost will just be too high, and second, some guys just want to be the everyday starter at a position, not play musical chairs like the Cubs do. If they manage to keep Bryant, Rizzo, and Schwarber together, they’ll stay relevant, but don’t expect them to be as good as they were last year for the next dozen years.
Hope not trade Zoo not the kids
What he said….
As long as the Cubs have Schwarber. Contreras, Russell, and Baez, Happ has almost little path to regular playing time. The best shot he currently has with the roster “as is” is to displace Le Stella for the Utility Spot. I’m really curios to see how Zobrist and Baez are used together for the next 2-3 years. 2 years for sure since Zobrist has a full no-trade clause prior to 2019. Given that the Cubs’ have Jimenez as an outfield option, and I think Candelario for sure gets traded, I’m thinking Happ may be flipped as well given how set the lineup looks for a few years.
Because injuries never happen. And Joe Maddon constantly trots out the same eight hitters for all nine innings every game.
Happ will have three option seasons once he gets called up. Which hasn’t happened yet.
That pitcher had better be really good, and have plenty of years left of team control.
I bet zobrist will be traded away at some point. With a second baseman and a large amount of outfield options, I bet he gets traded for depth of some kind, rotation or bullpen. No sense in having zobrist play 4th outfielder, its a waste.
For the Giants it seems easy – drop Morse and Rollins. Rollins is really just a backup SS (I think he’s played one inning at 3rd base in his career) and they have Tomlinson and Hill and Nunez that can play all over the diamond. Morse is a great guy but can’t play defense nor hit enough to warrant a spot.
You forgot Gordon Beckham. j/k
Haha, the problem with Happ making himself a Zobrist-type player in order to increase his chances of making the club is that, unlike other teams, the Cubs have the actual Ben Zobrist!