Cubs reliever Brandon Morrow is healthy, which has rarely been the case throughout his Cubs tenure. Morrow should be on schedule for the spring, though the Cubs are keeping open the possibility of bringing him along more slowly than the other pitchers in camp. A different schedule would be purely precautionary, however, per MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian (via Twitter). Morrow arrived in Chicago as the heir apparent to Wade Davis, who had been the heir apparent to Aroldis Chapman before him. When healthy, Morrow has been nothing short of elite, but after just 35 appearances in 2018 followed by an entire season in absentia, Morrow enters 2020 in no better position than the many other arms the Cubs have collected on minor league deals.
- The Nationals are entering another year of uncertainty in their lineup. Manager Dave Martinez is weighing a move for powerful leadoff man Trea Turner into the middle of the order, tweets Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post. Turner certainly has enough oomph to man the middle of the order. A full season of the .298/.353/.497 line he put up last year would ably fill the 3-hole recently vacated by his bromance partner Anthony Rendon. Adam Eaton remains a viable top-of-the-order presence after putting up a .365 OBP mostly out of the 2-hole, who could presumably move up a slot into the leadoff vacancy. Putting Turner’s speed directly in front of the ever-patient and fear-inducing cleanup presence of Juan Soto might not be the most natural pairing, however. Martinez will have some big decisions to make, largely dependent upon who wins the third base job and what kind of jump Victor Robles can make at the plate.
- In an interview with The Athletic’s Zach Buchanan, Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen says he doesn’t envision the team making a blockbuster deal like trading for Kris Bryant this far into the offseason. Major roster decisions have largely been made, and it’s more the time for fine-tuning. Hazen left open the possibility of adding a bullpen arm or another body for the bench, but a blockbuster is less likely. That said, the Diamondbacks never found the centerfielder they were seeking, which would push Ketel Marte back into the outfield and open starter’s minutes somewhere in the infield. The Diamondbacks have already taken more big swings this offseason than Hazen anticipated, so one more – even at this stage – can’t be entirely ruled out.
dynamite drop in monty
[S IM
todd76
Not a Nats fan. That would be a mistake taking Turner out off leadoff with his speed.
dynamite drop in monty
[S MAIL
Backatitagain
Who is faster Turner or Robles?
Koamalu
baseballsavant.mlb.com/sprint_speed_leaderboard
Turner
adc6r
6 of one half dozen of the other
Depends on the day
adc6r
I like Turner/Eaton together at the top of the lineup but I would also say Eaton is quite capable of hitting leadoff. my real question is who is his protection in the number two slot? Do you stick Howie their? Starlin Castro?
The latter certainly had success in limited exposure (27 ABs .370/.433/.778) but the sample size is barely significant (in the statistical sense.) The rest of his numbers are not as encouraging. Kendrick (.389/.478/.611 in 19 ABs) has had two spectacular runs with the Nats now but are you going to depend on him as a spark plug or would you rather have him further down in the order.
There is the possibility of Keiboom slotting into the second slot but he would have to have a spectacular spring to move into that high profile slot. It is far more likely he would end up there later in the season. He is too much of an unknown at this point.
Asdrubal is also a possibility.with a similar slash line but even less ABs combined between the 2 and three holes. In addition Cabby is a more likely 8 hole hitter in order to turn the order over and get back to the top.
A lot of things are in flux this spring.
IBackTheNats6
I don’t see any reason they can’t go eaton, turner, soto to start the lineup unless someone else proves capable of batting in the first three slots
fff555
Why not just hit Turner 3 then if you are going to do that. Whats advantage of Turner hitting 2?
fff555
I would prefer best two bats on team back 2 back. Which would be Turner and Soto. Howie isn’t playing every day if he was that’s a different story. In ideal world Eaton Castro/Robles/Kieboom Turner Soto Howie Cabrera Other postion player catcher. Turner has 2nd most power on team for an everyday player besides Soto. Robles Eaton Castro Turner Soto are the only 5 Guaranteed to be every day players.
Papabueno
Don’t forget Thames. Even if he’s in a platoon with Zimmerman, I think they could handle cleanup.
BennyTheBoss
If Morrow pitches this year I will be stunned
Acuña Matata
He will pitch. Dont know how long though.
kyle kimmel
Agree
dugdog83
If he finishes the year pitching I’ll be stunned.
wordonthestreet
He will pitch at least one full inning
Bleedsblue81
Hes healthy because its winter, but springs almost here so we shall see
johansantana17
> bromance partner Anthony Rendon.
I thought he didn’t want to live the “Hollywood lifestyle”…
Strike Four
Both voting red together then? Gross.
trout27
Orange County is not the Hollywood lifestyle. It is very much suburban.
Les Chesterfield
One thing is 100 percent certain. If braves weren’t in on Donaldson, as quoted by Donaldson earlier today, then there’s no way they are in on Bryant.
scottaz
Probably also not true that Donaldson had multiple 4-year offers if the Braves never offered until a couple days before he signed with MN
wordonthestreet
The Braves formal offer may have come then but they had been negotiating and JD and the Braves were talking money and years for months.
Strike Four
Why would you be “100 percent certain” when Donaldson was a free agent, and Bryant is only available via trade?
The only thing that “100 percent certain” here is that:
A) both players have MASSIVELY different circumstances
B) you are very wrong
C) you need to lay off the hyperbole
Clemens_Killed_Wonderbat
Strike Four why do always sound like one of those mouthy, nagging, white trash women from the movies?
I can’t help but read the comments and think “guy sounds like Sarah Silverman in Way of the Gun.” Or Bridget Fonda in Jackie Brown.
wordonthestreet
How is being in or not on Donaldson relevant to whether or not the Braves would be interested in acquiring Bryant?
Les Chesterfield
Zinger Clemons ! Got em ! The constant is the only one that matters and that’s the Braves making a move.
Wordon bc every team in baseball is holding onto their young controllable talent. So a team is much more likely to sign a free agent than trade their young players for a guys who’s going to make and demand the kind of money Bryant is making and will make. So if braves aren’t in on Donaldson than no way they are trading away their top prospects for Bryant.
wordonthestreet
Understood but if they really were not in on Donaldson it would have not dragged on.
They were in on him at least to the extent they thought they could match an offer. Even if the offer they made late did not match they were in on him to the extent they wanted him back at least on their terms.
So that would create a hole. You are correct they may not choose to trade talent for Bryant.
djmac
Bryant is 6 ears younger than Donaldson, has a higher career BA, OBP, OPS and has a very similar defensive fielding percentage, so I think Bryant should still be of interest to the Braves. Once the grievance ruling comes down, the Cubs should drop the demand that the young CF be included in the deal and be satisfied with Max Fried and the other couple of prospects that have been mentioned as part of a deal. Bote can hold down 3B for a couple of years for the Cubs and then the team can make a run at Lindor in FA and move Baez to 3B at that point. By getting Fried, the Cubs could deal Quintana for prospects and get further under the salary cap. Hoerner can be moved into the 2nd spot in the order in place of Bryant. The question then is: how do the fill the lead off spot for this year and next? How about Contreras, Amaya, and one of their top pitching prospects to CO for Blackmon? With those moves, they would be under the salary cap. Don’t tell me the Cubs are stuck. The just have to be willing to part with a few of their “core” to make the overall team better.
Jclem23
I doubt the braves would trade Fried in a Bryant deal. It would leave a big hole in the rotation. Likely they would deal prospects such as Bryse Wilson or Kyle Wright.
trout27
Contreras is worth more than Blackmon straight up. The Rockies would have to add a prospect.
CubsFanWhosNotaDick
Big Rockies fan? Contreras is worth 2 Blackmons
mistry gm
Give Bryant to anyone who will take him to dump his salary. Cubs fans wouldn’t be in this endless holding pattern if not for Bryant so desperately wanting out of Chicago that he filed a grievance. He will NEVER sign with the Cubs and a lot of us no longer want him. Sign Castellanos, he WANTS to be here.
scottaz
Hazen’s comment about blockbuster trades late into the off-season when teams are fine tuning their rosters, could also be construed as a message to his potential trade partners to decide soon or lose the opportunity.
Strike Four
Actually, this offseason is much different to other years, there’s been almost no blockbuster trades, but all major FA’s have signed early compared with the last two seasons. It appears Hazen is right, when spring training starts and injuries hit contenders, prospects show they aren’t ready, and guys changing positions are showing why they shouldn’t play there (like Riley to 3B), the big names will be on the move. I don’t see that as a “move it or lose it” like you have.
Tazbk
Lineup should be:
1) Turner
2) Eaton
3) Castro
4) Soto
5) Kendrick
6) Robles
7) Cabrera/Kieboom
8) Gomes/Suzuki
Castro would get so many RBI opportunities after Turner/Eaton combo and see good pitches in front of Soto. Robles isnt ready for top of the order and there is no point wasting Turner speed directly ahead of Soto. Don’t F it up Davey by overthinking it.
wordonthestreet
Usually your best overall hitter is hitting in the 3 hole. Castro would be a disaster
dray16
Castro hitting 6-8, he’s not a #3 hitter….
wordonthestreet
Agree
bravesfan88
This might not be their OD lineup, because I don’t think Martinez would trust Kieboom hitting that high, but by mid season I think the following would be their best lineup:
1. Eaton
2. Kieboom
3. Turner
4. Soto
5. Kendrick
6. Castro/Cabrera
7. Suzuki
8. Pitcher
9. Robles
jakec77
I honestly was trying to figure out if there was another Castro on the Nationals.
adc6r
I agree that whoever hits third in a lineup with Turner/Eaton at the top would get lots of RBI opportunities, but disagree Castro is that guy. he is a much better late order option, specifically 8th to turn the lineup over.
In addition IF ( note this is a capital IF) Keiboom makes the 26 man roster to start the season. it will be because his D is solid and his approach at the plate is good. even so he will have to show the patience needed to hit second so early in the season: (with Turner leading off)
Turner SS
Eaton RF
Kendrick 1B/2B/3B
Soto LF
Thames/Zimmerman 1B
Cabby 2B/3B/SS
Robles CF
catcher
Castro 2B/3B/SS
Robles would be your other 8 hole hitter with the catchers getting some time there as well as the catchers from time to time. But last year the catchers were more productive out of the 7 hole where they had some protection.
djmac
As a Cub fan, Castro is best in the 5th or 6th spot. And they shouldn’t move Turner out of the leadoff spot, his performance there last year was a big reason your team won the whole thing. Finally,I enjoyed watching your team make their run to the title, especially the series where they mauled and bounced the Cardinals.
CubsFanWhosNotaDick
Agreed on all fronts
fff555
Turner is a better hitter than Castro with more power zero question. Could easily go Eaton Castro (if you really want him up there) Turner Soto Howie Cabrera Kieboom catcher. Lefty righty righty lefty righty lefty righty righty. I want best two bats on team back to back which at this point is Turner and Soto.
Surly
Make Baseball Great Again!
BeeVeeTee
Morrow’s elbow is reliable as a wet paper bag caring groceries.
mlb1225
If the Nationals had resigned Rendon, I’d say bat Soto leadoff. He had 153 hits and 108 walks last season. If he wasn’t such a big power threat, it would be much easier to bat him first.
DarkSide830
if not Turner then who leads off? Robles fits much better at 9 currently
adc6r
Eaton would be the leadoff hitter
citizen
Morrow realized he signed as a cub, then got sick
mitchladd
As a die hard cardinal fan I have this image in my head that in 2 years Carpenter’s contract will be up and Bryant will be a FA and he ends up with the Cards in part to give the finger to the Cubs because of the time clock manipulation and terrorizing them as an opposing player for the next decade. Won’t happen because we wouldn’t pay up, but it’s fun to dream.
chesteraarthur
I don’t think KB will be terrorizing anyone when he’s 40.
MoRivera 1999
KB’s going to be 40 in 2 years?
golga333
He would never sign with the Cardinals. St. Louis is too boring.
pageian
Good luck to Morrow. The guys been through a lot but if he’s healthy he could be a big part of the bullpen, just don’t count on it. Treat him with kids gloves and take what you get from him.
douger007
What’s going on tomorrow?
leftyleftylefty
@douger007 bro that was good
Surly
BREAKING NEWS:
‘Astros Fire Trash Can Responsible For Sign-Stealing Scandal.’
‘GM Jeff Luhnow and Manager AJ Hinch did not stop the problem. Yes, players took part as well. But they weren’t actually communicating signs like the trash can was. To truly stop the problem, he needed to be gone.”‘
Surly
‘Despite the lengthy tenure with the organization, the trash can’s punishment was swift and unforgiving. “I’ve served the organization from the Lastros days until the championship days. I only wanted to help us win, no matter the cost,” he mentioned in a statement. The trash can gathered his belongings, which were mostly trash, and walked out of Minute Maid Park for the last time, a “walk of shame.”‘
Surly
‘Other teams around the league are implementing new processes to ensure no other trash cans have the opportunity to communicate signs to hitters.’
jd396
BREAKING NEWS:
MLBTR poster served with C&D letter for copying and pasting entire Babylon Bee article without proper attribution
Ghost Pepper
I didn’t know 25 players and a few coaches could fit in one trash can.
MoRivera 1999
Compactor?
Les Chesterfield
Welcome to grouchland
Koamalu
Saw Cherington in Dominick’s this evening. Wonder if he was in Phoenix talking to Hazen. Pirates do ST in Bradenton, so not here for that.
MikeEmbletonSmellsBad
No you didn’t.
adc6r
Let’s assume for a second that Turner the Burner does bat third:
Eaton
Robles
Turner
Soto
Kendrick
Cabby
Catcher
Castro
Pitcher
adc6r
Catchers batting 7th vs 8th
Zuke (84 ABs .286/.341/.512) 7th vs (11 ABs .182/.286/..455) 8th
Gomes (43 ABs .116/.136/.279) 7th (179 ABs .257/.359/.441) 8th
Zuke is obviously the more likely candidate to hit 7th vs 8th
but I see both Catchers hitting in both the 7 & 8 holes
BOBBINATORS
Cubs will trade KB to the Braves and then relive the same mistake they made with Greg Maddox.
ChiSoxCity
So you’re comparing Bryant to a HOF pitcher? Not even close.
BOBBINATORS
Maddox wasn’t a HOF pitcher the day he was traded to the Braves. My point is, like Maddux, Bryant could have similar success in Atlanta and end up in Cooperstown.
ChiSoxCity
Smh