Have the Cubs emptied their farm in a worrying way? It’s not quite that simple, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago writes. With a youthful and controllable core of position players, GM Jed Hoyer says, “we’re an incredibly healthy organization from a young-talent standpoint.” While the front office will still need to replenish the ranks in the long run, despite lower draft positions and new limitations on international spending, it does indeed seem reasonable not to focus too much on the fact that the club has lost so much from the top of its system (much of it to graduation, not trade).
- One player that just moved out of the Chicago system — new Tigers corner infielder Jeimer Candelario — is heading right up to the majors, as Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press writes. While GM Al Avila says he hopes Candelario will push for a regular role next year, it seems he won’t shoulder that burden in his first MLB stint with his new club. Indeed, he may just function as a bench piece for the time being, manager Brad Ausmus suggests and Evan Woodberry of MLive.com tweets.
- The Twins have moved lefty Stephen Gonsalves up to Triple-A, per an announcement from the team’s top affiliate. The 23-year-old southpaw entered the season as a consensus top-100 prospect leaguewide, and has responded by continuing to dominate the opposition at Double-A — as he did in a half-season there last year. Given the pitching struggles at the MLB level in Minnesota, it’s fair to wonder whether Gonsalves could become an option down the stretch, either to boost the staff if the team stays in the Wild Card hunt or merely to give him a look to see if he’s an option for 2018.
- Meanwhile, the Twins can breathe easy after seeing Miguel Sano worryingly take a pitch off his hand. As Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reported yesterday, the young slugger received a clean bill of health after undergoing an MRI and CT scan. Sano has missed the last three games but will presumably be able to return once the pain and swelling subside.
Jeimer will hit .260 with 15 homeruns through the end of the year. Kid has mad potential. I think he will finally put it together at the big league level. Not that he didn’t in Chicago, just never got the chance
Through the end of the year? I’d think closer to 250 and like 5-7 by the end of the year Cubs have had him up and down over the last 2 seasons
It’s not that they didn’t want to give him a chance, it’s just that he was blocked by some bum named Bryant something-or-other.
Yeah….uhhh, no.
15 HR’s in 50 games?
Yeah, that’s a little overly optimistic.
Candy man is good his comparison is A switch hitting Bill Madlock who should’ve got in the HOF but he was black in the wrong era. Candelea will make the Cubs regret trading him but he was blocked.
The section on Candelario seems to indicate that the Tigers will be shopping Nick Castellanos in the offseason. Either that or they trade Miggy and move Castellanos to 1B. One of those to moves would be necessary in order for Candelario to receive an every day role
More likely that they move on from Victor Martinez, move Cabrera to DH and Castellanos goes to 1st.
Or V-Mart retires, Miggy/Castellanos platoon 1B and DH, then Candelario takes 3B.
Why would VMart retire?
Because he’s 38 years old and on the decline.
He was going to retire one offseason from now anyways. It would be huge if he retires but I bet he will show up for his paycheck. His career year was his age 35 season so theres still a chance he can go out in an impactful way. Pressure is on all three: castellanos, vmart and candelario.
Or Castellanos logs some time in OF
My guess is the Tigers move Castellanos to RF next year. He’s said he wouldn’t mind moving there, and he played some RF in the minors. The Tigers also have no obvious candidate to start in RF next year. They’ve currently been using a platoon of Jim Adduci and utility man Andrew Romine and their only two legitimate corner OF prospects — Cristin Stewart and Mike Gerber — are still only in AA. There are some concerns about Nick’s defense, but JD Martinez was not exactly a prize in RF either. Plus, I doubt he’d be any worse than he is at 3B.
This is my guess as well, if Castellanos is going to remain with the Tigers, just with some 1st and 3rd sprinkled in to give others a day off.
This is the most likely scenario. Candy to 3B, Casty to RF, Miggy stays at 1B, VMart at DH in 2018. Come 2019, we might see Nick and Miggy share 1B and DH
Theyre not going to be able to trade Miggy and that contract attached with him
I believe his contract is even worse than Ellsbury’s with the Yankees as far as money and time, with respect given to his prowess with the bat as compared to Ellsbury.
Still wouldn’t want that contract.
Miggy it’s time for his new spot as a DH
Some concerns about Nick’s defense? He lets in a run for every one he generates with his bat. Word gets around so it’s hard to picture a trade. Putting a bad infielder into the outfield makes each error worth 2-3 bases instead of 1-2.
Bottom line, Nick cannot play baseball.
is he in the majors? How did he get there if he can’t play baseball?
The statement that Nick cannot play baseball is silly. Offensively speaking his career OPS+ is above league average. He’s got plenty of extra base power and currently leads the league in triples.
Yeah, he’s a lousy defender and is probably destined to be a DH eventually, but I’d be willing to bet plenty of teams would be interested in a 25 year old with Castellanos’ numbers if the Tigers put him on the market.
He d be decent as a DH. Heck Id even take Miggys defense at 1B over him
Gonsalvez posted 140 IP last year. If the rule is 130% inning add per year then he’s good for 180 innings this year. He’s at 80 due to his late start. and could in theory go another 100. That many innings could get him thru the end of September.
My guess is he gets a couple starts at AAA and if he performs well they bring him up and takes Gibson’s spot in rotation.
1. Castellanos is the same age as Aaron Judge. He is still young. He is just hitting his stride as a complete line drive hitter.
2. Put him in RF, where Comerica is smaller than LF. Don’t worry about direct throws to third and home. Just hit the cutoff man. Remember, Only 7% of plays involve the Right Fielder. Losing a base here and there on defense is not the end of the world.
You know Braun was just like him as a third basemen and switched to the outfield. This will be a situation that no stats will be able to predict because it will come down to heart and dedication. Just like Falco!!!
Hilarious comments. They forgot to mention that Candelario is only up because Iglesias is on a bereavement leave. They had no other IF available on the 40. It wasn’t worth risking a prospect thru waivers just to activate Brandon Ryan for 3 days. Candy will be back in the minors come Thursday, or when Iglesias returns. There are just no ABs to be had at this time. Maybe he will sit bench again come September.
Is candy even on the ML club? Wikipedia lists him as on the tigers although it’s a little scretchy it says he’s number 46 when he’s #7. Also says he’s on the Toledo Mud Hens.