Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 13:06:53 GMT -5
Shortstop:
Ernie Banks, the cornerstone. Not much drama here. Banks is firmly entrenched and the Cubs hope he's the face of the franchise for a long time to come. Set career highs across the board in his third year and was awarded just over 4 million through arbitration. Cubs would like to lock him up long term and look for them to open conversations with Banks and his agent, perhaps as soon as this season. Some had wondered whether the Cubs would at some point move Banks to first, but with Norm Cash on his way, that seems doubtful at this point.
Casey Wise, AAA. Wise had a nice season last year batting .311 at AAA Los Angeles, but projects more as a bench/utility guy. May very well see time in the bigs this year depending on how things shake out with the bench roles.
Fritz Brickell, A. Cubs signed Brickell last year as a free agent as a 19 year old and let him play A ball all year. Known much more for his glove than his bat, he did manage to hit .316 with a .405 obp last year. Still young, but organizational depth at this point.
John Jenson, AA. 21 year old, doesn't bring much to the table, probably below Brickell in the pecking order. Again, just organizational depth at this point. Still young enough to develop.
3B:
Hank Thompson, the newcomer. Cubs traded CL Johnny Klippstein for Thompson last week, addressing position that had been a need ever since the league started. Klippstein was expendable with the development of Elston and Brosnan and the Cubs really had no options at 3B. They allowed Randy Jackson to walk via free agency after he refused to sign for what they felt was a reasonable contract. Some thought was given to moving Serena to 3B, but there are really no other major league ready players at 2B either outside of potentially Vern Morgan, so the trade made sense. Thompson brings plenty of punch to the lineup while getting on base at a solid clip (.368 obp, 23 homers last year). He plays solid defense and he's signed for the next couple of years at 6.29 million. The Cubs certainly had money to spend, so not a terrible investment. He'll provide protection to Banks in the lineup until the kids are ready.
Billy Gardner. Already talked about him with the first basemen, will be a mainstay on the Cubs bench and hopefully will bounce back from a rough rookie season.
Rudy Regalado. Picked up from Cleveland at the trade deadline in 1954. Had a nice season in AAA hitting over .300 earning him a cup of coffee where he struggled. Projects as a bench guy, unfortunately, can't play SS like Gardner can so he'll probably find himself back in AAA.
Footer Johnson. Not considered a prospect, all Johnson does is continue to hit, last year hitting .297 at AA. Will be 24 before opening day, still time to be a bench contributor and may end up just that.
Ernie Banks, the cornerstone. Not much drama here. Banks is firmly entrenched and the Cubs hope he's the face of the franchise for a long time to come. Set career highs across the board in his third year and was awarded just over 4 million through arbitration. Cubs would like to lock him up long term and look for them to open conversations with Banks and his agent, perhaps as soon as this season. Some had wondered whether the Cubs would at some point move Banks to first, but with Norm Cash on his way, that seems doubtful at this point.
Casey Wise, AAA. Wise had a nice season last year batting .311 at AAA Los Angeles, but projects more as a bench/utility guy. May very well see time in the bigs this year depending on how things shake out with the bench roles.
Fritz Brickell, A. Cubs signed Brickell last year as a free agent as a 19 year old and let him play A ball all year. Known much more for his glove than his bat, he did manage to hit .316 with a .405 obp last year. Still young, but organizational depth at this point.
John Jenson, AA. 21 year old, doesn't bring much to the table, probably below Brickell in the pecking order. Again, just organizational depth at this point. Still young enough to develop.
3B:
Hank Thompson, the newcomer. Cubs traded CL Johnny Klippstein for Thompson last week, addressing position that had been a need ever since the league started. Klippstein was expendable with the development of Elston and Brosnan and the Cubs really had no options at 3B. They allowed Randy Jackson to walk via free agency after he refused to sign for what they felt was a reasonable contract. Some thought was given to moving Serena to 3B, but there are really no other major league ready players at 2B either outside of potentially Vern Morgan, so the trade made sense. Thompson brings plenty of punch to the lineup while getting on base at a solid clip (.368 obp, 23 homers last year). He plays solid defense and he's signed for the next couple of years at 6.29 million. The Cubs certainly had money to spend, so not a terrible investment. He'll provide protection to Banks in the lineup until the kids are ready.
Billy Gardner. Already talked about him with the first basemen, will be a mainstay on the Cubs bench and hopefully will bounce back from a rough rookie season.
Rudy Regalado. Picked up from Cleveland at the trade deadline in 1954. Had a nice season in AAA hitting over .300 earning him a cup of coffee where he struggled. Projects as a bench guy, unfortunately, can't play SS like Gardner can so he'll probably find himself back in AAA.
Footer Johnson. Not considered a prospect, all Johnson does is continue to hit, last year hitting .297 at AA. Will be 24 before opening day, still time to be a bench contributor and may end up just that.
