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Should Kris Bryant Switch To The Outfield Now?

There is certainly a lot of buzz surrounding the Chicago Cubs this offseason, as the team was just able to sign Joe Maddon to a five-year deal to be the manager of the club. However, ultimately his success is going to come down to whether or not this current young group of players in the system will live up to expectations. With so many infielders already on the roster, should Kris Bryant just be moved to the outfield now?

Hitting is definitely the calling card for Bryant so far in his career. He is turning a lot of heads in the minor leagues by putting up outstanding numbers at different levels. Many people feel like he is going to get his 1st taste of the majors in 2015, but fitting him into the lineup is something that is becoming a little bit difficult for the team.

Starlin Castro is the main reason why everything is a bit tricky on defense for the Chicago Cubs. There are rumors swirling that he could possibly be used in a trade, but right now the team is focused on him being the starting shortstop in 2015. If that holds true, that means Addison Russell will need to move to either 2nd base or 3rd base to get playing time. If he fits in best at 3rd, Bryant will need to to learn how to play the outfield anyway.

Defense is now stressed more than ever with different metrics helping franchises prevent runs. With Maddon on board, those numbers are going to be crunched even more. With young players, it can take a little bit of time to adjust to a new position. Chicago needs to figure out where they exactly what to put Russell and Bryant as they prepare for the start of their MLB careers. If these guys are as good at the plate as they project to be, Chicago needs to make sure they feel comfortable and they also perform well in the field.

The one positive to playing multiple positions from a fantasy perspective is that these youngsters will have eligibility all over the field. Anyone wanting to play daily fantasy baseball next season should use the fanduel promo code

Cubby Blue makes further changes, look past 4-0 loss in L.A.

The new standards in the Cubs organization are still at work with changes for player development.  The decisive 4-0 result for the loss Wednesday night does more than turn heads in Chicago.  In a pro's viewpoint the leadership roles took a wrong turn with overall performance evaluation on the line.  Coaches and bench personnel have to see the true disadvantages which team management allows to form through poor franchise salary caps.  The history lesson repeats again in Wrigleyville because no matter how hard these exciting prospects deliver the rest fall short. 

Anthony Rizzo continues to prove his team value by setting new career highs in homeruns with a frustrated Starlin Castro who has emerged again with over 100 hits.  Chicago's northside has the plans in the works so to speak about renovations which do more than effect the players and fans belief about top support.  The frequency about the massive complaints which swirl there is horrible.  After all the hard work plus a undesirable system with poor decisions the fans continue to experience disappointment.  Coach Sveum decides to do the obvious by mixing players from the minor league to adjust to a slow rebuilding effort.  Fom reports the Cubs don't even utilize fresh newcomers such as Mike Olt from Texas who can't precede the talent growth from other new young talent on the roster.

Comeback strident 5-2 victory over Phillies results in 2 injuries for Chicago

  The game plan proves to be simple Wednesday night on the road: win at all costs.  Sure the 5-2 comeback shows the Cubs have a enough heart left.  Their decline with a 5-game losing streak came to an end.  Rough play on the field cost Cubbie Blue enough with a big injury to Dioneer Navarro with Chase Utley's intentional crash into him at home plate.  Another injury took place to a new outfield prospect.  With so many new faces with prospects the odds appear to be set against the Cubs.  With newcomer Junior Lake (.349 BA) and recent arrival Donnie Murphy (2 HRs, 4 RBIs in win) in the lineup hit production with run average can increase. 

  Again Dale Sveum takes a chance to mix up the lineup card.  So with a new order almost every week the hit cycle isn't in effect yet the youth movement can enable Chicago to further a rebuilding process.  Away from Wrigley the club owns a 27-30 record.  To get close to .480 mark after August gives all the players a break and confidence boost.  Management just can't run rampant with a poor enviroment at home to force a conflict with players to move.  The forseen series against their rival Cardinals won't be for the one matchup to miss.  Let's go Cubs!  

    

Cubs fine glove work unable to move streak ahead, lose 6-4 to Dodgers

Pic by David Banks

What a way to show up the Chicago crowd!  During Game 1 at historic Wrigley Field the Dodgers sneak away with a game-changing 6th to pull out a 6-4 upset.  3 homeruns from the Cubs' lineup fail to be enough.  Of course this comes after a long series on the road.  Since the trade with the new prospect acquires Cubs management once again slips up.  Not only do Mr. Hoyer among the rest in managment forget leadership yet also lack common sense to bring in veteran quality to generate the offense again. 

  Sure the fans can align the stands all they want to cheer and shout (lewd comments) with their distaste.  The real value remains on the field despite the pressure from unfavorable, care-free management with their revenue trails catching up to them.  To be this vain in a constant scuffle to push the franchise down towards the bottom is terrible.  The only big transition made is through new hopeful first baseman (Texas prospect) Mike Olt with a reason to care. 

  Nobody in baseball does anything but count the Cubs out every damn year!  For this projection the Cubby Blue way, however is not going to be shut down every day.  Still what in the world does this team need to see to catch a break?  The fear is obvious in Chi-town with the game always on the line half-way home against even the worst in the NL.  The top analysts know all the stats to rave about when the club hits a streak.  Then after that the mood swings too far in the wrong direction.  

  Anthony Rizzo makes every game a thrill to watch with his passion for the game yet the rest off the home bench can't always compete.  Too much emphasis is put after a nasty late inning.  Let's see the offense turn the corner for a while and let go with everyone's rich (crazy) expectations.  Even a poster boy for milk carton can get a shot these days in Chicago with the big L--- out from the upper front office.  When the streak hits more than 4 too many a-holes hit the floor (Selfish with time as ever).  As a result, a young movement takes over in Chicago.       

 

New wave with flair hits Chicago, young movement in effect

    The tradition is Chicago is not far from realistic with the goals for the season.  Management looks to turn a new leaf.  The adjustments so far with the overall batting order is okay.  No one expects the Cubs to make a drive for 2nd place.  Too many key decisions have yet to be made.  Anthony R-i-z-z-o can't stop his adrenaline rush for a better batting season.  His improvement since joining the Cubs from the Padres is beyond satisfactory with 54 RBIs up to July (that's no lie).  Passion is not left Wrigley Field just the same.  Opposing fans have got stop the hate for this franchise. 

  Coming off a loss to their rivals, St. Louis 10-6 everything seems to be fine for a nice transition.  The memory from 1989 doesn't grow old for Cubs fan with the playoff birth.  Wait 'Til next year most loyal fans agree.  The cards don't always have to be stacked against Cubby Blue as all in Chicago knew.  The time to fight with a flair for the dramatic is fine as new trades can develop.  The arguments about renovations to the Field's front aren't plausible.  Soriano is a nice market player to receive a trade.  Such a firm decision can make the Cubs' pave the way.  In effect the Cubs have a boost in confidence. 

Cubs lose sight in rebuilding, flourish in new lineup alignment

   Since a return to Chicago in the windy city the offense has took a new reproach to capture attention from fans.  The usual slow development from the pitching staff is starting to turn around.  All through the summer Chicago needs to display a high batting average in 2-out late game clutch situations.  The overall defense is fine for what the Cubs are able to turn on the field through sharp groundballs.  So far the lineup manages a clean demeanor with a better than average outlook for July.  The runs per game at home is better now which is around 4-5 runs a game.  Anthony Rizzo looks to be the best power solution and is ready for a big offensive transition.  The first baseman needs speed with the bat to pick up the pace for runners on base.
 
  Last night the franchise with the worst history for breakdowns took a nice turn against their rivals.  St.  Louis came up empty in a 3-0 conclusion at Wrigley Field.  The big blow came from Anthony R-i-z-z-o with a clutch 3-RBI performance.  This included a homerun (13) with a new appeal.  Usual the wind comes in yet with a set way the Cubs make it through the day.  Darwin Barney with his young meekness provides a fresh fill-in the lineup.  The starter Edwin Jackson pitched a super suprise outing to defend with 7 big innings with only 3 hits to his credit.  The rest for the series looks to be a admirable rivalry!
 
      

A real dispairing series concludes in St. Louis as blunderous Cubs drop 3-of-4 games

AP Photo/Tom Gannam

  The meeting in St. Louis didn't turn out to be a big clash.  In fact the Cubs barely showed up to play in the 4-game series in which they lost 3 games.  Last night before a huge partisan crowd nothing developed again on offense and with blunders on the field (Soriano fails to snatch routine catch as seen above) the result became a disappointing 6-1 loss.   Plus only 5 total hits were tallied for the lineup with 6 LOB.  Still that's not going to cut it no matter how well the starting pitching fairs.  Scott Feldman (6-6) goes 5.1 innings to account for 5 earned runs on 6 hits and 4 walks.  A definite bad outing for him.  The previous day for Game 3 the Cubs managed just 2 hits in a 4-1 defeat. 

  To place Luis Valbuena in the lead-off spot is a mistake and proves to be useless.  The part-time third baseman is hitting a pitiful .244 through 57 games played.  The mighty struggles continue for Chicago at the plate.  With Starlin Castro's OBP down and Anthony Rizzo without a homerun in over a month a good fit has yet to be discovered for a unproductive lineup.  Due to failure to score with 2 outs where the Cubs success rate is around 13% is really hurting their chances to win.  Also, there are at least 10 games where the losses have accumulated due to 1-run differences.  Not in good faith can anybody rooting for this team get behind such crummy offensive outputs. 

  For any main positive change to occur the Cubs are in dire need to trade unworthy players, clogging up the roster and of course Alfonso Soriano who strikes out far more than he walks.  This is the only chance for a mediocre ball club to actual begin to improve and later showcase their best prospects after being called up. With DeJesus out on the DL for a expected month the lead-off spot looks to a serious problem area.  Somebody if not the middle of the order have to deliver at some point unless the Cubs want to falter far beyond their current 29-42 record.  More than a miracle is required to get this team back on his feet.