**OFFICIAL CUBS REGULAR SEASON THREAD**

[hawkfarmer]

i said for a catcher hes a plus offendive guy. compare his career ops to all NL catchers last year and get back to me.

Unfortunately his total career boosted by his rookie year and 2010 don't really matter as he is continuing to decline and is 29 years old, which is rather old for a catcher, especially that is not in his prime.

he is going to be a FA in a year and a half and they won't keep him anyway after that so why not trade him.


Also his OPS this year and last are more telling to me than his career stats which include 2008, an amazing season and 2010, which seems to be a distant memory for his potential.

[DuffMan]

29 is not old even for a catcher. His peak production shiuld be over the next three years.

[hawkfarmer]

Actually research shows peak is between 27-29 years of age for all players and declines after age 29, so Soto would be on the decline. And another study showed that elite catchers can maintain performance into their early 30s, the majority of catchers peak at 27 and decrease from there.


How do baseball players age? (Part 1)

[BlckNGldHwk]

Dempster on 15-day DL with lat tightness - chicagotribune.com


Awesome.

[Hawkfromnorwalk]

Dempster on 15-day DL with lat tightness - chicagotribune.com


Awesome.

Apparently not getting traded yet since you can't be dealt while on the DL.

[hawkfarmer]

Worst timing ever.

[Iowatailgate]

He's not hurt.

Dodgers also placed one of their best prospects on the DL. Left Hand Pitcher Chris Reed.

Dempster is going to be dealt, and he's not going to pitch another game for the Cubs to prevent injury.
Dodgers/Cubs possibly have a deal done and are finalizing it. To prevent injury on the main pieces, they just put them on the DL.

[Iowatailgate]

Also, you can trade a player that is on the DL. Here is a copy and paste I found:

As long as the receiving team is aware that the player is on the DL, and willing to accept that player, the trade can be consummated. All that is required, apparently, is to get the commissioner's office to sign off on it.

[hawkfarmer]

He's not hurt.

Dodgers also placed one of their best prospects on the DL. Left Hand Pitcher Chris Reed.

Dempster is going to be dealt, and he's not going to pitch another game for the Cubs to prevent injury.
Dodgers/Cubs possibly have a deal done and are finalizing it. To prevent injury on the main pieces, they just put them on the DL.

That is a good catch. Reed is the Dodgers #4 prospect and is in AA right now. Most of the dodgers top prospects are in low A or AA right now. If true wonder who else would be part of that deal.


Also did anyone remember what the cubs gave up for Garza. A LOT. 5 prospects, including a top pitching prospect and very good SS prospect.

[twinlaker]

He gone! Sorry Sox haters!!!

[ssckelley]

OOO OOOO more Bleacher Report, please!!

Yeah, what the heck they doing ranking the Cardinals farm system so high!

[ssckelley]

i said for a catcher hes a plus offendive guy. compare his career ops to all NL catchers last year and get back to me.

Duff, you are right as the offensive numbers for catchers is down and Soto is above average offensively for his position. But that is not enough for me to hang on to him like he is an elite hitter because that he is not. Hitting .250 with 17 homers and 53 RBI's is not enough to make me want to throw more money at him after next season. So if other teams place a high value on his offensive abilities and I can get something in return, I am going to do it. I do not think there is much of an offensive drop off from Soto to Castillo/Clevenger. Again he is average at best defensively. Give me that offensive production with Molina's defensive skills then I would argue with you all day long. But he is not and I think we have seen his peak for his offensive abilities.

[DuffMan]

I don't disagree with what you said, it has some merit. The thing to remember is all you guys are sitting here talking about how Soto isn't valuable to the Cubs anymore and that they should just trade them. If you realize he isn't all that valuable don't you think GM's realize that also? It's not like you are going to get top notch talent for a guy like that. They also realize he's inconsitent offensively, has some weight issues, and tends to break down. There is no reason to trade a guy, even if he doesnt fit your long term plan unless you get something quality in return.

The only way Soto get's dealt is if a contender has a catcher go down to a season ending injury and they need help now to win. If that happens Soto's value goes up. If it doesn't it wouldn't suprise me to see him stay.

[BlckNGldHwk]

He's not hurt. Dodgers also placed one of their best prospects on the DL. Left Hand Pitcher Chris Reed.Dempster is going to be dealt, and he's not going to pitch another game for the Cubs to prevent injury.Dodgers/Cubs possibly have a deal done and are finalizing it. To prevent injury on the main pieces, they just put them on the DL.

thanks for schooling thus admitted baseball newbie. good looking out! hope this is the case. what do you think we get for him?

[Hawkeye11en1]

I don't disagree with what you said, it has some merit. The thing to remember is all you guys are sitting here talking about how Soto isn't valuable to the Cubs anymore and that they should just trade them. If you realize he isn't all that valuable don't you think GM's realize that also? It's not like you are going to get top notch talent for a guy like that. They also realize he's inconsitent offensively, has some weight issues, and tends to break down. There is no reason to trade a guy, even if he doesnt fit your long term plan unless you get something quality in return.

The only way Soto get's dealt is if a contender has a catcher go down to a season ending injury and they need help now to win. If that happens Soto's value goes up. If it doesn't it wouldn't suprise me to see him stay.

Who is catching for the Nats right now? I guess I should look and see if they are still in contention first, however.