Javier Baez 2014 ROY-MVP-World Series MVP Thread

[PenFoe]

Javy Baez unloading on a Lucas Giolito curve in the Futures Game for an oppo 2-R HR.  Sploosh.

Baez says that he should be called up this season.  Why not?
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/chc/cubs-prospect-javier-baez-hits-two-run-homer-in-all-star-futures-game?ymd=20140713&content_id=84604296&vkey=news_chc

Because he's still got a ton to work on.

He might as well work on it with the major league coaches.  He sure isn't going to drop the Cubs any lower in the standings.

That's not ... it isn't... there's no... ...

Now I get it. Stew just wants to see this dude in a Cub uni. It's fair.

But yeah the clock and service time bullshit yadda yadda yadda it ain't happening.

What, Stew, watching those spring training homer videos isn't doing it for you anymore?

I am not sure what constitutes "old school" in this debate.  I think that when a player masters a certain level he isn't going to improve by staying at that level.  You get better at chess when you play over your head, not under it.

I don't feel that Javy has mastered AAA yet. It's close, but not quite there. It's definitely not the panic of May

If he came up right now, it'd probably remind us all of early-season Olt. He'd hit a long home run often enough to keep people excited, but he'd strike out like 40% of the time. Since it's clear he's adjusting and trending in the right direction in AAA, it's probably best to let that continue for now.

The Cubs are doing the right thing here, protecting their investment. There's no point in bringing him up until he's damn good and ready. Hell, even Bryant could stand to lower his K rate a little more. Baez himself probably recognizes the value in this. If he doesn't, he can look across the clubhouse to Jackson and Vitters.

I don't think he sees the value in this, because he mentioned he should be up, and he was apparently a little ticked he didn't start the season on the Cubes. But, he'll get over it. He can have all that the thread title says for him.... in  2015

Every ballplayer wants to be in the majors.  But he's currently playing the same position as an all-star at the major league level.

It'll be more than slightly fun watching him & Bryant duke it out for ROY next year though, once he starts figuring out second base in winter ball.

Second base should take a player of his ability about 15 minutes to "figure out."

It sounds to me like in the probably slightly unlikely scenario that Baez, Bryant, Russell, Castro, and Al-Contra are all staying, and Bryant stays at third (which he has been pretty adamant about), that Baez would likely become a corner OF given his strong arm, with Al-Contra staying in CF, Bryant at 3B, and Russell/Castro being your middle infield.

Then Soler, Schwarber and Almora battle it out for 1 OF spot? 

There's too much talent here.

[SKO]

Javy Baez unloading on a Lucas Giolito curve in the Futures Game for an oppo 2-R HR.  Sploosh.

Baez says that he should be called up this season.  Why not?
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/chc/cubs-prospect-javier-baez-hits-two-run-homer-in-all-star-futures-game?ymd=20140713&content_id=84604296&vkey=news_chc

Because he's still got a ton to work on.

He might as well work on it with the major league coaches.  He sure isn't going to drop the Cubs any lower in the standings.

That's not ... it isn't... there's no... ...

Now I get it. Stew just wants to see this dude in a Cub uni. It's fair.

But yeah the clock and service time bullshit yadda yadda yadda it ain't happening.

What, Stew, watching those spring training homer videos isn't doing it for you anymore?

I am not sure what constitutes "old school" in this debate.  I think that when a player masters a certain level he isn't going to improve by staying at that level.  You get better at chess when you play over your head, not under it.

I don't feel that Javy has mastered AAA yet. It's close, but not quite there. It's definitely not the panic of May

If he came up right now, it'd probably remind us all of early-season Olt. He'd hit a long home run often enough to keep people excited, but he'd strike out like 40% of the time. Since it's clear he's adjusting and trending in the right direction in AAA, it's probably best to let that continue for now.

The Cubs are doing the right thing here, protecting their investment. There's no point in bringing him up until he's damn good and ready. Hell, even Bryant could stand to lower his K rate a little more. Baez himself probably recognizes the value in this. If he doesn't, he can look across the clubhouse to Jackson and Vitters.

I don't think he sees the value in this, because he mentioned he should be up, and he was apparently a little ticked he didn't start the season on the Cubes. But, he'll get over it. He can have all that the thread title says for him.... in  2015

Every ballplayer wants to be in the majors.  But he's currently playing the same position as an all-star at the major league level.

It'll be more than slightly fun watching him & Bryant duke it out for ROY next year though, once he starts figuring out second base in winter ball.

Second base should take a player of his ability about 15 minutes to "figure out."

It sounds to me like in the probably slightly unlikely scenario that Baez, Bryant, Russell, Castro, and Al-Contra are all staying, and Bryant stays at third (which he has been pretty adamant about), that Baez would likely become a corner OF given his strong arm, with Al-Contra staying in CF, Bryant at 3B, and Russell/Castro being your middle infield.

Then Soler, Schwarber and Almora battle it out for 1 OF spot? 

There's too much talent here.

You're right. Epstink and Hoyer didn't even get the fucking math right. THIS IS WHY DEY NEEDED TO TRADE FOR PITCHERS

[Powdered Toast Man]

By this time next year, we could very well be looking at a lineup that has Kris Bryant, Javi Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara for good.

[Eli]

By this time next year, we could very well be looking at a lineup that has Kris Bryant, Javi Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara for good.

I think it'd be a little surprising/disappointing if we weren't.

[Slaky]

By this time next year, we could very well be looking at a lineup that has Kris Bryant, Javi Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara for good.

I think it'd be a little surprising/disappointing if we weren't.

It's interesting you say that because I think there were more than a couple people who thought we'd see some of that group THIS year. Maybe in a prior CBA we would.

I want to see those guys too but I don't want to get my hopes up. I'll settle for seeing them when the org. deems them as ready.

[Eli]

By this time next year, we could very well be looking at a lineup that has Kris Bryant, Javi Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara for good.

I think it'd be a little surprising/disappointing if we weren't.

It's interesting you say that because I think there were more than a couple people who thought we'd see some of that group THIS year. Maybe in a prior CBA we would.

I want to see those guys too but I don't want to get my hopes up. I'll settle for seeing them when the org. deems them as ready.

Seems pretty clear to me -- Alcantara is already up, Bryant is probably ready right now, and if Baez is still in AAA at this point next year, that'd be almost 1,000 plate appearances at the same level. They'd either be messing with his service time pretty severely or it means he's regressed. I don't really expect either to happen.

I guess Soler is a bit less certain, but a guy with his contract and pedigree would hopefully sniff the majors at age 23 (as long as he keeps performing as he has).

[R-V]

By this time next year, we could very well be looking at a lineup that has Kris Bryant, Javi Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara for good.

I think it'd be a little surprising/disappointing if we weren't.

It's interesting you say that because I think there were more than a couple people who thought we'd see some of that group THIS year. Maybe in a prior CBA we would.

I want to see those guys too but I don't want to get my hopes up. I'll settle for seeing them when the org. deems them as ready.

Seems pretty clear to me -- Alcantara is already up, Bryant is probably ready right now, and if Baez is still in AAA at this point next year, that'd be almost 1,000 plate appearances at the same level. They'd either be messing with his service time pretty severely or it means he's regressed. I don't really expect either to happen.

I guess Soler is a bit less certain, but a guy with his contract and pedigree would hopefully sniff the majors at age 23 (as long as he keeps performing as he has).

All that, plus from what I recall Russell was on track to hit the majors in 2015 before his injury. If he can put together a solid few months and winter ball or AFL to show he's back on track, he could be up next year as well. Add all that to what should be $40 M plus for Epstink to spend on FA's this summer, and I predict some tingling feelings in our bathtime areas next year.

[Quality Start Machine]

By this time next year, we could very well be looking at a lineup that has Kris Bryant, Javi Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara for good.

Plus two current all-stars. Pitchers are going to see their ERAs get fluffed up when they come to Wrigley Field.

[Quality Start Machine]

DPD

Originally I only saw Arguello mention it (although he's solid on these things), but I'm seeing in more places that after Bonerface gets dealt, Baez is getting added to the 40-man and will be plying his trade to the right of Anthony Rizzo.

[J. Walter Weatherman]

DPD

Originally I only saw Arguello mention it (although he's solid on these things), but I'm seeing in more places that after Bonerface gets dealt, Baez is getting added to the 40-man and will be plying his trade to the right of Anthony Rizzo.

Javy Baez for first base coach?

[Slaky]

DPD

Originally I only saw Arguello mention it (although he's solid on these things), but I'm seeing in more places that after Bonerface gets dealt, Baez is getting added to the 40-man and will be plying his trade to the right of Anthony Rizzo.

What other places? Down at the Y?

[Bort]

DPD

Originally I only saw Arguello mention it (although he's solid on these things), but I'm seeing in more places that after Bonerface gets dealt, Baez is getting added to the 40-man and will be plying his trade to the right of Anthony Rizzo.

Javy Baez for first base coach?

STAGE RIGHT, DAMN IT.

*tosses boa over shoulder, flounces off*

[Tony]

DPD

Originally I only saw Arguello mention it (although he's solid on these things), but I'm seeing in more places that after Bonerface gets dealt, Baez is getting added to the 40-man and will be plying his trade to the right of Anthony Rizzo.

Javy Baez for first base coach?

STAGE RIGHT, DAMN IT.

*tosses boa over shoulder, flounces off*

I wonder if Doc Emrick has ever used the word flounce.

[Powdered Toast Man]

DPD

Originally I only saw Arguello mention it (although he's solid on these things), but I'm seeing in more places that after Bonerface gets dealt, Baez is getting added to the 40-man and will be plying his trade to the right of Anthony Rizzo.

Javy Baez for first base coach?

STAGE RIGHT, DAMN IT.

*tosses boa over shoulder, flounces off*

Of all people, Thrill should know it's stage right.

[J. Walter Weatherman]

DPD

Originally I only saw Arguello mention it (although he's solid on these things), but I'm seeing in more places that after Bonerface gets dealt, Baez is getting added to the 40-man and will be plying his trade to the right of Anthony Rizzo.

Javy Baez for first base coach?

STAGE RIGHT, DAMN IT.

*tosses boa over shoulder, flounces off*

I wonder if Doc Emrick has ever used the word flounce.

"Elevatored down for the flounce ahead to Crosby..."