Cubs in Winter Leagues

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CubsWin]

Thanks, Raisin!

[craig]

he's been struggling even worse in winter league than in the states. Even after the 4-4 day, he's still only at .218, 20K/0HR. Ouch.

[Bear Cub]

Christian Villanueva is ripping things up in Mexico this winter. He might be a good backup option at 1B and 3B next year. He is also out of options.

[Tryptamine]

Christian Villanueva is ripping things up in Mexico this winter. He might be a good backup option at 1B and 3B next year. He is also out of options.

Yeah, he has my vote for 2nd infielder off the bench with Lastella being the other.He should be an improvement over Herrera, at least.

[ctcf]

Christian Villanueva is ripping things up in Mexico this winter. He might be a good backup option at 1B and 3B next year. He is also out of options.

Yeah, he has my vote for 2nd infielder off the bench with Lastella being the other.He should be an improvement over Herrera, at least.

ooh this would be pretty cool

[The Logan]

Christian Villanueva is ripping things up in Mexico this winter. He might be a good backup option at 1B and 3B next year. He is also out of options.

Yeah, he has my vote for 2nd infielder off the bench with Lastella being the other.He should be an improvement over Herrera, at least.

ooh this would be pretty cool

Part of me thinks if Villanueva has a big offensive first half he could be a valuable trading chip. Then the other part of me is like "He's never been that guy" and agrees with this sentiment of him being a solid backup IF.

[Bilbo161]

Christian Villanueva is ripping things up in Mexico this winter. He might be a good backup option at 1B and 3B next year. He is also out of options.

Yeah, he has my vote for 2nd infielder off the bench with Lastella being the other.He should be an improvement over Herrera, at least.

ooh this would be pretty cool

Part of me thinks if Villanueva has a big offensive first half he could be a valuable trading chip. Then the other part of me is like "He's never been that guy" and agrees with this sentiment of him being a solid backup IF.

Yea Villanueva has been looking real good.
Player POS G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG OPS E
Christian Villanueva 3B 42 148 28 53 6 0 5 19 74 26 16 3 2 .464 .500 .358 .964 4

26/16 BB/SO on top of that line of .358/.464/.500 Would love to see him get some big league exposure before trading him as a toss-in. He might up his value quite a bit.

[Cubswin11]

Could Villanueva be a super-sub/utility type guy for us? Can he Play 3B/2B/1B/COF as a bench/platoon type guy?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

We're talking about the Christian Villanueva who put up a .750 OPS while repeating AAA in his age 24 season last year?

I mean, anything's possible, but as it stands he's not a serious candidate for an MLB job.

[Cubswin11]

We're talking about the Christian Villanueva who put up a .750 OPS while repeating AAA in his age 24 season last year?

I mean, anything's possible, but as it stands he's not a serious candidate for an MLB job.

Sure, he shouldn't just be given a job. But he should be considered just as much as rat boy for the last bench spot. Especially if he proves to be as, or more, versatile defensively.

[jumbo]

We're talking about the Christian Villanueva who put up a .750 OPS while repeating AAA in his age 24 season last year?

I mean, anything's possible, but as it stands he's not a serious candidate for an MLB job.

Sure, he shouldn't just be given a job. But he should be considered just as much as rat boy for the last bench spot. Especially if he proves to be as, or more, versatile defensively.

What are the odds that Alcantara can reach some level of competence at the plate to make it in a utility role?

[CubsWin]

Could Villanueva be a super-sub/utility type guy for us? Can he Play 3B/2B/1B/COF as a bench/platoon type guy?

Villanueva has been tried at 2B when he was with the Texans and reports at the time of his trade said it didn't end well. He's played a total of 20 innings at that position in his time with the Cubs. He's primarily been a 3B and was pushed to 1B this past season in AAA. He probably could play some LF as well, but has limited experience there thus far. If he's being considered as a bench guy, he'd primarily be a 3B/1B.

Unfortunately, his bat has been uninspiring. Sure, he's putting up great numbers in a small sample in the Mexican League this winter, but he played there last season and produced at about the same rate as he did in AAA last year which was, well, uninspiring. Unless his bat as majorly turned a corner and he lights up spring training and AAA in the beginning of 2016, there's little reason to think his performance this winter is meaningful.

[Bilbo161]

Could Villanueva be a super-sub/utility type guy for us? Can he Play 3B/2B/1B/COF as a bench/platoon type guy?

Villanueva has been tried at 2B when he was with the Texans and reports at the time of his trade said it didn't end well. He's played a total of 20 innings at that position in his time with the Cubs. He's primarily been a 3B and was pushed to 1B this past season in AAA. He probably could play some LF as well, but has limited experience there thus far. If he's being considered as a bench guy, he'd primarily be a 3B/1B.

Unfortunately, his bat has been uninspiring. Sure, he's putting up great numbers in a small sample in the Mexican League this winter, but he played there last season and produced at about the same rate as he did in AAA last year which was, well, uninspiring. Unless his bat as majorly turned a corner and he lights up spring training and AAA in the beginning of 2016, there's little reason to think his performance this winter is meaningful.

Certainly not too inspiring considering how spoiled we have gotten lately. But, he does seem to be developing the kind of strike zone control that fits the system well. I'm just hoping he gets a chance to compete for a bench role and kind-of go from there. Just noticed last night's line. 1-3, 2 walks and 4 RBI's? Yep, he gets more time from me.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I mean, if you squint hard enough, the difference between a meh AAA player and an acceptable bench bat is small enough that you can convince yourself the former might be the latter. But you can pick up guys on waivers and off the minor league free agent market at will who are better than what Villanueva has shown to date.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Assuming "rat boy" is a Alcantara, I wouldn't consider him a serous candidate for an MLB job either.

[Vanilla Ice]

Assuming "rat boy" is a Alcantara, I wouldn't consider him a serous candidate for an MLB job either.

I was thinking that meant La Stella

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[Cubswin11]

Assuming "rat boy" is a Alcantara, I wouldn't consider him a serous candidate for an MLB job either.

Rat boy is LaStella, I absolutely consider him a serious candidate for a MLB job to start the year on the bench unless we add someone, Maddon used him a lot in important games down the stretch and in the playoffs.

[Cubswin11]

I like this a lot

[Vinestal]

I like this a lot

Baez starting in RF for Cangrejeros tonight in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League. He was 1/2 with an RBI single and a ground out last update I saw.

[NOLA]

Doug Dascenzo! I had no idea he was with the organization. The original Rat Boy.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

http://www.pasionxeldeporte.com/beisbol ... um=twitter

Gleyber Torres will miss playing in the VWL because of a ligament injury in his hand. He just needs rest, not surgery.

[jersey cubs fan]

I like this a lot

http://youtu.be/NH9t44iOiA4

[Vinestal]

I like this a lot

Baez starting in RF for Cangrejeros tonight in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League. He was 1/2 with an RBI single and a ground out last update I saw.

TheCCO-Minors @TheCCO_Minors
MLB.com has retracted @javy23baez playing RF for @CangrejerosPR last night and now is listing Edgardo Baez in RF