Levine- Theo Epstein putting Stock in Soler

[mdwilla]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/12/19/ ... rs-future/

As for Jorge’s defense we have challenged him to get a little bit leaner and better. We want him to work on his jumps in right field and that is what he is working on now. I just watched some videos of him training and he looks great. He is down to 225 and is working hard on his quickness and flexibility. He looks fantastic. This guy wants to play. He did not like that when he returned from his injury last year he wasn’t playing every day. We loved the way he worked his way back into the lineup and took Adam Wainwright and Jacob deGrom deep. He is king of effortless in his ability to hit the ball deep into the stands.”

The Cubs have plenty of time to add to the pitching staff and make moves in season with the players they have acquired. Epstein was adamant about building around Soler.

“We are putting our stock into his future,” Epstein emphasized during his interview on “Inside the Clubhouse.” “Barring anything (package that can’t be ignored), he knows to ignore all the trade rumors and take it as a compliment.”

Epstein did allude to adding a defensive specialist in the outfield, but balked at giving up at-bats for Soler or Schwarber on an everyday basis.

“I think an outfield of Schwarber, Heyward and Soler can be one of the best in baseball,” Epstein said if the corner men work hard on improving.

[TomtheBombadil]

It's going to be fun hearing about how Theo said Soler's defense has improved off of this.

Great Soler commercial...How often do you get a pre-New Year's, let alone ST, Best Shape of His Life/New Physique guy? What's their success rate?!?!?!

[Backtobanks]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/12/19/levine-theo-epstein-putting-stock-in-jorge-solers-future/

As for Jorge’s defense we have challenged him to get a little bit leaner and better. We want him to work on his jumps in right field and that is what he is working on now. I just watched some videos of him training and he looks great. He is down to 225 and is working hard on his quickness and flexibility. He looks fantastic. This guy wants to play. He did not like that when he returned from his injury last year he wasn’t playing every day. We loved the way he worked his way back into the lineup and took Adam Wainwright and Jacob deGrom deep. He is king of effortless in his ability to hit the ball deep into the stands.”

The Cubs have plenty of time to add to the pitching staff and make moves in season with the players they have acquired. Epstein was adamant about building around Soler.

“We are putting our stock into his future,” Epstein emphasized during his interview on “Inside the Clubhouse.” “Barring anything (package that can’t be ignored), he knows to ignore all the trade rumors and take it as a compliment.”

Epstein did allude to adding a defensive specialist in the outfield, but balked at giving up at-bats for Soler or Schwarber on an everyday basis.

“I think an outfield of Schwarber, Heyward and Soler can be one of the best in baseball,” Epstein said if the corner men work hard on improving.

Didn't we hear a lot of compliments and a no-trade promise about Castro before he was traded?

[Lefty]

I am a heavy drinker of the Theo Kool-Aid. If he's serious, great, I think Soler can be a terrific hitter. If Theo is engaging in puffery, that's also great.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

A best shape of his life and rededicated story already? Winter is flying by.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I get the feeling Soler was only available in trade for Carrasco, Salazar, Miller types of pitchers and at this point they know a 1 for 1 for that type of pitcher is not possible. I don't think the intention with him or Baez has ever been to get less that max value for them.

Soler can be an absolute monster and can still improve to become adequate defensively. He is not getting trade unless the Indians reconsider for Jose Fernandez becomes available at workable price.

They can pluck a starter from a team selling off pieces mid season using prospects like McKinney etc.

[SouthSideRyan]

Given the market, I think pieces like McKinney equal another Dan Haren.

[Cubbie Swagger]

I am calling a breakout year by Soler. Remember this post.

I have never left the Soler bandwagon. He reminds me too much of Vlad Guerrero.

[Tryptamine]

I am calling a breakout year by Soler. Remember this post.

I have never left the Soler bandwagon. He reminds me too much of Vlad Guerrero.

Far more worried about the defense than the bat. He's going to mash.

[chopsx9]

I am calling a breakout year by Soler. Remember this post.

I have never left the Soler bandwagon. He reminds me too much of Vlad Guerrero.

+1

[Cubbie Swagger]

I can't argue with you there. But, just based on how athletic he is, I'm optimistic that he figures it out.

[WrigleyField 22]

Vlad is kind of a terrible comp.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Vlad is kind of a terrible comp.

Jermaine Dye? Raul Mondesi?

[David]

Vlad is kind of a terrible comp.

Very very terrible. The swing and miss and the plate approaches are almost opposites.

[WrigleyField 22]

Vlad is kind of a terrible comp.

Jermaine Dye? Raul Mondesi?

Much more reasonable, though still would be the high end projections I think. But just ballparking it those career slash and bb/k rates are probably somewhere in his high end range. Of course duplicating those numbers in this run environment would be more valuable than it was in the 2000s.

But even if he ended up as valuable as Vlad, it is a bad comparison style wise.

[Gmoney08]

Vlad is kind of a terrible comp.

But they are both black Cubans..

Oh wait Vlad was Dominican..









Even though they dont play the same way I sorta see the comparison to Vlad. Similar body types, athletic, strong & sort of violent way of being athletic, from their swing, to the way they run. Some players are gracefully fluid, Vlad & Soler are kind of herky jerky in their elite athleticism.

[yanrslatr]

Vlad is kind of a terrible comp.

even at the most basic level - the effort displayed by their swings - it's a terrible comp. Soler looks like he's on a relaxing walk in the park, picks up a stick, and decides to hit a ball 100 mph. Vlad looks like Dark Helmet swinging wildly while Lone Star holds him at bay with a hand on his head.

[David]

they didn't call him the impaler for nothing

[Sammy Sofa]

Didn't Baez have some Vlad comps at some point?

[WrigleyField 22]

Didn't Baez have some Vlad comps at some point?

Lol really? If there were I hope it was before he saw a single professional AB.

[TomtheBombadil]

Vlad is kind of a terrible comp.

You're way too kind to that comp. I basically see it as batshyte nuts.

Worse comp over the Theo years - Soler/Vlad or Baez/Sheffield? Probably the Vlad one since those who finished the sentence with Baez/Sheffield saw it was a comp on bat speed.

[WrigleyField 22]

Man, I always think of Vlad for his contact ability and plate coverage I forgot how patient he still was a well.

Looks like despite the cannon of an arm, his D never really added much value though.

[WrigleyField 22]

Vlad is kind of a terrible comp.

You're way too kind to that comp. I basically see it as batshyte nuts.

Worse comp over the Theo years - Soler/Vlad or Baez/Sheffield? Probably the Vlad one since those who finished the sentence with Baez/Sheffield saw it was a comp on bat speed.

Yeah the bat speed thing, but also those comps were largely being made early on when there was some hope (ignorance perhaps) that he could develop a better approach.

[David]

Man, I always think of Vlad for his contact ability and plate coverage I forgot how patient he still was a well.

Looks like despite the cannon of an arm, his D never really added much value though.

he didn't start off walking much. i think as his reputation built, he got pitched around more. now there's obviously the guys that would still swing, so it's not like you take away the credit, but yeah.

[Cubswin11]

Justin Upton, is a good comp for Soler in terms of ceiling. Especially 2014 Upton, 9.4% BB%, 26.7% K% .270/.342/.491 slash line.