WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Scaling the RocksPebble ReportRockpileRockies Game ThreadsRockies Fan ExperienceRockies spring training: Where the bubble players standNew Rob Refsnyder Jersey ,49commentsWhere do the guys on the brink of the roster stand after a week of Spring Training games?MSTShareTweetShareShareRockies spring training: Where the bubble players standYes, it’s only been a week. Yes, it’s only Spring Training. Yes, it’s early. But it’s never too early to do a bit of speculating about what the Rockies are trying to learn as they prepare for the 2019 season. Given the Rockies’ emphasis on offense this season, it seemed like focusing on hitting was a good place to start, and let’s just say that the situation is very fluid.With this in mind, I went to Baseball Reference, which has spring training data, to see if we could glean anything from Week 1. A few cautionary remarks are in order. First, this is a very small sample size. (In the course of writing this article, I saw significant swings in players’ numbers because there is so little data.) Second, Baseball Reference’s listing of positions played is imperfect. For example, I know Garrett Hampson has played at least two innings in center field, but this isn’t reflected in B-Ref’s data. Essentially, I’m indulging in slightly informed guessing. I focused on players either trying to make the team or earn a position. (I’ve included Dahl only as a comparator — no one doubts he will be starting in left field.) Included are the number of plate appearances, slash lines, and positions played, as best as I can determine. Also, a player needed at least 10 plate appearances to be included. (Note that these numbers are current as of Monday morning, March 4.)Bubble Players Offensive DataPlayerPlate AppearancesSlashlineOPSPositions PlayedPlayerPlate AppearancesSlashlineOPSPositions PlayedHere is some early speculation.Tapia is getting his shot — With 21 plate appearances, it’s clear the Rockies are seeing how much swagger Tapia can bring to the outfield with an emphasis on right and center. So far, he is not disappointing, and it looks like it is (finally) “Tap Time,” to quote Bud Black, assuming that Tapia can show himself to be a versatile fourth outfielder. His being out of options is likely forcing the issue. Cuevas is also getting his shot — Noel Cuevas is having a good spring training. The number of positions he’s played suggest the Rockies see him as a true utility outfielder, who could be especially valuable given that he is a righty in an outfield dominated by lefties. The question will be if he can continue to be effective offensively and outplay Tapia.The competition between Hampson and McMahon for second is close — Both players have brought their A-games to spring training. Positions played suggest that the Rockies see speedy Hampson as more versatile than McMahon http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , who doesn’t look to be competing for first base playing time this season (I’m assuming that position will be split between Daniel Murphy and Mark Reynolds). Prediction: I expect to see a platoon at second when the season begins. (For what it’s worth, here’s Trevor Story’s take on both players. Nick Groke sees McMahon winning the starting spot; Patrick Saunders sees Hampson as having an inside track.)Michael Saunders is a (right-handed) mystery— With his back-from-the-brink-of-retirement, Saunders is having an effective spring in terms of offense — and that’s good given that he spent last year working to improve his swing. He’s seen limited stints in left field and does not appear to be as versatile as Tapia and Cuevas. Perhaps the Rockies have a clear sense of his defensive abilities and only want to see his bat, instead giving fielding time to younger players. Whether he makes the team, I have no idea. (You can read more about Saunders here.)Valaika is making a serious run — After a grim 2018, Valaika is trying to get back to his 2017 form, and the early indications are that he might, hitting three home runs in two games. Black has said that Valaika is in serious contention for a position given his early showing. He’s been playing throughout the infield during spring training. That said, he’s probably actually competing for a bench spot. The Rockies value defense, and Hampson is the better defender.Tom Murphy, and Tauchman need to step up — So far, this has not been the best spring training for Tauchman and Murphy (though in fairness, Murphy has seen limited time). Murphy presents a Tapia-like quandary given that he’s also out of options. Tauchman has been given ample at bats, but the offense isn’t there yet.The youngsters, while exciting, aren’t there yet — Hilliard, Mundell, Daza, and Rodgers are getting their opportunities, but the early results suggest they need more time in the minors before they’re ready for Coors. However, Rodgers is close.Just to be clear, I wouldn’t bet money on any of this — it’s simply too early — but the picture is becoming slightly less murky. If pressed, based on what we know right now, I’d say that Wolters, Murphy, Tapia http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , Hampson, and McMahon stay with the Rockies while the others (including Valaika and Saunders) head to Albuquerque. Given that Tapia and Murphy are out of options, it makes sense for the Rockies to test them at the MLB level and then deal with the consequences if it becomes clear either player isn’t what the Rockies need. (Yes, the Rockies will probably carry three catchers again.)But I also expect I-25 to be busy with players shuffling between Albuquerque and Denver when the season starts as the sorting continues.That’s where I am right now. What do you see happening? The bullpen has been good and likely stays good, but who’s the ninth-inning guy?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Chicago Cubs recapsChicago Cubs minor leaguesChicago Cubs essaysChicago Cubs game threadsWrigley Field renovationsFull archiveLibrary Bleed Cubbie Blue Community GuidelinesCurrent time in ChicagoBCB Specials & Site InfoWinter 2019 music threadsCubs StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Cubs newsYahoo Cubs team pageYahoo Cubs reportYahoo Cubs depth chartYahoo Cubs transactionsYahoo Cubs photosOdds Shop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub 鉁旵hicago Cubs essaysChicago Cubs spring trainingPedro Strop might miss Opening Day. If so, who’s the Cubs’ closer?New,102commentsThe bullpen has been good and likely stays good, but who’s the ninth-inning guy?CDTShareTweetShareSharePedro Strop might miss Opening Day. If so, who’s the Cubs’ closer?Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsBrandon Morrow, who was signed to a two-year deal (with a third-year option) to be the Cubs’ closer beginning in 2018, won’t be ready for Opening Day. He hasn’t thrown a single pitch in spring training and early May is the best-case scenario.Pedro Strop, who closed in Morrow’s absence in 2018 and did very well at that, was slated to be the closer beginning the 2019 season, but... uh-oh...Now. Maybe this is no big deal. As noted by Patrick Mooney, this mild hamstring strain is not on the same leg Strop injured running the bases last September in Washington. And, often teams act with an abundance of caution during spring training, not putting pitchers into meaningless games if they have minor injuries. Joe Maddon’s quote, “It’s something we caught quickly. I can’t emphasize enough – it doesn’t look bad. But you don’t push a guy like that right now,” would seem to indicate that maybe this would be a “day-to-day” thing if it were the regular season, but since it’s not, they can let him rest for a couple of weeks.People get the impression that the Cubs’ bullpen wasn’t any good last year because of the injuries to Morrow and Strop and the ineffectiveness of Brandon Kintzler and others. In reality, though, the Cubs pen was quite good overall. They posted a 3.35 ERA, best in the National League, had 46 saves and 19 blown saves (71 percent, second-best in the N.L.) Christian Arroyo Jersey , allowed 29 percent of inherited runners to score (fifth-best in the N.L.), and allowed just 51 home runs, fewest of any pen in the major leagues in 2018.So despite lacking a traditional, 95+ closer for much of 2018, there was nothing wrong with the Cubs’ pen.They will miss Strop, though, if he’s not available Opening Day.There are a few choices for closer in the absence of Strop and Morrow.Carl Edwards Jr.CJ has looked good this spring with his new Kenley Jansen-style motion in which he hesitates with his front leg before pitching. He’s always seemed to be a closer-in-waiting. All he needs to do is cut down on the walks (5.5 per nine innings in 2018, 4.9 career).Brad BrachBrach has closed before, for the Orioles in 2017 and 2018. He’s got 33 career saves. However, he’s been slowed by a bout of mononucleosis this spring and might wind up also starting the year on the injured list.Steve CishekAnother pitcher with closing experience, he’s had two 30-save seasons in his career (Marlins, 2013 and 2014) and had 25 saves for the 2016 Mariners. His funky sidearm motion and lack of velocity aren’t traditional “closer” traits, but he does a good job of getting guys out.Brandon KintzlerKintzler, as noted above, was ineffective last year. He’s made four appearances this spring. Three were pretty good, one was awful. Kintzler closed for the Twins in 2016 and 2017 and in 2017, posted 28 saves with only four blown saves through the end of July, which is how he got himself traded to the Nationals that year. He’s a ground-ball pitcher and is most effective getting outs that way.Then there’s the non-traditional idea of Dillon Maples, who has a devastating slider... when he can get it over the plate. Maples has done that reasonably well this spring, throwing 4鈪?innings with two walks and nine strikeouts. With the current uncertainty regarding Strop, Brach and others, Maples has a chance to make the Opening Day roster.Who would you choose to close Cubs games starting March 28 in Texas if Pedro’s not available?