Chicago Cubs Re-Sign Ryan Sweeney

[waldo7239117]

According to Bob Nightengale, the Chicago Cubs have re-signed outfielder Ryan Sweeney to a 2-year deal, plus an option. Sweeney will make 1.5 million in 2014 and in 2015. The club option is worth 2.5 million and has a 500,000 buyout.

Sweeney said; "I'm glad to be back and have this taken care of soon.'' Sweeney was referring to free agency.
The Cubs signed Sweeney on April 2nd last year after he did not make the Boston Red Sox team out of spring training. Instead of opting for the minors, Sweeney chose free agency and opened the window to sign with the Cubs. Sweeney started his Cubs journey with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs and was called up the big leagues on May 6th.

Sweeney is 28-years old and can play all three outfield spots. Sweeney played in 70 games last season and had 196 at-bats. In those 192 at-bats, Sweeney had 6 home runs, 19 runs batted in, 17 walks, struck out 31 times and had a line of .266/.324/.448/.772.

As of right now, Sweeney is a starter for one of the three outfield spots. But when the 2014 season comes around, he's expected to be a 4th outfielder.

Sweeney plays with a lot of guts and has no regard for his body. Sweeney will run into the wall to help his team win. Sweeney ran into the wall this year and was later placed on the 60-day DL with a broken rib. He's a good guy and a team player.

From the looks of it, the signing of Sweeney could mean the end of Brian Bogusevic. That's not a certain, but the Cubs are expected to pick up a starting outfielder this off-season.

While the Cubs wait for a decision by Joe Girardi, the Cubs took care of one of their own players.

http://www.chicitysports.com/2013/10/08/chicago-cubs-re-signs-ryan-sweeney/

 

[Flacco4Prez]

Meh, he is a good guy to have on the bench. Can play the 3 OF spots. He should get a lot of time this year unless we spring open for Ellsbury/Choo. Can hold down the fort until Bryant/Olt/Almora/Soler potentially move into the OF

 

[chibears55]

good signing.. part of the reason why they traded soriano, was to be able to get him ABs when he returned from his injury.

good LH bat off the bench..

with schierholtz starting in RF, and more then likely they go after a CFer via FA ( choo or ellsbury ),
be interesting to see if they decide to platoon bogusevic and lake in LF until one of the prospects is ready.

 

[waldo7239117]

The Cubs said this year they want to keep Lake in CF as much as possible. So, there's that.

 

[Derkach77]

Very good backup and possible starting RF if Nate isnt retained.

 

[dabynsky]

Good deal. The fact that the Cubs have him on the cheap for the next three seasons is a good deal and so not much to complain about this deal.

 

[chibears55]

Very good backup and possible starting RF if Nate isnt retained.

i guess yea he could turn down their ARb offer and become a FA, but i think they will come to an agreement

The Cubs said this year they want to keep Lake in CF as much as possible. So, there's that.

sure theyd like to keep him in CF as much as much as possible, but if they can get a better everyday starter in CF over him, im sure they would prefer that to happen.

 

[CSF77]

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs have signed outfielder Ryan Sweeney to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

Sweeney will get $1.5 million in 2014 and again in '15, and the Cubs hold a $2.5 million option for '16 that includes a $500,000 buyout.

The left-handed-hitting outfielder batted .266 in 70 games with the Cubs this past season, hitting six home runs, 13 doubles and two triples. He was sidelined from June 30-Sept. 1 with a fractured left rib that he sustained while crashing into the outfield wall in Seattle on June 29. Sweeney was batting .295 before the injury.

 

[CSF77]

I like his style of play but it concerns me some. Sweeney was viewed as a full time player because he was able to hit LH pitching.

LHP .313/.365/.458
RHP .250/.310/.444

So he is a full time projection vs a bench bat off of the bench.

D wise he brings it.

My problem is in his project-able production and it feels like another low budget place holder move.

He feels like a 15 HR bat that will hit .260-270 at low cost to the ownership.

I'm seeing an OF of Lake/Sweeney/Schierholtz out of S/T. Sub par to league standards.

 

[waldo7239117]

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs have signed outfielder Ryan Sweeney to a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

Sweeney will get $1.5 million in 2014 and again in '15, and the Cubs hold a $2.5 million option for '16 that includes a $500,000 buyout.

The left-handed-hitting outfielder batted .266 in 70 games with the Cubs this past season, hitting six home runs, 13 doubles and two triples. He was sidelined from June 30-Sept. 1 with a fractured left rib that he sustained while crashing into the outfield wall in Seattle on June 29. Sweeney was batting .295 before the injury.

I don't see who they would sign for CF. It could happen, but I don't know a guy right now.

Choo would be left
CarGo would be left
Stanton would be left or right

Those were names mentioned, but all are see as long shots. Ellsbury isn't happening, so yeah.

 

[CSF77]

I don't see who they would sign for CF. It could happen, but I don't know a guy right now.

Choo would be left
CarGo would be left
Stanton would be left or right

Those were names mentioned, but all are see as long shots. Ellsbury isn't happening, so yeah.

The way I look at it is I try to project next year and the following year.

2014: Under contract: Sweeney, Lake, Schierholtz. Soler AA (bet he splits 1/2 AA/2nd half AAA)
2015 potential situation: Sweeney/Lake/Soler

Sweeney is not a bad player but is filler. He lacks 1 tool that is considered top end. Basically just another LH bat to split up some RH bats going forward.

 

[waldo7239117]

I think Almora is on the border of AA as well. Depending on how he does in the AFL, he could join Soler in AA to start season.

 

[beckdawg]

I like his style of play but it concerns me some. Sweeney was viewed as a full time player because he was able to hit LH pitching.

LHP .313/.365/.458
RHP .250/.310/.444

So he is a full time projection vs a bench bat off of the bench.

D wise he brings it.

My problem is in his project-able production and it feels like another low budget place holder move.

He feels like a 15 HR bat that will hit .260-270 at low cost to the ownership.

I'm seeing an OF of Lake/Sweeney/Schierholtz out of S/T. Sub par to league standards.

He's probably in a platoon with someone would be my expectation. You could platoon him and Lake in CF for example giving you a lefty and a righty option.

 

[CSF77]

He's probably in a platoon with someone would be my expectation. You could platoon him and Lake in CF for example giving you a lefty and a righty option.

The numbers don't support that. If Lake is in a platoon it would be in RF with Schierholtz. The splits support a platoon with Schierholtz.

Lake:................................Schierholtz.................Sweeney
LHP: .377/.415/.541...........170/.308/.245............313/.365/.458
RHP: .251/.303/.389...........262/.300/.499............250/.310/.444


Sweeney's production suggests that he hitts LHP BETTER than RHP which means FULL TIME PLAYER.
The fact they inked Sweeney suggests that they are staying status que with filler until the farm produces.

The only way I see them signing a F/A now is if they cash out on Schierholtz this off season.

 

[beckdawg]

The numbers don't support that. If Lake is in a platoon it would be in RF with Schierholtz. The splits support a platoon with Schierholtz.

Lake:................................Schierholtz.................Sweeney
LHP: .377/.415/.541...........170/.308/.245............313/.365/.458
RHP: .251/.303/.389...........262/.300/.499............250/.310/.444


Sweeney's production suggests that he hitts LHP BETTER than RHP which means FULL TIME PLAYER.
The fact they inked Sweeney suggests that they are staying status que with filler until the farm produces.

The only way I see them signing a F/A now is if they cash out on Schierholtz this off season.

Fair enough but honestly, I see them moving Lake around more in a utility fashion rather than a typical platoon. For example, he might get 200 ABs in RF 150 in CF and maybe another 150 in LF.

 

[CSF77]

Fair enough but honestly, I see them moving Lake around more in a utility fashion rather than a typical platoon. For example, he might get 200 ABs in RF 150 in CF and maybe another 150 in LF.

Maybe. I believe they are better served by giving him stability and see what happens with him.

 

[dabears253313]

There it is.

 

[SilenceS]

I think the Cubs give Josh Vitters a shot to start next year at third. Just a guess.

 

[dabears253313]

I think the Cubs give Josh Vitters a shot to start next year at third. Just a guess.

I hope so.

 

[Boobaby1]

I think the Cubs give Josh Vitters a shot to start next year at third. Just a guess.

I can't wait. I am trembling at the thought of having a team (besides what little core there is) filled with utility players taking the field every day.

Cheers to another top 5 pick in 2015.