I understand that.....

But...

Byrd will be 35 by time this season is over and is producing well below what even an average ML outfield would produce

That's all fine & dandy that he hustles and plays the game hard. He's not going to remotely be around this team when they actually are competing for a division let alone a championship.

You put Jackson out there in center, get his feet wet and begin the conversion to the youth movement that this front office obviously has put a ton of stock in. There's no reason to trot Byrd out there anymore.

With his age and contract and lack of production .. it's not going to matter if they trade him now or in July. They aren't going to get much in return - that's my point.

Veteran leadership means nothing on a team that is not full of youngsters right now. This is his last year and this team is still heavily veteran and not "young"... yet.

I agree 100% I'd rather see Jackson, but I'mjust saying having a bunch of geat attitude hustlers all out players makes me happy! :)

Well of course, so do I. But there's no reason why Brett Jackson shouldn't be starting in center field this year.

None whatsoever.

I couldn't disagree more. There is a difference.

He will be by June first.

What difference are you talking about?

Holding onto Byrd till June/July?

Again.. there is zero difference if you trade him now vs. then. You're going to get little in return regardless. I'd much rather have Jackson on the big league club to start the season and get his feet wet for a full ML baseball season - especially considering this front office doesn't believe they can win this year.

I'd rather we control him for an extra year.

There is no logical reason to start Brett right away

Keeping him in AAA for a month or two not only gives us an extra year of control, but it might help him solve his 30% K rate

That wouldn't hurt either.

Now vs. Later and the return all matter...

You trade Byrd now and bring up BJax, you will start his service contract and lose control over an entire year for the team. And in this year, it may be prudent for the Cubs to wait to bring him up. He did not face one full count during the preseason and had a .091 BA/OBP with 2 strikes, so he does have something to work on. No need to rush players just because there is a youth movement.

The quality of player matters too. Theo explained that he would like to turn short-term assets into long-term... Byrd brings little in a trade right now. Worse thing that could happen? He hits like last year and someone takes him at midseason for what they would take him now. Best case scenario, he plays well (better) and someone gets injured on another team, and there is a need for him therefore giving leverage to the Cubs for a better trade.

Build stock, increase trade value, allow BJax to continue improving, stall his service clock...

I love hyperbole, it's a million times more accurate than facts.

Bottom line - Get Byrd out of the nest.

Where is all the no don't do it crowd? Maybe they vanished when they heard Theo is on board.

Nobody said don't do it.

I agree. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Joe Mather has played himself into the starting CF on this team. He has looked great at the plate, on the bases, and in the field. The nice thing with Mather is that you can start him in CF, and when BJax does get the call you could move Mather to 3B or 1B or wherever depending on the need. If he is not performing then you put him on the bench with Baker.

spring training means nothing!

Look up Erick Almonte, he hit .416/.438/.586/1.063 in spring training last year.

Maybe. But when players are battling for spots on the team, it means a whole lot. If Byrd is traded then you go with the hot hand going into the season. At this point, that is Mather. If he starts the year 0 for 20, then you give Johnson, Sappelt, or Campana a shot at it. Whoever is there is just keeping the spot warm for BJax this summer.

I don't see the point in rushing Jackson up in a year where we won't contend. That would be a typical Cub move and might not be the best for him and his development. Let him gain some more confidence in AAA and wait until some team is desperate because of injuries to trade Byrd, IMO.

BJax could use some more time at AAA. I have no issue with this either. Deal Byrd though.