2015 Cubs Offseason Discussion

[SilenceS]

Mattingly is staying with the dodgers


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[TL1961]

Joe Maddon likely to land in LA according to ESPN..

Damn Friedman and Maddon to LA is not a good combo for the rest of the NL

ESPN reporting MAddon likely to land in LA is great news for teams other than LA. Lazy journalism. They are always trying to be first, and not most accurate. Easy to think LA is a strong possibility, but they report their guess before doing any actual work. LAD say Mattingly will be back. Maddon has interest in, and from, Cubs, who remain silent on the future of their own manager.

ESPN is a bunch of schlock, not journalism.

 

[JZsportsfan]

Jake Peavy costing himself a lot of money here this October. Read on Bleacher Nation he and Lester want to join the same team. Would still like to have him on the Cubs as long it was something like a 2 year deal

 

[brett05]

Jake Peavy costing himself a lot of money here this October. Read on Bleacher Nation he and Lester want to join the same team. Would still like to have him on the Cubs as long it was something like a 2 year deal

He wasn't getting a lot of money regardless.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

He wasn't getting a lot of money regardless.

2 year/$10 million at best and I wouldn't do that much.

 

[Boobaby1]

2 year/$10 million at best and I wouldn't do that much.

He will get more than that. It will probably be in the 3 year, 30-36 million range, especially if he stays in the NL.

 

[chibears55]

•The Cubs have made a series of roster trims, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Outfielder Ryan Kalish and infielders Chris Valaika and Josh Vitters have each been outrighted, according to Gonzales. Righty James McDonald has elected free agency as well.

 

[JZsportsfan]

•The Cubs have made a series of roster trims, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Outfielder Ryan Kalish and infielders Chris Valaika and Josh Vitters have each been outrighted, according to Gonzales. Righty James McDonald has elected free agency as well.

Good to see them cutting ties with dead weight

 

[beckdawg]

Cubs pick up Turners option just as I figured they would.

 

[brett05]

Cubs pick up Turners option just as I figured they would.

Smart move. Give Bosio a chance to fix him.

 

[DewsSox79]

Good to see them cutting ties with dead weight

vitters..,.wasnt he supposed to be awesome? kinda like brett jackson? well i guess specs not panning out wont happen again.


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[TC in Mississippi]

He will get more than that. It will probably be in the 3 year, 30-36 million range, especially if he stays in the NL.

I have to believe that scouts have watched him pitch. There is nothing left there. I have no idea how he put up the numbers he did in SF but hitters should be able to figure him out eventually.

 

[CSF77]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/2014-15-top-50-free-agents-with-predictions.html

Highlights:

Max Scherzer – Yankees
Jon Lester – Cubs. (at least the six years and $147MM Greinke received two years ago, and potentially more.)
James Shields – Red Sox
Hanley Ramirez – Yankees
Pablo Sandoval – Giants.
Victor Martinez – White Sox.
Melky Cabrera – Blue Jays.
Russell Martin – Cubs.
Nelson Cruz – Orioles
Yasmany Tomas – Phillies
Ervin Santana – Giants
Kenta Maeda – Astros.
David Robertson – Cubs.
Brandon McCarthy – Pirates
Francisco Liriano – Red Sox
Chase Headley – Red Sox
Andrew Miller – Tigers
Justin Masterson – Cubs (knee inflammation caused issues and expect a 1 year deal to rebuild value)
Aramis Ramirez – Brewers
Colby Rasmus – White Sox
Jed Lowrie – Blue Jays
Jason Hammel – Twins
Asdrubal Cabrera – Mets
Nick Markakis – Orioles
Adam LaRoche – Padres
Jake Peavy – Cubs
Hiroki Kuroda – Retirement
Mike Morse – Rangers
Michael Cuddyer – Mariners
Alex Rios – Giants
Edinson Volquez – Braves
Luke Gregerson – White Sox
Torii Hunter – Rangers
A.J. Burnett – Royals
Sergio Romo – Dodgers
Francisco Rodriguez – Blue Jays
Rafael Soriano – Astros
Ryan Vogelsong – Giants
Aaron Harang – Giants
Nori Aoki – Reds
Billy Butler – Mariners
Stephen Drew – Athletics
Emilio Bonifacio – Braves
Casey Janssen – Dodgers.
Pat Neshek – Astros
Brandon Morrow – Dodgers
Jason Grilli – Yankees
Brett Anderson – Twins
Josh Johnson – Padres
Jung-ho Kang – Orioles

 

[JZsportsfan]

Saw that list as well. Don't think Robertson makes any sense for the Cubs. Especially since he could chase Papelbon's $50 million deal. Can never have too many arms in the pen but that cost doesn't make sense for the Cubs now IMO.

vitters..,.wasnt he supposed to be awesome? kinda like brett jackson? well i guess specs not panning out wont happen again.


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Don't recall Vitters ever getting hype around the league. Only from the Chicago market shortly after he was drafted. Just because one is the top prospect in a particular farm doesn't mean they are actually good if the farm as a whole is atrocious, which is what the Cubs were for the longest time

 

[chibears55]

vitters..,.wasnt he supposed to be awesome? kinda like brett jackson? well i guess specs not panning out wont happen again.


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Vitters and Jackson were never considered " awesome " outside their organization once they reached AA

Vitters was ranked 70th in 2009 before he reached AA
never ranked in top 100 since..

Jackson was 32nd in 2011 before he reached AA
never ranked in top 100 since

These kids that are highly touted now for the cubs ( Baez, Soler, Russell, and Bryant ) all have been top 50 prospects for the last 2 seasons and two Bryant and Russell are top 5..

So, these kids are just a BIT better then vitters and jackson, dont ya think ? a lot higher chances for them to pan out.

 

[CSF77]

Saw that list as well. Don't think Robertson makes any sense for the Cubs. Especially since he could chase Papelbon's $50 million deal. Can never have too many arms in the pen but that cost doesn't make sense for the Cubs now IMO.




Don't recall Vitters ever getting hype around the league. Only from the Chicago market shortly after he was drafted. Just because one is the top prospect in a particular farm doesn't mean they are actually good if the farm as a whole is atrocious, which is what the Cubs were for the longest time

The pen is fine. I believe it is a lack of faith in unproven in a play off environment that the prediction was based off of.

They feel that it will be Martin. Which makes sense as they should invest into catcher after a major pitching staff investment.

 

[theberserkfury]

Is the concern with Martin just the age/money? Or is he one of the guys with draft pick compensation attached to signing him as well?

 

[chibears55]

Is the concern with Martin just the age/money? Or is he one of the guys with draft pick compensation attached to signing him as well?

My concern with Martin is last season was his only decent one in what last 5 years. ... im fine with castillo over him

 

[beckdawg]

I'm not really that into Martin. He's probably fine and all but I don't really think Castillo is that bad as an every day starter.

 

[Boobaby1]

I'm not really that into Martin. He's probably fine and all but I don't really think Castillo is that bad as an every day starter.

It's not that I am not into Martin, it's more of that I don't think he is the fit for the Cubs at this moment. If the Cubs had that pitching staff in line already (Dodgers, Cardinals, Nationals for example), and the young kids had found their strides, then I would pull the trigger and upgrade.

Right now, Castillo is serviceable and the Cubs need to focus their attention elsewhere IMO. I would be content with someone like A.J. from the left side for a year until maybe something else shakes out or that they can trade for someone.

Pitching and an additional bat to help the kids is important moving forward as even with free agent pick ups, 2015 is still going to be a learning year seeing that there are still a lot of question marks with the youth.

Having the Valbuena's, Coghlan's and such on the bench is huge and not being spoke of much. The fact that they can spell the youth who have not been through a whole year yet, or that the struggles could still continue for some and they could replace them and not lose much in the line-up is a luxury.

To think that last years starters could be this years bench should tell someone that the Cubs indeed are getting stronger in most facets of the game.

Question marks still? Sure. But it's nice to have insurance on the bench.