2015 Cubs Offseason Discussion

[beckdawg]

It's not even the winter meetings yet...

 

[chibears55]

Man, aside from the, out of nowhere, signing of Maddon, this has been a lame off season so far...

Cause their really not looking for much so their taking their time to get it. ..
Catcher, SP, Rel and LFer was their main targets going into the offseason. .


Russell martin was a key target for a reasonable price..
Blue jays went beyond that price and got him..
Now they set their focus on maybe a trade for montero, depending the asking price or just getting a lefty backup for castillo. .


They seem to have set their focus more on a veteran platoon LFer for maybe a 1 or 2 yr deal to go with coghlin over bringing in someone fulltime like melky cabrera, so im sure a signing of one will come once the player feels the cubs may be their best offer...


RP isnt that big a priority, im sure if they do get one it won't be anyone big.. most likely a lefty...


The SP is their main focus and i think their choices are prioritized with Lester as their main goal..
If they dont get Lester, then my guess they look towards a trade for either Hamel or Zimmerman. .. if those dont happen then they go to their lesser options and probably look to bring in 2 guys...


My guess is we will see moves come either during or right after the meetings up until right before Christmas. ....

 

[JZsportsfan]

Only 2 bigger name FA's have even signed yet. And Martinez never really even hit the market

 

[chibears55]

@suntimes_sports: #Cubs add Henry Blanco to coaching staff; Dave Martinez might be next, writes @GDubCub. sun-tim.es/1y0CsLE pic.twitter.com/AakSnr1Iiq

 

[Shawon0Meter]

and the Hank White Fan Club celebrates

 

[beckdawg]

If Sandoval is worth $20 mil a year(reportedly what sox offered) what's Valbuena worth? The last 3 years the two hit the following

Sandoval
2012 - .283/.342/.447 with 12 HRs in 442 PAs 1.4 UZR/150
2013 - .278/.341/.417 with 14 HRs in 584 PAs -6.3 UZR/150
2014 - .279/.324/.415 with 16 HRs in 638 PAs 3.5 UZR/150

Valbuena
2012 - .219/.310/.340 with 4 HRs in 303 PAs 27.5 UZR/150
2013 - .218/.331/.378 with 12 HRs in 391 PAs 18.6 UZR/150
2014 - .249/.341/.435 with 16 HRs in 547 PAs -4.9 UZR/150

Sandoval will be 28 this year. Valbuena will be 29. It's also worth noting that Valbuena's UZR/150 is in about half the innings so it's not as reliable but over the 3 year stretch you're talking close to 1400 innings at 3B so I'd say he's probably slightly above average defensively and not far off what Sandoval is and perhaps better. From a hitting stand point, you're talking 42 HRs for Sandoval in 1664 PAs vs 32 HRs for Valbuena in 1241 PAs. Sandoval pretty well crushes Valbuena in average but in OBP they are roughly equivalent especially the past 2 years. Sandoval might have a tad bit more power if last year was a bit of an outlier for Valbuena but again, it's not a dramatic difference. That's not to say Valbuena is clearly better than Sandoval or necessarily as good but he's definitely in the ball park.

I'm honestly inclined to see the cubs keep him especially if for whatever reason they are able to sign him for a deal much closer to public perception of his value.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

If Sandoval is worth $20 mil a year(reportedly what sox offered) what's Valbuena worth? The last 3 years the two hit the following

Sandoval
2012 - .283/.342/.447 with 12 HRs in 442 PAs 1.4 UZR/150
2013 - .278/.341/.417 with 14 HRs in 584 PAs -6.3 UZR/150
2014 - .279/.324/.415 with 16 HRs in 638 PAs 3.5 UZR/150

Valbuena
2012 - .219/.310/.340 with 4 HRs in 303 PAs 27.5 UZR/150
2013 - .218/.331/.378 with 12 HRs in 391 PAs 18.6 UZR/150
2014 - .249/.341/.435 with 16 HRs in 547 PAs -4.9 UZR/150

Sandoval will be 28 this year. Valbuena will be 29. It's also worth noting that Valbuena's UZR/150 is in about half the innings so it's not as reliable but over the 3 year stretch you're talking close to 1400 innings at 3B so I'd say he's probably slightly above average defensively and not far off what Sandoval is and perhaps better. From a hitting stand point, you're talking 42 HRs for Sandoval in 1664 PAs vs 32 HRs for Valbuena in 1241 PAs. Sandoval pretty well crushes Valbuena in average but in OBP they are roughly equivalent especially the past 2 years. Sandoval might have a tad bit more power if last year was a bit of an outlier for Valbuena but again, it's not a dramatic difference. That's not to say Valbuena is clearly better than Sandoval or necessarily as good but he's definitely in the ball park.

I'm honestly inclined to see the cubs keep him especially if for whatever reason they are able to sign him for a deal much closer to public perception of his value.

Makes his trade value interesting no?

 

[brett05]

You guys are not giving the massive bump that Pablo gets by playing everyday year in and year out. And playing well in the playoffs.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

You guys are not giving the massive bump that Pablo gets by playing everyday year in and year out. And playing well in the playoffs.

Oh no, I definitely do. I think that's a bit much for Sandoval but it's in the ballpark and no way is Valbuena worth the same thing. All I said was that it boosts his trade value.

 

[SilenceS]

Pablo is completely over rated. Not worth the money. I wouldnt put Valbuena into his category, but that dude has lived off his seasons when he was younger. The last 3 years he has been an average third baseman. It just so happens that the league has shit at third base right now so he looks good. Also, his postseason's added money to his contract. I would want no part of that contract. Its going to end with him eating himself out of baseball.

 

[brett05]

hard to disagree

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Pablo is completely over rated. Not worth the money. I wouldnt put Valbuena into his category, but that dude has lived off his seasons when he was younger. The last 3 years he has been an average third baseman. It just so happens that the league has shit at third base right now so he looks good. Also, his postseason's added money to his contract. I would want no part of that contract. Its going to end with him eating himself out of baseball.

I'm with you. Both these deals smack of ownership decisions as opposed to strictly baseball moves.

 

[beckdawg]

Mike Petriello wrote about how catcher Yasmani Grandal is poised for a breakout – an article that Peter Gammons shared, noting that he would be “perfect for Cubs.” I’ve written about Grandal is a very interesting target for the Cubs, as well. I’m not sure that Gammons was doing more than speculating, but it was still worth noting – after all, he listed only one team.

If they can get him reasonably cheap I love this concept.

 

[CSF77]

Interesting. Pads have the best D catching prospect in baseball going into AAA this year. (Austin Hedges).

 

[chibears55]

@fastony12: To all the haters that said the Cubs prospects won't turn into anything, 1st place in the trib bitchezzz!! @thekapman pic.twitter.com/AIySxWLUiQ

 

[chibears55]

@BleacherNation: Cubs Have Received Permission to Talk to Dave Martinez http://www.bleachernation.com/2014/12/01/cubs-have-received-permission-to-talk-to-dave-martinez/

Cubs should have one of the top upper management, one of the top manager, solid coaching staff, solid scouting department, and one of the top farm system .. hopefully this will soon add up to one of the best team in MLB where it counts

 

[chibears55]

@CarrieMuskat: #Cubs expected to tender contracts to all 10 arb-eligible players, including Wood, Arrieta, Castillo. atmlb.com/1tvZJ3X via @MLB

 

[beckdawg]

You know who's been a total after thought this offseason thus far? Junior Lake. Not saying he deserves much more attention but it seems some what obvious he's probably not in the cubs long term plans. He's also only 24 and has some upside not to mention being cheap. I could see him being a useful cog(with others clearly) in a trade for Grandal. Will Venable is 32 and a 2016 FA. Chris Denorfia I'm pretty sure is a FA this year. And their other options have been less than spectacular. Quentin has been hurt a lot as well as being 32 with 2 years left(one an option). Maybin and Smith I believe are both there for awhile after signing extensions.

 

[theberserkfury]

You know who's been a total after thought this offseason thus far? Junior Lake. Not saying he deserves much more attention but it seems some what obvious he's probably not in the cubs long term plans. He's also only 24 and has some upside not to mention being cheap. I could see him being a useful cog(with others clearly) in a trade for Grandal. Will Venable is 32 and a 2016 FA. Chris Denorfia I'm pretty sure is a FA this year. And their other options have been less than spectacular. Quentin has been hurt a lot as well as being 32 with 2 years left(one an option). Maybin and Smith I believe are both there for awhile after signing extensions.

Yeah, I forgot he existed. Poor guy.

 

[JZsportsfan]

Confused as to why the Cubs did not tender Wesley Wright