~60 million to spend?

[JZsportsfan]

It's hard projecting parts of the offseason without knowing what position Bryant will play at in the majors in 2015. If he plays 3B, that makes OF the #2 prioirty after a TOR SP. If he plays in the OF, I think the Cubs could just start Valbuena everyday. I don't think Sandoval will be worth his contract, and his defense is going to go downhill fast. I think he goes to the AL East. Not really a fan of Headley either, he isn't worth the money he will get paid either. Hasn't been the same player the past few years.

Melky could accept his qualifying offer, and I don't think Nelson Cruz would come to the Cubs as the years won't be there.

I'd like to get Martin, but I don't think it's a big deal if they don't land him.

 

[CSF77]

unexpected:

The Cubs and left-handed pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada agreed to a $4 million contract for next season on Monday. The deal includes an additional $2 million in incentives.

 

[Boobaby1]

Seems a lot of people are looking for a veteran OF, most likely for LF.

But I saw today that only 20 OF had an OPS >.800 in 2014, and Coghlan was one of them.

If the right guy was available, I could see an acquisition, but i don't know who that might be. Melky Cabrera or nelson Cruz to be a starter? Seems unlikely, as the price tag would be high, and the contract likely too long.

I don't believe there are any CF's worth looking at, and I personally want Alcantara to be given first shot at retaining that position.

Soler in RF is a no-brainer.

I do think they need depth/insurance in the OF. Don't have a real good guess on who it may be.

I know I have said this before, but if people liked Markakis, then I wouldn't rule out Headley. He is a lefty (switch hitter), nice OBP and good defense. Perfect for what the Cubs need. Ideal in the 2-hole, veteran, and I don't mark his one year wonder as being that everything is declining ever since.

Absolutely nothing wrong with preparing Bryant for LF, and in the short time that he figures NOT to be on the Cubs, they simply can platoon Ruggiano and Coghlan out there.

When Bryant comes up, the others will be relegated to the bench which would make the bench more than adequate. This may be a better defensive move IMO, and trust me, these kids are going to need to be spelled throughout the year because they have not played a full year at the major league level yet, and they WILL hit bumps along the way.

Another alternative would be prying Gordon away (who I like and as some rumors have suggested) from KC. Maybe the Royals would go the prospect route and freeing up 25 million over two years to replace him?

Just a thought.

 

[fatbeard]

Bruce Levine on WSCR this morning said, according to several people within the Cubs, they have about $65mil to spend this offseason.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Bruce Levine on WSCR this morning said, according to several people within the Cubs, they have about $65mil to spend this offseason.

Theoretically that gets them, if they want, a combination of a Jon Lester, maybe a Brandon McCarty, Russell Martin and a platoon outfielder. Add Kris Bryant, Baez is a little better, Soler is for real and Arietta is a legitimate #2 is that a team in contention at the trade deadline? I would say yes.

 

[brett05]

Theo said yesterday that they did save $20 million last year and that those dollars are available this year. So if they have say a $110 million budget and 2014 was $90, 2015 is $130. But he said only if the right deals were there would the cash get spent.

 

[chibears55]

Theoretically that gets them, if they want, a combination of a Jon Lester, maybe a Brandon McCarty, Russell Martin and a platoon outfielder. Add Kris Bryant, Baez is a little better, Soler is for real and Arietta is a legitimate #2 is that a team in contention at the trade deadline? I would say yes.

Brandon McCarthy ?????? Hell no

the object of this off season is to improve the roster and rotation.

McCarthy and Martin does not improve the team and would be a waste of money. .. they dont need anymore Edwin Jackson type contracts...

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Brandon McCarthy ?????? Hell no

the object of this off season is to improve the roster and rotation.

McCarthy and Martin does not improve the team and would be a waste of money. .. they dont need anymore Edwin Jackson type contracts...

Honestly I'm not huge on a Martin signing but Jon Heyman is reporting that they're going after him hard and it does make some sense. Dude had a .402 OBP and even it fell to .350 or so he that's a big i,provement over Castillo. He's also considered one of the best in the league at framing the strike zone. I don't think there's any question he makes you better. As far as McCarthy his numbers indicate a solid #3 starter and he was at least that or better with NY after the trade. How does he not make you better in the middle of that rotation? After the top three TOR guys, of which I think the Cubs will get one, there are a few other guys available for the middle of a competitive rotation and McCarthy is one of those along with Francisco Liriano, Justin Masterson, Jake Peavy and Ervin Santana. Santana costs you a 2nd round pick, Peavy doesn't look like he can pitch despite his numbers, and I'm not really fond of Liriano. McCarthy is a solid arm as is Masterson. I'd be fine with either. Are you saying a rotation of Lester, Arietta, McCarthy or Masterson, Kyle Hendricks, and 5th starter from a pool of Jacob Turner, Travis Wood, Felix Doubront, Tsuyoshi Wada or Dan Straily isn't a solid rotation? Plus a solid catcher in Martin? Not to mention the fact that if they sign a catcher it will mean that Kyle Schwarber will be playing left field before the season is over and provide a needed left handed bat.

 

[chibears55]

Honestly I'm not huge on a Martin signing but Jon Heyman is reporting that they're going after him hard and it does make some sense. Dude had a .402 OBP and even it fell to .350 or so he that's a big i,provement over Castillo. He's also considered one of the best in the league at framing the strike zone. I don't think there's any question he makes you better. As far as McCarthy his numbers indicate a solid #3 starter and he was at least that or better with NY after the trade. How does he not make you better in the middle of that rotation? After the top three TOR guys, of which I think the Cubs will get one, there are a few other guys available for the middle of a competitive rotation and McCarthy is one of those along with Francisco Liriano, Justin Masterson, Jake Peavy and Ervin Santana. Santana costs you a 2nd round pick, Peavy doesn't look like he can pitch despite his numbers, and I'm not really fond of Liriano. McCarthy is a solid arm as is Masterson. I'd be fine with either. Are you saying a rotation of Lester, Arietta, McCarthy or Masterson, Kyle Hendricks, and 5th starter from a pool of Jacob Turner, Travis Wood, Felix Doubront, Tsuyoshi Wada or Dan Straily isn't a solid rotation? Plus a solid catcher in Martin? Not to mention the fact that if they sign a catcher it will mean that Kyle Schwarber will be playing left field before the season is over and provide a needed left handed bat.

I take more stock into what a player done the past 5 years and not just what he did in his contract year.. if martin was available last year, no one would want to touch him even with his so called framing pitches etc.. giving this guy 15-20 per for 3 or 4 years off of what he did for 1 season would be nuts and not worth it..

kyle schwarber is at least 1 year away maybe 2 depending on how far he advances in minors this year.. he hasn't even gotten past A ball yet so to even think hed jump to majors this season is nuts...

Brandon McCarthy is not a number 3 starter.. he a 5 or 4 tops.. he a 4.09 career ERA and even worse 4.75 ERA in NL.. great, he has a decent 2nd half with Yankees, but again you need to stop looking at small sample sizes and look at their career.. he not that good

masterson is just as bad as mccarthy... Liriano depending on the price is worth a chance, he at least has improved the last 2 seasons..

don't want peavey or shield... yes, I would give up a 2nd rd. pick for Santana..

Santana would be my first choice after Lester...

 

[TC in Mississippi]

You realize the Santana's career ERA and career FIP are higher than McCarthy's right and that Masterson's career FIP is lower than both of them? In fact McCarthy's FIP has been under 4.0 for six years. As far as Schwarber he's going to start in AA but most scouts adn apparently the Cubs FO think he could be up at the end of the year. Theo was even quoted that as saying his bat is ready. Again I'm not huge on Martin but his OBP has been good for a few years and he's known to be excellent with as staff. I wouldn't give him $15 to $20 million either but 4 years $52 million? I'd probably do that.

 

[chibears55]

You realize the Santana's career ERA and career FIP are higher than McCarthy's right and that Masterson's career FIP is lower than both of them? In fact McCarthy's FIP has been under 4.0 for six years. As far as Schwarber he's going to start in AA but most scouts adn apparently the Cubs FO think he could be up at the end of the year. Theo was even quoted that as saying his bat is ready. Again I'm not huge on Martin but his OBP has been good for a few years and he's known to be excellent with as staff. I wouldn't give him $15 to $20 million either but 4 years $52 million? I'd probably do that.

4 of last 5 yrs Santana ERA under 4 with 30+ starts and 200 IP

I would take that as a no.3 starter


McCarthy under 4 ERA just twice in 9 yrs, 1 time over 25 starts, and 1 time pitched 200 innings


Masterson ERA was near 5 in 2012 and near 6 in 2014, decent in 2013... too risky for me.. he would be a last option on a 1 yr deal..

Again on Schwarber, it great he may have the potential but he needs to do it first.. lets see what he does in AA snd AAA before we talk about major league for him...

 

[WindyCity]

I think Maddon will accelerate the spending.

They clearly are poised to make a big move this season.

My guess is they will have a payroll close to 110-120.

Lester
McCarthy/Masterson/Liriano

And a closer would be nice.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Why do they need a closer?