Belli signs!

[CSF77]

Yeah they aren't in a for sure window yet to be signing someone. They have to be sure things at the trade deadline to add more salary. I am feeling good about this team being playoff contenders, and being incredibly deep. We have injury proof everywhere.

Early word is PCA to AAA and Canario has the inside track at DH.

Bellinger will be at CF. PCA will be in the pic if he rips apart Iowa

But there are some questions marks. Morel at 3B. Is it passible D?

Same with Busch at 1B. So I would not hang may hat on anything yet.

But best case is Bosch at 1B and Morel at 3B. If either has to DH then it weakens the team prior to PCA's promotion. Bosch at DH with Canario by June is ideal for the team.

 

[CSF77]

But in July I would love to see a trade for a SP. Cease for Brown, Davis and Trianos. Have the Sox flip a lower level catching prospect.

Then extend Cease to replace Hendricks for next year.

 

[JP Hochbaum]

But in July I would love to see a trade for a SP. Cease for Brown, Davis and Trianos. Have the Sox flip a lower level catching prospect.

Then extend Cease to replace Hendricks for next year.

Trades are pretty much a given as they are going to have a constant 40 man roster issue or I should say rule 5 draft issue come next off season. So if a trade does happen at the deadline it will be for cost controlled guys and will be a costly hit to the farm, although I think we can take that hit.

We have to remember not to fall in love with certain players like PCA, Caissie, Canario, Wicks and the like as I think one of them will probably be gone by the deadline.

 

[knoxville7]

Trades are pretty much a given as they are going to have a constant 40 man roster issue or I should say rule 5 draft issue come next off season. So if a trade does happen at the deadline it will be for cost controlled guys and will be a costly hit to the farm, although I think we can take that hit.

We have to remember not to fall in love with certain players like PCA, Caissie, Canario, Wicks and the like as I think one of them will probably be gone by the deadline.

Better not be PCA, he’s already my favorite Cub

 

[CSF77]

Trades are pretty much a given as they are going to have a constant 40 man roster issue or I should say rule 5 draft issue come next off season. So if a trade does happen at the deadline it will be for cost controlled guys and will be a costly hit to the farm, although I think we can take that hit.

We have to remember not to fall in love with certain players like PCA, Caissie, Canario, Wicks and the like as I think one of them will probably be gone by the deadline.

My prediction is Mervis, Davis and Brown are trade chips. All should be MLB ready and desired in deals.

Bellinger IMO opts out so they need to figure out Busch at 1B or DH same with Morel at 3B.

But with that opt out it opens payroll to extend the player that they get back

Wicks, Horton 1st round picks and to me that holds weight in them staying.

PCA is a Cub. They love him. Lifer.

 

[TL1961]

But in July I would love to see a trade for a SP. Cease for Brown, Davis and Trianos. Have the Sox flip a lower level catching prospect.

Then extend Cease to replace Hendricks for next year.

You literally just answered me saying that the pitching was good enough.

Now you want then to add a starter but not until July so they don’t get full benefit.

 

[Diehardfan]

You literally just answered me saying that the pitching was good enough.

Now you want then to add a starter but not until July so they don’t get full benefit.

 

[Szlachcic]

View attachment 35266

To some, the windsock directing wind certain way..

 

[CSF77]

You literally just answered me saying that the pitching was good enough.

Now you want then to add a starter but not until July so they don’t get full benefit.

Tom said that he will not go over tax going into the season.

After Cody they have 3M left over.

The math doesn't add up.

Mid season they should know if the team is legit and most of the warts will be weeded out. So adding contact will be justified.

This is not a wind sock. This is what has been said and multiple sources have said that they will most likely add a start via trade at the mid season point.

It is about timing. And budget concerns early on.

Just be glad that they added Bellinger. Holy ****.

 

[CSF77]

I was going to say that PCA needs to stop bunting. He needs to establish that he can hit MLB level pitching and bunting is not showing this. I get bunting after he establishes that he can hit and the 3B is not respecting it.

 

[CSF77]

What I have noticed is Craig has been looking at Hendricks, Wicks, Wesnesski, Assad and Smyly as game starters early on. Steele, Imanaga and Taillon have not pitched in live games to date.

So we can assume that those 3 are locks and early spring starts are part of the evaluation process. Wicks looked pretty rough today early but he battled and got a great OF assist. Then he settled down. I see the 5 as his to lose. He is a bulldog out there and that is what you want on the mound.

Hendricks is going to get a slot.

So this is more about showing Smyly some respect as a vet and looking at Assad and Wesneski as starters for Craig. But the end product is pretty much locked in.

Now on mid season adds. This is a common thing and injuries happen all of the time. A starter could regress. In a perfect world the Cubs go into July needing nothing as everything is clicking. But that never happens. There has yet again been speculation on Cleveland and Bieber. It seems that that one wont go away. It makes sense if it comes down to it as a starter like that would boost the Cubs chances in the post season.

Now it has also been said that PCA, Horton and Shaw are on the no touchy list. So any other combo would be open for decision.

 

[TL1961]

Tom said that he will not go over tax going into the season.

After Cody they have 3M left over.

The math doesn't add up.

Mid season they should know if the team is legit and most of the warts will be weeded out. So adding contact will be justified.

This is not a wind sock. This is what has been said and multiple sources have said that they will most likely add a start via trade at the mid season point.

It is about timing. And budget concerns early on.

Just be glad that they added Bellinger. Holy ****.

So, at midseason (which is 4 months in) they can add 2 months’ of a guy’s benefit.

Wonderful.

Or they can decide that they’re not in contention with the teams that added the guy in the off-season for the full year benefit.

By the way, they are 30 million under the tax not three aren’t they?

 

[CSF77]

So, at midseason (which is 4 months in) they can add 2 months’ of a guy’s benefit.

Wonderful.

Or they can decide that they’re not in contention with the teams that added the guy in the off-season for the full year benefit.

By the way, they are 30 million under the tax not three aren’t they?

233,635,715/237,000,000

Cody soaked that. That was prior to Cody signing.

I would understand your opinion if Wicks was stumbling like Assad and Wesneski did. But he put together a dominate start after the first inning.

Say Jed decides to target Bieber for 'Reasons" Jed works a deal that Cleveland absorbs the contract to get better quality players for a rent. Say Caissie #4, Alcantara #5, Brown #6. That is a haul for a rental and Jed pays none of the remainder. Teams do this.

This is a what if. But I expect Taillon to continue his 2nd half performance. I'm pretty sure that Jed and Craig are not concerned as he is being treated as Steele and Imamaga is.

But for the record: Career ERA 3.84 2nd half last year 3.70.

This is the same crap that happened when Darvish signed. People here took a shit on him after he got injured then sucked him off after he pushed for a Cy young.

Any you call me a windsock...look in the mirror.

 

[TL1961]

233,635,715/237,000,000

Cody soaked that. That was prior to Cody signing.

I would understand your opinion if Wicks was stumbling like Assad and Wesneski did. But he put together a dominate start after the first inning.

Say Jed decides to target Bieber for 'Reasons" Jed works a deal that Cleveland absorbs the contract to get better quality players for a rent. Say Caissie #4, Alcantara #5, Brown #6. That is a haul for a rental and Jed pays none of the remainder. Teams do this.

This is a what if. But I expect Taillon to continue his 2nd half performance. I'm pretty sure that Jed and Craig are not concerned as he is being treated as Steele and Imamaga is.

But for the record: Career ERA 3.84 2nd half last year 3.70.

This is the same crap that happened when Darvish signed. People here took a shit on him after he got injured then sucked him off after he pushed for a Cy young.

Any you call me a windsock...look in the mirror.

I am a wind sock because I want another starter on opening day versus in late July? Whatever dude.

 

[CSF77]

I am a wind sock because I want another starter on opening day versus in late July? Whatever dude.

No because you are shitbagging on Taillon for a bad first half. This is the same crap posters here did with Darvish after he got injured year 1.

You judge a player over the duration of a contract not a 3 month run over it.

If you are taking it personally then maybe you need to start being more realistic about the players and letting the process work.

Are people going to shit talk Imanaga because a 3 run inning in Spring on his first day. I bet there are plenty of fans tossing and turning over it.

If he put up a 6 ERA all season then I would have gotten your duress. But as noted. He adjusted back to what worked and he went back to the guy Jed paid for.

Enough said about it.

 

[TL1961]

No because you are shitbagging on Taillon for a bad first half. This is the same crap posters here did with Darvish after he got injured year 1.

You judge a player over the duration of a contract not a 3 month run over it.

If you are taking it personally then maybe you need to start being more realistic about the players and letting the process work.

Are people going to shit talk Imanaga because a 3 run inning in Spring on his first day. I bet there are plenty of fans tossing and turning over it.

If he put up a 6 ERA all season then I would have gotten your duress. But as noted. He adjusted back to what worked and he went back to the guy Jed paid for.

Enough said about it.

I promise you I am not taking it personally.

I don’t judge anyone’s career potential on a couple of months and I’m not the one who changes my opinion of players 180° on a weekly basis.

Taillon’s ERA the last four years: 4.84, 3.91, 4.30, 4.10.

Yu Darvish before the Cubs: 3.44, 4.01, 3.41, 3.06, 2.83.

I don’t know why you think they are the same pitcher.

I am referring to the Cubs staff in general. Steele had a very good year, and I look forward to seeing him pitch. But he has no track record and hasn’t pitched that many innings before so we don’t know what to expect.

Assad looked good at times but again no track record. Taillon has a track record that is less than stellar.

Imanaga is new to major league baseball. While I am hopeful for him and I am glad that they signed him. I don’t think we can exactly pencil him in for the Cy Young just yet.

The staff does not have a proven 1 or 2. Is that unfair?

 

[Diehardfan]

I promise you I am not taking it personally.

I don’t judge anyone’s career potential on a couple of months and I’m not the one who changes my opinion of players 180° on a weekly basis.

Taillon’s ERA the last four years: 4.84, 3.91, 4.30, 4.10.

Yu Darvish before the Cubs: 3.44, 4.01, 3.41, 3.06, 2.83.

I don’t know why you think they are the same pitcher.

I am referring to the Cubs staff in general. Steele had a very good year, and I look forward to seeing him pitch. But he has no track record and hasn’t pitched that many innings before so we don’t know what to expect.

Assad looked good at times but again no track record. Taillon has a track record that is less than stellar.

Imanaga is new to major league baseball. While I am hopeful for him and I am glad that they signed him. I don’t think we can exactly pencil him in for the Cy Young just yet.

The staff does not have a proven 1 or 2. Is that unfair?

There are a couple of reasons I don't think spending on a starter is necessary. If you watched the playoffs, you saw that starters are now 5-6 inning pitchers with most managers....sometimes 4 with guys like Counsel. Bullpens determined most of the outcomes in last year's playoffs and MLB is nothing if they are not copycats. So it will probably continue..... I'd much rather see them spending money on upgrading a shakey pen that we all witnessed going belly up last year.

A couple of years ago, I'd agree with you....but shit changes.

 

[CSF77]

I promise you I am not taking it personally.

I don’t judge anyone’s career potential on a couple of months and I’m not the one who changes my opinion of players 180° on a weekly basis.

Taillon’s ERA the last four years: 4.84, 3.91, 4.30, 4.10.

Yu Darvish before the Cubs: 3.44, 4.01, 3.41, 3.06, 2.83.

I don’t know why you think they are the same pitcher.

I am referring to the Cubs staff in general. Steele had a very good year, and I look forward to seeing him pitch. But he has no track record and hasn’t pitched that many innings before so we don’t know what to expect.

Assad looked good at times but again no track record. Taillon has a track record that is less than stellar.

Imanaga is new to major league baseball. While I am hopeful for him and I am glad that they signed him. I don’t think we can exactly pencil him in for the Cy Young just yet.

The staff does not have a proven 1 or 2. Is that unfair?

I think that is fair. But as Die said. The pen holds more value in this game. You really want the starter to get 5 in and hand it off to the next guy with out giving up the game.

I'm fine with what we have. I am concerned on the next guy up. Assad has looked like shit. Wesneski you never know if he will have command that game. Killian intrigues me but lacks success in the majors.

Of the guys in the pen I see Smyly, Cuas, Leiter, Merryweather all as locks. 8th and 9th Neris and Alzolay.

That is 11 guys.

Last 2.

Luke Little 0.67 WHIP
Caleb Kilian .75 WHIP

Both hit the glove near 100 MPH and you want arms like that in situational pitching.

Rest should be in the bus ride AAA to MLB.



1 through the end of the regular season, all clubs must carry 28 players, with a limit of 14 pitchers. Players on the 26-man roster (or the Major League injured list) accrue Major League service time. All players on the 26-man roster must also be on the 40-man roster.

They could go 14 but that might go to a positional guy.

 

[knoxville7]

Belli really struggling so far this season. I hope he breaks out of it, but this is kinda what I was worried about bringing him back...that we would end up with a guy closer to the one that struggled at the end of his tenure with LA than the one we got last year

 

[TL1961]

Belli really struggling so far this season. I hope he breaks out of it, but this is kinda what I was worried about bringing him back...that we would end up with a guy closer to the one that struggled at the end of his tenure with LA than the one we got last year

There are a lot of guys struggling league-wide through 16 games. It's early.