Chicago Cubs 2023-24 OFFSEASON thread

[JP Hochbaum]

Good Lord.....Busch has played a grand total of 18 games at 1B in his entire career. Like 250 at second, which is already occupied by a GGer and 74 at 3B which is where he should be. Probably mix and match with Madrigal providing he shows something with the bat. Putting him at first weakens the entire infield defense. He's not a good defender anywhere you put him, either DH him or hide him at 3B.....having him play 1B is Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Busch will be their first basemen, Levine reported this already. ANd they don't want a long term deal at 3b as they have that pegged for Shaw in 25/26, so CHapman is likely out.

I think they likely find a one year deal for 3b and trade for another pitcher and sign Belli for 4-5 years with player friendly opt outs.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

Busch will be their first basemen, Levine reported this already. ANd they don't want a long term deal at 3b as they have that pegged for Shaw in 25/26, so CHapman is likely out.

I think they likely find a one year deal for 3b and trade for another pitcher and sign Belli for 4-5 years with player friendly opt outs.

Justin turner would've been a good reasonable signing but despite rumors of interest he was another guy that signed elsewhere at a reasonable price

 

[Diehardfan]

Busch will be their first basemen, Levine reported this already. ANd they don't want a long term deal at 3b as they have that pegged for Shaw in 25/26, so CHapman is likely out.

I think they likely find a one year deal for 3b and trade for another pitcher and sign Belli for 4-5 years with player friendly opt outs.

Really don't give a shit who said it....it's not the right move and they will see that, hopefully in ST before the season starts. He will hurt them at that spot and they don't have the pitching to give away extra outs. A bad glove at first takes away the advantage of having a GG keystone combo. It's similar to having Wisdom at 1B.

Getting Bellinger back keys a lot of stuff.....adding his bat allows you play slap hitter Madrigal at 3b. No power but he did a nice job there last year. Agree that you don't need to sign a left handed Wisdom like Chapman, just play the RH one you already got when Madrigal gets his yearly injuries.

 

[knoxville7]

Justin turner would've been a good reasonable signing but despite rumors of interest he was another guy that signed elsewhere at a reasonable price

This was the 3B move I wanted. The guy just flat out hits. Would have made for a nice bridge to Shaw in theory. Not sure who all is left that would fit a 1 year deal and can actually play a little bit

 

[Discus fish salesman]

This was the 3B move I wanted. The guy just flat out hits. Would have made for a nice bridge to Shaw in theory. Not sure who all is left that would fit a 1 year deal and can actually play a little bit

Maybe Longoria. No idea how he did last year

 

[JP Hochbaum]

Really don't give a shit who said it....it's not the right move and they will see that, hopefully in ST before the season starts. He will hurt them at that spot and they don't have the pitching to give away extra outs. A bad glove at first takes away the advantage of having a GG keystone combo. It's similar to having Wisdom at 1B.

Getting Bellinger back keys a lot of stuff.....adding his bat allows you play slap hitter Madrigal at 3b. No power but he did a nice job there last year. Agree that you don't need to sign a left handed Wisdom like Chapman, just play the RH one you already got when Madrigal gets his yearly injuries.

They didn't trade an amazing pitching prospect for a DH. We can't have gold glovers at every position.

 

[Diehardfan]

They didn't trade an amazing pitching prospect for a DH. We can't have gold glovers at every position.

You don't get it, do you? 1B is not a position where you want poor to mediocre play. It affects the whole infield. You can get away with it at third, not at first.

 

[CSF77]

Ideally Jed signs both Chapman and Bellenger. Chapman on a pillow to rebuild his market

Then figure out the DH with Bosch and Morel. Even then Jed could put PCA in Iowa for a few months and push Bellinger to CF

If you are going all in sign both. Or don't sign either.

 

[CSF77]

You don't get it, do you? 1B is not a position where you want poor to mediocre play. It affects the whole infield. You can get away with it at third, not at first.

There have been plenty of all bat types at 1B. We were spoiled with Rizzo

The way I look at it is if he can field 2B and 3B then logically 1B is also a position.

But this is where spring training comes to play. Get him out there and see if he can make the plays.

I can say the same with Morel. If he can make the plays at 1B and pushes Bosch to DH that is fine.

 

[CSF77]

Cubs Designate Michael Rucker For Assignment

The Cubs have designated right-hander Michael Rucker for assignment, per Bruce Levine of WSCR. That moves opens a roster spot …

www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

[TL1961]

There have been plenty of all bat types at 1B. We were spoiled with Rizzo

The way I look at it is if he can field 2B and 3B then logically 1B is also a position.

But this is where spring training comes to play. Get him out there and see if he can make the plays.

I can say the same with Morel. If he can make the plays at 1B and pushes Bosch to DH that is fine.

There have indeed been plenty of all bat types at first base. And as diehard said, it hurts the team. Teams think they can bury a big bat/bad glove there, but it kills you. First base is a far more important defensive position than a lot of people want to realize.

 

[JP Hochbaum]

You don't get it, do you? 1B is not a position where you want poor to mediocre play. It affects the whole infield. You can get away with it at third, not at first.

For the sake of ease, here’s MLB Pipeline, on Busch’s defense:

"Though Busch has fringy speed and arm strength, he has worked hard to improve his quickness and arm since turning pro. Evaluators inside and outside of the organization were impressed at how he has transformed himself into an adequate defender at second base, though the Dodgers have deployed him primarily at third base in 2023. The game speeds up on him at the hot corner, however, and he's still best suited for first base and capable of playing a passable left field."

 

[Diehardfan]

For the sake of ease, here’s MLB Pipeline, on Busch’s defense:

"Though Busch has fringy speed and arm strength, he has worked hard to improve his quickness and arm since turning pro. Evaluators inside and outside of the organization were impressed at how he has transformed himself into an adequate defender at second base, though the Dodgers have deployed him primarily at third base in 2023. The game speeds up on him at the hot corner, however, and he's still best suited for first base and capable of playing a passable left field."

OMG.....another follow the lead of the "experts" guy. He's played something like 400 games in the majors/minors with something like 20 of them at 1B. 20 career games at first. Call me crazy but there's a reason why he wasn't locked in there. Hoyer got himself a DH....hopefully he hits like he did in his video.

"he's still best suited for first base"....sounds like a description of mediocre.

 

[JP Hochbaum]

OMG.....another follow the lead of the "experts" guy. He's played something like 400 games in the majors/minors with something like 20 of them at 1B. 20 career games at first. Call me crazy but there's a reason why he wasn't locked in there. Hoyer got himself a DH....hopefully he hits like he did in his video.

"he's still best suited for first base"....sounds like a description of mediocre.

Well this is what happens in the minors. You play people at more difficult positions to see if they can stick there, because it makes them more valuable. But when they get to the majors they tend to play easier positions, hence first base.

 

[CSF77]

There have indeed been plenty of all bat types at first base. And as diehard said, it hurts the team. Teams think they can bury a big bat/bad glove there, but it kills you. First base is a far more important defensive position than a lot of people want to realize.

Yes and no. If your IF has low accuracy then yes. If you are dealing with GG types that are pin points the need lessens.

But that is where you go into ST and make that decision.

All said and done I'll trust the coaches and decision makers on this.

I believe this a reason why Morel is not at 3B. Athletic and has a strong arm. But is that arm accurate? I would assume no and you hope the net protects some fans as the scuds come sailing


But Javy was a bit of a hack back in his first year. He worked his craft and became El Mago. Talent is one thing. Dedication is another.

 

[truthbedamned]

Well this is what happens in the minors. You play people at more difficult positions to see if they can stick there, because it makes them more valuable. But when they get to the majors they tend to play easier positions, hence first base.

Ever played first base? Ever had to catch shitty throws 5 feet over your head or scoop horeshit throws? I have. It is not an "easy" position. First base can either make or break a team.

 

[JP Hochbaum]

Ever played first base? Ever had to catch shitty throws 5 feet over your head or scoop horeshit throws? I have. It is not an "easy" position. First base can either make or break a team.

I actually play 1st base in my 43 and over league, lol. If it is 5 feet over your head, no one is catching it.

 

[truthbedamned]

I actually play 1st base in my 43 and over league, lol. If it is 5 feet over your head, no one is catching it.

Yes you can. Well at least a good first baseman can. Add up arm length and jump height Granted. Nobody 43 can but 22 is a different story.

But I am sure you already knew this. People wanting to put bad gloves at first is the same as putting them at shortstop.

 

[TL1961]

For the sake of ease, here’s MLB Pipeline, on Busch’s defense:

"Though Busch has fringy speed and arm strength, he has worked hard to improve his quickness and arm since turning pro. Evaluators inside and outside of the organization were impressed at how he has transformed himself into an adequate defender at second base, though the Dodgers have deployed him primarily at third base in 2023. The game speeds up on him at the hot corner, however, and he's still best suited for first base and capable of playing a passable left field."

Well...."adequate" and "passable". What's not to love?

 

[Diehardfan]

Yes you can. Well at least a good first baseman can. Add up arm length and jump height Granted. Nobody 43 can but 22 is a different story.

But I am sure you already knew this. People wanting to put bad gloves at first is the same as putting them at shortstop.

While I agree with what your saying here about needing a good 1st baseman, Truth....but you'd probably need close to a standing 3 foot vertical jump to snag a throw 5 feet over your head. MJ is his prime might be able to get up there....not seeing many MLB guys who can though.