My main thing with the trade is Morel and Mervis become very redundant on the 24 team if Bellinger and Chapman are signed. While trading Wisdom makes Morel more valuable as the RH power bench bat, I was looking for a trade that would bring back more value to the Cubs. With the potential signings of Bellinger and Chapman, the Bench is essentially Busch, Amaya, Wisdom or Morel, Madrigal or Mastro, and Canario unless PCA is up or they trade Tacuhmann. 3 or 4 of those guys would need to be elsewhere.
Until Jed signs any of Boras's guys I won't include them in this discussion.
Now talking about today and players coming into camp.
LF Happ has it on lock.
CF this should be on PCA to prove that he can deal with the high heat. If he can then he starts opening day. If not should be a platoon of Tauchman and Canario.
RF Suzuki should have this on lock and I have him as the team MVP this year. I see a full season of his last year run. We will miss Bellinger less due to him.
3B this will be Madgril. Injury is the main factor here. I see some stability factored in and it allows Luis Vazquez to be the UI. Now injury could change this abd it opens up possibly but I see Luis getting opportunity to get reps at all 3 spots and if his bat out plays Madgral or Mad goes down it is a easy switch. Out of the gate I would expect one less rookie to worry about in April to make the engine go
SS this is a lock and getting him off for a day at DH should be easier with Vazquez.
2B. Same with SS. Vazquez brings you no loss on D. The only change is if Vazquez plays himself into full time 3B.
1B I see a strait platoon of Busch and Wisdom.
Mervis IMO ends up in Japan.
C It could end up as a strait 50/50 split. Both are pretty much equal in talent and you want to start the transition.
DH. I do see this as a rotational spot. Jed should trade Morel. But if Vazquez ends up taking over 3B then Morel becomes the main off day guy and this becomes a rotational spot for hitting days.
Now pitching the top 4 are set. 5 I see most going to Wicks. His change up is already the best one coming out of the minors and we will end up seeing it as one of the best in MLB. That pitch will propel him this year. Yes there will be a pitch count and a innings issue over the season to contend with. But I see the right move being to deepen middle relief to keep the innings down in season.
Getting 5 out of the starter not not giving up the game in the 6th is the best investment that Jed can make this year