IST: Cubs vs. Nats

[JimJohnson]

You're not even going to offer Castellanos anything? Let the best hitter on the squad as of now just walk?

Castellanos is playing better than he ever has before. There will be a regression to the mean at some point. Even with him playing at his absolute best, Cubs aren't getting the job done. So your idea is to spend all the Cubs available cash on Castellanos and ignore all the other major holes in the team? God damn man, please submit your resume and plan for Theo to review.

 

[truthbedamned]

Castellanos is playing better than he ever has before. There will be a regression to the mean at some point. Even with him playing at his absolute best, Cubs aren't getting the job done. So your idea is to spend all the Cubs available cash on Castellanos and ignore all the other major holes in the team? God damn man, please submit your resume and plan for Theo to review.

Where did I say this? Oh...that's right. I didn't. Piss off.

 

[CSF77]

Honestly they should trade Rizzo because he is coming up on an extension decision and is getting to the point in his career where decline is inevitable. I love Rizzo, but the smart thing would be to capitalize on his value.

Also if Lester can manage to have a good first half next year, someone contender will overpay for his experience at the deadline.

His leadership is worth it. Add to it 1B is the least demanding spot on the field. Regression is not an issue. Add to it his BB:SO are close to 1:1. That disapline just doesn't degrade.

They won't trade Lester either. His pay drops to 10 mil in his final year. That is worth his talent. He is pretty much a inning soaker at this point and teams don't trade for that. Chatwood and Q are around 30 so they have more potential of a strong season as they are not on the back end of the bellcurve.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Maybe they should let Schwarber be the personal catcher for a starter next year, if they keep him.

 

[CSF77]

Maybe they should let Schwarber be the personal catcher for a starter next year, if they keep him.

I'm not sure on him honestly. I feel that him and Happ are a toss up in LF.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

I'm not sure on him honestly. I feel that him and Happ are a toss up in LF.

I feel that Happ and Schwarber can both be traded and if Contreras is a long term solution it is in left field

 

[CSF77]

I feel that Happ and Schwarber can both be traded and if Contreras is a long term solution it is in left field

Maybe. I would guess it would come down to if Contreras will accept a move like that. Amaya is a superior D catcher. The only thing Contreras has on him is his arm strength. Buy Amaya is still growing there. Amaya also has a snap throw and a very accurate arm.

Amaya would be in AA in 2020. Would most likely be the starting catcher in 2022.

2022:
Schwarber F/A
Contreras 1 year of control left.
Happ 2 years of control left.

So I see it as Contreras most likely will opt towards F/A and trading his last year of control makes sense in 2022.

Schwarber might be a good trade candidate this off season. He has 2 years of control and is a 30 HR bat.

Happ has 4 years of control and plays up fine in LF. You are not required to platoon then there.

Kemp has 4 years attached to him also and fits into Happs bench role of OF/2B.

So a game plan would be trade Schwarber, Bryant and Almora. All 3 should bring back some pitching and a player like Bruxton or another starting CF type. I really like the Twins trade and it would take Bryant to pull that 100 MPH righty.

After that they have to address the lead off and Scooter makes the most sense. His value is down this year so he is most likely going to look for a 1 year deal to build value. Cubs and him are a natural match up.

Durring 2020 they build up Russell's trade value. Starting SS is the best place to do this. And hitting #2 where he is getting protection from Rizzo and more PA. Add to it he takes walks at a 8% clip so in theory he is not a bad top of the order bat.

Then Nico would be the first transition of the next wave. Expect July. That point expect Marquez and Amaya promoted to Iowa.

Then 2021 July becomes the point that the new wave starts to go on their learning curve. We are seeing this with the Sox right now. It takes around 10-20 starts from Marquez to adapt. Cease is a good time line to expect. Talent is slimier.

But that is why they should go into 2020 as a transition vs a competitive team. Joe is out and it makes sense to reload then. Make 2020 more about bringing up Azolay into the rotation and start to trade the short term contract. Bryant would be tough to lose but I wouldn't accept anything less than a SP prospect with TOR talent in return for him. We are talking Kopech or Cease type talent.