Offseason rumors/discussion thread

[anotheridiot]

Russell is the short term answer. Dont you think long term thinking is Javy and Nico?

 

[CSF77]

Russell is the short term answer. Dont you think long term thinking is Javy and Nico?

I’m not sure what Nico is right now. We really need more info on the guy to gauge him.

 

[beckdawg]

They need a back up catcher. I would use Caratini in the deal. Chatwood is also ideal to move in it. I doubt they take on Kintzler or Duesing. Cubs most likely eat those deals.

No they don't. Have you looked at their roster? Luke Maile hit .248/.333/.366 for them last year for a 95 wRC+. Danny Jansen is one of their better prospects. He hit .247/.347/.432 in roughly 100 PAs. Reese McGuire is another good prospect. Mcguire is a lefty. The other 2 are rh hitters. If you want to argue they might want some vet presence ok with all those guys being 27 or younger fine but this is a team 2-3 years away so i'm not sure that's as much of a concern.

Also the reason they would eat Kintzler or Duensing isn't because they want them. The cubs need them in the deal to stay neutral in terms of luxury tax which is something TOR doesn't care about. If they are willing to eat money to get a prospect this makes more sense for them. If they wanna hold out for a couple of fringe top 30 guys with Kintzler or Duensing fine but in order for this to work for the cubs they really need to match monetarily.

 

[CSF77]

To be honest this is a topic I care little about. I concider back up catcher as back burner

 

[beckdawg]

To be honest this is a topic I care little about. I concider back up catcher as back burner

To me it's more a 2 birds with one stone play. Clearly they need someone. So while I agree it's not the most pressing need the other issue is having Chatwood around complicates matters not just from a luxury tax stand point but also from a rostering standpoint. Effectively this trade would open 2 spots in the bullpen while solving another issue at more or less no extra cost for two guys unlikely to be part of their plan anyways so they need to do something with them. That in turn allows you to focus on improving the team. Most impactful moves happen in mid december. A trade like this would be setting the stage for those moves just like trading for a utility infielder allows them to be in a position where they aren't forced to give someone money.

 

[anotheridiot]

To be honest this is a topic I care little about. I concider back up catcher as back burner

I wish it was, then they might be thinking about schwarber getting some time back there and save a roster spot.

 

[beckdawg]

Tony Andracki
✔
@TonyAndracki23
Tommy La Stella will take his pinch-hitting duties to South Cali, as Cubs trade him to the Angels for a PTBNL or cash.

The Torreyes move makes even more sense now, though Cubs will need to add a left-handed bat off the bench.

Welp like I said before I don't think Torreyes was in reference to Russell. I'm sorta surprised they actually dealt La Stella because he was pretty good in that role but on the other hand it was super awkward having so many 2B only types between him Zobrist, and Happ sorta. Having a guy in that role who can play SS is a big deal.

 

[chibears55]

Welp like I said before I don't think Torreyes was in reference to Russell. I'm sorta surprised they actually dealt La Stella because he was pretty good in that role but on the other hand it was super awkward having so many 2B only types between him Zobrist, and Happ sorta. Having a guy in that role who can play SS is a big deal.

I still kinda think it does...

Right now, I see Zobrist at 2B and Baez at SS with Torreyes as backup to both but will probably spell Zobrist for the most part to get him his rest like last year..

I just dont see Russell coming back and being inserted into the starting spot nor do I see him fitting into that backup role..

I think they liked what they saw from Baez at SS everyday and I think theyll just roll the dice with Zobrist at 2B , and play Torreyes there to give him a look and chance of taking it over either at some point this year or 2020..

 

[chibears55]

https://twitter.com/PJ_Mooney/status/1068247651194478593?s=19

Ties with some of the hitters and Darvish

 

[anotheridiot]

lets not forget Bote in that mix of infielders.

 

[beckdawg]

I still kinda think it does...

Right now, I see Zobrist at 2B and Baez at SS with Torreyes as backup to both but will probably spell Zobrist for the most part to get him his rest like last year..

I just dont see Russell coming back and being inserted into the starting spot nor do I see him fitting into that backup role..

I think they liked what they saw from Baez at SS everyday and I think theyll just roll the dice with Zobrist at 2B , and play Torreyes there to give him a look and chance of taking it over either at some point this year or 2020..

I doubt he is a starter either but there's easily a role there for him to play. I mean like it or not joe isn't going to start guys daily. And zobrist can shift into the outfield as needed which opens options in the infield on days when they rest.

Regardless, if the plan is to ditch Russell you just ditch Russell. You don't trade La Stella prior. I mean i don't want to be overbearing about this but I think ya'll are so reading this wrong. People want Russell gone so they are inventing ways for it to happen but if you look at what the cubs have actually said and done all the indications are they plan on having him back at the very least in the short term. I don't say this to be one of those "called it" types. I frankly couldn't care less when I'm right or wrong but you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you think he's gone.

 

[Castor76]

I still kinda think it does...

Right now, I see Zobrist at 2B and Baez at SS with Torreyes as backup to both but will probably spell Zobrist for the most part to get him his rest like last year..

I just dont see Russell coming back and being inserted into the starting spot nor do I see him fitting into that backup role..

I think they liked what they saw from Baez at SS everyday and I think theyll just roll the dice with Zobrist at 2B , and play Torreyes there to give him a look and chance of taking it over either at some point this year or 2020..

I think the Cubs will try to use Russel when gets off suspension just enough to then trade him should he become an asset.

 

[chibears55]

I doubt he is a starter either but there's easily a role there for him to play. I mean like it or not joe isn't going to start guys daily. And zobrist can shift into the outfield as needed which opens options in the infield on days when they rest.

Regardless, if the plan is to ditch Russell you just ditch Russell. You don't trade La Stella prior. I mean i don't want to be overbearing about this but I think ya'll are so reading this wrong. People want Russell gone so they are inventing ways for it to happen but if you look at what the cubs have actually said and done all the indications are they plan on having him back at the very least in the short term. I don't say this to be one of those "called it" types. I frankly couldn't care less when I'm right or wrong but you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you think he's gone.

We were discussing Torreyes...

Lastella I think was moved more because he about to make some $$$$ with Arb now, and he limited a bit with basically playing 2B and 3B in which they now have Torreyes Bote and Happ..

I'm sure he just the first move of a couple of regulars were gonna see gone between now and the Meeting

 

[CRM 114]

It's about time that little shit was gone. He should have been cut the second he pulled that shit about not going down to the minors.

 

[CSF77]

It's about time that little shit was gone. He should have been cut the second he pulled that shit about not going down to the minors.

You realize that he set the Cubs ALL TIME record for pinch hits last year right?

 

[CSF77]

We were discussing Torreyes...

Lastella I think was moved more because he about to make some $$$$ with Arb now, and he limited a bit with basically playing 2B and 3B in which they now have Torreyes Bote and Happ..

I'm sure he just the first move of a couple of regulars were gonna see gone between now and the Meeting

LaStella is a hell of a pinch hitter. That said not worth a roster space on a all bat player. I think it signals Bote Was ahead of him in the depth chart.

Again I just see this as they are not willing to spend premium for bench role players and would rather either spend for more versatility or spend less in general.

 

[Castor76]

I do have to laugh just a bit at the idea of "If the Cubs just get healthy, they should be fine." While I'd love to see a big move, I can understand that thought process. This is a team that if the current players produce as they have in the past, they should contend for the title.

 

[CSF77]

I do have to laugh just a bit at the idea of "If the Cubs just get healthy, they should be fine." While I'd love to see a big move, I can understand that thought process. This is a team that if the current players produce as they have in the past, they should contend for the title.

They lack a proven lead off and a closer type. Until they take that serious this team is not contending for anything

 

[chibears55]

I do have to laugh just a bit at the idea of "If the Cubs just get healthy, they should be fine." While I'd love to see a big move, I can understand that thought process. This is a team that if the current players produce as they have in the past, they should contend for the title.

Healthy???

Who Morrow and Darvish????

Not sure who else they missed at the end of the year because of health issues that could of made a difference

 

[chibears55]

Wonder if the cubs tried to package something for Cano and Diaz?

Dont care much for Cano contract but getting Diaz would be worth it