Offseason rumors/discussion thread

[JimJohnson]

Reds getting better
Cardinals getting better
Dodgers gearing up for Harper probably
Phillies trying to lock down Machado

Cubs got DeScalso

Can you imagine if the Cubs hadn't won in 2016? People would be losing their fucking minds with this front office.

 

[Omeletpants]

Correct me if Im wrong but didnt Theo say at the end of last season that the Cubs couldnt win with the current lineup?

 

[fatbeard]

Can you imagine if the Cubs hadn't won in 2016? People would be losing their fucking minds with this front office.

Yeah, three NLCS appearances in four years is really something to be upset about.

 

[JimJohnson]

Yeah, three NLCS appearances in four years is really something to be upset about.

All that matters is winning the WS. Do you think Dodgers fans are happy finishing in 2nd place two years in a row?

 

[JimJohnson]

Correct me if Im wrong but didnt Theo say at the end of last season that the Cubs couldnt win with the current lineup?

I'm not sure if he said that or if he said they can't win with their offensive approach. Theo fired Davis so in his mind, he might think he fixed things.

 

[beckdawg]

Prelude to Harper signing

I really don't think it is to be honest. I think they are just clearing salary. Verdugo is a big time RF prospect who hit .310/.420/.510 in AAA. If they were going to sign him and go well over the luxury tax they could have done so without this trade.

 

[JimJohnson]

I really don't think it is to be honest. I think they are just clearing salary. Verdugo is a big time RF prospect who hit .310/.420/.510 in AAA. If they were going to sign him and go well over the luxury tax they could have done so without this trade.

Nah. It definitely is. Harper is LAD bound.

 

[beckdawg]

Nah. It definitely is. Harper is LAD bound.

Except for the fact that the most recent news is they intend to go after Kluber.

 

[JimJohnson]

Except for the fact that the most recent news is they intend to go after Kluber.

They are the Dodgers. They can go after everyone if they want. Their fans are getting impatient so they may just decide to go for broke.

 

[SilenceS]

They are the Dodgers. They can go after everyone if they want. Their fans are getting impatient so they may just decide to go for broke.

To be honest, I have more faith in Schwarber becoming a prolific hitter than Harper putting us over the top. Harper has never gotten to that next level everyone thinks and yes, he is still young. But, he has been pro ready since 19 and he has never drastically improved. This is coming from aguy who backed him over Trout. Harper does nothing for us imo. We need Bryant to regain his power and the rest to keep going. Harper to me is a luxury not a must. I dont think Harper puts Dodgers over the top. I dont think he puts any team over the top.

 

[beckdawg]

They are the Dodgers. They can go after everyone if they want. Their fans are getting impatient so they may just decide to go for broke.

But if that is indeed true, they don't need to trade these guys away in the first place. That's where the logic falls apart. And more to the point, you don't make this trade BEFORE signing Harper if it is the thing you need to do to sign Harper. You make both moves at the same time or you sign Harper then make the move because if you don't you end up in a situation where he may choose to go some where else.

That's why I don't think this is what people think. They have been very reluctant to move Verdugo in trade talks. I think they just really like him and had the chance to free some salary. That in turn gives them other options. And ok if a situation presents itself where Harper makes sense then sure I could see them doing it but that's entirely different than saying they made this move to make that one.

 

[beckdawg]

To be honest, I have more faith in Schwarber becoming a prolific hitter than Harper putting us over the top. Harper has never gotten to that next level everyone thinks and yes, he is still young. But, he has been pro ready since 19 and he has never drastically improved. This is coming from aguy who backed him over Trout. Harper does nothing for us imo. We need Bryant to regain his power and the rest to keep going. Harper to me is a luxury not a must. I dont think Harper puts Dodgers over the top. I dont think he puts any team over the top.

Eh, I mean I agree to an extent. I don't think he's worth $300 mil. But I do think he provides the cubs something they need which is just another reliable bat after Bryant and Rizzo. That being said I also tend to agree it's not the end of the world if they don't sign him. Part of me thinks it's a good thing because it resets their spending a bit.

 

[chibears55]

Eh, I mean I agree to an extent. I don't think he's worth $300 mil. But I do think he provides the cubs something they need which is just another reliable bat after Bryant and Rizzo. That being said I also tend to agree it's not the end of the world if they don't sign him. Part of me thinks it's a good thing because it resets their spending a bit.

If it ain't Harper then I'd like to see a significant upgrade in CF and 2B/SS for the lineup..

I'm not sure I'm gonna enjoy watching Almora Happ rotation in CF and a Zobrist Bote rotation at 2B all year, though part of me think that exactly what were gonna see

 

[beckdawg]

If it ain't Harper then I'd like to see a significant upgrade in CF and 2B/SS for the lineup..

I'm not sure I'm gonna enjoy watching Almora Happ rotation in CF and a Zobrist Bote rotation at 2B all year, though part of me think that exactly what were gonna see

I don't think a significant CF upgrade exists. They just don't grow on trees. It's generally a case of the guys who can hit can't play defense and the guys who can play defense can't hit. But between Heyward and Almora it's fairly safe to assume they already have someone who can play good defense and at least be a 100 wRC+ hitter. If you're wanting an upgrade as I've said before I think you're looking at RF even if that's not Harper or maybe something different like Bryant to RF and say idk Moose at 3B.

Simply put though if they aren't signing Harper I think you're going to be disappointed because I think that means they are targeting 2020 FA's. For example, Arenado would make some sense though if that is indeed the play you have to wonder if COL might deal him this offseason.

 

[CSF77]

Eh, I mean I agree to an extent. I don't think he's worth $300 mil. But I do think he provides the cubs something they need which is just another reliable bat after Bryant and Rizzo. That being said I also tend to agree it's not the end of the world if they don't sign him. Part of me thinks it's a good thing because it resets their spending a bit.

Zobrist 123 wRC+
Bryant: 125 wRC+
Rizzo: 125 wRC+
Baez 135 wRC+
Schwarber 115 wRC+
Contreras: 100 wRC+
Heyward: 99 wRC+
Almora: 89 wRC+

I think this line up is the basic unit going in. I’m pretty sure the new guy ends up at 2B and Zo in RF plenty.

Harper holds impact but they are handcuffed and expecting action is foolish.

 

[CSF77]

If it ain't Harper then I'd like to see a significant upgrade in CF and 2B/SS for the lineup..

I'm not sure I'm gonna enjoy watching Almora Happ rotation in CF and a Zobrist Bote rotation at 2B all year, though part of me think that exactly what were gonna see

I think that we will see Zobrist moving between RF and 2B with Heyward moving between CF and RF.

It will really be a Almora/Delcaso platoon and giving the others a off day situation. Those 2 will be the pivot points.

Happ and Bote I see in diminishing roles. Both have significant holes in their games and are more there for their bats late inning.

 

[fatbeard]

All that matters is winning the WS.

A remarkably dumb take given that the baseball playoffs are, at best, a total crapshoot.

 

[anotheridiot]

But this lineup, Harper does not need to get to the next level. There will just be players like Baez, Bryant and Rizzo pushing him and a whole bunch of protection.

All I want for Christmas is the Giants to take Heyward and be able to take Melancon back and not Baumgartner. I understand, dollars wise Heyward leaving is just opening dollars for rizzo, bryant and baez, but Theo is more like one of those cross the bridge when we get there. Somehow he sold Ricketts to the monster deal Heyward got, there needs to be an upside to Harper here, and maybe part of that upside IS being able to extend KB.

 

[CSF77]

But this lineup, Harper does not need to get to the next level. There will just be players like Baez, Bryant and Rizzo pushing him and a whole bunch of protection.

All I want for Christmas is the Giants to take Heyward and be able to take Melancon back and not Baumgartner. I understand, dollars wise Heyward leaving is just opening dollars for rizzo, bryant and baez, but Theo is more like one of those cross the bridge when we get there. Somehow he sold Ricketts to the monster deal Heyward got, there needs to be an upside to Harper here, and maybe part of that upside IS being able to extend KB.

I can see a trade for a pen arm but Heyward feels over the top. I would aim lower and envision Happ for a smaller prize with upside.

 

[chibears55]

I can see a trade for a pen arm but Heyward feels over the top. I would aim lower and envision Happ for a smaller prize with upside.

Though a part of me think were gonna basically see a 2018 rerun with the roster..

Have to think though if Epstein was just gonna make a minor trade for lesser relievers, he would probably of done that already

Why I'm holding out hope he has something bigger planned for the roster