Offseason Stuff

[Steve_A]

If the Cubs would take a huge chunck of dollars off of Heywards contract, the White Sox would be a great fit. Heyward could keep his home life, the White Sox get a bargain veteran, and they desperately need defense for their young power hitting core.

I see the Sox interested in Costenellos but it would be so much better for everyone if the Cubs took Costenellos, and the White Sox got Heyward in RF to at least have SOMEONE that can get a few extra outs.

Heyward is unfortunately un-trade-able at this point don't you think?
I know a lot of people want Nick back but he and Schwarbs can't stay on the same team with that defense imo.

 

[Steve_A]

Well they wanted to see what they had in Alozay when Hamels went down. And Chatwood was also pitching far better in his stints.

But here is the vibe that I am feeling right now.

Joe was getting 6m per. They cut back and signed David on a starter manager deal.

They sweep out the attic and saved 20M.

They add Rea to the 40. Could be a min deal for a rotation spot vs 20 mil for Hamels.

Every signal given thus far is cut the fat. They paid out 248M for a go home kids. Teams pay 100M for that same flavor.

So I'm just seeing them taking a chainsaw to payroll and if David can get them to look like contenders then they will add.

Wish I could believe other wise and hope they are saving to get Cole but yeah you're probably right.

 

[CSF77]

If the Cubs would take a huge chunck of dollars off of Heywards contract, the White Sox would be a great fit. Heyward could keep his home life, the White Sox get a bargain veteran, and they desperately need defense for their young power hitting core.

I see the Sox interested in Costenellos but it would be so much better for everyone if the Cubs took Costenellos, and the White Sox got Heyward in RF to at least have SOMEONE that can get a few extra outs.

MLBTR prediction is Sox sign him.

Heyward

• signed by Chicago Cubs as a free agent 12/15/15
• $20M signing bonus (paid in four $5M installments, each April 1, 2024-27)
• 16:$15M, 17:$21.5M, 18:$21.5M, 19:$20M, 20:$21M, 21:$21M, 22:$22M, 23:$22M
• deferrals reduce contract’s present day value to $177,633,616 (MLB calculation) or $179,885,452 (MLBPA calculation)
• Heyward may opt out of contract after 2018 season or after 2019 season with 550 plate appearances in 2019
• full no-trade protection for 2016-18, may block deals to 12 clubs in 2019-20, may block all deals after 2020 season as 10-and-5 player

 

[CSF77]

Wish I could believe other wise and hope they are saving to get Cole but yeah you're probably right.

Of course I am. They showed their hand but not signing Joe. That 8 hour conversation was most likely... Am I getting funded? No. So how are the kids?

 

[Steve_A]

Of course I am. They showed their hand but not signing Joe. That 8 hour conversation was most likely... Am I getting funded? No. So how are the kids?

Wouldn't be too cocky there but the odds are high that you are right.
That's all I'm sayin.

 

[Castor76]

I don't think Heyward is untradable, But if the Cubs are eating much more than 7 M per remaining, then what's the benefit? Unless it's just a move to shed, plug in farm hand, and plan for next year.

 

[CSF77]

I don't think Heyward is untradable, But if the Cubs are eating much more than 7 M per remaining, then what's the benefit? Unless it's just a move to shed, plug in farm hand, and plan for next year.

He was acceptable outside of CF and leading off. I see him as a #2 hitter myself. Doesn't strike out much and will take a walk. Puts the ball into play alot. Which is good with a strong OBA lead off.

 

[CSF77]

https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-inbox-outfield-mix-in-2020

Could you do a comparison of catching, defensive and framing stats for Willson Contreras vs. Victor Caratini? Based purely on an eye test for last season, my guess would be it isn't even close, with Caratini leading. Thanks, Jordan!
--@evanjjohnson11 via Twitter

Both Contreras and Caratini took steps forward last season, but the numbers definitely portray the latter as the better defender overall. That said, advanced defensive statistics have their flaws and it's worth at least noting that Contreras (811 2/3 innings) had nearly twice the innings as Caratini (426) behind the plate.

The one area in which Contreras had the clear edge over Caratini was controlling the running game. The Major League average for caught-stealing rate in 2019 was 26 percent, and Contreras checked in at 29 percent (16-for-55). Caratini threw runners out at a 17 percent (6-for-35) clip.

Blocking has been a strength of Contreras' over the the years, but Caratini had more blocking runs (0.9) than Contreras (a fraction below 0.0) last year, per Baseball Prospectus. Per BP, Caratini also finished with 3.1 fielding runs above average, compared to -7.7 for Contreras.

In terms of pitch framing, Caratini also rated better according to both BP and Fangraphs. BP had 3.4 framing runs for Caratini in '19 vs. -9.4 for Contreras. Frangraphs had 1.6 framing runs for Caratini and -8.9 for Contreras.

How serious of a candidate is Nico Hoerner for center field? Are Ian Happ and Albert Almora Jr. likely going to platoon center field if Hoerner doesn't work out? And does Nicholas Castellanos play a factor in any of this?
--@captaincub1012 via Twitter

If the Cubs re-sign Castellanos or add a different player for right field via trade or free agency, it would definitely impact the situation in center field. Just like when Castellanos arrived in July, that would push Jason Heyward to center field. That is one route Chicago could take. Or the Cubs could explore trading Kyle Schwarber and altering course in left.

I don't think the chances are high that Hoerner is in center field come Opening Day. If he makes the Cubs' initial 26-man roster, I'd imagine it would be as their second baseman. But the fact that the Cubs experimented some with him in center in '19 at least gives the team's front office something to have in the back of their collective mind.

So, as things currently stand, it does look like Happ and Almora would be a partnership for center. The "as things currently stand" caveat is important there, though. Almora is a trade or non-tender candidate this winter. Happ might also be a trade chip, or he could be in the mix for a more versatile role for Chicago than simply playing center.

A lot could change between now and Opening Day, but the Cubs need to solve center (87 wRC+ in '19).

I was surprised the Cubs didn't pick up Kendall Graveman's option. I know he missed all of last year coming back from Tommy John surgery, but $3 million didn't seem like too much given his experience and the Cubs' need for pitching depth. What gives?
--Jeremy W., Chicago
You're right, the Cubs need to add rotation depth this offseason. The team took one step in that regard on Monday by adding righty Colin Rea to the 40-man roster. Rea had a standout comeback showing for Triple-A Iowa last year following his own comeback from injury, and he has Minor League options. He joins Tyler Chatwood, Alec Mills and Adbert Alzolay on the depth chart behind Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and José Quintana.

The Cubs need more depth than that, though, and know that they haven't ruled out keeping Graveman as part of the mix. While Chicago declined his team option, there is still a chance that the club tries to keep him in the fold on a different type of contract. We'll see how that one plays out.

What will be more important is for the Cubs to try to add an impact starter for the big league staff this winter. No, don't count on Chicago being in the hunt for Gerrit Cole, as much as he would make sense. Instead, I'd expect the Cubs to try to find some rotation depth via the trade market.

 

[CSF77]

He is pretty much saying what I felt.

Caratini should start and Contreras traded before his value as a catcher goes sour.

Rea was a intelligent signing. He is equal to Mills as a option.

Garrit Cole is this years pipe dream. He holds hands with Harper and the rest of the 30Mil AAV wet dream spank fest in Cubby land.

CF is the main issue. 87 wRC+ sucks balls.

 

[Steve_A]

He is pretty much saying what I felt.

Caratini should start and Contreras traded before his value as a catcher goes sour.

Rea was a intelligent signing. He is equal to Mills as a option.

Garrit Cole is this years pipe dream. He holds hands with Harper and the rest of the 30Mil AAV wet dream spank fest in Cubby land.

CF is the main issue. 87 wRC+ sucks balls.

The likelihood of the team going cheap is high but not all is set in stone yet dude.
Also trades aren't gonna come easy either especially with teams knowing that this team wants to shed.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

Lee was good also.

Rizzo is the most athletic of them.

Rizzo was more athletic than Derek Lee? That’s a laughable statement

 

[Castor76]

The likelihood of the team going cheap is high but not all is set in stone yet dude.
Also trades aren't gonna come easy either especially with teams knowing that this team wants to shed.

The 8 figure contracts they could move fairly easy are Quintana, because his price tag/production should be favorable, Bryant, depending on who's in on but loses out on Rendon and Donaldson, and possibly Chatwood because of his flexibility to start or come out of the pen. That's a little over 40 M and it would depend on how they tried to fill those slots as to what the total payroll would be.

 

[TL1961]

Well he is interesting as a #5. He is a command pitcher and is not going to beat himself as Chatwood can do to himself. Alozay was limited to a 4 inning guy and that may end up keeping him out of concideration this year.

I had to guess Theo goes cheap here and adding Rea to the 40 is a signal of this.

I could see Theo going with Yu, Q, Hendricks, Lester, Rea then bolster MR with Mills, Chatwood and Ryan. All ex-starters. Then the 7-9 would be Weick Wick, Underwood and Kimbrel in general.

That leaves 1 spot open to a high leverage late inning arm.

AAA would be Alozay building up innings for the 2nd half. If he fails then expect Theo to look into the dead line if Rea doesn't take off.

Alzolay.

Al-zo-lay.

 

[anotheridiot]

I dont think cheap has anything to do with the pitchers. Eventually, the only way you get out of being a laughing stock of pitcher development is actually rehabbing and or developing a fucking pitcher. And you will never do that if you never give these guys a shot at actually pitching in the majors.

I am sick of watching these 5 man betteran rotations, no competition, spring trainings that pitchers are given a number when they get off the plane. Maybe that is the change we might see, a real competition for CF and 2B, not signing Nick and just putting Heyward out there because you have to play your highest paid player.

 

[CSF77]

Alzolay.

Al-zo-lay.

Rhymes with you are ***.

 

[CSF77]

Rizzo was more athletic than Derek Lee? That’s a laughable statement

I never saw Lee jumping on tarps and tight rope walk like Rizzo does.

 

[CSF77]

The likelihood of the team going cheap is high but not all is set in stone yet dude.
Also trades aren't gonna come easy either especially with teams knowing that this team wants to shed.

Contreras is not a hard trade at all. Most teams see him as a passable catcher with a plus bat. At worst can DH and play 1B also.

Heyward is almost not tradable. But he is passable as a hitter as long as he plays close to GG quality RF.

Russell they can DFA or use as a UI.

They are not in bad shape at all. As is they can go into 2020 doing nothing and still put out a 85 win team.

 

[Steve_A]

Contreras is not a hard trade at all. Most teams see him as a passable catcher with a plus bat. At worst can DH and play 1B also.

Heyward is almost not tradable. But he is passable as a hitter as long as he plays close to GG quality RF.

Russell they can DFA or use as a UI.

They are not in bad shape at all. As is they can go into 2020 doing nothing and still put out a 85 win team.

85 wins with this payroll?
Plus wouldn't you want it one way or the other in a sense of going in or out?

 

[CSF77]

85 wins with this payroll?
Plus wouldn't you want it one way or the other in a sense of going in or out?

Don't really care to be honest. They put out the product. If it sucks I'll find a new hobby for the summer vs be a sour puss.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

I never saw Lee jumping on tarps and tight rope walk like Rizzo does.

I never saw Rizzo get recruited by university of North Carolina to play both basketball and baseball. Jumping on tarps doesn’t make someone a better athlete. Technically anybody can jump on tarp, most guys probably just wouldn’t try it because they don’t have as much heart as Rizzo and it’s also just rare that opportunity occurs. I love Rizzo as a player and person, but Lee was a far superior athlete and actually in his short prime Lee was probably one of the best cubs ever for a couple years.