Offseason thread

[Diehardfan]

Dave Smith

 

[CSF77]

Ya. They are +2 on the 40 so they need to cut prior to making both adds official.

They are also at 209M CBA as 5M was sent over by Houston. That leaves between 16-19M to spend prior to Spring

So I feel good with the pen. The bench is fine also. Hitting depends on how Shaw adapts. If he adapts quick he can fill the #2 hitter role. That pushes Suzuki to clean up. So this could end up a non issue. But having 15M sitting for July makes sense if this fizzles.

The rotation same thing. Brown and Horton pending. Pressley is on a 1 year so that gives time for internal growth there. Assad is not a quality starter on a contender. Rea same thing. So this is IMO a great spot to add a 1 year rental. I would use the remaining payroll to target Max. This gives Horton a year to get ready plus a knowledge pool to tap into.

 

[SilenceS]

Team is shaping up nicely. Def the favorites to win the Central with 7 more top 100 prospects waiting in the wings.

 

[knoxville7]

Team is shaping up nicely. Def the favorites to win the Central with 7 more top 100 prospects waiting in the wings.

feel like many thought the cubs were the division favorites last year as well

Brewers are still in the division and the Reds are the young up and coming team

Cubs may be the favorites, but its a slim margin if so.

 

[SilenceS]

feel like many thought the cubs were the division favorites last year as well

Brewers are still in the division and the Reds are the young up and coming team

Cubs may be the favorites, but its a slim margin if so.

I dont believe in the Brewers. I think it was a lucky team and loss Adames. Reds are up and coming. Elly De La Cruz may be the most exciting player in baseball. Pirates could surprise a little when you got Skenes going every 5th day. Cardinals are toast this year.

Cubs are currently +115 to win the division on FD.

This is a better Cubs team then last year that took a lot of injuries, blown saves, and the whole team deciding not to hit for almost 2 months.

 

[CSF77]

I dont believe in the Brewers. I think it was a lucky team and loss Adames. Reds are up and coming. Elly De La Cruz may be the most exciting player in baseball. Pirates could surprise a little when you got Skenes going every 5th day. Cardinals are toast this year.

Cubs are currently +115 to win the division on FD.

This is a better Cubs team then last year that took a lot of injuries, blown saves, and the whole team deciding not to hit for almost 2 months.

They need a upgrade to Assad and Rea. Max would be great. SD is dangling King at 8M which is cheaper than Max. (15M). Will cost though. SD is talent tapped and in a payroll bind. Cubs have talent depth that SD would be wanting.

Plus Cubs are plus 2 on the 40. Doing a 3 for 1 evens out the 40 and puts them at 120M.

 

[CSF77]

Like to see
King-> Wicks, Assad, Velequez maybe Canario to free up below.

adds 8M. 216M on contract.
Target Turner to back up Shaw and Busch.

Then push Brown into high leverage with Little and Pearson They need some velocity in those situations. All push 98MPH.

 

[CSF77]

x.com

x.com

 

[CSF77]

x.com

x.com

 

[CSF77]

Back to 40. Boring way to do it...

 

[TL1961]

I dont believe in the Brewers. I think it was a lucky team and loss Adames. Reds are up and coming. Elly De La Cruz may be the most exciting player in baseball. Pirates could surprise a little when you got Skenes going every 5th day. Cardinals are toast this year.

Cubs are currently +115 to win the division on FD.

This is a better Cubs team then last year that took a lot of injuries, blown saves, and the whole team deciding not to hit for almost 2 months.

Agreed.

Justin Steele lost two months right from Day 1. Tons of pitching injuries and blown saves. That alone should account for a big swing.

Catcher was a black hole offensively for 5 of 6 months. Hopefully somewhat better. We should get more from PCA, and I would certainly hope for more from 3rd base, even with a rookie playing. I don't think it's fair to expect Shaw to burst onto the scene like gangbusters, but last year we had little offense and 4 months of Morel being literally the single worst position player in baseball. This year will be better.

Tucker is a big addition. Hopefully Seiya doesn't pull the oblique as he does every year. Looking forward to seeing a 90+ win team.

 

[CSF77]

Agreed.

Justin Steele lost two months right from Day 1. Tons of pitching injuries and blown saves. That alone should account for a big swing.

Catcher was a black hole offensively for 5 of 6 months. Hopefully somewhat better. We should get more from PCA, and I would certainly hope for more from 3rd base, even with a rookie playing. I don't think it's fair to expect Shaw to burst onto the scene like gangbusters, but last year we had little offense and 4 months of Morel being literally the single worst position player in baseball. This year will be better.

Tucker is a big addition. Hopefully Seiya doesn't pull the oblique as he does every year. Looking forward to seeing a 90+ win team.

It was Bellinger and Suzuki injuries that caused the free fall. Apr they played their best baseball. That lasted until injuries to their line up.

Taillon was delayed also but pitched his best year with the Cubs after returning.

It was more so a lack of runs caused by a hit to the O plus losing Merryweather and Alzolay never returning healthy from him late season injury in 23. The run support in April hid the flaws in the pen but after losing their hitting core the warts came out and they did not recover.

 

[CSF77]

What I am concerned about this year is options causing playing decisions vs talent

Jed has a bunch of players lacking option years. That forces decisions based off of control.

Brown and Wicks have options. That may push them to Iowa regardless of how their spring ends up. That is problematic if those two are shelved for lesser talented players with out options and it causes loses.

 

[CSF77]

Watched a pre release yesterday. The full came out a few minutes ago.

Have to say he should be given a real shot to take a rotation spot

 

[SilenceS]

Cubs have a lot of depth at pitching. Horton will be in the mix at some point barring injury.

I really like the Jon Berti pick up. Energy player who is getting old, but still solid off the bench with ability to play all over the field.

 

[TL1961]

It was Bellinger and Suzuki injuries that caused the free fall. Apr they played their best baseball. That lasted until injuries to their line up.

Taillon was delayed also but pitched his best year with the Cubs after returning.

It was more so a lack of runs caused by a hit to the O plus losing Merryweather and Alzolay never returning healthy from him late season injury in 23. The run support in April hid the flaws in the pen but after losing their hitting core the warts came out and they did not recover.

The pitching injuries cost them a lot of games

 

[CSF77]

Cubs have a lot of depth at pitching. Horton will be in the mix at some point barring injury.

I really like the Jon Berti pick up. Energy player who is getting old, but still solid off the bench with ability to play all over the field.

Sounds like they are looking at another IF. Cage Workman is currently the corner IF and he is a rule V guy. Jorge Polanco is one that fits. TBH if he takes off he might push Hoerner for 2B.

 

[CSF77]

Max Scherzer Hosts Workout For Several Teams

Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer held a workout/showcase for interested teams recently. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

Cubs were there. Not sure if a due diligence thing or a real interest.

Cubs have 16M to burn. I am not against it as he is a proven play off pitcher and they have the depth to be able to optimize his work load

 

[SilenceS]

MLB is reporting Cubs are involved with Dylan Cease trade talks.

 

[knoxville7]

MLB is reporting Cubs are involved with Dylan Cease trade talks.

Interesting, Ive heard a different Padres pitcher...Michael King...either one would be a solid pickup