What's the obsession with Sean Manea as a #1? You know he's been super mediocre throughout his career right?
Also I know Steele and Thompson may have swayed your opinion because their last starts were good, but more than likely they are both bullpen guys
That is a fair question.
Starting Pitchers
Chase Anderson (35)
Tyler Anderson (33)
Chris Archer (34)
Kohei Arihara (30)
Chris Bassitt (34)
Trevor Bauer (32) – can opt out of remaining one year, $17MM
Matthew Boyd (32)
Dylan Bundy (30) – $11MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Carlos Carrasco (36) – $14MM club option with a $3MM buyout
Mike Clevinger (32)
Jacob deGrom (35) – can opt out of remaining one year, $30.5MM
Zach Davies (30)
Danny Duffy (34) – club option
Zach Eflin (29)
Nathan Eovaldi (33)
Chris Flexen (28) – $4MM club/vesting option
Mike Foltynewicz (31)
John Gant (30)
Kyle Gibson (35)
Sonny Gray (33) – $12MM club option
Zack Greinke (39)
Andrew Heaney (32)
Rich Hill (43)
Clayton Kershaw (35)
Dallas Keuchel (35) – $20MM club/vesting option with a $1.5MM buyout
Corey Kluber (37)
Chad Kuhl (30)
Jordan Lyles (32) – club option
Sean Manaea (31)
Carlos Martinez (31)
Wade Miley (36)
Mike Minor (35) – $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Matt Moore (34)
Charlie Morton (39) – $20MM club option with no buyout
Joe Musgrove (30)
Aaron Nola (30) – $16MM club option with a $4.25MM buyout
Jake Odorizzi (33) – $6.5MM player option with a $3.25MM buyout
James Paxton (34) – club option for 2023-24
Wily Peralta (34)
Martin Perez (32)
Michael Pineda (34)
David Price (37)
Jose Quintana (34)
Garrett Richards (35) – option
Carlos Rodon (30) – can opt out of remaining one year, $22.5MM if he pitches 110 innings in 2022
Joe Ross (30)
Aaron Sanchez (30)
Luis Severino (29) – $15MM club option with a $2.75MM buyout
Drew Smyly (34)
Ross Stripling (33)
Noah Syndergaard (30)
Jameson Taillon (31)
Jose Urena (31)
Vince Velasquez (31)
Justin Verlander (40) – $25MM player option if he pitches 130 innings in 2022
Michael Wacha (31)
Adam Wainwright (41)
Taijuan Walker (30) – $6MM player option with a $3MM buyout
Trevor Williams (31)
So SD has 3 guys on the outs. Joe is the guy that I expect resigned. He has become a fan fav and pitches their only no hitter. The other two I doubt that they will retain. So he will be out there. SD has the SP depth to be able to move forward.
If you look at that list he is a top 5 guy on it. Jed has balked on Boras too many times to expect Rodon. Other guys have club options and teams normally pull them unless that player is a injury risk and a complete loss for that year.
So it is what is given. Jed most likely will not trade for a guy. The Cubs are cash cows where they can keep their farm and invest into a issue.
At one point I was thinking that Jed might extend Miley but shoulder injuries are a ***** and higher risk. TJ has become common that almost every guy has had one. Shoulders are a whole can of worms that pitchers may never be that guy after recovery. Ala Mark Prior.