You're the GM (Game)

[TC in Mississippi]

Cubs may have some limits for this year in terms of adding contracts but here's what they have coming off soon

After 2016
Hammel - 7 million
Jackson - 13 million

After 2017
Montero - 14 million

But this gets back to what I've said a lot: if the payroll isn't going above 140, that means Montero is costing you 10% of your payroll and if the Cubs want Schwarber to catch part time, Montero is a part time player, batting seventh, costing you 10% of your payroll. I'm not saying what Montero does is meaningless or easy to find but if the money going to Monetro means you can't get a Cueto or Grienke, I struggle so see how you're better off. I'd MUCH rather have a TOR arm + good defensive catcher who doesn't hit than Montero+Shark.

I think you undervalue Samardzija who is a solid #3 in the NL. Yes, last year was bad and he was still a 2.7 fWAR. A rotation of Arrieta, Lester, Samardzija, Hendricks, Hammel is one of the better staffs in the NL. Make a trade for say Carrasco and now you've got Arrieta, Lester, Carrasco (or Miller or Salazar), Samardzija & Hendricks with the ability to trade Hammel (at $9 mil for one year he should be easily tradeable) and you likely have the second best staff in the NL after the Mets. Finding the no hit defensive catcher you're talking about isn't easy either and Ross can't handle that workload. Plus trading Montero without a replacement makes your pitching staff worse. Now all that said maybe they do go with Schwarber there more often than I think they will and pick up another guy. There are rumors that Montero is available, but I think you would have to be very, very careful of a move like that. Trading Castro, Hammel and non tendering Wood saves you $22 mil without touching Montero. That would seem to make more sense.

 

[Boobaby1]

I think you undervalue Samardzija who is a solid #3 in the NL. Yes, last year was bad and he was still a 2.7 fWAR. A rotation of Arrieta, Lester, Samardzija, Hendricks, Hammel is one of the better staffs in the NL. Make a trade for say Carrasco and now you've got Arrieta, Lester, Carrasco (or Miller or Salazar), Samardzija & Hendricks with the ability to trade Hammel (at $9 mil for one year he should be easily tradeable) and you likely have the second best staff in the NL after the Mets. Finding the no hit defensive catcher you're talking about isn't easy either and Ross can't handle that workload. Plus trading Montero without a replacement makes your pitching staff worse. Now all that said maybe they do go with Schwarber there more often than I think they will and pick up another guy. There are rumors that Montero is available, but I think you would have to be very, very careful of a move like that. Trading Castro, Hammel and non tendering Wood saves you $22 mil without touching Montero. That would seem to make more sense.

True dat!

The Cubs have been linked to Samardzija, Lackey, and now Leake as a number three in the rotation. A trade would only bolster the rotation, plus get it younger in age. Any one of them would be a welcomed addition.

I also would feel better about keeping Montero there for one more year, and then transition Schwarber and Contreras into the everyday roles the following year if they feel Kyle is up to the task of handling backstop duties.

I would think that they might even keep Ross on as a catchers coach so-to-speak after this year, to be there to keep an eye on Schwarber and Contreras in the event that they traded Montero away.

 

[DanTown]

I think you undervalue Samardzija who is a solid #3 in the NL. Yes, last year was bad and he was still a 2.7 fWAR. A rotation of Arrieta, Lester, Samardzija, Hendricks, Hammel is one of the better staffs in the NL. Make a trade for say Carrasco and now you've got Arrieta, Lester, Carrasco (or Miller or Salazar), Samardzija & Hendricks with the ability to trade Hammel (at $9 mil for one year he should be easily tradeable) and you likely have the second best staff in the NL after the Mets. Finding the no hit defensive catcher you're talking about isn't easy either and Ross can't handle that workload. Plus trading Montero without a replacement makes your pitching staff worse. Now all that said maybe they do go with Schwarber there more often than I think they will and pick up another guy. There are rumors that Montero is available, but I think you would have to be very, very careful of a move like that. Trading Castro, Hammel and non tendering Wood saves you $22 mil without touching Montero. That would seem to make more sense.

I agree that I'd trade Castro and Hammel and sign say Cueto for the same money you just dumped but that still doesn't speak to Montero's value. If you can find a good defensive catcher for six-eight million (which would be an overpay), you just freed up six-eight million to better the team. That's important. The idea that Miguel Montero is essentially irreplaceable (especially considering cost) is crazy to me.

 

[Parade_Rain]

True dat!

The Cubs have been linked to Samardzija, Lackey, and now Leake as a number three in the rotation. A trade would only bolster the rotation, plus get it younger in age.

I also would feel better about keeping Montero there for one more year, and then transition Schwarber and Contreras into the everyday roles the following year if they feel Kyle is up to the task of handling backstop duties.

I would think that they might even keep Ross on as a catchers coach so-to-speak after this year, to be there to keep an eye on Schwarber and Contreras in the event that they traded Montero away.

I think Ross is already acting in some coaching capacity on his days off, so the idea to keep him around as a coach/catching coach after his contract is over, seems solid.

 

[Boobaby1]

I think Ross is already acting in some coaching capacity on his days off, so the idea to keep him around as a coach/catching coach after his contract is over, seems solid.

He does have coaching abilities for sure, but I can't really speak for his personal and family life. I guess what I am saying is that I am hoping he would stay on.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

I agree that I'd trade Castro and Hammel and sign say Cueto for the same money you just dumped but that still doesn't speak to Montero's value. If you can find a good defensive catcher for six-eight million (which would be an overpay), you just freed up six-eight million to better the team. That's important. The idea that Miguel Montero is essentially irreplaceable (especially considering cost) is crazy to me.

if Contreras his hot in AAA out of the gate then maybe Montero becomes more expendable maybe at the deadline. Right now I seriously doubt Schwarber could catch Arrieta or any of the high velocity bullpen guys not to mention if they pick up the kind of higher velocity guy they're looking for or 2. Now maybe they have their eye on a guy or think Contreras is closer than we think. that would change the equation.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Boy that Ken Rosenthal has Cubs fans jumping off of buildings everywhere.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Jed Hoyer said on ESPN 1000 today that Schwarber will primarily play LF with side work as catcher as well as the occasional game. If they really are thinking of trading Montero they have someone else in mind. He also said Bryant will be at 3B for the foreseeable future.

 

[CSF77]

That basically means no Price, Grienke, Cueto, or Shark possibly. I am totally floored if this is true.

Still 30 mil to spend

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Still 30 mil to spend

That's before shedding any salary too. Not tendering Wood is almost $6 million, trading Castro is $8. If Soler goes in a trade for pitching that's $4 mil so whatever the trade difference would come off as well.

 

[CSF77]

I doubt they shed Wood. He can spot start and was pretty solid in the pen. As we are seeing the price for guys like him are increasing.

 

[CSF77]

That's before shedding any salary too. Not tendering Wood is almost $6 million, trading Castro is $8. If Soler goes in a trade for pitching that's $4 mil so whatever the trade difference would come off as well.

Castro I'll believe when I see it. Same with Soler. No needto even mention those guys at this point.

I personally would like to see Baez in CF in S/T. There already has been mention of Baez getting some time in the OF. Not to mention he played most of his high school years at CF. Not really a reach on him.

At that point we would be looking at ARB cases and then 1 starter. If they add a 2nd that means either Hammel or Hendrick's are involved.

 

[CSF77]

Boy that Ken Rosenthal has Cubs fans jumping off of buildings everywhere.

Not that big of a deal. He said right now it is at 110. They can add 20 which puts it at 130. So that is a 5 mil increase.

Right now they are looking into Shark, Leake and Lackey. All 3 profile as a #3 behind Lester. That is what they need.

Add to it they are in on Zorbrist. That add would most likely co-inside with a Castro move.

Now if that happened. Ben plays 2B and leads off. Schwarber #2 in LF. Bryant 3B hitting 3 then Rizzo 4. After that I would turn Baez into a CF and bat him 5 with Montero Then Soler.

Makes an interesting line up. If the kids can start to control their strike outs things should look bright.

Now on a return for Castro. I can't see them getting more than a few projectable arms. Nothing outstanding and ready unless they make it into a major transaction.

 

[SilenceS]

I cant wait to trade half the team! Trade them and we have perennial all stars in the wings. Its not like the team came together for a NLCS run or anything.

 

[SilenceS]

Ill tell you that Royals team was smart. They made a run and traded half their team nd won the World Series. Wait, I think I may have messed that up?

 

[Boobaby1]

Ill tell you that Royals team was smart. They made a run and traded half their team nd won the World Series. Wait, I think I may have messed that up?

When you have holes like the Cubs have, and need probably two pitchers, a CF or lead-off man and some bullpen help along with beefing up the minors with pitching, you are likely not going to get that with 20-30 million to spend in free agency.

Therefore, trade(s) are probably forthcoming.

 

[SilenceS]

When you have holes like the Cubs have, and need probably two pitchers, a CF or lead-off man and some bullpen help along with beefing up the minors with pitching, you are likely not going to get that with 20-30 million to spend in free agency.

Therefore, trade(s) are probably forthcoming.

Give them another year. Trust


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[beckdawg]

Gray is nearly a half a run better playing in the AL. That's huge. Gray has the better k/9 but only slightly. Gray is actually better away than at home.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=grayso01&year=Career&t=p



As for Hendricks, he has no where near the track record of Gray and no one outside of the Cubs "kingdom" would value Hendricks in the same light as Gray.

Kyle is a nice bat, but offers no more and in reality we aren't sure what his bat will be going forward. Where as Gray you know you have an ace in him already.

My point on Hendricks wasn't that he is god tier or anything. It's that Gray isn't decidedly better than him in those regards which to me illustrates a clear difference between him and other "aces." I honest don't feel like arguing about it too much so I'll just say this. I think Gray is essentially Tim Hudson at a similar age which is to say a decent pitcher but not a franchise changing one. Either way, if the price on Gray is as you suggest I'd rather have someone like Chris Archer over him for that price.

 

[JimJohnson]

My point on Hendricks wasn't that he is god tier or anything. It's that Gray isn't decidedly better than him in those regards which to me illustrates a clear difference between him and other "aces." I honest don't feel like arguing about it too much so I'll just say this. I think Gray is essentially Tim Hudson at a similar age which is to say a decent pitcher but not a franchise changing one. Either way, if the price on Gray is as you suggest I'd rather have someone like Chris Archer over him for that price.

You've been high (no pun intended) on Hendricks for quite some time now and it's somewhat mind boggling. I'm not sure what you've seen that leads you to believe he's anything but a #5 at best.

 

[beckdawg]

You've been high (no pun intended) on Hendricks for quite some time now and it's somewhat mind boggling. I'm not sure what you've seen that leads you to believe he's anything but a #5 at best.

That wasn't even praise on Hendricks. The entire point of the comment was people view Gray as "elite" and his k/9 is worse than Hendricks who by your comments is a #5 starter along with him walking more batter per 9. Certainly those aren't the only things that matter when talking about a pitcher but that essentially puts his FIP on a similar level to Hendricks. The point I was trying to make is I think Gray closer to Miller than he is to Sale.