2022-23 Offseason Thread (Cubs)

[TomtheBombadil]

This need for bat who can hit LHP only makes the Marlins a better trade partner IMO

Peyton Burdick:

- .242/.306/.455 vs ML LHP last year, .330 wOBA, 116 wRC+
- .265/.363/.484 vs LHP in the IL (AAA) last year
- 40+% FB rates throughout the minors into the MLs
- 90 MPH avg EV last year in 57 ML events, abv league barrel% and hardhit%
- Primarily a CF, plays all 3 OF spots

On top of power SP options, by that I mostly mean Luzardo but I'm pretty open minded about Sixto Sanchez tbh, there's Burdick, Tanner Scott (97 MPH LHRP), I'm still OK enough with Wendle since it's a 1 year deal (assuming it *doesn't* take the Cubs over the cap) to fill out a trade...

[Bertz]

Don't like, would have much rather held onto Leiter than several others particularly Rucker. The ceiling is lower with the piddling velo but he was very good in shorter stints last year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Wonder if this came down to Leiter Jr's lack of options. Either that or they don't see much sustainability in his 2022 and would rather bet on Rucker's velocity.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This also means that the only players on the 40 man who are out of options and on the fringes of the 26 man are McKinstry and Alzolay.

[Bertz]

Wonder if this came down to Leiter Jr's lack of options. Either that or they don't see much sustainability in his 2022 and would rather bet on Rucker's velocity.

Yeah it's probably the out of options thing (though IMO that'sa bit silly to worry about for a 31 year old making league minimumbut I digress). I wonder if that means they're bringing in two more relievers? Right now you have the following as locks:

Alzolay, Thompson, Hughes, Boxberger, Wick

Jed also seems to like to leave one spot for the Iowa shuttle, which brings us to 6 of 8 spots accounted for. Are those last two currently outside the org, or is it just one more veteran and then a more mopup-y long reliever like Sampson?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Wonder if this came down to Leiter Jr's lack of options. Either that or they don't see much sustainability in his 2022 and would rather bet on Rucker's velocity.

Yeah it's probably the out of options thing (though IMO that'sa bit silly to worry about for a 31 year old making league minimumbut I digress). I wonder if that means they're bringing in two more relievers? Right now you have the following as locks:

Alzolay, Thompson, Hughes, Boxberger, Wick

Jed also seems to like to leave one spot for the Iowa shuttle, which brings us to 6 of 8 spots accounted for. Are those last two currently outside the org, or is it just one more veteran and then a more mopup-y long reliever like Sampson?

That is my guess, Sampson, a FA/external acquisition, and then someone from the Estrada/Rodriguez/Rucker group(with Heuer following behind).

[Tim]

I want Estrada in the pen. But in my head he's learned how to throw strikes consistently over the offseason.

[Cubswin11]

Heuer and Roberts will be put on the 60 day once they can make that move and guessing one of those open spot is used for a vet RP.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Sign Chafin for more LH help. The fit is perfect.

[Gilby]

Cerami says we're still interested in Mancini. TBH, I might value his sourced rumors more than most in Chicago media. He doesn't do it often, but his hit rate is pretty high

[Post Count Padder]

Cerami says we're still interested in Mancini. TBH, I might value his sourced rumors more than most in Chicago media. He doesn't do it often, but his hit rate is pretty high

He had Dansby first I think. I'd buy it. We could use another bat and another lefty in the pen. And Nico extension.

[Bertz]

Cerami says we're still interested in Mancini. TBH, I might value his sourced rumors more than most in Chicago media. He doesn't do it often, but his hit rate is pretty high

Totally agree. Timing would make sense too. Arb agreements being done means the team knows exactly what they have payroll wise and could unblock the last few offseason moves.

[Tryptamine]

If they sign Mancini, that basically guarantees Mervis in AAA. They aren't going to roster Mancini, Hosmer and Mervis.

[Irrelevant Dude]

If they sign Mancini, that basically guarantees Mervis in AAA. They aren't going to roster Mancini, Hosmer and Mervis.

Yeah, that sucks. I was looking forward to seeing what Mervis could do in Chicago. I'm also not high on either Hosmer or Mancini.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This is a pretty substantial update from Sharma, and there's some eye-opening stuff to me: https://theathletic.com/4091508/2023/01 ... ter-holes/

- He says the choice may be between adding a bat and adding another RP, and seems to imply it's because RP asking prices are so high(using Matt Strahm's 2/15 deal as an anchoring point). Matt Moore and Chafin are mentioned as targets.

- He says Mervis has been told his ST performance will not dictate whether or not he makes the team. Combining with the above, you can read between the lines that Mervis makes the team on opening day if a RP gets added but probably not if they add the bat. The RH bat targets listed are Mancini, Franmil Reyes, and a mystery unnamed player.

- He spends six paragraphs talking about 3B and doesn't say Morel's name once. Instead it's Wisdom as the favorite, McKinstry as his platoon/hedge(though teams are asking about McKinstry in trade?), and Mastrobuoni and Madrigal(!?!?!?) are also options.

- Morel's name finally shows up in a list of players who may start in Iowa but play a significant role or end the season with the big league team. Others include Madrigal, Wesneski, Velazquez, and Assad.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Oh, by the way.

[Tryptamine]

So now they're around 11m from cap and still in need of a rp. Assuming they aren't going to give themselves absolutely zero financial flexibility at the trade deadline, I don't see how they can bring in anyone of note without clearing some salary. Where could they even clear a decent amount of cap space? Hendricks?

[TomtheBombadil]

Yes do sign Matt Moore, Cubs

[Bertz]

So now they're around 11m from cap and still in need of a rp. Assuming they aren't going to give themselves absolutely zero financial flexibility at the trade deadline, I don't see how they can bring in anyone of note without clearing some salary. Where could they even clear a decent amount of cap space? Hendricks?

Yeah there's not really any ways to free up significant cash except Hendricks or Bote, which both feel unlikely. Madrigal would save you half a million, and Sampson would free up a little over a million, but those aren't moving the needle any. Also there is occasionally a margin of error of a couple million between the public accounting and what ends up being official.

That article TT posted (which Sharma wrote like right before the Mancini news), said it was basically an either/or between getting a Chafin/Moore type and getting a Mancini type bat. That seems right, though I do wonder how much the guys one tier down like Will Smith and Zack Britton would cost. Or maybe this is where Jed finally hits the trade market?

At this point I think it's basically a pick two between having money for the deadline, signing a Hoerner extension, and signing a reliever for more than $1-2M. My inference is that they couldn't work anything out with Hoerner, but we'll see.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

At this point I think it's basically a pick two between having money for the deadline, signing a Hoerner extension, and signing a reliever for more than $1-2M. My inference is that they couldn't work anything out with Hoerner, but we'll see.

I would go as far to say that it's pick one, given the potential for bonuses(especially Mancini's) and other unknowns with getting to the exact LT amount. My preference is extending Hoerner, trading Madrigal for a 5M caliber reliever, and going over at the deadline if you really must to be competitive, but admittedly there's non-public details(Hoerner's asks, Madrigal's league wide interest) that could torpedo that plan pretty quickly.

[TomtheBombadil]

From MLBTR:

JJ Bleday, MIA (25): No longer rookie-eligible after making 238 plate appearances last season, Bleday nonetheless remains an unproven prospect with an uncertain future in Miami. Bleday did well to adapt his swing after a disappointing 2021 campaign, but he is an extreme flyball hitter who seems destined to require a friendlier home venue. The Marlins’ rumored interest in Max Kepler could affect Bleday’s opportunities in 2023.

Luzardo and Bleday would be a nice cap to this offseason. Bleday could be a versatile backup in the 2024 OF mix without Bellinger, someone who gives them more available AAA depth in 2023

[Irrelevant Dude]

My inference is that they couldn't work anything out with Hoerner, but we'll see.

I certainly hope that isn't the case. At some point, this front office has to be able to get extensions worked out for players not named David Bote.

[Cubswin11]

My inference is that they couldn't work anything out with Hoerner, but we'll see.

I certainly hope that isn't the case. At some point, this front office has to be able to get extensions worked out for players not named David Bote.

The did the first time with Rizzo too. I think Rizzo/Javy/KB all overvalued (and now we’ll see on Willy) what they thought they were worth and actually worth and all 4 of their contracts now I don’t think anyone would want.

[CubinNY]

If they sign Mancini, that basically guarantees Mervis in AAA. They aren't going to roster Mancini, Hosmer and Mervis.

Yeah, that sucks. I was looking forward to seeing what Mervis could do in Chicago. I'm also not high on either Hosmer or Mancini.

My bet is that Hosmer is gone bey the ASB. Maybe even by the end of spring training.

[Derwood]

Brett reporting that Cubs are kicking the tires on Bauer