How Far Are the Cubs From a NL Central Crown?

[Elrhino]

I keep thinking the age of last year's top end free agents was a problem, which is why Theo kept repeating that he was looking to add free agents in their prime years. Especially if you were skeptical of Pujols actual age. Beltran, Aramis, Rollins, Cuddyer, etc. were all in or approaching their mid-30s. Reyes and Fielder were the only high end free agents in their primes, and they both carried unique injury/body type issues.

 

hopefully next year all the free agents are like 23

 

Or how about 30 instead of 34?

 

I know, these are highly controversial statements. Chum's in the water. Begin the NSBB groupthink feeding frenzy.

[jersey cubs fan]

where you think it puts you over the top, not if you think it will put you into contention.

 

Non-freaking-sense. Contention is all you can ask for. There is no "over the top". You contend now and build to be better in the future.

[Brett]

I keep thinking the age of last year's top end free agents was a problem, which is why Theo kept repeating that he was looking to add free agents in their prime years. Especially if you were skeptical of Pujols actual age. Beltran, Aramis, Rollins, Cuddyer, etc. were all in or approaching their mid-30s. Reyes and Fielder were the only high end free agents in their primes, and they both carried unique injury/body type issues.

 

hopefully next year all the free agents are like 23

 

But they won't have a long enough proven track record to justify signing. All free agents should be 25.5 and only sign 4 year contracts.

 

Well damn. Missed out on Yoenis Cespedes.

[jersey cubs fan]

with 2 team options

[dew1679666265]

With the exception of a few pieces, total roster turnover is necessary. There are too many holes right now, and we don't have the resources available to compete at a high level right now by spending. Prince Fielder is not going to make you a contender five years from now, he's a right now sort of signing. You only make that kind of signing if you're close enough where you think it puts you over the top, not if you think it will put you into contention.

 

Roster turnover does not necessarily equal tanking one or more seasons. We could have made every move we made this offseason and still have justified adding one or more of Pujols/Cespedes/Darvish. You don't just add major free agents when you're on the brink of being great, you add major free agents to make your team better. Right now, short of splurging unwisely on FA pitchers next year, I don't really see any way we compete next year. Had we signed Pujols (or Darvish or Cespedes), it'd be a much more realistic thought to compete next year.