2013 Mock Offseason Thread

[rawaction]

Well [expletive]. Thats a good point and I dug myself a [expletive] hole to crawl out of. That said, while its certainly unclear as to who may be rebuilding at that time, having prospects much closer to the majors would help the cause, as would having enough in your system to overwhelm a team into trading that guy for less than MLB talent. My honest guess(obviously hard to project out) is Tampa could look into trading Price and Longoria within 2 years, Miami and Stanton, KC and some of their younger hitting, and Oakland, if the young arms don't pan out.

 

But you don't build for 2 years from now by thinking about what may happen over the next 2 years then pulling out a fury of moves in a 2-6 month span in 2 years. Gotta take whats available now. And what is rumored to be available now is a lot of young talent. If in 2 years you want to flip that young talent for a Stanton or Price, then that's fine. But the key is amassing enough young talent to make this an option in the first place. The Cubs have a nice start, but they aren't at the point yet where they have the ability to deal from the group they do have.

[WrigleyField 22]

I really don't think 2015 is the year we actually start trying. I think that thats more of a "this is when our pipeline is going to be in full gear and we go after that superstar FAs to supplement". So I think they'll put together a semblance of an effort in 13 and 14. Guys like McCarthy speak to that plan. With 5 playoff openings, we can have acreslistic shot without going crazy in FA.

 

Does Wood have a final option year? I'd be fine with him in Iowa as the 6th starter because he'll still get time with injuries. Go fill 3 rotation spots.

 

 

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[davell]

Raw, I would LOVE to add young talent right now. That said, how? What do we have to trade that'd actuakky get it? Baez isn't getting dealt right now. Maybe in a year or two. Soler and Almora can't be dealt yet. If we paid all of Soriano's contract, could we get a Delgado type guy as the return? I doubt it, since IF is the most plentiful FA position this year. Barney? No idea, but I bet they look into it. I could see Porcekko or Corbin being possibilities. Jackson or Vitters? Again, I'm sure they'll try. Same with Travis Wood. Garza being hurt kills his value right now. And the rest of our minor leaguers are so far away that its better to let them get into full season ball to try and increase their value. Honestly, its why I think they're targeting one year types again: Basically buying prospects. Next year at this time, I'd think we'll be adding much more good as far as the supposed "core" goes. This year, I'm hoping for a Chisenhall or Morrison and a Delgado or Kelly. If we get one, it's not bad, I'm just not seeing how we'll be able to do much more than that, when it comes to trading for the younger guys right now.

[Backtobanks]

I really don't think 2015 is the year we actually start trying. I think that thats more of a "this is when our pipeline is going to be in full gear and we go after that superstar FAs to supplement". So I think they'll put together a semblance of an effort in 13 and 14. Guys like McCarthy speak to that plan. With 5 playoff openings, we can have acreslistic shot without going crazy in FA.

 

Does Wood have a final option year? I'd be fine with him in Iowa as the 6th starter because he'll still get time with injuries. Go fill 3 rotation spots.

 

 

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I don't see how McCarthy speaks to that plan when Garza is the same age and is considered trade bait when he proves he's healthy. Your definition of "a semblance of an effort" is different than mine because I think they need to start filling the multitude of holes they have now (and project to have in the next couple of years) with the young players that are available or rumored to be available. We've talked about the young pitchers available, but Chisenhall, possibly Reddick, and the Uptons are available. Jackson and Vitters could turn it around, but they certainly didn't show anything this year.

[Guest]

I really don't think 2015 is the year we actually start trying. I think that thats more of a "this is when our pipeline is going to be in full gear and we go after that superstar FAs to supplement". So I think they'll put together a semblance of an effort in 13 and 14. Guys like McCarthy speak to that plan. With 5 playoff openings, we can have acreslistic shot without going crazy in FA.

 

Does Wood have a final option year? I'd be fine with him in Iowa as the 6th starter because he'll still get time with injuries. Go fill 3 rotation spots.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I don't see how McCarthy speaks to that plan when Garza is the same age and is considered trade bait when he proves he's healthy. Your definition of "a semblance of an effort" is different than mine because I think they need to start filling the multitude of holes they have now (and project to have in the next couple of years) with the young players that are available or rumored to be available. We've talked about the young pitchers available, but Chisenhall, possibly Reddick, and the Uptons are available. Jackson and Vitters could turn it around, but they certainly didn't show anything this year.

 

Maybe they simply don't think Garza is a good investment at what he's looking for in an extension.

[WrigleyField 22]

These young available players cost more than money. Not that you cant go after those guys, but at most likely its just reallocating existing resources.

 

Filling 2-3 rotation spots and getting just average performance from CF and bullpen gets us with an outside chance. Ultimately it depends on development of younger guys. Which is essentially the plan many are advocating for in 2020 or whatever it is.

 

 

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[rawaction]

Raw, I would LOVE to add young talent right now. That said, how? What do we have to trade that'd actuakky get it? Baez isn't getting dealt right now. Maybe in a year or two. Soler and Almora can't be dealt yet. If we paid all of Soriano's contract, could we get a Delgado type guy as the return? I doubt it, since IF is the most plentiful FA position this year. Barney? No idea, but I bet they look into it. I could see Porcekko or Corbin being possibilities. Jackson or Vitters? Again, I'm sure they'll try. Same with Travis Wood. Garza being hurt kills his value right now. And the rest of our minor leaguers are so far away that its better to let them get into full season ball to try and increase their value. Honestly, its why I think they're targeting one year types again: Basically buying prospects. Next year at this time, I'd think we'll be adding much more good as far as the supposed "core" goes. This year, I'm hoping for a Chisenhall or Morrison and a Delgado or Kelly. If we get one, it's not bad, I'm just not seeing how we'll be able to do much more than that, when it comes to trading for the younger guys right now.

 

Chisenhall and Delgado (and the like) are young talent. A couple guys like that need to be acquired. It doesn't have to be a franchise cornerstone like Rizzo. But even Rizzo was had for only Andrew Cashner. There are teams that have young players at positions that are blocked for them. If the Cubs can step in and give them something to fill another hole, they can trade from their "surplus" of talent at a position the Cubs may need. Rizzo is the perfect example of this. The Cubs have plenty of tradeable assets. They probably don't have the ability to get a can't miss stud, maybe not even a prospect as good as Rizzo was last year at this time. But they have to find a way to get a future piece.

[Tryptamine]

If we were able to add Delgado and Olt this year ontop of whatever FAs we sign, I'd consider that a very successful offseason.

[Clem Fandango]

If we were able to add Delgado and Olt this year ontop of whatever FAs we sign, I'd consider that a very successful offseason.

 

Olt would be great, but I'm not sure what we can offer that is expendable on our end that Texas would be particularly fond of.

[XZero771679666304]

If we were able to add Delgado and Olt this year ontop of whatever FAs we sign, I'd consider that a very successful offseason.

 

Olt would be great, but I'm not sure what we can offer that is expendable on our end that Texas would be particularly fond of.

 

Yeah, I don't see Olt happening. I don't think we have anything they need that badly, nor do I think they have any intent to move him.

 

I think we're looking at Baez or Villanueva as our long term 3B. If things go well for both, I could see Villanueva in 2014 and then him moving to 2B in 2015 to make room for Baez.

[Clem Fandango]

If we were able to add Delgado and Olt this year ontop of whatever FAs we sign, I'd consider that a very successful offseason.

 

Olt would be great, but I'm not sure what we can offer that is expendable on our end that Texas would be particularly fond of.

 

Yeah, I don't see Olt happening. I don't think we have anything they need that badly, nor do I think they have any intent to move him.

 

I think we're looking at Baez or Villanueva as our long term 3B. If things go well for both, I could see Villanueva in 2014 and then him moving to 2B in 2015 to make room for Baez.

 

If Garza were healthy I could see a deal with Texas for Olt, but yeah I think they may be content with Villanueva. I think the speculated Olt + Andrus for Upton deal could actually happen. If it did, Matt Davidson would become available from the DBacks I'd assume, and he'd probably cost substantially less than Olt.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I really hope they are not content with Villanueva.

[Guest]

I really hope they are not content with Villanueva.

 

And Baez. Even if he sticks at SS in the minors, it's not like he'll be pushing Castro off if it comes to that.

 

That said, Villanueva projects to have an Ok bat and a very good glove. If he reaches that, that's a valuable player nowadays at 3B.

[Clem Fandango]

I really hope they are not content with Villanueva.

 

Same here. Aramis was the last 3B cornerstone they've had since Santo and it's been a historically difficult position for the Cubs to fill long-term. Villanueva does not strike me as that type of player. I'd prefer someone who brings more to the table than a guy who has a ceiling of an OK bat with a plus glove. Don't get me wrong that's all fine and dandy, and would be valuable in its own right... but I think there are players/prospects out there that could be within the Cubs' reach who can fill that position better than Villanueva.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I really hope they are not content with Villanueva.

 

And Baez. Even if he sticks at SS in the minors, it's not like he'll be pushing Castro off if it comes to that.

 

That said, Villanueva projects to have an Ok bat and a very good glove. If he reaches that, that's a valuable player nowadays at 3B.

 

Sure. But you could say "if he reaches his projection" about almost any prospect. He's a long way away and he's not particularly premium.

[Guest]

I really hope they are not content with Villanueva.

 

And Baez. Even if he sticks at SS in the minors, it's not like he'll be pushing Castro off if it comes to that.

 

That said, Villanueva projects to have an Ok bat and a very good glove. If he reaches that, that's a valuable player nowadays at 3B.

 

Sure. But you could say "if he reaches his projection" about almost any prospect. He's a long way away and he's not particularly premium.

 

Well, he's at AA and much of his value will come from the glove, which is already there, so he's well on his way in that regard. I really like him (in terms of his chances to be a solid MLB regular in ~2 years).

[Guest]

I don't think they're "content" with Villanueva to the point that they're just counting down the days until Villanueva takes over 3B for 5+ years. I do think they like him and that they might view another high minors 3B without MLB experience(like Olt), as a bit redundant, even if Olt is a better player.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I don't think they're "content" with Villanueva to the point that they're just counting down the days until Villanueva takes over 3B for 5+ years. I do think they like him and that they might view another high minors 3B without MLB experience(like Olt), as a bit redundant, even if Olt is a better player.

 

That's more content than I'd like them to be with a guy who just put up a .780 OPS in A+. Because they should listen to me on prospects.

[Guest]

I don't think they're "content" with Villanueva to the point that they're just counting down the days until Villanueva takes over 3B for 5+ years. I do think they like him and that they might view another high minors 3B without MLB experience(like Olt), as a bit redundant, even if Olt is a better player.

 

That's more content than I'd like them to be with a guy who just put up a .780 OPS in A+. Because they should listen to me on prospects.

 

If it makes you feel better, you could throw your buddy Vitters into the fray too, no room at the inn for someone needing upper minors ABs.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

That does make me feel a little better.

[mul21]

I really hope they are not content with Villanueva.

 

And Baez. Even if he sticks at SS in the minors, it's not like he'll be pushing Castro off if it comes to that.

 

That said, Villanueva projects to have an Ok bat and a very good glove. If he reaches that, that's a valuable player nowadays at 3B.

 

So, a Bill Mueller type of guy?

[Guest]

I really hope they are not content with Villanueva.

 

And Baez. Even if he sticks at SS in the minors, it's not like he'll be pushing Castro off if it comes to that.

 

That said, Villanueva projects to have an Ok bat and a very good glove. If he reaches that, that's a valuable player nowadays at 3B.

 

So, a Bill Mueller type of guy?

 

Well, Mueller was a better hitter than I think you're giving him credit for there.

[jersey cubs fan]

I really hope they are not content with Villanueva.

 

And Baez. Even if he sticks at SS in the minors, it's not like he'll be pushing Castro off if it comes to that.

 

That said, Villanueva projects to have an Ok bat and a very good glove. If he reaches that, that's a valuable player nowadays at 3B.

 

So, a Bill Mueller type of guy?

 

Well, Mueller was a better hitter than I think you're giving him credit for there.

 

Yeah, he was a pretty good hitter and was hurt by that bad knee injury that cut off his prime years.

[Post Count Padder]

Not sure where this should go but

 

DKnobler ‏@DKnobler

 

Rangers wanted Upton enough that they tried to trade Olt for ATL's Simmons (who AZ wants). Braves wouldn't do it, tho.

 

Do the Braves not like offense? Simmons is good but I'd definitely take Olt over him.

[Clem Fandango]

I guess that also means Arizona isn't interested in Olt then (or Andrus for that matter).