Random Cubs Musings

[Guest]

No.

[Guest]

My point was more about timing. We need to start adding to the rotation, so that when we are at that point of being ready to contend (2016?) it might be easier to acquire the one starter we need rather than two. Waiting until "we're ready" runs into problems with availability, trade partners, and/or outbidding other teams.

Again...

 

1) it's not all that difficult to add two pitchers in one offseason, just through FA + IFA

2) We have some medium to high ceiling arms in the minors who could be pushing into the rotation by 2016

3) We should have some very good to outstanding minor league players who are effectively blocked or attractive major league assets who can be traded for pitching by then

 

I'm all for adding a couple of guys this offseason. We will have enough money and few enough places to spend it on that we're almost certainly going to get at least one guy this year.

 

Heck, I look at the rotation kind of like Goony looks at the offensive line for the Bears. There's five spots; a good GM should be filling / upgrading at least one of those guys every offseason. Preferably in a way that doesn't lock the team into a long term contract with a player who will decline throughout the deal.

[Derwood]

http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-starting-think-big-will-make-pitching-no-1-priority

JonLesterJonLesterJonLester

 

If you say his name three times he'll appear on your roster in the offseason.

 

GIANCARLO STANTON GIANCARLO STANTON GIANCARLO STANTON

[Sammy Sofa]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

[seanimal]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

 

yes we get it Whiny McMiserablecrotch

[Guest]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

"Easy" when you have $40M to spend and no position holes to spend it upon. Yes.

[Sammy Sofa]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

"Easy" when you have $40M to spend and no position holes to spend it upon. Yes.

 

Slow down.

[Sammy Sofa]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

 

yes we get it Whiny McMiserablecrotch

 

I will not rest until Theo Epstein is destroyed like the Death Star of Happiness that he is.

[weis21]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

There is a huge chasm between the two situations. And as much as it sucks, it's evidentially all been about the money. When PTR bought the cubs they had a $144 million dollar payroll. That has since slid to $92 million. Even if $92 million is their cap (which I doubt will be in the near future) they have around $35-40 million dollars they can spend for next year's team and remain within that limit.

 

They can splurge on pitching. Starting this offseason.

 

Edit: beat to the punch by Tim.

Edited August 3, 2014 by weis21

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Other team with $92m payrolls don't lose as much as we do.

[weis21]

Other team with $92m payrolls don't lose as much as we do.

If next year's team is at $92 million and still sucks then I'll be right there with you. Whether you agree with their methods or not, they have been shedding payroll and not putting an emphasis on winning until the "pieces are there". Well they are in AAA and appear to be ready now. Next year they have already said they don't anticipate being in a position of pawning off pieces like a small-market team. They have the core they've wanted (or possibly needed as dictated by the budget) and they'll build around them. I'll be shocked if they don't add impact pieces starting this offseason.

[BrockLanders]

Other team with $92m payrolls don't lose as much as we do.

 

Rockies tho

[Guest]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

"Easy" when you have $40M to spend and no position holes to spend it upon. Yes.

 

Slow down.

Catcher? What other position would you fill through FA this offseason?

[davell]

I want Rusney signed, we can use an OFer and it gives us even more flexibility going forward.

[Derwood]

Other team with $92m payrolls don't lose as much as we do.

 

Phillies?

 

Last 2+ years:

 

2012: 81-81, $172m payroll

2013: 73-89, $159m

2014: 49-62, $177m

[Gmoney08]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

"Easy" when you have $40M to spend and no position holes to spend it upon. Yes.

 

Slow down.

Catcher? What other position would you fill through FA this offseason?

 

I have no idea what the FA landscape looks like but I wouldnt mind adding a good OF bat.

 

Go with an outfield of Soler, Alcantara, and FA signing next year. Infield of Rizzo, Baez, Castro, and Bryant.

 

That could be a stacked lineup as soon as next year and provides insurance in case any of the young guns bust.

 

If Cubs hit jackpot and nobody busts and Russell + Almora are pounding on the MLB door than we can flip either the FA signing for a SP, consolidate maybe Soler & Russell for Giancarlo, incredible amount of options.

 

I love Soler and Russell but if the FA is fairly young it gives us insane options. OF after trade could be Stanton, Alcantara, FA bat, with infield of Castro, Baez, Bryant, Rizzo.

[Gmoney08]

I guess disregard my post because the position player FA class, especially the OF looks like a steaming pile of hot garbage.

 

If there was a good bat that would have been fun. I still wouldnt mind grabbing one of the average bats in the OF and flipping the average FA bat if all the kids pan out.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Sign Rusney Castillo to be the FA outfield sign.

 

Next year, we begin the year with Castillo, Alcantra, Soler in the OF. Rizzo, Baez, Castro, Bryant in the infield with Castillo at catcher.

 

If they want to hold Bryant down a little longer, just let Olt flail and miss until he's ready.

 

I'd keep Coughlan and Ruggiano for vet bats in the OF.

 

Then wait and see how quickly Russell, Almora, and McKinney force the issue to trade or make room.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Sign Rusney Castillo to be the FA outfield sign.

 

Next year, we begin the year with Castillo, Alcantra, Soler in the OF. Rizzo, Baez, Castro, Bryant in the infield with Castillo at catcher.

 

If they want to hold Bryant down a little longer, just let Olt flail and miss until he's ready.

 

I'd keep Coughlan and Ruggiano for vet bats in the OF.

 

Then wait and see how quickly Russell, Almora, and McKinney force the issue to trade or make room.

 

Id rather Valbuena play there before giving way to supersub role. And hasn't it been said that Castillo will need to spend a little bit of time in the minors?

[Sammy Sofa]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

"Easy" when you have $40M to spend and no position holes to spend it upon. Yes.

 

Slow down.

Catcher? What other position would you fill through FA this offseason?

 

No idea, because I don't what's out there because Theo has killed my love of baseball. My black heart full of heart is just always a little amused when people talk like the Cubs can basically set their future lineup in stone.

[sneakypower]

"Minor league batting statistics will predict major league batting performance with essentially the same reliability as previous major league statistics."

-Bill James

[Sammy Sofa]

Bill James is a false prophet and should be drowned in a lake.

[Aaron_Kennelly]

It's a tad disconcerting who readily some accept the necessity of sucking while simultaneously preaching that it's "easy" to quickly add talent when needed.

 

Someone should have told somebody that.

"Easy" when you have $40M to spend and no position holes to spend it upon. Yes.

 

Slow down.

Catcher? What other position would you fill through FA this offseason?

 

No idea, because I don't what's out there because Theo has killed my love of baseball. My black heart full of heart is just always a little amused when people talk like the Cubs can basically set their future lineup in stone.

 

Setting the future line-up -- as in 3 years from now -- in stone is silly. But, when you have three highly acclaimed prospects in AAA right now, you can set them into next year's lineup in stone. At least I hope we do. They are ready to be given a shot, and once given a shot, they will be given allowances to start everyday. So, they are set in stone, for now. They may suck and we might need to find replacements for them. But, Rizzo, Castro, Alcantara, Bryant, Baez, and Soler are six spots that absolutely should be set in stone.... unless there is a trade. Maybe that's not until May, even. But there's no need to spend on a guy who will block one of them, when we have several credible guys that can hold spots for those guys for a month, or if one/multiple of them are out of their element and need to be sent back down for awhile.

[Sammy Sofa]

Very valid points, and much more reasonable than "the Cubs have no position holes (except for maybe catcher)."

[Aaron_Kennelly]

Very valid points, and much more reasonable than "the Cubs have no position holes (except for maybe catcher)."

 

Agreed. They very likely could be holes. But, that's what makes next year exciting and terrifying at the same time.