Offseason Rumors

[hawkeyecub]

Isn't Rasmus thought to be a legit asshat? If our guys value big makeup as much as it seems, he's likely not that high of a priority.

 

do not want

 

http://vimeo.com/33982663

 

The lame fake sportscaster made him look alright by comparison.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Take it for what it is worth but I have a close friend in Minneapolis sports radio, he is stating that a source of his believes the twins are involved in Shark talks as well. Names are not out there but Minnesota views him as a high end #2 for them and are aggressively pursuing pitching.

 

I don't claim to have sources or know what's happening but this is intriguing to say the least as this guy has done a lot of local events and charity with the Twins front office.

[imb]

Alex Meyer and call it a day

[Guest]

Alex Meyer and call it a day

 

I was thinking Gibson, Meyer, and a fringe major league prospect or lower level guy would be pretty close. I'm biased though because I think Minnesota's weirdoball pitching philosophy has hidden some K's that another organization could get out of Gibson.

[Post Count Padder]

We have too many options at third to make Lawrie a target unless he comes with a couple of their top 100 pitchers.

We do have a lot of depth there, so I wouldn't target Lawrie as the centerpiece, but he still put up nearly a 3 WAR last season and about a 5 WAR the year before and is still 23. Didn't he come up as a 2B, though? He could be an option there.

[Rob]

We have too many options at third to make Lawrie a target unless he comes with a couple of their top 100 pitchers.

 

Lawrie is better than every single one of our 3B options. 106 career wRC+ in over 1100 career PA despite being just 23 years old. Plus defender and the scouts loved him. Still cheap and under club control for a few more years.

 

There are plenty of ways to rearrange the defense to accommodate Baez and Bryant if/when they force the issue. If Lawrie is on the table, the Cubs would be fools to pass him up.

[CubsWin]

Alex Meyer and call it a day

The Cubs are said to be looking for a top 25 type prospect. Meyer is borderline that and would certainly have to be included in the deal. I think it would take more than that to get it done however. The Twins have some other interesting prospects. Jose Berrios would be an excellent second piece. Trevor May seems to fit what the Cubs have been seeking to acquire lately. He's got a solid mid-90s fastball with sink that can be maintained deep into games, but needs work on his breaking stuff which Bosio seemed to have success teaching to current Cubs pitchers. He's got different stuff than Travis Wood but a similar career track. He's 24 and won't turn 25 until next September. The Cubs have made it clear they're looking to add power arms to their bullpen and 2nd round pick in 2012 Mason Melotakis has an upper-90s fastball but everything else is fringy at this point. He could rise quickly, though, if moved to the pen full time.

[CubsWin]

Alex Meyer and call it a day

 

I was thinking Gibson, Meyer, and a fringe major league prospect or lower level guy would be pretty close. I'm biased though because I think Minnesota's weirdoball pitching philosophy has hidden some K's that another organization could get out of Gibson.

Who would you want more, Gibson or Trevor May? Curious.

[davell]

Cool info and thanks for sharing it. My honest guess though is its "due diligence" for them and not much more than that. Although they could ask for the right to talk contract with him. My guess is they'd only be willing to give up Meyer if Shark agrees to an extension. Because their window is probably in line with ours.

[CubsWin]

I haven't heard Drew Hutchison, coming off of injury, be mentioned as someone who the Cubs would want in return for Shark. What do people think of him. His performance before injury was very good. He pitched well in the AFL. Stuff?

[Guest]

We have too many options at third to make Lawrie a target unless he comes with a couple of their top 100 pitchers.

 

Lawrie is better than every single one of our 3B options. 106 career wRC+ in over 1100 career PA despite being just 23 years old. Plus defender and the scouts loved him. Still cheap and under club control for a few more years.

 

There are plenty of ways to rearrange the defense to accommodate Baez and Bryant if/when they force the issue. If Lawrie is on the table, the Cubs would be fools to pass him up.

 

There's no [expletive] way he's a better option than Bryant unless the world has gone crazy.

[Cubswin11]

We have too many options at third to make Lawrie a target unless he comes with a couple of their top 100 pitchers.

We do have a lot of depth there, so I wouldn't target Lawrie as the centerpiece, but he still put up nearly a 3 WAR last season and about a 5 WAR the year before and is still 23. Didn't he come up as a 2B, though?He could be an option there.

I think you are right, idk if he switched to 3B because he couldn't handle 2B or because the Brewers had Weeks locked in at 2B and an opening at 3B so they made him change.

[davell]

I haven't heard Drew Hutchison, coming off of injury, be mentioned as someone who the Cubs would want in return for Shark. What do people think of him. His performance before injury was very good. He pitched well in the AFL. Stuff?

I've brought him up a few times. Pre TJS, he sat 92ish, good deception and control, plus slider. Change needed work and his FB had a tendency to come in high at times. Not an ace, by any means, but a 3/4 type with a slight possibility to become more.

[Rob]

We have too many options at third to make Lawrie a target unless he comes with a couple of their top 100 pitchers.

 

Lawrie is better than every single one of our 3B options. 106 career wRC+ in over 1100 career PA despite being just 23 years old. Plus defender and the scouts loved him. Still cheap and under club control for a few more years.

 

There are plenty of ways to rearrange the defense to accommodate Baez and Bryant if/when they force the issue. If Lawrie is on the table, the Cubs would be fools to pass him up.

 

There's no [expletive] way he's a better option than Bryant unless the world has gone crazy.

 

I love Bryant, but he's still got plenty to work on in the minors. He's played 16 games at A+ and 20 games in the AFL and he's still striking out in over a quarter of his plate appearances. Nobody thinks the glove is ready yet either. Steamer is currently projecting .213/.261/.348 for him.

 

Yeah, Bryant may be a better option in the long-term. But Bryant is far from a guarantee to force his way up before the end of 2014 and be handed the starting job in 2015. It could be 2-3 years before Bryant is really ready to take over the reins.

[Guest]

I honestly think that Olt can put up a .700-ish OPS with plus defense and be a 2.5 WAR player in the interim.

 

My problem would be with trading Shark and not getting pitching back in return as the centerpiece, not with acquiring Lawrie. You can never have too many capable players.

[Guest]

And Bryant is a top 10 prospect in the minors with maybe the best power potential of any talent. I'd hope he projects higher than Lawrie, at least at the plate.

[imb]

And Bryant is a top 10 prospect in the minors with maybe the best power potential of any talent. I'd hope he projects higher than Lawrie, at least at the plate.

 

Lawrie went .353/.415/.661 at an age where Bryant was still pickin goobers in college. Things don't always work out how you plan.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I honestly think that Olt can put up a .700-ish OPS with plus defense and be a 2.5 WAR player in the interim.

 

I'm not sure he could do that at Iowa.

[Guest]

And Bryant is a top 10 prospect in the minors with maybe the best power potential of any talent. I'd hope he projects higher than Lawrie, at least at the plate.

 

Lawrie went .353/.415/.661 at an age where Bryant was still pickin goobers in college. Things don't always work out how you plan.

 

sure, and Olt was great in 2012, too.

 

i swear if i hated bryant everyone would think he's the [expletive] greatest thing and never think he was going to be anything besides elite. projecting prospects is such an eternally catty, bitchy thing

[imb]

I think he is the greatest thing. But the odds he hits (high) and fields at third (low to medium?) is enough to make me think we don't turn down as asset just because he exists.

[Guest]

im still on the olt bandwagon. i like the combination of walks, power, and good defense at a valuable position. i could see him hitting .235 and still being good

[Guest]

I honestly think that Olt can put up a .700-ish OPS with plus defense and be a 2.5 WAR player in the interim.

 

I'm not sure he could do that at Iowa.

 

well, it seems like anyone who can OBP .300, slug just under .400 and flash a little leather can be seen as groin-grabbingly good. i don't get it.

[Guest]

I think he is the greatest thing. But the odds he hits (high) and fields at third (low to medium?) is enough to make me think we don't turn down as asset just because he exists.

 

i'm not saying turn him down, just get your pitchers first

[SouthSideRyan]

I think he is the greatest thing. But the odds he hits (high) and fields at third (low to medium?) is enough to make me think we don't turn down as asset just because he exists.

 

i'm not saying turn him down, just get your pitchers first

 

Brett Lawrie could then be exchanged for good pitchers and services.

[Guest]

explain