Offseason Rumors & Transactions Thread

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I got it. I was playing it straight.

[Agony and Ivy]

I got it. I was playing it straight.

 

Foiled. Damn.

[Thrilho]

How about Tulowitzki? He was the one bat that Rosenthal threw out in the piece below. Also, there was the rumor that the Cubs were talking to the Rockies. Everyone assumed CarGo, but maybe they were taking Tulo?

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/cubs-rock-baseball-world-add-lester-beware-nl-central-epstein-maddon-121014

 

He's signed up through 2020, on a 10 year $157.5 million deal. His numbers blow pretty much anyone else we're looking at out of the water, even if you just look at his road numbers. Road wOBA of .354 in 2014 and .368 in 2013 (at Coors was .530 and .431). And the 2014 road wOBA came with a .274 BABIP, lower than his career road BABIP of .299.

 

So Tulo is awesome. And he's been rumored to be on the block. Seems like if they were going to trade him, the Cubs would be the team they'd go to.

[XZero771679666304]

How about Tulowitzki? He was the one bat that Rosenthal threw out in the piece below. Also, there was the rumor that the Cubs were talking to the Rockies. Everyone assumed CarGo, but maybe they were taking Tulo?

 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/cubs-rock-baseball-world-add-lester-beware-nl-central-epstein-maddon-121014

 

He's signed up through 2020, on a 10 year $157.5 million deal. His numbers blow pretty much anyone else we're looking at out of the water, even if you just look at his road numbers. Road wOBA of .354 in 2014 and .368 in 2013 (at Coors was .530 and .431). And the 2014 road wOBA came with a .274 BABIP, lower than his career road BABIP of .299.

 

So Tulo is awesome. And he's been rumored to be on the block. Seems like if they were going to trade him, the Cubs would be the team they'd go to.

 

His numbers are undeniable, but the obvious issue is that he can't stay on the field. And like CarGo, their ownership loves him.

 

Word has been that no talks involving Tulo ever get past the very early stages. I suspect that for all that inquire, the risk is simply too great to pay the price that would be necessary.

[Thrilho]

True, he's a huge injury risk. But there's a Blackhawks thread at the top of the active threads and I'm digging for an idea to keep this party alive.

 

It seems like the Cubs are well equipped to take the risk if they want to. They've got short stops who can step in if Tulo gets hurt, and they've got the luxury of being able to play him at third.

 

So, anyone have any thoughts on what a deal would look like that they might do and you would too? I wouldn't let go of 2 of the big 4 (of which Baez is still one for me).

 

Would they do the deal with Russell as the only big 4 member going? Throw Almora, Edwards in if that helps.

 

I doubt they'd build a deal around just Javy right now, but maybe midseason if he redeems himself. I wouldn't trade Bryant or Soler because of the huge injury risk you mentioned. But a lot of Russell's value is defensive, which we wouldn't be as important.

 

There aren't many teams with the financial flexibility to trade for him and a package that could compete with a deal built around Russell/Almora/Edwards. Or maybe there are. Pleased keep talking Cubs!

[Thrilho]

Alcantara's power could play well there too. Is Russell + Alcantara + PJ/Edwards enough?

[Agony and Ivy]

Alcantara's power could play well there too. Is Russell + Alcantara + PJ/Edwards enough?

 

Doubtful. 5 WAR is 5 WAR if it's done in 50 games or 150 games, combine that with the Rockies' love for him and I think you're looking at package more like Russell/Bryant+Baez+Almora? I wouldn't do it just because I feel the injury bug will only bite Tulo harder as he ages and that package would be a massive overpay, especially when you see what established star big leaguers are bringing back in trade. It's probably not worth it to move Castro off SS and lose that many prospects to get an oft injured superstar.

[Guest]

True, he's a huge injury risk. But there's a Blackhawks thread at the top of the active threads and I'm digging for an idea to keep this party alive.

 

It seems like the Cubs are well equipped to take the risk if they want to. They've got short stops who can step in if Tulo gets hurt, and they've got the luxury of being able to play him at third.

 

So, anyone have any thoughts on what a deal would look like that they might do and you would too? I wouldn't let go of 2 of the big 4 (of which Baez is still one for me).

 

Would they do the deal with Russell as the only big 4 member going? Throw Almora, Edwards in if that helps.

 

I doubt they'd build a deal around just Javy right now, but maybe midseason if he redeems himself. I wouldn't trade Bryant or Soler because of the huge injury risk you mentioned. But a lot of Russell's value is defensive, which we wouldn't be as important.

 

There aren't many teams with the financial flexibility to trade for him and a package that could compete with a deal built around Russell/Almora/Edwards. Or maybe there are. Pleased keep talking Cubs!

 

 

 

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqniu9yKZ41qg39ewo1_500.gif

[Guest]

Posit:

 

Lester::Cubs

 

Hossa::Hawks

[ChiCubsFan]

Posit:

 

Lester::Cubs

 

Hossa::Hawks

 

How about

 

big FA next year : Cubs :: Hossa : Hawks

 

and

 

Lester : Cubs :: Brian Campbell? : Hawks

 

Actually I think that works well. Hawks overpaid for Campbell, but he was what the team needed at the time. He also fit well with their young superstar players who were really good at scoring.

 

Then the next year they went big again and won the Cup. I guess I can wait one more year for a WS.

[Thrilho]

This conversation has not gone as intended.

[rawaction]

I know moving parts and all, but I don't see the need to give up top prospect(s) for a SS (no matter how good he is) that is the biggest injury risk of position players in baseball. Plus, isn't Tulo a better defensive SS than Castro, Baez and probably Russell? Seems like everyone else would move for him, though I do admit it could be an Arod/Jeter thing, where Tulo goes to 3B because of size more than anything else.

[XZero771679666304]

This conversation has not gone as intended.

 

Any conversation that leads to hockey has gone terribly wrong.

[Guest]

This conversation has not gone as intended.

 

Any conversation that leads to hockey has gone terribly wrong.

 

I had forgotten that you were on board too.

[Cubswin11]

Rosenthal was just on MLBN, he said he talked to an agent (not Boras or anyone with him/Scherzer) and that agent said he wouldn't be surprised if we still get Scherzer. FWIW.

[SouthSideRyan]

With being terrible?

 

ETA: This was for Davebot

Edited December 12, 2014 by SouthSideRyan

[RynoRules]

That would be insane. I would be loopy with excitement and indulge in the bevie preferred by the gent in my avatar.

[Guest]

With being terrible?

 

ETA: This was for Davebot

 

With understanding that hockey is terrible.

[George Hayduke]

Scherzer / Lester / Arrieta / Hammel / Hendricks

 

[expletive] yeah man!

[Guest]

jesus we're not getting scherzer

 

of course agents in general want everyone to believe we're going after every big FA

Edited December 12, 2014 by David

[George Hayduke]

I know we're not, I just like to dream.

[Guest]

I'm keeping a glimmer of hope alive for Shields and that's dreaming.

[George Hayduke]

Something something robots can't dream something.

[Gmoney08]

Scherzer & Harper to closeout the offseason..

[Brian707]

With being terrible?

 

ETA: This was for Davebot

 

With understanding that hockey is terrible.

 

 

Hockey isn't terrible, now the NBA is hot garbage.

 

I find it funny that people that hate hockey find the NBA entertaining. Its like the people who hate an unknown Italian bistro but love Olive Garden.