The 2018-2019 Cubs Offseason Rumors & Discussion Thread AKA The Rickettssss take a dump on EVERYTHING

[toonsterwu]

Tbh, all that's fair. It's a bit disconcerting to see him go so flyball heavy and have it impact his offense so much. I really don't take the time to look deep into numbers anymore ... so I'm not sure if there's a good explanation.

 

Off the top, I thought advanced metrics had his defense at 2nd as generally slightly above average. I might be thinking of someone else, though.

 

At the end of the day, there's very little reason to add him. I just wonder if more time to adjust allows him to tap back into the changes he made 2 years ago. To put it another way, I tend to think there's more ceiling with him than Zobrist or LaStella, but certainly that could just be wishful thinking.

[Post Count Padder]

I am not reading the whole thread bc I'm lazy but I would be in favor of bringing back Chavez and Wilson. Duensing and Kintzler and Chatwood need to be jettisoned into the sun. I liked what Mills brought and wouldn't be opposed to him being a pen option.

 

Russell needs to go. If the Jays were able to trade Osuna, I guess we could find a taker. I can't even begin to guess on which team would be willing, though.

 

Go get both Harper and Machado. Screw the LT.

[Cubswin11]

Depending on who exactly gets traded and how much we are going over the LT, McCutchen could be an interesting 4/5th OF option assuming we get Bryce. He hit lefties well this year, .819 OPS 126 wRC+, and he’s hit them well in his career .950 OPS 158 wRC+. He’d be a nice LF/RF option vs LHP, plus by all accounts he’s a great person and clubhouse dude.

[Cubswin11]

Depending on who exactly gets traded and how much we are going over the LT, McCutchen could be an interesting 4/5th OF option assuming we get Bryce. He hit lefties well this year, .819 OPS 126 wRC+, and he’s hit them well in his career .950 OPS 158 wRC+. He’d be a nice LF/RF option vs LHP, plus by all accounts he’s a great person and clubhouse dude.

 

I’ve wanted to suggest this but keep pretending to care about this baloney salary cap that can go horsefeathers a goat

 

Former MVP playing niche role suits a super team

 

What are the incentives for the Cubs to not blow past the cap this year? Avoid whatever the first time penalty is? Are those penalties serious? I think there’s waaaaaay more to gain spending the money while the talent is out there.

The penalties for going over for 1 year aren’t all that crazy, iirc. It’s the repeating and going over the upper limits that can kill you but like you laid out a bit above it seems like there’s a way we could navigate under (or at least the upper limits) by 2020-21. Hopefully we are willing to say horsefeathers it for at least 2 years.

[Cubswin11]

The penalties for going over for 1 year aren’t all that crazy, iirc. It’s the repeating and going over the upper limits that can kill you but like you laid out a bit above it seems like there’s a way we could navigate under (or at least the upper limits) by 2020-21. Hopefully we are willing to say horsefeathers it for at least 2 years.

 

How nervous are we they won’t? Those media rights aren’t selling themselves with a third snoozefest season in a row spent banking on potential.

Oh they’re almost most definitely going over this year and likely next. It’s just a matter how far over.

[davell]

The reason not to go over is because no one has, as of yet. And with the next CBA looming and definitely going to be extremely contentious...... Seeing a team go past the upper limit, it gives the players side more credence. Since the LOW end of the LT should be pushing 275 right now, based on current revenues...... Owners colluding, whatever, but that's the hows or why's as to why not.

 

I've studied our cap, I've studied other teams too..... I think there's multiple teams, includingus, that WILL say horsefeathers it, if they can nab either of those guys......

 

In the Cubs case, my honest guess is they'd want to fall back beneath the top end, if at all possible, the following year......

 

In order to do that, you'll have Rizzo counting around 9 mill more than previously. You'll have KB's 3rd arb year, same with Hendricks, Javy's 2nd year, Schwarber's 2nd year, Willy's 1st, and more guys that are lesser players also in arb too. Some of which may or may not still be around, like Almora, Monty, Edwards, and Seal Boy.....Extremely hard to project arb numbers for this season, much less after next year lol...... BUt, let's say those guys combined salaries SHOULDN'T go up more than 28 million combined, from where they're at currently.....

 

But, you'll have Hamels, Zobrist, Morrow, Cishek, Strop, Kintzler, Duensing, and Smyly coming off..... Around 71 million.

 

The key will be finding some cheaper replacements for those that are coming off the books. Or possibly trading off a guy or two already making money..... Like Quintana or Schwarber, for instance, in playing the 2 year game.....

 

This is our window. Maybe we don't even go back under at all, until all the contracts come up after 2021..... It's a possibility.

 

But, signing Machado AND Bryce? Are we the only team in MLB? Are we even the richest team to begin with? The answer is no and there's no way in hell we sign them both.

 

If we MISS on Bryce and Manny, that's the real question...... Are we willing to go over the top end at THAT point? If it got you a Donaldson or Pollock, plus a good reliever or two, I THINK we still would?

[Cubswin11]

The reason not to go over is because no one has, as of yet. And with the next CBA looming and definitely going to be extremely contentious...... Seeing a team go past the upper limit, it gives the players side more credence. Since the LOW end of the LT should be pushing 275 right now, based on current revenues...... Owners colluding, whatever, but that's the hows or why's as to why not.

 

I've studied our cap, I've studied other teams too..... I think there's multiple teams, includingus, that WILL say horsefeathers it, if they can nab either of those guys......

 

In the Cubs case, my honest guess is they'd want to fall back beneath the top end, if at all possible, the following year......

 

In order to do that, you'll have Rizzo counting around 9 mill more than previously. You'll have KB's 3rd arb year, same with Hendricks, Javy's 2nd year, Schwarber's 2nd year, Willy's 1st, and more guys that are lesser players also in arb too. Some of which may or may not still be around, like Almora, Monty, Edwards, and Seal Boy.....Extremely hard to project arb numbers for this season, much less after next year lol...... BUt, let's say those guys combined salaries SHOULDN'T go up more than 28 million combined, from where they're at currently.....

 

But, you'll have Hamels, Zobrist, Morrow, Cishek, Strop, Kintzler, Duensing, and Smyly coming off..... Around 71 million.

 

The key will be finding some cheaper replacements for those that are coming off the books. Or possibly trading off a guy or two already making money..... Like Quintana or Schwarber, for instance, in playing the 2 year game.....

 

This is our window. Maybe we don't even go back under at all, until all the contracts come up after 2021..... It's a possibility.

 

But, signing Machado AND Bryce? Are we the only team in MLB? Are we even the richest team to begin with? The answer is no and there's no way in hell we sign them both.

 

If we MISS on Bryce and Manny, that's the real question...... Are we willing to go over the top end at THAT point? If it got you a Donaldson or Pollock, plus a good reliever or two, I THINK we still would?

Agree with a lot of this and thanks for laying it out. We aren’t getting both but think we get one and likely say f it and then scale back next year or the year after off the upper limits (like you laid out it shouldn’t be overly hard with the guys who fall off). If we somehow miss both I’d guess we’d still spend money but we’d probably be more measured and probably don’t get to or over the top end. IMO.

[davell]

But, we're not far from the upper end now. That's the thing...... We're sitting around 232 if you count everything up...... Which honestly, at this point, it makes more sense to just pick up Hamels option(included in that number) than extending it out. Because I'm sure we know we're heading over immediately.

 

But, it is why trading Schwarber, as much as I don't want to, makes a lot of sense. Saves 3-4 mill this year, probably double that the following year, and probably nets you something really good that's controllable too.

 

Honestly, we NEED Alzolay, and a few others to turn themselves into guys we can pencil in to our 25 man, by this time next year. Or else, we're definitely staying over then too.

[davell]

But, signing Machado AND Bryce? Are we the only team in MLB? Are we even the richest team to begin with? The answer is no and there's no way in hell we sign them both.

 

If we MISS on Bryce and Manny, that's the real question...... Are we willing to go over the top end at THAT point? If it got you a Donaldson or Pollock, plus a good reliever or two, I THINK we still would?

 

If that’s the most compelling case on not signing both, I am keeping the door open. It’s obviously an extreme longshot, but it’s a positive non-zero that it can happen. They’re not the richest but they are loaded and in position to make a horsefeathers ton more with both on board.

 

Meh on doing anything but rebuilding again if they miss out on Harper or Machado. This team’s not going anywhere if they somehow missed in an offseason with two Beltrans available

 

BTW: I’m not that committed to that many players on this roster. Do everything to keep Bryant healthy, probably keep Rizzo because he’s usually cool, maybe Hendricks?...everyone else can sweat it out for at least a little bit

 

I know you're not the biggest fan, but Javy definitely should be in that group.

 

I think this team has plenty of options as far as improving and on paper still have a fantastic team, as it is right now. Playoffs, crapshoot, all that stuff...... You still have to sign guys.

 

Harper AND Machado? If you need me to say there's a Jim Carrey Dumb and Dumber "So, you're telling me there's a chance!" type of chance, then OK. But, it's obviously tiny as horsefeathers and would require other teams taking asleep at the wheel too.

[Cubswin11]

Not that I think we will be in play but I wouldn’t even come close to offering Kimbrel the mega deal this offseason.

 

I do like Robertson a lot, very Cishek is in dependability. Him and Chavez back would be a very solid, though unspectacular bullpen offseason.

 

Morrow/Strop/Carl/Robertson/Cishek/Chavez/Month/Smyly pen to start the year with Mills, Mekkes, Norwood, Alzolay, Randy, Maples, And Webster in Iowa for depth.

 

Robertson would definitely feel like locking in production over potential that Theo mentioned

Edited October 10, 2018 by Cubswin11

[CP_414]

The reason not to go over is because no one has, as of yet. And with the next CBA looming and definitely going to be extremely contentious...... Seeing a team go past the upper limit, it gives the players side more credence. Since the LOW end of the LT should be pushing 275 right now, based on current revenues...... Owners colluding, whatever, but that's the hows or why's as to why not.

 

I've studied our cap, I've studied other teams too..... I think there's multiple teams, includingus, that WILL say horsefeathers it, if they can nab either of those guys......

 

In the Cubs case, my honest guess is they'd want to fall back beneath the top end, if at all possible, the following year......

 

In order to do that, you'll have Rizzo counting around 9 mill more than previously. You'll have KB's 3rd arb year, same with Hendricks, Javy's 2nd year, Schwarber's 2nd year, Willy's 1st, and more guys that are lesser players also in arb too. Some of which may or may not still be around, like Almora, Monty, Edwards, and Seal Boy.....Extremely hard to project arb numbers for this season, much less after next year lol...... BUt, let's say those guys combined salaries SHOULDN'T go up more than 28 million combined, from where they're at currently.....

 

But, you'll have Hamels, Zobrist, Morrow, Cishek, Strop, Kintzler, Duensing, and Smyly coming off..... Around 71 million.

 

The key will be finding some cheaper replacements for those that are coming off the books. Or possibly trading off a guy or two already making money..... Like Quintana or Schwarber, for instance, in playing the 2 year game.....

 

This is our window. Maybe we don't even go back under at all, until all the contracts come up after 2021..... It's a possibility.

 

But, signing Machado AND Bryce? Are we the only team in MLB? Are we even the richest team to begin with? The answer is no and there's no way in hell we sign them both.

 

If we MISS on Bryce and Manny, that's the real question...... Are we willing to go over the top end at THAT point? If it got you a Donaldson or Pollock, plus a good reliever or two, I THINK we still would?

 

The Red Sox did it this year, right? Not coincidentally, the one big market team that decided to give a horsefeathers and spend over $40 mil over the tax won 108 games and is in the ALCS.

 

I agree with your point. Hopefully they say screw it and go over the upper limit at least for this year. This is their best window with this group.

[davell]

If you're dealing Schwarber or Happ, my guess is we target one of Joe Jimenez, Taylor Rogers, Yates or Castillo from the Pads, some of Atlanta's arms, or Seranthony Dominguez.

 

If you did that, add Robertson, and bring back Chavez..... Our pen looks extremely good, to say the least.

[CP_414]

If you're dealing Schwarber or Happ, my guess is we target one of Joe Jimenez, Taylor Rogers, Yates or Castillo from the Pads, some of Atlanta's arms, or Seranthony Dominguez.

 

If you did that, add Robertson, and bring back Chavez..... Our pen looks extremely good, to say the least.

 

I’d hate trading Schwarber for one of those guys.

 

Just sign Robertson and Chavez and the pen looks extremely good and they still have the guy who had a .356 obp, 26 HRs, and 3.2 fWAR in a disappointing season.

[Tim]

If you're dealing Schwarber or Happ, my guess is we target one of Joe Jimenez, Taylor Rogers, Yates or Castillo from the Pads, some of Atlanta's arms, or Seranthony Dominguez.

 

If you did that, add Robertson, and bring back Chavez..... Our pen looks extremely good, to say the least.

I really like Leclerc in TX, too.

 

I really don't like trading Schwarber for one of those guys unless we get more in return.

[davell]

I think we'd get more than just one of that group for Schwarber. An Alzolay type starter prospect too, perhaps?

[jersey cubs fan]

Boo trading Schwarber for a straight reliever.

 

I'd take a gay one but good luck getting one to come out in today's climate of hate.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Boo trading Schwarber for a straight reliever.

 

I'd take a gay one but good luck getting one to come out in today's climate of hate.

[Thed Hoyerstein]

Boo trading Schwarber for a straight reliever.

 

I'd take a gay one but good luck getting one to come out in today's climate of hate.

 

http://static5.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_medium/903/9035466/2382583-3258591583-fox_z.gif

[Sammy Sofa]

How has a horsefeathering gif of horsefeathering George horsefeathering Zimmerman shown up here more than once recently?

 

Up your gif game, dorks.

[treebird]

How has a horsefeathering gif of horsefeathering George horsefeathering Zimmerman shown up here more than once recently?

 

Up your gif game, dorks.

 

agreed. is that some alt-right secret handshake thing? we don’t ever need to see a picture of that nightmare person again until he’s dead and someone is desecrating his corpse.

[Liam Neeson]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

I didn't realize how bad of a season he had last year.

[Old Style]

So has Machado always been a little bitch?

[UMFan83]

So has Machado always been a little bitch?

 

No, he heard the Cubs only pick up bad character guys so he's maneuvering his way to the north side

[Tryptamine]

So has Machado always been a little bitch?

 

Very much so. There was that bat throwing incident where he intended to swing and let go of the bat to launch it at the pitcher but instead held on too long and chucked it at Josh Donaldson

 

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cubs have long trafficked in guys who love sliding like dickheads, so he'd fit right in.