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

[Sammy Sofa]

I feel like this is going to be me as this stupid offseason for jerks keeps going:

 

 

Bah. Now it is. Stupid lame Cubs are killing my gifs.

[Bertz]

MLBTR this week put together a really good list of contract swap candidates:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/2018-19-contract-swap-candidates.html

 

There's a lot of interesting names here, but one really jumped out to me. Yasmany Tomas is owed $32.5 million the next two years by the Dbacks, however his luxury tax hit is only $23m ($11.5 per year). I think he's an interesting candidate in a Tyler Chatwood trade. He would save the Cubs LT space, while saving the Dbacks real dollars, so in broad strokes it's a win-win. Thomas is not going to take any MLB at bats, he's just chilling at AAA, so you don't have to worry about how he fits onto the roster. Plus, as toxic an asset as Chatwood is, he's way more valuable than Tomas, so the Dbacks would need to provide additional value to balance out any deal. Maybe that's taking Kintzler and/or Duensing off our hands too, or sending us some relief help (Andrew Chafin?), but regardless it should be something of tangible value, in addition to the LT savings.

 

This probably only makes sense if PTR's alleged issues this winter are LT based, rather than straight up cashflow, which is not something we can say with any real confidence.

[Gilby]

Feels like we're going to need to attach someone valuable to shed Chatwood in order to afford Harper and stay under the top tier, instead of just swapping bad contracts. But I guess who the hell even knows if the top tier is the actual limit.

[Backtobanks]

MLBTR this week put together a really good list of contract swap candidates:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/2018-19-contract-swap-candidates.html

 

There's a lot of interesting names here, but one really jumped out to me. Yasmany Tomas is owed $32.5 million the next two years by the Dbacks, however his luxury tax hit is only $23m ($11.5 per year). I think he's an interesting candidate in a Tyler Chatwood trade. He would save the Cubs LT space, while saving the Dbacks real dollars, so in broad strokes it's a win-win. Thomas is not going to take any MLB at bats, he's just chilling at AAA, so you don't have to worry about how he fits onto the roster. Plus, as toxic an asset as Chatwood is, he's way more valuable than Tomas, so the Dbacks would need to provide additional value to balance out any deal. Maybe that's taking Kintzler and/or Duensing off our hands too, or sending us some relief help (Andrew Chafin?), but regardless it should be something of tangible value, in addition to the LT savings.

 

This probably only makes sense if PTR's alleged issues this winter are LT based, rather than straight up cashflow, which is not something we can say with any real confidence.

 

 

I think we can do better than swapping Chatwood for a $23 million ml player. As much as we want to dump Chatwood and his contract, he has some (but not much) value as a ML starting pitcher.

[CubinNY]

Who is going to take Chattwood when he walks 8.2/9 and only strikes out 7.4/9 (-.11 K/BB) and making $12.5M? He's practically untouchable for all the wrong reasons.

[CP_414]

MLBTR this week put together a really good list of contract swap candidates:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/2018-19-contract-swap-candidates.html

 

There's a lot of interesting names here, but one really jumped out to me. Yasmany Tomas is owed $32.5 million the next two years by the Dbacks, however his luxury tax hit is only $23m ($11.5 per year). I think he's an interesting candidate in a Tyler Chatwood trade. He would save the Cubs LT space, while saving the Dbacks real dollars, so in broad strokes it's a win-win. Thomas is not going to take any MLB at bats, he's just chilling at AAA, so you don't have to worry about how he fits onto the roster. Plus, as toxic an asset as Chatwood is, he's way more valuable than Tomas, so the Dbacks would need to provide additional value to balance out any deal. Maybe that's taking Kintzler and/or Duensing off our hands too, or sending us some relief help (Andrew Chafin?), but regardless it should be something of tangible value, in addition to the LT savings.

 

This probably only makes sense if PTR's alleged issues this winter are LT based, rather than straight up cashflow, which is not something we can say with any real confidence.

 

Tomas is not on the 40 man roster. I believe his luxury tax number is $0 as long as he stays off the 40-man. He’s still owed his contracted salary, but I don’t think it counts towards the tax. The Red Sox have a similar situation with Rusney Castillo.

 

He’d be a good candidate to get in a trade offload some dead money off the tax number.

[davell]

MLBTR this week put together a really good list of contract swap candidates:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/2018-19-contract-swap-candidates.html

 

There's a lot of interesting names here, but one really jumped out to me. Yasmany Tomas is owed $32.5 million the next two years by the Dbacks, however his luxury tax hit is only $23m ($11.5 per year). I think he's an interesting candidate in a Tyler Chatwood trade. He would save the Cubs LT space, while saving the Dbacks real dollars, so in broad strokes it's a win-win. Thomas is not going to take any MLB at bats, he's just chilling at AAA, so you don't have to worry about how he fits onto the roster. Plus, as toxic an asset as Chatwood is, he's way more valuable than Tomas, so the Dbacks would need to provide additional value to balance out any deal. Maybe that's taking Kintzler and/or Duensing off our hands too, or sending us some relief help (Andrew Chafin?), but regardless it should be something of tangible value, in addition to the LT savings.

 

This probably only makes sense if PTR's alleged issues this winter are LT based, rather than straight up cashflow, which is not something we can say with any real confidence.

 

Tomas is not on the 40 man roster. I believe his luxury tax number is $0 as long as he stays off the 40-man. He’s still owed his contracted salary, but I don’t think it counts towards the tax. The Red Sox have a similar situation with Rusney Castillo.

 

He’d be a good candidate to get in a trade offload some dead money off the tax number.

 

What's the catch with this? I think it may be true as well, because anytime I look at the Dodgers tax situation, I don't see Yasiel Sierra or that Arrabarruena guy counting against theirs..........

 

So, what stops us from just outrighting Chatwood and saving his money? There's gotta be something, right? I'm assuming he's got to accept it, when its possible some team could conceivably offer him a major league minimum deal? But, if that's the case, I figure someone would have done the same with Tomas as well.....

[CP_414]

MLBTR this week put together a really good list of contract swap candidates:

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/2018-19-contract-swap-candidates.html

 

There's a lot of interesting names here, but one really jumped out to me. Yasmany Tomas is owed $32.5 million the next two years by the Dbacks, however his luxury tax hit is only $23m ($11.5 per year). I think he's an interesting candidate in a Tyler Chatwood trade. He would save the Cubs LT space, while saving the Dbacks real dollars, so in broad strokes it's a win-win. Thomas is not going to take any MLB at bats, he's just chilling at AAA, so you don't have to worry about how he fits onto the roster. Plus, as toxic an asset as Chatwood is, he's way more valuable than Tomas, so the Dbacks would need to provide additional value to balance out any deal. Maybe that's taking Kintzler and/or Duensing off our hands too, or sending us some relief help (Andrew Chafin?), but regardless it should be something of tangible value, in addition to the LT savings.

 

This probably only makes sense if PTR's alleged issues this winter are LT based, rather than straight up cashflow, which is not something we can say with any real confidence.

 

Tomas is not on the 40 man roster. I believe his luxury tax number is $0 as long as he stays off the 40-man. He’s still owed his contracted salary, but I don’t think it counts towards the tax. The Red Sox have a similar situation with Rusney Castillo.

 

He’d be a good candidate to get in a trade offload some dead money off the tax number.

 

What's the catch with this? I think it may be true as well, because anytime I look at the Dodgers tax situation, I don't see Yasiel Sierra or that Arrabarruena guy counting against theirs..........

 

So, what stops us from just outrighting Chatwood and saving his money? There's gotta be something, right? I'm assuming he's got to accept it, when its possible some team could conceivably offer him a major league minimum deal? But, if that's the case, I figure someone would have done the same with Tomas as well.....

 

Service time. Players with at least five years of service time can elect free agency after being outrighted and keep their entire contract.

[Gilby]

I take back what I said earlier then. That'd be an outstanding move if possible

[CP_414]

I take back what I said earlier then. That'd be an outstanding move if possible

 

It’s a benefit that’s wasted on Arizona. They aren’t going near the tax anyway. You’d think if they can’t offload his contract in another trade they would be willing to swap him for a bad salary player that can play for them in the majors.

Edited November 26, 2018 by CP_414

[Cubswin11]

I take back what I said earlier then. That'd be an outstanding move if possible

 

It’s a benefit that’s wasted on Arizona. They aren’t going nearcthe tax anyway. You’d think if they can’t offload his contract in another trade they would be willing to swap him for a bad salary player that can play for them in the majors.

Yeah good info/find on this. I’d love for us to figure out a way to dump some combo of the Chatwood, Kintzler, Duensing guys there. I’d throw a decent prospect or two in or even Happ (preferably Almora) if it was the move we had to make to fit Bryce in

[Cubswin11]

This guy seems to be a little connected, he broke a trade or some obscure players involved in one for us over the summer. So I would assume his predictions have some basis in reality. Like he mentions about the Harper stuff down thread. Also Spangenberg has minor league options left so he makes a decent amount of sense over Seal Boy for roster flexibility/maneuverability in season.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Post Count Padder]

Hasn't this guy had some inside info before? Take it with a grain of salt, regardless, but I'm bored and need rumors so I'm sharing it.

 

[tweet]

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[Cubswin11]

That’s Theo’s burner account

[r_mack]

Hasn't this guy had some inside info before? Take it with a grain of salt, regardless, but I'm bored and need rumors so I'm sharing it.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

No, that guy sucks

[Banedon]

Hasn't this guy had some inside info before? Take it with a grain of salt, regardless, but I'm bored and need rumors so I'm sharing it.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

No, that guy sucks

 

lol your anger toward him every time he's mentioned amuses me.

[Backtobanks]

I spent time on this

 

Significant FAs:

 

Bryce Harper OF

David Robertson RP

Garrett Richards SP

 

Big trades:

 

Heyward, Quintana, Edwards, and Russell to the Phillies for LHP Ranger Suarez and OF Roman Quinn

 

Happ to the Rockies for Jon Gray

 

Chatwood, Almora to the D’Backs for Tomas, SS Nick Ahmed, and RHP Taylor Clarke

 

Smaller FAs (assuming non-tenders for my convenience):

 

Jason Marisnick/Delino Deshields Jr. (whoever gets non-tendered) CF/OF

Travis D’Arnaud C

Jake Diekman LHRP

Zack McCallister RHP

Bryan Mitchell RHP

J. de la Rosa LHRP

Brandon Maurer RHRP

 

Position players:

 

Zobrist 2B/RF

Harper OF

Bryant 3B/RF/LF

Rizzo 1B

Baez SS/2B/3B

Contreras C/1B

Schwarber LF

Marisnick OF

Quinn OF

Ahmed IF

D’Arnaud C/1B

 

Pitchers:

 

Hendricks

Hamels

Lester

Gray

Darvish

Montgomery

Robertson

Morrow

Strop

Diekman

Maurer

McCallister

de la Rosa

Mitchell

Suarez

Clarke

Alzolay

 

No clue what the payroll is, probably badass. I like the idea of bringing de la Rosa back.

 

 

I'm sure the Phillies will be glad to take on our bad contracts to assist us in signing Harper.

[Bull]

I spent time on this

 

Significant FAs:

 

Bryce Harper OF

David Robertson RP

Garrett Richards SP

 

Big trades:

 

Heyward, Quintana, Edwards, and Russell to the Phillies for LHP Ranger Suarez and OF Roman Quinn

 

Happ to the Rockies for Jon Gray

 

Chatwood, Almora to the D’Backs for Tomas, SS Nick Ahmed, and RHP Taylor Clarke

 

Smaller FAs (assuming non-tenders for my convenience):

 

Jason Marisnick/Delino Deshields Jr. (whoever gets non-tendered) CF/OF

Travis D’Arnaud C

Jake Diekman LHRP

Zack McCallister RHP

Bryan Mitchell RHP

J. de la Rosa LHRP

Brandon Maurer RHRP

 

Position players:

 

Zobrist 2B/RF

Harper OF

Bryant 3B/RF/LF

Rizzo 1B

Baez SS/2B/3B

Contreras C/1B

Schwarber LF

Marisnick OF

Quinn OF

Ahmed IF

D’Arnaud C/1B

 

Pitchers:

 

Hendricks

Hamels

Lester

Gray

Darvish

Montgomery

Robertson

Morrow

Strop

Diekman

Maurer

McCallister

de la Rosa

Mitchell

Suarez

Clarke

Alzolay

 

No clue what the payroll is, probably badass. I like the idea of bringing de la Rosa back.

 

 

I'm sure the Phillies will be glad to take on our bad contracts to assist us in signing Harper.

If they want to help us collude they will. Otherwise, we should go over the top luxury tax threshold.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

If they want to help us collude they will. Otherwise, we should go over the top luxury tax threshold.

[Banedon]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

[Ding Dong Johnson]

well if we ever needed a sign they're out of the machado sweepstakes...

[Post Count Padder]

I spent time on this

 

Significant FAs:

 

Bryce Harper OF

David Robertson RP

Garrett Richards SP

 

Big trades:

 

Heyward, Quintana, Edwards, and Russell to the Phillies for LHP Ranger Suarez and OF Roman Quinn

 

Happ to the Rockies for Jon Gray

 

Chatwood, Almora to the D’Backs for Tomas, SS Nick Ahmed, and RHP Taylor Clarke

 

Smaller FAs (assuming non-tenders for my convenience):

 

Jason Marisnick/Delino Deshields Jr. (whoever gets non-tendered) CF/OF

Travis D’Arnaud C

Jake Diekman LHRP

Zack McCallister RHP

Bryan Mitchell RHP

J. de la Rosa LHRP

Brandon Maurer RHRP

 

Position players:

 

Zobrist 2B/RF

Harper OF

Bryant 3B/RF/LF

Rizzo 1B

Baez SS/2B/3B

Contreras C/1B

Schwarber LF

Marisnick OF

Quinn OF

Ahmed IF

D’Arnaud C/1B

 

Pitchers:

 

Hendricks

Hamels

Lester

Gray

Darvish

Montgomery

Robertson

Morrow

Strop

Diekman

Maurer

McCallister

de la Rosa

Mitchell

Suarez

Clarke

Alzolay

 

No clue what the payroll is, probably badass. I like the idea of bringing de la Rosa back.

 

Not bad, but that Phillies trade works for no one. I wouldn't make that deal just to get rid of Heyward's contract and the Phillies don't want that either. Doubt they want Russell too.

[Cubswin11]

Wonder if we are a team who’s discussed Martin in a salary swap situation. We allegedly went hard after him in FA a few years back. He’s owed $20 mil yet and has a 16.4 LT hit. Also the pirates should trade Cervelli to Japan like the Padres did with Villanueva. Get that horsefeathers as far away as possible.

 

[UMFan83]

Not sure how reliable his sources are but he is saying that the Cubs aren’t going to be involved in FA at all, not even tier 2 guys.

 

https://www.cubsinsider.com/2018/11/28/already-longshots-for-harper-cubs-might-even-avoid-next-tier-of-free-agents-with-eye-on-2020/

 

I simply do not buy that the Cubs are playing possum this offseason when it comes to Harper or other big free agents. Some industry sources have even expressed concern that the Cubs can’t even afford — or simply won’t spend on — a move like AJ Pollock or Zach Britton without shedding some salary.