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

[Cubswin11]

I don't think we should be putting ourselves in the position where the Cubs are going to fix a Rockies pitcher

The nice thing is that Gray really doesn't need to be fixed. His stat line screams outlier luck on ERA.

Yeah there isn’t really fixing. He never had a Chatwood walk problem, he’s put up a legitimately good season without having to squint at the peripherals or underlying things to see it (like spin rates, road starts, etc). I also want to say this year, in terms of the era, their shitty bullpen allowed a ton of his runs to score. I thought I remember hearing that when they sent him down and he had a sub 3 FIP/xFIP and nobody could figure out why they did that.

[imb]

if gray is actually on the market i gotta assume someone else would offer more than we would. i guess maybe happ+ gets you there? they have too many OF but if they think he could play second and replace DJ (can't spell his last name so he's just DJ)

[Cubswin11]

if gray is actually on the market i gotta assume someone else would offer more than we would. i guess maybe happ+ gets you there? they have too many OF but if they think he could play second and replace DJ (can't spell his last name so he's just DJ)

Matt Holiday And Carlos Gonzalez are staring in their OF, do they really have too many OF’ers?? They have Brendan Rodgers coming up within the next 1.5 years for the IF (him or Story will shift to 2B). But he could be an option there for a year too.

[imb]

if gray is actually on the market i gotta assume someone else would offer more than we would. i guess maybe happ+ gets you there? they have too many OF but if they think he could play second and replace DJ (can't spell his last name so he's just DJ)

Matt Holiday And Carlos Gonzalez are staring in their OF, do they really have too many OF’ers?? They have Brendan Rodgers coming up within the next 1.5 years for the IF (him or Story will shift to 2B). But he could be an option there for a year too.

 

Blackmon, Tapia, Dahl, even though they seem to hate tapia. Maybe we could get him back in the deal too, he'd be an interesting 4th or 5th guy if he can field at all.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

if gray is actually on the market i gotta assume someone else would offer more than we would. i guess maybe happ+ gets you there? they have too many OF but if they think he could play second and replace DJ (can't spell his last name so he's just DJ)

Matt Holiday And Carlos Gonzalez are staring in their OF, do they really have too many OF’ers?? They have Brendan Rodgers coming up within the next 1.5 years for the IF (him or Story will shift to 2B). But he could be an option there for a year too.

 

That definitely would've been the case before this year, they had Gonzalez, Dahl, Blackmon, Parra, and Tapia. But now, Blackmon and Cargo are free agents, Parra's bat fell off, and Tapia increasingly looks like a AAAA player. If there's one thing that the Rockies can probably manufacture without paying through the nose it's corner OF production, but Happ would definitely have a spot there.

[Cubswin11]

if gray is actually on the market i gotta assume someone else would offer more than we would. i guess maybe happ+ gets you there? they have too many OF but if they think he could play second and replace DJ (can't spell his last name so he's just DJ)

Matt Holiday And Carlos Gonzalez are staring in their OF, do they really have too many OF’ers?? They have Brendan Rodgers coming up within the next 1.5 years for the IF (him or Story will shift to 2B). But he could be an option there for a year too.

 

That definitely would've been the case before this year, they had Gonzalez, Dahl, Blackmon, Parra, and Tapia. But now, Blackmon and Cargo are free agents, Parra's bat fell off, and Tapia increasingly looks like a AAAA player. If there's one thing that the Rockies can probably manufacture without paying through the nose it's corner OF production, but Happ would definitely have a spot there.

They extended Blackmon early in the year. He got a 9 figure deal. But I think they definitely need some OF help in the offseason, for reasons/guys you mentioned above.

[Cubswin11]

I am extremely interested in Tapia and Gray. Do that, please! Tapia’s not like a superstud or anything but easily could work on the bench. Gray’s a huge talent, exactly what we should be chasing this offseason

Tapia looks like left handed Almora a little without the defense. What’s there to like?

[Tim]

Coming at it from a different point of view, the Cubs could probably just pick up options and win 93+ games again next year. They have too many people for the roster as is.

 

Position Players: 12

 

Contreras/Caratini

Rizzo

Zobrist/LaStella

Bryant/Bote

Baez

Schwarber/Happ

Almora

Heyward

 

Starting Pitchers: 8

 

Lester / Darvish / Hendricks / Hamels / Quintana / Chatwood / Monty / Smyly

 

Relievers: 7

 

Morrow / Strop / Edwards / Cishek / Kintzler / Duensing / Mills

 

That's already 27 guys that either won't or can't be sent to Iowa. Now, the roster is only at 24 if Kintzler, Duensing and Chatwood are fired into the sun. But it's quite possible there won't be a large quantity of moves this offseason. Bring in Bryce. Add a higher quality reliever. Possibly free up a spot by trading one of Schwarber/Happ/Almora to get the reliever.

[Bertz]

Speaking of the Rockies, Ian Desmond is an option I like in a bad contract swap. He would fill our backup SS role. and is still useful against lefties. More relevantly. he's due $40 million the next three years, with a cap hit of $14m per year. Chatwood, Duensing, and Kintzler are due 34 over the next two, including a cap hit of $21.1 this year. That cap space would be hugely valuable this winter, especially if the Rockies send along a little extra money to balance out the total outlays.

[Cubswin11]

Speaking of the Rockies, Ian Desmond is an option I like in a bad contract swap. He would fill our backup SS role. and is still useful against lefties. More relevantly. he's due $40 million the next three years, with a cap hit of $14m per year. Chatwood, Duensing, and Kintzler are due 34 over the next two, including a cap hit of $21.1 this year. That cap space would be hugely valuable this winter, especially if the Rockies send along a little extra money to balance out the total outlays.

Desmond was never good at SS and hasn’t played meaningful innings there in 3 years and he’s been a negative WAR player 2 straight years. Bote is a better backup SS option than him.

[UK]

Coming at it from a different point of view, the Cubs could probably just pick up options and win 93+ games again next year. They have too many people for the roster as is.

 

Position Players: 12

 

Contreras/Caratini

Rizzo

Zobrist/LaStella

Bryant/Bote

Baez

Schwarber/Happ

Almora

Heyward

 

Starting Pitchers: 8

 

Lester / Darvish / Hendricks / Hamels / Quintana / Chatwood / Monty / Smyly

 

Relievers: 7

 

Morrow / Strop / Edwards / Cishek / Kintzler / Duensing / Mills

 

That's already 27 guys that either won't or can't be sent to Iowa. Now, the roster is only at 24 if Kintzler, Duensing and Chatwood are fired into the sun. But it's quite possible there won't be a large quantity of moves this offseason. Bring in Bryce. Add a higher quality reliever. Possibly free up a spot by trading one of Schwarber/Happ/Almora to get the reliever.

 

Tim....

 

Heyward, Chatwood, and Montgomery for Cueto (out for 2019 TJS), Melancon, and Watson?

[dfnowak]

Saw that Garrett Richards will be a FA. I know he’s been hurt the past 3 years and had TJ surgery this year, but he has really good stuff. Anyone like the idea of the Cubs taking a flier on him and grooming him for the bullpen? He has really good stuff, but not sure when he’d be back from rehab.

[Tim]

Coming at it from a different point of view, the Cubs could probably just pick up options and win 93+ games again next year. They have too many people for the roster as is.

 

Position Players: 12

 

Contreras/Caratini

Rizzo

Zobrist/LaStella

Bryant/Bote

Baez

Schwarber/Happ

Almora

Heyward

 

Starting Pitchers: 8

 

Lester / Darvish / Hendricks / Hamels / Quintana / Chatwood / Monty / Smyly

 

Relievers: 7

 

Morrow / Strop / Edwards / Cishek / Kintzler / Duensing / Mills

 

That's already 27 guys that either won't or can't be sent to Iowa. Now, the roster is only at 24 if Kintzler, Duensing and Chatwood are fired into the sun. But it's quite possible there won't be a large quantity of moves this offseason. Bring in Bryce. Add a higher quality reliever. Possibly free up a spot by trading one of Schwarber/Happ/Almora to get the reliever.

 

Tim....

 

Heyward, Chatwood, and Montgomery for Cueto (out for 2019 TJS), Melancon, and Watson?

Yes? Maybe?

 

Chatwood & Melancon basically cancel out.

Monty & Watson swap places with Watson giving us more of a pure pen lefty and SF more of a starter.

 

Which leaves Heyward & Cueto. Cueto is guaranteed to provide no value next year and is no great bet at all when he returns from surgery at 34. Heyward's contract is longer, but the annual cost is similar and Cueto is somehow a worse bet than Heyward.

 

I guess I'd do it. If SF could fix Chatwood, they'd win the deal. But it would also mean we'd need a CF next year unless people trust a Happ/Almora platoon.

[UK]

Coming at it from a different point of view, the Cubs could probably just pick up options and win 93+ games again next year. They have too many people for the roster as is.

 

Position Players: 12

 

Contreras/Caratini

Rizzo

Zobrist/LaStella

Bryant/Bote

Baez

Schwarber/Happ

Almora

Heyward

 

Starting Pitchers: 8

 

Lester / Darvish / Hendricks / Hamels / Quintana / Chatwood / Monty / Smyly

 

Relievers: 7

 

Morrow / Strop / Edwards / Cishek / Kintzler / Duensing / Mills

 

That's already 27 guys that either won't or can't be sent to Iowa. Now, the roster is only at 24 if Kintzler, Duensing and Chatwood are fired into the sun. But it's quite possible there won't be a large quantity of moves this offseason. Bring in Bryce. Add a higher quality reliever. Possibly free up a spot by trading one of Schwarber/Happ/Almora to get the reliever.

 

Tim....

 

Heyward, Chatwood, and Montgomery for Cueto (out for 2019 TJS), Melancon, and Watson?

Yes? Maybe?

 

Chatwood & Melancon basically cancel out.

Monty & Watson swap places with Watson giving us more of a pure pen lefty and SF more of a starter.

 

Which leaves Heyward & Cueto. Cueto is guaranteed to provide no value next year and is no great bet at all when he returns from surgery at 34. Heyward's contract is longer, but the annual cost is similar and Cueto is somehow a worse bet than Heyward.

 

I guess I'd do it. If SF could fix Chatwood, they'd win the deal. But it would also mean we'd need a CF next year unless people trust a Happ/Almora platoon.

 

I was on the fence on it too, it's one of those odd deals that isn't one-sided currently but so many x-factors to delve into that future predicting is obscured by team needs. (SF needs an athletic OF in RF with gap to gap power, Cubs need BP help, SF needs a starter for '19 etc).

[Bear Cub]

If Theo can get someone to take Chatwalk, he should be sent to the HOF immediately. Aint going to happen. Cubs are stuck with him, unless they just eat the last two years of his contract!

[Backtobanks]

Coming at it from a different point of view, the Cubs could probably just pick up options and win 93+ games again next year. They have too many people for the roster as is.

 

Position Players: 12

 

Contreras/Caratini

Rizzo

Zobrist/LaStella

Bryant/Bote

Baez

Schwarber/Happ

Almora

Heyward

 

Starting Pitchers: 8

 

Lester / Darvish / Hendricks / Hamels / Quintana / Chatwood / Monty / Smyly

 

Relievers: 7

 

Morrow / Strop / Edwards / Cishek / Kintzler / Duensing / Mills

 

That's already 27 guys that either won't or can't be sent to Iowa. Now, the roster is only at 24 if Kintzler, Duensing and Chatwood are fired into the sun. But it's quite possible there won't be a large quantity of moves this offseason. Bring in Bryce. Add a higher quality reliever. Possibly free up a spot by trading one of Schwarber/Happ/Almora to get the reliever.

 

 

The real problem with the offseason is knowing what to expect from Bryant & Darvish. Do they both come back as all-star quality players or middle- of-the-road players? As you stated, we certainly should be competitive and reassess at the trade deadline.

[Bertz]

Speaking of the Rockies, Ian Desmond is an option I like in a bad contract swap. He would fill our backup SS role. and is still useful against lefties. More relevantly. he's due $40 million the next three years, with a cap hit of $14m per year. Chatwood, Duensing, and Kintzler are due 34 over the next two, including a cap hit of $21.1 this year. That cap space would be hugely valuable this winter, especially if the Rockies send along a little extra money to balance out the total outlays.

Desmond was never good at SS and hasn’t played meaningful innings there in 3 years and he’s been a negative WAR player 2 straight years. Bote is a better backup SS option than him.

 

That's fair (also, I forgot his year in Texas so I thought he'd been a SS more recently). I'm a little bullish on him, but overall it's more of an accounting exercise than a trade, much like the Dodgers/Braves deal last year. Some money needs to be shifted around if we want to do anything in addition to Bryce this winter.

[gflore34]

If Theo can get someone to take Chatwalk, he should be sent to the HOF immediately. Aint going to happen. Cubs are stuck with him, unless they just eat the last two years of his contract!

 

As you alluded to the Cubs are stuck with him, relative to his statistics he was historically bad last this season. Wouldn't be surprised if bounces back with at least an average season, for him, which would a marked improvement. Darvish, Chatwood and Morrow all blew up this season, I think its a pretty safe bet one of them will have a good 2019.

[Regular Show]

I don't think we should be putting ourselves in the position where the Cubs are going to fix a Rockies pitcher

 

So Chatwood is screwed then huh?

[imb]

Would the rangers move odor? They're going nowhere obviously, especially in that division. He was a good defender last year, suddenly had a 10 percent walk rate post July 1 and had a .816 OPS in that time frame.

[squally1313]

Would the rangers move odor? They're going nowhere obviously, especially in that division. He was a good defender last year, suddenly had a 10 percent walk rate post July 1 and had a .816 OPS in that time frame.

Yeah, I think we need to focus on someone who can play both middle infield positions but is more than just a 'backup'. Zobrist is going to be 38 next year, and with the way Baez plays, he's far from a lock to stay healthy. It doesn't seem like Happ is an option at second anymore, which means we're suddenly pretty thin.

[Old Style]

If Theo can get someone to take Chatwalk, he should be sent to the HOF immediately. Aint going to happen. Cubs are stuck with him, unless they just eat the last two years of his contract!

Are we forgetting that Theo gave him that contract in the first place?

[JennieGarthAlgar]

If Theo can get someone to take Chatwalk, he should be sent to the HOF immediately. Aint going to happen. Cubs are stuck with him, unless they just eat the last two years of his contract!

Are we forgetting that Theo gave him that contract in the first place?

 

All of the bad moves are made by Jed

[toonsterwu]

I half wonder if the Indians may deal Jason Kipnis on the cheap this winter to clear some money off the books. If so, I'd still have some interest. I wouldn't prioritize this, obviously, but if Russell moves on, as most anticipate, slotting Kipnis in at 2nd is still an intriguing idea for me. It's sort of wishing/hoping that he can bounce back, but on essentially a 1 year deal and what looks at a cursory glance, to be some bad luck this year, it'd be interesting if the price was right, and while I don't particularly think a top of the order bat is absolutely necessary, I never really loved the machinations at the top of the lineup this year, so slotting him up there is a nice thought.

 

Wouldn't pay too much for him, though.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I generally like players with Kipnis' skillset, but he's now at about 1000 PA with a wOBA around .305, he's not adding value defensively, and at 32 and with one year left on his deal there's little benefit to adding him with Zobrist around and LH corner OFs not in short supply(Heyward, Happ, Schwarber, hopefully Harper). Not hard to make the argument that La Stella is a player better suited to this roster, and that's before getting to the salary difference.