2020 roster

[Sammy Sofa]

 

Because I don't care to post enough. This is a weak ass response lol, I'm right and you don't have a rebuttal.

 

No, it's a pretty good response to a weird, "I usually like you" post, Guy I Thought Was CubinNY until a minute ago.

 

And I'm not sure how you can argue away, "I think Kris Bryant is going to be dealing with nagging injuries too often," like you think there's some kind of slam dunk response.

[The SABR Gamer]

 

Because I don't care to post enough. This is a weak ass response lol, I'm right and you don't have a rebuttal.

 

No, it's a pretty good response to a weird, "I usually like you" post, Guy I Thought Was CubinNY until a minute ago.

 

And I'm not sure how you can argue away, "I think Kris Bryant is going to be dealing with nagging injuries too often," like you think there's some kind of slam dunk response.

 

Fair enough, I was just trying to soften my seemingly harsh criticism by mentioning that I do not have a negative viewpoint of you.

 

I'm not arguing with his injury history being questionable to his longterm outlook, it absolutely is. I am arguing with you using a probable outlier data point to justify your entire viewpoint that Kris is not a valuable enough player. He's a top 20 player this year, even dealing with the injury issues, which is incredibly valuable and more than valuable enough for what the Cubs want and need him to be (which is what you specifically said he wasn't). Whether he's going to breakdown is the worthy debate, but I think he showed he can handle the minor, lingering stuff with how he's bounced back multiple times this year.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm not arguing with his injury history being questionable to his longterm outlook, it absolutely is. I am arguing with you using a probable outlier data point to justify your entire viewpoint that Kris is not a valuable enough player. He's a top 20 player this year, even dealing with the injury issues, which is incredibly valuable and more than valuable enough for what the Cubs want and need him to be (which is what you specifically said he wasn't). Whether he's going to breakdown is the worthy debate, but I think he showed he can handle the minor, lingering stuff with how he's bounced back multiple times this year.

 

Right, and like I said, it's impressive that he still put up the year he did despite the knee issues and, IMO, the lingering shoulder issues he was dealing with (or whatever rust had to be shaken off via his very cruddy start to the season). But this is 2 seasons in a row now where he's had to deal with lingering injury issues and, again, I don't think it's unreasonable to be very wary of that as it's something that is more likely to get worse as a player gets older. Combine that with his slugging getting back to what it had been in the context of this juiced ball environment, and it makes me trepidatious.

 

And I do genuinely think the Cubs need/expected him to be better than he has been these last 2 seasons. That, rightly, seems somewhat ridiculous to say about a 5 WAR player, but given the context of how this team is made up and their limited resources, I don't think it's a stretch at all to say that they were banking on the Bryant of 2016 and 2017 being either the norm or even preludes to what kind of seasons he'd put up (Kyle's naysaying that players peak by the age of 14 or whatever be damned). There's the, IMO, good SI article linked to in the general Cubs discussion thread that breaks down the holes in the Cubs lineup, and even in the approaches at the plate of a lot of their better players, and in those circumstances they arguably need Bryant to be even more than 2019 Bryant, who might arguably end up being peak/best case scenario Bryant going forward.

 

Yeah, that's a lot of projection/guessing, but it's a big reason why I'm not tremendously optimistic about what the Cubs do in the (likely) final 2 seasons that Bryant is with them. I'd love to be wrong and he bounces back (again, LOL to bouncing back from a 5 WAR season, but that IS, as we agree, how good he has been and everyone hopes he can be) and kicks all kinds of ass to the tune of a 7-8 WAR season. Unfortunately that's what the Cubs need, especially since they're likely to trade of someone like Contreras or Schwarber (or both) to try and address the pitching, and since the money for outside help is likely going to be relatively minimal again.

[mhuber92211]

I don't want to be annoying so I promise I won't say this every time it comes up, but every proposal that includes trading Bryant I have to scream into a pillow to avoid deleting out of spite. It is a bad idea and you should feel bad for considering it, you very bad people you.

 

I get it. Bryant is one of the best 20 players in baseball. However, the likelihood of him staying past free agency and the fact that he has had 2 dehabilitating injuries 2 years in a row provides reasonable consideration to maximizing his value to help cover holes elsewhere.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't want to be annoying so I promise I won't say this every time it comes up, but every proposal that includes trading Bryant I have to scream into a pillow to avoid deleting out of spite. It is a bad idea and you should feel bad for considering it, you very bad people you.

 

I get it. Bryant is one of the best 20 players in baseball. However, the likelihood of him staying past free agency and the fact that he has had 2 dehabilitating injuries 2 years in a row provides reasonable consideration to maximizing his value to help cover holes elsewhere.

 

4 quarters does not equal a dollar in building a baseball roster

[CubinNY]

 

Because I don't care to post enough. This is a weak ass response lol, I'm right and you don't have a rebuttal.

 

No, it's a pretty good response to a weird, "I usually like you" post, Guy I Thought Was CubinNY until a minute ago.

 

And I'm not sure how you can argue away, "I think Kris Bryant is going to be dealing with nagging injuries too often," like you think there's some kind of slam dunk response.

I don't usually like you.

[ConstableRabbit]

I don't want to be annoying so I promise I won't say this every time it comes up, but every proposal that includes trading Bryant I have to scream into a pillow to avoid deleting out of spite. It is a bad idea and you should feel bad for considering it, you very bad people you.

 

I get it. Bryant is one of the best 20 players in baseball. However, the likelihood of him staying past free agency and the fact that he has had 2 dehabilitating injuries 2 years in a row provides reasonable consideration to maximizing his value to help cover holes elsewhere.

This season wasn't debilitating -- he had a bad (by his standards) August and then went back to crushing.

 

Kris Bryant put up another 5 fWAR season. He's one of the best baserunners in the game. He's versatile defensively. He walks, hits for average, and hits for power. He's cost-controlled.

 

There is no way they get back more than they give up for Bryant in a trade.

[GaryWoods]

I don't want to be annoying so I promise I won't say this every time it comes up, but every proposal that includes trading Bryant I have to scream into a pillow to avoid deleting out of spite. It is a bad idea and you should feel bad for considering it, you very bad people you.

 

I get it. Bryant is one of the best 20 players in baseball. However, the likelihood of him staying past free agency and the fact that he has had 2 dehabilitating injuries 2 years in a row provides reasonable consideration to maximizing his value to help cover holes elsewhere.

This season wasn't debilitating -- he had a bad (by his standards) August and then went back to crushing.

 

He went back to crushing the ball for a week after he got the cortisone shot. Over his last 6 games he hit .100/.217/.100. I think the knee is a much bigger problem than we've been led to believe, but hopefully it's something that can be corrected over the winter.

 

I agree that he's not getting traded unless it's a blockbuster deal, though.

[Cubswin11]

 

I get it. Bryant is one of the best 20 players in baseball. However, the likelihood of him staying past free agency and the fact that he has had 2 dehabilitating injuries 2 years in a row provides reasonable consideration to maximizing his value to help cover holes elsewhere.

This season wasn't debilitating -- he had a bad (by his standards) August and then went back to crushing.

 

He went back to crushing the ball for a week after he got the cortisone shot. Over his last 6 games he hit .100/.217/.100. I think the knee is a much bigger problem than we've been led to believe, but hopefully it's something that can be corrected over the winter.

 

I agree that he's not getting traded unless it's a blockbuster deal, though.

Or you know, since it’s 6 games, it’s just noise.

[GaryWoods]

This season wasn't debilitating -- he had a bad (by his standards) August and then went back to crushing.

 

He went back to crushing the ball for a week after he got the cortisone shot. Over his last 6 games he hit .100/.217/.100. I think the knee is a much bigger problem than we've been led to believe, but hopefully it's something that can be corrected over the winter.

 

I agree that he's not getting traded unless it's a blockbuster deal, though.

Or you know, since it’s 6 games, it’s just noise.

But if that's the case, we have to consider possibility that the six games where he was crushing it was just noise.

[Cubswin11]

 

He went back to crushing the ball for a week after he got the cortisone shot. Over his last 6 games he hit .100/.217/.100. I think the knee is a much bigger problem than we've been led to believe, but hopefully it's something that can be corrected over the winter.

 

I agree that he's not getting traded unless it's a blockbuster deal, though.

Or you know, since it’s 6 games, it’s just noise.

But if that's the case, we have to consider possibility that the six games where he was crushing it was just noise.

And add the two together and you have roughly the player he is

[ConstableRabbit]

 

He went back to crushing the ball for a week after he got the cortisone shot. Over his last 6 games he hit .100/.217/.100. I think the knee is a much bigger problem than we've been led to believe, but hopefully it's something that can be corrected over the winter.

 

I agree that he's not getting traded unless it's a blockbuster deal, though.

Or you know, since it’s 6 games, it’s just noise.

But if that's the case, we have to consider possibility that the six games where he was crushing it was just noise.

How about this: what do you think he's going to put up next season?

[champaignchris]

Your current 2020 bullpen pitchers under contract...

 

Kimbrel, Ryan, and Wick.

Whichever of Chatwood or Mills that isn't starting.

Probably picking up Phelps' option.

Then about 250-ish combined innings from some assortment of Webster, Maples, Wieck, Underwood, Norwood and random other AAA guys I'm forgetting.

 

Woof!

 

Bare minimum the Cubs need two more capable relievers. Preferably one from each side of the mound, at least one of whom is a proven high leverage guy.

 

Can the Cubs afford to spend any money on the relief staff this off-season with all the other needs to be filled? Can they afford not to?

[Cubswin11]

Your current 2020 bullpen pitchers under contract...

 

Kimbrel, Ryan, and Wick.

Whichever of Chatwood or Mills that isn't starting.

Probably picking up Phelps' option.

Then about 250-ish combined innings from some assortment of Webster, Maples, Wieck, Underwood, Norwood and random other AAA guys I'm forgetting.

 

Woof!

 

Bare minimum the Cubs need two more capable relievers. Preferably one from each side of the mound, at least one of whom is a proven high leverage guy.

 

Can the Cubs afford to spend any money on the relief staff this off-season with all the other needs to be filled? Can they afford not to?

They have money, I’d prefer the RP add(s) is through a trade. I also think Kimbrel/Wick/Ryan/Wieck and 1 of Chatwood/Mills is a pretty solid start and foundation of a bullpen, I don’t think they need to add a ton to it with some of the other internal options or at least allocate a ton of capital (money or players traded) to add to it to have a solid unit.

[cincycub31]

The Cubs lost a lot of games early and late this year because the bullpen couldn't close it out. Do we really believe Kimbrel will return to being a dominant closer? I think if we add a solid 7th/8th inning option to go with what we have our bullpen will be OK as long as Kimbrel can close out games. If he can't we're in trouble again.

[Cubswin11]

The Cubs lost a lot of games early and late this year because the bullpen couldn't close it out. Do we really believe Kimbrel will return to being a dominant closer? I think if we add a solid 7th/8th inning option to go with what we have our bullpen will be OK as long as Kimbrel can close out games. If he can't we're in trouble again.

I think he’s going to be fine next year assuming health, obviously if he’s not it’s a problem. But he’s still throwing 96+ with a good breaking ball, give him a normal offseason and ST and I think he’ll be a plenty fine closer. The FA bullpen options suck outside of Will Smith, so there are no clear adds there. Try and find another Wick in a trade would be my goal. If/when any of Schwarbs, Willy, or Happ go I think a relief pitcher is coming back in almost all those trades (maybe not as a main piece but part of it).

[Cubswin11]

With his 40th appearance of the year tonight Phelps team option escalated to $5 million, from $3 million, that’s a no for me. There is no buyout money owed for declining the option.

[Bear Cub]

I bet we get 120 pages in this thread by Spring.

[Cubswin11]

Trade for Mookie you cowards

 

[Sammy Sofa]

Trade them Theo.

[Post Count Padder]

Does an Almora+ for Jackie Bradley trade do anything for anyone? I've liked JBJ awhile, Sox trying to trim some salary.

[Cubswin11]

Does an Almora+ for Jackie Bradley trade do anything for anyone? I've liked JBJ awhile, Sox trying to trim some salary.

I would trade Almora to the KBO for nothing so yeah I’d do that, JBJ is probably getting non tendered though. I’d assume.

[NOLA]

Trade for Mookie you cowards

 

I want Schwarber traded to Boston and him become fat white Ortiz in the worst way.

[Tim]

Unlimited Cash Offseason - rev 1.0

 

1) Sign Gerritt Cole

2) Sign Josh Donaldson

3) Sign Scooter Gennett

3) Trade Almora for whatever / non-tender him

4) Shoot Russell into the sun

5) Exercise options on Rizzo, Q, Graveman

6) Trade Q for a reliever

7) Sign Will Smith

 

C) Contreras

1B) Rizzo

2B) Gennett

SS) Baez

3B) Donaldson

RF) Bryant

CF) Heyward

LF) Schwarber

 

B) Caratini

B) Happ

B) Bote

B) Descalso

B) Hoerner

 

SP) Cole

SP) Darvish

SP) Hendricks

SP) Lester

SP) Graveman / Mills / Chatwood

 

RP) Kimbrel

RP) Reliever from Q trade

RP) Will Smith

RP) Ryan

RP) Wick

RP) Wieck

RP) Graveman / Mills / Chatwood

RP) Graveman / Mills / Chatwood

RP) Underwood?

RP) Hultzen?

[The_Achiever]

Not bad. Send descalso into the sun with Russell and get another OF for the bench. Hoerner, Bote and Happ should be more than sufficient as backup IFers.