2019-20 Offseason Rumors/General Chit-Chat

[Cubswin11]

He’s 31 and has been basically as good as Lester the last two years. I don’t get this.

 

[Tryptamine]

What does it cost to add Mancini and Hunter Harvey? Mancini is basically Castellanos, but cheaper and Harvey has closer stuff when healthy.

Mancini is so bad in the OF and starts costing really money the next 3 years through arbitration. He’d have to come really cheap to me because that’s a big risk to try and back yourself in the corner with that potential OF defense.

 

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think you could probably land him for an Alzolay or less package. I can't imagine he would take any of Amaya, Davis,Nico or Marquez. Or were you thinking even cheaper?

[Cubswin11]

What does it cost to add Mancini and Hunter Harvey? Mancini is basically Castellanos, but cheaper and Harvey has closer stuff when healthy.

Mancini is so bad in the OF and starts costing really money the next 3 years through arbitration. He’d have to come really cheap to me because that’s a big risk to try and back yourself in the corner with that potential OF defense.

 

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think you could probably land him for an Alzolay or less package. I can't imagine he would take any of Amaya, Davis,Nico or Marquez. Or were you thinking even cheaper?

He’d need to be cheaper than that for me, honestly. I get why he would cost more but for the fit on the team I wouldn’t give up Adbert (who I think has more use to the team the next 2-3+ years). Doing something like Bote for him I guess I could see as a major league for major league swap. But I wouldn’t touch any of our top 8-12 prospects for him.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

He’s 31 and has been basically as good as Lester the last two years. I don’t get this.

 

 

So is this just happening because the CBA is up going into 2021 and it has to look like teams aren't driving prices down on players, but then it will go back to what it was the last few seasons? Or are things legit returning to normal?

[Cubswin11]

He’s 31 and has been basically as good as Lester the last two years. I don’t get this.

 

 

So is this just happening because the CBA is up going into 2021 and it has to look like teams aren't driving prices down on players, but then it will go back to what it was the last few seasons? Or are things legit returning to normal?

I think it’s just Nightengale being an idiot. Other than signings happening faster I still don’t see this offseason being all that different as the past few ones so far. Guys are ending up with about the money they should, ultimately. It’s just happening sooner, so far.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

He’s 31 and has been basically as good as Lester the last two years. I don’t get this.

 

 

So is this just happening because the CBA is up going into 2021 and it has to look like teams aren't driving prices down on players, but then it will go back to what it was the last few seasons? Or are things legit returning to normal?

I think it’s just Nightengale being an idiot. Other than signings happening faster I still don’t see this offseason being all that different as the past few ones so far. Guys are ending up with about the money they should, ultimately. It’s just happening sooner, so far.

 

I guess I'm conflicted on that. I'm not so sure Wheeler would have been given that contract at any point during the last few offseasons. Or the Moose getting those years, etc. But I guess we will see when contracts for guys like Bum are determined. Because if he really does get $100 million, well, that for sure wouldn't have happened. Especially with a draft pick involved.

[Cubswin11]

 

So is this just happening because the CBA is up going into 2021 and it has to look like teams aren't driving prices down on players, but then it will go back to what it was the last few seasons? Or are things legit returning to normal?

I think it’s just Nightengale being an idiot. Other than signings happening faster I still don’t see this offseason being all that different as the past few ones so far. Guys are ending up with about the money they should, ultimately. It’s just happening sooner, so far.

 

I guess I'm conflicted on that. I'm not so sure Wheeler would have been given that contract at any point during the last few offseasons. Or the Moose getting those years, etc. But I guess we will see when contracts for guys like Bum are determined. Because if he really does get $100 million, well, that for sure wouldn't have happened. Especially with a draft pick involved.

Darvish, Jake and Corbin all got paid the previous 3 offseasons. Maybe missing a guy or two. I think Wheeler gets in that ballpark the last two offseason coming off the season he had. If Bumgarner gets 100+ then yeah I think things may be swinging back a little to at least be a showing of good faith to players leading to the CBA talks.

 

Moustakas is probably a bit of an outlier/indicator things may be changing but there seems to be more teams willing to buy this year and if I remember correctly his first FA year he turned down a decent offer from the Angels (who then signed Cozart) then he was left in the cold when nobody really wanted him/filled the spots in other ways and went back to the Royals.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

I think it’s just Nightengale being an idiot. Other than signings happening faster I still don’t see this offseason being all that different as the past few ones so far. Guys are ending up with about the money they should, ultimately. It’s just happening sooner, so far.

 

I guess I'm conflicted on that. I'm not so sure Wheeler would have been given that contract at any point during the last few offseasons. Or the Moose getting those years, etc. But I guess we will see when contracts for guys like Bum are determined. Because if he really does get $100 million, well, that for sure wouldn't have happened. Especially with a draft pick involved.

Darvish, Jake and Corbin all got paid the previous 3 offseasons. Maybe missing a guy or two. I think Wheeler gets in that ballpark the last two offseason coming off the season he had. If Bumgarner gets 100+ then yeah I think things may be swinging back a little to at least be a showing of good faith to players leading to the CBA talks.

 

Moustakas is probably a bit of an outlier/indicator things may be changing but there seems to be more teams willing to buy this year and if I remember correctly his first FA year he turned down a decent offer from the Angels (who then signed Cozart) then he was left in the cold when nobody really wanted him/filled the spots in other ways and went back to the Royals.

 

That's fair.

 

Although I would argue Yu got way less than people anticipated, which is why the Cubs were able to land him in the first place. Corbin was considered the best pitcher on the market and actually got less AAV than Wheeler, although did get one more year.

 

But I'm willing to go with you on this one at this point.

[Cubswin11]

 

I guess I'm conflicted on that. I'm not so sure Wheeler would have been given that contract at any point during the last few offseasons. Or the Moose getting those years, etc. But I guess we will see when contracts for guys like Bum are determined. Because if he really does get $100 million, well, that for sure wouldn't have happened. Especially with a draft pick involved.

Darvish, Jake and Corbin all got paid the previous 3 offseasons. Maybe missing a guy or two. I think Wheeler gets in that ballpark the last two offseason coming off the season he had. If Bumgarner gets 100+ then yeah I think things may be swinging back a little to at least be a showing of good faith to players leading to the CBA talks.

 

Moustakas is probably a bit of an outlier/indicator things may be changing but there seems to be more teams willing to buy this year and if I remember correctly his first FA year he turned down a decent offer from the Angels (who then signed Cozart) then he was left in the cold when nobody really wanted him/filled the spots in other ways and went back to the Royals.

 

That's fair.

 

Although I would argue Yu got way less than people anticipated, which is why the Cubs were able to land him in the first place. Corbin was considered the best pitcher on the market and actually got less AAV than Wheeler, although did get one more year.

 

But I'm willing to go with you on this one at this point.

I think the WS really had an affect on Yu’s value. But that offseason also saw Hosmer, Cain, JD Martinez, Jay Bruce, Reddick, Santana, etc get big deals or paid plenty that year. Wade also got a big one. Harper, Machado, Brantley, Happ, Pollock, Eovaldi, McCutchen, etc last year. Idk, there’s been big deals given out the last two years (even overpays). Just because things took until February/March doesn’t mean guys didn’t end up around where they should (or even got more).

 

I’m not defending owners here, the system needs fixes and they certainly could spend more. But the OMG COLLUSION nobody is getting paid (or is getting paid 20 cents on the dollar or whatever) narrative isn’t entirely true either.

[Derwood]

No idea who this is but he’s got a blue checkmark

 

 

Angels were rumored to be frontrunners near the end of last season

[Derwood]

A 4 for 1 for Bundy seems like a lot, even if they’re just organizational filler types. Bundy is damaged goods.

 

 

Yeah, Brett's having a mini meltdown on Twitter over this and I don't get it. Bundy when he threw 95 had promise and untapped potential. Bundy now that he throws 91-92 is just a dude. If we ended up with him I would have been fine with it, but he's not very different from other mediocre options like Julio Teheran or Gio Gonzalez. That's a guy you settle for in January not one you proactively acquire the first week of December.

 

 

Brett also has a hard-on for Billy Hamilton, so his player evaluation leaves something to be desired

[weis21]

A 4 for 1 for Bundy seems like a lot, even if they’re just organizational filler types. Bundy is damaged goods.

 

 

Yeah, Brett's having a mini meltdown on Twitter over this and I don't get it. Bundy when he threw 95 had promise and untapped potential. Bundy now that he throws 91-92 is just a dude. If we ended up with him I would have been fine with it, but he's not very different from other mediocre options like Julio Teheran or Gio Gonzalez. That's a guy you settle for in January not one you proactively acquire the first week of December.

 

 

Brett also has a hard-on for Billy Hamilton, so his player evaluation leaves something to be desired

Come on. He’s stated every time he mentions Hamilton that he would be a late inning defense replacement (especially if they did something like move Heyward to center) and pinch runner. That’s it. A role in which he would be perfect for as he’s an excellent defender and obviously a threat on the base paths. He’s never opined for him as a starter or even a typical reserve.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Who the horsefeathers is Brett?

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Yeah, Brett's having a mini meltdown on Twitter over this and I don't get it. Bundy when he threw 95 had promise and untapped potential. Bundy now that he throws 91-92 is just a dude. If we ended up with him I would have been fine with it, but he's not very different from other mediocre options like Julio Teheran or Gio Gonzalez. That's a guy you settle for in January not one you proactively acquire the first week of December.

 

 

Brett also has a hard-on for Billy Hamilton, so his player evaluation leaves something to be desired

Come on. He’s stated every time he mentions Hamilton that he would be a late inning defense replacement (especially if they did something like move Heyward to center) and pinch runner. That’s it. A role in which he would be perfect for as he’s an excellent defender and obviously a threat on the base paths. He’s never opined for him as a starter or even a typical reserve.

But he did so with an erection.

[jersey cubs fan]

Who the horsefeathers is Brett?

A young Tim with more drive, and a beer soaked suit.

[UK]

Who the horsefeathers is Brett?

A young Tim with more drive, and a beer soaked suit.

 

*Paging Modzilla*

[Post Count Padder]

The Mets and Astros are in agreement on a trade that will send outfielder Jake Marisnick from Houston to New York, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first (via Twitter) reported that the two sides were close to a deal. Houston will receive a pair of minor leaguers in return for Marisnick, per SNY’s Andy Martino (Twitter link).

[Tryptamine]

I kind of want Tsutsugo to land with the WSox. Him in RF and Eloy in LF would be very entertaining.

[Tim]

Bowden recommends a move for the Cubs during the winter meetings:

 

Trade outfielder Brennen Davis and right-handed pitcher Cory Abbott to the Royals in exchange for second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield. The Cubs are in dire need of a leadoff hitter and Merrifield could fit in nicely. Merrifield, 30, is coming off a 4.0 WAR and 112 OPS+ season that included 16 home runs, 20 stolen bases and an OBP of .348.

 

I'd be pissed, though I'm sure it would please some people. I just have a feeling Merrifield is already declining and could collapse sooner than later.

[Cubswin11]

Ralph is a horsefeathering moron

[Post Count Padder]

Trading assets for Merrifield when we could just sign Hernandez would irk the hell out of me.

[Bertz]

 

Catching market continues to move along, but we're down to only ~3 guys who could adequately backfill Willson.

[Banedon]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Bowden recommends a move for the Cubs during the winter meetings:

 

Trade outfielder Brennen Davis and right-handed pitcher Cory Abbott to the Royals in exchange for second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield. The Cubs are in dire need of a leadoff hitter and Merrifield could fit in nicely. Merrifield, 30, is coming off a 4.0 WAR and 112 OPS+ season that included 16 home runs, 20 stolen bases and an OBP of .348.

 

I'd be pissed, though I'm sure it would please some people. I just have a feeling Merrifield is already declining and could collapse sooner than later.

 

I really, really have to start researching Cubs prospects again. This deal sounds awesome to me, but that's because I've never even heard of these two guys.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Bowden recommends a move for the Cubs during the winter meetings:

 

Trade outfielder Brennen Davis and right-handed pitcher Cory Abbott to the Royals in exchange for second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield. The Cubs are in dire need of a leadoff hitter and Merrifield could fit in nicely. Merrifield, 30, is coming off a 4.0 WAR and 112 OPS+ season that included 16 home runs, 20 stolen bases and an OBP of .348.

 

I'd be pissed, though I'm sure it would please some people. I just have a feeling Merrifield is already declining and could collapse sooner than later.

 

I really, really have to start researching Cubs prospects again. This deal sounds awesome to me, but that's because I've never even heard of these two guys.

 

When I read the first sentence, I had no idea which side was the players we were getting and which side was the players we already had.