2020 Offseason Thread

[Cubswin11]

A lot of those arb estimates seem light on the higher end guys. Tepera was one of our best relievers this year, I wouldn’t NT for ~$1 mil in savings. Rea showed to be decentish depth and still has options, he also looked like he could be a decent 1 inning RP I’d prefer to keep him too for ~$1 mil. The rest, yeah, they can go.

[Bertz]

A bench guy I'm really interested in is Robbie Grossman. He'd bring that "professional hitter" profile to the bench that we've been sorely lacking since Sealboy left. Over the last three years he's got a 12% walk rate and only an 18% K rate. He's a switch hitter who's better against lefties than righties, but his split isn't huge as he's an above average hitter against both. He's played primarily LF the last few years, but Statcast says he's fast enough for CF and gets good jumps, so I imagine that's just in deference to Ramon Laureano.

[Backtobanks]

A bench guy I'm really interested in is Robbie Grossman. He'd bring that "professional hitter" profile to the bench that we've been sorely lacking since Sealboy left. Over the last three years he's got a 12% walk rate and only an 18% K rate. He's a switch hitter who's better against lefties than righties, but his split isn't huge as he's an above average hitter against both. He's played primarily LF the last few years, but Statcast says he's fast enough for CF and gets good jumps, so I imagine that's just in deference to Ramon Laureano.

 

He would be a good fit. It's hard to make predictions on who to sign, how much money we have to spend, etc. when it looks likely that we may trade 2 of Bryant/Schwarber/Contreras and what the return might be. Obviously trades would free up some more money, but might also fill 1-2 holes with young players which would switch the financial priorities.

[bearjuice]

I don’t believe that Epstein will do it in his last year here. With that said, why wouldn’t we try to trade across the board for young assets? This group isn’t winning the WS. (Kimbrel, Schwarber, Baez, Bryant, Rizzo, etc)

[Cubswin11]

MLBTR mentioned that many of these arb eligible players they were projecting salaries for today will just be non-tendered. Some interesting players I think get NT'd out of the bunch:

 

Travis Shaw LHHL IF

Johan Camargo SW IF

Delino Deshields Jr. CF

Ryne Stanek RHP

Matt Strahm LHP

Vince Velazquez RHP

Nick Burdi RHRP

Adam Frazier LHH IF

Chaz Roe RHP

Ryan McMahon LHH IF

Michael Fulmer RHSP

Tommy Kahnle RHRP

Carlos Rodon LHP

Stanek (always been a fan, think there’s a high level RP in there still. Possibly a multi inning one) and Frazier (he does the contact thing and would be a decent DH vs RHP and is a caddy for Nico at 2B/can move Nico to CF/SS some) please.

[UMFan83]

BTW when the owners lift their little embargo on positive Cubs spin through their media, possibly next year I like to think, Tommy Hottovy is going to get much love as the best and hippest young pitching coach in the sport:

 

- Darvish is ~200 innings into being one of the handful best SPs in baseball, and within those 200 he's gotten better!!

- Hendricks has a whole new, Futureproof approach, is the rare established stud who raised his profile under the 60 game (Darvish too!)

- Fixed Kimbrel on the fly at the ML level, and more to the level it's happened because Kimbrel just looked dirty to finish the year

- Wick pre-oblique was pushing his way into set up material, could be an elite MR

- Tepera, Jason Adam, and Ryan as scrap heap pickups

- Jon Lester's ~3 fWAR between 2019 and Pandemic ball

- Adbert Alzolay's step forward

- Duane Underwood is a viable ML MR? 9 years with the org next year! 9!

- Alec Mills: viable depth at the ML level

 

I say Hottovy but future coverage will include Mike Borzello, Chris Young, Craig Breslow, the dude from Lipscomb etc as the MLB restructures their coaching with the NFL model (that way the list of people to blame for most fans before ownership is massive!). While the Cubs' pitching development is currently one of their mainstream negatives, it's hard to ignore that both the Derek Johnson - college pitching coaches were all the rage last year - and Hottovy hires have alot of imitators throughout the sport since and that Hottovy's biggest hits have been really big

 

Those guys are why I'm not pooping my pants about pitching this offseason. The two aces and a tippy top tier reliever are the hard part. The Cubs should feel some confidence being able to do whatever they did to turn around or improve guys like Arrieta, Strop, Hammel, Wick, Ryan, Tepera, Kimbrel, Darvish, Hendricks, etc with this coaching staff, and be able to really do well with pitching in the FA environment everyone seems to think is coming

 

Also also this is the first offseason in history I will be rooting for the Cubs to *keep* Duane Underwood unless he's the difference between a Lindor or Margot kind of obvious fit, which he won't be

 

Good stuff. Yeah if the Cubs managed to have an above average staff with what they put out there, I’m not too concerned about next year either. Focus most of your attention on fixing the offense.

[CubinNY]

BTW when the owners lift their little embargo on positive Cubs spin through their media, possibly next year I like to think, Tommy Hottovy is going to get much love as the best and hippest young pitching coach in the sport:

 

- Darvish is ~200 innings into being one of the handful best SPs in baseball, and within those 200 he's gotten better!!

- Hendricks has a whole new, Futureproof approach, is the rare established stud who raised his profile under the 60 game (Darvish too!)

- Fixed Kimbrel on the fly at the ML level, and more to the level it's happened because Kimbrel just looked dirty to finish the year

- Wick pre-oblique was pushing his way into set up material, could be an elite MR

- Tepera, Jason Adam, and Ryan as scrap heap pickups

- Jon Lester's ~3 fWAR between 2019 and Pandemic ball

- Adbert Alzolay's step forward

- Duane Underwood is a viable ML MR? 9 years with the org next year! 9!

- Alec Mills: viable depth at the ML level

 

I say Hottovy but future coverage will include Mike Borzello, Chris Young, Craig Breslow, the dude from Lipscomb etc as the MLB restructures their coaching with the NFL model (that way the list of people to blame for most fans before ownership is massive!). While the Cubs' pitching development is currently one of their mainstream negatives, it's hard to ignore that both the Derek Johnson - college pitching coaches were all the rage last year - and Hottovy hires have alot of imitators throughout the sport since and that Hottovy's biggest hits have been really big

 

Those guys are why I'm not pooping my pants about pitching this offseason. The two aces and a tippy top tier reliever are the hard part. The Cubs should feel some confidence being able to do whatever they did to turn around or improve guys like Arrieta, Strop, Hammel, Wick, Ryan, Tepera, Kimbrel, Darvish, Hendricks, etc with this coaching staff, and be able to really do well with pitching in the FA environment everyone seems to think is coming

 

Also also this is the first offseason in history I will be rooting for the Cubs to *keep* Duane Underwood unless he's the difference between a Lindor or Margot kind of obvious fit, which he won't be

 

Good stuff. Yeah if the Cubs managed to have an above average staff with what they put out there, I’m not too concerned about next year either. Focus most of your attention on fixing the offense.

How much of the pitching impact is due to Contreras’s framing? Is that a repeatable skill?

[Bertz]

BTW when the owners lift their little embargo on positive Cubs spin through their media, possibly next year I like to think, Tommy Hottovy is going to get much love as the best and hippest young pitching coach in the sport:

 

- Darvish is ~200 innings into being one of the handful best SPs in baseball, and within those 200 he's gotten better!!

- Hendricks has a whole new, Futureproof approach, is the rare established stud who raised his profile under the 60 game (Darvish too!)

- Fixed Kimbrel on the fly at the ML level, and more to the level it's happened because Kimbrel just looked dirty to finish the year

- Wick pre-oblique was pushing his way into set up material, could be an elite MR

- Tepera, Jason Adam, and Ryan as scrap heap pickups

- Jon Lester's ~3 fWAR between 2019 and Pandemic ball

- Adbert Alzolay's step forward

- Duane Underwood is a viable ML MR? 9 years with the org next year! 9!

- Alec Mills: viable depth at the ML level

 

I say Hottovy but future coverage will include Mike Borzello, Chris Young, Craig Breslow, the dude from Lipscomb etc as the MLB restructures their coaching with the NFL model (that way the list of people to blame for most fans before ownership is massive!). While the Cubs' pitching development is currently one of their mainstream negatives, it's hard to ignore that both the Derek Johnson - college pitching coaches were all the rage last year - and Hottovy hires have alot of imitators throughout the sport since and that Hottovy's biggest hits have been really big

 

Those guys are why I'm not pooping my pants about pitching this offseason. The two aces and a tippy top tier reliever are the hard part. The Cubs should feel some confidence being able to do whatever they did to turn around or improve guys like Arrieta, Strop, Hammel, Wick, Ryan, Tepera, Kimbrel, Darvish, Hendricks, etc with this coaching staff, and be able to really do well with pitching in the FA environment everyone seems to think is coming

 

Also also this is the first offseason in history I will be rooting for the Cubs to *keep* Duane Underwood unless he's the difference between a Lindor or Margot kind of obvious fit, which he won't be

 

Good stuff. Yeah if the Cubs managed to have an above average staff with what they put out there, I’m not too concerned about next year either. Focus most of your attention on fixing the offense.

How much of the pitching impact is due to Contreras’s framing? Is that a repeatable skill?

 

Several guys who were really bad and took a big leap forward have kept those gains. Realmuto is the main example that comes to mind, but Jason Castro and others have too. He's probably not the best in the league like he was this year, but he's probably legitimately good now. And even if he ends up getting shipped out, Vic has shown to be good, and it sounds like Amaya is as well.

[Clem Fandango]

FORMER Marlins exec Michael Hill should absolutely be on the shortest of short lists of Theo replacements. Maybe the one I'd say the Cubs should dump Theo for now. We already know he can work under meddlesome owners with sinister ulterior motives

 

PTR is just gonna promote the leftovers up a spot so he only has to hire a low level scout.

[Named After Maddux]

FORMER Marlins exec Michael Hill should absolutely be on the shortest of short lists of Theo replacements. Maybe the one I'd say the Cubs should dump Theo for now. We already know he can work under meddlesome owners with sinister ulterior motives

 

PTR is just gonna promote the leftovers up a spot so he only has to hire a low level scout.

 

The best outcome would be for Jason McLeod to find his long foretold GM position. The Cubs would surely allow him out of his contract, which would actually free up money for the front office. I still have hopes that Theo is waiting to step aside if the Cubs can land a GM like Jared Porter this offseason.

[Backtobanks]

FORMER Marlins exec Michael Hill should absolutely be on the shortest of short lists of Theo replacements. Maybe the one I'd say the Cubs should dump Theo for now. We already know he can work under meddlesome owners with sinister ulterior motives

 

PTR is just gonna promote the leftovers up a spot so he only has to hire a low level scout.

 

The best outcome would be for Jason McLeod to find his long foretold GM position. The Cubs would surely allow him out of his contract, which would actually free up money for the front office. I still have hopes that Theo is waiting to step aside if the Cubs can land a GM like Jared Porter this offseason.

 

The best outcome would be for some club to take Theo and give us a really good compensation player. Nothing would dramatically change in the FO and Hoyer could then work on the trades that need to happen with one hole in the roster possibly filled.

[Bertz]

 

Good fluff piece on the Cubs catching situation, And doesn't even really get into the Hearn/Quintero/Altuve trio in the low minors.

 

I think you have to trade one of the upper level guys this winter. Though who I think depends on how you want to weight 2021 in your planning. Contreras is probably the most valuable trade chip the team has, so if you're okay not giving 100% this year he's the obvious choice. Otherwise, I think given that Contreras and Caratini each have a few more years of control and the trio at the lower levels Amaya is safe to deal.

 

Vic would be the half measure, which probably means that's exactly what Theo's going to do. He's too good to be a backup, but not so good that he's particularly valuable. Dealing him for a B- prospect and signing like Alex Avila would have a real ring of the La Stella/Descalso swap.

[Backtobanks]

 

Good fluff piece on the Cubs catching situation, And doesn't even really get into the Hearn/Quintero/Altuve trio in the low minors.

 

I think you have to trade one of the upper level guys this winter. Though who I think depends on how you want to weight 2021 in your planning. Contreras is probably the most valuable trade chip the team has, so if you're okay not giving 100% this year he's the obvious choice. Otherwise, I think given that Contreras and Caratini each have a few more years of control and the trio at the lower levels Amaya is safe to deal.

 

Vic would be the half measure, which probably means that's exactly what Theo's going to do. He's too good to be a backup, but not so good that he's particularly valuable. Dealing him for a B- prospect and signing like Alex Avila would have a real ring of the La Stella/Descalso swap.

 

I wouldn't trade Contreras unless it was an offer that couldn't be refused. With the DH, both catchers can get lots of playing time. Bryant & Schwarber will save the most in money and Bryant should get a decent return (even after a bad year).

[Cubswin11]

I’m fine trading Vic if we can get a potential rotation arm or a contacty bat. I’m not a huge fan, he’s good as a backup C, but think his offense is closer to 2020 and 2018 than 2019. If some team thinks he can start and pay the appropriate price I’d move him.

 

I go back to Jon Gray, the Rockies got -1.2 WAR from catchers last year. Worst in MLB. I wonder if there’s some sort of Vic for Gray (with other parts) move. Gray is a FA after the year and the Rockies don’t seem to overly like him and also cry poor and he’ll make decent money in his final year of arb.

 

A Yu, Kyle, Gray, FA (Q or Lester back maybe), Adbert/Mills/etc rotation would be pretty solid.

[Backtobanks]

Woohoo, Cubs have made the speculative rounds! :bigconfetticannon:

 

Cubs

 

The Cubs already have a shortstop in Javier Baez, but he had a shockingly rough 2020 and does have extensive experience at second base. Maybe president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, who’s seeking to change around the Cubs’ offense, would acquire Lindor and move Baez to the keystone in hopes of giving the club a jolt. Chicago does have a notable young middle infielder in Nico Hoerner, but he hasn’t hit since debuting in 2019.

 

Fun fact: Hoyer planned to take Lindor at 10 i 2011, flew out to see him

 

https://nypost.com/2016/10/23/when-baseball-world-descended-on-hs-showdown-javier-baez-vs-lindor/

 

They were mentioned as one of 11 teams that might have interest in Lindor. Of course, most of the other teams actually have either: (1) a bigger need at SS, (2) the prospects needed to complete a trade, (3) an owner willing to spend the money to keep Lindor.

[Backtobanks]

Woohoo, Cubs have made the speculative rounds! :bigconfetticannon:

 

 

 

Fun fact: Hoyer planned to take Lindor at 10 i 2011, flew out to see him

 

https://nypost.com/2016/10/23/when-baseball-world-descended-on-hs-showdown-javier-baez-vs-lindor/

 

They were mentioned as one of 11 teams that might have interest in Lindor. Of course, most of the other teams actually have either: (1) a bigger need at SS, (2) the prospects needed to complete a trade, (3) an owner willing to spend the money to keep Lindor.

 

You think too highly of other teams and their owners! Baez would move.

 

Teams I'd eliminate among those 11 before the Cubs:

 

Reds - Their big rental was Bauer, light on prospects

Blue Jays - In play for basically all the FAs, meh on their presence in trades

Twins - Just not happening

Phillies - Don't have the prospects, likely only an opportunistic FA spender this offseason (Semien?)

Dodgers - Placed in by media because Dodgers, but Seager/Lux already has the kind of upside up the middle to keep them spectators and their top prospects after Lux are meh

 

Do you really think Theo is going to trade 3 or 4 of Amaya, Hoerner, Marquez, Caratini, and Davis for 1 year of Lindor? Also, What would PTR think of adding $20 million to the payroll for 2021 and hundreds of millions in extensions after that?

[Backtobanks]

 

You think too highly of other teams and their owners! Baez would move.

 

Teams I'd eliminate among those 11 before the Cubs:

 

Reds - Their big rental was Bauer, light on prospects

Blue Jays - In play for basically all the FAs, meh on their presence in trades

Twins - Just not happening

Phillies - Don't have the prospects, likely only an opportunistic FA spender this offseason (Semien?)

Dodgers - Placed in by media because Dodgers, but Seager/Lux already has the kind of upside up the middle to keep them spectators and their top prospects after Lux are meh

 

Do you really think Theo is going to trade 3 or 4 of Amaya, Hoerner, Marquez, Caratini, and Davis for 1 year of Lindor? Also, What would PTR think of adding $20 million to the payroll for 2021 and hundreds of millions in extensions after that?

 

Is going? Eh, Indians have to agree. Is willing? Sure

 

and

 

"dad's gonna be pissed if this doesn't work"

 

Again, it's hard to predict anything until we see what other trades Theo makes (Bryant, Schwarber, etc.) and what they get in return because Lindor can't fill all of the holes that need to be filled. As for "dad's gonna be pissed if this doesn't work", I don't think "dad" would approve the deal unless Theo saved that much after filling out the rest of the roster.

[Cubswin11]

 

They were mentioned as one of 11 teams that might have interest in Lindor. Of course, most of the other teams actually have either: (1) a bigger need at SS, (2) the prospects needed to complete a trade, (3) an owner willing to spend the money to keep Lindor.

 

You think too highly of other teams and their owners! Baez would move.

 

Teams I'd eliminate among those 11 before the Cubs:

 

Reds - Their big rental was Bauer, light on prospects

Blue Jays - In play for basically all the FAs, meh on their presence in trades

Twins - Just not happening

Phillies - Don't have the prospects, likely only an opportunistic FA spender this offseason (Semien?)

Dodgers - Placed in by media because Dodgers, but Seager/Lux already has the kind of upside up the middle to keep them spectators and their top prospects after Lux are meh

 

Do you really think Theo is going to trade 3 or 4 of Amaya, Hoerner, Marquez, Caratini, and Davis for 1 year of Lindor? Also, What would PTR think of adding $20 million to the payroll for 2021 and hundreds of millions in extensions after that?

There’s no way Lindor costs that much for 1 year but also agree that we aren’t trading away and depleting prospect capital this year. I don’t think we are going to have any sort of an offseason where we trade meaningful prospects.

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR: The Seattle Mariners outrighted three relievers to Triple-A, the team announced. Matt Magill, Carl Edwards Jr., and Nestor Cortes Jr. each elected free agency. The Mariners have 7 open spots on their 40-man roster.

 

Edwards lost it in 2019, but pitched well in limited appearances in 2020. Might be worth looking at.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cubs dredge the Sledge

 

[Bertz]

So Chris Archer is likely going to be a FA. He hasn't been mentioned much, because the Pirates hold an option on him that was likely still a no brainer pre-pandemic. But I would LOVE to get him in the lab with Hottovy. His velo was down a bit in 2019, but still well above average. And even if the ship has sailed on him as a good starter, with good velocity and a killer slider he'd likely make a fantastic reliever.

 

In lieu of one higher end guy, I'd probably prefer bringing in two veteran guys like this, like say Archer and Mike Minor.

[Backtobanks]

So Chris Archer is likely going to be a FA. He hasn't been mentioned much, because the Pirates hold an option on him that was likely still a no brainer pre-pandemic. But I would LOVE to get him in the lab with Hottovy. His velo was down a bit in 2019, but still well above average. And even if the ship has sailed on him as a good starter, with good velocity and a killer slider he'd likely make a fantastic reliever.

 

In lieu of one higher end guy, I'd probably prefer bringing in two veteran guys like this, like say Archer and Mike Minor.

 

I'd rather do Taijuan Walker and re-sign Quintana. Also, picking up Trevor Cahill on the cheap would add some insurance for the rotation and long relief.

[Tim]

I don't think I'm even going to try to put an offseason plan together until I see who gets non-tendered.

[Cubswin11]

This is gonna be bad, idk if there’s a season until they figure out a new CBA. The players won’t just keep going along with this.

 

[Tim]

This is gonna be bad, idk if there’s a season until they figure out a new CBA. The players won’t just keep going along with this.

 

He'd be a solid pickup for second base next year