2020 Offseason Thread

[ConstableRabbit]

 

That's cute they think Seal Boy can play 3rd

 

probably took a hometown discount

 

Those are sea lions.

[Cubswin11]

That would be fun and a good fit

 

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Kolten Wong can go horsefeathers himself

[Bertz]

That would be fun and a good fit

 

 

I liked the defense über alles kinda offseason even when I thought we were going to invest some money in the pitching staff. It makes even more sense knowing how young the staff looks like it's going to be at this point.

 

Sign Wong, find some glove first CF, and try to win a bunch of games 3-2. Depending on what happens with KB and Willson that might be the best defensive team in the league.

[Cubswin11]

That would be fun and a good fit

 

 

I liked the defense über alles kinda offseason even when I thought we were going to invest some money in the pitching staff. It makes even more sense knowing how young the staff looks like it's going to be at this point.

 

Sign Wong, find some glove first CF, and try to win a bunch of games 3-2. Depending on what happens with KB and Willson that might be the best defensive team in the league.

Yeah go get Wong and Pillar and the offense and defense would be really good, defensively elite with Bote and Nico as subs. Then go throw another $5 mil or so at some lotto ticket SPs and see where it goes.

 

My fear would be we sign Wong and still trade Bryant and go Bote/Duffy/Schrock/Nico and 3B with Wong and Nico or one of the RHH at 2B and get worse but save money AAV wise and still could thread the needle to win the division or sell off at deadline. Bryant/Javy/Wong/Rizzo with Bote and Nico to supplement would be the best IF defense in baseball probably.

[Backtobanks]

That would be fun and a good fit

 

 

Does anybody really think PTR is going to pony up the money to pay Wong, especially with other teams interested?

[Bryants Disco Ball]

That would be fun and a good fit

 

 

Does anybody really think PTR is going to pony up the money to pay Wong, especially with other teams interested?

 

Exactly. Any player whose market is "heating up" is not a player the Cubs are signing. It's going to be players who randomly sign (Austin Romine) because they are mostly just looking to find a team at this point and their already low contract expectations have little to no chance of going up by waiting.

[Bertz]

That would be fun and a good fit

 

 

Does anybody really think PTR is going to pony up the money to pay Wong, especially with other teams interested?

 

Exactly. Any player whose market is "heating up" is not a player the Cubs are signing. It's going to be players who randomly sign (Austin Romine) because they are mostly just looking to find a team at this point and their already low contract expectations have little to no chance of going up by waiting.

 

I mean, 24 hours ago you would have said the same about the Indians. They looked like they were competing with the Pirates for lowest payroll in baseball, and then they signed Cesar Hernandez and Heyman indicated that they're in on several other FA's in that tier. Whether because of positive vaccine news or just strategy, purse strings around the league have generally loosened over the last month.

 

Payroll's currently down ~25% from last year. So while it's clear the Cubs are cutting payroll, if for instance the mandate was "only" 15% that leaves $20M to reinvest. That's enough for a solid starter like Wong and a couple of complimentary guys. There's also the KB factor, if he goes to the Mets or something, that's a similar $20M opened up.

 

The smart money is always to be disappointed by PTR, but a mid level FA or two wouldn't be that much of a surprise IMO.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

 

Does anybody really think PTR is going to pony up the money to pay Wong, especially with other teams interested?

 

Exactly. Any player whose market is "heating up" is not a player the Cubs are signing. It's going to be players who randomly sign (Austin Romine) because they are mostly just looking to find a team at this point and their already low contract expectations have little to no chance of going up by waiting.

 

I mean, 24 hours ago you would have said the same about the Indians. They looked like they were competing with the Pirates for lowest payroll in baseball, and then they signed Cesar Hernandez and Heyman indicated that they're in on several other FA's in that tier. Whether because of positive vaccine news or just strategy, purse strings around the league have generally loosened over the last month.

 

Payroll's currently down ~25% from last year. So while it's clear the Cubs are cutting payroll, if for instance the mandate was "only" 15% that leaves $20M to reinvest. That's enough for a solid starter like Wong and a couple of complimentary guys. There's also the KB factor, if he goes to the Mets or something, that's a similar $20M opened up.

 

The smart money is always to be disappointed by PTR, but a mid level FA or two wouldn't be that much of a surprise IMO.

 

If we are talking about one-year, $5 million contracts, sure. I think that's the type the Cubs are going to do. Maybe I haven't been paying attention enough, but I just assumed Wong will get more than that.

 

Can't see them signing anybody for multiple years or get close to $10 million per. In other words, the Cubs aren't in the market to sign a guy for 2 years and $20 million. Which is pathetic.

 

Prove me wrong, Cubs.

[Brian]

lol

 

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CheapSeatFan/status/1354072693734334466[/tweet]

[Backtobanks]

 

The smart money is always to be disappointed by PTR, but a mid level FA or two wouldn't be that much of a surprise IMO.

 

The problem is that PTR's definition of "a mid level FA" means somebody willing to sign a 1 year contract under $2 million.

[d_money]

 

The smart money is always to be disappointed by PTR, but a mid level FA or two wouldn't be that much of a surprise IMO.

 

The problem is that PTR's definition of "a mid level FA" means somebody willing to sign a 1 year contract under $2 million.

The dreaded 3/$15M is unimaginable

[Named After Maddux]

 

The smart money is always to be disappointed by PTR, but a mid level FA or two wouldn't be that much of a surprise IMO.

 

The problem is that PTR's definition of "a mid level FA" means somebody willing to sign a 1 year contract under $2 million.

The dreaded 3/$15M is unimaginable

 

I can’t imagine the Cubs would dare shell out “Marlon Byrd money” in this economy.

[Post Count Padder]

Oh my

 

The Blue Jays and Mets are closing in on a swap that would send lefty Steven Matz to Toronto, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Robert Murray of Fanside tweeted that a trade between the clubs was coming; Michael Meyer of Metsmerized had tweeted that a Matz move was in the works.

 

Three right-handed pitchers will head back to New York in the arrangement: Josh Winckowski, Sean Reid-Foley, and Yennsy Diaz. (Via Murray, on Twitter, and Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, also via Twitter).

 

Go Blue Jays. Love they're making moves. Reid-Foley is a guy I liked awhile.

[Post Count Padder]

It’s a matter of when, not if, the Pirates will trade righty Chad Kuhl, per Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic.

 

Kuhl and Frazier would be nice

Lol the Pirates are gonna be pulling fans in off the street to fill out the rotation. NL Central will be the opposite AL East

[Bertz]

 

Seeing this and the Matz news nearly back to back in my timeline makes me think Bauer's about to sign with the Mets.

[Bear Cub]

I could see adding Puig for a one year prove it contract.

[Backtobanks]

It’s a matter of when, not if, the Pirates will trade righty Chad Kuhl, per Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic.

 

Kuhl and Frazier would be nice

 

You got an extra $7 million laying around, because PTR doesn't.

[jersey cubs fan]

I could see adding Puig for a one year prove it contract.

Prove what? That a Cuban American can make it in America on minimum wage?

[ConstableRabbit]

I could see adding Puig for a one year prove it contract.

Prove what? That a Cuban American can make it in America on minimum wage?

#FightForFortyTwoMillion

[Clem Fandango]

It’s a matter of when, not if, the Pirates will trade righty Chad Kuhl, per Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic.

 

Kuhl and Frazier would be nice

 

You got an extra $7 million laying around, because PTR doesn't.

 

PTR invested in EBGames

[Bertz]

 

Not the most exciting name, but he's a big time spin guy with a minor league option remaining. I'd love to stash him at Iowa.

[Cubswin11]

[Brian]

Jed taking Rickett's asking for a team like the 2011-2013 Cubs a little too literally.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Derwood]

Cubs 2021 offseason wish list:

 

- Players that were good in 2011

- Players that were born in 2011