2022-23 Offseason Thread (Cubs)

[Tryptamine]

So now they're around 11m from cap and still in need of a rp. Assuming they aren't going to give themselves absolutely zero financial flexibility at the trade deadline, I don't see how they can bring in anyone of note without clearing some salary. Where could they even clear a decent amount of cap space? Hendricks?

[Bertz]

So now they're around 11m from cap and still in need of a rp. Assuming they aren't going to give themselves absolutely zero financial flexibility at the trade deadline, I don't see how they can bring in anyone of note without clearing some salary. Where could they even clear a decent amount of cap space? Hendricks?

 

Yeah there's not really any ways to free up significant cash except Hendricks or Bote, which both feel unlikely. Madrigal would save you half a million, and Sampson would free up a little over a million, but those aren't moving the needle any. Also there is occasionally a margin of error of a couple million between the public accounting and what ends up being official.

 

That article TT posted (which Sharma wrote like right before the Mancini news), said it was basically an either/or between getting a Chafin/Moore type and getting a Mancini type bat. That seems right, though I do wonder how much the guys one tier down like Will Smith and Zack Britton would cost. Or maybe this is where Jed finally hits the trade market?

 

At this point I think it's basically a pick two between having money for the deadline, signing a Hoerner extension, and signing a reliever for more than $1-2M. My inference is that they couldn't work anything out with Hoerner, but we'll see.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

At this point I think it's basically a pick two between having money for the deadline, signing a Hoerner extension, and signing a reliever for more than $1-2M. My inference is that they couldn't work anything out with Hoerner, but we'll see.

 

I would go as far to say that it's pick one, given the potential for bonuses(especially Mancini's) and other unknowns with getting to the exact LT amount. My preference is extending Hoerner, trading Madrigal for a 5M caliber reliever, and going over at the deadline if you really must to be competitive, but admittedly there's non-public details(Hoerner's asks, Madrigal's league wide interest) that could torpedo that plan pretty quickly.

[Irrelevant Dude]

My inference is that they couldn't work anything out with Hoerner, but we'll see.

I certainly hope that isn't the case. At some point, this front office has to be able to get extensions worked out for players not named David Bote.

[Cubswin11]

My inference is that they couldn't work anything out with Hoerner, but we'll see.

I certainly hope that isn't the case. At some point, this front office has to be able to get extensions worked out for players not named David Bote.

The did the first time with Rizzo too. I think Rizzo/Javy/KB all overvalued (and now we’ll see on Willy) what they thought they were worth and actually worth and all 4 of their contracts now I don’t think anyone would want.

[CubinNY]

If they sign Mancini, that basically guarantees Mervis in AAA. They aren't going to roster Mancini, Hosmer and Mervis.

Yeah, that sucks. I was looking forward to seeing what Mervis could do in Chicago. I'm also not high on either Hosmer or Mancini.

My bet is that Hosmer is gone bey the ASB. Maybe even by the end of spring training.

[Derwood]

Brett reporting that Cubs are kicking the tires on Bauer :barf:

[TarzanJoeWallis]

Brett reporting that Cubs are kicking the tires on Bauer :barf:

Where do you see that? On BN there is an article saying they aren’t going to pursue him, based on a Paul Sullivan tweet.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Brett reporting that Cubs are kicking the tires on Bauer :barf:

 

Dude

 

[David]

Brett reporting that Cubs are kicking the tires on Bauer :barf:

 

Literally the opposite of what was reported?

 

[UK]

Based on Derwood's research skills, HCCF would make a great provost.

[Derwood]

Ha ha ha......yeah, its been a day

[imb]

maybe the article said they were literally kicking his tires because they hate him

[Tryptamine]

That would be one way to sever what little attachment I have left to this team.

[Post Count Padder]

I'd be fine if they signed him and then donated his salary to a women's shelter and had Clark beat him with a bat at home plate. But it's the Ricketts so his salary would be donated to the next trump campaign.

[Post Count Padder]

We claimed Julian Merryweather from the Jays and DFAd Man Rod.

 

Merryweather throws hard but has been beaten up in the majors and is already 30. I guess they're disappointed in Man Rod's development.

 

Also Mancini is gonna force someone else to be DFAd and might it be Rucker at this point?

Edited January 17, 2023 by Post Count Padder

[Bertz]

 

As much as you can like a mere waiver claim I like this. Merryweather's a HUGE stuff guy and throws strikes. Just doesn't miss as many bats as he should. Seems like it should be fixable, and if not he's making league min.

[Post Count Padder]

Cubs also just literally uploaded an hour ago a video about Manny Rodriguez inspiring kids in Mexico. Brutal timing.

[UMFan83]

Cubs also just literally uploaded an hour ago a video about Manny Rodriguez inspiring kids in Mexico. Brutal timing.

 

He was also at Cubs Convention all weekend and posted videos of him getting introduced on Instagram

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CncxpsHpBnD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link (no idea how to embed Instagram posts on here)

[Bertz]

 

 

[CubinNY]

 

 

Why was he available on waivers? What are the warts?

[Cubswin11]

I like this move a lot

[Cubswin11]

 

 

Why was he available on waivers? What are the warts?

He’s 31/32, no options left. Don’t know the ins and outs of the Jays roster but I’d assume they’re under a decent roster crunch, plus despite the velo and stuff he hasn’t really missed bats yet. Probably was more a victim of their roster construction vs cutting him because they didn’t like him.

[Bertz]

Why was he available on waivers? What are the warts?

 

You'd think from the videos he's a super high strikeout and super high walk type, but he's actually been the opposite. He's got a below average K rate, better than average BB rate, and has been hit hard. He had a 6.75 ERA in limited time last year.

 

Glass half full look back to Nate Eovaldi. He was a guy with monster stuff and just inexplicably couldn't miss bats. Then he made a few small tweaks (I believe at Driveline?) post Yankees while recovering from TJ and it unlocked him.

 

The Blue Jays are not exactly luddites, but are not a team where you say "If they can't figure him out no one can." On the flipside the Cubs aren't the Dodgers or Rays where you'd *know* they're going to fix him. But they're progressive enough you give them some benefit of the doubt that they've got a really good plan.

[Bull]

I think it was Carlos Marmol who was unhittabke a few ticks slower than his top speed. At 95-96 his movement was less, pitches straightened out and he got rocked. At 92-93 the four seamer had some natural sink, complementing that wicked slider well. Maybe they see something like this possible here?

 

Also maybe I’m remember this all wrong.