2022-23 Offseason Thread (Cubs)

[Outshined_One]

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.

 

That description fit the bill for a number of Cubs pitchers from the 00s to 10s, namely Marmol, Farnsworth, Samardzija, Zambrano, and Clement. The problem was, those guys all had a tendency to air it out in big moments rather than trust their natural movement.

[Tryptamine]

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.

 

That description fit the bill for a number of Cubs pitchers from the 00s to 10s, namely Marmol, Farnsworth, Samardzija, Zambrano, and Clement. The problem was, those guys all had a tendency to air it out in big moments rather than trust their natural movement.

 

Zambrano was the one it reminded me of. When he got too amped up and started throwing 96-97 he didn't get as much drop on the sinker and got hit harder. From what I remember, Marmol was more over throwing the sliders that would start missing a foot outside or bounce in front of the plate.

[Clem Fandango]

Wasn't this Corbin Burnes' issue, too? Maybe developing a cutter and limiting his hittable fastball could put him on a more advantageous path?

 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Leiter Jr. cleared waivers and was outrighted, so he stays in the organization.

[JeffH]

Leiter Jr. cleared waivers and was outrighted, so he stays in the organization.

 

Actually, he still has the option to refuse to accept the outright assignment and declare free agency.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Leiter Jr. cleared waivers and was outrighted, so he stays in the organization.

 

Actually, he still has the option to refuse to accept the outright assignment and declare free agency.

 

Based on the framing from the tweets I maybe mistakenly assumed that step had taken place, but yeah. Considering he was available to teams at bare minimum terms I have to imagine odds are against him refusing the assignment.

[Tim]

Leiter Jr. cleared waivers and was outrighted, so he stays in the organization.

 

Actually, he still has the option to refuse to accept the outright assignment and declare free agency.

 

Based on the framing from the tweets I maybe mistakenly assumed that step had taken place, but yeah. Considering he was available to teams at bare minimum terms I have to imagine odds are against him refusing the assignment.

Higgins did just a week or so ago.

 

But I imagine they'll offer Leiter some sweeteners to take the assignment.

[CubinNY]

Cubs DFA Anthony Kay (who?) after making it official with Mancini.

[jumbo]

Cubs DFA Anthony Kay (who?) after making it official with Mancini.

Not sure hot to post a tweet, but he tweeted something like “it’s been real, Cubs” after his one month with the org

I liked it

[apete6]

For some reason, the Cubs are having a Noon CST press conference to introduce Trey Mancini. It will be broadcast on Marquee.

 

Better than infomercials, I guess.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Leiter Jr. cleared waivers and was outrighted, so he stays in the organization.

 

Actually, he still has the option to refuse to accept the outright assignment and declare free agency.

 

Based on the framing from the tweets I maybe mistakenly assumed that step had taken place, but yeah. Considering he was available to teams at bare minimum terms I have to imagine odds are against him refusing the assignment.

 

Serves me right for assuming

 

[CubinNY]

Not really a transaction although I suppose a 60-day IL will be happening for Kyle Hendricks. Edited January 24, 2023 by CubinNY

[Cubswin11]

That sucks to lose Leiter. He’s a useful MLB pitcher to some capacity. Hope he lands somewhere to get a chance.

[UMFan83]

He’s a useful MLB pitcher to some capacity.

 

Hope this is what his agent leads with when calling teams.

[CubinNY]

Manny Rodriguez and the other dude, Kay? who got DFA cleared waivers. I’m not sure if they are free to become FA, but would assume so. Have no clue if they will.

[Tim]

Manny Rodriguez and the other dude, Kay? who got DFA cleared waivers. I’m not sure if they are free to become FA, but would assume so. Have no clue if they will.

It is their first time being outrighted, so they didn't have a choice for free agency. They have been assigned to Iowa and will be at spring training.

[Post Count Padder]

We signed Luis Torrens to be catcher depth in Iowa. Backup catcher for the Mariners last few years. Bat first catcher that has not always hit well in majors (but has in minors).

[Bertz]

Matt Barnes seems like a very natural addition for Jed to make once the Sox cut him and put themselves on the hook for his salary.

[Post Count Padder]

Matt Barnes seems like a very natural addition for Jed to make once the Sox cut him and put themselves on the hook for his salary.

Agree. And I still feel like there's some kinda Madrigal for AJ Puk trade to be made. Maybe it's wishful thinking. But that would pretty much set us up well.

[jersey cubs fan]

https://theathletic.com/realtime/jq7qZGYvqpTZ/?source=app_brief_share

 

Cubs add NRI Tyler Duffey

[mul21]

[UMFan83]

 

Assuming he assessed his options, realized he wasn't getting a MLB deal and came crawling back to the Cubs?

[Bertz]

Knowing that another lefty of some substance is still on the way, I'm really quite pleased with the pen.

 

- You have two high leverage long relievers in Thompson and Alzolay

- You have two monster stuff guys in Merryweather and Estrada. And they're not just spray and pray types, the projections like them too

- Five of eight guys in the projected OD pen have options, pending how much the TBD lefty makes the other three have easily dumpable salaries if they struggle

- Down at Iowa you have Leiter, who was great in relief last year and whose splitter/change-up makes him death on lefties, another monster stuff guy (Jensen), two more guys who can throw triple digits (Sanders, Correa), and a couple of more run of the mill relief prospects (Little, Leeper)

- There are several more high octane arms at Tenn who could function as a second wave of reinforcements

 

It's an absolutely Rays-like cache of arms. I don't like that there's not a guy we'll feel great about closing games on day one, but this is a part of the team that's very easy to see ending up dominant.

[Cubswin11]

Knowing that another lefty of some substance is still on the way, I'm really quite pleased with the pen.

 

- You have two high leverage long relievers in Thompson and Alzolay

- You have two monster stuff guys in Merryweather and Estrada. And they're not just spray and pray types, the projections like them too

- Five of eight guys in the projected OD pen have options, pending how much the TBD lefty makes the other three have easily dumpable salaries if they struggle

- Down at Iowa you have Leiter, who was great in relief last year and whose splitter/change-up makes him death on lefties, another monster stuff guy (Jensen), two more guys who can throw triple digits (Sanders, Correa), and a couple of more run of the mill relief prospects (Little, Leeper)

- There are several more high octane arms at Tenn who could function as a second wave of reinforcements

 

It's an absolutely Rays-like cache of arms. I don't like that there's not a guy we'll feel great about closing games on day one, but this is a part of the team that's very easy to see ending up dominant.

Yeah the pen is going to be a strength, likely the second best strength behind the defense. It may take until May/June to figure out all the moving parts but the parts are there. I hope we add Smith, Britton or Nelson as our last pen add once we can 60-day guys. As of today I’d guess Wick is the “closer.”

[Cubswin11]

Like it, hopefully it means Madrigal trade is coming to make room on the 40-man.