Let's talk 2024 Payroll

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This is Bowden so I'm putting very little stock into it, but it did at least raise my eyebrow how casually it assumed that Stroman was opting out: https://theathletic.com/4937185/2023/10/09/mlb-missed-playoffs-power-rankings-2024/?campaign=5888993&source=dailyemail

 

Quote

The Cubs were in the pennant race until the final weekend of the regular season, thanks to the front-runner for NL Comeback Player of the Year, Cody Bellinger, team leader Dansby Swanson and Cy Young candidate Justin Steele. Manager David Ross did an excellent job of navigating the bullpen, and right fielder Seiya Suzuki lived up to his $85 million contract with a strong second half. The Cubs will have difficult free-agent decisions to make as Bellinger, Marcus Stroman and Jeimer Candelario are all expected to hit the market. They have a strong defensive team and are well-positioned to contend again in 2024, but must be prepared to spend this offseason.

 

[chibears55]

7 hours ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

This is Bowden so I'm putting very little stock into it, but it did at least raise my eyebrow how casually it assumed that Stroman was opting out: https://theathletic.com/4937185/2023/10/09/mlb-missed-playoffs-power-rankings-2024/?campaign=5888993&source=dailyemail

 

 

Wouldn't shock me if he did opt out..

Sure he'd be giving up on 21 Mil guarenteed for 2024, but at 33, he might be wanting to take a shot at getting signed for a 2+ year deal even if it for 18-20 per. to end his career on.

[Bertz]

I could see what's happened with Urias and Ohtani having changed the calculus for him.  I also could see his agent having some back channel convos and getting confirmation that teams aren't especially scared of his 2nd half.  His two halves could not have been more different, but on the whole his season wasn't that far off of what you'd have expected going into the season. 

[Stratos]

22 hours ago, chibears55 said:

If Hoyer smart and wants to upgrade his talent on the field, he won't bring Hendricks back and he'll trade Stroman if he opts back in, even if he has to eat some salary.

Of the 9 Arb guys, Steele, Merryweather and Alzolay should be the only ones to return. 

Bellinger has a mutual option for 25M, hopefully both sides can work something out and he returns.

Hoyer should look to trade Taillon, Smily,  and Happ. Even if he has to eat money, he'll still be saving some. 

I would love to see Hoyer be more proactive and bring in good young talent either from within or outside to the major league roster, over basically staying with mostly what he has already and adding veteran washouts on 1 or 2 year deals.

 

Selling off Stroman and Taillon would be buying high and selling low and not a good strategy.  Taillon will likely return to being the ~4.00 ERA pitcher he's been like he showed in the 2nd half (3.70 ERA), and Stroman had a specular 1st half.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Got caught up in the headline of the notification and didn't read the article before I posted 

Edited October 10, 2023 by We Got The Whole 9