Cubs offseason chit chat...

[chibears55]

Just saw that the Cubs won't be bringing Fulmer back and he'll be a FA...

Fine by me, I think they have some good young arms for the pen in theirsystem, and hopefully they can add 1 or 2 upgrades via trade or FA.

[TomtheBombadil]

Joel Sherman mentioned Breslow is a possible candidate for the Red Sox GM job. Seems early, but he did play there and would be yet another guy leaving the org for a leadership position elsewhere (1 already a president of baseball in Detroit) 

Edited October 17 by TomtheBombadil

[TomtheBombadil]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/angels-outright-six-players.html

The non-Alonso 1B cupboard is bare enough rn that it may not be crazy to see Walsh as a smaller scale, higher risk but good reward Bellinger-esque pickup. He’s got the wrecked shoulder, was legit good ‘20-‘21, plays a good 1B when healthy, did some interesting things last year (more flyballs, fewer pop ups, good HR/FB) 

 

 

 

[chibears55]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/21-players-elect-free-agency.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[Tryptamine]

14 hours ago, TomtheBombadil said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/angels-outright-six-players.html

The non-Alonso 1B cupboard is bare enough rn that it may not be crazy to see Walsh as a smaller scale, higher risk but good reward Bellinger-esque pickup. He’s got the wrecked shoulder, was legit good ‘20-‘21, plays a good 1B when healthy, did some interesting things last year (more flyballs, fewer pop ups, good HR/FB) 

 

 

 

The shoulder isn't the issue. The vertigo and tremors are the issue. While he has managed to mostly control it, he clearly isn't fully back yet. Unfortunately, he's likely done as a productive major leaguer. 

[UMFan83]

On 10/16/2023 at 6:06 PM, chibears55 said:

Just saw that the Cubs won't be bringing Fulmer back and he'll be a FA...

Fine by me, I think they have some good young arms for the pen in theirsystem, and hopefully they can add 1 or 2 upgrades via trade or FA.

Guessing this is why they aren't bringing Fulmer back

 

[JHBulls]

Already posted. Sucks for Fulmer. 

Edited October 19 by JHBulls

[PackLandVA]

Well, given how often the bullpen was used, is it really any wonder why so many of them are/were injured.

[Tom Emanski]

I am hoping we roll with Mervis at first base next season. 

[Rcal10]

31 minutes ago, Tom Emanski said:

I am hoping we roll with Mervis at first base next season. 

At the very least I hope they have him start out at 1st/DH. I am fine if they get someone like Hoskins and roll with him AND Mervis. Or if they sign Candelario let him go between 1st, 3rd and DH and go with Mervis and Morel at 1st, 3rd and DH as well.

 

it might be time to count on some young guys. Add one bat and use some young talent to fill the rest of the line up. 
 

unless, of course, if they traded for Soto. To me that is the best case, somewhat realistic, scenario. Figure out where to play him. Could be first,left and DH and Mervis can still be a guy who plays in 70-80% of the games. 

[Stratos]

4 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

At the very least I hope they have him start out at 1st/DH. I am fine if they get someone like Hoskins and roll with him AND Mervis. Or if they sign Candelario let him go between 1st, 3rd and DH and go with Mervis and Morel at 1st, 3rd and DH as well.

 

it might be time to count on some young guys. Add one bat and use some young talent to fill the rest of the line up. 
 

unless, of course, if they traded for Soto. To me that is the best case, somewhat realistic, scenario. Figure out where to play him. Could be first,left and DH and Mervis can still be a guy who plays in 70-80% of the games. 

I'd also like to see Mervis start the year on the team.  I get why they didn't last year, they waited for him to get going in mid-season form and he only had one successful pro season under his belt at the time.

I'd like to see him get a decent # of PA's in 2023 unless he's horrid or they find someone better.  If he can manage 80-100 rWC+ just let him play.  They still need a backup plan and a RHB 1B to possibly platoon vs LHP.  Wisdom might fit, or someone else, i'm done with Wisdom at 3B.  Looks like he might get about 2.5 mil in arbitration this winter.  Non-tender territory.

[stitchface]

Former MLB player arrested in deadly 2021 shooting that stunned Tahoe area (msn.com)

 

yikes.

[CubinNY]

On 10/20/2023 at 11:45 PM, stitchface said:

Former MLB player arrested in deadly 2021 shooting that stunned Tahoe area (msn.com)

 

yikes.

I forgot he pitched in the org. 

[LBiittner]

Pardon this off-topic comment: I'm happy how NSBB and PSD posters have joined together to provide a wealth of Cub information and insight. Pleasure to come here.

[Bertz]

I love this Polanco idea.  Offensively he's not too dissimilar from Candelario, defensively you can get him in the lineup at 2nd or 3rd (and in a real pinch SS).  His contract is two consecutive club options, whereas I think Candy might require a 3 or even 4 year deal.  BBTV says it won't take much to get him, a prospect of consequence but nothing wild.

Having an ability to get some quality LHH plate appearances in the infield somewhere besides 1B is a low key need.  And currently the internal options on that front are just BJ Murray and Miles Mastrobuoni.  I like both guys but hard to confidently count on either contributing in '24.

[TomtheBombadil]

Quote

Hoyer said. “We’re in a place right now where our books are clean long-term (and) certainly, we do have young players. 

Saw this tucked away in an article but seems promising  from no less than the President of Cubs Baseball 

Ohtani this year, brainwash Cole next year, graduate a couple stars, trade for a couple more…easy peasy 

Edited October 23 by TomtheBombadil

[Dfan25]

IDK how much Interest the O’s would have in a Stroman for Santander trade , but I think Santander would be a good fit for the Cubs . One arbitration year left and could be used at 1B / DH .  
 

[We Got The Whole 9]

That might have been the nail. Garcia just wearing them out. 

[TomtheBombadil]

It’s still horsefeathers weird how often “the Cubs should trade for Bobby Dalbec” has popped into my head. I like the glove and slug at 1B, remember more or less Cubs scouted him as a two way player at Arizona. I’ve added Garrett Whitlock (off a down year, career 34% chase) from the Red Sox :dontknow:

The former made Pipeline’s org ASs or something for the Red Sox as a 3B:

Quote

3B: Bobby Dalbec
AAA: .269/.381/.557, 114 G, 33 HR, 79 RBI, 82 R, 64 BB, 18 SB
It’s difficult for a veteran with significant Major League experience to stomach almost a full season in the Minors. But Dalbec did just that while improving in specific areas that held him back in The Show. He continued to hit homers at an impressive rate, but Boston's director of player development Brian Abraham noted that he also showed a better understanding of when to adjust his approach and make more consistent contact, particularly later in counts.

Edit: The assumptions are Ohtani to Cubs but Alonso or another obvious 1B starter is unavailable. I’m not so big on bringing Candelario back, wouldn’t complain about a power 1B with some 3B versatility cheaper than Wisdom. The breaks might be Mervis or a Mervis platoon, and to his credit the 2023 AAA line did get cleaned up

Edited October 24 by TomtheBombadil

[Cuzi]

Dalbec is 28 years old in AAA. He had 169 K's in 493 PA's in a league he's going on 4 years too old for. Even if he was free I wouldn't give him a 40 man roster spot.

The Cubs have Matt Mervis who is at the sink or swim point in his MLB career with just as much success in AAA as Dalbec at 3 years younger. Why in the world would trading for Dalbec enter anyones thought process?

The idea is to get better. The Cubs should be beyond the point of throwing horsefeathers at a wall and seeing what sticks. Its time to look at guys that are successful MLB players.

Edited October 24 by Cuzi

[CubinNY]

1 hour ago, Cuzi said:

Dalbec is 28 years old in AAA. He had 169 K's in 493 PA's in a league he's going on 4 years too old for. Even if he was free I wouldn't give him a 40 man roster spot.

The Cubs have Matt Mervis who is at the sink or swim point in his MLB career with just as much success in AAA as Dalbec at 3 years younger. Why in the world would trading for Dalbec enter anyones thought process?

The idea is to get better. The Cubs should be beyond the point of throwing horsefeathers at a wall and seeing what sticks. Its time to look at guys that are successful MLB players.

https://tenor.com/view/first-time-james-franco-meme-hang-gif-16272179

Edited October 24 by CubinNY

[Transmogrified Tiger]

9 hours ago, TomtheBombadil said:

It’s still horsefeathers weird how often “the Cubs should trade for Bobby Dalbec” has popped into my head. I like the glove and slug at 1B, remember more or less Cubs scouted him as a two way player at Arizona. I’ve added Garrett Whitlock (off a down year, career 34% chase) from the Red Sox :dontknow:

The former made Pipeline’s org ASs or something for the Red Sox as a 3B:

Edit: The assumptions are Ohtani to Cubs but Alonso or another obvious 1B starter is unavailable. I’m not so big on bringing Candelario back, wouldn’t complain about a power 1B with some 3B versatility cheaper than Wisdom. The breaks might be Mervis or a Mervis platoon, and to his credit the 2023 AAA line did get cleaned up

Especially if the Red Sox are cutting bait I don't mind Dalbec as a slightly higher cost Rios, but did that adjustment/improvement actually happen in practice?  He had a 34% K rate at AAA, and as best as I can tell it didn't really improve over the course of the season.  He struck out 51% of the time in his September cameo in MLB for good measure.  I think it's more likely he just doesn't have what's needed to make contact at this level.

[TomtheBombadil]

2 hours ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Especially if the Red Sox are cutting bait I don't mind Dalbec as a slightly higher cost Rios, but did that adjustment/improvement actually happen in practice?  He had a 34% K rate at AAA, and as best as I can tell it didn't really improve over the course of the season.  He struck out 51% of the time in his September cameo in MLB for good measure.  I think it's more likely he just doesn't have what's needed to make contact at this level.

Yeah, I’ve got same doubts because he’s legit been terrible. Even the AAA line is in the context of a league with a .794 OPS. Still - cheap power with some 1B/3B versatility - is a match and the acquisition cost will likely be negligible

I’m a big offense begets offense fan, think adding Ohtani to the main group will open up doors for all kinds of players 

Edited October 24 by TomtheBombadil

[Rcal10]

4 hours ago, Cuzi said:

Dalbec is 28 years old in AAA. He had 169 K's in 493 PA's in a league he's going on 4 years too old for. Even if he was free I wouldn't give him a 40 man roster spot.

The Cubs have Matt Mervis who is at the sink or swim point in his MLB career with just as much success in AAA as Dalbec at 3 years younger. Why in the world would trading for Dalbec enter anyones thought process?

The idea is to get better. The Cubs should be beyond the point of throwing horsefeathers at a wall and seeing what sticks. Its time to look at guys that are successful MLB players.

Agreed. Not really interested in Dalbec. Just stick with Mervis. Maybe for a little cheaper than the star level contracts look into Hoskins. Him and Mervis can split DH/1B. I would rather see Ohtani or a Soto trade, but I know that is doubtful. I would rather sign Hoskins than trade for Alonso. 
Note: this is assuming Hoskins is healthy. 

[Bertz]

If you go huge at DH, like Soto or Ohtani, I think you can do something more hail mary-ish at 1B like a Dalbec-Mervis competition.  I'd probably just stick with Wisdom as the RHH half of that competition, but it's not crazy to bring in a guy who was pretty recently a tippy top prospect.