Cubs offseason chit chat...

[Cuzi]

7 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Last offseason the Cubs added 41 million in long term AAV(3+ year deals), and 35 million in short term AAV(1-2 year deals).  After the offseason they added an additional 25-30 million in long-term AAV in extensions.  This idea that the Cubs aren't legitimate or real or serious spenders is a just pliable enough idea that the definition always just so happens to shift to fit the prior beliefs of those complaining about it.

Long term to me isnt 3 years and they only added 1 year to Hoerner they didn't already control. The Cubs could and should be doing a whole lot more than they have been. Saying they spent $20M on Mancini and Barnhart shouldn't be a feather in their cap.

Edited November 7, 2023 by Cuzi

[Stratos]

Shout-out to Bleacher Nation for stealing our Justin Turner takes.

https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/11/07/justin-turner-cubs/

Edited November 7, 2023 by Stratos

[Transmogrified Tiger]

2 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

Long term to me isnt 3 years and they only added 1 year to Hoerner they didn't already control.

They were one of 5 teams to sign a player to 7+ years. 17 players signed 4+ year deals and the Cubs signed two of them.

[Stratos]

18 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Scott Boras is on record wanting a deal similar to or exceeding Freddie Freeman. Freeman got 6/162.

Yeah Boras can want and ask for whatever he wants, he only gets what teams are willing to offer.

[Cuzi]

2 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

They were one of 5 teams to sign a player to 7+ years. 17 players signed 4+ year deals and the Cubs signed two of them.

What is your point? They signed Dansby Swanson and Jameson Taillon. Does it satisfy you knowing that the 4th largest market in baseball is putting in that kind of effort?

Edited November 7, 2023 by Cuzi

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just now, Cuzi said:

What is your point? They signed Dansby Swanson and Jameson Taillon. Does it satisfy you know that the 4th largest market in baseball is putting in that kind of effort?

Yes, full stop.  Their spending 'effort' is not a problem.

[Cuzi]

Just now, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Yes, full stop.  Their spending 'effort' is not a problem.

Lol.

The Cubs walked away from the previous 2 years of FA with Dansby Swanson, Jameson Taillon, and Seiya Suzuki. Bravo!

[Stratos]

6 hours ago, Dfan25 said:

FWIW Jesse Rogers was just on ESPN 1000 and said he thinks the Cubs will seriously pursue Ohtani . They seriously want him and they won’t just pursue for show . He also said he thinks their main plan for SP are the Japanese ones .  

I think I said this before but I could see them making a real splash this winter, one of Ohtani/Soto, plus Yamamoto and/or Alfonso are not out of the question if they're willing to go over the cap for a couple years.

If they want to add big contracts then they should wait and add the most elite player(s).  Clearly Soto & Ohtani are elite and Yamamoto might be also.  Guys like Bogaerts are very good players but if i'm paying multiple hundreds of millions on a contract I'd want the best in baseball.  I can see them pursuing Soto and/or Yamamoto based on their ages, and they could make an exception on age for Ohtani.

[Stratos]

5 hours ago, TomtheBombadil said:

It’s fun and funny he had to add that. It feels very telling for where we’re at and what we expect in 2023 going into 2024 from pro sports and pro sports media. “The interest you’ll read about is really real and not manufactured for your entertainment like everything else!” Isn’t that great? Very promising 

I enjoy pro sports teams manipulating me and insulting my intelligence.

[Rcal10]

I am not sure who they will sign but I am fairly confident they will go over the first line of the luxury tax. I can see them trading for Alonso or Glasnow or signing someone like Hoskins to go along with other signing and trades. The one year guy they won’t resign in 25’ and drop back under the LT. If it is Glasnow, maybe Horton takes his spot. I am not suggesting these are the only moves. Maybe sign Bellinger and then trade PCA for a young controlled starting pitcher. Maybe trade for Soto. Maybe Ohtani. I also think they could add a FA pitcher. Or trade for a 3rd baseman. I just think it will be a very active off season and in the end they will have a team that “on paper” is the favorite to win the division. There are a lot of avenues they can take to put a serious World Series contender on the field in 24’. 

[Rcal10]

20 minutes ago, Stratos said:

I think I said this before but I could see them making a real splash this winter, one of Ohtani/Soto, plus Yamamoto and/or Alfonso are not out of the question if they're willing to go over the cap for a couple years.

If they want to add big contracts then they should wait and add the most elite player(s).  Clearly Soto & Ohtani are elite and Yamamoto might be also.  Guys like Bogaerts are very good players but if i'm paying multiple hundreds of millions on a contract I'd want the best in baseball.  I can see them pursuing Soto and/or Yamamoto based on their ages, and they could make an exception on age for Ohtani.

Boegarts contract already looks like a disaster. 

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Tim said:

I think it's inaccurate to say that the Cubs don't play at the top end of the FA market when they just signed Swanson to a 7/$177m contract last year. That may not be the tippy top of the market, but that's pretty close top of market. They've also run a top 2-3 payroll in the recent past. 

I understand the hesitation here, but I think it's being overblown by some.

I think the Counsell hiring shows us the Cubs are still able to surprise us and our assumed expectations.  Above all they're a corporate business and rely on the data, so if the numbers make sense they will pursue someone.  I'm mostly satisfied that the Cubs won't do anything stupid longterm, they've been careful, so if they get someone it will probably be good for the team longterm.

I won't be convinced until someone is signed.  Ohtani would make them a lot of money in merch and ratings especially in Japan so he pays for some of his contract that way.  Ohtani would be smart to sign in a huge market that can market him properly.  Chicago can tell him he'll be the next Michael Jordan LOL.

 

[JHBulls]

Cubs FO do owe us another Lackey/Zobrist/um…Heyward/Fowler offseason. 

Edited November 7, 2023 by JHBulls

[Cuzi]

40 minutes ago, JHBulls said:

Cubs FO do owe us another Lackey/Zobrist/um…Heyward/Fowler offseason. 

They've given us those already. They owe us Bryant/Rizzo now. They've built a team of side dishes that is missing the main course.

[JHBulls]

21 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

They've given us those already. They owe us Bryant/Rizzo now. They've built a team of side dishes that is missing the main course.

Hopefully this is that offseason. :)

[CubinNY]

Alcantara/Horton is your main dish. PCA is dessert. 

[Cuzi]

The chances Alcantara debuts in the MLB on the Cubs is pretty damn slim. Assuming PCA doesn't face plant at the plate, Alcantara has no spot on the roster. The corners are locked down for 3 years with players that have NTC's and CF is going to be taken up by PCA. Alcantara is going to be out of options by the time a spot is even capable of opening up for him. He's the most obvious trade bait prospect the Cubs have.

[Rcal10]

21 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

The chances Alcantara debuts in the MLB on the Cubs is pretty damn slim. Assuming PCA doesn't face plant at the plate, Alcantara has no spot on the roster. The corners are locked down for 3 years with players that have NTC's and CF is going to be taken up by PCA. Alcantara is going to be out of options by the time a spot is even capable of opening up for him. He's the most obvious trade bait prospect the Cubs have.

I think it is way to early to suggest a high end prospect won’t have a position to fill in the team in 2 years. So much can happen I can’t say his chances are slim to debut as a Cub. Maybe he is traded because there is a demand for him. But I doubt he is traded because the Cubs don’t see a place for him in a few years. 

[squally1313]

3 hours ago, Cuzi said:

Long term to me isnt 3 years and they only added 1 year to Hoerner they didn't already control. The Cubs could and should be doing a whole lot more than they have been. Saying they spent $20M on Mancini and Barnhart shouldn't be a feather in their cap.

Genuinely curious how you, knowing what you know now, would have wanted last offseason to go for the Cubs, that aligns with your repeated point that the Cubs don't spend enough money. 

[Tim]

6 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Genuinely curious how you, knowing what you know now, would have wanted last offseason to go for the Cubs, that aligns with your repeated point that the Cubs don't spend enough money. 

Sign a better pitcher than Taillon? Sign Robertson instead of Boxberger?

[Cuzi]

14 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Genuinely curious how you, knowing what you know now, would have wanted last offseason to go for the Cubs, that aligns with your repeated point that the Cubs don't spend enough money. 

What I've wanted out of the Cubs started before last offseason. It's like some people forget that the Cubs have been "not rebuilding" for 3, going on 4, years. They've avoided some of the best players in the game simply because they were attached to a QO.

How would you feel about the Cubs right now if Freeman was at 1B? How about Seager at SS? Insert any number of pitchers that have been better than Marcus Stroman and Jameson Taillon.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Cuzi

[CubinNY]

2 hours ago, Cuzi said:

The chances Alcantara debuts in the MLB on the Cubs is pretty damn slim. Assuming PCA doesn't face plant at the plate, Alcantara has no spot on the roster. The corners are locked down for 3 years with players that have NTC's and CF is going to be taken up by PCA. Alcantara is going to be out of options by the time a spot is even capable of opening up for him. He's the most obvious trade bait prospect the Cubs have.

Lol. They are only allowed to have 8 position players on the team now? 

[Cuzi]

5 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Lol. They are only allowed to have 8 position players on the team now? 

How many outfielders would you like? Canario is already on the bench/DHing.

[CubinNY]

2 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

How many outfielders would you like? Canario is already on the bench/DHing.

You can’t talk your way out of this one. 

[Cuzi]

Just now, CubinNY said:

You can’t talk your way out of this one. 

I dont need to talk my way out of it. Alcantara is going to run out of options a full year before any kind of spot is open. He's trade bait no matter how much you wish it wasnt true. He'll be in a trade package soon.