Cubs offseason chit chat...

[Tryptamine]

31 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Trevor Bauer was at the meeting,  yea or nay on him ?

If they want to kill what's left if my Cub fandom, that would just about do it.

[minnesotacubsfan]

10 minutes ago, Cubfanintheknow said:

I will never, ever be that desperate for a World Series trophy.

well you're in luck, Bauer wouldn't be enough to put any team over the top at this point in his career. plus hes a giant piece of @#$$

[Bertz]

Bauer's not going to get signed.  Teams don't stay away from these guys forever, but in recent times there does tend to be a cooling off period before another team signs them.  But because Bauer is so insistent on running his mouth instead of putting his head down, that cooling off period is never going to come.

[Dfan25]

Cubs are one of the teams in on Yamamoto per Heyman . 

[Dfan25]

 

Don’t think they will get Ohtani or Yakamoto . My guess is they will sign the lefty Japanese ( Imanaga ) ? A couple of relievers at 5 AAV , Hoskins on a 1 year deal to play 1B and trade for Soto 
 

 

Edited November 9, 2023 by Dfan25

[Rex Buckingham]

I feel like the Cubs are going to be connected to just about everyone good. They have money to spend and some pretty obvious holes in their roster. Getting past "interested/connected" to making offers is the part that will matter most. I want to hear things like "Cubs offer Ohtani $400M" or "Cubs/Padres discussing names in possible Soto deal" or "Cubs frontrunner to sign ____" 

[Bertz]

12 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

 

Don’t think they will get Ohtani or Yakamoto . My guess is they will sign the lefty Japanese ( Imanaga ) ? A couple of relievers at 5 AAV , Hoskins on a 1 year deal to play 1B and trade for Soto 
 

 

This is exactly what I think is most likely too.  Mayyyybe they go a little harder on the bullpen by using trade chips instead of relying on FA, but this feels like Plan A.

[Rcal10]

20 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

 

Don’t think they will get Ohtani or Yakamoto . My guess is they will sign the lefty Japanese ( Imanaga ) ? A couple of relievers at 5 AAV , Hoskins on a 1 year deal to play 1B and trade for Soto 
 

 

I think if they did this they would add one more pitcher too. And either Morel would have to have proven himself to be able to play 3rd or they would have to also trade him for a 3rd baseman. But if they did just what you said I would call that a pretty good off season. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

After Ohtani and Yamamoto I don't care if they go small in FA but they should definitely move some prospects for Soto, etc. They are perfectly positioned to make a splash somewhere.

[Bertz]

8 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I think if they did this they would add one more pitcher too. And either Morel would have to have proven himself to be able to play 3rd or they would have to also trade him for a 3rd baseman. But if they did just what you said I would call that a pretty good off season. 

The team has a lot of resources, but probably does have to skimp somewhere.  I could see 3B being that somewhere.  Nick Madrigal and Patrick Wisdom have both settled into that "not ideal but not gonna kill you" level of production, and both compliment each other well.  You've got Miles Mastrobuoni in the mix, probably at a similar talent level to Madrigal and Wisdom.  In the minors you've got BJ Murray and Matt Shaw not that far away.

Very clearly not ideal, but it is probably the place we can punt on upgrading and worry the least about it.  I would be comfortable doing so if the other items on the to-do list are so emphatically crossed off.

[chibears55]

Man, Imagine if the cubs can pull off a basketball big 3, and get Ohtani, and Yamamoto to join Suzuki.

Talk about the money they'll make off of merchandise alone from oversees and here.

They would be sold out and jam packed for every home game and probably road games too, the revenue from ticket sales alone would pay their salaries 😅

[Petrey10]

I actually think the 3 Japanese studs would be a needle mover. Yeah we won’t go crazy but it’s allowing us to be in the conversation 

[thawv]

4 hours ago, 1908_Cubs said:

While accurate, as stated, I fully believe the Cubs have a significant power advantage in these relationships. It's not a practice league, the DR teams want to win, but I cannot imagine his DR team is looking around right now saying "Hey, you know what gives us the best chance to win right now? Playing Christopher Morel at a new position he's literally never played before!" In the same vein I think MLB teams would have a literal conniption if a DR team decided someone was their best catcher (who wasn't really a catcher) or over threw a pitcher, I think MLB teams have the ability to..."gently" inform a DR team that Christopher Morel is going to learn a new position this winter and it's on them to help.

For example if it wasn't brought on by Hoyer, I believe his comments would have been "Despite Morel's DR team having him play some first base, we as a team still view him as..." Instead it was "we want to find him new opportunities". Hoyer's own words make it clear; this isn't random.

I agree 100%!  On paper, so to say, the Cubs have no say so where Morel plays or hits in the lineup, etc.  But we would be delusional to believe that the Cubs didn't make a request to play him at 1B.  And I'm quite sure that it's in their best interest to comply with the request. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

2 hours ago, Rex Buckingham said:

I feel like the Cubs are going to be connected to just about everyone good. They have money to spend and some pretty obvious holes in their roster. Getting past "interested/connected" to making offers is the part that will matter most. I want to hear things like "Cubs offer Ohtani $400M" or "Cubs/Padres discussing names in possible Soto deal" or "Cubs frontrunner to sign ____" 

Feels like they were in on a lot of the top tier free agents last year too. Hoyer is just trying to get in opportunistically at low years, high AAV. Which doesn't really get it done with top tier free agents. 

[Dfan25]

George Ofman is saying the Cubs are looking into Kyle Gibson ( why ? ) and bringing back Candelario 

[Jason Ross]

9 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

George Ofman is saying the Cubs are looking into Kyle Gibson ( why ? ) and bringing back Candelario 

As it pertains to Gibson, there's probably a lot of underrated value here. The ERA was gross, but he had a solid 4.13 xFIP, really strong ground ball numbers (which matters with the Cubs middle infield defense), maintained his velocity (and is a strong "extension" guy - so his 93mph fastball is actually faster than it looks on paper), and does a decent job on missing barrels. On a cheap, one year deal, Gibson is probably really nice as a #5. Great depth. 

With that said, I'd only want him as that. It could be the Cubs doing their due diligence, looking into Gibson, figuring out what he'd cost, doing work and etc. I'd be pretty mad if he was the "Marcus Stroman replacement". But there's a world where the Cubs move, say, Jordan Wicks in a big trade and they need a "right now" BORP on a cheaper one year contract to fit into the rotation. He'd be readily replacable if and when Horton is ready. Or Ben Brown. I'd be cool with Gibson in that role. So maybe it's looking into stuff like "what if we do X, how do we replace a quick/easy BORP? Let's line up some ducks" 

Edited November 9, 2023 by 1908_Cubs

[Jason Ross]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

The team has a lot of resources, but probably does have to skimp somewhere.  I could see 3B being that somewhere.  Nick Madrigal and Patrick Wisdom have both settled into that "not ideal but not gonna kill you" level of production, and both compliment each other well.  You've got Miles Mastrobuoni in the mix, probably at a similar talent level to Madrigal and Wisdom.  In the minors you've got BJ Murray and Matt Shaw not that far away.

Very clearly not ideal, but it is probably the place we can punt on upgrading and worry the least about it.  I would be comfortable doing so if the other items on the to-do list are so emphatically crossed off.

I pretty much expect this path at 3b. The Cubs have "right now" depth in Madrigal/Wisdom and Mastrobuoni as a third place option. They also have Matt Shaw and BJ Murray in the system, both of whom could very well be ready by July 1st. Having both, you create some options if one struggles or gets hurt, as well. I think 3b is the one position I feel most certain the Cubs will "hold tight" on, as they wait for their upper level prospects to be ready to replace the "fine" they currently have.

[chibears55]

25 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

George Ofman is saying the Cubs are looking into Kyle Gibson ( why ? ) and bringing back Candelario 

They gotta have plan C D E F and G after plan A and B go elsewhere 😅

[Bertz]

12 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

With that said, I'd only want him as that. It could be the Cubs doing their due diligence, looking into Gibson, figuring out what he'd cost, doing work and etc. I'd be pretty mad if he was the "Marcus Stroman replacement". But there's a world where the Cubs move, say, Jordan Wicks in a big trade and they need a "right now" BORP on a cheaper one year contract to fit into the rotation. He'd be readily replacable if and when Horton is ready. Or Ben Brown. I'd be cool with Gibson in that role. So maybe it's looking into stuff like "what if we do X, how do we replace a quick/easy BORP? Let's line up some ducks" 

Yeah this feels right on the money.  

One thing that really sucks this winter is that it's actually a great winter for depth SPs.  Gibson, Maeda, Lorenzen, Lance Lynn, and Nick Martinez are all guys I'd happily have as a #4/#5.  James Paxton and Frankie Montas are quality injury rebound bets.  Like I love that the Cubs finally have minor league depth and (barring trade) shouldn't need to shop in this part of the store but damn where were a lot of these guys over the last 3-4 years?

[JD94]

The Athletic reporting that if Alonso is traded, it would likely be to either the Cubs, Giants, or Mariners. 

Edited November 9, 2023 by JD94

[JD94]

The Athletic also just reported that the Padres would likely wait until the deadline to trade Soto. 
 

I don’t understand that if they decide to do that. Maybe it’s just leverage to put that out there as in, “hey if you don’t give us what we want, we will just hold onto him for now.” You can’t justify trading Juan Soto in July if you’re right there in the race. 

Edited November 9, 2023 by JD94

[chibears55]

With the Brewers going on a mini rebuild, are the Reds now the only team that a legit threat to win the Division with the Cubs ?

The Cubs have a golden opportunity this offseason to make the right moves and run away with that Division 

[Petrey10]

Well I mean tell me what “a rebuild” means…. Bc at this very moment no I’m still considering brewers as tough competition. 

[Jason Ross]

11 minutes ago, JD94 said:

The Athletic also just reported that the Padres would likely wait until the deadline to trade Soto. 
 

I don’t understand that if they decide to do that. Maybe it’s just leverage to put that out there as in, “hey if you don’t give us what we want, we will just hold onto him for now.” You can’t justify trading Juan Soto in July if you’re right there in the race. 

I wouldn't let the "report" worry you. It's Jim Bowden and this is the "report":

"But according to one major-league source briefed on the Padres’ plans, it’s more likely they hold him until next July and see where they are in the standings before deciding whether to move him."

Who that "major league source" is, is kind of important. It very much sounds like "someone in San Diego" because...who else would be briefed on their plans? And don't the Padres, a team everyone believes has to cut a ton of payroll, need to regain leverage? This sounds exactly like what that is. 

Kevin Acee, who's the Padres best beat reporter thinks it's a good bet he's traded. I'll believe the Padres will trade him until they don't. We've been hearing this idea that they won't trade him for a week or so or that they'll cut payroll by trading other players like Jake Croenworth. As of now, I expect he will be moved.

Edited November 9, 2023 by 1908_Cubs

[JD94]

7 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

I wouldn't let the "report" worry you. It's Jim Bowden and this is the "report":

"But according to one major-league source briefed on the Padres’ plans, it’s more likely they hold him until next July and see where they are in the standings before deciding whether to move him."

Who that "major league source" is, is kind of important. It very much sounds like "someone in San Diego" because...who else would be briefed on their plans? And don't the Padres, a team everyone believes has to cut a ton of payroll, need to regain leverage? This sounds exactly like what that is. 

Kevin Acee, who's the Padres best beat reporter thinks it's a good bet he's traded. I'll believe the Padres will trade him until they don't. We've been hearing this idea that they won't trade him for a week or so or that they'll cut payroll by trading other players like Jake Croenworth. As of now, I expect he will be moved.

Yeah I agree. This feels more like a leverage play than anything. Losing Snell and Hader and not being willing to resign them, or replace them, due to financial constraints obviously doesn’t scream “playoff caliber team.” They would get more trading Soto now. They get a better prospect return and open up an extra ~$30M. If reports are true that they want to stay around a $200M payroll, they would then have a little financial flexibility to add and still be around where they want to be after trading Soto. Add in if they got a player back like a Morel they could automatically slot into their lineup. That just makes way more sense for them IMO than waiting.