Cubs offseason chit chat...

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Cowards

My updated expectations are now something like a small trade for Polanco, maybe sign Hoskins a pen arm no more than $5M annual and then a MOR-BOR starting pitcher signed. That is about it. And that would really suck. 

[squally1313]

5 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

My updated expectations are now something like a small trade for Polanco, maybe sign Hoskins a pen arm no more than $5M annual and then a MOR-BOR starting pitcher signed. That is about it. And that would really suck. 

Because Tom Ricketts didn't show up on a convention schedule?

[17 Seconds]

11 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

My updated expectations are now something like a small trade for Polanco, maybe sign Hoskins a pen arm no more than $5M annual and then a MOR-BOR starting pitcher signed. That is about it. And that would really suck. 

you don't expect that

[chibears55]

38 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

No ricketts family panel at the upcoming Cubs convention… 

TR will stay in hiding until they actually win something again.

 

Reminds me of Rocky Wirtz,  once they stopped winning,  we fans didn't see much of him like when they were winning.

Edited December 18, 2023 by chibears55

[Brian707]

34 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

No ricketts family panel at the upcoming Cubs convention… 

[Brian707]

2 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

TR will stay in hiding until they actually win something again.

 

Reminds me of Rocky Wirtz,  once they stopped winning,  we fans didn't see much of him like when they were winning.

Rocky was too busy hiding a rape scandal. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

3 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

The problem is this. Right now the Cubs do not have much room for error on landing who they need to land. If they wait until January that margin for error is even smaller. With each free agent that comes off the board, their job becomes harder and harder. Even if the Cubs weren't targeting that particular free agent, that's one less target for other teams who were targeting that free agent and now they potentially pivot to a target the Cubs are in on. So yes, things could still work out alright, but with each passing day with each free agent agreement it becomes less and less likely

How many FA that you wanted have come off the board?

[Dfan25]

Yeah , that’s an ominous sign . Last year they  sign Swanson and Ricketts did the panel . There were a couple of years when they didn’t do nothing and the panel didn’t happen .

 

My guess is that they will sign Hoskins , a SP on a 1 year + option at the most and a couple of cheap relievers .  
 

C- Gomes

1B - Hoskins

2B- Hoerner

3B- Morel

SS - Swanson

LF- Happ

CF - Tauchman

RF - Suzuki

DH - Mervis

 

SP- Steele

SP- Hendricks

SP- Taillon

SP - 1 year guy

SP- Asad / Wicks

 

Wont bother with the pen or bench . You get the picture . They really don’t give a horsefeathers about 24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ToolDRT]

By the end of this offseason we’re going to be pining for Matt Chapman and Shane Bieber, aren’t we? 

[Rcal10]

54 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

you don't expect that

Actually I do. For several reasons. First, I think we all misread what getting Counsell was about. He likes to play younger guys and give them a chance. So this is fine with him. Then you listen to what Hawkins and Hoyer are saying about wanting to filter in the young guys and not wanting to block them, add their lack of any kind of activity and then finally the convention decision to not have the Ricketts Q&A and it has me truly believing they are not going to do much. Might not be exactly how I am suggesting, but I think it will be under the LT, won’t have any major trades and will not sign a guy for more than 3 years. And that guy won’t be a high end FA anyway. I hope I am wrong. But sure seems to me they are not going to be very aggressive. IMO when the season starts they will not be the central favorite and they will be around an 80-82 win projected team. But they will have all their young talent, for whatever that is worth!!!! 

[Rcal10]

39 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Yeah , that’s an ominous sign . Last year they  sign Swanson and Ricketts did the panel . There were a couple of years when they didn’t do nothing and the panel didn’t happen .

 

My guess is that they will sign Hoskins , a SP on a 1 year + option at the most and a couple of cheap relievers .  
 

C- Gomes

1B - Hoskins

2B- Hoerner

3B- Morel

SS - Swanson

LF- Happ

CF - Tauchman

RF - Suzuki

DH - Mervis

 

SP- Steele

SP- Hendricks

SP- Taillon

SP - 1 year guy

SP- Asad / Wicks

 

Wont bother with the pen or bench . You get the picture . They really don’t give a horsefeathers about 24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought we were all in agreement that there is no way Morel plays third. 

[Jason Ross]

If there's one thing to point to about Ricketts not attending the panel, historically it's one of the least attended events at the Con. We'll see if it means anything towards the Cubs doing much in the offseason, but I think it might just be a coincidence and one where the Cubs just axe it because it's not popular.

[squally1313]

1 minute ago, 1908_Cubs said:

If there's one thing to point to about Ricketts not attending the panel, historically it's one of the least attended events at the Con. We'll see if it means anything towards the Cubs doing much in the offseason, but I think it might just be a coincidence and one where the Cubs just axe it because it's not popular.

That's crazy talk. Them not scheduling a Ricketts panel is clearly them signaling to the market and the fanbase that they hate all of us and are just going to send Jed on vacation until April 1. Please freak out accordingly. 

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

If there's one thing to point to about Ricketts not attending the panel, historically it's one of the least attended events at the Con. We'll see if it means anything towards the Cubs doing much in the offseason, but I think it might just be a coincidence and one where the Cubs just axe it because it's not popular.

 

1 minute ago, squally1313 said:

That's crazy talk. Them not scheduling a Ricketts panel is clearly them signaling to the market and the fanbase that they hate all of us and are just going to send Jed on vacation until April 1. Please freak out accordingly. 

No one is freaking out. And Ricketts not attending the conversion isn’t the only sign of a lackluster off season. How about actual words spoken by Hoyer and Hawkins. How about the lack of activity to date? They do not appear to be very aggressive. What do you have as a sign they will be aggressive? What have they said or done to have you believe this? I am just giving into what I believe will be the off season. Not freaking out. Just accepting. What FA pitcher do you honestly feel they will win a bidding war for? I don’t see any. What FA pitcher have they won a bidder war for the last 3 years? None. What bat are they going to sign for big money? Again, I don’t see one they win a bidding war on. And what trade has Jed made the last 3 years that has amounted to a solid controlled major league player? Again, I don’t see any. So why is it that if I decide to change my opinion on what they are going to do this off season it has to be viewed as freaking out? 
I think they will be content to make a few small moves while not losing minor league assets or blocking spots for minor league talent and go into 2024. Seems to be what they have been suggesting all along. 

[Layoutman]

27 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I thought we were all in agreement that there is no way Morel plays third. 

"We" Don't fill out a lineup card. "We" aren't privy to organizational discussions. Under Ross there was resistance but there is a new sheriff in town.

[Bertz]

11 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

 

No one is freaking out. And Ricketts not attending the conversion isn’t the only sign of a lackluster off season. How about actual words spoken by Hoyer and Hawkins. How about the lack of activity to date? They do not appear to be very aggressive. What do you have as a sign they will be aggressive? What have they said or done to have you believe this? I am just giving into what I believe will be the off season. Not freaking out. Just accepting. What FA pitcher do you honestly feel they will win a bidding war for? I don’t see any. What FA pitcher have they won a bidder war for the last 3 years? None. What bat are they going to sign for big money? Again, I don’t see one they win a bidding war on. And what trade has Jed made the last 3 years that has amounted to a solid controlled major league player? Again, I don’t see any. So why is it that if I decide to change my opinion on what they are going to do this off season it has to be viewed as freaking out? 
I think they will be content to make a few small moves while not losing minor league assets or blocking spots for minor league talent and go into 2024. Seems to be what they have been suggesting all along. 

Not gonna lie, most of this post after "Not Freaking Out" very much reads as Freaking out

Also where did this "no bidding wars" thing come from?  Setting aside Yamamoto, is anyone left on the market any bigger of a FA than Swanson, Suzuki, or Stroman?

Like yeah, it's probably a mistake to next winter pencil Juan Soto or Alex Bregman onto the shopping list.  But this weird revisionist history that Jed can only sign the Trey Mancini's and Tucker Barnarts of the world isn't grounded in reality.

[Tryptamine]

1 hour ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

How many FA that you wanted have come off the board?

You're missing the point. The point isn't about what we've missed,  the point is that, with each FA off the board, those teams who didn't win the bid will pivot to other players potentially putting more competition on the guys the Cubs want. 

[Brian707]

30 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

 send Jed on unpaid vacation until April 1. Please freak out accordingly. 

Fixed

[Bertz]

1 minute ago, Tryptamine said:

You're missing the point. The point isn't about what we've missed,  the point is that, with each FA off the board, those teams who didn't win the bid will pivot to other players potentially putting more competition on the guys the Cubs want. 

But like there's still plenty of inventory.  People are conflating the date with it being late in the offseason and it very much is not.

Let's take SP.  This winter there were 7-8 guys you could reasonably consider impact types:

Nola, Yamamoto, Imanaga, Eduardo Rodriguez, Sonny Gray, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, and YMMV on whether Stroman belongs here

There are also 6+ impact starters who have a decent amount of smoke around being available:

Glasnow, Bieber, Burnes, Luzardo, Cease, Framber Valdez, several Mariners

Even if half of those trade SPs aren't truly available, that's still quite a bit of inventory out there.  And there's 4-5 teams who definitely still want impact SP help: Cubs, Giants, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers.  (Mets seem like they are Yamamoto or bust).

Like if Jed loses this game of musical chairs feel free to excoriate him.  But the level of whining and moaning right now with more than half a dozen legit options on the board is wild.

[LBiittner]

1 hour ago, Dfan25 said:

Yeah , that’s an ominous sign . Last year they  sign Swanson and Ricketts did the panel . There were a couple of years when they didn’t do nothing and the panel didn’t happen .

 

My guess is that they will sign Hoskins , a SP on a 1 year + option at the most and a couple of cheap relievers .  
 

C- Gomes

1B - Hoskins

2B- Hoerner

3B- Morel

SS - Swanson

LF- Happ

CF - Tauchman

RF - Suzuki

DH - Mervis

 

SP- Steele

SP- Hendricks

SP- Taillon

SP - 1 year guy

SP- Asad / Wicks

 

Wont bother with the pen or bench . You get the picture . They really don’t give a horsefeathers about 24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No offence Dfan

But there is no offense in this lineup.

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Not gonna lie, most of this post after "Not Freaking Out" very much reads as Freaking out

Also where did this "no bidding wars" thing come from?  Setting aside Yamamoto, is anyone left on the market any bigger of a FA than Swanson, Suzuki, or Stroman?

Like yeah, it's probably a mistake to next winter pencil Juan Soto or Alex Bregman onto the shopping list.  But this weird revisionist history that Jed can only sign the Trey Mancini's and Tucker Barnarts of the world isn't grounded in reality.

Swanson was the 4th SS after the other 3 signed. It was hardly a bidding war for him. Cubs took the guy who fell. Same with Stoman. Other FA pitchers got 5 and 6 year deals and Stroman was left to sign for 2 with an option. Even last year when they pivoted to Taillon, the early talk was Senga. But then many teams were interested so suddenly he was no longer the Cubs target. The only one they may have has had competition for was really Suzuki. So it does appear that Jed does tend to wait out the market and see who he can get without that much competition. When you add that philosophy to what they now appear to be saying about wanted young talent to play and not wanting to block them, it just reads as a team that isn’t going to do much. Take, for instance if Chapman drops. I don’t see them giving him 4 years and blocking 3rd base. I can see Hoskins, but only if no other team gets aggressive with him. Same with Bellinger. And I think other teams will be aggressive with either or both those guys. I also think the FO is overvaluing their young talent, as are we, the fans. I don’t see Jed putting several prospects together to make a big trade. And, again, when has he done that?  I am a little annoyed with people calling an opinion other than theirs as someone freaking out. I could just as easily suggest those fans who still see an exciting off season as delusional. But I wouldn’t do that because you and everyone else is entitled to their own opinion without someone suggesting your opinion is delusional or it is only you freaking out.

Also, I never said anything about  Mancini, Barnhardt or anyone else you mentioned.

[LBiittner]

Did a reporter say rhys Hoskins might not be at full strength to start the season? 

[LBiittner]

2 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Swanson was the 4th SS after the other 3 signed. It was hardly a bidding war for him. Cubs took the guy who fell. Same with Stoman. Other FA pitchers got 5 and 6 year deals and Stroman was left to sign for 2 with an option. Even last year when they pivoted to Taillon, the early talk was Senga. But then many teams were interested so suddenly he was no longer the Cubs target. The only one they may have has had competition for was really Suzuki. So it does appear that Jed does tend to wait out the market and see who he can get without that much competition. When you add that philosophy to what they now appear to be saying about wanted young talent to play and not wanting to block them, it just reads as a team that isn’t going to do much. Take, for instance if Chapman drops. I don’t see them giving him 4 years and blocking 3rd base. I can see Hoskins, but only if no other team gets aggressive with him. Same with Bellinger. And I think other teams will be aggressive with either or both those guys. I also think the FO is overvaluing their young talent, as are we, the fans. I don’t see Jed putting several prospects together to make a big trade. And, again, when has he done that?  I am a little annoyed with people calling an opinion other than theirs as someone freaking out. I could just as easily suggest those fans who still see an exciting off season as delusional. But I wouldn’t do that because you and everyone else is entitled to their own opinion without someone suggesting your opinion is delusional or it is only you freaking out.

Also, I never said anything about  Mancini, Barnhardt or anyone else you mentioned.

I'm anxiously awaiting to see how much stroman gets in his next contract. Remember how it was a forgone conclusion he'd accept his 21 mil option?

[gocubs218]

4 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Did a reporter say rhys Hoskins might not be at full strength to start the season? 

He was gonna pull a Schwarber and come back for the World Series if the Phillies made it that far. Unless he suffered a setback I’m guessing he’s good to go. That’s also what Boras implied on the radio the other day as well. 

[LBiittner]

2 minutes ago, gocubs218 said:

He was gonna pull a Schwarber and come back for the World Series if the Phillies made it that far. Unless he suffered a setback I’m guessing he’s good to go. That’s also what Boras implied on the radio the other day as well. 

I remember someone saying it's harder for a 31 year old to bounce back and be at full strength so quickly after major surgery. Scharbs was like 25?