Cubs offseason chit chat...

[Backtobanks]

11 hours ago, Stratos said:

You could say that about every single prospect ever.  At some point you have to take a risk and play a prospect if you want to cash in on the potential surplus they can provide.  PCA has a high floor.  Even if he doesn't hit that great he's young, fast, and athletic and is going to cover a ton of ground in CF and probably take home some gold gloves.

You can say that about every prospect which is why I said you need to cash in on some of those prospects while their value is sky high.  The NL Central is easily winnable this year with the right moves.  IMO, some of the right moves are signing Bellinger, trading PCA for a young, controlled TOR, and with signing Hoskins which would make us favorites for the Division for the next few years.

[ToolDRT]

1 minute ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

My man you do not have the right to make everyone miserable with your posts as long as they're responding to the topic, that's not how this works.  I'm not saying that's what's happening here specifically, as clearly there are diversity of feelings about the tenor of the offseason.  But to be very clear, there is not some inalienable right to react when you're irritated or absence of responsibility to productively contribute to the conversation.

I joked about the cubs signing Tucker Barnhart to a two year deal and mentioned if we’re going to be targeting the third tier players we should probably go get them. You’re acting like I went on a two page rant about the Padres signing last night. This is the most dramatic thing I’ve ever seen. It’s just a pointless discussion at this stage. I’m going to react how I feel like. 

[ToolDRT]

4 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Probably not?  He's likely looking at Taillon money, and I think that puts him in a weird middle area the Cubs likely won't be shopping in.  It seems like they are going to look at the guys a tier up from that (Montgomery/Imanaga/Snell) and/or guys who can be had on one year deals (Bieber via trade, maybe someone like James Paxton or Sean Manaea in FA?).

With their cadre of young pitching, the Cubs are in a position to bring in legitimate impact or short term guys who won't block anyone.  I think from what Jed and Carter have said in between will largely be off the table.

Who would you go with out of Montgomery, Imanaga, or Snell? To me, I don’t care for Snell. But I find myself swaying on the other two. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

3 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

I joked about the cubs signing Tucker Barnhart to a two year deal and mentioned if we’re going to be targeting the third tier players we should probably go get them. You’re acting like I went on a two page rant about the Padres signing last night. This is the most dramatic thing I’ve ever seen. It’s just a pointless discussion at this stage. I’m going to react how I feel like. 

Tough to see you being the victim of excessive drama when you've spent over a dozen posts over the last half day defending your "right" to sarcastically joke about the Tucker Barnhart signing, including such gems as "That’s the fault of your parents or upbringing" and "do you think you could stop being a complete moron even just for the night?".  A little self-reflection would be healthy.

Post how you like, and people are allowed to say your posts are irritating(especially in pointing out habitual patterns).  If you cross the line to insult people, or there's a critical mass where posting how you like impacts everyone else's experience on the site, the consequences are gonna be on your end dude.

[LBiittner]

12 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Each day that passes I get more surprised Hoskins hasn’t signed yet. Leaves me wondering if there really is something to the potential multi-player deal with the Guardians. Hoskins would have to have a pretty specific market, I can’t think he’s waiting on the other bats to sign. 

I cant quite wrap my head around why Naylor would be available as well as clase. They are both cheaply controlled.

Hoskins slow to sign? = boras 

 

[Bertz]

2 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Who would you go with out of Montgomery, Imanaga, or Snell? To me, I don’t care for Snell. But I find myself swaying on the other two. 

I think talent/production wise they all look pretty similar.  I want Imanaga the most, I love watching changeup/splitter guys, but clearly there's a little more risk than with the other two since he hasn't pitched stateside.

[ToolDRT]

Just now, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Tough to see you being the victim of excessive drama when you've spent over a dozen posts over the last half day defending your "right" to sarcastically joke about the Tucker Barnhart signing, including such gems as "That’s the fault of your parents or upbringing" and "do you think you could stop being a complete moron even just for the night?".  A little self-reflection would be healthy.

Post how you like, and people are allowed to say your posts are irritating(especially in pointing out habitual patterns).  If you cross the line to insult people, or there's a critical mass where posting how you like impacts everyone else's experience on the site, the consequences are gonna be on your end dude.

Dude, it’s a cubs forum. I don’t take it seriously as you seem to. There’s literally no such thing as “consequences” on a baseball forum. It seems one of us has really warped priorities. 

[LBiittner]

15 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Probably not?  He's likely looking at Taillon money, and I think that puts him in a weird middle area the Cubs likely won't be shopping in.  It seems like they are going to look at the guys a tier up from that (Montgomery/Imanaga/Snell) and/or guys who can be had on one year deals (Bieber via trade, maybe someone like James Paxton or Sean Manaea in FA?).

With their cadre of young pitching, the Cubs are in a position to bring in legitimate impact or short term guys who won't block anyone.  I think from what Jed and Carter have said in between will largely be off the table.

Sheesh I had no idea giolito would be so expensive. I thought he'd take a prove it contract.

But in today mlb when substandard pitchers are getting 14m, I guess I was being naive 

[ToolDRT]

2 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

I cant quite wrap my head around why Naylor would be available as well as clase. They are both cheaply controlled.

Hoskins slow to sign? = boras 

 

Yeah, Boras could be a factor. My point was you have to think he has a kinda predetermined market, right? I think Belli last year was almost the same in a sense of theyre the types of players that probably aren’t really looking for multi-year deals, and likely just want to rebuild some value. But I see your point as well. Boras is probably just squeezing for any drop he can find. 

[ToolDRT]

4 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I think talent/production wise they all look pretty similar.  I want Imanaga the most, I love watching changeup/splitter guys, but clearly there's a little more risk than with the other two since he hasn't pitched stateside.

Yeah, I was heavily leaning Imanaga earlier this off-season, but for some reason I thought he was a bit younger than he is. Now, I have him and Montgomery basically side-by-side. 

[LBiittner]

2 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Yeah, Boras could be a factor. My point was you have to think he has a kinda predetermined market, right? I think Belli last year was almost the same in a sense of theyre the types of players that probably aren’t really looking for multi-year deals, and likely just want to rebuild some value. But I see your point as well. Boras is probably just squeezing for any drop he can find. 

There reportedly are 3 or 4 teams in on Hoskins boras is waiting for somebody to blink

[ToolDRT]

1 minute ago, LBiittner said:

There reportedly are 3 or 4 teams in on Hoskins boras is waiting for somebody to blink

Oh for real? It seemed like it was the cubs alone last month. Then, I heard the mariners too. Don’t realize more teams were linked. I haven’t had as much time to check twitter the last few days though. 

[squally1313]

37 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

But again, what’s the point? I’m not swearing. I’m not singling people out. I’m posting my thoughts about the cubs on a cubs forum. 

It kinda sounds like you want the right to post whatever you want, but you don't want other people to have the right to respond. You made a couple posts criticizing Jed in response to the Matsui signing, I responded by essentially saying your criticism was dumb and/or tiresome and/or misplaced. Freedom to post applies to everyone right? You're free to post your thoughts, I'm free to respond that your thoughts are bad. 

[Layoutman]

36 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Each day that passes I get more surprised Hoskins hasn’t signed yet. Leaves me wondering if there really is something to the potential multi-player deal with the Guardians. Hoskins would have to have a pretty specific market, I can’t think he’s waiting on the other bats to sign. 

His Agent is Scott Boras. Need I say more?

If Hoskins does sign elsewhere I think you could sign Belt and CJ Cron for what Hoskins would cost.

Edited December 21, 2023 by Layoutman
add

[ToolDRT]

4 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

It kinda sounds like you want the right to post whatever you want, but you don't want other people to have the right to respond. You made a couple posts criticizing Jed in response to the Matsui signing, I responded by essentially saying your criticism was dumb and/or tiresome and/or misplaced. Freedom to post applies to everyone right? You're free to post your thoughts, I'm free to respond that your thoughts are bad. 

Not at all, I agree with the freedom to post part. What I’m confused on is those implying my posts are tiresome, repeated, and clogging up the forum. My point would be if you were responding  to my every post the same way, you’d be doing what you’re essentially accusing me of doing. Again, it’s just a boring offseason. It’s really hard to discuss anything other than the lack of moves when that’s all this offseason has consisted of. 
 

I think what we have to come to terms with is that we’re essentially divided into two groups at the moment: group A. Is wildly concerned at the lack of movement and overall worrisome rumored plans. Group B. Wants to wait and see how it plays out. No one is really wrong here. It’s just a vastly different way of looking at things. 

Edited December 21, 2023 by ToolDRT

[thawv]

I would be on Giolito all day long!  He went south after his wife filed for divorce in the middle of July.  His head was not in the game.  It's a new season, and I'd bet that he's a different pitcher too.  I wouldn't hesitate to give him a 5/60 deal. 

[Rcal10]

41 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Who would you go with out of Montgomery, Imanaga, or Snell? To me, I don’t care for Snell. But I find myself swaying on the other two. 

Cubs FO answer…. Whoever signs the cheapest deal. Sorry!
Personally I don’t see them signing any of them. 

[squally1313]

5 minutes ago, thawv said:

I would be on Giolito all day long!  He went south after his wife filed for divorce in the middle of July.  His head was not in the game.  It's a new season, and I'd bet that he's a different pitcher too.  I wouldn't hesitate to give him a 5/60 deal. 

I think I'd be fine with Gio on a short term deal, but not sure I'd want to lock up his lack of ceiling for that long. Give him like 2/35, give him a chance to go prove it and land a big free agent deal. 

[Rcal10]

7 minutes ago, thawv said:

I would be on Giolito all day long!  He went south after his wife filed for divorce in the middle of July.  His head was not in the game.  It's a new season, and I'd bet that he's a different pitcher too.  I wouldn't hesitate to give him a 5/60 deal. 

Giolito does fit what I think the Cubs will spend on a pitcher. He might even  take a 2 or 3 year deal. Again, what I expect the Cubs to do. 

[Rcal10]

9 minutes ago, thawv said:

I would be on Giolito all day long!  He went south after his wife filed for divorce in the middle of July.  His head was not in the game.  It's a new season, and I'd bet that he's a different pitcher too.  I wouldn't hesitate to give him a 5/60 deal. 

I think he will be more annually. Maybe 3/$45? 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

I think I'd be fine with Gio on a short term deal, but not sure I'd want to lock up his lack of ceiling for that long. Give him like 2/35, give him a chance to go prove it and land a big free agent deal. 

I just posted 3/$45, but I can see something like yours too.

[ToolDRT]

8 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Cubs FO answer…. Whoever signs the cheapest deal. Sorry!
Personally I don’t see them signing any of them. 

Yeah, I’m not expecting it either. I don’t see Snell or Imanaga at all as there was some noise that the latter is exceeding early market estimations. 

I’d personally like to see the cubs just go crazy on pitching acquisitions this offseason. I’ve come around a little bit on Bieber, and I’d love to go get Hader as well. Since we’re built a bit more on the defensive side of the ball, I think if we made a really good pitching staff it serves the purpose of contending in the short term, while also letting the position player prospects develop another year. 

Edited December 21, 2023 by ToolDRT

[LBiittner]

15 minutes ago, thawv said:

I would be on Giolito all day long!  He went south after his wife filed for divorce in the middle of July.  His head was not in the game.  It's a new season, and I'd bet that he's a different pitcher too.  I wouldn't hesitate to give him a 5/60 deal. 

Gosh, I had no idea. Goes to show these guys are human. 

Bertz said probably Taillon type deal.

[LBiittner]

We need Taillon to step up big this year. He showed signs last season. But other times he was just serving cheeseburgers

[CubinNY]

Just now, LBiittner said:

We need Taillon to step up big this year. He showed signs last season. But other times he was just serving cheeseburgers

That's a good point. He had a great spring, but he looked very out of shape. Going a few innings in ST while ramping up to the regular season can be deceiving. I expect that he's going to come to camp this year in better shape. I expect that he's going to have a better year than last year.