Cubs offseason chit chat...

[Jfoley89]

1 minute ago, CubinNY said:

we don't know what's in Jed's DNA, other than A, C, G, and T. But one would assume that he either agrees with the Ricketts or at least wants to keep his job. I assume that he shares their vision, but they set the agenda. I don't believe for a second all the press that the Ricketts are hands-off owners. I think Jed knows what the expectations are and largely agrees with how they are team building. 

I've never understood this irrational need to view Jed as some helpless captive that would behave differently if he had different owners. Everything we've seen written and said indicates that he gets a budget and has zero oversight on how he spends it.

His own quotes say that he dislikes long deals and prefers shorter deals even if they cost more.  Nothing has stopped him from making aggressive trades, and we have nothing there.  Jed is just an incredibly passive/cautious person. He's modeling the Cubs after the Guardians, but seems to forget he has a bigger budget

[Michael Busch Light]

10 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

we don't know what's in Jed's DNA, other than A, C, G, and T. But one would assume that he either agrees with the Ricketts or at least wants to keep his job. I assume that he shares their vision, but they set the agenda. I don't believe for a second all the press that the Ricketts are hands-off owners. I think Jed knows what the expectations are and largely agrees with how they are team building. 

I'm dumb what does A, C, G, and T mean.  Jed almost certainly won't do one of these 12 year deals.  Maybe that's Ricketts, but I know Jed likes the OKC Thunder and Sam Presti so that way to build is what tickles his fancy.  

[mul21]

11 minutes ago, Javy Bystro said:

I'm dumb what does A, C, G, and T mean.  Jed almost certainly won't do one of these 12 year deals.  Maybe that's Ricketts, but I know Jed likes the OKC Thunder and Sam Presti so that way to build is what tickles his fancy.  

He's talking about actual DNA.  Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine and Thymine. 

[Michael Busch Light]

8 minutes ago, mul21 said:

He's talking about actual DNA.  Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine and Thymine. 

Figured that was it.  Just wanted clarification so I can  pass my upcoming Biology test. 

[LBiittner]

Gosh. I'm getting a financial course. A chemistry class, a civics lecture and a humanities seminar all without getting out of my recliner. It's Friday afternoon and almost time to breakout the Widow Jane 14 yr. Life is good. Keep it up boys & girls you're helping on a rainy day.

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, CubinNY said:

Madrigal and Wisdom are still on the team.

Maybe, maybe not. But what does that have to do with upgrading 3rd base? Are you suggesting not getting Chapman? That is fine, but say that. They could just roll those guys out there instead. Maybe then they do spend more elsewhere. Maybe Imanaga or Montgomery are an option. Maybe they go pitching heavy. That is ok too. I only posted what I think they will do. Not the only thing they can do. Personally I don’t like Wisdom much. And for me they need more pop at 3rd than Madrigal. Chapman is by far, not the ideal guy. But he is a 20 homer guy who plays great defense. I think, because he isn’t a perfect fit for the Cubs people undervalue him here. 

[Jfoley89]

10 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Gosh. I'm getting a financial course. A chemistry class, a civics lecture and a humanities seminar all without getting out of my recliner. It's Friday afternoon and almost time to breakout the Widow Jane 14 yr. Life is good. Keep it up boys & girls you're helping on a rainy day.

I have some EH Taylor and a fine edible, but I have to parent and Christmas spirit for a few hours still 

[Andy]

2 hours ago, Petrey10 said:

I honestly hope the dodgers win it all. 

If we can't, I'm not totally against the idea. At this point I just want to see organizations who try to win be rewarded.

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

I think we've talked about the pitching musical chairs, but let's actually lay it out.

Teams that definitely want another SP of substance and have money/prospects to throw around:

Giants, Cubs, Red Sox, Yankees

Teams that want SP help, but TBD what kind of resources they are willing to throw around:

Rangers, Blue Jays (definitely going to make a big move, seem to prefer that be a bat), Angels, Mariners (after a SP for bat trade?), Reds, Orioles

So then what's available?

The lefty FA #2 starters:

Imanaga, Montgomery, Snell

The "it wasn't that long ago he was an impact guy" guys:

Stroman, Giolito

The "definitely going to be traded" crew:

Bieber, Cease

The "there have been some rumblings" crew:

Framber Valdez, Jesus Luzardo, Corbin Burnes, several Mariners

So overall things are a bit tight, but it shouldn't be that hard for Jed to pull down at least one potentially two of the above.  There are four teams that are very in on the SP market, and between Cease and the three lefties four impact guys definitely available.

I think where things get dicey is if none of that last group of pitchers is reasonably available or if more than one or two of those second tier teams do in fact go big game hunting. 

Solid recap. We just don’t know what the Cubs are comfortable spending, how much minor league talent they are willing to part with and who they are truly interested in. There are all kinds of scenarios that could give the Cubs the best team in the central. I think the least likely is the trade for a high end pitcher with some years of control left. I think that cost too much prospect capital, unless they sign Bellinger and use PCA. A guy like Luzardo, Valdez or Cease is going to be expensive! 

[LBiittner]

14 minutes ago, Jfoley89 said:

I have some EH Taylor and a fine edible, but I have to parent and Christmas spirit for a few hours still 

I love me some EH Taylor. I only buy the more expensive bottles around the holidays. Christmas, New Years, valentines Day,  Easter, memorial day, 4th July, labor Day, Halloween. Arbor day. St Pulaski day and I'm sure I'm overlooking a few more

 

[LBiittner]

13 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Solid recap. We just don’t know what the Cubs are comfortable spending, how much minor league talent they are willing to part with and who they are truly interested in. There are all kinds of scenarios that could give the Cubs the best team in the central. I think the least likely is the trade for a high end pitcher with some years of control left. I think that cost too much prospect capital, unless they sign Bellinger and use PCA. A guy like Luzardo, Valdez or Cease is going to be expensive! 

If you were Jed, how many years do you go with Belli?

[Jason Ross]

30 minutes ago, Jfoley89 said:

I have some EH Taylor and a fine edible, but I have to parent and Christmas spirit for a few hours still 

Speaking as both a Kentuckian and someone who was just at Trace yesterday...EH Taylor is a fine choice (sadly, missed their recent EH Taylor drop by one day. Yesterday was a Blanton's day...which...is good but I'd rather the Taylor, myself).

[JHBulls]

44 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Gosh. I'm getting a financial course. A chemistry class, a civics lecture and a humanities seminar all without getting out of my recliner. It's Friday afternoon and almost time to breakout the Widow Jane 14 yr. Life is good. Keep it up boys & girls you're helping on a rainy day.

I once found out on a forum that uromysitisis isn't a real thing. 

 

 

 

 

[Rcal10]

47 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

If you were Jed, how many years do you go with Belli?

It isn’t so much how many years I would go or even how many Jed is comfortable going. It is what would be needed for Bellinger. I think if you could get him for 7/$182 AND they did plan on dealing PCA to upgrade elsewhere, this is something I would consider. Yes, might be a few years more than is comfortable, but just trying to be realistic with what the market might be for him. 

Edited December 22, 2023 by Rcal10

[Jfoley89]

14 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Speaking as both a Kentuckian and someone who was just at Trace yesterday...EH Taylor is a fine choice (sadly, missed their recent EH Taylor drop by one day. Yesterday was a Blanton's day...which...is good but I'd rather the Taylor, myself).

I pass Trace regularly coming up from Knoxville and grab whatever I can.  We're working the NE on a larger project we've booked, so I hit as many distilleries as I can.  I haven't hit Eagle Rare in awhile though

[JBears79]

58 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Gosh. I'm getting a financial course. A chemistry class, a civics lecture and a humanities seminar all without getting out of my recliner. It's Friday afternoon and almost time to breakout the Widow Jane 14 yr. Life is good. Keep it up boys & girls you're helping on a rainy day.

Can you do my taxes for me this year too

[Bertz]

Curious if this shakes Pete Alonso loose.  The Mets aren't that bad on the position player side and Stearns can obviously cobble together a pitching staff.  But all their actions and most of their messaging has been that Yamamoto aside they are looking ahead to 2025.  On the other hand it's been really quiet on the Alonso front since basically the moment Stearns took over.

I'm mostly resigning myself to not pulling down a truly exciting bat, but Alonso is out there and unlike Bregman it's not a huge stretch to think he's available.

[Rcal10]

Just now, Bertz said:

Curious if this shakes Pete Alonso loose.  The Mets aren't that bad on the position player side and Stearns can obviously cobble together a pitching staff.  But all their actions and most of their messaging has been that Yamamoto aside they are looking ahead to 2025.  On the other hand it's been really quiet on the Alonso front since basically the moment Stearns took over.

I'm mostly resigning myself to not pulling down a truly exciting bat, but Alonso is out there and unlike Bregman it's not a huge stretch to think he's available.

What would you be willing to give for 1 year of Alonso? 

[Bertz]

5 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

What would you be willing to give for 1 year of Alonso? 

One of Assad/Wesneski and one of Canario/Mervis/Wisdom feels right.  I could maybe have my arm twisted to make Ben Brown the arm.

[Rcal10]

19 minutes ago, Bertz said:

One of Assad/Wesneski and one of Canario/Mervis/Wisdom feels right.  I could maybe have my arm twisted to make Ben Brown the arm.

I would stick to the first guys you mentioned. Don’t think I would do Brown. The problem is I think someone will give more. I have said this before, but in mlb trade rumor the question was asked. Morel+ Brown and someone else(maybe Canario) for Alonso, who says no? The response was the Mets. The thought being they can get more. I think what you offered is fair. But is it because we are both Cubs fans? Or is the guy doing the mlb chat just nuts or very east coast biased? 

[SOFNR]

Dodgers just had my dream offseason. Cornering the Japanese market is gonna be very profitable. Jealous of big market teams.

[CubinNY]

2 hours ago, LBiittner said:

I love me some EH Taylor. I only buy the more expensive bottles around the holidays. Christmas, New Years, valentines Day,  Easter, memorial day, 4th July, labor Day, Halloween. Arbor day. St Pulaski day and I'm sure I'm overlooking a few more

 

I’m going to pour a couple fingers of Weller cask strength tonight 

[Bertz]

38 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I would stick to the first guys you mentioned. Don’t think I would do Brown. The problem is I think someone will give more. I have said this before, but in mlb trade rumor the question was asked. Morel+ Brown and someone else(maybe Canario) for Alonso, who says no? The response was the Mets. The thought being they can get more. I think what you offered is fair. But is it because we are both Cubs fans? Or is the guy doing the mlb chat just nuts or very east coast biased? 

I'm not even a little concerned about it costing that much.  Me being biased and the pitcher needing to be Brown or Wicks is something I could absolutely buy.  Morel for Alonso straight up is not happening though, certainly not Morel AND a pitcher of that caliber.

[Layoutman]

Jed Hoyer is now on the clock:

Jed now has his man in the dug-out (Counsell). There is no longer any built-in cover (Theo) or excuses (David Ross). All of the ingredients are in place, there are prospects, there is a core in place, and there is money to spend. The big FA bottlenecks have signed. It's time to put your big girl pants on and go to work. For what you do now in the next couple of years will define you.  The eyes of all Cub fans are upon YOU!

Edited December 22, 2023 by Layoutman
grammer

[jersey cubs fan]