Cubs offseason chit chat...

[LBiittner]

Just now, Bertz said:

If you're going to worry when teams that have the ability to sign players we want instead sign players we don't want I don't really know what to tell you.

People here suggested he could be a good get 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Don't worry Rcal, jed has smyly as his trump card.

Bwahahaha 

If not one of the top 3 or Stroman he might as well punt on signing a FA pitcher and just get one in a trade. Go with Wicks as the 5th starter and have guys like Wesneski, Assad, Smyly, Brown and Horton as options if they decide to gowith a 6 man staff for a bit, or there are injuries or poor performance of the top 5.

[Rcal10]

17 minutes ago, Bertz said:

If you're going to worry when teams that have the ability to sign players we want instead sign players we don't want I don't really know what to tell you.

First off, I do like Giolito a little. And we have no idea who the Cubs like or who they will target. But besides that, if Giolito got that money annually what do the top 3 lefties get? Do you rally believe the Cubs are going to spend $20M+ for 5 or more years on any of them? This signing kind of sets the bar on annual payment. I just don’t see the Cubs spending on pitching like that. And after the top 3 and maybe Stroman there really isn’t anyone who interests me as a free agent. Maybe they get pitching via a trade. I just don’t think signing is a good sign for the Cubs. 

Edited December 29, 2023 by Rcal10

[Rcal10]

9 minutes ago, Bertz said:

If you're going to worry when teams that have the ability to sign players we want instead sign players we don't want I don't really know what to tell you.

Give me a list of players the Cubs want? I would like to see it. This way when they sign elsewhere we don’t have to hear it was no big deal because the Cubs didn’t want him anyway. I am curious as to who you think they want.

[chopsx9]

4 hours ago, CubinNY said:

I love Joey Votto. 
 

 

I live about 1/2 an hour from where he grew up in Etobicoke - made famous in the Netflix true crime series - Don't F%^@ with Cats - and he always annoyed the hell out of me.  I will say he has grown on me tremendously over the last couple of years.  There have been on again off again rumors for the last year or two about interest by the Blue Jays.  Anyway I'd be happy to see him get one more kick at the can.

[Bertz]

8 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Give me a list of players the Cubs want? I would like to see it. This way when they sign elsewhere we don’t have to hear it was no big deal because the Cubs didn’t want him anyway. I am curious as to who you think they want.

We is us, here.  People here would be PISSED if this was the Cubs' big pitching addition, and rightfully so.

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Bertz said:

We is us, here.  People here would be PISSED if this was the Cubs' big pitching addition, and rightfully so.

Maybe. But maybe not if they traded for a better pitcher too. The bigger issue, for me anyway, was the annual salary. I am ok with them not getting him. But I think if he got that the top 3 pitchers will get $3M to $6M more and for at least 5 years. And I am having a hard time believing the Cubs will play in those waters. The reason I don’t think this was a good omen for the Xubs is I feel it makes those other pitchers more expensive. 

[Bertz]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Maybe. But maybe not if they traded for a better pitcher too. The bigger issue, for me anyway, was the annual salary. I am ok with them not getting him. But I think if he got that the top 3 pitchers will get $3M to $6M more and for at least 5 years. And I am having a hard time believing the Cubs will play in those waters. The reason I don’t think this was a good omen for the Xubs is I feel it makes those other pitchers more expensive. 

Giolito was projected to get Taillon money.  He bet on himself by taking way less guarantee in exchange for a little higher AAV with an opt out.  Again not sure the consternation is warranted.

[chibears55]

21 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

That is fine. But what has been pointed out numerous times now, to get Bellinger they have to pay him as a centerfielder. As a centerfielder he can very well be worth $25M to $27M a year for 6 or 7 years. As a first baseman he is probably worth maybe $20M or $21M a year for maybe 4 or 5 years. There is no reason he should DH, and if he did he isn’t worth $26M a year. And if he played the corner either Happ or Suzuki has to be traded or they DH. And if the have Morel and he can’t play 3rd, DH is taken. So, sure, they can put him at 1st but his contract would be a substantial overpay for his production. 

Is 5 mil per more if it comes to that really that big a deal, even if it for 7 over 5 yrs ?

As far as Happ and Suzuki goes, trading them at the deadline or next offseason isn't a big loss IMO, either one or both might eventually be moved anyways if Caissie, Alcantara,  and or Canairo show theyre ready to move up.

[chibears55]

37 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Give me a list of players the Cubs want? I would like to see it. This way when they sign elsewhere we don’t have to hear it was no big deal because the Cubs didn’t want him anyway. I am curious as to who you think they want.

You can probably start with a list of guys that can be had for minor league deals or 1-2 yr deals, that would be a long list 🙄🙄

[Tryptamine]

Meanwhile people still having grand expectations for this offseason 

 

[Rcal10]

28 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Giolito was projected to get Taillon money.  He bet on himself by taking way less guarantee in exchange for a little higher AAV with an opt out.  Again not sure the consternation is warranted.

You started your post with “Great news” Boston signed Giolito. I said I don’t see it as great news. I told you why I don’t. I didn’t say it sucks the Cubs didn’t get him. I just don’t see this signing as having much bearing on the Cubs. I don’t think it eliminates Boston from getting another pitcher. And even if it did, there are plenty of teams that will outbid the Cubs for a top guy. 

[Bertz]

19 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

You started your post with “Great news” Boston signed Giolito. I said I don’t see it as great news. I told you why I don’t. I didn’t say it sucks the Cubs didn’t get him. I just don’t see this signing as having much bearing on the Cubs. I don’t think it eliminates Boston from getting another pitcher. And even if it did, there are plenty of teams that will outbid the Cubs for a top guy. 

Such as?  Show your work.  Who are these teams you're scared of?  

The teams I am/was scared of grabbing a top pitcher are Boston, San Fran, and the Yankees.  With Boston making this move, I see three teams definitely in the market for a top SP and three top SPs.  If another team grabs one of those top guys I will start to get nervous, until then I'm not going to play these Chicken Little games.

[gocubs218]

FWIW, Kaplan said on his “rekap” YouTube show that Cubs are the clear front-runners for Bellinger. Didn’t sound like his speculation either. 

[LBiittner]

I find interesting former cub employee, breslow, in charge of pitching improvement who is now big man in boston deemed giolito a worthwhile 40mil gamble. He must see something of value in giolito's arm that can be improved.

 

..

[LBiittner]

42 minutes ago, gocubs218 said:

FWIW, Kaplan said on his “rekap” YouTube show that Cubs are the clear front-runners for Bellinger. Didn’t sound like his speculation either. 

Boras probably leaked this to Kappy inorder to spur a team not named Cubs to up the ante

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Bertz said:

Such as?  Show your work.  Who are these teams you're scared of?  

The teams I am/was scared of grabbing a top pitcher are Boston, San Fran, and the Yankees.  With Boston making this move, I see three teams definitely in the market for a top SP and three top SPs.  If another team grabs one of those top guys I will start to get nervous, until then I'm not going to play these Chicken Little games.

The team I am most scared of is the Cubs. I just don’t see them giving out a 5 or 6 year deal for a pitcher at $22M to $26M a year. 

But we will see. I will happily tell you that you are right if the Cubs ink one of the top 3 pitchers. I hope you will do the same to me when they don’t. I don't know why every time anyone posts contrary to what you think it has to turn into this contentious debate. I don’t see signing Giolito as an positive development. Period! 

As for possible other team looking for top guys, I can see the Angels, Seattle(Snell), Mets, Orioles and Boston,still, besides the Yankees and San Fran. For the last time, I just don’t consider Boston signing Giolito as “good news”. I don’t feel it has any bearing on what we the Xubs do. 

Edited December 30, 2023 by Rcal10

[chibears55]

52 minutes ago, gocubs218 said:

FWIW, Kaplan said on his “rekap” YouTube show that Cubs are the clear front-runners for Bellinger. Didn’t sound like his speculation either. 

Kaplan lost his inside connection when Theo left...

Seriously  though, if the Cubs were front runners or have high interest in bringing Bellinger back then just make him a decent offer and see if he interested in returning. 

All this waiting until teams outprice what you're willing to spend on a player is stupid, you want a guy, go get him.

[Bertz]

14 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

As for possible other team looking for top guys, I can see the Angels, Seattle(Snell), Mets, Orioles and Boston,still, besides the Yankees and San Fran. For the last time, I just don’t consider Boston signing Giolito as “good news”. I don’t feel it has any bearing on what we the Xubs do.

The Angels biggest signing under Perry Minasian is Tyler Anderson at 3/$39.  The Orioles biggest contract since before Trump took office was Alex Cobb at 4/$57M.  You have gone out of your way to constantly mention that you don't think Jed will sign any players to big contracts (the 9 figure deals for Dansby and Seiya don't have any bearing for...reasons) and you're literally bringing up these poverty franchises as more likely to pull down a top player?

Jed might not sign one of the big pitchers.  The difference is that I'm watching the market and waiting until after he actually fails to start complaining and you're watching the calendar and assuming he already has.

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, Bertz said:

The Angels biggest signing under Perry Minasian is Tyler Anderson at 3/$39.  The Orioles biggest contract since before Trump took office was Alex Cobb at 4/$57M.  You have gone out of your way to constantly mention that you don't think Jed will sign any players to big contracts (the 9 figure deals for Dansby and Seiya don't have any bearing for...reasons) and you're literally bringing up these poverty franchises as more likely to pull down a top player?

Jed might not sign one of the big pitchers.  The difference is that I'm watching the market and waiting until after he actually fails to start complaining and you're watching the calendar and assuming he already has.

Whatever dude. Anytime someone says anything negative about Jed you are there defending him. And the funny thing is I am not even criticizing Jed. I think he will put together a good team next year. I just don’t think he will sign a pitcher for 6 years and an average of around $25M. For some reason you become unhinged at anyone who thinks like that. Maybe you should take a break from the site and come back after the off season. You seem to be freaking out and take issue with anyone who doesn’t think like you. You did this about a week ago with me and then again with tool a few days ago. Just settle down. We don’t all have to agree. In fact that’s exactly the point of the site To discuss topics we all might see differently.!

[Bertz]

7 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Whatever dude. Anytime someone says anything negative about Jed you are there defending him. And the funny thing is I am not even criticizing Jed. I think he will put together a good team next year. I just don’t think he will sign a pitcher for 6 years and an average of around $25M. For some reason you become unhinged at anyone who thinks like that. Maybe you should take a break from the site and come back after the off season. You seem to be freaking out and take issue with anyone who doesn’t think like you. You did this about a week ago with me and then again with tool a few days ago. Just settle down. We don’t all have to agree. In fact that’s exactly the point of the site To discuss topics we all might see differently.!

lol okay.  Two things and then I'll drop this:

1. You keep starting these conversations.  Anytime I bring up one of the lefties you jump in and respond telling me how you don't think Jed will sign one.  Don't pretend like I'm chasing you around the site shouting you down

2. You went apeshit recently when someone told you to calm down and touch grass, so the whole second half of this post is rich

[NorthsideAvenger]

Other than Ohtani, have the Cubs even made an offer to any free agent? Real agents not Alfaro, Hudson types.

[chibears55]

21 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Other than Ohtani, have the Cubs even made an offer to any free agent? Real agents not Alfaro, Hudson types.

Did they actually make one to Ohtani 

[gflore34]

6 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Did they actually make one to Ohtani 

I sincerely doubt it, no way in the world Jed was going to commit to the money and years, not a chance.

[ToolDRT]

1 hour ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Other than Ohtani, have the Cubs even made an offer to any free agent? Real agents not Alfaro, Hudson types.

There’s just none as appealing as Mancini, Hosmer, and Barnhart this year.