Cubs offseason chit chat...

[Stratos]

59 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Holy horsefeathers that's a desperation move

Seems like a terrible contract.  You may be right.

[Outshined_One]

The Giants tend to do their share of weird stuff that somehow works out against all reason.

It seems like a facially bad move, but if it somehow works out for them, I won't be surprised in the slightest.

[Rob]

14 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Jordan Hicks has the most hittable 100 mph fastball in history, bad command, and no semblance of a third pitch, so they're gonna have him start and drop a few more ticks off the fastball and give hitters multiple looks?

In fairness, sometimes a slower fastball can be more effective. When Zambrano would reach back and really try to let one rip, the thing was straight as an arrow and lacked all the movement that made it an effective pitch.

Of course, that's not a real defense of the move, but I'm going to laugh if Farhan falls back-assward into this being a great contract because Hicks fastball suddenly works when he throws it slower.

[Stratos]

3 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

The Giants tend to do their share of weird stuff that somehow works out against all reason.

It seems like a facially bad move, but if it somehow works out for them, I won't be surprised in the slightest.

If he can put up around a 4.00 ERA as a SP it would be worth it. Expensive gamble though.   He's a good reliever but not exactly dominant.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

5 minutes ago, Rob said:

In fairness, sometimes a slower fastball can be more effective. When Zambrano would reach back and really try to let one rip, the thing was straight as an arrow and lacked all the movement that made it an effective pitch.

Of course, that's not a real defense of the move, but I'm going to laugh if Farhan falls back-assward into this being a great contract because Hicks fastball suddenly works when he throws it slower.

I just remembered a fun story about throwing hard. Early in my son's high school career, he would sit around 75 with his fastball. We went to an amusement park shortly after a particular season ended, and he went to the "guess my speed" game. He claimed he was going to hit 80. Got his shoulder loose, stepped in, grunted, and let her rip.

That gun read 56. We walked away losers.

[Bertz]

Do we think we get any interesting news from Cubs Convention this weekend?  Last year we found out about the Madrigal at 3B experiment, so my mind immediately goes towards clarity on what positions Busch and Morel are going to focus on.  

[WhyCantWeWin]

did jed just call him shingo

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Do we think we get any interesting news from Cubs Convention this weekend?  Last year we found out about the Madrigal at 3B experiment, so my mind immediately goes towards clarity on what positions Busch and Morel are going to focus on.  

I'll assume nothing major. Maybe like a "we think Cade Horton is capable of starting in Iowa" or a "Pete Crow-Armstrong will be given a chance to make the MLB roster" thing, but I have a feeling the Cubs have enough shopping left to do that a lot of the fluidity will remain.

[17 Seconds]

 

[Michael Busch Light]

Shota winning the press conference.  

[jersey cubs fan]

21 minutes ago, Michael Busch Light said:

Shota winning the press conference.  

Is that better or worse than winning the offseason?

[Rob]

1 minute ago, jersey cubs fan said:

Is that better or worse than winning the offseason?

Press conference wins factor into real wins at a conversion rate of 420:69.

[Jason Ross]

Shota seems like he's another guy with a good personality and fairly goofy. I knew a lot about Seiya's personality before coming over but didn't know a lot about Imanaga's. Good to see he will likely fit in. Likely helps with the transition in some way.

[ILMindState]

I still find it funny that the dude has been casually living in the Chicago area since November and nobody noticed.  Seems like a good dude, I hope he does well.

[We Got The Whole 9]

55 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

 

Great delivery 

[cbbryan]

17 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

I rather hope they don't trade Morel. I'd be really hyped about this line up if they could add Bellinger and Chapman. It doesn't have a megastar, but it's super deep when your 2nd worst hitter is likely to be Nico. It would also be one of the, if not the best, defensive teams in the league. 

I'm 100% behind this. Bellinger/Chapman is the way to go imo.

 

I see them add pitching upgrades as well, but I tend to think that is more likely through trade to free-up roster spots.

[Jason Ross]

Jed Hoyer: 

"He's gonna play" when asked about Busch. Thinks 1b is his best position but that Counsell would make the choice. Busch trade won't stop Cubs from getting a 1b.

Focusing on bats. Specifically mentioned ones who hit RHP.

[Stratos]

3 hours ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

did jed just call him shingo

Maybe.  His interpreter's name is Shingo.

[Jason Ross]

Jed Hoyer: We're in the 4th or 5th inning of our offseason.

[PackLandVA]

2 hours ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Great delivery 

I'd have been more impressed if he did it while strumming a guitar.

[SOFNR]

I really think 2 of Bellinger/Hoskins/Chapman are still very much in play. I imagine he's waiting out that market, while also exploring more trade options in case he misses on 1. I still lean Bellinger and Hoskins but that probably forces you into trying Morel or Busch at 3B. Chapman/Bellinger could be pretty great depending on price/years. Would make for a fun team next year for sure. Chapman/Hoskins is a bit of a weird fit now. 

[Bertz]

Also want to make sure we all caught that he said "bats" with an "s."  So Busch is presumably 1 of 3 being added this winter? 

Edit:  Dammit I can't count lol

 

Edited January 12, 2024 by Bertz

[SOFNR]

3 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Jed Hoyer: We're in the 4th or 5th inning of our offseason.

Pretty expected, but still nice to hear. Of course they could still get shutout the rest of the game. 🤣

[Stratos]

30 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Jed Hoyer: 

"He's gonna play" when asked about Busch. Thinks 1b is his best position but that Counsell would make the choice. Busch trade won't stop Cubs from getting a 1b.

Focusing on bats. Specifically mentioned ones who hit RHP.

Interesting that they may get another 1B bat, that could create quite the lineup.  Team hits LHP well, glad they're focusing on RHP.

[Stratos]

9 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Jed Hoyer: We're in the 4th or 5th inning of our offseason.

Are you at the Cubs con?  Or watching on Marquee?