Cubs offseason chit chat...

[Stratos]

4 hours ago, Bertz said:

Going back to the Athletic article this AM, Junis might not have been a one-off.  Lorenzen would be very cool if he's willing to be a swingman.  I feel like most of the other options on the market I'd only want on a MiLB deal.  Someone like Eric Lauer?

 

Recent Hawkins interview says they're basically working the phones daily and watching the waiver wire etc looking to be opportunistic if a good deal pops up.  I'd imagine any player they'd deem available and worthy to be on our roster (which is a lot of players) they're trying to check in about.  I doubt they're targeting any specific pitchers right now even if they're linked to checking in on them.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Stratos said:

Recent Hawkins interview says they're basically working the phones daily and watching the waiver wire etc looking to be opportunistic if a good deal pops up.  I'd imagine any player they'd deem available and worthy to be on our roster (which is a lot of players) they're trying to check in about.  I doubt they're targeting any specific pitchers right now even if they're linked to checking in on them.

Maybe that’s why it was suggested the  Cubs would be the most active team after the new year. Could be Hawkins has several options for trades close to ready to go. Maybe they are waiting out the Boras 4 and once they know which way that goes they make another move (trade). I am sure they aren’t sitting around waiting in Boras without checking into options. I expect(hope)2 or more players open the season with the Cubs that are not on the team now. 

[Stratos]

5 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Maybe that’s why it was suggested the  Cubs would be the most active team after the new year. Could be Hawkins has several options for trades close to ready to go. Maybe they are waiting out the Boras 4 and once they know which way that goes they make another move (trade). I am sure they aren’t sitting around waiting in Boras without checking into options. I expect(hope)2 or more players open the season with the Cubs that are not on the team now. 

Agree and hope you're right.  We know they have at least around 25m to spend under the LT and would probably like to spend it before OD.  I doubt the Cubs would pin themselves into a corner with Boras.  Totally possible there's options on the table if the Boras guys don't work out.  We don't really know long the Cubs are willing to wait out Boras though.

[NorthsideAvenger]

11 hours ago, LBiittner said:

If Cubs are interested In signing stanek, something tells me they have the inside track. I think one of his parents might be a cubfan?

At the very least, one of his parents is a fan of Ryne Sandberg. 

[Layoutman]

Was shocked when Jed actually made an off-season trade to improve the roster by bringing Busch in. Definitely not his standard operating procedure. After what date do the Cubs lose compensation for Bellinger if he signs with another club?

[Tim]

3 hours ago, Layoutman said:

Was shocked when Jed actually made an off-season trade to improve the roster by bringing Busch in. Definitely not his standard operating procedure. After what date do the Cubs lose compensation for Bellinger if he signs with another club?

I believe it was after the draft when that was in June. I'm not sure about that date anymore. But it is somewhere around there during the season.

[Jason Ross]

5 minutes ago, Tim said:

I believe it was after the draft when that was in June. I'm not sure about that date anymore. But it is somewhere around there during the season.

After the draft. So all the way until All-Star Break. 

[Jason Ross]

11 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Maybe that’s why it was suggested the  Cubs would be the most active team after the new year. Could be Hawkins has several options for trades close to ready to go. Maybe they are waiting out the Boras 4 and once they know which way that goes they make another move (trade). I am sure they aren’t sitting around waiting in Boras without checking into options. I expect(hope)2 or more players open the season with the Cubs that are not on the team now. 

I doubt he has trades ready to go. Other teams need to finalize their rosters as they head into Spring Training. There might be a few moves he could push for...but we're probably past the "other teams are just waiting around for the Cubs to pull the trigger" stage of anything. It sounds more like the Cubs are interested in being opportunistic on things like waivers/claims and maybe the Boras 4. Perhaps another hitter who falls through the cracks, like Belt or Martinez. With that said, I think the hopes of impactful trades are pretty faded right now (barring injuries or something). Maybe a lesser trade, for like a mid-inning reliever or the such is on the table. 

[Rcal10]

6 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

I doubt he has trades ready to go. Other teams need to finalize their rosters as they head into Spring Training. There might be a few moves he could push for...but we're probably past the "other teams are just waiting around for the Cubs to pull the trigger" stage of anything. It sounds more like the Cubs are interested in being opportunistic on things like waivers/claims and maybe the Boras 4. Perhaps another hitter who falls through the cracks, like Belt or Martinez. With that said, I think the hopes of impactful trades are pretty faded right now (barring injuries or something). Maybe a lesser trade, for like a mid-inning reliever or the such is on the table. 

Right, didn’t mean to suggest teams were sitting back waiting on the cubs. Actually the term I wanted to use was framework. I feel the Cubs may have the framework of what’s needed to make a deal with a team and may revisit it sometime in spring training once the Boras 4 are signed and/or the Cubs decide to just pass on those 4. As I get older words escape me from time to time. Guys like biitner and thawv surely understand 😬

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

Right, didn’t mean to suggest teams were sitting back waiting on the cubs. Actually the term I wanted to use was framework. I feel the Cubs may have the framework of what’s needed to make a deal with a team and may revisit it sometime in spring training once the Boras 4 are signed and/or the Cubs decide to just pass on those 4. As I get older words escape me from time to time. Guys like biitner and thawv surely understand 😬

Oh it's all good. I'd actually push back on that concept, too. My guess is that there won't be many trades between now and Opening Day across baseball. Same reasons: other teams are ready to go. Unless there's a team who thinks they can replace player X with a remaining free agent, or the Cubs just blow a team out of the water (teams are likely in "wait until the deadline mode"), I don't think we'll see much. Not saying it can't happen, only that...I think it's probably wishful thinking at this stage. Pretty late-game offseason. 

[Tim]

3 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Oh it's all good. I'd actually push back on that concept, too. My guess is that there won't be many trades between now and Opening Day across baseball. Same reasons: other teams are ready to go. Unless there's a team who thinks they can replace player X with a remaining free agent, or the Cubs just blow a team out of the water (teams are likely in "wait until the deadline mode"), I don't think we'll see much. Not saying it can't happen, only that...I think it's probably wishful thinking at this stage. Pretty late-game offseason. 

I think the one exception to that may be that this week is when teams can add players to the 60 day DL, which will open a bunch of roster spots across the league. For teams doing "many for one" trades, they could be holding off until then to execute.

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Tim said:

I think the one exception to that may be that this week is when teams can add players to the 60 day DL, which will open a bunch of roster spots across the league. For teams doing "many for one" trades, they could be holding off until then to execute.

I could see that. But I'd guess that's closer to "waiver wire watching" than anything; a pretty impactless trade all things considered (at least at the time of the trade). If that makes sense? Probably more along the lines of a mid-reliever for prospects, or maybe the Cubs nabbing up one of these optionable arms they can mold. 

Mainly, I was suggesting there won't be anything super fun probably sitting out there trade wise at this stage. It's probably one of those optionable guys or bust.

[LBiittner]

18 minutes ago, Tim said:

I think the one exception to that may be that this week is when teams can add players to the 60 day DL, which will open a bunch of roster spots across the league. For teams doing "many for one" trades, they could be holding off until then to execute.

Woodruff/Liam Hendricks I'm hoping on one of these broken toys to be added to the 60

Edited February 12, 2024 by LBiittner

[Rcal10]

16 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Oh it's all good. I'd actually push back on that concept, too. My guess is that there won't be many trades between now and Opening Day across baseball. Same reasons: other teams are ready to go. Unless there's a team who thinks they can replace player X with a remaining free agent, or the Cubs just blow a team out of the water (teams are likely in "wait until the deadline mode"), I don't think we'll see much. Not saying it can't happen, only that...I think it's probably wishful thinking at this stage. Pretty late-game offseason. 

I will go one step further. I am pretty sure it is wishful thinking. But, I am still wishing….. My reasoning is because based on reports (and I understand that could be all hyperbole) the Cubs were said to be expected to be the most active after the new year. To me, that means they had several irons in the pot with a framework of a deal. I feel if that is true, and again, I realize it might not be, they can be revisited. There are several guys whose name appeared as on the market. Cease, Robert(have to be blown away), Marlin pitcher, Seattle pitcher, Bieber, Naylor, Alonso, Kim, etc…. They are all still there. It is pretty obvious now that the Sox were asking a ridiculous haul for Cease. Maybe they get more realistic as other teams do as well. So as I said, I know it is wishful thinking, but wishing with some merit behind it. We shall see. And honestly it could be a smaller move too. If they signed one of the Boras guys and traded or signed a pen arm, that would be 2 guys on the team to start the season who aren’t here now. 

[Rcal10]

10 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Woodruff/Liam Hendricks I'm hoping on one of these broken toys to be added to the 60

I can see Hendricks more than Woodruff. But I would be ok with this as well. 

[LBiittner]

3 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I can see Hendricks more than Woodruff. But I would be ok with this as well. 

It makes too much sense/ they won't count towards the 40 til activated when deemed healthy. (Which might be right I'm line with playoff push?)

[BearDown1223]

I hate that I'm even asking this because stuff like this never works out, but how much of a factor is the next free agent class in determining aggressiveness in signing the 4 Boras clients?

For example, signing Bellinger takes us out on Soto, Alonso, Bregman etc

Signing Snell takes us out on Burnes, Fried, Buehler, etc

[Jason Ross]

5 minutes ago, BearDown1223 said:

I hate that I'm even asking this because stuff like this never works out, but how much of a factor is the next free agent class in determining aggressiveness in signing the 4 Boras clients?

For example, signing Bellinger takes us out on Soto, Alonso, Bregman etc

Signing Snell takes us out on Burnes, Fried, Buehler, etc

I really doubt signing those guys would do that. The Cubs have a decent amount of money falling off the books here at the end of the season, and regardless of signing any Boras 4, the Cubs should have plenty to sign someone next season, as well. Signing Chapman may mean they are less likely, for example, to sign Alex Bregman (because they play the same position) but in general, the Cubs should not be in a place where signing Bellinger or Chapman takes them out of the 2024 Free Agent market.

[Rcal10]

15 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

I really doubt signing those guys would do that. The Cubs have a decent amount of money falling off the books here at the end of the season, and regardless of signing any Boras 4, the Cubs should have plenty to sign someone next season, as well. Signing Chapman may mean they are less likely, for example, to sign Alex Bregman (because they play the same position) but in general, the Cubs should not be in a place where signing Bellinger or Chapman takes them out of the 2024 Free Agent market.

And, if history shows us anything, you should never wait for a future FA class and it is highly unlikely they would be in on Soto. 

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

And, if history shows us anything, you should never wait for a future FA class and it is highly unlikely they would be in on Soto. 

Exactly. Every year one or two prized free agents never make it to the market. While it seems likely many of these will...someone's going to surprise us and won't. 

[Bertz]

9 minutes ago, BearDown1223 said:

I hate that I'm even asking this because stuff like this never works out, but how much of a factor is the next free agent class in determining aggressiveness in signing the 4 Boras clients?

For example, signing Bellinger takes us out on Soto, Alonso, Bregman etc

Signing Snell takes us out on Burnes, Fried, Buehler, etc

I would guess it's less about specific names, and more about the financial footprint of a large deal.

During the last run, it became very clear that the team is only allowed by Tom to exceed the luxury tax two years in a row.  Maybe that's changed with Marquee launched, but we have not yet seen much reason to think so. 

Right now the team is ~$30M under the cap for 2024, ~$70M in '25, and '$65m in '26.  A TON of money falls off in '27, so it should be easy to dip under them.  So if Jed adds two of the Boras guys at $25M per this winter, you can see he either needs to have a very austere winter next year, or load up on one year deals next year and have the austerity winter in '26.  If he only adds one long term contract this winter, he can add a long term contract next year while still dipping under the LT.

I think that's why we're seeing this brinksmanship.  If Jed can add one of the Boras guys this winter on a short deal it's a huge boon to the three year window.  Now obviously it's silly that a large market team has to jump through these self imposed hoops but that's PTR.

[We Got The Whole 9]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

I will go one step further. I am pretty sure it is wishful thinking. But, I am still wishing….. My reasoning is because based on reports (and I understand that could be all hyperbole) the Cubs were said to be expected to be the most active after the new year. To me, that means they had several irons in the pot with a framework of a deal. I feel if that is true, and again, I realize it might not be, they can be revisited. There are several guys whose name appeared as on the market. Cease, Robert(have to be blown away), Marlin pitcher, Seattle pitcher, Bieber, Naylor, Alonso, Kim, etc…. They are all still there. It is pretty obvious now that the Sox were asking a ridiculous haul for Cease. Maybe they get more realistic as other teams do as well. So as I said, I know it is wishful thinking, but wishing with some merit behind it. We shall see. And honestly it could be a smaller move too. If they signed one of the Boras guys and traded or signed a pen arm, that would be 2 guys on the team to start the season who aren’t here now. 

I believe they have been. They added 4 players to their ML roster. 

[Tryptamine]

2 hours ago, BearDown1223 said:

I hate that I'm even asking this because stuff like this never works out, but how much of a factor is the next free agent class in determining aggressiveness in signing the 4 Boras clients?

For example, signing Bellinger takes us out on Soto, Alonso, Bregman etc

Signing Snell takes us out on Burnes, Fried, Buehler, etc

Soto isn't happening. Alonso shouldn't happen, especially if he's getting anywhere near the length of contract he wants and I severely doubt Bregman happens either both for financial and Matt Shaw related reasons. 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

I believe they have been. They added 4 players to their ML roster. 

I guess one trade of less than star players and a couple mid grade free agent signings could be considered very active. You may be right, I was just expecting a bit more than that. 

[Jason Ross]

Yeah, I think, despite adding Imanaga, Busch, Neris and Almonte, I wouldn't classify this as an overly "active" offseason. They've certainly added a few players, filled gaps, but we're talking three general transactions over November, December, January and half of February so far. I think that's probably baseline for what we all expected. That's not a complaint, either, just how I'd classify what "active" would be. There's still some time left for the Cubs to add to the number of transactions, too.