Stroman Opts Out

[Jason Ross]

As of today, the recent reports on Hendricks are that the Cubs won't explore extension until much later in the offseason.  I'd expect him back on 1/$16m.

[Rcal10]

12 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

As of today, the recent reports on Hendricks are that the Cubs won't explore extension until much later in the offseason.  I'd expect him back on 1/$16m.

Either way he will be in the rotation. Probably not enough savings to the payroll for them to guarantee a second or third year. $16M is a little high for his pitching ability. But maybe what he adds as a teammate and someone to work with the younger pitchers offsets the couple million he is overpaid. I am fine with him another year. 

[Stratos]

4 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I get that. Yes, now it means the FO doesn’t have any excuses when it comes to signing a top FA starting pitcher. If they don’t sign Yamamoto or Nola they can’t fall back on suggesting they like their staff so they didn’t go after the top guys. They need one of them now. And if not them, at worste Jordon Montgomery. 
I feel if Stoman stayed they wouldn’t have gone big for a pitcher. Might have ended up with the other guy from Japan or someone like Lugo. Now they have more money and a bigger need for a top guy. So go get him. 

They save 21m, but actually 23.7m in luxury tax room.  I agree that they need to go out and get a good SP to replace him.  This winter i'm sure Cubs will at least be involved in any top SP they like this winter.

[Rcal10]

17 minutes ago, Stratos said:

They save 21m, but actually 23.7m in luxury tax room.  I agree that they need to go out and get a good SP to replace him.  This winter i'm sure Cubs will at least be involved in any top SP they like this winter.

This also might make Glasnow more likely. Similar 1 year salary. 

[Stratos]

1 hour ago, chibears55 said:

Stroman and Heyward money off book now, they have about 43 mil extra to spend from that, Bellinger and another TOR SP could fill up that money

Other players are getting raises though.  Happ and Nico getting about 10m each, which alone eat up Heyward's savings.

Without Stroman and Hendricks in the equation, and you assume the Cubs will spend what they usually do on the pen plus factor things like arb & pre-arb players and leaving 5-10m in space, they have about $65m to spend under the cap.

65m to figure out another SP plus 1B, CF, 3B/DH, though Morel can fill one of the 3B/DH.  You have to think they'll probably sign a 2nd SP e.g. Hendricks for depth.

A significant trade is also pretty likely this offseason IMO given the prospect crunch in AAA next year and increasing 40-man issues.

[Rcal10]

11 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Other players are getting raises though.  Happ and Nico getting about 10m each, which alone eat up Heyward's savings.

Without Stroman and Hendricks in the equation, and you assume the Cubs will spend what they usually do on the pen plus factor things like arb & pre-arb players and leaving 5-10m in space, they have about $65m to spend under the cap.

65m to figure out another SP plus 1B, CF, 3B/DH, though Morel can fill one of the 3B/DH.  You have to think they'll probably sign a 2nd SP e.g. Hendricks for depth.

A significant trade is also pretty likely this offseason IMO given the prospect crunch in AAA next year and increasing 40-man issues.

So you really think the Cubs won’t retain Hendricks? I think they will. I can also see them going over the 1st layer on the LT if they traded for someone like Glasnow for 1 year. Then in 25’ let him walk and replace him with Horton or another young arm. So they can go over my his salary knowing they won’t be over the next year.

[Y2J]

Appreciate you, Strom! Best of luck to you. 🫡

[We Got The Whole 9]

They're gonna sign Miley, velocity be damned 

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

This also might make Glasnow more likely. Similar 1 year salary. 

Similar to Hendricks or Stroman?

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

So you really think the Cubs won’t retain Hendricks? I think they will. I can also see them going over the 1st layer on the LT if they traded for someone like Glasnow for 1 year. Then in 25’ let him walk and replace him with Horton or another young arm. So they can go over my his salary knowing they won’t be over the next year.

No I just mean as of right now, without Stroman and Hendricks options included, and assuming they opt-in on Gomes, they have about 65m to spend.  Hendricks coming back looks likely.