Winter Meetings catch all

[Tryptamine]

10 minutes ago, gocubs218 said:

The Reds did not get significantly better, come on. People woulda bitched had Jed brought him back. 

Depends on the contract. If it's like 4/60, that's not bad.

[WhyCantWeWin]

3 yr 45 mil. That's not bad, maybe Chapman won't get 150 mil

[Tryptamine]

3/45 is completely reasonable and I'd take it 100 times out of 100 vs giving Chapman 100+M.

[Jason Ross]

6 hours ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

3 yr 45 mil. That's not bad, maybe Chapman won't get 150 mil

Not bad, but over what some thought, too. While generally a blowhard, I'm going to use Jim Bowden's predictions here for effect: everything Bowden has predicted (and as much of a blowhard he is, he's usually in the ballpark) has been low in some fashion (mostly AAV). He had Ohtani at $477 (with escalators) and it seems like $500+m plus is coming. Yamamoto at $210 and we're hearing maybe $300m. He's been low on the AAV on Eduardo Rodriguez (had 5/$90m and it sounds like he got 4/$80m from Arizona) and had Candelario at 2/$15m (3/$45m actual). 

What I'm getting at is this: his predicted number of 6/$127m is probably either a bit low, or in the ballpark of the final figure. I think he'll get pretty close to what people expect.

I'll say this: I'd be equally unenthused with Candelario at 3/$45m and Chapman at 6/$127m (or whatever). I don't think Candelario is anywhere near the type of player you lock down for 3 years when you have a few prospects with upsides the Cubs have at the position (nor is he a good enough hitting 1b), and while Chapman is closer to the kind of player you block those prospects with, there's enough weirdness in his batted ball data vs the power production that I remain really skeptical of him. Coupled with already being locked in on two other glove-over-bat profiled infielders, I'd prefer the Cubs to find places to add bat-over-glove types and the more we add on 6+ extended deals the less likely that's going to happen. I don't think either player is bad, just for what they'll get respective to what the Cubs need, I think there are better ways to spend their money.

Edited December 7, 2023 by 1908_Cubs

[Rcal10]

17 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

Not bad, but over what some thought, too. While generally a blowhard, I'm going to use Jim Bowden's predictions here for effect: everything Bowden has predicted (and as much of a blowhard he is, he's usually in the ballpark) has been low in some fashion (mostly AAV). He had Ohtani at $477 (with escalators) and it seems like $500+m plus is coming. Yamamoto at $210 and we're hearing maybe $300m. He's been low on the AAV on Eduardo Rodriguez (had 5/$90m and it sounds like he got 4/$80m from Arizona) and had Candelario at 2/$15m (3/$45m actual). 

What I'm getting at is this: his predicted number of 6/$127m is probably either a bit low, or in the ballpark of the final figure. I think he'll get pretty close to what people expect.

I'll say this: I'd be equally unenthused with Candelario at 3/$45m and Chapman at 6/$127m (or whatever). I don't think Candelario is anywhere near the type of player you lock down for 3 years when you have a few prospects with upsides the Cubs have at the position (nor is he a good enough hitting 1b), and while Chapman is closer to the kind of player you block those prospects with, there's enough weirdness in his batted ball data vs the power production that I remain really skeptical of him. Coupled with already being locked in on two other glove-over-bat profiled infielders, I'd prefer the Cubs to find places to add bat-over-glove types and the more we add on 6+ extended deals the less likely that's going to happen. I don't think either player is bad, just for what they'll get respective to what the Cubs need, I think there are better ways to spend their money.

The path to proving a good team in 24 is narrowing IMO. I mean they can do it, but I am less enthusiastic about them really doing it when you hear them talk about the kids being close and not wanting to block them. I mean I can see the Glasnow trade and signing Hoskins. Which is ok. But then what? Even if they added Lowe to the TB trade that would be at the expense of Morel(I would think). So basically Hoskins and Lowe will have replaced Bellinger and Morel and Glasnow replaced Stroman.That is not enough. Unless they really can get Bichette/Bregman and maybe a young controlled pitcher I just don’t see this team any better than last year. And I don’t even see how they can get there. I honestly have no idea why Bichette or Bregman would be available too. I guess there can be something out of the blue. But I am not encouraged right now. 

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

The path to proving a good team in 24 is narrowing IMO. I mean they can do it, but I am less enthusiastic about them really doing it when you hear them talk about the kids being close and not wanting to block them. I mean I can see the Glasnow trade and signing Hoskins. Which is ok. But then what? Even if they added Lowe to the TB trade that would be at the expense of Morel(I would think). So basically Hoskins and Lowe will have replaced Bellinger and Morel and Glasnow replaced Stroman.That is not enough. Unless they really can get Bichette/Bregman and maybe a young controlled pitcher I just don’t see this team any better than last year. And I don’t even see how they can get there. I honestly have no idea why Bichette or Bregman would be available too. I guess there can be something out of the blue. But I am not encouraged right now. 

It's easy to feel that way. I'm a bit disappointed right now. I think it's early enough and the Cubs can sometimes work quietly enough that there's potential for things off the radar to still happen. I can't really even begin to speculate what those things are, however. I'm going to try to go with an open mind, but with their approach seemingly veering away from the top talents obviously available, I can't blame anyone for feeling a bat defeated on that front (and I can feel myself feeling that way too).

[CubinNY]

7 hours ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

Relieved tbh, he's solid but he was crap as a Cub and I thought Hoyer would overpay for him. 

lol, he got injured. What do you care how much he makes? 

[Brian707]

7 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Well that's 2 of the teams the Cubs were fighting for the final playoff spot last year who got significantly better tonight. Meanwhile Jed is on hands and knees in the hotel lobby looking for change under the vending machines. 

Also PTR cut his daily food allowance I am sure to like $5 per day so his meals consists of bear claws and doritos.