Cubs trading for Michael Busch & Yency Almonte (for Ferris & Hope)

[ToolDRT]

https://twitter.com/juanctoribio/status/1745511029965250706

[Tryptamine]

Hope was the other guy. Ferris is a big loss, a guy I had pegged for the top 100 in 2024.

[Jason Ross]

Wow, Ferris and Hope.

[Jason Ross]

Michael Busch will be on your opening day roster. Clearly. More has to come.

[chibears55]

 

[gocubs218]

Proud of Jed for being creative for once. 

[Tryptamine]

I firmly believe Busch's bat plays and plays well at the MLB level, but man that's a lot to give up for a team trying to clear 40 man slots and not really dealing from a position of strength.

[17 Seconds]

our team is so white

[chibears55]

3 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

he's 26 and has over 200 games in triple a. if he's not ready that means he sucks

He didn't look ready in SSS 80 PA with the Dodgers, nothing wrong with starting him in AAA and working on what he was having trouble adjusting to.

[Michael Busch Light]

Busch is really good.  Interesting trade. 

I don't see how Busch can play 3B now considering he couldn't play it in high school.  I would keep him at 1B/DH. 

[Michael Busch Light]

Just now, 17 Seconds said:

our team is so white

Jed has a type. 

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Tryptamine said:

I firmly believe Busch's bat plays and plays well at the MLB level, but man that's a lot to give up for a team trying to clear 40 man slots and not really dealing from a position of strength.

Id guess Busch had a lot of interest. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm surprised that it's Ferris and Hope, the prospect depth is fairly consolidated in the upper levels already, though some of that is mitigated with this year's draft pitchers being unleashed and Mule debuting.

The thing I really wanted to see from Jed this offseason was decisiveness.  Imanaga with all his contract complexity kinda qualifies, but the discount v. his expected contract mitigates that a bit.  THIS is a decisive move, hopefully Busch hits and/or proves capable of manning 3B and it can be the type of move that helps them level up.

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

He didn't look ready in SSS 80 PA with the Dodgers, nothing wrong with starting him in AAA and working on what he was having trouble adjusting to.

He's had two runs in AAA and is 26. I doubt the Cubs traded for a 26 year old with 900 PAs thinking 80 PAs is enough to shove him back there. 

[Tryptamine]

Just now, Javy Bystro said:

Busch is really good.  Interesting trade. 

I don't see how Busch can play 3B now considering he couldn't play it in high school.  I would keep him at 1B/DH. 

Yeah, my guess is this means 1 of 2 things. Either Morel is about to be gone and Busch is taking over at DH, or Busch is headed to 1B and Hoskins isn't going to happen.

[Irrelevant Dude]

What is Busch's natural position?  I saw him listed as 2B, he is being mentioned as a 3B, and others are saying 1B.

I would certainly hope the Cubs didn't trade Ferris just for a 26 year old AAA DH prospect.

[Tryptamine]

Just now, Irrelevant Dude said:

What is Busch's natural position?  I saw him listed as 2B, he is being mentioned as a 3B, and others are saying 1B.

I would certainly hope the Cubs didn't trade Ferris just for a 26 year old AAA DH prospect.

1B/DH. He's a disaster with the glove.

[JD94]

That seems like a steep horsefeathers price for a guy that can’t play defense and isn’t even proven with the bat at the big league level yet. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just now, Tryptamine said:

Yeah, my guess is this means 1 of 2 things. Either Morel is about to be gone and Busch is taking over at DH, or Busch is headed to 1B and Hoskins isn't going to happen.

Or they think one or both of Morel and Busch can at least be a part time 3B.  Or they're stacking bats they like to give Counsell as many pieces to deploy as best he can.  Also further Bellinger/Hoskins leverage.

[s2obed]

Wonder if he’s our 1B? From what I’ve read he’s not very good at 3B and 2B is already covered by Nico. I guess it depends what else happens this offseason.

[17 Seconds]

they must think he's really going to mash

[Michael Busch Light]

Just now, Tryptamine said:

1B/DH. He's a disaster with the glove.

I would say its more lack of arm strength than anything. He has a noodle arm and he's not a great athlete.  Some have said he's ok at 2B.  

Dude can rake and has hit literally everywhere though.  I like the trade. Just close your eyes if he is playing 3B. 

[Bertz]

ZiPS projects Busch to a 109 OPS+, -2 runs on defense, and 2.5 WAR.  There's not a ton left in the tank IMO but you absolutely trade any teenage arm in A ball for that.  100 times out of 100.  Great trade from Jed, even though I like Ferris more as a prospect.

[s2obed]

2 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

they must think he's really going to mash

It looks like he pretty much has his entire milb career. I like it. 

It’s a ballsy move. And it’s time to start using the farm imo.

Edited January 11, 2024 by s2obed

[WhyCantWeWin]

Ferris is a steep price to pay for a AAAA guy like this. Hopefully he works out better than McKinstry