Spring Training Chit Chats

[chibears55]

Smily blows,  I hope he's next to go away

[chibears55]

If the cubs do add another bat, I hope it's JD Martinez. 

[Stratos]

8 hours ago, chibears55 said:

Smily blows,  I hope he's next to go away

Apparently he's working on some new pitches.

[Rcal10]

8 hours ago, Stratos said:

Apparently he's working on some new pitches.

He was awful. They were hitting rockets. But one thing I did notice was he hit 95 on the fun yesterday. Did it a few times. I didnt think he threw that hard. Maybe as a pen guy he could be useful. He should not start. 

[Rcal10]

10 hours ago, chibears55 said:

If the cubs do add another bat, I hope it's JD Martinez. 

He would be my choice as well. But Belt wouldn’t be too bad either. And cheaper. That said, I think they are done adding. This is the team, IMO.

[BigbadB]

9 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

He was awful. They were hitting rockets. But one thing I did notice was he hit 95 on the fun yesterday. Did it a few times. I didnt think he threw that hard. Maybe as a pen guy he could be useful. He should not start. 

Where were you seeing gun results? I haven't noticed the game score graphic showing pitch speeds so far in Spring Training. 

[Stratos]

53 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

He was awful. They were hitting rockets. But one thing I did notice was he hit 95 on the fun yesterday. Did it a few times. I didnt think he threw that hard. Maybe as a pen guy he could be useful. He should not start. 

Where did you get the gun readings?  Were you at the game?  Yeah might be a pen guy at this point

[CubinNY]

20 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Where did you get the gun readings?  Were you at the game?  Yeah might be a pen guy at this point

Arizona Phil reported it and it was repeated by Brett at BN.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, BigbadB said:

Where were you seeing gun results? I haven't noticed the game score graphic showing pitch speeds so far in Spring Training. 

I was at the game and they show the speed on the scoreboard.

Edited March 1, 2024 by Rcal10

[LBiittner]

18 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I was at the game and they show the speed on the scoreboard.

Had to be cool to see Caisse up close. Had you seen him in person prior?

[Bull]

12 hours ago, chibears55 said:

If the cubs do add another bat, I hope it's JD Martinez. 

What about the circumstances (near luxury tax, 4-6 near ready bats, Ricketts suggesting additional revenue would be required to add even before the Bellinger signing) causes you to hold out hope that they will add a bat?

[Rcal10]

59 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Had to be cool to see Caisse up close. Had you seen him in person prior?

I did. 2 yeas back he played fall ball. Went to several of those games. General admission and us old timers get in for $9.00. That team has him, Mervis and BJ Murray with some pitchers too. 

[squally1313]

55 minutes ago, Bull said:

What about the circumstances (near luxury tax, 4-6 near ready bats, Ricketts suggesting additional revenue would be required to add even before the Bellinger signing) causes you to hold out hope that they will add a bat?

I look at the current luxury tax situation as one where we are so close to the limit already, we would be pretty handcuffed going into to the year if that was actually the internally communicated 'hard cap'. Far from an expert here, but you've got things like incentives, obviously being open to mid season trades, etc. If given the choice between the first tax line and the second tax line, I would bet the actual hard cap is the second line, which makes it more feasible to throw in a quality bat.

That said, setting aside all other variables, hoping for a meaningful addition in March is probably a losing value prop. 

[Rcal10]

3 hours ago, squally1313 said:

I look at the current luxury tax situation as one where we are so close to the limit already, we would be pretty handcuffed going into to the year if that was actually the internally communicated 'hard cap'. Far from an expert here, but you've got things like incentives, obviously being open to mid season trades, etc. If given the choice between the first tax line and the second tax line, I would bet the actual hard cap is the second line, which makes it more feasible to throw in a quality bat.

That said, setting aside all other variables, hoping for a meaningful addition in March is probably a losing value prop. 

Agreed. I do think the team is making a mistake by not going over now if they know they will at the deadline. And to get anyone at the deadline they most likely would have to go over. Now, they can’t sign Chapman or one of the Boras pitchers, but they could get someone in the $15M or less range, which would put than at most $249M. Thr cap is $257, so that would be a good place to be if they wanted to add on at the deadline. Not sure if JDM could be had for $15M, but i do think Belt could be. Probably for fair amount less, even. 

[LBiittner]

5 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I did. 2 yeas back he played fall ball. Went to several of those games. General admission and us old timers get in for $9.00. That team has him, Mervis and BJ Murray with some pitchers too. 

Our boy Cassie with a hr.

Are u at the game today?

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Our boy Cassie with a hr.

Are u at the game today?

Nope. I go one a week. Going next Friday. Also going to Cubs/Sox prospect game. Hope Horton pitches.

[chibears55]

The potential this team can have this season and next with some of these kids is pretty exciting, and they still have quite a few in the lower levels that are talented.

 

[LBiittner]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Nope. I go one a week. Going next Friday. Also going to Cubs/Sox prospect game. Hope Horton pitches.

Pardon for asking, are u a snowbird or full-time resident? Don't answer if it's an infringement

[Rcal10]

35 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Pardon for asking, are u a snowbird or full-time resident? Don't answer if it's an infringement

Lived in Chicago suburb until 2022. Had a house here in Az. and Chicago area from 17’ until 22’. Sold in the Chicago area and moved here full time in 2022. 
Even when we had 2 houses we were not typical snowbirds. I could work from anywhere. Only worked part time anyway. But my wife worked full time. She would get something like 6 weeks in the office and then 6 weeks out. So when she could work from home we came here. But when she was in the office, even if it was “typical snowbird time in Az.” We were in Chicago area. 

Edited March 1, 2024 by Rcal10

[Stratos]

Counsell not really looking for a DH, will go by committee and will use it to rest regulars too:

https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/03/01/cubs-tentatively-looking-to-rotate-players-at-designated-hitter/

[KCCub]

 

[Rob]

22 minutes ago, KCCub said:

 

That's a steal. I wish we had signed him to that contract.

[WhyCantWeWin]

Yeah thats a good contract for the Giants. 

[SOFNR]

50 minutes ago, Rob said:

That's a steal. I wish we had signed him to that contract.

Yah. It's a bummer they don't seem interested in adding more. I know we've got some guys ready to start knocking on the door but I'd happily take the risk of that contract. Wonder if Montgomery will settle for something similar.

[Stratos]

I get the hesitancy on Bellinger but it's weird Chapman didn't get more.  I guess the market is hurting because of the TV deal stuff.