Diamondbacks (Pfaadt) vs Cubs (Imanaga): 7/21/24, 1:20pm

[Brock Beauchamp]

[CubinNY]

Let’s see if they can keep the non-sweep streak going. 

[Geographyhater8888]

Remember Happs hot streak before the all star break? What we need is a guy who can do that consistently from April-September. I think “star” is the term they use for said player.

 

 

[LBiittner]

13 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Remember Happs hot streak before the all star break? What we need is a guy who can do that consistently from April-September. I think “star” is the term they use for said player.

 

 

Very Highly Paid Player is another term.

Let's sign a VHPP. 

[JD94]

10 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Remember Happs hot streak before the all star break? What we need is a guy who can do that consistently from April-September. I think “star” is the term they use for said player.

 

 

Unless we develop one, it’s not going to happen. It WAYYYYYYYY to scary to pay a young star a lot of money to come provide the same value than 3 cheaper players on short term deals provide. 
 

Bellinger, Happ, Suzuki, and Swanson have a combined 6 fWAR and will be paid a total of $95M for this year. Juan Soto has a 5.8 fWAR by himself and will make 1/3 of that at $31M this year which is not far off from what he will make yearly after he signs his deal this offseason. 
 

I just can’t make it make sense why this FO is so terrified of star players. Having a Juan Soto provide the same value as your 4 most expensive players in one year for less money seems like a no brainer. I guess we can just keep signing 2nd tier free agents for $20M a year though and have zero stars because those players never work out, right? 

[Geographyhater8888]

7 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Very Highly Paid Player is another term.

Let's sign a VHPP. 

I like it. A VHPP who can provide the same WAR as Swanson Happ Suzuki and Bellinger for 40% of their $94 million combined AAV. Like Juan Soto. Might be too late though since they’re all on the books next season.

[Geographyhater8888]

8 minutes ago, JD94 said:

Unless we develop one, it’s not going to happen. It WAYYYYYYYY to scary to pay a young star a lot of money to come provide the same value than 3 cheaper players on short term deals provide. 
 

Bellinger, Happ, Suzuki, and Swanson have a combined 6 fWAR and will be paid a total of $95M for this year. Juan Soto has a 5.8 fWAR by himself and will make 1/3 of that at $31M this year which is not far off from what he will make yearly after he signs his deal this offseason. 
 

I just can’t make it make sense why this FO is so terrified of star players. Having a Juan Soto provide the same value as your 4 most expensive players in one year for less money seems like a no brainer. I guess we can just keep signing 2nd tier free agents for $20M a year though and have zero stars because those players never work out, right? 

All I can think of is less long term commitment. In a perfect world Jed is doing the Theo thing waiting for the prospects to be ready and then sign quality players when the championship window opens while aspiring to win 86 games best case scenario to keep the fans happy. 
 

There’s the Dansby Swanson overpay which is incongruent with that plan however.

 

Thats the only way this makes sense. 

Edited July 21, 2024 by Geographyhater8888

[JD94]

Just now, Geographyhater8888 said:

All I can think of is less long term commitment. In a perfect world Jed is doing the Theo thing waiting for the prospects to be ready and then sign quality players while aspiring to win 86 games best case scenario to keep the fans happy. Which has backfired.

 

Thats the only way this makes sense. 

Brave of Jed to assume he’d be here for the full Soto deal anyways. I want to win now. I don’t care what Juan Soto is doing 8 years from now. A large market team like the Cubs should be able to absorb the back end of his contract when that time gets here. 

[LBiittner]

2 minutes ago, JD94 said:

Brave of Jed to assume he’d be here for the full Soto deal anyways. I want to win now. I don’t care what Juan Soto is doing 8 years from now. A large market team like the Cubs should be able to absorb the back end of his contract when that time gets here. 

Bobby, Bobby Bonilla, cha-cha-cha

[Geographyhater8888]

1 minute ago, JD94 said:

Brave of Jed to assume he’d be here for the full Soto deal anyways. I want to win now. I don’t care what Juan Soto is doing 8 years from now. A large market team like the Cubs should be able to absorb the back end of his contract when that time gets here. 

It’s unacceptable no doubt but that’s the only reasoning that comes to mind other than Jed being bad at his job.

 

Corey Seager in place of Suzuki and Dansby come to mind.

[Backtobanks]

There's no way the Cubs will be in on Soto.  Did everyone forget the Ohtani saga?

[Stratos]

Soto replaces a corner OF or DH.  So we're about 3 wins better with Soto, maybe 4.  Doubtful he keeps up this pace with the glove.

We still have a CF that can't hit anything above his shoelaces, no 3B, and crappy catchers.  Jansen and Shaw could help there for not much money.  Shaw should be in Iowa before the end of this season.  PCA can bat 9th LOL.  Jansen + Shaw might nab us 3-4 wins over this year's team.

Then there's the pen that's garbage for half the season and has no closer.

[Chicago Al]

For Soto to come to Chicago they’d have to outbid all the other postseason contending teams, and I think it has to be a big number.

I’m sure the Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies and Braves to name a few will all be in on the Soto sweepstakes. If the Cubs are offering a contract relatively similar to said teams mentioned then he most likely won’t even consider the Cubs. He’s going to want to compete and win, since the Cubs haven’t really shown that all season and are currently in last place. It’s going to take a huge offer to pry him away from other teams. 

[cl smooth]

Shota is pitching today. Shota is AWESOME! Let’s focus on the awesome Shota Imanaga. 

[Geographyhater8888]

14 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Soto replaces a corner OF or DH.  So we're about 3 wins better with Soto, maybe 4.  Doubtful he keeps up this pace with the glove.

We still have a CF that can't hit anything above his shoelaces, no 3B, and crappy catchers.  Jansen and Shaw could help there for not much money.  Shaw should be in Iowa before the end of this season.  PCA can bat 9th LOL.  Jansen + Shaw might nab us 3-4 wins over this year's team.

Then there's the pen that's garbage for half the season and has no closer.

WAR doesn’t calculate situational hitting. The chances of stranding an infinite amount of runners plummets with  Him in the 3 hole. Think 2nd and third 0 outs last night with Happ and Suzuki striking out. A consistent run producer drives in those runs 6th hole hitters like Suzuki and Happ fail at.

[Geographyhater8888]

If the cubs faced slumping first place American League teams and the Rockies every game we’d be in decent shape.

[JD94]

12 minutes ago, Chicago Al said:

For Soto to come to Chicago they’d have to outbid all the other postseason contending teams, and I think it has to be a big number.

I’m sure the Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies and Braves to name a few will all be in on the Soto sweepstakes. If the Cubs are offering a contract relatively similar to said teams mentioned then he most likely won’t even consider the Cubs. He’s going to want to compete and win, since the Cubs haven’t really shown that all season and are currently in last place. It’s going to take a huge offer to pry him away from other teams. 

There’s a lot to like about playing for the Chicago Cubs. One of the most passionate fanbases that would adore him. Historic franchise. One of the best farm systems in baseball which should help supplement for years to come. Payroll flexibility to continue to add via free agency. A team that’s on the cusp really. At the end of the day, it’s not like we are the Chicago White Sox trying to sign him. If you have to overpay to get him, do it. He will go to the highest bidder.  

[LBiittner]

28 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Soto replaces a corner OF or DH.  So we're about 3 wins better with Soto, maybe 4.  Doubtful he keeps up this pace with the glove.

We still have a CF that can't hit anything above his shoelaces, no 3B, and crappy catchers.  Jansen and Shaw could help there for not much money.  Shaw should be in Iowa before the end of this season.  PCA can bat 9th LOL.  Jansen + Shaw might nab us 3-4 wins over this year's team.

Then there's the pen that's garbage for half the season and has no closer.

Dude, you're painting such a rosey picture I wish I knew how to post vomit emogi

[CubinNY]

15 minutes ago, JD94 said:

There’s a lot to like about playing for the Chicago Cubs. One of the most passionate fanbases that would adore him. Historic franchise. One of the best farm systems in baseball which should help supplement for years to come. Payroll flexibility to continue to add via free agency. A team that’s on the cusp really. At the end of the day, it’s not like we are the Chicago White Sox trying to sign him. If you have to overpay to get him, do it. He will go to the highest bidder.  

The cusp of what? They are mediocre. That’s Jed’s goal and the Rickett’s marching orders. 
 

The stands will be filled with out of towners staying in the Ricketts overpriced  Hilton Garden Inn. 
 

 

[Chicago Al]

17 minutes ago, JD94 said:

There’s a lot to like about playing for the Chicago Cubs. One of the most passionate fanbases that would adore him. Historic franchise. One of the best farm systems in baseball which should help supplement for years to come. Payroll flexibility to continue to add via free agency. A team that’s on the cusp really. At the end of the day, it’s not like we are the Chicago White Sox trying to sign him. If you have to overpay to get him, do it. He will go to the highest bidder.  

Chicago is the best, I was born there. I’ll forever say it’s the best place for a player and the best fan base. It’s going to take a lot to get Soto and The Cubs need to make that happen.

[Eeyore]

Nice start 

[JHBulls]

I only got through a quarter of the 700 word article I was reading and the D’Backs are hitting again. 😞

[LBiittner]

Just now, CubinNY said:

The cusp of what? They are mediocre. That’s Jed’s goal and the Rickett’s marching orders. 
 

The stands will be filled with out of towners staying in the Ricketts overpriced  Hilton Garden Inn. 
 

 

Im guessing Most attendees do it for the experience, not a winning team. Looking at a typical itinerary, drop kids at grandparents home for the weekend all the while promising when they get older they can come along too. get in the night before, stay at the Hilton.  Go to Gibsons for steak and libations. Later going to a nightspot for more libations. Returning to the 5 star accommodation suite. Then doing what comes naturally. Waking up and having a very excellent breakfast buffet. Then walking over to the ballpark where the marvelous aromatherapy of hotdogs, nachos and Italian beef fill the nasal palate. Oh and there just happens to be a ballgame. Cubs lose? So what? We Got our monies worth. Cub fans hah!! Rickets crickets

[Geographyhater8888]

10 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Im guessing Most attendees do it for the experience, not a winning team. Looking at a typical itinerary, drop kids at grandparents home for the weekend all the while promising when they get older they can come along too. get in the night before, stay at the Hilton.  Go to Gibsons for steak and libations. Later going to a nightspot for more libations. Returning to the 5 star accommodation suite. Then doing what comes naturally. Waking up and having a very excellent breakfast buffet. Then walking over to the ballpark where the marvelous aromatherapy of hotdogs, nachos and Italian beef fill the nasal palate. Oh and there just happens to be a ballgame. Cubs lose? So what? We Got our monies worth. Cub fans hah!! Rickets crickets

Why spend $237 million  when you can assemble a last place team for less than half of that?

Edited July 21, 2024 by Geographyhater8888

[WhyCantWeWin]

Looks like Happ is set to go back on one of his months long cold streaks.