Cubs (Hendricks) vs Pirates (Skenes): 8/28/24, 11:35am

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Dreaming about:

• Bellinger opting out
• Signing Chapman to 4/100 or whatever
• Paredes for Tucker
• Whatever prospects it takes for Skubal

I doubt Bellinger opts out. But even if he doesn’t the Cubs can still make a trade for a big bat or sign a bat from the next tier of guys (not Soto). As in your scenario that would give them 10 guys for 9 positions. If it was Chapman they signed then Paredes would play all infield spots giving guys a day off. Again, I am fine with that. Then trade for a front line starter. Skubal would be awesome.

Or they can trade for Vlad and sign a pitcher. With the flexibility guys like Vlad, Paredes, Busch, Nico and Bellinger give you they can mix and match 10 guys for 9 positions. 

[Cuzi]

I would be extremely surprised if Bellinger opts out. He's going to end the year <2 fWAR. He's less than an average starter this year. He wont get that 5 year contract he's been looking for, especially after he didn't get it last season. He'd be fighting for another deal with opt outs, which he already has and the new offers are highly unlikely to match what the Cubs are already committed to.

Edited August 29, 2024 by Cuzi

[squally1313]

I think outfield represents the most obvious avenue for getting an elite bat, and I think if we go that route Bellinger pretty quickly becomes the odd man out. Now, not a terrible position to be in, a very overpriced back-up-ish outfielder. But definitely hurts your long term earning potential for a guy who's going to be a free agent at 30 at the latest. 

And I'm fine with the 10 guys for 9 spots thing, he still provides value. But we would need to pay a Vlad or a Tucker or a Skubal and so I'd prefer to free up that cash. 

[Rcal10]

5 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

I think outfield represents the most obvious avenue for getting an elite bat, and I think if we go that route Bellinger pretty quickly becomes the odd man out. Now, not a terrible position to be in, a very overpriced back-up-ish outfielder. But definitely hurts your long term earning potential for a guy who's going to be a free agent at 30 at the latest. 

And I'm fine with the 10 guys for 9 spots thing, he still provides value. But we would need to pay a Vlad or a Tucker or a Skubal and so I'd prefer to free up that cash. 

Well I obviously hope Bellinger would opt out. I am just saying I doubt he does. And if he doesn’t I am not sure outfield would be the obvious place to add an elite bat. Yes, they can add Tucker and still do the 10 guys for 9 spots dance, but I think it is easier with Vlad. If we are in agreement they are not getting Soto, the next bat options are Alonso, Santander, Teoscar Hernandez, Chapman, Bregman and O’Neil. Best available (ish) bats via trade are Vlad, Tucker and Robert. Pick any of them and they can mix and match with Bellinger not opting out. Also add a starting pitcher via FA or trade and the team should be very good. Pitcher has to be a solid TOR sort of guy. Someone who fits in with Steele and Imanaga and better than Taillon. 

[Dfan25]

If Bellinger doesn’t opt out , they aren’t doing much on offense other than a catcher . I would expect a SP though and a couple of relievers . It’s going to be a really boring offseason .

[Tryptamine]

14 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

If Bellinger doesn’t opt out , they aren’t doing much on offense other than a catcher . I would expect a SP though and a couple of relievers . It’s going to be a really boring offseason .

I doubt they do much with catcher other than a back up with the way Amaya has played since the ASB anyway. It will mean they have significant money to throw at SP/RP upgrades though and hopefully a better 4th OFer because I am so over Tauchmann. The only thing Tauchmann really brings to the table is walks. Not much pop, not very good defensively, just ok on the bases. He's not bad persay, I just think they can do better. 

[CubinNY]

Livvy Dunne was pissed.

[mul21]

34 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

I doubt they do much with catcher other than a back up with the way Amaya has played since the ASB anyway. It will mean they have significant money to throw at SP/RP upgrades though and hopefully a better 4th OFer because I am so over Tauchmann. The only thing Tauchmann really brings to the table is walks. Not much pop, not very good defensively, just ok on the bases. He's not bad persay, I just think they can do better. 

He's about as ideal of a 4th OF as you're going to find.  Cheap, gets on base, is acceptable at all 3 spots, and overall isn't going to cost you games when he plays.  He's a 4th OF for a reason and you're not going to get an .800 OPS out of that spot.

[squally1313]

2 minutes ago, mul21 said:

He's about as ideal of a 4th OF as you're going to find.  Cheap, gets on base, is acceptable at all 3 spots, and overall isn't going to cost you games when he plays.  He's a 4th OF for a reason and you're not going to get an .800 OPS out of that spot.

He's also a fifth outfielder in a world where Happ, Seiya, Cody, and PCA all exist. He's fine. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

26 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Livvy Dunne was pissed.

 

[Tim]

If we kept Tauchman and Bellinger is gone for 2025, we'd be in a situation where if anyone in the OF gets hurt longer term, we're almost certainly bringing someone up from Iowa to fill that spot. Between Caissie, Alcantara, and the somehow-mobile corpse of Brennen Davis, we're pretty well covered in OF depth. Even Triantos has experience in the OF. Canario likely disappears before 2025.

I can definitely see a couple of those other guys being dealt for pitching in the offseason, but that still leaves plenty of depth. There is also more potential depth, as well. Shaw could likely play the OF. Franklin could be another potential option late next year.

If they dropped Tauchman, it's possible they'd bring up one of those guys to play the 4th/5th OF role, but I'd think they want them getting consistent PA's in the minors instead of riding the bench most days in the bigs. If Davis stays healthy and hits well the rest of this year and next year in ST, I could see him getting the job. But how likely his he to stay healthy?

So I could definitely see them hanging on to Tauchman for that role again in 2025 unless Bellinger opts in on his contract. Then there's really no need for an additional OF on the roster.

[Tryptamine]

Boss is on vacation, I don't have an appointment until 2:30PM, so why not a far too early what I'd like to see in the offseason. 

I'm assuming Bellinger opts in at this point. I'm also assuming that Jed almost has to move some prospects  with Caissie/Shaw/Alcantara/Ballesteros/Triantos all likely ready to see time in 2025, unless they fall on their face.

1)  I'd like to bring in Carson Kelly(2/20) to split time with Amaya. He'd still get good number of starts behind the plate and other at bats as DH with injuries. He's a good enough back up where you still feel pretty good if Amaya gets hurt or becomes first half Amaya again. He's probably going to take starter money because he probably should be one, but he'd still probably see 250-300 ABs on the Cubs. 

2) Bryce Miller/Celesten for Caissie+Triantos. Seattle always needs bats and they acquire 2 that are just about major league ready. Miller has the stuff to be a top 2 starter in this rotation, but he needs some pitch usage tweaks especially on his breaking stuff. Celesten is very highly thought of, but also very far away. He's coming off hamate surgery but he also provides the kind of star power that the current farm is shallow in. 

3) Jack Flaherty 4/72- He's been excellent in 2024 and the only thing surpressing the price is his struggles the previous few years prior to this year, but he has a history of being good to  elite in 2018 and 2019. It's a Taillon contract, but significantly more upside. 

4) Sign David Robertson 2/20- Yeah he's 39 right now but that hasn't stopped him from putting up  3 excellent season in a row, including this one. He'll almost assuredly decline his $7M mutual offer with Texas and he's a guy guy who can play either the setup role or the closer role depending on need. 

5) Andrew Nardi for Alfonsin Rosario+Mervis. Nardi is nails on lefties and while the ERA isn't glowing this year, he's also sporting a 63.9LOB%. The FIP, xFIP, xERA all tell a much more positive story, like the one from his 2023 season. 

I'm not ready to hand Wicks/Assad a rotation spot and I'd love to move Taillon out, but I don't think that's likely.

 

C- Amaya(He's shown enough to be a part of the 2025 squad, but there's enough uncertainty that Jed is going to have to spend on a good backup, just in case)

1B- Busch(He's struggling right now, but he's shown enough)

2B- Nico(I'm torn here. I could 100% justifiably see him traded and Shaw plugged in, but would it make the 2025 team better?)

SS- Dansby( better 2nd half with the bat, defense back to elite levels after struggles early)

3B- Paredes(I am worried, but at the same time they're not going to give up on him after such a short time when he has a multi year track record)

LF- Happ(Solid as always)

CF- PCA(Has definitely earned the right to be the guy in 2025)

RF- Bellinger(I'd prefer he opted out because the offensive addition options are really limited if he doesn't, but it's not going to happen. At least this way RF gets a defensive upgrade)

DH- Seiya

Bench- Kelly, Vazquez, Alcantara, TBD on a suitable 3B back up in case Paredes continues to suck

Yeah, they don't really get that elite bat that they need, but at least it's a pretty deep lineup. 

 

SP- Steele/Shota/Flaherty/Miller/Taillon depth Wicks/Wesneski and eventually Horton/Birdsell

This should be a substantial upgrade on the 2024 Cubs with the upside for a dominant rotation.

RP- Robertson, Miller, Hodge, Assad, Brown, Nardi and the last two slots filled in by Neely/Little/Palencia/Pearson depending on health

Not a ton of necessary tweaks, a guy who can get lefties, a guy who can close but has the flexibility to become a setup man if someone like Hodge steps up. 

[Rcal10]

26 minutes ago, Tim said:

If we kept Tauchman and Bellinger is gone for 2025, we'd be in a situation where if anyone in the OF gets hurt longer term, we're almost certainly bringing someone up from Iowa to fill that spot. Between Caissie, Alcantara, and the somehow-mobile corpse of Brennen Davis, we're pretty well covered in OF depth. Even Triantos has experience in the OF. Canario likely disappears before 2025.

I can definitely see a couple of those other guys being dealt for pitching in the offseason, but that still leaves plenty of depth. There is also more potential depth, as well. Shaw could likely play the OF. Franklin could be another potential option late next year.

If they dropped Tauchman, it's possible they'd bring up one of those guys to play the 4th/5th OF role, but I'd think they want them getting consistent PA's in the minors instead of riding the bench most days in the bigs. If Davis stays healthy and hits well the rest of this year and next year in ST, I could see him getting the job. But how likely his he to stay healthy?

So I could definitely see them hanging on to Tauchman for that role again in 2025 unless Bellinger opts in on his contract. Then there's really no need for an additional OF on the roster.

If Bellinger opted to stay with the Cubs wouldn’t Tauchman have the same job he does now? Unless they add an outfield bat and go with 10 guys for 9 positions, why wouldn’t Tauchman have a spot.

If they added Alonso or Chapman via FA, or a catcher to share time with Amaya, or Vlad via trade, Tauchman definitely has a spot next year, even with Bellinger on the team. We have had so many complaints about the Cubs bench. So now if they have 10 guys for 9 spots that is one solid bench guy. Tauchman would be another. Get a solid catcher to share time with Amaya and that is another good bench guy. Why wouldn’t they want that? 

[Tim]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

If Bellinger opted to stay with the Cubs wouldn’t Tauchman have the same job he does now? Unless they add an outfield bat and go with 10 guys for 9 positions, why wouldn’t Tauchman have a spot.

If they added Alonso or Chapman via FA, or a catcher to share time with Amaya, or Vlad via trade, Tauchman definitely has a spot next year, even with Bellinger on the team. We have had so many complaints about the Cubs bench. So now if they have 10 guys for 9 spots that is one solid bench guy. Tauchman would be another. Get a solid catcher to share time with Amaya and that is another good bench guy. Why wouldn’t they want that? 

Because they'd already have four good outfielders for three spots. They've got 3-5 prospects who will likely be as good or better than Tauchman in 2025, who also provide roster flexibility to option back and forth to Iowa, as needed.

Also, Jed, if you are listening, for the love of God please don't sign Alonso to a multi-year contract.

[Rcal10]

14 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Boss is on vacation, I don't have an appointment until 2:30PM, so why not a far too early what I'd like to see in the offseason. 

I'm assuming Bellinger opts in at this point. I'm also assuming that Jed almost has to move some prospects  with Caissie/Shaw/Alcantara/Ballesteros/Triantos all likely ready to see time in 2025, unless they fall on their face.

1)  I'd like to bring in Carson Kelly(2/20) to split time with Amaya. He'd still get good number of starts behind the plate and other at bats as DH with injuries. He's a good enough back up where you still feel pretty good if Amaya gets hurt or becomes first half Amaya again. He's probably going to take starter money because he probably should be one, but he'd still probably see 250-300 ABs on the Cubs. 

2) Bryce Miller/Celesten for Caissie+Triantos. Seattle always needs bats and they acquire 2 that are just about major league ready. Miller has the stuff to be a top 2 starter in this rotation, but he needs some pitch usage tweaks especially on his breaking stuff. Celesten is very highly thought of, but also very far away. He's coming off hamate surgery but he also provides the kind of star power that the current farm is shallow in. 

3) Jack Flaherty 4/72- He's been excellent in 2024 and the only thing surpressing the price is his struggles the previous few years prior to this year, but he has a history of being good to  elite in 2018 and 2019. It's a Taillon contract, but significantly more upside. 

4) Sign David Robertson 2/20- Yeah he's 39 right now but that hasn't stopped him from putting up  3 excellent season in a row, including this one. He'll almost assuredly decline his $7M mutual offer with Texas and he's a guy guy who can play either the setup role or the closer role depending on need. 

5) Andrew Nardi for Alfonsin Rosario+Mervis. Nardi is nails on lefties and while the ERA isn't glowing this year, he's also sporting a 63.9LOB%. The FIP, xFIP, xERA all tell a much more positive story, like the one from his 2023 season. 

I'm not ready to hand Wicks/Assad a rotation spot and I'd love to move Taillon out, but I don't think that's likely.

 

C- Amaya(He's shown enough to be a part of the 2025 squad, but there's enough uncertainty that Jed is going to have to spend on a good backup, just in case)

1B- Busch(He's struggling right now, but he's shown enough)

2B- Nico(I'm torn here. I could 100% justifiably see him traded and Shaw plugged in, but would it make the 2025 team better?)

SS- Dansby( better 2nd half with the bat, defense back to elite levels after struggles early)

3B- Paredes(I am worried, but at the same time they're not going to give up on him after such a short time when he has a multi year track record)

LF- Happ(Solid as always)

CF- PCA(Has definitely earned the right to be the guy in 2025)

RF- Bellinger(I'd prefer he opted out because the offensive addition options are really limited if he doesn't, but it's not going to happen. At least this way RF gets a defensive upgrade)

DH- Seiya

Bench- Kelly, Vazquez, Alcantara, TBD on a suitable 3B back up in case Paredes continues to suck

Yeah, they don't really get that elite bat that they need, but at least it's a pretty deep lineup. 

 

SP- Steele/Shota/Flaherty/Miller/Taillon depth Wicks/Wesneski and eventually Horton/Birdsell

This should be a substantial upgrade on the 2024 Cubs with the upside for a dominant rotation.

RP- Robertson, Miller, Hodge, Assad, Brown, Nardi and the last two slots filled in by Neely/Little/Palencia/Pearson depending on health

Not a ton of necessary tweaks, a guy who can get lefties, a guy who can close but has the flexibility to become a setup man if someone like Hodge steps up. 

None of this is exciting, but also not bad. But for me, I would rather add one pitcher and one bat. Not 2 starting pitchers. I like both Miller and Flaherty, as well as several other options, but I would like to see them pick one. Then get a bat via FA or trade. There are probably 5-8 guys I wouldn’t mind seeing the Cubs go after, not counting Soto. Yes, it would mean they would essentially have 10 position players for 9 spots, but I am fine with that. That helps the bench. I don’t feel they need 2 starters. That 5th spot can go to Wicks, Wesneski, Assad, Brown, or another minor league arm. 

[Bertz]

The 2025 Cubs should have one of Bellinger or Tauchman but not both.  It's very straightforward IMO.

[Tim]

18 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

I'm assuming Bellinger opts in at this point. I'm also assuming that Jed almost has to move some prospects  with Caissie/Shaw/Alcantara/Ballesteros/Triantos all likely ready to see time in 2025, unless they fall on their face.

1)  I'd like to bring in Carson Kelly(2/20) to split time with Amaya. He'd still get good number of starts behind the plate and other at bats as DH with injuries. He's a good enough back up where you still feel pretty good if Amaya gets hurt or becomes first half Amaya again. He's probably going to take starter money because he probably should be one, but he'd still probably see 250-300 ABs on the Cubs. 

2) Bryce Miller/Celesten for Caissie+Triantos. Seattle always needs bats and they acquire 2 that are just about major league ready. Miller has the stuff to be a top 2 starter in this rotation, but he needs some pitch usage tweaks especially on his breaking stuff. Celesten is very highly thought of, but also very far away. He's coming off hamate surgery but he also provides the kind of star power that the current farm is shallow in. 

3) Jack Flaherty 4/72- He's been excellent in 2024 and the only thing surpressing the price is his struggles the previous few years prior to this year, but he has a history of being good to  elite in 2018 and 2019. It's a Taillon contract, but significantly more upside. 

4) Sign David Robertson 2/20- Yeah he's 39 right now but that hasn't stopped him from putting up  3 excellent season in a row, including this one. He'll almost assuredly decline his $7M mutual offer with Texas and he's a guy guy who can play either the setup role or the closer role depending on need. 

5) Andrew Nardi for Alfonsin Rosario+Mervis. Nardi is nails on lefties and while the ERA isn't glowing this year, he's also sporting a 63.9LOB%. The FIP, xFIP, xERA all tell a much more positive story, like the one from his 2023 season. 

I'm not ready to hand Wicks/Assad a rotation spot and I'd love to move Taillon out, but I don't think that's likely.

I could live with this. I'd want to tweak some of it with different targets and players being sent out, but as a general outline if Bellinger opts in, I think we'll need something similar to this.

• Another catcher
• 1-2 upside starters
• Two strong relievers, one of them closer quality and one lefty

If Bellinger opts in, I do wonder if Jed tries to get creative by trading a position player on the active roster. But I doubt it.

[Rcal10]

7 minutes ago, Tim said:

Because they'd already have four good outfielders for three spots. They've got 3-5 prospects who will likely be as good or better than Tauchman in 2025, who also provide roster flexibility to option back and forth to Iowa, as needed.

Also, Jed, if you are listening, for the love of God please don't sign Alonso to a multi-year contract.

TBH, Alonso wouldn’t be my choice either. And I wouldn’t do more than 3 years for him. But I know some people like him. If he ended up like Bellinger and Chapman did last off season, I would be ok with a short opt out heavy sort of deal with him, however. 

[mul21]

29 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Boss is on vacation, I don't have an appointment until 2:30PM, so why not a far too early what I'd like to see in the offseason. 

I'm assuming Bellinger opts in at this point. I'm also assuming that Jed almost has to move some prospects  with Caissie/Shaw/Alcantara/Ballesteros/Triantos all likely ready to see time in 2025, unless they fall on their face.

1)  I'd like to bring in Carson Kelly(2/20) to split time with Amaya. He'd still get good number of starts behind the plate and other at bats as DH with injuries. He's a good enough back up where you still feel pretty good if Amaya gets hurt or becomes first half Amaya again. He's probably going to take starter money because he probably should be one, but he'd still probably see 250-300 ABs on the Cubs. 

2) Bryce Miller/Celesten for Caissie+Triantos. Seattle always needs bats and they acquire 2 that are just about major league ready. Miller has the stuff to be a top 2 starter in this rotation, but he needs some pitch usage tweaks especially on his breaking stuff. Celesten is very highly thought of, but also very far away. He's coming off hamate surgery but he also provides the kind of star power that the current farm is shallow in. 

3) Jack Flaherty 4/72- He's been excellent in 2024 and the only thing surpressing the price is his struggles the previous few years prior to this year, but he has a history of being good to  elite in 2018 and 2019. It's a Taillon contract, but significantly more upside. 

4) Sign David Robertson 2/20- Yeah he's 39 right now but that hasn't stopped him from putting up  3 excellent season in a row, including this one. He'll almost assuredly decline his $7M mutual offer with Texas and he's a guy guy who can play either the setup role or the closer role depending on need. 

5) Andrew Nardi for Alfonsin Rosario+Mervis. Nardi is nails on lefties and while the ERA isn't glowing this year, he's also sporting a 63.9LOB%. The FIP, xFIP, xERA all tell a much more positive story, like the one from his 2023 season. 

I'm not ready to hand Wicks/Assad a rotation spot and I'd love to move Taillon out, but I don't think that's likely.

 

C- Amaya(He's shown enough to be a part of the 2025 squad, but there's enough uncertainty that Jed is going to have to spend on a good backup, just in case)

1B- Busch(He's struggling right now, but he's shown enough)

2B- Nico(I'm torn here. I could 100% justifiably see him traded and Shaw plugged in, but would it make the 2025 team better?)

SS- Dansby( better 2nd half with the bat, defense back to elite levels after struggles early)

3B- Paredes(I am worried, but at the same time they're not going to give up on him after such a short time when he has a multi year track record)

LF- Happ(Solid as always)

CF- PCA(Has definitely earned the right to be the guy in 2025)

RF- Bellinger(I'd prefer he opted out because the offensive addition options are really limited if he doesn't, but it's not going to happen. At least this way RF gets a defensive upgrade)

DH- Seiya

Bench- Kelly, Vazquez, Alcantara, TBD on a suitable 3B back up in case Paredes continues to suck

Yeah, they don't really get that elite bat that they need, but at least it's a pretty deep lineup. 

 

SP- Steele/Shota/Flaherty/Miller/Taillon depth Wicks/Wesneski and eventually Horton/Birdsell

This should be a substantial upgrade on the 2024 Cubs with the upside for a dominant rotation.

RP- Robertson, Miller, Hodge, Assad, Brown, Nardi and the last two slots filled in by Neely/Little/Palencia/Pearson depending on health

Not a ton of necessary tweaks, a guy who can get lefties, a guy who can close but has the flexibility to become a setup man if someone like Hodge steps up. 

I don't have any real objection to much of this but Flaherty's shoulder exploding during a 4 year deal seems like a near guarantee.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'm not sure why you'd make a significant $/trade investment in 2 SP, especially without having Wicks/Brown outgoing that offseason.  For me the team has 4 additions of significance to make, you can turn the dials on your preferred amount of money/prospects to invest in each:
 

• Catcher - FA options here are mostly Jansen and possibly Kelly, trade options are probably more pie in the sky but could include most of the AL West(O'Hoppe, Langeliers, Raleigh).  This is also a place where I could see a buy-low trade of some sort but probably not a Busch trade for someone with no MLB experience given the position
• Bat - Yes, even with Bellinger opting in.  The team needs more thump if it's going to go with a defensive spine of Amaya/Swanson/Hoerner/PCA.  FA could include Soto, Alonso, Santander, Martinez; Trade options include Vlad, Tucker, Brandon Lowe, and certainly others.  Possible to see essentially another Busch deal here if the price is right
• SP - It's been Jed's MO to add a SP per offseason and with the injuries to the young arms I expect this to be no different.  FA can range from Burnes to Eovaldi to Flaherty to Bieber to Buehler, trade options range from a Mariner to a Marlin to Keller and others.  I don't expect a buy-low trade given you don't want to pay to add an arm you don't have any more confidence in than Wicks/Brown/Assad/Wesneski, but it's not *impossible*
• Late inning RP - too many options to mention, but an 8 figure or close to it salary should probably be expected, or an equivalent trade cost if it's for someone pre-FA

[Rob]

I'm talking myself into trading Busch+ for a Mariners SP and throwing prospects at the Blue Jays for Vlad.

[squally1313]

42 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Possible to see essentially another Busch deal here if the price is right

A top prospect with a bad debut and a blocked path to the majors? That's Jackson Holliday/Coby Mayo music!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

4 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

A top prospect with a bad debut and a blocked path to the majors? That's Jackson Holliday/Coby Mayo music!

Manzardo in Cleveland might be another one, though Naylor being one year from FA is a lot less permanent than Freddie Freeman.  Maybe Curtis Mead too?

Of course, the counter-argument is that you can just give that opportunity to Alcantara/Caissie pretty easily since they aren't exactly of worse pedigree.

[Tryptamine]

1 hour ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

I'm not sure why you'd make a significant $/trade investment in 2 SP, especially without having Wicks/Brown outgoing that offseason.  For me the team has 4 additions of significance to make, you can turn the dials on your preferred amount of money/prospects to invest in each:
 

• Catcher - FA options here are mostly Jansen and possibly Kelly, trade options are probably more pie in the sky but could include most of the AL West(O'Hoppe, Langeliers, Raleigh).  This is also a place where I could see a buy-low trade of some sort but probably not a Busch trade for someone with no MLB experience given the position
• Bat - Yes, even with Bellinger opting in.  The team needs more thump if it's going to go with a defensive spine of Amaya/Swanson/Hoerner/PCA.  FA could include Soto, Alonso, Santander, Martinez; Trade options include Vlad, Tucker, Brandon Lowe, and certainly others.  Possible to see essentially another Busch deal here if the price is right
• SP - It's been Jed's MO to add a SP per offseason and with the injuries to the young arms I expect this to be no different.  FA can range from Burnes to Eovaldi to Flaherty to Bieber to Buehler, trade options range from a Mariner to a Marlin to Keller and others.  I don't expect a buy-low trade given you don't want to pay to add an arm you don't have any more confidence in than Wicks/Brown/Assad/Wesneski, but it's not *impossible*
• Late inning RP - too many options to mention, but an 8 figure or close to it salary should probably be expected, or an equivalent trade cost if it's for someone pre-FA

The issue is where is this person going to play? Who are you kicking out of the lineup? Having both Seiya and Bellinger on the team kind of makes going after Soto, Alsono Santander, Martinez impossible unless you're moving on from Busch, which I guess I could get behind but would anyone give up the haul that would actually make it worth while?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just now, Tryptamine said:

The issue is where is this person going to play? Who are you kicking out of the lineup? Having both Seiya and Bellinger on the team kind of makes going after Soto, Alsono Santander, Martinez impossible unless you're moving on from Busch, which I guess I could get behind but would anyone give up the haul that would actually make it worth while?

No one!  Between rest, inevitable injuries, and the possibility of declining performance, this will not be an actual problem in practice.  6 players for 5 spots means everyone averages 135 games.  There are only 4 Cubs currently playing above that rate and 2 of them are Swanson and Hoerner who aren't relevant to this particular dynamic.