Cubs (Hendricks) vs Rockies (Quantrill): 9/15/24, 2:10pm

[Rob]

6 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

You have to think the Cubs wouldn't mind a comparable return for one of their similarly blocked AAA players.

Busch was blocked by Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.

We don't have anybody blocked to the same degree they did.

[JHBulls]

This would be a new way to lose

[Irrelevant Dude]

1 minute ago, Rob said:

Busch was blocked by Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.

We don't have anybody blocked to the same degree they did.

Obviously not, but blocked is blocked.  It's going to be hard for anyone to get consistent playing time when there is an established starter in front of them, which the Cubs have at essentially every position except Catcher.  I'm not saying you deal everyone who is currently blocked, but the Cubs have to identify which ones they want to keep and which ones to move on from, and they need to do that soon.

[Tim]

4 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

Obviously not, but blocked is blocked.  It's going to be hard for anyone to get consistent playing time when there is an established starter in front of them, which the Cubs have at essentially every position except Catcher.  I'm not saying you deal everyone who is currently blocked, but the Cubs have to identify which ones they want to keep and which ones to move on from, and they need to do that soon.

As of today's game, the Cubs have 3+ win players at LF, RF, SS, 2B. PCA is on a 4+ win pace in CF. Busch is at 2.6 in his rookie year at 1B. Paredes has sucked with the Cubs, but he's been a 3 win player multiple times recently. As you say, then there's catcher. But I could also add a Zobrist super-sub type of role, and DH. If Bellinger opts in, then that takes the DH out of the equation.

Part of the difference with Busch and our guys in AAA is age. Shaw is 22, Moises is 20 and the others are 21. There's definitely not quite the same urgency for them to get their MLB careers underway. Alcantara will be the only one on his last option year in 2025. 

I could absolutely see the Cubs putting Shaw into a Zobrist-style role. I could see them getting Alcantara periodic MLB PA's during the year to have him take over the Tauchman role in 2026. I also think they'll want to prioritize trading a couple of those guys for MLB pitching, though.

They may be okay with a Cubs-Dodgers style trade for Alcantara since he's low on options, but I don't think they'd do it for any of the others. And I'm sure they'd rather package him in a deal for a starter.

[LBiittner]

1 hour ago, JHBulls said:

 

The ladies like Patrick Wisdom, so I suppose that’s a positive. 

My wife would vote yes, sigh

[BKHoo]

Wow Kyle is humble. “Super grateful for getting starts I did not deserve.” 

[LBiittner]

15 minutes ago, Tim said:

 

I could absolutely see the Cubs putting Shaw into a Zobrist-style role. 

 

I'm liking this idea a lot. Having him available to shift around 4 or more positions to allow for matchups, rest and injuries seems ideal to me

[chibears55]

2 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

7 K's for Hendricks.  Lock this guy up for next year.

Shhhh, Hoyer just might do it

[Derwood]

Round numbers are ultimately meaningless, but a couple more from Cody and we’d have four 20 HR guys

[Derwood]

Also one more steal from Cody and we’d have 6 guys with 10+ SB

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

You have to think the Cubs wouldn't mind a comparable return for one of their similarly blocked AAA players.

Why do the Cubs want another prospect for their near ready prospect. If they are trading a near ready guy I hope to hell it is for proven talent. Put a few young guys together and get a major leaguer. I am not interested in kicking the can down the road with younger prospects. 

[JHBulls]

1 hour ago, BKHoo said:

Wow Kyle is humble. “Super grateful for getting starts I did not deserve.” 

Today was his 97th win. Only enough days left in the year to get Kyle to 99 wins. 😞
 

Marquee have an opportunity for Kyle’s final Cub start to have Ryan Demspter in the booth. Cool things are cool.

Edited September 16, 2024 by JHBulls

[Cuzi]

4 hours ago, Tim said:

They may be okay with a Cubs-Dodgers style trade for Alcantara since he's low on options, but I don't think they'd do it for any of the others. And I'm sure they'd rather package him in a deal for a starter.

Wouldn't mind send Alcantara to the Marlins for a Cabrera + Nardi package.

[Rcal10]

10 hours ago, Cuzi said:

Wouldn't mind send Alcantara to the Marlins for a Cabrera + Nardi package.

I have no idea what prospects should go and for who. But I agree with you in that you want to trade prospects for mlb talent. That is 100% what they need to do next season. Not trade our near ready prospect who is blocked for younger talent and kick this thing down the road another few years. Time to use the young assets they have to produce major league talent. 

[BKHoo]

Next year guys! Next year is our year!! 😆 

[chibears55]

Say Bellinger opts in, that'll give them ...

Bellinger,  Happ, Suzuki,  PCA, Tauchman,  Caissie,  and  Alcantara for the outfield/DH. Assuming they don't go after any special FA outfielder (Soto).

 Busch, Hoerner, Swanson, Paredes,  and Shaw for the infield/DH

Almora, Bethencourt,  and Ballesteros for C

 

Are we really going to see the same 9 guys next season in lineup?

How close are Caissie, Shaw, and Alcantara to becoming everyday players?

Who will Hoyer look to hold or move in a deal for pitching upgrade ? 

Should be a very active and interesting offseason for Hoyer

 

[LBiittner]

18 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

 

Should be a very active and interesting offseason for Hoyer

 

Ya wanna bet? LoL

[Rcal10]

22 hours ago, Cuzi said:

Wouldn't mind send Alcantara to the Marlins for a Cabrera + Nardi package.

I would love to work a trade with Seattle. Any of the young guys they have in the rotation along with Raleigh would be who I would hope they would target. I know it wouldn’t be cheap, but they have the minor league resources to figure something out. And if getting both of them is too hard to do, just get a pitcher from them. 

[Cuzi]

4 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I would love to work a trade with Seattle. Any of the young guys they have in the rotation along with Raleigh would be who I would hope they would target. I know it wouldn’t be cheap, but they have the minor league resources to figure something out. And if getting both of them is too hard to do, just get a pitcher from them. 

What's in it for the Mariners to trade any of those guys?

Their OF is pretty set. They dont need Ballesteros. The only guy(s) I can imagine them being interested in are Shaw and Nico. Neither one is getting you one of the players you are talking about, let alone both.