General Offseason Priorities

[Hairyducked Idiot]

3 hours ago, Rex Buckingham said:

That's a foolish take. If Juan Soto says, "I want to sign with you, if you'll just put an opt-out in there for me after year x." You put the opt-out in. Even if it's after year 1, you put it in because you get to have Juan Soto for a year and he's going to make your baseball team a lot better

Personally I'd like to see them think a bit more critically than that 

[LBiittner]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Ok, Bellinger opts out and they trade for Tucker instead of Vlad. Problem solved. Again, have to sign him long term though. 

Did I miss a mlb story? Do the Astros hate having Tucker in their lineup?

[Cuzi]

6 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Did I miss a mlb story? Do the Astros hate having Tucker in their lineup?

1 year remaining. Swept out of playoffs. About to sit down with Bregman and negotiate a new contract.

The Astros aren't against spending money, but they also havent chased contracts that Tucker is going to command. If they sign Bregman to a new deal, I can easily see a world where they unload Tucker for a very nice package of players and continue to build around Alvarez, Altuve, and Bregman.

[LBiittner]

3 hours ago, Joj said:

Busch has been a 2B his whole life 

I'm claiming fake news!

He was primarily a firstbaseman in college. And he was a shortstop while in high school.

J/k

[LBiittner]

1 minute ago, Cuzi said:

1 year remaining. Swept out of playoffs. About to sit down with Bregman and negotiate a new contract.

The Astros aren't against spending money, but they also havent chased contracts that Tucker is going to command. If they sign Bregman to a new deal, I can easily see a world where they unload Tucker for a very nice package of players and continue to build around Alvarez, Altuve, and Bregman.

I appreciate this. But I was simply pointing out making a trade isn't a slam dunk as he was suggesting

[Bertz]

MLBTR has a good article on the Astros this afternoon

Reading between all the lines here Framber feels like the likely productive veteran to get dealt, but Tucker getting dealt isn't crazy.

[CubinNY]

1 minute ago, Bertz said:

MLBTR has a good article on the Astros this afternoon

Reading between all the lines here Framber feels like the likely productive veteran to get dealt, but Tucker getting dealt isn't crazy.

I know the Cubs are looking for pitching, but I want no part of that. 

[Rcal10]

37 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

I appreciate this. But I was simply pointing out making a trade isn't a slam dunk as he was suggesting

I never suggesting trading for Tucker was a slam dunk. I was just pointing out if people had an issue with targeting Vlad because he is right handed, the Cubs could look to Houston to see what they want for Tucker. We have talked about adding a big bat here for some time now. Soto has been mentioned as a FA and Vlad and Tucker have been mentioned as a trade. Of course it won’t be easy to get it done. But neither would trading for Vlad or signing Soto.. 

[Stratos]

I don't see why Soto would want an opt-out.  It doesn't hurt but he's not going to e.g. take less money overall so he can have an opt-out.  He'll never be in a better situation going into FA and opting out in 5 years to possibly get a bit more money is more like splitting hairs.

[Tim]

10 minutes ago, Stratos said:

I don't see why Soto would want an opt-out.  It doesn't hurt but he's not going to e.g. take less money overall so he can have an opt-out.  He'll never be in a better situation going into FA and opting out in 5 years to possibly get a bit more money is more like splitting hairs.

I'd actually guess he'd tie it to the new CBA timing, plus still being young enough to get paid bigly.

That leaves himself the flexibility to opt out if there is more money available with new TV deals, streaming, etc 

Plus it gives an out of his team treats him like Trout.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Stratos said:

I don't see why Soto would want an opt-out.  It doesn't hurt but he's not going to e.g. take less money overall so he can have an opt-out.  He'll never be in a better situation going into FA and opting out in 5 years to possibly get a bit more money is more like splitting hairs.

I don’t know if he would want one or not. I just wouldn’t want that to be the line in the sand the Cubs put down if they actually had a chance to sign him. I wouldn’t be  interested if he wanted it after the first 2 years, but after year 3 (maybe) or 4 (definitely)I wouldn’t have a problem with it. The issue isn’t will he want one. You may be right. He might not want one. He might use it as leverage to get something else. This isn’t a decision on if he would demand one. It is a discussion on if he did demand one should the Cubs drop out of the bidding for him. I would much rather get Soto for 4 years in his absolute prime than not at all. 

[LBiittner]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I never suggesting trading for Tucker was a slam dunk. I was just pointing out if people had an issue with targeting Vlad because he is right handed, the Cubs could look to Houston to see what they want for Tucker. We have talked about adding a big bat here for some time now. Soto has been mentioned as a FA and Vlad and Tucker have been mentioned as a trade. Of course it won’t be easy to get it done. But neither would trading for Vlad or signing Soto.. 

Sorry, your words not mine:

"If you can't get Vlad, trade for Tucker. Problem solved." 

I guess if we can't sign burnes we'll trade for crochet. Easy peasy. 

 

[Rcal10]

49 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Sorry, your words not mine:

"If you can't get Vlad, trade for Tucker. Problem solved." 

I guess if we can't sign burnes we'll trade for crochet. Easy peasy. 

 

Well if you read comments prior to my posts you would have seen Vlad mentioned as a trade possibility. Of course I didn’t see a smart ass comment after that. However then someone posted the issue they had with trading for Vlad was he was a right handed bat and he wanted a lefty. Bertz suggested that was a concern for him as well. Since most of the talk about a big bat being added via trade centered around Vlad, Tucker and Rooker, with some also adding Robert, I light heartedly mentioned if you want a lefty go get Tucker. Problem solved. This wasn’t meant to be some great trade proposal. It was just a throw away comment using the one lefty bat people have commented on previously. And as Cuzi pointed out, the reason the Astros might be willing to move him is due to a possible payroll situation. 
I never said it was a slam dunk. Never said it was easy peezy. Just talking Cubs baseball. 

Edited October 4, 2024 by Rcal10

[Backtobanks]

1 hour ago, LBiittner said:

Sorry, your words not mine:

"If you can't get Vlad, trade for Tucker. Problem solved." 

I guess if we can't sign burnes we'll trade for crochet. Easy peasy. 

 

Obviously, we don't know if Vlad, Tucker, Crochet, etc. are available, but all I have been hearing on the board is how much money we have and how fantastic our ml system is, so we have the assets to pretty much acquire anybody that available.  We might have to overpay in dollars for a FA and prospects in a trade, but now is the time to do it.

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, Backtobanks said:

Obviously, we don't know if Vlad, Tucker, Crochet, etc. are available, but all I have been hearing on the board is how much money we have and how fantastic our ml system is, so we have the assets to pretty much acquire anybody that available.  We might have to overpay in dollars for a FA and prospects in a trade, but now is the time to do it.

Well said. 

[Stratos]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I don’t know if he would want one or not. I just wouldn’t want that to be the line in the sand the Cubs put down if they actually had a chance to sign him. I wouldn’t be  interested if he wanted it after the first 2 years, but after year 3 (maybe) or 4 (definitely)I wouldn’t have a problem with it. The issue isn’t will he want one. You may be right. He might not want one. He might use it as leverage to get something else. This isn’t a decision on if he would demand one. It is a discussion on if he did demand one should the Cubs drop out of the bidding for him. I would much rather get Soto for 4 years in his absolute prime than not at all. 

Exactly.  If the choice is putting in an opt out after 1 year or 2 years or 4 years or not getting Soto then you give him the opt-out.  I don't want a 35 year old Soto making top salary anyways.  The Cubs ideally don't want any high-salary position player older than 32-33 because why would they?  Not to mention when he's older he'll very likely be a DH.   In fact if the Cubs or most any team could choose the years they'd probably sign Soto through age 30 or so, maybe 32 max.  Worst-case scenario is you get all that salary back to spend on another star player in the prime.

[LBiittner]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Well if you read comments prior to my posts you would have seen Vlad mentioned as a trade possibility. Of course I didn’t see a smart ass comment after that. However then someone posted the issue they had with trading for Vlad was he was a right handed bat and he wanted a lefty. Bertz suggested that was a concern for him as well. Since most of the talk about a big bat being added via trade centered around Vlad, Tucker and Rooker, with some also adding Robert, I light heartedly mentioned if you want a lefty go get Tucker. Problem solved. This wasn’t meant to be some great trade proposal. It was just a throw away comment using the one lefty bat people have commented on previously. And as Cuzi pointed out, the reason the Astros might be willing to move him is due to a possible payroll situation. 
I never said it was a slam dunk. Never said it was easy peezy. Just talking Cubs baseball. 

This is probably shocking for both you and me to admit, but not every mlb player lusts to play in Chicago. They don't have a soft spot in their hearts for the history of the glorious friendly confines. They don't care about the ghostly echos of Ronnie Woo. Heck they probably prefer New York style pizza over Chicago style. 

I've read the arguments we have 80 million to spend! Doesn't mean jed will spend biblical amounts in 25. There are 30 teams. Several have owners willing to spend.

Soto, Tucker, vlad, Cease might not want to sign long term deals with jed. I fell for the ohtani / cubs hype last offseason. I'm not gonna get suckered in this time. He's gonna build an 85 win team and try to squeeze in. 

I know jed has bushels full of prospects down on the farm. Sadly, very few are pitchers who ain't wearing bandages.

We need to realize Rickets and Hoyer. Rickets and Hoyer. Would you buy a used car from these guys?

[Cuzi]

1 hour ago, Stratos said:

The Cubs ideally don't want any high-salary position player older than 32-33 because why would they? 

Because it's the Cubs? Because they are the 4th largest market in baseball? Because that's what the market says it takes to get top tier talent? Because in the grand scheme of Cubs revenue a single mega contract doesn't mean a damn thing?

[jumbo]

What are thoughts on Shaw being with the team from the break and playing regularly with the 2B/SS/3B group? 

Say 6 games a week, 18 game slots get split like 5/5/4/4 between Dansby/Paredes/Nico/Shaw. Nico and Shaw can move around based on who isn't playing. In the event of injury the other three play every day. 

Keep Shaw from being thrown to the wolves or rotting on the bench, gives you a little matchup related action.... 

[Rex Buckingham]

1 hour ago, jumbo said:

What are thoughts on Shaw being with the team from the break and playing regularly with the 2B/SS/3B group? 

Say 6 games a week, 18 game slots get split like 5/5/4/4 between Dansby/Paredes/Nico/Shaw. Nico and Shaw can move around based on who isn't playing. In the event of injury the other three play every day. 

Keep Shaw from being thrown to the wolves or rotting on the bench, gives you a little matchup related action.... 

As much as I would like to see this, I won't believe it til i see it. I just don't think they'll take Dansby or Nico out of the lineup that much unless it's injury related. 

However, they have shown a tendency to get banged up enough that Shaw can get plenty of ABs so I'm not opposed to him opening the season in the majors. Though I might prefer he stays in AAA with a guy like Vazquez in the bigs til an injury pops up or performance forces the issue.

[Stratos]

7 hours ago, Cuzi said:

Because it's the Cubs? Because they are the 4th largest market in baseball? Because that's what the market says it takes to get top tier talent? Because in the grand scheme of Cubs revenue a single mega contract doesn't mean a damn thing?

I said ideally.  In terms of payroll of course it matters, unless you're working with a blank cheque, which we never have been.

[Cuzi]

3 hours ago, jumbo said:

What are thoughts on Shaw being with the team from the break and playing regularly with the 2B/SS/3B group? 

Say 6 games a week, 18 game slots get split like 5/5/4/4 between Dansby/Paredes/Nico/Shaw. Nico and Shaw can move around based on who isn't playing. In the event of injury the other three play every day. 

Keep Shaw from being thrown to the wolves or rotting on the bench, gives you a little matchup related action.... 

Cubs have Vazquez and they'll have to add Ben Cowles to the 40 min this winter. That's 2 backup middle infielders. No need to rush Shaw to the majors to ride the bench for maybe 30 starts.

[Bertz]

This would be a very good mind to bring into the org for one of those special advisor type roles.  And if Jed needs to be shown the door sometime in the next year....

[Cuzi]

I wonder how available Clark Schmidt will be this offseason. If the Yankees lose Soto, they have 2 spots in the outfield to fill with Verdugo almost certainly not coming back. Jasson Dominguez is bound to get one of those spots, but they dont have anything for the other spot. They also need a new 2B/3B with Torres gone and Chisholm filling in wherever. They also need 1B. There's a lot to line up with the Cubs there and Schmidt is like #4 in their rotation with their top pitching prospect throwing some in MLB late in the season.

Schmidt would fit that Paredes type trade Jed was hinting at.

[Rcal10]

9 hours ago, LBiittner said:

This is probably shocking for both you and me to admit, but not every mlb player lusts to play in Chicago. They don't have a soft spot in their hearts for the history of the glorious friendly confines. They don't care about the ghostly echos of Ronnie Woo. Heck they probably prefer New York style pizza over Chicago style. 

I've read the arguments we have 80 million to spend! Doesn't mean jed will spend biblical amounts in 25. There are 30 teams. Several have owners willing to spend.

Soto, Tucker, vlad, Cease might not want to sign long term deals with jed. I fell for the ohtani / cubs hype last offseason. I'm not gonna get suckered in this time. He's gonna build an 85 win team and try to squeeze in. 

I know jed has bushels full of prospects down on the farm. Sadly, very few are pitchers who ain't wearing bandages.

We need to realize Rickets and Hoyer. Rickets and Hoyer. Would you buy a used car from these guys?

I realize what will bring a player to Chicago is offering the most money. PERIOD! I also realize the Cubs FO hasn’t proven they will provide the most money for ELITE talent, up until now. But they are in the best position they have been in for a long time. Prospects are probably at max value. They team is decent as is. No bad contracts of any consequence. They have money, especially if Bellinger opts out. And Jed is on the last year of his deal. The time is now to put up or shut up. As for your criticism on Hoyer and Ricketts, I don’t agree with that. If the Cubs make the best offer in a trade or offer a FA the best deal, no one in baseball is going to tell them no because they view them as used car salesman.  While I agree with you that playing in Wrigley and in Chicago isn’t going to sell a FA, if the mkneh isn’t there, I don’t think it will be a deterrent if the money is there. 
to be clear, I am not suggesting I like Hoyer or Ricketts, I am saying industry wide, in the world of the mlb, I doubt they are viewed as terrible people to play for.