Non-Soto FA thread

[CubinNY]

I really want them to go after Fried, he’s just the guy to solidify the group. It pains me so much to know they aren’t even involved. 

[Backtobanks]

8 hours ago, CubinNY said:

I really want them to go after Fried, he’s just the guy to solidify the group. It pains me so much to know they aren’t even involved. 

Fried is better, but Flaherty would work too.  Unfortunately, he's probably out of our price range too.

 

[Tank]

Just now, Backtobanks said:

Fried is better, but Flaherty would work too.  Unfortunately, he's probably out of our price range too.

 

A phrase Cubs fans should never have to utter.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Backtobanks said:

Fried is better, but Flaherty would work too.  Unfortunately, he's probably out of our price range too.

 

I think Flaherty is possible. To me the bigger issue with the Cubs is the QO penalty. And that isn’t a problem with Flaherty. I don’t think the $21M to maybe $24M a year and a 4 or 5 year deal is as big a deal as a pitcher having a QO attached to him. In the end they might not feel he is worth that money, but I am not ruling him out. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

I bet they pick up Buehler and Bieber as a multi year project

[chibears55]

20 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

You are kind of saying what I am saying, I think. Is adding someone like Eovaldi to the rotation a significant upgrade over Hendricks? I would say yes. Is adding a FA catcher like Kelly, Jansen or Yankees catcher an upgrade of the catcher position? Again, I would say yes. Does adding another pen arm upgrade the pen? That arm and Morgan added, I would say yes. Does maybe adding Grichek to the bench to replace Wisdom provide an upgrade? Again, yes. Maybe not one move is significant by itself, but 4 decent moves does make for a significant upgrade to the roster. And that doesnt Include a possible trade for another starting pitcher. Do you think all of this is possible? Not the exact moves. But similar moves? I do. And I would call that significant. They may not do it. But I am asking you, if they did, would that be significant?

That the magic question,  will they do it ?

Will they add 3-4 players that are more then just a step or so better then who they are replacing on the roster ? 

 significantly better to me is a player that more a 2 to 2.5 steps+ better then the previous one.

I just dont think we will see that, I think whomever they add will just be guys that'll be payroll friendly and not be anyone that'll make us say wow glad we got that guy type 

 

 

[Rcal10]

30 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

That the magic question,  will they do it ?

Will they add 3-4 players that are more then just a step or so better then who they are replacing on the roster ? 

 significantly better to me is a player that more a 2 to 2.5 steps+ better then the previous one.

I just dont think we will see that, I think whomever they add will just be guys that'll be payroll friendly and not be anyone that'll make us say wow glad we got that guy type 

 

 

Well then I agree with you. Basically everyone agrees with you. I don’t think anyone has suggested they are going to get Soto or Burnes. Heard a little about Fried, but the Cubs basically told everyone they weren’t going there either. Honestly I don’t even know what 2 to 2.5 steps better than what they have even means. If you are waiting for those moves and are saying those won’t happen, again, I agree. But 3 to 4 smaller moves does move the needle up on an 83 win team. A starter better than Hendricks helps. Adding Morgan and another solid pen arm helps. Adding a decent catcher helps and adding a decent bench bat helps. They may also get help from either a trade of minor league assets or from the minors. When you say you don’t think you will see it does that mean you don’t think they will see these sort of moves or the “significant” (2 to 2.5 or more steps better) moves. Because on the first idea, I would disagree with you. I do expect at least 3 or 4 more moves this off season. On the idea of the significant step up, I would suggest that is obviously not happening, they have never indicated that would happen and no one expects it to happen. 

[thawv]

22 hours ago, chibears55 said:

I wasn't suggesting they won't spend, just not spending on guys that are above mid range and yes go over the Threshold.

Im just not expecting much of an offseason  from them as far as any significant upgrades, i do see them adding better options to the pitching and bench players.

I feel as the season goes on we may just see more of the ready prospects coming up  added to the roster then we will see any new players they'll add from outside transactions this offseason. 

Who are they going to bench or release to call up prospects?  Trades maybe?

[Cuzi]

1 hour ago, thawv said:

Who are they going to bench or release to call up prospects?  Trades maybe?

The guys you would call up are already on the 40 man for the most part. Shaw is still off but its not hard to think of who to dump when calling him up. They can DFA Mastrobuoni or Mervis.

[Rcal10]

49 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

The guys you would call up are already on the 40 man for the most part. Shaw is still off but its not hard to think of who to dump when calling him up. They can DFA Mastrobuoni or Mervis.

I can see Shaw being put on the 40 man. He might even be the starting second baseman while Nico is out. If he does well I can see him sticking. He might even be able to play 3 times a week, when Nico comes back. Give either Nico, Swanson, Parades, & Busch a day off and maybe even DH a day. This is all provided he is playing well. I would not want him up as the 26th man used sparingly. 

[Rob]

Cubs add reliever Brooks Kriske, per his own post on Instagram.

He's out of options, so I'm assuming it's a minor league deal. Or he'll be cut in spring training when it's clear he can't magically throw strikes.

[Dfan25]

Congrats to the Cubs ownership . They just won the dork of the week award from Ken Rosenthal . Well deserved  

 

[chibears55]

12 hours ago, thawv said:

Who are they going to bench or release to call up prospects?  Trades maybe?

Most likely trades, injuries

We will more then likely see Caissie and Shaw at some point during the season to stick around, not sure if there's really any other position player that would be considered in their likelihood percentage this coming season, but surprises do happen sometimes. 

[chibears55]

13 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Well then I agree with you. Basically everyone agrees with you. I don’t think anyone has suggested they are going to get Soto or Burnes. Heard a little about Fried, but the Cubs basically told everyone they weren’t going there either. Honestly I don’t even know what 2 to 2.5 steps better than what they have even means. If you are waiting for those moves and are saying those won’t happen, again, I agree. But 3 to 4 smaller moves does move the needle up on an 83 win team. A starter better than Hendricks helps. Adding Morgan and another solid pen arm helps. Adding a decent catcher helps and adding a decent bench bat helps. They may also get help from either a trade of minor league assets or from the minors. When you say you don’t think you will see it does that mean you don’t think they will see these sort of moves or the “significant” (2 to 2.5 or more steps better) moves. Because on the first idea, I would disagree with you. I do expect at least 3 or 4 more moves this off season. On the idea of the significant step up, I would suggest that is obviously not happening, they have never indicated that would happen and no one expects it to happen. 

I dont see the significant ones, just ones that will just make us go, ok they got a body, hopefully he'll be good or better then who they had.

[Rcal10]

48 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I dont see the significant ones, just ones that will just make us go, ok they got a body, hopefully he'll be good or better then who they had.

So who Aren significant players the cubs could sign but won’t sign. I am very curious as to who you are suggesting they won’t sign or add to the team which is not obvious to all of us.

[Bertz]

 

 

 

 

 

[chibears55]

18 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

So who Aren significant players the cubs could sign but won’t sign. I am very curious as to who you are suggesting they won’t sign or add to the team which is not obvious to all of us.

Who is it i dont see them signing as far as significant position players goes ?

Pretty much any really good player that'll be looking for at minimum a 4 yr deal and over 20 mil per and unless Bellinger or another regular position player is traded, I just dont think Hoyer will go and add anyone other then 2 or 3 players who will accept a 1-3 year deal at a reasonable cost and are willing to be role/bench players.

If he does add a player of what i consider significant,  it'll likely be a SP.

Sasaki is limited to the international bonus pool, so Hoyer will have to decide if he wants to put it all into him or spread it out towards the others they are tied to.

 

Bullpen will be consisted of players they already have and recently added, other then players that will accept 1 year deals or minor league deal, i don't feel Hoyer will add anyone on a multi year deal for the bullpen like a true closer.

 

So yeah, I don't expect much happening this offseason other then players that will replace the backups they let go of.

 

[CubinNY]

Hoyer will have to show more creativity than Busch last offseason. The starting  9 are locked with the exception of Nico (injured, he isn’t getting traded, no chance) and Amaya. 
 

I’d like to see the trade for Teel if they can get Boston to talk. They need young pitching. I’d trade Horton for him but I doubt if that would be enough. 
 

They’ve (Tommy Boy and his Tommy Boy) been adamant about not paying for past production. I don’t think any FA looking for a big contract is what they are looking for. 
 

There is a lot of offseason left but unless they show more imagination then they’ve ever shown, we are looking at another mid level team. That may be enough to win the Central but lots of “variance” will need to fall on their side of the ledger. 
 

Who knows if Shota will ever match his last season and everyone on the offensive side will be a year older. 

[muntjack]

In 2019, Miguel Amaya put up a 122 wRC+ in A+.  After that,  he had a grand total of 382 PAs between Tennessee and Iowa before getting called up in '23.    

I would expect even a tip-top prospect to struggle with that accelerated ascent, even  as covid and injuries made it seem like he was taking forever.  Instead, a pretty respectable 96 wRC+ in 23 before the struggle and adjustment we all saw last season.  

All this to say that Miguel has acquitted himself pretty well,  and giving up our top pitching prospect for any C that isn't a slam-dunk upgrade seems like a mistake. 

[Stratos]

Guys we only need to improve the hitting, starting pitching, and bullpen.  Everything's going to be fine.

[thawv]

On 11/29/2024 at 10:01 AM, Cuzi said:

The guys you would call up are already on the 40 man for the most part. Shaw is still off but its not hard to think of who to dump when calling him up. They can DFA Mastrobuoni or Mervis.

Who on the active roster are they going to remove or bench? 

[Rcal10]

15 hours ago, chibears55 said:

Who is it i dont see them signing as far as significant position players goes ?

Pretty much any really good player that'll be looking for at minimum a 4 yr deal and over 20 mil per and unless Bellinger or another regular position player is traded, I just dont think Hoyer will go and add anyone other then 2 or 3 players who will accept a 1-3 year deal at a reasonable cost and are willing to be role/bench players.

If he does add a player of what i consider significant,  it'll likely be a SP.

Sasaki is limited to the international bonus pool, so Hoyer will have to decide if he wants to put it all into him or spread it out towards the others they are tied to.

 

Bullpen will be consisted of players they already have and recently added, other then players that will accept 1 year deals or minor league deal, i don't feel Hoyer will add anyone on a multi year deal for the bullpen like a true closer.

 

So yeah, I don't expect much happening this offseason other then players that will replace the backups they let go of.

 

Within the parameters you set I can see the following off season all with FA signings. Eovaldi(3/$57M), Finnagen 1/$10M), FA catchers (2/$15M) and Grichek (1/$8M). All in $44.5M and under budget. Obviously there are all sorts of other options. They could also make trades. But the point is all of these would fit what you suggested. I think the only place we differ is I would consider this an active off season and you seem to be suggesting something like this wouldn’t be much. If you add Parades and Pearson along with Morgan, that is 7 different players on the team to start 25 then there was in early July of 24’. I 100% agree with you that they are not going to sign a “star” player to a long deal. But 5 moves in the off season, added to a couple in the last part of last season is significant chance that can improve the team significantly. 

[Rcal10]

55 minutes ago, thawv said:

Who on the active roster are they going to remove or bench? 

I think the only way one of the guys in the minors breaks through is if they dealt Bellinger. Assuming that doesn’t happen the only other way is if Shaw comes up to start the season while Nico is out. If he does well maybe he sticks and the Cubs go with some sort of rotation that gets him in games 3 to 4 times a week. Other than that, I don’t see the top prospects filling the bench and helping the team in 25’. I think Canario and Cowles are far more likely to be on the bench next year than Shaw and either Cassie or Alcantara. I would think they would want regular AB from the top prospects. 

[thawv]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

I think the only way one of the guys in the minors breaks through is if they dealt Bellinger. Assuming that doesn’t happen the only other way is if Shaw comes up to start the season while Nico is out. If he does well maybe he sticks and the Cubs go with some sort of rotation that gets him in games 3 to 4 times a week. Other than that, I don’t see the top prospects filling the bench and helping the team in 25’. I think Canario and Cowles are far more likely to be on the bench next year than Shaw and either Cassie or Alcantara. I would think they would want regular AB from the top prospects. 

This is exactly what I think.  Shaw, Caissie, Alcantara are not targeted for the bench.  Canario and Cowles are very much bench players.  I want to move on from Nico as soon as possible to free up 650 plate appearances for Shaw.  Everything we've read and seen is telling us that he's a much better offensive player than Nico.  Having his face more AAA is going to do nothing for him.  He needs to grow as a big league player, not a minor league player.  He's 5 years remove from HS.  It's time. 

[Jason Ross]

14 minutes ago, thawv said:

This is exactly what I think.  Shaw, Caissie, Alcantara are not targeted for the bench.  Canario and Cowles are very much bench players.  I want to move on from Nico as soon as possible to free up 650 plate appearances for Shaw.  Everything we've read and seen is telling us that he's a much better offensive player than Nico.  Having his face more AAA is going to do nothing for him.  He needs to grow as a big league player, not a minor league player.  He's 5 years remove from HS.  It's time. 

Pete Crow-Armstrong was just fine doing the "wait until an injury opens up PT" plan. Shaw will be as well. Any injury to a 2b, SS or 3B will open up time for him. It'll be fine. We shouldn't be in such a rush to move in from a 4 win player. 

 

If a really good trade presents itself? Okay we can talk. But there is *literally* no rush.