Post Winter Meetings Free Agency thread

[Rcal10]

18 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Im kinda hoping they keep Bellinger,  i like the look of the lineup with him in it and the depth it gives the roster. 

I dont think they plan on adding another position player via trade or FA.

I think outside of maybe another bullpen arm, they are probably just looking at Sasaki  or another SP if they don't get him.

I think if they trade Bellinger they will add something. but nothing that big. A guy to cover third and first. Moncada, Solano…. Someone like that. 

[Rcal10]

14 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Even if a Bellinger deal can't get done, they could still fit Luzardo+Milner+Chafin and be ok on salary, no? I think I'd be ok with that team and fill out the bench with prospects.

I would like to have one guy who can play 3rd in the event Shaw struggles. In this scenerio it would be the cheaper of Moncada or Solano.

[chibears55]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

I would like to have one guy who can play 3rd in the event Shaw struggles. In this scenerio it would be the cheaper of Moncada or Solano.

They still have Mastrobuoni and Vazquez 🙄

But yeah come to think of it, with the uncertainty of when Hoerner will return, they may need to add a cheap infielder.

[LBiittner]

8 hours ago, thawv said:

I've seen one source, one time.  Excellent response, with yet another ignorant answer.  I'll assume that you don't have a source. 

Michael cerami wrote an article this afternoon. Probably after reading the discussion here. He uses Roster Resource. Currently has the Cubs at 215mil.

[LBiittner]

Solano turns 37 tomorrow. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONOVAN 

[PackLandVA]

Morel got almost half the season playing 3B in 2024.  Certainly Shaw could get as many and not be infinitely worse, right?  That gives the Cubs until the July/trade deadline (sort of) to come up with a replacement if Shaw ain't cuttin' it.

[Bertz]

36 minutes ago, PackLandVA said:

Morel got almost half the season playing 3B in 2024.  Certainly Shaw could get as many and not be infinitely worse, right?  That gives the Cubs until the July/trade deadline (sort of) to come up with a replacement if Shaw ain't cuttin' it.

Sure, but the team's lack of production at 3B is part of the big three reasons why they missed the playoffs last year (joining catcher and bullpen).  

I think setting aside ~$5M for a high end backup at the position is one of the more important investments the team can make from here.

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Bertz said:

Sure, but the team's lack of production at 3B is part of the big three reasons why they missed the playoffs last year (joining catcher and bullpen).  

I think setting aside ~$5M for a high end backup at the position is one of the more important investments the team can make from here.

But who? I agree with you but I think it needs to be a right handed bat who can sub at first at times. My choice would be Moncada. Can he be signed for $5-&7M?

[Bertz]

14 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

But who? I agree with you but I think it needs to be a right handed bat who can sub at first at times. My choice would be Moncada. Can he be signed for $5-&7M?

I would do Josh Rojas most likely.  I view RHH who can help out at 1B/OF/DH as a separate to-do list item.

[thawv]

2 hours ago, LBiittner said:

Michael cerami wrote an article this afternoon. Probably after reading the discussion here. He uses Roster Resource. Currently has the Cubs at 215mil.

Perfect!!!  Thanks Larry!

It's nice to see a non beat off response.  Thanks again!

[Rcal10]

11 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I would do Josh Rojas most likely.  I view RHH who can help out at 1B/OF/DH as a separate to-do list item.

So Rojas, Grichek, Kelly and probably workman on the bench. Means Canario is expendable. I am fine with that. 

[Rob]

I'm significantly more interested in Moncada than Solano.

Our lineup needs to get some unanticipated production if we're going to really hang with the big boys. Moncada has been bad, but he's shown the possibility to be a difference-maker before and he's only 29.

[Backtobanks]

Another cheap option might be Gio Urshela  who has experience at 3B, SS, and 1B,

[Bertz]

11 minutes ago, Rob said:

I'm significantly more interested in Moncada than Solano.

Our lineup needs to get some unanticipated production if we're going to really hang with the big boys. Moncada has been bad, but he's shown the possibility to be a difference-maker before and he's only 29.

The Cubs' lineup has 5 guys who had 3.5 or more WAR last year. plus PCA who paced north of that mark on a per 600 PAs basis.

I think it's pretty appropriate to approach 3B from a standpoint of raising the floor rather than chasing ceiling.

[Rcal10]

16 minutes ago, Bertz said:

The Cubs' lineup has 5 guys who had 3.5 or more WAR last year. plus PCA who paced north of that mark on a per 600 PAs basis.

I think it's pretty appropriate to approach 3B from a standpoint of raising the floor rather than chasing ceiling.

Even using that thought process if they could afford Moncada he would be my choice over any other 3rd base options. I would rather him and keep Canario than go with Rojas and Grichek. 

[BKHoo]

Do we know if the Cubs entertained the idea of signing Sugano, who signed with the Os? 

[WhyCantWeWin]

23 minutes ago, BKHoo said:

Do we know if the Cubs entertained the idea of signing Sugano, who signed with the Os? 

Im surprised he got as much as he did. Must be the Senga/Imanaga effect 

[Rcal10]

15 minutes ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

Im surprised he got as much as he did. Must be the Senga/Imanaga effect 

Could also be that all pitchers are getting more than expected. Boyd deal not looking so bad now. 

[ILMindState]

RH 3B defensive specialist Nick Madrigal is available 😬

[TarzanJoeWallis]

2 hours ago, Rob said:

I'm significantly more interested in Moncada than Solano.

Our lineup needs to get some unanticipated production if we're going to really hang with the big boys. Moncada has been bad, but he's shown the possibility to be a difference-maker before and he's only 29.

I’m not. Could be wrong, of course. But I’d like someone who gets on base and hits for a decent average. I know that’s old school and I’m not generally that way, but I think this lineup could use it. Not really interested in a guy who hits .195 with a .240 obp who happens to hit a home run every few weeks. I really like the idea of Solano. 

[Tryptamine]

2 hours ago, BKHoo said:

Do we know if the Cubs entertained the idea of signing Sugano, who signed with the Os? 

I hope not.

[Rcal10]

28 minutes ago, TarzanJoeWallis said:

I’m not. Could be wrong, of course. But I’d like someone who gets on base and hits for a decent average. I know that’s old school and I’m not generally that way, but I think this lineup could use it. Not really interested in a guy who hits .195 with a .240 obp who happens to hit a home run every few weeks. I really like the idea of Solano. 

Solano career OBP is 331 with 716 ops. Moncada OBP is 331 with career ops of 756. So who is this 240 obp guy you are comparing Solano too. I am fine with Solano too as well as Urshela. But don’t want that guy with the 240 Obp. 

[TarzanJoeWallis]

5 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Solano career OBP is 331 with 716 ops. Moncada OBP is 331 with career ops of 756. So who is this 240 obp guy you are comparing Solano too. I am fine with Solano too as well as Urshela. But don’t want that guy with the 240 Obp. 

I know Moncada provides more slug, and therefore a higher ops. While their career numbers are similar, I feel like the last few years the two of them are trending in different directions. 

[Tim]

At least several people were trying to excuse Robert's performance at the deadline because he was on such an awful White Sox team. How much leniency are people willing to give Moncada for the same reason?

Personally, I argued against that back then and I'm not really interested in giving Moncada any slack for it, either.

[Rcal10]

21 minutes ago, TarzanJoeWallis said:

I know Moncada provides more slug, and therefore a higher ops. While their career numbers are similar, I feel like the last few years the two of them are trending in different directions. 

Moncada has been injured often. That can be a reason for his poor play. But he is 29 and Solano 37. I would be fine with either. But I think you exaggerated Moncada sucking a  little bit. And ther might be something about sucking because of all the sucking around you.