Post Winter Meetings Free Agency thread

[squally1313]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

On who? If they trade for Luzardo and then trade Bellinger and save even $17M who are they paying all this money to? They are at 215 now. Save $17M on Bellinger brings them down to $198. The line is $241. So let’s assume they only want to go to $231. That leaves them $33M to work with. Luzardo cost $6M. So they have $27M. You don’t think they will add a bat with that kind of money left? If they don’t it would be a huge mismanagement of funds. As it is it is ridiculous they only go to $233. But that is Tom’s choice. Who are they spending $27M on? And remember, whoever it is will probably be a short term deal. If they want any chance at retaining Tucker they can’t have a pen arm making $15M a year the next few years. Even if they went with Yates and Minter that would probably cost them $15M, maybe. They still have $12M. Do you really want them to just pocket that money? Wouldn’t a good bench bat help? 

I assume all of these conversations have taken place, but I wonder if there's been some discussion with Tucker's team on whether starting an extension this season would be something he would entertain to avoid going the free agent route. That would fill up most of the rest of the budget pretty quickly. It's not my ideal use of funds, would prefer anything with Tucker starts next year and generally lean towards optimizing the 2025 team over anything else. but Tucker on a 10 year deal probably does more to lift the chances of success in the next 3-5 year window than any move made around the margins for 2025. 

[Bertz]

50 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Jed just shut down Michael Busch to 3B talk.  He leaves himself outs in most answers but that was pretty definitive.

Aside from this I think the most interesting thing from the presser is that the Astros called after the Paredes trade before the trade deadline and tried to get Jed to flip him then.

Otherwise Jed's answers all seemed to affirm the state of things that the beat writers are generally putting out there.  

[Jason Ross]

I don't think this is unexpected - this is what you say. But it's nice to at least hear it, regardless. Just a little bit.

[Cuzi]

The question is, how open are the Cubs?

Edited December 17, 2024 by Cuzi

[KCCub]

8 minutes ago, 1908_Cubs said:

I don't think this is unexpected - this is what you say. But it's nice to at least hear it, regardless. Just a little bit.

[Jason Ross]

3 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

The question is, how open are the Cubs?

Jed Hoyer got dragged a lot for his comments on Soto about sitting him out and making a choice about it. But these comments precluded those comments: 

Quote

“Any of those conversations are long and thought-out,” Hoyer said. “It’s not like a meeting in October. That’s something you talk through. I don’t think anyone’s committing those kinds of dollars — not only to (Soto) but to other guys who are significant in the market — without significant lead time. You don’t pivot in the middle of December and give a guy a huge contract.

“(That happens when) you’ve done the due diligence. You’ve done the work. You’ve done the makeup. You’ve presented everything to ownership. The work on these things is done so far in advance to be able to justify the investment. You’re never going to make a decision like that quickly."

Today Hoyer talked about the city of Chicago selling itself as well. I feel very confident that Hoyer traded for Tucker with the knowledge of what his market roughly was, and with an okay to offer him a contract in that market. I can't say how well it'll go, but I do think the Cubs sound very earnest on working to keep him. 

[chibears55]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

On who? If they trade for Luzardo and then trade Bellinger and save even $17M who are they paying all this money to? They are at 215 now. Save $17M on Bellinger brings them down to $198. The line is $241. So let’s assume they only want to go to $231. That leaves them $33M to work with. Luzardo cost $6M. So they have $27M. You don’t think they will add a bat with that kind of money left? If they don’t it would be a huge mismanagement of funds. As it is it is ridiculous they only go to $233. But that is Tom’s choice. Who are they spending $27M on? And remember, whoever it is will probably be a short term deal. If they want any chance at retaining Tucker they can’t have a pen arm making $15M a year the next few years. Even if they went with Yates and Minter that would probably cost them $15M, maybe. They still have $12M. Do you really want them to just pocket that money? Wouldn’t a good bench bat help? 

I agree they could use another bench bat but i just feel like Hoyer going to go with the depth he has now there over looking for a guy to spend 5 mil on that wont make much of a difference and if he spends on any position it'll be towards SP and Bullpen.

I think theyre going to wait on Sasaki and if they don't get him, then they'll look to see who available to add for depth before ST starts.

 

Imanaga, Steele, Taillon,  Boyd, Assad

These are likely the starters, Assad will go to pen if they get Sasaki or add another SP upgrade before ST.

They can always add more bullpen depth

 

I dont think they care what their payroll is going into OD as long as it under the tax threshold. 

they have somewhat of a legit reasoning if they use the fact that they have legit players at every starting position and in rotation now, especially if they keep Bellinger. 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, chibears55 said:

I agree they could use another bench bat but i just feel like Hoyer going to go with the depth he has now there over looking for a guy to spend 5 mil on that wont make much of a difference and if he spends on any position it'll be towards SP and Bullpen.

I think theyre going to wait on Sasaki and if they don't get him, then they'll look to see who available to add for depth before ST starts.

 

Imanaga, Steele, Taillon,  Boyd, Assad

These are likely the starters, Assad will go to pen if they get Sasaki or add another SP upgrade before ST.

They can always add more bullpen depth

 

I dont think they care what their payroll is going into OD as long as it under the tax threshold. 

they have somewhat of a legit reasoning if they use the fact that they have legit players at every starting position and in rotation now, especially if they keep Bellinger. 

I do  it think there is a chance Assad is in the rotation opening day, unless someone is injured. I certainly hope he isn’t. So you are ruling out Luzardo? I am not. And if they do trade for him and save $17M in Bellinger they would have $27M or so TO SPEND. They would be about $204 for payroll. They don’t need another pitcher in the rotation unless it is Saaaki. And they aren’t going to spend $27M in the bullpen. If they keep Bellinger, I completely agree with you. Or if they do extend Tucker this year that could be where the extra money goes. But assuming neither will happen, they will sign a bat who can play 3rd. They need to. 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Rcal10

[Post Count Padder]

OK with Bellinger gone, Cerami predicts we have about $40 mil we can spend rest of the offseason. So what about:

Yates and Minter: maybe 20 mil total

Trade for Luzardo: 6 mil

Sign Kim or Moncada for bench/3B: 10 mil?

Another reliever or OF bench bat for 5?

[Bertz]

14 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

OK with Bellinger gone, Cerami predicts we have about $40 mil we can spend rest of the offseason. So what about:

Yates and Minter: maybe 20 mil total

Trade for Luzardo: 6 mil

Sign Kim or Moncada for bench/3B: 10 mil?

Another reliever or OF bench bat for 5?

I think Kim gets more than that and ensured starter level playing time, but yeah roughly this.  If Luzardo is your last SP there's a TON of latitude on the bench/bullpen stuff.

[Rcal10]

20 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

OK with Bellinger gone, Cerami predicts we have about $40 mil we can spend rest of the offseason. So what about:

Yates and Minter: maybe 20 mil total

Trade for Luzardo: 6 mil

Sign Kim or Moncada for bench/3B: 10 mil?

Another reliever or OF bench bat for 5?

I think you might be high on the salaries, but I totally agree with the scenerio. That would be a solid off season. 

[Post Count Padder]

2 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I think you might be high on the salaries, but I totally agree with the scenerio. That would be a solid off season. 

I was kinda going off MLBTR predictions and where the market currently is but I would be glad to be wrong and we get some of these guys a little cheaper.

[chibears55]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

I do  it think there is a chance Assad is in the rotation opening day, unless someone is injured. I certainly hope he isn’t. So you are ruling out Luzardo? I am not. And if they do trade for him and save $17M in Bellinger they would have $27M or so TO SPEND. They would be about $204 for payroll. They don’t need another pitcher in the rotation unless it is Saaaki. And they aren’t going to spend $27M in the bullpen. If they keep Bellinger, I completely agree with you. Or if they do extend Tucker this year that could be where the extra money goes. But assuming neither will happen, they will sign a bat who can play 3rd. They need to. 

Bellinger gone for a spot starter/ bullpen  arm.

I think Luzardo an option only if they don't get Sasaki, but like I said, theyll spend on pitching, I just dont see them spending on another bat or at least spending more then 5 mil for one to just be a bench guy or a just in case Shaw struggles.

[chibears55]

Any chance they spend Bellinger money on Bregman or no way ?

[Tryptamine]

9 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Bellinger gone for a spot starter/ bullpen  arm.

I think Luzardo an option only if they don't get Sasaki, but like I said, theyll spend on pitching, I just dont see them spending on another bat or at least spending more then 5 mil for one to just be a bench guy or a just in case Shaw struggles.

Sasaki is basically off the table with that international prospect swapping from the Marlins to the Cubs. Unless the Cubs get super creative they've got like half the international money as some other clubs now.

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Tryptamine said:

Sasaki is basically off the table with that international prospect swapping from the Marlins to the Cubs. Unless the Cubs get super creative they've got like half the international money as some other clubs now.

If Sasaki chose the Cubs they would break deals they have with the other IFA. But I also do not know why chibear is suggesting Luzardo is only an option if they don’t get Sasaki. He is an option for every team, no matter what their rotation looks like. 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Any chance they spend Bellinger money on Bregman or no way ?

I doubt that. I was thinking maybe Torres, if he was willing to play 3rd. But I doubt they do that. I think it will be a guy from a list of Moncada, Rojas, Polanco, Urshela, Solano and Dejong. Maybe I missed a guy or two. 

[chibears55]

15 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

If Sasaki chose the Cubs they would break deals they have with the other IFA. But I also do not know why chibear is suggesting Luzardo is only an option if they don’t get Sasaki. He is an option for every team, no matter what their rotation looks like. 

You think they'd go with 4 lefties in rotation?

Im not that high on Luzardo as some of you are, id prefer them actually getting a guy like Burnes, I like to dream big..lol

[chibears55]

16 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I doubt that. I was thinking maybe Torres, if he was willing to play 3rd. But I doubt they do that. I think it will be a guy from a list of Moncada, Rojas, Polanco, Urshela, Solano and Dejong. Maybe I missed a guy or two. 

I was thinking Torres the other day, then noticed he hasn't played 3B.

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

You think they'd go with 4 lefties in rotation?

Im not that high on Luzardo as some of you are, id prefer them actually getting a guy like Burnes, I like to dream big..lol

Yes I do. And frankly so do most people including people reporting on a deal being worked on. And we all know (as you do as well) Burnes isn’t happening.

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I was thinking Torres the other day, then noticed he hasn't played 3B.

That kind of surprises me. I thought I read a team was considering signing him to play 3rd. Maybe that didn’t happen because he didn’t want to play 3ed. Honestly I am fine going with Shaw and having a back up plan in the event he struggles. 

[WhyCantWeWin]

I believe Torres mentioned he wouldn’t play any other position other than 2B

[Bertz]

Now that we know we don't need to skimp on the bullpen, I want two relievers for sure.  One of the really good old guys, and then someone with higher octane stuff.  One needs to be a lefty, or at least a righty who statistically performs like a lefty like Kirby Yates.

[Dfan25]

 

[Tryptamine]

20 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

 

The cost would be enormous , like farm destroying, and seeing as the Cubs aren't going to get crazy with the spending,  they're desperately going to need those cheap young players.