Minor League Discussion & Boxes, 5-16-25

[Rcal10]

14 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I've mentioned this previous but I think there's a "Pick 2 Keep 2" with Caissie/Alcantara/Ballesteros/Long.  In addition to their actual performances, I do think what happens with Tucker and to a lesser extent Shaw influences who it makes sense to keep.

As a RHH 1B/3B/DH, I think Long is almost an automatic keep if either Tucker sticks around or Shaw disappoints.

I think if Tucker sticks around the Cubs will use both Alcantara and Cassie in a trade offer to get better pitching. Because of that I agree on Long being a keep. I still think they get more for Cassie and Alcantara then they do for Long, so if Tucker stays they might as well get rid of both those outfielders to improve pitching. If they need some salary relief(which is ridiculous to me, but probably a Ricketts reality) they can always deal either Happ or Suzuki and bring Ballestaros up to DH. 

[mul21]

On 5/17/2025 at 12:27 PM, Rcal10 said:

I think if Tucker sticks around the Cubs will use both Alcantara and Cassie in a trade offer to get better pitching. Because of that I agree on Long being a keep. I still think they get more for Cassie and Alcantara then they do for Long, so if Tucker stays they might as well get rid of both those outfielders to improve pitching. If they need some salary relief(which is ridiculous to me, but probably a Ricketts reality) they can always deal either Happ or Suzuki and bring Ballestaros up to DH. 

I'd bet they keep one of the OF simply because you lose both Happ and Suzuki after 2026 and having a cheap backfill is something ownership probably values and it gives some payroll flexibility to fill other roster gaps.