Mets (Tong) vs Cubs (Boyd): 9/24/25, 7:05pm

[mk49]

8 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Grrr

Well, I said that too early.😄  Boyd started throwing more in the middle in the 5th.  He looked better than than most of the games in the last 2 months, though.  2 ER in 5 innings = acceptable.

Edited September 25, 2025 by mk49

[squally1313]

3 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

He will play right.

Then why is Caissie still here?

Alternatively, you can take the 90 win team that's all signed through next year and use that MLB ready (but not MLB proven) talent to make the team (ie the pitching) better. 

[Rcal10]

19 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Unfortunately, I think payroll going down, especially if Tucker doesn't return. 

Whether it in offseason, trade deadline, or both, we'll likely see a couple guys traded that on last year of contracts and the prospects that are ready like Caissie and Ballesteros come up.

I think it is Ballesteros or Cassie. Not both. They don’t have to trade anyone. Just don’t sign Tucker and there is a spot. I have no idea why people just think minor league players are plug and play and can play well. If you get one in a year you are lucky. Opening a spot for 2 is saying you aren’t trying. Cassie and Ballesteros cannot replace Tucker and either Seiya or Happ. But since I don’t see them signing Tucker, I do think one one of those guys will get the chance. 

[BKHoo]

Yes. We will take that error!!

[mk49]

2,more runs, because of Mets' bad D.  Nice run, PCA.

Edited September 25, 2025 by mk49

[chibears55]

14 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Using FG, we're at a $220m payroll right now. They have us at $136m for next year for everyone who is signed or guaranteed for next year. Add another $15m for Shota and it's $151m. I'm not sure how they're doing arbitration estimates, but it's basically just Steele and I can't imagine he's going to be much more or different than the $6.5m he's making this year. That covers Swanson/Happ/Suzuki/Hoerner/Kelly/Amaya/Busch/PCA/Shaw on the offensive side, and then Taillon/Boyd/Shota/Steele/Assad/Palencia/Horton on the pitching side. That's 8 offensive starters, a backup catcher, 3.5 starters, a long reliever, and a closer. Call it $30m for the pen. That's still $40m lower than where we are right now, and that's before all this talk about trading one or multiple of the expiring, 8 digit contracts because we have in house replacements ready. What are we spending money on?

Probably bench, bullpen, an OFer who can play RF until Caissie is ready.

Maybe a SP if Steele not ready by ST

[BKHoo]

That was f___ng awesome PCA. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Mets out-Cobbing the Cobs.

[squally1313]

10 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

I'd be surprised if they don't go after King or Bieber. 

I think there's basically three paths, which will obviously depend on the budget and whatever else, but don't want to have that conversation.

1. Sign Tucker. From there it's either we blow out the budget and keep the veterans all together, which would be cool but...you know. Or we trade a Happ or Suzuki and plug in Caissie/Ballesteros to clear up some money for another good/very good starter.
2. Don't sign Tucker, but still go for it. Use the money on an ace, keep the gang together and use the rookies as trade bait for controllable arms.
3. Don't sign Tucker, don't really go for it. Sign a long term starter (King, Cease) to make your token splash but trade one/both of Suzuki and Happ, Caissie and Ballesteros in the opening day lineup, Alcantara as the 4th OF, team probably projects for 81ish wins. 

[UMFan83]

Here we go Palencia

[Connor McConnor]

Tigers now a game back.   

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 minute ago, Connor McConnor said:

Tigers now a game back.   

Unreal. Actually 2 back because the Guards have the tie-breaker.

Edited September 25, 2025 by Tangled Up in Plaid

[chibears55]

7 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I think it is Ballesteros or Cassie. Not both. They don’t have to trade anyone. Just don’t sign Tucker and there is a spot. I have no idea why people just think minor league players are plug and play and can play well. If you get one in a year you are lucky. Opening a spot for 2 is saying you aren’t trying. Cassie and Ballesteros cannot replace Tucker and either Seiya or Happ. But since I don’t see them signing Tucker, I do think one one of those guys will get the chance. 

I dont think Caissie will start the season with the Cubs, but I think he will come up to stay ( if he's plays well in Iowa) at some point during the season. 

Why i think theyll sign an OFer to play right with Suzuki and at some point in the season if hes ready, Caissie will come up.

 

[Andy]

Karl Ravech has called Busch "Matthew Busch" tonight and I'm pretty sure he just called Starling Marte "Martin-ay" twice in the same at-bat.

[mk49]

Good to see Palencia back, and it was perfect time to let him pitch.

[cubfansince77]

Live in MI....Tigers fans in deep depression: LOL

Schwarbomb with his 56th.....never get over giving him away for nothing. Unreal. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 minute ago, cubfansince77 said:

Live in MI....Tigers fans in deep depression: LOL

Schwarbomb with his 56th.....never get over giving him away for nothing. Unreal. 

Good news for the Tigers is they have the tie-breaker against the Astros and the Astros also stink, so they'll probably get in anyway.

[squally1313]

12 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Probably bench, bullpen, an OFer who can play RF until Caissie is ready.

Maybe a SP if Steele not ready by ST

Bullpen is already covered and by my admittedly back of the envelope map, we're still down $40m from this year, which is down from last year. A stop gap outfielder and two bench guys for $40m?

[mk49]

We're gonna win today.  Busch!

Edited September 25, 2025 by mk49

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Matthew … Busch? ESPN is so terrible.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

The Kirk-y boys doing work.

[Andy]

2nd time he's called him Matthew Busch. Dude is flat-out not paying attention

And now Perez just did it too

[squally1313]

2 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

The Kirk-y boys doing work.

Turning Point for the season?

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I dont think Caissie will start the season with the Cubs, but I think he will come up to stay ( if he's plays well in Iowa) at some point during the season. 

Why i think theyll sign an OFer to play right with Suzuki and at some point in the season if hes ready, Caissie will come up.

 

I can see Cassie at some point if there is an injury. If they don’t sign Tucker I expect Ballesteros to be the DH. As you said, sign another outfielder/bench bat. I think they will spend on a pitcher. Either a FA (Cease, King, Gallen) or a controllable pitcher like Ryan, Cabrera, Gore or Ryan. And if they do go that route I think Cassie is gone 

[itisallpartoftheplan]

1 hour ago, Andy said:

2nd time he's called him Matthew Busch. Dude is flat-out not paying attention

And now Perez just did it too

Perez called him Matthew Boyd and Ravech “corrected” him 😂 

Edited September 25, 2025 by itisallpartoftheplan