Cubs to sign Caleb Thielbar

[chibears55]

2 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

That was reported and talked about almost  2 hours ago. 

Ok, if it was on the winter meetings thread it locked so I didn't bother looking there

[CubUgly]

23 hours ago, chibears55 said:

Thielbar had a nice year for them but let not ignore hes going to be 39, so a drop-off in what he did last season wouldn't be surprising...

Hoyer loves his older bullpen guys, probably because he can get them on 1-2 yr deals.

So far his pen additions are Theilbar (39) Milner (35) and Maton (33)

I would say he better than just a nice year, I think he had a very good year.  But I have little confidence he will replicate it - bullpen volatility being what it is and his age as you reference.  Hope I'm wrong.    Honestly I'd have rather kept Pomeranz.   His stuff was electric late in the year. 

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

I would say he better than just a nice year, I think he had a very good year.  But I have little confidence he will replicate it - bullpen volatility being what it is and his age as you reference.  Hope I'm wrong.    Honestly I'd have rather kept Pomeranz.   His stuff was electric late in the year. 

I think as fans we are just guessing on what one arm will be better. It is an toss up between Pomeranz and Theilbar. So if the Cubs chose Theilbar I choose to believe they know better than I do. Of course, if money is different and Pomeranz wanted more and that is why we have a Theilbar, that is a different discussion. 

[CubUgly]

35 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I think as fans we are just guessing on what one arm will be better. It is an toss up between Pomeranz and Theilbar. So if the Cubs chose Theilbar I choose to believe they know better than I do. Of course, if money is different and Pomeranz wanted more and that is why we have a Theilbar, that is a different discussion. 

Of course,  I believe they have more data and knowledge (or should anyway) to determine who is better than I do, if that is the only criteria they are using.   But as we know value is a huge part of their process, and to what percentage that (value) weighs in, I'm not completely sure but I think many of us here think it to be more than we would like it to at least vs. comparative projected performance. 

[Rex Buckingham]

2 hours ago, The Cubs Dude said:

Reaction to 1: I think the cap would be imposed first and then the floor would be imposed later after players complain due to their perception of being slighted.

Reaction to 2: I talk about Hoyer's profits because Hoover--oops, Hoyer--is the emblem of the Cubs organization and their mindset. I guarantee you that Hoover doesn't share an opposing philosophy compared to that of Ricketts. If anything, he agrees with the fact that less money should be spent. He agrees with the economic strategy, and he wants to spend below budget so that the organization can flourish.

But I do agree that there will be a cap and a floor eventually. I don't think they will be in a simultaneous manner, but it's highly likely that 2027 will be very much disrupted due to this economic side of things.

You are foolish to think the players would agree to a cap without a floor. The cap my be proposed first, but the players will immediately counter with a floor. No agreement would ever be in place with a cap and no floor. Heck, this is a pointless argument because I'm pretty sure you can find a quote from Tony Clark or whoever that says they will never agree to a cap. 

Also, you are pretending to know the mindset of Hoyer (and insultingly calling him Hoover for some reason - is it because you think he sucks? or are you comparing him to Herbert Hoover?) and just throwing crap at the wall. People don't want to engage you in conversation because it's like talking to a brick wall that is convinced it's smarter than you. 

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, Rex Buckingham said:

You are foolish to think the players would agree to a cap without a floor. The cap my be proposed first, but the players will immediately counter with a floor. No agreement would ever be in place with a cap and no floor. Heck, this is a pointless argument because I'm pretty sure you can find a quote from Tony Clark or whoever that says they will never agree to a cap. 

Also, you are pretending to know the mindset of Hoyer (and insultingly calling him Hoover for some reason - is it because you think he sucks? or are you comparing him to Herbert Hoover?) and just throwing crap at the wall. People don't want to engage you in conversation because it's like talking to a brick wall that is convinced it's smarter than you. 

That's what I'm trying to say--the cap will be imposed but the floor will need to be agreed upon before the situation remedies itself, and you are correct... I am saying that the cap would be imposed first until the MLBPA objects, so I'm sorry if there was some confusion...

I'm comparing him to Herbert Hoover--I'm a history geek, I guess, and I find some similarities between him and Hoyer. And I'm not smarter than you--I don't claim to be, and if you can give me some tips on how to not sound that way, that would be awesome. 👊

I'm genuinely curious--what do you work as? Are you interested into history? And thanks for taking the time to comment, because I do want to change my mind on here and am very notoriously flexible on other forums. And you helped me clarify my opinion today. 🙂

I agree with you on what you said.

At the end of the day, if you want a dude to like baseball more, as a collective, this forum should be nicer. And I'm in high school--what were you like at that period in time? Probably pretentious and thinking you know everything. And my writing sounds that way, so I'm actively trying to improve.

 

Edited December 17, 2025 by The Cubs Dude

[Bobson Dugnutt]

No one on this forum cares if you like baseball more.

[Rex Buckingham]

4 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

That's what I'm trying to say--the cap will be imposed but the floor will need to be agreed upon before the situation remedies itself, and you are correct... I am saying that the cap would be imposed first until the MLBPA objects, so I'm sorry if there was some confusion...

I'm comparing him to Herbert Hoover--I'm a history geek, I guess, and I find some similarities between him and Hoyer. And I'm not smarter than you--I don't claim to be, and if you can give me some tips on how to not sound that way, that would be awesome. 👊

I'm genuinely curious--what do you work as? Are you interested into history? And thanks for taking the time to comment, because I do want to change my mind on here and am very notoriously flexible on other forums. And you helped me clarify my opinion today. 🙂

I agree with you on what you said.

At the end of the day, if you want a dude to like baseball more, as a collective, this forum should be nicer. And I'm in high school--what were you like at that period in time? Probably pretentious and thinking you know everything. And my writing sounds that way, so I'm actively trying to improve.

 

see, imposed makes it sound like it happens, and then the floor comes later... it's an agreement, nothing can be imposed - it has to be agreed upon. 

I'm not huge into history, personally... most of what I know of Hoover is that he was a terrible person, specifically a racist horsefeathers. 

I don't know what to tell you about the posting stuff... the vibe is definitely "look at how smart I am". Read more than you post - the sheer volume of your posts is a lot, and they don't seem to consider the viewpoints of anyone else, just repeat your own... over and over... 

[imb]

2 hours ago, The Cubs Dude said:

That's what I'm trying to say--the cap will be imposed but the floor will need to be agreed upon before the situation remedies itself, and you are correct... I am saying that the cap would be imposed first until the MLBPA objects

you should look up what the A in CBA stands for

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, imb said:

you should look up what the A in CBA stands for

Uhh... I know what it is. But with the uselessness of strikes at this point and with labor relations becoming strained, I think that the "agreement" is going to lean on one side, and then the MLBPA will strike. The agreement will be a price ceiling with possibly some superficial elements designed to make the players feel respected (maybe the floor), the MLBPA will complain about the ceiling after making the agreement and seeing its effects... see what happened with the family doctors in QC, Canada? Associations are unpredictable!

Realistically, there will be a large strike in 2027 and the baseball season may not happen then. 

You know, I was thinking about an interesting and provocative ana--

[Guest]

33 minutes ago, Rex Buckingham said:

see, imposed makes it sound like it happens, and then the floor comes later... it's an agreement, nothing can be imposed - it has to be agreed upon. 

I'm not huge into history, personally... most of what I know of Hoover is that he was a terrible person, specifically a racist horsefeathers. 

I don't know what to tell you about the posting stuff... the vibe is definitely "look at how smart I am". Read more than you post - the sheer volume of your posts is a lot, and they don't seem to consider the viewpoints of anyone else, just repeat your own... over and over... 

I don't think Hoover was a "racist horsefeathers"--after his humanitarian mission after the Mississippi Flood seemed to be discriminatory, he sent some African-Americans to investigate the allegations... but at the same time, he was a jerk.

He was a founder of modern conservatism and modern liberalism that FDR championed. I highly recommend Hoover by Kenneth Whyte, which I'm reading right now.

What's the obsession with the word "horsefeathers" on this board?

But yeah, I should be more conscious about that. It is a weakness, my obstinacy. And it works well for me on the political stuff. But sometimes I feel like I have to keep my opinion, but it's just some pretentious garbage. And thanks!

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

No one on this forum cares if you like baseball more.

All right Mr. Dugnutt, can you please stop commenting on my posts? I would highly appreciate it if you deviated your attention towards baseball where your "AI-bot horsefeathers" companion wants to learn how to be nicer on this place.

I like your posts, so please, let's all stick to baseball...?

Edited December 18, 2025 by The Cubs Dude

[Derwood]

10 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

 

I like your posts, so please, let's all stick to baseball...?

You first

[Bobson Dugnutt]

18 minutes ago, The Cubs Dude said:

All right Mr. Dugnutt, can you please stop commenting on my posts? I would highly appreciate it if you deviated your attention towards baseball where your "AI-bot horsefeathers" companion wants to learn how to be nicer on this place.

I like your posts, so please, let's all stick to baseball...?

Please, Mr. Dugnutt is my father’s name. Call me Bobson.

[Guest]

16 minutes ago, Derwood said:

You first

Oh, 1908 is coming soon!!!!!!!!! (I'm rather excited.)

[imb]

i cant say this for certain, but just based on his overall vibe, i dont think 1908 has *ever* come

[Bobson Dugnutt]

I’m simply saying this board’s mission is not to expand the reach of baseball. Whether you like baseball or not is inconsequential to 100% of the posters here. If you’re going to hang around, great. But if you’re going to present yourself as an expert on all manner of subjects to a crowd of people 20-50 years your senior, expect pushback and snark. As Rex already said, try to learn something from other posters instead of charging in with ill-informed stances and digging your heels in.

 

It’s also not the mission of this board to teach you not to be condescending.

 

 

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, imb said:

i cant say this for certain, but just based on his overall vibe, i dont think 1908 has *ever* come

Sir, I'll have you know that I'm pretty sure I did once a handful of years ago. Can't be quite certain. 

[Guest]

42 minutes ago, imb said:

i cant say this for certain, but just based on his overall vibe, i dont think 1908 has *ever* come

Always making me laugh at every twist and turn of this forum.

I'm referring to my new book, whose first chapter is already done but will be released on Monday. Dude, you will be in for a surprise! 😄

[Rex Buckingham]

horsefeathers is a tribute to @Fred Hornkohl, a beloved former poster who passed in 2016, who used hordefeathers in place of profanity. It was the default profanity filter here for a long time (may still be?). Personally, I just type horsefeathers a lot

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, Rex Buckingham said:

horsefeathers is a tribute to @Fred Hornkohl, a beloved former poster who passed in 2016, who used hordefeathers in place of profanity. It was the default profanity filter here for a long time (may still be?). Personally, I just type horsefeathers a lot

I'm so sorry. He seems like a good dude.

Did he get to see the World Series? Honestly, it would break my heart if he didn't. I'm glad you carried on his legacy... I definitely see the word a lot here.

I'm sorry for the loss.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Jason Ross said:

Sir, I'll have you know that I'm pretty sure I did once a handful of years ago. Can't be quite certain. 

It will for sure come. It's going to be hopefully a... hit? I dearly hope so.

And I'm content that the people on here don't know the real me quite yet. 😉 I guess it's just time to wait and see.

[javy knows my name]

2 hours ago, The Cubs Dude said:

It will for sure come. It's going to be hopefully a... hit? I dearly hope so.

And I'm content that the people on here don't know the real me quite yet. 😉 I guess it's just time to wait and see.

Sounds like the Zodiac's manifesto

[Hot Sauce]

5 hours ago, imb said:

you should look up what the A in CBA stands for

Curves, Booty, and All? 

[Guest]

9 hours ago, javy knows my name said:

Sounds like the Zodiac's manifesto

You were funny this time.

8 hours ago, Hot Sauce said:

Curves, Booty, and All? 

That sounds awesome!