Winter Doldrums Thread

[NorthsideAvenger]

46 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I kind of wonder if they had to do this to afford Realmuto.  They're at $300M after this and were at $315M last year.

Or maybe they are going for an OF bat. 

[KCCub]

 

Sounds like the Pirates would also land Mangum and Montgomery from the Rays. Seems like this is a done deal with all the names being released

[chibears55]

24 minutes ago, KCCub said:

 

Sounds like the Pirates would also land Mangum and Montgomery from the Rays. Seems like this is a done deal with all the names being released

Hoyer has his guys searching the Mexican league now to see if he can sign another bench or bullpen guy for 1.5 million...

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫🙄🙄🙄😅😅😅

[KCCub]

Makes you wonder if this makes the Rays the favorites for Marte now. Moved Lowe’s salary/opened 2b and Pepiot/Baz both have 3 years of control left, if they are the type of young arm the DBacks are looking for. 

[KCCub]

1 minute ago, KCCub said:

Makes you wonder if this makes the Rays the favorites for Marte now. Moved Lowe’s salary/opened 2b and Pepiot/Baz both have 3 years of control left, if they are the type of young arm the DBacks are looking for. 

Welp 

 

[Cuzi]

Just now, KCCub said:

Makes you wonder if this makes the Rays the favorites for Marte now. Moved Lowe’s salary/opened 2b and Pepiot/Baz both have 3 years of control left, if they are the type of young arm the DBacks are looking for. 

There's another rumor out there about the Rays in talks to trade Shane Baz. I don't think the Rays are in a buying phase right now. Think Wander Franco threw a pretty large wrench in their spokes.

[Neuby]

I don't know if the Cubs have assets to stomach what it would take to get Gore at this point.

 

Quote

Comp A pick is very valuable, de Brun just signed out of this year’s draft for $4 million, Bodine just signed out of this year’s draft for $3.1 million, Forret is a legit top-20-ish system prospect, and Overn is at least a top-30. Wow. That’s a freaking haul, and is clearly contemplating Baz’s considerable upside, paired with the three cheap years of control.

 

[Cuzi]

5 minutes ago, Neuby said:

I don't know if the Cubs have assets to stomach what it would take to get Gore at this point.

I cant stomach it because I think he's overrated as a pitcher. He's not someone I would throw out there in games 1 or 2 in the playoffs, but the way people talk about him it's like he's supposed to be an ace of the rotation. He's still living off his prospect status somehow. He's a good pitcher, but nothing crazy.

[KCCub]

If the Rays are blowing it up, would you guys take the risk on McClanahan if they were to make him available? I’ll preface with saying McClanahan was my favorite non Cubs SP before his injury. He was an absolute Ace. Post TJ surgery now but had a small triceps surgery that kept him from coming back last season. 2 years of control left. I’m guessing it’s a pipe dream and the Rays won’t sell low on him but eventually will once he proves he’s healthy. Like they did with Glasnow.

[Tryptamine]

So this is kind of good news because the Orioles were in the market for 1 if not 2 SP.

[Cuzi]

1 minute ago, Tryptamine said:

So this is kind of good news because the Orioles were in the market for 1 if not 2 SP.

Orioles were supposedly in on King. This feels like a pivot after he signed with the Padres. Don't think it has much to do with what the Cubs are pursuing.

[Tryptamine]

Just now, Cuzi said:

Orioles were supposedly in on King. This feels like a pivot after he signed with the Padres. Don't think it has much to do with what the Cubs are pursuing.

They've been mentioned on Imai and Framber as well.

[thawv]

16 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

I cant stomach it because I think he's overrated as a pitcher. He's not someone I would throw out there in games 1 or 2 in the playoffs, but the way people talk about him it's like he's supposed to be an ace of the rotation. He's still living off his prospect status somehow. He's a good pitcher, but nothing crazy.

I agree with this.  If he's already on our team, I'm good with that.  But to give something up for him is not something I would do.  His biggest value is he's cheap and has 2 years of control.  I'd say he's a #3 at best but closer to a #4

[Cuzi]

2 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

They've been mentioned on Imai and Framber as well.

You can pretty much say the same about every team contending for a playoff spot. Their reported involvement with those two ended with "checked in on."

[Hortonhearsawho]

If this takes the Orioles out of the market for starting pitching this trade is good news for the Cubs. 

[Bertz]

Yeah this is good news.  *Probably* takes the O's out on the caliber of pitcher we're trying to add.  Also Caissie/Mo/Alcantara are all better (I'd argue significantly so) than anyone the O's gave up so there shouldn't be any worry that we don't have the prospect firepower if we go the trade route.

[Bertz]

FWIW Sharma and Mooney on their podcast indicated that the Cubs had started moving on from King around the winter meetings.  Whether that's because they've gotten farther down the road with others, they didn't like the price (that post '26 opt out should realistically be a non starter for us), or King didn't wanna come here is TBD.

[Post Count Padder]

That is a HAUL for Baz, who has a lot of upside and team control but hasn't put it together. 

And that is a fun 3-team trade. I kinda love it for the Pirates. Mason Montgomery could be elite and Lowe gives their lineup a little thump for a year. Good for them!

[thawv]

15 hours ago, Bertz said:

FWIW Sharma and Mooney on their podcast indicated that the Cubs had started moving on from King around the winter meetings.  Whether that's because they've gotten farther down the road with others, they didn't like the price (that post '26 opt out should realistically be a non starter for us), or King didn't wanna come here is TBD.

If 3/75 is too much for Jed, we won't get any top FA's.  Hopefully it wasn't the price. 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, thawv said:

If 3/75 is too much for Jed, we won't get any top FA's.  Hopefully it wasn't the price. 

It could be too much for King, in the Cubs FO opinion. Not too much to spend on any pitcher.

[Rcal10]

18 hours ago, thawv said:

I agree with this.  If he's already on our team, I'm good with that.  But to give something up for him is not something I would do.  His biggest value is he's cheap and has 2 years of control.  I'd say he's a #3 at best but closer to a #4

Gore? He is a 3 at best and closer to a 4? I get some people concerns about him, but you go too far here. 

[Bertz]

2 hours ago, thawv said:

If 3/75 is too much for Jed, we won't get any top FA's.  Hopefully it wasn't the price. 

Not the dollars the options.  An opt out this winter should be a non starter with any free agent of substance.  The Cubs already have half their lineup and half their rotation heading into FA next winter.

[thawv]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

Gore? He is a 3 at best and closer to a 4? I get some people concerns about him, but you go too far here. 

ERA's starting from season one.  4.50, 4.42, 3.90, 4.17

xERA's starting from season one.   5.20. 5.20, 4.19, 4.33

FIP starting from season one 4.11, 4.89, 3.53, 3.74

And his Savant page isn't exactly red.   He does however have a very good whiff rate, and a very good K rate. 

 

I definitely see him as a 3# or #4..  Maybe my expectations are too high. 

Edited December 20, 2025 by thawv

[Rcal10]

45 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Not the dollars the options.  An opt out this winter should be a non starter with any free agent of substance.  The Cubs already have half their lineup and half their rotation heading into FA next winter.

Right. I forgot about the opt out options. This is a terrible deal for any team except the Padres. We obviously know worst case scenerio is him getting hurt and having him on payroll for 3 years. But really what is best case? If he pitches well you have him one year and he is gone. You lose a second round pick and IFA money for one year of King. Just not a good idea.

[Bull]

2 hours ago, thawv said:

ERA's starting from season one.  4.50, 4.42, 3.90, 4.17

xERA's starting from season one.   5.20. 5.20, 4.19, 4.33

FIP starting from season one 4.11, 4.89, 3.53, 3.74

And his Savant page isn't exactly red.   He does however have a very good whiff rate, and a very good K rate. 

 

I definitely see him as a 3# or #4..  Maybe my expectations are too high. 

I think he's a solid 2. He fails to meet innings pitched requirements for leaders boards by 2.1 innings. (159.2, 162). If you drop the filter to 100 IP (so as to avoid manipulation to include *just* him) he is 33rd in baseball in fWAR (2.9). (I could have gotten him as high as 27th in baseball by setting the innings limit to 150)

Above Rea, Shota, Taillon, Horton and not far behind Boyd (22nd at 3.4). So in baseball, a SOLID #2. On this team, a depending on performance, a 2 or 3. (not including Steele).

But this team does not lack solid pitchers. Heck even Ben Brown was top 100 fWAR last year, above Shota.  This team lacks an ACE. Maybe Horton becomes that. Maybe Steele comes back better than ever, but I'd rather shoot for the moon with Imai than another solid, get-us-to-the-playoffs-only-to-bow-out-in-round-2 guy.

The floor is high. now raise the ceiling.

 

 

Edited December 20, 2025 by Bull