Screw Winter Doldrums! The Get a Big Bat and Call It an Offseason Thread

[Rcal10]

33 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Per Cerami: According to one source, Cubs do have legitimate interest in bringing back Bellinger. 

I would be fine with that. 

[Petrey10]

I just don’t see Belli as a fit… we got 3ish 1st on the team already… Busch, Austin and mo baller who not dh’ing

 

bichette gives us the best team with flexibility.  Shaw goes to utility 

 

 

[Cuzi]

2 hours ago, ILMindState said:

Who do we think is the priority here?

Bichette

Bergman

Tucker 

Belli?

Suarez if you whiff on all 4?

I would think if the Cubs were going to acquire any of those names it would be Bichette. Bregman is too old and apparently already has a really good offer on the table from the Red Sox. The Cubs had Tucker for a year and seemingly didn't look at him as more than a 1 year thing. Bellinger can stay in the Bronx where he actually benefits from the dimensions of the park.

[Rcal10]

12 minutes ago, Petrey10 said:

I just don’t see Belli as a fit… we got 3ish 1st on the team already… Busch, Austin and mo baller who not dh’ing

 

bichette gives us the best team with flexibility.  Shaw goes to utility 

 

 

If Bellinger is signed Mo stays in AAA and catches. Austin is going to be a reason not to add Bellinger. Bellinger plays RF, DH and fills in for PCA in center and plays first some. He fits fine. However, I do agree Bichette might fit better. He is my first choice. If they get Bichette, Mo probably stays in the majors and the bench/DH is back up catcher, Mo, Shaw, Austin and probably Alcantara. 
With Bellinger they probably have to add a utility player, and Mo would be sent down. 

[Cuzi]

My number one issue with signing Bellinger is how average to below average most everything is that he gives you at the plate but his batting run value is 82nd percentile because he is the LH version of Isaac Paredes playing in the perfect stadium for his profile.

[Petrey10]

We already got great value from belli the first time. Don’t ruin it …

 

in order…

bichette

bregman 

tucker

stay out with what we got which would really suck but better than making a stupid signing 

Edited January 8 by Petrey10

[Tryptamine]

I'm not really sure I see the point to Eugenio Suarez even if he is available. I definitely don't want his glove at 3B  over Shaw and while he can hit, is he going to be significantly better than Mo would be at DH? Despite 49 HRs he only put up a 125 wRC+ which is still quite good but not overwhelmingly amazing. I think there's a pretty good chance Mo puts up a 115-120 wRC+ this year and without the 20+M annually that comes with Suarez.

[Rcal10]

11 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

I'm not really sure I see the point to Eugenio Suarez even if he is available. I definitely don't want his glove at 3B  over Shaw and while he can hit, is he going to be significantly better than Mo would be at DH? Despite 49 HRs he only put up a 125 wRC+ which is still quite good but not overwhelmingly amazing. I think there's a pretty good chance Mo puts up a 115-120 wRC+ this year and without the 20+M annually that comes with Suarez.

Power right handed bat🤷 Aside from Seiya and Swanson (a little), Cubs don’t have much right handed power. I think the only way Suarez ends up here is if he is the last man standing and accepts a short term contract. Maybe 2 years. Bichette really checks all the boxes for the Cubs to finally five out a large deal in years and salary. He is the perfect option. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

1 hour ago, Petrey10 said:

I just don’t see Belli as a fit… we got 3ish 1st on the team already… Busch, Austin and mo baller who not dh’ing

 

bichette gives us the best team with flexibility.  Shaw goes to utility 

 

 

Bellinger essentially played as well as Tucker last year and doesn't have nearly the same price tag. I could see Jed wanting him in RF and to fill in across the OF when needed as well.

[Randall Simon]

I like the Cabrera trade, but the lineup is still an impact bat short.

Belli does not move the needle enough, IMO.  Bregman won't be worth the contract he'll require. Suarez will grossly underwhelm. Tucker is a pipe dream. So Its Bichette for 2b, and a Nico trade replenishes the farm. 

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Bellinger essentially played as well as Tucker last year and doesn't have nearly the same price tag. I could see Jed wanting him in RF and to fill in across the OF when needed as well.

He did. But in a park made for him. I like Bellinger and he would be a fine signing. But he isn’t Tucker. Not really close. 

[Bertz]

This is contingent on being able to move Taillon and most of his salary, which certainly isn't a slam dunk, but honestly I'd probably prefer Gallen if you can't get one of Bichette/Tucker/Bregman.

Gallen, Yoan Moncada, and your favorite reliever left on the market (Seranthony Dominguez or Ryne Stanek?) probably costs around $35M.  If you can save at least like $12M in a Taillon trade that opens up that rotation spot and should allow you to do Tom/Jed's customary $10M under the tax move.

It's not my favorite outcome from here, but as backup plans go I like it a lot.  That rotation wins a lot of games.

[Outshined_One]

8 minutes ago, Randall Simon said:

So Its Bichette for 2b, and a Nico trade replenishes the farm. 

I know I've been bagging on the farm elsewhere, but the Cubs actually are positioned really nicely to see a rebound on the farm next season based on their recent international signing classes and the 2025 draft.  I can see them end 2026 with Wiggins, Rojas, Kepley, and Conrad in Top 100 lists along with a bunch of lower level bats making noise. I don't think they need to replenish the farm, more that they need to develop pitching.

Bichette for 3B, and Shaw as the heir apparent 2B in 2027? I can work with that.

[Hortonhearsawho]

2 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

Per Cerami: According to one source, Cubs do have legitimate interest in bringing back Bellinger. 

He wouldn't be my top choice but he would improve the team so I would totally be fine with it. 

[Rcal10]

5 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

I know I've been bagging on the farm elsewhere, but the Cubs actually are positioned really nicely to see a rebound on the farm next season based on their recent international signing classes and the 2025 draft.  I can see them end 2026 with Wiggins, Rojas, Kepley, and Conrad in Top 100 lists along with a bunch of lower level bats making noise. I don't think they need to replenish the farm, more that they need to develop pitching.

Bichette for 3B, and Shaw as the heir apparent 2B in 2027? I can work with that.

This. No need to trade Nico. Play Bichette at 3rd this year. Figure out 2nd and 3rd in ‘27 when the time comes. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Is Bichette willing to play 3B? I thought I read he told teams he'll move to 2B, not 3B.

[Rcal10]

15 minutes ago, Bertz said:

This is contingent on being able to move Taillon and most of his salary, which certainly isn't a slam dunk, but honestly I'd probably prefer Gallen if you can't get one of Bichette/Tucker/Bregman.

Gallen, Yoan Moncada, and your favorite reliever left on the market (Seranthony Dominguez or Ryne Stanek?) probably costs around $35M.  If you can save at least like $12M in a Taillon trade that opens up that rotation spot and should allow you to do Tom/Jed's customary $10M under the tax move.

It's not my favorite outcome from here, but as backup plans go I like it a lot.  That rotation wins a lot of games.

Why not trade Tailon, add Gallen and Bichette and be $10M over the LT? They can also trade Rea if they need to save more money. 

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Is Bichette willing to play 3B? I thought I read he told teams he'll move to 2B, not 3B.

I’ve read 2nd or 3rd. 

[Jason Ross]

39 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Is Bichette willing to play 3B? I thought I read he told teams he'll move to 2B, not 3B.

There were reports he'd play 2b. I have a feeling, though, that money talks. 

[Hortonhearsawho]

57 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Is Bichette willing to play 3B? I thought I read he told teams he'll move to 2B, not 3B.

If you are willing to move off SS to 2B then why not 3B as well? To maximize the dollars he can get he will likely played either or. 

[ToolDRT]

Yeah, I’m all in on Bichette. I wanted him before, but now? Even more. I don’t think Bellinger is a great idea, I like Bregman but not for 6 years, and I’m a “no” on Suarez. 
 

Still think they should just resign Tucker, though. 

[Cuzi]

9 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Still think they should just resign Tucker, though. 

This is where I sit.

This team was a wrecking ball when he was at his best. A couple freak injuries derailed him mid season and the Cubs collapsed offensively. And yet in a "down" year for Tucker he was still well above average to elite in damn near every offensive category. I wont be upset if they go after Bichette (I doubt they get anyone substantial), but I feel like the elite eye at the plate Kyle Tucker has will sustain success better than Bichette.

[mk49]

9 hours ago, ToolDRT said:

Still think they should just resign Tucker, though. 

Exactly.  He fits better than the other guys.  I don't like Bichette much, because of his defense and base running.  Bregman is probably too expensive/long for an older guy.  

Edited January 8 by mk49

[Geographyhater8888]

9 hours ago, Petrey10 said:

I just don’t see Belli as a fit… we got 3ish 1st on the team already… Busch, Austin and mo baller who not dh’ing

 

bichette gives us the best team with flexibility.  Shaw goes to utility 

 

 

Big bonus if Bichette would be ok as a part time DH.
 

 

Edited January 8 by Geographyhater8888

[Geographyhater8888]

10 hours ago, Cuzi said:

My number one issue with signing Bellinger is how average to below average most everything is that he gives you at the plate but his batting run value is 82nd percentile because he is the LH version of Isaac Paredes playing in the perfect stadium for his profile.

 

His x stats profiled similarly in 2023 as well but with very balanced home road splits for whatever reason. But that short porch definitely has a Coors effect. I’d be disappointed if we landed him. 

Edited January 8 by Geographyhater8888