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

[Bertz]

It's similar to the Shane Baz deal.  No one as good as Caissie, honestly no one particularly close, but 4 or 5 very real prospects.

Definitely would not have cost Shaw.

[muntjack]

I would have loved to make that deal. 

[CubinNY]

16 minutes ago, muntjack said:

I would have loved to make that deal. 

Me too. With this pitching infrastructure there is no telling what they could have done for him. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Possibly they just didn't want to add another LHSP. They showed no interest in Suarez or Valdez. The Brewers kill LHP and IIRC beat Gore up pretty good. That might have been a factor too.

[Post Count Padder]

This is a solid low-cost pickup.

He was great in 2023 and I think dealt with an injury in 2025. At the very least gives us depth and another option as a backup OF.

[Neuby]

7 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

This is a solid low-cost pickup.

He was great in 2023 and I think dealt with an injury in 2025. At the very least gives us depth and another option as a backup OF.

Love this.  Plus defender who can hit for power and steal a bag.  Likely beats Alacantra out for the fourth OF spot in spring.

[Tryptamine]

10 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

This is a solid low-cost pickup.

He was great in 2023 and I think dealt with an injury in 2025. At the very least gives us depth and another option as a backup OF.

It's so odd that he went form low to mid .400s SLG to just completely dropping off the table into Ke'Bryan Hayes territory.

[Bertz]

7 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

This is a solid low-cost pickup.

He was great in 2023 and I think dealt with an injury in 2025. At the very least gives us depth and another option as a backup OF.

I like this.  If he's healthy and rust-free in ST he's pretty much the platonic ideal of a RHH 4th outfielder.  If he's not you dump him.  Gives Alcantara opportunity to win a job without just giving it to him on a platter.

[chibears55]

2 minutes ago, Neuby said:

Love this.  Plus defender who can hit for power and steal a bag.  Likely beats Alacantra out for the fourth OF spot in spring.

What happened to him the last 2 seasons, was he hurt ir something 

[Stratos]

19 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

This is a solid low-cost pickup.

He was great in 2023 and I think dealt with an injury in 2025. At the very least gives us depth and another option as a backup OF.

He has strong splits and hits LHP very well and poor vs RHP.  Can DH vs LHP and also has ability to play CF.  Also has some options left. 

[Stratos]

11 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

What happened to him the last 2 seasons, was he hurt ir something 

Chatgpt answers:

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick has dealt with several injuries, most recently a left oblique strain in mid-2025 that sidelined him for nearly two months, and previously a fractured right hand in late 2024, along with a right hamstring issue earlier in 2024,

[Rcal10]

13 minutes ago, Stratos said:

He has strong splits and hits LHP very well and poor vs RHP.  Can DH vs LHP and also has ability to play CF.  Also has some options left. 

I realize what he would do is take Mo spot in the line up against a left handed pitcher. But Suzuki would DH. He would play right. Nice “value” pickup. I like the move. Low risk, solid reward. 

[Neuby]

Chas Mcormick and Dylan Carlson ?  Jed out here building depth love to see it. 

[Neuby]

https://x.com/AZProspectWatch/status/2014443368177393951?s=20

Edited January 23 by Neuby

[Post Count Padder]

Hey I'll take a flyer on Carlson too. Some people saying that it's McCormick because a Carlson signing hasn't happened but that looks like Carlson with a beard.

[chibears55]

2 hours ago, Stratos said:

Chatgpt answers:

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick has dealt with several injuries, most recently a left oblique strain in mid-2025 that sidelined him for nearly two months, and previously a fractured right hand in late 2024, along with a right hamstring issue earlier in 2024,

Sounds like someone who will be playing in Iowa for awhile to see if he can overcome them injuries and get his swing back.

I dont expect to see much of him, at least not for a couple months. 

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, chibears55 said:

Sounds like someone who will be playing in Iowa for awhile to see if he can overcome them injuries and get his swing back.

I dont expect to see much of him, at least not for a couple months. 

If he is healthy, what are we really expecting for him anyway. When people say good signing I believe it just means as a good bench bat, 4th outfielder. He refused a minor league assignment and then signed a minor league deal with the Cubs. I would think, if he does start in the minors he has an end date where they either have to bring him up or release him. 

Edited January 23 by Rcal10

[We Got The Whole 9]

These are solid pickups but if you have anyone offering anything helpful for Alcantara please just take it and be done with it. Its pretty clear you dont have much faith in him. 

[Gjfificifjdej]

3 hours ago, Stratos said:

Chatgpt answers:

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick has dealt with several injuries, most recently a left oblique strain in mid-2025 that sidelined him for nearly two months, and previously a fractured right hand in late 2024, along with a right hamstring issue earlier in 2024,

AI scum

[NorthsideAvenger]

Ngl, I initially confused Chas McCormick with Jake Marisnick. 

Cubs like reclamation projects, I would not mind if the Cubs took a flier of Aaron Sanchez. 

 

Edited January 23 by NorthsideAvenger

[Bertz]

Signing Andujar just to block Austin is dumb.  Austin projects better, it's not hard to find shortside platoon bats at the deadline, and we have Long as a ready to go in house replacement.

The money thing and the SP thing are more interesting.  If the team has let's say $10M left to play with, you could either "trade" Taillon for Gallen OR trade Shaw for optionable SP depth and backfill Shaw with a veteran bench signing (let's just assume Andujar).  

[chibears55]

Cubs are projected to be about 13 mil over the Threshold after Arb settles, hard to feel like they wont spend another 7 mil between now and the deadline that would take them to the next penalty level of 32%.

Would TR really pass up an opportunity to improve the roster if someone or two becomes available that can be a difference but will bump them over 20 mil and they'd have to pay an extra 5-7 mil in penalty

Edited January 23 by chibears55

[Rcal10]

7 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Cubs are projected to be about 13 mil over the Threshold after Arb settles, hard to feel like they wont spend another 7 mil between now and the deadline that would take them to the next penalty level of 32%.

Would TR really pass up an opportunity to improve the roster if someone or two becomes available that can be a difference but will bump them over 20 mil and they'd have to pay an extra 5-7 mil in penalty

I though they were still about $1M under. Does someone who understands this agree they are $13M over? 

[squally1313]

The $227m seems high compared to FG. They've got $197m for guaranteed, non arb contracts and then $11.2m for the two arb contracts (Steele and Cabrera). But FG also has $4.5m for payments to players no longer on the team ($2.5m for Bellinger and $2m for Turner) compared to $2.5m on that snip. I think that gets you pretty close to the gap. 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

The $227m seems high compared to FG. They've got $197m for guaranteed, non arb contracts and then $11.2m for the two arb contracts (Steele and Cabrera). But FG also has $4.5m for payments to players no longer on the team ($2.5m for Bellinger and $2m for Turner) compared to $2.5m on that snip. I think that gets you pretty close to the gap. 

So are they under or is chibear right? 

Edited January 23 by Rcal10