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

[Named After Maddux]

Believe the Cubs have been in on Dylan Carlson for a couple years now. He’s dealt with some injuries and there’s some talk that he might have turned a corner there. I’d be pretty skeptical there but sometimes you get a good season from someone if they have a lucky healthy season

[Geographyhater8888]

39 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

I don't think it matters that they were "in" on anyone they didn't sign. It means nothing. 

Was this meant for someone else?

[javy knows my name]

12 hours ago, Development DL said:

Is this the Deepest 40 man roster and group of minor league contact signings the cubs have pieced  together , since HOF JM was the skipper ?

Are you on a typewriter?

[Tryptamine]

So just reading a bit of the tea leaves, but I feel like Framber probably got his best offer from Baltimore, but for whatever reason really really  does not want to play for Balitmore so he's holding out hoping another team makes something similar. Meanwhile, if Framber doesn't end up in Baltimore, I can't see Gallen ending up anywhere but Baltimore. They'll have already whiffed on Cease and Saurez, if you add in Framber too, they can't come away entirely empty handed.

[Bertz]

Has the Cubs narrowly in first with 87 wins and 62% playoff odds.

I thought the note on the Brewers was interesting:

Quote

I’m giving more playing time to the players ZiPS likes than I usually do, as my failure to do so has been the biggest reason the system has underestimated Milwaukee in recent years. I have no idea what projection systems the Brewers care about, but they give a lot of playing time to surprising guys who ZiPS likes, and it has mostly worked out for them.

I've seen Dan mention this in chats before, but more or less the reason the Brewers have been crushing their projections is less individual players overperforming and more guys like Isaac Collins with surprisingly strong projections getting buried in the FG depth charts but once the season starts getting the PT more commensurate with their talent.

[CubinNY]

How long until Gallen falls into our laps? Who wants to take bets that if he does, he will be an All-Star? 

[Neuby]

Haven't heard Giolito connected to the Cubs much.

 

[Post Count Padder]

Quote

The Royals announced they’ve signed reliever Eli Morgan to a minor league deal. The CAA client receives a non-roster invite to big league Spring Training. Morgan had been non-tendered by the Cubs in November.

I had kinda hoped they'd bring him back. What a waste of a move last year. He was hurt and bad and we gave up a good prospect for him. Should've given it another chance.

[Jason Ross]

22 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

I had kinda hoped they'd bring him back. What a waste of a move last year. He was hurt and bad and we gave up a good prospect for him. Should've given it another chance.

I wouldn't say a "good" prospect. He was an interesting prospect in some of his tools, but his strikeout rate was already sitting over 30% as a 20-year old in Myrtle Beach and it wasn't like he was a highly regarded pick, either. 

He had a good year last year, lowered the strikeout rate to under 30%. Whether that would have happened with Chicago? Who knows? Some players click with coaching or an organization, maybe they had a different plan... We'll see where he goes from here - the K% is still concerning enough that it is likely a fatal flaw, but it may not be. For his sake I hope he does well! I liked watching him with the Cubs org.

Ultimately, it's the price of business. More than 90% of the time, when the Cubs trade a lottery pick for a middle reliever, it's going to work out in a fashion where the lottery ticket provides no value. It'll suck if Rosario turs out to be a guy, but it's just what happens. Much like De La Cruz for Kittredge; the lottery tickets are mostly fun because you can dream an endless dream on trade-day. But that's really what they are; dreams.

I guess think of it this way: if it was just a "sixth round pick" I don't think any of us would have cared. 

[Bertz]

1 hour ago, Neuby said:

Haven't heard Giolito connected to the Cubs much.

 

I would suspect that he's in an awkward no man's land that makes the Cubs a bad fit:

- He's not definitely better than Taillon

- He doesn't have roster flexibility (an injury to rehab from, a minor league option, a salary you'dbe quick to swallow)

- He's far too good to have to settle for a minor league deal or a bullpen spot

- Even if he was willing to settle for a bullpen spot, he doesn't have the bullpen experience or the stuff that makes you think relief is an attractive fallback option

I'd put Chris Bassitt and Justin Verlander in the same bucket as Giolito.  I think the Cubs either pony up for Gallen, sign someone coming off an injury that they can stash on the IL (Jordan Montgomery?), or sign someone you feel like would be good in relief (Nick Martinez? Walker Buehler?).

[Post Count Padder]

Yeah I don't see him fitting in now. He'll get a 2 year deal probably somewhere once Gallen and Framber are off the board.

[Development DL]

The gap between the Brewers and Cubs was rooted in PD .  The depth of the Brewers 40 man and 26 man gave them an advantage every year .  
The Cubs have closed that gap to where the pitching Department ( Zombro Tread …) have improved via targeted acquisitions and maximized value,

through specified development means ,  This has supplied usable  pitching depth . 
Thr Position side had a record year with a myriad of 3 war players and now has a chance to have a bench that can sustain quality performances,  over the 162 game grind . 

The Depth void is being filled and the work is ongoing . 

 

 

 

Edited January 30 by Development DL

[Geographyhater8888]

Valdez would be a huge addition. I guess the fact that he’s a d!ck is why he’s still looking for a team?

[CubUgly]

3 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Valdez would be a huge addition. I guess the fact that he’s a d!ck is why he’s still looking for a team?

I heard the Orioles were interested in him but he does not want to go there?  Not sure how realiable that is - heard it on one of the Cub podcasts, can't remember which. 

[Dfan25]

Cubs won’t  go near the AAV , that would get a Valdez deal done . That would push them into the 2nd tier of the LT .  I even doubt they would do Gallen on a 20 AAV TBH for LT reasons as well )

 

Also Gallen  will probably seek an opt out after 1 as well . Giving up a pick , an opt out after 1 and getting into the LT 2nd tier ? Looks extremely unlikely IMO .

Edited January 30 by Dfan25

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

4 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Valdez would be a huge addition. I guess the fact that he’s a d!ck is why he’s still looking for a team?

I assume it's the incident where he intentionally crossed up his catcher and then lied about it.

[Bertz]

I wonder if the Cubs and Gallen could do a swell opt.  Something like 3/60, opt out after the first year, and if Gallen triggers his opt out the Cubs have an opportunity to add another two years onto the deal?

It feels like the O's are definitely going to add one of Gallen/Framber, but beyond that it's anyone's guess.  Cubs are cleary being opportunistic, while the Braves/Padres/Giants/Dbacks definitely want SPs but there are mixed signals around if they want to do a $20-25M AAV.  I suspect those latter teams are all going to shop in the Chris Bassit tier, but it only takes one.

[Bull]

2 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I wonder if the Cubs and Gallen could do a swell opt.  Something like 3/60, opt out after the first year, and if Gallen triggers his opt out the Cubs have an opportunity to add another two years onto the deal?

It feels like the O's are definitely going to add one of Gallen/Framber, but beyond that it's anyone's guess.  Cubs are cleary being opportunistic, while the Braves/Padres/Giants/Dbacks definitely want SPs but there are mixed signals around if they want to do a $20-25M AAV.  I suspect those latter teams are all going to shop in the Chris Bassit tier, but it only takes one.

Have the Cubs signed a QO guy yet this offseason? I just don't see it happening unless he comes down to 15 a year (with the opt out, and a team option at 20). 

But 20per, loss of picks and an opt out. 2 of 3 but not all 3.

[Neuby]

Just now, Bull said:

Have the Cubs signed a QO guy yet this offseason? I just don't see it happening unless he comes down to 15 a year (with the opt out, and a team option at 20). 

But 20per, loss of picks and an opt out. 2 of 3 but not all 3.

No but they are getting an additional  pick from Tucker and the Dodgers,

[Neuby]

Heyman saying the Orioles are seriously considering adding Giolito. This is likely Boras pushing in for final offers on Valdez and Gallen.

[Dfan25]

11 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I wonder if the Cubs and Gallen could do a swell opt.  Something like 3/60, opt out after the first year, and if Gallen triggers his opt out the Cubs have an opportunity to add another two years onto the deal?

It feels like the O's are definitely going to add one of Gallen/Framber, but beyond that it's anyone's guess.  Cubs are cleary being opportunistic, while the Braves/Padres/Giants/Dbacks definitely want SPs but there are mixed signals around if they want to do a $20-25M AAV.  I suspect those latter teams are all going to shop in the Chris Bassit tier, but it only takes one.

Yeah , it has to be something creative for it to work for the Cubs 

[Bertz]

6 minutes ago, Bull said:

Have the Cubs signed a QO guy yet this offseason? I just don't see it happening unless he comes down to 15 a year (with the opt out, and a team option at 20). 

But 20per, loss of picks and an opt out. 2 of 3 but not all 3.

They haven't signed a QO guys but they've explicitly said they're open to it.  Like Neuby said they've got the Tucker pick coming their way so that tends to soften the blow.  Losing a second rounder and gaining a comp pick nets out to ~10 or so spots of draft order.

[Dfan25]

7 minutes ago, Neuby said:

Heyman saying the Orioles are seriously considering adding Giolito. This is likely Boras pushing in for final offers on Valdez and Gallen.

Valdez isn’t a Boras guy . I believe Valdez agent is Dominican . With that said , it’s very possible Boras is waiting on the Orioles   , before pushing the Gallen  negotiations 

Edited January 30 by Dfan25

[squally1313]

The concern I have about being opportunistic and being the last team standing is that it could potentially hurt the Taillon trade market, and going into the year with Taillon as your 6th starter and past the second luxury tax tier seems like a less than ideal situation. But you also can't jump the gun on Taillon and risk being stuck with the Wicks/Brown/Assad carousel in the 5/6 slot. 

[Bertz]

7 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

The concern I have about being opportunistic and being the last team standing is that it could potentially hurt the Taillon trade market, and going into the year with Taillon as your 6th starter and past the second luxury tax tier seems like a less than ideal situation. But you also can't jump the gun on Taillon and risk being stuck with the Wicks/Brown/Assad carousel in the 5/6 slot. 

I wonder if the plan would be to see where you're at at the end of ST and if miraculously everyone's healthy make a trade then.  You'd have way more leverage, and you'd not be in the clear on injury risk but gotten through the worst time for it.

But it seems like the immediate thought is definitely "MOAR PITCHING".