Pitchers and catchers are reporting? It's the Spring Training Thread!

[Outshined_One]

Probably takes the Cubs out of the Gallen running if the thought was they'd want Gallen at least through 2027, no?

[cl smooth]

totally forgot at one point he played for the 2021 cubs

[Rcal10]

16 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

Probably takes the Cubs out of the Gallen running if the thought was they'd want Gallen at least through 2027, no?

I don’t think it does. But, I doubt the Cubs were getting Gallen anyway. To me this moves doesn’t lessen the chance of Gallen. 

[Jason Ross]

45 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

Probably takes the Cubs out of the Gallen running if the thought was they'd want Gallen at least through 2027, no?

Don't think so. Miller is strictly a reliever and someone who isn't going to pitch much in 2026 if at all. 

FWIW, Levine remains beating that drum, suggesting some insiders think the Cubs are the team to beat on Gallen. 

 

[squally1313]

Dumb, pedantic question:

I was going through the FG payroll page trying to make a joke about how Palencia is screwed health wise because we surely aren't allowed to have this many reliever spots filled for a future team. I noticed we had quite a few guys on deals with a 2027 mutual options, which, from recollection, are almost never actually opted into (either the guy is good and wants more or he stinks and we bail).

As an example, Hunter Harvey is getting $5m this year and has a mutual option for $8m next year. They list his AAV at $6m, and I believe the AAV number is what drives the luxury tax stuff, no? I can't follow the exact math, but I think ultimately my question is if/when these mutual options are voided in November, do they recalculate the luxury tax amounts to determine penalties/which threshold you crossed/etc?

[Post Count Padder]

That's basically nothing, depending on the incentives.

[Bertz]

38 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Dumb, pedantic question:

I was going through the FG payroll page trying to make a joke about how Palencia is screwed health wise because we surely aren't allowed to have this many reliever spots filled for a future team. I noticed we had quite a few guys on deals with a 2027 mutual options, which, from recollection, are almost never actually opted into (either the guy is good and wants more or he stinks and we bail).

As an example, Hunter Harvey is getting $5m this year and has a mutual option for $8m next year. They list his AAV at $6m, and I believe the AAV number is what drives the luxury tax stuff, no? I can't follow the exact math, but I think ultimately my question is if/when these mutual options are voided in November, do they recalculate the luxury tax amounts to determine penalties/which threshold you crossed/etc?

My understanding is LT numbers are vased on guaranteed dollars.  So presumably for Harvey it's $5M with a $1M buyout, and thus the $6M guaranteed is the LT hit.

I do know that option decisions that retroactively change the AAV can have a carryover.  For instance Stroman's contract was 25/25/21, for a 23.7 AAV.  When he opted out before that 3rd year we got a 2.6M 'penalty' in that 3rd year to make up for that AAV gap the first two years.  I don't think this happens on mutual options though, mutual options are essentially just deferred money.

[mk49]

I don't know why Levine is so confident.  Obviously, he knows something that I don't.

At this point, I'm more like "if we get Gallen, great.  If not, fine."  

[Bertz]

2 minutes ago, mk49 said:

I don't know why Levine is so confident.  Obviously, he knows something that I don't.

At this point, I'm more like "if we get Gallen, great.  If not, fine."  

Levine's pretty hit or miss at this stage of his career.  That said the only time from the last couple of years I can remember him being this on something was Jesus Luzardo last winter.  And that deal was done before the physical spiked it, so I'd consider it a win for him.

[Rcal10]

20 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Levine's pretty hit or miss at this stage of his career.  That said the only time from the last couple of years I can remember him being this on something was Jesus Luzardo last winter.  And that deal was done before the physical spiked it, so I'd consider it a win for him.

He was pretty confident in a Cubs trade for Pablo Lopez last year. And that never happened.

[Rcal10]

Brewers signed Rengifo. Would it surprise anyone if he had a better year than Shaw as a utility player? It wouldn’t surprise me. 

[mk49]

51 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Brewers signed Rengifo. Would it surprise anyone if he had a better year than Shaw as a utility player? It wouldn’t surprise me. 

It wouldn't surprise me, either, but I don't know if he's going to be a utility player.

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, mk49 said:

It wouldn't surprise me, either, but I don't know if he's going to be a utility player.

I only mention that because many people were concerned if the Cubs traded Shaw they could sign someone who could be just as good as him next year. I think Rengifo could be. 

[Tryptamine]

10 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I only mention that because many people were concerned if the Cubs traded Shaw they could sign someone who could be just as good as him next year. I think Rengifo could be. 

If Rengifo ends up being as good as Shaw, then Shaw has been a huge disappointment.

[mk49]

6 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I only mention that because many people were concerned if the Cubs traded Shaw they could sign someone who could be just as good as him next year. I think Rengifo could be. 

Oh, I see.  

You said "could be just as good as Shaw next year."  Like I said, and you said, Rengifo could be just as good or better than Shaw "next year" (means this season, I assume). 

I've been against trading Shaw.  Shaw has the higher ceiling, and I would be surprised, at least a little, if Rengifo will be better than Shaw a few years from now.  Shaw is under team control for many more years.  I'm not arguing with you here.  I'm saying it, because, a few people said "Trade Shaw.  It's easy to find a replacement."

[mk49]

6 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

If Rengifo ends up being as good as Shaw, then Shaw has been a huge disappointment.

Or, Rengifo bounces back big time this year.  I'm pretty sure Shaw will be better.  If not this year, he will be in near future.

[chibears55]

So who the Cubs bench old man veteran on this year roster, Shelby Miller ?

Maybe it time to give McCutchen (39) a call 

Lol

 

[Tryptamine]

So we're getting to the point where if Gallen doesn't sign pretty quick I'm not sure I want him. The guys who have signed this late into the season have had a pretty bad performance history.

[Dfan25]

Gallen is nearing a deal with the Dbacks 

[Bertz]

Close the book on this one

 

[Bertz]

 

 

[mk49]

Wow, good for him.  I was just thinking he would get $22M, if Dbacks are nice to him.  

Edited February 14 by mk49

[Neuby]

Giolito and Kopech or bust I guess. Kinda feels like last year when the roster looks a move short (Bregman) but fell short. 

[Tryptamine]

I wonder if he was just adamant about that 1 year deal and no one was willing to lose that draft pick for a single year.

[mk49]

I don't know, but I think Gallen was looking for longer term, maybe 3~5 years.  My guess is nobody offered him over $18M AAV.  The Cubs might have offered him a 3 year, $18M AAV with opt out after the 2nd season.  Just my guess.

He should have just taken the QO, so people didn't need to waste time.

Edited February 14 by mk49