Spring Training games thread

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 hour ago, mk49 said:

Yes, this is a big problem.  That's why I want to keep one of them (+Nico).

It's gonna be weird, because everything is going to have to get done before Dec 1 when the CBA expires.

[Gjfificifjdej]

3 hours ago, squally1313 said:

On the hand, I really like this core (especially those three guys), and from a fan perspective it will be tough to see them leave. On the other hand, in the case of a mass exodus we have roughly $150m ($244m for luxury tax purposes right now for 2026, $87m committed to next year) to replace those three, probably 2 slots in the rotation, and the bullpen, so plenty of bullets.

Free agency 2026/27 kinda blows chunks at those positions so it doesn’t really matter what space we have

[Bertz]

I think whether it's someone new or a re-signing you can be pretty confident saying you will definitely need to pay market rates for a corner outfielder and a starting pitcher.  There will be more for sure but the rest will hinge on TBD 2026 health and performance.

[Bertz]

Not a huge shock but as Trueblood pointed out the Seiya stuff complicated things a little bit

[Backtobanks]

4 hours ago, squally1313 said:

On the hand, I really like this core (especially those three guys), and from a fan perspective it will be tough to see them leave. On the other hand, in the case of a mass exodus we have roughly $150m ($244m for luxury tax purposes right now for 2026, $87m committed to next year) to replace those three, probably 2 slots in the rotation, and the bullpen, so plenty of bullets.

I'm not crazy about giving Jed (and Ricketts) that much money to play with.  I'm sure they will try to go cheap in 1 or 2 of those spots, which will discourage top FAs from considering the Cubs.

[Jason Ross]

20 minutes ago, Backtobanks said:

I'm not crazy about giving Jed (and Ricketts) that much money to play with.  I'm sure they will try to go cheap in 1 or 2 of those spots, which will discourage top FAs from considering the Cubs.

The team just signed Alex Bregman, I don't think we necessarily need to worry about how the team will handle money. Ask yourself this: what's the worst FA signing the Cubs have made since Hoyer came about? I'm pretty sure it's Trey Mancini. And we can't really be worried about them cheaping out three months after signing Bregman, can we? 

Like, if you want to say "I don't think the team will give Skubal the biggest contract a SP has ever gotten" I think that's a fair thing to say (even if I don't think it's fair for the Cubs to act that way). But Hoyer generally spends the money he's given on players who contribute, and did just drop $150m on a modern deferral type deal, so I don't have a ton of worry that they'll punt a position of need when they have the funds.

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, squally1313 said:

That's certainly a consideration, but we've also got a 7 month head start (and hopefully some goodwill built up). They're not going to sign Bregman and run a $150m payroll next year. There's a little depth behind Skubal from what I can tell looking very quickly on the pitching front. I'd probably like them to lock in either Happ or Hoerner to an extension, and there's like 12 variables on which one I'd prefer. I don't know if you want to lock in 33 year old Suzuki, but also not sure anyone else does either, so might be more reasonable than you'd think.

 They'd be nuts not to keep at least one of Happ/Seiya/Nico and if they do they should get it done right now.

I guess Shaw could move to corner OF if they wanted.  His arm looked like arse on the one throw from CF I've seen so far.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Just now, Stratos said:

 I guess Shaw could move to corner OF if they wanted.  His arm looked like arse on the one throw from CF I've seen so far.

Yeah, I don't think arm strength has ever been Matt Shaw's thing. He seems destined for 2B if Nico leaves.

[Stratos]

[mk49]

[mk49]

[Transmogrified Tiger]

We can't let spring training percentiles be a thing.  A better way is possible.

[Gjfificifjdej]

Hopefully Jamo is just awful instead of mind alteringly horrifying tonight. 

[Bertz]

Taillon had more or less his normal velo back that first inning 🤞 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

17 minutes ago, Gjfificifjdej said:

Hopefully Jamo is just awful instead of mind alteringly horrifying tonight. 

He infected Boyd 

[mk49]

7 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

He infected Boyd 

Maybe, but Jamo is looking better today.

[chibears55]

Good first 2 innings by Taillon...

Hopefully he has a good clean game tonight and will be ready to go against the Angels in his next start.

[Irrelevant Dude]

The Cubs organization should be embarrassed... Using the A's broadcast on their own network?  Maybe they can just stop sending the crew on the road altogether.

[chibears55]

16 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

There’s 3 open spots in the rotation after the season.. You absolutely leave Brown in Iowa to polish his 2 seam-sinker and changeup until he’s needed on the ML roster. 

Theres 2 open spots for 2027

Theyll have Steele, Horton, and Cabrera returning.

Im sure Wiggins will get an opportunity to take a spot, especially if he takes a step forward this season. 

Brown might just end up being a long reliever/spot starter for the cubs next year and could be a trade piece at the deadline.

Maybe they can use Taillon and Imanaga money towards Skubal, or Gallen, Flaherty if they return to form

 

[Bertz]

46 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Taillon had more or less his normal velo back that first inning 🤞 

*sigh*

[chibears55]

15 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

The Cubs organization should be embarrassed... Using the A's broadcast on their own network?  Maybe they can just stop sending the crew on the road altogether.

This has been all spring,  outside of maybe two games that Cohen did.

But youre right, it pretty stupid to have your own network but use the opposing team broadcast to show games this spring. 

I dont know when Boog and JD contract is up, I hope soon because call me old fashion, but I prefer familiarity and consistency with my team broadcast booth and want them for all games not half.

 

 

[mk49]

3 minutes ago, Bertz said:

*sigh*

Look at the bright side.  No HR. 😄   

[mk49]

7 minutes ago, mk49 said:

Look at the bright side.  No HR. 😄   

I shouldn't have said it.😁

Edited March 21 by mk49

[Irrelevant Dude]

7 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I dont know when Boog and JD contract is up, I hope soon because call me old fashion, but I prefer familiarity and consistency with my team broadcast booth and want them for all games not half.

 

But if Sutcliffe fills in on the West Coast, then they dont have to pay JD's travel and per diem.  That sounds ridiculous for a team worth what the Cubs are, but it may just be reality.

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

We can't let spring training percentiles be a thing.  A better way is possible.

Well some of them matter, like velo.  It's just interesting stuff to look at