Cardinals (McGreevy) vs Cubs (Boyd): 08/15/26, 1:20 PM

[chibears55]

Let's pretend we have a normal offseason and they start the season on time, what are they realistically looking at for a rotation right now with all 5 current SP may become FA at end of season. 

Imanaga FA

Boyd Mutual Option

Gausman FA

Holmes Player Option

Peterson FA

Rea Team Option

Cabrera ARB 3

Assad ARB 2

Brown ARB

Steele should be ready OD, 1 yr left 

Wiggins will likely start in Iowa

Horton wont be ready til likely August 

 

Might be looking at adding 2-3 new SP if they cant bring anyone back

Cabrera,  Steele,  Brown,  Assad 

???

 

Edited 8 hours ago by chibears55

[Rcal10]

54 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

It’s unfair to ask PCA to sustain his 2 month 200+ wRC+. But this team may or may not have the pitching to pick up a less than elite offense. 

What do you consider a less than elite offense? Cubs are first in OBP, 2nd in runs scored, 3rd in OPS, 5th in slugging and 8th in homers. How much more does this offense need to do to be considered elite? 

[profisme]

Holmes is one that needs to be offered something good. He will undoubtedly turn down his player option as it is such a low number for a guy of his caliber. Gausman could be re-signed if the numbers make sense. Getting a healthy Steele and Brown transforms the staff at the top. Who know if Horton will be back in any real form next year. He last one week further into this season than Steele did last season so his recovery timeframe is a question mark. Assad is clearly an option. Maybe they try and turn Zeferjahn into a starter. His control would have to improve dramatically though.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

they're probably gonna have to make a trade and/or re-sign Holmes. The FA market for starters is predictably awful outside of Skubal and we all know where he's gonna sign. I guess Trevor Rogers is mildly interesting but that's about it

[Rcal10]

5 minutes ago, profisme said:

Holmes is one that needs to be offered something good. He will undoubtedly turn down his player option as it is such a low number for a guy of his caliber. Gausman could be re-signed if the numbers make sense. Getting a healthy Steele and Brown transforms the staff at the top. Who know if Horton will be back in any real form next year. He last one week further into this season than Steele did last season so his recovery timeframe is a question mark. Assad is clearly an option. Maybe they try and turn Zeferjahn into a starter. His control would have to improve dramatically though.

Holmes would be someone I would like to see signed. He is the perfect Cubs pitcher. Holmes, Brown, Steele and Cabrera would be a good start. If they offer Boyd a QO he may take it. They also have Rea, Assad, and Wiggins. If they did that, maybe they can keep Seiya. The problem is do they give Happ a QO? I don’t want him back next year and if he took the QO, I think they would mean no Seiya. I would like to get a draft pick for Happ, but not sure I would take that chance. 

[chibears55]

16 minutes ago, profisme said:

Holmes is one that needs to be offered something good. He will undoubtedly turn down his player option as it is such a low number for a guy of his caliber. Gausman could be re-signed if the numbers make sense. Getting a healthy Steele and Brown transforms the staff at the top. Who know if Horton will be back in any real form next year. He last one week further into this season than Steele did last season so his recovery timeframe is a question mark. Assad is clearly an option. Maybe they try and turn Zeferjahn into a starter. His control would have to improve dramatically though.

They definitely need to start working on an extension with Holmes.

Gausman will depend on how he finishes and yes, as you say, the numbers

Hopefully Hoyer will be aggressive in trying to add one of the top available SP that are or could be available if opt out.

Edited 7 hours ago by chibears55

[Rcal10]

10 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

They definitely need to start working on an extension with Holmes.

Gausman will depend on how he finishes and yes, as you say, the numbers

Hopefully Hoyer will be aggressive in trying to add one of the top available SP that are or could be available if opt out.

I think if they are able to keep Holmes here he would be that FA they signed. You don’t expect another one too, do you? Maybe if Boyd was either not offered a QO or if he declined, they would sign or trade for someone else. But if Boyd stays and Holmes gets signed that would be the rotation, right? Maybe they would trade for someone but I don’t think they would have the money to sign another pitcher. I want to keep Seiya, somehow. 

[BKHoo]

6 homeruns?!  Geez how many runs have the Cards scored in Wrigley this year? 

[ILMindState]

 

 

[NorthsideAvenger]

21 minutes ago, ILMindState said:

 

 

Eff the Cardinals, red beard, eff the Cardinals.

[Rcal10]

23 minutes ago, ILMindState said:

 

 

The comments that follow this Turner comment just show us who the Cardinal fans really are….total douchbags. . 

Edited 5 hours ago by Rcal10

[mk49]

4 hours ago, javy knows my name said:

5 hours ago, Derwood said:

where's the dude who keeps telling us how much better the pitchers are with Amaya catching?

Oh I murdered him 

No, you didn't murder me.  I'm still alive.😁

And, I've never said "pitchers" are better with Amaya.  I said Boyd and Shota pitched better with Miggy, and it's still true, even including today's game.  I also said Assad pitched better with Carson.  Unless the difference in their ERA's get less than 1.50 between two catchers, I don't change my opinion, and I'd be more than happy to be wrong.

[PeanutPunch33]

If the Cubs bring Seiya and Holmes back for next season I feel pretty darn confident they will at least make the playoffs again.  Anything they do on top of that is just gravy - but those 2 guys have to be prioritized.  

[JHBulls]

One thought, three words: horsefeathers the Brewers.