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 Saturday at 09:05 PM 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 Saturday at 09:31 PM 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 Saturday at 11:59 PM 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. 

[Stratos]

9 hours ago, chibears55 said:

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 

???

 

You forgot Braxton Garrett.

They're losing 5 good SP, which is their entire current rotation.  That's nuts. IMO they have to replace about 4 of the 5, plus grab a cheap depth guy or 2 to replace/upgrade Rea,  That's going to cost a lot of money, and fortunately we have a lot coming off the books.

I would consider anything we get from Steele and Horton as a bonus and make plans assuming both may not pitch at all.

[Stratos]

9 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

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. 

Holmes, Seiya. a few more SP, a platoon OF, and your typical crop of relievers would be my offseason wishlist.  Another catcher too to compete with Ayers if they plan on giving him a shot.

Ideally I'm out on Boyd.  He'll be 36 next year.  I'd prefer to pass on Shota too if there's better SP available, but we might not have many better choices.

[Geographyhater8888]

15 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

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? 

This offense with a league average PCA is a less than elite offense. Solid, probably around a 106 wRC+, but not enough to be considered a legitimate postseason threat with optimistically a slightly above average pitching staff when everyone comes off the IL.

They’ll need 148 wRC+ PCA for the remaining 38 games+ to sustain their elite pace. The 2023 Rangers is this teams blue print IMO. 
 

 

Edited Sunday at 12:49 PM by Geographyhater8888

[Derwood]

4 hours ago, Stratos said:

 

They're losing 5 good SP, which is their entire current rotation.  

Only if you assume ever FA pitcher signs elsewhere

[Geographyhater8888]

5 hours ago, Stratos said:

Holmes, Seiya. a few more SP, a platoon OF, and your typical crop of relievers would be my offseason wishlist.  Another catcher too to compete with Ayers if they plan on giving him a shot.

Ideally I'm out on Boyd.  He'll be 36 next year.  I'd prefer to pass on Shota too if there's better SP available, but we might not have many better choices.

Freddy Peralta I could see as a target. I don’t know what happened to him but the good news is he’ll come with a cheaper price.

Edited Sunday at 12:44 PM by Geographyhater8888

[BKHoo]

It’s Sunday morning - Did the cards just hit another HR off Boyd?

[Rcal10]

5 hours ago, Stratos said:

Holmes, Seiya. a few more SP, a platoon OF, and your typical crop of relievers would be my offseason wishlist.  Another catcher too to compete with Ayers if they plan on giving him a shot.

Ideally I'm out on Boyd.  He'll be 36 next year.  I'd prefer to pass on Shota too if there's better SP available, but we might not have many better choices.

Wouldn’t Amaya be the other catcher? I am almost certain Shota will be gone. I am on the fence with Boyd. Not signing him again, but if he gets a QO. Hate to lose so many people without and draft capital back. But he might accept. If he does so, that would be the only way I would keep him. I think the add Holmes or a different $20M+ annual starting pitcher. Not Holmes and one. Even if Boyd doesn’t accept the QO, I don’t see a second big spend. Not anyone who will be 5 years at $20M+ annual, if they keep Holmes.

[Derwood]

Steele
Horton
Cabrera
Holmes
Assad??

 

[Rcal10]

5 hours ago, Stratos said:

You forgot Braxton Garrett.

They're losing 5 good SP, which is their entire current rotation.  That's nuts. IMO they have to replace about 4 of the 5, plus grab a cheap depth guy or 2 to replace/upgrade Rea,  That's going to cost a lot of money, and fortunately we have a lot coming off the books.

I would consider anything we get from Steele and Horton as a bonus and make plans assuming both may not pitch at all.

I think you are a little doomsday either way Steele and Horton, but I do get it. I also doubt they upgrade/replace Rea. He is perfect for how they plan to use him. And when the plan fails and he has to be in the rotation he does an OK job. Assuming they figured out Brown’s problems they should have him and Cabrera. I think (hope) Steele could be back in the rotation next year. So that is a 3rd guy. If they can keep Holmes that would be 4. Then you have Garrett, Rea, & Assad as depth pieces. I can see either keeping Boyd with a QO he accepts or spending that money on a starting pitcher via FA, or trading for a controllable pitcher, like they did for Cabrera last year. I don’t see 4 or 5 adds, plus upgrading Rea. 

[Brian707]

13 hours ago, ILMindState said:

 

 

I was at that game.  I was so pissed those ahorsefeatherss walked him. horsefeathers the Cardinals and their trash fans 

Edited Sunday at 01:19 PM by Brian707

[Rcal10]

3 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

This offense with a league average PCA is a less than elite offense. Solid, probably around a 106 wRC+, but not enough to be considered a legitimate postseason threat with optimistically a slightly above average pitching staff when everyone comes off the IL.

They’ll need 148 wRC+ PCA for the remaining 38 games+ to sustain their elite pace. The 2023 Rangers is this teams blue print IMO. 
 

 

I get what you are saying, but if you took a star player from any team and turned into a 106 wRC+ player instead of the star numbers he is producing, wouldn’t any team drop from elite to just good? I do think the offense will drop some. But still very good. I also agree the pitching has to be better, but I think they addressed that at the deadline. The staff we see come mid to late October will be way different than what we saw up to August 3rd. Between trades made and guys coming back from injuries we might see as many as 8 guys who were not part of the staff on 8/2 on the staff on 9/15. Gausman, Holmes, Zeferjahn, Brown, Steele, Palencia, Milner, Miller, Cabrera and maybe even Harvey all potentially could be on the pitching staff on 9/15. Most likely they won’t all be, but at a minimum they willl have 6 different pitchers from 8/2 to 9/15.