Cubs Offseason Mega Thread

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, chibears55 said:

Hope im wrong, but if Hoyer is limited on what he can spend like the 90 mil that been said, then id be surprised if he spends the bulk of it on one player with needing to add a bunch to the roster. 

But if they can do Skubal with some deferral money and bring him down to $40M for team payroll purposes that gives them $50M to work with. Holmes at $18-$20M, Taira, Soroka or Paterson, plus a few other options, at $12M-$15M leaves $15M to $20M. If they stick with Ayers at catcher and Shaw, Alcantara and Ramirez all are on the team they need 3 guys. One can be either BJ Murray it Triantos. Now we need 2 bench bats. They can probably fo something like Bauer and Ward and come in close $20M. But if not they can probably pick from guys like Conforto, Taylor, Ward, Robert, Bell and several others in the $6M to $10M range to fill 2 spots. That is a pretty good team and within budget. For Skubal I would like to see something like 7/$315 with a. 8th year at the same annual if he either pitches 1,000 over the 7 years with the team, 450 innings over the last 3 years of his contract or 150 innings the last year of his deal. If any of those happens the 8th year kicks in as an option for him.  And again, enough deferred to lower the contract for team payroll purposes to $40M annually. Maybe they can go over a little and still sign someone like Civale as a swing option.

[Jason Ross]

Cubs have agreed to terms with Jacob Webb. He will make $2m next year (was supposed to make $2.5m so they will save half a million) and then a $4 million club option (with a $1m buyout)

[Bertz]

That's nifty, not sure why he agreed to that

 

[Jason Ross]

7 minutes ago, Bertz said:

That's nifty, not sure why he agreed to that

 

Looks like he picked up some incentives.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

The bonus kicks in if he allows less than three walkoff homers

I do like Jacob Webb though, just not as an 8th or 9th inning guy

Edited 5 hours ago by Tangled Up in Plaid

[Stratos]

1 hour ago, Bertz said:

That's nifty, not sure why he agreed to that

He gets the same money guaranteed with the 500k buyout and adds incentives and an option. 

[Bertz]

Rogers is the only one worth considering with the QO attached IMO

[Nolo]

Rea —> gone

Harvey —> gone

Thielbar —> gone

Webb —> staying

also, Clay Holmes has officially rejected his player option.

I still don’t think we have the deep playoff run arms in the pen. Also tough to for sure pencil in guys like Miller and Maton.

Edited 4 hours ago by Nolo

[Nolo]

15 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Rogers is the only one worth considering with the QO attached IMO

Damn, Morejon with the QO. My dreams are crushed.

Padres must be confident that shoulder situation is all good.

Edited 4 hours ago by Nolo

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I'd still sign Morejon, he's elite as it gets

[chibears55]

Hoyer starting early with his bullpen reclamation 🤣

The Cubs today claimed RHP Eric Orze off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.

[Nolo]

13 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

I'd still sign Morejon, he's elite as it gets

Same. Especially now that we know Webb will be filling up a slot (hopefully middle relief) and we are kind of banking on guys like Miller and Maton coming back healthy. As it stands, the bullpen is not built for a deep playoff run. There’s potential, but need to add a lights out weapon Imo. If not Morejon, still have to figure something out. 

[Nolo]

9 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Hoyer starting early with his bullpen reclamation 🤣

The Cubs today claimed RHP Eric Orze off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.

Nice… another 30 year old low 90s righty.

[Rcal10]

45 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

I'd still sign Morejon, he's elite as it gets

Of all the FA, he is the one I am most confident in saying the Cubs will not sign him. 

[Bertz]

The Athletic has a wrap up article of all the moves today.  Nothing too insightful or earth shattering, but this caught my eye

Quote

Before the anticipated Dec. 1 shutdown at 11:59 p.m. ET, the Cubs are once again expected to be players in that international market, hoping the success of Suzuki and Imanaga will add to their credibility in Japan.

 

[Illiterate Scholar]

Unless he's dead set on going to Atlanta, Sonny Gray feels like a Cub to me. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I wonder how teams are viewing Taira. There seems to be a lot of questions if he can hold up starting at the major league level and that he'd be better as a multi-inning leverage guy.

Edited 3 hours ago by Tangled Up in Plaid

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, Illiterate Scholar said:

Unless he's dead set on going to Atlanta, Sonny Gray feels like a Cub to me. 

Why? I mean I am fine with him on. Short deal. What what makes you think he is more likely a Cub than other pitchers? Not doubting you. Just curious as to your reasoning. 

[Illiterate Scholar]

8 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Why? I mean I am fine with him on. Short deal. What what makes you think he is more likely a Cub than other pitchers? Not doubting you. Just curious as to your reasoning. 

He's a safe (not meant as an insult) veteran who's only going to require 1 or 2 years. In a world where Skubal is realistic, the Gray AAV probably is a no go, otherwise there's plenty of room. His drawbacks (lower velo, drop in strikeout rate) haven't proven to be drawbacks for this front office, especially when compared to the perks of signing him (short term,  and you can probably count on him being good)

[Nolo]

47 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Of all the FA, he is the one I am most confident in saying the Cubs will not sign him. 

Im OK with Gray as a #3. If he’s our #1–2, then Jed will have failed. Thats not a knock on his great season.

[Backtobanks]

If you want an experienced reliever, Kenley Jansen is available.

[Rcal10]

21 minutes ago, Nolo said:

Im OK with Gray as a #3. If he’s our #1–2, then Jed will have failed. Thats not a knock on his great season.

They don’t have the payroll for Gray to be their 3rd. I have a feeling, based on most of your posts, you are going to be very disappointed this off season. And this is even with them having a good off season. 

[Bertz]

57 minutes ago, Illiterate Scholar said:

Unless he's dead set on going to Atlanta, Sonny Gray feels like a Cub to me. 

Yeah I think signing one of the olds is a smart way to get some talent without adding a lot of years.  I'd guess retaining Holmes is a little more likely than signing Gray, but I'd put it north of 50/50 that we end up with one of the Gray/Holmes/Gausman trio.

[Nolo]

5 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

They don’t have the payroll for Gray to be their 3rd. I have a feeling, based on most of your posts, you are going to be very disappointed this off season. And this is even with them having a good off season. 

Yes, most likely. 

[Rcal10]

28 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Yeah I think signing one of the olds is a smart way to get some talent without adding a lot of years.  I'd guess retaining Holmes is a little more likely than signing Gray, but I'd put it north of 50/50 that we end up with one of the Gray/Holmes/Gausman trio.

They may go Gray and Holmes. I just doubt Gray is the 3rd best pitcher they sign. Maybe Gray for 2 years and Holmes for 3. Then someone like Soroka, Taira or May for 3.