Cubs Offseason Mega Thread

[Nolo]

2 minutes ago, mul21 said:

There's no chance this FO is planning on Ben Brown being a rotation piece going into the season.  They still don't know what's causing the neck issue.

it was just sarcasm based on the comment I replied to. Although it wouldn't surprise me. That's basically what I feel like Jed is thinking the rotation can be.

There's still 2-3 weeks left to make a splash. Sharma doesn't know all.

Edited 2 hours ago by Nolo

[Rex Buckingham]

We have an MVP in CF who is going to play next year at 25, a good (but aging) infield, and we are completely sitting out on the best FA pitcher in years (only real comp I can think of is Cole in 2020) when pitching has been our biggest weakness the past few years

[Jason Ross]

23 minutes ago, Nolo said:

it was just sarcasm based on the comment I replied to. Although it wouldn't surprise me. That's basically what I feel like Jed is thinking the rotation can be.

There's still 2-3 weeks left to make a splash. Sharma doesn't know all.

Outside of Skubal, there really isn't a "splash" to be made, however. That doesn't mean "aren't good players" but there isn't anything else on the entire market I'd consider "splashy". The splashy names are some of the guys I'd stay away from (King, Peralta) and the others who might be pretty solid (Rogers, Holmes) probably aren't overly exciting on their own, even if they're solid arms.

[We Got The Whole 9]

47 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

The Cubs are not going to spend like the Dodgers and Mets., they are sitting out Skubal. Team will look at groundball pitchers.

Team thinks it's 2016 still 

[Jason Ross]

Just now, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Team thinks it's 2016 still 

In their defense, after 2017 they went out and signed Yu Darvish to a massive deal just a few years after they signed Lester to a massive deal. 

I kind of wish the Cubs acted like it was that time a bit more often.

[Bertz]

35 minutes ago, Nolo said:

What is considered a ground ball pitcher these days? 45% or higher? Or are we talking Clay Holmes and Morejon caliber serving up 60% GB rate? Because I don't think any of the free agent pitchers, besides Morejon, are matching Holmes in that regard but guys like King, Skubal, Griffin all served up 45% GB rate in 2026. Peterson 50% GB. Hopefully Jed realizes the Cubs need an actual ace still nonetheless.

League Average for GB rate tends to hang out around 42-43%.  So yeah I think anything over 45% you'd consider a notable GB pitcher, 

Holmes and Peterson were 1st and 10th last year among pitchers with at least 100 IP.  Somny Gray at 46% (ranked #22) pretty notable as well.

Edited 2 hours ago by Bertz

[Nolo]

I’m now predicting Holmes, Peterson, and Gray will be the FA signings for pitchers. They will probably make an offer to Morejon but will be outbid by a team that wants to win.

Will be interesting to see how they approach the position player needs.

[Jason Ross]

Just now, Nolo said:

I’m now predicting Holmes, Peterson, and Gray will be the FA signings for pitchers. They will probably make an offer to Morejon but will be outbid by a team that wants to win.

Will be interesting to see how they approach the position player needs.

I would be very surprised if they make an offer to Morejon. 

[Nolo]

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

I would be very surprised if they make an offer to Morejon. 

I was just going based on the Morejon comment in this article https://cubbiescrib.com/cubs-rumors-jed-hoyer-repeats-familiar-mistake-with-premature-tarik-skubal-free-agency-exit

[Jason Ross]

7 minutes ago, Nolo said:

I was just going based on the Morejon comment in this article https://cTubbiescrib.com/cubs-rumors-jed-hoyer-repeats-familiar-mistake-with-premature-tarik-skubal-free-agency-exit

The Athletic wouldn't rule it out but suggested the Cubs weren't going to go massive on either. The QO will keep them away from Morejon.

[We Got The Whole 9]

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

In their defense, after 2017 they went out and signed Yu Darvish to a massive deal just a few years after they signed Lester to a massive deal. 

I kind of wish the Cubs acted like it was that time a bit more often.

True but you can't defend your way to a championship IMO. I just dont believe that type of staff can get it done. Although that was not the biggest reason they faltered against the Padres, it was a factor. 

 

I just hate how much we've zigged in regard to the velo/stuff era we are in. Drives me nuts.

[Nolo]

20 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

The Athletic wouldn't rule it out but suggested the Cubs weren't going to go massive on either. The QO will keep them away from Morejon.

so you’re saying there’s a chance 😏 

[macarthur31]

Reading Sharma's Athletic piece ("Cubs are sitting out Skubal auction.") lands as the rebuke to Passan's item last week ("Cubs are desperate to land Skubal.").  I'd trust Sharma's take given he's long been on the beat, and I'd consider his coverage as fair/neutral (though his stance has always been that the Cubs should be a top 5 payroll, and he's consistently pointed out that Jed/Tom haven't done that), rather than the dour/skeptics Jesse Rogers and Patrick Mooney.  

It's a bummer, because I've been in Jason Ross's camp in that, "I get you gotta be measured, but if not now, when?" approach to this particular offseason that is pretty bare at the top of the FA market.

Yes, there is uncertainty with the CBA - but given across the board it appears that everyone is being cautious, I was hoping Jed/Tom were gonna tap into their inner Warren Buffett:  "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."  

There's definitely a path to get to 90 wins outside of signing Skubal.  However, that'll still be 6 games back of the Brewers.

[Jason Ross]

Just now, macarthur31 said:

Reading Sharma's Athletic piece ("Cubs are sitting out Skubal auction.") lands as the rebuke to Passan's item last week ("Cubs are desperate to land Skubal.").  I'd trust Sharma's take given he's long been on the beat, and I'd consider his coverage as fair/neutral (though his stance has always been that the Cubs should be a top 5 payroll, and he's consistently pointed out that Jed/Tom haven't done that), rather than the dour/skeptics Jesse Rogers and Patrick Mooney.  

It's a bummer, because I've been in Jason Ross's camp in that, "I get you gotta be measured, but if not now, when?" approach to this particular offseason that is pretty bare at the top of the FA market.

Yes, there is uncertainty with the CBA - but given across the board it appears that everyone is being cautious, I was hoping Jed/Tom were gonna tap into their inner Warren Buffett:  "Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."  

There's definitely a path to get to 90 wins outside of signing Skubal.  However, that'll still be 6 games back of the Brewers.

Exactly this. And I think with how Sharma reports, you can guess who this is coming from. The Cubs want to temper your expectations right out of the gate. I'd also guess that's coming from beyond Hoyer. And that's a particular point of paint for me. This isn't how you approach a second 90-win season with the gaps you have, IMO. 

And we can "yadda yadda" all we want about what we expect, but I'm frankly fed up with having to accept and expect less from the ownership. And I'll get pissed off every time it happens.

[macarthur31]

6 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Exactly this. And I think with how Sharma reports, you can guess who this is coming from. The Cubs want to temper your expectations right out of the gate. I'd also guess that's coming from beyond Hoyer. And that's a particular point of paint for me. This isn't how you approach a second 90-win season with the gaps you have, IMO. 

And we can "yadda yadda" all we want about what we expect, but I'm frankly fed up with having to accept and expect less from the ownership. And I'll get pissed off every time it happens.

*cough, cough* CraneKenney *cough*

 

(that's my guess, anyway)

[Jason Ross]

9 minutes ago, macarthur31 said:

*cough, cough* CraneKenney *cough*

 

(that's my guess, anyway)

Anything from Crane is from Tom, sadly. 

[ILMindState]

This is the least I’ve ever cared about an offseason in decades. I’m usually glued to every day to day rumor but I’m just so down about this team right now. I don’t see how they can get any better to realistically compete for the division. We’re just kind of in a ****** mid place right now. We’re not gonna spend big on FA and don’t really have the prospect to pull of a big trade. This team just feels so meh. 

[CubinNY]

I saw a Bleacher Nation post saying the Cubs weren't going to get in a bidding war for Skubal. I was disappointed but not surprised. 

[chibears55]

3 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

I'm sorry, I gave them too much credit. The Athletic and Sharma reports the Cubs will not be involved in Skubal. And listen, you can say a fine offseason can be had or whatever, but this is horsefeathers behavior from a big market team to declare yourself out on November 9th. 

Sell the horsefeathers team if you have no aspirations, Tom.

Considering this comes from Sharma and so close to the Passan article last week, I'd assume the Cubs have set their budget. And I'm not particularly feeling very strong about said-budget considering.

I never thought they would be, they need too much to consider spending half or most of what presumably they have available in payroll on one guy.

If theyre staying under a Threshold for 2027, count on them adding mostly guys thatll cost around the 15 mil range, maybe 1 or 2 players higher but mostly there or lower.