Cubs Offseason Mega Thread

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

I wonder if Conforto’s swing adjustments will stick for another year. He’s been up and down over the last 4 or 5 seasons and is going to turn 34. But this all depends on what he can get on the open market. 
 

A corner outfield comprised entirely of platoon bats is a possibility with the market.

Very true. Pick up someone like Conforto and Ward or Taylor and pair them with Shaw, Ramirez and Alcantara and you have corners and DH filled basically in a platoon situation. Ramirez and Shaw also cover infield duties when guys need a day. This would just leave a back up catcher (Ayers) and one more bench guy (Triantos or Murray) and all the rest of the money could be spent on pitching. If they spend on the high side of projections on pitching, they can have a nice staff. 

Edited Wednesday at 12:42 PM by Rcal10

[Geographyhater8888]

38 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Very true. Pick up someone like Conforto and Ward or Taylor and pair them with Shaw, Ramirez and Alcantara and you have corners and DH filled basically in a platoon situation. Ramirez and Shaw also cover infield duties when guys need a day. This would just leave a back up catcher (Ayers) and one more bench guy (Triantos or Murray) and all the rest of the money could be spent on pitching. If they spend on the high side of projections on pitching, they can have a nice staff. 

It depends on what Ward wants. I’m not too hot on counting on Ramirez or Alcantara as +outfield platoon bats without a buffer, which Conforto may or may not be (he’s up and down every year) and his defense isn’t great if he has to play the outfield.  Ward makes some sense, and he didn’t exactly price himself out of affordability either. But they’ll need a lefty too. 
 

 

[chibears55]

I hope they spend big on quality pitching this offseason, I think all they need is 2 real solid starters and at least one strong bullpen arm.

Assuming theyll be healthy to start ST

Steele,  Cabrera,  and Brown will be a good 3 to add onto with 2 TOR type starters.

Bullpen has Palencia Webb Zeferjahn Rolison, with probably Garrett Martin Maton and Assad in the mix. I just would like to see them add a solid arm for late innings high leverage, or someone who can be relied on to close out games. 

 

Suzuki gonna be like how Imanaga was, as far as him accepting or not determines how aggressive they need to be to add bats.

If he accepts,  then they basically just need to add a LH bat for LF as everyday or platoon with Alcantara or bring back Taylor. 

If he declines,  then Hoyer will need to be aggressive in finding 2 outfielders via trade,and or FA with possibly counting on Alcantara getting a big opportunity to get a ton of AB.

 

[Rcal10]

13 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

It depends on what Ward wants. I’m not too hot on counting on Ramirez or Alcantara as +outfield platoon bats without a buffer, which Conforto may or may not be (he’s up and down every year) and his defense isn’t great if he has to play the outfield.  Ward makes some sense, and he didn’t exactly price himself out of affordability either. But they’ll need a lefty too. 
 

 

Shaw and Ramirez have not given us any reason to think they won’t hit. Both are young and basically hit league average now. And both hit well in the minors. For that matter, Alcantara has hit in the minors as well. There comes a time you have to take chances on young guys. Alcantara could be an ok right handed platoon bat. As for a lefty bat, Conforto would be fine. But there are others. Pederson is an option too. If they are looking for DH only Bell is also an option. I realize all these guys are basically league average guys. But if they get good pitching leave average from the corners and DH would be good enough.

[Rcal10]

6 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I hope they spend big on quality pitching this offseason, I think all they need is 2 real solid starters and at least one strong bullpen arm.

Assuming theyll be healthy to start ST

Steele,  Cabrera,  and Brown will be a good 3 to add onto with 2 TOR type starters.

Bullpen has Palencia Webb Zeferjahn Rolison, with probably Garrett Martin Maton and Assad in the mix. I just would like to see them add a solid arm for late innings high leverage, or someone who can be relied on to close out games. 

 

Suzuki gonna be like how Imanaga was, as far as him accepting or not determines how aggressive they need to be to add bats.

If he accepts,  then they basically just need to add a LH bat for LF as everyday or platoon with Alcantara or bring back Taylor. 

If he declines,  then Hoyer will need to be aggressive in finding 2 outfielders via trade,and or FA with possibly counting on Alcantara getting a big opportunity to get a ton of AB.

 

Suzuki isn’t accepting a QO. Period. He is going to get paid at least that annual for at least 4 years.
I also think they need 3(maybe 3 and a guy like Civale as a 4th) starters and not concerned about the pen. But that is because I see Brown in the pen. So they have Steele and Cabrera. Brown is the big pen arm you are looking for. 

Edited Wednesday at 01:56 PM by Rcal10

[Jason Ross]

14 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I hope they spend big on quality pitching this offseason, I think all they need is 2 real solid starters and at least one strong bullpen arm.

Assuming theyll be healthy to start ST

Steele,  Cabrera,  and Brown will be a good 3 to add onto with 2 TOR type starters.

Bullpen has Palencia Webb Zeferjahn Rolison, with probably Garrett Martin Maton and Assad in the mix. I just would like to see them add a solid arm for late innings high leverage, or someone who can be relied on to close out games. 

 

Suzuki gonna be like how Imanaga was, as far as him accepting or not determines how aggressive they need to be to add bats.

If he accepts,  then they basically just need to add a LH bat for LF as everyday or platoon with Alcantara or bring back Taylor. 

If he declines,  then Hoyer will need to be aggressive in finding 2 outfielders via trade,and or FA with possibly counting on Alcantara getting a big opportunity to get a ton of AB.

 

Suzuki is arguably the best hitter on the entire market.  Why are you comparing him to Shota last year? Shota was not anywhere in the ballpark of being the best SP on the market.  There is literally no chance he accepts. Like, zero. 

[Nolo]

The more I think of it, the more I feel you have to start the season Ayers/Amaya. Lets say you add another catcher on a 1 year deal, we will call him Kelly. So you have Kelly/Amaya, when does Ayers come up in 2027 now? September? He's 25 years old already. It's time.

[Nolo]

25 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

not concerned about the pen. But that is because I see Brown in the pen. So they have Steele and Cabrera. Brown is the big pen arm you are looking for. 

Yeah but don't the Cubs need more than one LHP in the pen? Right now, you can pencil in Ryan Rolison. Do we really see Garrett and Wicks as full time bullpen pieces on the active roster, or more so guys who will be up and down depending on if we need them or not...

[Jason Ross]

3 minutes ago, Nolo said:

The more I think of it, the more I feel you have to start the season Ayers/Amaya. Lets say you add another catcher on a 1 year deal, we will call him Kelly. So you have Kelly/Amaya, when does Ayers come up in 2027 now? September? He's 25 years old already. It's time.

I fought for Ayers in September to get a call up but he didn't and I think we're probably at a point you can't now. He had a weak showing in Iowa in September on top of not seeing any MLB action. You have to have another guy with Amaya. Catchers get hurt all the time. Whether he comes up at 25 years and three months old and 25 years and seven months old won't matter. 

Tyler Stephenson is a favorite of some and has some Carson Kelly indicators that a better organization can fix. I'd go with someone like him and make Ayers force his way up. It's not a bad problem to have. 

[Jason Ross]

Just now, Nolo said:

Yeah but don't the Cubs need more than one LHP in the pen? Right now, you can pencil in Ryan Rolison. Do we really see Garrett and Wicks as full time bullpen pieces on the active roster, or more so guys who will be up and down depending on if we need them or not...

The Cubs have Riley Martin above both of those as an inside track. Jacob Webb is also really good against LHP. 

But yes, I would expect the Cubs to get a lefty in. too. It might be more of a DFA type but I'd expect at least one more.

[Nolo]

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

The Cubs have Riley Martin above both of those as an inside track. Jacob Webb is also really good against LHP. 

But yes, I would expect the Cubs to get a lefty in. too. It might be more of a DFA type but I'd expect at least one more.

Forgot Martin was on this team. but yeah another big question mark there. I know webb is decent against left handed hitters, but hes not a LHP.

Edited Wednesday at 02:23 PM by Nolo

[Nolo]

3 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I fought for Ayers in September to get a call up but he didn't and I think we're probably at a point you can't now. He had a weak showing in Iowa in September on top of not seeing any MLB action. You have to have another guy with Amaya. Catchers get hurt all the time. Whether he comes up at 25 years and three months old and 25 years and seven months old won't matter. 

Tyler Stephenson is a favorite of some and has some Carson Kelly indicators that a better organization can fix. I'd go with someone like him and make Ayers force his way up. It's not a bad problem to have. 

Alright I can be down with that. As a former catcher myself, I can see the point of the likelihood of one getting hurt and having Ayers prove himself more at the higher milb levels.

[Bertz]

5 minutes ago, Nolo said:

The more I think of it, the more I feel you have to start the season Ayers/Amaya. Lets say you add another catcher on a 1 year deal, we will call him Kelly. So you have Kelly/Amaya, when does Ayers come up in 2027 now? September? He's 25 years old already. It's time.

Miguel Amaya has played in 100 games in a season once since the start of COVID and Owen Ayers is close but probably not major league ready yet.  Add in the fact that catcher attrition is already so high and you absolutely have to bring a 3rd guy in. 

I think you avoid a multi-year deal, but you need someone capable of being at least a low end starter.  And that's available, you can probably get any of Gary Sanchez, James McCann, or Kyle Higashioka on a 1 year deal.

[Jason Ross]

7 minutes ago, Nolo said:

Forgot Martin was on this team. but yeah another big question mark there. I know webb is decent against left handed hitters, but hes not a LHP.

The goal is to have pitchers who are good against LHP, though. Focus less on what arm they throw with and more who they are effective against. If Jacob Webb gets lefties out well, that's really what matters. It'd be nice to have another left handed option, too, but the Cubs have two or three options already. It's not dire. 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Miguel Amaya has played in 100 games in a season once since the start of COVID and Owen Ayers is close but probably not major league ready yet.  Add in the fact that catcher attrition is already so high and you absolutely have to bring a 3rd guy in. 

I think you avoid a multi-year deal, but you need someone capable of being at least a low end starter.  And that's available, you can probably get any of Gary Sanchez, James McCann, or Kyle Higashioka on a 1 year deal.

Those guys would be fine. Don’t really want to spend more than $5 on a back up catcher. But unless it depends on the actually team budget. I am assuming an allocation of salaries on players brought in to be about 75%-80% in favor of pitching. Maybe even more. So not much left for bats. 

[Nolo]

6 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

The goal is to have pitchers who are good against LHP, though. Focus less on what arm they throw with and more who they are effective against. If Jacob Webb gets lefties out well, that's really what matters. It'd be nice to have another left handed option, too, but the Cubs have two or three options already. It's not dire. 

Okay true, I am thinking more along the lines of with all the analytics we know there are left handed hitters who mash righties and can't hit lefties, would you rather have Webb out in that situation or a lefty? Then there are lefties who mash lefties, maybe a situation for a Webb. But you're right, the numbers are the numbers and Webb can certainly be treated as a go-to for lefty hitters. Still not super comfortable having only Rolison and banking on a healthy Martin. I guess I am trying to subconsciously make a case for Morejon, a guy who will get everyone one.

I KNOW IT'S NOT HAPPENING 😄

Edited Wednesday at 02:37 PM by Nolo

[Geographyhater8888]

43 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Shaw and Ramirez have not given us any reason to think they won’t hit. Both are young and basically hit league average now. And both hit well in the minors. For that matter, Alcantara has hit in the minors as well. There comes a time you have to take chances on young guys. Alcantara could be an ok right handed platoon bat. As for a lefty bat, Conforto would be fine. But there are others. Pederson is an option too. If they are looking for DH only Bell is also an option. I realize all these guys are basically league average guys. But if they get good pitching leave average from the corners and DH would be good enough.

Yes. But obviously they’ll ll need to supplement the outfield with veteran buffers and the question is who. 

[Nolo]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

Those guys would be fine. Don’t really want to spend more than $5 on a back up catcher. But unless it depends on the actually team budget. I am assuming an allocation of salaries on players brought in to be about 75%-80% in favor of pitching. Maybe even more. So not much left for bats. 

Agreed we should not spend more than 5M on a catcher period. Too many other holes we need to throw money at.

[Jason Ross]

8 minutes ago, Nolo said:

Okay true, I am thinking more along the lines of with all the analytics we know there are left handed hitters who mash righties and can't hit lefties, would you rather have Webb out in that situation or a lefty? Then there are lefties who mash lefties, maybe a situation for a Webb. But you're right, the numbers are the numbers and Webb can certainly be treated as a go-to for lefty hitters. Still not super comfortable having only Rolison and banking on a healthy Martin. I guess I am trying to subconsciously make a case for Morejon, a guy who will get everyone one.

I KNOW IT'S NOT HAPPENING 😄

Reverse split pitchers create interesting conundrums. And I'm all for them. When the Cubs bring in a RHP like Webb who gets LHH out well, it forces the other team to react. "Do I take out my good lefty? Or do I let him hit?" and having those kinds of options are good. 

But yeah, getting another lefty is probably a good thing. Greg brought up Garrett Cleavanger as a choice and I really like his velo. They could maybe find a DFA or fringe option to add, as well. You likely feel pretty good about Rollison and Webb here but a third solid option can make things a lot easier.

[Rcal10]

8 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Yes. But obviously they’ll ll need to supplement the outfield with veteran buffers and the question is who. 

That is the big question. Who and how much are they spending. If they don’t get Skubal, I can see them allocating somewhere around $25M for 2 platoon outfield/DH and a catcher. Could they get them a combination of Ward/Robert/Taylor/ and Conforto/Grisham/Mullins? Might depend on what a catcher costs. 
If they get Skubal either the payroll has to be higher than most think it will be or they will need to shop in a lower tier for FA bats.

[chibears55]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Suzuki isn’t accepting a QO. Period. He is going to get paid at least that annual for at least 4 years.
I also think they need 3(maybe 3 and a guy like Civale as a 4th) starters and not concerned about the pen. But that is because I see Brown in the pen. So they have Steele and Cabrera. Brown is the big pen arm you are looking for. 

They cant sleep on the bullpen and just rely on who they have, they need help closing games out. 

They dont need 3 new starters, 2 is enough, especially if it 2 TOR types.

Steele and Cabrera will definitely be in rotation,  they just need 2 new starters.

Then you have Brown, Assad, and Garrett for the 5th spot,  with prospects like Wiggins,  Birdsell, McCullough,  and maybe even Townsend waiting in the wing.

Edited Wednesday at 04:59 PM by chibears55

[Hunter]

7 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

They cant sleep on the bullpen and just rely on who they have, they need help closing games out. 

They dont need 3 new starters, 2 is enough, especially if it 2 TOR types.

Steele and Cabrera will definitely be in rotation,  they just need 2 new starters.

Then you have Brown, Assad, and Garrett for the 5th spot,  with prospects like Wiggins,  Birdsell, McCullough,  and maybe even Townsend waiting in the wing.

I don't think you can count on any significant amount of innings from Steele, especially as a starter. 

[mul21]

14 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

They cant sleep on the bullpen and just rely on who they have, they need help closing games out. 

They dont need 3 new starters, 2 is enough, especially if it 2 TOR types.

Steele and Cabrera will definitely be in rotation,  they just need 2 new starters.

Then you have Brown, Assad, and Garrett for the 5th spot,  with prospects like Wiggins,  Birdsell, McCullough,  and maybe even Townsend waiting in the wing.

You keep saying this and it's just not accurate.  Palencia has successfully closed out lots of games and had a weird season with injuries but appeared to be back on track at the end of the year.  Zeferjahn is another perfectly good late inning guy and if either of them falter, MIller and Maton (who was clearly off because of the knee issue) can help.  There's no need to invest a bunch of money in an unpredictable roster spot when there are much clearer needs at starter and OF.

[Rcal10]

44 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

They cant sleep on the bullpen and just rely on who they have, they need help closing games out. 

They dont need 3 new starters, 2 is enough, especially if it 2 TOR types.

Steele and Cabrera will definitely be in rotation,  they just need 2 new starters.

Then you have Brown, Assad, and Garrett for the 5th spot,  with prospects like Wiggins,  Birdsell, McCullough,  and maybe even Townsend waiting in the wing.

Honestly, chibear, do you actually read other responses or just skim over them so you can write something? You originally listed Brown in the rotation, and they needed 2 starters and at least one pen arm. I responded that I see Brown as THE 1 PEN ARM, and 3 starters are now needed instead.  What makes you think any of the pen arms you want them to sign will be better than Brown? Any that may be better will also cost a lot more. I am giving you the pen arm you feel they have to have. If you take him out of the rotation spot you have him in, Brown is the pen arm. 

[Rcal10]

32 minutes ago, mul21 said:

You keep saying this and it's just not accurate.  Palencia has successfully closed out lots of games and had a weird season with injuries but appeared to be back on track at the end of the year.  Zeferjahn is another perfectly good late inning guy and if either of them falter, MIller and Maton (who was clearly off because of the knee issue) can help.  There's no need to invest a bunch of money in an unpredictable roster spot when there are much clearer needs at starter and OF.

I agree. You have Webb and Rolison as well and then a collection of other possibilities. Maybe Brown.