The 40-Man Roster Repercussions of Signing Cody Bellinger

1 minute ago, TomtheBombadil said:

If just one guy goes then Keegan Thompson, no? Non-power reliever, 9 years removed from TJ1, not loaded with tools or skills, other stuff 

Also almost 29, on his last option year, and couldn't really get it done at Iowa or Chicago last year. If you have to DFA someone, the main reason not to would be if you feel you want this many arms on the 40 man going forward, so you might as well match Bellinger to a position player now.

15 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Also almost 29, on his last option year, and couldn't really get it done at Iowa or Chicago last year. If you have to DFA someone, the main reason not to would be if you feel you want this many arms on the 40 man going forward, so you might as well match Bellinger to a position player now.

My thoughts exactly. I like Thompson, but once the Cubs cut bait with Brandon Hughes, I think whatever goodwill remained from his 2022 performance went out the window

They're certainly not doing Vazquez or any of the guys they added to the 40 man in November.  I think Kilian or Davis would have made sense a month ago but with them both looking great early camp here the timing would be weird.

I would really like to see Jed make a trade, with Wisdom IMO making the most sense.  If we just simply cut someone it's probably got to be Mervis or Thompson.

My best guesses are Wisdom, Thompson, Hodge, or Horn.  Or trade.  Kilian is a possibility too I guess.

1 minute ago, Stratos said:

My best guesses are Wisdom, Thompson, Hodge, or Horn.  Or trade.  Kilian is a possibility too I guess.

If I'm betting its Mervis or Thompson. 

     Well Brandon, just like most Cub fans (of course not all), I am pretty excited that the Cubs were finally able to work out a deal to ink Bellinger. I feel that the Cody we saw last year was the real Cody, and I hope and expect more of the same this season. That said though, this is why they play the games. I think that even without Cody this team was going to be competitive. Offensively before the signing, it looked like the team had just about held serve over the 2023 team. However, I think they did a pretty good job with the pitching staff, starters and relievers. I take issue with the projected numbers of our starters. (Steele: 11-7, Taillon: 9-8, Imanaga: 7-5*, Assad: 5-4, and Hendricks: 8-9) I think the numbers will be a little bit better, at least I hope. I think I am in total agreement with you about the roster spot for Cody. I think this definitely makes Wisdom expendable. Sad, because he is a nice guy and I was rooting for him to make a bigger splash, but like Cody, when it comes to Patrick, I think he is who he is. He definitely has pop in his bat, but just too much swing and miss. The new kids coming up excite me and make me nervous at the same time. They all have potential, but its the realization part that hasn't clicked in yet. This ball club should be improved over last year, and the division will probably be easier to win. Of course then we get to the question of what then, but you crawl before you walk, and lets just get there first. The Dodgers looked to me like they were trying to recreate the "27" Yankees. The Braves just have that Midas touch where everything turns golden. In the division, I see maybe a little bit of a changing of the guard. I see the Brewers relinquishing their hold on the division, and letting the Cubs, Reds, and Pirates slug it out for the top spot. I didn't think the Cardinals did too much to change their fortunes, maybe a moderate improvement. Bottom line it just gets me excited for this upcoming season, and at 63, not really sure how many more I have left. Still, been attached to this team for about 56 years now, and it still burns strong within me........so lets go boys, I am ready. 🙂

Unlikely as it may be, if Mervis gets dealt for scraps and hits 30 home runs somewhere else, that is going to be annoying.

Pretty much zero chance it's Madrigal. Health permitting, he's probably in line to rack up a plurality of innings at 3B this season.

It's probably Thompson DFA'd. If we're looking at position players, I think Mervis is most likely.

26 minutes ago, Billy62 said:

     Well Brandon, just like most Cub fans (of course not all), I am pretty excited that the Cubs were finally able to work out a deal to ink Bellinger. I feel that the Cody we saw last year was the real Cody, and I hope and expect more of the same this season. That said though, this is why they play the games. I think that even without Cody this team was going to be competitive. Offensively before the signing, it looked like the team had just about held serve over the 2023 team. However, I think they did a pretty good job with the pitching staff, starters and relievers. I take issue with the projected numbers of our starters. (Steele: 11-7, Taillon: 9-8, Imanaga: 7-5*, Assad: 5-4, and Hendricks: 8-9) I think the numbers will be a little bit better, at least I hope. I think I am in total agreement with you about the roster spot for Cody. I think this definitely makes Wisdom expendable. Sad, because he is a nice guy and I was rooting for him to make a bigger splash, but like Cody, when it comes to Patrick, I think he is who he is. He definitely has pop in his bat, but just too much swing and miss. The new kids coming up excite me and make me nervous at the same time. They all have potential, but its the realization part that hasn't clicked in yet. This ball club should be improved over last year, and the division will probably be easier to win. Of course then we get to the question of what then, but you crawl before you walk, and lets just get there first. The Dodgers looked to me like they were trying to recreate the "27" Yankees. The Braves just have that Midas touch where everything turns golden. In the division, I see maybe a little bit of a changing of the guard. I see the Brewers relinquishing their hold on the division, and letting the Cubs, Reds, and Pirates slug it out for the top spot. I didn't think the Cardinals did too much to change their fortunes, maybe a moderate improvement. Bottom line it just gets me excited for this upcoming season, and at 63, not really sure how many more I have left. Still, been attached to this team for about 56 years now, and it still burns strong within me........so lets go boys, I am ready. 🙂

Love the comment and love the enthusiasm! I think the Bellinger really galvanized the players and the fan base, and came at a pretty good time all things considered (even though I wouldn't have complained back in December...).

Agreed that I think Wisdom is mostly likely to go. Definitely not a long term piece for the club, though he has his niche value.

Even if the team can't win it all this year, I'd be thrilled just to be in the hunt again. Give me a playoff berth, give me October baseball at Wrigley, and let's see what happens!

20 hours ago, Stratos said:

My best guesses are Wisdom, Thompson, Hodge, or Horn.  Or trade.  Kilian is a possibility too I guess.

Horn gone.  Had lots of walks, not much of a loss it looks like.  Better than mlb talent leaving

On 2/26/2024 at 4:15 PM, Brandon Glick said:

Love the comment and love the enthusiasm! I think the Bellinger really galvanized the players and the fan base, and came at a pretty good time all things considered (even though I wouldn't have complained back in December...).

Agreed that I think Wisdom is mostly likely to go. Definitely not a long term piece for the club, though he has his niche value.

Even if the team can't win it all this year, I'd be thrilled just to be in the hunt again. Give me a playoff berth, give me October baseball at Wrigley, and let's see what happens!

Oh  yes Brandon, Most definitely! To see this team playing meaningful games in September would be quite a sight for these old eyes. A playoff berth, and dare I say a series appearance would be golden. I can't even think of the next step without my meds. In my lifetime I have only seen the Cubs in the series just once. Albeit, it was a championship season. However, there is room in my heart for a couple more. So boys, don't hold back on my account. 🙂 I think of my mom and dad, both gone now, lived their entire lives as Cub fans, and never saw a championship, especially my mom, always wearing the swag, remember "the Cubs coming out of hibernation t-shirt"? She wouldn't part with it. Maybe through me, she gets to cheer one more time.

On 2/26/2024 at 3:50 PM, Irrelevant Dude said:

Unlikely as it may be, if Mervis gets dealt for scraps and hits 30 home runs somewhere else, that is going to be annoying.

I think the Mervis watch this spring is the real deal. He is of course not that old, but the team is possibly wrestling with the concept of "is this guy a major-leaguer or one of those AAAA guys, meaning he can overachieve in Iowa, but can't be effective in Chicago. So this spring could be make the team or bust for Matt Mervis. I agree with you though, the thought of him going elsewhere and the light switch popping on and him drilling the ball all over the field would be disheartening to all Cub fans, because unfortunately we have seen it play out before. So, I am pulling for the kid!