Irrelevant Dude

I'm still terrified of Rodon's injury history, but I would have been ok with this deal for the Cubs.

With or without Swanson, extending Nico is a must.

So it sounds like the plan is to try and replicate the historically great farm the Cubs had in 2014/2015 before going all in. A totally reasonable scenario and not at all completely unrealistic. Don't forget the once-in-a-lifetime Arrieta trade where the Cubs lucked into a cheap ace for free. 2016 doesn't happen without that complete freak anomoly of a trade.

You understand that, like the Bogaearts and Turner contracts, they're only giving them these extra long contracts to lower the AAV and help them with their cap situation correct? That's why Correa is only 27.5m annually. If not for the cap implications he would have gotten more like 35M annually and 3 or 4 years less. Yep. And while I would prefer NOT to sign guys to 13 year deals, that's the cost of doing business in this market. Those contracts can still be managed in a way that doesn't completely cripple a team's future, as long as teams have enough guys who are on the front (productive) end of their deals to balance out the others who are being overpaid in their later years. Of course that doesn't work if you operate in boom or bust cycles, like the Cubs, and only sign long term deals at specific times in the competitive window.

If he was always "the guy", kudos to the Cubs for giving him all the leverage by letting him become the last man standing.

Jesse Rogers again reiterating that the plan is to build from within first, then spend. The massive flaw in that strategy is, what happens if building from within doesn't pan out? While the minor league system is substantially improved over a few years ago, I still have concerns with how the current crop of minor leaguers are going to translate to Major League success. PCA is the consensus top prospect in the system and he might turn out to be a very good player, but does anyone really think he has a high enough ceiling to be a star? Beyond that, there are still a lot of question marks. Injuries have taken their toll on several other key prospects (including Brennen Davis), and those things happen and will continue to happen. There is unquestionably a lot of depth in the system, but if that depth ends up producing primarily relief pitchers, 5th starters, and 4th outfielders, then how much have we really improved from within? I just can't shake the feeling that Jed is operating under a plan that relies on a perfect confluence of circumstances. First, we are dependent on developing a core of minor league players that can contribute at the major league level. That may take a couple more years, five years, or even longer. There are no Kris Bryant's coming this time, and the team likely won't be anywhere near a draft position again to pick another player of that caliber. Then, we have a window where we can spend money on long term deals and hope that players are available who fill the holes on the roster. Then, we compete for a few years and are back to dealing with the fallout of an aging core, because our front office seemingly doesn't know any other way. It remains possible that Jed will execute the perfect plan and everything works out, but what is Plan B when it doesn't? Does Jed have the capability to stray from the course and get creative when other opportunities arise, or does he become paralyzed with inaction by continuing to follow a rigid plan for building a mid-market team.

Man, it would suck if the Cubs had given Correa this deal and had his dead money on the payroll 8 YEARS FROM NOW. Jesus Christ Jed, what exactly is the plan here? If we're trying to be good 2-3 years from now, having a guy like Correa sure would have been nice. I can't wait until we reach the mythical point where long term contracts are ok again, but there is nobody worth signing.

Does Hoyer really have a choice? Ricketts is the owner and doesn't have to do anything. Jed... Well, that's kind of his job.

They basically have to pay double (at least for 2023) what any other team would, so I just don't see how that math possibly works. If he's worth THAT much to the Mets, there must be another team who would be willing to offer him more while paying out less.

Do not like.

The Bears are going to lose another game by a missed extra point, aren't they? If so, I'm ok with that.

I have never seen an Offensive Line get so badly and consistently beat on plays where the defense brings only 3 or 4 rushers. Blitzing is completely unnecessary.

I have an irrational dislike of single digit numbers for defensive players.

Please get Fields a respectable offensive line next year.

This Illinois team is impressive. So deep, and so talented. It's hard to imagine losing Kofi and getting better, but this team has so many more weapons. I won't be surprised if they have a few struggles in Big 10 play, but on any given night they can hang with anyone in the country.

That catch by Justin Jefferson in the Minnesota game may very well be the best catch I have ever seen.

This team has really perfected the tank loss.

Gotta get rid of that ball.

Is Yellowstone on tonight?

I really like Mark Sanchez on color.

How does a guy who never misses a field goal attempt have 3 missed extra points?

Is Sanborn actually good?

Gotta wait for that new core to develop, while they all suffer significant freak injuries and push the timeline back even further.

Yep, me too. I think his absolute ceiling is what he did last year, but he is unlikely to repeat that performance and he is only a year plus away from being 30 years old. It feels like any extension at this stage is going to be an overpay. Not that it has to be one or the other, but I would much rather lock Nico up now and take a wait and see approach with Happ.

Opting out was a no brainer. Will he take the QO though?