davell

Cam Robinson is a top 10ish type guy, but has some character concerns. If McGlinchey comes out(to my knowledge he's still uncommitted), he's another guy that's top 10-15. But those are likely the only 2 1st Rounders. Depending on the status of his hip surgery, Ryan Ramczyk seems more well thought of than Cam Robinson. If he turned pro, Oklahoma's Orlando Brown looks like the only legit top ten offensive lineman. Brown said he's staying. But did he ask the advisory committee? He's said he stays until he's a 1st, I think....

Cam Robinson is a top 10ish type guy, but has some character concerns. If McGlinchey comes out(to my knowledge he's still uncommitted), he's another guy that's top 10-15. But those are likely the only 2 1st Rounders.

OT should be higher. Depending on what happens with Alston, I think WR could move up quite a bit too. I'd probably move TE down a bit. Not because we aren't in need, but because its a bit less important than the other spots. It really looks like a weak FA class too. But I'd suspect we can fill some defensive backfield slots from it effectively. To my knowledge, there's no OT help though.

I really do think our idea is to hold onto Eloy as he develops into yet another middle of the order monster. Our eventual(or current) trade bait is the following..... Candelario- Not a ton of value on his own, but could possibly net a post hype type on his own, as a future average regular at 3B. Szczur- Could be moved for non sexy rotational depth at any point, as he's likely the odd man out here. But is a major league depth guy. Happ- Is he a lead piece in a large deal? Nah. But he's a guy that has a bat that can play on the corner and is very valuable at 2B. Probably won't sniff top 25 prospect lists at any point, but an extremely solid second piece in a large deal. Clifton- Showed a ton of progress this past year and if he continues this at AA, he could move past Happ in value. With teams always clamoring for pitching, he's a very valuable piece. Cease- If he dominates in full season ball, possibly even at MB, this becomes our lead piece in a major deal. Of course, if he does this, he skyrockets up lists and into the top 25. Which makes it hurt to trade him for less than a long term answer. Zagunis- Does not have a spot for us, but is a solid throw in that will see the majors. Possibly even as a high OBP type that finds his way to 400 AB's a year. 4th OFer type, not much more than that. Probably around the same individual value as Szczur, but with more team control. Caratini- Non zero chance he develops into a second division starting C. Worst case, he's a solid backup. Chance to sell relatively high if he hits right off the bat in AAA. As a C, he should be slightly more valuable than Zagunis. De La Cruz- If he stays healthy, he's got a chance to break into top 100 lists. Which would make him a solid 2nd piece in a large deal, or possibly a lead piece for a rental. Very volatile, could be a guy we need to move very quickly. Hatch- No pro experience yet. But has really impressed in Instructs. Could have more value than De La Cruz, even if both are healthy. Potential top 100 upside? Very possible, especially since he's got a chance to start in MB himself. DeWees or Chesny Young I'll list them together.Since DeWees has a good chance to see Tennessee in 2017. Obviously not more than a 3rd piece, but he's got a slim chance at becoming a second division regular, so he's potentially a factor. Young evidently won't stop hitting. He's not likely to be a regular, but I see the potential of a LeMahieu. So, he's very likely to be a guy teams want to get as a throw in. Breakout types- I have no idea WHO it becomes, but between guys like Eddy Julio Martinez, Jose Albertos, Brailyn Marquez, Aramis Ademan, Isaac Parades, Bailey Clark, Jose Paulino, DJ Wilson, Bryan Hudson, Erling Moreno, Ryan Kellogg, Justin Steele, Jake Stinnett, and Duane Underwood....But one of that group, maybe two, will become viable trade candidates over the season. Most are too far away to factor in this season as solid trade options. But they could fill in as third pieces, or in a few cases, based on upside, maybe as a second. Two top 35ish picks- As of now, this draft is strong in college pitching. So these picks are super valuable and could really help the system replenish from a trade OR even wind up factoring in as the trade pieces that we eventually use after 2017.....

Any disagreements?

Why do we think Fox is the problem again? He's way too conservative, in my opinion. Is horrible with clock management. May lose Fangio, a more valuable coach to me, for him. May lose Alshon due to his not getting along with him too.

Get beat by 70. Anything to possibly get Pace reconsider bringing back Fox.

A gooch grab?

I don't think he can either. But at this point, its worth a shot. Jimmy is all we have that's got value anyway.

It sucks. At this point, you might as well see if Wade can somehow recruit in the offseason. If not, tear it down completely. Shitty spot for the entire org. I don't think Hoiberg is anything special, but I don't think anyone could do much with THIS roster. GarPax are more at fault. If Hoiberg goes, they need to, as well. Give the new GM the rest of the season to evaluate and be prepared to sell if Wade can't recruit, in the offseason.

Eloy IS in that range. Maybe even a tad higher. A lot of teams would prefer guys closer to the majors, for the lead piece, of a deal. Hahn DID say he'd not count the Cubs out, but it seems like PR due to the story of them not wanting to deal with us. Jed said it'd be extremely hard to make a deal of any magnitude crosstown. He mentioned having to pay an extra tax. I completely believe him. And I don't think our FO is in overpay mode, especially at the current time. They'll get a package close to what Sale brought them. I don't see it coming from us. My guess is its Ross or bust for a FA signing and a trade involving Candelario for a post hype guy that's lost a bit of luster. I think we'll probably make a major deal for a SP at the deadline personally.

McGlinchey is going back to Notre Dame. Did I miss that? I thought he was still undecided.

Where do people stand on the O-Line needing help? I love Whitebait. Sitton and Long are damn solid. Leno and Massie? I guess that's serviceable, but I think a Robinson or McGlinchey could make a ton of sense for us.

Shiny new toy syndrome

The fact is, that we're very likely to trade off some of our best prospects for a SP at some point soon. Our system is OK currently. Certainly not special. And after the top 6, a lot of interchangeable parts. The huge expenditure in IFA's in 2015? Doesn't appear to have anything that remotely resembles a Torres or Eloy type talent. We may need other reinforcements at some point soon, based on injury. The 28th pick and accompanying slot money IS important. Because we very likely will be signing top tier FA in 2018 and 2019. We'll lose picks then. Depending on if we're in the LT, it could be multiple picks. At any rate, its a reason to think seriously about an averagish system that will be fairly barren, if a trade for a SP happens. I'm all for losing that pick in the right situation. A 1 year deal for an old OFer, when we've got a full positional roster? That's something Dave Stewart does, not Theo Epstein. Thank God.

We don't need Bautista. Losing a 1st for a guy on a 1 year deal? Especially when we have already signed Jay AND don't want Heyward in CF fulltime(not to mention that the FO likes Almora).....Not something I see Theo even considering. Especially since they've said they're happy with our positional group, as is.

Why do you think Tyrod Taylor has this untapped potential? Hes been in the league a while and will have accrued 30 starts by next week. Not saying he can't improve some, or that hes a bad QB as is, but not one I'd give up assets for. And whether its this year or next, he wont be cheap on the open market. I just figure at 27, he's possibly not maxed out yet. Its a change from what we have now, I'm a Cutler fan, but he's done here, I think. The cap is going up again, he WILL cost money, if he's a FA. I'd be surprised if he'd cost more than a late round pick, if we had to trade for him. I'm not saying he's a longterm answer. But if there's enough pieces around him, I'd say there's at least a small chance. But, he seems like a slightly better fit for our current roster(that really needs O-Tackles), than a Room, or Cutler. That would allow me to be OK with giving up a late pick for him. If he's more expensive than that in trade though? I'd pass on him and maybe just keep Jay around. I'm just not sure if Kizer or Trubisky is a franchise guy. I'll be completely fine if we don't take a QB in the 1st, because we can take a guy later and still use a 1st on a QB at a later point. Its a huge decision. So, I wouldn't rush it, if you don't see those guys as franchise types. It'll be much easier discussing this once we know who's coming out for sure and how their workouts go.....But, at this EXACT point, I think my preference is this..... Trade a 6th for Taylor or sign him as a FA. Trade down to 7-10 and take Cam Robinson or McGlinchey. You could get a future 1st and a 2nd, or comparable value, depending on if you've got a market for that pick.(3 to 10). I'd like that, with plenty of ability to trade back towards the late 1st, have a guy fall to us in the 2nd, like Watson, or to use the picks and take a guy in the 3rd or 4th. We're not winning a Super Bowl in 2017 obviously. But maybe Taylor, with the addition of a young O-Tackle, hitting on some other picks we've acquired by trading down, could put us in the playoffs. See how the developmental guy comes along, if he fails.....You've got Taylor, with a more complete roster around him, and the ability to take a QB in the 1st in 2018, possibly with 2 1sts that year......

Raw, if you're willing to take a guy at 3-6, that you've got valued outside the top 25, I'm just in total disagreement. That makes zero sense to me. I brought up Taylor specifically because he's 27, still has a bit of upside, and likely costs a late round pick, IF he's not released altogether. To me, he's the best non-franchise 1st round pick option out there. Stopgapping isn't an awful thing when there's nothing else out there. I've seen some reports that there isn't a top 30ish true talent QB in this draft. Obviously they'll get over drafted. But I'm not staying at 3-6, to take a guy that's not a stud. And I can't believe you don't see that its conceivable that Pace may not see one of these guys being worth that type of pick.

I hope the Cards DO get him. It means they're dealing Reyes and it keeps him off the Dodgers or Nats, who are much bigger threats to us.

You're acting like its a certainty the Bears are 100% sold on Kizer or Trubisky. What if they aren't? What if they're sold on Watson, but know he's not getting taken before 25? Are you actually advocating taking him at 3-6 because he's the guy we like? There's no reason to take a guy just to take him. And I know that's not you're saying. But you ARE implying it, by saying who cares if it sets us back a few more years. Pace has a coaching hire and a 1st round QB left to play, before he's dismissed, at this stage, if they tank. All I'm saying is its definitely plausible we stopgap it and use our 1st on a QB at a later time. And even if you DO stopgap it, you still take one to develop in the 3-5 round area. I almost always agree with your football analysis, but its not the end of the world if we don't take Kizer or Trubisky. And there's a CHANCE a guy like Taylor has upside left. Its easier to turn your record around year to year in football than baseball or basketball. A good draft, that contains a developmental QB in 3-5, and a solid FA showing(tons of cap room) and this team could be a playoff team in 2017 and going forward..... I HATE being in the middle as much as anyone. I was all for the tear down with Theo obviously. But not in football. Nor do I think its necessary to shoehorn a QB into our top 5ish pick, just because we may not have another pick this high. Basically, I'm not going to rush it. If we like Kizer or Trubisky, I'll be excited if we get them. But if we grab Taylor or whoever, with a developmental guy, I'm quite OK with that too.

But then you're forcing a fit in a QB class that's less than awe-inspiring too. Personally, I could see a trade for a Taylor and still take a QB in the 3rd or 4th. No. Forcing a fit is what the Bears have done for years. Forcing a fit is watching Couch, McNabb, Smith, and Culpepper go off the board and settling for McNown. The Bears pick 3rd, they can take any QB they want in this draft. They don't HAVE to take a QB. I've made a point in saying that they shouldn't draft a QB for the sake of drafting a QB. But if they do draft a QB (and all signs point to they will), they HAVE to draft the best one. The best way to draft the best one, is to draft the best one. Not wait to see who falls to you in the 2nd round. 1) There are 2 QB's supposedly even thought of as top 10 worthy. There's no guarantee EITHER will be there for us to take when we pick. Nor do we know IF we value them at that level. Drafting one of them could be the epitomy of forcing a fit. 2) If one isn't take at that point, all we can do is take one later as a developmental type. That leaves us having to fill our starters role in the immediate. A guy like Taylor, with upside and not a huge cost involved, seems like a good idea to me. Its not forcing a fit, because it doesn't set us back if he's a stopgap. You're still able to develop your guy and/or still use your 1st at a later time on a QB you truly want.

Nope. Been there. Done that. Didn't work out. Hardly ever does. Plus, I think it's a foregone conclusion that Cleveland is going to make a deal for Garoppolo. They have 2 1sts and 2nds both of which will be in the top 10. But then you're forcing a fit in a QB class that's less than awe-inspiring too. Personally, I could see a trade for a Taylor and still take a QB in the 3rd or 4th.

How about trading for a guy? Garoppolo is likely going to be super expensive(2nd Rder+?)but what about Tyrod Taylor? I think he could be a pretty solid fit.

I'm perfectly fine with either QB or Garrett or Allen. But, if we go D in round 1, they better like one of the other QB's a lot, to take later. So many holes though, I hate advocating trading down, but I think I'd try to, and stay in the top 10.

Fernando Rodriguez is pretty damn solid on a minor league deal.