davell

He's really hard to peg financially. I could see 2/32 or even a 1/18 type of deal. But, with every FO having so much info readily available, and pitching being so damn scarce, I could see 3/45 or maybe even 4/60 too. I kind of figure Cobb or Chatwood, with a guy we trade for, is our route. And Chatwood or Cobb are my favorite non Ohtani guys.

Yes. I haven’t seen all the Bears games this year. But as I watched today I was amazed by Fuller’s play. That’s the guy we drafted. I hope he keeps it going. I brought it up last page, but since we turned down his 5th year option(rightfully so), he's a FA at the end of the year. He's playing like a legit number 1 and has been for most of the year. Its a weird spot to be in. If he keeps this up, its going to be one of the weirdest franchise tags ever, unless we can lock him up longterm. Which brings up another question. What do you give a guy that's doing this? I'd be wary still myself, but he does LOOK like he's legitimately turned himself into a damn good player at this point. Guess next week will tel us a bit more.

We're going to have to franchise Fuller, aren't we?

Damn, I'm fairly OK with the first two games. Markkonen is all I'm concerned with at the moment and he looks like he can play. Holiday looks decent, maybe he can net us a pick or something. Its a matter of time before someone needs Lopez. If Lavine comes back healthy and looks good, its about all I care about this year. Dunn showing something would be a serious plus, but Lavine and Markkonen are the main things for me. Mirotic does nothing but take time from Markkonen as far as I'm concerned and potentially costs us a loss or two lol. Take on a bad contract or two for picks, trade Lopez, trade Holiday, and have Lavine, Markkonen, and maybe Dunn look good. Lose 55-60 games in the process. Those are my goals with this team.

I'm hungry all of a sudden.

Ah, good point. Maybe slightly annoyed Theo can do some cool horsefeathers this off-season.

They had me worried with how they were hanging in in the first half The second team is horrific currently. They're not going to be in any danger of running into wins as long as some of those guys are seeing time. But, I can see Lavine coming back healthy, Dunn not totally sucking, and Portis or Niko coming in and making this team bad, but not the truly horrible needed to be bottom 3.

Another L, Markkonen played fairly well again, getting a double double. Holliday conceivably could bring us something at the deadline.

Oh God, Matt runs laps around anything going on in these threads. He's got meatballs coming at him 24/7.

I like Cobb enough. If we got him AND traded for a guy too, the rotation would look really horsefeathering good. If Cobb were to be the main addition, with a Miley type, it'd still be ENOUGH. I'd just be disappointed. Kind of expect pissed off, win at all costs Theo this offseason.

I don't think everyone you named gets Betts alone. Adding Almora, I guess it's enough for Betts by himself. I don't think they'd do it for Benintendi, Price, and Rodriguez either. MAYBE if there was no money changing hands at all.

In the NL, I guess I'd look at it this way..... Atlanta- Teheran will be available, but he's not worth any of our ML guys. Washington- Nah, don't see it. Mets- I can see them shopping deGrom. They obviously need bats. Marlins- Straily doesn't interest me, but he's probably getting dealt. Phillies- Nola would definitely interest me, not sure they're ready to move him though. NL Central Brewers- Not dealing with them. Cards- Not dealing with them. Reds- Have nothing we'd want. Pirates- Its time for them to move on from Cole, but he just had a down year and they've said they're keeping him. Maybe at the deadline? NL West Diamondbacks- I guess I could see them with an interest in our guys, to replace Martinez. If they think Banda is ready, would they flip Walker for a bat? Padres- They got nothing. Dodgers- Seriously doubt a trade gets done with our chief competition. Giants- I'd be very happy to reacquire Shark. It'd hurt to have to give up ML pieces for him though. But, maybe he could get done without THOSE guys being involved. Monty, plus minor leaguers? Rockies- I can see where they'd need bats going forward, but I don't see them moving Gray. And I'm unsure if Marquez, Freeland, Hoffman, or anyone else truly fits into a teams plan of counting on them immediately. So, in the NL, the best I see are deGrom, Shark, and then a step down to Teheran, unless Nola or Cole could be had.

So, who may actually be available thru trade in the off season? I'm looking over teams and heres what I've got.... AL East Yankees- Nah, don't see it. Red Sox- I can see them trying to move on from Price. But, his elbow and contract seemingly make that wishful thinking. Toronto- They're planning on going for it, so Stroman and Sanchez seem to be staying put, FOR NOW. I'd check back at the deadline though. Baltimore- Bundy ain't going nowhere and if he was, I'd be scared anyway. Gausman is always a possibility, but they seem to value him quite a bit higher than he probably should be, at this point. Tampa- Sure, Archer will be rumored again. But, it'd take more than we gave up for Quintana. Just don't see it. Odorizzi? More likely to be moved, but not anything remotely special. AL Central Indians- Salazar possibly? Clevinger? I don't trust Salazar's health, but I can see them having an interest in Schwarber. Royals- If Duffy hadn't had elbow surgery already this off season, I'd love the idea. Twins- No reason for them to deal anyone. White Sox- No one left for them to move that's not going to fit into their next timeline. Tigers- We were rumored with Fulmer previously, but he too, just had elbow surgery. Norris and Boyd aren't good enough to use any of our major league position guys on. AL West Astros- Don't see where they'd need our guys. I'd still like to see if we could pry Musgrove away with something else, but again, why would they move anyone? Angels- Skaggs? Not for our major league guys though. And I don't see why they'd move him. A's- Manaea? Graveman? Graveman is averageish and we'd want more than him for our ML guys. If you see Manaea breaking out, he's an interesting option. The A's could conceivably be interested in our bats too. Rangers? Is Hamels going to be available, if they miss out on retooling in FA? If he is, is he any good still? Perez? For cheaper obviously. Mariners- Time for them to rebuild, but would they? And if so, how much would Paxton cost? I'll do the NL soon. But, in the AL, I'd say the best guys legitimately likely to be reasonably available would be Salazar, Manaea, and a bunch of guys not worth dealing from our ML stash. Hell, Salazar may not be either.

Am I imagining it or did Maddon just say a few days ago that he wanted everyone back? Could have swore he said that.

Hopefully not much. For a multitude of reasons. You go get him, you're taking yourself out of a realistic shot at Harper. Secondly, he's got so much left on his deal, that he's got negative value. He's great, if he's healthy. But, he rarely is, and I'd expect that to get worse in time, not better. If you want something I'd say is realistic, it'd be Heyward, Monty, Alzolay, Caratini, and Ademan. With US sending money to offset Heywards even worse contract. Maybe 25 mill or so.

those 2 would surprise me the least, especially Schwarber Russell has got to be the most untouchable player on this team not named Bryzzo Willy. Not even close.

I really think it'll be Happ that's dealt. Honestly, my guess is he was drafted to be trade bait, to begin with. And now, he's increased his value quite a bit. He doesn't have a true long-term spot on the field, Schwarber has lost value, and Almora plays a need position, PROBABLY a bit better than a Happ does, and seems to be showing some decent hitting skills in his own right, including making contact, which is needed in this lineup, and is also a weakness of Happ, as well.

I'd take Shaw, Neshek, and a LOOGY and be very happy with the pen. I agree I expect a trade for a Starting Pitcher, but I kind of think Theo is pimping Alzolay, in order to trade him......Happ plus Alzolay should net something very fun......Then, I can see us signing Chatwood. He's got some upside, with his insane splits and it keeps away from a long-term commitment that'll be needed more next off-season anyway.

WOW indeed. And yeah, seems like this is related to Hickey to me.

I think they'll sign Rivera to a 1 or 2 year deal. I think one of Happ, Schwarber, or Almora is dealt for a starting pitcher. Likelihood being in that order. I think they'll grab a backup OF that can at least masquerade in center. I wouldn't bet against them bringing Jay back actually.

I think it was Finfer, who said he doesn't even bother bringing Jed to these things anymore lol. And there were multiple comments about how easy it is to get locked in to whatever Theo's saying and you just believe, the polar opposite of the horsefeathers shows the Bulls and Bears put on.

I agree. The offense is not satisfactory. Despite their numbers being good. Here are some issues with just pointing out number s - This team is loaded with top 10 prospects who were expected to be good and produced in the minors. We don’t have guys like Taylor who sucked and became good. Or turner who became a stud after 30. Or Aaron judge who OPSed 850 in the minors and because an mvp candidate. Name someone who they developed into a star beyond expectations. Besides Rizzo. - they are an inconsistent offense. They strike out a lot. Despite winning a WS they went into extended hitting droughts in all 3 playoff years. - there has not been enough improvement from guys that should be improving. Guys in their early mid 20s. Even Bryant should be getting better. So no. I’m absolutely not satisfied with the offense. And I think coaching may have something to do with it. In fact I hope so. Because let’s face it. This team will live or die with Rizzo Bryant Russell Willy Baez etc. First, not everyone improves EVERY year until they reach their peak. There will be peaks and valleys with everyone. KB easily can be a consensus MVP next year, as an example. As an FYI, top 10 rated hitting prospects turn into solid, everyday players around 2/3 of the time. The production we've gotten out of ours would be cashed in by EVERY team in MLB and its not even a discussion. As for developing a Chris Taylor(who was a top prospect at one point himself).....Willy was a complete and utter after thought until 2014. He wasn't even a top 30 Cubs prospect at that point or at any point prior to then. No, we've not found our Justin Turner though. Nor have 28 other teams, as an FYI.

Solid amount of info in that, to be honest. Monty back to a swing role, can trade a position player, not putting a priority on a top of the order hitter.....

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