KingCubsFan

He sees him as a guy with a solid OBP, 20 homers a year and .260-.270. So good enough to start on most teams, just not our infield. sounds like the type of player who could start at 2B for us if the defense is passable. I was being a bit facetious. But realistically, Happ's ability to start on our team hinges on Javy, Eloy and Zobrist.

I don't have the write up, but he has Happ at 63 today. He sees him as a guy with a solid OBP, 20 homers a year and .260-.270. So good enough to start on most teams, just not our infield.

That's 7 starters, which can go up to 8 if we work out a small trade for Caleb Smith. If we can bring back Wood, I'd feel pretty comfortable with our depth, particularly given what appears to be our strong bullpen.

Agreed. Given the prices, it's going to take at least our top 3 prospects plus one of Baez or Schwarber to get a long-term piece. Not interested. I have to think that the FO is targeting somebody that will be on the FA market, considering they clearly have no interest in resigning Jake.

My favorite part is when the whole team other than Hendricks looked completely lost when Obama made a joke about Theo running the DNC. Sczcur even whispered to Kyle, "what's that?"

What's wrong with Cousins? He'd probably be the best QB this team has ever had. Given that the Bears have never drafted or developed a good NFL QB, and this current coaching staff doesn't inspire much confidence in that regard either, I'm not sure why they should be deadset on overdrafting a prospect or trading valuable currency for an unknown like Garoppolo. If Cousins is actually available, they should go after him.

The guy has taken two different teams to Super Bowls. He's clearly an adequate coach. I'd rather not turn into the Browns or 49ers where we're switching course every year or two. Until this team gets more talent, I don't see a reason to pay another buyout. He's also had crazy talented teams that went to the SB. We're about to have the first season in Bears franchise history with less than 4 wins iirc. He hasn't done anything since he was hired and has got worse imo. In other related news... I don't even want Barkley back as a backup. Just re-sign Hoyer and draft a QB or 2 or 5 and let them compete. Well, teams that make the Super Bowl tend to be very talented. I'm not saying he's some type of coaching genius, but his performance doesn't make me want to start over with an entire new coaching staff again. He's not particularly old, either.

Why do we think Fox is the problem again? Disinterested team, lack of running game despite high quality RB, crappy OC, feud with talented DC who will likely bolt in the offseason, poorly handled personnel situations (PED suspensions, Ray McDonald, that crazed DT whose name escapes me), W-L record... The guy has taken two different teams to Super Bowls. He's clearly an adequate coach. I'd rather not turn into the Browns or 49ers where we're switching course every year or two. Until this team gets more talent, I don't see a reason to pay another buyout.

Why do we think Fox is the problem again?

Agreed. A lot of Torres' value is tied up in the fact that he can play SS or 2B with an above average bat. Russell obviously isn't going anywhere so I much preferred to trade a guy who, if at all works out, would have become our future 2B as opposed to the one prospect we have with legit middle of the order bat. Positional value be damned.

Agree. I think they're hoping a few pitching prospects break out to give them some additional currency at the deadline.

McGlinchey is going back to Notre Dame.

Yes, and that moment will almost surely not pass. When Theo came, there was a theory that hitting would become scarce and teams with hitters would have a trade leverage advantage. That theory does not appear to have been fulfilled. I'm not sure about that. The Cubs could trade Schwarber or Baez for a young pitcher, they just prefer not to (which I agree with).

I would put my life savings on Harbaugh staying at Michigan in the short term (at least the next 2-3 seasons). Seriously even if you offered him $15m a year, I don't think he bolts. Those jobs will still be there in 3-4 years and I don't believe he thinks he's accomplished anything yet coaching his alma mater (no playoffs, no OSU wins) but he's getting close. If the Bears parted with Fox this offseason, I think we are looking at Josh McDaniels or Vic Fangio as the best possible options. Shanahan Mike?

Perhaps they're getting a pass because of all the injuries. They shouldn't but it's not unreasonable to give them the first 4 games of next season. Or maybe the plan was to tank this year so they could draft Cutler's replacement. Given where the Bears will be drafting, I'd be upset if they took a QB in the first round.

Fowler could probably be a 6 WAR outfielder in RF, and all he would have cost is money. Good to see one of the NL contenders misuse their resources so badly.

More than one google result tells me it's this: My enthusiasm for this trade just went up ten-fold.

I'd prefer a few years of Otani.

If Theo thinks Davis will help get us another ring, then horsefeathers it I'm on board.

Yep. Zobrist followed by some combo of Bryant, Rizzo, Schwarbs. Then Russel. Then some combo of Heyward, Baez, Contreras. I really think it's time to let go of the CF Heyward lineups, for now (unless you're advocating for CF Zobrist or CF Baez?) I think the CF should probably be batting 8th no matter who is in there. Of course, Comcast Sports Chicago last night said Soler was a CF.

The real question is whether Theo wants to push Javy plus the rest of our farm system. I think it's more likely he tries to trade Soler for a slightly better version of Montgomery.

He's absolutely going to take more than a few minor parts like those guys. It would take a package starting with Happ at least.

I wonder if the Mariners would be interested in a Soler for Taijuan Walker deal.

I'd rank Almora first and I'd assume the organization does as well (at least unless they have bigger plans in CF like Fowler or Pollock or something). His glove already carries huge value where he can be a 2-WAR player just by being like a .690 OPS guy. And we know there is more power potential in the bat and a very good hit tool, even if he's allergic to walking. We all love Jorge and it's impossible to not drool over the potential. If he became an elite hitter overnight it would stun no one, as we see the flashes frequently, and he's already a good hitter as is. But, he's a below average (to put it nicely) defensive corner outfielder that is unlikely to get too much better out there, especially with his leg injury past. And many organizations are likely worried he's truly injury prone (I don't like to label guys that so early myself, but he sure does seem to have the most muscular fragile body ever). So, Jorge is going to have to hit a lot to be a 2-WAR player. Mark Trumbo for example as a DH/bad corner OF hit 47 dongs, had an .850 OPS, and had a 2.2 fWAR. Mike Napoli as a DH/bad 1B had 34 homers, an .800 OPS, and a 1.0 fWAR. Now, Soler is a step up from these guys defensively, but just shows how much he's going to likely have to hit to have much value. Either way, likely going to have to package these guys together to really get something. And it may take all five guys listed to get Archer. If that's all it takes to get Archer, sign me up.

Given the inferiority complex of their fanbase, there's 0% chance they'd make a trade with the Cubs as part of a teardown. Quintana would be a perfect acquisition, but it's just not happening.