Backtobanks

I like to do a lot of one-stop shopping which is why I mentioned Mize and Finnegan. When there were rumors of Shaw to Boston for pitching, I also wanted Duran as a buy-low, change-of-scenery acquisition. I would like Jed to make an early trade to see what else needs to be done at the deadline.

More of a reason to make a trade now before those borderline contenders get involved in the trade market.

Any of those guys would be great, but if Jed wants to go cheap, he could probably get Mize and Finnegan without giving up too much.

The Cubs had their chance to sign him, but they made their usual "competitive offer".

I included the statistics from when he was GM and Theo was in charge. We all know who was making the decisions during that time. Bregman was an overpay because we had Shaw and Paredes before him for much less money which could have been spent on the TOR we needed. The Cubs could have signed Cease but got scared off by the big money demand which was then reduced by making some of it deferred. Hoyer has held onto Shaw, Alcantara, & Wicks, among others and greatly reducing their trade value. Shaw last off season had trade value equivalent of pitchers like Ryan and Gore. Alcantara and Wicks each had decent trade value at the same time and now they look more like throw-ins in any kind of a deal. As for PTR signing off on any deals, he signed off on Tucker as a high-priced rental, and he signed off on $100,000,000 + contract for Bregman. You're right about "Jed not being great as POBO, but he's not bad either." I just think he is pretty overrated.

Large market teams still have a greater advantage over small market teams by spending freely on free agents. My problem with Jed is how he spends the money, he wants to skimp when he needs to pay big (pitching) and he overpays when he shouldn't (Bregman). He also hangs onto prospects too long.

Going back in time a little bit, I was always criticized for defending Jim Hendry. Well, Jim Hendry's record with the Cubs (55%) is better than Hoyer's (54%) and that's with not counting the first 2 years when poor Jed had to rebuild.

As President of Baseball Operations, he pretty much has the full authority to sign and trade for pitchers. The budget is miles ahead of every other team in the division, so apparently, he is not good at his job.

Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, Nolan Ryan, Warren Spahn, etc.

I can see Hoyer getting Mize and Finnegan without giving up too much. Additionally, adding Gray would be great, but only at the right cost.

I wonder if Hoyer would go after Woods-Richardson if he is totally released. He is not great, but at 25 years old he might be fixable.

And he did it for over 25 years.

Then let's quit using it as an excuse as to why the Cubs aren't playing up to their potential.

Shaw + Rojas + Wiggins for Early + Duran???????????

If only Ernie Broglio was available.