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Backtobanks

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  1. Backtobanks
    I would gladly switch Caratini with Contreras in the trade proposal, but I doubt the Pirates would be interested. Going by what Epstein said about making a big change and figuring in our budget / mediocre farm system, one of our core players looks to be on the block. I can't see Rizzo or Baez being traded, which pretty much leaves Contreras or Bryant. Depending on the return, we would have a big downgrade at 3B or a lesser downgrade at catcher. Without trading one of the "core four", the best trade assets have very limited value on the trading block. When did he say this in regards to the roster? I don’t think he’s spoken any absolutes about it, it’s all been GM speak. The big change stuff, that was stated clearly/imminent at least, was more FO and coaching directed with changing things (and they already are on their way to doing it). If "making a big change" only refers to making FO and coaching changes (and not the roster), we will be in for a long summer unless all of our players play at their peak potential and the Cards and Brewers fall off.
  2. Backtobanks
    The only disadvantage is the trade cost. He is a much better hitter than either Margot or Bradley and his splits aren't any worse than theirs. The length of his contract pretty much lines up with the window for the core of the Cubs. When the trade cost is the best hiring catcher in baseball, it is a significant disadvantage I would gladly switch Caratini with Contreras in the trade proposal, but I doubt the Pirates would be interested. Going by what Epstein said about making a big change and figuring in our budget / mediocre farm system, one of our core players looks to be on the block. I can't see Rizzo or Baez being traded, which pretty much leaves Contreras or Bryant. Depending on the return, we would have a big downgrade at 3B or a lesser downgrade at catcher. Without trading one of the "core four", the best trade assets have very limited value on the trading block.
  3. Backtobanks
    Agreed. Plus between trade cost, his age, the length of his contract, and trade cost he just doesn't seem like an ideal target. Much prefer Bradley Jr. or Margot among guys rumored to be available this offseason through trade The only disadvantage is the trade cost. He is a much better hitter than either Margot or Bradley and his splits aren't any worse than theirs. The length of his contract pretty much lines up with the window for the core of the Cubs.
  4. Backtobanks
    I suggested this trade quite awhile ago: Trade Contreras, Almora, Short, and Underwood to Pittsburgh for Marte, Frazier, and Kela. Trade Chatwood and Bote to Texas for Leclerc and Mazara. Extend Quintana and sign a catcher (?), Maybin, Odorizzi, Liriano. Rizzo Frazier Baez Bryant Schwarber Marte Heyward Caratini Darvish Hendricks Lester Quintana Odorizzi Wick Wieck Kela Leclerc Ryan Kimbrel Liriano Happ, Hoerner, Mazara, Maybin, Catcher (26th man- Mills, Alzolay, Norwood, Maples, Kemp, Descalso, Graveman)
  5. Backtobanks
    Not a bad idea to dump Russell, but there is a big difference in salary too. I think the Red Sox would have to sweeten the pot a little (prospect/money).
  6. Backtobanks
    I happened to read an article about Howie Kendrick in the last couple of days where Rendon was quoted as saying that he doesn't want to be playing baseball when he's Kendrick's age (36). Maybe he was just poking fun at Kendrick, but if he was serious a deal that takes him to age 35 might be exactly what he looks for. Friend of a friend works for Boras and passed along something similar. Rendon doesn't really like baseball that much, is just looking for a shorter term deal that is going to set him/family up for generations. Something like a 4/160 deal might not be out of the question. Obviously 4/120 wouldn't be good enough to set him/family up for generations. :lol:
  7. Backtobanks
    MLBTR chat moderator thought 1 year for $5-7 million.
  8. Backtobanks
    From MLBTR: Nori Aoki is likely settled back in his native land after wrapping up a generally successful big league tenure. But it’s worth noting that he’s still a capable performer at 37 years of age, having just slashed .297/.385/.442 in 565 plate appearances for the Swallows. Kosuke Fukudome had a similar career arc to that of Aoki, but his production slipped to .256/.347/.397 this season — his age-42 campaign and seventh with the Hanshin Tigers since returning to Japan.
  9. Backtobanks
    Almora for Yoan Lopez? Why would the Diamondbacks do this deal?
  10. Backtobanks
    Another candidate? Third base coach Fredi Gonzalez has informed the Marlins that he has decided to “explore other options,”
  11. Backtobanks
    I don't think there's any way we should be realistically talking about Merrifield, Gray, Grandal, etc. I can't see PTR paying for Grandal when catcher is a position of strength (even with a trade). If their respective teams shop Gray or Merrifield, teams with way more top prospects would jump on them. I've been suggesting trading Schwarber for a few years now, but I've pretty much accepted the fact that he's probably more valuable to us than whatever we could get in return.
  12. Backtobanks
    Trade Contreras, Almora, Short, and Underwood to Pittsburgh for Marte, Frazier, and Kela. Trade Chatwood and Bote to Texas for Leclerc and Mazara. Extend Quintana and sign a catcher (?), Maybin, Odorizzi, Liriano. Rizzo Frazier Baez Bryant Schwarber Marte Heyward Caratini Darvish Hendricks Lester Quintana Odorizzi Wick Wieck Kela Leclerc Ryan Kimbrel Liriano Happ, Hoerner, Mazara, Maybin, Catcher (26th man- Mills, Alzolay, Norwood, Maples, Kemp, Descalso, Graveman)
  13. Backtobanks
    2 deals to ponder: Contreras, Almora, Short, and Underwood to Pittsburgh for Marte, Frazier, and Kela. Bote and Chatwood to Texas for Leclerc and Mazara.
  14. Backtobanks
    I suppose Bryant is a trade possibility, but a an OBP of .382 seems to be what the Cubs need rather than what they want to get rid of.
  15. Backtobanks
    Doesn't MLB encourage interviewing minority candidates before hiring the white guy?
  16. Backtobanks
    Imagine what he would hit if the ball was juiced. :-"
  17. Backtobanks
    I agree with this. Maddon has some fault, but this mess isn't his doing. Anything less than Theo taking primary responsibility will be unacceptable. The only thing I want to hear him address in his end of season press conference is the mistakes he has made and what he plans to do to fix them. Maddon is almost certainly gone, but it is largely due to the mistakes that have been made above him. That partially includes ownership, but mostly lies square on the shoulders of Theo. I don't want to hear him place blame on anyone else. The players have proven they are who they are, and it is Theo who bought into them being better than that. I hope Tom Ricketts is furious, and he has every right to be. But does he really care, or is he counting his money and waiting for the new network to launch (which will very likely not even be carried by some of the major content distributors, Dish Network for example)? I'm certainly not defending Ricketts, but the payroll is 35% higher than the Cardinals and 80% higher than the Brewers. Theo is not spending the money wisely when building a roster in addition to holding on to his drast picks too long. There have been batting and pitching coach changes every year without any improvement in the young hitters and no development of young pitchers.
  18. Backtobanks
    Did you forget that PTR owns the Cubs?
  19. Backtobanks
    https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2019/9/21/20877470/any-reckoning-should-start-at-top-for-a-cubs-team-that-performed-as-well-as-its-roster-was-built
  20. Backtobanks
    I'm all for extending Castellanos, but Hedges is certainly defense only because he can't hit at all. Everybody mentions Margot, but the bump he might give wouldn't be that great. I would shop Chatwood as a SP to all of the teams looking for rotation help. Contreras or Schwarber would have to be the two names to be shopped, if we want anything of value in return.
  21. Backtobanks
    I don’t know how it plays out, I’d assume Ross will be heavily rumored. I’m guessing they go with the trend of the relatively unknown guy who’s cheap and “goes by the book” and is essentially an extension of the FO in the dugout. I’d assume internally Borzello, Loretta and Venanble will be candidates, would like to keep Hottovy as the pitching coach. Externally I’d be interested in Carlos Beltran. I'm sure PTR would like it to be someone who is already on the payroll.
  22. Backtobanks
    Sounds good to me if we get compensation.
  23. Backtobanks
    Good luck with that plan. Yes, if only we could find other examples of teams doing what needs to be done to dump bad long term contracts. SURELY IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED. Except we don't need another bad contract or some nothing "prospect" plus it gives us one more hole to fill on the field.
  24. Backtobanks
    The guy I would go after to replace Zobrist and pinch hit is Howie Kendrick. With the year he’s having I’m guessing Kendrick. gets a near everyday job somewhere next year and I don’t think we’d give it to him/hope we’d aim higher for an everyday guy as idk how much of what he’s doing is real. The goal should be to find the next 2019 Kendrick (or 2018 Descalso) on the cheap before they have a big year like this instead of paying for the guy after he has the big year that may be flukey for a bench/role spot. He's having a great season, but he's been really good over his whole career. IDK what he'll get in the off season, but he could get quite a few AB by filling the Zobrist role.
  25. Backtobanks
    Good luck with that plan.
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