This is a move tha puts a contender over the top, which is not the 2024 Cubs. I'm not ready to give up a top 5, a top 10 and another guy in the 10-20 range for Bednar.
My preferences in order
1) Light buying, no big name rentals, possible acquisition of a guy under control beyond 23
2) Go ham with guys on deals beyond 2023 (Alonso, Cease, Sewald, etc.)
3) Sell Stroman, Bellinger, Gomes, etc.
4) Roll with what we have
Notice no mention of Stroman. They won't actually try and thread the needle where they trade stroman and use the money/prospects to add to this year's team, right?
Aaron Bummer's numbers are so confusing. A 6.69 ERA but 3.01 xERA, 2.40 FIP, 3.30 xFIP and 0 HR/FB%. His strand rate is a crazy low 48.1% and his babip is a high .351. His HARD% and MED% are both down from 2022 and his velocity is pretty much the same from last year. Is he actually getting crazy unlucky or is it something like he's broken when pitching out of the stretch?
Hoyer needs to make up his mind and act. If he waits until after Monday's game, the chances of getting anything meaningful done is pretty small and the pool of available players will be nearly dried up.