Cubswin11

He was basically god mode Jake in the second half if the HR rates were normalized. I expect a very solid year out of him, assuming health.

Yeahno. This actually got trending on Twitter last night, and actual reporters addressed it not being real. I've really started to worry about the serious gullibility of people in our society. Although, based on current world events, I guess i should not be. For every 20 MLBIntel’s there’s a WetButt, Katy Perry Booty Hole and NoCode.

My understanding, and I don't think I've seen a refreshed study on it so it could be a weird steroid era anachronism, is that super athletic players age far more gracefully. The idea being that these guys have multiple way of contributing, so if one area falls off they still provide value in others. When Miguel Cabrera dropped to being a league average hitter last year, he was completely unplayable. When Javy is 35, he'll probably still be solid defensive 2B/3B who mashes lefties. This could be out of date though, for the same reasons that aging curves have started skewing younger and younger. I’m more worried about Javy’s offensive profile eroding long term (high Ks, low BB, low Contact%, quick twitch bat speed, base running, etc) than I am about defense. I have faith he can be fine and even plus defensively somewhere well in to his 30s (2B/3B/LF). It’s an extreme but look how quickly Carlos Gomez fell off.

I’m in the same boat. It would have to be in the neighborhood of the Bogaerts extension for me to do it, anything much more (or certainly if he’s thinking 150-200+) I’m good letting it play out.

I’ll say, Over (>.3) : KB, Willy/Vic, CF (if Happ gets at least 75% of the starts), Q, 2B Push (within .3) : Yu, Hendricks, Lester, Schwarbs, RF, Bullpen, 5th starter, Javy Under (<.3): Rizzo Edit: This is off the graphic showing the WAR and not the article spreadsheet which seems to differ a bit (graphic has Rizzo 4.7, spreadsheet 4.3, as an example).

You don't want Stroman, Tanaka, Bauer, or even Raym but do have interest in Anthony Descalfani? That is an interesting hot take They're not not going to find pitching from within just because they pursue a top FA It’s not that I wouldn’t want them, it’s that I don’t think I’d pay what they likely get and they all have some red flags. With the lack of top end guys their prices will likely be inflated. I think Desclafani could be had for a Lance Lynn type deal at most while the other guys are probably looking at Arrieta to Darvish type deals.

That OF depth is horsefeathers, surprised they don’t have a few more invite flyer guys coming in to maybe luck in to something.

The 2021 FA SP class is quite bad. I have no real interest in playing in the top end. Stroman and Tanaka both have their own red flags and injuries in the past. There’s also Bauer and Ray, don’t really have interest in either for their likely price and Bauer being Bauer. Desclafani is a guy I wouldn’t mind having some interest in depending on what exactly he’d cost, bringing back Q would make some sense too depending on his price. We need to find some pitching from within, if that wasn’t already clear, or find a guy or two in a trade between now and next year.

You only need a Q replacement if you require competent pitching. If you're basically taking a mini dive this season by unnecessarily cutting costs, some garbage guys filling in at that spot is just going to help your draft spot. Fair. Depressing, but fair. Now that the dust mostly has settled, I wonder if Ricketts is a little disappointed that Milwaukee got worse and St Louis didn't really do anything. The Reds made a bunch of moves, but had a ton of ground to make up. It's one thing to have a roster that needs things to break right and choose not to compete, it's another thing to go into the year with the best team on paper (at least, as currently constructed). I wouldn’t be surprised if Ricketts has no idea what teams in the division have or haven’t done and what it means to their ability to be competitive or not.

I guess this is what confuses me. Why not trade Betts and Price for all the A-AA darlings you can get instead of Verdugo. Graterol makes some sense since he is still young and cost controlled for some future time. I also assume they could get someone to bite with prospects. Maybe they couldn't Price has negative value. He’s owed almost $100 million yet, had season ending wrist surgery and has been between 1.5-2.3 WAR the last 3 years and is like 32. Including him keeps you from getting all the “A-AAA darlings.” I think your view on his value is skewed. It would be like if we traded Heyward with Bryant and wondered why we only got Jean Segura and Nick Pivetta back.

Braves, Phillies, Nats, Padres and probably a “mystery” team (Yankees, Rays, Angels?) still all make some sense for Bryant. I’m at the point where I’m fine running it back and hoping for some better luck. If they have to get under the LT attach a prospect to Chatwood and be done with it. The only KB trade I’m really in favor of up at this point is one that ends up with us getting Arenado (whether that’s a direct trade, 3 team trade or two separate trades). I think the Phillies are the team that makes the most sense currently. They have the biggest hole at 3B by far for a contending team, they're in that extremely tight NL East, and they have enough money coming off of next year's books that they can make going over the LT a one year deal even if they extend Realmuto. If they finish 4th this year I can't imagine the GM keeps his job, and job insecurity is how deals get done. That being said at this point I expect KB to stay and Quintana to go. I am curious about how the Arenado situation evolves. If he makes it through the season as a Rockie, next winter a Bryant/Arenado switcheroo seems a lot more plausible, when KB will be making ~$25M and the financials are less complicated. Yeah I agree, I think the Phillies need him the most. Bohm, Howard, 1 of Velasquez or Pivetta and another prospect or two would be roughly what I’d expect with maybe Segura being involved too. An Arenado trade could make more sense next offseason but I don’t think Bryant would be involved at that point for the Rockies with 1 year left. We’d also have to be assured Arenado isn’t opting out too. A 3 team trade right now where KB goes to Philly, Arenado comes to us + a little extra stuff and Bohm and stuff goes to the Rockies makes some sense.

Betts, Bellinger, one of Turner or Seager probably, and a bunch of I don't cares that might leave as quickly as they came Come on man. I’m probably one of the most optimistic guys on here when it comes to projecting our team but to say our offense has more potential, please. Betts and Bellinger have been worth 28+ WAR the last two years. Muncy has been 5.2 and 4.8 last two years, Turner has been 5+ 2 of last 4, 4+ 3 of last 4, even a “bad” Seager was at 3+ last year and at 6+ the last two fully healthy years, with Pollock, Taylor, Hernandez, Smith, Lux etc. as complementary pieces. Sure our offense could be similar if things break favorably (and probably is still a top 3-5 NL offense and top 7-10 MLB) but talking potential and more likely outcomes it’s easily the Dodgers.

Braves, Phillies, Nats, Padres and probably a “mystery” team (Yankees, Rays, Angels?) still all make some sense for Bryant. I’m at the point where I’m fine running it back and hoping for some better luck. If they have to get under the LT attach a prospect to Chatwood and be done with it. The only KB trade I’m really in favor of up at this point is one that ends up with us getting Arenado (whether that’s a direct trade, 3 team trade or two separate trades).

Good

The Ricketts would not only get the LT savings but the insurance claim!

I’ve seen conflicting reports that, that IF from the Angels is going to the Red Sox as well.

Go home Twins, you’re drunk

Maeda to the Twins maybe?

I’ll say Mariners because Dipoto got bored. Probably took Kelly’s horsefeathers contract from the Dodgers.

Well that guy had this Mookie trade nailed to the exact players 5 days ago. So I guess be on alert here

Yeah, this seems like it’s happening