UMFan83

They will ask real questions but will be accepting of fluff answers

Apparently the Ricketts family quietly cancelled their panel that they do every year.

My prediction is that Harper signs a front loaded contract with multiple opt outs with the Phillies, and then in 2 years he opts out and signs with the Cubs, who need him signed as incentive for Bryant to stick around. Somewhat kidding

They named the winter storm that’s going to hit Chicago this weekend “Winter Storm Harper”. So Winter Storm Harper is going to hit right in the middle of Cubs Convention. Can’t make this stuff up

its like baseball but weirder

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What does he know, he’s a lame duck

Just...no. Nagy took the whole learning from Joe Maddon thing too far

That must be why Rizzo isn’t going. Too jealous of watching the KB and Harper bromance

The cat hath spoken. Those who believe in the cat will be rewarded. [tweet] [/tweet]

God I hate to say it but yes. I don't even think Alshon was that villainous to us, but I can't help myself.

CHARLES THE CAT UPDATE

You would

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Wait, they had a 95+ win team last year. I thought the best play was to do nothing and cry broke?

Make sure you buy a ticket for him to sign a baseball which is $69

[tweet]https://twitter.com/dexterfowler/status/1083421544368558082[/tweet]

And even on the small chance that it is, you can still fix that! if the Cubs felt it was incredibly important to pick up the Hamels option at that point, that means they thought they were getting a good deal, and he'd be worth more on the open market. That means he still is. Yes, he can block trades to 20 teams, but you know the 10 teams that are options would be contenders. If that doesn't work, Hamels and Quintana are projected to be basically identical pitchers next year. Quintana definitely has value. Go save yourself that money. I can understand that the Ricketts may be frustrated based on the last couple years. The plan was waves of homegrown talent. The team won 97 games in 2015, and then went out and signed the most expensive hitter on the market. Last year, we signed the most expensive pitcher on the market. Now they're asking to sign the biggest contract of all time. Neither has worked out so far, and it doesn't look great going forward. It's a legit criticism. But it shouldn't keep them from Bryce. Or from trusting Theo. The thing that eats at me is that I was thinking/hoping we'd have rebuilt at least some portion of our farm system by now. Maybe I'm asking too much for a team thats in the 5th year of a 'win now' cycle but I'm not expecting 2014 levels of talent. If we really are cash strapped, also having a broke farm system is a death blow.

Now that I think about it this is brilliant. He probably never wants to kick for the Bears again, but because he is fully guaranteed $5m next year, there's a non-zero chance that Pace brings him back anyways (not a big chance though). Going on TV and talking about the abuse you receive from the fanbase is a good way to ensure your exit and as long as he doesn't say anything too bad he's in no jeopardy of losing his $5m. The lesson here is: don't fully guarantee a large contract to a kicker who isn't elite

What the hell is the point of that? Are they going to try to frame it as a look into the abuse kickers get when they miss a big kick or something? I mean, I can't really imagine that he's there just to talk about the actual kick. I'm assuming it's going to be about some of the abuse he's received. Right, if he was going to talk about the kick he would have gone on the Score, or some national radio show, or the NFL Network. Instead he's going on a nationally broadcast general interest news show.

What the hell is the point of that? Are they going to try to frame it as a look into the abuse kickers get when they miss a big kick or something?

[tweet] [/tweet] I'd put money on the Cubs right now even if I am not overly confident, I do think they are being undervalued here.

Just trying to put a positive spin...if you look at Steamer projections, the Cubs still come out quite a bit better. Top 7 position players projected WAR: Cubs - 22.7 Cardinals - 21.6 Brewers - 18.8 Top 6 pitchers projected WAR: Cubs - 12.9 Cardinals - 11.5 Brewers - 7.1 Of course the Brewers way outperformed this last year so who knows.

Grandal’s elite framing + amazing shifting coach = uh oh

Are you thinking of the Tanaka money that was not spent that off-season but 'saved for later' after they didn't get him? I remember a quote about signing "two offeseason's worth" of free agents. I can't remember what year that was though. believe that was the 2015-2016 offseason