Some Guy

What about Happ for Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen.

That's a lot higher of a projection for Cobb than I've seen other than from me. Obv I agree, and pretty much already think of him as a Cub.

Early prognosticators seem to think Lynn is equal to or above Cobb. But pretty soon everyone will come to the conclusion that they'd rather have Cobb by far. Lynn wants 110/5. Doubt he gets it but I do think Cobb will get more than him, and rightly so.

I think the whole market sees that Cobb would be a very good get. I see him getting Samardzija money. From us. And I'm widdit.

Butler has no options, so he either makes the bullpen or he leaves. Might be better than Grimm at this point? Mills, Tseng and Underwood all hopefully are healthy and starting at Iowa, possibly contributing to the 2018 Cubs as spot starters or long relievers. We've seen Tseng's stuff play up in relief. I'd like to see Zastryzny just be a fulltime reliever. Maples and Carasiti both figure to see mlb innings I would think. Could even be good.

The election threw a moldy wet blanket over the fleeting joy of the World Series win.

I instinctively chose Edwards, then found the advocacy for DeLaCruz compelling, but ultimately left it with Edwards. I think he can be a very good 7th/8th inning guy in a year or two - with Strop in his 30s and approaching free agency. We seem to be in our most promising window *now,* and I place extra value on what can impact the major league team sooner - even before considering the lesser risk of more advanced prospects. But put me down for DLC next for sure, then probably EJM.

Been voting Underwood since last round. He's so young for where he's at in his development, and his ceiling seems very high.

No one is going to trade for the right to pay Wood $7M. For us it's either overpay him to be a reliever and rotation depth, or let him walk. I vote the former.

The answer is Heyward, if we don't trade Soler. Heyward needs to be our first priority this offseason. Yes his specialty is RF, and perhaps he could move back there for us in 2017 if Almora emerges and we trade an even more valuable Soler at that time. But for 2016, I don't see why he wouldn't be an upgrade over what we had last year. Fowler was ok. But Heyward is just as fast, but far superior in his jumps, his arm, his concentration and his wall reads.

Not the first time I've emerged from a long lurk and been accused of being gato. I don't like it.

I spent a good chunk of the last 2 days watching recent games of Teheran, Miller, Ross, Salazar, Carrasco, Samardzija, Zimmermann and Price. (and a lot of Jason Heyward defensive highlights). #NotAScout, but you might find my musings interesting: I have determined that I would not like to trade Soler for either of the Atlanta guys. Teheran is especially unimpressive - low-90s velocity, underwhelming command, fly balls and hard contact, and his changeup does not look swing-and-miss. His slider gets a fair amount of whiffs but it doesn't look THAT great, and it depends on being set up by the other stuff. (and this was his *best* game in September) The Cleveland guys both look awesome and I want them so bad. I don't think Baez would be nearly enough, but it if was I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'm definitely open to adding significantly more value (from the farm) on top of Baez for either of these guys - with slight edge to Carrasco. Ross looks very very good as well. His numbers are outstanding across the board (except for walks, but he gets tons of grounders and few HRs), and his stuff makes it clear why. Truly dominating hard sinker and slider. For as great as his numbers are, he has a reputation among meatballs of being "not a winner," so hopefully that brings his price down. And of course with just 2 years of control, he's not as tantalizing as the Cleveland guys. But I would absolutely trade Baez for him. (And as a San Diego resident, I'd love to watch Baez be the featured SS here). Price is obviously awesome and it is super cool that everyone thinks he favors us. I'd be all kinds of stoked to have him. But of the expected mega-contracts, I think Heyward will pay off more over the life of the contract. Huge boost to our defense, contact and speed - and possible untapped power to unlock. I would not be opposed to giving him 200/8 with an opt out after 4, if that's what it takes. So among the 2nd tier pitchers, I'm really enamored with Shark if the market is as soft as MLBTR and fangraphs think it might be. I'd start the offer at 64/4 and be willing to go up to 90/5. Hell, maybe more if the market proves strong. He is a supreme athlete with not a lot of miles on his arm, and I think he is fixable. For some reason he became an extreme fly ball pitcher last year and his slider & splitter lost effectiveness, but there's nothing wrong with his arm. His mechanics did look different than with the Cubs in 2014. Lots of potential value here, I think. Zimmerman will be more expensive and seems to carry more injury risk, but he is obviously very good. Good stuff, good command, and if there is really much of a thing as twtw, he has it. Would not mind him at all, but I think there's more value in Samardzija.

Oh hell yeah - I would totally do that blockbuster if it was possible to get Gray. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether the values line up?

I'm not saying we should do this, but I'm not saying we shouldn't. Just wanna know what y'all think. And if the value is imbalanced in either direction, what could be added to make it work? Soler for Reddick, Zobrist and Kazmir Reddick is under control for next year, and probably worth a QO afterward. And any of the 3 could be worthy of a re-sign. Soler could be a star in the long term, but the future COF picture could have Bryant and Schwarber in it, in addition to McKinney, other prospects, or future acquisitions. For this year, it would seem to greatly strengthen our WS chances. We'll still have to face a virtual coin-flip wild card game, but these additions could mean a lot to winning that game and going farther. Or perhaps even just keeping our WC spot in the first place.

He's the primary piece if it's with Castillo or Wood.

Or maybe Bryant replaces Olt.

So then you'd be willing to lay out huge odds against it? Like thousand to one?

Anyone else notice that Grimm hasn't pitched in a really long time?

Almora's progress making the brass very happy. http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/464489/forget-cubs-albert-almora-full-bloom-spring

I gave my 2nd vote to Caratini (same as last round), but truly I'd rank Sands above him. But Sands is already getting plenty of votes and I just want Caratini's vote total to reflect that he's at least similar in value to Zagunis, if not better. Caratini is a year younger, a level ahead (with a pretty nice OBP too), was drafted higher, and currently seems a much better bet to stick at catcher. Zagunis's speed is nice, but it's perhaps wasted at C and a lot less notable if he's an OF. PS: If Vogelbach and Sands are tied this round I will switch a vote to Sands. And hopefully Vogelbach can continue coming up short for another couple rounds (Rivero, Caratini).

Yeah that was rhetorical - it seems clear Rivero is the better asset at this time. And yet Vizcaino got us an important young cheap major league infielder. Would Zagunis right now? No. I can't think of why prospect rankings shouldn't be pretty much the same as trade value rankings.

Zagunis's leap from 6th in the #12 voting to 1st in the #13 voting is weird. As are all the Vogelvotes.

Not sure why Vogelbach gets so much love still, why Zagunis gets so much more than Caratini, nor why far-off short-seasoners like Sands and Jimenez get more than a reliever who dominated AA and AAA last year (though I have come around on Torres from what I've seen and heard this spring). I also wonder if anyone who voted for McKinney over Almora has changed their mind yet.

Who do we think is more valuable: Rivero or Arodys Vizcaino?

Egregiously false. If he was on the free market there's no way in hell he could be had for $96/4. The fact that those $24M years don't guarantee past age 34 is a huge part of his value.