Tim

I think the safest bet with all these guys is to take a three year average and work with that. This treats the covid year as a full year, but does it for all of them and I don't want to take the time to do the more rigorous math. Swanson: 10.5 fwar - 28 y Correa: 9.1 fwar - 27 y Turner: 13.9 fwar - 29 y Bogaerts: 10.2 fwar - 29 y Which is a pretty clear win for Turner. However, if you look at total WAR, it falls like this: Swanson: 14.7 fwar - 28 y Correa: 28.8 fwar - 27 y Turner: 29.7 fwar - 29 y Bogaerts: 32.5 fwar - 29 y Which is a pretty clear win for Bogaerts, but really says anyone but Swanson. Frankly, since we have Hoerner to play SS, I'd prefer to get the one who is least dependent on defense for their value. That would point to Bogaerts or Turner. I'd really prefer not giving up the penalty for the QO, all things being equal, which points to Correa. I'd rather get a slight underpay (or shorter contract) for the guy coming off the down year, rather than overpay for the guy coming off a career year; which would point again to Correa. Durability matters a lot for a guy you're giving a 10 year contract to, so that probably points to anyone but Correa. In the end, I'd probably vote for Bogaerts if he's willing to play 2nd or 3rd base. Turner would be my really close second choice, and Correa a fairly distant third. I don't trust Swanson's breakout enough to give the man a 10 year deal. I'd pass hard if he's the only one left standing. I just don't see him in the same class as the other three.

Hearn has done what he needed to do this year - cut the strikeout rate from 44% to 33%. While he's repeating the level, he's still plenty young. As a catcher, he's got both some pop in the bat and also some wheels on the bases. All that said...I wouldn't have him in my top 30 at this point. But I will be watching pretty closely to see how he closes out the year.

How on earth are we only one game ahead of these guys?

The injury and Dusty trying to turn Corey into a slap hitter killed his career. Don Baylor didn’t help either but the worst thing was probably the Cubs rushing him through the minors, skipping levels. Dusty, Don Baylor...oops. :D I've heard a story about why he was rushed through the minors, but I'm trying to remember the details.

The injury and Dusty trying to turn Corey into a slap hitter killed his career.

1. Kodai Senga 5/$125m 2. Carlos Correa 10/$325m 3. Trade for Ohtani, extend (Davis, PCA, Thompson, Kilian, Madrigal) 4. whatever, really, fill out the roster Ohtani solves the need for an ace and a LHH at the same time

That's double fantastic

Get out the knife and fork because they will be eating his contract. Care to go back a few days and eat that post you made about them understanding sunk costs?

I'm very happy with that trade.

What was your favorite moment of the Simmons era?

Decent. And I'd be exceptionally fine with that.

he and Hodge have been skyrocketing up my list of potential pitchers all season long

Yeah, Steele looks damn good so far

That's our first ndfa this year, right?

Question: What big lefty bat might be available in trade this offseason? (If only there were a 23 year old, generational talent available that would fit the bill. Too bad those never come on the market)

The dream (mine, at least): One of the top end starters + one of the top end shortstops. Plus a few relievers and another mid-scale hitter. Honestly, that should be all it takes to be at the top of the division.

such as? Villar and Simmons mostly. Not exactly crippling long term deals, but they were unforced mistakes that were completely unnecessary. The Cubs wasted $10 Million when they could have got the same or better performance from guys on minimum salaries. Everyone misses on occasion, but those signings in particular were seemingly obvious overpays from the start and lead me to question Hoyer's ability to target and sign the right players going forward.I thought the Villar deal was fine - he's been a productive player up until now. Simmons was an overpaid hedge. To be fair, the McKinstry acquisition looks like a direct response to that so that he hopefully doesn't have to do those types of contacts for the next few years.

I think so too. I like the immediate result, but only if the Cubs are serious about trying to resign Contreras, which I don't think they are. This feels more like a misplay by Hoyer. Combined with some of his other recent contract decisions, I have no confidence that he is capable of building a contending team.such as?

Somebody buy that boy a stationary bike for christmas

Also a better return than they got for Kimbrel!

Is that 19 signed? Yep - Blatter was the only unsigned player

who would we give the Nats? Not sure why we'd have to give the Nats anything. This is assuming that Hosmer says no to the trade.

...and then dominate the west for the foreseeable future Nobody is going to "dominate" the Dodgers. The Padres are going to be a really fun team if Tatis can stay on the field, though.

Jed needs to be on the phone to make this work. Preller is over a barrel right now and the Cubs can fix it for him. I want Eguy Rosario + Morejon. Eguy could step in as a starter at 3B or 2B next year and Morejon is a really nice flier to take if he can ever stay healthy.