Dfan25

It’s a shame on Williams because I read that his preference is to sign with a Midwest team . If they were willing to give 4 years to Scott last offseason , they should be willing to do so this offseason IMO . Coming off a playoff appearance , seems like a new competitive window has now open . Williams met with the Reds by the way . On a positive note it seems like there is a chance they will pursuit one of the top SP .

Yeah , my guess here is Imanaga takes it and Hoyer really doesn’t mind 1/22 . It’s just the way he likes to build teams with as many 1 year guys as possible . If he does take it , they will add 1 SP and be done with the rotation .

IMO , Marlins continue to be the team that fits the best with the Cubs ( Alcantara , Cabrera ) and Cassie / Long as really good fits for Mia . Cubs also have depth arms that they could include to replace the marlins SP.

Cubs trade Kittridge back to Orioles for cash . I don’t like this , but could change my mind if they end up with one of the better closers ( but doubt it )

Imanaga seems like a really cool dude and guys in the clubhouse seem to love him . However the reality is that he perform like a bottom of the rotation pitcher in 25 . Yes he had a really good run after the injury , but you have to look at his season entirely IMO. I am perfectly fine moving forward without him , if that turns out to be the case . I think this opens more possibilities with the rotation . In my perfect scenario , a FA signing and a trade . It’s time to get more strikeouts and stuff into this staff .

As expected , some of the bigger names have started to opt out of deals . Diaz , Suarez / Bregman all free agent now.. I do wonder if the Cubs would consider going bigger in the bullpen , considering they are coming off a playoff year , and on paper looks difficult to add in a meaningful way on position players ? I know they aren’t signing Diaz , but an older guy like Suarez or trying to buy low on Devin Williams ERA ? Williams also has the Counsell connection as well . If they don’t pick up Kittredge , I think the possibility they go with a bigger bullpen move increases .

So I was reading one of the front page articles , and it says the Cubs are unlikely to offer Imanaga a QO ( according to sources ) , if it gets to that point . I am a bit surprised if this is true . Hoyer is more of a higher AAV , than a years guys . I think he would be ok with 1 / 22 . The AAV is a bit high , but i prefer they do that instead of locking for 3 more years .

This will be the waiver claims offseason with all the 40 man roster spots they will have available . Prepare for an annoying number of them 😁

Don’t expect this to be more than if your market falls to short term with opt outs type of interest . I think they will be heavily involved with Bieber .

World Series hasn’t even started and there is already trade speculation on Skubal and Peralta . I totally expect the Brewers to trade Peralta and Miz will be a top 3 cy young finish with Ashby as a really good 2 , Patrick a very good 3 and Henderson a really solid backend guy

Roster resource has the Cubs at 162 mil on luxury tax and that’s including 17 in player benefits . After a playoff appearance I would expect them to be right againts the 1st tier of the LT again . They have plenty of money to work with . They need to focus on stuff and strikeouts with their adds on the pitching staff . To upgrade the offense will be difficult , unless they deal Shaw or reduced his role .

My way too early offseason plan would include : Decline Shota Pick up Kittridge Trade for Joe Ryan ( Cassie / Shaw ) ? Sign Bichette or Bregman for 3B Move Brown to the pen Alcantara / Long as part of the bench Ballesteros DH vs Righties Extend Nico That wouid leave Palencia and Kittridge as the only true high leverage options , so obviously more pen moves would be needed With all this said , I probably change my mind in a couple of days .

Been thinking about the Imanaga decision and I think I would decline the 3 year option . If he wants to pick his 1/15 , I am cool with that. If he declines , offer the QO and if he accepts it’s 1 /22 . No big deal if he rejects , get the pick for him .

I have seen people mention trading Shaw and I wouldn’t be against it if it means the Cubs can keep Wiggins out of trade talks . I like the idea of Bichette at 3B . I wouldn’t be against Bregman . Not sure if Polanco is a FA , but if the Cubs think they can make him average at 3B , I be ok with that as well .

In theory they could . Tigers just don’t have a lot of money on the books going forward . With that said he is a Boras guy and I really doubt they will get into a bidding war with the big boys ( don’t need to mention them ) Thats why I said , it wouldn’t surprise me if the Tigers get a good enough offer to trade him .

The more I think about the Imanaga decision , I lean more towards not picking the options up . Not eager to commit into 3 years . If he wants to pick his 1 year 15 option , that’s fine . If he doesn’t pick it up , offer the QO . if he accepts 1 / 22 it’s ok as well . If not get the pick for him leaving . Summary : I am fine with Shota on a 1 year / 15 to 22 mil . Not interested in a 3 year deal right now . I know I am probably in the minority in here about this , but yeah that’s just how I feel

I think they will try to trade for a SP , instead of giving big money on a long deal towards a FA . Pretty good chance Ryan is available this winter and wouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers make a Tucker type trade with Skubal . He has pretty much said he is testing FA already and the Tigers don’t have much of a chance to keep him IMO.

Well , not watching these dorks celebrate , so that’s it for me . Bring that offseason thread !

Not that upset to be honest . Milwaukee has good pitching and they were all on tonight . I think the Cubs lost this series when Imanaga gave away that 3 run lead in game 2 . Obviously no guarantees they were going to win if he throws a 0 that inning . But that was huge . Whatever it was still a fun year overall . Will be interesting to see what they do with the Suzuki / Cassie / Ballesteros 3 spots for 2 players and Cassie / Ballesteros don’t seem to have anything to do at AAA , anymore

Keller’s velo was down last night . That’s a bit concerning . Hopefully it was just a case of the back to back as he threw 19 pitches the day before .

I think they will open with Kittridge on Saturday . If i were Murphy , I start Patrick

Never in a million years I thought they would be able to take this series back to Milwaukee . Hats off to Boyd , didn’t think he had this left in him . We are alive , baby !

Well I am a fan first ,and I really hopes he does well , but I don’t think starting Boyd is a smart decision , just like I didn’t think it was in game 1 . Overall bad numbers for very long while right now , innings concerns . Hasn’t look good against this team all year . While he is starting on normal rest , he did start on short rest his last time out and he got warmed in the 9th inning of game 3 of the WCS. His stuff just looks really flat to me , especially the off speed stuff and it has looked that way for basically the entire 2nd half . I just don’t love the matchup . Chourio / Contreras and Vaughn really worry me , especially with what looks like a helping wind if you pull it to left . As crazy as this may sound , I probably would have opened with Civale and mix and match from the 4th inning on . That’s how little confidence have in Boyd right now . Really can’t afford to spot them 2 -3 runs early with Peralta going . They have to have guys up and ready in the pen basically from the start . If they get into a dangerous matchup with a couple of guys on early , they need to pull him , even if it is the 1st inning . Anyway , hopefully they can find a way to get this one . Would love to see Brewer fans get nervous going into a game 5 .

Most likely Boyd . I think starting Boyd was a mistake in game 1 and I think it’s a mistake starting him tomorrow .

Hey there is a chance the Phillies get eliminated before the Cubs .