We Got The Whole 9

Of course Yan Gomes produces 5 straight (and 7 of last 9) seasons of 700+ OPS and comes to the Cubs and goes all Andrelton Simmons on us.

Wow now Morel homers off Gonsolin. This dude looks like a dude.

I have words to eat on that one. They are thinking AFL at earliest, right?

Well this is stating the obvious but this is why they need to hit on a few big additions in FA. the team isn't that far off from having a 2015 season again. They don't have a Bryant but doesnt that outlook change immensely if they add Correa, Xander, or Turner, and a TORP?

Triantos triple to deep center. Wonder if he just missed another dong.

A .300 wOBA backup catcher as the downside is more than fine though, and Higgins's all-field approach might be more likely to beat his exit velocities in a similar way that contact managing pitchers can beat FIP with some regularity. Agree with that, I do appreciate his approach. He has a good feel for what they are trying to do against him and doesn't stray from his plan. Simple stroke, doesn't seem to "try to do too much". I have low-key believed in what he's done this year and think he's earned a long look as a potential back-up.

The think with Higgins is his xWOBA... He just does not pack a punch often enough. But he has gotten favorable results for sure.

I wish all players broke out of the box like Morel.

I see such a drastic dropoff once he reached AAA and I'm wondering if his big struggle has been the bendy and offspeed stuff. He cruised through AA with super rates across the board. Could be, but he only played 19 games at AAA across 2 seasons so I wouldn't read too deeply into that line. Especially since he's got 480 MLB PA at about a league average level to help with some concerns that AAA performance could surface. That's true. He is intriguing, seems to be able to handle himself in the field also, although a SSS. Couple things that they really need to address is the defense IMO, and get more left handed on the offense. I'm just not crazy about adding guys that are going to swing and miss a ton.

I was chatting with a buddy that's a Twins fan this morning and he thought that Larnach might available in a deadline deal. He's currently hurt and may be out of favor with Kirilloff, Miranda, Celestino, and Arraez taking PA where he would get them. I see such a drastic dropoff once he reached AAA and I'm wondering if his big struggle has been the bendy and offspeed stuff. He cruised through AA with super rates across the board.

I’m definitely in on offering Conforto a deal after the draft here. Just sign him up now for the Schwarber contract +/-. That would be insane to me. Schwarber wasn't coming off of shoulder surgery.

Would definitely prefer Conforto, given he's feeling strong. Gallo's valleys are quite low. There is a 17% difference in their career contact rates and I cant ignore that. We certainly need good LHB though. I was wondering, are there guys out there that may be on the outs with their organization but still have multiple years of control and the pedigree to take a chance on? Similar to how the Brewers grabbed Telez but maybe not so fat and otherwise useless? Like, Kelenic comes to mind. His issues with non-fastballs worry me but he laid waste to MiLB pitching and it could come together for him one day. Hoping Mervis gets a look after the deadline and honestly locks down the job to begin 2023. Why not. He looks like a potential starter.

Cannot wait to see that kid in Wrigley

Triantos also with a double and 2 walks tonight

That was superbad

Counts the same for Morel's line, position player pitching or not

I hate this signing. Did we really need to jump the market for this guy? He's basically just a rebounding stiff. Barely plays critical minutes.

Do you protect Slaughter? I believe he's eligible. I would think of him and Hill pretty similarly, in that you don't make any plans at the deadline with them in mind, and cross that bridge when you get to it. In both cases they were obviously unrosterable until about 6 weeks ago or so, and while players can make adjustments and aren't completely beholden to their past, it's prudent to see how the final couple months of the season play out. Hill for example doesn't even need to play all that poorly to end the season with a line like .320/.350/.450, which is a good line but not one you worry much about insisting on a 40 man spot for a LF only profile. Slaughter's .476 wOBA (!) has more room for error, especially if he's at all playable at 3B/2B, and it'll come down to how sustainable he shows his simultaneous power spike and big drop in K rate is. The big drop in Ks is really intriguing; coupled with the power spike it makes me feel like they've made a pretty significant adjustment and he has taken to it well. I like what Brett pointed out, that his last 4 HR came on non-fastballs. From the videos I've seen he is swinging confidently and with intention to do damage. That alone could be new to him. He didn't show significant power at any point in college or the pros. His approach probably wasn't geared toward it. I think he's really intriguing; 6'3 200 former WR for LSU who's stealing bags at 90% and emerging power. I think they will protect him. Obviously he's not gonna crush it like this but even with some downturn there's a lot to like there.

Great to see Morel continue where last night left off. And congrats to Crook getting a XBH in his long-awaited debut.

Yay... We're signing Drummond

Poor Bote

Do you protect Slaughter? I believe he's eligible.

Ehhhh he struck out 4 times last night Thing is, I'm glad to see him out of the leadoff spot. I'm sure he was pressing a bit as the slump worsened, and even though they are nowhere near being contenders it's still a pressure spot. Might have helped him to get him out of there for a bit. His HR was a monster shot. Big boy blast.

Wick continues to implode

Dude just refused to take the walk. 9 pitches thrown and just 2 in the zone on the way to the K.