Bertz

Obviously reinserting Happ will have some ripple effects but otherwise this looks like a potential real deal regular season lineup. Curious how many of these choices stick.

A staple as my backup tight end in fantasy the last few years

I think Wisdom is a quality reserve in a vacuum but I'm not sure he's got a proper niche to carve out on this roster. So if you're thinking about whether to keep Wisdom you've got to ask yourself three questions: 1. How do you really think Morel can handle 3B? Morel is also a plus-power minus-contact low ball hitter you can't totally trust (currently) at 3b. If Morel becomes a real option at 3B, I think he and Wisdom can both coexist on the roster. If he can't they are just too similar and with Morel's age/contract advantages obviously you keep him 2. Do you have a good compliment for Wisdom, and feel comfortable also rostering him? Wisdom has platoon splits, but I don't think of him as a platoon hitter per se. He hits the bejeezus out of low pitches, particularly soft ones, and I think it just so happens more lefties lean on changeups and curveballs. Do you pseudo platoon him with Madrigal or Tauchman or someone else? 3. Do you like any of the NRI's better? Garret Cooper just straight mashes lefties, no pitch type considerations needed. You give up some raw power and nominal ability to play 3rd, but maybe that's worth it. In a situation where Morel's not cutting it at 3B, maybe you'd like a Smith or a Peralta to pair with him in the DH mix? There's probably only room for one bat-only type on the roster and Wisdom’s a solid choice but not a slam dunk one

Via Sharma

I know he's not Sean Payton's type but the Broncos being light on both cap space and draft capital feel like a good economic fit.

It got lost on the last page with all of the Mike Cameron talk but Sharma this morning said yes but not a resounding yes If they don't think he's a guy they'd want to play regularly at 3B I'm not sure he's worth signing over Wisdom.

Oh boy

Via Sharma this morning - Don't expect Cubs to sign Montgomery, and definitely not Snell - On a practical level, payroll is already above the LT. It's at a spot where if they have to sell in July they would dip below, and if they want to add they can do so without much worry about salary - JD Davis is expected to make it through waivers, and the Cubs might be in on him then. Sounds like they think he's a worse defender than Morel and would be a primary DH - Cubs likely end up making some moves to clean up the back end of the 40 man and make room for some of the non-roster invitees

Welp, here's your shot Hayden

Per Sharma, sounds like Taillon’s probably fine

Back issue might be good news. I had assumed he'd further strained his calf that's been bugging him all spring. Given the time of year this might be something as simple as he slept wrong. Either way the early season schedule, Dodgers series aside, is pretty forgiving in terms of opposing lineups. Sliding Wesneski or Assad in the rotation for a handful of starts won't hurt too much IMO.

If Taillon’s lined up as the #4 in the rotation, his first four starts would be vs. Rockies @ Padres @ Mariners vs. Marlins I'm not too worried about Wesneski or Assad stepping in for that, and that's if Taillon's out for 6 weeks which seems sufficiently conservative.

I wonder if there's anyone they view as good/bad matchups for the first few teams on the schedule. For instance the Rangers without Seager/Lowe are probably a but more vulnerable to righties than normal? Dodgers best bats aside from Betts are generally lefties, etc.

What's everyone's favorite of Brown's 8 minor league seasons? The 14 IP right after getting drafted? 2020 when he had to rehab from Tommy John surgery via zoom? Or the one that hasn't happened yet?

If Brown's still showing the same control issues as last year I imagine he starts getting shifted to relief around the time Horton gets promoted to Iowa. I think, especially after Kilian's injury, there's a certain amount that is just about maintaining sufficient starting depth irrespective of development.

This is more of a regular season chit chat than a spring training one, but Cubs look to be catching a break as the Rangers have some injury issues that look like they'll impact opening day. First Corey Seager also looks increasingly unlikely for OD And it's been known all winter their SP situation was going to be dicey in the first half.

It feels increasingly clear that it's Wicks. He felt like the favorite coming in, and nearly a month into camp that feels even more likely now. Counsell's already straight up said Smyly is a swingman That does not preclude him from opening as thr #5 starter but it would certainly be evidence against. And then two of Assad's three outings have been in relief, including coming in all the way in the 7th last time out. Wesneski is a guy Counsell name-checked at Cubs convention, and I think yesterday looked better than any of the other guys have at any point all spring, so if I were playing odds maker he'd be second in line right now.

Watching him the last ~9 months it feels like he's going to OPS north of .900 or south of .700 with almost no chance of settling in between.

If I'm reading Spotrac correctly Bears are still 5th in cap space at $57M after Jaylon? That's pretty fun