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Rcal10

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  1. Rcal10
    It was originally when Jed seemed to suggest the team was not interested in deferrals. That comment has been lightened up a little. And I still do believe any contract Tucker does sign next year will have deferrals. So less of a concern because they Cubs may be willing to use them. Also, what is not being discussed here is the Cubs did not offer Bregman an opt out after year one. Which seems to mean they were good with him at $30M in ‘26 as well. That is actually a good sign that they may be willing to be over the LT next year knowing how much comes off the books in ‘27. Which could bode well for any Tucker contract. If they were willing to be over in ‘26 with Bregman I am sure it won’t be a problem with Tucker.
  2. Rcal10
    I understand your point and you are not wrong. But the fact is deferrals seem to be working now. They work for the team and the player. Bregman’s deal with the Cubs was right in line with this one. But he went to the Red Sox. Personally I think he did because it allows him a chance to have a better year in Boston than he wound in Wrigley. I think most big mega deals now will need to be a little creative. Seems to be the way they are going. The end result money will obviously matter, but if the Cubs line in the sand on contracts is deferrals it does have them playing at a disadvantage. The good thing is, I read that while they didn’t do it here it is not that much a rule as it is a preference. So maybe they will offer something like that if they need to, in the future.
  3. Rcal10
    I don’t know about the Bregman contract or if the Cubs could have offered more if they did some deferred money. But I would bet Tucker’s next contract will have deferred money in it. If the Cubs stick to what appears to be a refusal to defer money they will not have a chance at Tucker. It is a very good way to lower the AAV and still give the player a larger sum or money than a team not deferring money. It will be, once again, the Cubs trying to compete while they have a hand tied behind their back. I just do not understand this ownership and the way the insist on doing business and hurting their chances at getting top players.
  4. Rcal10
    They do not. But they still cost the owner money. And Ricketts doesn’t want to pay that money at any time. Which is why they will never got a top FA. And why they will lose Tucker. He isn’t just worried about the LT line. He is worried about every dollar he has to spend. Which adds to why he sucks.
  5. Rcal10
    I do think they will be close to 90 wins and maybe even win in the low 90’s. I also believe Shaw will be good. But they did not take full advantage of what they could have done to be dominate the division and be a real challenger to win the WS. If they were willing to go that high for Bregman I wish they would have had the same urgency with Burnes and signed him instead of Rea. IMO that would have made them a real threat to win a WS this year. And they could have done that and been under the LT line.
  6. Rcal10
    I get that. But I remember when this topic first came up and people were suggesting either Nightengale was wrong or Ricketts was wrong when he said he expects the number to end up close to the LT line. The explanation we got from someone here was both can be right. I think they can spend $20M and still have enough to make TDL deals on guys who might have a high salary. Now, that said, it absolutely doesn’t mean they will spend it. If they spend $20M now and added another $5M to $7M at the deadline both Nightengale and Ricketts could be correct. The problem is, I don’t see them spending that money. And really there isn’t much to spend it on if you believe Peller isn’t trading Cease. I think they may add a bat in a $5M or less contract and maybe a one arm, but I am not sure it is Robertson at $10M. Might end up Chafin at $5M. Tom still gets to pocket $20M - $25M. It is a win for Tom.
  7. Rcal10
    $220M in pure money spent is different than money when determine the LT. I think I saw that Nightengale could be right with that $220 figure and the Cubs would be at around $231 for LT purposes. It still absolutely sucks, but the Cubs might have closer to $20M to spend to get to Nob’s number and he still be right. I think in pure money they are just under $200M spent.
  8. Rcal10
    I agree. And I also admit I am part of the problem. I have been a fan for over 50 years. I love going to the game and watch just about every game they play. And I know for the owners to start spending money people will have to stop going. But I also know that if I don’t go someone else will. I probably have another 10-15 years of going to 15-20 games a year. If I knew one year of boycotting the games would create change I would not go. But it will take years before people actually stop going. And my that time I might be too old to go again. So I separate myself and my distain for the ownership from my love of going to the game, and go. Not going doesn’t hurt the owners. As I said, someone else will take my seat. All it does is deprive me of doing what I enjoy. Somehow the math has to work to show Ricketts winning makes more money. More playoff games create more revenue. That is the only way he will spend more money. And he most likely wont sell. Cubs make money.
  9. Rcal10
    I think several should be ranked higher as well. Suzuki should be top 50, and Steele should be top 60, IMO. Swanson should also be higher. I think people look too much into Steele’s “stuff” and ding him because they don’t feel it is that great. But he gets results every since he became a full time starter. And they are not lucky results like Assad. He pitches to a low 3 era and is a very good pitcher, period.
  10. Rcal10
    To me, that would be bare minimum passable. That would round out a good off season which would make them a favorite in the division. And they should have enough money at the TDL to add a starting pitcher if they need to. They did miss the opportunity for a great off season, however. But you can’t make a trade with a team if that team doesn’t want to trade and as for FA pitchers maybe they do really like Rea when comparing him to guys like Scherzer, Morton or guys in that range.🤷. Just add someone like Canha or Turner and then someone like Robertson, Chafin or Finnegan. I just really hope they, at least, do that. I agree with you that Merryweather may be the guy let go if they do add another pen arm.
  11. Rcal10
    Maybe. But is sucks that he is the owner of the Cubs. Tired of his excuses to not spend money.
  12. Rcal10
    I agree about your comments on Bregman. They didn’t really want him they just used it as a side show so they didn’t spend money. I don’t agree with Scott. The Cubs have a competitive offer and he chose the Dodgers. I think even if they went up and matched the Dodgers they would have just gone higher. With the Dodgers deferrals the Cubs offer was in line. And, TBH, I am not sure 4 years in Scott is that great an idea anyway. Most baseball people seem to not like that deal the Dodgers made. They can do it, because even if he falls off they just sign someone else and live with a bad deal. Jed can’t.
  13. Rcal10
    This is what I don’t understand. If they worked out an extension with Tucker that started this year and raised his salary for LT purposes to $35M I can see why they kept $30M. But we know that isn’t happening.
  14. Rcal10
    I agree. I think the Cubs never really expected Bregman to come here. All an excuse to not spend money. Had to save it for Bregman…… Now the excuse will be they don’t want to trade prospects for proven talent because they believe the prospects will be good. In real talk what they are saying is they don’t want to add salary. Ricketts needs to sell the team before they even act large market. Jed share blame as well. But his job doesn’t have to be this hard. And honestly I am not sure who would want to come here and work within Ricketts guidelines.
  15. Rcal10
    I don’t think he is. Maybe we see Canha or Turner. I would guess that is the biggest move he makes. Basically Tom saves $25M and the team isn’t as good as it could have been. Hope I am wrong, but I doubt it. This is the team we have with maybe one small move yet to make.
  16. Rcal10
    Why is what Jed said exactly what one would expect him to say. If they were still active and looking to improve the team why wouldn’t he say they lost out on Bregman but they still have a lot of irons in the fire. Still some options to improve the team. They still have a good amount of money left and are working hard to add talent. He said none of that. He said exactly what one would expect him to say if they didn’t have a plan B to make the team better. So in a way, you are right, he did say exactly what is expected because they don’t have a plan B. Maybe a small add and that is it. And that sucks….
  17. Rcal10
    How about we see what the roster is opening day. I say they will be at least $20M below the LT line. Maybe closer to $25M below. So if they do anything it will be small. Maybe we see Robertson or Turner. Not both. Maybe I am making too much of the tone of the interview. It just sounded like there isn’t much going on. It sounded to me that he was losing the expectation bar. Maybe I am wrong. We shall see.
  18. Rcal10
    I disagree, somewhat. He sounded like this was the team they were going North with. I guess we can say he didn’t mean they won’t go for Robertson or Turner. I guess those can be smal moves. But he sounded like moves were done, period. We can hold onto hope if we want. But for me, personally, I expect the biggest thing they will do is signs bench bat. And it might not even be Turner or Canha. Might end up Dejong. But, hey, on the bright side TR gets to pocket the money he saved by trading Bellinger. I am sure he is happy about that.
  19. Rcal10
    Exactly. But that’s on ownership, not the FO. I think most of the anger of what this team does or doesn’t do should be directed more at Ricketts than Hoyer/Hawkins. Doesn’t matter who the GM is, he has to answer to ownership. And if they aren’t willing to spend, the GM can’t spend, period.
  20. Rcal10
    After listening to Hoyer on the score, it doesn’t appear they are going to do much, if anything. I think they are going into the season with $25M to spend at the TDL. Which sucks! That means they traded Bellinger to line Tim’s pockets, not spend it elsewhere. And again, that sucks on top of them sucking because they use the LT as a salary cap. Very disappointed if this is the end result.
  21. Rcal10
    Why? Cardinals don’t want him. They actually haven’t treated him so great. He took a team friendly contract to save them money. And now they want to trade him. What better place to come to if you want to stick it to them.
  22. Rcal10
    Colorado is on some of that money. I think he has 3 years left at $52M. I don’t think he hurts them too much regarding the LT line. They can afford him and then wait until the TDL to add another pitcher. I like Shaw, but if they can get a proven major leaguer and have the best IF defense in baseball I might be interested. Even a down year from Arenado is probably a good season for Shaw, as a rookie.
  23. Rcal10
    Ok, we can all make points on if the Cubs should have gone further and got Bregman or if we are glad they didn’t. Fact is, that is over. So now what? I agree with Bertz on the most probable conclusion, if they do add. But what about trading for Arenado? What does he cost? I know Colorado is taking some of his contract. I also know he was very average last year. But he is 33, not 40. It could have just been a bad year. Those happen. Doesn’t mean he is washed up. Didn’t Goldy have an MVP best year of his career after 33 years old. Would they still have enough money to add Robertson if they added Arenado? I don’t think he would take a top end prospect to get.
  24. Rcal10
    To me, this is ok. It is a minimum of what they should do, assuming Peller stays high on his ask. Robertson and Turner or Canha would be ok. Add Cease to that and it even a better result than had they signed Bregman(assuming they would have then had to trade Nico) In fact if someone like Dejong ended up the bench bat instead of JT or Canha, because he is cheaper, I would be ok with that if it allowed the Cubs enough budget to get Cease and Roberson or Saurez.
  25. Rcal10
    I have no issue passing on Bregman at $40M annual. But now what? And who did we miss while we chased Bregman? My fear is they add a guy like JT to the bench and that is it. Shop closed. And I certainly hope that’s not the case. Maybe Turner or Canha cost $5M to $6M. That leaves them about $25M short of their imaginary budget line. So setting aside money for the deadline, roughly $18M they can spend. They need a rotation piece to slot ahead of Taillon. To me the fallback, if they didn’t get a rotation piece would probably be Robertson. And if they did get him they would still have money to spend. Just no one to spend it on. Cubs had a chance to have a great off season. I think in the end it will be a good off season with misses. Maybe for Tom it will be a great off season. They got better AND he saved $25M……It is a shame our big market owners act so small.
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