Rcal10
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Everything posted by Rcal10
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First off, unless the Cardinals payroll has reduced more than I think it did, the Cubs are not twice all teams in the division. But I could be wrong. Next, when comparing payroll of the Cubs and any other team in the division, it is not ever an apples to apples comparison. Those other 4 teams have built in advantages so that they don’t have to spend as much. An extra high draft pick every year, for one thing. That is incredibly valuable. Hit on even one very 3 years and they are filling a few spots by cheap guys the Cubs don’t have the same chance of getting. I am not suggesting Jed has done a good job. I am just pointing out the Cubs payroll should not be compared to the rest of the central to use in criticizing Jed. The system is out in place to make it harder for major market teams to win with a low payroll.
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If they bring it back with Bellinger they don’t need an upgrade at DH. One of the outfielders(Suzuki) would be the DH. Also, if they run back Taillon, Steele, Imanaga, Wicks, Assad, Wesneski, Brown, and maybe even Horton I’m not sure they need another starting pitcher. As for the one, they can use a established pen arm. Not sure he has to close. They have some arms in the system that might be able to handle that. I just don’t see them spending on a closer. I can see either Biggie, Hodges, or Brown closing next year. To me the main upgrade is catcher, 3rd base and one pen arm. To me those are must haves. The rest are more like “would like to have” moves. As for improving the bench, that is just not going to happen unless it happens by a fringe guy having a good year. Teams just don’t spend on the bench. Look at the Braves. Short is their back up infielder. Phillies have Clemens. Clemens has played well this year, not not someone who that was expected to do as well as he is doing. Sure, it would be awesome to have a great bench, but that is more a result of luck rather than having actual dependable good players on the bench. My last point is if they do lose Bellinger they need to add better than him. And, yes, at that point they need to add a DH or outrider. (SOTO please)!
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I agree with this. It might not be the popular opinion among guys who want to burn it down and start over or trade guys like Happ/Hoerner/Suzuki/Taillon, but I am much more in the camp the team just needs a few pieces. The problem is “who” plays 3rd? Do they spend on Chapman or Bregman? Do they sign Alonso and move Busch to 3rd? Do they trade for Bohm, McMahon or someone else to play 3rd? Do they trade for Vlad and move Busch to 3rd? I think they can upgrade at catcher without making a big splash move. Maybe sign Jansen. Maybe trade for a decent starting catcher. I think something can be done there. I also think the pen can be better next year mainly by allowing some of the young guys who are knocking at the door, pitch next year. Maybe add one veteran arm. The only thing I would say is if Bellinger is traded or opts out the Cubs then need another fairly substantial move to replace him. If he stays, ok, fine. But if he leaves the Cubs need to aim higher than him. Sign Soto or trade for Robert or Tucker. They definitely have the minor league assets to make any trade they want to make. If they went this route, Morel would be another asset in a trade.
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I don’t see how waiting matters with the Cubs. They don’t really have anything to sell anyway. They should only trade guys like Bellinger, maybe Tauchman and anyone who might interest another team from their pen, or Hendricks. And none of them will bring back much anyway. More of a salary dump. So who cares if they wait until the last minute.
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I don’t agree with people criticizing Morel either. I think he has hit in terrible luck this year and agree he had a nice offensive year last year. But you don’t have to criticize Happ to praise Morel. I was a strong advocate of giving him a chance at 3rd this past off season. I still haven’t closed the book on him. But time is running short for his glove. And like I said, that isn’t my point anyway. I am speaking strictly of Happ where you have suggested repeatedly that he isn’t very good. And that is just not true.
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Happ has had a WAR over 3 the last two years and trending over 3 again this year. Very solid everyday player. I just don’t understand the hate for this player. BTW, Morel has a negative war this year and not such a great one last year.
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Exactly. He is fine, but they need a main guy. And they need the salary relief he brings by trading him. If they don’t move him he may stay here next year. And that wouldn’t be good. I like him. Glad they had him. But now it is time to move on.
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I would make it 1.5. And I would bet the over.
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I actually thought the exact same thing.
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I mean, they can dfa wisdom too. He is a guy who supposed to hit lefties and not even doing that. Plus, does it really matter if he isn’t in the team?
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He is on it already. Can’t they put Davis in the 60 day IL? If not, I would guess, for now, Brewer dfa. But when Merryweather and maybe Alzolay and Killian come back some moves need to be made.
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But they have to clear a spot on the 40 man. Wonder who either goes to the 60 day IL or is DFA’ed. If I had to guess I would say Brewer dfa. I don’t think anyone will be moved to the 60 day, assuming Almonte is already on it.
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They have to get the automated strike zone. This guy is horrible. It happens far too often. I think he has missed more calls than he has had right. Cost the Cubs at least one run.
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Yeah, not really worried about them getting under, if they are over. Trade Bellinger and you are under. TBH, I don’t really care what they get for him either. Trade him, maybe Hendricks (if anyone will have him) and any pen arm in their last year of a deal. Maybe trade Tauchman if he comes back. All of those guys would be more a salary relief trade with the possible exception of Bellinger. But I am not expecting much for him either. That is all I would trade. Keep the guys who have more years.
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Really hope Busch stays in the line up today. He needs to play everyday.
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I hope so. I didn’t understand Neris closing out a game the other day. Why give him another appearance.
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If Flaherty is so much better than Taillon his contract will be so much more too. I will give you he is better. But I don’t put him with Burnes. I just don’t see dealing Taillon, where it basically amounts to a salary dump with a small chance the prospect you get for him might end up a fringe player to then add $5M to $7M more a year to sign Flaherty, and pay him longer. IMO in order of need next year it is a top bat(Soto) via free agency. Then use minor league talent and maybe a major league player or two (Morel, Wicks, Assad) to add another bat (Guerrero) and maybe a young controlled starting pitcher. If you don’t get the pitcher then don’t trade either Wicks or Assad. Sign a catcher and a decent pen arm. If they got Guerrero maybe Busch moves to 3rd. There are a lot of ways they can go. This is just one example. But they have to do what they have failed to do since Jed took over. Be aggressive!
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I’m all for clearing some salary for next year. However if all they get is a fringe prospect for Taillon I don’t see the point of trading him. You mention shopping in high end starting pitching and mention Flahery as one of your options. He is much closer to Taillon than he is Burnes(the other guy you mentioned). If they deal Taillon for a fringe prospect and then pay Flaherty something like $80m/4 years they are actually spending more yearly and longer in a similar pitcher. Not really solving the problem of payroll next year and not really getting a solid prospect for their troubles.
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I agree they need a dependable pen arm. Not a “value” signing. But I am not sure it has to be a closer. They might have one in Brown, Hodge, or Bigge. Maybe someone else. I just doubt very much the Cubs will spend $15M a year on a 3 or 4 year deal for a closer. You could be right, it might be what they need. But I doubt it is what they do. But if not that, at the very least I hope they add one proven pen arm.
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Settle the horsefeathers down bittner. You responded to someone suggesting it might not make sense to deal Happ and Hoerner as if to say they cubs are 4 years into a rebuild in a way that sounded like you were suggesting the FO show some imagination and maybe make some bigger trades. On top of that, I hardly responded negatively to you in a way that would warrant your response back. Maybe you need to take your own advise and give it a rest.
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I get that. But how does trading two of your better players make you better the next year? Unless they are going to be very aggressive next off season(and we know how that will go) how do they get better without Happ and Hoerner?
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The funny thing is what you suggested is exactly what my thoughts were if they were to trade Happ and Hoerner. Maybe you can add Busch to play 3rd and then fill in second with either Morel, Shaw or Triantos. But still same thought. Guarantee a top bat via free agency and a high end bat through trade. And I agree with you, I don’t have faith that would happen.
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I get your point. Sarcasm. Except maybe you should look at Castellanos stats before making this comment. He sucks.
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I think the point is by trading Happ and Hoerner you are adding more holes to fill next year. If Bellinger is traded and guys like Hendricks, Smyle, Gomes, Mancini, Barnhardt, Neris and maybe they don’t tender a few guys dont they have about maybe $70M they can spend. Wouldn’t they be competitive if they signed Soto and then used some minor league talent to fill a spot at catcher and maybe 3rd base. Maybe even play Shaw at 3rd and use Morel in a trade for a decent controlled pitcher. Maybe you add someone to him to make it happen. Isn’t that easier than also having to fill Happ and Hoerner’s spots as well? Is it a bad think to have two starters who give you WAR at 3 or better?
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I agree that if they then used money to fill spots they can be good next year. Sure, Happ, Hoerner and Bellinger are gone, so sign Soto. Trade some minor league talent for major league talent to play somewhere in the infield. Also use some of the minor league talent for a proven reliable pitcher if they also trade Taillon. Or sign another higher end free agent. I agree if that is what they do they should be ok. I don’t agree with those who suggest to just being Shaw, Triantos and Cassie in to replace guys and expect them to be better than Happ and Hoerner. And I know you aren’t saying that. But some do. My issue is I don’t have faith they will do this. my worry is they do exactly what some suggest. They bring up Triantos, Shaw and Cassie and rebuild again.
