Rcal10
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Or they can trade Cassie and/or Alcantara in a big deal to get an established major leaguer. I honestly don’t understand all the penciling in of prospects that so many people do. I would much rather use them as assets for proven talent.
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And has anyone paid attention to the pens of those two teams? Any star middle relief arms? And star closers? Or is is just a collection of mainly youngish system guys with maybe a average(ish) middle relief pitcher added to the young guys. In fact the “established, dependable” Astros pen arms (Pressley and Hader) actually blew the game.
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They probably wanted media attention!
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I agree that I would rather not have to offer one. But if that was the one thing holding up a deal and it didn’t come in play until after year 4 or 5, I would still hope the Cubs did it. I do understand they issue with it not being great for the team. But if he demands it an some team will give it, I hope it is the Cubs. And as you said, if he does then opt out that means the Cubs got 4-5 great years from him. Count me in on that.
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I don’t think anyone on the farm is untouchable. If the A’s demanded Shaw in a deal for Rooker and Miller, I would be ok with Shaw going. Same with Mo and Smith. But I agree with you, between money and minor league assets, no reason the FO shouldn’t build a team that should win the central.
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I wouldn’t let an opt out option, especially any year after 4 years, be the line in the sand if everything else was agreed upon. No issue at all with giving Soto an opt out if that is what got the deal none. But not before 4 years.
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Maybe Snell if he opts out. I agree they most likely won’t go the QO route, but if they did, I would think it would be for Burnes over Fried.
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Maybe one ahead of Taillon than another like Nick Martinez. A guy that could pitch in the pen or the rotation.
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I could see 2 in this scenario. But I don’t see 2 to spear the season with Taillon as a 5.
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To be honest, I am surprised he is good at blocking balls.
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The last sentence was spot on. It doesn’t matter.
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Agreed. I definitely do not see 2 starters added. I can see one who would be counted on to be better than Taillon and push Taillon to 4th starter. To start the season I can see Assad as the 5. But they will also have other options if/when healthy. Wicks, Horton, Brown, Wesneski, etc….. Maybe is Bellinger stays they will focus mainly on the pitching. Get a solid starter and add 2 “dependable” pen arms. Add someone to share time with Amaya or swing bigger for A’s or Angels catcher. Stengthen the bench, and go with the line up they used since Parades came around. I know fans don’t want to hear this, but since Paredes came around the offense was too 8 in baseball, even with playing half their games in Wrigley. I would think that very well could be the case next year with PCA having 400 AB under him now, Busch a full year in the majors, Amaya getting more acclimated to the majors and a full year of Parades.
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This has to be one of the least consequential discussion we have had in a long time. And that says a lot. It went from “who cares” (where it should have stayed) into some conspiracy by the Cubs to get publicity or to make an excuse for not winning this year. Absolutely ridiculous. Changes are being made because Counsel, as the manager of the Cubs, wants to make some changes. He might be more comfortable working with someone else. Again, kind of a nothing burger. I think what is happening within the organization should have been expected. Hell, Chibear said it during the last week of the season. I, and a few other posters, agreed this would be the first thing they would do. Again NBD..
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Yep, he was never coming here. Or anywhere beside LA for that matter. I have no issues with Jed from last year. I just think this year he needs to be aggressive. Minor league talent will never be valued higher than now. And they might have $89M to spend. I think Belli opts out.
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To your point, yes, moving forward they are in a good spot financially as well as in the minors. Even if Bellinger stays, his contract isn’t so bad it should hinder the team. The issue is figuring out where to add a bat and/or who to move. I just hope Jed is more aggressive this year than any year he has been in charge up until now. Being in good shape financially and with assets in the minors should allow him to be more aggressive this year. I am just worried he won’t be.
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This is kind of my point of view as well. I am not bashing Jed and generally do not blame him for everything, like some people do. But I am also it a Jed apologist. So I listened very open minded. And I came away with the same thoughts you have.
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That would be fine with me. It also leave several Mariner pitchers as options as well. But, that sort of trade will cost more than trading for Tucker or Valdez.
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He never said anything about now being the time to leverage strengths to build a playoff team. He did say there were in a good position. But to me he leaning more into improvement from within. I know he isn’t going to play his hand. But there was just a lot of the same stuff as every year. Same narrative of building sustained success. The problem is they first need success in order to sustain it. I know it is just a press conference in October. I get it. But I also think Jed said exactly what he plans on doing. Not making a bold more, but rather make moves based on “intelligent spending”.
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I doubt that happens. My guess is his vision is the same as Tom’s.
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Padres had Profar totally outperform anything he ever did before, too. But the real issue isn’t whether it does work or not. That isn’t how the Cubs should build a team. Even if it works occasionally, there is no reason they shouldn’t put a team on the field Expected to win the division.
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After listening to Jed’s press conference I absolutely expect more of the same. Build a team projected to win 85 and hope for a few career years to get the ram ro 90+.
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I do as well. I am just not sure the cubs have enough resources to get a catcher via trade and then either a big bat or front end starting pitcher via trade. How much if the farm do you want to use?
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Amaya? I believe is is not rested very favorably.
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I highly doubt they are going to trade any of the guys you mentioned. Maybe Nico, but no way the others will be traded. I can see a couple of high end prospects traded for either a high end starting pitcher or a high end bat. Whichever they get they can get the other piece via free agency. If Bellinger doesn’t opt out they just play 9 guys in 8 positions. If he does opt out they have to think BIG. Has to be all in on Soto. For me, he would be the guy regardless of Bellinger , but we know that isn’t happening. In truth, even without Bellinger it is doubtful they go Soto. But he would be the guy. If not him you look to Vlad or Tucker. Maybe Rooker. There are several avenues they can go with a pitcher. Too many to lists. Those two moves, plus pick up a catcher to share time with Amaya and add a pen arm or two and you have a 90+ win team.
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I tend to agree. Especially when Flaherty and Snell(if he opts out) don’t have a QO attached. I am not certain Jed Dio’s into these waters with a SP, but I doubt it will be Fried. IMO if they did go big and were willing to sign a guy with a QO attached it would be Burnes. And that is doubtful as well.
