Rcal10

He is 24 thawv. Relax. He needs some work still and needs to throw more strikes.

Do the Cubs have 4 starters? What is up with Taillon? Like to see him get on the mound soon. I agree Wicks should be #5, however.

Honestly I would be shocked too. Just saying what I would like. But the chance of any deal now is extremely low. I would like to see another pitcher added to the starting staff, however. Not comfortable with the back end when you consider Taillon and Hendricks are 3 and 4.

I will be there so I sure hope Horton pitches. I would think he would. They can work it so he can pitch in that game.

I think you are right about the Guardians possibly completing so they might not be compelled to trade Bieber. But never underestimate how cheap and lean the Guardians run their team. That said, if they could win the division this year maybe they will stick with Bjeber and just lose him for a comp pick. I do think you are wrong with Wesneski however. He is still young and has great stuff. If a team thinks they can harness that some, he could be of value to them. I think for 1 year of a number 2-3 pitcher he would be a fine first piece. But it does have to be on a team who doesn’t want the salary of the pitcher they are giving up and a team who cannot win in 2024. Bieber doesn’t exactly fit because the Guardians may compete. For me, the reason I would trade Wesneski is because right now he is not worthy of a rotation spot on a team that wants to win. And the Cubs also have several pen arms. So he will probably go to AAA to start. Which is fine for future. But they need someone better now. That is the only reason I am suggesting him. Any other cheap bad team wanting to get out of the last year of a deal with a decent pitcher? Off the top of my head I can’t think of anyone. Bottome line is they most likely go into the season as is. Wesneski pitches at Iowa and if they can correct his problem with lefties he comes up to fill in as a starter when someone goes down.

I hope you are right. With Taillon still not getting in a game I am beginning to worry about him a little. Wouldn’t mind seeing about Bieber. Not sure if spring has hurt Wesneski’s value at all, but if it has not I would like to see a deal for Bieber with him as the main piece. Maybe him and Wisdom. With Bieber on his last year and the guardians sure to not sign him, that may be enough. Bieber would really help the staff. And even if Taillon is fine and Wicks pitches well they can still use Bieber. Maybe they go to some sort of a 6 man staff. Plus, injuries always happen.

I am almost certain he has 2 errors this spring. Both in that game. What you are calling an error was ruled a hit.

3 bunts? I saw one to the pitcher that Steele threw away. And one other. Guess I missed one, at least. Murray also made a throwing error ar third. I guess they should have kept bunting.

Just curious, how many bunts qualifies as bunting like mad? I watched most of the game and saw 2. But I could have missed a few.

I am as big a supporter of Morel playing third as we have in this board. and I absolutely agree with this statement.

Agreed

I do think there was more than just that. As for the previous black players on the team the two that come to mind immediately are Billy Williams and Ernie Banks. Both extremely humble, very nice men. Both would not cause any issues. I think Madlock was a bit more vocal. And I do think PK didn’t like that AND he was cheap. But cheap aside, he did pay Murcer more. Trading Madlock was not just about him wanting money.

You have a better memory than I do. I know one year he actually made the top 50 prospect list, but being honest, I never expected much out of him. Guess I never considered him as a set 3rd baseman. They would have had one earlier too, had they not traded Madlock. He was a damn good ballplayee for a number of years.

I agree on Bieber. Like to revisit that idea. Maybe start with Wesneski and see what else needs to be done. Wisdom too? It is only 1 year of Bieber so I am sure the Cubs could put something together for the Guardians if they really want him. And even if Wicks does well I would be ok with a 6 man staff. We know someone will be hurt at some point.

Yep, that is also against Bote. For a hot second I was in the camp of trade Wisdom and just let Bote be the last guy. I have since realized, with help of other posters, that isn’t happening. Being a reverse split guy and not in the 40 man roster, make him very unlikely. If they are going to put someone on the 40 man to make the OD roster I would rather have Cooper, who hits left handed pitching very well. I would still trade Wisdom to make that happen.

To be clear, they televise 27 spring games. Not really a big deal if there are a few not on tv.

I just don’t think Bote is tradable. Wisdom probably is. Fine with no Bote either. I thought bertz suggested him but I clearly quoted the wrong person. That said, after hearing he is a reverse split guy, I don’t want him either. But Bote can’t be traded, so he can go to Iowa. I would still like to see Wisdom dealt for a low minor leaguer not on the 40 man roster, and have Cooper make the OD roster.

I have to admit Orie was rated higher than I thought. But I never thought of him as “the guy” to make us forget Santo.

I think bertz may have suggested this earlier, but I wouldn’t mind Bote over Wisdom and the Cubs trade Wisdom. Just get an A ballplayer not on the 40 man. I would be fine with that. Saves the Cubs Wisdom’s contract and really Bote is more versatile. Not a huge deal, but if one had to be in the team and the other could be traded this would be the route I would go. I don’t think anyone takes Bote and his contract in a trade.

What happens when Madrigal? For me I would rather see him and probably Cooper over Wisdom, Mervis and Dom Smith. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Cubs trade Wisdom. Maybe they get something for him, but really doesn’t matter if they don’t. I honestly wouldn’t mind a Wisdom/Wesneski package for a 5th starter. But not a must do, by any means.

I have absolutely no expectation of them adding Montgomery. I just do not remotely think that is even an option for them. And I am fine with that. They are not going over the $257M LT line and I can’t get that worked up about that decision. If they do feel they need another pitcher, maybe they do it in a trade. But, IMO that pitcher will not be making more than $14M a year. That would put them over the first line but comfortably under the second line. I don’t know if they need to do this, but if they did want to add another pitcher that is how I think they would do it.

We do need some sort of way to show content in posts and responses. I did not mean to suggest you were accusing me of anything or even referencing me. Sorry if it sounded that way. I just wasn’t sure if what I said appeared like I was complaining that the Cubs didn’t do more. So I was only trying to clarify I was not. I believe we are all good and I do understand why Chapman probably wouldn’t work. Honestly I am fine with the off season as it stands. And if I was being completely honest I would agree that Chapman puts them too close to that second line. I do wonder, however, if Belt would be a solid late spring addition if the Cubs decided Morel can handle 3rd base. He won’t cost as much as Chapman and the Cubs can move Wisdom and save a little that way. Jed indicated he is about done but always still looking to help the team. That would be an option. Short of that I think we have our team and IMO a team what should win 85+ games next year.

Cassie just missed one.

I haven’t seen anyone beating the Cubs up for not signing him. All I said is at that price he could have been signed. And, as I said, IMO if they do plan on going over the LT this year why not do it now? Maybe Chapman puts them too close to the next line. So I get that.

At this contract Chapman would have been a good get for the Cubs. Would have put them at $253M but they probably could have traded Wisdom to get his contract off the team. He isn’t paid that much where no team would take him. That would have put them around $250M to $251M. Enough cushion to add at the deadline. I would think that deal would have made the Cubs the clear favorite for the division. If they will go over $237M to add a player(s) at the deadline, why not be over now and get that player for the full year?