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Rcal10

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Everything posted by Rcal10

  1. Rcal10
    Well they aren’t going to be the Braves or Dodgers. But I do think they are trying to win the division and also trying to be a 90 win team. And there is still plenty of time for that to happen. Trade for a decent 3rd baseman, sign Bellinger and a late inning pen arm and I think they are the best team in the division. There are definitely other ways they can go as well. But in the end if they add 2 bats and a pen arm I see them to be a solid team. Which is why I don’t want them to give 3rd to Madrigal until a minor leaguer forces himself into the team. I don’t count on any of their minor leaguers to do that this year. I would rather have a proven guy. Preferably a guy with only 1 or 2 years left on his contract so they can leave 3rd open for 25’ or 26’.
  2. Rcal10
    I absolutely think they are trying for next year. No reason not to and no reason to suggest they are not at this point. That is why I want a real 3rs baseman.
  3. Rcal10
    For those who know far more than me regarding players projections and ceilings, how does Busch rate compared to Pasquintino? I know several guys really liked him. Can we expect a similar rookie seasons(more AB) from Busch that Pasquintino put up last year. Is it reasonable for him, in his rookie year to play at 108? Is long term more like a Hoskins? Someone who can play at 123? Are those realistic goals for him? I am not talking about his 100% top ceiling outcome. I am asking if this is a realistic goal for him as a Cubs everyday 1st baseman the next 6 years.
  4. Rcal10
    I don’t follow. What do you think Polanco(as an example) costs? How about JD Davis? If you check surplus value of each of those guys on BBTV each is about the same as Assad. So why not one of those for third base? Do you think Assad for either of them is not realistic? Even if they had to add more, it shouldn’t be much more. Some of the others have more value. Cubs would have to add more. But I would rather start with a guy you can count on at 3rd instead of hoping they can put a bandaid on third for a few months and then hope a prospect earns the spot.
  5. Rcal10
    With teams knowing more and more and front offices getting smarter, maybe this is the year Boras doesn’t win a negotiation. If every organization is skeptical of Bellinger, Boras isn’t going to get the deal he wants. Which could work well for the Cubs. I agree there is reason to be skeptical of Bellinger. He will still be a good player(maybe even very good a few years), just not great.
  6. Rcal10
    But you can do both. Most of those guys don’t cost a lot in terms of salary. I think they are going to get one pen arm. Why not a decent bat at 3rd too? I would much rather have a proven major leaguer starting the year at third than going with Madrigal/Mastroboni for half a year and hope a young guy is having a great year so they can bring him up to fill the position. They can do a 3rd base trade sign a late inning arm and sign Bellinger.
  7. Rcal10
    If Morel can’t play 3rd(which it appears he can’t) and Busch is at 1st, there are a few options via trade but all come with some issues. Kim of SD if they want to dump some more salary, Polanco (but he hasn’t played much third), Lowe of Tampa(but he hasn’t played 3rd), JDDavis, Gleybor Torres, Bohm, Burger. I guess Moncada too, but with that salary I have to think a much bigger deal would have to be made for the Cubs to take Moncada and that salary. I’m sure some of these guys aren’t even available. Just looking at options. I guess you can add Bregman and Bichette if you want to go big. Several of the guys mentioned are either FA after this season or the next. Which works for the Cubs if they want to leave the position open for someone in the organization in a year or two. Much better options that Chapman for the next 4-6 years.
  8. Rcal10
    I don’t think the Cubs are 6-7 WAR behind the Cardinals. I wouldn’t mind another starter, but they have pretty much said that isn’t happening. I expect a couple bats and a pen arm and wrap up the off season.
  9. Rcal10
    If they went lefty in the pen, besides Hader there is Chapman and Moore. Would either of those be a good edition? I know Chapman isn’t what he used to be but he was still throwing 99 last year. Moore is just pretty solid all the way around. Is Hand available?
  10. Rcal10
    I don’t see Chapman as an option for the Cubs. I just don’t see them blocking 3rd base for 4 or more years and he doesn’t help them against right handed pitching. But I guess you never know. Jed does like defense.
  11. Rcal10
    I actually kind of like the idea of JD Davis assuming the cost to acquire him isn’t much. He only has one year before free agency. Often that is a players best year. And the Cubs don’t really want a long term guy there anyway. If San Fran did sign Chapman he would be a decent option. I know previous to last year he was pretty bat at 3rd, but I thought I read he did a decent job there last year. Davis at 3rd, Busch at 1st, Morel DH and sign Bellinger. Add a solid pen arm and that isn’t a terrible off season.
  12. Rcal10
    I didn’t hear the Busch comment, but I did hear him speak of Morel. You are absolutely correct, he did not give an answer on him regarding an everyday position. I am sure the Cubs will work with Morel at 3rd this spring, if they haven’t already started. But it definitely doesn’t seem like they are sure he can do it. Which is frustrating, because the team would be so much better if he they knew he could do it. Instead of looking for a third baseman who can hit a little, they could be just looking for a bat, period. JD Martinez would be that bat for me. But they can’t do that because right now it doesn’t appear they know what Morel can do, or they already know he isn’t a 3rd baseman.
  13. Rcal10
    I agree with this. And that said, isn’t Busch’s main issue arm strength. Couldn’t they work with him at 3rd? I know Jed said he is our first baseman, but could that be for Boras benefit when talking about Hoskins? Wouldn’t it seem Busch would be an easier guy to mold into a decent third baseman than Morel, a an example. Morel’s issue is not arm strength, seems third base is an issue right now with the team if they want to upgrade it. Lots of options in the team, but none very good for one reason or another.
  14. Rcal10
    Considering Jed said they want a lefty bat or at least someone who hits right handed pitching well, I don’t see Chapman as a good fit. I think if it is not Bellinger who they sign, they may have to get that bat in a deal. The issue is, for me, what position does he fill? If Busch is the first baseman and PCA and Tauchman are in center and Morel can’t play 3rd it would have to be a 3rd baseman. Not many left handed bats that play 3rd. Maybe Lowe of TB. That is where they move a pen arm and a minor leaguer that opens a pen slot for who they sign. But can Lowe even play 3rd? Actually I would be pretty happy with a trade for Lowe AND signing Bellinger IF Lowe can play 3rd.
  15. Rcal10
    Than expect a huge fail. I highly doubt they add 2 more proven pen arms.
  16. Rcal10
    Oh, got it. I can agree with that.
  17. Rcal10
    Over what? What years and AAV are you suggesting. I don’t think he gets a Bryant deal. Just because the Rockies are mismanaged doesn’t mean another team has to be. And if he does get it, he won’t be in the Cubs.
  18. Rcal10
    Agreed. But right now Boras might not be willing to take that. And right now the Cubs might not be offering that. Which is why he isn’t signed yet. Maybe he gets more, but I am not sure he gets if from the Cubs if that is what he needs.
  19. Rcal10
    The scenerio I used also allows for 7/$168. Which is more money overall and higher AAV than Nimmo. And it is in that $160M-$180M range you suggest someone will give him. Cubs have been on board with 7 year deals before. That is the max I see them at. If he gets more it won’t be the Cubs, IMO.
  20. Rcal10
    Guess we will see. I think he ends up at a 6 or 7 year deal with and AAV of $23M to $24M. Unless he agrees to a deal with much less years(3 max) I don’t see him at over $25 AAV.
  21. Rcal10
    I doubt they add 2 more pen arms. Almonte was one. I think the second will be more established. But I don’t think there will be another one after that. I also think you are pretty high on Bellinger. I think he will be closer to $23M. I don’t think that payroll is an absolute top amount. Adding $55M won’t put them to the top of the first LT line. So it isn’t like they have to save some space for mid season additions. I think they will already be over the first threshold, but not close to the second. So no reason to hold money for additional moves at the deadline, aside from Ricketts just not wanting to spend money.
  22. Rcal10
    I actually think the Cubs will sign Bellinger.
  23. Rcal10
    Hard to hear, but it sounds like they want him in the line up. Still a lot of moving parts on this team. If Busch plays first do they go after Hoskins? Or just Bellinger and he plays center with PCA at AAA. Or if Busch struggles Bellinger goes to first. But is Morel strictly a DH or can he play 3rd. Best case scenario is he can do it. Then sign Bellinger and another bat (Hoskins, JD, Soler). My preference would be Hoskins. I think it would be a mistake to just pencil Busch in at first without a solid back up plan . Hoskins would be that solid back up plan, as would Bellinger (but Bellinger cost a lot more).
  24. Rcal10
    Agreed. Doesn’t matter the names you want to put in, at the beginning we were all talking about 2 starters. Changed when Hottovy spoke.
  25. Rcal10
    TBF most of the posters at the beginning of the off season were expecting 2 starting pitcher additions. Only since Hottovy suggested only 1, has that been the theme. I do think Jed purposely suggested Busch would play 1st as leverage against Boras with Hoskins. I do think Hoskins is still in play, however.
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