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Rcal10

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Everything posted by Rcal10

  1. Rcal10
    Unless the Phillies are moving Turner to center I don’t see them with Bichette. They need outfielders. This was posted a few days back. Bottom line is if the Cubs really want him or Bregman they can sign them. Money shouldn’t be an issue. They have plenty and can sign anyone.
  2. Rcal10
    I’m not sure they do either. But I do believe they are more in on them than just that phone call to them to ask them if they drop to give the Cubs a call. And if there ever was a year to get someone like Bregman or Bichette, this would be the year. However, about a week or so ago I came to the same conclusion you are at now. Cubs very well could end up with Suarez. He just feels like that guy who drops. I don’t like it either. But the team does have a patten.
  3. Rcal10
    The point is the low market teams do get better compensation when losing a FA, plus the other things I mentioned. Again, not suggesting their reward makes up for their limited budget.
  4. Rcal10
    I get it, and I agree legacy does matter. But I think in a last contract, money is the winner, period. Some guys might have an ego where legacy matters more than others. But then some guys might value family comfort in a city. So, as an example, Bellinger knows his numbers would be better for his career if he signed with the Yankees. But what if his family loves another city better? Does he put legacy over family? Maybe one guy does and another guy doesn’t. We don’t know. We do know money talks. IMO everything else is far down the line of concerns. And to each player they may value things differently.
  5. Rcal10
    No we don’t. I am not sure exactly what the difference is when losing a FA, but I know the small market teams do get a higher pick in the draft when they lose one. And penalized less when they sign one. And every year the entire division, except the Cubs gets a competitive balance pick. That pick is either after the first round or the second round. So they get more chances at young talent. Plus they have a higher limit they can spend internationally. While this doesn’t make up for a large market team just spending money, it does give them an advantage over large market teams who don’t spend as large markets, since the one advantage large markets has is they have money to spend.
  6. Rcal10
    If they had money they wouldn’t get the other benefits they get like extra picks in the amateur draft, more international money, etc…. So they may not have as much good cheap talent. There FO does an amazing job. I am not disputing that. But they do have more opportunities every year for cheap talent then large market teams have.
  7. Rcal10
    Honestly, I don’t care who they view as the main target. Just target one and get him like a big market should do. If they get someone who isn’t the last man standing I will finally believe they got a guy because they wanted him, not because he dropped.
  8. Rcal10
    I know this. And I agree we all do it. Just not you, really. That is what surprised me. You wishing. Typically you are the guy who after someone puts up a crazy wish, shoots it down with reality. 😬 I guess I didn’t expect you to join the dreamers (me included) As for prospects replacing solid players, you have absolutely suggested it often. I am not going to go back and look at exact examples, but you have advocated for trading Happ and Suzuki and replacing them with Cassie, Mo, Long, etc….. on numerous occasions.
  9. Rcal10
    This is a complete about face. Aren’t you the guy who continually says you don’t expect them to do anything? Aren’t you all about just bringing up prospects who will magically be as good as Happ and Suzuki? Now you are suggesting something that we all know has absolutely no chance of happening? Obviously you know it too. Just surprised you even suggested it. Honestly, I would rather see them get Bichette and Gallen. Trade Tailon. That would cost them a net of around $32M to $38M. They would be over the LT, but not by that much. And they can get under next year. While I think this is also pretty unlikely, I think it is way more likely than what you suggested.
  10. Rcal10
    I would lump that in with comfort in a city and a team. I wouldn’t put personal numbers as a separate category, unless it is for a future contract. Using Happ as an example doesn’t really pertain. He wants good numbers for a better contract. I agree all athletes have egos. They all want to see big time stats. But a big time back account far outweighs stats.
  11. Rcal10
    I would be disappointed we didn’t get Bichette or Bregman. That is a separate issue. But Bellinger’s hard contract was up a lot last year. Even if we split the difference between 23 and 24, he would be a valuable player. As I said, he is my last choice. But I wouldn’t be disappointed if he came back to the Cubs.
  12. Rcal10
    I would rather have any of the other 3 top guys, but I wouldn’t say I was disappointed if the Cubs got Bellinger.
  13. Rcal10
    Well whoever gets him this will probably be his last contract. So it is not like he should go back to NY because better numbers there will get him a better contract on his next one. So I doubt it matters to him if he has better numbers at one place or the other. He doesn’t need to prove anything for another deal. So it comes down to money (MOST IMPORTANT BY A LOT) and then comfort with the city and team (very small consideration-but maybe if contracts are similar it is the decider). I think the numbers he can post don’t play a part in this particular case.
  14. Rcal10
    This is another plus for Bichette. He isn’t a slugger. Just a good hitter who may hit 20 homers. The wind didn’t seem to deter Swanson’s power since coming here. Bichette has similar power potential (17-24 homers) with a better overall hit tool.
  15. Rcal10
    Right. That is why this idea that they get to the cliff in ‘27 is ridiculous to me. Sure, they are losing a lot of guys. But they can retain a few if they want. And they have a lot of cheaper talent. That is why now is a good time to get Bichette. I would even trade Tailon now and add Gallen on a 4 year deal. The cliff gets lower. I honestly think Mo is going to be a solid bat. So he can DH. The infield is set with Bichette, Shaw, Dansby and Busch. Amaya catching, Mo as DH and PCA in center. You would also have Gallen, Steele, Horton, Cabrera and hopefully Wiggins in the rotation. And still more than $100M to spend. So even if they go over this year they will be back under in ‘27. I doubt the new CBA hinders spending at the level the Cubs spend to. Whatever they need, they can add FA, trade or even fill the spot from the system.
  16. Rcal10
    If I were ranking probability and it was a fact one guy is added I would rank Bichette as the most likely. Followed by Bellinger, Bregman and then Tucker. Tucker is a long shot. Way long……… Also, because Bichette solves the utility situation and allows the Cubs to keep Ballesteros on the ML roster as a DH, I actually like him best. I probably like Bregman second best for the same reason. If they go with Bellinger they still need a utility guy and Ballesteros goes Iowa.
  17. Rcal10
    I absolutely agree with you that they shouldn’t worry about saving money at the deadline. Start below the LT line and worry about how to stay under later, or just go over. Not a big deal. I will also say the off season moves seem to be setting themselves up for one big FA signing. Instead of spending $4M to $7M on a bench bat like Refsnyder or Andujar or even Goldschmidt they spend a little over $1M for Austin. They added several pen arms, but no big spending. The trade for Cabrera adds the arm for a cheap salary. I know Tom can now just decide to sit on the money he didn’t spend. He did that last year. However it will get harder and harder for him to continue to suggest all the money the team brings in he puts back into the team. Last year they held $20M+ and didn’t spend it. They also had 5 home playoff games and huge attendance. There is, without question, more revenues from the ‘25 season than the past several. Plus they have the surplus from last year. And in ‘27 it will be easy to drop under and still put a competitive team on the field. There are no more excuses and nothing to hide behind. And, like I said, they appear to be making moves so they can make one big splash. So we will see🤷.
  18. Rcal10
    I’m more concerned about annual than I am total. But, sure, Tucker’s total, if he gets a 10 year deal, might be twice Bellinger if Bellinger gets 6 years. Maybe Belliger gets $160M and Tucker $320,000. Annually it is less that $6M a year.
  19. Rcal10
    I would guess he is, but what can they really get for him? To me, trading Rea makes more sense because it lowers the payroll. Gives them room to sign Bichette, Bergman or Bellinger.
  20. Rcal10
    Probably right. But still like to know what the Cubs actually have left.
  21. Rcal10
    I read they had $29M to the LT line. If they have $33M sure they can sign him and not go over. Not sure if they can with only $29M.
  22. Rcal10
    Maybe Turner to the outfield?🤷Didnt he play there a few years? Otherwise, I agree that they need help there. Not in the infield.!
  23. Rcal10
    That is obviously a 10+ year number. When you suggest extending Nico what are you assuming he would want? Also, remember that is just a number thrown out. Doesn’t mean he gets it. He might get 8/$224. Or if he does get to $300M maybe it is heavily deferred. I think I would take him at 8/$224.
  24. Rcal10
    His annual is not going to be half of Tucker. Probably only $6M to $8M less.
  25. Rcal10
    Absolutely.
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