Rcal10
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But they got to the WS last year with a worse pen. Again, I want to add to the pen. But I want a better offense more. If they had an unlimited budget I would be all for adding Hader and Stephenson. But they don’t. So they have to hope they find someone in that $6M to $8M range and get better production from what they do have from last year, by managing the pen better, and hopefully a young guy like Palancia, Little or Brown or another arm close to the majors steps up. No, it is not ideal. But it is what I expected.
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I don’t think anyone is arguing that the pen was good. They were average. And I already said they should add someone. I just think people remember the last month and exaggerate how bad the pen was. It absolutely tanked at the end. They absolutely need to add another guy they can count on. And they need some young arms to step up. But if they just added a guy at the deadline last year they would have been in the playoffs. You know 2 teams that blew more saves than the Cubs last year? Dbacks and Rangers. You know what they did near the deadline? They added to the pen.
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It was a reason. Not the reason. Probably not the most important reason. Honestly I don’t think anyone can point to one thing and suggest it was the most important reason. That said, it does need to be better. I just think it will be with some of the young arms coming up. Unless they were going to dedicate $15m-$25M to the pen I don’t see how they could overall the pen. I would still like to add another guy. But the improvement has to come from better management of the pen, guys knowing their place this year, sooner than last year, and young arms coming up and producing. Even with all the missteps starting the season(Mancini, Hosmer, Barnhardt) not starting the season with Morel etc…., had the Cubs added another pen arm at the deadline, they probably make the playoffs.
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So average. No one suggests they had a great pen. I do agree they should have added a pen arm at the deadline. Similar to what the Dbacks did. My guess is if they did they would have made the playoffs.
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Suggesting the pen ALONE cost the Cubs the playoffs is exactly the exaggeration I was referring too. Also, the pen could very well be better with young guys filling in. No one said trot out the exact same guys and expect it to be better. Most are saying minor league guys are closer to contributing this year. Also, there is more certainty in roles this year and very possibly a better manager to handle the pen. Do you want to spend $20M on the pen and then have maybe $12M for one more position player? Sure, I would love if they signed Hader and Robertson and then signed Bellinger and maybe Chapman. That would be great. But Jed and Tom don’t work that way. So they have to pick and choose what works best within the budget they have. If it is $237M I don’t see how they would even consider a high leverage guy. They don’t have the funds. If they agree to go to $257M maybe that does allow someone in that $8-$12M range. Maybe they will get one. But not if they plan on staying under the LT. .
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Yep. That is why I am not as worried about the pen as some. Because on top of that, some negatively exaggerated the pen. It definitely tanked at the end. But it was an average pen. It took a while for Ross to get things in place. So it struggled early. My hope is Counsell works the pen better and they get more help from the system. I know everyone wants to point to bad signing costing them in the pen. But they also got bad results from holdovers they were counting on. Hughes never recovered from his injury and Thompson sucked. Those were two guys they were counting on. I feel the system is allowing them way more options this year and I also feel the pen will be managed better.
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This is why it was apparent they weren’t going to sign 2 pen arms. Even if each was $7M to $8M I never understood the desire for 2. They have either $32M or $52M to spend (depending if they plan on going over the first LT line or not) so I never saw that much money going to the pen. Those figures above would give them around $5M to spend at the deadline before going to the next tier. And they are not going to go over $257M.
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Regardless of what anyone thinks of Mervis, unless either Busch or Morel can play 3rd, I don’t see a spot for him. Busch at 1st and Morel at DH seems to be the plan. Injuries happen, Busch might not cut it. I am not suggesting trading Mervis. I am just saying as the Cubs plan for 2024, he doesn’t appear to be a part of the major league plan. There is also a lot of negative underlying issues with him as others have pointed out. He very well can be an AAAA ballplayer.
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Tigers? Or Rangers?
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Sorry, misunderstood. However in your original post you did say if you were a GM you would put that in contracts, to keep players motivated. I just don’t see that as a good option for teams. They may do it, and in Bellinger’s case it make some sense. But with him I would only do it in a short term deal like Correa’s first contract in 22’.
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So as a GM you would put opt outs in long term contracts for the players to decide to opt out? Why do you consider this a good idea? The only time they would exercise the opt out is if they performed well and could get more money/years than you have them signed for? If they underperform they won’t take the opt out. I am pretty sure players would love that sort of contract. Not sure why as a GM, you would. To me that is the last think a GM would do. In some cases they need to in order to get a guy signed. But I think most times it is not something a GM wants.
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But what should he do? Give in? Give Bellinger $250 for 10 years? We don’t really know if he is working on trades. But trades take a second team. So he might be waiting on Boras with Bellinger or even Chapman, but in the meantime also trying to see if he can made a deal that will help the team. I doubt he is just sitting around waiting to hear back from Boras. In fact, I would guess one deal he did make, for Busch, eliminated any offer or thought of Hoskins. If Boras sticks to these numbers he is asking, there is literally nothing Jed can do to sign Bellinger or Chapman, except give in. And I wouldn’t want that.
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If we are going to stick with the idea they won’t go over the first LT line they have closer to $32M to spend. They want to keep some for the trade deadline. I know you are still suggesting they won’t go over. But if they don’t they really don’t have much left to spend.
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I would love to see JD Martinez in this team. He can still hit. But what do they do with Morel? Are there realistic 3rd base options worth trading him for? Is Burger a third baseman? Is that a fair trade with maybe something else added either way? How about Lowe? But can he even play 3rd base? Polanco is another guy, but can he play 3rd and the Twins would have to add more. There probably are a few others, but might get complicated. I feel Morel for Burger is the closest in fair value and team control. The issue is can Burger even play 3rd? I think Morel is the type of guy the Marlins seem to like. And maybe he can get an everyday job at 2nd for them. Things sure would be simpler of Morel could play 3rd, but I am even out of hope on that idea.
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Corre’a first contract, before the 22’ season was a 3 year deal with the Twins that he could opt out of in year 1 and 2. That is what a referencing.
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Aren’t most opt out player options? Why would a player agree to a team opt out option? Can you give an example of a contract that is long term that a team can opt out of?
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Based on Boras doing one of those in the past. Based on the apparent lack of interest at what Bellinger and Boras has set as what they want. Based on Bellinger is 28, so something similar to Correa’s first deal would make sense. Based on earlier mentions of this idea a few weeks back. FYI, I am fine if you don’t agree. As I stated, I am starting to think that way..
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I think Bellinger and a serviceable pen arm (7-8 inning guy) puts this team in the 83-87 win range. If they added another bat (Belt, Polanco, etc…) I could see favorite in the central and an upper 80’s to 90 win team. That extra bat adds length to the line up. But then (for best results) either Morel, Busch or, Polanco (if he is the add) has to play 3rd. If not they are extra depth, which is also good.
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I am beginning to think a short deal like the original Correa deal might be in play for Bellinger. Maybe 3/$80M with opt outs. Let him test the market again next year if he does well. But, couldn’t they do something like they did with Imanaga? Maybe $27M years 1-2 with them having the ability to turn it into a 7/$182 after year 2 and 3. Maybe if they don’t do that it goes to a 7/$161 automatically but Bellinger could opt out after year 2 and 3. Isn’t that similar to Imanaga? Unless Bellinger falls flat he gets 2 years and $54M and can reenter the FA pool at 30 without a QO attached. Worst case scenario for him is 7/$161.
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Agreed……SO FAR!
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I love the game and the Cubs. I know they don’t love us back, but I am fine with that. Made peace with it long ago. I am probably one of those dumb fans that spends money on them good or bad. I have season tickets to all 81 games. Up until 2 years ago I owned 2 on my own. But I moved to Arizona so I now share my seats with 2 others. So I have 27 games. I get back to Chicago for probably 8 games a year and this year I will see them in KC and Cleveland. If that makes me a fool, so be it. It is something I enjoy. I probably watch 150+ of their games as well. If I’m not there I am watching on tv.
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Agreed. But until they lose out on Bellinger , I am still optimistic. And, for that matter, I would be ok if they didn’t sign Bellinger if they did make some other deal for an everyday solid middle of the line up bat. And they might. I still like Naylor, tbh. I think the team sets up nicely if they signed Bellinger and traded for Naylor. Either Busch or Morel play 3rd and the other is the DH. Bring Madrigal in the game late, for defense. If they discover neither could handle it during spring training they have to trade Morel. Either get someone who can play 3rd or just put Madrigal there and get the best young pitcher you can for Morel. Sign a pen arm and go into the season.
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Speaking as someone who is 63, 65 isnt that old. We don’t have to sit around and drool in the corner. It is fine to have passion for the team. Yes, biitner may be a bit overboard with his frustration. But I am pretty sure it isn’t affecting his overall health. Whether you are in your 20’s or 60’s or even older, you shouldn’t let baseball stress you out.
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How old are you? I get wanting to win again. So do I. My dad died in Feb of 16. Big Cubs fan. After they lost in 15’ he told me he doubted he would ever see them win and wasn’t sure I would. They are not going to be that sort of team anytime soon. But if you get to the playoffs you can win.
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This isn’t about the Dodgers. Cubs are not ever going to be the Dodgers. This is about the Cubs. Right now they have not done enough, IMO. But they very well can do enough to be a division winner. Which is all we can hope they do.
