Rcal10

Here is the thing about this idea of adding a significant pitcher. Who did add one? Doesn’t lack of pitchers moving tell us the asks were outrageous? You can say now you would have been fine with Cassie and Wiggins going for Cabrera or even Shaw and Horton for Gore, but at the time people wouldn’t have been happy. And even now, people wouldn’t be happy. It wasn’t just the Cubs who passed on a playoff starting pitcher at the deadline. Everyone passed.

That is an interesting take on Boyd. Isn’t he on the US World team? If he is injured why would he agree to that?

Don’t they need a utility infielder? That is why Bichette makes so much sense. Shaw moves to utility.

Did we score a single run in game 5, so could only win if we pitched a shutout? Yes! Is the chance of a different pitcher pitching a shutout worth losing Wiggins? No!

I agree. Just add a big bat. But if they did feel they had to drop down under the LT line, IMO they can trade Rea. That gives them $6M to work with. They would still have Steele and Wiggins coming mid season. That is 7 starters. Plus they would have Wicks, Assad and Brown. Even without Rea the pen has many options: Maton, Thielbar, Milner, Webb, Palancia, Assad, Brown, Hodges, Little, Wicks, and Harvey. Rea is expendable. That said, they shouldn’t be so worried about going over this year. Just get the big bat and move on.

Right. So get Gallen and even Bichette now.

Yep, that would have been crazy. I think Jed timed this one well and traded pretty much what most thought. Main piece of Cassie. I thought Brown, Assad or Wicks would need to be added, but I imagine Hernandez + is similar in value. This is a good deal, regardless if one of those guys becomes a star or Cabrera gets injured. You can’t predict the future. In the present, this fills a need very well.

Now that we can check off adding a quality starting pitcher my ideal ending to the off season would be: Trade Tailon Sign Gallen Sign Bichette. That would take them over the first LT line, but they would have enough money to spend at the tdl to add without going to the next level. This would lessen the issue with guys leaving next year. As a major market they should be able to spend beyond that line every so often. TBH, Tom never said they won’t go over. He has said every dollar of revenue the team brings in he spends on the team. It just so happens to conveniently come in right under the LT. 🤢 But if what he says is true he shouldn’t have a problem going over this year. Saved a lot last year and they had 5 home playoff games. So he has more money. Spend it. FYI, I know this won’t happen. But to me it is an awesome, doable off season. Next year they have Shaw and Bichette at 2nd and 3rd, Mo is the DH and they need 2 outfielders and probably another pitcher. They would have a rotation of Cabrera, Horton, Steele, Gallen and probably Wiggins. Gallen and Bichette replace Tailon and Hoerner now instead of waiting. And they get one year of Hoerner with Bichette. They lose Happ, Suzuki, Imanaga, Boyd, Kelly and Hoerner next year. Pretty sure they can be under the LT while still adding decent pieces to the team. Maybe even bring back Suzuki or Happ.

I’m not advocating for Suarez. I don’t want him either. But if they did sign him, he wouldn’t platoon with Mo. Mo wouldn’t even be on the team. Suarez and Shaw would be in the line up everyday. Bench would be Alcantara, Amaya/Kelly, Austin and a utility guy. I don’t want him.

I don’t think they can sign Bichette and have enough money to make any moves necessary at the TDL without maybe trading Rea now. They also have Wicks, Brown and Assad as depth so they might be able to do that. However, going over by $6M or so, if they do need to add at the TDL shouldn’t be a big deal. They can get back under the following year pretty easily. Bichette would be my first choice as well.

I’ve read 2nd or 3rd.

Why not trade Tailon, add Gallen and Bichette and be $10M over the LT? They can also trade Rea if they need to save more money.

This. No need to trade Nico. Play Bichette at 3rd this year. Figure out 2nd and 3rd in ‘27 when the time comes.

He did. But in a park made for him. I like Bellinger and he would be a fine signing. But he isn’t Tucker. Not really close.

Power right handed bat🤷 Aside from Seiya and Swanson (a little), Cubs don’t have much right handed power. I think the only way Suarez ends up here is if he is the last man standing and accepts a short term contract. Maybe 2 years. Bichette really checks all the boxes for the Cubs to finally five out a large deal in years and salary. He is the perfect option.

What is wrong with you? This is a great trade.

If Bellinger is signed Mo stays in AAA and catches. Austin is going to be a reason not to add Bellinger. Bellinger plays RF, DH and fills in for PCA in center and plays first some. He fits fine. However, I do agree Bichette might fit better. He is my first choice. If they get Bichette, Mo probably stays in the majors and the bench/DH is back up catcher, Mo, Shaw, Austin and probably Alcantara. With Bellinger they probably have to add a utility player, and Mo would be sent down.

I would be fine with that.

Exactly.

Right. If they have $29M to spend before the LT line, maybe trade Rea and sign either Bregman, Bichette or Bellinger for $27M to $29M a year. Gives them $6M for deadline moves. And if they had to add at the deadline, if they happen to have Steele back they would have 6 starters. If they added someone of higher end salary at the deadline, they can trade Tailon to get back under. Or they can just act bigger market and be a little over the LT. Who cares???? Just go under the following year, which shouldn’t be a problem. Cabrera was a great start. Now they need the final move…..

I don’t want to deplete the farm any more. Sign a bat. There are 4 great options.

I would rank then Bichette, Tucker, Bregman, Bellinger ……….Suarez far behind. But tbh, I would be very happy with any of the top 4. If they added Bellinger, who I rank 4th on my list, I would be happy. Then Mo can catch all year in AAA. They should also be able to go over the LT to make any move, but if not trade Rea to get any other money they might need. They will still have work to do on the bench. It would be Alcantara, back up catcher and Austin. Need a utility guy. Maybe that is who comes for Rea?

Nice. Love it.

It is stops at Hernandez this is a good move. I like this. Now get a bat and let’s go….. Cabrera was my preferred choice of a pitcher in the off season so they can add a bat as a FA.

What am I missing? Boyd gets $13M and Rea $6M a year. How is that $26M. My numbers might not be exact, but they are much closer to $19M than they are $26M.