I like the Cabrera trade, but the lineup is still an impact bat short.
Belli does not move the needle enough, IMO. Bregman won't be worth the contract he'll require. Suarez will grossly underwhelm. Tucker is a pipe dream. So Its Bichette for 2b, and a Nico trade replenishes the farm.
If Gallen is the cheapest (in both $ and years) I'm ok with him. His durability is an attractive add to a rotation with several guys who have injury histories. He has WS experience and his ceiling is pretty high. He may not be as likely to hit that ceiling as Suarez or Valdez but maybe more likely than a guy like Cabrera IMO.
This. Unless Nico is traded, (making room for another sizeable contract), it looks like the Cubs will run it back with Caisse in place of Tucker. I don't like our chances with that lineup.
This. The Cubs are not serious about winning. So why should I be serious about the Cubs? It's annoying, but I can no longer justify investing my time, money and emotions into an organization that clearly only values profits anymore.
The Ricketts goal is to be competitive enough that fans fill the ballpark and follow the team each season. Their strategy is to build a roster predicted to win in the neighborhood of 87-88 games. They are NOT trying to win the World Series. Heck, they're not even trying to win the NL Central! To them, this is equilibrium price. Fans deserve better.
I think 90 wins is his target. TR wants his team to be competitive enough to sell tickets, jerseys, commercials, etc. He just doesn't want to pay top payroll prices that would provide a potentially higher ceiling. Screw you, Tom.
I wouldn't advise caring more about the performance of this team than their ownership and front office do.
It's quite clear that TR is only in it for the money at this point, and winning is somewhere far down the list of his priorities. Don't give him your emotions. He doesn't deserve them.
The season went south on deadline day when Jed was unable to land impact talent. We slumped for weeks after. It's like the team sensed that the FO had no faith in them.