731.4life

I mean, Alonso hit over 120 home runs in the past 3 seasons, and averaged 114ish RBI's in that stretch. He's doing that while playing about 95% of games in his career. If you don't sign up for that, then what do you sign up for when you're looking at a power first baseman? When was the last time the Cubs had that...

I agree, but it'll be tough when two of them have a no trade clause.

Team needs a superstar bat that is scary to pitchers and a bat that can hit 35-40 home runs a year. Pete Alonso provides that, Busch doesn't. Cody Bellinger hit 47 home runs in 2019 (which was the year for the juiced baseballs) and he hasn't hit 30 home runs in the four years since. Not consistent enough to be a "star" player in my eyes. If you think Busch is going to be a star player, then I guarantee you Los Angeles wouldn't trade him, even though they have Freddie Freeman, who will be 35 next season. They just wouldn't. They gave up on Busch. When it comes to the Cubs, who needs a star bat in 3-4 spot in the lineup, and there's a star batter available over the offseason via trade in Alonso, they probably should've made the trade. They money shouldn't matter in this case. Won't cost too much in prospects because it's only for a one year deal. If you think Busch is better than Alonso, then why would Los Angeles trade him?

That's not the point of my post.

Everything depends on how bad Tom wants to win. We could be like St. Louis and have an owner that doesn't care to win, and a front office that has a bunch of "yes man" to Mozeliak/DeWitt. In reward, Marmol gets an extension after a 71-win season. One thing about Jed, if Jed sells at the deadline, he may get fired, and I think he knows that. If they were going to trade for Busch (and I know he bats left), and keep Matt Mervis in Iowa (which I think he should be traded to get an opportunity to play), then they should've traded for Pete Alonso and you have an anchor in the lineup that can hopefully hit 35+ homers and be an MVP candidate, which is what you know you're missing. Alonso is going to be traded in July. Not saying Busch is a bad player, but it doesn't make sense to me, to do that, knowing Alonso is better than Busch. If Ricketts is telling him to get an MVP caliber player, but not willing to open the paycheck more, than that's on Ricketts. And that problem is the main problem going on in Pittsburgh.

The DJ Herz stuff is nonsense. Not every trade has to be a "win" trade for the Cubs and if it doesn't, then fire Jed. As good as DJ was against Miami over the weekend, let's keep in mind it's the Miami Marlins offense we're talking about. Herz was never going to get an opportunity in Chicago, and the front office felt like they would lose him to another team if he wasn't on the 40-man at the end of the season. Theo made one bad trade. That stuff happens for GM's. No one should be losing sleep because of DJ Herz. Meanwhile, credit to DJ for making the most of his opportunity in Washington.

I do believe there are more hitters sitting on that slider/sweeper from Hayden.

I was going to drop this conversation until you replied back, so I'm going to give you my take. You're not fooling me, I do realized the last three NL Champions have won less than 90 games in the NL. What I also realized that two of those teams were Atlanta and Philadelphia. Two teams that are far more superior talent wise than what the current Chicago Cubs are in. They have MVP caliber players, the Cubs do not. When it comes to Arizona, the only reason why Arizona made the playoffs was due to the Cubs going 7-14 in their last 21 games, with 3 of those 7 games coming from a sweep from Colorado. No sense of living in that past all over again. It's not all about the results, which is something I do believe fans get caught up in, it's about how the Cubs play against their opponents. They could've/should've won today, and take 2 of 3 against Tampa Bay, and it doesn't change my mind about how they're playing. Yes, they swept the White Sox in that two game series at Wrigley, but they still played like dog crap. They can't hit, they can't play defense, especially at 3rd and catcher positions, and they have a bad bullpen. All of those things will not get replaced or get better over the 90+ remaining games left in the season. At some point, they are who they are, and in my opinion, that "same point" is here. I know your theory, try to get to 84+ wins and to get in the playoffs and "see what happens." Which some how worked for Arizona last year by beating a depleted Dodger team in their starting pitching, a Phillies team that tried to hit a 3-run home run with no one on base. It ended up getting them to the World Series, before losing to Texas in 5 games because they don't have the players like Texas does, and it was obvious. Arizona was outmatched. If you want to "buy small" at the deadline, then go ahead, but it doesn't cover up the issues at other spots.

Referring to Counsell, not Breslow.

Part of the blame does still go on the offense for only scoring two runs last night. I'll also say this, and I'll use Mason Miller's name as an example since he is on the trading block from Oakland. If Craig wants Mason to be his closer for years to come (I believe Mason is a free agent after 2029 season), then the deal is going to get done whether if the team is in the race or not. I have a good feeling Craig is going to demand a great bullpen for next year because I have a feeling he's tired of seeing this.

I would expect them to sell. Not much else to say.

Because at the end of the day, as long as they're a mediocre wild card team, then everyone is happy!

If you want to sit there and be a "small buyer" like they did last year with Cuas/Candelario, then go ahead. We're in the same boat as we were last year. We're just an average baseball team. We're thankful to win both games against the White Sox. The way we played against the White Sox, which to me was bad. Cubs are 7-15 in their last 22 games, which includes the two wins against the White Sox. Could easily be 6-16. There's not a player in the trading market that would put the Cubs in the same level as Philadelphia and LA Dodgers. Bregman? Maybe because he would fill a need at 3rd defensively, but his offense is a little down this year. Alonso? Yes but don't see the Cubs willing to give up a good prospect for a rental, I think he'll end up in Seattle. Luis Robert? Heck no because you know he's injury prone, while striking out 33% of the time and he never walks. Hasn't walked 90 times yet and he's approaching 1,500 at bats.

This is where not going on a "full" rebuild like what the Cubs did in the early 2010's and what Baltimore just went through, is getting the Cubs. Field a competitive team by signing Happ and Suzuki to make the fans happy, but the team isn't good enough this year to be "buyers" in the trading market. So what do they do? You can even add Matt Shaw on the list for 2025. James Triantos and Shaw are both in Tennessee. They're both top 60 prospects according to mlb.com. Shaw was getting a lot of playing time at second base, but he's moving to third and they let Triantos play 2nd base. They're going to have to make trades in the offseason just to fix the numbers when it comes to the roster. They'll be even more in a jam next year when Triantos is in Iowa, and Shaw will be one of those "Iowa for a few weeks, then in Chicago" type of prospect to start the season. Moises Ballesteros will be added to that list if he is still producing.

I would love to see Bellinger in Baltimore. Mullins is hitting .173 for the Orioles. Hope to get Samuel Basallo in return, which is the #13 overall prospect. Not sure how Baltimore feels about that.

Absolutely no way the Cubs trade for him. Robert Jr. is a "good player" but he is not going to elevate the Cubs to a new level. It'll be nonsense for the White Sox to trade for him, but if there's a package that's too good to ignore, then trade him. Banking on last years success.

He won't be DFA'd until at least July 10, because that's when he 10 year service time comes in effect, which I know is a big deal to players. I don't think the Cubs organization is just going to cut him loose now knowing that achievement is coming up. Would I DFA Hendricks? Yes knowing Roberts and Arias are in the minors. We've definitely seen teams do the professional route when it comes to awards, whether if it's Pujols 700 home run count or Wainwright's 200 wins. That stuff happens.

He's known for not being good. Needless to say, it's not surprising. I do wish Marquee gets rid of the box because it's not accurate.

Learned this while watching minor league baseball in Tennessee. I do believe there is no such thing as a "lightning delay."

Ohhh Lighting is apparently the reason why

What's going on? Where did all the fans behind home plate go?

As great as that sounds, he is still hitting .195. We'll find out in two months whether if he was just a "bad luck" hitter early on, or a guy that hits below .250 and plays bad defense.

Toronto was very smart putting Vlad Guerrero Jr. at 3rd base yesterday. Doesn't hurt trade value because he's normally a 1st baseman, but it could increase it in someway. I do agree, I'll wait until the All-Star break for sure. With that being said, there are prospects that are knocking on the door soon. It appears Morel can be involved in a trade piece in someway, especially if they go selling. The players aren't playing good enough to be "buyers" but we have a farm system that is in a "buying" need from the MLB level. Surplus of players. Wouldn't shock me if Shaw, Alcantara, and Triantos are all in Iowa in August.

Okay! I wasn't aware of that. It seems the Cubs are in a mess in the outfield corner position now. Defiantly will be in 2025.

Do you see Jed moving on from Suzuki and Morel because those players are blocking prospects? Can't move Happ due to a no-trade clause, and Morel is the worst defensive 3rd baseman in baseball and batting below .200 and below .700 OPS.