Victor Reichman

Trading Matt Shaw will haunt us in the future. I would have preferred his near minimum salary to paying $175 mil for Bregman, a good player, but who cost us a small fortune. Between the two, I would take Shaw. His fielding is excellent as is Bregman's. Shaw's speed is 2nd only to PCA. He hit 10 Hr in the 2nd half last year. He needs to play a lot more and can play every IF position and likely every OF position. Huge mistake if he is traded. Whoever said his fielding wasn't excellent, didn't watch nearly every Cub game as I did.

Hard pass on the 2 relievers mentioned first. They don't project better than what we already have, which isn't great.

Both Hoyer and the GM have to accept responsibility for the unnecessary signing for big money of Bregman. Normally., a good player, but we had a young 3B in Shaw who was inexpensive and hit 10 Hr in the second half. He fielded his position superbly and his speed is 2nd only to PCA. Now with this inane contract, 32 yr. Bregman signed for another 4 1/2 yrs. He blocks that position from Shaw and Ramirez and can't expect to get much better. That massive contract should have been used on pitching.

We are playing Baltimore starting tomorrow. On Wed. Dean Kremer is supposed to pitch for the O's. We should try to obtain him before that start. He isn't a top of rotation arm, but is good enough to be in our rotation now. O's have almost no chance to make the playoffs.and the price shouldn't be that high/

A better option than all of the above is Dean Kremer of Baltimore who have little chance of making the playoffs

Dean Kremer, Baltimore is coming off the disabled list. He is a mid to late rotation starter with good stuff. Baltimore has no chance of reaching the playoffs. I recommend that a trade, should not be too expensive, to get him now.

This is why the signing of Bregman hurt us badly. Not that he isn't a good player, even tho he has been pitiful with RiSP, I think he will improve. But to block 3B with him, harms development for Shaw, Ramirez and Rojas. All are far more inexpensive with lots of upside. Especially. Shaw if he can play nearly everyday. His speed is 2nd only to PCA

Bregman is a good player but has not hit stride. It was ignorant to sign him for 5 yrs when we have several players that are or will be terrific like Shaw and Ramirez and Rojas in the wings. Here is a novel idea. Shaw did well in Boston and they need a 3B. If he has a no trade clause, see if he would waive it to go to Boston. He is a pull hitter, built for the wall in Boston. If we have to pay a little of his salary, so be it. Either Shaw or Ramirez would be far less expensive. This is what happens when you get in long term, major money deals with Boras.

Suzuki has another problem, easily correctible, that was not discussed. Pitchers try to get ahead of hitters with 1st pitch, normally a heater. That often is the best pitch they will see in that AB. Suzuki rarely swings at that pitch and it puts him in the hole at 0-1 often. I appreciate hitters who work the count and help get starters out of the game. But, they know that Suzuki isn't going to swing at the 1st pitch and that is his downfall. He has power but needs to hit the 1st pitch more often.

Bregman is a good, not great player. I argued before the massive signing, that Shaw who fields at least as well, has great speed and hit 10 HR in the 2nd half was inexpensive and the best option. Not wandering into a Boras long term deal with a player already in his 30's. This may have been the worst deal since Lou Brock. The rental of Tucker comes close. Both are .240-.250 hitters with average power at best. We needed to fortify pitching, not ruin what was a good infield. I do favor the extension for PCA and Hoerner. How has the long term, funny money deal worked out with Swanson?

Rizzo had trouble hitting LHP at the beginning but learned how to hit them. Busch should play daily except for occasional rest. He hit 4 HRs against lefties and how can he improve if he doesn't get real playing time against them. I liked his defense as well. Groom him to hit lefties.

Big gamble. I wouldn't have done it.

Tauchman is a reliable defender in corner positions and usually takes a good share of walks. He isn't spectacular, but was welcomed at Wrigley. I agree with the author.

Absolutely correct article. Hoerner was the overall MVP of position players, especially because PCA had a bad 2nd half. Hoerner was consistent. The Cubs should try to extend both Nico and PCA. Swanson did not have a good year either offensively or defensively. The talk of trading Nico is foolish. If anyone should be traded to a team in need of good defense up the middle it should be Dansby, altho some of his salary would have to be paid by the Cubs. He may have a no trade clause and he still fields well with some power. But, I would easily trade him before either Nico or Shaw.

Totally agree with the article.. He is far too valuable to trade. He should be extended as well as PCA. PCA had a very tough 2nd half, but extending him now makes sense.