Nolo
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Everything posted by Nolo
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I can understand that. Also I keep mentioning that elite bullpen arm to try and speak it into existence, but I promise I’m not *that* delusional 😆 It’s the one thing I keep bringing up that I want, but don’t really believe will happen. We shall see how everything pans out.
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I am seeing reports that Clay Holmes actually hasn’t officially declined his player option yet and Cubs could be working out an extension that could include that option in year 1. If so, Clay could be had for $12M in 2027 which secures a solid spot in the rotation at a nice discount. I am not getting my hopes up quite yet though. I check MLBPA myself, he isn’t listed as a cubs FA yet: https://www.mlbplayers.com/post/complete-list-xx-b-free-agents
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Cubs have enough money this off season to sign 2 top starting pitchers, an elite bullpen arm, and a corner OF. I think there’s a lot more money on the table than most realize. Even at $260-280M total payroll, that’s a lot of millions to add in one off season. Then when you factor in the possibility of a trade, this can be a very productive offseason. It’s just unfortunate it’s landing on an offseason with such a compressed time period (1 month possibly) and before a season with so much uncertainty of whether not it’s going to be played or a shortened season.
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Exactly, this is my fear. They should have the money even after a Skubal contract, especially on an AAV basis. But I don’t want them to just be satisfied after Skubal. We need a true #1 and #2. And likely a #3 rotation anchor. Skubal would be a great start though.
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Speaking of the man, he’s hitting bombs in the Dominican Republic right now.
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$24M is a good estimate for those two AAV. And I agree I’d take that outfield if they add two high end starting pitchers and a #3 high upside type anchor guy. Then slot Steele/Cabrera #4 and #5 with Assad, Garrett, and Brown as spot starters. Brown to the pen for his main role. Sounds like a pipe dream right now though. But I know it’s doable.
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Pretty sure the Rays have never paid ANY player $20M. I'd take King and Rasmussen or Skubal and Rasmussen heading up the rotation all day.
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I remember he was touted as a 30-homerun upside prospect. He's athletic, has the star/Tatis look, and has the physical capability at 6'6 (could definitely bulk up) and he's 24 years old. What's the future of him on the Cubs? A permanent bench player, trade bait, fourth OF, platoon guy, or a 2027 starting corner OF? A lot of fans are penciling in Matt Shaw in the OF at this point, but what about Alcantara? I know he's struggled with chasing pitches and some discipline, but you know who else had that problem - PCA. They're about the same age too. What if PCA took Kevin under his wing?
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Same here, way too much time. Here’s my $270M roster, not super satisfied with the outfield though.
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Would prefer them to target one high end bullpen arm, it’s all they really need I think the pen has enough options internally but there is definitely a missing piece, another tier 1 type guy, preferably lefty. Tier 1: Brown, Zeferjahn, Palencia Tier 2: Miller, Maton, Rolison, Webb Tier 3: Assad, Garrett, Wicks, Wiggins I am missing a few but that’s 11 arms right there. Doubt Wiggins will be on opening day roster but he’s in the mix for 2027 if he can figure things out.
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For those who like to play GM, like myself, I found a pretty cool tool you can construct the roster, lineup card, etc and sign players, project trades, call up guys, review projected team payroll, payroll tax, player salaries, etc. https://www.dealinthecards.com/gm?team=chc Enjoy! Cubs can construct an awesome roster for $270M (2027)
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I'll start off with my big picture targets, obviously won't get all of these guys but here are the names I'd like considered. Any mix of these would be great. The focus is starting pitching and a corner OF. Let's put Ayers and Amaya behind dish. FA SP: Skubal, Rogers, King, Peralta, Holmes, Peterson, Griffin (preferably sign two of these guys) FA Bullpen: Morejon FA OF: Arozarena, Suzuki, Conforto (DH), Happ (at the right price) Trade targets: Reid Detmers (LAA, LHP), Taj Bradley (MIN, RHP), Joe Ryan (MIN, RHP), Steven Kwan (CLE, OF), or another corner OF not yet on any of our radars.
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1 yr/12.5M with mutual option or buyout or something would be ideal, but I could be way off as well. Not sure if we will get three starters in free agency. Hopefully two solid starters. Might have to get creative in a trade. Names I've heard thrown around Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley, Reid Detmers, etc. I don't want to circle back to "who do we trade for these guys?" ... I'm not sure at this point.
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Yes.
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Michael King just declined his player option
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Oh I wasn't really commenting about Kwan specifically, was just saying some years Wrigley is extremely hitter friendly, and some years it's extremely pitcher friendly, and its unpredictable. IMO that's why diversity in the lineup is important.
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Wrigley winds and HR factor is extremely inconsistent, the two years before last year, it was in the 20-30th place range in HR factor.
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Josiah Hartshorn 2028
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How are we feeling about Trevor Rogers? The more I watch his highlight reels, the more I like him. I don't think he's the ace we need, but he's definitely a very solid #2-3 anchor.
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welcome to the off season.
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Yeah I was wrong on him, I wouldn’t trade Bailey at this point that dude is a unit. The expendables for me are Alcantara, Ramirez or Shaw not both, Sorrell, Triantos, Murray Jr, Kepley. Maybe Kaleb Wing. Maybe Ethan Conrad if the price is right. I wouldn’t consider trading arms like Wiggins, Caple, or Townsend at this point. There’s a price for everything though. Except Ayers and Hartshorn currently untouchable.
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That’s fair enough, just seems like a surplus of minor league OFers with PCA locked up, no?
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Idk if those guys are enough for Kwan, but I’d be okay with one of them as trade capital in general. PCA is locked up for a bit and we’d still have Conrad, Kepley and Hartshorn in the farm.
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Well Skubal is my top target. Skubal + Holmes + Peterson But I need one of Skubal or Morejon. Give me those three starters above and I am okay with no Morejon. But it can start to get expensive when you consider a solid corner OF. I think we can fill DH spot relatively cheap.
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I couldn’t agree more. If you look at Morejon though, he’s 27 and his past 3 seasons have been very consistent. He has a ridiculous K rate and 60% GB rate, he’s a stud. That doesn’t guarantee future success of course, maybe he loves that perfect san diego weather. There have even been talks of converting him back into a starter, but I’m not so sure about if that’s the best route for him. The concern with him I have is he was unavailable the last 3 games of the playoffs due to “shoulder stickiness” (whatever that means). You’re right anything can happen but he’s a guy I’d like to see the Cubs acquire and I’ll stay firm on that. Of course, he’s not the only piece we need, and I think every big market team will make an offer on him anyways. It’s a long shot.
