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Post by threeandone on Feb 25, 2024 12:19:42 GMT -5
Outstanding news! This is what I have wanted ever since they decided not to trade him at the deadline last summer. He changes that entire lineup and defensive set up. Good job by the front office and ownership to wait out Boras.
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Post by TheChico on Feb 25, 2024 12:28:08 GMT -5
This is really exciting news, really needed Belly back and it is unreal that Hoyer was able to make it happen on a 3 year deal as well, it fits perfectly and if Belly builds off 2023 season he will get his $200+ million contract next offseason.
Now don’t have to lean heavily into the prospects and slowly ease them in at their desirable pace which is another big win.
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Post by nukeslide on Feb 25, 2024 12:37:49 GMT -5
How long does it take for Belli to drop Boras?
He should have been about to at least sign a 5/140m with opt outs after 2/3/4.
Bad deal for Belli, Boras overplayed his hand.
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Post by TheChico on Feb 25, 2024 12:43:24 GMT -5
How long does it take for Belli to drop Boras? He should have been about to at least sign a 5/140m with opt outs after 2/3/4. Bad deal for Belli, Boras overplayed his hand. He will not drop him, he is getting paid 30 million next season and the year after and if he has another excellent season he can opt out and easily get 200-250+ million deal next offseason as he will only be 29 and if Belly regresses back then he still walks away with 80 million.
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Post by kfidd on Feb 25, 2024 12:46:38 GMT -5
How long does it take for Belli to drop Boras? He should have been about to at least sign a 5/140m with opt outs after 2/3/4. Bad deal for Belli, Boras overplayed his hand. He will not drop him, he is getting paid 30 million next season and the year after and if he has another excellent season he can opt out and easily get 200-250+ million deal next offseason as he will only be 29 and if Belly regresses back then he still walks away with 80 million. Yeah, I’m a bit stunned reading the narrative all around that Boras is cooked because of this. As far as I’m seeing it this is a big win for the Cubs for sure but also a great deal for Bellinger and Boras. If the league wide perception of Bellinger is weighted with as much skepticism as it appears to be then a long term deal for Bellinger with big guarantees may never have been in play from anyone. A big AAV short term and opt out laden deal for him to prove his worth and potentially re-enter free agency at age 29 without a QO attached? Not a bad scenario for him at all. It’s just up to him to put the doubters to rest now and he’ll get his bag.
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Post by TheChico on Feb 25, 2024 13:03:19 GMT -5
40 man roster is full and a corresponding roster move is going to be made. There is no obvious DFA guys so expect a trade at any moment.
Mervis is the favorite to be moved, but would not be surprising to see one of the Madrigal, Horn, Hodge or Smyly get moved too
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Post by kfidd on Feb 25, 2024 13:19:19 GMT -5
40 man roster is full and a corresponding roster move is going to be made. There is no obvious DFA guys so expect a trade at any moment. Mervis is the favorite to be moved, but would not be surprising to see one of the Madrigal, Horn, Hodge or Smyly get moved too Yeah, there’s no clear roster spot that you’d feel comfortable giving up for nothing. Smyly would be the easy choice for me as starting pitching depth always has value of some sort and while Smyly is a bit pricey for what he brings at ~10.5m or whatever it is it’s only for one year and he’s a quality veteran swing guy. Madrigal is another clear mover for me as I find him very redundant on this roster with the emergence of Vazquez who makes a butt ton more sense to me off the bench. Something has to give somewhere. I wouldn’t mind keeping Mervis at Iowa but the writing with him is pretty clearly plastered all over the wall now.
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Post by okeecub on Feb 25, 2024 14:50:56 GMT -5
He will not drop him, he is getting paid 30 million next season and the year after and if he has another excellent season he can opt out and easily get 200-250+ million deal next offseason as he will only be 29 and if Belly regresses back then he still walks away with 80 million. Yeah, I’m a bit stunned reading the narrative all around that Boras is cooked because of this. As far as I’m seeing it this is a big win for the Cubs for sure but also a great deal for Bellinger and Boras. If the league wide perception of Bellinger is weighted with as much skepticism as it appears to be then a long term deal for Bellinger with big guarantees may never have been in play from anyone. A big AAV short term and opt out laden deal for him to prove his worth and potentially re-enter free agency at age 29 without a QO attached? Not a bad scenario for him at all. It’s just up to him to put the doubters to rest now and he’ll get his bag. I’m sure Boras is far from cooked, he can still point to 30 million as a nice paycheck and if Belly rakes again things will likely work out for him in the end. Still this almost seems like a prove yourself again kind of situation for Belly and I’m sure it’s not what he or Boras had in mind at the start of free agency. We need to see what his other high priced clients sign for to know if he might have misread the market and overplayed his hand or not. Regardless I believe it is the best possible outcome for the Cubs
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Post by cfin on Feb 25, 2024 17:29:22 GMT -5
40 man roster is full and a corresponding roster move is going to be made. There is no obvious DFA guys so expect a trade at any moment. Mervis is the favorite to be moved, but would not be surprising to see one of the Madrigal, Horn, Hodge or Smyly get moved too Yeah, there’s no clear roster spot that you’d feel comfortable giving up for nothing. Smyly would be the easy choice for me as starting pitching depth always has value of some sort and while Smyly is a bit pricey for what he brings at ~10.5m or whatever it is it’s only for one year and he’s a quality veteran swing guy. Madrigal is another clear mover for me as I find him very redundant on this roster with the emergence of Vazquez who makes a butt ton more sense to me off the bench. Something has to give somewhere. I wouldn’t mind keeping Mervis at Iowa but the writing with him is pretty clearly plastered all over the wall now. I've got to think it's Madrigal that will be moved. Although I suppose a lot of that depends on their confidence level of Morel at 3B.
I also have to wonder if Vazquez has a decent shot at grabbing a roster spot. Would make sense for him to be a late inning defensive replacement for Morel at 3B. And he can cover shortstop that Madrigal can't. Might try to give Vazquez some reps in the outfield just to expand his versatility. He would effectively become the super-sub over Morel, and I think that makes more sense.
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Post by cfin on Feb 25, 2024 17:42:43 GMT -5
While I was ready to move on from Bellinger, I thought it was becoming too much of a circus show, to the point that if Bellinger did come back, it would be at a contract level that would piss him off.
I think there is some saving grace in this contract. I think the Cubs are telling him that they really only wanted him back for 1 year and they were willing to pay him for that one year ($30M), but also give him some insurance in case things don't go as planned for Bellinger.
I'm wondering if there is a no-trade clause attached to the contract. Should Bellinger opt-in for 2025 would the Cubs be able to trade him, potentially eating some salary.
I actually see him playing more first base this year with Morel at 3B. This gives the Cubs a full year to evaluate Morel at 3B, while hopefully saving some of his errant throws with Bellinger at 1B. Busch probably goes to DH, giving the Cubs a full year to evaluate whether or not if he can hit at the major league level.
Mervis is probably the odd man out here. I don't really see a path for him at the major league level. Unless Busch just falls completely on his face, having Mervis as an option to step in at DH could be a plus. But I don't see where Mervis has a path to making the opening day roster, unless Busch falls completely in spring training and Mervis shows a lot. But I'm wary of reading too much into offensive performances in spring training.
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Post by lajoiesghost on Feb 25, 2024 17:49:34 GMT -5
Suddenly the lineup looks pretty darn good. Amazing what one signing can do.
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Post by Reverency on Feb 25, 2024 18:03:00 GMT -5
Surprised and pleased -- filled that hole and didn't cost an arm and a leg (though from my perspective, I'd personally be happy if someone would give me a hand or a foot of that contract).
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Post by cubbies85 on Feb 25, 2024 18:53:59 GMT -5
Very happy Belly is back. Unfortunately for me I don’t think this salvages the offseason. Cubs still simply stayed put and didn’t do anything to really improve the roster besides hoping prospects and young players take those next steps which they may or may not. Biggest improve move was signing Counsel from the Brewers.
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Post by batman66 on Feb 25, 2024 19:14:08 GMT -5
He will not drop him, he is getting paid 30 million next season and the year after and if he has another excellent season he can opt out and easily get 200-250+ million deal next offseason as he will only be 29 and if Belly regresses back then he still walks away with 80 million. Yeah, I’m a bit stunned reading the narrative all around that Boras is cooked because of this. As far as I’m seeing it this is a big win for the Cubs for sure but also a great deal for Bellinger and Boras. If the league wide perception of Bellinger is weighted with as much skepticism as it appears to be then a long term deal for Bellinger with big guarantees may never have been in play from anyone. A big AAV short term and opt out laden deal for him to prove his worth and potentially re-enter free agency at age 29 without a QO attached? Not a bad scenario for him at all. It’s just up to him to put the doubters to rest now and he’ll get his bag. I don't think Boras is cooked, but the entire situation and taking until games started to get him back to the team almost everybody thought he'd end up with is not a good look. As is not being able to land a current Cy Young winner a contract yet. The Cubs got a tremendous deal and Bellinger didn't get the long term security but he got a great deal for him The thing holding his huge contract he was seeking back is the big spenders went other routes and there is concern if he can repeat his 2023. So if he does repeat his 2023 or betters it , he's in a great place next winter like you said with no QO and less doubt about him being what he was in 2023.
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Post by batman66 on Feb 25, 2024 19:22:52 GMT -5
Very happy Belly is back. Unfortunately for me I don’t think this salvages the offseason. Cubs still simply stayed put and didn’t do anything to really improve the roster besides hoping prospects and young players take those next steps which they may or may not. Biggest improve move was signing Counsel from the Brewers. Although unproven in MLB Imanaga looks like he will improve the rotation and could be a steal at what they got him for, Busch is a legit consensus top 50 prospect and major league ready with the potentail to be a very productive bat. And Neris is a durable workhorse and legit late inning guy so I see a lot of things they improved. But you might be right with Counsell , and I've said it before, he could be one of the best moves of any move any team made this off season that didn't cost 700 million.
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Post by kfidd on Feb 25, 2024 19:38:23 GMT -5
While I was ready to move on from Bellinger, I thought it was becoming too much of a circus show, to the point that if Bellinger did come back, it would be at a contract level that would piss him off. I think there is some saving grace in this contract. I think the Cubs are telling him that they really only wanted him back for 1 year and they were willing to pay him for that one year ($30M), but also give him some insurance in case things don't go as planned for Bellinger. I'm wondering if there is a no-trade clause attached to the contract. Should Bellinger opt-in for 2025 would the Cubs be able to trade him, potentially eating some salary. I actually see him playing more first base this year with Morel at 3B. This gives the Cubs a full year to evaluate Morel at 3B, while hopefully saving some of his errant throws with Bellinger at 1B. Busch probably goes to DH, giving the Cubs a full year to evaluate whether or not if he can hit at the major league level. Mervis is probably the odd man out here. I don't really see a path for him at the major league level. Unless Busch just falls completely on his face, having Mervis as an option to step in at DH could be a plus. But I don't see where Mervis has a path to making the opening day roster, unless Busch falls completely in spring training and Mervis shows a lot. But I'm wary of reading too much into offensive performances in spring training. I like Bellinger back for a year or two like this offers, but the real win for me is that this should set up a really strong chance of Morel being that third base for at least a really extended look to start the year. When you have Swanson’s excellent range helping shade over towards third base a bit (which can happen because Nico can do the same at second base towards up the middle) and Bellinger’s tall and athletic frame saving some potentially errant throws, you can afford to really give Morel all the run he needs. Morel has to prove that the bat can play over the long haul just as he does the glove, and no better way for him to do so than to get that opportunity from opening day onwards. And that supports your previous post about Madrigal, there’s no spot for him. We spent so much of last season being impressed with his defensive work at third base (and well earned at that, he was quite excellent) that many have forgotten about the other part of his game that begged questioning, the offense. 2023: .663 OPS. In 2.5 years with the Cubs? .633! The only thing that might be said in his defense is that he has battled so many injuries that the opportunity for consistent playing time and work hasn’t be there, but that can just as easily be chalked up as another negative for him. His spot off the bench should be taken up by Vazquez where you’ll get an even better defender at an extra (and critical) infield position at shortstop. Chances are he can give you at least similar offensive production as well, but that’s irrelevant. This role off the bench is all about late inning defense and Vazquez is the obvious choice.
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Post by kfidd on Feb 25, 2024 19:41:29 GMT -5
Very happy Belly is back. Unfortunately for me I don’t think this salvages the offseason. Cubs still simply stayed put and didn’t do anything to really improve the roster besides hoping prospects and young players take those next steps which they may or may not. Biggest improve move was signing Counsel from the Brewers. I’m still pretty bearish on the off-season as a whole myself. I do think we’ve improved, just not really enough to the point I’m shouting from the rooftops. The key for me is the rotation, which while I like the Imanaga addition that’s more based on the friendly contract he received moreso than the fit. I don’t think we needed another ~4esque starter so much as a great pairing with Steele at the top and would feel a lot better if we had aggressively traded for that guy (Luzardo? Gilbert?). And while Imanaga is an unknown and could perform more admirably than expected I am concerned about his one notable flaw which historically does not translate well at all from the NPB -> MLB which is that home run rate. History tells us it will get worse and that would not be good. Time will tell though. But I will still call this a win and think the biggest moves we’ve made are the Counsel and Busch additions alongside the commitment to give Morel some run at third base. I think those three moves could pay off some big dividends for us.
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Post by fine09 on Feb 25, 2024 20:58:52 GMT -5
He will not drop him, he is getting paid 30 million next season and the year after and if he has another excellent season he can opt out and easily get 200-250+ million deal next offseason as he will only be 29 and if Belly regresses back then he still walks away with 80 million. Yeah, I’m a bit stunned reading the narrative all around that Boras is cooked because of this. As far as I’m seeing it this is a big win for the Cubs for sure but also a great deal for Bellinger and Boras. If the league wide perception of Bellinger is weighted with as much skepticism as it appears to be then a long term deal for Bellinger with big guarantees may never have been in play from anyone. A big AAV short term and opt out laden deal for him to prove his worth and potentially re-enter free agency at age 29 without a QO attached? Not a bad scenario for him at all. It’s just up to him to put the doubters to rest now and he’ll get his bag. I disagree. No way Belli should have to prove himself for a second year so this deal isn’t a win for him. I am guessing he had a few 5-110 or 6-130 offers but this Cubs deal is better for him with the guaranteed 80 & then get another one if he plays well. Fantastic for the Cubs & just ok for Cody..
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Post by batman66 on Feb 26, 2024 8:24:14 GMT -5
Yeah, I’m a bit stunned reading the narrative all around that Boras is cooked because of this. As far as I’m seeing it this is a big win for the Cubs for sure but also a great deal for Bellinger and Boras. If the league wide perception of Bellinger is weighted with as much skepticism as it appears to be then a long term deal for Bellinger with big guarantees may never have been in play from anyone. A big AAV short term and opt out laden deal for him to prove his worth and potentially re-enter free agency at age 29 without a QO attached? Not a bad scenario for him at all. It’s just up to him to put the doubters to rest now and he’ll get his bag. I disagree. No way Belli should have to prove himself for a second year so this deal isn’t a win for him. I am guessing he had a few 5-110 or 6-130 offers but this Cubs deal is better for him with the guaranteed 80 & then get another one if he plays well. Fantastic for the Cubs & just ok for Cody.. But he should be able to do better than 5-110 or 6-130 if he has a 2024 similar to his 2023. His market was always hard to predict but the first thing we would hear was although he had a great season it was going to be hard for teams to ignore the previous two horrible ones. Now if he can follow up on that 2023 with another season like it , that should erase those doubts and he really should be able to get a Swanson type deal or better I would think. The probable biggest reason he ended up like this is the Soto trade. Everybody pretty much had him in Yankee pinstripes for 2024 almost the second he signed with the Cubs last winter. The Yankees being out crashed his market and Boras could not use them as a ploy and then the other teams who had legit interest , the Giants and Angels I don't think he had any aspirations of playing for either and then the Giants were out and the ridiculous price Boras put on him took the Jays out. Its not the 200+ million deal , but I think it's still a great deal for him. Brings him back to where it seems he wanted to be and 30 million is a nice amount and if he does want to opt out he can and do this all over again , but after this winter and how things went I'm not 100% convinced he's a given to opt out. On the Cubs end of it , there is not one thing I can say that I don't like. For what they are trying to do, this is a perfect deal .
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Post by rvn11 on Feb 26, 2024 8:42:11 GMT -5
Fantastic news to wake up to yesterday. Exactly what this team needs, minus another strong arm. But it's a start.
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