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Post by cfin on Jul 3, 2024 12:53:15 GMT -5
When the Cubs are under preforming at this level when they are supposed to be a playoff contender after a rebuild, then you got to make some serious changes and cannot be closed minded to anything. I don't want to move Steele at all, but everybody has a price tag when you are in last place team. If Steele trade helps solve other long term blackholes and willing to put your big boy paints on in free agency then get aggressive but be smart about it. When it comes to free agency, it's not just the money (which the organization needs to be more willing to spend than what they've shown) but it's also about overall health and well-being of the major league roster and the organization as a whole.
Soto is mentioned a lot as a free agent target (I seriously doubt he leaves New York though). But if Soto were to look at this roster and this organization there's no compelling reason for him to sign here.
This is one reason I've been clamoring for Canario (I might even include Caissie at this point) to get a legitimate shot in the outfield this year. Happ and Suzuki aren't cutting it power wise on this team. Canario might not either. But we know that Happ and Suzuki aren't those types of players. Canario might be. At this point a "might be" is better than a "no." If Canario (or Caissie) can be a force in the middle of the lineup then that helps to entice Soto to sign here.
Add Mayo or some other young, power hitting 3B to go long with Busch and you start to develop a lineup that's more enticing to Soto and other big name free agents.
Soto alone is not going to help this team. If you were to add Soto to the current makeup of this team, he'd get walked every single time he comes to the plate. Because there are no other characters in the lineup that can do anything offensively.
There is no reason for any free agent to sign here with the makeup of the current team - other than money. The team needs to get younger and more than that, it needs to be more productive if you're hoping to sign any major free agents.
Before someone goes off their schtick about Bellinger... nobody else was even pursuing him last offseason. He signed here because there were no other options.
Imanaga... I'll give you that one. I'm not sure why he signed here - but I'm certainly glad that he did. My only thought is that the outlook is a little different from an offense and pitcher's point of view.
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Post by irishcubfan on Jul 3, 2024 12:56:04 GMT -5
When the Cubs are under preforming at this level when they are supposed to be a playoff contender after a rebuild, then you got to make some serious changes and cannot be closed minded to anything. I don't want to move Steele at all, but everybody has a price tag when you are in last place team. If Steele trade helps solve other long term blackholes and willing to put your big boy paints on in free agency then get aggressive but be smart about it. I'm not trading Steele. I get the concerns with being a 2 oitch pitcher but to me he is Jon Lester version 2 and he will find a way. I'd look to extend him, not trade him. There are plenty of other players in the system who can be traded to fill a bigger need. Steele is not one I'm trading unless the O's would part with Holliday and they won't do that. Think the plenty of other players are players Hoyer and company and fans would not want traded. The fat man, Shaw, Caissie, Triantos Horton. Think some of those players could be packaged and would bring back a MOR instead of a TOR, at best a Vlad type. Or trade for other prospects to reshape the minor league system. Would trade Horton in an instant if it brings back a Busch type minor league profile. None of the major leaguers with exception of Steele have much trade value. Moreso clearing roster and salary space. I think Neris is traded, maybe Leiter. I just don't see the plenty of players which can be moved for real returns. |
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Post by batman66 on Jul 3, 2024 13:44:42 GMT -5
When the Cubs are under preforming at this level when they are supposed to be a playoff contender after a rebuild, then you got to make some serious changes and cannot be closed minded to anything. I don't want to move Steele at all, but everybody has a price tag when you are in last place team. If Steele trade helps solve other long term blackholes and willing to put your big boy paints on in free agency then get aggressive but be smart about it. When it comes to free agency, it's not just the money (which the organization needs to be more willing to spend than what they've shown) but it's also about overall health and well-being of the major league roster and the organization as a whole.
Soto is mentioned a lot as a free agent target (I seriously doubt he leaves New York though). But if Soto were to look at this roster and this organization there's no compelling reason for him to sign here.
This is one reason I've been clamoring for Canario (I might even include Caissie at this point) to get a legitimate shot in the outfield this year. Happ and Suzuki aren't cutting it power wise on this team. Canario might not either. But we know that Happ and Suzuki aren't those types of players. Canario might be. At this point a "might be" is better than a "no." If Canario (or Caissie) can be a force in the middle of the lineup then that helps to entice Soto to sign here.
Add Mayo or some other young, power hitting 3B to go long with Busch and you start to develop a lineup that's more enticing to Soto and other big name free agents.
Soto alone is not going to help this team. If you were to add Soto to the current makeup of this team, he'd get walked every single time he comes to the plate. Because there are no other characters in the lineup that can do anything offensively.
There is no reason for any free agent to sign here with the makeup of the current team - other than money. The team needs to get younger and more than that, it needs to be more productive if you're hoping to sign any major free agents.
Before someone goes off their schtick about Bellinger... nobody else was even pursuing him last offseason. He signed here because there were no other options.
Imanaga... I'll give you that one. I'm not sure why he signed here - but I'm certainly glad that he did. My only thought is that the outlook is a little different from an offense and pitcher's point of view.
And Soto is looking at $$$$$$$$$$$$$ and NOTHING else other than getting a record breaking AAV . He'd sign with White Sox if they offered the most money. I'm also not buying that this is not a desirable destination. They had a recent player poll and the Cubs were 5th among the destinations players would like to play for . I believe it was Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers and Cubs . edit my bad, they were 6th or tied for 4th depending on how you want to look at it Atlanta Braves — 12.7% Boston Red Sox — 9.3% Los Angeles Dodgers — 8.1% Texas Rangers — 8.1% New York Yankees — 6.9% Chicago Cubs — 6.9% San Diego Padres — 5.8% Philadelphia Phillies — 4.6% |
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Post by thisbuds4u on Jul 3, 2024 14:32:45 GMT -5
Like 2022, this is the perfect opportunity give players like Shaw, Ballesteros, Cassie, Triantos, Canario, Arias, etc. a chance. This is not a playoff team so it makes no sense to hang on to players like Wisdom, Nido, Mastrobuoni and Bote.
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Post by batman66 on Jul 3, 2024 15:15:58 GMT -5
Like 2022, this is the perfect opportunity give players like Shaw, Ballesteros, Cassie, Triantos, Canario, Arias, etc. a chance. This is not a playoff team so it makes no sense to hang on to players like Wisdom, Nido, Mastrobuoni and Bote. Yep , take anything you can get for those guys to open up the roster for the youth and if nobody wants to give anything release them. People may not think it's the case but teams were asking about Mastro before the Cubs decided to buy last season. I'm not saying you get much for him but he's tradable , and it's not so much the return on these guys , why have them waste at bats on guys that are not part of the future and the kids could be getting some valuable experience with |
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Post by cfin on Jul 3, 2024 15:22:09 GMT -5
Yep , take anything you can get for those guys to open up the roster for the youth and if nobody wants to give anything release them. People may not think it's the case but teams were asking about Mastro before the Cubs decided to buy last season. I'm not saying you get much for him but he's tradable , and it's not so much the return on these guys , why have them waste at bats on guys that are not part of the future and the kids could be getting some valuable experience with Because if they flop in the majors, then Hoyer's darling of a top-ranked minor league system gets exposed as not being very good. |
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Post by batman66 on Jul 3, 2024 16:24:36 GMT -5
Yep , take anything you can get for those guys to open up the roster for the youth and if nobody wants to give anything release them. People may not think it's the case but teams were asking about Mastro before the Cubs decided to buy last season. I'm not saying you get much for him but he's tradable , and it's not so much the return on these guys , why have them waste at bats on guys that are not part of the future and the kids could be getting some valuable experience with Because if they flop in the majors, then Hoyer's darling of a top-ranked minor league system gets exposed as not being very good. I don't know when it happened , but for some reason I guess because we follow them closer these days , but people seem to forget most prospects struggle a bit , sometimes for a 1-2-3 years before they figure it all out and not all become stars and they could still be solid players in time. The bar we set on these kids now is pretty ridiculous. Some take off running and are stars from day one , but it's not as common as we seem to act like it is. And some times they struggle after, look at last years ROY Corbin Carrol , he's hitting .210 with a .301 obp and .612 ops and 2 home runs |
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Post by batman66 on Jul 3, 2024 22:01:01 GMT -5
Not the made up clickbait stuff that pops up on browsers this is from John Morosi on the MLB network
“The Seattle Mariners … are a team I’ve heard a lot with Nico Hoerner in the past,” Morosi said. “They have a young catcher in Harry Ford who could potentially be an option (with) the Cubs looking for catching.”
Yes please , he's 21 and in AA and is the 4th rated catching prospect in baseball and last season he walked 103 times while striking out 109 , this season 45 to 69
The right-handed-hitting backstop will be just 21 for the entirety of the 2024 season and has already shown some serious offensive ability. He has a very advanced approach at the plate, finishing third among all Minor League hitters in 2023 with 103 walks. There’s at least above-average power he’s still learning to tap into, and he can drive the ball to all fields. He’s a plus runner who swiped 47 bags over his first two full seasons of pro ball, and he has 20-20 potential at the highest level.
That athleticism is an asset for Ford behind the dish as well. His plus arm plays well, and he displays the kind of leadership that teams covet from the position, while his agility has helped earn him comparisons to Craig Biggio and Russell Martin. A student of the game, Ford has every chance to be an elite-level catcher in the big leagues who impacts the game on both sides
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Post by Mike on Jul 3, 2024 22:39:54 GMT -5
Throw in Locklear and I'm sold. Busch moves to 2B, Shaw at 3B
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Post by foolforthecity on Jul 6, 2024 8:50:57 GMT -5
Until they are mathematically eliminated…
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Post by irishcubfan on Jul 7, 2024 10:27:25 GMT -5
Cubs have a golden opportunity to recreate Tinker to Evers to Chance type lore on the pitching side. Acquire Ethan Small. Make it a priority Jed as clearly winning isn't.
Little to Small to Bigge. Get it done Jed. Now.
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jul 8, 2024 8:50:59 GMT -5
This was a 100 win team  Per Jesse Rogers, teams already calling on Bellinger. Scouts have been at the games watching him. |
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Post by kfidd on Jul 9, 2024 19:25:14 GMT -5
Shifting the conversation away from Langeliers for a second, how about Harry Ford out of Seattle? 21 years young in AA, not setting the world on fire offensively but more than holding his own with 5 HR, 21 SB and a .757 OPS. His scouting grades on both sides of the ball are plus.
Seattle holds first place in the AL West with their 49-43 record but they have been atrocious offensively ranking as the 4th worst offense in baseball based on runs scored. The fact that they are in first place despite that is a huge testament to how excellent their pitching is. For the offense it’s the same exact problems that were so well documented over the offseason. They need a lot of help, specifically at 1B, 2B, and RF. Could they be intrigued by any all of Bellinger, Hoerner, Happ, and Suzuki? Could a deal be struck for some of our offensive upgrades for Ford and one of their young hard throwing starters like Miller or Woo?
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Post by holycow23 on Jul 9, 2024 19:43:25 GMT -5
Shifting the conversation away from Langeliers for a second, how about Harry Ford out of Seattle? 21 years young in AA, not setting the world on fire offensively but more than holding his own with 5 HR, 21 SB and a .757 OPS. His scouting grades on both sides of the ball are plus. Seattle holds first place in the AL West with their 49-43 record but they have been atrocious offensively ranking as the 4th worst offense in baseball based on runs scored. The fact that they are in first place despite that is a huge testament to how excellent their pitching is. For the offense it’s the same exact problems that were so well documented over the offseason. They need a lot of help, specifically at 1B, 2B, and RF. Could they be intrigued by any all of Bellinger, Hoerner, Happ, and Suzuki? Could a deal be struck for some of our offensive upgrades for Ford and one of their young hard throwing starters like Miller or Woo? Ford would be my number one target. When the Nico to Mariners rumors started to float I was like hopefully the target is Ford. Don't know if is he is on the table or what it would take to get him but yes please. Dont worry about the offensive numbers. He is 21 in double A. |
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Post by batman66 on Jul 9, 2024 19:43:28 GMT -5
Shifting the conversation away from Langeliers for a second, how about Harry Ford out of Seattle? 21 years young in AA, not setting the world on fire offensively but more than holding his own with 5 HR, 21 SB and a .757 OPS. His scouting grades on both sides of the ball are plus. Seattle holds first place in the AL West with their 49-43 record but they have been atrocious offensively ranking as the 4th worst offense in baseball based on runs scored. The fact that they are in first place despite that is a huge testament to how excellent their pitching is. For the offense it’s the same exact problems that were so well documented over the offseason. They need a lot of help, specifically at 1B, 2B, and RF. Could they be intrigued by any all of Bellinger, Hoerner, Happ, and Suzuki? Could a deal be struck for some of our offensive upgrades for Ford and one of their young hard throwing starters like Miller or Woo? I posted earlier in this thread about him and Jon Morosi actually mentioned him for the Cubs. Not the made up clickbait stuff that pops up on browsers this is from John Morosi on the MLB network “The Seattle Mariners … are a team I’ve heard a lot with Nico Hoerner in the past,” Morosi said. “They have a young catcher in Harry Ford who could potentially be an option (with) the Cubs looking for catching.” Yes please , he's 21 and in AA and is the 4th rated catching prospect in baseball and last season he walked 103 times while striking out 109 , this season 45 to 69 The right-handed-hitting backstop will be just 21 for the entirety of the 2024 season and has already shown some serious offensive ability. He has a very advanced approach at the plate, finishing third among all Minor League hitters in 2023 with 103 walks. There’s at least above-average power he’s still learning to tap into, and he can drive the ball to all fields. He’s a plus runner who swiped 47 bags over his first two full seasons of pro ball, and he has 20-20 potential at the highest level. That athleticism is an asset for Ford behind the dish as well. His plus arm plays well, and he displays the kind of leadership that teams covet from the position, while his agility has helped earn him comparisons to Craig Biggio and Russell Martin. A student of the game, Ford has every chance to be an elite-level catcher in the big leagues who impacts the game on both sides |
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Post by holycow23 on Jul 9, 2024 20:34:43 GMT -5
Shifting the conversation away from Langeliers for a second, how about Harry Ford out of Seattle? 21 years young in AA, not setting the world on fire offensively but more than holding his own with 5 HR, 21 SB and a .757 OPS. His scouting grades on both sides of the ball are plus. Seattle holds first place in the AL West with their 49-43 record but they have been atrocious offensively ranking as the 4th worst offense in baseball based on runs scored. The fact that they are in first place despite that is a huge testament to how excellent their pitching is. For the offense it’s the same exact problems that were so well documented over the offseason. They need a lot of help, specifically at 1B, 2B, and RF. Could they be intrigued by any all of Bellinger, Hoerner, Happ, and Suzuki? Could a deal be struck for some of our offensive upgrades for Ford and one of their young hard throwing starters like Miller or Woo? I posted earlier in this thread about him and Jon Morosi actually mentioned him for the Cubs. Not the made up clickbait stuff that pops up on browsers this is from John Morosi on the MLB network “The Seattle Mariners … are a team I’ve heard a lot with Nico Hoerner in the past,” Morosi said. “They have a young catcher in Harry Ford who could potentially be an option (with) the Cubs looking for catching.” Yes please , he's 21 and in AA and is the 4th rated catching prospect in baseball and last season he walked 103 times while striking out 109 , this season 45 to 69 The right-handed-hitting backstop will be just 21 for the entirety of the 2024 season and has already shown some serious offensive ability. He has a very advanced approach at the plate, finishing third among all Minor League hitters in 2023 with 103 walks. There’s at least above-average power he’s still learning to tap into, and he can drive the ball to all fields. He’s a plus runner who swiped 47 bags over his first two full seasons of pro ball, and he has 20-20 potential at the highest level. That athleticism is an asset for Ford behind the dish as well. His plus arm plays well, and he displays the kind of leadership that teams covet from the position, while his agility has helped earn him comparisons to Craig Biggio and Russell Martin. A student of the game, Ford has every chance to be an elite-level catcher in the big leagues who impacts the game on both sides Yep. Well aware who he is. |
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Post by kfidd on Jul 12, 2024 17:39:37 GMT -5
I am not a fan of the idea for the same reasons as were discussed over the offseason but rumors are picking up that Tampa is listening on offers for Isaac Paredes.
Age: 25.5
Free agent: following 2027 season
.263/.365/.464/.829, 15 hr, 50 rbi
He is a below average fielder at third base. Are you interested and if so, what’s your offer?
I don’t like the idea because just like Bellinger his statcast page is all blue. The only thing he’s tapped into more is his launch angle but my god it feels like a matter of time until he flatlines. I do not think the juice is worth the squeeze here but I also have no idea what other third baseman could be available and interesting enough for a big investment.
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Post by batman66 on Jul 12, 2024 19:12:07 GMT -5
I am not a fan of the idea for the same reasons as were discussed over the offseason but rumors are picking up that Tampa is listening on offers for Isaac Paredes. Age: 25.5 Free agent: following 2027 season .263/.365/.464/.829, 15 hr, 50 rbi He is a below average fielder at third base. Are you interested and if so, what’s your offer? I don’t like the idea because just like Bellinger his statcast page is all blue. The only thing he’s tapped into more is his launch angle but my god it feels like a matter of time until he flatlines. I do not think the juice is worth the squeeze here but I also have no idea what other third baseman could be available and interesting enough for a big investment. People were saying he couldn't repeat last season and he's doing it and is young and controlable. I guess it would depend on what they want . Looking at some numbers RISP .309 with an .890 OPS Men on .296 with a .909 OPS 2out RISP ..278 with a .894 OPS Late and close .292 with a .820 OPS High leverage .333 with a .949 OPS I'm big on what guys are actually doing , not what projections show they might do and all those look damn good and were not cherry picked, those are the ones we usually look at and post. |
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Post by kfidd on Jul 14, 2024 10:31:05 GMT -5
Predictive stats suggested he would regress, he hasn’t. They still predict that he will regress. He is quite the gamble. Until we have examples of players who can beat those odds and consistently produce year in and year out despite poor metrics I am not interested in spending big on such a player. They came back to bite both Bellinger and the Cubs and chances are it’ll bite Paredes and his team as well. www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/cubs-reportedly-interested-in-danny-jansen.htmlReports of renewed interest in Jansen. I don’t see any world where it makes sense for us to buy a rental player at this point, the Cubs certainly haven’t earned that faith this season. But also, Jansen has been brutal offensively since his hot ~6 week start to the season. When we were talking about Jansen as a trade target before it was heavily expressed how much it would make sense to grab him then when he was hot, the season was young, and we desperately needed more production from catcher. Only 1 of those 3 things is true now. I don’t see the point in this. If we want to commit resources to a catcher while we are 5 games under .500 on July 14th let it be for one who we can have around for the next several seasons as a legit starter. Not a rental on the downswing. |
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Post by irishcubfan on Jul 14, 2024 12:30:10 GMT -5
Predictive stats suggested he would regress, he hasn’t. They still predict that he will regress. He is quite the gamble. Until we have examples of players who can beat those odds and consistently produce year in and year out despite poor metrics I am not interested in spending big on such a player. They came back to bite both Bellinger and the Cubs and chances are it’ll bite Paredes and his team as well. www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/cubs-reportedly-interested-in-danny-jansen.htmlReports of renewed interest in Jansen. I don’t see any world where it makes sense for us to buy a rental player at this point, the Cubs certainly haven’t earned that faith this season. But also, Jansen has been brutal offensively since his hot ~6 week start to the season. When we were talking about Jansen as a trade target before it was heavily expressed how much it would make sense to grab him then when he was hot, the season was young, and we desperately needed more production from catcher. Only 1 of those 3 things is true now. I don’t see the point in this. If we want to commit resources to a catcher while we are 5 games under .500 on July 14th let it be for one who we can have around for the next several seasons as a legit starter. Not a rental on the downswing. If true, staff including Hoyer only trying to keep job while not serving the Cubs best interests or delusional. |
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