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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jul 21, 2024 19:21:21 GMT -5
I’m not ranking any position by need, the Cubs need elite talent, period. I don’t care where it comes from.
Needs: 1. Elite talent 2. Elite talent 3. Elite talent 4. Elite talent
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Post by stratos on Jul 21, 2024 20:58:48 GMT -5
MLBTraderumors says the Yankees and RedSox have checked in on Taillons availability. Neither have a young 3b the Cubs can use but Boston has a 22 year old catcher in AA Kyle Teel who is their #3 prospect that I wouldn't mind the Cubs getting.
Well we have Shaw to play 3B when he's ready, which should be by around ASB next year sans injury. Catching prospects notoriously flame out so that one is tough, but we could still use one.
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Post by thisbuds4u on Jul 22, 2024 4:39:18 GMT -5
MLBTraderumors says the Yankees and RedSox have checked in on Taillons availability. Neither have a young 3b the Cubs can use but Boston has a 22 year old catcher in AA Kyle Teel who is their #3 prospect that I wouldn't mind the Cubs getting.
Well we have Shaw to play 3B when he's ready, which should be by around ASB next year sans injury. Catching prospects notoriously flame out so that one is tough, but we could still use one.
The Cubs do have a young catching prospect in Ballesteros.
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Post by batman66 on Jul 22, 2024 6:59:42 GMT -5
Well we have Shaw to play 3B when he's ready, which should be by around ASB next year sans injury. Catching prospects notoriously flame out so that one is tough, but we could still use one.
The Cubs do have a young catching prospect in Ballesteros. Lots of questions if he can be an everyday catcher defensively though. His bat should not doubt play at the major league level but he seems more destined to be a DH and part time catcher than a guy they put behind the plate 4-5 times a week.
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Post by kfidd on Jul 22, 2024 7:36:16 GMT -5
Pretty much what bat said. I ain’t be no scout or nuffin but everything I’ve read suggests the dream of Ballesteros as a capable MLB catcher is of the pipe variety. But even beyond that, catchers take a seemingly long time to develop. Ballesteros is already at Iowa and the bat seems more than ready (just watching a few videos to make that assumption but the swing is so smooth and the body control is pinpoint). How much time should he linger at Iowa just to try and develop his catching game? At absolute best he makes great strides next year and perhaps some time during the 2026 season he warrants a promotion? Again, at earliest?
I’d scrap the everyday catcher idea now and move him up to be our everyday DH. There is value in having a fluid DH position but there’s even more value in having a young stud bat that could potentially cement excellent production from the DH spot for many years to come. No catching also means less wear and tear on his body which already isn’t in great shape by the looks of it. Give him the chance to be our Big Papi and reap the rewards.
It’ll create some issues once Bellinger comes back and playing time around the diamond becomes a mess but deal with that when it happens. For now I like the idea of finding a long term catching fit over the next week and rolling with something like:
C 1B Busch 2B Hoerner 3B Morel SS Swanson RF Suzuki CF PCA LF Happ DH Ballesteros
There are some intriguing building blocks in there which is about the best we can ask for in this trainwreck of a season.
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Post by rvn11 on Jul 22, 2024 8:41:50 GMT -5
I don't hate the idea of trading Taillon if you can get something good in return. The problem is you still need a guy like that the next few years to be a middle of the rotation guy and innings eater, if you hope to contend. Easier said than done to replace in the current market.
My concern if they do that is they pivot to Hendricks on another year or two.
This team needs to find an elite bat, somehow, some way. The lineup has depth, now it needs a little top end talent to carry it.
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jul 22, 2024 8:51:50 GMT -5
I'm going to stick to my original prediction last month.... Belly, Taillon and Hendricks get traded. Nico a long shot to be traded.
This Brewers series will decide the Cubs direction, but IMO I think it's already been decided. BY the end of the Royals series the nail will be in the coffin.
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Post by kfidd on Jul 22, 2024 8:55:53 GMT -5
I don't hate the idea of trading Taillon if you can get something good in return. The problem is you still need a guy like that the next few years to be a middle of the rotation guy and innings eater, if you hope to contend. Easier said than done to replace in the current market. My concern if they do that is they pivot to Hendricks on another year or two. This team needs to find an elite bat, somehow, some way. The lineup has depth, now it needs a little top end talent to carry it. My concern with Taillon is how over the last year this is pretty much the best version of himself he’s ever been. Considering he’ll turn 33 in just a few months, how much stock are we willing to put into him continuing this pace? If he reverts back to his career numbers (3.92 era and 3.92 fip) do we still view him as someone difficult to find on the market? I’d think not, and generally speaking for guys approaching their mid 30s Im not a huge believer in those outperforming their career metrics so much. This figures to be a strong sellers market and this feels like a great opportunity to capitalize on a guy who is performing at a rate that is more likely than not unsustainable. I agree that they need to replace him with another mid rotation innings eater this offseason and that it can’t be Hendricks. They currently project far under the luxury tax and can explore that in the offseason. But if you take Taillon out of this current group I think we still look decent in the rotation with Steele, Imanaga, and Assad followed by Brown, Wicks, and Horton all as emerging options.
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Post by kfidd on Jul 22, 2024 8:57:22 GMT -5
I'm going to stick to my original prediction last month.... Belly, Taillon and Hendricks get traded. Nico a long shot to be traded. This Brewers series will decide the Cubs direction, but IMO I think it's already been decided. BY the end of the Royals series the nail will be in the coffin. Any word I’ve missed on how close Bellinger is to returning? I’ve seen nothing but radio silence on his status.
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jul 22, 2024 8:57:23 GMT -5
Per Jesse Rogers, "yes I think the Cubs have waived the white flag. Someone within the organization 2 weeks ago indicated they would be sellers. I think this weekend kind of reinforced that. I know the Cubs would lobe to trade Neris and probably Leiter, but finding teams can be tough. I think Taillon trade is possible, but the Cubs would be reluctant to trade a starter under control for 2 years on a good deal. Maybe a position player as well, anything is possible. But yes, I think the Cubs will be sellers."
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jul 22, 2024 8:59:25 GMT -5
I'm going to stick to my original prediction last month.... Belly, Taillon and Hendricks get traded. Nico a long shot to be traded. This Brewers series will decide the Cubs direction, but IMO I think it's already been decided. BY the end of the Royals series the nail will be in the coffin. Any word I’ve missed on how close Bellinger is to returning? I’ve seen nothing but radio silence on his status. They're ramping up the "hand activities" LOL to speed things up but if it doesn't progress quickly they will slow it down, per Counsel.
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jul 22, 2024 9:00:03 GMT -5
Just an FYI.... Jed Hoyer will speak to the media today before the game.
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Post by irishcubfan on Jul 22, 2024 9:13:21 GMT -5
Trade Taillon now prior to another 3rd TJ injury/another injury.
Even Hoyer should be intelligent enough to sell high on a MOR/BOR who is over producing.
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jul 22, 2024 9:31:58 GMT -5
Trade Taillon now prior to another 3rd TJ injury/another injury. Even Hoyer should be intelligent enough to sell high on a MOR/BOR who is over producing. 100% and the teams who are interested are teams who will over pay.
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Post by kfidd on Jul 22, 2024 12:26:41 GMT -5
Pure speculation but with the Braves losing Albies for at least the next eight weeks could Hoerner catch their eye? I don’t know what they’d have to offer in exchange but I’d certainly listen. The idea was posted on BleacherNation.
In general it feels like there are several contending teams that could use a middle infielder upgrade and Hoerner can certainly offer that. Ain’t giving him away or nothing but with multiple years of control, under 30, and a positive presence on both sides of the ball I’d be curious to see where a bidding war could lead. He’s also hot right now. SoooOoOooO
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Post by irishcubfan on Jul 22, 2024 12:33:29 GMT -5
Pure speculation but with the Braves losing Albies for at least the next eight weeks could Hoerner catch their eye? I don’t know what they’d have to offer in exchange but I’d certainly listen. The idea was posted on BleacherNation. In general it feels like there are several contending teams that could use a middle infielder upgrade and Hoerner can certainly offer that. Ain’t giving him away or nothing but with multiple years of control, under 30, and a positive presence on both sides of the ball I’d be curious to see where a bidding war could lead. He’s also hot right now. SoooOoOooO Hoerner for Nacho Alvarez. Imagine the business opportunities spinning in Ricketts head by acquiring someone named Nacho.
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Post by rvn11 on Jul 22, 2024 12:36:12 GMT -5
Pure speculation but with the Braves losing Albies for at least the next eight weeks could Hoerner catch their eye? I don’t know what they’d have to offer in exchange but I’d certainly listen. The idea was posted on BleacherNation. In general it feels like there are several contending teams that could use a middle infielder upgrade and Hoerner can certainly offer that. Ain’t giving him away or nothing but with multiple years of control, under 30, and a positive presence on both sides of the ball I’d be curious to see where a bidding war could lead. He’s also hot right now. SoooOoOooO Braves already went out and got Whit Merrifield. Merrifield was awful for Philly this year, but costs almost nothing. Braves probably don't want to give up what it takes for Nico.
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Post by batman66 on Jul 22, 2024 14:37:19 GMT -5
Trade Taillon now prior to another 3rd TJ injury/another injury. Even Hoyer should be intelligent enough to sell high on a MOR/BOR who is over producing. 100% and the teams who are interested are teams who will over pay. Kind of surprised we've just heard about the Yankees and Boston with Taillon and not Baltimore, don't tell me they are going to sit there and do nothing again at the deadline and just hold on to their prospects. I mean they did great going out and getting Burnes in the off season but they are in a great place , and they have more prospects than positions to play them at which are all already filled by solid young players on the major league level which at some not too distant time they'll be forced anyway to trade some of the major league guys and or prospects, they can't play 10 infielders, lol.
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jul 22, 2024 14:54:44 GMT -5
Pure speculation but with the Braves losing Albies for at least the next eight weeks could Hoerner catch their eye? I don’t know what they’d have to offer in exchange but I’d certainly listen. The idea was posted on BleacherNation. In general it feels like there are several contending teams that could use a middle infielder upgrade and Hoerner can certainly offer that. Ain’t giving him away or nothing but with multiple years of control, under 30, and a positive presence on both sides of the ball I’d be curious to see where a bidding war could lead. He’s also hot right now. SoooOoOooO I don't think so. We talked about this on twitter last night. Nico is a GG 2b and the Braves aren't moving Albies off 2B. Albies is expected back this season, even if it's playoff time. If anything, they'll get a cheap quick fix they don't have to commit to IMO
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Post by Mike on Jul 22, 2024 15:19:15 GMT -5
Taillon, Neris, Smyly, and Hendricks represent 51.5M in payroll. Brown (IL-necks are tricky), Wesneski (just hit IL), Kilian (rehab starts), and up-and-comers like Noland and Birdsell can fill up the rotation for the rest of the year. Hodge and Bigge have starter experience, so they could even piggyback.
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