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Post by TheChico on Jun 26, 2024 15:09:47 GMT -5
This is a lost season but can be a launching pad for the future teams if done right and willing to get aggressive
I would punt this season and starting building towards 2025 and beyond and makes moves to shows that, who knows they could get hot and sneak into the WC spot.
1. Need a 3B? Get aggressive and work out a deal to grab Mayo from Orioles and let him play the final 2 months to adjust to MLB pitching, **potential slugging 3B solved**
2. Call the A's and get Shea Langeliers and give them a package of prospects *Catching situation solved long term**
3. Try to get Mason Miller from A's while at it, he will cost a ton but Cubs will have their lockdown closer for the next 5+ seasons which we know is critical and solves a problem.
4. Dump the guys you don't vision being on the team in 2025 and beyond, trade or DFA whatever works. Clean house and play the kids.
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Post by batman66 on Jun 26, 2024 15:10:14 GMT -5
I can't say Hoyer is good at building up a farm system because players have to prove it at the ML level, something Jed seems reluctant to let them do. Hoyer has given Ricketts a reason to fire his ass with how he has mismanaged the team's payroll. At this point, I wouldn't lose any sleep if the Cubs traded Happ, Suzuki, Swanson and Bellinger and replaced them with Canario, Cassie, Shaw, Triantos and Ballestreros. Hoyer had no problem trading or releasing Rizzo, Bryant, Baez, Schwarber and Contreras, players who helped win a championship so getting rid of players who have done nothing shouldn't be a problem. The Farm is only good if you use it as an assets to to get needs at the MLB roster in trades to take it to another level or playing them in the majors and Jed does not seem in favor of neither right now. And thats what's confusing me now. No offense to a guy like Tauchman , he's sadly been one of their better players and again , I don't mean that as a jab against him , rather everybody else because I expect more from the others but he's not a guy that's going to be part of the future here so why was he taking away at bats from PCA and Canario . PCA I kind of get it , he's clearly not ready as a hitter but I think he needs to take his lumps and learn and adjust up here, not in AAA anymore. Canario is wasting away in AAA and did not really struggle the very limited time he's gotten to play other than a high K rate, he still hit decent enough to warrant more playing time. Jed has traded away some prospects, but hasn't exactly struck gold with some of those deals. I have to give him credit for making the move and landing Candelario for Herz and Made even though that didn't do much and get them to the playoffs because he was a very sought after bat, sadly ranked the best that got traded last deadline. And he did move Velezquez for the disaster called Cuas and he did move a very good one in Ferris and Hope for Busch . |
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Post by thisbuds4u on Jun 26, 2024 15:10:46 GMT -5
I can't say Hoyer is good at building up a farm system because players have to prove it at the ML level, something Jed seems reluctant to let them do. Hoyer has given Ricketts a reason to fire his ass with how he has mismanaged the team's payroll. At this point, I wouldn't lose any sleep if the Cubs traded Happ, Suzuki, Swanson and Bellinger and replaced them with Canario, Cassie, Shaw, Triantos and Ballestreros. Hoyer had no problem trading or releasing Rizzo, Bryant, Baez, Schwarber and Contreras, players who helped win a championship so getting rid of players who have done nothing shouldn't be a problem. The Farm is only good if you use it as an assets to to get needs at the MLB roster in trades to take it to another level or playing them in the majors and Jed does not seem in favor of neither right now. If you look at what Mervis is doing this season as compared to before, what trade value he had, is diminishing. I don't understand Hoyer's logic. Why keep him when it's apparent you have no intentions of playing him? Canario is another one who seems to be in the same situation. |
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Post by irishcubfan on Jun 26, 2024 15:16:38 GMT -5
This is a lost season but can be a launching pad for the future teams if done right and willing to get aggressive I would punt this season and starting building towards 2025 and beyond and makes moves to shows that, who knows they could get hot and sneak into the WC spot. 1. Need a 3B? Get aggressive and work out a deal to grab Mayo from Orioles and let him play the final 2 months to adjust to MLB pitching, **potential slugging 3B solved** 2. Call the A's and get Shea Langeliers and give them a package of prospects *Catching situation solved long term** 3. Try to get Mason Miller from A's while at it, he will cost a ton but Cubs will have their lockdown closer for the next 5+ seasons which we know is critical and solves a problem. 4. Dump the guys you don't vision being on the team in 2025 and beyond, trade or DFA whatever works. Clean house and play the kids. Mayo is profiling as a DH. 3b defense is rather unplayable. |
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Post by batman66 on Jun 26, 2024 15:19:13 GMT -5
This is a lost season but can be a launching pad for the future teams if done right and willing to get aggressive I would punt this season and starting building towards 2025 and beyond and makes moves to shows that, who knows they could get hot and sneak into the WC spot. 1. Need a 3B? Get aggressive and work out a deal to grab Mayo from Orioles and let him play the final 2 months to adjust to MLB pitching, **potential slugging 3B solved** 2. Call the A's and get Shea Langeliers and give them a package of prospects *Catching situation solved long term** 3. Try to get Mason Miller from A's while at it, he will cost a ton but Cubs will have their lockdown closer for the next 5+ seasons which we know is critical and solves a problem. 4. Dump the guys you don't vision being on the team in 2025 and beyond, trade or DFA whatever works. Clean house and play the kids. I'm 100% on board with that and it will cost a ton prospect wise but you are filling your 3 HUGE glaring needs so you move guys you might not want to in order to get them. We don't need 6 OF's and 8 middle infielders so if you have to lose a Alcantara, Canario, C Hernandez, Rojas, Trinatos , Ballesteros etc you do it. I'd try to hold on to Caissie, Shaw and Horton , anybody else and I'd be ok with it because those are guys who can fill immediate holes right now and not prospects like we have that we will have to find room for on the roster. |
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Post by batman66 on Jun 26, 2024 15:22:05 GMT -5
The Farm is only good if you use it as an assets to to get needs at the MLB roster in trades to take it to another level or playing them in the majors and Jed does not seem in favor of neither right now. If you look at what Mervis is doing this season as compared to before, what trade value he had, is diminishing. I don't understand Hoyer's logic. Why keep him when it's apparent you have no intentions of playing him? Canario is another one who seems to be in the same situation. Hitting .228 now , he has no value at all , I did not understand why he wasn't moved the second they traded for Busch. I'm sure there were some teams that had interest in him. Canario is having a solid season , so he's not hurting his value and if the Cubs were going to be buyers I fully expected him to be dealt, but now ......who knows. |
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Post by TheChico on Jun 26, 2024 15:23:20 GMT -5
This is a lost season but can be a launching pad for the future teams if done right and willing to get aggressive I would punt this season and starting building towards 2025 and beyond and makes moves to shows that, who knows they could get hot and sneak into the WC spot. 1. Need a 3B? Get aggressive and work out a deal to grab Mayo from Orioles and let him play the final 2 months to adjust to MLB pitching, **potential slugging 3B solved** 2. Call the A's and get Shea Langeliers and give them a package of prospects *Catching situation solved long term** 3. Try to get Mason Miller from A's while at it, he will cost a ton but Cubs will have their lockdown closer for the next 5+ seasons which we know is critical and solves a problem. 4. Dump the guys you don't vision being on the team in 2025 and beyond, trade or DFA whatever works. Clean house and play the kids. Mayo is profiling as a DH. 3b defense is rather unplayable. Mayo has improved defensively at 3B this season, I don't think he is unplayable over there and it is possible he can get near league average. |
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Post by batman66 on Jun 26, 2024 15:24:03 GMT -5
This is a lost season but can be a launching pad for the future teams if done right and willing to get aggressive I would punt this season and starting building towards 2025 and beyond and makes moves to shows that, who knows they could get hot and sneak into the WC spot. 1. Need a 3B? Get aggressive and work out a deal to grab Mayo from Orioles and let him play the final 2 months to adjust to MLB pitching, **potential slugging 3B solved** 2. Call the A's and get Shea Langeliers and give them a package of prospects *Catching situation solved long term** 3. Try to get Mason Miller from A's while at it, he will cost a ton but Cubs will have their lockdown closer for the next 5+ seasons which we know is critical and solves a problem. 4. Dump the guys you don't vision being on the team in 2025 and beyond, trade or DFA whatever works. Clean house and play the kids. Mayo is profiling as a DH. 3b defense is rather unplayable. Really ? Then maybe nix that one , we have more than enough DH types. Maybe not with his power , but between Canario, Caissie and Ballesteros I'd say a DH is one of the least of their problems. |
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Post by TheChico on Jun 26, 2024 15:34:23 GMT -5
Mayo is profiling as a DH. 3b defense is rather unplayable. Really ? Then maybe nix that one , we have more than enough DH types. Maybe not with his power , but between Canario, Caissie and Ballesteros I'd say a DH is one of the least of their problems. mayo is improving and showing more signs he can hold his own over there, he really made some good adjustments over the winter. If Mayo is crushing the ball and establishes himself as a middle of the order power threat, you can live with slightly below to average defense at 3B. He is not unplayable over there but he will never be great at it. |
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jun 26, 2024 15:47:10 GMT -5
The issue with the "time line" was to add impactful bats while the young guys start to come up. Bringing back Belly, though I'm glad they did, was not a new addition. IT was a lateral move from 2023. Shota and the trade for Busch were the impactful roster moves. That just wasn't enough, and I said that in the offseason. Without Belly I said they were a 77 win team. With Belly back I went 84-87 (peak). With Belly this is looking like a 77 win team. This team has no plan or direction and honestly, this is making me dislike Tommy even more. Bringing back Bellinger wasn't a lateral move as there wasn't anyway Bellinger could repeat last year. More of a downgrade with the same player. Hoyer himself admitted players had to over perform internal evaluations to contend this year. That in itself shows the Cubs aren't really serious about winning. If the Cubs are serious about the actual on field product they need an Epstein type GM/POBO, an executive who can land the top fish. And importantly an owner willing to spend above the self imposed salary cap. If Epstein wasn't around and it was just Hoyer, would the Cubs have been able to sign Lester? We know the answer to that question. That's fine, what I meant was we just signed the same guy the Cubs already had. Epstein left 1 year before his contract was up. He knew exactly what Tommy direction was and wanted no part of it. He knew Tommy wanted to operate like a middle market team and Jed was the perfect guy for that kind of role. Theo is a big dawg and plays at the big boy table. Tommy closed shop and Theo moved on. |
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Post by TheChico on Jun 26, 2024 15:53:58 GMT -5
The Farm is only good if you use it as an assets to to get needs at the MLB roster in trades to take it to another level or playing them in the majors and Jed does not seem in favor of neither right now. And thats what's confusing me now. No offense to a guy like Tauchman , he's sadly been one of their better players and again , I don't mean that as a jab against him , rather everybody else because I expect more from the others but he's not a guy that's going to be part of the future here so why was he taking away at bats from PCA and Canario . PCA I kind of get it , he's clearly not ready as a hitter but I think he needs to take his lumps and learn and adjust up here, not in AAA anymore. Canario is wasting away in AAA and did not really struggle the very limited time he's gotten to play other than a high K rate, he still hit decent enough to warrant more playing time. Jed has traded away some prospects, but hasn't exactly struck gold with some of those deals. I have to give him credit for making the move and landing Candelario for Herz and Made even though that didn't do much and get them to the playoffs because he was a very sought after bat, sadly ranked the best that got traded last deadline. And he did move Velezquez for the disaster called Cuas and he did move a very good one in Ferris and Hope for Busch . I actually really liked the Busch trade at the time and I like it better as the season goes along, he is becoming their best hitter. he is not the middle of the order slugger type but he is a very good compliment to put around a slugger. This is the type of moves I want to see more from Hoyer, these type of moves is the best avenue getting the Cubs into better position long term. Trade guys for a long term assets and then you can use free agency to sign a possible star player or fill other holes. |
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Post by batman66 on Jun 26, 2024 16:00:34 GMT -5
And thats what's confusing me now. No offense to a guy like Tauchman , he's sadly been one of their better players and again , I don't mean that as a jab against him , rather everybody else because I expect more from the others but he's not a guy that's going to be part of the future here so why was he taking away at bats from PCA and Canario . PCA I kind of get it , he's clearly not ready as a hitter but I think he needs to take his lumps and learn and adjust up here, not in AAA anymore. Canario is wasting away in AAA and did not really struggle the very limited time he's gotten to play other than a high K rate, he still hit decent enough to warrant more playing time. Jed has traded away some prospects, but hasn't exactly struck gold with some of those deals. I have to give him credit for making the move and landing Candelario for Herz and Made even though that didn't do much and get them to the playoffs because he was a very sought after bat, sadly ranked the best that got traded last deadline. And he did move Velezquez for the disaster called Cuas and he did move a very good one in Ferris and Hope for Busch . I actually really liked the Busch trade at the time and I like it better as the season goes along, he is becoming their best hitter. he is not the middle of the order slugger type but he is a very good compliment to put around a slugger. This is the type of moves I want to see more from Hoyer, these type of moves is the best avenue getting the Cubs into better position long term. Trade guys for a long term assets and then you can use free agency to sign a possible star player or fill other holes. Yes the Busch trade is the kind of deal he should be making but those guys aren't available very often , it was kind of a unique situation with him and LA. At the point they are at , I want major league ready talent or 2025 ready and not A ballers. |
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Post by TheChico on Jun 26, 2024 16:39:53 GMT -5
I actually really liked the Busch trade at the time and I like it better as the season goes along, he is becoming their best hitter. he is not the middle of the order slugger type but he is a very good compliment to put around a slugger. This is the type of moves I want to see more from Hoyer, these type of moves is the best avenue getting the Cubs into better position long term. Trade guys for a long term assets and then you can use free agency to sign a possible star player or fill other holes. Yes the Busch trade is the kind of deal he should be making but those guys aren't available very often , it was kind of a unique situation with him and LA. At the point they are at , I want major league ready talent or 2025 ready and not A ballers. They are not avalible at that level very often, but you can lure another team to move a MLB ready prospect in the right package and there are options if Hoyer/Hawkins can grow a set. It will cost more then what they traded for Busch but if you are not going to sign a middle of the order impact bat to a long term deal for an example, then you go this route. With the slim amount of teams that will be sellers at the deadline, Jed can increase his leverage by just picking a lane alone, at this point I don't care about making the postseason and should not be the focused on 2024 anymore. Jed really needs to fix the roster issues, having a $230+ payroll to be at best a .500 team after a rebuild is so unacceptable and a firing offense. |
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Post by Mike on Jun 26, 2024 17:01:40 GMT -5
I'd argue that you need to STOP THE BLEEDING to keep fans coming to the ballpark and give yourself a chance THIS YEAR.
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Post by batman66 on Jun 26, 2024 17:19:16 GMT -5
Yes the Busch trade is the kind of deal he should be making but those guys aren't available very often , it was kind of a unique situation with him and LA. At the point they are at , I want major league ready talent or 2025 ready and not A ballers. They are not avalible at that level very often, but you can lure another team to move a MLB ready prospect in the right package and there are options if Hoyer/Hawkins can grow a set. It will cost more then what they traded for Busch but if you are not going to sign a middle of the order impact bat to a long term deal for an example, then you go this route. With the slim amount of teams that will be sellers at the deadline, Jed can increase his leverage by just picking a lane alone, at this point I don't care about making the postseason and should not be the focused on 2024 anymore. Jed really needs to fix the roster issues, having a $230+ payroll to be at best a .500 team after a rebuild is so unacceptable and a firing offense. I LOVE your ideas on who to go after and those three would be a HUGE step forward for the future but I don't have confidence Jed and Carter have the balls to pull of one of those deals, let alone all three. You nab those three and you also don't have to spend a lot on free agents next season and you could maybe put all your eggs in one basket and make a run at Soto. I seriously doubt they will though , but one can dream. |
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Post by TheChico on Jun 26, 2024 17:24:30 GMT -5
They are not avalible at that level very often, but you can lure another team to move a MLB ready prospect in the right package and there are options if Hoyer/Hawkins can grow a set. It will cost more then what they traded for Busch but if you are not going to sign a middle of the order impact bat to a long term deal for an example, then you go this route. With the slim amount of teams that will be sellers at the deadline, Jed can increase his leverage by just picking a lane alone, at this point I don't care about making the postseason and should not be the focused on 2024 anymore. Jed really needs to fix the roster issues, having a $230+ payroll to be at best a .500 team after a rebuild is so unacceptable and a firing offense. I LOVE your ideas on who to go after and those three would be a HUGE step forward for the future but I don't have confidence Jed and Carter have the balls to pull of one of those deals, let alone all three. You nab those three and you also don't have to spend a lot on free agents next season and you could maybe put all your eggs in one basket and make a run at Soto. I seriously doubt they will though , but one can dream. Total pipe dream on my end, I don't think they do any of these and will likely keep their mid game going. |
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Post by batman66 on Jun 26, 2024 17:37:13 GMT -5
I LOVE your ideas on who to go after and those three would be a HUGE step forward for the future but I don't have confidence Jed and Carter have the balls to pull of one of those deals, let alone all three. You nab those three and you also don't have to spend a lot on free agents next season and you could maybe put all your eggs in one basket and make a run at Soto. I seriously doubt they will though , but one can dream. Total pipe dream on my end, I don't think they do any of these and will likely keep their mid game going. Pipe dream is right , but they do have the depth and talent to be able to pull something like that off but don't have the balls to do it. My only hope I'm desperately clinging too is when we seem to pile on them for not doing shit they seem to surprise us , like the Swanson signing, Shota, the Busch trade , Bellinger. |
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Post by bryzzobrist on Jun 26, 2024 20:24:12 GMT -5
If we had to put a number on how many more wins we'd have with top-tier closer numbers in the 9th, what would that number be?
The same as tbe number of blown saves, minus a few? Or add to that number due to situational moments, like coming into the top of the 9th in a non save situation where we're down by 1 run, leading to fewer comebacks?
I see ryan helsley has 1 blown save as the leader. 10th spot goes to bedbar with 3 blown saves. As a team we have blown 17 saves.
By that not perfect but reasonable-ish logic, using our 17 blown saves and subtracting a bednar 3 blown saves, thats a 14 freaking game difference.
Gotta score runs to win the game, but if we cut it in half like there's a 50/50 chance to win if we didnt blow the save, its 7 games. +7 wins puts us close to the brewers. We'd be contenders instead of long shots.
Hindsight is 20/20, but damn. We should've picked up a pen arm the moment alzolay went down, or before.
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Post by batman66 on Jun 26, 2024 20:37:36 GMT -5
If we had to put a number on how many more wins we'd have with top-tier closer numbers in the 9th, what would that number be? The same as tbe number of blown saves, minus a few? Or add to that number due to situational moments, like coming into the top of the 9th in a non save situation where we're down by 1 run, leading to fewer comebacks? I see ryan helsley has 1 blown save as the leader. 10th spot goes to bedbar with 3 blown saves. As a team we have blown 17 saves. By that not perfect but reasonable-ish logic, using our 17 blown saves and subtracting a bednar 3 blown saves, thats a 14 freaking game difference. Gotta score runs to win the game, but if we cut it in half its 7 games. +7 wins puts us close to the brewers. Hell even if you go ultra conservative with the number and say you win 10 of those 17 it puts the Cubs at 47-33 , the Brewers are 48-33 |
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Jun 27, 2024 8:54:46 GMT -5
I'm sorry, but Busch is not the type of player the Cubs should be targeting. Don't get me wrong, he's fine as a Cub, but lets not forget why the Dodgers moved him and it wasn't just about positioning. That being said, Busch has been ok, but the Dodgers aren't regretting that move one bit (neither are the Cubs).
The Cubs need to be targeting game in and game out impactful players. Enough with these middling deals. Starting targeting the big dawgs.
Here are your top 10 wRC+ leaders in the MLB for 2024, in order: Judge, Ohtani, Soto, Gunnar, Tucker, Harper, Ozuna, Profar, Mookie and Freeman. Of these 10, 8..... EIGHT have either tested free agency or changed teams (7 changed teams). This is why the Cubs are where they are. They look for the runt of the litter and hope he grows to be the big dawg.
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