***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
Why did we trade for Cuas? He has no control. He is not better than what we have in minors
Good teams win with the season on the line. We've completely folded down the stretch. It's frustrating.
We'll see. IMO he could be a solid at 3rd. Strong arm and decent glove. Feel the Cubs need to ID one position and have him play/work on that position this off-season. He's only 24, so I wouldn't expect him to be a finished product in the field.
I'll take a streaky player who hits .250 and 25-30 HR's any day. Sounds perfect for guy batting in the 7-9 spots. Plus Morel or another system player will likely need to play 3rd & DH if the Cubs are going to spend money to keep Bellinger and add a solid starter.
The good thing is, Pittsburgh is one of the teams that you can come back on. The bad thing is, Cubs.
My $0.02 on 2024 since I’ve seen it discussed
Im not sure how many people realize we are on our 4th/5th options at 1B (Hosmer-Mancini-Mervis-Wisdom before Belli/Candelario) and 3B (Rios-Wisdom-Mastro before Madrigal/Candelario)
Winning teams don’t take 5 months and go through 3+ options before finding the right “fit” at multiple positions, especially if injuries ARENT why you need different options. In these areas, this was a colossal failure by our FO.
So realistically, what needs to happen?
- Sign Belli to cover 1B/CF and mentor PCA/Mervis.
- Find a 3B TRADE solution. If we can position Madrigal to be the backup 2B/3B and pinch hit with RISP, we are going to be pretty set.
- Sign an ace. Don’t give a **** who.
- Fix the bullpen situation. I have zero issue if you want the bullpen to be homegrown. I do have an issue if that homegrown talent is ****.
Im not sure how many people realize we are on our 4th/5th options at 1B (Hosmer-Mancini-Mervis-Wisdom before Belli/Candelario) and 3B (Rios-Wisdom-Mastro before Madrigal/Candelario)
Winning teams don’t take 5 months and go through 3+ options before finding the right “fit” at multiple positions, especially if injuries ARENT why you need different options. In these areas, this was a colossal failure by our FO.
So realistically, what needs to happen?
- Sign Belli to cover 1B/CF and mentor PCA/Mervis.
- Find a 3B TRADE solution. If we can position Madrigal to be the backup 2B/3B and pinch hit with RISP, we are going to be pretty set.
- Sign an ace. Don’t give a **** who.
- Fix the bullpen situation. I have zero issue if you want the bullpen to be homegrown. I do have an issue if that homegrown talent is ****.
Please sign some relief pitchers who can throw strikes.
Feel like the Cubs do a good job identifying bullpen arms. They took a shot on Cuas being a solid player this season. But probably felt they could develop him for 2024+. His $700k price tag was pretty reasonable.
He's young with multiple years of control. He's serviceable at 2nd. Which with Hoerner covers 2 positions. ((Hoerner playing SS) I think he can get to serviceable at 3rd. Plus he can be an emergency OF. At 24 that's a pretty good bat to have at utility. Not ready to write him off. His bat is solid in the zone. He needs to cut down the chase.
I still haven't heard what the overall plan for Strohman is, but I honestly thought he would of come in there for a few innings.
I think he pitched earlier this week in that 13 inning game not sure how long
My only point of difference is 3B. I think Shaw will be the guy next year. Really don't want to commit to an acquisition that takes away from what we can spend on pitching.
My dream off season
Bellinger, Yamamoto, Hader.
I agree you don't want to have a full-time DH but Morel, Canario, Mervis makes a really good bench.
Final thought on 3B. Tell me who you want, what's he going to cost and how many years will he be under contract.
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Better off telling you what I don’t want - I don’t want to go into a season where we have our fingers crossed that the guy we have marked there opening day can hold the fort down all season.
You look at every bad team we’ve had since 2019, we’ve had holes at at least 2 positions where the FO hopes a guy will pan out
I don’t hate Shaw being there eventually, but I hate going into a season thinking he’ll be “the guy” until he proves he can be trusted as “the guy”
Swanson is having a horrible day at the plate. Bottom of 2nd, runner on 3rd one out, struck out, bottom of 5th, runner on second one out, struck out and killed the rally, bottom of 7th, runner on 3rd with one out, struck out.
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I think next year we'll have Wesneski and Assad in long relief.
Alzolay, awesome when healthy.
Leiter, was solid until lately
Merryweather, been our best down the stretch
Boxberger pretty good, limited sample
Palencia, still young, likely up and down walk issues but hits 100
Little really like what I've seen
Brown if healthy he's dominant
Add a dominant lefty and we're pretty solid.
(Hader???)
Fulmer is s pending free agent. I'd pass on resigning.
That's a pen that can attack the zone.
I just don't think at 3rd "the guy " is out there in2024. Best available??? Candelario and he's been bad since his first few series in Chicago.
It's easy to point out the problem. But throwing money at someone isn't always the answer. I honestly think the best option is go with Madrigal and Morel. See what Shaw does then hope for a better option at the deadline if needed.
Look at our short-term off season moves.
Bellinger, hit lottery
Hosmer dud.
Mancini dud.
Brain cramp on the lefty catcher, dud
I think the system is producing well that we don't need to shop at the discount rack.
Resign Bellinger
Add an ace Snell or Yamamoto
Get a top end lefty for the pen, Hader.
Guessing that will run about 70 mil/yr