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MLB: Chicago Cubs Offseason Hot Stove

enisthemenace

enisthemenace

Well-Known Member
Dec 5, 2009
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Runnells, IA
With the WS over, and congrats to the SF Giants (sorry Royal fans), it's the offseason. Place Cub tidbits here. Nothing new, but I will do my best to get it started here:

Apparently the Cubs and Joe Maddon have reached an agreement, and he will be the next manager on the north side.

John Lester and James Shields look to be pitching targets (said to be, or have been, in contact with the organization).

Addison Russell is playing 2nd base in the fall league. Does that give more credence to the thought that either Castro or Baez will be traded (my guess would be for another arm)?
 
Must've missed the Russell news.

Kind of shocked, considering they said he's an amazing defensive shortstop.

I think it's a move to keep Castro happy.

Now I plan on Baez moving to third or OF this offseason, assuming Russell comes up at some point next year.
 
ISUCubswin said:
Must've missed the Russell news.

Kind of shocked, considering they said he's an amazing defensive shortstop.

I think it's a move to keep Castro happy.

Now I plan on Baez moving to third or OF this offseason, assuming Russell comes up at some point next year.
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He's playing 2b because another team sent a ss and demanded that he play ss. Keith Law was talking about this a couple weeks ago.

Russell is the best defensive SS we have by far, he's not switching positions.
 
I don't think the Cubs will be trading any of their elite guys this offseason. They have the resources to add talent through free agency and don't need to give up any of their top prospects.
 
CyJack13 said:
I don't think the Cubs will be trading any of their elite guys this offseason. They have the resources to add talent through free agency and don't need to give up any of their top prospects.
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Too early to trade any of them. You can't trade one of Baez, Russell, or Castro until you know if the two you keep can be productive big leagers.

I still think Castro moves to leftfield by the end of the year
 
I think there are too many mouths to feed in San Fran, especially coming off a WS title, and the Cubs should be taking note. Panik, Posey, Sandavol, Pence, Crawford, Bum, Peavy, Hudson, Lincecum, etc. I could see the front office dealing a young pitching prospect and $$ for the right position player.

Caveat: I have know idea where those San Fran players are in their respective contracts. This is just MO.
 
mkcrawford said:
I think there are too many mouths to feed in San Fran, especially coming off a WS title, and the Cubs should be taking note. Panik, Posey, Sandavol, Pence, Crawford, Bum, Peavy, Hudson, Lincecum, etc. I could see the front office dealing a young pitching prospect and $$ for the right position player.

Caveat: I have know idea where those San Fran players are in their respective contracts. This is just MO.
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Bumgarner is locked up for a while on the cheap. No way they're dealing him.

The big free agent is Sandoval who they've tried unsuccessfully to re-sign. He'll be expensive, but the cubs don't need 3B that much.
 
Clark said:
Too early to trade any of them. You can't trade one of Baez, Russell, or Castro until you know if the two you keep can be productive big leagers.

I still think Castro moves to leftfield by the end of the year
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I can't see Castro moving to left in any scenario. He loses a lot of his value if he becomes a corner OF, I think Bryant moves there if Russell comes up and the Cubs need another IF spot to open up.
 
CyJack13 said:
I can't see Castro moving to left in any scenario. He loses a lot of his value if he becomes a corner OF, I think Bryant moves there if Russell comes up and the Cubs need another IF spot to open up.
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lol well Bryant loses value too if he moves to left. Castro is older, the most likely of the bunch to get traded, and he's not great defensively at shortstop. If someone moves, I would assume it would be him but that depends on how well Bryant plays defensively at 3b.
 
Clark said:
lol well Bryant loses value too if he moves to left. Castro is older, the most likely of the bunch to get traded, and he's not great defensively at shortstop. If someone moves, I would assume it would be him but that depends on how well Bryant plays defensively at 3b.
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Bryant wouldn't lose much value at all, he's got 40+ home run type power. His bat will hold his value no matter where he plays. Castro is a very good hitting shortstop, if he becomes a corner outfielder, he becomes just an average guy out there. Corner outfielders with 15 home run power aren't that valued.
 
I see Baez being a flame out. I'd package him off in a heartbeat for a middle of the rotation pitcher.

Olt and Lake aren't panning out, but maybe they could have some value out there as a long shot prospect.

This stove is HOT! Maddon alone makes next season interesting. MLB.tv will be on. Is it Spring Training yet?
 
It would be nice if Russell made the team out of spring training and they had a chance to try Castro out at 3rd until Bryant comes up but that probably wont happen because of future arbitration consequences.

Who do you guys think they will target as a veteran outfielder? I have heard Johnny Gomes possibly. It would be awesome if the Orioles didnt give Nick Markakis an offer sheet and the cubs could make a run at him though.
 
CyJack13 said:
Bryant wouldn't lose much value at all, he's got 40+ home run type power. His bat will hold his value no matter where he plays. Castro is a very good hitting shortstop, if he becomes a corner outfielder, he becomes just an average guy out there. Corner outfielders with 15 home run power aren't that valued.
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Bryant is still far more valuable at 3B than he is in LF. You don't move your best prospect to a less valuable position unless he forces you to with how bad he plays the position. That's why Russell isn't moving to second base.

Castro moving wouldn't be a permanent situation because if Russell and Baez both play well, Castro is getting traded next winter because he'll be more valuable to another team who wants him to play SS than he would be to the Cubs playing in the outfield.
 
KnappShack said:
I see Baez being a flame out. I'd package him off in a heartbeat for a middle of the rotation pitcher.

Olt and Lake aren't panning out, but maybe they could have some value out there as a long shot prospect.

This stove is HOT! Maddon alone makes next season interesting. MLB.tv will be on. Is it Spring Training yet?
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Trading Baez for a middle rotation guy is a terrible use of assets. Baez may be a bust but he has tremendous potential, no use in giving him up for a middle of the rotation guy you can easily sign through free agency. The Cubs have had success finding guys like Feldman and Hammels who have been good starters for cheap. You don't move a guy like Baez for someone like that.
 
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