***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[Cyforce]

It’s not that I want to see Canario go, but there are only 4 spots on the field for him, and it seems all 4 seem pretty much taken care of, unless Morel does hold down 3B and Canario becomes our DH.

Suzuki, Happ, PCA, and Belli are locks for spots. The question is do the cubs want to keep him as their 5th outfielder this year or take what he’s valued at now and trade him to a team that might value him as a starter

I wouldn't say PCA is a lock to make the big club opening day. Kids need ABs.

 

[TClone99]

I wouldn't say PCA is a lock to make the big club opening day. Kids need ABs.

PCA will likely be in DM to start the year. As Counsel said the other day he would actually be a college senior this year. Still a young guy.

 

[clonebb]

PCA only makes the roster if Belli has to play 1st base. PCA will start the season in Iowa because him sitting on the bench is Ross like dumb.

 

[isucy86]

I thinks it’s pretty close to the deal Hoyer and Hawkins wanted all along. They didn’t like a long term deal partly because of the potential of PCA and Busch. I think they feel like if Belli kills it to the point that he opts out after this year that they’ll be better positioned to acquire power next offseason. 30 million is a lot but they couldn’t go into this year without another proven bat.

$30M is a lot. But I feel the contract is Cub friendly if Bellinger is a bust. The Cubs are only on the hook for $30M for 2 years.

I look at it this way. The Cubs got $30M out of Bellinger in 2023 season when he hit .307, 26HR and 97 RBI. If he has a down 2024 or 2025, that's in line with his 2023 salary of $17.5M.

 

[Cyforce]

$30M is a lot. But I feel the contract is Cub friendly if Bellinger is a bust. The Cubs are only on the hook for $30M for 2 years.

I look at it this way. The Cubs got $30M out of Bellinger in 2023 season when he hit .307, 26HR and 97 RBI. If he has a down 2024 or 2025, that's in line with his 2023 salary of $17.5M.

He got 22.5 in 2023.

 

[CYdTracked]

He got 22.5 in 2023.

Wrong, he had a 12.5 mil contract with a 25 mil mutual option for 2024 or a 5 mil buyout so he got paid 17.5 mil for 2023.

I'm fine with this 3 year deal as it gives the Cubs some risk management. It wasn't long ago some here wanted to sign him to a 5-7 year deal which reeked of another Jason Heyward mistake. If he has another good year I'm fine if he opts out as they should have a better idea of what they have in house at CF and 1B after this year.

 

[CYdTracked]

Last night I watched the 2016 game 7 special MLB Network did and thought it was well done. It's crazy how Joe Maddon is not talked about more for pulling off one of the biggest win in baseball history. That was an epic game and was interesting to hear from him and Francona on how/why they made the decisions within the game.