***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

The Cubs front office saying they are going to spend is like Campbell saying the OL is looking great in camp and is much improved.

I.DONT.BELIEVE.YOU. I won't believe you until you do it.

Now: "We are going to spend"
In a month: "We are going to spend but are going to be smart" (aka CHEAP)
Yeah, because going all in always works.
 
For those into financials -

MLB CBT Tier 1 is $237 million next year. Go over that, you get penalized financially. Go over it consecutive years, the penalty gets worse.

Cubs were intentional about not going over this year, and the presumption is that was with the knowledge they could go over this year with limited penalty. If they go over this year, they'll go as close to Tier 2 without going over, which is $257 million.

Per Spotrac, Cubs are $83 million shy of $237. Once Boxberger ($4 million) and Bellinger ($12 million) options are saved, we're up to $99 million to spend before the first tier, and $119 million to spend before the second tier.

It's a guessing game, but take into account the $15-20 million towards arbitration eligible players, and I would guess the Cubs are looking at spending anywhere between $80-100 million this offseason for next year.

Bellinger and Alonso alone will only cut into about half of that. You'd still easily be able to afford an ace and bullpen help.
 
The Cubs front office saying they are going to spend is like Campbell saying the OL is looking great in camp and is much improved.

I.DONT.BELIEVE.YOU. I won't believe you until you do it.

Now: "We are going to spend"
In a month: "We are going to spend but are going to be smart" (aka CHEAP)

Dansby Swanson. They said they were going to get a shortstop and they did. Prior to that, I said the same thing.
 
Hoyer also made it sound like there's a chance we decline Hendricks $16 million option with the idea of extending him to a longer contract. We've done this with Smyly a couple of times in the past.
 
Hoyer also made it sound like there's a chance we decline Hendricks $16 million option with the idea of extending him to a longer contract. We've done this with Smyly a couple of times in the past.
Really hope they don't extend Hendricks. His ceiling is solid starter. Unless you can get him at a bargain, say 3 for 30 you're still unnecessarily tying up money you really don't need to.

Not sure why others are so quick to slam our willingness to spend. We added Swanson and Taillon who still may end up being a good sign. Worst thing they can do is put too much long-term capital on risky guys.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: CYdTracked
My guess is it would likely be 2 of those bats and a pitcher. Morel/Mervis/Pitcher is what I'd guess.
If I was Mets GM I would want close to MLB arms over bats for Alonso.

PCA or Canario
and
Horton & (Wicks or Little)

He isn't going to be a Cub trading guys with low ceilings like Wesneski or Mervis.
 
If I was Mets GM I would want close to MLB arms over bats for Alonso.

PCA or Canario
and
Horton & (Wicks or Little)

He isn't going to be a Cub trading guys with low ceilings like Wesneski or Mervis.
That's a crazy asking price. Bleacher Nation said we wouldn't have to part with any of our top 3-5.

Wicks and Mervis seems steep but plausible.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: RoseClone
That's a crazy asking price. Bleacher Nation said we wouldn't have to part with any of our top 3-5.

Wicks and Mervis seems steep but plausible.
I'd prefer giving them Brown over Wicks because Wicks floor is so much higher but could live with trading Wicks.

PCA and Horton are untouchable.
 
That's a crazy asking price. Bleacher Nation said we wouldn't have to part with any of our top 3-5.

Wicks and Mervis seems steep but plausible.
The Mets aren't going to let go of Alonso this off-season for questionable ceiling players. If the Cubs want a 40 HR/100 RBI guy they will need to give up a couple top guys.

After all, Alonso will only cost the Mets $20M in 2024 and they can always trade him at the summer deadline.
 
The Mets aren't going to let go of Alonso this off-season for questionable ceiling players. If the Cubs want a 40 HR/100 RBI guy they will need to give up a couple top guys.

After all, Alonso will only cost the Mets $20M in 2024 and they can always trade him at the summer deadline.
You're talking about a guy with a slash line comparable to Wisdom this year.. If the Mets are that delusional the deal won't get done.
 
You're talking about a guy with a slash line comparable to Wisdom this year.. If the Mets are that delusional the deal won't get done.
If you believe that- keep Wisdom and the prospects and the Cubs come out ahead.

The Mets will have options. The Brewers were rumored to be interested at trade deadline. Plus, the Mets can keep him at a pretty reasonable price and see how their 2024 season goes.

But you have a valid point- he was a .260 hitter up to this season when he hit .220. He's a bigger guy and his age could start showing earlier. So how long are the Cubs willing to go?
 
The thing is, odds Alonso is a Met after next year are low. There is already speculation that they don’t like his asking price for an extension, and it’s believed he’s upset Buck Showalter was fired.

So if the Mets are going to be silly with their demands, fine, they can keep him for a year and then get nothing in return
 
Alonso just switched his agent to Scott Boras. Highly doubt seeing Bellinger and Alonso in the same lineup is going to happen and you almost have to have a deal worked out to extend Alonso if you were to trade him as Boras probably would rather he hit free agency after 2024. Already seeing rumblings that Boras may drag out Bellinger's free agency which is not ideal for the Cubs situation as they probably would like to move quickly on getting a big bat or 2 which could force them to explore the trade market or look at other free agent options.
 
Thinking maybe a double dip in Japan this year.
Could you imagine what that would do for Marquee?
Yamamoto 25 mil
Ohtani 45 mil plus 100k for every inning pitched
Hader 15 mil

Give Morel a shot to be in the mix at 1B.
 
Cubs are now rumored to be in on Juan Soto. Don't get me wrong, Alonso and Soto in a lineup is pretty damn salty, but I'm not sure how I'd feel of giving up your farm for 2 rentals who will most certainly hit free agency because of their agent.

I wouldn't hate the idea of giving up the farm for Soto and then calling the Guardians for Ramirez/Bieber and sending the farm in that situation.

But getting involved in the Soto rumors tells me Bellinger is probably a goner
 
Cubs are now rumored to be in on Juan Soto. Don't get me wrong, Alonso and Soto in a lineup is pretty damn salty, but I'm not sure how I'd feel of giving up your farm for 2 rentals who will most certainly hit free agency because of their agent.

I wouldn't hate the idea of giving up the farm for Soto and then calling the Guardians for Ramirez/Bieber and sending the farm in that situation.

But getting involved in the Soto rumors tells me Bellinger is probably a goner

Just pretend it's Soto AND Bellinger.
 

Help Support Us

Become a patron