No to Alonso. Yes to Bellinger and Soto.
***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
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FO will look to add with the least amount of cost prospect wise. Bellinger and Yamamoto are the best possible signing. After that they can get a reliever for a moderate prospect. Leaving one more bat to get. If they only have to deal draft capital for one stud it's a win.
Was hoping Andy Green was one of these
Chicago Cubs Reportedly Parting Ways With Two Members of the Coaching Staff - Bleacher Nation
Chicago Cubs Reportedly Parting Ways With Two Members of the Coaching Staff - Bleacher Nation
Seems like scapegoats for the pitching staff. FO kept sending Thompson up who appeared to be unusable. Then they get Little who checked all the boxes but they still road the vets into the ground.
Arizona is the perfect example of why you always go for a shot at the playoffs over selling off.
They only won 84 games and wouldn't have made it if not for the Cubs incompetence and now look at them.
They only won 84 games and wouldn't have made it if not for the Cubs incompetence and now look at them.
I don't know what happened to Thompson this year as he was so good out of the bullpen in 2022. Saw him in Iowa once or twice this summer and in one 2 inning outing he gave up like 5 runs and couldn't throw a strike. Seems like they have some guys in the AAA level right now that have some good stuff and velocity but struggle with control. Rucker is a good example as he's looked good at Iowa at times but then craps the bed when he has had his shots in Chicago. Estrada, Palencia, and Thompson kind of in that same category too.
Dbacks were 7 games over .500 at the deadline and 9 games ahead of the Cubs at the all star break.
The Marquee Network put out a "First Base Preview" for their "State of the Cubs" and mentioned Cody Bellinger as a potential solution, but no mention of potentially trading for anyone, and even says if they don't get Bellinger back, they may have to look internally for a solution.
I find this interesting given the Marquee Network is owned by the Cubs.
Another note from Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors - He believes based on last years performance alone, Cody Bellinger would be looking at a $150 million contract. But given the name recognition and former MVP status, he'll be looking at closer to $250 million.
My gut feeling says the price will take us out and that Bellinger ultimately wants to be in the outfield and we won't be able to lock it down. Either way, the current roster requires two more impact bats and I would be ecstatic if Belli wanted to make the north side home.
I find this interesting given the Marquee Network is owned by the Cubs.
Another note from Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors - He believes based on last years performance alone, Cody Bellinger would be looking at a $150 million contract. But given the name recognition and former MVP status, he'll be looking at closer to $250 million.
My gut feeling says the price will take us out and that Bellinger ultimately wants to be in the outfield and we won't be able to lock it down. Either way, the current roster requires two more impact bats and I would be ecstatic if Belli wanted to make the north side home.
I don't see them selling the farm for Alonso either. Mets probably going to have a hefty asking price and I'm not sure if Alonso is they type of player you want to commit big long term dollars too either if you could sign him to an extension as part of the deal. Would rather make our best offer to Belli and even then still hope he's turned it around where this year is more of the norm going forward and not more of the past few years that led the Dodgers to cut bait. When the Cubs signed Heyward he was coming off a pretty good year but he didn't maintain that and same with Soriano so naturally as Cubs fans signing guys to big long term deals after a big season is going to come with some concerns. Not saying the Cubs shouldn't but they type of players they target for big deals needs to be more calculated. I think signing Swanson was a good move but on the flip side they probably overreached a bit on the Taillion deal too.
Add another bullpen arm to the Free Agent List for this winter:
Michael Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday, the Cubs revealed to reporters (including Patrick Mooney of The Athletic). He is expected to miss the entire 2024 season.
www.mlbtraderumors.com
Michael Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday, the Cubs revealed to reporters (including Patrick Mooney of The Athletic). He is expected to miss the entire 2024 season.
Michael Fulmer Expected To Miss 2024 After Undergoing Elbow Surgery
Cubs pitcher Michael Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday.
www.mlbtraderumors.com
Im confused why the Cubs announced this since Fulmer was already going to be a FA. I wonder if the Cubs are interested in signing him to a 2 year deal to cover his injury and then have him for cheap the following year.Add another bullpen arm to the Free Agent List for this winter:
Michael Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday, the Cubs revealed to reporters (including Patrick Mooney of The Athletic). He is expected to miss the entire 2024 season.
Michael Fulmer Expected To Miss 2024 After Undergoing Elbow Surgery
Cubs pitcher Michael Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday.
No to Bellinger. He had one hot month. Stay away.
No to Alonso. HRs alone don't provide enough value. Schwarber. Joey Gallo. Dave Kingman. Etc...
Yes to Soto, subject to trade capital cost.
Yes to the top three imports from Japan this year. Matsui in particular.
Hoping Stroman opts out. Indifferent about Hendricks. No on all of the injured relievers.
No to Alonso. HRs alone don't provide enough value. Schwarber. Joey Gallo. Dave Kingman. Etc...
Yes to Soto, subject to trade capital cost.
Yes to the top three imports from Japan this year. Matsui in particular.
Hoping Stroman opts out. Indifferent about Hendricks. No on all of the injured relievers.
I hate to say outright "no" to Belli. If you can get him at a decent price I'm all for it, if for nothing else his defensive versatility. But I'd agree paying top-dollar for a guy whose been hurt and underproduced in 2 of the last 3 years is not probably a great strategy.
He's still 'technically' under contract until after the World Series and I'm guessing they wouldn't hate working out a deal to let him rehab with them for a NRI to 2025 spring training.
- Ross is heading into a contract year. Hoyer has 2 years left and doesn't want to head into a contract year with a new coach and a with his back against the wall. Hoyer will be more aggressive than we've ever seen him before.
- Cubs have to add 2 impact bats at a minimum. Letting Bellinger walk likely means two big trades because there are no other impact bats on the market. Soto is likely one of those big moves they try, but it doesn't address glaring holes at 1B and 3B.
- My $$$ is IF Stroman opts in, they do what they can to package him and pocket that $21 million to spend on someone they trust can have more influence on the team.
- Cubs have to add 2 impact bats at a minimum. Letting Bellinger walk likely means two big trades because there are no other impact bats on the market. Soto is likely one of those big moves they try, but it doesn't address glaring holes at 1B and 3B.
- My $$$ is IF Stroman opts in, they do what they can to package him and pocket that $21 million to spend on someone they trust can have more influence on the team.
They have the prospect depth to be active in the trade market but I am not keen to sell the farm on Soto when your depth is in OF prospects. Happ and Suzuki are locked in with no trade clauses and PCA is supposed your CF of the future so where does Soto fit in? Would rather take my chances that ay least 1 of Canario Cassie or Alcantara breaks out as a star on a team controlled cost than trade off impact pieces to get a guy at a position of depth already.
I'd be all in for trading the farm for an elite 3B or 1B that is locked in past 2024.
I'd be all in for trading the farm for an elite 3B or 1B that is locked in past 2024.
Bellinger was above average in 4 of the 6 months. July was a great month but he was still really good in April and August and solid in September.
Not saying Bellinger isn't a good player, I think he ended up at what, 4.5 WAR or something? But he's not worth what Boras will demand in terms of a contract. Plus the risk is just so high, let someone else (Yankees?) gamble on Bellinger.
To get a guy like Soto you make it work but I doubt they sell the farm for a guy they'd never pony up to resign.
I still have this crazy vision where you sign
1) Sign Bellinger to cover 1B
2) Sign Yoshi
3) Trade 2-3 to grab Soto. Canario, Alcantara, Ferris?
4) Trade Stroman (save $$) Morel, PCA, Brown, Triantos for Jose Ramírez and Shane Bieber
I feel like the Guardians have to be close to entering a window where they’d like to load up on young, cheap talent because right now they’re Jose Ramirez and a bunch of misfits
1) Sign Bellinger to cover 1B
2) Sign Yoshi
3) Trade 2-3 to grab Soto. Canario, Alcantara, Ferris?
4) Trade Stroman (save $$) Morel, PCA, Brown, Triantos for Jose Ramírez and Shane Bieber
I feel like the Guardians have to be close to entering a window where they’d like to load up on young, cheap talent because right now they’re Jose Ramirez and a bunch of misfits