***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
Such a ballsy move by Jed, way to go homie! I will always love Ross as a player for the Cubs, what he did with Lester was indispensable for that WS championship. And Ross had many Gomes-like moments with the bat as well! But as a manager, yeah, he wasn't so hot. This is a big, BIG upgrade with Counsell. Short of bringing in the about-to-be-retired Bochy or Tito, I think Counsell is the top manager in the game. I'm reminded of that scene late in the movie "V for Vendetta" when V pushes over the first domino, LOL. A meme would be awesome.
Under $237 MM = No Penalty
$237MM - $257 MM = 20% Tax
$257MM - $277 MM = 12% Surchage
$277 MM - $297 MM = 42.5% surcharge
Anything about $297 MM = 60% Surcharge
$237MM - $257 MM = 20% Tax
$257MM - $277 MM = 12% Surchage
$277 MM - $297 MM = 42.5% surcharge
Anything about $297 MM = 60% Surcharge
Guessing Milwaukee hires from within to cut down on attrition. What are the names he's going to want to poach from his staff?
Guessing the Brewers won't hire Pat Murphy given his age. Wouldn't hate seeing him join the Cubs as our bench coach since he is a legend in the college baseball world, so he clearly knows how to manage games.
I would really like to see us do what we can to keep Mike Napoli around. I've heard a lot of great things about him.
I would really like to see us do what we can to keep Mike Napoli around. I've heard a lot of great things about him.
That Counsell news was a stunner when I saw that come across the Twitter today.
I feel bad for Ross IF he was not the one making the call on Barnhart, Hosmer, Mancini, Wisdom, etc. getting so many at bats throughout the year. That always felt like a decision that was coming from above him. If that was his call, then this is absolutely the right move.
But I’ll always be a David Ross fan and will cheer for wherever he goes next (minus the NL Central or a couple other teams). You can tell he’s a great dude and a guy I’d love to have a beer with. I’m very excited but also sad. Weird feeling
I feel bad for Ross IF he was not the one making the call on Barnhart, Hosmer, Mancini, Wisdom, etc. getting so many at bats throughout the year. That always felt like a decision that was coming from above him. If that was his call, then this is absolutely the right move.
But I’ll always be a David Ross fan and will cheer for wherever he goes next (minus the NL Central or a couple other teams). You can tell he’s a great dude and a guy I’d love to have a beer with. I’m very excited but also sad. Weird feeling
MLB Trade Rumors came out with their ******** predictions in which the Cubs are hardly discussed.
Since it's not my money, here's my 2024 wishlist whilst trying to avoid the 42.5% surcharge.
1 - Sign Ohtani ($45 MM)
2 - Trade for Alonso...and have the Mets pay his whole salary by giving them PCA
3 - Sign Bellinger ($25 MM)
4 - Sign Imanaga ($17 MM)
5 - Sign Yuki Matsui ($8 MM)
6 - Trade the farm for Bieber ($12 MM) and Jose Ramirez ($20 MM)
- Top 3 hitting lineup in the MLB
- You control the Japanese market. TOKYO KABUSU!
- You have a top half rotation in 2024, top 5 rotation in 2025.
Since it's not my money, here's my 2024 wishlist whilst trying to avoid the 42.5% surcharge.
1 - Sign Ohtani ($45 MM)
2 - Trade for Alonso...and have the Mets pay his whole salary by giving them PCA
3 - Sign Bellinger ($25 MM)
4 - Sign Imanaga ($17 MM)
5 - Sign Yuki Matsui ($8 MM)
6 - Trade the farm for Bieber ($12 MM) and Jose Ramirez ($20 MM)
- Top 3 hitting lineup in the MLB
- You control the Japanese market. TOKYO KABUSU!
- You have a top half rotation in 2024, top 5 rotation in 2025.
Smyly opts in, so we can draw in what our current roster would be were we playing a game tonight.
I think a small market may take a flyer on Smyly.
Really need to open a 40 man spot for when the spending spree begins.
Per The Athletic, if he isn’t given the Brewers job, Pat Murphy will be the Cubs new bench coach
Alright, back to reality. I begrudgingly acknowledge we aren't going to sign everyone. So I've been wondering today. With the addition of Counsel who are the acquisitions that best fit his style. First thing that comes to mind to me is bullpen. Is a reunion with Hader likely?
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As bad as the bullpen was I see some decent money being spent there along with a top of the rotation pitcher to take Stroman's spot. For sure think they sign or trade for at least 1 or 2 big bats too. I'm still skeptical about selling the farm for a player unless they are locked in past 2024. Soto and Alonso would be big upgrades but I'd hate to give up one or more of our top prospects for a 1 year rental. If the Padres wanted to talk Machado or Tatis in a deal like that then I'm more interested or if an ace pitcher with multiple years left on a contract is made available that is another scenario that trading a top prospect makes more sense. I just am snake bit still by all the prospect capital we gave the White Sox for Quintana. Gave up at the time the best prospect in the system for Aroldis Chapman which I'm still good with because it was the right move for that team that was ready to compete for a World Series but the Cubs basically gutting their farm system two years in a row and finally have it built back where there should be some guys getting near to contributing in Chicago where if you are going to trade from the farm depth you do it for guys where there is a big long term need that we don't currently have an in-house prospect close to ready at such as 3B or 1B. I get everyone is excited for Shaw but it may be a stretch that he is ready for a shot sometime in 2024 or that his defense is adequate enough to play 3B in the big leagues. Will be interesting to see if they are confident enough to give Mervis another shot at 1B too or want to move on from him.
So many directions they can go with the payroll they have available right now it is going to be exciting to see how it plays out this offseason.
So many directions they can go with the payroll they have available right now it is going to be exciting to see how it plays out this offseason.
Why do people feel Jed and ownership made this change?
I haven't followed the Brewers closely over the years to know Counsell's strengths as a manager. Did Hoyer make this move because of Counsell has a rep of developing young players? Better than Ross at managing pitching staff? Better feel for the game?
A few things stood out regarding Ross' management style:
I haven't followed the Brewers closely over the years to know Counsell's strengths as a manager. Did Hoyer make this move because of Counsell has a rep of developing young players? Better than Ross at managing pitching staff? Better feel for the game?
A few things stood out regarding Ross' management style:
- He gave his starting pitchers a pretty long leash.
- He had a lot of Joe Maddon in him of playing guys at multiple positions. Sometimes sacrificing defense.
- Other than starting pitching, his game management could be very fixed/formula driven. Felt he didn't have a great feel for game (aka go with his gut). This really hit home after watching Bruce Bochy manage in playoffs.
I think it has very little to do with Ross honestly and everything to do with Counsell. If Counsell went to the Mets we would of never even known Ross's job was in jeopardy.
It's interesting to think 8 mil/ yr is a record by a fair amount but it's the going rate for a player with +1 WAR.
LOL, no one is taking that Bogaerts contract, no one. And Tatis is getting paid over 30MM/yr to post a 116 OPS+, with all of his personal foibles as a "bonus"? Yeah, good luck with that San Diego.
Here's my thought for the day.
Ohtani, because that's all I'm seeing today. (45 mil) 10/450 mil
Bellinger, ( under 30 mil) say 7/200 mil
Miley 2yr/ 30 mil ultra ground ball producer.
Gives us a 4th vet plus the 3 young guns with options
Not to mention Horton in 25 and Ohtani
Need to add a couple quality relievers as well
Also we picked up Hendricks option Miley would give you time before you decide on extending him.
2025 could look like
Ohtani
Steele
Taillon
Miley
Horton
with Assad, Wesneski and Wicks for depth.
Ohtani, because that's all I'm seeing today. (45 mil) 10/450 mil
Bellinger, ( under 30 mil) say 7/200 mil
Miley 2yr/ 30 mil ultra ground ball producer.
Gives us a 4th vet plus the 3 young guns with options
Not to mention Horton in 25 and Ohtani
Need to add a couple quality relievers as well
Also we picked up Hendricks option Miley would give you time before you decide on extending him.
2025 could look like
Ohtani
Steele
Taillon
Miley
Horton
with Assad, Wesneski and Wicks for depth.
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I had exact same thought. I was getting tired of looking up at the brewers with 90 some wins and a run differently of 30. Hopefully this is their secret sauce
Christopher Morel Will Be Playing Some First Base in the Dominican Republic This Winter, Potential Long-Term Position
The Cubs might be considering Morel as a first baseman going forward if he looks good.
www.bleachernation.com
If they keep him the best option is to commit to him at a coner infield spot and develop him defensively. He has the power with his bat to play 1B as long as he's not a liability defensively.