***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[CYdTracked]

Hopefully Wezniski (sp?)

Wesneski. He's not a not untouchable in trade talks but I haven't given up on him yet. He has a filthy slider when he throws it for a strike. Not sure if his future is as a starter or long reliever yet but it would have to be the right deal to let him go without getting a significant piece back. He's a guy that would have to be packaged if they traded for Soto. Brown and Wicks are 2 other guys it may be better to wait and see before trading. Cubs have some guys that are close that it may be better to hold than bail.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Morel has been removed as a participant of CubsCon

Very well could be weather related if he opted to wait until tomorrow to come in. Could also be something else related.

 

[TClone99]

Hard to beat some good (and very interesting) Cubs news as winter hits its peak suck! Bottom line this organization is loaded with young, cheap exciting talent right now. Also cash to spend. This front office proved in 2015-16 that when it’s time to spend they will. Exciting times!

 

[RivClone23]

I am fully onboard with finally cutting ties with Wisdom. Been ready for that to happen for over a year now. Really depends on what direction they go but if Busch is going to play 3B primarily then Wisdom and Mastro will be the odd ones out most likely. I don't know if Wisdom's new deal still has any minor league options, Mastro likely will be stashed in Iowa. They are only paying Wisdom $2.73 this year so could give him away to a low budget team or just cut him and eat that.

I'm just wondering who the bench infielders are in this scenario as it is today.

Right now you have
1b - ?
2b - Nico
3b - Busch
SS - Dansby
Morel
Edit - I forgot Madrigal

If Wisdom and Mastro are the odd men out, then who else is there?
Also, I'm almost certain Wisdom and Mastro each have options remaining.

I would definitely keep Wisdom over a combo of Mastro/Madrigal. Don't need both of those bats on the bench.

 

[Cyforce]

I'm just wondering who the bench infielders are in this scenario as it is today.

Right now you have
1b - ?
2b - Nico
3b - Busch
SS - Dansby
Morel
Edit - I forgot Madrigal

If Wisdom and Mastro are the odd men out, then who else is there?
Also, I'm almost certain Wisdom and Mastro each have options remaining.

I would definitely keep Wisdom over a combo of Mastro/Madrigal. Don't need both of those bats on the bench.

Morel is ok at 2B so that covers 2B/SS with Hoerner's flexibility.
Assuming we get Bellinger i think.our 13 looks something like this. (PCA begins season at Iowa)

1. Gomes C
2. Amaya C
3. Bellinger 1B/CF
4. Hoerner 2B
5. Swanson SS
6. Busch 3B/1B
7. Happ LF
8. Tauchman CF
9. Suzuki RF
10. Canario OF
11. Morel DH/UTL
12. Madrigal 3B/2B
13. Wisdom, Masterbouni or 3rd catcher or???

Wouldn't be surprised if Triantos, Mervis or Vazquez play their way onto the BL roster this spring

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I actually think this signals that they want Chapman and not Bellinger. Bellinger' projections show pretty significant regression and I can't see them doing 6 or 7 years on him rather than 4 on Chapman.

C Amaya/Gomes
1B Busch
2B Hoerner
3B Chapman
SS Swanson
LF Happ
CF Tauchman/Canario (PCA)
RF Suzuki
DH Morel

I also think there's another starter (Montgomery?) coming.

 

[CYdTracked]

Morel is ok at 2B so that covers 2B/SS with Hoerner's flexibility.
Assuming we get Bellinger i think.our 13 looks something like this. (PCA begins season at Iowa)

1. Gomes C
2. Amaya C
3. Bellinger 1B/CF
4. Hoerner 2B
5. Swanson SS
6. Busch 3B/1B
7. Happ LF
8. Tauchman CF
9. Suzuki RF
10. Canario OF
11. Morel DH/UTL
12. Madrigal 3B/2B
13. Wisdom, Masterbouni or 3rd catcher or???

Wouldn't be surprised if Triantos, Mervis or Vazquez play their way onto the BL roster this spring

Probably not far off depending on the remaining moves they make with free agents or trades. If it's not Bellinger its probably Hoskins at 1B unless the sign Chapman instead then it's Busch there. I think spring training is going to determine a lot on those last 2 spots. I would guess Madrigal will have a spot because he can play 3 infield positions (SS in a pinch being the 3rd). I would love nothing more than for Wisdom and Mastrobouni to completely stink during spring training and someone else just tears it up to get that last spot. Outside of a couple hot streaks where Wisdom hits the bulk of HR he's pretty worthless for about the other 75% of the season when he's striking out and making errors in the field. He and Mastrobouni have no business on the major league roster of a team trying to compete for the playoffs.

If Tauchman struggles he could be cut candidate too when they are ready to call up PCA. He had a nice run last year but historically he's never hit like that in the big leagues so he could be someone that comes back down to earth a bit next season and he does not have minor league options. His defense is fine but can't see them carrying an extra OF if Canario and possibly Bellinger are still in the mix when PCA is called up. These aren't bad problems to have, we're basically nitpicking at fringe roster players at this point and you have to look at it from an outside perspective that if you just flat out cut Wisdom and Mastrobouni what kind of team is going to pick them up and would it even be on a major league deal?

 

[isucy86]

I actually think this signals that they want Chapman and not Bellinger. Bellinger' projections show pretty significant regression and I can't see them doing 6 or 7 years on him rather than 4 on Chapman.

C Amaya/Gomes
1B Busch
2B Hoerner
3B Chapman
SS Swanson
LF Happ
CF Tauchman/Canario (PCA)
RF Suzuki
DH Morel

I also think there's another starter (Montgomery?) coming.

The stuff I've read on Busch's defensive ability sounds a lot like Morel. Most articles project him at 1B for Cubs, so I agree this could signify a switch in Cubs from prioritizing Bellinger to signing first aboard.

Will also be curious if Cubs adding Almonte also means we won't see a push for a top FA closer. And does that indicate Cubs will aggressively pursue a SP like Montgomery or Snell?

If the Cubs do spend this spring, I hope that indicates a willingness to insert a PCA, Canario, Mevis, etc as an everyday position player.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[ISUCubswin]

1) If you want to believe the Cubs current views, Busch will be at 1B. This means 3B is your last unfilled hole, which means Chapman is alive.

2) It's entirely possible this is a false narrative pushed by the Cubs to lower Hoskins asking price and they want Busch at 3B. For the time being, I do not believe this is the case.

3) I am very confident the Cubs will end up spending about $255 MM in 2024. this gives them about $60 MM to play with. Therefore, I believe we still see 2 FAs for $20-25 MM sign AND a trade that features Mervis, and [insert Morel or Madrigal here.

My hope: Chapman and Bellinger are the FA signings, Cubs trade Mervis, Morel, and Wesneski for Luzardo and an RP.

Heyman believes Bieber will not be traded, which I believe means there will be no deal for Classe with the Guardians.

 

[mred]

Also, I'm almost certain Wisdom and Mastro each have options remaining.

The only non-pitchers on the 40-man who can't be optioned are the two catchers (Gomes/Amaya), Dans, Canario, Happ, and Tauchman. Morel has one option year left and everyone else has at least two.

 

[cycloneman003]

Lotta comments in this thread that way overvalue Mervis. He’s simply not going to have a ton of trade value, Morel is the one you might look to be the center of bigger trade and even that would require + plus prospects for any non-rental bigger name

 

[Cyforce]

Lotta comments in this thread that way overvalue Mervis. He’s simply not going to have a ton of trade value, Morel is the one you might look to be the center of bigger trade and even that would require + plus prospects for any non-rental bigger name

And so quick to give up on players. Last year this board wanted to dump Happ and Suzuki. Happ won GG while Suzuki was our most productive bat after returning from his benching.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Lotta comments in this thread that way overvalue Mervis. He’s simply not going to have a ton of trade value, Morel is the one you might look to be the center of bigger trade and even that would require + plus prospects for any non-rental bigger name

Morel will certainly be the main piece. I do think there will be some smaller-market teams that would like to see Mervis solely for the pop of the bat.

And so quick to give up on players. Last year this board wanted to dump Happ and Suzuki. Happ won GG while Suzuki was our most productive bat after returning from his benching.

I wouldn't consider observing that there's no room for a player on a roster as giving up on a player. If there is a 3B, and Bellinger is signed, there is no room for Morel on the roster, unless you'd rather him be a bench piece instead of using him to improve elsewhere. Same with Mervis if Bellinger and Busch are around.

As for the last bit, don't get me wrong, I like Happ, I want him around. He hit .219 with 12 in June, July, August (77 games) after signing an extension that made him a top 50 paid player in the league. There is not one player the last 30 years in this league who signed that big of a contract for their defensive abilities in left field.

I very much look forward to seeing what Happ, who's on-base skills show he's much better suited to lead off and not be a 3 hitter, can do in a Counsell-led offense.

 

[RoseClone]

Morel will certainly be the main piece. I do think there will be some smaller-market teams that would like to see Mervis solely for the pop of the bat.


I wouldn't consider observing that there's no room for a player on a roster as giving up on a player. If there is a 3B, and Bellinger is signed, there is no room for Morel on the roster, unless you'd rather him be a bench piece instead of using him to improve elsewhere. Same with Mervis if Bellinger and Busch are around.

As for the last bit, don't get me wrong, I like Happ, I want him around. He hit .219 with 12 in June, July, August (77 games) after signing an extension that made him a top 50 paid player in the league. There is not one player the last 30 years in this league who signed that big of a contract for their defensive abilities in left field.

I very much look forward to seeing what Happ, who's on-base skills show he's much better suited to lead off and not be a 3 hitter, can do in a Counsell-led offense.

How much 1B has Busch played? I read he mostly played 2B/3B in AAA and I heard comments about his defense in general and they are shaky. Is that the guy you want at 1B and he is ready to start in the majors? He had 72 ABs with the Dodgers this year and hit .167 (ironically the same as Mervis in 99 ABs)

 

[ISUCubswin]

How much 1B has Busch played? I read he mostly played 2B/3B in AAA and I heard comments about his defense in general and they are shaky. Is that the guy you want at 1B and he is ready to start in the majors? He had 72 ABs with the Dodgers this year and hit .167 (ironically the same as Mervis in 99 ABs)

It's important to preface, because I think it's forgotten here and most certainly on social media, it is the organizations intent for Busch to be the "primary first basemen," per Sharma, who is one of the most in-the-know Cubs reporters. .

Busch was primarily a first baseman in college. In the minors, he moved around a bit. Played 4 games at 1B in 2019, 11 in 2021, 0 in 2022, and 11 in 2023.

In his professional career, he has 1 error at 1B in 26 games, while he's had 17 in 74 games at 3B.

The Cubs hitting coach, Dustin Kelly, was in charge of player development for the Dodgers from 2017-2020 and had 2 years with Michael Busch before coming to Chicago, so my guess is he knows a thing or two about the guy.

I do not see a world where the Cubs willingly traded Ferris if they believe Busch is going to be limited to a DH role.

 

[Cyforce]

How much 1B has Busch played? I read he mostly played 2B/3B in AAA and I heard comments about his defense in general and they are shaky. Is that the guy you want at 1B and he is ready to start in the majors? He had 72 ABs with the Dodgers this year and hit .167 (ironically the same as Mervis in 99 ABs)

I remember the Cubs traded for a rookie that hit .141 in 128 ABs from a west coast team. Seemed like it worked out ok.

 

[RoseClone]

I remember the Cubs traded for a rookie that hit .141 in 128 ABs from a west coast team. Seemed like it worked out ok.

Yes. The Padres gave up on him too early for sure.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[ISUCubswin]

CubsCon takeaways so far

- PCA looks like the "after" picture of what 5 years of meth does to somebody
- Tom Ricketts announces Michael Busch and Shota as two recent additions and that there's more to come this offseason. Cubs fans start chanting "Cody, Cody, Cody" and he mishears it as "Cubbies, Cubbies, Cubbies"
- Kerry Wood and Aramis Ramirez make the HOF. Really cool presentation by both their sons welcoming them to the HOF.
- Sosa the notable player left off. A little surprised, as this would've been a great excuse for Ricketts to be able to accept Sosa without saying it's ownerships fault he's being welcomed back in the organization.