***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[cycloneman003]

Solves the need of at least one solid reliever, can afford to wait out even longer for some bargains or throw a few darts at the wall with spring training invites and hope to hit one or two. They’ve been historically quite good at doing so, but Neris is a more sure thing and nice to add!

 

[isucy86]

Nerris looks like a solid add, creating a bullpen the manager can have confidence in every arm coming out of spring training.

Alzolay
Nerris
Merryweather
Almonte
Cuas
Leiter


Add in a couple long relievers from non-rotation guys among: Wicks, Assad, Wesneski, Thompson, Killian, Smyly

 

[Cyforce]

Nerris looks like a solid add, creating a bullpen the manager can have confidence in every arm coming out of spring training.

Alzolay
Nerris
Merryweather
Almonte
Cuas
Leiter


Add in a couple long relievers from non-rotation guys among: Wicks, Assad, Wesneski, Thompson, Killian, Smyly

Not to mention
Arias
Brown
Edwards Jr.
Little
Palencia

I'd say we're pretty set.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[ISUCubswin]

Cubs have to open a spot on their 40 man to add Neris.

My guess is Rucker is DFA'd. My preference is we make a trade to open up that spot but if you had one planned, you'd think they would've tried getting that done first.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Bob Nightengale is reporting Bellinger and JD Martinez have not received a single formal offer this winter, while the only formal offer Snell received was for 6 years, $150 MM and turned down because he expects 9 years, $270 MM.

I get Boras is trying to maximize his players earnings, and I respect increasing player pay, but man do I despise being incredibly unrealistic and driving an incredibly boring offseason.

 

[CyState85]

Cubs don’t need bad contracts right now. 7 prospects in the Top 75 with other guys like Mervis, Canario, and Wicks that have already got a sniff of the big leagues.

I think a blockbuster deal with the Guardians is in the works and I’d be just fine with it.

 

[cycloneman003]

Cubs don’t need bad contracts right now. 7 prospects in the Top 75 with other guys like Mervis, Canario, and Wicks that have already got a sniff of the big leagues.

I think a blockbuster deal with the Guardians is in the works and I’d be just fine with it.

That’s precisely when you should be signing big free agents. When you have young cheap talent about to hit the MLB roster, you should be signing proven FAs even if the contract isn’t the perfect deal. Not trading away your prospects

 

[CyState85]

That’s precisely when you should be signing big free agents. When you have young cheap talent about to hit the MLB roster, you should be signing proven FAs even if the contract isn’t the perfect deal. Not trading away your prospects

By bad contracts, I mean long term deals that block talent because of salary commitments. None of the remaining free agents are “worth” more than 3 year deals with the talent coming up. Now if we could do what the Braves do/did and play young talent everyday to see what you have and sign them to team friendly extensions, I’m all for that.

 

[ISUCubswin]

By bad contracts, I mean long term deals that block talent because of salary commitments. None of the remaining free agents are “worth” more than 3 year deals with the talent coming up. Now if we could do what the Braves do/did and play young talent everyday to see what you have and sign them to team friendly extensions, I’m all for that.

This is where I hope our FO can get creative.

Matt Chapman for 6 years, $130 MM ($21.5 AAV) with a player option after years 2 and 4, club option after year 3. If he lights it up after two years, he can leave. If not, you have given Shaw 2 years to prove if he's an answer for 3B or if you need to look outside.

 

[CYdTracked]

Gotta think one of the fringe relievers is the odd man our when they make the 40 man move for Neris unless there is a minor trade in the works. Rucker probably the most logical cut if they have to DFA.

Will be really interesting to see what the remaining Boras clients get. Is this the year Boras finally has overplayed his hand? Martinez especially is at a point where he's going to be on 1 year deals the rest of his career and Snell is not going a deal that will go till he turns 40. Snell and Chapman both seem like guys you guve no more than 5 years too and if the rumor is true about Bellinger too sounds like a short deal may be in his future too the longer he waits.

 

[CYdTracked]

The more I think about it maybe Hoyer was playing it smart waiting out the reliever market then finding some value on short deals. It's getting to the point where the guys left need to find teams soon so they can begin their ramp up for the season so the demands will start to come down the less options they have on the board to sign with. The Cubs lately have never really committed expensive long term deals for relievers which has it's pros and cons. You may pass on an elite guy like Hader but you also don't strap your payroll with an expensive guy that if he regresses or gets hurt you are stuck with him for awhile. Kimbrel was maybe the last closer they went big on since 2016 that I can remember and other than the year they traded him away he wasn't very good. They've gotten by with short deals on veterans or using an internal guy that develops into that role such as Alzolay.

There aren't a ton of relief pitchers out there that are consistently good from year to year and the ones that are usually come at a premium price. Sticking with the short term deals gives you some flexibility to reset your bullpen I guess but the key is you have to hit on some of these guys when you do that otherwise your bullpen is a mess for a year unless you make a trade or go out and spend the next offseason. Also have depth in the farm system now to make the trade deadline deals to shore up the bullpen if needed later.

 

[cycloneman003]

The more I think about it maybe Hoyer was playing it smart waiting out the reliever market then finding some value on short deals. It's getting to the point where the guys left need to find teams soon so they can begin their ramp up for the season so the demands will start to come down the less options they have on the board to sign with. The Cubs lately have never really committed expensive long term deals for relievers which has it's pros and cons. You may pass on an elite guy like Hader but you also don't strap your payroll with an expensive guy that if he regresses or gets hurt you are stuck with him for awhile. Kimbrel was maybe the last closer they went big on since 2016 that I can remember and other than the year they traded him away he wasn't very good. They've gotten by with short deals on veterans or using an internal guy that develops into that role such as Alzolay.

There aren't a ton of relief pitchers out there that are consistently good from year to year and the ones that are usually come at a premium price. Sticking with the short term deals gives you some flexibility to reset your bullpen I guess but the key is you have to hit on some of these guys when you do that otherwise your bullpen is a mess for a year unless you make a trade or go out and spend the next offseason. Also have depth in the farm system now to make the trade deadline deals to shore up the bullpen if needed later.

Hoyer has never given out a multi-year deal to an FA reliever. It would have been a surprise to see him in on any of the big ones out there this year. Getting Neris on a short deal is a great deal.

 

[BigJCy]

 

[CYdTracked]

Hoyer has never given out a multi-year deal to an FA reliever. It would have been a surprise to see him in on any of the big ones out there this year. Getting Neris on a short deal is a great deal.

Probably right on that although sure feels like somewhere they did right? Maybe some 2 or 3 year deal somewhere but yeah definitely not a 3+ year deal in recent memory I can think of. There's nothing wrong with that approach as long as you hit on those 1-2 year deals. If they are all misses then the bullpen is going to be a mess.

 

[Cyforce]

Probably right on that although sure feels like somewhere they did right? Maybe some 2 or 3 year deal somewhere but yeah definitely not a 3+ year deal in recent memory I can think of. There's nothing wrong with that approach as long as you hit on those 1-2 year deals. If they are all misses then the bullpen is going to be a mess.

I'm basically to the point where I'd rather see them spend on an ace like Snell than Bellinger or Chapman.

Give Morel a shot at third if it doesn't work look for someone at the deadline on an expiring contract. . I think Shaw is the opening day starter in 2025.

CF, PCA takes over by June. Tauchman is capable until then.

To add a bat sign Martinez to DH on a one year deal. Then Morel and Shaw likely monopolize it in 2025 when they aren't at third.

The one position I'm not confident in the future is catcher. Amaya is league average at best and doesn't throw runners out. This is where I'd like to see them spend on once Gomes retires.

Looking at each position current/future it makes sense.
C Gomes/Amaya
1B Busch
2B Hoerner
3B Morel and others/ Shaw
SS Swanson
LF Happ/Alcantara
CF PCA
RF Suzuki/Caissie

So I think you solidify the pitching and do very short contracts like Martinez to get by with the lineup. Allowing you to have a rotation like this.
1.Steele-L
2.Snell-R
3.Imanaga-L
4.Horton-R
5.Assad/Wicks/Brown/Wesneski/Taillon

 

[CYdTracked]

I'm basically to the point where I'd rather see them spend on an ace like Snell than Bellinger or Chapman.

Give Morel a shot at third if it doesn't work look for someone at the deadline on an expiring contract. . I think Shaw is the opening day starter in 2025.

CF, PCA takes over by June. Tauchman is capable until then.

To add a bat sign Martinez to DH on a one year deal. Then Morel and Shaw likely monopolize it in 2025 when they aren't at third.

The one position I'm not confident in the future is catcher. Amaya is league average at best and doesn't throw runners out. This is where I'd like to see them spend on once Gomes retires.

Looking at each position current/future it makes sense.
C Gomes/Amaya
1B Busch
2B Hoerner
3B Morel and others/ Shaw
SS Swanson
LF Happ/Alcantara
CF PCA
RF Suzuki/Caissie

So I think you solidify the pitching and do very short contracts like Martinez to get by with the lineup. Allowing you to have a rotation like this.
1.Steele-L
2.Snell-R
3.Imanaga-L
4.Horton-R
5.Assad/Wicks/Brown/Wesneski/Taillon

Some good thoughts there. Not that having a glut of starting pitching depth in Iowa is a bad thing but at some point need to figure out what kind of roles Assad, Wesneski, Killian, Brown, etc. are going to fill and either commit to it or use them in a trade to fill another need on the roster. Are they starters or relief pitchers and then commit to developing them at one or the other and not mess them up by going from starting to relief then back to starting within the same season. Assad seems like he is at his best when used in long relief. Wesneski has a great slider when he's on but he struggles with lefties so not sure if he is destined for the bullpen or just needs some more time to figure it out as a starter. Killian is a guy that really needs to get his control issues fixed else he's going to find himself as a possible 40 man casualty at some point.

One guy you didn't mention is Canario. I would not be surprised if he has a hot spring training and makes it tough not to find some regular AB. We was just tearing it up in Iowa before the call up and probably would have been up sooner if not for the injury in 2022

 

[isucy86]

I'm basically to the point where I'd rather see them spend on an ace like Snell than Bellinger or Chapman.

Give Morel a shot at third if it doesn't work look for someone at the deadline on an expiring contract. . I think Shaw is the opening day starter in 2025.

CF, PCA takes over by June. Tauchman is capable until then.

To add a bat sign Martinez to DH on a one year deal. Then Morel and Shaw likely monopolize it in 2025 when they aren't at third.

The one position I'm not confident in the future is catcher. Amaya is league average at best and doesn't throw runners out. This is where I'd like to see them spend on once Gomes retires.

Looking at each position current/future it makes sense.
C Gomes/Amaya
1B Busch
2B Hoerner
3B Morel and others/ Shaw
SS Swanson
LF Happ/Alcantara
CF PCA
RF Suzuki/Caissie

So I think you solidify the pitching and do very short contracts like Martinez to get by with the lineup. Allowing you to have a rotation like this.
1.Steele-L
2.Snell-R
3.Imanaga-L
4.Horton-R
5.Assad/Wicks/Brown/Wesneski/Taillon

If Taillon isn't in the rotation, I gotta believe he has trade value. The Cubs might have to eat some salary, but should be able to get a useful player for Taillion or within a package with a guy like Madrigal or prospect.

Smyly is another guy where I will be curious where he fits within the staff: starter, long relief or mid-game one inning guy.

 

[Cyforce]

Some good thoughts there. Not that having a glut of starting pitching depth in Iowa is a bad thing but at some point need to figure out what kind of roles Assad, Wesneski, Killian, Brown, etc. are going to fill and either commit to it or use them in a trade to fill another need on the roster. Are they starters or relief pitchers and then commit to developing them at one or the other and not mess them up by going from starting to relief then back to starting within the same season. Assad seems like he is at his best when used in long relief. Wesneski has a great slider when he's on but he struggles with lefties so not sure if he is destined for the bullpen or just needs some more time to figure it out as a starter. Killian is a guy that really needs to get his control issues fixed else he's going to find himself as a possible 40 man casualty at some point.

One guy you didn't mention is Canario. I would not be surprised if he has a hot spring training and makes it tough not to find some regular AB. We was just tearing it up in Iowa before the call up and probably would have been up sooner if not for the injury in 2022

In this scenario my guess is Taillon gets dealt prior to his contract expiring. Assuming Horton becomes a solid starter that leaves one spot for a starter and two for spot starters/ long relievers.

Brown is the guy with the most upside. But honestly he could be a starter, long reliever or set up man.

Assad, is another that's shown he can excel wherever you put him.

Wicks, had a great debut but it remains to be seen if he's going to be a long-term starter. MY guess is he's going to be a guy stashed at AAA to fill in for injuries and added roster spot for doubleheaders for a year or two.

Wesneski, I think he's more likely to end up as a long reliever.

As for Canario. I love the bat but saw him enough in Des Moines to be concerned about him being a regular in the OF. If he can hit like he did in 2022 they'll have to find him ABs.

 

[BigJCy]