Chicago Cubs 2018 Season
Cubs and all the Cubs writers shooting down the rumor, but "barstoolcarl" is sticking by his sources.
https://twitter.com/barstoolcarl/st...io/iframe/twitter.min.html#943961328531714049
https://twitter.com/barstoolcarl/st...io/iframe/twitter.min.html#943961328531714049
Id bet a lot of money that anything barstool "breaks" isn't real.
In fact, its most likely a) a plublicity stunt and/or b) hes just messing around.
South Farms
- near Ogden & Rt 83
The barstool guys take themselves comically serious when it comes to sources and the like. They think they're the bad boys of sports journalism with the strongest insider info. Dave is the same way for the White Sox.
To be real though, they do get some stuff right way before anybody else. The Quintana deal comes to mind. But this dude is way out of his depth on this one.
Also Barstool is a trash publication as a whole, and the idea of them taking one on the chin here is *most* pleasing.
I'd still bet Darvish is officially a Cub before New Years.
It brings me joy knowing I'm not alone.
This off season has been bizarre across the MLB.
MLB trade rumors posted their top 50 free agents at the end of the season. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html
Of the top 11 free agents listed, 1 never became a free agent with Tanaka declining to exercise his option. Of the remaining 10, so far Wade Davis is the only one to sign.
Pitchers and catchers start reporting a mere 44 days from now.
MLB trade rumors posted their top 50 free agents at the end of the season. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html
Of the top 11 free agents listed, 1 never became a free agent with Tanaka declining to exercise his option. Of the remaining 10, so far Wade Davis is the only one to sign.
Pitchers and catchers start reporting a mere 44 days from now.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Wonder if the longer Arrierta is out there, the better the chance he resigns with the Cubs? I’d definitely want to see him back if the length makes sense.
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Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Supposedly the Cubs are willing to go four years for $110 million for Arrieta now.
Shane Walsh
aka "Captain Oblivious"
- Cynthiana, Kentucky
What a weird off season. I remain a big fan of Arrieta and what he brings to big games, but this leak smells fishy. My guess is that the Cubs are trying to drive up the price for someone else. Why else would that info make it public?
The longer this goes, the more I believe they are taking the patient approach and will snag their true target for a bargain when we get closer to spring and agents start getting nervous.
Rumors that Garret Cole is being traded from the Bucs to the Astros.
This is good because it gets Cole out of the League (wouldn’t want him on the Nats for example) and because it presumably removes one of the Arrieta/Darvish/Cobb bidders from the field.
This is good because it gets Cole out of the League (wouldn’t want him on the Nats for example) and because it presumably removes one of the Arrieta/Darvish/Cobb bidders from the field.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
That would make the Astros prohibitive favorites to repeat. Of course, nothing is set in stone but with that offense, they will be hard to stop by adding Cole.
Luhnow just denied that a trade was imminent. So we’re back to nothing happening this offseason.
Not nothing really, but we’re more than a month since the Judge trade and almost that much (2 days shy) since the Osuna trade and there’s been pretty much nothing since.
We’re about 35 days from pitchers and catchers reporting and literally none of the top free agent starting pitchers have signed. The best free agent starter to sign is either Chacin or Chatwood. The best free agent position player to sign is either Cozart or Santana.
It’s like a game a musical chairs where no one is ever stopping the music or removing any chairs.
I know that by the time Playoffs roll around teams aren't concerned about their 4th or 5th starter. But if the Cubs landed any of the names they have been tied to (Darvish, Arrieta, Cobb) they would have one of, if not the deepest, starting rotation in baseball. At that point you either have Chatwood (whose numbers away from Coors have been pretty darn good over his career) or Quintana as you number 5. Without going through all the rosters I would have to guess that those two would be solid 3's on 75% of all the teams in MLB.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Quintana had the best WAR of any Cubs starter last season (assuming you include his time w/ the White Sox). He's nowhere near a number 5. :tsk:
That's my point though. The Cubs' number 5 starter this upcoming year could be ridiculously good, and not just for being the fifth starter.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Surely Quintana would be listed as No. 3 behind Lester and Hendricks right now, wouldn't you think?
Yes, and I foresee him being their eventual #1 this season.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
I've already got Quintana above Lester. With him and Hendricks you basically have 1a and 1b.
South Farms
- near Ogden & Rt 83
I'm not disputing your analysis as far as who, if healthy all year, will probably pitch the most innings. Quintana will likely pitch more than Hendricks or Lester , both of whom rarely get past the 6th in most games. Lester hits his pitch count and Hendricks simply runs outta gas come the 7th.
But of those three pitchers, Lester will pitch opening day , out of the respect Joe has for him , and frankly, Lester has earned. So "officially" Lester is #1.
Now if Arietta somehow comes back to Cubs , all bets are off as to who opens. Arietta is your new #1 in talent and may get the nod from Joe as a thank you for coming back. I would be cool with that.
But back to the original discussion, Quintana will likely be the horse of the staff the next 3 years.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
We're not discussing who the opening day starter is. Your #1 is the ace of your staff. Arrieta has been in a steady decline for the past 2 years. Even if he returns, he's #4 behind Hendricks, Quintana and Lester.