Was just about to ask the Cubs fans on here which they would prefer to have happen with Arrieta at this point. Some mysterious "injury" that shuts him down for the rest of the year or the Cubs doing what the White Sox did to Carlton Fisk years ago and DFAing him while on a road trip.
Chicago Cubs 2021 season
Was just about to ask the Cubs fans on here which they would prefer to have happen with Arrieta at this point. Some mysterious "injury" that shuts him down for the rest of the year or the Cubs doing what the White Sox did to Carlton Fisk years ago and DFAing him while on a road trip.
He says he still has more left in the tank. Unfortunately it's a septic tank.
In a few years we may be looking back at this losing streak as the best thing that could have happened to this team. This gives Hoyer the green light to tear it down without having to give the impression that they aren’t giving up on this year. Time to suck for a few years and load up the farm system.
I don't want Hoyer doing the rebuild. He and Theo are the reason we are in this mess. Bring in a scouting director from LA or TB; someone who knows how to draft and develop
There is no reason whatsoever for this franchise to suck for a few years.
They have only $40MM in contract commitments next year and one of the greatest free agent classes of all time coming up next year. There’s absolutely no reason they can’t get a few pieces for the farm at the trade deadline, sign a couple premium free agents and then add a few more pieces and be competitive next season.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
For those talking about tearing down and rebuilding, who do they have to trade that would be worth high draft picks or highly rated prospects, especially with certain players' contract status?
There is no reason whatsoever for this franchise to suck for a few years.
I keep thinking about who you would feel good about running out to the mound in a playoff series and after Hendricks I am done. I don’t think you can build an entire staff on free agency alone. Get all the pieces you can at the deadline, don’t lock into huge long term contracts and find some young guys who may take a few years to develop.
I love your optimism but I struggle to see it. I’m not suggesting they field a team that wins 65 games but putting a team together that can legitimately contend for a World Series title is all I’m interested in. Competing with other big market teams for difference making free agents has a history of flaming out horribly. I just don’t see much coming up through the system that’s going to help.
I keep thinking about who you would feel good about running out to the mound in a playoff series and after Hendricks I am done. I don’t think you can build an entire staff on free agency alone. Get all the pieces you can at the deadline, don’t lock into huge long term contracts and find some young guys who may take a few years to develop.
Kimbrel, Tepera (if he gets healthy), Baez, Rizzo, Bryant, Contreras, Chafin, Hendricks. I’m not taking anyone off the table. I’ve seen enough from this group to start over.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
I agree Kimbrel, Hendricks, and Contreras would get you something....I don't think Baez, Bryant, and especially Rizzo have much value, especially with their contract situations.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
It is amazing what a roller coaster team this has been, going on a 27-12 run to their apex of 38-27, then have gone 4-17 since.
…and Arrieta to the IL.
[ W ] #43
(it's been awhile)
(it's been awhile)
Maybe it’s on purpose.
“These guys are still good, it’s just been these nagging injuries. See, we put them on the DL so that legitimizes this stance. Once they are healthy they will produce for you.”
Or maybe it’s just bad luck.
I think Kimbrel, Tepera and Chafin are as good as gone.
Interested in thoughts on Rizzo, Bryant and Baez. If you can’t sign Rizzo to an extension I think you may lose him for nothing. Do they want to make a qualifying offer $20 million to him? Will anyone match it?
Guessing they hang onto Hendricks and Contreras.
Interested in thoughts on Rizzo, Bryant and Baez. If you can’t sign Rizzo to an extension I think you may lose him for nothing. Do they want to make a qualifying offer $20 million to him? Will anyone match it?
Guessing they hang onto Hendricks and Contreras.
Just for reference:
Free agents after 2021
Bryant
Rizzo
Baez
Perderson ($10MM mutual option that no one’s going to pick up)
Sogard
Marsinick ($4MM mutual option that might be attractive.)
Duffy
Chirinos
Davies
Arrieta ($10MM team option. Hah!)
Chafin ($5.25 mutual option. A bit pricey for a middle reliever even with as well as he’s pitched.)
Tepera
Kimbrel ($16MM team option, which is about the going rate for one of the best closers in the game.)
Winkler
Free agents after 2022
Contreras
Brothers
I could see buyers for Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, Pederson, Marsinick, Duffy (if healthy), Davies, Chafin, Tepera, Kimbrel, Winkler, Contreras and Brothers.
The question will be whether there’s enough time to work out deals for all of them. For that reason, I could see the Cubs start to shed lower profile players as early as next week to maximize their return.
It will be interesting with Contreras, Marsinick, Kimbrel and Chafin. Keeping or trading those could let you know the extent to which the Cubs plan on trying to be competitive next year. If they trade Kimbrel for a bonanza, but keep the other three, that might signal that the Cubs are aiming for a quick turn around. If they trade all four, unless some MLB-ready players come back, prepare to suck for a few years.
Free agents after 2021
Bryant
Rizzo
Baez
Perderson ($10MM mutual option that no one’s going to pick up)
Sogard
Marsinick ($4MM mutual option that might be attractive.)
Duffy
Chirinos
Davies
Arrieta ($10MM team option. Hah!)
Chafin ($5.25 mutual option. A bit pricey for a middle reliever even with as well as he’s pitched.)
Tepera
Kimbrel ($16MM team option, which is about the going rate for one of the best closers in the game.)
Winkler
Free agents after 2022
Contreras
Brothers
I could see buyers for Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, Pederson, Marsinick, Duffy (if healthy), Davies, Chafin, Tepera, Kimbrel, Winkler, Contreras and Brothers.
The question will be whether there’s enough time to work out deals for all of them. For that reason, I could see the Cubs start to shed lower profile players as early as next week to maximize their return.
It will be interesting with Contreras, Marsinick, Kimbrel and Chafin. Keeping or trading those could let you know the extent to which the Cubs plan on trying to be competitive next year. If they trade Kimbrel for a bonanza, but keep the other three, that might signal that the Cubs are aiming for a quick turn around. If they trade all four, unless some MLB-ready players come back, prepare to suck for a few years.
I could see them working out a deal with Rizzo to be the next groups “Lester”. Of course they could trade him and still sign him back in the off-season. Hendricks is one I will be keeping an eye on. Wouldn’t shock me to see him dealt.
[ W ] #44.
2021 Top Prospects | THE BOARD | FanGraphs
Compreshensive MLB prospect rankings in a sortable, easy-to-read, feature-rich table.
Fangraphs did their updated system rankings and have the Cubs 18th. I think most others have the Cubs similarly in the middle of the pack.
A couple of the guys from the Darvish trade are screaming up the charts. FG has Preciado in their top 100 already and I don’t think Caissie is too far behind.
If the Cubs can squeeze out a couple more top 100 prospects from the trade deadline, they could very easily have a top 10 farm system.
All things considered, if they can end 2021 with a top 10 system, a whole bunch of money off the books and ready to spend on FAs, and some young starters - Alzolay, Steele, Thompson, Abbot - stretched out and with valuable MLB experience, they’ll actually be in a pretty decent spot going forward.
Looks like the Cubs wanted to go into the All-Star break early. Today's game is postponed due to "forecasted inclement weather" and will be made up as part of a split doubleheader in late September.
No reason to risk getting any of those trade assets hurt.
Well good thing it didn't rain during last night's game either.