Chicago Cubs 2024

champaignchris · Dec 4, 2023

With the Winter Meetings going, probably time to start the new thread.

Sounds like everything is on the table in terms of both trades and free agency.

Ohtani, Yamamoto, Soto, Glasnow, Bellinger, Hader?

All, some or none?

Cubs have questions at 1B, 3B, CF, and DH, could use a top line starting pitcher, and every team always needs more bullpen help.

Grandpa · Dec 4, 2023

champaignchris said:
With the Winter Meetings going, probably time to start the new thread.

Sounds like everything is on the table in terms of both trades and free agency.

Ohtani, Yamamoto, Soto, Glasnow, Bellinger, Hader?

All, some or none?

Cubs have questions at 1B, 3B, CF, and DH, could use a top line starting pitcher, and every team always needs more bullpen help.

All, which will solve most of those problems. They will still have a little work to do, but most of the questions will be answered

bdutts · Dec 4, 2023

I think they'll sign Hoskins after the winter meetings. Maybe get Hader. I'd say they won't sign/acquire the rest of your list.

champaignchris · Dec 4, 2023

The cheap/conservative/boring offseason would be something like Hoskins, Candelerio and Wacha, plus a handful lottery ticket relievers.

Can’t imagine they were able to get Counsel aboard if that was their sales pitch.

Grandpa · Dec 4, 2023

champaignchris said:
The cheap/conservative/boring offseason would be something like Hoskins, Candelerio and Wacha, plus a handful lottery ticket relievers.

Can’t imagine they were able to get Counsel aboard if that was their sales pitch.

I'd manage them for $8 million/year if they sold all their starters and replaced them with minor leaguers. Maybe I'm the only one.

bdutts · Dec 4, 2023

champaignchris said:
The cheap/conservative/boring offseason would be something like Hoskins, Candelerio and Wacha, plus a handful lottery ticket relievers.

Can’t imagine they were able to get Counsel aboard if that was their sales pitch.

They just signed a lottery ticket reliever from the Japanese league. Edwin Escobar. And Ethan Roberts. Both to minor league deals.

I think they'll sign Hoskins but not Candelario. Maybe the 3rd baseman from Toronto. Maybe Wacha. I don't think they'll make a splash but I'll be happy to eat crow with plenty of hot sauce if they do make a splash.

bdutts · Dec 5, 2023

Looks like Cubs are out on Ohtani...

Grandpa · Dec 6, 2023

bdutts said:
Looks like Cubs are out on Ohtani...

Maybe they will spend that amount of money on 2 or 3 guys. Make a team.

KBLEE · Dec 6, 2023

Grandpa said:
Maybe they will spend that amount of money on 2 or 3 guys. Make a team.

I'll take Hoskins and Chapman.

Warren Carter Fanclub · Dec 6, 2023

Jed claims they are still in on Ohtani. They most likely won't get him any way and I'd rather spread that money around to your needs than go all in on one guy who they look on as a marketing tool which I could care less about. Let's see the talent on the field rather than selling jerseys.

Grandpa · Dec 6, 2023

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1732187225297723790

Counsell on Morel

Warren Carter Fanclub · Dec 7, 2023

Grandpa said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1732187225297723790

Counsell on Morel

If Morel is playing every day that means we didn't get anything done in the off season. WAY too many strikeouts.

bdutts · Dec 7, 2023

champaignchris said:
The cheap/conservative/boring offseason would be something like Hoskins, Candelerio and Wacha, plus a handful lottery ticket relievers.

Can’t imagine they were able to get Counsel aboard if that was their sales pitch.

Candelario to the Reds.

Grandpa · Dec 7, 2023

Warren Carter Fanclub said:
If Morel is playing every day that means we didn't get anything done in the off season. WAY too many strikeouts.

Maybe they are trying to jack up his trade value

KBLEE · Dec 7, 2023

Warren Carter Fanclub said:
If Morel is playing every day that means we didn't get anything done in the off season. WAY too many strikeouts.

Ks aren't everything. He had 26HR and 70RBI in just over 100 games last season. That is production.

champaignchris · Dec 7, 2023

Warren Carter Fanclub said:
If Morel is playing every day that means we didn't get anything done in the off season. WAY too many strikeouts.

I wouldn’t go that far. I’d be fine with him DHing most days, assuming the Cubs get a legit 1B and 3B.

I think the thing is, with his athleticism, you’re wasting Morel a bit if he’s not in the field. 2B is his best spot in the field, but the Cubs already have that covered with Hoerner, whom they just gave an extension, and by all appearances seem to want to make a cornerstone (pun intended) of the next great Cubs team. So, Morel could conceivably be more valuable to another team than he is to the Cubs.

Grandpa · Dec 7, 2023

KBLEE said:
Ks aren't everything. He had 26HR and 70RBI in just over 100 games last season. That is production.

It's quite an argument with Schwarber hitting tons of HRs, RBIs, and batting leadoff with a a .200 average. He has won the argument, but Morel and Wisdom have not. Schwarber does have the walks.

KBLEE · Dec 7, 2023

Grandpa said:
It's quite an argument with Schwarber hitting tons of HRs, RBIs, and batting leadoff with a a .200 average. He has won the argument, but Morel and Wisdom have not. Schwarber does have the walks.

Schwarber hit .197 vs Morel's .247. A 50 point difference in batting average is not really a good comparison.

champaignchris · Dec 7, 2023

Grandpa said:
It's quite an argument with Schwarber hitting tons of HRs, RBIs, and batting leadoff with a a .200 average. He has won the argument, but Morel and Wisdom have not. Schwarber does have the walks.

Schwarber has never struck out at as high a rate as Morel did last year and he walks, way, way more.

jjv0004 · Dec 7, 2023

Since they are clearly not getting Ohtani or Soto, bring back Bellinger and sign Chapman and 2 starters. Please don't miss out on all the studs.

KBLEE · Dec 7, 2023

jjv0004 said:
Since they are clearly not getting Ohtani or Soto, bring back Bellinger and sign Chapman and 2 starters. Please don't miss out on all the studs.

Belli is asking for more than they are willing to pay.

Grandpa · Dec 7, 2023

KBLEE said:
Belli is asking for more than they are willing to pay.

As are all the other free agents that they want but don't get.

jjv0004 · Dec 8, 2023

Maybe they follow the Atlanta Braves model and play the young guys and build your team that way. The Braves don't go out signing free agents and they do pretty well.

Mr. Tibbs · Dec 8, 2023

jjv0004 said:
Maybe they follow the Atlanta Braves model and play the young guys and build your team that way. The Braves don't go out signing free agents and they do pretty well.

same with the Tampa Bay Rays

Emerson Bigguns · Dec 8, 2023

jjv0004 said:
Maybe they follow the Atlanta Braves model and play the young guys and build your team that way. The Braves don't go out signing free agents and they do pretty well.

I think Matt Olson, Marcel Ozuna, Sean Murphy, and Charlie Morton might all have other thoughts…