They are painting themselves into a corner with Bellinger. Make it happen already!
Chicago Cubs 2024
With the trade for Michael Busch, I felt Hoskins was less of an option for a FA splash (use that money to extend Steele's contract, perhaps?).
That said, sign Bellinger.
Steele still has 3 more years of arbitration and is already 28. He has relied a lot on the unique late movement of his fastball and deception, as he doesn't have overwhelming stuff. I'm definitely interested to see if he can sustain his success, or if the league starts to see him better with repetition. They will have plenty of time to work something out down the line if it's the former.
I think Busch is a great lottery ticket but shouldn't be penciled in as an everyday player for a team that professes to be "contending". We've had our share of AAAA sluggers over the years...
I don't disagree with your assessment of Busch being a lottery ticket, but I don't think most fans shifted their perspective when that trade went down for how it would impact their process in free agency.
I can't see this front office trading for Busch only block him with someone like Hoskins. And I say this as someone who had Hoskins near the top of my offseason wish list.
Even if the Cubs sign Bellinger, unless Jed is putting the final touches on a blockbuster with Cleveland, they lost the offseason to the other teams in the NL Central.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
It's not like the other teams have done much more. Outside of STL adding Sonny Gray and the Brewers adding Hoskins, what big moves have been made?
I'm not going to list them all but Candelario at 3rd (Reds) and Chapman at Setup/Depth (Pirates) would be better than we have now.
I'm not saying nothing will happen, but as of today, we dumped a hell of a lot more salary (Belli, Stroman, Heyward) than we spent (Imanaga on the cheap).
If the plan is to field this team as is and wait until our prospects come up in '25, fine, but don't BS us all by talking big in the offseason ("All in on Ohtani" when you know he had no intention to ever come here) and then sit on your hands.
I'm in a bad mood since last night.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Candelario hit .234 and struck out in 25% of his plate appearances for the Cubs last season. That is the definition of replaceable. And, until last season, Chapman had been trending in the wrong direction for several years. If the Cubs had signed either of those players, my reaction would have been "meh".
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The really upsetting thing is that they refused to bring real bullpen reinforcements in at the deadline last year because they didn't want to dip into the luxury tax, on the theory that the escalating repeater rates would make it harder to make a splash this winter. That becomes a huge mistake if they're below the tax line this year.
It's unacceptable for the Cubs to be tax-shy in a league where lots of smaller markets are paying (9 payers last year I believe). It also really imperils the viability of the Marquee Network to fail to generate excitement within the market.
Better late than never. I haven't given up on this offseason yet. Scott Boras was always going to play things this way, he's a tough negotiator that gets his guys the best deal. But Cubs fans should be very mad if reinforcements aren't on the way. They blew a big opportunity last year and have another one this year.
I agree completely. They aren't doing anyone any favors by shooting for below .500, which is apparently the goal.
This.
I didn’t agree with, but understood, the conservative approach last year. There’s no excuse this year.
Either they’re letting Boras and Bellinger hold up their entire offseason, or they actually don’t plan on improving much over last year. Either way, there’s no excuse for not at least signing some bullpen help by now.
His whole year was remarkedly better than the Madrigal/Mastro combination was last year and will be better than those 2 this year.
My bigger point is they talked a big game about the off season and considering their losses of personnel and salary have been the quietest team in MLB.
It feels like Ricketts gave Jed a pot of money and told him everything he saves he can keep. Please prove me wrong Jed.
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I, of course, love this as a nostalgia pick up. It’s also a decent depth signing for the bullpen. He was pretty good for the Nats over the last couple years.
It’s a minor league contract. So, if he makes the team out of Spring Training, great. If not, no loss.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Right, no lose situation.
Is he our closer?
I guess that might end the Clase speculation.
At least we got him for just money, not for top prospects like Clase would have cost us.
I hope he locks down the 8th with Adbert holding down the 9th.
Everyone of consequence back from last year’s bullpen but Fulmer. Add Neris, Almonte and Edwards. Hope for a bounce back from Thompson and some health from Roberts and Wicks. Smyly and Cuas in the pen the entire year. Some more development from youngsters like Palencia and Little.
There’s a lot of pieces there, but enough decent parts such that the pen should be ok.
There’s a lot of pieces there, but enough decent parts such that the pen should be ok.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Are 8th inning guys getting 9M per year? I honestly have no idea if they do but if they don't, Neris won't be an 8th inning guy. Or maybe he and Adbert will trade off 8th and 9th innings.
The Brewers just traded away Burnes.
The Central will never be more wide open than it is this year.
This relatively modest offseason is so frustrating.
The Central will never be more wide open than it is this year.
This relatively modest offseason is so frustrating.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Patience. Jed's got Boras in a headlock here, let it play out.
I’m supposed to be the voice of reason in this thread, dammit!
