I'd like to hear the responses from some of the haters in that thread. Oh, you don't like hiring Theo? How'd that work out for you?
MLB: ***Official 2016 - 17 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION CHICAGO CUBS Offseason Thread***
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I'd like to hear the responses from some of the haters in that thread. Oh, you don't like hiring Theo? How'd that work out for you?
From what I've read from the STL sports guys, it sounds like Fowler is a 4th or 5th choice. The Cardinals are trying to catch the Cubs. In order to do that, they are focused on getting: defensive upgrades, speed, and youth. Fowler offers less of all 3 compared to others in the market (Adam Eaton, Charlie Blackmon, Kevin Kiermaier, etc). Not saying it's impossible. It would certainly serve the narrative under which Heyward and Lackey left STL to go to CHI which makes it interesting. However, it seems like the Cardinals would have to miss on a few other options before they'd consider Fowler.
Cardinals are in a tough spot. Their Ace (Waino) and star catcher (Molina) are entering their last 2 years of being serviceable and their outfield is possibly the worst in the majors.
Sadly, I don't look at them as being much more than the Brewers the past few years.
Brewers had Braun and Lucroy, two damn good players but no one else to help them. Cardinals have Carpenter and Molina, and no one else to help them.
Something like 4/$70M sounds about right, great year to be a free agent. Hammel should have no problem getting a 3/$36M or so deal too.
You bring up some valid points and I certainly don't want to turn the Cubs thread into a Cards vs. Cubs debate. You are right, the Cardinals are in a tough spot. Specifically, they are in a transition from an old core to a new core of players. Waino, Molina, and Holliday are on the downhill side of their career and, in the case of Holliday, no longer with the team.
That being said, there is a lot of young talent on the team and in the minors. Carpenter (age 30), Piscotty (25), C. Martinez (25), Grichuk (25), Diaz (26) and Wong (26) are what the organization hopes to form the future core. In addition to that, they have a potential superstar in Alex Reyes (22) who should break the rotation this year. Some of those guys, particularly Wong and Reyes, have yet to prove themselves. That being said, there's a lot of promise with this team. In addition to these players, the Cardinals have a lot of payroll flexibility.
They have a long way to go to catch the Cubs. If things continue with the current trend, the Cubs will own the NL Central for years to come. Barring something catastrophic, I do not expect the Cardinals to completely fall out of contention (a la Brewers/Reds that you cite). They will be in the heat of the NL Central and vying for a playoff spot every year. It will be fun to see what they do from the position of the underdog instead of the division favorite.
I just want them to get a key bullpen piece (and bring back Travis Wood, if he want's to return)
I think they could get by with Strop, Rondon, and Edwards Jr. but considering we don't have any other needs I'd feel far more comfortable with a bullpen upgrade or two. Even if it's not Chapman or Jansen, I hope they target some slightly cheaper options like Greg Holland or Daniel Hudson.
I think they could get by with Strop, Rondon, and Edwards Jr. but considering we don't have any other needs I'd feel far more comfortable with a bullpen upgrade or two. Even if it's not Chapman or Jansen, I hope they target some slightly cheaper options like Greg Holland or Daniel Hudson.
Hey, I look pretty smart in that thread. Also, the last page of that thread has an interesting conversation between Erik and I about not stabbing the curse breakers in the backs on their way out the door. I don't care how many times Jon Lester refuses to throw to first base, when either the club or he decides his time as a Cub is over no matter how much beer and fried chicken he consumes between now and then, I'll be wishing him the best and forever grateful he chose us. That goes triple true for Epstein.
Never actually heard the song before SNL, although I heard ABOUT it. And it's stuck in my head as well. It's a very catchy tune.
Side note to Bret: how long have you been waiting to type that thread title?
Mods, I am OK with allowing Becky back in for a few weeks...
So what you're saying is that the Cardinals are not coming? I feel like I've been lied to for the past few months
I still would love to see Fowler back. I know that will push Almora down a rung and it may not be the BEST long term move (although I don't think it's necessarily a bad one, either), but Fowler very quickly became one of my favorite Cubs ever and he still brings an awful lot of value to this lineup (and the clubhouse).
As for the bullpen, I definitely want Wood back. He did really well against righties and lefties for a good portion of the year, and was still a good LOOGY once fatigue set in from his heavy workload (plus, with Monty or Z going to the rotation, they could use another southpaw in the pen). I also really would like to see them get one of the big three closers, with a preference for Jansen because of his versatility in October. Chappy is damn good, and if the Cubs were to land him instead of Jansen, I'd hardly complain about it. But Jansen and Miller really changed the way that we look at relievers in the playoffs.
Other than making a run at a closer, the only big move I would expect Theo to make/try to make would be a trade for a controllable arm (Sale is a pipe dream, albeit a fun one; but Archer, Gray, etc. are still possibilities).
As for the bullpen, I definitely want Wood back. He did really well against righties and lefties for a good portion of the year, and was still a good LOOGY once fatigue set in from his heavy workload (plus, with Monty or Z going to the rotation, they could use another southpaw in the pen). I also really would like to see them get one of the big three closers, with a preference for Jansen because of his versatility in October. Chappy is damn good, and if the Cubs were to land him instead of Jansen, I'd hardly complain about it. But Jansen and Miller really changed the way that we look at relievers in the playoffs.
Other than making a run at a closer, the only big move I would expect Theo to make/try to make would be a trade for a controllable arm (Sale is a pipe dream, albeit a fun one; but Archer, Gray, etc. are still possibilities).
If Fowler does come up, I could see the Cubs possibly trading Almora and Soler this offseason. Eloy Jimenez has managed to do better than expected and I could see the Cubs projecting a 2018 arrival.
*For the record, I definitely want Almora on the roster. Good attitude and great player
*For the record, I definitely want Almora on the roster. Good attitude and great player
Bleacher nation has a source saying the Cubs will go after Jansen of the 3 big closers on the market. I really don't care as long they get one of the three
I could see a 7, 8, 9 of Strop, Edwards, and Jansen.
I'm not so sure the Cubs keep Rondon if they sign Jansen and use the excuse of "we don't need a closer anymore" to get rid of him when in reality I just don't think the Cubs want him.
I'm not so sure the Cubs keep Rondon if they sign Jansen and use the excuse of "we don't need a closer anymore" to get rid of him when in reality I just don't think the Cubs want him.
Given the lack of pitching depth, I'd be shocked if they dumped Hector. He had a great season and just ran into some injury trouble late in the season.
